Chapter 208 Part 2: Echoes Across Time

"Welcome back, Milord." Lunaria bowed.

After arriving in his office through teleportation, Arnold chose the closest couch and sat down. He let out a long-winded sigh.

"Come sit with me for a while." He beckoned to the spot next to him on the couch.

"I am fine with standing, Milord."

"Sit."

"…Very well…" Lunaria walked over to the couch and quickly sat down. She let out a tiny "eek" when Arnold ran his fingers through her hair.

Instead of smacking his hand away and calling him a pervert, she spoke of other matters with the same straight face:

"…Lady Victoria has been asking for your whereabouts for quite a while now. Should I go call her? We've just had dinner an hour ago so she shouldn't be asleep just yet."

Arnold shook his head.

"I'm not staying long. Victoria will definitely not let me leave if she finds out I'm here."

That's exactly why he was masking his presence. Victoria is also able to sense energy signatures just like him but not to the extend of detecting him.

"Then what about Lady Celeste…?"

"What is that woman doing here… No one should know I'm here. Well," he looked out the window at the majestic palace in the distance, "—at least one person can know."

'Even with my presence masked, I'm sure Sceptim will be able to sense me even if I go to Siana's room only.'

"Is that so. Very well then. Would you like to hear about our recent activity? I have an update on the marketing campaign we've planned."

"I'm sure all of you did a good job. Unless it's bad news then I don't need to hear it. At least not now. I'll come back and check up on everything in detail later. Just set everything aside that needs my attention."

Lunaria tilted her head, "Why the hurry, Milord?"

"I'm just here to retrieve something then I'll be on my way," Arnold stopped playing with her hair.

He noticed that Lunaria had been leaning closer to him. Did she like it when he played with her hair?

"Have you met Siana yet?"

"I have but… I'd like to know why she is here? I read the letter, that she was going to become a noble but why a stranger from some far-off world whose culture and past we know nothing of?"

"We need trustworthy allies. Trustworthy, wise, smart and a people's person. I met such a person in a dungeon world that she, uh, destroyed with her soul power. I'll make Siana a noble so that she officially becomes my vassal and your superior. Have her learn how things work around here in the meantime. Also, move everything valuable to the palace. Including my crystals."

'I don't know what I'll do with the manor after that. Should I turn it into some kind of hotel?'

But that would mean spending even more money on renovation, something they can't do now. The manor has up to nine bedrooms so it could probably be turned into a small inn before upgrading it to a hotel.

"…Is the palace going to be your new residence?"

"Yeah. I'm going to become a king one day so I need a palace that won't just be a status of wealth but will serve as a stronghold."

"A king…?"

"What? Did you expect my ambitions to amount to only being a city lord?"

"Then why not ask for Her Majesty, Lady Selia's hand in marriage and rule the Undead Nation together? We can turn Whitage city into a mining city filled with only workers and some private resorts for tourism purposes."

"No. I'm going to turn this city into its own nation. Sure, we might lay between one of the empire's kingdoms and the Empire itself but we will be an independent kingdom, one free from their rule. This city and its thousands of acres of land plus the thousands of acres of forestry and mountainy areas belongs to me and only me. I can do with it as I please. Any attempt by the Supreme Noble Court to reverse their decision of abandoning this city will be met with war. I will not allow other nations to walk all over me when they see a chance to get rich."

He was being serious. If the Empire tries to sabotage his future using imperial laws then he'll go to war with all the monarchs. Thinking about this from another perspective, it should eliminate the competition for Julius if he gets rid of Ronia and Jurnick.

"I trust Selia will assist me if war does break out?"

"Of course. We need only destroy one nation in a single day to show them the might of the Undead Nation. We can also show everyone this way that Brynhildr Selia Bloodforth and Arnold von Berkley are allied. As of right now we've managed to keep it a secret."

"That sounds like a good idea. But I'm planning on announcing this to everyone in the future regardless if the war happens or not."

The backlash that comes with announcing his alliance with that nation won't be pretty. That's unless Selia shows the people that they can trust her even if she is a vampire lord.

It's important that—if the war were to happen—Arnold meets up with Julius to discuss their course of action first to get Julius on his side.

Of course, he knows Roseria will give him an earful and try to persuade him to stop the war. He might even listen if it means the cons outweighs the benefits. That being said, he'll only be able to determine the aforementioned if he thinks about it over a bit.

