It was Ui. Her scent was slightly different. I could detect an additional fragrance, something very pleasant.
"What do you want?"
"Can we sleep together?"
"No. Go away."
"No."
She ignored me and started moving closer to the bed. I remained still, reluctant to abuse my abilities, but necessity forced me to use the Cure Iz to speed up the process, even if it compromised my energy recovery.
In doing so, the dark glow helped me see Ui's silhouette. She was wrapped in a towel and was gradually getting closer.
"Back off."
"I don't want to."
She lay on top of me.
"If you want, move me away."
"You!
Her gaze denoted intense desire, and her already pinkish skin started to turn even redder.
"Please! Just for tonight. Let me sleep with you," her eyes started to fill with tears.
"Why are you doing this? Don't you see that I'm a different being?"
"I don't care. I like you this way. Please. Just for tonight."
"That doesn't justify anything."
Ui radiated the same kind of energy as Max. I never felt any hate or resentment-filled energy when they looked at me. Could this feeling be something warmer?
"You know, aside from the people closest to me, I've always been treated as a stranger because I have completely white hair, but when I saw you, I was happy. Very happy. I wanted to be your friend, but as time went by, I wanted to be yours," she said while resting her head on my chest.
She didn't share my nature, but I could deeply understand her feelings. Being treated differently had never bothered me, but that particular night, I decided to temporarily set aside the hatred that lived within me.
"Just for tonight."
"What?!"
"Don't make me repeat it."
"Yes. Just for tonight."
That girl was truly unique for not experiencing the same feelings that others had towards me, but somehow, it wasn't so bad to have someone with that unique perspective in the world.
"Izumi."
"What is it?"
"Hug me."
"Do you want to leave the room?"
"No. This is fine. Izumi, thank you."
'Thank you, huh?'
I can easily count the number of people who have told me that.
It didn't take long before we started hearing a woman's moans, intensifying with every moment. She moaned loudly, and although I didn't know exactly what was happening, it was clear that she was in considerable distress.
Ui, on the other hand, became increasingly passionate and red, her body started to sweat, and the moans continued to echo louder and louder.
I knew that voice very well, and seeing her suffer that way was bringing me a sense of happiness. With a smile on my face, I said:
'You got fucked, Fallen Tits.'
Before dawn, I was already standing by the village gate. Hours later, Max and Fallen Tits finally appeared.
"Up early, aren't you?"
"Up? I didn't need to sleep."
"Forgot you don't sleep."
"Hey! Can I come with you?" The human who was following spoke.
"What?"
"Are you sure?" Max said.
"Yes. I'm a swordsman. I'm sure I can help."
"Okay. The more, the merrier."
One more person I would have to watch out for. Keeping my guard up was inevitable. We left the village, and although I imagined that Ui would follow us, this time it was different. It was a farewell forever.
"Too bad Ui didn't come," Fallen Tits said.
"Yes, the only woman who liked Izumi. What a shame."
"Shame is bullshit. It's a blessing."
"I know."
'The only woman, huh?'
They talked as if my mother didn't love me. A group of losers.
"I'm sorry. I asked her to stay," The human said.
"I understand. But if Izumi had asked her, she would have come running."
"As if I would do something so insignificant."
"Hey! Wait for me!"
"Speaking of the devil," Fallen Tits said.
'You again, seriously!'
"Izumi!"
With her backpack and a new outfit, similar to the previous one, except for a slightly different pair of iron bracelets, she jumped and hugged me.
"I'll never let you go."
"Holy shit!"
And everyone around us started to smile at the situation, which only increased my feeling of humiliation.
We continued our walk and finally arrived in the city. However, I noticed that the guards at the entrance were noticeably different from the ones who used to be there. They shared the same skin tone as Fallen Tits. The question forming in my mind at that moment was: what had happened to justify this unexpected change?
"These soldiers… are from my family."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"You're Max's squad, right?"
"Yes!" shouted Fallen Tits.
I didn't like this situation. 'Max's squad'? Who made that decision?
"No! It's Izumi's!"
Ui never ceases to amaze.
"What?! It has always been Max's squad!"
"Izumi is cooler and stronger. Izumi's squad has more impact!"
"Izumi didn't even defeat the fearless one! Max is the best!"
"No, Izumi is the best!"
While they argued, the gates began to open, and a soldier appeared.
"Hello! I'm Zetiel. Your father asked me to take you to your quarters when you arrived."
"My father?"
"Yes. Follow me."
"Idalme, I'm leaving Ui and Mito with you."
"Yes."
"Izumi. See you later."
I hope there won't be this 'See you later.' We reached the door of the old man's office, and Max opened the door, and we entered.
"Hello, my dear children."
"I'm not your child."
"That makes me sad."
"Screw you!"
But what happened to the old man? His face now bore an extensive diagonal scar that crossed his entire face, clearly indicating the traces of some experience or event.
"Father. What happened to your face?"
"The face is of little importance. I lost the use of my legs."
"What?!"
'It must have been quite a battle to leave the old man like this. Had the fearless one attacked the village during our absence?'
"Tell me. What happened in the city?"
"Before I say anything, sit down. This story will be long."
We sat on the available chairs in the office.
"Even before your journey to the outside world, something big was about to happen. All the pieces were waiting for someone to leave the village, but I never thought it would be because of you, Izumi."
"Me?"
"Yes. In that tournament, you were supposed to die at Carmine's hands, but that's not what happened. When the plan to kill you failed, I thought things would calm down, but that wasn't the case."
"Father, get to the point. What really happened?"
"Coup d'État."
End of the first volume.