The water hissed softly behind her as Ryuu Leon turned, eyes like twin blades.
The silence was razor-thin.
Then—she moved.
A flash of silver and cloak. She surged from the spring with startling speed, sword sheathed but aid like a spear straight for Luthar's throat.
"Tch—"
Luthar reacted instantly. His gloved hand caught the blade, the impact singing against his gauntlet with a tallic snap.
Ryuu's brow furrowed. She pulled—nothing. His grip was unyielding, like forged iron.
She shifted—free hand raised, lips beginning to move.
"Wind, co forth—"
Her mana flared.
Luthar's eyes narrowed.
He stepped in. One motion. Swift, surgical.
His palm snapped forward, striking a precise point behind her jawline—where her skull t her neck.
A pressure strike.
A soft gasp escaped her lips. Her knees buckled. Her magic faltered mid-chant.
And with a faint sigh, Ryuu collapsed—unconscious.
Before she could hit the stones, Luthar caught her effortlessly in both arms—cradling her bridal-style.
The forest was silent once more, save for the soft hum of the servo-skull above, now hovering idly.
Freya stepped closer, her expression unreadable, though her eyes glead with so private satisfaction.
"My, my," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "How gallant. If you carry every girl who tries to kill you like that, you're going to end up very busy."
Luthar glanced at her, unimpressed. "Why did you bring here?"
"Because I wanted you to take care of this child," she replied innocently. "It's always sad to see her depressed."
He looked down at Ryuu, peaceful now in unconsciousness. Her breath was steady, her hair clinging slightly from the mist, her expression far softer in sleep than in anger.
He adjusted his hold, careful not to disturb her.
"We're going back."
Freya chuckled. "Oh? Just like that?"
Luthar started walking. "She'll wake up in a few minutes. Best she does it sowhere warm."
"Then let's go back," Freya murmured, falling in step beside him.
The servo-skull rotated once, then resud its position.
The spring behind them stilled, steam rising in coils as the night deepened—and the forest watched on silently.
As Luthar carried Ryuu, the servo-skull floated silently beside them, its quiet hum a steady companion.
Approaching the discreet clearing, Luthar stopped before his tent. With deliberate care, he laid Ryuu on the bed. Her breathing remained even, and her tense expression softened in sleep.
Freya arrived monts later, stepping lightly behind him. She knelt beside the bed, briefly examining Ryuu's face with a curious, almost maternal, touch.
Luthar finally turned to her, eyes steady. "You're… different. Acting differently."
Freya's gaze flickered—an inscrutable blend of amusent and quiet calculation, as if she waited for him to finish.
He folded his arms, his tone cautious. "I don't know how to put it, but… it feels like you've changed. You're not scheming against . You're more casual. And lately, it's like you've been encouraging to chase after other girls."
Freya straightened, lips curling into a knowing smile. "Is that what you think?"
Her silver gaze lingered on Ryuu for a mont longer, then she stepped back and folded her arms with casual elegance.
"You're right," she said at last, her voice quiet and smooth. "I am acting differently."
Luthar didn't reply. He watched her, arms crossed, the servo-skull behind him humming softly.
She looked up, her eyes catching the lamplight from within the tent. "Do you know how old I am, Luthar? Really?"
"A few thousand years, perhaps. Older than any country," he replied neutrally.
She gave a light laugh, neither confirming nor denying. "Long enough to see mortals rise and fall. To be worshipped, desired, and feared. I've had everything this world could offer—and more. Yet the boredom never left."
Freya stepped forward, her expression softening slightly. "And then you appeared—not just an anomaly… but a door."
Luthar tilted his head. "A door?"
She nodded. "To other worlds. Other rules. Other forms of chaos, beauty, pleasure—and pain. You represent sothing none of us can reach."
Her words hung in the air.
"So, yes," she continued, gaze unwavering, "I've stopped scheming against you. Not because I've changed, but because I've chosen a different strategy."
He raised an eyebrow beneath his mask. "Which is?"
"I want in."
The servo-skull gave a faint click, as if recording her words.
Freya smiled. "I don't care how long it takes. Whether I go with you through machines, magic, or sheer will—if endless worlds exist, then I want to see them. All of them."
Luthar was silent for a mont, studying her.
"And you think following will be a joyride?" he asked quietly.
She tilted her head. "No. But it will be new. That alone is worth everything."
He looked down at Ryuu again—sleeping peacefully. "There are many worlds where gods might be just another fish on a chopping board. I already told you I don't mind if you want to join. But if you're joining for fun, that's going to be a problem."
"You don't have to worry about that," she said. "I know my limits."
There was no pretense in her tone. It wasn't seduction. It was the hunger of a goddess finally sensing sothing beyond her reach—and wanting to chase it.
Luthar exhaled. "It still doesn't explain why you think I should go after other girls."
Freya smiled again. "Because they would be useful. Since we can't pick random people, making a small harem with useful people would make our situation easier."
She pointed to Ryuu. "If she joins, it would be fun to dress her up. Plus, she is quite strong."
Hearing this, he rembered the white-haired elf who later changed her hair to silver. Looking at Ryuu, he began to entertain multiple ideas about her.
Before he could start his strange fantasies, a sudden rustling outside caught Luthar's attention.
Freya turned as well, her silver eyes narrowing slightly.
Without a word, they stepped out of the tent.
The sight that t them in the moonlit clearing was… curious.
Bell and Hers stumbled into camp, arms bound together with vines, their clothes disheveled. Grass and leaves clung to them like trophies from so absurd jungle skirmish. Hers bore a developing bruise on his temple, while Bell looked as if he wanted to lt into the ground.
Behind them marched Hestia, fury practically radiating with every step. Welf, erging from another tent, tried to suppress his curiosity.
No one spoke.
Hers noticed the silence first and offered a sheepish wave with his bound hands. "Ah… good evening."
Freya raised a single brow.
Hestia answered with a huff, marching past. "Shut up, Hers! You almost turned my Bell into a pervert!"
Bell flinched. "Goddess, I think you are overreacting."
"Quiet," Lili snapped, tugging him forward by the rope. "You're lucky we didn't dunk you in the spring."
Upon understanding the situation, Welf shot Bell a look: Why didn't you invite ?
Freya's lips curled in amusent. Luthar said nothing, rely observing the parade of sha.
Hers, ever unrepentant, flashed a grin despite grass in his hair. "Well, we didn't see anything, so I think we shouldn't be punished."
That earned him a hard shove from Hestia and another vine to the face.
Freya turned to Luthar, her voice low and amused. "Let's go back before Ryuu wakes up."
He didn't respond. But there was a subtle shift in his stance—just enough to suggest he didn't entirely disagree.
And as the camp settled down for the night, laughter trailing in their wake, the forest returned to its hush.
Tomorrow would co.
But tonight, they rested.
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