Chapter 42:Time for Romance, Before the war

POV: V? D? S?

In a world completely shattered, creatures of opposing natures tried — in vain — to restore it.

— Damn it... one fragment is still missing — muttered a giant eye suspended in the sky.

There was only a single eye, yet it carried an infinite malice.

Its voice came from nowhere, yet echoed across the entire dimension.

Those who heard it trembled — not because they understood, but because they felt it.

They felt that what awaited them… could not be stopped.

That eye scanned every crack, every corner of that reality.

It was not merely an observer.

It was the very embodiment of the dimension itself.

Its obsession was simple:

That this world — fragmented, broken, lost — should once again be whole, as it was before the fall.

Every being in the dimension moved, compulsively, in the same pursuit.

From the highest to the lowest ranks:

Angels and demons.

Divinities and dragons.

Nameless, shapeless creatures.

All searched.

But none found.

Because the missing fragment... was in the hands of someone no one would ever imagine.

---

Elsewhere…

POV: Bruno

A shiver ran down my spine.

— What was that...? — I whispered, halting the hunt.

We'd spent hours in the forest, but only managed to bring down the black elephant.

No second-level beast appeared — not even with Ignis scanning the skies and Astrel tracking the trails.

> Maybe... something's wrong.

As I moved to return, that thought lingered — echoing louder in my mind.

I leapt through the trees, heading back.

The filtered sunlight felt dimmer than usual, as if the very air had changed.

And my thoughts... began to drift.

I moved silently through the forest, weaving past trees and clearings.

My eyes scanned every corner, alert to the slightest threat — or opportunity.

But everything seemed... eerily normal.

Low-level beasts roamed freely.

No sign of second-level creatures.

Something was definitely wrong.

Beasts of the second level usually ruled entire regions of the forest.

Entering their territory without facing hostility was nearly impossible.

I picked up the pace.

After nearly an hour, I reached the General Headquarters.

In no time, I was face to face with Sitha in her office.

— So... what happened? — she asked, surprised by my sudden appearance.

— The second-level beasts are gone — I said directly. — I roamed the entire forest and didn't find a single one.

Not even near-second-level beasts.

Before, it was easy to spot a hundred in any given area… today, I found only seven.

I paused briefly.

— Also… the Vitae in the air has dropped. I estimate a 20% decrease across the forest.

Sitha frowned, visibly surprised — and concerned.

— You're the seventh to report this today — she said, bringing her hand to her chin.

— Seventh...? — I echoed, confused. — Where did the beasts go?

— I have no idea. But… if something can force that many beasts to retreat or vanish, then something big is about to happen — she replied, her voice low and serious.

— Be ready. For anything.

With that, she dismissed me.

---

🏰 Back at the Castle

As I crossed the castle gates, I was already expecting the scolding.

And of course… it came.

— What a stupid idea! — Flávia said, pushing me lightly in the chest. — You just recovered, and you go out hunting alone, without telling anyone?

I smiled. I walked over and sat beside her on the sofa, pulling her into a hug.

— Sorry, little bat — I murmured, resting my chin on her shoulder.

— You really think I'm falling for that? — she muttered, rolling her eyes, though she didn't pull away.

— I went to the forest south of the city — I explained. — I was looking for beasts above level 1, wanted to collect blood and crystals…

I hesitated.

— But… there were no second-level beasts at all.

She looked at me with only one eye visible, the other hidden beneath strands of dark hair.

— What do you mean...? — she asked, brow furrowed.

I gently pulled her into my lap, then answered:

— Apparently, the near-second-level beasts have drastically decreased in number… and the second-level ones have completely vanished.

Flávia stared at me, surprised by the news.

— Are you sure?

— Yes. Sitha said I was the seventh to report something similar. Most likely, this is happening in several other regions too.

She simply nodded, not saying much — but her distant gaze said everything.

She was thinking. Hard.

— Tsk, tsk, tsk… — she muttered suddenly, pinching my ear with two fingers.

— Hey! — I complained, half laughing.

— Don't you dare go off like that again without warning! — she scolded, releasing my ear with an annoyed, yet affectionate expression.

She remained quiet on my lap, her gaze distant.

Lost in thoughts I couldn't reach.

Most likely… she knew things I couldn't even imagine.

> What a mess… — I thought to myself, saying nothing, while I slid my arm around her waist, pulling her just a little closer.

— So… little bat — I whispered, smirking. — Are you going to punish me now?

I leaned in, face to face, clearly teasing.

Anything to escape the weight of recent events — the silence, the unanswered questions, the emptiness left in the forest.

All of it pressed down heavier than I cared to admit.

She looked away for a second, but her expression softened — just a little.

— Maybe… — she replied quietly. — You're definitely due for something.

— And? What kind of punishment do I deserve? — I murmured, my lips brushing against hers.

— Let me think, fox boy… — she answered, slyly. — It has to be a punishment you'll never forget.

She leaned in slowly.

Our lips met under that quiet, warm atmosphere.

The kiss began gentle, but soon deepened — not rushed, just full of restrained desire.

Each kiss was a reunion, a silent declaration.

We felt each other as if the world had stopped around us.

My hands began to wander across her body with care, memorizing every curve.

Timidly, she guided my movements with hers — setting the pace, the rhythm.

It was a silent dance between trust and desire.

I felt her body respond to my touch.

Our bodies entwined, shaping around each other, not rushing to cross any lines.

And honestly… we didn't need to.

Between us, there was more than tension.

There was affection.

Desire.

Care.

I could say it without hesitation:

We were a couple that truly loved one another.

---

⚔️ Preparations for War

Without rest, we worked relentlessly.

I coordinated my brigade with intensity, side by side with my five captains.

We prepared everything — potions, weapons, supplies, mounts.

Every detail was critical.

I moved constantly, shouting orders, watching as the four battalions flowed around me like a living organism.

The brigade pushed itself to the limit to have everything ready.

And it wasn't just here.

The entire General Headquarters was in full mobilization.

---

🌄 Hours later…

The four great divisions had assembled in front of the fortress gates.

At the very front stood Flávia, Sitha, and Selena, leading the march.

Right behind them were the division leaders — the Quasi-Barons from the major institutions.

Then came us: the Brigade Commanders.

Behind us, the Battalion Leaders.

And finally, the soldiers — a sea of armor and discipline.

More than ten thousand.

And along the road, we would still meet with reinforcements from various villages.

---

Riding on Astrel, I led my brigade, positioned near the center.

In the skies above, Ignis flew in wide circles, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.

Dozens of familiars and scouting beasts moved across the flanks and forest edge, extending our reach.

The sound of hooves, armor, and wheels filled the air —

everything vibrated with the weight of the inevitable.

War was coming.

And we were marching straight toward it.