Ren Von Seraphis(3)

--- Finn's POV ---

While biding the necessary time for Ais to recover, my mind wandered, unable to settle on a single thought.

Accepting the current situation proved difficult, but dwelling on it would yield no productive outcome. It was best to let go and focus on the task at hand.

My initial impression of Ren Von Seraphis was a mixed bag. It wasn't entirely positive or negative, considering the fact he didn't hold our initial attack against us.

In a way, we were insignificant enough to be disregarded. However, dwelling on this thought would only dampen my spirits.

I focused on what truly made me wary—his undeniable intelligence.

Ren knew exactly how to communicate with Ais, giving her space while simultaneously caring for her. He also never made a genuine attempt to harm us. There were no red flags or reasons to be suspicious.

The enigma of how and why he had fallen in love with her still eluded us. How had he even become aware of her existence? It was a puzzle I couldn't fathom, and the fact that he refused to divulge the details only added to my frustration.

However, I couldn't hold it against him. It appeared to be a personal matter that he intended to share with Ais alone...

But that was something we couldn't permit at the moment. It was far too risky, especially considering the man's formidable strength. We found ourselves trapped in a perplexing dilemma...

At this juncture in the narrative, it was only natural to harbor suspicions regarding his true identity and any other hidden motives he might possess.

Yet, he openly declared himself a World Traveler, providing evidence by casually demonstrating the method of conjuring a portal, even though I couldn't comprehend a single symbol involved.

The reaction from Riveria was nothing short of astonishing, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. Perhaps she, too, had undergone a profound existential crisis, realizing that everything she had believed and deemed significant in her life was now trampled upon.

With such blatant displays and his affirmation as a World Traveler, there was no room left for doubting his identity.

But shouldn't such revelations be reserved for climactic moments, intended to add depth and complexity to the story? Wasn't it a literary trope to showcase the characters' acceptance and lack of concern for someone from another world?

Admittedly, my knowledge of such literary works might be lacking, and I could be remembering things incorrectly.

What intrigued me the most was the lack of any hidden motives. Ren's love for Ais was evident, surpassing that of countless others who had been captivated by her.

Many had been stronger than her at one point, yet they faltered due to their foolish mistakes—objectifying her or overstepping her boundaries. They lacked the sincerity and passion required to engage in a genuine courtship with Ais Wallenstein.

I once believed that the white rabbit, Bell Cranel, would gradually break down the walls around her heart. It seemed fitting for Ais. However, I now realized the folly of my assumption.

"You're so sweet! You don't need to worry about my clothes. I have another pair, look!"

He cared deeply for Ais, and the thought of wearing another shirt never crossed his mind, as he was too busy thinking of anything to aid her instead.

He also had the power and intelligence to drive her to her fullest potential, pushing her limits and presenting challenges unlike any she had encountered before. The growth I witnessed in Ais Wallenstein was nothing short of awe-inspiring as if she were ascending to unprecedented heights within the confines of this brief period.

I couldn't deny that I myself wouldn't last an hour under such grueling "training."

Ren understood all of this and skillfully manipulated the situation to his advantage. Before we even comprehended his intentions, we were ensnared in a web we couldn't escape from.

Suppose I were to intervene and attempt to snatch Ais from his grasp, asking him to leave. Even if he complied, would Ais truly let him go? The way she looked at him spoke volumes.

A tangled mess of emotions swirled within her—confusion, gratitude, a desire to spar and improve herself at an accelerated pace...

If I were to interfere, I risked driving Ais into his arms willingly or providing Ren with an opportunity for a "private" conversation.

'...It's better to leave this to Loki-sama.'

As the Commander and Captain of the Familia, it was shameful to rely on our Goddess, but my hands were tied.

'...still, I will keep watch, no matter what.'

Was it painful?

Yes, it pained me to witness their affectionate displays while I, alongside the traumatized elf serving as Vice-Captain, was left in the shadows. Yet, I understood that this was my duty.

---

Once again, my assumptions proved to be utterly incorrect.

As I retraced Ren's actions in my mind, I realized I had mistakenly believed I could grasp his character and predict his behavior to some extent. However, reality unveiled a stark contrast to my expectations.

"Of course, you three should handle the fights yourselves. It wouldn't be any fun if I simply eradicated all the monsters. Although they may be weak for you, they still provide a good opportunity for exercise. And as for you, Ais, since you've had your rest, feel free to roam and engage in battles as you please. I won't intervene unless your life is at risk."

I assumed Ren would eliminate all the monsters on the floors, possibly out of concern for Ais's aversion to such "disgusting" creatures or to prevent the risk of blood staining her during combat.

Yet, what I failed to comprehend was that Ren's love for Ais was not a simplistic matter.

He held a deep respect for her as a warrior, as an individual, and as a woman.

A woman might recoil at the sight of the blood upon herself, but a true warrior would view it as an ordinary occurrence, even becoming annoyed at someone attempting to rob them of that experience. For them, the blood of others staining their body symbolized that today, it was not their own blood that had been shed.

Perhaps I had allowed my arrogance to cloud my judgment, foolishly assuming that I could easily comprehend everything, or perhaps Ren Von Seraphis was simply an enigmatic man beyond conventional understanding.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted as we stood before our Loki Familia comrades.

We quickly clarified that "nothing" significant had occurred, merely stating that we had been busy "grinding" and "keeping an eye" on Ais during her training.

To be honest, I hadn't lied to them; I had simply concealed certain details for their own well-being.

However, my train of thought was abruptly shattered when someone in our group spoke up,

"Hey, who is this bastard with you?"

Time seemed to freeze as a tremor coursed through my body. No, Bete, this was not the time for such provocations.

It was perhaps the first time my face displayed such a profound emotion—fear. How could I have overlooked such an obvious aspect?

Although I had intended to provide a clear explanation, stating that this man was a potential future adventurer we had recruited for our Familia, a flimsy excuse to buy us time to discuss matters with our Goddess, it was apparent to even the most oblivious observer that their relationship held a deeper significance.

The unusual distance they maintained as they walked together, coupled with Ais engaging in lengthy conversations—anyone with a shred of perception would connect the dots.

This man... he was a contender for the hand of a princess who had supposedly received countless confessions already!

While most dismissed it as yet another passing infatuation, Bete Loga, the executive whom few in the Familia held favor with due to his abrasive personality, harbored no such peaceful thoughts.

He was like a raging locomotive that few dared to challenge, and now he had taken notice of everything. He desired to teach this "newcomer" a harsh lesson.

I couldn't stand idly by and let Bete continue his reckless behavior. A chill coursed through my veins, reminding me of the potential consequences.

Losing a first-class executive like him would be a severe blow to the Loki Familia, and I couldn't afford to let him provoke Ren any further. It was crucial to prevent him from stirring the Dragon's wrath⁹ any more than he already had.

---

9. It's only used as a figure of speech. No connections to dragons!

Author's note:

I am dead tired. As a way to apologize for a little for the short amount of chaps, I gave you a longer version with also an event from the next chap already flashed out.

It's Bete who constantly finds himself on the receiving end of a thorough beating, my novel shall also take part in that. Thank you for passing me the ball, fellow authors.

(I wil re-read this once more tomorrow, but for now, I'll have to go sleeping since it's 2:20AM here :o)