Peaceful Life Part-1

Marie Ophelia Puppetress, The Supreme Puppetress.

That's the future nickname of the 12-year-old child Alexander had just saved.

The nickname itself hinted at her extraordinary abilities.

In the future, she would be able to literally control thousands of people like her puppets..... That's what made her unique and incredibly dangerous.

This was precisely why Alexander decided to take her under his wing before she matured and her powers fully developed.

At the moment, She was just Marie, an ordinary villager in an old settlement that would soon be overrun by Monsters in the coming years.... Monster Rampage!

And the person standing before the girl, holding her in a comforting embrace, was... an NPC, whose name Alexander hadn't bothered to learn.

After all, who knows every NPC in the game?

Though... Alexander did remember that in the game's storyline, Marie had a boyfriend before and he died in the Monster Rampage!

Anyhow,

"A-Asher, 'sniff,' 'sniff,' I-I was so scared. Th-that monster al-almost got me..." Marie cried, clinging tightly to the reddish-black-haired boy.

The boy.... Asher, wearing old, tattered clothes and appearing slightly older than her, gently patted her head in an effort to calm her down.

Asher finally noticed Alexander getting near them, "Who might you be?" He asked but this time it wasn't indifferent rather a little friendly.

He adjusted Marie in his arms, carrying her princess-style since her ankles were twisted from the fall.

Caught off guard, Alexander stammered, "I-I was training in the forest when I heard the scream, so I came to see what was happening."

"...Is that so?" Asher looked sceptical but eventually nodded, "Well, thank you for your help."

Alexander nodded in return, feeling a bit awkward when he saw her holding close to him.

To be honest, Alexander's intervention wasn't really necessary.

According to the game's storyline, she had been playing with her friends, but she had slipped into a landslide and got lost in the woods.

Then she encountered a wolf monster and was about to be devoured when the boy saved her by driving a pitchfork into the beast.

So, Alexander's timely arrival wasn't crucial.... He just came for an easy pick!

'Grrrr,' Alexander gritted his teeth. He knew if he didn't win her favour now, it would be difficult later in the game. He put on his best smile and said, "I hope she isn't too scared. Are you alright, beautiful lady?" He released his protagonist's halo, hoping to make a lasting impression.

Marie looked at Alexander with a mix of confusion and unease. His overly friendly smile made her gulp in fear as if she was being eyed by a predator, "T-Thank you for your help, but we need to go!" she said hurriedly, urging Asher to move faster.

Asher studied Alexander for a few seconds before nodding and deciding to leave.

For a brief moment, Asher felt a strange sensation, as if something had entered his body. He couldn't quite place what it was and decided to ignore it for now.

"Tks," Alexander clicked his tongue in frustration, 'Looks like My Divine Bloodline's power wasn't enough...' he thought, glancing at the golden aura emanating from him.

This was the protagonist's halo.... or rather the body he inhabited in the game. It exuded a calming and trustworthy aura, designed to make others instinctively trust and follow him.

All he needed to do was say a few words and others would blindly follow him like a fool.

Alexander stared at the pitchfork that still stabbed on the ground.

Meanwhile, as they walked away,

"Who was that boy anyway?" Marie asked, frowning. Every time she recalled his face, she felt a wave of utter revulsion, as if something inside her wanted to puke out. She couldn't understand why she felt this way, as she had never judged others so harshly before.

"Must be one of the adventurers," Asher replied, though he wasn't entirely sure.

"Maybe," Marie shrugged. Despite her discomfort around her rescuer, she was genuinely grateful for his help.

Her eyes turned lifeless as she muttered, "If he hadn't arrived, I wou--" Before she could finish, Asher interrupted, "I had already spotted you, just a meter away from killing the monster, so you would have been fine without his help... though I am also grateful to him."

Marie's eyes suddenly brightened, "Super!! I don't need to worry about it then... My Saviour is always around me... hehe... So you had been searching for me this whole time?" she asked, now noticing the mud and bruises covering Asher. Her heart ached at the sight.

"..." Asher didn't respond.

"Oh, come on, don't be shy now~ It's just me!" Marie's eyes sparkled with mischievous glee as she playfully pinched Asher's cheeks.

Asher's lips twitched in response, and he quickly tried to divert the conversation, saying, "I wonder what your big sister is doing right now."

Marie's face immediately turned fearful, and she mumbled, "I-I hope big sister isn't mad at me."

He chuckled softly and said, "She's definitely going to beat your butt for making her worry so much!"

Marie wore a horrified expression, but seeing the boy giggle made her blush deeply. She cursed at him, "Damn you, Asher! You should be supporting me... as a friend."

Asher laughed even more, his laughter ringing out in the quiet village, "Your big sister looks like a demon when she's angry. And besides, you were the one playing around in a dangerous place, so I'm going to side with your big sister on this one."

"Grrr," Marie gritted her teeth, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed by his teasing. He was clearly enjoying her distress.

Suddenly, she leaned in and,

"~chu~"

She planted a quick kiss on his cheek. Her face turned bright red as she whispered, "I-I hope you'll help me now..." and she lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes.

Asher was taken aback, his eyes wide in surprise. He stared at her bright red ears, a smile slowly spreading across his face, "Yeah...."

Marie felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration, seeing him smirk. Her face grew even hotter, and she turned away from him, unable to handle his teasing.

Asher grinned, pulling her a little closer, "Hey, Marie," he called softly.

"...."

"Why did you kiss me just now?"

"...."

"Come on, Marie... tell me the truth~" Asher whispered gently into her ear, his breath tickling her skin.

"NOOOO!!!" She shouted suddenly and bit his neck in frustration.

"OUCH!!"

"S-Stop it, you idiot! 'Ouch'! Otherwise, we'll fall down," Asher shouted, trying to maintain his balance. But Marie didn't care; she bit him again, her frustration evident.

Meanwhile, not far behind,

'Fuck, that bitch! She really kissed him!' Alexander seethed with jealousy as he quietly followed Asher and Marie. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

'Fuck!!' Alexander screamed internally when he saw Marie blushing like a maiden in love, 'I am going to kill that bastard before the monster rampage,' he thought, gritting his teeth in determination.

Alexander glanced at the village, which was situated on the outskirts of the Dawn's Paragon Kingdom, one of the three mighty kingdoms in the Arcadia Triarchia Continent. The village looked peaceful now, but he knew the chaos that awaited it.

Alexander was resolute. He was determined to make the girl fall for him, no matter the cost. He would do anything to fulfil his future desires, just as the mysterious entity had told him.