Selling Drugs in the Dungeon should be a profitable business, no? Chapter 26

P.S. The font, for me, seems kinda HUGE for some reason. Maybe it's just for me, or it's the new thingy Patreon did, so dunno... Hope this chapter is easy and still enjoyable to read tho!
Enjoy!

A father. Me.

I can barely wrap my head around this new development. I think it'll take a long while for it to even fully settle in.

For the longest time, both in this life and the previous one, the thought about having a family was there, but distant.

Something I'd work for maybe in my thirties, or early forties. Something in the middle of my life, or when I'd feel like I was fully settled in. Content with where I was at. With my achievements.

My parents did it like so. Had me and my sister while nearly in their fifties, and both were the best parents I could ever ask for.

The only parents I wanted in the only life I should have had.

But now, here I am. On the road to becoming a father.

Honestly, I should have expected this to happen soon. Meteria utterly adores me, and I won't lie on the fact that talks of settling down and starting a family came up very often between us. It always left us smiling.

I love her. A lot. Her and Alfia. Even with the approaching threats and troubles, and with the added anxiety of now having to protect my pregnant lover, I still find myself feeling… content. Relaxed. Like I haven't in quite a while.

Since I've started using Qi too much, and led to the build up of bad Qi that now clouds my mind with dark thoughts.

A sigh flows out of my nostrils at that.

Really, I should have expected this to happen. Me and Meteria have a very active sexual life, after all. Mostly because how the fuck can I not pounce on someone so beautiful, adorable and sexy that just keeps dropping her dress when we are alone?

Even if I give her Contraceptive Pills, I do not force her to take them. I just leave them out for her to use… And they do have a margin of failure that I overlooked.

Contraceptive Pills aren't powerful or make sure a woman doesn't get pregnant. Just lowers the chances, which are already low due to a Cultivator already near non-existent fertility.

I… Kinda do not have that problem, for some reason. I do know that the higher the Realm of a Cultivator, the less fertile they become, but even the second Realm should be enough to make a Cultivator shoot more blanks than live rounds.

Or I probably do have fertility problems, but Meteria just got lucky. And… Well, last time we did it I did go very hard on her, as I was very excited in that wonderful threesome I'll never forget.

If there is one good thing about Cultivation, is that it helps me go on for what feels like years in bed. Meteria certainly loves that. A lot.

"What are you thinking about, my love?" My wonderful Meteria question, her lips gently resting against my cheek for a short second as I hold her into a tight hug from behind, her small yet very curvaceous form resting comfortably in my lap.

"About how I should have expected this out of you." I give her a look, but her wonderful face just turns into a smug smile full of adorable dimples on her cheeks.

"It actually wasn't planned." She reveals with a shrug, still smug as she grinds her hips against my crotch like the gremlin she is, "You just fucked and stuffed me so good last time that it was just meant to be." I chuckle and hug her tighter, resting a kiss on her neck that has her let out a cute purr.

"I should've seen the signs." I muse aloud, remembering how she had been throwing up recently, and how she was feeling under the weather. I really should've seen it, but just never made the connection. "But oh well…" I shrug myself and rest my chin on Meteria's shoulder, her head tilting so she could rest it against mine.

It feels nice. Calm and comforting. Having her close, holding her tightly, breathing in her scent and hearing her rampaging heartbeat in her chest. Feeling her softness against me as we just stare out the balcony and across the rooftops of Orario.

We fall quiet after that, with me rubbing circles on her belly and just enjoying the view with her presence. I can feel and taste the sheer love and happiness radiating off of her, and it's intoxicating.

"When this is all over…" I start, earning Meteria's attention, "What kind of home would you like, and where?"

Her hands rise to rest on mine, "Near a mountain, on an open and large valley." She answers, a smile audible in her voice, "A big house, for many children and my future sisters-" My eyebrow twitches lightly at that, "-and with a room for many, many books and stories I can read for everyone."

"A garden with tree for fruits, and for vegetables of all kinds. I want lots of strawberries too. Maybe cattle? I do love eating meat."

I hum as I hold her close, "I do want plenty of potatoes myself." It is one of my favorite things to eat. Either done in the oven or fried, or even just boiled. Potatoes with meat and sausages? I'd kill somebody for them.

Meteria lightly pokes my cheek with her lips, a gentle and loving kiss, "You do love oranges too." She points out, showing that she pays attention and looks at me. Always.

