"Fuh... Indeed, it is pleasant for once to indulge one self in luxury like this."

"......"

"Although I'm surprised that something like this could be built, the idea itself is not bad."

"......"

"Even more, the spring has the effect of regulating the flow of internal mana. It probably is related to the leyline running in the same course with the underground water vein."

"............"

"...come to think of it - Why are you distancing yourself, Charlotte?"

Fuweh!? I let out an embarrassing sound. I turned only to catch Fei's strong gaze and it caused my heartbeat accelerating. Not to mention my mind truly whited out as if a bell rang right next to my ear.

Damn it...! Am I cursed to like someone like this!? And he didn't even pay attention to my scream and simply entered the hot spring like no other! At least react like a proper boy would!!

No, wait. If he's acting like ordinary boy then it would be too embarrassing! Is this a Romcom!?

But... because of my response, Fei narrowed his gaze and - he slid toward me!

"......!" I exasperated and backed away!

"......" Fei snorted and he approached me again! This time, he's even faster!!

In no time at all, there was a game of tags between us in the wide hot spring. The water rippled and waves rocked against the smooth river rocks acting as leakage prevention devices!

"St-stay awaaaayyy!!" I cried out with tomato red face and tears at the corner of my eyes.

"Then stop running away!" Fei rebuked.

Th-this guy can't read the mood at all! Don't you know that you're already 18 years old!? You should know that 8 years old is the limit for opposite sexes to bath together!! Also, if others saw this, it's like seeing a man attempting assault on underaged girl!!

Rather...

"Why are you here!?" I shouted.

"The principal recommended me this place if I wanted to relax!" Fei replied.

"Why do you have to relax here?!!"

"Because of the damn hot spring has healing effect! Also, stop running about like that!! It's-"

Before he finished, my feet slipped and I lost my balance.

"Kyah?!"

I saw the glittering starry sky and when I realized how painful it could be if I fall like this, I shut my eyes to brace for the impact.

...

.......are?

"I told you it's slippery around here. Milady is such a handful princess..." Fei's quiet sigh could be heard.

Uuh...? I opened my eyes slowly and I shuddered in surprise. My wrist was gripped tightly and I was being held by an arm circling around my back.

As I craned my head up, I saw a pair of obsidian grey eyes gazing at me and I could feel the faint breath let out by the person who saved me.

By then, a fluttery white cloth fell beside me, touching the spring's surface before sinking.

My mind stopped working, the world felt as if it had stopped rotating and it was as if time had stretched endlessly. I stared blankly at the youth who could already be considered as a mature adult and...

"Are you alright?" He asked as he pulled me in, allowing me to stand with both feet.

"Y-yes..." I nodded down and cast my gaze below. Because if I stared at his face too long, it felt like time would end when I snapped back.

But when I realized where I was looking now, my brain became mushy and I turned away. For some reasons, a deep sense of embarrassment controlled me to do that and I was covering my front with arms to add for.

...I could feel his gaze behind me. Uuu... what is this feeling? It's like I'm being exposed fully to it... Eh, both of us are naked now!! Also...!

"S-stop leering at me...!" I said, intending to shout but unable to do so due to shyness and embarrassment.

"Huh...? Is that what you're worried about?" Fei questioned.

I could imagine him tilting his head but I shook that thought off. Vanish! You devilish and raw emotion! From the way he worded it, doesn't that mean he thinks of me as nothing more but a kid!?

"Are you disappointed seeing me? Is it because I haven't grown up?!!"

"No, not like that... Why is Milady getting so worked up?"

It's because of you and your dense like a concrete brain, damn it!!

I put a hand on my forehead and exhaled deeply. I should've realized that he's a shameless lout in the wrong times...

"...since it's your turn, then I'm leaving-"

"Wait. I know that Milady just soaked in too."

I rotated my head to see Fei sitting down and submerging himself into the water.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"The principal told me." He answered.

Wait... so this encounter wasn't a coincidence!? Is he a pervert!!? Did Fei just charge in here with some untold intentions!!?

