Chapter 134 - A Date with Ryuu

8 PM.

Southwest Avenue, Amor Square.

Paved with various cobblestones, the garden-like park glowed with elegance thanks to flowered hedges and magic stone lanterns that lit up the entire square.

Everywhere, couples sat together, whispering sweet nothings to each other.

"Ryuu… that dress looks beautiful on you."

A quiet voice came from behind as Ryuu stood straight, hands clasped modestly in front of her.

She turned around and smiled faintly with honest delight.

"…This, this dress belongs to Syr."

"It's not weird, is it?"

"Not at all. You look stunning."

Raven Eltharion smiled gently.

The pure white one-piece dress, adorned with floral lace, suited the elf girl perfectly.

A gentle breeze fluttered by, lifting her skirt lightly around her knees. Ryuu placed a hand on it to keep it down, her cheeks slightly flushed.

After a moment of silence, she softly opened her mouth.

"Um… I heard about the War Game."

"Alise, Kaguya, and Aude… Will everything be made public?"

Unlike the others, Ryuu was the only one who knew the full extent of Raven's power.

So she was sure—this War Game was already in the bag.

"Probably… maybe. I'm not entirely sure."

Raven sighed lightly.

The time for the War Game had already been set that afternoon.

The battle would take place in four days at the ruins of Xulim, southeast of Orario.

The format was a siege.

During the three-day conflict, as long as Raven, the commanding general, survived, or if the opposing general was rendered unable to fight, the Hestia Familia would be declared the winner.

Otherwise, the Apollo Familia would claim victory.

"I'll fight alongside you."

Ryuu's eyes softened, her once-cold demeanor from their first meeting now gone.

"Really?"

Raven was surprised.

"Yes. This afternoon, Hermes and Syr asked me to support you."

Ryuu explained.

After the Gods' Council, Hermes had felt guilty and decided to lean in favor of Hestia.

Under the special exception of the Supporter System, he had gone to the Hostess of Fertility to request Ryuu's help.

Conveniently, Ryuu's goddess, Astraea, was away in the Sword Nation, which made Ryuu the perfect candidate.

However, due to her history as the masked adventurer "Gale," still feared and hated by some, her identity had to be kept hidden.

Hermes had already made arrangements—claiming Ryuu came from outside the city, and forging her permit to participate via the Guild.

As expected, Asfi the Omnipotent was probably handling the disguise work right now.

"Then that's perfect."

Raven smiled brightly, genuinely pleased.

"Also, I've got another teammate."

"Who?"

"Yamato Mikoto. She's Level 2. She switched over from the Takemikazuchi Familia this afternoon."

"With you joining us for the siege, that makes three of us."

Raven said happily.

"You're not going to summon Alise?"

Ryuu asked with subtle concern.

She was curious whether Raven would bring Alise, Kaguya, Lila, and the others into battle.

"They'll all be there."

"Alfia too."

Raven answered plainly.

This war would be watched by everyone in Orario.

There was no point in hiding anymore.

His newbie phase was over.

It was time to show the world what it meant to be the Heavenly Demon Lord—Raven Eltharion.

Heaven: for flight.

Feather: for freedom.

Demon: for magic.

Lord: for dominion.

"Let's move somewhere more private. I'll tell you the battle plan."

"Alright."

Ryuu responded with a graceful smile.

Her light brows relaxed, and her gentle lips curved into a fresh white-blossom smile.

Truly beautiful.

…

They headed to the southern district.

On a bustling street, Raven booked a luxury VIP suite at a high-end inn, costing 5000 valis.

He had stayed here before with Amid the Battlefield Saint, and found the comfort worthwhile.

Now, he and Ryuu sat side-by-side at the edge of the bed.

Already knowing where this might lead, Ryuu lowered her flushed face, her cheeks heating up.

Her heart pounded furiously—ba-dump, ba-dump.

Her whole body turned red as anxiety flooded her mind.

Wasn't he going to explain the strategy?

Why book a hotel room?

Aaaaaahhh—

Alise, what should I do…?

She silently pleaded to her closest friend.

"Don't let this chance go."

As if hearing Alise's confident voice in her head, Ryuu could almost imagine the cheerful, radiant girl smiling back.

"R-Raven…"

"Do you have someone you love?"

Ryuu broke the silence, voice trembling.

"Love?"

Raven blinked.

He hadn't expected that question.

"A-and what about Syr… how do you feel about her?"

"Syr?"

Raven raised a brow.

"Please, answer me."

Ryuu looked ready to collapse from nerves.

"She's very beautiful. She always prepares lunch for me when I head into the dungeon."

He rubbed his chin, thinking.

"Anything else?"

"Important friend, I guess. Though it feels… different."

"Then—then I have another question…"

"Go ahead."

Raven tried not to laugh at her flustered expression.

"I have absolutely, completely, totally no interest at all, but…"

"Hmm?"

"…what do you think of Alise, Kaguya, Aude, and the others?"

"They're magical constructs I summoned. So, it's impossible."

He answered honestly.

Ryuu seemed relieved.

After a long pause—

"…Then, what kind of girls… do you like?"

Her voice trembled as she struggled to hold her lips steady.

A certain image flashed through Raven's mind.

Riveria Ljos Alf, one of the Nine Hell.

"Long hair, ideally."

"…Hmm."

"Hair color? I prefer green or blonde."

"…I see."

"And… elf race, probably."

"I… see…"

"Hm?"

When he said "elf," Ryuu suddenly looked up, her ocean-blue eyes widening slightly.

Blonde elf, green-haired elf…

Could it be…?

Does he like me?

A sudden surge of realization swept over her like a tidal wave.

---

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