Inside a room at an inn in Rainhall City.
Alusa leaned against the wall by the door, listening to Albel and Alicia talking inside.
“Shift over a bit. I can’t reach.”
“I’m practically flat on my stomach already.”
“Then just lie flat—hands on the bed, backside toward me.”
“W-won’t you see everything like that?”
“What part of you haven’t I seen?”
“Ugh… hurry up then.”
“I *am* hurrying! It just won’t come loose.”
“Push harder!”
“Can’t you feel it? I’m giving it my all.”
“I don’t feel a thing!”
“Did that lust demon steal all your senses?”
“*You’re* the one who lost their senses!”
“Don’t tell me you can’t feel me moving?”
“Albel, you idiot! Get this off me! Alusa’ll be back any second.”
“Perfect. I could use the help—this is tough alone.”
“Are you even a man? Can’t handle one little thing?”
“Blame yourself! It’s jammed tight—I can’t even reach the end.”
“I-I can’t help it! It’s my first time with this!”
“Hah… finally! Sweating buckets here.”
“This is your fault. White gunk all over my legs. Disgusting. Now I have to shower.”
*BAM!* “What are you two *doing*?!”
The door slammed open. Alusa stood frozen in the doorway, face crimson.
On the bed, Albel panted, sweat dripping, holding a glittering silver waistguard. He stared blankly at Alusa, whose cheeks burned like ripe fruit.
“My armor got stuck. Albel was helping me take it off. Took him forever—he’s useless.” Alicia brushed silver fragments off her legs, scowling. The chainmail around her waist had twisted after she regained her senses, pinching uncomfortably.
“Maybe you’ve put on weight.” Albel tossed the armor aside with a sneer.
“You’re the fat one!” Alicia shot back.
“Phew… so that’s it.” Alusa’s shoulders slumped. The weight in her chest lifted as she sank to the floor.
*Thank goodness. Nothing happened.*
“I’m not arguing. I’m showering. Sticky mess.” Alicia huffed, stomping into the bathroom.
“I-I’ll check on dinner.” Alusa fled, cheeks still hot. The air crackled with awkwardness. She couldn’t face Albel—not after her overreaction.
*What was I even thinking?* She pressed a hand to her racing heart.
“Seriously. One minute she’s all over me, next she flips like a book. Women, huh.” Albel grimaced. *Worst luck. Wasted hours fighting Arachne, carried Alicia back here… only for her to snap out of it.*
*What a joke. “City of Lust,” my ass. Pathetic skill duration for a Stellar-tier title-holder. Embarrassing.*
*Damn it. Should’ve just done it in the field. Now? Virgin dreams slipping further away.*
*Wait… not *totally* empty-handed.*
He pulled a crimson stone from his pocket—glowing faintly, etched with strange patterns. Dropped by Arachne.
*Spider’s Egg. For weapon forging.*
“This feels… familiar.” He turned it over. The shape. The pulse of light.
*Got it!* He rummaged through his bag and pulled out another stone—identical, but dark.
*Aberrant Core.*
Albel narrowed his eyes, comparing the two. *What’s the connection?*
---
Inside the bathroom, Alicia scrubbed her skin fiercely. Her fingers trailed over her chest, her waist, muttering:
“Stupid Albel. I’m *not* fat.”
---
Deep in the Demon King’s palace, Third Realm.
“Bessie~ Play with me!” Verdandi marched straight to the throne room, plopping down before Demon King Bessarius.
“V-Vera?! W-we just played! Again so soon?” Bessarius shoved his Holy Maiden slave aside, coughing awkwardly.
“I’m bored! My brother’s missing. Can’t find him anywhere. So… you’re stuck with me.” Verdandi tilted her head. She’d scoured the continent since Albel vanished, finally tracking down his childhood friend.
“S-so… what game?” Bessarius forced a smile. *Don’t anger the little demon.*
“Hmm… graveyard rave, hearse drifting, coffin surfing… what’s left?” Verdandi tapped her lips, angelic. To Bessarius, she was a bone-crunching hellspawn.
“Y-you think it over! I-I need the restroom!” Bessarius inched toward the exit, back hunched.
“Bessie! I know what to play!” Black feathers fluttered down. Verdandi materialized before him.
*Damn Instant Teleportation!* Bessarius slapped his forehead. *Albel, you bastard—where’d you vanish to?! Dumping this demon on me!*
“W-what game, Vera?” He grinned like a dying man.
“Teach me the Sword of Sorrow!” She beamed, hand outstretched.
*THUD!* Bessarius collapsed backward. *My ultimate technique…*
“REPORT! We’ve located Prince Albel!” A scout burst in.
“Really?!”
“Where’s my brother?!” Bessarius kipped up like a carp. Verdandi teleported to the scout’s face.
“Rainhall City. Eastern Human Continent.” The scout trembled. *This girl’s only been here three days and turned the realm upside down.*
“HAH! Vera, I’ll escort you to—” Bessarius beamed, eager to please—
*Poof.* Verdandi vanished. Black feathers drifted down.
“Gone… she’s gone…” Bessarius dropped to his knees, sobbing. “My little terror… finally…”
The scout gaped. The fearsome Third Demon King—weeping like a child.
*Poof.* Verdandi reappeared. She hugged Bessarius tight.
“Thanks for having me, Bessie. I’ll visit often!”
She vanished again. Bessarius wailed louder.
---
At the world’s peak—the Seat of God-Slaying.
A realm beyond mortal reach. Endless grasslands stretched beneath a sky-piercing tree—its branches scraping the heavens.
The World Tree.
Legends said its sap became rivers, its limbs shaped mountains.
Here, ten years ago, Demon King Albel clashed with Holy Maiden Isharis—the Battle of Pale Moon.
Now, as the decade mark neared, the Pope and High Bishops of the Light Sanctuary knelt before the tree, praying.
Light erupted from the World Tree. Its canopy stirred. Branches coiled like living arms, lifting a crystal coffin to the roots. The lid slid open. Radiance spilled out. A slender arm emerged—then a silver-haired girl in gleaming Holy Maiden armor sat up.
“Welcome back, Princess Isharis! We’ve awaited you!” The bishops bowed deeply.
“Ten years already?” Isharis’s voice chimed like bells. She rose, gazing at the sacred plain. *A decade of slumber…*
Her hand lifted. Golden light streaked from the horizon—solidifying into a sword.
*Holy Sword Excalibur. The original. No “17” nonsense.*
A sigh escaped her perfect lips. Sorrow shadowed her celestial face.
“Shu… I’m home.”
