After what happened in the Krishna Council; only Clara, Stephanie, and I are the only ones who went back to the hotel we will stay in. We are the center of the Krishna Continent, where the council is located—The Baal Zone, or the Holy land.
The Baal Zone is the centric zone of the continent, uniting people from other kingdoms and races, surrounded by vast richness, prosperity, and peace. Moreover, the temple mainland is also located here. The Baal Zone would be the center of everything; the main place for trading goods from other kingdoms. Furthermore, only the member of the high society can enter the Baal Zone or people from the Temple.
'A sacred land for people.'
That's what I saw upon passing the southern gate of Baal Zone—It's engraved below in the statue of a naked woman wearing a blindfold and holding a sword on its throat.
The Baal zone has one of the finest and richest structures of civilization that I've ever seen. It's like everything in here was authentic and flawless. The people who are living here are either part of the temple or the people approved by the Krishna Council.
About Lily's case, she's been freed from everything and cleared her name out. Now, she only needs to wait for the rumors to die down and make her name clear in the public's eyes. She's still a princess that's why her reputation is one of the primary priorities.
I haven't seen her since she went along with her father and brother first. While Master Irene, she'll come back later after her related business with the Temple.
Now, I'm staying alone in my bedroom, slacking in the bed while staring at the ceiling. I'm mulling over the things I just did earlier to Aldrich and the consequence that I will face because of that.
"Haah... I completely forgot about the Belmont Family. The worst thing that could happen would be sending assassins to me, but they're not stupid to go against Master Irene who has a higher position in the Temple. If I remember, they've been pursuing the temple to support them. I wonder what happened to Aldrich confinement?"
Remembering him, I can't help myself but laugh at his depressing state earlier. Also, Aldrich can use [Ramnient], a skill that allows the contractor to fully grasp the power of their spirit in form of armor. The spirit would attach its soul to the soul of its contractor for a certain amount of time, entering the phase.
It's kind of similar to my [Arcana], but [Arcana] is more like a manifestation of Diana. And, I get this gaudy hovering crown and some physical changes instead of those fancy armor and tattoos like him.
Diana and I accidentally discovered it while experimenting on many things. I suggested to Diana if we could merge our souls together temporarily, and of course, that didn't end well for me. The stress that my body underwent was excruciating unbearable. Afterward, I cultivated my body to lessen the effect of using that skill and halted on using it until we're in an emergency like the time I got into a fight against the specter.
While mulling over my thoughts, I slowly drift away into my wonderland.
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A soft, hot sensation engulfs my body, making my rationality in turmoil. Because of that, I regain my consciousness but kept my eyes shut because I thought it was Clara crawling to my bed once again.
A hot sensation engulfs my body and causing turmoil inside my head—I'm losing my rationality to my lust. Shortly after, I woke up with my eyes still shut close. I felt a warm embrace in my arms, a soft, smooth skin. At that moment, I knew who's the person in my arms despite keeping my eyes shut.
It was Clara.
I'm sure of it.
As usual, she would snuggle into my body whenever I'm asleep because that way, she could maintain her composure and sanity without going over beyond the line, or else, it would be the end of me.
That's why I would always respond to her snuggle and kiss her to ease her out.
I press my lips to her forehead as usual.
"Kyaaah—!"
Something's odd. The voice doesn't add up and Clara wouldn't shriek like that, but I'm still half-asleep so I lean my head close and opens my eyes to see if I'm seeing things or not.
As soon, I opened my eyes. What blooms before me, was her striking cerulean eyes, golden hair, blooming white skin, soft lustrous lips, and beet-red face. My face was hairbreadth away from her.
"Hm? Wow, I didn't your face would be this beautiful up close, Lily." I said with a smile on my face, still in a daze.
"E-Eh—?"
I feel like I'm dreaming because there's no way Lily would climb to my bed. It's dream come true if such a thing would happen. Since I'm in a dream I better take advantage of it.
I got more closer to her face directly putting my lips into her soft lustrous lips, turning into a deep kiss, invading her mouth with my tongue. Throughout the days and months of kissing Clara, I accumulate experiences from gentle to harsh ways of kissing.
The sound of our mouth slurping was the only thing I could hear right now. Shortly after, my hands went below to her crotch unconsciously; the wet sensation feels too surreal. But, that didn't stop me from my fingers sliding into her clothes.
"Mmmm~!"
Pulling my lips, I saw the face of Lily. She's staring at me with watery eyes, breathing roughly; her entire face was completely red. As soon that I realized what I just did and everything that transpired are all real, I open my mouth to speak; but as I opened it, everything around me shifts into darkness.
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Blinking a few times, as I stare at the ceiling.
