Knock knock
I knocked on the door and I could feel it, Leila was definitely inside there. My heart was beating fast just thinking about meeting her after so long… it's really not fair… I guess I would never be able to understand why Leila makes me this nervous. Dealing with Alice and Systy was never this hard...
As I waited, a voice that sounded cute and commanding said "come in!". I opened the door to see Leila. She was sitting on a sofa near the glass wall, she was wearing a t-shirt with casual shorts, a book in hand and the view of the setting sun behind her… it was absolutely tantalizing!
I have to say… no matter how nervous I get thinking about seeing her… it was all worth it…!
Her t-shirt showed a bit of her slim waist and the shorts showed her long and beautiful white thighs and long legs, even though she was a mage… her figure made one sure that she took care of her physic keeping it at the top form. the beauty that radiated from her made my mind numb.
As she looked at me with her crimson red-eyes, I could see that she was surprised to see me. There was a maid here too. She was Mia. It looks like when Leila moved in, she took Mia with her. Well it was a good Idea, now the mother and the daughter duo can work together.
"My Lady, I will excuse myself." catching the situation, Mia went out of the room as she also looked surprised, seeing me now, anyone would get surprised. I mean 3 days before I was barely a teen but now I was half way through it.
"You look beautiful as ever!" I said from still standing near the gate, I knew that Leila was sensitive to men and since I had just gone through a drastic change. I wouldn't want to force myself on her, right now I look completely different from just 3 days ago. she could even think of me as another person entirely.
It may feel to me as if it has been a really long time, but to Leila it would feel only 3 days. But as I was hesitating, Leila had already stood up and came towards me with quick strides.
She hugged me without any hesitation… I could feel her warmth, her soft body and smooth skin. Her fragrance which felt like a drug to me right now … I thought that I could go blank any moment. How long had I been waiting for this! Her hug felt very soothing… I kind of felt as if I came back from a long journey and her hug just reminded me of the warmth that only could be felt when you are back at home.
"I missed you." I said moving my head towards her shoulders… and finally rested my chin on her shoulder, Right now I stood 5 inch taller than Leila, so as I looked at her, she was burying her face on the side of my chest. Her hands were at my back. I too grasped her back letting her come closer.
"I.. think you're still the same!" Leila said at last looking up at my face. The smile she just gave me was something I hadn't seen for a long time…. Ooh what a feeling! and since I was tall now, I looked at her from an upper angle, the whole change made me feel as if this felt better.
We sat on the Sofa after separating, she was happy but I think she was checking me out a bit too much. I mean she was keenly looking around my body like I was an animal in a zoo….. Well she was a researcher at heart, this kind of thing was inevitable. but I think I would have loved more had she looked at me with another type of feeling too.
"How long were you in there?" Leila asked.
"hmm .. 3 years 8 months I guess.."
"What b..but it looks to me as if you're 4 to 6 years older? you surely have reached the end of your growth period right?" Leila said, looking at me.
"Hmm maybe it was because of the training? I did think I was growing up rather fast, and yes, I stop growing about a year ago." I replied a bit optimistic. hearing me Leila started to take notes. hah, she never changes.
"Anyway, Leila, you look great in those clothes!" I said feeling excited. It was as if I was back on earth. Her clothes were of course of my choice that I had made very long ago, before I went to train.
"Eh he he! Really!" Leila looked a bit embarrassed but she was happy with my praise. But just as I was going to go forward for a kiss on her lips or at least a bit of flirting, someone barged in.
Bam!
As the sudden chaotic sound got our attention, Leila saw who it was and as if on reflex flung me across the room.
Before I knew it, I was on the other side of the room splat on the wall…. Leila was a mage taught by my granny. She was capable of more than any ordinary or just a high ranking mage. I think I just learned that lesson.
"Sorry to ruin your fun, but I need you guys at the capital!" It was Lilith! She was completely disregarding what she had just done! Can't you at least knock?!
"M..m Mother! Wha.. what are you doing here?! I wasn't doing anything indecent!" Leila had gotten so embarrassed that after seeing her mother, she had mercilessly flung me across the room and now stood on the Sofa breathing hard and looking red as tomato, of course with her declaration she had easily gave away at what we were actually gonna do.
"Sorry, but you guys can have romance later, this is much bigger than that, hey Romeo get up we gotta go!" Lilith ordered as such. her one line had made smoke come out of Leila's head.
