A Sweet Evening and a Shadow of Fear

The cheesecake feast began while the sky was still bright and lasted until dusk. Domu couldn’t help but rub her slightly rounded belly as she relaxed in a nearby chair. It was the first time in her life that she had ever eaten until she was truly tired. Though she had enjoyed buffets with Na’er before, the cheesecake, personally crafted by the Happy Arena’s head chef, was a masterpiece of flavor. The rich taste of cheese and the mellow cream blended perfectly in her mouth. Despite consuming so much, she didn’t feel the slightest bit cloyed; instead, she found herself craving more, wishing she could devour every last morsel.

Dove and Soronna, equally stuffed, sat beside Domu. Their bellies were round, yet their eyes remained fixed on the substantial portion of cheesecake still remaining. It was as if they intended to rest for a moment before resuming their valiant struggle.

“Dove… Soronna,” Domu began, “I think we’ve all had enough. How about we go for a walk?”

She genuinely feared that if she didn’t intervene, Dove and Soronna would pounce on the cake once more.

“Mom… hiccup… Mommy… hiccup… Dove… Dove can still eat… hiccup…”

Dove continued to burp, yet her thoughts remained solely on the cake before her.

“Domu… I… hiccup… I can still…”

It seemed Soronna was in much the same state as Dove.

“No more eating,” Domu declared. “I know the cake is delicious, but look at yourselves. We’re going for a walk now. I’ll save the cake, and if you both behave tomorrow, I’ll bring it out again.”

Truthfully, Domu herself longed to keep savoring the exquisite treat. The cheesecake seemed to possess a peculiar magic, making it impossible to stop eating. If she didn’t put it away quickly, Domu couldn’t guarantee she’d maintain her own remaining sanity.

Domu stored the cake in her inventory. The originally massive cake transformed into a half-eaten cheesecake within her item slot, accompanied by a peculiar note: [Produced by Happy Arena’s Virus Workshop. Consume with caution. Do not get addicted, or you will either be stuffed to death or starved to death!]

Upon seeing Domu hide the cake, Dove and Soronna let out a collective wail.

“No… no… hiccup… Domu… are you trying to eat it all yourself?!”

Soronna watched the hidden cake with tears streaming down her face, her delicate features wet with sorrow. Her large eyes gazed at Domu, filled with resentment.

“Mommy… doesn’t love… hiccup… Dove anymore… Mommy’s taking away… hiccup… Dove’s treasure…”

Dove also turned to face Domu, tears welling ceaselessly in her big eyes, instantly transforming her into a weeping mess.

“…”

Domu felt her emotions spiraling out of control.

Thump! Thump!

Two distinct sounds echoed in quick succession.

“Mommy~ Dove wants to go for a walk with Mommy~ So happy!”

Dove’s small hand rested obediently in Domu’s, while her other hand swung rhythmically at her side, radiating pure joy.

“Domu, did you know? There’s going to be a really interesting night market at Rainbow Plaza tonight! I heard there are tons of fun things there!”

Soronna clasped her hands behind her back, her pink pigtails swaying gently on either side of her head with her brisk steps.

“Then let’s go browse the night market,” Domu suggested, “and digest a bit. We did just eat a lot of sweets.”

Taking Soronna’s advice, Domu held Dove’s hand and headed towards Rainbow Plaza.

“Say, Domu,” Soronna began, “everyone will surely be hungry when we get back tonight, perhaps we could…”

“Mama~ Dove also thinks Big Sister Soronna’s suggestion is excellent!”

“Are the bumps on your heads no longer hurting?”

“Haha… just kidding around~ Right, Dove?”

“Of… of course! Mommy~ Big Sister Soronna loves to joke around the most!”

Rainbow Plaza, located in the heart of Morgan City, was exceptionally lively that evening. Countless travelers, merchants, and mercenaries gathered there, for it was a particularly special day. They were commemorating the birth of the great Arch-Mage Brown Ansley. Though known as an Arch-Mage, Brown Ansley was not celebrated for immense power, but rather for being an extraordinarily gifted magician. He had brought immeasurable joy to people, weaving beautiful, fairytale-like stories with his wondrous magic. All those touched by his artistry revered him as the Dream Weaver.