Curious, I tilt my head and give her a smile, "Hm? What else do you know about me?" I probe, earning a cute smile from my adorable lover.

She makes a show of thinking about it, for about a few seconds, "You like having your day fully planned out. Waking up a certain time and starting breakfast within twenty minutes. Once that is done, you train for a whole hour, no more and no less."

"You take a short break afterward. Two hours where you either spend them with me or others before then going to the shop to focus on your medicines for four hours. Then you come back, and the rest of the day is free."

Honestly, I shouldn't even be surprised. Meteria pays attention, in her own way. She just is very fucking smart, and knows how to hide it.

Still, all of this warms my heart. But Meteria doesn't stop; "You like feeling the wind against your face. You prefer having your hands always occupied with something, or holding something."

"You hate bright lights and loud noises, but don't show it. I can see it in the way your smile tightens and your eyes narrow faintly each time."

"You love fragrant, flowery scents. You hate the scent of incense because it clogs up your nostrils." She turns on my lap so she could better stare into my quite wide and surprised eyes, "You love strong flavors, like spicy or fried food. You hate sweets, because they make your teeth feel weird."

"You love staring at my big sis's smiling face." She smugly points out, "And you walk slowly when we are together because you want to stare at my ass!"

"Okay, you know too much." The damnable gremlin cackles as I flick her nose, her legs kicking in the air.

Gods, I love her so much.

"I just pay attention." Meteria winks at me, big beautiful smile on her face. "You have to, when you have a power like mine."

Right, Future Sight. Or more akin to a sort of Prophecy? It's difficult to say.

She described her power as a slip of images, ones she swiftly memorizes and draws down before she could forget them or details grow foggy.

She can sometimes see things in a very distant future, or even a few minutes ahead, like with the attack of the Black Dragon a while ago.

I shake away those thoughts and bring Meteria in for a kiss, and her eyes close as she melts against me. When the kiss breaks, I smile warmly at her, "I love you." I tell her honestly, making her face flush a dark red. Adorable.

One of her hands comes up to gently brush against my cheek, her gaze growing warm and worried at the same time, "You're going to do something dangerous, aren't you?" I chuckle softly at that. She really can read me like a book.

"Yeah." I nod, not trying to hide it at all. "I'm not strong enough to protect you. Or the others. So there is something dangerous I must do in order for me to reach that level."

One last Heavenly Tribulation. A very powerful and possibly deadly one.

One that will send me into the next Realm and fully perfect my current strength. It'll be all I'll need.

It is as far as I can go on the Cultivation Path. I must not go any further, lest I give up more than I should.

Meteria's eyes grow more worried than warm, "You shouldn't have to bear this burden. This was never your battle in the first place…"

I shrug, smile on my face, "I can't snatch you and the others up for a nice life in the countryside until all this shit is taken care off, so a man must do what a man must do." The worry disappear as she bursts into a fit of wonderful giggles.

"Of course." Her giggles stop, her large chest doing wonderful things as she rolls her eyes at me, "You just want to save the world so you can whisk your wives away and pound them full of babies. How Heroic of you, mister."

"Sacrifices must be made for the greater good." Another fit of giggles shakes her form, my gaze utterly serious, "If I gotta fight a goddamn God to make all that happen, then trust me, I fuckin' will."

Her laughter is like music to my ears, but I do notice how her gaze… heats up, at my words. Her teeth soon nibble at her lower lip, and her hands soon move to my shoulders, "So…" She starts, her voice a wonderful throaty purr, "Shouldn't we celebrate my pregnancy?"

This adorable vixen…

"I have to go to the shop-" One of her hands moves to bring the top of her sundress down, letting her massive breasts spill and bounce free. "-Fuck the shop."

Her wonderful laughter fills the air once more as I scoop her back up and bring her to the bed.

Life is good.

                                                             ~~XXX~~

When I walk back into the shop, I do so while feeling incredibly relaxed and refreshed.

Though I do pause when I walk into the back of the shop and my eyes land on Ning Guang. Still as breathtaking as ever while sitting at the table.

Our eyes meet, and I blink. Then my gaze flicks between her face, and the teacup in her hands.

I blink again, "Did you drink all my tea?" I question lightly. My answer is a very audible slurp of said tea with maintained eye-contact.

