''Hm~''

''...''

Basking in the starlight, Nydia and I take each step on the balcony with utmost ease—elegantly, rhythmically, and heartfelt in a way I never thought I was able to before, as though we have practiced this dance numerous times in the past. With our fingers lightly intertwined, our bodies so close to each other that even our heartbeats can be felt, we take the floor as our stage and perform to our souls' content.

Nydia has her eyes open, smiling as she hums the melody, seemingly immersed in the music. Strangely, the more I gaze into that silhouette, the more I feel an unsettling flame arises in my heart.

''...!''

When that sensation reaches its peak, a shock current akin to electricity suddenly runs through my spine, causing me to frown. An indescribably disturbing buzz rings in my head, and the next moment, an image flashes before my eyes.

At some point, the sky has turned grey, cloaked by a layer of ominous dark clouds. Standing in front of me and holding my hands is the same Nydia that I know—still wearing her kind smile, still with the same exquisite wings, and still with those passionate eyes directed at me.

Navigating our steps on the uneven, dusty floor filled with brick debris, we once again claim the wasteland as our stage and continue our dance, not minding at all the possible tragedies that surround us.

''Aurora?''

''Oh.''

As Nydia's voice wakes me back to reality, I notice her face dangerously close to mine. Intentional or unintentional, we have somehow arrived at a rather intimate position where she and I are practically hugging each other. Not stopping at that, Nydia's wings are greedily wrapping around my waist as well.

''...I was distracted for a moment.'' I reply.

''Is that so?''

Perhaps misunderstanding my statement as me getting mesmerized by her appearance, Nydia blushes and turns away, still maintaining her smile.

...Though, I won't deny that she looks quite stunning even without proper makeup.

Soon enough, Nydia turns to me again. Reflecting the light coming from inside the hall, her golden eyes shine brilliantly as she slowly unties our hands. Then, almost too brazenly, Nydia runs her arms under my armpits, entrapping me in an entanglement that I, surprisingly, find no desire to escape.

When our flesh is pressed against each other, separating only by thin layers of clothes, when her heat can be vividly felt, she gradually closes our distance.

Through our contact, I can feel her heart beating violently. She is nervous—she has to be—because these heartbeats can't be mine.

Unconsciously, I find myself leaning toward her face. With an atmosphere I have never experienced before, I belatedly realize—I will have my first kiss taken right at this moment.

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A feeling akin to a blooming flower. Some excitement, some worries, some arousal, and even some... Nostalgia.

We give ourselves to the moment and shut our eyes closed. Right when I feel her gentle breath on my face, and our lips are about to touch—

clack—!

''Hey, the emperor is about to—''

'''' !!! ''''

Shocked by the sudden intervention, our bodies inevitably shudder, and unknowingly, an infinitely soft and warm sensation is already spreading across my lips—a fullness I've never really been able to feel, a pleasure I've never considered.

As we both look at each other in surprise, we quickly realize the voice coming from the side and promptly pull away.

''M-My lady...''

No good.

Chloe is here, and her face is entirely devoid of light. At some point, her formerly brilliant blue eyes have turned into soulless, dim ones, and I can even hear her teeth grinding from this distance.

Soon enough, Chloe pulls out the sword from her waist and immediately sets it on blazing fire.

''Prepare yourself.'' She grumbles as she slowly steps toward Nydia, not hiding her murderous intent in the slightest.

On my side, Nydia, still blushing and panting lightly from our kiss, clumsily takes a fighting stance.

Okay, this is clearly my fault. Why did I fall into a trance just then?

Nevertheless, it seems words won't be able to stop this fight. So, I quickly wield my frosty mana and focus it all on my right arm. With swift movements, I grab Chloe's flame sword and hold it in place, enduring the heat eating at my skin.

''Calm down.'' I hold her emotionless face with my other hand and whisper.

''...Do you really expect me to calm down?'' She glares at me. ''Even though I came first... Even after all I have done—''

As I look at her upset face, an emotion akin to sadness arises in my heart. So, resolutely, I lunge forward, sealing the angry girl's mouth with my own.

At this, Chloe's eyes widen. She quivers slightly before fully becoming immersed in the kiss, throwing away her sword completely to hug me. However, sensing the situation might become uncontrollable, I take a step back after a few seconds.

'''' ... ''''

On the balcony now hangs an awkward silence. Both Chloe and Nydia stare at each other blankly, not knowing how to react. Eventually, Chloe begins to shake her head, signing.

''...Let's stop here for now.'' She says. ''Aurora, we'll talk again later. Privately.''

''Okay.''

''And you, Nydia, we will also settle this later. Privately.''

''Yes, Lady Luminous...''

''For now, head inside. The emperor is about to give a speech.''

Temporarily setting aside the matter, the three of us enter the hall once again, where everyone can be seen murmuring about what the announcement might be.

''Amelia, you're back.''

Immediately, a middle-aged man with blonde hair and blue eyes approaches us. Is that Amelia Luminous's father?

''Greetings, Your Excellency.'' Nydia bows respectfully.

Let's nod lightly for now. Predictably, the guy raises an eyebrow when looking at me, yet Chloe quickly intervenes.

''Father.'' Chloe greets. ''Are you done talking with His Majesty?''

''Indeed.''

''Do you mind sharing some of them with me? I am curious.''

''Of course, my daughter.''

Right then, I can feel Nydia tugging at my sleeve, pointing to an empty table, likely as not to pry into the father-daughter's matters. Obviously, I follow right away.

As we sit down, Nydia instantly turns away, appearing quite shy. She seems embarrassed about the earlier act, which is convenient for me at the moment.

Although Chloe will tell me what is needed regardless, I can eavesdrop right now.

''—the focal point of the meeting was about the appearance of a figure.''

''You mean...''

"Yes, Silaerob. At this point, she can't be ignored anymore. With her track record showing that she can seriously threaten our country's security and her unwillingness to cooperate with our force, His Majesty is planning some measures for this person."

''Raiding Zircon, for example?''

''That is one of them, yes, but nothing has been confirmed.''

''I would advise against that. We know she even made Orcinus Nova her subordinate, no?''

''His Majesty has planned it all. If we were to conquer the evil forest... A grandmaster will have to join the operation.''

''Seriously?!''

A grandmaster... Someone above level 70, was it?

Even with my unusual power perks, facing someone that much stronger and definitely has more fighting experience than me would be challenging.

It seems I have to accelerate my conquering speed for Zircon.