Chapter 22: The King and the Weight of Bonds

Next Day – College Grounds, Sitler

The sun rose gently over the college, painting the morning sky in hues of peach and gold. The college ground was alive with energy. Vibrant banners danced in the breeze, booths buzzed with anticipation, and students filled every inch of the space—excitement bubbling in the air like soda shaken in a bottle.

Luna enters sees the view and took her seat near the front of the audience, brushing her hair behind one ear, eyes scanning the crowd. Her fingers fidgeted with the strap of her bag.

"Good morning," came a familiar voice beside her.

She jumped slightly and turned. "Arsh?" she blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here? Don't you have a speech to give?"

He smiled softly, eyes calm but with a hint of mischief. "Eran asked me to manage preparations until he got here. Besides," he shrugged, "giving speeches isn't really my thing."

Luna chuckled, relaxing. "Of course it's not."

Just then, the booming voice of the host echoed across the ground.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the grandest event of the season—Sitler College's Summer Festival!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Luna blinked in surprise. "Wait, why is that host here? Isn't he the one who does the national tournaments?"

Arsh leaned back with a calm nod. "My idea. A good host makes even the boring segments feel exciting. Adds suspense. And makes it easier for people to connect with what's happening. Festival or not, storytelling matters."

The host continued with flair. "Let's begin with a glimpse into the heart of innovation. Please welcome the students from our Programming Department, the minds behind today's drone performance!"

Applause thundered through the air.

A team of students stepped onto the stage, bowing politely. They raised their hands—and the ceiling panels above the ground began sliding open.

Then the sky came alive.

Drones burst out into formation, swirling in perfect synchronicity. Some formed shimmering birds, others morphed into blooming flowers and then into scenes of the city. Arsh's eyes watched silently, calculating every move, noting every flaw.

The drones descended gracefully back to their handlers. The crowd erupted into applause again.

The host returned. "Incredible! A round of applause for our Programming and Engineering students! And now—make way for our grand parade! Please welcome our college's elite athletes!"

Marching confidently, Ainz strode in front, dressed in a sharp military-style uniform. His basketball teammates followed in formation. The crowd responded with prideful cheers, whistling and shouting his name.

Luna leaned toward Arsh. "He's loving the attention."

Arsh smiled faintly. "He earned it."

After the parade, speeches began. The Headmaster came first, followed by respected teachers and department heads. Then Eran, the student council president, took the podium and gave an earnest speech.

When he stepped down, most of the crowd began to relax, assuming it was over.

Until the host raised his hand.

"Wait, wait, not so fast! I know you think it's over, but we've saved the most special for last."

A hush fell over the crowd.

He continued dramatically, "Our next guest is none other than the world's most valuable lady, under the protection of Lord Arsh himself... Please welcome—Lady Rose, the Rose Queen!"

A collective gasp echoed through the grounds.

Arsh's eyes widened. No… she didn't…

From the back of the stage, Rose stepped forward, elegance in every movement. She wore a simple yet regal outfit that gleamed in the sunlight. Her crimson eyes swept across the stunned audience, then locked onto Arsh. A warm, teasing smile formed on her lips as she raised her hand in greeting.

Whispers rushed through the crowd like a tidal wave.

"Is that really her?"

"She's real?"

"I thought she was in hiding!"

Rose gave a short, eloquent speech, her voice soft but clear, filled with poise. Then she sat down beside the principal, ignoring the chaos she'd left behind.

The host came back, laughing lightly. "Shocked? Yeah, me too! Our principal wanted to give you all a surprise. Let's give him a big hand!"

The crowd clapped in awe, still murmuring.

"And with that—I officially declare the Summer Festival OPEN!"

Later – Outside the College Grounds

As students flooded to the home, Arsh and Luna quietly slipped out the side gate.

Luna sighed, a smile still dancing on her lips. "Wow... That was honestly the best festival opening in this college's history. I mean—Rose, the actual Lady Rose, came here! In person!"

Arsh glanced at her.

Luna caught his look and quickly added, "I mean, of course everything was amazing—the drone show, the host, the coordination. It was perfect. I'm just saying... Rose made it unforgettable."

Arsh chuckled softly. "So all that planning meant nothing to you, huh?"

Luna's face turned red. "No, I-I didn't mean that! I just meant—!"

But Arsh just kept walking with a quiet grin, and eventually they both burst into laughter.

Safe House – That Afternoon

Rose arrived first with Sora.

Sora immediately bowed. "Lady Rose… I only followed your plan because you have my secret. Please—don't tell Arsh."

Rose rolled her eyes, brushing past. "I'm more concerned about this place. I thinking and worrying about that he was staying in a small dorm room, and yet—this is where he's living? Not bad, considering it's nowhere near the castle."

She wandered around, examining every detail.

Suddenly, she froze. "He's coming."

Rose tiptoed near the door, crouched, ready to leap on him in surprise.

The door creaked open.

She jumped—

But no one was there.

"What the—?"

A soft whisper reached her ear. "And I'm right here."