It all makes my eyebrows twitch. Just a bit. "I'll buy more later." Her face instantly beams at that.

"Thank you, my dear disciple."

I sniff, "I'll kill your nine generations if you don't kowtow to this Lord."

Ning Guang twitches with a "Geh!" sound, a flush coming to her cheeks, followed by a mild glare, "Must you?"

I shrug, a smug smile on my face. Weaponizing the cringe is fun, who would've thought.

"You seem happier. Relaxed." I got laid. Which… Nice.

I shrug, "Was just told I'm going to be a father." I reveal as I start towards the furnace, feeling Ning Guang's shocked gaze trail me as I move, "I'm stressed, but I am also happy. So… I just smile, I guess."

I hear the sound of a teacup gently being sat down before Ning Guang speaks up, "Congratulations." Her voice is surprised, but still warm and happy, "How do you feel now, then?"

I hum and rest my hands on my hips, my gaze locked on my furnace, "Ready." I state simply, and I feel her gaze grow more serious.

"I see." She mutters softly, and I do not fail to notice the tone of worry in her voice.

"Why the worry?" I question, patting my furnace while turning my head to stare at the beautiful silver-haired Alchemy Goddess sitting at the table.

Her ruby-like eyes meet mine for a short moment, as if wondering if she should speak or hold her words, "Things are different here, so I fear it will be too much for you to handle." She speaks softly, her voice barely a whisper before her gaze flicks away, "But maybe I shouldn't hold you to the standards of my world's Cultivators."

I hum softly, shoulders sagging, "Well, the worry is appreciated." Never thought I'd receive the true, genuine worry of a Cultivator… But life is weird like that.

Ning Guang smiles warmly at my words, and the conversation falls into a quiet lull after that.

Though, it doesn't last long, as I've had a curious question in my mind for a while now.

"By the way…" I start, drawing the Goddess's attention back to me, "How exactly does a Cultivator even become a God?" I've never really understood this concept.

And with me lacking the majority of the knowledge of the later Realm, I cannot truly seek an answer in what Ning Guang has gifted me.

I know that it obviously has something to do with growing stronger, reaching the top of the last Realm or so, but I do not know the specifics.

Ning Guang hums softly at my question, "Two ways, and they are both done through a Heavenly Tribulation." She reveals, moving the empty cup of tea aside so she could fold her arms above the table, "You see, Tribulation Lightning is so dangerous because it has a minuscule amount of Divinity inside it. Divinity attacks the Will, the Mind, the Soul and the Body of a Cultivator, all at the same time."

I blink at that information. I haven't felt much during my previous Heavenly Tribulations. I did feel the lightning basically reforging my body into something that is just a tiny bit less human, but nothing more.

I didn't feel this oppressive Will, which should be similar to my Sword Intent… Though maybe it was just too weak for me to feel?

I am someone who died once, so perhaps that gives me some form of resistance or whatever.

Still, I focus as Ning Guang keeps going, "It's why so many fall to Tribulation Lightning. A Cultivator whose Will crumbles is as good as dead, and the Tribulation Lightning turns them to ash… But survival makes them stronger. The Divinity within the Lightning reforges their body with each strike, little by little, and it builds up."

"...Until one gains access to it and is slowly reforged into a God." I muse aloud, putting together the bits and pieces on how it works.

On how parts of my Humanity have already been ripped away, and I haven't even felt or noticed.

How long is my damn lifespan right now? Two, three-hundred years?

"And Divinity is an evil, disgusting power." Ning Guang spits, eyes stormy and furious, "It erodes your humanity and makes you an unfeeling monster only caring about reaching even greater heights. No matter what."

I breathe in, turning to fully face her, "You said you were a Goddess… That begs the question of how you are so… Human." It confuses me greatly.

She is a fully blown Goddess. Her Qi has turned into Divine Qi, a literal Reality Bending Power. Her Humanity should be fully gone… And yet, she still has feelings.

She still feels things.

"You." Her answer surprises me, my eyes blowing wide open in shock, "Cultivators are easily influenced by their emotions or their surroundings, because Qi easily takes everything and further enhances it. Even a small flicker of irritation can instantly turn into a raging inferno of uncontrollable rage due to Qi."

Her eyes shy away from mine, moving to instead look at the table in front of her, "I was… I was one of the monsters you still fear. It is probably still there, deep down. But you started influencing me. Your Humanity started changing me. I find myself wearing a genuine smile on my face very often now, thanks to you."

