Kuma and Lucienne made their way upstairs after confronting Zeus about the Admins for the main lobby. Luckily for them, Scarlett didn't come chasing after them with her Phantom Mutiny obsession.
Once they made their way upstairs, they could see Emperor and Angelica talking to one another, but their conversation seemed private...
"Hold on a second." Lucienne would halt at the last step, pulling Kuma backward, "What are they talking about?"
"Why do you care? It's rude to lurk on someone else's conversation, you know?"
"Shut up, Kuma, this is our chance to hear the conversation between two Great Kings. It has to be important." Lucienne would crouch on the steps, pulling Kuma down to do the same.
"...Why am I doing this?" Muttered Kuma.
"Lucifer is expecting you to return to the West Continent soon, and I'm certain that is when he'll attack you. But it is only a theory. I cannot predict the entire future, but only a few seconds ahead."
"Hmm, are you certain? Why does Lucifer have a bone to pick with me? I didn't do anything to piss him off." Angelica crossed her arms, gazing at the ground in thought, "This doesn't make any sense."
"Angelica, Lucifer despises you because you're an angel, that should be obvious by now," I said, certain of that fact.
"No, that can't be it, unless he really is some racist jackass. There has to be depth behind his actions. If he's willing to attack another continent, there must be a massive reason for doing such a thing."
"Naturally, I thought the same thing. There must be some deeper meaning behind his actions, but I can't put my finger on it."
Long ago, I, Angelica, Lucifer, and the other Great King, Lilith, played together.
We were a team that cleared events in the beta, and we were feared as a party. Other players wouldn't dare interact with us, scared that we were a ruthless group. It made sense, considering we completed the strongest event inside of Isekai World Online.
[TWO YEARS AGO]
"That was pretty easy, do they not have any other events that can provide a challenge for us?" Said Emperor.
"I guess not. After we obtained Arcane Magic, the game has been in easy mode for us. Nothing can truly stand up to our power." Said Lucifer.
"You fools are too careless..." Mumbled Lilith, holding an umbrella to block out the sunlight.
"Oh c'mon, Lilith, you worry too much. It's not like anyone can beat us the way we're now!" Angelica would walk behind Lilith, patting her shoulders, "You're always so mean, yet you care so much about our safety. Don't think that hot attitude of yours can hide it!"
"You bloody muppet, do not casually touch me!" Lilith was smaller compared to everyone else in the party, standing at the height of 4'9, "I'll drain your blood!"
"Our sweet Lilith, adorable as always!" Shouted Angelica.
Lilith frowned.
"I am not adorable... you cheeky prat!"
"Pwa ha ha, Lilith and her British slang, I will never know what they mean, but they're offensive, aren't they?" Said Lucifer.
"Pretty sure she's cussing Angelica out." Mumbled Emperor.
"No doubt about it!" Declared Angelica.
"Clock Abidance!" A magic circle in the form of a clock appeared, stopping time for Angelica, "Shut your mouth, angel! You're annoying to listen to!"
In under a second, Angelica broke free from the stopped time due to her nature as a wielder of Arcane Magic.
"Did you seriously stop time? You're always abusing your power over something so trivial. Aren't you supposed to be an Aristocratic Heiress?" Angelica said teasingly.
"Show respect when you speak to me, Angelica! I may be equal to you all, but I am still a princess!"
"Bwa ha ha!!" Angelica couldn't help but laugh as Emperor and Lucifer did the same.
"Stop teasing me, you impudent blokes!"
After a few minutes of teasing Lilith, everyone would continue walking down the trail, making their way towards the Main Lobby.
"The music here is always nice, I love the forest biome soundtracks." Said Angelica.
"Yeah, I'm glad they decided to add soundtracks to the game, it makes it more relaxing. I could just lay on the grass and listen to it all day if I wanted to." Proclaimed Emperor.
"Indeed, it is most wonderful." Said Lucifer.
"Perhaps we should make a campfire and get something to eat for now; I need to replenish my food and water gauge." Said Lilith.