"Let's talk about something else. My engagement with Celeste, what do you think?"

"I notified Lilith of it but haven't heard anything negative or positive back. She must be weighing the pros and cons before she informs Lady Selia."

"I was asking your personal opinion… Never mind. She's very thorough, isn't she? I'd like to be there when we discuss the city's future and my marriage into the Penston lineage. Can you set up a meeting at the end of the Academy's first term? Any time during that week would be fine."

He has the Virgin Blood artifact now so time isn't an issue. No more planning carriage rides for unofficial business and waiting weeks to get to a location. He can also teleport to the guild every now and then.

"I'll see what I can do. Lady Selia is currently tending to business at our new stronghold so I don't know if she'll be present for the meeting."

"Why would you need a stronghold?"

"The stronghold is supposed to act as a storage warehouse for our most valuable treasures. It's hidden within a fake dungeon that one of my comrades built."

"I see. Where is the stronghold located?"

"Mountains of Wails."

"You could just build a wooden house in that forest and no one would be able to reach the inside. No one will go through the trouble of fighting S-class monsters just for some treasure."

There are some SS-class monsters also in the area but they rarely come out. That monster zone is as big as the empire so there's a low possibility of running into those monsters.

SS-class monsters are the strongest variants of monsters below the Lord-class monsters. Even a party of SS-class adventurers would struggle to fight against these monstrosities.

"We are not protecting our treasures from simple tomb raiders, explorers, or even adventurers. We are protecting them from those who are on Lady Selia's level and wish to harm her and steal our precious magic items, artifacts and various other treasures."

"A valid concern to have, I guess."

'Artifacts too… I guess I shouldn't be surprised that someone like Selia can clear relic tombs.'

Arnold would go through the same trouble if he had such valuable treasure. 

"Ah, I have some good news." Lunaria spoke again, "I managed to track down a Denise who runs an 'Event Planning Agency'. Many high-class nobles use her services so she is quite popular with the aristocracy. She's a hardworking woman who always delivers excellent service at every request. She lives in a town near the Royagard Kingdom. It's a wealthy town that specializes in the gold trade and is second to the Golden City in wealth."

"Is she married?"

"Yes. The shadows that I sent after her saw her on a farm together with a man. This was out in the countryside, at a second home from the information I've gathered. They were seen kissing. I think the husband owns the farm and the two of them go there for vacation. He's apparently a captain of the city guard and owns a mansion that he bought with Denise a year ago."

'It sounds like she became successful.'

"Did they see a kid with Denise? A boy perhaps?"

"Yes. The boy looked younger than five years old. He seemed quite fond of the husband but looks nothing like the husband."

"Dark blue hair?"

"Yes."

"Blue eyes?"

"Yes? I believe so."

"I see. Did you… find out his name yet?"

"Not yet. Is it important?"

"…No. Continue following them for now. I'll make contact in the future and would like to know everything about them beforehand."

"As you wish."

With everything going on at the moment, he didn't have time to go see Denise or demand to see the child. It will have to be left for the future once he has free time.

"I think it's time I go see Siana." Arnold stood up, "Sorry for leaving you just like this without checking your work. Like I said earlier, I don't have the time right now."

"I understand. I will continue carrying out my duties."

"That's what I'd like to hear. Well then," Arnold held up the finger where he put Yorm's artifact, "I'll see you in a few weeks. I might be back before the academy reopens."

He was surrounded in a golden light, "I noticed you grew out your hair."

He looked at her pink hair.

"Eh? Ah yes," Lunaria's hair was made into a ponytail that was resting over her shoulder. Her hair was shorter the last time they met. She was also wearing glasses.

"It looks cute on you."

That was all he said with a poker face before he vanished.

…

"…."

Lunaria was now the only one in the room. Arnold's scent was still present in the air but he vanished in an instant when a golden glow surrounded his body.

Lunaria looked at her hair that laid on her shoulder.

This was probably the first time that anyone had noticed her new hairstyle. Before working for Arnold, she used to dress the same every day. Her hair was always shorter than shoulder-length and she never wore much makeup, making her appear androgynous instead of feminine. 

Her pant suits didn't help either. Now she was wearing a pencil skirt and a simple white office shirt and high heels to match the stereotypical secretary. She observed how many women dress in the workplace and decided to change up her look to match it. There was no reason to do so, though. She just wanted to explore how humans behave and dress.

And all Arnold did was call her cute?

