Chapter VII

Gazef Stronoff was interesting...for a human at least.

For one, he was noticeably stronger than everyone you'd come across so far.

No, he still couldn't hold a candle to any of your beloved Floor Guardians, but compared to the other inhabitants of this new world, he was leaps and bounds ahead of them.

Not to mention that he was easy on the eyes.

In a ruggedly handsome sense that is.

Hair the color of melted dark chocolate sat atop his head and cradled the sides of his face, leading down to his sculpted jaw and strong chin. His face seemed to be cut from marble. All sharp planes with not a single ounce of fat or softness on them.

He was every little girl's dream knight who would sweep them off their feet and whisk them away from their dragon-guarded castle and into their happily ever after.

Sadly however, you weren't the princess.

You ARE the dragon.

And the castle Nazarick was the one guarding you.

Although that didn't mean you couldn't have even just a little bit of fun.

Just think, the highest knight of a human kingdom fraternizing with the big bad dragon who wanted to take over the world? Forsaking his king, his people, and humanity itself to offer his allegiance to the one who was destined to rule over all?

Your golden eyes seemed to glint like actual gold beneath the light of the setting sun as you licked your lips, the nature of your thoughts bleeding through your actions with how pleased you seemed to be with yourself.

World domination felt ever so sweeter as the plans to get there unfolded right before you as if they were objectives and choices in a typical JRPG.

Whatever or whoever stood in your way, nothing will stop you from taking anything and everything you wanted.

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"Lady Gown, I'd like to hire you if possible. I will be sure to reward you with whatever you see fit as long as it is within my capabilities—"

Seeing Gazef's pleading face almost made a smirk curl upon your beautiful visage, but luckily you caught yourself before you gave away your true feelings.

"Spare me your pleas, Sir Stronoff. I have already placed this village upon my protection. No further harm will ever come to its villagers" You placed a hand upon your chest where your heart lied beneath, "You need not hire me to dispose of the vermin who decided to cowardly attack villages just to lure and trap you."

"I will be more than happy to assist you...free of charge~" The cheeky smile you bestowed upon him could and would send the weakest of men to their knees.

With a tinge of red marring his cheeks, the seasoned warrior nodded and took your delicate hands, cradling them with his own larger and sturdy ones as he gazed into your eyes with earnest gratitude. "Then, I will have nothing to worry about. Once all of this is done, I swear upon my honor to repay this debt to you in full"

Being around your beloved Floor Guardians and loyal denizens of Nazarick had already desensitized you to beauty. As such, you shouldn't have been as affected as you were when Gazef took your hands into his. He showed no restraint, no hesitance when he decided to touch you and as he looked straight into your eyes, there was neither fear nor submissiveness.

Gazef looked at you as if you were an equal.

He did not place you upon an unreachable pedestal like everyone else. Granted, he didn't know of your true nature.

However, you didn't need to show your true form to the villagers of Carne for them to know that you were leagues above their reach.

What made this man so different from all the others?

Why had he not cowered nor revered you yet?

So many questions, but with not a single answer.

Even if your next battle may not satisfy you in the least, perhaps decoding the mystery that is Gazef Stronoff might give some semblance of satisfaction.

Besides, you're sure that the Re-Estize kingdom wouldn't mind if you were to take the knight captain.

What you wanted you would take without any hesitation.

And right now?

You wanted this man.

"Believe me, Sir Stronoff. It is my pleasure~"

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There were times when you could be as patient and merciful as the Virgin Mary herself, but more often than not you were as ruthless and unforgiving as the devil himself.

But then again wasn't your name just an allusion to the Prince of Darkness?

The moment you stepped foot on the battlefield you might as well have been the God of Death himself.

"W-What is this...?"

"I...I can't breathe!!!"

"We're all gonna DIE"

You were torn between bemusement and dissatisfaction as they fell on their knees before you. On one hand they were at their proper place, groveling at your feet but on the other hand you still hadn't gotten a single satisfactory fight and it was starting to get on your nerves.

And to think that you'd only just activated your passive skill [Apex Predator] so as to...properly prepare them to face you.

With the will to stand up and fight seemingly having left most of them, one of the mages clasped his hands together and started to pray fervently "O six gods whom reside in paradise..."

And yet none of their gods would heed their prayers.

Not a single one of their all-powerful deities could even place a scratch upon your scales.

Their commander however seemed to be made of stronger material as he tried in vain to issue orders despite his inability to get up off the ground. "What are you whelps doing?! Destroy them! In the name of the Six Gods we must fulfill our mission!!!" Nigun was practically frothing at the mouth at this point.

"Oh dear, we've only just arrived and the enemy's morale has already plummeted?" You acted surprised for the sake of appearances in front of Gazef and his subordinates. Now was not the time for them to see your true colors after all. "It seems like my help wasn't needed in the first place, Sir Stronoff. Why, I daresay that your mere presence as an astounding warrior is simply too much for them"

Although bewildered at the turn of events, the brunette chuckled heartily, something which you felt easily as you sat upon his horse in front of him, his arms caging your more petite build.