"Yeah, Lilith is right, our characters haven't eaten anything in two days, they must be starving by now." Declared Angelica.
"Alright then, I guess we can set up camp. The forest biome is full of weak mobs, so we shouldn't have to worry about anything tonight." Emperor would walk into the fields of grass on their right.
"What about the night mobs?" Asked Lucifer.
"Hm?" Emperor turned to face the demon, "They shouldn't be a problem either, we'll just set up light sources around the camp to keep them away. Not to mention; our campfire is going to keep them away, regardless."
"Oh, right, I've never camped before in the game—so I was confused about how it worked." Proclaimed Lucifer.
"Well, I guess you'll be learning today!" Angelica said cheerfully, patting his back.
"Erm… It seems so!" Lucifer's cheeks turned red.
"Hmm?" Lilith stared at the angel and demon, squinting her eyes.
"Let's start off by collecting wood to build the campfire. Angelica, you can go with Lucifer, Lilith, you can come with me if you want."
"I rather not follow you anywhere, but I suppose I have no choice." Lilith ambled towards Emperor, closing her eyes with sass.
"You're such a— never mind" Emperor would shut up, taking a deep sigh, "Just don't get in the way, Lilith."
She widened her eyes, glancing at the human.
"What did you say?"
"Oh, nothing, don't worry about it." Emperor turned to walk into the forest, witnessing the low-level mobs in their area, "Let's get a move on before it gets too late."
"So I guess we're just collecting wood? Is that really it?" Asked Lucifer.
"Yep, simple as that. Follow me and I can help you out if ya want!" Angelica took the lead as she walked into another section of the forest, waiting for Lucifer to follow.
("I can't believe it. I'm alone with Angelica. It's almost like a dream come true. She's so beautiful and gives off an amazing aura. I bet any man would kill for her because I know I would. But I find it ironic; how can a demon like myself be falling for an angel?")
"She's lovely," Lucifer mumbled out loud, causing him to widen his eyes in shock.
"Eh? Did you say something?" Angelica turned around, lifting her brow in question.
"Oh, erm… yes! I was just saying that this forest is lovely. The trees and the wildlife here are pleasing to my eyes."
"Pfft, if you spend time grinding the forest biome like I do, you'll get tired of seeing this place, but I'm glad you like it. It's better than spending time in the snow biomes, right?"
"Indeed, it is far better than the snow biome. It's not as cold, and we don't have to worry about getting the frostbite status effect."
"I know right? Talk about annoying Biomes. It needs to be nerfed; you can barely walk a few feet without getting some status effect."
"Heh, yeah, it's pretty harsh."
Lucifer couldn't help but stare at Angelica from behind, trailing his eyes down her backside like some pervert.
"S-So, Angelica, I was meaning to ask you this, and uhm… well…"
She continued her pace as she questioned Lucifer.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"I know this may sound random and all, but... do you have a boyfriend by any chance?"
Angelica stopped in her tracks, turning around to face the demon with wide eyes, "Woah! That came outta nowhere. Uhh, no, I don't have a boyfriend. I'm a guy in real life, ya know? I don't think I swing that way, even if it was in a game like this."
"W-Wait, you're a guy in real life?"
"Yeah, I thought you knew?"
"No! Uhm, that's a big surprise, I would never expect someone like you to be a male in the real world."
"Well, it's true! It's why I turn down a lot of guys who try asking me out in Isekai World Online. It's pretty annoying, but it's not their fault."
"I-I see." Lucifer looked down, astonished.
("For some reason my feelings aren't going away, even when she said she's a guy. No, this is wrong! I can't be in love with another dude. But then again... their Game Avatar is female, so is it really wrong to have a crush on them? I mean think about it, Lucifer!")
"Uhh, are you okay, Lucifer? You look worried about something."
Lucifer was visibly frustrated, holding back his next words with all his might.
But he couldn't contain them—
"Angelica… I think I love you!"
"Eh? Huhhh?!!"