"….Maybe I should keep growing out my hair?"

She looked in a mirror on the wall.

There was a small red flush but apart from that, her face was as emotionless as a ghost. Whether it was her light makeup or the heat that caused the blush, she didn't know.

◇◇

Arnold instantly teleported into the palace. Most of the lights were out even though it's quite early in the night to be asleep.

Maybe Siana likes to tuck in early?

He was currently standing in Siana's room. He expected to find her awake so he knocked a few times before entering after receiving no answer.

So beautiful, Arnold thought as he stood over Siana's sleeping face.

It was hard to fathom how such a delicate young woman was able to destroy almost all life on every single world she ever visited in the past. Only species used to extreme cold, like Winter Elves and Frost Giants, could survive the endless blanket of white that Siana's soul cursed the lands with.

"…Mm… S-Sir Arnold…"

He suddenly heard her whisper something in her sleep. Her hand slipped between her legs and moved up and down slowly.

Arnold stepped back a few steps and looked around the room.

The artifact must still be on the alter at the top of the palace.

Why did he come to Siana's room exactly? He could've just teleported to the top of the palace.

Arnold glanced back at Siana. He suddenly walked over to the bed again without a thought.

He bent down over Siana's sleeping face. He could feel her hot breath, smell the sweat drifting from under the sheets and the shampoo coming from her hair.

"…A-Arnold…." She whispered again, this time he could hear her properly.

A strange chill went through his body hearing the way she said his name.

Why is she saying my name?

Somehow the way she said it sounded like a maiden lovingly whispering in her lover's ear as he thrust in and out.

Arnold began breathing deeply as if he ran miles without stopping. His eyes scanned her cleavage which was barely covered by her thin night dress.  

One of his hands held onto the strap of her nightgown.

Pull it down.

Pull it down.

I want to see her body.

Voices that sounded much like his own echoes in his mind.

Suddenly the faces of different women flashed in his mind.

-"Why me… L-Lord Arnold has Her Highness! It hurts! It hurts—"

A maid.

-"My husband will surely leave me when he finds out I've been tainted by another man…"

A female knight employed by the Berkleys.

-"…I… can… never… confess… to… my childhood friend now…"

A farmer's daughter who takes care of the Household horses.

-"Damn you, I swear I'll kill whatever bastard you plant inside me then I'll come for you next!"

A bandit leader who tried to ambush him on the highway.

A slave who ran away from her master in the middle of nowhere and thought that Arnold was going to help when his carriage driver found her…

The kind young woman who serves drinks at a famous bar in their city….

An innocent first year student who confessed to Arnold after being supported by her friends.

A young professor who was fresh out of the university.

Fear, repulsion, anger… Those were but a few of the emotions the women who he hurt, experienced.

No, this didn't happen… I've never… hurt these women… I haven't even met half of them… I have a good memory so I know…

I know I didn't hurt them.

However.

It felt like he was there.

It felt like he was the one who tore one's hymen.

It felt like he fractured one woman's nose and broke several teeth because she wouldn't stop screaming.

It felt like he broke one's arm because she stabbed him with a dagger in an attempt to escape.

No, I… I didn't do any of that…

Even though he could remember everything that happened, he knew… he knew he didn't do anything to hurt those women.

So why? Why did he have conflicting thoughts even though the memories were right there!

Suddenly he lifted his face and looked into a mirror in every memory that flashed in his mind. If there wasn't a mirror, he would look into the reflection in his victim's eyes, armor, a broken peace of glass or even water.

There he was… Arnold. There was a smirk on his pale face so malicious in nature that you would think that he's a devil.

Those eyes.

Those deep blue dead eyes that seemed as if they had seen every horror mankind could fathom or try to picture in their heads but never have the courage to actually face.

Those were the eyes of a man who faced them all.

"Kuh…" Arnold quickly got off the bed and stepped back, "…This isn't me… I would never do such a—"

"…Arnold…?" Siana suddenly lifted her upper body and rubbed her eyes, "E-Eh!? I-Is that really you…?"

"Siana…" Arnold looked away and pointed at her chest, "Your dress is…"

"Eh?" Siana looked down. One of her straps fell down, exposing one of her breasts completely.

Her whole face flushed red. She hurriedly lifted the blanket over her upper body, "Uhm, what are you doing here…? I thought you were busy…? How did you even get here…"

"I'm not done with the dungeon yet. There's two more things for me to do: one being saving my stupid and arrogant seniors and the other getting my pure martial arts book." Arnold quickly composed himself. Showing any distress will make her suspicious over what he would've done.