She spun around—Arsh stood behind her, a smirk on his lips.

Her shock melted into joy, and she threw her arms around him. "Do you have any idea how much I missed you?"

Arsh smiled warmly. "I do… because I missed you too."

Grgrrrrnn…

A growl echoed from her stomach.

Arsh raised an eyebrow. "You skipped breakfast again, didn't you?"

Rose looked down, sheepish. "I was too excited... had work to finish before sneaking out."

He sighed. "I want to be angry—but first, let me cook you something."

A Little Later – Lunch at the Safe House

The smell of food filled the air as Arsh worked in the kitchen.

Rose lounged on the sofa, chatting with Sora.

Just then, Ainz burst in, full of energy. "Hey Arsh! Did you see me during the parade? That uniform! I felt like a hero! And when your sister appeared—whoa, what an entrance! But then she disappeared again. Weird, right?"

Rose giggled on the couch.

Ainz turned, froze, and gasped. "W-Wait! You're still here?!"

She grinned. "Surprised? And you're even more clueless than I expected."

He flushed, scratching his head. "T-thanks?"

Arsh called, "Stop talking and come help me serve."

Once the food was on the table, everyone gathered. Rose ate like she hadn't seen food in days. Ainz too, practically growling over each bite.

"This… is the best food in the world," they both said in unison.

Arsh chuckled, but his smile slowly faded. "Alright, Rose… start talking. Why are you here—and how?"

Rose wiped her lips. "I've been planning this since you got the preparation assignment. That's why I didn't call you for the last five days. I needed to make it feel normal, and I called you last day."

Arsh's eyes darkened slightly. "You played me."

"And I had to give OSAI some sensitive info to convince him," she admitted, lowering her gaze. "As for Sora… that's a secret."

Arsh's fist clenched. A spoon in his hand crumpled into molten ore.

He took a deep breath, speaking gently but coldly. "And why are you really here?"

Rose looked up nervously. "Because I missed you... because I missed this. This food, I want to Luna… even Ainz."

He tapped the table. A deep crack split through it with a thunderous thud.

Ainz froze. "OSAI… did he just—?"

OSAI answered calmly. "That table is custom-built. It's supposed to withstand even his watch. Yes—he's angry."

Sora stood. "I'm sorry, my Lord. She blackmailed me using a personal secret I didn't want you to know…"

Arsh muttered. "Why he is not using his that brilliant brain in work".

Arsh stood slowly. "Rose… do you think this is a joke? That safe zone was built for you. I left Sora and others there because of you. What if the Demon Commanders found out you left?"

His voice was low—but it hit like thunder.

Rose pushed her chair back and left the table without a word, disappearing into Arsh's room.

Training Room – Minutes Later

Arsh stood shirtless in the center of a reinforced chamber. Muscles taut, breath slow, a blindfold covered his eyes.

"OSAI," he said, voice calm but sharp, "Extreme difficulty drones. Now."

Blades, lasers, reinforced drones—all filled the space, ready to kill.

"Begin."

The room exploded with motion. But not a single weapon could touch him.

He danced through it all—graceful, deadly. Drones fell left and right. Arsh didn't attack wildly—he short-circuited their systems with minimal, precise movements.

Outside the Room – Ainz and Sora

Ainz exhaled. "That… felt like the end of the world."

Sora nodded. "It always feels like that when it's about Rose. He doesn't want to lose her. She hates being caged. It's a cycle."

"Oh…" Ainz murmured. "By the way, we haven't even introduced ourselves. I'm Ainz. Arsh's student. and a Future pillar."

Sora chuckled. "So you're the one. I've been wondering what Arsh saw in you. I mean—you didn't even land a hit on Noar."

Ainz flared up. "Hey! what do you, what do you think you are, I defeated two Rank 4s and an Eagle Demon Beast! Noar helped but he wasn't able to do anything if I don't give him a plan!"

"Still sounds weak," Sora teased. "Noar needed help from you? I have to teach him more."

Ainz's eyes widened. "Wait what do you mean by teaching him, are you—you're… Sora, the Red Swan? The second most powerful in the world?"

"Correct," she said proudly. "I am a way stronger then Noar, but Noar and I are strong in different ways. He uses strength. I use blades."

Ainz smiled and then his smile turns into grin. "Can we peek on Arsh training?"

Ainz peeked through the control screen. "He's not even looking and still he can see everything…, his aim is perfect"

Sora nodded. "That's the difference. You and I show our emotions in battle. But Lord Arsh... he trains not to release anger. He trains to control it. Because if he loses control…"

The world will collapse .

Inside, Arsh flicked his wrist—every drone powered down.

The room went still.

And then he vanished.

Ainz jumped when he felt a presence behind him.

A whisper: "What are you doing here?"

He turned—Arsh was still wearing the blindfold.

"You didn't destroy them," Ainz said quietly. "Why?"

Arsh walked past him toward the water dispenser. Sora answered instead. "Because if he ever loses control—there's no one who can stop him."