Chapter 105 Forever

Chapter 105: Forever

It's already known what kind of person Leon was.

When he imagined himself in Celes' place, he found it difficult to focus on adventuring and other stuff. He felt like he would do everything to level up as fast as possible and focus on offensive skills. He would be worried about his beloveds and kept grinding with their smiles flashing in his mind.

It was… a weak mind.

Celes didn't have problems taking a peek into her master's thoughts, for she had been with him for some time now and saw him in one of the worst states. She didn't doubt he would be in a much worse situation if Louise died or disappeared somewhere far away.

Or perhaps, he'd grind so much he would ignore everything, including his own life.

Celes had a different and stronger mindset, to say nothing of her being a native of the Freya World. With her experience and losses she had gone through in her long life, Celes thought of the best words to explain her situation to her beloved master…

Soon, her sweet and hot breath trickled Leon's ear again. "Master found me in a faraway land, with the black skeleton of a low-level trying to break the chains keeping me captive… I was lucky to be found out late and by a weak existence that wanted to achieve the impossible and selfish feat of pleasing his master with me.

"If that skeleton was utterly loyal, I wouldn't be in your arms… I would be a skeleton or a different undead wanting to kill all otherworlders…." Celes' closed her eyes and paid gratitude to whoever overlooked the world for bringing her close to her master's side.

And as Leon embraced her tighter, Celes continued with a faint smile. "I don't know the fate of my sisters… I'm sure they have lost their levels and skills like me… The Human Emperor used his class to pump out our blood and feed Her Highness with it, probably strengthening her bloodline for his future use. And then, they became abandoned like me… I can't tell whether they woke up earlier or are still in a coma… I know that three of them are in Irene's hands. That woman seemed off, and I don't think she awakened around my time since it takes a while to gather new succubi under her name.

"Can you see where I'm going with this, Master? I don't know much about my sisters… There's a chance that they are long since gone… There's a chance I won't recognize them, and they will be like the dragon maid you've created… If I sacrifice my whole life again, only to see them broken without any hope to revert them… I'll become broken myself. I'll kill them with my own hands, you know? That's why… I must treasure our fond memories… Hope for the best for them… Live and return to my high level on this new path with a master… And believe in their fate… That's all I can do… Right?" Celes' voice broke at the end and trailed off, soon replaced by faint sobs as tears streaked down her cheeks.

Leon instantly felt her weaker and colder, so he did his best to share his warmth with her. With just eye contact, he glanced at Alexandra and asked about their sleeping bags. After his dragon maid confirmed that everything was ready for the night, Leon took his vampiress into a princess carry, stood up, and went to their sleeping bag.

"You're a strong girl, Celes. Really, really strong."

Celes kept silently crying in his arms, drenching his shoulder with her tears.

She didn't have problems forgetting about her fears while focusing on a new life that kept turning better and better. But when the main reason her new life was so good — her master — brought out her fears and needed her guidance to keep living, Celes ended up suffering the brunt of her emotions, crying.

Every time she shuddered in his arms, Leon felt worse.

But he couldn't avoid that topic and hoped that he had done a much better job than simply telling her that he believed in her like he had done before… To further emphasize his gratitude and to show his support, Leon gently laid his vampiress into their sleeping bag, covered her in many blankets, then added the best source of warmth: himself.

Celes wordlessly tangled her legs with his, wrapped his arms around him, used his chest as her pillow, and latched her entire body onto him.

Leon then did a magic trick that worked regardless of age.

He faintly kissed her forehead. "I'll be forever indebted to you, Celes. Forever."

His lips and warm words turned Celes' eyelids heavier, forcing her to sleep. And while his vampiress slept, Leon ensured no one would wake her. He made a few silent commands to Alexandra, then gently coiled his arms around Celes, finding her much warmer than before.

She surely dreamed of fond memories.

'Celes and Louise… I'll properly nurture our relationships.' Leon's heart warmed so much as though Louise heard him, and Celes' embrace became tighter.

He will be forever grateful for their guidance and thank the luck for bringing them close to him.

After today's events, Leon also would never lose sight of his path. It wasn't him naively thinking that the world would forcefully draw him to the events, just like how it had happened today. Leon simply understood that he would have to stop his slow life at times and clearly aim for something: to receive questions about his and his beloveds' happiness.

To get an answer to those questions bugging him, Leon sometimes has to step outside his comfort zone. But he also will never give up on his goals and change a few things, including his slow life.

"Ah, that tune…" Leon whispered, hearing his and Celes' hearts drumming the same, just like that one precious time. It was a pity that Celes couldn't hear it now. "I'll tease her soon about it."

Leon closed his eyes, listened to their hearts, then eventually fell asleep.

It was a good night after the unicorn's event.