Lady He- Ryssa..

"It seems this time you really got her."

Z, you're not helpful at all.

And that blushing face... I don't know what to say.

HOW CAN SMOKE BLUSH?!

"He's still alive, you know."

Do you think trees can blush like that?

Why am I surrounded by people who are not sane? I can't possibly accept a queen who takes the lives of others just because she feels unfair.

I know I'm not entirely sane either, but being with a psychopath?

Nah bro, count me out.

"Zent, listen to me. I know she might be around thirty-five years old, but look at her! Wendryssa is still beautiful!"

Her eyes do intrigue me. I like eyes that sharp.

"Exactly! That's why don't you just take her and transform her into someone new? She might even become someone incredibly loyal to you."

Having a queen who's a bit crazy and a psychopath but capable of wielding three Glories at once does sound impressive. However, she could potentially harm others, and I don't want them to get hurt because of my decision.

Moreover, we can't forget the fact that she has killed so many people and will do it again.

She even tried to kill us, twice!

"Zent, did you forget what I said?"

What?

"You only live once."

With a wide smile on my face, I stared at her, observing the queen who now averted her gaze. "Alright, I will let you join the crew, on the condition that you give up your position as a queen and follow all orders."

"All orders?" she asked, surprised.

"All of it."

The queen looked down with a face turning even redder, making me suspicious of what she was thinking before finally nodding in agreement.

I looked up, observing Mech who was now trying to break free from the ice, wriggling like a worm. I wondered what we could do to help him. He had become one with dark magic.

"How do you know dark magic can't be touched at all? You never even studied it."

You're right, I should also find a way to restore the villagers.

I guess we have a new purpose.

"Ryssa, you will join us in searching for a way to heal them all, including your child. If we succeed, maybe they will still want to forgive you, even though I know it sounds impossible. But why don't we at least try?" I asked her, hoping she would agree.

Wait what?

No, I'm not hoping for that.

Who said I was hoping? Not at all.

"You never truly honest with yourself, Zent."

Oh, just shut up.

The queen fell silent, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere, so I had to spin around and let the steel rope spun me back to my original position. I almost lost my balance as the world still appeared to be spinning so fast.

Hmm, I got an idea.

How about creating something that would make someone give up because their body is spun like a top?

That wouldn't be too torturous, right?

Actually, it sounds kind of fun.

"I will join you."

"Hm?"

"I said, I will join you!"

"Hey, no need to be angry like that. I was just thinking about something and didn't hear you," I replied quickly, feeling a bit scared by the menacing look on her face.

"It seems this time you've gotten yourself into something quite dangerous, Zent. I'm worried for your safety."

Whose fault do you think this is?

"I'm just giving advice; it's up to you whether to accept it."

Your advice is sometimes too good to be ignored.

"That's just how I am."

Tch.

"So, are you not going to answer me? Will you keep silent?"

I took a long breath, starting to think that I might have made the wrong decision. "Be patient, Ryssa. There's no need to rush. You should enjoy your time more, enjoy life. That's why you always feel hurt, because you never want to savor the time you have."

"Do you think I have time for that!?"

"Look at your child up there."

Together, we looked in that direction and found him swaying to the rhythm of the music I deliberately played for him through the normal-sized subwoofer I created on the side.

"Don't you see him? He's having fun even though he's trapped in ice. You're too tense, Ryssa. Try to relax your body a bit. You'll understand why I asked you to do this."

Despite grumbling, the queen still did as I requested. She closed her eyes, allowing tranquility to take over as a gentle smile slowly formed on her face.

She became even more beautiful because of it.

"Ahem."

What? She is beautiful!

You're the one who said she's beautiful!

"Hmm, you're right. I do feel much calmer than before. But..." Ryssa opened her eyes, looking at me sharply, "Could you remove this thing? You know the air is already so cold, right?"

Hastily, I removed the large fan I had created to help her feel more at ease.

"Sorry, I was just trying to help you understand what I meant," I said.

She sighed, but this time, a warm smile appeared there. "I get it, Z. Thank you."

. . . .

Umm, I don't know how to respond.

This is the first time I've heard someone say thank you to me. Especially coming from someone I initially considered a real form of a demon.

"You just need to say your welcome," said Z.

I know, but...

Now, it's Z's turn to take a long breath. "Could you two stop staring at each other? I'm feeling awkward here."

.

.

"What is Zent doing there? Why is he just hanging like that?" Rayven asked, puzzled, squinting his eyes to see his figure, now just a tiny line in front.

"Maybe he's talking with her?" Rio replied, also squinting her eyes.

"Of course, he's talking with her. Do you think they're just staring at each other?"

Celine approached, standing at the gate's edge, hoping that nothing bad was happening there.

"Could it be that the Captain wants to add another partner?"

Every pair of eyes suddenly turned to Armon, who looked surprised, wondering why they were all staring at him with various expressions.

Some were angry, protesting, telling him to shut up, and wanting to kill him.

.

.

I clean my throat a few times, trying to control myself as I was almost overwhelmed by emotions. However, all of that was distracted when Ryssa's body slowly returned to its original form.

She shrank with the smoke being drawn back into her body, transforming her back into an ordinary human who somehow looked younger. Ryssa observed her hands, not expecting to return after she had given her soul to the Glory in exchange for such great power.

There was only one thing she had forgotten.

She couldn't fly in the air.

My eyes widened as I watched her falling down.

Quickly, I pressed the button, releasing the grappling gun's connection, and swiftly glided downward. The wind felt so strong, hurting my eyes, and I had to shield them with the back of my hand while keeping an eye on Ryssa's position, which was getting closer and closer.

Once I managed to reach her, I wrapped my arm around her waist and fired the grappling gun. The tip managed to get stuck, swinging us for a moment, during which Ryssa screamed and hugged me tightly.

After the swing stopped, she regained her composure with a flushed face.

"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned.

Ryssa shook her head quickly, slapping me with her long hair, which turned out to be so fragrant that it was slightly intoxicating. She hurriedly apologized and touched both of my cheeks to check my eyes, which had felt stinging before.

But now, all I could think of was how beautiful her eyes were.

Once again, she turned away, unable to contain the emotions that were now swirling within her heart.

"Don't you want to get off?" I asked.

Ryssa shook her head and quickly replaced it with a nod.

I pressed the button again, bringing us down where a motorcycle was ready.

"Don't move," I commanded as I put a helmet on her.

After putting on my helmet, I got on the motorcycle, revving the engine a few times to listen to the melody of its roaring, which was so delightful to the ears. I patted the backseat, asking her to sit there, but only then did I realize that she was wearing a dress instead of pants.

"Oh, turn your head, I'll change it," she said.

At first, my eyes widened upon hearing that. But then, I remembered that she possessed three Glories. So, I turned my head, gazing at the now clear sky, adorned with beautiful white clouds against a lovely blue backdrop.

Once I felt she was seated at the back, leaning close, holding onto me as a grip, I revved the engine. Taking us away from there, back to the kingdom where they were waiting and undoubtedly in need of an explanation.

The four frozen tornadoes behind us burst, transforming into beautiful specks of light.

I also didn't forget to provide a large parachute for Ryssa's child, who was now swinging happily.

It was quite terrifying to see a Mech behaving like a child. But isn't that life?

Full of new and fascinating things.

Like what we're going to face next.