204

The Wild Highlands

The sunset gently lowered as night arrived. The group had set up camp within the midst of The Wild Highlands. Surrounded by large swaths of empty land. Remnants of the campaign could be seen sporadically.

Asai glanced up to see a full moon entering the skies.

"With such a clear sky, and the illumination from the moon. I doubt anything could sneak up on us tonight." Rosemi, who was waiting for her portion of rabbit meat to cook over the campfire, commented.

Asai sat himself besides her. The warmth of the fire gently embraced his person. Rosemi leaned in closer to whisper.

"Say, Asai. Those two keep staring at you. I wonder why that is?" In response, Asai coughed a few times to feign ignorance. 

On the other side of the campfire. Lucy and Mimi were openly watching the two. Rosemi had already noticed their blatant staring. "Perhaps, they're just like me? In search of a prince charming of their own?" She thought back to how she had to blackmail her own father to abuse his authority to send her along with Asai. The Del Lagos kingdom was still in a delicate state of balance. Openly foretelling the joining of the two ducal families was a risky move.

However, Rosemi thought back to how many beautiful women Asai Trichia was surrounded by, and the many more that keep flocking to the man. Even Queen Victoria held a gentle glint within her golden eyes whenever she spoke of the man. Thus, she felt her hand forced and whatever may come, she will spearhead through it all. Hoping that, just like in her romance books, love conquers all.

Unluckily for Asai, his curiosity was never sated. The journey thus far was entirely peaceful. The Wild Highlands being such a vast swath of empty land also didn't provide much in terms of consumables. Especially after the 30,000 humans had marched through, scavenging, taking and hunting all that they could to supplement their stocks.

Whilst Rosemi was mostly focused on enticing the man. Asai's mind was filled with thoughts of training, improving and progressing. Thus, after their supper, Asai approached Rosemi with two wooden swords.

"Lady Rosemi, please if you would. I would like to see your swordsmanship." Her curious expression instantly turned into a smug grin, as she stood and performed a little curtsy in response.

"Sir Asai. I would love to show you my skills. However, may I first ask for payment?" Rosemi took one of the wooden swords regardless of what she said, and started to swing it around carelessly, feeling out its weight and centre of balance.

"Certainly, what would you like?" Asai was currently asking for a favour. Thus, he deigned himself to act an gentleman, hoping it would help sway her playful mind.

"Umm~ If I recall correctly, you still owe me a date." She swung her weapon sharply towards nothing. The blades of grass unfortunately tall enough were sliced in two.

"...  Did we not just have our date at the beach?" Asai fumbled.

"No. I'm sure my words at the time were just the two of us." Rosemi, honestly was just teasing the man. She knew he was busy clearing out the monster outbreaks and dungeons. Courtesy of her agents in which she placed, solely to spy on the man. However, according to Annie, the man was weak towards advances and pulls like these.

"Honestly Sir Asai, are you the type of man to take a lady's kindness for granted? I thought you were better than that..." Her body language became weak and submissive. Lowing her gaze and looking sad and disappointed.

Asai's hand fumbled around, tempted to pull her into his embrace. It was only after Rosemi had pulled his leg enough that her smug grin returned. "D-damnit! She's twirling me around her fingers!" Asai remembered just how scary some women can be. His heart was still wracking and beating from stress, greatly confused whether he felt bad for forgetting about her or warmth that such a beauty was enticing him. "Is [Masochist] effecting me? Am I doomed to forever be strung along by beautiful women!? AAAaaaaaaaaa..."

Rosemi who was dressed for the occasion. Sported the uniforms that Asai designed. It was her way of announcing herself as his woman. However, as it was still unofficial, the emblem stitched upon her shoulder was of house De Lumix. Asai didn't realise her intentions in this regards. The man simply thought his fashion pieces were finally branching out into the nobility.

The lady stood, taking her stance. Her usual playful demeanour instantly changed to one of ferocity. Asai felt his heart beat quicken. The swordswoman before him was extremely pleasing to the eyes, the sunset glow behind her as her backdrop.

Asai prepared his own stance.

"Duke Trichia, I will personally show you my abilities. Thus, further increasing your debt towards me. Prepare yourself, and ensure you only have eyes for me!"

Rosemi De Lumix shot forward. Asai's eyes widened in surprise.

[Rosemi De lumix: Lvl 51]

[HP: 110 MP: 100]

[Skills unlocked:]

[Divinity]

Increase Divine Elemental damage by 20% and Elemental defence by 10%.

[Critical Aura]

20% Increase in critical attack rate

[Order Swing]

12% of your damage is accumulated and applied towards next attack for 20 seconds

[Lumix Bloodline]

+25% attack speed, damage, accuracy and critical rate when wielding a sword

"45% CRITICAL RATE!?"

kophzi

Fun fact, anyone wondering why the wording/description for skills being so awkward. It's because throughout the many expansions the game went through. YNK, I can only assume they kept paying different translator teams to translate the Korean into English. The descriptions of skills and items in game were so horrible, the player base had to figure things out themselves.