Chapter 434: Freebie
Under Liala's curious gaze, Haruto led the two of them back to the human world. Before leaving, he didn't forget to inform Mio Naruse via the soul network.
In the center of the spacious room, atop a deep blue wool carpet, an intricate, spinning magic circle glowed. Haruto and the two women appeared within it, and before the glow faded, Mio Naruse and the others followed closely behind.
Mio Naruse learned of Sapphire's appearance, so naturally Sheila and Lucia found out as well.
Without giving Mio any time to think, Sheila immediately pulled her and Lucia along, rushing back without pause.
"Sapphire-chan, long time no see."
The moment they landed, the Succubus Loli housewife cheerfully approached Sapphire, but when she tried to get closer for some physical contact, Sapphire pushed her away with a disgusted expression.
"You're filthy, stay away from me."
Having rushed back in a hurry, Sheila and Lucia hadn't had time to clean up the traces of battle.
Not only were their black leather outfits covered in dust, but their beautiful faces and fair skin were also quite dirty.
Though somewhat soiled, Haruto found they possessed a certain charm of battlefield beauties.
Unfortunately, this appeal didn't work on Sapphire, who was not only a beauty herself but also a Valkyrie of the battlefield.
"Ugh!"
Though Sheila had made significant progress in strength, she was still no match for Sapphire. She could only glare angrily before shifting her attention to Liala, who appeared more like a succubus than she did, exuding an alluring aura.
"My, my, is this your lover?"
Well aware that Liala was essentially Sapphire's adopted daughter, the Succubus Loli housewife deliberately said: "No wonder you've remained single all these years - turns out you prefer this type~"
Liala, being someone who enjoyed stirring trouble, didn't get angry but instead played along with Sheila, actively embracing Sapphire while putting on a shy expression.
Sapphire gave her an exasperated glare but didn't have any extreme reaction.
It seemed some research had suggested that eighty percent of women were bisexual, particularly having high acceptance toward cute and beautiful members of the same sex.
Watching the harmonious scene before him, Haruto felt this research was probably accurate.
The cheerful, lively atmosphere soon passed, followed by Mio Naruse's reunion with Sapphire and an explanation about the circumstances surrounding Toujou Basara's birth.
During this time, sensing Haruto and the others had returned, the girls who had stayed behind in the mansion came over, though ultimately only Maria was allowed to remain.
After all, the Succubus Loli had half of Wilbert's bloodline - she deserved to know these matters.
"Sapphire-nee, you really had it rough, worse than me."
After a while, Liala spoke in a tone that seemed both sympathetic and gleeful: "To have a child before marriage, and with two enemies at that..."
"Shut up!"
Sapphire angrily rapped Liala on the head, her heroic expression barely maintained.
"At that time I hadn't reached god-level yet. Even if I committed suicide, that ancient dragon would still have taken my bloodline, that's why..."
Actually, aside from Liala, everyone present already knew about Toujou Basara's origins. As Sapphire spoke, she felt there was no need for excessive explanation.
As for Liala's teasing...
Did she really not understand? Of course she did - she was just deliberately teasing Sapphire.
Seeing that Sapphire, who was like an older sister, mother, and friend to her, truly cared about this matter, she stopped causing trouble.
A Valkyrie was still a Valkyrie after all. While she could barely escape by avoiding all acquaintances, once things reached this point, she became decisively resolute.
Sapphire looked at Haruto seriously and said: "I want to meet Basara."
The cheerful, relaxed atmosphere grew somewhat tense. If it were just Toujou Basara, that would be one thing, but most likely Toujou Jin would come too.
Upon seeing Toujou Jin, Sapphire estimated that things might become difficult to handle.
"Basara left for special training a few days ago and can't be contacted for now."
Haruto shrugged, speaking with a mix of truth and deception: "Anyway, you don't seem to have urgent business. If you don't mind, you can stay here for now. Basara's house is right next door—you'll know as soon as he returns."
It was true that Toujou Basara had gone for special training, but the part about being unreachable was false.
"Hmm... alright."
Sapphire thought for a moment. Since she had already started contacting old acquaintances, there was no need to continue deliberately avoiding society.
While staying hidden could avoid risks and keep her completely in the shadows, it would also mean missing some opportunities.
After all, there were only two of them, not a large organization operating from the shadows.
On another note, over the past decade, technology in the human world had developed rapidly, and Sapphire realized she didn't quite understand how to use some things.
Liala was even more restless by nature. If not for accompanying Sapphire, she would have long grown tired of the solitude.
Though she didn't say it aloud, Liala was genuinely happy about settling in the human world this time.
Just as Haruto was secretly pleased with his successful stalling tactic, Sapphire added, "However, we won't stay here. I'm not yet ready to engage with other factions."
As she spoke, she glanced at Liala.