"Besides, it's not like we never bathed together in Bluesnake." He said. "Not to mention we're even now."

Even? How? In what way? I glared at the Black Hero intensely. He replied with a shrug and waved his hand to sit down too.

Uuu... Somehow, this doesn't sound correct in so many ways. With my face still feeling burning and heat surging from below my stomach, I picked up the towel and wrapped it around my body. Then I sat down a little further from Fei.

"Why so distant?" He asked.

"I'm trying to protect myself from pouncing wild beast." I answered curtly.

Fei shook his head then explained.

"This place is in the Middle Layer of Raumia. The sheer amount of noble households alone caused the knights to fortify the defense here with double the efforts for the Upper Layer. Regardless of assassins, Black Guilds, disguised demons or even guests, as if they could escape the kingdom's observation."

Hmph! As I thought, dense men are dense. They're seriously not good in this matter that it disappointed me a little.

"Really? Vladimir didn't hesitate to even raid the prison I was placed in." I said.

"...where did Milady knows that name? Could it be..." Fei's voice waned.

Hm... he's sharp as always, Well, since he seemed shaken, I decided to recount how my Quest progressed up to the point where Vladimir hunted me. Of course I didn't tell Fei of my true identity nor did I explain to him about Iris.

He'd see me as a freak or probably did some more extreme stunts. I can picture him saying 'If even gods wanted to steal you, then I shall dominate the heaven above!' like some Xianxia novel's protagonist.

But unexpectedly, Fei's frowns deepened.

"As I thought, I shouldn't have let you go." He fumed silently.

"Oh, please. It was you who smiled as if you were glad I disappeared from your sight." I waved a hand in exaggeration.

My words bewildered Fei so much he gasped. He immediately hid his shock by wearing his poker face again.

"How did you know?" He asked.

"Because you're a simpleton in the inside." I replied.

Hearing my answer, Fei looked down and smiled a mocking smile. Ah... that face...... Somehow, his true thought leaked out huh?

"I really can't hide from Milady," He said. "I do admit it was partly because I don't want Milady to be hurt."

Hurt... huh? I glanced at the youth and then back to the reflection of my face on the water surface.

...no wonder he looked relieved. He wanted me to stay away from danger while he did something dangerous. Considering my habit of getting into troubles for someone's sake and the fact I have a Pure Soul...

I guess he planned it together with principal. But each of them probably had different agendas.

As a result, I was conflicted whether I should laugh or be angry about it. At one side, I'm grateful because I could face myself for once, while at the other side...

I felt upset knowing he wanted me to stay away from danger while he himself suffered.

"...I'm sorry. You can punch me for it but I went to a place that not even humans could stand to survive."

"And you prevailed?"

"No. I failed spectacularly."

Fei sighed as he showed a smile full of mockery at himself.

"I even had to drag Renleina to bring me out from that accursed place," Fei said. "But because of that, she was injured too."

...sounds like utter defeat. I wonder what kind of place did he go to? And senior Renleina is injured? Heh, I hope she's crying in jealousy if I told her I bathed together with Fei in the hot spring. While I can sympathize with her as I know how ridiculous Fei's opponents could be... It's still a pleasant feeling to take the lead in the race.

But... I looked over at Fei's profile and realized something bad.

"........."

The sight caused me to grow restless. I squinted my eyes after a while. My body moved without me thinking and when I realized, I was next to him.

"Milady...?" Fei turned his head to me. "Is something wrong?"

Without waiting, my hand moved out from underwater, droplets ran down my arm and my fingers brushed against his dark hair. After a short search, I found it.

Fei's eyes widened before narrowing down.

"...You noticed." He said.

...Un. A scar was there. I never saw this one before.

"......who did this to you? The enemy?" I inquired.

"...If you can call it as one. Yeah." Fei nodded down.

The youth closed his eyes while I rubbed the scar, feeling the texture and depth.

