Chapter 26: Night activity
Beta read by Shigiya, Fluffy Slayer and DOOMRAIDER.
.
.
.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Sigh
"She's persistent, I'll give her that."
After he politely, in his opinion, declined her advances, Maia kept pounding the wall separating them for the last hour as a way to annoy him for his rejection.
A very childlike behavior on her end that wasn't surprising. She rarely acted mature or responsible since they first met, always having this child-like aspect in her personality.
Archer wouldn't lie and say that he wasn't physically attracted to the Princess Knight, she possessed a charm and body which would leave many men in awe. A part of him did wonder if growing out her hair would suit her look better, but that's probably because he had a thing for women with long hair. They also became quite close recently, always spending time together, including taking a bath together—even though that last part was kind of forced by Maia.
There was also the fact that she accidently had an up close inspection of his junk… yeah, he preferred not thinking about it too much.
After all of this and her constant flirting, was he adamant to not accept her offer? He wasn't a prude virgin. He did get into a relationship with a girl or two back in his world before he accepted Ayala's offer. But they never lasted for long, largely his fault due to his previous habits of going beyond to help others.
He realized that there was no point in ending up with Maia, already knowing that it would not last long. He couldn't deny his attraction to her, in both the physical and emotional side of things—though the latter was a very small part of it. They barely spent enough time to forge a strong bond, but Maia was actively trying to build one, desperately so in fact.
She didn't want him to leave.
"I could give her the satisfaction for a single night, but that will only cause her more harm than good in the long run. I don't think that she even realizes that she is trying to make a romantic relationship with me, instead of her usual one-night stand."
And no matter what, he just couldn't give her that life.
He sighed.
"Time for some sleep," he said, ignoring Maia's constant banging on the wall, assuming she would get tired of it at one point and being correct an hour later. Archer closed his eyes, feeling the familiar sensation of fatigue and drowsiness wash over him.
That night, he dreamed of a familiar world covered in dense black fog, with rusted giant cogs falling out of the sky on a desolate land filled with countless swords that were planted in the ground, used as grave markers for the lives he had taken, the mistakes he had made. Their sheer uncountable number and variety being a constant reminder of all of the battles and decisions he had taken in the past.
Weapons from legendary figures all across time and space, Noble Phantasms holding a well of power far beyond anything he has seen in this world so far. Even Kanshou and Byakuya would be considered to rank beyond anything the Princess Knights wielded. Did that mean that there were no such weapons in this world that could rival his? No, most likely there would be such a weapon somewhere—he just never came across it, fortunately. In a world with such a high concentration and abundant source of Magical Energy, he was just surprised that he hadn't seen anything that impressive to begin with, but he should be prepared to deal with it when the time came.
Maia's blessing did count as a better version of Reinforcement in a sense, but the so-called magical weapons she used during their fight were quite brittle and weak.
In front of him lay those very same swords he destroyed. Maia's twin blades, forged using enhanced steel surpassing that of regular swords, but still not to the level of a Noble Phantasm. Archer even hesitated to call them mysteries as their only enhancement was durability and toughness. But they had offered an insight of who Maia was, and how she fought.
"Hm?"
Archer looked behind.
"Did something just…?"
For the briefest of moments, something changed within his Reality Marble, almost as if an intruder was stepping within its bounds, which shouldn't even be possible in the first place. This was his very own soul, for any being capable to perform such a feat would need to be on the level of Alaya or a Type being. And if they could do this, why was he still alive?
"Is this world curious about my presence?"
If the world had a consciousness, just like Gaia, it could sense and think like any other person. Archer wondered if this world came to know that an outsider encroached upon its domain and decided to have a look.
Would it try to erase him?
But then again, it could also be something or someone else trying to investigate him. He was still in a very unfamiliar world, with rules and magic different from his own.
He could never shake away this feeling he kept having recently, as if someone was there beside him touching his shoulders, as if he was being held in an embrace or caressing his hand while he sat on a rock on top of the hill. Although when he turned to look, no one was there and the sensation would disappear… Was he going crazy?
"Has Alaya been tampering with my Reality Marble?"
No, that couldn't be possible. He didn't think that such a being had any reason to do so and if it was even capable of such a thing in the first place. Yet he felt this second presence, no matter how faint it was, this person was close by and this realization scared him tremendously. Only a being of high power, similar to that of a god could tamper with the fabric of reality subtly enough to cause such an occurrence.
