MC POV
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"Arthur-san, the document you gave me earlier… it's quite interesting. I think we can try implementing it here." (Shalltear)
Shalltear had contacted me and asked me to come to her place. She said she wanted to discuss the proposal I had given her before.
"This could become a way to resolve conflicts, and it's also suitable for entertainment." (Shalltear)
Shalltear nodded, then placed the document she had finished reading onto the table. Written boldly at the top of it were the words 'Rating Game.'
Yep, I want to create a Rating Game here. More or less, it will be similar to the one in DxD, except we won't need chess pieces.
"So…?" (Arthur)
I asked while enjoying my coffee.
"Yes, I will try to introduce the Rating Game system to the Demon Realm." (Shalltear)
That's good. This game will become another form of entertainment in Trinia. It will be like watching a sports match.
"Then I'll leave this matter to you." (Arthur)
I nodded in satisfaction.
After that, we continued discussing the Rating Game. Shalltear asked many questions, and I answered them one by one.
Shalltear should be able to make the Rating Game a reality… after all, the documents I gave her already contained complete rough designs regarding it.
…
I had spent several hours at Shalltear's place.
After finishing our long discussion, I returned home, and right now, I was enjoying the hot springs in Delsgade.
"Sigh… this is truly comfortable…" (Arthur)
I leaned against the edge of the hot spring while enjoying some sake.
This hot spring had an open-air style, designed like a traditional Japanese onsen.
Honestly, I was only able to truly experience a real onsen after arriving in Trinia. It was incredibly refreshing.
The women also came here from time to time… no, they came here regularly. This place could relieve the fatigue after a full day's routine. According to them, it was also good for beauty…
"Hm… it seems you've already returned, Arthur." (Abernyu)
I turned to the side and saw Abernyu walking out of the changing room.
"I've told you many times already, this is my private bath… the women's area is next door." (Arthur)
This place had many hot springs, and I had also made a private one specifically for myself.
"It's not a problem, right~" (Abernyu)
Sigh… good thing I was already wearing a towel around my lower body. Abernyu was also wearing a towel that covered her body—thankfully.
Abernyu walked toward me, then slowly entered the onsen and sat beside me.
Perhaps because she had gotten used to it, Abernyu no longer felt embarrassed enjoying the onsen with me. At the beginning, she was quite shy—even though she was the one who suggested going together. Unlike her version after reincarnation… Abernyu was actually quite the aggressive type.
We chatted lightly while enjoying sake.
"… Nn… no matter how many times I see it, that tattoo on your back is quite striking, isn't it?" (Abernyu)
Abernyu commented while glancing at my back.
"Hahaha…" (Arthur)
I let out an awkward chuckle while scratching my cheek.
I got this tattoo around the time I was about to graduate from high school. It was a full-back eastern dragon… yeah, pretty typical.
Besides, the tattoo was basically free… it was done by my friend who had just started a tattoo business. I only paid for the ink.
My mother was even stunned when I came home with it… she was angry at me for quite a while because of that.
Youthful recklessness…
I smiled bitterly as I recalled those days.
"Well, the art looks good… so there's no need to feel awkward." (Abernyu)
Abernyu closed her eyes while leaning against the edge of the pool.
Even though my entire existence had changed, some of my outward physical features still resembled my past life. I even looked younger—like I was in my early twenties.
I poured some sake into a small glass and offered it to Abernyu.
"Haaahhh~ this truly is life~" (Abernyu)
After taking a sip, Abernyu let out a long sigh while smiling.
It seemed she was really enjoying the onsen.
"You look comfortable, Abernyu." (Arthur)
"Yeah… it feels like all my fatigue has melted away~" (Abernyu)
I smiled slightly when I heard that.
"I'm glad I came to this world…" (Abernyu)
Abernyu tilted her head upward, gazing at the sky with a melancholic look.
"You know, my king… I never truly wanted to become despair. I grew tired of being 'order' that could only watch everything fall into ruin. Every time I opened my eyes, no matter where I looked… all I could see was destruction. Always destruction." (Abernyu)
Abernyu fell silent for a moment before continuing.
"… There was always a voice in my head telling me to destroy, destroy, and destroy. That voice kept urging me to ruin everything. But that wasn't me… I wanted to believe that wasn't who I was… truly…" (Abernyu)
Abernyu then looked at me.
