Chapter 368
Chapter 368
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 368
Chapter Title: Blanche's Fiery Welcome
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-Rustle, rustle.
A warm sensation from somewhere coaxed my eyes open, and there were Aori and Sun right in front of me.
We were in the bedroom of a super-luxurious cruise ship.
Sun and I were lying side by side, asleep, but it looked like Aori had slipped in between us at some point.
My hand and Sun's hand were both wrapped around Aori.
"Awake?"
Nod, nod. Aori nodded her head, squeezing her sleepy eyes shut tight.
I patted her back lightly and gently pulled back the curtains on the window.
The sky was still dark, so I stroked Aori's head.
"Sleep tight. We've got to keep moving tomorrow."
"King."
"Yeah."
Sandwiched between us two guys, sharing our warmth, her face was much brighter than before.
Aori had pulled the blanket all the way up to her mouth.
I tried to pull it down from my shoulder, worried it might be hard for her to breathe.
"I like it this way. Just a little stuffy."
Aori refused.
I closed my eyes again, and just as sleep was starting to creep in, she spoke.
Her voice carried a hint of unease.
"The king... won't abandon us, right?"
"...Don't talk nonsense. Go to sleep."
"You'll keep devouring trees, right?"
"...Fuck."
"Heehee."
Aori gripped my wrist tightly and pulled it to her chest. When I opened my eyes, her face looked peaceful, cradled in our two hands.
-Aori's been through hell since birth... yeah. Hard to put into words. All because she's a descendant of the king. When I found her, it was a miracle she was even alive.
Apparently, she'd gained regeneration abilities without realizing it, so she couldn't even die when she wanted to.
Having lived like that, Aori probably never really felt love from others.
-So forgive her when she acts weird sometimes. She's got a strong sense of responsibility, at least.
It must have been pure joy for her, even if it horrified me.
Her immaturity might stem from a fragile mind.
Aori smiled more around us than anyone.
She followed our lead, maybe seeing it all as just play.
Having lived lives like that, it made sense why Sun and Aori were so inseparably attached.
Like siblings you couldn't rein in.
"......"
I let sleep take me as it came.
Starting with Japan, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Then the US, Canada, Mexico.
Portugal and Spain after that.
And now... France.
A lot had happened along the way.
We'd come up with all sorts of bizarre excuses that would make Casanova weep, pushing our abilities to the limit, and unexpected things cropped up too.
Like nearly getting our identities exposed by hunters dispatched from the local association.
Or almost getting caught in the crossfire between Flower and the church.
And the trees with insanely unique tastes.
We'd been ravished in unheard-of positions and swallowed their powers.
At the peaks of those self-made role-plays, I'd even slipped into mental breakdowns worse than my training under the old Heavenly Demon.
I didn't remember, but the others said I acted totally out of it.
When I asked what I'd done, they refused to tell me no matter how much I pressed.
Still, thanks to Sun and Aori stepping in a lot, I was holding onto my sanity.
'These kids are weirdly overprepared.'
Whenever we tried something, they always had some outlandish method ready.
Methods so brutal I'd feel better after a good punch.
-Wanna thrust once here? Or go all night?
You little shits.
Group orgies or worse seemed perfect for filling the compendium, and the fruits were sweet.
[Relations with 164 tree species]
[Over 500 sex acts]
A massive orgy party over a single week.
'Was there even lust in it?'
Not a single moment.
I had the ability, so I thrust.
I thrust, so I got stronger.
No one to blame anymore. At some point, I realized this was my one-way path.
"Kiiing..."
"What."
"I have chocolate-flavored buds too..."
How was even her sleep-talk so otherworldly?
Sleep fled completely. I opened my eyes and gently stroked Aori's head. A innocent smile bloomed on her face.
"You two get some good rest too."
If anything went wrong, I'd take the fall.
I wanted these two to find lives of their own, beyond just serving the king.
"Gold-rimmed buds... chocolate."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We've arrived in France!
Blanche's lover!!
-Crash! Boom!
"Lady Marronier, wait! Your wounds haven't...!"
"......"
"Lady Marroniiier!"
With eyes squeezed shut, praying over and over, Marronier even used her newly learned spatial magic to move without being spotted.
"Sorry... sorry, sorry, sorry!"
Tears soaked in guilt streamed from Marronier's tightly closed eyes.
She hated herself for sprinting along, flailing her arms and legs.
―mon chéri: I'm in France.
The message from just minutes ago.
The most thrilling news to set her heart ablaze.
"Airport, airpoooort!"
Hop—hop!
Staff clutched to her chest, she bounded down the airport stairs three at a time like a rabbit.
That's when her excitement tangled her steps, tilting her body forward.
"Eek...!"
She was going to fall. The moment she tried to cast a spell—
Thick arms caught her.
Marronier's eyelids flew open, and her face lit up like she'd conquered the world.