"You give me too much credit, Lady Gown. I believe that it is your dazzling radiance that put these men to their knees"

And for good reason too.

The Head Warrior wasn't really someone who focused too much looks whether it be others looks or his own. However, he'd be the biggest village idiot in the realm if he didn't acknowledge the fact that you were an otherworldly beauty. One that has not been seen since...he didn't know how long.

While the both of you seemed to be off in your own little world, the Vice-Captain of Gazef's unit was conflicted. On one hand they were currently on the battlefield and the last thing anyone should be doing was flirting. On the other hand, this was the first time he'd ever seen his workaholic captain ever show even a modicum of interest in the opposite sex.

"I'll support you in any of your endeavors captain, but could you save that for when we're out of the battle zone?!?!" Despite this train of thought, he also couldn't help but lament the fact that of all the women the head warrior would be attracted to it had to be the most beautiful one out there.

"Captain, you traitor!" Was the shared thought of the rest of his subordinates.

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"I guess this is where we must go our separate ways, Sir Stronoff" You gazed up at the man seated atop his horse from beneath gently curled lashes. "Admittedly, I enjoyed my time with you. However short it may be" Truth be told, being able to speak to someone who didn't revere you as some kind of untouchable goddess was a breath of fresh air.

Not to mention his subtle advances were quite endearing...

"I feel the same way, but duty calls and I must answer as the kingdom's Head Warrior, but..." Sliding down from his saddle, the brunette bent a knee and grasped your hand. "Should you ever visit the capital of the Re-Estize Kingdom, I would be more than happy to personally accompany and give you a tour, milady" His lips left a lingering warmth upon the skin of your hand as he pulled away.

The picture you two made looked like It came straight out of a tapestry: of a knight who was about to part with his lady due to circumstances and shared one last loving look before he left.

Gazef's troop had seen their captain act in a manner so unlike his usual self within the span of a few hours that they all finally started believing this was in fact a reality and not some sort of fever dream.

Let it be known that despite the Head Warrior's little to no interaction with the fairer sex, he was just as adept with flirting as he was with the sword.

Internally they all lamented just how leagues ahead of them he was in every aspect.

It was totally unfair.

Yuri Alpha on the other hand hid her thoughts beneath an impassive mask.

HOW DARE A MERE HUMAN INTERACT WITH YOU SO CASUALLY AND INTIMATELY?!?!

EVEN THOSE PEASANTS WHO CALLED CARNE VILLAGE THEIR HOME GAVE YOU THE RESPECT YOU DESERVED AND DIDN'T HAVE THE GALL TO TREAT YOU LIKE THIS HEAD WARRIOR DID

LORD DEMIURGE NEEDED TO BE INFORMED OF THIS INJUSTICE IMMEDIATELY!!!

If there's anyone who was worthy of your attentions, then certainly it would be one of their own, a Floor Guardian to be exact. Additionally, judging from your own interactions…you seemed to hold the archdevil in high regard.

In Yuri's heart of hearts however, she knew that only a fellow Supreme Being could ever completely satisfy you and that they who were mere creations of the Supreme Beings were fools for even considering becoming your consort.

If only one other Supreme Being stayed…someone like Lord Momonga perhaps?

The combat maid internally apologized for being as inadequate as they are, but if you would have them then they will endeavor to serve you to the best of their abilities!

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It was warm.

Then the warmth started to get stifling.

What started as a comforting warmth quickly rose in temperature until he was sure that he was practically boiling alive.

Bright flames danced across his sight and licked at his skin.

He opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out.

It wasn't until the heat felt as if they were practically even burning his soul until not even ashes were left that it stopped.

He woke up in a cold sweat and sat up.

Running an unblemished but firm hand across his hair, he breathed deeply and tried to catch his breath.

His eyes darted around and took in all the sites of his current location. The man noted the plush bed decorated with countless priceless ornaments and seemed built from other invaluable materials.

"W-Where…?"

The gentle rays of the moon filtered through the windows, illuminating the otherwise dark grand suite. Its single occupant was hunched over, checking over his hands and other body parts with rapt attention. He seemed to have not found what he was looking for and lied back down in defeat.

"Was it all just…a dream?" Flashes of his last memories appeared in his mind and with it came the unbearable pain he experienced before finally 'waking up'. "A nightmare's more like it" The young man sighed heavily, haphazardly throwing off the silken sheets that once cocooned him in a comforting warmth but now seemed to surround him in a stifling heat.

After shrugging on a loose robe he made his way to the large balcony within his room.

He stared at the glowing lights of the still bustling city, remembering a pair of otherworldly eyes that could put any jewel, fire, or even light itself to shame.

Most importantly however, he remembered the owner of those orbs…