"In that sky of destruction, where everything collapsed… you suddenly appeared. You were the only one who came to meet me directly. When everything was endlessly spiraling… you showed me hope. And for the first time, I felt like I found myself—found who I truly was. I always wondered what the world should be like… I never imagined it could be this beautiful…" (Abernyu)
Abernyu smiled… a sincere, happy smile that looked beautiful to me.
"That's all because of you, Abernyu… I only gave you a choice. You were the one who chose to take that step." (Arthur)
"No… it's thanks to you. I'm truly grateful for that…" (Abernyu)
Abernyu moved closer and rested her head on my shoulder.
We began chatting casually, until a moment later, the door opened again and Grayfia appeared.
"You've really gotten way too used to coming here, haven't you…" (Arthur)
I shook my head slowly.
"As a defense, there's no one in the women's bath… it feels lonely being there alone… that's why I came here~" (Grayfia)
Grayfia's expression looked a bit strange… she was definitely drunk. I guess she had drunk too much…
"You're drunk, Grayfia…" (Abernyu)
Abernyu lifted her head from my shoulder and glanced sharply at Grayfia.
"Fufufu~ sorry, I drank a little too much~" (Grayfia)
Grayfia casually entered the pool and sat on my other side.
Grayfia was used to going to the bar after finishing her work, and sometimes I accompanied her. When she was with me, she occasionally made cocktails for both of us. Still, Grayfia wasn't a heavy drinker… she was actually weak when it came to alcohol. I had already told her that if she wanted to drink, she should do it in moderation… but she remained stubborn…
"Should I use magic to sober you up? You should also be able to remove your intoxication yourself…" (Abernyu)
"Please don't, Abernyu-sama~ I want to stay like this for a while~ after working all day, enjoying the onsen with a drink is very relaxing~" (Grayfia)
Grayfia picked up my sake bottle, poured it into a glass, and drank it.
Thankfully, I could control my own intoxication. Otherwise, I might've gotten swept up in the mood because of these two… they were really putting me through a difficult test here…
"… By the way, Grayfia, I've been thinking about visiting your world after the Demon Realm becomes stable… what do you think?" (Arthur)
I asked casually while glancing at her.
"What…" (Grayfia)
Grayfia paused for a moment as if she was slow to process what I had said.
"…!! You mean, you want to visit my world!?" (Grayfia)
Having snapped back to her senses, Grayfia exclaimed in shock.
"Hey… your words are a bit offensive. What's wrong with me visiting your world?" (Arthur)
I pretended to be offended while shrugging casually.
"Of course it's a huge problem!! And besides, why would you even want to go to my world!?" (Grayfia)
Grayfia shot back quickly before questioning me loudly.
"Well, your world is quite interesting to me. I just want to visit for a while and take a look around… once I'm done, I'll come back." (Arthur)
"That doesn't sound convincing at all…" (Grayfia)
Grayfia muttered quietly after hearing my words.
"You can also take the opportunity to settle your matters there, Grayfia. I'll bring the others along if they want to come." (Arthur)
I turned toward Abernyu.
"How about it, Abernyu? Want to come?" (Arthur)
"No. Someone needs to stay here in case something happens." (Abernyu)
Abernyu shook her head at my invitation.
"Alright, we can go another time." (Arthur)
"Nn, I'll look forward to it." (Abernyu)
Abernyu smiled slightly when she heard me.
"So… you agree, Grayfia?" (Arthur)
I asked her once again.
"…" (Grayfia)
Grayfia stayed silent, staring at me for a moment while thinking, before finally making her decision.
"Sigh… I just hope you don't do anything crazy in my world." (Grayfia)
Grayfia let out a helpless sigh before grabbing the sake bottle and drinking directly from it.
"Yeah, yeah~ I promise~" (Arthur)
As long as no one bothers me, of course. But it's impossible for cliché situations not to happen… somehow, in every story, there are always people who interfere, insult, or provoke the protagonist…
It reminded me of those Chinese fanfiction novels. They always used those kinds of clichés. Not to mention all that "China number one" stuff…
I couldn't help but shake my head every time I came across things like that.
