"Mmph..."

The next morning, Albel woke to find Lucia fast asleep on his chest, breathing softly.

What happened yesterday?

Albel rubbed his eyes. Last night, he and Lucia had been fooling around and somehow drifted off without realizing it.

"I wonder what time it is."

Albel glanced at the sunlight streaming through the cave entrance and muttered to himself.

"Mmm..."

His movement roused Lucia. She squinted against the light, rubbing her eyes drowsily as she pushed herself up using his body.

"You're awake."

Albel sat up from the ground, watching the still-groggy Lucia, and drawled lazily.

"Mmm... H-how are you here? And—and you’re not even dressed?!"

Lucia nodded, her gaze blurry at first. Then she snapped fully awake, her ruby eyes wide with shock.

"Seriously, do you forget everything after a good night’s sleep?"

Albel rolled his eyes. Now he felt like the one who’d taken advantage of her.

"Mmph..."

Lucia covered her chest with both hands, straining to recall last night.

"Sigh."

Watching her deep in thought, Albel sighed. He got up to find his clothes outside. It must be near noon. Sun-dried for hours, they felt crisp and odorless.

Albel slipped on his clothes comfortably. Just then, Lucia emerged from the cave.

"What are you doing with Blaze Delight?"

Seeing Albel, now dressed, holding Blaze Delight and heading to the riverbank, Lucia asked with a puzzled frown.

"I’m getting food. Otherwise, we’ll starve."

Without turning back, Albel ignited Blaze Delight’s blade with fierce flames and plunged it into the river.

"Oh."

Lucia nodded, rubbing her stomach. She hadn’t eaten since last night and was starving.

"Splash splash."

Soon after the sword hit the water, the temperature rose. River fish leaped out, unable to bear the heat.

Albel moved swiftly, snagging several fish in seconds.

"Your skills are so pro!"

Lucia had joined him by now. Watching his expert moves, she couldn’t help but praise him.

"If I couldn’t catch fish, Vera and I would’ve starved long ago."

Albel gutted the fish and rinsed them in the river as he spoke. After losing everything in the Crimson Moon War ten years ago, he’d cared for five-year-old Verdandi. He’d learned a lot back then.

"Who’s this Vera you keep mentioning?"

Lucia squatted beside him, propping her chin on her hands. She watched the black-haired boy grill fish intently and asked, lips pursed.

"My sister, Verdandi."

Albel skewered the cleaned fish on sticks. Using Blaze Delight, he lit a fire and set them to roast.

Verdandi, why haven’t you found us yet?

Mentioning Verdandi, Albel’s face fell into utter despair. She still hadn’t arrived. Had something happened?

"So you have a sister."

Lucia sounded surprised.

"What, doesn’t it suit me?"

Albel handed her a skewer. Lucia mimicked his grilling motions over the flames.

"Nope. I heard guys with sisters are gentle. You’re not gentle—you bully me."

Lucia flipped her fish, cheeks puffed adorably.

"Hey, when did I ever bully you?"

Albel bristled. How could he, a gentleman who adores women, bully anyone?

"You did."

Lucia stuck out her tongue. The golden-brown fish made her lick her lips instinctively.

"Can I eat it now?"

"Yours isn’t ready."

Albel glanced at her poorly grilled fish. He handed her his own. "Eat this. It’s done."

"Oh."

Lucia took it, watching the focused black-haired boy. An indescribable warmth stirred in her chest.

"So hot!"

She bit into the fish and yelped reflexively.

"Let it cool first."

Albel shook his head with a wry smile. She was just like Alicia. How was that girl doing now?

"Oh."

Lucia carefully blew on the fish.

"So delicious~"

She chewed happily, then covered her flushed cheeks with a sincere sigh.

"If you like it, eat more."

Albel grinned, then blinked. That phrase sounded oddly familiar.

"Rumble rumble~"

After they finished eating, a deep rumbling echoed overhead.

"A skyship?"

Albel looked up. A small skyship—smaller than Shenluo World’s models—hovered above the forest.

"It’s the Crimson Flame!"

Lucia’s face lit up at the sight of the flame-painted vessel. Her ship!

"You know it? That means we can leave this dump!"

Albel’s spirits lifted. He’d worried about navigating the forest today. They must’ve spotted the smoke from the fire. Why hadn’t he thought of that sooner?

"Fiers, we’re here!"

Lucia waved excitedly. The skyship descended slowly, lowering a rope ladder.

"You go first."

Lucia’s cheeks flushed slightly as she urged Albel toward the ladder.

"No problem. I’m a gentleman—ladies first."

Albel thought she was being polite, but her blush gave it away. She was wearing a skirt.

"Just climb already! So much fuss!"

Red-faced, Lucia shoved him toward the ladder. This guy only thought of peeking! Good thing she was smart.

"Alright, alright. I’ll go first."

Albel shook his head helplessly and climbed. Lucia followed close behind.

"Captain! We finally found you!"

A golden-haired youth beamed at Lucia, tears welling in his eyes.

"Good boy, don’t cry. I’m fine."

Lucia smiled, tiptoeing to pat his head like a child.

"Captain, Fiers worried all day."

"Yeah, but seeing you safe is a relief."

A burly brown-haired man and a long-haired woman emerged from the cabin, both overjoyed to see Lucia.

"Meet my crew: Fiers, my deputy; Talke, our forward; Li, our support; Rick and Bells are in the cockpit."

"This is Albel. He... saved my life."

Lucia’s cheeks reddened as she introduced him, remembering his kiss last night.

"Thank you for saving our captain! You’re my hero!"

Fiers crushed Albel in a tearful bear hug, snot nearly dripping on his shirt.

Damn, I just washed this!

Albel shoved him off. Is this guy gay?

"Thank you for saving our captain."

"Our captain’s antics must’ve troubled you."

Talke and Li added their thanks.

"Not at all!"

Lucia retorted, scowling.

They seem close.

Albel watched Lucia banter with her crew, thinking.

"By the way—Shinra’s skyship? Did it crash after the shield broke?"

Albel suddenly remembered the critical issue.

"It landed in Qatar City. Stationary—under repair."

Fiers wiped his tears. The Annihilation Whale shattered its deck shield. It couldn’t fly, so it made an emergency landing.

"Lucia, can you take me to Qatar City?"

Albel asked urgently. With the skyship grounded, Alicia must still be there. He needed to see her.

"Sure! But stay—I’ll make you captain!"

Lucia pulled him aside under confused stares and whispered. His strength awed her. With him, Crimson Flame Squad would be unstoppable.

"A sky pirate? No thanks. I’ve got bigger dreams."

Albel blinked firmly. Building his harem was his ambition—not hiding here as a thief.

Wait—is she trying to keep me? Does she like me?

Albel smirked inwardly. Guess I’m still charming.

"Sky pirates—not thieves! We rob the rich to help the poor. We have purpose!"

Lucia puffed her cheeks, but his serious face dimmed her spirit. "If you refuse... fine."

"Don’t worry. We’ll meet again."

Albel patted her head. We will. You’re already part of this Demon King’s future harem.