"I don't know who you are or what you are, nor do I have any wish to meet you any time soon, but I would prefer if you didn't barge in on my Reality Marble so casually. I don't want a stalker of all things in my soul."
Just like that, the feeling began to disperse, until he was left all alone.
"So it does understand me," he said, worried about what this entails for him in the future. This wasn't something he was used to dealing with, nor could he hope to achieve anything other than hope the entity leaves him alone.
At least it wasn't some kind of demonic entity trying to take over his body.
{Break}
In the middle of the night, Archer woke up from his slumber.
The candle he lit for the night had died down, leaving an empty sconce dripping with wax that had already hardened. The only source of light in his room was the moonlight coming from the Celestial body of his window. The windows of his room rattled loudly with the heavy wind outside, showing signs of rain soon to come.
It had been a while since he last slept so peacefully, despite Maia's previous wall kicks. He was impressed how the walls managed to not get destroyed from her temper tantrums or enhanced strength.
Archer felt his throat dry, he was feeling rather thirsty.
Given how he barely drank anything during the trip, his now mortal body requires he be properly fed and hydrated to stay in top form. He couldn't just rely on mana for everything anymore. Not that he minded, he rather liked the feeling of hunger and thirst, it made him enjoy the simple things in life more.
Getting out of bed, passing the chair that held his neatly folded coat and shirt, heading to the water jug on the table.
Grabbing the jug, he tried to pour himself a cup but discovered the former to be empty.
"Tch, someone forgot to refill it."
Now wasn't this an annoying situation he found himself in… he could ignore his thirst and go back to sleep, it wasn't an emergency of any sort.
"Anna did mention about a tavern downstairs, I can just go downstairs for a drink and take a look while I have the chance."
It would also be a great opportunity to walk around the perimeter and make sure that everything was not out of the ordinary. He didn't want there to be another demon invasion in the middle of the night while everyone was fast asleep. That and to also keep an eye on Kin and Hicks. Those two—especially Hicks—could sneak into his room to assassinate him while he sleeps, which wouldn't even work in the first place. When that man began rushing, he had full intentions of killing him. Too bad for him that both Maia and Brynn didn't share his sentiment and ended up with a broken nose.
Archer knew that such a man wouldn't give up anytime soon, they were petty and held grudges far longer than anyone else if they felt slighted. If he wasn't careful, Hicks or even Kin were fully capable of backstabbing him while he wasn't careful.
He wasn't counting on Maia's presence to act as a shield of any sort, they could very well point their blade against both of them at any point, including Brynn.
"Let's hope that everyone is asleep." he said, leaving his room and walking onto the empty corridor.
He made sure to walk quietly so as to not wake up the sleeping crimson dragon sleeping next door.
Snore…
Yeah, he could even hear her fierce growls through the door—what a frightening creature.
Archer retraced his steps from the moment they entered the building. Heading downstairs and making his way outside, Archer gazed around the area. It was quiet, only the chorus of insects gracing his presence on this moonlit night. The streets were empty and it was already so late that even most of the torches had been extinguished.
Fortunately, the wind subsided for the moment and things returned to the calm and peaceful state from before.
He then spent the next few minutes walking around the village, briefly scouting and surveying the land. He couldn't help but shake his head when he came by the town guards that had fallen asleep on their watch. If a demonic army were to invade then the village would have fallen by the time they figure out what even happened.
"Hmm, fresh footsteps." Archer said, noticing the footprints of someone walking out of the village and even a dim color of a torch's light in the distance. Feeling curious, Archer decided to take a look and jumped up the tree branches. Jumping from tree to tree, he reached an open expanse of land where he was surprised to find none other than Brynn.
"Ha!"
The girl was out so late in the middle of the night and was actually training her skills.
Bam!
She swung her wooden sword against the tree trunk, leaving behind a small mark to the bark.
On her hand were traces of blood, staining both her skin and weapon as sweat soaked her clothes. She must have been at this for a few hours judging from the countless marks he could see on the trunk.
Falling on her knees, Archer saw her gasping for air, her lungs feeling like they were drowning in boiling water, using the wooden sword to keep herself from falling to the ground. Yet she didn't give up, using the sword as a crutch, the Knight got back up before going back to her initial stance and continuing to attack with a better form than before.