"And in the past, centuries went by before a fake smile even graced my face."

Sometimes, for all that I fear and find Cultivators disgusting, I sometimes wonder how many of those Cultivators actually set out on that path just because they do not wish to be mediocre.

Just because they do not want to walk out of their homes, and find themselves at the mercy of powerful and cruel bandits, or prideful and disgusting Cultivators.

How many of those young mortals that set down on that path change and become what they once feared themselves?

Sometimes, I cannot help but wonder on those things.

Cultivation is a path for those that willingly want to throw away their Humanity, so to live longer than their family, and to reap more lives than one should in their lifetime.

It isn't for me. I never craved power. I am content with a simple life, but this world currently doesn't allow me to, and I have the means to make it safer.

Safe for me, for Meteria, for the others, and for everyone else. For the city and all the other survivors across the world.

I do not consider myself a Hero, nor will I once everything is done and taken care off. I'll just act because I can and will have to, for a proper future with my family.

"Well, you should smile more often." I shake away those thoughts and smile towards Ning Guang, who blinks towards me, "A genuine smile makes you more radiant."

Her cheeks flush faintly, and she swiftly refills her cup of tea so to hide her face behind it, ruby-like eyes glaring at me over the cup as she takes a long and slow sip.

I do not miss the mutter of "Damnable man…" she throws out when I turn around, nearly making me cackle.

Either way, I return my gaze to my furnace and let out a low hum in thought.

The recent opening was spectacular, and the next one will be even more so… But I kinda want to make it better? I want to attract even more people, especially since sales are very quick to process with all the help I have.

But what to do to draw more attention, especially from the other more distant quarters of Orario. Mainly, the poor district.

If I want to help clear out the majority of sicknesses in this city, I need to help those that need it the most and spread those very diseases.

I'll also have to secretly start spreading some rat killing poisons around the city, because I can tell this place has an enormous rat problem.

...There is something I can do. I have a great deal of Tier Zero Pills – way too many, seeing at how easy they are to make and at how many come out per cooked furnace – so I could probably fill some spare bottles and bags with them, and bring them around Orario to spread the word of my shop.

Mainly do so in the poor district, and show that buying some just takes a few Valis and nothing more.

I can probably easily goad Leonidas and Zald to come along and help me out with this, so… Might as well do it.

"I'll be going out for a bit." I state as I pull back from my furnace, then turn towards Ning Guang, "Anything you want to eat or drink that you want me to pick up?" The Goddess hums and drops her chin into her palm, a lone finger tapping her cheek a few times as she quietly thinks about it.

"Something sweet. Candy that taste like fruits." I smile and nod, then move to walk out of the shop with a plan in mind.

A God with a sweet tooth… My life is so damn weird.

                                                               ~~XXX~~

"M-May the Gods bless you, young man…" The frail, skinny and very sickly looking old woman whispers as her shaky hands take the small bottle with the Pills inside, "May the Gods bless you…"

I hold the smile as she leaves, her shaking stopping and her steps growing slightly faster as she takes a lone Pill that makes her feel rejuvenated, clearing away whatever ails her.

I seriously underestimated the situation of the poor district, know as Daedalus Street. A maze of houses on top of houses, clearly meant and built to throw the less fortunate in.

But it was expected, as I did not visit this area beforehand.

I keep the smile on my face as I pass more medicines out, the crowd of people that had initially formed swiftly fading away as we moved deeper down the road.

"I wish we could do more for these poor folks…" Leonidas mutters from my left, his usually bright and cheerful gaze now downcast and somber.

Zald himself just sighs, now wearing more casual clothing than his bulky suit of armor, "It'll just do more harm than good, my friend." I nod in agreement at his words, "If you donate money, they'll just beat each other to death with it."

"And if you give them food, they'll stuff themselves until they throw it all up." Adds in our tag-a-long, which surprised me greatly.

Nemea's massive form lags behind, usual scowl on his face, yet he still holds a bag filled with medicines over his shoulders with one hand.

"I know… And I hate that only they themselves can help their own situation." Leonidas shakes his head with a deep sigh before straightening his back.

I hold my tongue, refusing to point out how Gods could take in people inside their Familia… But then they'd be sent to the meat grinder down below, so honestly, what good will that do?

