CHAPTER 144 – ASKING OUT ON A DATE
LYSANDER FARADEISS
I woke with a start, the remnants of that dream still clinging to my mind like a ghost from a past life. Memories of the previous timeline flooded my senses, haunting me with Hiraya's cries of agony as she reached out to me, her pain etched into my very being.
Gasping for air, I struggled to breathe, my chest tight with the weight of unseen fears. A chill crept down my spine, an ominous reminder of the unknown that lurked in the shadows of my thoughts.
Blinking against the darkness of my room, I took in the unfamiliar medieval décor of the newly renovated Guardian’s Haven. The transition from the modern world to this hauntingly ancient setting was still unsettling, a constant reminder of the changes wrought by the Regression Magic.
Sinking back onto my bed, I attempted to find solace in sleep. But the darkness outside and the weight of my thoughts rendered rest impossible. Two hours had passed since I last closed my eyes, yet I felt more awake than ever.
"Might as well get some fresh air," I muttered to myself, pushing back the covers and rising from my bed.
The corridors of the Cathedral Exa stretched out before me, the grandeur of the Guardian’s Haven's largest sanctuary encompassing me as I walked. The familiar glow of a desk lamp caught my eye, its brightness a stark contrast against the dimness of the night. With a sigh, I made my way towards the source of the light.
Entering the library, I was greeted by a scene straight out of a fairytale. Moonlight filtered through the windows, casting a gentle glow upon a sleeping elf seated at one of the tables. Her golden hair cascaded around her like a halo, her features serene in repose.
My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, a rush of emotions flooding through me like a tidal wave. In that moment, I fell in love with her all over again, the intensity of my feelings overwhelming in its magnitude.
Gazing upon her sleeping form, I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me. Gone was the desire to harm her, replaced now by an unwavering determination to safeguard her at any cost.
"You're truly a beautiful goddess, my dear," I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath as I reached out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from her face.
Beside her lay a stack of books, the contents of which hinted at the weighty responsibilities she bore as a member of the Council of the Five Lords. With a sense of duty mingled with nostalgia, I perused the titles, my mind drifting back to the events that had transpired since our victory over Gazelle Lockwood three months prior.
<><><>
Three months had slipped by since the cataclysmic Fall of the Empire’s Sanctuary event. While the world still teetered on the brink of chaos, the scourge of war no longer tainted its every corner. Where riots once blazed, now the Daybreaker Squad, rechristened as the Council of the Five Lords, quelled conflicts with swift and decisive action.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
In this fragile peace, the Council turned its gaze towards governance, enlisting the minds of scholars and lawyers from the remnants of humanity and dragonoids alike. Among them, the vampire prince Earvin Lancaster, a seasoned politician from Nocturnia, lent his expertise to the crafting of new laws, alongside Gaeun Medizin, navigating the treacherous waters of politics.
With infrastructure ravaged by the Purge of Humanity, Darlix Mctavish emerged as the steward of reconstruction, overseeing the rebuilding efforts with meticulous care. Beside him stood the steadfast sassy dragonoid, Charlotte Margaret, ensuring that every brick laid was a testament to resilience.
In the wake of war, religion emerged as a balm for the wounded souls of the masses. Mariko Septem, as head priestess, guided the traumatized to the solace of Exceria's shrines and churches, imparting the teachings of the goddess alongside Kate Zephyrus, offering hope in the face of despair.
Meanwhile, the healing touch of Meike Eaterson led the charge in the medical department, rallying doctors of all races to the aid of those plagued by the scars of battle, their compassion a beacon in the darkness.
For law enforcement, the indomitable Dragon Lord Centurion, Johnny Wolvesbane, commanded the military police force with unwavering resolve, swiftly quelling unrest alongside Meike, his ironclad leadership ensuring order in tumultuous times.
And at the heart of it all stood Hiraya Misteltein, the linchpin of the Council, revered as the new goddess of the world, her divine charisma a beacon of peace in troubled times. As the reincarnation of the Goddess Exceria, her very presence quelled the remnants of chaos that lingered.
As for me, the sole survivor of the Erudite lineage, I bore the weight of a legacy extinguished by Gazelle's fury. Tasked with compiling spells to mend our fractured world, I labored to craft solutions, from weather magic to bolster crop production to defensive spells to shield the vulnerable from harm. In the twilight of an era, I carried the torch of Erudition, a flickering flame in the encroaching darkness.
<><><>
Hiraya's delicate elven ears twitched suddenly, followed by a lazy groan escaping her lips. "Ah... I'm hungry," she murmured, stirring from her slumber.
Noticing the untouched dinner I had purchased for her hours earlier, I retrieved the hotdog bun and small carton of milk from the nearby table. As I approached her, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing sparkling golden irises that met mine.
"You're finally awake," I greeted her with a smile, offering her the food. "Here. You forgot your dinner."
"Ah, thank you, Lysander," Hiraya responded, wiping her eyes and returning the smile. "I really love your late-night hotdog and milk. Next time, let me have your eggs too."
"Hiraya, it's too late for your dirty jokes," I chided gently, sitting beside her and admiring her beauty for a moment.
Blushing, Hiraya protested, "U-Um, Lysander? Is something on my face? Did you... um... you know… cumshot on my face while I was sleeping?"
"Stop joking around, it's too late already!" I scolded softly, pinching her long ear playfully.
"Ow! Ow! Stop! It hurts!" Hiraya moaned, pouting when I released her ear. "Geez, you're such a killjoy. I'm just trying to lighten the mood because I'm already stressed out."
"Making dirty jokes is such a weird coping mechanism," I remarked. "How about we take a break? Go on a vacation somewhere far away from all the problems of the world."
"Hmm?" Hiraya tilted her head, her expression adorable. "Are you asking me out on a date?"
Caught off guard, I blushed, surprised that Hiraya had picked up on my intentions so easily. But despite my desire being obvious, I decided to play it cool, taking a page from Charlotte's book on capturing Darlix's heart.
"I-It's not like I wanted to ask you out on a date, or something... I-I just wanted to... touch grass and go somewhere unique," I stammered, attempting to perfect the tsundere act.
Hiraya chuckled elegantly. "In that case, why don't we go to Yggdra, the Land of Elves? There's a festival happening this year. I'm sure we can have lots of fun together!" she suggested, clasping my hand.