Archer couldn't help but smirk, feeling a sensation in his heart he never really experienced in his past life. Watching the girl he accepted to train for a bit, possessing so much commitment in her swordsmanship warmed his heart—he felt proud of her. It reminded him of the young boy who would always fail at every sort of magecraft, no matter how much he tried. But that boy never gave up, he continued to practice despite getting little to no progress.
He did so for years and decades, only to continue pushing the boundaries of what he thought to be basics, and unknowingly creating a completely different branch.
Brynn showed a similar stubborn trait.
'With enough time, if she continues down this path and doesn't die an early death, she'll be able to achieve so much.'
A part of him dared to wonder if at one point she would reach the skill level of legendary figures. He didn't mind Brynn reaching that level in the future where she could take him on in combat at his strongest, he actually looked forward to seeing such an outcome.
Once again, it wasn't like he would stay here for long enough to find out.
"She's fine for now, better leave her alone."
Since there wasn't anything to worry about, Archer headed towards the tavern in the village that Anna showed him and Maia in the morning.
"Oh, the door isn't locked."
As he entered, the man took a look at the tavern inside. It resembled the Emerald Inn's layout, with the same looking benches, chairs, and tables. The only difference being how this place was bigger and smelled slightly… floral?
"Wait, something isn't right here," he said, hearing something… strange, muffled sounds coming from the 'empty room'. From the kitchen behind the counter, it didn't sound like ghosts or wisps or the creaking of the wooden planks on the floor. More specifically, it was the voice of a woman…
"Ah~!"
…moaning!?
'Don't tell me,' he body went still, unsure whether he should walk away or investigate what was going on. 'Of all times, it just had to be when I came to get myself a freaking cup of water!?'
Was this world amplifying his bad luck and timing?
"Do-don't! Not the-there~! P-Please slow down~!" said the voice in a high-pitched tone.
"You're so beautiful, Grace."
Well, at least he knew who it was, not that knowing the name Grace helped him in any way. And the other speaker's voice sounded female as well and a bit familiar as well.
"We… we shouldn't be doing this right—ah~!" she once again let out a needy moan, being quite vocal of the pleasure she was getting. He could hear her breathing get harsher by the second because releasing a high-pitched cry of pure ecstasy.
Just what kind of act of debauchery did he accidentally stumble upon in the middle of the night?
A scene which he wanted no part of and even overwrote his thirst. Archer decided that it was best to leave and let these girls have their… passionate moment. The kitchen was not exactly the best place to do it, but this place had nothing to do with him and he was happy to go back to sleep.
He slowly walked backward, ensuring to avoid any loose floorboards and soften his steps. As he was about to reach this exit, he was caught off guard by the sudden burst of wind outside.
Creek!
Bam!
The door behind him swung open with a strong gale, nearly breaking it from its hinges.
"What is it!?"
The voice of the first woman exclaimed in shock.
Archer heard the sound of rustling clothes and heard the kitchen door swing open just as hard as the front entrance. Two sets of footsteps ran out of the room and a loud gasping noise came from behind.
He was caught.
Mother nature just had to mess with him today.
"Archer…-san?"
That familiar voice again, sounding just as monotone and bland as before, without a single trace of emotion within them. He turned his head around like a rusted machine and caught sight of the two people—two beautiful elves.
It was none other than Anna and a Dark Elf, Grace from what he heard. Both had their hair down in a disorderly fashion, skin glistening with sweat, and eyes widened as they didn't expect to be caught in their intimate activity by none other than the new guest. Archer also felt his eye twitch when they were both standing there topless, letting anyone have a full view of their bountiful breasts, with a trail of clear liquid running down Grace's tights.
Both parties were too stunned to talk, Archer's mind working at a million miles per hour trying to think of a way to just vanish from this situation and have them both forget about his presence here. He couldn't turn into an astral form and he doubted any form of barely working hypnotism would work on magical beings like elves… especially those from this world and he rather not risk it with some tests.
"Hey…" he greeted them, choosing the more sensible approach in this matter, "So I just came by to get something to drink and wasn't really expecting anyone to meet anyone this late."
Anna began approaching him, her gaze focused completely on him.
"You… saw us?" she whispered slowly, still not bothering to cover up her chest.
Archer was getting goosebumps from her weird behavior as the woman continued to approach him.
"Nope, didn't see anything. Like I said, I just woke up to get something to drink. Just heard something coming from the kitchen, and wanted to make sure that it wasn't something dangerous. Rather forget this awkward situation if you don't mind." he said quickly, thinking about just running to his room instead of just standing there, getting a stare down from the half naked elf.
