OVERLORD- CH-81. Friends, Starting from Friends

'At this moment, shouldn't you hold my hand and comfort me?' Aya thought.

Did she see it? Or did she remember what happened when she was drunk?

Could it be that she is a human supremacist and particularly hostile to other races? Aya was still contemplating this when she was suddenly embraced.

"Levi." Clutching Aya tightly, Operan's heart pounded violently.

As a mother, as a widow, as a thirty-year-old woman, developing feelings for a young boy violated so many ethical principles.

So what if she break one more rule?

Maybe it was the result of long-suppressed emotions exploding, maybe it was the overwhelming mental stimulation in such a short period that led to psychological imbalance, or maybe it was the allure of the other person's captivating body.

Maybe her intelligence really has been lowered.

Feeling a stronger resolve and courage than ever before, along with the illicit pleasure of self-abandonment—

This was something she had never experienced before: the euphoria of surrendering everything for love.

"Levi, I will take responsibility for you."

"Hmm… hm? What?"


"What did you say?" Feeling the faint fragrance and warmth emanating from Operan, Aya asked in disbelief.

'What does responsibility mean? It's probably not what I think it means…'

"Operan?" Aya hesitated, calling her name, "Operan, what's wrong with you?"

"I'm sorry." The words came from the Duchess's lips.

"I was impulsive. I'm sorry, Levi. This is my first time experiencing this."

She had spoken those words in the heat of the moment, but now that the impulse had faded, Operan realized what a foolish thing she had done.

She was sure her face must be flushed, so she held Aya tightly to prevent her from seeing it.

"Well, I mean..." Operan stammered, "I mean, if you want, we can start as friends…"

"Is that okay? Can we be friends?" Aya raised her head, meeting Operan's gaze.

"Gu!" Seeing Aya's beautiful face and bright eyes again, Operan finally admitted to herself that she felt a desire for Aya that went beyond mere friendship.

"Well, we are friends." Operan said, but a strong sense of guilt tugged at her heart, 'She treats me as a friend, but I…'

Aya had no idea what was going through Operan's mind. She was simply happy to have made a friend.

"Levi..."

"Aya Tiamat." She said, "That is my real name. Just call me Aya."

"I see."

An awkward silence suddenly settled between them. Aya didn't know what to say, and Operan just gazed at her in silence.

"Well, let me go first." Aya whispered, "The waiter might come in soon."

They had entered at noon, and now the sun was setting. Quite some time had passed. Although Aya had informed the restaurant in advance not to disturb them and had locked the door, if they stayed too long, others might become suspicious.

"Yeah." Nodding, Operan reluctantly let go of Aya's hand.

More haste, less speed. Since they've agreed to start as friends, she shouldn't be greedy for temporary warmth.

In other words, she was already satisfied with just being friends.

Taking three steps back and sitting in the opposite corner of the sofa, Operan began tidying up her disheveled clothes.

On the other side, Aya glanced at Operan.

"Operan."

"Hm?"

"Look this way." Aya said, making Operan's head feel hot.

If she look at her now… Just one glance at her body, and she will feel like she is sinking, her will dissolving. To maintain her rationality, Operan has been avoiding looking at her too much since earlier.

Is she doing this on purpose? Trying to seduce her?

But that was not the reason. Aya's intention was simply to allow Operan to confirm something.

A light blue magical glow surged from Aya's body. First, a pair of long horns retracted, and then her body began to change.

Under Operan's stunned gaze, the originally plump chest flattened, the waist and hips became slender, and the facial contours sharpened slightly while retaining their original beauty—now appearing more neutral.

New clothes materialized, and as the light dissipated, she had transformed back into the beautiful boy, "Levi."

As the saying goes, seeing is believing. At this moment, Operan could only let her worldview be overturned as she completely accepted the truth of the other person's identity.

"Let's go." Once again, Aya extended her hand, and this time, Operan did not hesitate. She took Aya's outstretched hand.

______

Moon Dark Forest, Central Lake.

This lake, once one of the four forbidden areas in the forest, now had a completely different look.

At the center of the vast lake was an artificial island with four sturdy trees planted on it—the one in the middle being the Tree of Creation, while the three surrounding it were Emerald Spirit Trees.

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Thank you all for supporting me.