"Holy moly! It's my first time having Lily in my erotic dream!"
"What erotic dream?"
In my vision, Master Irene suddenly popped in my side, wearing her a white-red military uniform.
"Are you really that horny, for you to have such dreams against my precious disciple?" Master Irene smiled at me.
"Hey. I'm your disciple too. For your information, I'm always horny." I said bluntly.
"Hahahaha, you're something spectacular. I can't believe you would say that with a straight face. Other people would evade that question! Hahahaha."
"Just being honest." I shrug my shoulders.
"Okay, okay, honest boy."
Master Irene sat on the side of my bed with an exhausted look on her face.
"What happened, Master Irene?"
"I got appointed into a mission once again by the pope, so I'll be gone for a year."
"Again? What would happen then?"
"Well, I will only go away for a few months or even a year."
I tilt my head in confusion. "Yeah?"
"I will put you under the guild of where I used to be an adventurer and get protected. There were some affairs in the Askar kingdom that Lily needs to confront. She needs to establish her image once again, as the sole guardian of the kingdom. It's her duty. Wait, she didn't tell you? I swear, she's here earlier to tell you about that."
"No..." 'Don't tell me...'
I rub the back of my head and said. "She probably didn't want to disturb in my sleep, ha-ha-ha."
"Is that so? Well, she went home to the Askar Kingdom earlier. Clara would still be joining you since you caused quite a commotion earlier with your brother."
"Ah."
"Haha, don't worry. You're not in trouble. Your brother only got a warning from the council because of it. And, of course, banned from setting foot on the Baal Zone. As for the Belmont family... They will not do anything since you didn't violate the contract. I'm proud of you, nice job~!"
"What about the humiliation that I cause to them?"
"You're worried about assassins going for your life? You have Clara on you and you're strong now. Trust in your own abilities, Claude. Give yourself confidence. You are a proud disciple of mine, so lift your head and face everything. And, I assure you that nothing will happen."
Master Irene place her hand on my hair and began rubbing it.
"Just trust yourself more. You already face head-on with your brother and humiliated him. You have the intellect and the instinct to live in this world alone—Use it. Don't waste it. Plus, you have Clara on your side. I know that I won't be there, but I have a duty that I need to fulfill—It's part of our life. Eventually, you too. We can't be always together. Okay?"
I nod to Master Irene upsettingly.
I can't deny anything to what she said. Once I grow up, I need to learn to live for myself in this harsh world. I can't always rely on Master Irene to do everything for me. She has her own life and responsibilities for herself, and I have a life that I need to take care of.
"Okay."
Reminiscing about Lily, I had the sudden urge to call her and wanting to meet her.
"Anyhow, I just found out that Stephanie was actually under the guild that I was working on before."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I was surprised at first too. Apparently, she's under the guidance of a woman named Sora then she's also with other of her classmates. I didn't know that schools have these types of policies. I thought they're more leaning in the basic educations than training in general."
"Well, they also do train the students for the preparation in the academy."
"Oh... That makes sense."
"So, are you in for it?"
"I'm with Stephanie?"
"Yeah."
"Sure. However, do you have any form of communication to contact Lily?"
"I do. Why do you ask?"
"Can I borrow it? I want to talk with Lily."
"I mean sure."
Master Irene took a piece of cube-like magic stone out of her pocket and handed it to me.
"How do I even use this?"
"Oh yeah, you can't use it since it needs mana. Let me do it for you."
After taking it, Master Irene pours her mana into the magic stone and it shines brightly. Once the stone shone, Master Irene began talking. It looks like a cellular phone. If I'm being honest.
"Hey, Welton. Is Lily beside you?"
"Yeah? Uh-huh... No no, Claude actually wants to talk to your daughter."
"Uh-huh... Okay. Here you go, Claude. They're still in the carriage on the way back."
Master Irene hands me the device.
"Hello?"
[H-H-Hello...]
"Um... Master Irene already told me about the situation. So, how are you? Are you alright?"
[Y-Yeah. Thanks for worrying. I'm fine now.]
"Hooh... Good to know. Hey, um, sorry for earlier."
[...]
"Lily?"
[It's fine... I'm not really bothered by it, but instead, it's the opposite I'm really happy with it. And, thank you, Claude.]
"Okay...? What are you saying? You've forgiven me for what I did earlier?"
[Yes.]
"Huh?"
[Can you wait for me? We will meet again I promise you. Until then, I will grow stronger and will stand side by side with you... You will take responsibility, right? Right?]
The way she emphasized the last part with a hint of coldness behind it, the call suddenly got cut off, sending shivers down my spine.
"... Hello!? Hello? Hello! What do you mean!? Lily? Lily? Lily! Ah... What just happened? Ah, shit."