"You saw us making love to each other…"
Anna was less than a meter away from him. He could hear her slow breathing and saw the look in her eyes. Unlike Grace, who looked like she was having a panic attack, Anna remained as calm and blank as before.
"I'm telling you that I didn't see anything. We can put this matter behind us and forget about everything that happened tonight.I will even be leaving the village early tomorrow morning with Maia, so we won't have to see each other ever again."
He expected the light elf to get dangerous ideas on how to keep him quiet. She was the mayor's betrothed and having people know that she slept with another woman—much less a Dark Elf. He didn't want this situation to end up with one side trying to do everything in their power to end him in order to keep a secret.
Archer had enough enemies for now.
She stopped in front of him, staring at his eyes for the next few seconds.
"Listen, I'm giving you my word that none of what I witnessed today will be discovered by anyone else. I have no interest in your affairs so all of this has no correlation with me. Love whoever you want, sleep with anyone you desire, that's all up to you and I just don't care about all of this." Archer tried to convey his words with as much sternness in his voice, wanting the latter to realize that he was being serious and for her to believe him.
Yet he saw Anna lift her hands up.
Sighing, Archer closed his eyes in annoyance.
The woman was most likely going to slap him before telling him to leave the village. Leaving him with a sense of deja vu. That's how he left Grünes Bergdorf, with Maia getting angry at him and screaming at him to leave as well.
He hoped for this to not become a trend.
But that's not what happened.
"You said that I could sleep with anyone I want?" Anna grabbed his wrist, bringing them to her large bosom and pressing it against her naked flesh. With her foggy eyes and increased breathing from his touch, she leaned up to his face, their lips centimeters apart. She spoke softly, almost sensually, but the two were able to hear her clearly, "Then join us. Let's make it so that all three of us have a secret to hide and experience unimaginable pleasure."
What?
"What!?" Grace screamed in horror, having heard Anna all the way from the back somehow. "Are you crazy!? W-We can't do this! What if he tells someone!?"
That was what she was worried about!? If he would rat them out and not Anna asking him to join for a threesome!?
Anna caressed his cheeks, making Archer more panicked as her other hand went below his shirt to his pants.
"Don't worry…"
This was getting out of hand. First Maia and now Anna, someone he just met? Archer did not notice any traces of aphrodisiac in the air, so what was going on with these women?
"He won't tell a soul, right? Ar-cher-san?"
Seriously!? Just what is this woman thinking!?
Grace looked between us, biting her lip in anticipation, looking between the two. For what felt like the longest moment, she moved toward Archer.
'Oh you gotta be kidding me!'
Grace began closing the distance between them, her hot breath touching his face as her lips came even closer to his.
.
.
.
"—Vault's—sion."
"—!"
Archer broke out of his trance, placing his palm against Grace's mouth and pushing her away from him. The latter was shocked at his action, not expecting such actions in this situation.
"Mmmm?" she tried to talk, putting more force behind her movements. Giving him a confused look, almost asking why he wasn't letting her close to him.
He couldn't do it, wouldn't do it, especially right now.
"I'm sorry about this, but we need to hide and I'll have to take both of you with me. So forgive me if I'm a bit forceful."
Because there were two people approaching the tavern and it sounded like none other than Hicks and Kin.
Woosh!
"Kyah!"
"Ah~!"
He grabbed both women with his arms, carrying them to the back of the counter and staying hidden from view with the girls pressed against him. He tried to ignore Anna who continued to look at him with that intense stare and her hardened nipple pressing against his chest.
"More people are coming!?"
Grace seemed to be the only sensible one between the two, despite her previous actions and realized why he brought them into hiding as she heard the sound of footsteps entering the tavern. Closing her mouth, she pushed herself closer against Archer as well, her chest squishing against his own.
"Stay quiet, if you make a single sound they will discover us." Archer whispered to the two flushed elves as he continued to listen to the conversation happening on the other side.
It was indeed none other than Hicks and Kin.
"I swear that I'm going to kill that Archer guy tomorrow!" Hicks shouted, kicking through the door like a raging bull.
Great, they were already planning for his assassination.
Damn his rotten luck.
