Arthur Leywin POV
After everyone woke up we gathered around the campfire and started preparing breakfast
We made some hot soup to stay energized and warm for the rest of the day. After that, we started packing our belongings so we could keep going
We decided to split into two groups so we could clear the floors faster
The first group is the one that is going after the boss and it is consisted of Alea and me
The rest of the raid team will try to find the exit
Since the boss room is always in the same place and the gate to the next floor always changes its location we decided that Alea and I will go after the boss since we are the strongest in the group while the rest will secure the exit
I saw this as a perfect opportunity to talk with her about that. I don't want to delay this conversation, because if that made her hate me, or be disgusted with me, at least our relationship would end early so we would both be hurt less than in the scenario where this conversation comes later
'But how should I bring it up?' as I was thinking about this I was interrupted by a familiar voice
" Note" I looked toward the source of the voice only to notice the worried Jasmine looking at me
"?"
She came to me and hugged me as a sister would
' I don't know why, but I feel some kind of sinister energy from behind'
" Be careful, I don't want to lose you again" She said with evident concern in her voice
" Don't worry Jasmine, I will be fine" I tried to reassure her, and apparently it was successful since her face brightened
" and if anything happens to you, your mom will kill me so..."
She said and all I could do is nod and pat her on the shoulder in understanding and pity
We advanced as a group for a little while longer until we reached the point where we would split
After Alea made sure that the other group has everything they need we split and left in our ways
When I was sure that we are at the safe distance I took off my mask and stored it in my dimensional rune
In the beginning, the atmosphere between me and Alea was awkward. Whenever we made eye contact we would both look away quickly and sometimes I would catch her looking at my lips while gently touching hers
' I wonder what's wrong with her?'
Alea Triscan POV
We were preparing to depart further into the dungeon when I noticed that Arthur and Jasmine were together in a tight hug. In an instant I became jealous
' Am I not enough for him?'
'Of course, somebody who is as strong as he is couldn't possibly be satisfied with somebody like me'
My thoughts started going in a strange direction. I know that he told me last night that he still loves me but...
'Isn't it normal for human males to have multiple wives? So what if one day he wants to add another girl to our relationship? Will I be able to handle it'
I really didn't like where my thoughts were going but I still couldn't help it. There are stereotypes about all of the three races, for elves that they are all disgusted with other races, for dwarves is that all they can do is forge and for humans is that they are all perverts who, especially males, have multiple spouses
( I forgot about the stereotype term but I also knew that it exists, and I knew that I have it mentioned in some reel that I sent to myself on Instagram, so I spent the last hour and a half trying to find that reel)
I guess that even a Lance can fall a victim to stereotypes, after all, we were thought since we were kids that humans are like that
Due to the war that happened in the recent past hatred that elves feel toward humans is so big that it is actually the biggest obstacle in the formation of the council, so it doesn't surprise that older generations messed up our perception of humans
As I and Arthur were walking further down this maze we made eye contact multiple times but we both averted it as fast as we could. It's just too awkward you know? I just kissed him all of sudden and now I am a mess
Don't get me wrong, I love him with all of my heart, but with all these fear and anxiety it just becomes so...confusing
As I was thinking this I looked at him again, his lips to be more precise. At that moment I got flashbacks of the kiss last night. Instinctively I softly touched my lips, trying to imitate the sensation I felt last night, but it was not even close. His soft lips, their sweet taste, their warmth, and his surprised expression are impossible to imitate
After some time I noticed that he looked at me so I, once again, quickly looked away
" So, how did you sleep?" Arthur broke the awkward silence by starting a conversation
" I slept well" I said with a smile but... I lied
I mean...
' How could I even sleep? I kissed a man that I am in love for the last twenty-two years! There was absolutely not even a chance for me to fall asleep in that situation'
Soon we were attacked by some monsters. They were not so strong so we took them out in no time
I noticed that Arthur's swordsmanship is on the whole another level compared to mine, or anyone else's on this continent. His minimal movement, precise slashes... it just made him look as if he was dancing with a sword
It made me want to stop fighting and just look at him for a while... which I did
Before I knew it a monster appeared above me, prepared to rip me apart
I didn't have time to react. I was so focused on Arthur that I completely let my guard down
I closed my eyes, prepared for my unavoidable demise, but it never came.