"I see…"

Siana lit a candle sitting by her bed and stood up with it in hand.

Siana looked like she was about to say something when she looked at him but she stopped and walked past him silently.

"…Please let us talk somewhere else."

"Alright."

◇◇◇

The two came to a balcony that was outside one of the offices.

The city… it looked far different than the last time he saw it from up high like this. It looked more lively.

Was it because of the lamp poles now lighting the dark streets? Or was it the liveliness of the citizens freely walking the streets at night not being worried of being attacked?

Siana broke the silence.

"Arnold…" Siana looked up at him, "Can I request something of you, no matter how strange it might sound?"

"Request? What is it?"

"Can you smile for me?"

"…." He glanced at her.

The expression on her face.

She's serious…

He was about to ask why he should do that but decided to answer her strange request.

He could see Siana twitch when he relaxed his face and smiled. She timidly stepped back a little.

He couldn't see his face but if he did he wouldn't think that he looked human. To put it nicely, he looked like a sadistic killer about to gleefully dismember his victim. It sounded a bit far-fetched but any stranger on the street would run if they made eye contact with a smiling demon.

Siana's eyes shook a little before she looked away with trembling lips.

"…Thank you."

Not inquiring further about her strange request, Arnold changed the subject.

"Tell me, is the artifact still on the alter? I can't see the light anymore."

There should've been a beacon atop the palace just like the first time he gazed upon the palace in the dungeon.

"Ahem. Yes. Why do you ask?"

"I'm taking it with me."

"E-Eh? Why?"

"…." Arnold looked over the horizon, "…A demigod—the one you stole it from—wants it back."

"Ah… Wait, did you tell the owner that we took it?"

"No. I ran into him in the dungeon. He thought I had it on me so he wanted to cut my head off and use magic to find the artifact's whereabouts."

"…You're not kidding, are you?"

Who in their right minds would make a joke after almost dying because of someone else's actions? If you didn't steal the artifact then none of this would've happened.

Arnold knew it would be wrong of him to say something like that to her. She doesn't know what actually happened so it was best to just nod.  

"The only positive outcome of this whole mess is this," he looked at the Virgin's Blood ring, "And I've learned some valuable information."

Information that will be valuable for the future arcs.

"Information?"

"It's unrelated to the topic at hand so forget it." Arnold looked towards the middle of the city, where his manor and estate were located, "I would've preferred it if we moved the palace in the centre of the city. There isn't much traffic besides the people walking around the city so roads can be broken down for extra space. Also, most of the inner districts have empty buildings so they can be broken down as well."

"That sounds like wasted space."

Arnold nodded in agreement.

The palace was standing on the northern part of the city, opposite the highway that leads to the empire.

Since the city was going to be expanded anyway, they can break down the existing walls and build an estate around the palace and add higher and better-quality walls around it.

"I've been speaking to the locals and heard from them that the city lord advisor, Miss Lunaria is planning on building a special institution and needs to break down most of the buildings on the outer districts for construction. Why not use the manor's estate as the foundation of this institution?"

"What institution are you talking about?"

"One where everyone can receive the gift of magic. It's currently a hot topic in the city—no, the empire itself."

"….." Arnold looked at Siana.

Did Lunaria forget to inform him of this? No, he was the one who said that he'll look into matters once he comes back in a few weeks. It's best he hears it from Lunaria instead of relying on Siana who doesn't have much information on most matters.

"Mortals playing god… What an interesting turn of events… How is this city going to grant people the gift of magic?"

"Hmm, I'm unsure since even the locals didn't know everything. It's apparently linked with this land's resources."

The crystals. That must be it.

"Alright… I'll admit, your suggestion sounds like a good idea. The manor has only been used to store my crystals. It has a lot of empty wasted space."

Siana smiled as if she was grateful she was being useful.

"You're in charge of the project."

"Eh? Why me?"

"Well, you're the one who suggested it so you must have more ideas on your mind, right?"

"…Is that okay?"

"Of course. As a noble of this city, you have as much say in this matter as I do in the city. Lunaria will be there to assist you in any way she can. Just make sure to gather information from her first. I'll help where I can."

"Then… I'll do my best! I have so many things in mind, would you like to hear them?"

"…Uh, alright but remember I'm not staying long."