This... is... A sword scar... And it's cleanly carved. Even from touch alone, I realized there's a foreign mana preventing the wound to regenerate. But Fei's defense should have been flawless with how much layers of Aura compressed together to coat his body. I didn't pay attention last time but the numbers of Layered Aura has exceeded ten.

In such state, i doubt a Soul Essence infused Seventh Step could carve deep wounds on Fei. Yet this wound ignored the protection of Aura, Mana and Soul as if engraving permanent scar on an existence. What kind of monster did he fight against with?

"What did you fight?" I asked in worries.

"...There's no way I can tell Milady - *pinch* - dhat hwuts...!"

I pinched and stretched Fei's cheeks. I had enough of his anti-intervention policy! It's even more so when I realized the invincible Fei failed to heal such slight wound!!

"I won't pester you any longer if you answered. Tell me... What kind of place did you go to and what kind of enemy did you encounter, Fei?"

At first, Fei showed a shocked expression. It then distorted into a scowl and then reluctance. After a while, Fei nodded down, yielding to my gaze. I let go of his cheek and the boy sighed in front of me.

"In a nameless forest ruin where ancient golems and sealed beings slumbered." He answered.

"Sealed... could it be, that place existed since the Dark Age?" I asked again.

"No. Much, much older. Perhaps it's from Age of Sinking Dawn." He replied shortly again.

Age of Sinking Dawn...? If I remembered correctly, it's the age before Dark Age occurred. The time period is around ten thousand years ago and it lasted for half a millennium.

From what I learned in the boring Continental History class, apparently, there were already several Ages that have passed by.

First was the Age of Divinity. It was a period where the world was at its early years and Gods coexisted with mortals. Sadly, historical facts were no longer found and only myths as well as churches' teachings that lasted to the present time regarding that age.

After it came Age of Warring Heroes. This Age is the most likely time period for Summoned Heroes to enter Magnis. Because of the advancement of civilization, conflicts often broke out against immortal races who possessed vast wisdom and experiences., Because of the escalating conflicts, mortal races were forced to request help from otherworldly beings. Again, not much are left except ancient bloodlines of the heroes running in the veins of small reclusive tribes.

Takeru'd be the prime example and by the way, Summoned Heroes phenomenon seemed to happen occasionally nowadays.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

What came after that was Age of Sinking Dawn, an Age where Gods' power and influence weakened while the birth of an Evil God spread chaos senselessly. Ridiculously strong demi-humans and demons began to procreate like rabbits while seeds of distrust continued to crack every bond between the living races.

Age of Darkness was the previous period. Starting from several thousand years ago and ended a century before now. It was implied that the world became living hell with rains of blood, storms of flesh, rivers of corpses and mountains of bones endlessly stretching everywhere. The whole world once consisting of many islands and continents sunk along with powerful Gods and immortal races, leaving only the main continent where the beginning of everything restarted anew.

Almost all historical clues and artifacts regarding this age vanished without traces. All due to the epic wars instigated by the Evil God. The guy seemed to be heralded as a being born when chaos and bloodshed distorted the world's natural laws. Although... even that guy got defeated and thrown into the gaps between dimensions and that signified the end of the Dark Age.

"...Considering the origin of the ruin, things from Age of Sinking Dawn aren't too dangerous. Did something settle in that place?"

"That... I cannot say."

...why? I was about to say that but I held back my words. I now understand why Fei hid his scar and not choosing to tell me of his travel.

He fought something more or less coming from the Dark Age. I don't really know the details but... Apparently, there's nothing more than deadly things and blood always spilled every moment in that Age.

But doesn't that mean he fought something equal to Daemonia's Demon Kings? Or...

"Fei. How strong are you now?" I asked.

"I guess at Ivory's level without activation of Mark." Fei answered without batting an eye.

His eyes showed me confidence. Looks like he's certain but I can't tell much. Five years ago, I couldn't do anything and I nearly died like a swatted fly. Demons possessed a natural gift coming from their pure bloodlines which caused distinctive magical Marks appeared on their bodies. While the effect seemed to be random before being tested, I heard that no demon had same unique ability, save twin siblings or irregulars.

