After our kiss, Aria''s gaze shifted to the ring I had slipped onto her finger.


    We were back in the real world now, no longer in need of illusions for her to see.


    She had already witnessed everything—my past, my present, the darkest corners of my lifeid bare before her. I had feared she might leave after seeing the truth, but I was relieved that she hadn''t.


    Aunt hadn''t held back; she had shown Aria every aspect of my life, from my past to my present, from the joys to the sorrows.


    Aria must have a general idea of what my family truly is, and I couldn''t help but wonder if she was filled with worries and thoughts about them.


    Yet, instead of dwelling on those heavy topics, all she seemed to focus on was the ring on her finger.


    I chuckled softly as I watched Aria y along with my act, allowing me to pat her head affectionately. Despite the weight of everything she had just learned, she remained lighthearted, giggling like a girl in love.


    It was moments like these that reminded me why I had fallen for her in the first ce—her ability to find joy even in the midst of darkness, her unwavering love and eptance.


    ''Ian, you should probably head back to the Holy Kingdom...'' Aunt''s telepathic message jolted me out of my stupor, my fingers still tangled in Aria''s hair as I absentmindedly yed with it.


    How long had that entire illusionsted? Time seemed to blur in the presence of Aria''s warmth and the revtions of my past.


    If the attendants back in the Holy Kingdom noticed my disappearance, exining it would be troublesome. But then again, I had gathered all the information I needed here.


    It was time to return.


    Lifting Aria into my arms like a princess, she looked surprised. "W-wha?"


    "Let''s go back... the others would be worried," I said gently, hoping to reassure her.


    "O-oh... yeah," she responded, understanding dawning in her eyes.


    But there was something else there, a glint of happiness that made my heart swell with warmth.


    Was she excited to return? Perhaps eager to show off the ring I had given her?


    The thought brought a smile to my lips. If Aria wanted to share our rtionship progress with others, who was I to stop her? In fact, it filled me with happiness to know that she was proud of our love.


    Though, I couldn''t help but wonder if she had ns to annoy Elena even more. Knowing Aria''s mischievous personality, it wouldn''t surprise me.


    ''I feel a bit sorry for Louise and Ana… I should probably give them there rings soon''


    For my future second wife to already be attempting to start a fight with the first wife... I couldn''t help but wonder how the two would get along. It seemed like a recipe for drama, but perhaps they would surprise me.


    ''We''re going back now, Aunt... Sorry for the trouble. You can''t even meet her properly right now,'' I said with a tinge of disappointment. It had taken a considerable effort from Aunt to transfer the memories of my past scenarios over to Aria. Aunt might be powerful, but even she had to be cautious to ensure the transfer wouldn''t harm Aria in any way.


    Hearing my words, Aunt chuckled in my mind, her voice as soothing as ever. ''Fufu... You don''t have to worry, Ian. I also enjoyed all of it. Her reactions were quite entertaining. And also, Nya wants to say that she''s sorry for suddenly interfering midway.''


    "It''s fine... Sis interfering and showing Aria my scary side was quite helpful in its own sense. Just tell her to say that to me in person once Mom lets go of her..." I mused aloud, considering the recent events.


    Despite my inability to properly feel my connection with my sister, I knew she was probably still stuck with Mom.


    How she interfered, I couldn''t quiteprehend, but if Mom was truly watching, it would make sense for my sister to act if ordered to.


    After all, she wouldn''t want to jeopardize my rtionship with Aria or any of the other girls I cared for.


    "Yes, I''ll tell her that," Aunt replied in a faint voice, her words tinged with understanding.


    Suddenly, my staff activated on its own, without me even activating my mana. Perplexed, I wondered what was wrong, but before I could react, a sudden teleportation spell was activated around us.


    With a pping sound, I looked up and saw Loki standing there with a smile.


    Was he the one activating the spell for me? If so, I better give my thanks; after all, he was more proficient with teleportation and such.