{Break}
"This is a fucking joke, we've been gone a few days and suddenly everything is fucked! Maia's acting like a bitch, there's a third-rate knight who thinks she's hot stuff to talk down to me and that idiot yellow belly worm got his ass roasted in a fire." Hicks growled in frustration, drinking a large bottle of booze. "I swear to you that this is all that fucker's fault, that Archer guy. If I wasn't stopped by Maia and that other bitch back there, I would have had his head rolling down the road and his head on a spike."
On the other side of the table, was Kin still wearing his mage clothes and reading a book he brought with him. They both decided to have a late-night drink and talk things out.
At least, that was what Hicks wanted. Kin grumbled under his breath from having to be forcefully dragged out of his room by the drunkard. It's not as if he wasn't busy researching important matters and delving into the gem he got—a complete waste of time this 'talk' turned out to be.
Kin couldn't care less about his partner's hatred for Archer and how he got treated by Maia. Their objective was taking down Olga and use the castle along with its demonic army to wage war on Eostia before becoming its rulers. Why would he care if Maia had a change of attitude? She would either end up as a slave or Vault's personal bed warmer. Not to mention how her current self posed no use for them whatsoever, unlike Claudia and Prim for example.
Claudia could help them out by supplying an entire army of Knights, while Prim provided them contact with nobles from all around the seven kingdoms. In fact, it was thanks to her that they had managed to get in touch with the Levantine Patriarch. Nearly every force under Maia's rule answered to them secretly, her kingdom's defense was nearly nonexistent and she could be easily swayed by Vault's words.
"You're being too dramatic," Kin replied. "Maia is still her usual self. You're the fool galloping like a madman with a sword aimed at her guest mage. Why would you expect anything aside from a punch to the face? I think you got off lightly, if it was Claudia or gods forbid Alicia—then you would have been executed by now."
"Humph, I'm not scared of them. Claudia is too preoccupied with her husband and daddy dearest while Alicia would rather kiss a homeless guy on the streets than travel anywhere far from Prim."
Kin sighed.
"That's not what I meant, I'm talking about how you got lucky that the one you tried to disrespect is none other than Maia. A childhood friend of yours no less."
"Yeah… friends… not like it matters at this point."
Maia was a weird gal.
She mirrored their style, not putting that much care into feelings and all that junk those nuns clamor about. If she wanted something then few things could stop her from attaining it. He didn't expect her to fall in love with Vault and start acting like she never slept with them beforehand.
"She changed, even more so now with that guy. I'm telling you Kin, he's bad news for us." Hicks warned, wanting to get rid of that man straight away.
"Of course he is, I never stated otherwise."
"Uh? Then why did you—"
"—Looked like I didn't care and even talked to him normally on our way here?" The bespectacled man smirked. "I'm friendly with him because he is a dangerous man. A mage of any kind or level is a threat to be looked out for, but they can also be a powerful ally."
"No, you don't!" Hicks smashed his booze on the table with great force, nearly breaking the glass bottle. "I don't want that guy to fucking join the Kuroinu! I would rather leave him to be devoured by hungry orcs. And thanks to him, that girl I've had my eye on for months has vanished."
"Wasn't Alicia the one you wanted to have for yourself?"
Hicks waved his hand in dismissal.
"Her too, I like chicks who can put up a fight while I'm having my way with them. Vault promised to give those pig brothers Prim… hehehehe, it'll be fun to have Alicia think that I'll release her cousin if she keeps fucking me—only to show her the sight of Prim being fucked in both holes by those pigs. Ha! I can just imagine the look on her face!" he said with a perverse smirk on his face.
"You and your weird fetishes."
"Aren't you excited to get a girl of your own? Come on, you're a guy like me, surely you want a pussy for yourself." Hicks asked, further making Kin wish that he had stayed in his room.
"Unlike you, I don't particularly care about having sex with the Princess Knights. My studies take a bigger role in my life than seeking the pleasure of the flesh."
Hicks burst out laughing, "Hahahaha! You say some weird stuff man, I'm sure Vault will let you have a turn with Olga. Heard she is a mage like you, so you'll probably enjoy it!"
Kin just rolled his eyes.
True, he did find the offer enticing, but what he truly yearned for was something that not even Vault could even begin to imagine.
Celestine's library and Olga's castle.
These two places hid vast amounts of knowledge on both Arcane and mysteries beyond human comprehension. Being a mage attuned with the element of earth, he had long since realized his limits and what little the human body could accomplish.