I mean have some decency!! I mean It's not the only reason! I was here to see my first love but Lilith's line made this look as if I was only here to get some!
"Yeah! I got you…. Why would you barge in like that!" I said a bit irritated, I had finally got up from the corner and was standing now dusting my self off to hide the awkwardness.
"Well since you…. Rather what happened to you? I can't believe this is you from 3 days ago!" Lilith in mid sentence asked with an easygoing tone.
"Hmm well it's been three and a half years, what were you expecting?"
"Well I would love to talk but we are all in a hurry, so come with me to the capital, I'll explain to you there." Lilith ordered as she went out of the room. Leila was still fidgeting. Her mother did just step on us while we were just getting handsy…. thankfully my hands weren't on her boobs or ass, so it wasn't that damaging.
"Sorry Leila, let's go see, what's the matter?"
"Yeah um.. You go, I'll change and come.."
"Hmm you'll change?"
"I.. Mean I won't…. in front of anyone with these clothes... can't you see you are the only one who gets to see me like this?!" I had made a questioning glance hearing her change, but Leila's flustered refute made me fall for her even more. I mean this was a classic line but what can I do? Maybe men are all easy idiots!
"Leila, if you say these things, I can't get out of here you know? then again, maybe if you give me something..." I said looking all red. So before Leila changed, I looked at her again and plastered that image in my mind.
"Ah! Absolutely beautiful!" I said watching her.
"Gah! Now I wanna change! you won't be getting anything!" I was flung out of the room again, but this time it was a gust of wind, maybe I will have to get used to this because I was not controling my feelings at all. I was too flustered to think rationally from before! I can't believe that I was much more composed as a kid!
"Master, I see that you have become much more proactive. it is a good sign." It was Mai. she was standing outside the door it seems. And seeing me flung out of the room gave her enough knowledge of what must have transpired inside.
"Oh Mai good to see you in good health, I thought you were…"
"Yes! Master, Ahem! Yes Master, I was just shaken before seeing you change like that, forgive me for running out on you." ooh! It looked like she really was back to normal, although she had started with a high pitched voice. I ignored it.
"Okay? Anyway, do you know what's happening? Lilith just came suddenly and said we need to go?"
"Yes Master, your grandparents have already left and we are getting ready to leave as well."
"Ooh I see." It looked like Mai didn't know what was going on. But she explained that Systy and Alice were also getting ready and Leila would be going with us too.
"Okay then let's go…" as Mai nodded, I went to the audience room with her where I found Lilith chatting with Alice and Systy…
"So what's up?" I asked Lilith who was currently sitting in my chair… Well it did suit her so I didn't voice anything.
"Hu hu.. I see you did grow up. I thought you would have pestered me saying that's my seat?"
"No, it rather suits you. if you want I can make you another one?" She was sitting crossing her legs like a Ceo of a company.. But hearing me it looked like she understood something.
"Hmm I see… say…. What do you think of me?" Lilith asked, suddenly looking at me straight, she didn't really look that serious… but I answered her truthfully.
"Hmm you're rather commanding but I guess with that beauty even if you were not the overlord people would still follow you out of respect? I guess?" hearing me Lilith looked at Systy but she was rather puzzled….
"I mean he did have that effect on everyone else?" Systy said Alice followed with a nod.
"Hmm maybe it was because he doesn't really see me that way? but then again, I do feel more comfortable talking to him now that he looks like an adult." they were talking about something I didn't know…
"What are you guys talking about…?"
"Well Alice here said that you had gained a new ability…" Lilith said.
"What ability?" I asked Alice.
"The ability to make women fall from grace." Alice said as if it was a fact even with a serious face! When did I ever learn such a vulgar ability! I am still a virgin here!
"..... When did I ever make a woman fall from grace?!" I asked with an irritated expression….
"Yeah Alice, don't say it like that. it makes Master seem like a depraved pervert!`` Although Systy refuted Alice, it was still rather harsh to me….
"Well I heard you had gained the Ability to make women Attracted to you…" Lilith said with real curiosity..
"Ooh, you guys are talking about my blessing? but it doesn't really work that way."
"Then how does it work?"
"Yeah I don't really feel comfortable talking about that but the thing is, if I like someone, it works on them that's all. it can be for familial love, romantic love, national love and even love regarding the race itself….that's all I can say…" since blessings were a bit internal thing, Lilith accepted my explanation and she even looked really surprised…
"Then... doesn't that mean you could become a king simply by loving your country or just the humans in it?!" Lilith asked with a bewildered look.
