"I've made it clear, Eve; I won't harm a woman. Sister Iris disapproves of such actions, having been nearly subjected to them herself. I won't do anything that would make Sister Iris harbor resentment towards me. Moreover, I would never intentionally hurt my best friend."
Millis had been his closest companion since their youth. When his parents were tragically killed by bandits, she provided a supportive shoulder to lean on. Through numerous hardships, Millis remained a constant source of solace for Leon.
"A friend is just a superficial connection. In the realm of demons, even the closest allies can betray each other."
"Fortunately, I am human."
"If you insist on keeping her alive, so be it. I've given you my warning. The decision now rests with you, whether you heed it or not."
Leon entered his house and proceeded to his room after instructing Millis to close the door before leaving. He was particular about preventing sunlight from entering their home, no matter how minimal the exposure might be.
Once in his room, Leon undressed and settled onto his bed. After contemplating the ceiling for a moment, he swiftly succumbed to sleep.
***
Leon found himself in a dream. In this surreal experience, he was sprinting through the woods with an unseen pursuer behind him. The dream possessed an uncanny realism, almost convincing him it was an actual event. Were it not for the awareness that he had laid down and drifted into sleep in his bed, he might have mistaken it for reality.
Attempting to glance backward, he struggled to discern the identity of his pursuer. Whoever it was, they weren't sprinting to overtake him. Instead, they advanced at a leisurely pace, seemingly aware that Leon had nowhere to escape.
After a prolonged period of running, Leon found himself emerging from the forest, discovering a vast sea before him. His abrupt halt almost caused him to pitch forward as he realized he stood at the precipice of a cliff. The depth below was so profound that it was nearly imperceptible to the eye. Continuing to run would have undoubtedly resulted in a fatal fall. Though there was water at the bottom, survival remained doubtful.
Turning around, he identified the pursuer who had been chasing him. A woman was approaching him. She wore a meticulously crafted knight's uniform, complete with intricate details such as polished metal plating and delicate engravings. The azure and gold hues of her clothing reflected a blend of elegance and strength, reminiscent of a seasoned warrior.
Her cape billowed gracefully in the imaginary wind of the dream, adding a touch of dramatic flair to her presence. A sword hung securely at her side as she advanced toward him, her eyes glaring at him as though he were her mortal enemy. The sky darkened, and an intense downpour began, causing her cape to billow even more intensely in the wind.
Her demeanor was so refined that it seemed as if this woman was distinct from the one he knew. That realization struck him—he recognized this woman.
It was none other than Millis.
She drew her sword and brandished it in the air, maintaining a piercing gaze.
"It's time for you to die," she declared.
And then—
The dream abruptly ended. He had been awakened.
"Leon, are you alright?" inquired a woman who was atop him, sitting on his midsection.
The woman had a gentle expression, a stark contrast to the one in his dream who sought to end his life.
"Millis... Can you please get off me?"
"Why? Worried we might get carried away?" She grinned mischievously at him, a playful expression in stark contrast to the loathing she displayed in the dream.
"I'm concerned you might crush my hip. Now, get off."
Millis clicked her tongue as she complied, but then she looked at him, pulling down her eyelid with a finger and playfully sticking out her tongue. "I heard you muttering my name in your sleep, Leon. Are you dreaming of naughty things about me? Poor you. Is your imagination so deprived that you dream such things about your best friend?"
So she overheard him muttering her name. "I dreamt of you attempting to kill me."
"Really? Your dream must be a kinky one."
How she arrived at that interpretation puzzled him. Despite having already explained the content of his dream, it seemed that Millis was inclined to receive no answer other than a suggestive one involving intimacy.
Millis was consistently like this. Born to a farmer and an adventurer, her mother a farmer and her father an adventurer, she faced tragedy at a young age with the accidental death of her father. He had encountered a large group of Black Coyotes, and that unfortunate encounter cost him his life. Millis, profoundly affected by this loss, decided against pursuing an adventurer's life for herself.