As Domu strolled through Rainbow Plaza with Dove and Soronna, she listened to Soronna recount tales of Brown Ansley, the Dream Weaver. Simultaneously, she cast curious glances at her surroundings.

“Soronna, how did Master Brown manage to create such beautiful fairytales with magic?”

Domu asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

“When I was very young, I was fortunate enough to witness one of Master Brown’s performances, and I remember it vividly to this day,” Soronna began. “They say Master Brown didn’t wield any particularly powerful spells, yet he was proficient in every school of magic, with a mastery over each spell that was simply divine.”

“I always thought magic was just a force, but when I saw Master Brown, he casually chose a girl from the audience who volunteered. He then fashioned a gorgeous dress for her from flowing water, created a magnificent carriage from earth, and had little birds made of flame sing by her side.”

“Master Brown even used a Projection spell to turn the starry sky into a stage. That fortunate girl danced gracefully amidst the stars, just like a true princess. Master Brown used magic to transform an ordinary person into a princess and narrated a beautiful, touching love story. To be honest, I was incredibly jealous of that girl at the time. I wished it had been me!”

Soronna recalled the past, her eyes sparkling as if housing stars, captivating Domu.

“Is there still a chance to see Master Brown perform now?”

Listening to Soronna’s tale, Domu grew increasingly curious, yearning to witness such beautiful magic firsthand.

“Sadly, Domu, Master Brown has passed away, and no one has ever successfully replicated his magic. It was precisely because of this that I started diligently studying spells myself. I want to weave dreams with magic, just like Master Brown. Honestly, I used to be quite terrible at magic…”

Soronna playfully stuck out her tongue at Domu, confessing shyly.

“Hehe, Soronna, in my heart, you’re just like a true princess!”

Since they were out shopping, Domu had not donned her conspicuous [Divine Suppression] armor. Instead, she wore a robe over her bodysuit, concealing her hair, and thus didn’t feel the need to maintain a serious demeanor. She spoke to Soronna with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“R-really? Do… Domu… please… please don’t always talk to me like that…”

Soronna’s heart fluttered, her ears instantly turning scarlet. Her voice softened, becoming a faint whisper.

“Because Soronna’s reactions are always so amusing!”

Domu replied, completely oblivious to the effect she had.

Soronna lowered her head, gazing at her toes in silence.

“Mommy~ Dora wants to be a princess too!”

Dove looked at Soronna, then at Domu, before spreading her arms wide and exclaiming loudly.

“Shh! Dove, there are still many people here who have seen you and Soronna. You can’t call me ‘Mommy’ so loudly in public! However… Dove, to me, you are my princess!”

Hearing Dove’s shout, Domu quickly crouched down, placing a finger to her lips. She glanced around, noticing that pedestrians who had heard Dove’s cry only saw an incredibly cute white-haired loli and a woman with an obscured face but a stunning, curvaceous figure. The two clearly looked like mother and daughter, and the passersby nodded with understanding smiles, attributing the shout to childish mischief. Reassured by their reactions, Domu whispered to Dove.

“Two beautiful ladies, and this adorable little one, would you care to step in for a divination and glimpse your future?”

A mysterious voice drifted from nearby. Beside them stood a figure, much like Domu, enveloped in a voluminous robe adorned with intricate patterns. Only a graceful silhouette, a beautiful chin peeking from beneath the hood, and a pair of vibrant purple lips were visible. These vivid lips were currently curved into a charming, subtle smile, as the voice’s owner extended an invitation to Domu and her companions.

****

At the same time, within the headquarters of the Venomous Scythe mercenary guild.

“Guild Master, Young Master Kase has arrived,” a scholarly-looking man with glasses announced. He addressed a burly, green-haired man with a full beard and rippling muscles, who sat in a chair.

With the sound of the door being violently flung open, the green-haired youth burst in recklessly.

“Father! Father! Please help me get my revenge! You have no idea how that stinking harlot from the Eye of Soaroka and that unknown person humiliated me!”