"Why so rushed? I just sent the message. Already here?"
"Mon soleil!"
Her hair fluttered in the airport breeze.
Like cat ears twitching in the wind.
Clinging to the man, Marronier puckered her lips and planted a cute pink mark on his cheek.
"Good makeup today?"
At his words while hugging her tight, not Marronier's but Blanche's face flushed red.
"...Pretty?"
"Pretty."
"Love me...?"
"Love you."
"Me too...♡"
Blanche's unquenchable passion stemmed from a night long ago.
Entwined bodies, shared love. From that day, brakes ceased to exist for her.
There was sweeter sugar to smother her shyness!
She tilted her wide-brimmed hat low to hide from airport crowds, then indulged freely in that blind spot.
"Well, well."
"King..."
Sun and Aori were watching the scene.
The only two piercing the blind spot!
Marronier yanked back her tongue and tried to explain frantically.
"...Ah! Th-that's."
"Bro. Nice view. Keep going."
"It's not like we're dating or anything... ugh. Mon chéri..."
What do I do?
Marronier looked up at him pleadingly for help.
Finding her adorable, Lee Siheon pulled Blanche into a hug.
The girl in her pristine white dress melted into him without resistance, her worries vanishing as her face brightened.
"Whoa..."
"Blech."
Sun and Aori spat out the sugar crammed in their mouths.
The short but intense greeting ended.
Finally coming to her senses after leaving Lee Siheon's arms, Marronier straightened up and greeted the trio.
Still clutching his hand like a treasure.
'Damn, that's real love. What the hell did bro do?'
No enslavement involved. Incredible.
Sun marveled at her.
Aori glared indifferently, then got a fun idea and sidled up to Lee Siheon, sticking tight.
-Squeeze.
Fire lit Marronier's face at the sudden skinship.
Aori patted his shoulder like it was nothing.
"Buy me chocolate."
"Oh, yeah? Wonder if there's a shop nearby."
-Grip.
Their clasped hands tightened. Blanche stared at Lee Siheon with teary eyes.
Laser beams from her eyes rivaled sci-fi lightsabers.
Sun clicked his tongue at Aori's antics again. Lee Siheon stroked her head.
Aori grinned smugly. Below, her breasts jiggled.
Jiggle—
The onomatopoeia echoed hugely in his ears: jiggle, jiggle, jiggle.
Witnessing what she lacked, anxiety sprouted wildly.
"Uh... uh... uhhh..."
Similar height, just different color.
But those overwhelming breasts—what?
Suddenly snapping to it, Blanche snorted and wedged between Aori and Lee Siheon.
Grin. Grin.
Cheeks puffed with rage.
"Blanche?"
"...Pay some attention to me."
Her jealousy blatant, impossible to miss. He stroked her head too, and Marronier smugly glared at Aori.
Aori returned to Sun's side with a smirk.
"Sun. See? I spiced up those two nicely."
"What're you on about? For a sec, I thought you were the sun, not me."
A brief rest for their hardworking king.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ -Not here in France to devour anyone specific. Just a pit stop on the way to Russia. Needed to lay some groundwork myself.
Fatigue melted away luxuriously.
The world's top three fatigue cures: squishy Sansu-yu, Night Cat Marronier, our girl Shiva.
Even one brought invincible bliss.
-Swish.
A fork with meat approached my face.
I opened my mouth, and Marronier fed it in at just the right pace.
Careful not to let it touch my teeth. Slow and considerate.
Juices burst, filling my mouth.
"How is it?"
Her excited voice rang through the restaurant.
Her near-dress outfit showed how much effort she'd put in.
It felt like... the noble aura when I first saw the Sage?
If the Sage was a grand duchess vibe, Marronier was the perfect lady.
"But usually, don't people sit across from each other?"
"The little things matter?"
Marronier pressed her body as close as possible to my arm, awkwardly slicing steak in that pose.
Her shoulder against my elbow. Body tilted heavily.
Desperate to maximize contact.
Her arm stretched far to cut, feeding me bites between slices.
"Not eating?"
It was nice, comfy even.
Stay like this, and I'd get addicted to Blanche's care.
When I asked, Blanche beamed innocently and fed me another piece.
"As long as you're full... that's good."
"Still, you gotta eat."
"I did."
What, one edamame? Asparagus?
I appreciated the thought, but this might need antacids.
I cut my steak and held a piece to Marronier's mouth.
"......Mmm."
She bit eagerly, then rested her face on my shoulder.
Her cheek moved, happy sounds leaking out.
"Mmm~♬"
Even her gasp was melodic.
Blanche's face, thick with affection, drew near.
I didn't stop it.
Lips met, parted.
Beef's savory oil filled my mouth. Her lips glistened with it.
"...Tastes wild today."
Evolved Marronier was bold—impressively so.