"Aunt! What are you saying? How could I possibly—?!"
Loshia clutched her burning cheeks with both hands, the heat beneath her palms so intense it made her panic.
She genuinely didn't understand what Aunt Loserine was implying. Challenge it? How could she possibly have the courage to challenge something like that?
That wasn't something a weak girl like her could challenge!
If she actually tried…
Wouldn't she break!?
"Good. As long as you're not thinking that way," Loserine replied with a faint nod, a trace of relief softening her otherwise indifferent expression. "I was worried you might get hurt."
"Aunt… do all boys… end up like that?" Loshia's curiosity flared again. She couldn't look away as she asked.
"As far as I know," Loserine said after a brief glance, "he is likely an exceptional case."
She had no basis for comparison—after all, she had only ever seen Kurose Akira's. But instinct, the quiet biological intuition that lingered even within her undead soul, told her he was different.
"Exceptional…"
Loshia murmured under her breath, her sapphire eyes shimmering with restless curiosity.
"Aunt… what kind of physique would someone need to withstand… that…?"
The words slipped out in a hazy whisper.
Then she froze.
Her head jerked violently side to side, face flushing scarlet as her heartbeat spiked.
What are you saying!?
How could you bring up something like that in front of Aunt!?
Loshia, has the world already lost all meaning to you!?
Panic clawed through her chest. What if her aunt misunderstood?
"Loshia?"
Loserine's gaze sharpened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. She had never expected her niece to show interest in Kurose Akira.
While she did admire Loshia's courage to challenge difficult paths—after all, she herself had walked a brutal road toward becoming a Star Knight—
This… seemed like misdirected ambition.
Loserine exhaled a faint stream of bluish soul-essence, stood, and walked over. She crouched beside Loshia and placed a hand firmly on her shoulder.
"Loshia. Your goal is to become a Star Knight. Isn't it?"
"Y-Yes, Aunt! Please forget everything I just said!"
Loshia's response was frantic.
She didn't even know why she had said it.
Temptation.
That's right!
It must be temptation!
Kurose Akira must have charmed her somehow!
What a terrifying demon!
"Good," Loserine replied evenly. "I would not want you to end up like a certain succubus—drowning in lust day after day. And you are not like her. You would not gain power from such indulgence."
"Succubus?"
Loshia blinked in surprise.
Of course she already knew that Miss Ifsha was a succubus. But she had never heard that she "drowned in lust" daily.
Which meant…
Her gaze shifted slowly from Loserine, something strange flickering in her eyes.
Miss Ifsha… every day!?
Huh?
Is that real?
Does Miss Ifsha… really have that kind of stamina?
For some reason, instead of dampening her thoughts, this revelation intensified her curiosity. It deepened her longing toward Akira—like an invisible hook pulling her closer.
At the same time, Loserine noticed her niece being drawn in again.
Her brows knit slightly.
What exactly was it about Kurose Akira?
Why did women fall so easily under his influence?
As she pondered, her own gaze drifted—unconsciously.
And just as aunt and niece were sinking into that dangerous spiral—
A voice cut through the air.
"What are you two doing?"
Akira had awakened from the dream at that exact moment.
Having been abruptly expelled by the Elven Mother Tree, his consciousness was still hazy.
But when his vision cleared—
He froze.
What are these two doing?
Wait.
"..."
He remained silent for several seconds, letting the awkward atmosphere dissipate naturally.
"Aunt…" Loshia started to speak, but Loserine calmly interrupted.
"It's late. Go to sleep."
She returned to her seat and closed her eyes, resuming meditation as though nothing had happened.
Loshia said nothing further. Face burning, she dove under the covers.
"Phew…"
Akira exhaled quietly.
Unexpected incidents really did come one after another.
Still… it didn't seem like Loserine was overly bothered.
He glanced at her meditating form, confirming there was nothing abnormal, then quietly left Loshia's room.
However—
Not long after he departed, within Loserine's dim soul-body, brilliant starlight began to flicker silently.
—
"It's only a little past two in the morning… What should I do to kill time?"
After leaving Loshia's room, Akira wandered aimlessly through the Yehrman family's castle.
He wasn't sleepy. And there was no need to rush back to the guild.
Tomorrow was the weekend. No classes. He could just study at home.
Lost in thought, he eventually found himself standing before the former residence of the White Rose Valkyrie within the Yehrman estate.
"Mr. Akira?"
A familiar voice interrupted him.
"Natalia?"
He turned in mild surprise. He hadn't expected to see her here at this hour.
"Mr. Akira! When did you arrive in Sunset City?"
Natalia approached him with visible delight. Her slender hand lifted gently to his chest, as if confirming his warmth was real.
"Not long ago. I had some matters to handle with Loserine."
He paused, curious.
"What about you? Why are you here this late?"
"I couldn't sleep," Natalia replied with a soft smile, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly. "So I came to tidy up the place where the Valkyrie once lived."
Then she tilted her head.
"And you, Mr. Akira? What brings you here?"
"For…"
He hesitated, searching for a reasonable excuse.
But when he looked into her eyes—filled with unmistakable affection—his hesitation evaporated.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"For you."
The words left his mouth naturally.
And just as he prepared to enjoy this unexpected midnight "snack"—
A cold, imposing voice rang out inside his mind.
"Young man. I am watching."
"?"
…
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