So... if Fei could beat a Stage One Boss, the enemy this time was beyond that. I sighed and drooped my shoulders.

"...Fei. Are you planning to challenge it again?"

"Yeah."

"Even knowing you won't win?"

"I'm fully aware of the danger but I have to."

I see, I nodded down hearing his honest opinion. Since Fei had always been a stubborn one when he put his mind into it, stopping him is the worst option.

However...

It's not good like this. I don't want to see him hurt all alone. I can't allow myself to stand on the sideline and observing from afar.

I want to be with him. I really want to. That's why, even if I exhaust my lifespans, I don't mind fighting against the world with him.

But we are not powerful. Each of us has weaknesses. There's no way our enemy would not exploit them and I don't plan on dying.

I want to live. I want to see the same view with him. I want both of us to live and be happy. I don't mind setting aside my feelings but I believe that regardless of the form, happiness could be found as long as one is alive.

So... the best option for me would be...

"Take me with you." "I refuse."

..........

"........."

".........."

...ah. I somehow knew that this would happen. I leaned forward and glared at Fei.

"Why? I could fend off a Demon General too. Even if I lagged behind, I can still be useful."

"No means no. If I do that, won't the priority turn backward?"

"It's more efficient this way."

"Even if that's true, I won't take Milady. I absolutely will never do that."

Fei was turning adamant, but my thought is exactly the same as him! Grr, how could I destroy his defense and make him agree to bring me with him!?

I spun my brain to produce some answers but when I simulated them, everything failed! Each and every one of them would always be responded by witty remarks! Fei's secretive and sarcastic nature always, always prevented me from going further and I don't know what method remained!

Uuu... What should I do? I delved deeper and deeper into my memories but when I realized I had an extra set of memories, a light bulb flashed inside my head! However, this might be a double-edged sword...

...Geh. Whatever! All's fair in love and war!!

I cast down my gaze, hiding my expression from being seen by Fei. As time passed, the silence caused some pressure and Fei began to grow restless with my sudden change of attitude. As he turned rigid, he raised a hand and called out to me.

"...am I... Am I not good enough for you?" I responded with a question.

The tone of my voice caused Fei to widen his eyes. It's shrill, shaking and full of sadness. What's more, I squirmed once in a while and with frightened, trembling voice, I spoke out.

"...Fei... Do you... do you think I am useless... to you...?"

The moment I voiced out the question, Fei's poker face broke down and he panicked.

"....No, that's! That's not it! It's not... It's just......" He cast his gaze from one side to another, obviously troubled in choosing words.

I stared at him hoping for an answer. For a while, silence ensued and Fei has yet to explain anything.

"...Charlotte," After a while, the boy looked at me, gazing deep at my eyes. "...You do know that I am your Vagnalos and you are my Oratoria. Right?"

I nodded down at the contract term between us. Although I don't really know anything other than the fact that through imprinting of Crest, my soul is connected with Fei's.

It allowed me to sustain my life like a life-supporting device would as he transferred his mana to boost my recovery. Maybe that's why it took me only a few months to recover this time.

But... why mentioning it now?

"...you see... that Crest of yours is not something anyone should give. It's worth is beyond human's comprehension.""

"What....? What are you talking about--"

"To put it in another words - That's a substitute for Engagement Ring."

.......eh? What did he just say?

"Excuse me...?" I responded like a robot requesting a keyword for execution of an action.

I didn't even realize how baffled I was as Fei stared at me, dumbstruck by my reaction. He shook his head quickly and turned to face me, his indifferent mask fell off and replaced by a serious face. It's like seeing Saitama's Serious Mode.

Discovering his strong gaze, I nearly yelped as my heart throbbed faster than ever. Uuu...! Even though he always looked at other people in disdain, why is it he looked like a handsome bishounen from otomege in this kind of timing! So unfair! Stop using 'Charm' skill on me!! My heart isn't built to face temptation and my Patron Goddess never helped me in that kind of thing!!