"No no, it isn't that grand. I mean If I want it to work that way, I will have to be serious about that. I don't really have that kind of feeling you know… without strong feelings that kind of result will not happen." That's right ,you would need intense feelings to be able to affect the populace. Any half baked thinking won't make the cut.
"Still you say that it's possible huh… maybe you could really be a turning point for us you know?" Lilith said.
After that I saw everyone had gathered here, then Lilith promptly said.
"Okay since we're ready, let's not waste time anymore. I will explain when we enter the meeting." As Lilith said that, we all got in line and teleported straight to the overlords castle. only Lilith could do something like this, since it would have needed a boat load of mana to be able to teleport people long distance like that. I guess she really had surpassed my grandparents…
When we got to the castle, I saw that we had been transported straight to the Audience room. Lilith told us to be in the meeting room which was on the top floor of the castle in 10 minutes.
Our maids fast forwarded their way to their posts. most of them would just be waiting around, while we will be in the meeting since this certainly didn't need them… also there could be confidential talks going on so the less people the better I guessed.
As I went with Leila and the others towards the meeting room, I saw many soldiers around the area. They must be guards, I thought… The castle was very luxurious and on the whole way to the Meeting room, I could clearly see many antics…. The people we passed by, bowed with respect. Seeing me with Leila and Alice was enough to let them know who I was but the sword on my back was even more of a reminder. To think people would look more towards Amanori than me.
[heh!] what was that snicker about?
When we got to the meeting room, inside I saw 10 new people. 8 of them were women and 2 of them were men and also I could see Gramps and Granny at the Center. They were all sitting around a round table, since there weren't any seats for us. We were told to stand near our acquaintances… as such I stood behind My grandparents, Systy also came with me and Leila and Alice went toward where the Overlord would sit. Lilith still isn't here but looking at all the members who were sitting, I could guess that they were all the Lords of each part of the country.
Just like us, there were also people standing behind each Lord. They were also mostly girls. I have to say, they had considerable strength. I wouldn't say that they were legendary, but I would say that they had to be selected among the best…. Just as I was checking them out, they were also Checking me out. They looked rather cold from my point of view. Since I could clearly feel their irritation…. Did I do something? then again, with my strength hidden like that, I looked like a normal human if nothing else. so maybe they were underestimating me? in any case, it's not my problem.
Gramps and Granny were chatting with the Lords; they looked like the boss or rather maybe more than that…. Just when I thought 10 minutes were up, I saw the gate open and everyone looked to be standing on attention. They all stood up and paid respect to the Overlord.
Lilith was wearing a glittering red Robe and fancy medieval emperor type clothes; it certainly suited her and also she was really giving off a dominating aura… suddenly I thought if this meeting was really gonna be more than just any old meeting.
She came inside the room and sat at the most decorated seat at the head of the table and waved everyone to take a seat. Like it was their routine, everyone sat down and Lilith proceeded.
"What's the current situation in your territories….." Lilith proceeded with what looked as a monthly report from the other lords about their territory. and other reports of problems or improvements, there were no greetings whatsoever… this country really was one that didn't need much etiquette I suppose.
Now Since those were all unconcerning to me, I proceeded to look at the Lords in the room. there were 10 of them… each one looked different from the other and even had a different air about them… well not each one...
The most eye-catching one was a Lady who looked really cute! She was dressed with pink clothes which were made to bring out the cuteness from the wearer. Also she had twin pigtailed style blond hair… All and all, she looked really cute. Even if she looked like an 18 year old. The style really suited her since her face had a cute roundness as big sparkly eyes which accentuated it.
Behind her were 3 girls who each were also dressed in cute attire and all were rather glaring at me… also there was a man there too, he looked like a strong fighter and he was dressed in a lightweight adventuring gear. he had blond hair like the other girls and his lord… well at least he wasn't glaring at me… I think I could ask him later on if I have time why I was getting glares from people I didn't know…
Okay, After that I saw the man who had bags under his eye… I wonder how long it has been since he hasn't slept… Behind him were 2 girls and 2 boys each looked like strong warriors and they were looking at me nicely? I guess they were not hostile towards me? The lord with baggy eyes looked really low profile, but I gotta say, he had considerable strength, the quantity of mana he has is really something, I think he is a mage..