As a consequence, Millis consistently attempted to persuade Leon to abandon his career as an adventurer by utilizing any seductive means at her disposal. Leon, being a family man, prioritized his well-being to ensure he could support his family. He was cautious about his health and didn't want to jeopardize his life if his family still depended on him. Millis believed that if she were to conceive a child with him through their intimate encounters, Leon would be compelled to quit adventuring and pursue an alternative livelihood.
However, this strategy proved more challenging than Millis anticipated. Leon was a tough nut to crack. Regardless of her attempts at seduction, he remained steadfast. That's why she teased him, portraying him as an unresponsive, emotionally detached virgin.
What Millis remained unaware of was that Leon was not actually a virgin, and his profession involved prostitution. This explained his lack of reaction to her attempts at seduction, given his extensive history with a hundred partners. Such experiences had rendered him impervious to typical attempts at seduction.
"It's not something kinky. It's actually... a scary one."
Leon never thought he would use the term "scary" to describe Millis, who was always so jovial and warm, but that was truly how he felt. Witnessing her in his dream, glaring at him as though he were a malevolent creature that should be extinguished, sent shivers down his spine.
"Anyway, how did you get in here? I was sure I locked the door—" When he looked toward the doorway, he found Seres looking at him with a mischievous smirk.
"I let her in!" she giggled, revealing a key between her fingers.
Leon glanced at her for a moment, then sighed. It seemed that being at home was more exhausting than his work.
"Come on, Leon. Sister Iris is here, and she brought food with her!" Millis exclaimed.
"She did?"
***
"You're heading to work now?" inquired Sister Iris as she handed him a box of food. Leon had missed dinner with them, as it was time for him to head to his workplace.
"Yes, I apologize for not being able to join all of you for the meal."
"Oh, it's alright. No need to apologize to me. You might want to direct that apology to Seres, though. She's sulking in the corner as we speak. It seems like she wants you to stay a bit longer."
"Much as I'd like to, I'm afraid I can't. I don't want to miss any opportunity to earn money."
Iris sighed. "You're just as occupied with work as always, Leon. I understand you have responsibilities, but remember to take care of yourself," Sister Iris advised with a gentle smile.
Leon nodded appreciatively. "I understand, Sister Iris. Work has been quite demanding lately."
"I worry about you, Leon. Striking a balance between work and personal well-being is crucial. You won't be able to help others effectively if you neglect your own health," Iris expressed, her concern evident in her eyes.
"I appreciate your concern, Sister. I'll make an effort to find a better balance," Leon assured her.
He observed his sister, whose cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel. Approaching her, he gently patted her head.
"Don't give me that. I don't need your head pats," Seres brushed away his hands.
"Even though you seem to enjoy them?" Millis teased.
"I... I don't."
"Seres really loves her brother. You're just like me!"
"Eh? You love my brother as well, Millis?"
"Of course!" Millis giggled.
Leon chuckled at the playful banter between his sister and Millis. It was a scene he cherished, one he wanted to savor before returning to the city and his work.
"I appreciate the affection, even if Seres won't openly admit it," Leon said with a smile, ruffling his sister's hair.
Seres huffed but didn't resist the playful gesture. Millis grinned, relishing the lighthearted moment. The room was infused with a sense of familial warmth.
As Leon prepared to depart for work, Seres couldn't conceal her disappointment. "You're leaving already?"
"I'm afraid so, Seres. Duty calls," Leon replied, his expression apologetic.
Millis added, "He's a responsible elder brother, you know. But don't worry; he'll be back before you know it."
Seres sighed, "I know, I know. Just take care out there, Brother."
"I will, Seres. And don't give Millis too hard of a time while I'm away."
"I make no promises," Seres responded with a mischievous grin.
Leon chuckled, then turned to Iris. "Take care of my sister while I'm gone, Sister Iris."
"Of course. I view the two of you as my siblings. As the elder sister, I won't let anything happen to her." Iris smiled.
With that, Leon bid them farewell and returned to the city of Ceveral to continue his work and earn a living.