A blue crescent moon floated as if a wound was carved in the night sky.
Alex had just left Elseria's place; he couldn't help but chuckle when he recalled the ridiculous thing he heard from her. Dungeons are and will stay wonderful things. He couldn't wait to go there.
As Alex walked into the manor, he was immediately greeted by an unexpected person.
''Oh? Eris? Already awake? How are you feeling?"
Alex stopped in front of Eris, who wore short pants and a white shirt. Her complexion had gotten better.
''I'm fine, thank you. Welcome back. Tomorrow I'm thinking of going back to my mansion-"
''Why are you in a hurry? Just stay with the others for a few days. Kuina is also staying here, and most importantly, we plan to celebrate Gracier's birthday soon; it would be a shame for you not to assist us, don't you think?"
Eris's eyes widened; she smiled and said.
''Certainly, I will not miss such occasion. I guess I'm intruding for another few days again.''
''You welcome. Let's go.''
Eris nodded and followed Alex. Looking at his back, Eris could feel that it was really broad; it was like a giant wall that could protect her.
'What I'm thinking about?'
Eris chuckled; she threw those nonsensical thoughts to the back of her head and entered the hall.
The others were there waiting for them. After eating dinner, they got separated. Two days later, they decided to hold Gracier's birthday.
Late in the night, Alex visited Artemia's room; since their fiançailles, she had selected a room here and slept here regularly.
As her room faced the outside, moonlight directly shone on the room, bathing it in its silver light.
Artemia wasn't surprised by Alex's visit; she had expected it. She was the one who invited him. She was dressed in a lascivious negligee! She lay face down and sent him a flirtatious glance. A see-through cloth that made heavy use of lace! The white skin was slightly seen underneath it! And black underwear! The hem of the skirt that anxiously moved down from the bent knee seemed it would be turned up at any moment!.
''Alex, how was your talk with Elseria, I mean Typhania? Judging from your look, you must have known her real identity.'' Artemia asked as she tapped on the bed; Alex sat near her inhaling her body fragrance; somehow, he had missed it.
As if it was natural, Artemia put her head on his tights and enjoyed a lap pillow.
''Well, it went well. I learned a lot of things. For example, about Exodus. I never thought that they would exist a dungeon such as this.'' Alex responded while stroking the former goddess's blue hair.
Artemia chuckled because she was also shocked the first time they saw Exodus; it was another world, it shattered their worldview on existences known as dungeons. A dungeon with special features which had its set of conditions. Saying she was not excited to revisit Exodus would be a lie. Normally you can only visit once; however, because she died and got reincarnated, she would have the chance to go in Exodus once again.
''Well, I'm looking forward to what kind of world awaits us there,'' Alex mumbled and continued to stroke Artemia's hair; it felt so smooth that it was almost addictive.
''Don't worry, you will like it. I can assure you that. I talked with Lilith. Wow! You experienced so many things on the Demon's continent that I feel jealous not to be part of it.''
''Ah! It wasn't easy. Thanks to this mission, I learned that there exists another time ability user like me.''
''You are talking about Incursio from Chaos's Eye, aren't you?" Artemia inquired.
''Yeah, I'm talking about her but wait, the unknown organization name is Chaos's Eye?''
Alex asked because it was his first time hearing this name. Artemia nodded and explained to him how they came to learn about the organization's name; well, the mysterious organization wanted them to learn it to tell them that it was time for their name to be publicly known.
''I see. Incursio reminds me of someone I had encountered during this mission, a man who goes by the name of Zero. I had the feeling that we would see each other again; however, I never thought that I would have to fight against someone related to him. I wonder how strong this man is?"
Artemia sighed, ''He must be pretty strong. I don't know how many monsters this organization is hiding, but we must be prepared. We must use Exodus to get stronger as once we came back, it would be war.''
Alex nodded before changing the subject.
''My goddess, don't you have anything for me?''
''What do you want?" Artemia responded with a coquettish smile. She could guess what her man wanted; however, contrary to her expectation, Alex's following words weren't quite what she expected.
''Just a goodnight kiss.''
Artemia froze, and Alex burst into laughter and teased her.
''I don't know what my naughty goddess thought I would say, but as I said, I just want a goodnight kiss.''
''You, you"
Artemia's face turned red as an apple, and she tried to bash Alex's face with the pillow, but he easily dodged, catching her hands and giving her a light kiss on the forehead before falling asleep next to her.
''Ah! And me who had thought he would do that. I thought all men are like that; I guess I'm wrong. He wants a kiss.'' Artemia, who had her hopes high, sighed and observed Alex's sleeping face, the way his nose moved when he breathed was cute.
Artemia repeatedly poked Alex's cheeks; she stood above him.
''You are too cute. I never thought there would be a day I'd constantly think about a man wondering how he was doing. Is he fine? Love is a wonderful thing, but it is also a curse. I've not completely fallen for you, yet I'm in this state when you are closer to me. Sleep well, my fiance; sometimes sleeping like this isn't it bad.''
Artemia lowered her head and kissed Alex before falling asleep next to him; she used his arm as a pillow, she slept like never before.