Chapter 38
The late afternoon sun cast a warm golden hue over the cobbled streets as Alex and Lisa strolled leisurely through the bustling town.
Their conversation, like the soft rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze, was filled with casual banter and laughter.
"Oh, I feel pity for that guy," Alex said suddenly, shaking his head as if reliving a painful memory.
Lisa glanced at him with a quizzical expression.
"Why feel pity for him?" she asked, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity.
"Well," Alex began, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly,
"I'm not saying what he did was right, but the pain of getting hit right in the balls... That's something only a man can truly understand."
He winced, as if the thought alone was enough to cause discomfort.
Lisa raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips.
"You must be talking about that incident back when I was a C-rank adventurer, right?"
"Exactly!" Alex nodded enthusiastically.
"Back then, you had just reached C rank. I mean, damn, Lisa... I feel pity for the guy. He didn't stand a chance."
Lisa laughed, a melodious sound that turned a few heads as they walked past.
"Well, he shouldn't have just taken my clothes and left. Either way, I burned them afterward. I didn't even want to imagine what he might have done with them."
Alex burst out laughing. "Hahahahaha! That's priceless. But seriously, have you ever gone anywhere else and met such weird guys?"
Lisa thought for a moment, her gaze drifting upward as memories flooded her mind. Finally, she began,
"I did, actually. I went to this kingdom called Colosan. Its capital city was incredible—grand architecture, bustling markets, the works. But that's not the weird part.
There was this quest from the princess there. She asked me to find and dig up a grave. I know, it sounds strange already.
But I was a mercenary then; I didn't ask too many questions. I just took the job and went to do it."
Alex tilted his head, intrigued. "A grave? That does sound strange. What happened next?"
"Well, the place was heavily guarded. And when I say heavily, I mean really guarded. There were about fifteen C-rank adventurers and a handful of lower-ranked ones patrolling the area.
It was like trying to sneak into a fortress. But you know me—I avoided all of them like a skilled assassin.
Stealth has always been one of my strengths."
"Of course," Alex said with a grin. "Go on."
Lisa's tone grew more animated as she continued. "When I finally reached the grave, I started digging.
She'd told me to retrieve something buried beneath the coffin. But curiosity got the better of me.
I mean, what could be inside a coffin that required all that security? So, I opened it."
Alex leaned in slightly, his interest piqued. "And?"
Lisa's expression darkened, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Inside was... the princess. Or at least, she looked like the princess.
But she was gaunt, her skin pale and stretched tight over her bones. She looked like she hadn't eaten in days.
Her eyes lit up when she saw me, though, and she actually smiled. That's when I realized the truth—she was the twin sister of the princess who had hired me.
The same one who'd sent me on this bizarre quest."
"Wait," Alex interjected, his brow furrowing, "the princess hired you to dig up her twin sister's grave?"
Lisa nodded grimly. "Exactly. And that's not even the worst part. As I was freeing her, I noticed a dagger inside the coffin, lying beside her.
I picked it up. The moment I did, there was this massive explosion. I could've died right there if I hadn't been quick enough to shield myself."
Lisa reached into storage ring and pulled out the dagger. It gleamed faintly, an aura of danger emanating from it. "This is the dagger. I kept it as a reminder of that insane mission."
Alex stared at it, his eyes narrowing. "What happened after that?"
"I was furious," Lisa admitted, her grip on the dagger tightening. "The twin I saved explained everything.
Her sister had locked her in that coffin alive, all for the throne. She'd planned to kill her own blood to secure her position.
I couldn't let that go unpunished. So, I killed the princess who hired me."
Alex blinked, stunned. "And what about the twin you saved?"
"She's the queen now," Lisa said with a shrug. "We talk every now and then. She's actually a good person—kind, fair, nothing like her sister.
But that whole experience... It was the first time I met someone so twisted they'd betray their own family for power."
Alex shook his head. "Well, that's greed for you. People will do anything for power."
Lisa glanced at him thoughtfully. "What would you do if you had a lot of children and became king? How would you decide who takes the throne?"
Alex's lips curved into a confident smile.
"That's easy. I'd place a challenge—something that tests merit. Anyone who proves themselves worthy can claim the throne, whether they're my child or not.