The provocatively dressed Liala pulled a notebook from her cleavage and teasingly handed it to Haruto.
"This contains a communication magic circle. You can use it to contact us anytime."
Haruto opened it directly and found an unfamiliar magic circle. After briefly simulating it in his mental sea, he roughly understood its function.
The principle was similar to a walkie-talkie, but with higher security and a broader communication range than conventional devices.
"This is an original magic created by me~ It might be a bit difficult—do you need me to teach you?"
Liala had somehow moved close to Haruto, her voluptuous body nearly pressed against him.
Having overcome his inner demons, Haruto now acted entirely according to his instincts.
Faced with such an offered advantage, he decisively accepted it.
"Liala, no need for teaching—I've already got it. But I do have another question I'd like to ask you."
As he spoke, Haruto unceremoniously wrapped his arm around the golden-haired beauty's slender waist, his warm breath directly brushing against Liala's lovely face.
Despite her provocative appearance and constant teasing of Haruto, Liala had never actually been close to a man.
Her teasing stemmed partly from Haruto's natural appeal to the opposite sex and partly because this was her first encounter with such a handsome, powerful male—she simply wanted more interaction.
Suddenly being held, Liala instinctively tried to resist.
But her immense power was utterly useless against Haruto.
Not only was she, a mage, already at close quarters with Haruto, a warrior, but their realms differed by two full levels.
Liala was at the peak of lower deity rank, while Haruto, though he had broken through later, progressed at an astonishing rate. After eliminating the Child of Chaos and receiving the world's feedback, he had steadily reached upper deity rank.
Her fair cheeks flushed bright red. Unable to break free, Liala looked to Sapphire for help.
"You caused this trouble yourself—solve it on your own."
Sapphire couldn't be bothered to intervene. Her experience far exceeded Liala's, and she could tell at a glance that the girl was simply experiencing her first flutter of attraction.
If she truly resisted, could Haruto really use his full strength to suppress her?
Demons were truly open-minded. Sapphire and Liala were aware of Haruto's background and generally knew about his Dual Cultivation abilities, as well as his relationships with other girls.
But in Sapphire's view, none of this mattered. As long as Liala was willing, having a round was no problem at all.
Moreover, if the rumors were true, she might even be able to break through to the realm of a mid-level deity through this.
Everyone present was intelligent. Seeing the atmosphere between Liala and Haruto turning rosy, they glanced strangely at Liala who was practically offering herself freely, then tactfully left the room.
Haruto made no attempt to hide his intentions toward Sapphire and Liala. Perhaps because he faced desires so directly, the two goddesses didn't detect anything inappropriate.
Even now, Sapphire still believed it was Liala who offered herself, rather than Haruto having planned this all along.
Not that it would matter if she realized - graceful ladies are what gentlemen seek.
Haruto wasn't even a gentleman, so he could pursue them even more freely.
Though such pursuits required proper methods - one couldn't just invite someone to Dual Cultivation upon seeing someone they liked.
Sapphire remained unaware, and Haruto was perfectly content with that.
First, he would claim the freely offered, seductive atavistic demon. As for the Valkyrie Sapphire...
That could be discussed later.
The human world was currently at dusk. The setting sun slanted through the window, casting a golden-red glow over Liala's platinum blonde hair.
Her charming, exquisite little face, tinged with a faint blush, reflected a crystalline radiance.
Haruto gazed at the incredibly alluring beauty in his arms, then slowly lowered his head and captured her full, rosy lips.
When her lips were captured and a hot, slick tongue pried open her pearly teeth to invade the warm, moist cavity of her mouth, Liala was still somewhat dazed.
She had only been habitually teasing - how had things suddenly escalated to this point?
Passively accepting Haruto's passionate kiss, Liala gradually began to respond.
This was driven by instincts buried deep in her bloodline. In truth, she hadn't actually decided to give her body to Haruto yet.
Though Haruto was strong, handsome, had a great physique, and possessed powerful Dual Cultivation abilities... this was her first and only first time after all!
While Liala was still struggling with her thoughts, Haruto had grown unsatisfied with just kissing.
His large hands, wrapped around the beauty's slender waist and smooth back, slipped through the gaps in the white cloth - which served no purpose other than to enhance the mood - and ventured inside.
A sensation as delicate as mutton-fat jade instantly surged from Haruto's palm, causing even his kissing motion to subconsciously pause.
Truly a regressed demon—not only outwardly dressed provocatively, but completely unclothed beneath.
Haruto's large hands roamed freely over Liala's delicate form without obstruction. With just simple caresses, the body in his embrace grew feverishly warm.
As Liala grew increasingly impassioned, two distinct peaks became visibly prominent on her full, upright chest.
Through the white fabric, Haruto could clearly discern two crimson blossoms.
"No... stop, wait..."