    His mouth moved, but no words came out—probably him being careful towards Aria, as his voice might harm her.


    After all, he was a god.


    "Come back soon, okay?" That was probably what he meant to say as he waved at me. Then, after half a second, I found myself back in my room, Aria still within my arms.


    "Adrian... Who was that kid?" Aria asked, her curiosity evident.


    "Your future uncle?" I replied, though Loki wasn''t really part of my family. Still, considering how close he was with my sister, he would probably be technically part of the family soon.


    "I-is that so..." Aria said nervously, her voice betraying her uncertainty. Perhaps she thought Loki was some kind of cosmic monster, given his godly nature.


    I couldn''t help butugh at her reaction. It seemed that inwardly, she was still a little bit afraid, despite everything she had seen.


    But I knew that in time, she woulde to see Loki as just another entric member of our unusual family.


    ….


    "ROOAAAGHHH…!!!"


    The roar of the monstrous creature echoed across the snowy ins, its frame resembling a mix of a monkey and a rhino, its ck exoskeletal body shimmering under the pale light. It lumbered menacingly towards a woman standing before it, its intent clear as it prepared to charge.


    The ground trembled beneath its weight, as if protesting against the creature''s presence. With a thunderous roar, it lowered its head, horns poised to pierce the woman in its path. The mana emanating from the beast surpassed that of any ordinary creature, a testament to its formidable strength.


    Most would cower in fear at the sight of such a monster, but the woman simply smiled, her fiery red hair dancing like mes around her. Her aura ignited, bathing her in a brilliant red glow as she gripped herrge battle axe, its size dwarfing her already formidable frame.


    "They said you were a B-rank monster, but aren''t you already close to reaching S-rank?" she remarked, her voiceced with amusement as she awaited the creature''s onught.


    With a speed that belied its massive size, the rhino-like monster charged at her like a bullet, its intentions clear.


    But the woman stood her ground, her fiery aura burning bright as she prepared to meet the beast head-on. Taking on her martial position, she smirked as the surroundings around her became even hotter, transforming into a literal fireball reminiscent of the sun itself.


    "Hahaha!" sheughed like a maniac as the monstrous creature closed in on her, its brute force no match for her determined stance. With a swift motion, she raised her axe high into the air, ready to sh with the beast.


    Boom!!!


    A resounding shockwave echoed through the snowy ins as their weapons collided in full force. The impact created a fiery st that encircled the surroundings, reminiscent of a spell designed to decimate entire towns. The resulting explosion left behind a small mushroom cloud, a testament to the sheer power unleashed in their sh.


    Emerging from the fiery crater that marked the epicenter of their battle, the red-haired woman wore a look of satisfaction on her face, her victory undeniable.


    "E-Evadne!" a voice called out to her, breaking the silence that followed the explosion. Turning behind her, she saw two people running towards her, their eyes widened in awe as they took in the scene of destruction.


    "We came because of the suddenmotion, but... what happened here?" they asked, their voices filled with curiosity and concern.


    In truth they actually came here for her, but they didn''t address that fact as Evadne looks so scary right now... Even though they were considered as proper Knights.... in front of Evadne that was nothing but a mere title.


    The two heavily dressed men apanying her now shivered in the frigid air, their breath visible in the icy atmosphere.


    They exchanged nces, unsure of how to respond to Evadne''s nonchnt demeanor in the face of danger.


    "Nothing much, just found a pretty strong prey wandering around," Evadne said, her smile unwavering as she strode past the bundled-up duo.


    The fire aura enveloping her body provided both warmth and a certain air of invincibility, allowing her to foregoyers of clothing in the freezing temperatures. A simple cloak adorned her figure, its fabric fluttering lightly in the chilly breeze.


    The two men watched her in a daze, their minds racing with a mixture of admiration and bewilderment. They couldn''t help but marvel at Evadne''s confidence and resilience, even as they struggled to maintain their ownposure in the harsh conditions.


    "She knows this mission requires stealth, right?" one of the men muttered under his breath, his words barely audible over the howling wind.