One second
Two seconds
Three seconds...
I was still okay. I opened my eyes and saw that the monster in front of me is frozen in air. But what gained my attention the most is the fact that its colors were weird, actually now that I look around all colors are weird
Looking behind me I saw Arthur, his wheat hair was standing still, his widened golden eyes looking directly at me with fear and his body seemed to be paralyzed, but unlike everything else around me, it seemed that he is paralyzed from fear. The only notable difference between usual and current Arthur is that now there were golden runes shining just below his eyes
" Alea! " Finally getting to his senses he shouted my name. In the next moment, the place where he stood was just a thin air and some purple lightning, and he was next to me, clinging on to me for his dear life
" Are you okay?" he asked me full of concern
Then I remembered. Just now I almost died and that probably made Arthur supper worried
' They don't say that you should never let your guard down in beast glades for no reason '
" I am fine Artur... I just let my guard down for a bit, so you don't have to worry" I tried to reassure him, but looking back at my choice of words I knew that I could have done better
We distanced ourselves from the beast and suddenly world got back its usual colors and the beast started moving again as if nothing has happened
Before it could land on the ground Arthur disappeared in the flash of purple lightning and cut the beast's head off
But this time the sword he used wasn't the same that he used during our fights on the previous floors. It was the long and thin teal sword, sword that was so beautiful that I am sure that a certain greedy king would sell his daughters virginity for it
" Arthur, what was... that?" Curious, I asked him about the abilities that he displayed just now
He looked at me with worry and uncertainty but soon he started to talk
" The first ability is called Static Void, and it lets me separate myself and others from the flow of time"
' THE WHAT!?' He told me about his days in Alcarya but he never mentioned anything about this
Noticing my surprised expression he waited for me to sort my thoughts so he could continue
" The other one was a God Step, I told you about it"
Oh, I know this one! It is an ability that allows him to ignore the space around him, pretty useful if you ask me
After some more explanations about the abilities that he used just now we kept moving forward
We walked in complete silence. Arthur looked as if he had something on his mind so he never said a word
I love him with all my heart so I want to help him, but I couldn't even open my mouth. It was as if someone used the strongest glue in the world to seal my lips together
...
Soon enough we reached the door of the floor boss. They were huge with runes engraved all over them. Besides them, there were also drawings of the golems and a... fairy that is making it
Back then neither Arthur nor I paid it any attention, what a terrible mistake would that end up being
Before we stepped in Arthur grabbed my hand gently, not using any force to stop me but I still stopped. I turned around to look at him and I saw worry all over his face
I knew that something is worrying him for some time now, but I didn't know what
" Arthur, is everything okay?" I asked him in a gentle voice, the one I use only for my loved ones, and guess what? Arthur is on top of that list
" I should be the one asking that" he said in a soft voice
When we were with the rest of the team his voice and face seemed emotionless, even though he wore a mask it was obvious what his facial expressions were, but when we are together there are so many emotions on his face and in his voice
"?" I started at him blankly, not sure about what he is talking about, when suddenly realization hit me
Could it be... he sensed my anxiety about him finding another woman? But I am sure that I hid it well
He just looked at me, waiting for my response. For a while, he didn't even blink
I sighed and prepared myself for the conversation that is about to come
" Actually..." and so I told him everything
He listened to me carefully and when I finished my story he chuckled
' The audacity! I honestly told him about my problems and he... But I must admit that he was adorable'
" What is so funny?" I asked with a pout
Suddenly he was holding an artifact in his right hand, the artifact was looking directly at me
Looking closer I realized that it is an image recording artifact, very similar to the one that was recently discovered by royal families
" Wha..!?"