It wouldn't just be about lineage but also about personality, leadership, and other qualities."
Lisa frowned slightly. "But what if your children kill each other for the throne?"
Alex's expression grew serious. "I'd take precautions. I'd place a soul contract over my entire lineage.
If any of them even think of harming one another, directly or indirectly, their souls will suffer damage.
On top of that, I'd inscribe protective runes on all my children. If they're ever in danger, the runes will teleport them directly to me."
Lisa stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Have you really thought all this through?"
Alex chuckled. "You could say I've had some time to think about it. Anyway, how about we take a quest? I could use some action."
"Okay," Lisa said with a nod, "but before that, you owe me a new dress. Something better than the one that guy destroyed."
They wandered into a boutique, where Lisa spent hours trying on different outfits.
Alex waited patiently at first but eventually excused himself, telling her to find something suitable for a noble party.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and night began to fall, Lisa emerged from the shop wearing a stunning green dress.
It hugged her figure perfectly, highlighting her hourglass shape.
The fabric shimmered in the fading light, complementing her green hair and emerald eyes.
Passersby stopped to stare at her, captivated by her beauty.
Moments later, a luxurious carriage pulled up.
The door opened, and Alex stepped out, descending the stairs in a black-and-white noble suit.
The tailored outfit accentuated his broad shoulders and sharp features.
He looked more handsome than ever, and Lisa couldn't help but stare.
Extending a hand to her, Alex said with a charming smile, "Shall we go?"
Lisa chuckled softly. "Okay."
Inside the carriage, she turned to him. "Where are we going?"
"To dinner first," Alex replied. "Then, there's something I want to show you."
Lisa's curiosity was piqued. "What are you going to show me?"
"You'll see," Alex said, his tone teasing.
Lisa's mind raced with possibilities, but she couldn't help asking, "Did you ever do something like this for Stella?"
Alex froze, his face blank as if caught off guard. "Well... I guess I'll have to do something for her soon. Before you tell her."
Lisa laughed, her voice light and teasing. "You'd better make it grand. She'll be super jealous if she finds out."
Alex sighed, leaning back. "I'll make it up to her for not letting her come with us."
Dinner passed quickly. Afterward, Alex took Lisa into the sky, carrying her as they flew.
Lisa's breath caught in her throat as they soared upward.
The city spread out beneath them, a glittering expanse of lights that twinkled like a sea of stars.
She could see the winding streets they had walked earlier, the domes and spires of the grand buildings standing out like jewels against the dark landscape.
Above them, the night sky stretched endlessly, painted with thousands of stars.
The moon hung low on the horizon, its silver light mingling with the golden hue of Alex's flames, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
The higher they climbed, the more magical the scene became.
The cool air whispered against Lisa's skin, carrying with it the faint sounds of the city below—distant laughter, the clinking of glasses, the muffled hum of life continuing far beneath their feet.
Alex's arms held her securely, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of wonder and safety.
"This is... beautiful," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rush of wind.
Alex glanced down at her, his expression softening.
"I wanted you to see the world from here. It's a different kind of peace, isn't it?"
Lisa nodded, her emerald eyes reflecting the golden light around them.
For a moment, she forgot everything—the past, the struggles, the dangers ahead.
All that mattered was the breathtaking view and the warmth of Alex's presence beside her.
As they hovered in the sky, Alex slowed their ascent.
The golden flames dimmed slightly, casting a gentle glow that lit their faces but didn't outshine the stars above.
The moment felt surreal, as though time itself had paused.
Lisa gazed around, her heart pounding.
Her thoughts were a whirl of emotions—gratitude, awe, and something deeper she wasn't sure she was ready to name.
She turned to Alex, her lips parting as if to speak, but before she could say anything, he leaned in.
The kiss was soft, tender, and unhurried, as though the world around them had disappeared entirely.
The golden light flickered softly, as if responding to the emotions between them.
Lisa closed her eyes, letting herself fall into the moment, her heart beating in rhythm with the faint glow of Alex's flames.
When they finally parted, the silence was profound, broken only by the gentle whisper of the wind. Alex smiled, his voice low as he said,
"I wanted you to see this with me. It felt right."
Lisa couldn't help but smile back, her cheeks warm despite the chill of the night air. "It was perfect," she replied softly, her voice filled with emotion.