After that, I saw 2 ladies who looked the same. I guess they were twins.. Both of them had brownish hair which was styled in a bob cut, They wore clothes that made them look like scholars. They were only missing some glasses… but hey, even without them they had that cool book reading beauty vibe to them! Since they were sitting in the same way, they mirrored each other making it nearly impossible to figure out any difference. since they had the same dress style and all, I don't think I would ever be able to identify each one at a time.
Before I could evaluate the others, I saw that the meeting had already progressed towards another subject. So I gave my attention to that again…
"Hmm then I think we don't have to think about the domain...:" Said Lilith and following that, the Lords nodded with agreement.. It seemed that the country was going without a problem…. that's good isn't it?
"Then I would like to introduce our new Members of the council." As Lilith said so, She pointed towards me and Systy… Gramps gave me a sign to introduce myself.
"It is a pleasure to be here, I am Rekka Wolford." I said so while standing on attention, I tried to be as composed and cool as possible since this council seemed to be a pretty big deal. It may have been surprising news about attending this meeting but that doesn't mean I was not prepared for it. I was Leila and Alice's Fiancé now after all. I knew I was gonna be involved some way into the matters of the country.
I thought that Systy would also introduce herself but I saw that she was still standing behind me.
"Systy, aren't you going to introduce yourself?" I said Looking at Systy.
"No Master, I work Under you, it is not needed." She said as if that was normally the case and everyone would expect.
"And everyone this is my adventuring Partner Systy we work together." Since she was saying it wasn't needed, I introduced her on her behalf. For a cool headed girl, Systy got flustered when I suddenly introduced her. Since she was introduced in front of such an audience, she couldn't say anything to it and accepting the introduction, she bowed towards everyone.
All the Lords looked at us but it wasn't with hostility or too much curiosity. it was just seeing me as I was new to them. I liked it since whenever I introduced myself to people, they would look at me as if I was an alien or rather it was because I was the grandson of the heroes.
As our introduction was given, Lilith again started talking.
"Now since they have been preparing to declare war on us, we have to think of what we should do… Master Merlin, do you have any thoughts?" Lilith asked Gramps since everyone knew he was a schemer and could handle such things and subjects well.
"Hmm, since we have some New Members... Overlord I would like for you to explain the situation again, so that they could also join in." Gramps said, looking at me. It was true that suddenly hearing the word war had got my attention but since I had no clue about the details, I was blinded to see the situation clearly.
"Yes, your Right. Alright then everyone, Listen well. The humans in this world are divided among 3 countries. One of them is on bad terms with us. You could also say that we were deeply connected a long time ago. That's that, but right now after 40 years, they have again prepared to wage war on us. It is out of greed and also hostility. Greed comes because we have a border with the edge of the world and that lets us have many adventurers who would want to explore the surrounding region and also hunt strong monsters. I know that you all understand the small details, so I won't explain more on this subject…" Lilith said, looking at me. I nodded to say I got the greed part. A good land with monsters in them can be bad and good in their own way. More people equaled more tax and since monster parts were the main things that sold too, well in a way wanting this place was something inevitable.
Seeing me nod, Lilith Continued. "So the Hostility part comes from history. We were a single country before, but many wars separated us to what we currently are. In this war's case, that they are preparing, it is more out of greed. The nobles of that country have become nothing more than savage goblins. Since they were preparing for this war for at least 20 years, I have to say they are very well prepared. As I got to know from the spies, the Royal family still isn't in support of this war, the same can be said for the citizens... But there are a few loose ends in the royal family and they are making a conspiracy to hold this war at any cost." As Lilith Said so, she looked at me and said, ``Do you have anything to say?"
"Tell me what kind of power do the nobles hold in comparison to the Royal family?" I asked Lilith but my question had made the ones who were standing get stiffened. Lilith on the other hand ignoring those facts answered my question.
"Hmm.. it is the internal matter of the country, so I don't hold much intel but, I know that this Time the Royal family have been postponing the war. the Nobles have become a bit unruly and now it could be said they are practically ignoring the Royal family to proceed in this war." Lilith said, holding her chin. Her meeting vibe was totally different from when we talked casually the first time we met.
It was clear to see that the situation was grave from this type of behaviour from Lilith, on the other hand, I felt close to no anxiety at all, even when I went to meet Leila I thought that I was nervous, still… now I felt nothing at all…. Why did it seem that I was so used to war? At this rate, weren't humans gonna die for no good reason?
Even after thinking about all that, there were no feelings in me, my heart was beating with the usual rhythm it had….