◇◇◇

After being bombarded with ideas for the institution, Arnold and Siana finally reached the top of the palace. A brilliant golden light faintly glowed on top of the alter where the artifact was lying, basked in the incandescence of its own aura.

Arnold picked up the small fragment. It was hard to believe this fragment is able to grant its wielder all kinds of overpowered abilities.

For example, mind control: simple mind control is already a difficult thing to master. Professions like Inquisitor and government agents need to have this basic skill to interrogate or gather information. You can make your victim do simple tasks like answering questions but the basic spells aren't enough to make them spill deep secrets.

There's a higher tier spell (Sixth-Rank if Arnold is remembering it correctly)  with the same abilities but less limitations as the First and Second-Rank mind control charms.  Individuals who can cast that spell are obviously rare but they have the power to end nations just by mind controlling people in power like Kings, Dukes, and the wealthy.

What kind of devastation can result from controlling the minds of gods?

"…."

"Is something wrong?"

"No. It's time for me to be on my way." Arnold put the artifact away.

"Eh? Already?"

Arnold glanced back at Siana, "My seniors are on a suicide mission in the dungeon so I need to head back immediately and find them. The martial arts book can wait for now."

Arnold could care less about Arthur. He was more inclined to save Shirley, who is a core member of the Hero Party in the game. Letting her die all because she followed that disappointment of a hero deeper into the dungeon is something he can't let happen.

If stray Offspring are out there then that gives him an even bigger reason to get everyone out of there.

He'll escape with only her if he must.

But…

Anais' face flashed past his mind. Truth be told, he doesn't want that girl to be sacrificed either. She's driven by her distorted worldview of love.

"Uhm, aren't you hungry? I can cook something small while you're here! Just a few hours is all I need!"  Siana said with pumped fists.

"I'm not hungry."

He hasn't had an appetite ever since his fight with Gederick. Even the breakfast that Yorm served him earlier today tasted like nothing. Maybe he lost his taste or his lack of appetite could be the issue.

"…" Siana fidgeted with her fingers.

"Is there something you'd like to say?" Arnold faced her, staring at her with a raised eyebrow.

"I… I…"

"?"

"I missed…"

"…."

"—you… but now… you're going away again…"

Probably seeing the confused expression on his face, she decided to speak up but with her head even more lowered.

"I missed you… I thought you'll stay a while and keep me company but you're leaving again…"

"I have business to attend to. I can't stay just because you want company."

"…You're right… Haha, I sound selfish, don't I?" she smiled thinly before lowering her head again.

Arnold sighed quietly.

"Siana, I might not come back if I run into enemies as strong as Gederick in the dungeon,"

Make no mistake, he won't go into battle with an opponent on Gederick's level again if he has a choice to run.

"I nearly died a few days ago. It's thanks to Yorm that I survived and can stand here today."

Why was he saying this? Well…

"If there's something in your heart that you'd like to confess then do so now."

Because I don't know if I'll ever return to hear what you have to say later, he continued.

Siana took a deep breath with her hands clasped in front of her chest—

◇◇◇

Moans reverberated throughout the quiet, dark hall of Arnold's palace. There were frequent patrols carrying lanterns who got suspicious of the moans coming from a certain room.

One such patrol peaked through the door where the sound was coming from. Since the majority of the knights working under Siana are virgins who have never attempted to seek out partners, it made sense why they peeked through the door where the moans and slapping sound was coming from. The curiosity as to what was making someone feel so good that they can't hold in their voices was too much.

About four of the patrols were watching the couple going at it with beet red faces.

-How good must it feel for Lady Siana to hug Lord Arnold that tight?

-Uwaah, he's putting everything inside her…

-Uhm, did Lady Siana pee herself? The sheets are so wet.

-It's so obscene seeing an elegant woman such as her shake her hips like that…

They whispered remarks here and there as they watched Arnold going in and out of Siana.

"Looks like we have company." Arnold whispered in Siana's ear as he thrust up and down. Siana's breasts jiggled and her hair bounced every time due to Arnold's violent thrusts. She kept her hands on his chest so that she didn't fall.

"E-Eh? Ah!" Siana was about to turn around and climb off (her butt was facing the door so whoever was spying on them could see where the two of them were connected) but Arnold pulled her in for a kiss and lifted her up with his hips.

"Mmmh! Awh!" Siana couldn't break away. He spread her butt and snickered in her ear.