Nooooooooo! The plan backfired! At this rate, I will be the one who's going to get captured instead!!(?)

But... ignoring my inner problem, Fei raised his left hand from underwater. I saw the image of the hand blurring for one moment and when he flipped it around to show his palm... I recognized something similar. A black symbol imbued with strong condensed mana with the design of seven swords lining together to form half-circular shape like a fan.

"...Like I said, the Crest symbolizes your position. Being a Vagnalos I am, to assign an Oratoria without the Ruler's consent would cause terrible friction in the Royal Court's power balance. Of course it's fine if you kept it hidden but if any local noble found out, the Court will be in huge uproar. I don't want you get tangled with the dastard side of nobility."

But as Fei further explained, his eyes were clouded with guilt, his words full of loathing and he growled as if cursing at himself.

"I had no choice." Fei muttered. "I don't... I don't want to lose you. For me, all I have left is... you."

"......me...?"

"..do you know why I left your side? Do you know why I decided to take up my status back? It's all for you..."

For me...? I was stunned by his explanation now. Fei said... he did all that, even placating himself with the title 'Black Hero' was... all because of me??

"Wh... why...?" I asked.

Fei did not answer. Even though I wanted to know why, yet he's still trying to hide secrets for me. Even though he said it's for me...

I don't get it. It feels like self-satisfaction. As if... as long as he protected me, he could be relinquished from his sins.

I wanted to say something to him. I want to know whether or not he truly meant his words and if do, I want him to tell me his reason. Yet...

*THUMP* My vision suddenly shook with a loud thump. It... it can't be...

*THUMP!* The sound grew louder and my consciousness was greatly shaken by then.

"...Uu..."

Aaah... this is bad. Of all times... it had to be now. Why? Just why...?

I swayed to the sides. My body started to lose balance and energy left my limbs.

Overcame by drowsiness, my consciousness flashed and all I see was the figure of a young man who shuddered and extending his hand.

"Charlotte...!?"

...his voice. I could hear it. It was stricken with panic. But... before I could ease him, I drowned into the water and losing myself against the illness' relapse.

.......This... This is bad... I'm not wearing anything but a towel now...... if he sees my shameful state again... I don't think... I... can... forget it... even if... I reincarnated 100 times......

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A/N: Dat ending, lol. I got a free time for a day so let's post a chapter! - Is what I thought but the rain is horrible around here. I hope the internet can stay working for a bit... Well, moving to the development of this chapter. It'll be a bit longer but read it if you have some free time.

Q: Why the sudden infodump?

A: Well, as a first-person-perspective story, the MC has no choice but to know it directly and explained the base ground. If limited 3rd can use narration as explanation, 1st person must have the characters be proactive (even in inner monologue) when necessary. In other words, I'm breaking my promise in holding back information from exceeding 3 paragraphs.

So yeah... this is a new style in writing. Hope it helps you all but tell me if it doesn't. The volume is far from completion so I still have some rooms to rewrite the drafts.

Q: Why the poll?

A: A joke. Though saying that, it's halfway as I needed a bait to lure out fishes. I want to improve but reviews alone aren't enough. Some seemed to be more frank in comments section (and more honest) but I can tell that many simply read-and-go, putting me in a bind for times. I'm not irritated but tricking others is my specialty so I decided to set up a scheme to draw out the readers' personal preference (also expectations).

But considering my plan... well, it'll stay as it is with a little tweaking, balancing the humor and action and drama. What drama? If Romance doesn't have some spices, where's the bittersweet yet fun elements? Lots of stories here seemed to never picture emotional turmoil and simply glossing it over with 'This guy is OP, I love him/her!' or 'He's damn cool/cute. I'm in love now' within one scene/time frame/chapter. Some even had the nerve to skip the arduous (but fun) journey out without any room to double-check or consideration from both sides' perspectives and replaced them with addition of Heroine No. XX.

Put yourself in their shoes! As if love works like instant coffee, people!! This is why many Harem stories crashed!!