Kase wailed, kneeling on the ground and clutching the burly, green-haired man’s thick thigh.

“That… that b*tch in white armor, Father! It was that b*tch who ambushed me! Otherwise, how could I have been defeated?!”

Kase roared, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace.

“Gobar…”

The burly man’s deep, resonant voice held a trace of anger as an invisible wave of force struck Kase, sending him flying from his father’s leg. “I thought this setback would bring you some growth. I never imagined you’d still be so foolish!”

“Fa… Father…?”

Kase clutched his chest, lying on the ground, staring at his father in bewilderment.

“I sent you to invite the hero who defeated the Ancient Demon as our guest,” the burly man boomed. “But do you know what you’ve done? You’ve turned a demigod-level powerhouse, a legend throughout the mercenary world, a terrifying man revered as the ‘White Silver Reaper,’ into our enemy!”

The burly man straightened to his full height, his frame towering over two meters, like an iron tower. His gaze was fixed intently on Kase, who lay sprawled on the floor, as he spoke in a thunderous voice.

“I’m tired, Talus!”

“Take Kase back to rest. His body has only just recovered; he is not to step out of his room for half a month.”

After his outburst, the burly man slumped back into his seat, as if all strength had been drained from him. His towering frame now seemed slightly hunched, and he spoke in a weary voice.

Kase merely stared blankly at his father, who was propping his head with an arm. He offered no resistance as Talus led him out of the room.

Back in his room, Kase remained dazed, as if he had lost his soul.

Just then, a pair of snow-white arms embraced Kase’s sturdy back from behind, gently caressing his body.

“My Lord Kase, why did it take you so long to return? I heard you were injured, and Anna was so worried about you~”

A soft voice purred from behind Kase.

Kase remained silent, simply turning to face the beautiful girl before him. He then fiercely pulled her into his embrace, his lips tracing a path over her lips and neck.

“Hehe, that tickles~ My Lord, you’re too impatient. I hear it’s best not to engage in overly strenuous activities when your body has just recovered~ Perhaps Anna should serve you instead~”

Anna’s voice was laced with temptation.

Hearing Anna’s words, Kase paused his aggressive advances. He simply stood there, allowing Anna to attend to him.

Soon, their clothes were shed one by one. Anna’s nimble, playful tongue moved from Kase’s ear, down to his chest, and gradually further downwards.

“Mm…”

Feeling his lower body enveloped in warmth, Kase involuntarily let out a soft moan.

The quiet room filled with sounds of desire and wet kisses.

However, at this moment, Kase’s mind was not filled with lust, but with jealousy, resentment, humiliation, and fear.

‘It’s all because of that b*tch… Because of that b*tch, I disappointed Father! Because of that b*tch, Father reprimanded me!’ Kase had never imagined that his father’s iron-tower-like physique could appear so hunched and broken.

‘Because of that b*tch in armor… What “White Silver Reaper”… Just a… just a b*tch seeking fame, that b*tch named Domu…’

At the thought of Domu’s name, Kase recalled that humiliating day. In that instant, he had lost all will, his entire being, mind and body, seized by a demon named fear. That demon… that terrifying demon… Kase’s body began to tremble uncontrollably.

“My… My Lord?”

Anna, whose head was buried between Kase’s legs, felt his trembling. Initially thinking that Lord Kase was finishing exceptionally quickly this time, she realized her mistake as the object in her mouth steadily shrank.

“Get… out…”

Kase suppressed his sanity, his voice trembling as he spoke.

“My Lord? What’s wrong… Are you unwell?”

Anna quickly stood up, moving to comfort Kase.

“GET OUT!!!”

Kase bellowed the word with all his might and courage.

Watching the beautiful girl flee the room, Kase could no longer restrain his fear. He curled into a ball, hugging his knees tightly, and huddled in the corner of the room, his body racked by uncontrollable tremors.

“Fa… Father… Do… mu… mu… Fa… Father… Do… mu… mu…”

Kase’s teeth chattered incessantly, his mind completely dominated by terror. He mechanically repeated the names of the two people who occupied the most significant places in his heart.