Chapter 189: Peaceful Conflicts

Click...!

The sound of the door opening right next to my bed stirred me from my bewildered state.

A figure emerged, black hair cascading gently, and golden eyes widened with surprise as they met mine.

A faint smile graced Analise's lips as she greeted me, her maid uniform replaced by a pure white robe reminiscent of Elena's attire.

"Young master, it seems you're awake" she remarked with a knowing tone.

"Ana?"

I stammered, still trying to make sense of the bizarre scene around me.

The girls, the unfamiliar bed, and the sheer surrealism of it all left me feeling disoriented.

Ana, however, seemed to have some inkling of what happened.

"Good morning, young master" she teased, her eyes dancing mischievously as she surveyed the scene. "Fufu...It seems you're having a good time" she said while looking at my bottom half.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I fumbled for words.

"G-good morning... Wait, can you tell me what's going on?"

I asked, a bit desperation evident in my voice. As I tried to change her attention.

And besides this whole situation had me utterly confused.

The last clear memory I had was greeting the others with Elena.

After that, it was a blank slate.

What had unfolded after? And why in the world did I find myself surrounded by these girls?

What about the dragon? I vividly remembered cutting its wing, but I knew I hadn't slain the creature.

So many pieces were missing from the puzzle.

"You don't remember, young master?" Ana's voice carried a hint of concern as she gazed at me with those knowing golden eyes.

"Remember what?" I replied, still grappling with the foggy confusion that clouded my recent memories.

"Well, I suppose it wouldn't be surprising if you don't recall. It all happened quite unexpectedly" Ana explained.

"After everything was over, you suddenly fell unconscious young master... There was actually quite a commotion that happened... although I only saw you when you hit the ground, it seems your body was consumed by an intense fever after the light in your sword disappeared.... young master. It seems you pushed yourself a bit too much back then" she said while looking at me a bit angrily.

"It's been four days since then. I'm genuinely relieved to see you're okay now"

As she spoke, she gently wiped my forehead with a cool, damp towel, a soothing touch that grounded me in the present moment.

Ana's care and concern were palpable, and a sense of gratitude washed over me.

"You're not feeling any pain, are you, young master?" she inquired with genuine worry. "Do you want me to prepare you breakfast? I suppose it would be lunch now, but are you hungry, young master?"

"Wait, 4 days...?"

I mumbled, the weight of the realization sinking in slowly.

As I tried to piece together the fragments of memory, the moment when everything turned black lingered in my thoughts.

Had I really fallen unconscious then? The idea didn't seem far-fetched, considering the immense strain I had subjected my body to.

Contemplating the recent events, it became clear that wielding my authority and pushing the boundaries of my divinity had consequences.

Regardless of my divine status in that short moment, the truth was that I had surpassed the limits of my normal capabilities.

The nature of the divinity I wielded clashed with my own, and the repercussions were catching up with me.

It made sense that my body had initiated a shutdown mode, a self-preserving response to the overwhelming strain.

The dynamics among the girls seemed to have taken an unexpected turn during my unconscious days.

It was both amusing and endearing to know that, even in their worry and concern, the girls had found moments of lightheartedness and connection.

The camaraderie among them was evident, and it brought a smile to my face as I marveled at the intricacies of their relationships.

As I relished in this heartwarming revelation, a sudden, unexpected sensation jolted me.

"Ow...?"

I exclaimed, feeling a simultaneous tug on both my left and right arms.

Aria and Elena, standing on either side of me, were engaged in a subtle but playful battle, each attempting to pull me in her direction.

Even though I can tell they were deep asleep.

They're still fighting?

It seemed the notion of connection was still open for debate....

Now that I think about it, I wonder what happened to Tristan?

....

In a dimly lit room, the ambiance carried an air of secrecy and tension. A man, dressed in regal attire, knelt before an orb that emanated a golden glow.

Suspended in the air, a holographic screen materialized, displaying the image of a man seated on a magnificent throne.

The man's resplendent appearance was characterized by reptilian-like green eyes, and his intense pink hair almost appeared crimson due to its vibrancy.

"Duke Frederick, it seems you've been keeping secrets from me" the man on the screen declared with authority.

With a snap of his fingers, additional holographic images materialized, depicting faces and news snippets that unveiled the events at Estelle Academy.

One word stood out prominently in the news—'Hero'—and associated with this title was Adrian Vulter Tellus, Duke Frederick Tellus's second son.

Duke Frederick, maintaining his composed posture, allowed his golden hair and stern red eyes to scrutinize the unfolding holographic scenes.

The news presented a compelling narrative, tying his family to the extraordinary tale of a hero, Adrian Vulter Tellus.

The gravity of the situation pressed upon him, and after a moment of contemplation, he addressed the regal figure on the screen.

"I have no knowledge about all this, Your Majesty," Duke Frederick stated with his customary cold yet resolute voice.

His gaze remained fixed on the holographic display, attempting to discern the extent of the revelations before him.

The room held an air of uncertainty as the man on the throne continued to scrutinize Duke Frederick's reactions.

'He's not lying...' the Emperor thought as his dragon eyes, piercing and discerning, delved into the truth behind the Duke's words.

Although he considered Frederick a close friend, more than a mere sword, unlike many others in the empire, the Emperor understood that his role as the sovereign was unwavering.

No amount of camaraderie could allow friendship to undermine the hierarchy he stood atop.

Amidst the dimly lit chamber, the golden glow of the orb illuminated the contemplative expression on the Emperor's face.

The weight of pressing matters bore down on him; too much had transpired in the span of a single day.

Lives were lost, and a cascade of problems emerged—dungeon breaks, demonic incursions, the injury to their guardian dragon, and, most notably, the arrival of the hero.

The very foundations of the continent seemed poised to shake under the weight of these unprecedented events, and the Emperor found himself grappling with the urgency of seeking answers.

'I knew I shouldn't have ignored those warnings,' the Emperor thought, the regret echoing within him as he turned his gaze back to the Duke.

"It seems the church has already taken custody of your kid..."

"Yes, Your Majesty"

"Bring him back to the empire" the Emperor commanded with authority, a tone that brooked no argument.

"As you wish, Your Majesty..."