    They were part of a special task force dispatched by the emperor to investigate the mysterious happenings in the northern territories.


    Maintaining discretion was paramount to their sess, yet Evadne seemed unconcerned with the need for subtlety.


    As they trudged onward, thendscape around them grew increasingly deste. They were now at the very edge of the Bayar country, and governed by tribal traditions and shamanistic beliefs.


    Despite passing through numerous viges along their journey, they had encountered nothing but eerie silence and abandoned dwellings.


    The tension hung heavy in the air as the two men struggled to find the words to reprimand Evadne for her reckless actions.


    However, as they nced back at the massive crater she had created with her astonishing attack, any words of admonishment died on their lips.


    They exchanged hesitant looks, silently acknowledging the futility of trying to scold someone who wielded such incredible power.


    Their resolve faltered further as Evadne forged ahead, her fiery aura zing a trail through the snowy expanse.


    With a shared nod, the men resigned themselves to following her lead, knowing that any attempt to dissuade her would likely be met with resistance.


    "Is Tristan at the camp?" Evadne inquired, her voice cutting through the icy silence.


    "Yes, Sir Tristan is still preparing alongside Grandmaster Siena," one of the men responded.


    Halting in her tracks, Evadne''s brow furrowed in contemtion, her handsing to rest beneath her chin as she pondered their next course of action.


    Minutes stretched into an eternity as she weighed their options, the gravity of their situation weighing heavily upon her.


    Finally, she turned to face the bewildered men trailing behind her, a determined glint in her eyes. "Tell him demonic beasts are beginning to show up," she instructed, her voice tinged with urgency.


    Without waiting for a response, she pivoted on her heel and strode purposefully back in the direction from which they hade.


    Confusion etched itself onto the faces of the two men as they watched Evadne''s retreating figure, their minds whirling with unanswered questions.


    Why was she suddenly divulging such crucial information? And why was she venturing back towards the danger they had just narrowly escaped?


    "E-excuse me?" one of the men stammered, his voice wavering with uncertainty.


    But Evadne paid them no heed, her focus fixed on the task at hand. If her intuition proved correct, there were more sinister forces lurking in the shadows, and she was determined to confront them head-on, no matter the risk.


    "Do as you are ordered and don''t look for me! Tell him I''ll be back soon, don''t worry about safety with him and his master there; nothing would harm you guys. Then see ya!" Evadne''s words echoed in the frosty air, her tone brimming with an impulsive energy that left the two men bewildered.


    Before they could utter a word in response, she leaped into motion, vanishing from their sight in a blur of movement.


    Left standing in stunned silence, the two soldiers exchanged incredulous nces, their minds racing toprehend the sudden turn of events. Had Evadne truly abandoned them in pursuit of her own whims? The notion seemed almost absurd, yet her actions spoke otherwise.


    "Did she really just leave like that for her own personal affairs?" one of the men murmured, his disbelief evident in his tone.


    They had known Evadne to be impulsive, but this level of impulsivity was beyond anything they had anticipated.


    Meanwhile, as Evadne descended towards the ground, her eyes sparkled with excitement at the sight of a slumbering ck serpent below.


    Without hesitation, she unleashed the full force of her fiery power, transforming into a zing meteor as she hurtled towards her unsuspecting prey.


    With a resounding impact, shended atop the monstrous serpent, her strike infused with a newfound strength that sent shockwaves rippling through the air.


    As the creature writhed beneath her, its scales crackling with the intensity of her mes, Evadne''s grin widened with exhration.


    Back at the camp, the princess of the empire awaited the return of her soldiers with a sense of growing unease.


    As they approached, she noted the absence of Evadne with a coldness that belied her usual gentle demeanor.


    The warmth in her emerald eyes gave way to a chilling frost, her expression inscrutable as she fixed the soldiers with an unwavering gaze.


    "What did she say again?" she demanded, her voice sending shivers down their spines.