" Sorry, you were just so cute that I had to take a picture of you" he said with a smile
Maybe his smile is adorable but I don't think that we are in the situation where he should do things like that, we are having a serious conversation after all
In the next moment his lips were pressed against mine. The warm sensation easily wiped out all of my worries, fear, and anger. It's as if that single kiss was enough to make the last twenty-two years of pain and suffering go away in an instant
He lifted my head so I would look directly into his eyes. His eyes were warm and serious
" Alea, you are the one and only woman that I will ever love. I will never have any other wives, nor will I ever cheat on you" he finished his sentence by placing another soft kiss on my lips
" U-um" I felt blood rush to my head and my ears started heating up. I was probably blushing like crazy
I stood up and followed him to the doors of the boss room
This entire time I just couldn't stop smiling
' I am so happy '
Arthur Leywin POV
We entered the boss room and noticed a giant looking straight into us
It was a giant made of stone with two menacing red eyes looking at us
I pulled Dawn out and Alea took out her elven sword
We in advance agreed that I will fight in the front while she is supporting me from the back
I dashed at the monster using wind magic while Alea conjured many plants that followed me to the beast
It tried to hit me with its hand but that was quickly stopped by Aleas magic. In the next moment, I cut off its arm with a swift slash
' So weak' I heard Dawn complain about our enemy's strength
' You will have to bear with it ' I told her
While I was distracted with Dawn the monster regenerated its hand and swung it down at me
I was about to evade it but Alea was faster, using her plants she pulled me out of the monsters reach
I looked at her and nodded, which she returned with the smile and nod of her own
I decided that it was time to end this battle
Once again I dashed toward the beast while enhancing Dawn with a powerful wind spell that was yet to be released
When I was in front of it, it tried to punch me but I easily evaded it and stuck Dawn in it
Then I activated the spell. It was just a regular tornado but since it was activated within the beats it got completely destroyed along with its core
" Good work there" Alea said as she came to me from behind and tossed me a bottle of water
" Right back at you" I said and threw her back the bottle
" Hey, Arthur?" I looked at Alea signalizing her to ask what she wanted
" Can I... call you Art?"
I looked at her curious and saw that she was blushing
" Yeah, it's fine"
After we rested for a bit we gathered our belongings and went back to the Jasmine and others
...
It has been about eight days since we killed the Golem
Now we were on the fourteenth floor fighting agains the bee queen
She was pinned down to the ground by Aleas vines and its neck was snapped by one of them
Our fire conjurer, El, was burning down the army of bees that she summoned while I and Jasmine stood in front of her and the rest of the group protecting them
Then we made our way to the doors to the final floor
It didn't take us long so it only felt like a short walk
" Phew, finally done" Gerd said as he let himself fall on the floor
" Gaah, these bugs are so annoying" said another conjurer, Loyd, who is apparently some prodigy from an important noble house
" Quit complaining and let's start preparing the camp so we can rest tonight" said Alea
She was the first to move toward to corner of the room where we will sleep with me following right behind her
Since we already spent ten days in the dungeon we were all sweaty and sticky
We quickly finished preparing tents and putting up a toilet area and started preparing our dinner
Maria and Lucia decided to cook so the rest of us had some free time
I and Alea sat together and chatted about some random topics
From complaining about how annoying the wicked fox was to how we would take a hot bath when we go back
' This actually gives me an idea...'
' What idea master?'
'? '
' Princess... YOU ARE A FUCKING GENIOUS'
" Are you two dating " I split the tea I was drinking and from the looks of it Alea did the same
I looked toward the source of the sudden question and saw Jasmine standing there
" Wha-what do you mean?" I asked her and felt a cold sweat running down my face
" Well, you two seem awfully close and are always looking for a chance to be alone at every occasion" She stated matter of factly
' I really can't hide anything from her '
" You are right, we are dating" I told her as a grabbed Aleas hand and interlocked our fingers together
As much as clueless as she seems, Jasmine is actually very sharp when it comes to reading people and their intentions
" I see... just don't let your mom find out" she said and looked at us " she will be worried that her baby boy is going to leave her"
I heard Alea laugh at the nickname that Jasmine used for me
" And Alea" Jasmine said and looked Alea directly into eyes
Alea returned her favor and looked at her directly, prepared for whatever Jasmine was about to say
" I don't care how strong you are, if you hurt Arthur, if you hurt my little brother, I am going to kill you" Jasmine said with seriousness in her usually emotionless voice
Alea looked at her before she just smiled gently and took hold of both of the Jasmines' palms
" Don't worry, I will never hurt him"
...