Unlike the elves, demons, and even the beastmen, each of these races was born with magic coursing through their bodies since birth. They could use more than one element with ease, and for beings like Celestine and probably Olga—they could use all five elements. These two selfishly hid these pieces of knowledge and kept everything for themselves, then claimed to be gods when anyone with the right resources and knowledge could achieve the same thing. He hated them, Kin wanted to reach the realm beyond that of a mortal and become… a transcendental being.
He clutched his pocket, where he felt the warm and soothing effect of the gem running all over his body and mind, like a small voice comforting him. Whispering inside his head the path he needed to take to reach his goals.
Vault and the rest were nothing but frogs inside a well, they couldn't fathom the real world outside.
"Hey Kin… why don't we just kill that guy tomorrow? We'll be passing through the great waterfall before reaching Ansur, we can take him out there. It's loud enough that his voice and any attacks will be drowned by the sound of rushing water." Hicks suggested, not relinquishing the desire to kill Archer.
"Ugh, you are putting our mission in jeopardy over such a small thing. What if Maia finds out and hinders us from joining Vault for the battle!?"
"I swear that it'll work out!" The drunken man exclaimed. "That guy is a mage, right? Then he'll most likely suck at close combat. All you need to do is to distract him long enough for me to sneak behind and strike the killing blow!"
"And what of Maia, it's quite obvious that she will most definitely wonder what happened to the mage she is keeping an eye on?"
Kin knew that there was no way Maia wouldn't put the blame on Hicks if she found out that Archer died, seeing how the former tried to kill him prior.
"We make it look like an accident. My men will set up explosives in advance, so that when our group reaches the area, the detonation will cause a rockfall around the waterfall. We can use this opportunity to separate ourselves and Archer from the main group and take him out then. If Maia asks, then we'll just blame the rocks that crushed him. Plus, some of my men and even a few of the Knights are in on the plan.
This guy…
"You already sent those men to prepare the trap didn't you…" Kin stated.
"Hehehe, you know me too well, partner."
This plan had too many risks involved, and Kin never figured out that man's alignment. He heard how he managed to defeat an entire army of Orcs along with destroying an entire forest. So he could either be an earth or fire alignment mage. He could go back to his room and prepare for the next few hours a bunch of spells to counter whatever Archer would throw at him.
"Fine, if this helps you to forget about him and move on with the mission, then I'll help."
"That's the spirit!" Hicks cheered. "I knew you would help me out!"
"Yeah, yeah, just don't expect me to ever do something like this for you again."
"Noted."
They continued to talk for a few more minutes, Hicks going into detail about how he planned to return to this village and take the two elf girls as well, they were far too beautiful to be left alone.
His attention on the other hand turned to the counter beside them.
"What's up?" Hicks said, watching the mage suddenly stare suspiciously behind him.
"Did you hear that? I think I heard someone… moan?"
"What kind of weird ass sound did you hear? There is no one here beside us." Hicks dismissed his claim before going back to drinking.
Kin, on the other hand, got up from his seat and approached the counter with his staff ready. If there was indeed someone hiding behind them then they would have heard their conversation and needed to be killed immediately.
Step
He came closer, keeping an eye on the exit behind since his partner was too drunk to do it.
Step
His staff glew a dim green light, channeling his mana into a single attack spell.
In a swift motion, he darted behind the counter with his staff pointed behind it.
.
.
.
"Nothing?"
It was empty.
There was no one behind aside from a small puddle of liquid at the bottom of the wooden floor.
"See? I told you that we were alone, Kin. You're too paranoid, come here and have a drink with me!"
He probably was, after all, he was carrying a valuable item and didn't want any slip-ups from a simple mistake when they were so close to their final plan.
"Guess I should return to my room, I have much to prepare for tomorrow with that plan of yours. Drink alone if you want to, I don't care. Good night."
Without waiting for Hicks to respond, Kin left the tavern and returned to his room for the night.
Not realizing that when he left, the space behind the counter started to bend. The silhouette of three people materialized, one being the familiar figure of Grace with her eyes shut and hands covering her mouth in fear of being found out.
Along with an angered Archer who was glaring at Anna whose lips were connected to his.
-------------------
The next 5 chapters of Snafu, Harry Potter and my 2 Fate fics (Fate Coiling Sword having 3 chapters) are already available on my P@treon. With 4 more Broly chapters at /NimtheWriter. Also, I post monthly commissioned arts on each story, already posted a few on an Archer's Promise and Snafu.