"I'll ask the others. We'll go next week… you can start preparing, Grayfia." (Arthur)
"Understood. I'll use that time to further sharpen my abilities." (Grayfia)
Grayfia nodded with a determined expression.
After that, Abernyu, Grayfia, and I continued enjoying the hot spring leisurely.
…
The next day, I went to visit two women who were casually hanging out at the manga café in Delsgade.
"Altair, Setsuna, so this is where you are…" (Arthur)
"Arthur-san, good morning." (Setsuna)
Setsuna smiled as she greeted me.
"What is it, Arthur?" (Altair)
Altair handed me a glass of warm milk coffee before asking.
"I want to invite you two to visit Grayfia's original world… do you want to come along?" (Arthur)
I asked while looking at both of them.
Altair and Setsuna glanced at each other for a moment before Setsuna was the first to speak.
"I'll pass. I want to focus on improving my drawing skills. Besides, I'd probably just be a burden." (Setsuna)
Setsuna replied with a bitter smile.
"Hmm… I understand. We can go on a trip together with the others next time." (Arthur)
"Hehe~ Thank you, Arthur-san." (Setsuna)
Setsuna chuckled softly at me.
"How about you, Altair?" (Arthur)
I turned my gaze toward Altair.
"I'll go. I can act as your guard there." (Altair)
Altair nodded slightly with a faint smile.
"Good~" (Arthur)
After informing Altair of the departure time, we had a light conversation before I left the café to meet Alfia.
When I arrived at the colosseum, Alfia was sitting down, resting, her body drenched in sweat.
"You look like a mess, Alfia…" (Arthur)
I manifested a towel and a bottle of cold water in both of my hands.
"Arthur-sama…" (Alfia)
When Alfia turned toward me, I extended my hands and handed her both the cold water and the towel.
"Thanks." (Alfia)
Alfia then wiped her face with the towel.
"Did you go to the Forbidden Lands again?" (Arthur)
I asked casually while glancing toward the portal at the side of the arena.
This was a temporary portal created by Abernyu so that my family members could train in the Forbidden Lands.
Alfia and Grayfia would occasionally go there to train themselves in its dangerous environment.
"… Yeah. I can already last a bit longer in that place." (Alfia)
Alfia answered briefly before opening the bottle and drinking slowly.
"… Well, it will still take a very long time before I can get used to the environment of the Forbidden Lands…" (Alfia)
Alfia continued with a bitter smile.
"Your progress is already amazing, Alfia… Grayfia's as well. In my opinion, both of you are already incredible." (Arthur)
I lightly patted her shoulder.
I chatted with Alfia for a while before finally telling her the reason I came to see her.
"… Do you want to come along, Alfia?" (Arthur)
I asked her.
"Not this time, Arthur-sama. I plan to stay at home and relax for a while after this." (Alfia)
Alfia replied while lightly stretching her body.
"I see. Maybe next time, then…" (Arthur)
"Of course~" (Alfia)
Alfia smiled as she answered me.
…
So, it would only be me, Grayfia, and Altair.
Well, this was just a short visit… after all.
As I walked through the palace corridor, I saw Abernyu on the balcony, reading a book while eating a piece of cake.
I then walked toward her.
"Have you finished inviting the others, Arthur?" (Abernyu)
Abernyu asked casually as she flipped a page of her book.
"Yeah… only Altair agreed to come." (Arthur)
I answered briefly as I sat down, glancing at the stack of books that Kuro and Shalltear had given me before.
"So… it will only be you, Grayfia, and Altair going?" (Abernyu)
Abernyu picked up a piece of cake with her fork as she asked to confirm.
"Yeah. It's not like I'm going there to start a war~" (Arthur)
Seeing Abernyu eating her cake so elegantly, I replied with a dry chuckle.
Well… just bringing Altair alone already felt like carrying a weapon that was ready to start a war at any moment.
I shook my head inwardly.
I manifested a comic and decided to read it while chatting with Abernyu.
As I leaned back against the chair, Abernyu gently patted her lap.
"You can lie down here, Arthur." (Abernyu)
I was slightly surprised, but I followed my instincts and rested my head on Abernyu's lap.
"Thanks, Abernyu…" (Arthur)
Hearing me, Abernyu simply smiled as she gently stroked my head.
I closed my eyes for a moment, quietly enjoying this moment.
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