"Let's give them a good view." Saying so, he thrust even deeper, kissing the entrance to her womb.

Siana went stiff after leaking a "Eek".

Slap, slap, slap—the sounds intensified and the bed creaked back and forth.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! Uff, uff!" Siana hair stuck to her sweaty skin. Her nails clawed onto Arnold's skin, leaving trails on his chest.

She rubbed her small bean vigorously while clenching her teeth and pinching her nipple.

She seemed to have forgotten that Arnold told her they were being watched.

Arnold thrust with all his strength, lifting Siana over the bed with only his hips.

"Kuh!"

globs of thick white liquid spurted into Siana's depths.

A sucking sound echoed from the place where the two were connected. Siana hurriedly pulled him out of her and squirted onto his lower body.

She fell head-first on Arnold's chest while out of breath.

This was her first time having sex again (probably in decades) so the sex was probably intense for her to continue on.

Arnold laid her down next to him.

He glared at the door, making eye contact with several pairs of eyes who soon darted after being discovered. Did they forget that Arnold is a warrior who can sense anyone?  

Siana, still out of breath, held Arnold's hand.

"…That was… amazing…" she said with a smile while playing with Arnold's fingers.

"Let's go again." He pointed at his thing that was facing the heavens.

"Let me recover first… Geez, you're way too rough. I thought my body might break." Siana pouted.

"Well, I was just excited…"

Siana just smiled in response.

Arnold scratched his cheek and looked at the clock hanging on the wall. The sun was going to come up any minute now, "You should get some rest."

Siana suddenly chuckled.

"What?"

"Nothing," she gazed up at him, "It's just… I never expected the two of us to end up in bed together... Ah, make no mistake I'm happy that we've grown this close but… Uhm, I wish our night was a little more romantic."

After their conversation on the top of the palace, Arnold and Siana came to a secluded room and began undressing each other. There was no romantic dinner, sweet-nothings or gifts being exchanged.

Just two "youngsters" indulging in each other's bodies.

"May I ask what we are now…?"

"What do you think we are?" Arnold climbed out of bed and picked up his clothes.

"I…"

Arnold turned around after putting on his pants and shirt.

"I want us to be together as lovers." She said with a face as red as a tomato.

"Then I'll be looking forward to our romantic dinner once I come back home."

A big smile appeared on Siana's face.

"Mm!"

◇◇◇

Arnold, now fully dressed, gazed into the mirror.

There were bags under his eyes. His dark blue eyes looked lifeless as if he were a walking corpse. Even though he couldn't help it, he glared at himself in the mirror.

He concluded that he just needed some more sleep and let the matter rest.

He picked up Ceru's transparent box. She was still peacefully sleeping.

"Hey, remember how I said a blonde woman healed me the other day?" he spoke to Siana who was fixing her dishevelled hair.

"Hm? What about it?"

"It seems that Ceru was the one who healed me that day."

"That little creature can transform into a human?"

"Yeah, I'm not sure how often she can do it though. She just appeared out of nowhere and then fell asleep again. Can you look after Ceru for me? Taking her any further into the dungeon is a bad idea." Arnold held the little box out to Siana.

 "I'm not sure how I should take care of her…" Siana hesitantly picked up her box.

"There's no need to do anything major. She doesn't need to eat or drink to survive. But ask Lunaria if she can secure a supply of holy water."

"Hm, keeping a watchful eye on her won't be hard since she's always asleep. Okay, I'll make sure to take good care of her but only in exchange for a kiss." Siana puckered her lips.

Arnold sighed and bent down. He pecked her lips.

Siana giggled like a schoolgirl.

"I can't wait to see you again, Lord Husband."

"People will misunderstand if you call me that…"

Celeste will definitely be pissed if Arnold allows Siana to call him "Lord Husband" as if the two are married.

"Darling then?"

'She's just like Ceru…'

"Alright, Darling it is." Arnold gave up before she came up with weirder names.

"Hehe," Siana grinned widely.

Her usual elegancy was thrown out the window. But this cute side of hers was fine too.

"You should be on your way now, right Darling?"

"Yeah."

Siana stood up and pulled Arnold into a hug.

"The girls would be more than happy to help you on your journey but I know this is something you have to do alone." She whispered in his ear.

"They'll be sad and seek vengeance if their Lord doesn't return. That's why… Please take care of yourself."

The two gazed in each other's eyes.

"I will."