You give people the strength to fend for themselves, and they might start using it to oppress others for they are too lazy to make a living by themselves.

Or they bite more they can chew, or step on the wrong toes, or catch the eye of ill-meaning people in the Dungeon.

More things can go wrong than things going good for these people if they were granted a Falna, and it is saddening.

"I believe that you used to live here when young, Nemea?" Zald questions, earning a light grunt from the imposing man following after us.

"I did." The man nearly growls out, eyes narrowed, "Cesspool of a place where you can put more trust in the rats than in the people." That's… sad.

I hum softly at his words, "Why did you want to come with us if you hate this place then?" I question, throwing a glance backward when I feel his always intense gaze focus on me.

He remains quiet for a bit, which as I've learned is quite unusual for him. He is always the direct and flat sort, not the thoughtful one, "To understand you." I blink at that, and even come to a pause to throw him a confused look.

"Understand me?" I repeat as I tilt my head, "I don't think there is much to understand though…?"

Nemea grunts softly, rolling his eyes at me as he does so, "When I fight people, I can understand them as we clash." He starts, his rumbling voice soft yet strong, "But you… You I couldn't understand."

"I've always believed in the natural law that is Strength. The strong rule, the weak follow." He snorts, heated eyes flicking away in disgust, "I do so myself. I follow those who best me, so to grow and learn from them… Yet you are an enigma to me."

Narrowed eyes flicker again, then move to rest on me once more, "I know why Leonidas fights and seeks strength, and I can feel that when we clash. Same for Zald. Yet when I clashed against you… I felt nothing."

"As if this power you wield means nothing to you."

I blink and hold Nemea's intense gaze for a few quiet seconds before chuckling softly, "You are quite right there, Nemea." I admit without care, making Nemea's eyes widen lightly.

His gaze searches my face for but a moment before realization strikes, "You never wanted to seek this strength…" He states aloud, almost breathless, clearly unable to wrap his head around this.

He is a man that seeks strength due to the law he follows. His own views dictate that strength is everything, and one can only live if they are strong.

I can't say I understand him fully, mostly we come from two different worlds where the life I lived was one of luxury compared to the life many live here.

Here, Orario is a sanctuary. The biggest bastion all the races have against the tide of beasts scattered across the world and the walking calamities that plague their lands.

And even then, this sanctuary is not eternal, nor invincible. Any of the Three Great Beasts can erase this city with ease, and few if any will be able to stop them.

Hell, I myself am not confident I'll be able to defeat the Black Dragon even once I reach the Qi Halo Realm. That beast is something else.

"I've only put the most basic of effort into achieving this strength.. And to be honest, I've only gotten a bit serious just recently due to all these events." Which still leaves me baffled at my horrifying luck.

Of course the moment I move here, shit starts going down. First the Leviathan, then the Black Dragon wanting to fight, then the damn Behemoth making a beeline towards Orario.

Back to back too. This shit is insane.

"I just… I never really had a need to be strong. Never saw or had a reason to, until recently." I shrug as I return my gaze to the surrounding street, the run down homes with the majority even lacking windows to shield the residents within from the cold sticking out like sore thumbs.

"There's a price you are paying for this power, isn't there…?" Zald speaks up, his eyes faintly narrowed as he stares at me.

Leonidas's own bright eyes widen, then they widen even more when my answer is just my smile growing a bit.

"It's not something I can't come back from, so it's not so bad." Well, not fully.

Even if I erase my Cultivation and go back to being a normal mortal, my body will have still been altered a great deal by the Tribulation Lightning, so I'll still have my lifespan extended.

Though it would be even more extended if I were to keep my Cultivation.

Give or take, I can probably not age until I am over three-hundred years old right now. It'll likely reach the five-hundred once I reach the Qi Halo Realm too.

...And I actually shouldn't see it as a bad thing, now that I think about.

For if I need one last weapon, I can just burn all those additional years of my Lifespan for a massive burst of strength.

Something to keep in mind.

Leonidas tries to say something, but soon breathes in and puts on a stern face and points a finger towards me, "You better not be lying, or I'll tell Meteria. And Alfia."

"And Kirin." Zald adds, then pauses for a second, "And Lady Hera, for good measure."

"Do you guys want me to fucking die or something!?" Alfia and Meteria would just scold me, but be more cute than scary.

