𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐳𝐮𝐥𝐢 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐲
The dinner was a luxurious dish made by Yuisis.
Among them, the most surprising was the whole roasted piglet. It shone like candy and whetted one’s appetite with its savory aroma. Naturally, everyone finished eating it.
After that, the women returned to the hot spring. Bartholomew was busy with her duties, while Kid drank alcohol alone.
Albero went outside on his own. . . . . .to bask in the pleasant breeze and gaze at the starry sky.
ㅤ
“Seize it, 『Jabberwock』.”
ㅤ
Transforming his right hand.
With the separation of Shin and Queen, considering what Mog mentioned, there might be some potential in Jabberwock’s right hand.
Albero reached out with his right hand and picked up a stone that lay about ten meters away.
“Enlargement, elasticity. . . . . .and then 『Hardening』.”
ㅤ
What his right arm can do.
Observing it again.
The arm can stretch up to fifty meters. When enlarged with all five fingers spread out, it can become about three meters in diameter. Albero doesn’t feel it, but apparently, its weight can vary from several hundred kilograms to several tons. Previously, when Kid and Ridelle held it, they got angry, saying, “Don’t mess with us with this fat thing.”
And then, there’s 『Hardening』.
ㅤ
“The stone. . . . . .it’s hard.”
ㅤ
Anything that Albero’s right hand touches becomes incredibly hard.
For now, he hardened the stone. Liquids, gases, and even space can be hardened. When space is hardened, the time within that space is also hardened.
If one hardens a human or a Summoned beast using 『Hardening』, it means death.
However, there have been many enemies in previous battles that didn’t die even when hardened. Besides, this right hand isn’t omnipotent.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .How can I separate humans from Summoned beasts?”
ㅤ
At least, it’s impossible in its current state.
『Total Assimilation』 perhaps. Or maybe it’s that “something” Mog hinted at.
Albero returns his right hand to normal and now activates 『Nether Eye Balor』.
ㅤ
“I can see. . . . . .”
ㅤ
A sepia-toned world. And then, the 『meridian thread』 which is the pathway of vitality.
His vision dramatically improves, allowing him to see distant things like an owl perched on a tree or insects sleeping among the bush leaves. Even insects have the meridian thread circulating vitality through them.
According to Shin, Balor can control this vitality. However, manipulating vitality with a living body takes a significant toll.
Albero had once disrupted Shin’s vitality control. As a result, he came down with a high fever and was bedridden.
ㅤ
“Sigh. . . . . .What should I do?”
ㅤ
Albero gazes at the starry sky and sighs.
Then, the mansion’s door opens, and Lapis comes out.
Perhaps she just got out of the bath, as her face is slightly flushed. Her long silver hair with a hint of blue glistens in the moonlight.
Lapis, wearing a thick stole, looks at Albero and smiles brightly.
ㅤ
“Albero, I found you.”
“Lapis. . . . . .”
“The wind feels so good after a bath. The night breeze after the hot spring is the best.”
ㅤ
Lapis stands next to Albero and looks up at the sky.
ㅤ
“Wow. . . . . .such a beautiful starry sky.”
“Yeah, it’s mesmerizing.”
“Fufu, it feels like it’s been a while since we talked like this.”
“Yeah. The S-class that started with just the two of us has grown so big now. Feels nostalgic.”
“Yes. . . . . .it was fun.”
ㅤ
Lapis seemed a little nervous.
Then, she began to speak, hesitantly.
ㅤ
“Um, Albero. . . . . .there’s something I want to tell you.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve told you before that I don’t have a fiancé, right?”
“Ah, I remember.”
“Up until now, I had my grandmother, so my parents couldn’t say much. But. . . . . .after my grandmother passed away, I started receiving marriage proposals.”
“. . . . . .”
“The suitors are nobles from other countries or the eldest and second sons of the Duke family. . . . . .These are purely political marriages, without any regard for my feelings. Of course, being a noble, I understand that I have to accept such things. . . . . .but I. . . . . .I don’t want to marry like that.”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Lapis looked into Albero’s eyes.
Albero felt that he shouldn’t avoid her gaze.
ㅤ
“Albero, will you. . . . . .take me?”
“Huh. . . . . . Me?”
“Yes. With you. . . . . .if it’s with you, I believe.”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Albero is a Baron. It’s not a match for a Duke’s daughter like Lapis.
However, Albero’s achievements aren’t just his title. He has repelled demons multiple times, being both a hero and holding the title of 『Joker』. There’s no citizen who doesn’t know this hero. Everyone knows that Albero and Lapis are of the same S-class rank. It wouldn’t be strange for them to get engaged.
Albero was in a dilemma.
ㅤ
“I, um. . . . . .”
“Do you dislike me?”
“No way! You’re a reliable companion. You’ve helped me many times, and I’m grateful to Marcosias too. . . . . .but, marriage. . . . . .”
ㅤ
To be honest, he liked Lapis.
He felt more than just friendship. But he hadn’t realized it was 『love』.
He was always preoccupied with battles, demons, and the Demon Emperor and didn’t have the chance to feel that way.
Lapis chuckled softly.
ㅤ
“It’s unfair to bring this up before a battle. . . . . .but please remember, Albero, I want to marry you. I want to spend my life with you in the land you rule.”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
He blushed.
Lapis’s straightforward affection hit him hard.
Albero, who was always thinking about how to deal with Shin and Queen, was completely taken by surprise.
Albero answered as a man.
ㅤ
“I, I understand. . . . . .give me some time to think.”
“Okay. I’ll wait. . . . . .goodbye.”
ㅤ
Lapis bowed and returned to the house.
Albero didn’t notice that her ears had turned bright red.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .Is this for real?”
ㅤ
Albero held his cheek and pondered Lapis’s confession.
That’s why he didn’t notice. . . . . .the emerald green-haired girl quietly disappeared behind the house.
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