Everyone has already gone to sleep so it was now only Alea and me awake due to our guard duty
I conjured a earth wall and told her to wait since I wanted to prepare a surprise for her
Standing behind the wall I made a big hole that was about seventy centimeters deep in one half while about forty on the other half
Next, I separated two sides of the hole with an earth wall that was as high as the wall behind which Alea was
After that, I filled both sides with water that I heated up with the fire magic
" You can come now" I said as I came to the one side of the temporary hot bath
" What is it Art?" She asked while coming to my side
" Surprise! " I said as I pointed toward the hot bath
She let out a surprised gasp
" Art this is..." She kept looking between me and the bath
She hugged me and started jumping with joy
After she let go of me she started taking off her clothes without thinking
She took off her shirt revealing pale white skin and a cutely designed pink bra
" pink..." I accidentally said out loud
She looked at me with a face of pure horror
" Pervert!" She shouted and fired a wind spell which sent me flying five meters back
" How is this even my fault!?" I asked and she became even redder than before
She quickly covered her chest with her hands and came closer to me
" Just go the other side already" She used one hand to push me to the other side while still covering her chest with the other
I took off my clothes and entered the bath
Hot water warmed me up immediately, even though I can't get cold, and I just relaxed there for a bit
I heard Alea entering the bath on the other side
The image of her in her bra flashed in my mind which caused an instant rise of my friend down there
' Now, it's the time to put my plan into action'
I thought as I started thinking of all ways that I could peek at the other side without Alea noticing me
I felt a judgemental reaction from Sylvie and Dawn
' What? I am a man so of course I want to peek at my girlfriend taking a bath' I shot back at them
' That's right, let the boy have some fun!' Regis supported me
After some mental debate with Regis, we decided that I should use " orb of stalking" so I don't get noticed
I pulled the orb out and filled it with aether but... nothing
' That's right, I used it recently so now it's useless'
I became desperate
I started looking for every possible way to make it work
I started filling it with more aether but nothing happened
I was lost, I didn't know what to do
In the last desperate attempt to make it work I activated Realmheart in hope that it will help me find a way
I started observing it closely when I notice that there were golden runes in it
I started willing aether directly into them but nothing happened
' What if you absorb the aether in them?' Regis asked
It sounded like a stupid idea, but it was worth trying
I started absorbing the aether when the rune suddenly disappeared and I felt a sharp pain in my feets
I looked down and saw two new god runes on them. In the next moment, the artifact turned into dust
I instinctively knew what were they for and I started willing aether into them
My sight shifted and I was flying above our bath
It was weird seeing me sitting there motionless but what truly caught my attention was Aleas naked body
It was a sight to behold. The only term that came to my mind at that it was a forbidden fruit
Suddenly I felt dizzy and everything around me went black
Alea Triscan POV
I was taking a nice bath when I suddenly hear a loud thud from the other side of the bath
I quickly covered myself with the towel that Arty gave me and went to the other side to see if he was okay
Oh yes, I decided to call him Arty from now on because it was cute, and I would be the only one to call him that way
( Totally not because the author thinks about trash, I mean Tess, when he writes Art... oh while we are at it, the reason why " Our sweet love story" is on hiatus is that I am kinda pissed at Tess and while writing the last chapter I had that big urge to make her suffer+ there is something else, but I will talk about it later)
I saw Arthur laying passed out in the middle of the bath
I pulled him out and sat on him so I could give him a CPR
But when I sat I felt something poking me. I looked toward the source and saw Arthur's member in his full strength
" So tiny " I couldn't help but say
It's maybe because he is in a kids body but it was really tiny even when he is hard
' Maybe if we do it while he is still this tiny it won't hurt as much as Aya told it would?'
I pushed all these thoughts aside and covered Arthur with his towel and brought him to my tent
I went to Lucia and Loyd to wake them up so they could take over
I also told them that they should take a bath since it's already prepared
Of course, I picked our clothes beforehand
I placed Arty in my sleeping bag and I lay down next to him
I hugged him and drifted into what would be the best sleep I had in ages