Kirin and Hera? I might as well do Seppuku.

The two bastards just give me smug looks, clearly meaning to keep up on their threat.

Still, I shake my head and return my gaze towards the quiet and frowning Nemea, making me sag my shoulder with a light smile, "I'm not saying this to change your view or your mind." I start, making him focus back on me, "We come from two different places, so our views are bound to be different."

"Despite the fact that I like fighting, I prefer it to be just for that. Fun. Not a bloody conflict for survival, or to rule over others." My gaze returns to the broken houses around us, "But I understand your views, and the law you've been following since young. It is probably what has kept you alive this long, and helped you achieve so much."

It's why my initial dislike I had for him on our first meeting disappeared. Because he is loyal to a fault to those that help him grow stronger, and to those he views as stronger than him.

Yes, maybe some bad guy that is stronger than him could gain Nemea's respect, but I doubt they'd gain his loyalty.

"What makes you think I do not want to rule others?" Nemea states with a low growl, his eyes narrowed.

I simply raise a brow and smile at him, "Because you are willing to die so to leave a mark in History as a Hero." And that is why I can respect Nemea.

Because despite being rough around the edges, and despite believing in his law of 'the strong rule, the weak follow', he still willingly puts his life on the line for the greater good.

He just excuses it as something else.

The tall muscular blonde scoffs and turns his gaze away at my words, clearly annoyed that I made him appear as some nice guy.

Honestly, I shouldn't let the views of my old world blind my eyes. This is another world, where one's best chance at survival or at a life of luxury is working for a God and/or diving within the bowels of a literal Hell trying to erase all life.

"They told me that you plan on killing the Behemoth in just a few blows." Nemea states, and Leonidas doesn't hide his snort at Nemea's poor attempt to change the subject, but the blonde just ignores his dark-skinned comrade, "Got an idea yet?"

I hum and cup my chin, "Well, what is your strongest Skill?" Neither of us truly went all out in our battle in the Dungeon, with him having clearly held back on some Skill while I didn't put my all behind each blow like a proper Sword Cultivator.

Nemea grunts and straightens himself, gaze narrowed in thought, "Aside from my transformation, I have a Skill that makes my claws much, much sharper… And another Skill that is the peak of defense, but is far too useless."

I blink at that, "How is the peak of defense useless?" I question, knowing that his toughness is basically his strongest trait. Something he is massively proud of.

"I can't move after I use the Skill." Nemea reveals while scrunching up his nose, "It changes my Status, putting everything I have into defense and defense only… But it also makes me heavy. Insanely heavy."

With a snort, Leonidas slaps Nemea's arm with a grin, "First time he used the Skill, he was a dozen meter in the air… Then he plummeted down through seven Dungeon Floors in an instant." Jesus Christ…

Nemea rolls his eyes with an annoyed grumble, "Still haven't lived that shit down…" I mean, I'm sure it was insanely hilarious for all of his comrades at the time…

Still, such weight… The Dungeon Floors aren't weak. Even my strongest blow against the Leviathan didn't carve too deep into the walls of the Dungeons, yet Nemea became so heavy that he blasted through several floors from a fall of a dozen meter?

That… Kinda gives me an idea.

"Say, is there a way to fly here?" I question, drawing three pair of eyes to me, "Like, grabbing a flying monster or something…"

Leonidas and Zald share a look, then look back at me and nod, "Yeah, we could force a monster to let us fly on its back. Why do you ask?" Leonidas questions, and I grin viciously.

Then turn my gaze towards Nemea with a feral glint in my eyes, "How would you like to become a literal meteorite?"

The manic grin that spreads across Nemea's face spells ill for the Behemoth.

                                                                ~~XXX~~

"You're going to do something stupid, aren't you?" I perk up at the familiar voice that speaks from the entrance of the empty dinner hall.

I blink and finish fixing my boot as I gaze at Hera's beautiful form, the open and revealing dress she usually wears hiding nothing and showing she was barefoot, a glass of wine in her raised right hand.

There was… something, in her gaze. Something I can't quite make out. Her eyes look void of emotion, but I can tell that it's a ruse.

"Maybe." I answer with a smile, putting my foot down and resting my arms on my knees as I lean forward, "But I'll be alright, don't worry-"

"I will worry." She cuts me off sharply, but I don't flinch, "And I will keep worrying until I see you standing before me once more." I bite my inner cheek at her words, staring at her for a few quiet seconds with a complicated gaze before I give in.

