Chapter 42

Chapter 42 Aura Wants to "Create Memories"

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Aura's words almost made Ash fall to the ground, and even her men began to doubt their ears when they heard them.

After all, they could understand the words "Adorable," "jerk," and "brother" individually, but when put together... not only was it hard to comprehend, even a human would find it difficult to make sense of.

However, Aura didn't care about her subordinates' confusion at all. She simply smiled and looked Ash up and down: "I really didn't expect you to still be alive, Ash."

"I didn't expect you to be alive either, Aura." Feeling slightly annoyed and unsure of what to say, Ash opened his arms. "Anyway, how about a touching reunion hug?"

"Is that even possible?"

"Uh... really?"

"Haha, what's wrong? You look so surprised, it's hilarious~!"

As Ash stood there dumbfounded, Aura just stepped out of the crowd and slowly approached him.

Despite five centuries having passed—a full 500 years—Aura looked unchanged from how she was in the past.

She still had the height of a loli, the bust of a mature woman, and the face of a young girl. Yet, her smile was laced with mischief, clearly signaling bad intentions.

The fact that she, of all people, was the one to agree left Ash completely helpless.

Meanwhile, Aura relished in his astonishment. She smiled naturally and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her chest against his abdomen with an unusual softness. Raising her head, she looked up at him teasingly:

"What's wrong, Ash? Weren't you the one who suggested a touching reunion hug? Why aren't you hugging me back?"

"...That's true, but Aura." After being reminded, he looked down at the girl in his arms with a puzzled expression. "What are you thinking about right now?"

"Your expression is really interesting."

"...Touched, maybe? After all, this is supposed to be a touching reunion hug, right?"

"Indeed, I'm so moved my body is shaking!"

"...Based on what I know about you, there's no way you're thinking of anything good?"

"That's a bit much." Aura raised the corners of her mouth, her smile deepening. "I fulfilled your wish, so shouldn't you fulfill mine?"

"You make a good point, but—I refuse!"

Alarm bells ringing in his head, Ash instinctively slapped her lightly and pushed the mischievous girl away without a second thought.

But Aura wasn't upset. Instead, she covered her mouth with her hands, laughing quietly:

"Even after all these years, you still don't know how to be gentle with women, or... are you just pretending to resist while secretly wanting?"

"I thought you might've changed after all this time, but I didn't expect..."

Facing this kid he had essentially raised, who was now speaking like a brat, Ash felt conflicted. He even sighed deeply: "Haaa... what on earth have you learned over these years?"

"What are you talking about? Aren't you my mentor?" Aura smiled and shook her head. "And I still remember that time... one deep winter night, after I washed my feet in cold water, you wanted to warm my toes with your mouth and lick them clean. The look in your eyes was full of longing."

"No... please don't create memories that never happened, okay? I'm not a masochist, isn't that something you wanted me to do?"

"Is that so? It really didn't happen?" Aura narrowed her eyes slightly.

"I'm a decent person, I would never do something like that."

"No~ I remember you told me."

"Told you what?"

"Nothing is impossible! And even if the memories don't exist, it doesn't matter. We can just create them!"

As the conversation ended, Aura, who had already retreated without anyone noticing, suddenly flipped her palm. Purple energy gathered instantly, transforming into a golden scale: "Obey the demon...!"

"—strike first."

Before Aura could use the scale and cast the obedience spell, Ash had already rushed forward and was in front of her in an instant.

His movement was nothing like a magician's. Before Aura could process how fast he was, he swung his hand violently.

With a loud bang!, the metal scale was shattered by his palm. Aura stood there in a daze, unable to react for a long time.

After a moment, she raised her hand in astonishment, staring at her long-lost brother. "Have you... given up gravity magic?"

"What do you think?"

"...Your magic power is almost equal to mine. This doesn't feel like you've given up anything at all."

"You really understand that the difference isn't that great. How could you dare use this scale to control me in this situation? That's not like you."

"Haha~ This is, of course, based on your previous advice. I set up an emergency mechanism. If I lose, the scale automatically destroys itself."

"...Isn't that a bit of a cheap trick?"

"Thank you for the compliment. I'm honored." Aura, not ashamed but proud, nodded with a playful smile and took a few more steps back.

She realized now that the safety distance she had initially left wasn't nearly enough... After all, she never imagined that this guy would actually practice martial arts.

However... before she could take two more steps, Ash moved toward her with a smile, grabbed her horn, and pulled her over roughly.

"Don't leave in such a hurry. We haven't seen each other in so long. Shouldn't we catch up?"

"You bastard...! It's been so many years, and you still treat me like this!"

Aura, with her head pulled down and her body awkwardly tilted, gritted her teeth at the familiar treatment, which, even after hundreds of years, still felt fresh in her memory.

The demons behind her tensed up once again, the atmosphere charged with danger, as if it could explode at any moment.

But... if anyone else had done this, Aura, already proud by nature, would have immediately ordered the Undead Army and her forces to destroy the offender for such an insult.

Yet, when Ash did this, she merely seemed annoyed and dissatisfied. It was far from the point of losing her temper, and surprisingly, she wasn't even particularly angry.

However, at the same time, she felt a deep dissatisfaction with herself for tolerating this treatment. She couldn't help but glare fiercely at him from beneath, her expression filled with frustration.

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POWER STONES WOULD BE APPRECIATED