Gently, I reach out a hand towards her despite the meters between us.

Hera instantly cuts the distance and grasps it, almost desperately so, leaving her glass of wine on the table behind me as she slowly claims my lap as her seat.

With her so close and staring into my eyes, I cannot help but be breathless at just how breathtaking and perfect she is.

I do not know what I should feel for this woman. Her care and her love for those under her are possibly her most beautiful feature. But it is also her strength, and her desire to do what is right despite how much she is hurting, that is so damn attractive.

And now, her attraction and love towards me are plain for all to see.

And that naturally is my fault. I never meant to just up and give her hope on so many things. Giving her hope for Meteria and Alfia getting better, hope for Kirin not losing herself, hope for this long battle finally coming to an end with no more deaths of those she considers her daughters.

I gave her so much hope, and I do not wish to disappoint. I do not wish to hurt her any further.

Deep down, I am taking such risks for many. Perhaps even for the whole city, or the whole world.

I do not wish to be a Hero, but circumstances force this role upon me.

I am just a man with a sword, nothing more, nothing less.

"I'll come back to you and the others." I promise softly, my voice but a faint whispers as I gaze into Hera's golden eyes, "I just need to be sure that I can protect you all." Her gaze softens as my hands find their way on her hips, while hers cup my chin.

Her face draws closer, and I do not shy away from her kiss, the overflowing love and worry within it sending a shudder down my spine as I hold the wonderful Goddess close.

I can feel how frail she is. How close she is to just breaking and giving up. To let others just pick up where she left off, as the pain has gotten to be too much.

I hold her close, yet in a gentle embrace that she all but melts into, and I lose track of time. I only regain my senses when our lips part, and when Hera's eyes, akin to molten gold, meet mine once more, overflowing with love.

"I'll wait for you." She whispers softly, "I'll wait for you by the doors." I lick my lips, still tasting her and her wine on them, "So that I can welcome you back home and hold."

Seeing a Goddess everyone in the city fears be so vulnerable does things to me.

And I think Hera feels it, as a wide smile spreads across her face as she leans forward, supple lips resting a kiss right below my ear, "Then I'll take you to my chambers." She whispers hotly, sending a shiver down my spine that refuses to leave as she stands, her hands leaving electric shocks across my cheeks as they slowly draw back.

I gulp, then breathe in and stand as I grab Bladey, its weight being comforting and feeling natural. Like always.

Quietly, Hera grasps my hand and follows me as we leave the massive hall and go straight towards the large doors of her mansion, which I gently push open with one hand, letting the cool night air flow in and ruffle my long hair.

I look down at our joined hands, then at the beautiful worried yet smiling Hera. Her smile is infectious and finds its way on my lips too as I lean forward to claim hers.

It's a short kiss, but it helps melt away even more worries from the Goddess standing before me. The Goddess who visibly would rather I stay by her side than seek strength.

I let go of her hand with a smile and wink, then step past the opening in the large doors and hold her gaze as I push them shut.

I take in a deep breath, turn around, then move towards the gates surrounding the Hera Familia property.

"Ready to go?" The faint voice of Ning Guang reaches my ears as I exit the gates, her shapely form leaning against the brick wall to the side of the entrance, her ruby-like eyes glowing faintly under the moonlight falling from above.

I hold her gaze for a second before nodding, "It's now or never."

She smiles softly and closes her eyes, before exhaling gently as her body slowly fades away, turning into motes of golden light that flow into me.

"Then let us go. I can feel a place in the distance that will surely be beneficial for your breakthrough."

I nod as my legs start moving, the cover of the night allowing me the sneak out of Orario with great ease.

So much so that even I almost fail to notice the Black Dragon that soon starts following me like a curious puppy.

A.N. And it's baaack! Gods, I missed writing this…

The reason for the silent Hiatus has been revealed on a post on QQ, for those wondering.

For those lazy to go there, basically I just had to fix some pacing issues with the fic, get more motivation due to the fic coming close to an end, and having to deal with the sudden success of 'I, Draugr'.

So yeah, a bit of stuff, but am mostly back. I'll try to post chapters very often, because I love this fic, and I hope y'all do too!

Either way, hope y'all enjoyed this chappy! I'll soon be back with more!

Toodles!