Chapter 80: Arriving at the Palace
“Hurry up, Come Faster~”
“I-I am trying!”
“You can move even more faster!!”
“B-But it is sssooo tight… m-my~aarrrhhh!”
“FUCK!!”
Aether stood with a blank expression, observing the three individuals, whom he often referred to as the ‘Dogs of Timmy,’ struggling to rotate the massive wheel that facilitated the kitchen’s fire circulation, connecting it to the burner.
It was a daily ordeal; the mechanism would frequently get stuck, necessitating the effort of three people to get it moving again. These three ‘idiots’ had volunteered for this task, seeing it as an opportunity to prove themselves.
‘Those useless idiots,’ Aether thought to himself, shaking his head in mild exasperation before deciding to step away from the chaotic scene. His designated duty time had already ended, and he saw no reason to intervene in others’ affairs.
Retreating to the solitude of his empty room, Aether settled down on the paper, contemplating the monotony of his routine since returning from the Monster Hunting expedition.
The only notable change was his attire; thanks to Delphine, who was currently residing in the same quarters, he now wore a neat T-shirt and pants. Meanwhile, Delphine held Snowflake, the white snake, nestled within her bosom.
Staring up at the ceiling, Aether reflected on the impending changes. Today marked the final day in this room since his arrival in this unfamiliar world. Tomorrow, they would commence their journey to the castle for an engagement ceremony, followed by Kai and Selene’s enrollment in the prestigious Academy for further education.
“So, Yeah… Today marks my last day here,” Aether mused aloud, a sense of relief mingling with anticipation. It wasn’t that he harboured any ill feelings toward this place; rather, he looked forward to the newfound freedom away from Mortimer’s watchful gaze.
Once away from Mortimer’s scrutiny, Aether planned to devote himself wholeheartedly to honing his skills, something he hadn’t been able to do since arriving in this world. It was also the moment he would confront the daunting reality of his….. seduction mission.
Aether was feeling a little hesitant when it came to the seduction mission. While he could handle fights and other challenges, even taking on roles like a villain or a demon king….. playing with people’s feelings left him feeling disgusted, especially since he longed for genuine love himself.
He pondered many things and attempted to call upon his Log to change his mission, but it never responded. He even tried to annoy the Arcane Bitch, but it seemed like no one was willing to respond to him.
Despite cursing and venting frustration about everything in his new life, deep down, he felt a sense of happiness for getting a second chance. He had lost nearly everything in his past life, although not everything, as he still had his friends with him until the end.
But still, he had lost—controlled by his political father, unloved by his mother, and betrayed by his bastard brother and broken lover. It was a bitter realization of his past.
He truly lost!
Yet, here… Everything seemed familiar yet different, with new faces and opportunities. He was given a chance to seize control of his fate, unlike before.
Though uncertain of the kind of fate that awaited him, he vowed to utilize every means necessary to defy the constraints of the Log and confront the Arcane Bitch or whoever she was.
“Still, I’d prefer an older woman… not a child,” Aether grumbled inwardly. To him, everyone around his physical age seemed like mere children.
“Seduction… ah,” he mused, contemplating the unfamiliar territory ahead. He had never seduced anyone so he wasn’t sure how to do it but still, he determined to see the end of his fucking life!!!
As sleep slowly enveloped him, his mind buzzing with thoughts of defiance and change, dawn broke, signalling a new day of hustle and bustle in the mansion, where Aether was just one among many rushing to fulfil their duties and destinies.
After getting ready,
“Grandson, make sure to stay strong,” Mortimer’s words were filled with paternal concern as he kissed Kai before the departure for the engagement. Kai, though a bit worried about his grandfather’s absence from the engagement, was reassured by Mortimer’s promise to be present for the marriage.
“To my dear, take care of your health and don’t fall for any worthless guys. Please also ensure your brother stays strong,” Mortimer’s words shifted to Selene, his pat on her head a gesture of both affection and responsibility.
Mortimer then nodded to Velc and Albert before turning his attention to Delphine, who showed little interest in his words.
Soon, a line of carriages departed from the Frostblade mansion, each carrying its passengers and their respective thoughts and emotions.
Aether found himself seated in one of the carriages, accompanied by other servants. However, his solitude was disrupted by the presence of three troublesome individuals.
“Hello, Bastard?”
“You’re quite good at hiding, aren’t you?”
“Did you wet yourself when you saw a slime?”
“Hahaaha”
“Oh, come on, he’s just a child… he cries for his mommy!”
“Hahaha
The three idiots had been trying their best to annoy Aether, taking advantage of being alone with him as if someone had orchestrated it to teach Aether a lesson.
However, Aether’s response was unexpected.
“Hey, do you know who I hate the most?” Aether smiled, tilting his head with a seemingly friendly expression, “Weak bitches acting all tough to bully the weak.”
“H-Huh?” The three idiots suddenly flinched and felt a little uneasiness.
“You know, you can kiss anyone’s ass… Not that I care, but you should know when to stop. Otherwise…” Aether clenched his fist and muttered under his breath, “…you might not have a tongue left to lick ass!”
“W-What a–PUFF!!”
“W-Wa– AAHHFFF!!”
“S-Sorryy-fffff!!!!”
The carriage rocked and swayed as if in the throes of a storm, the muffled sounds of scuffling barely contained within its confines.
Observing the chaos with a satisfied smirk, the carriage driver gave a discreet thumbs-up to Timmy, who reciprocated with a knowing grin from the adjacent carriage.
“What happened?” Alfred inquired, noticing the commotion as he settled into the carriage.
Timmy, his face a picture of innocence, replied, “N-nothing much, just a little pest that needed some… discipline.”
“Hmm…” Alfred’s brows furrowed momentarily before he resumed his focus on the road ahead, trusting his son to handle matters as he saw fit as long as his name was not pulled into anything.
After a day of travel and a rest stop at a hotel, the convoy resumed its journey, arriving at their destination the following day.
Aether’s breath caught in awe as he beheld the grandeur of the palace, its azure facade adorned with intricate carvings of marine life. The sculptures seemed to come alive as sunlight danced upon them, casting playful shadows that accentuated every detail of the sea creatures depicted. Beyond its walls stretched the boundless expanse of the ocean, a sight that filled him with wonder and excitement.
“OPEN THE GATE!!” The soldiers stationed at the colossal entrance bellowed, alerting the palace guards to the approaching Frostblade entourage.
Aether, transfixed by the sight, felt a surge of exhilaration course through him. Yet, amidst his awe, a steely resolve simmered within.
For Aether, who had lived a life devoid of such majestic sights, this moment was nothing short of magical. It stirred a sense of adventure and possibility within him, igniting a spark of determination to explore this new world and all its wonders.
“Arrh…Y-You b–pfff!!!” Aether’s voice cut through the air like thunder, his foot landing squarely on one of the troublemakers with a resounding thud. The impact sent a jolt of pain through the troublemaker, who let out a stifled gasp.
“Remember my words, you filthy….” Aether’s voice was steely, his eyes narrowing with determination, “I may be weak now, but my heart has never faltered in the face of some local shit! So, you better heed my warning and keep your damn mouth shut, otherwise, I’ll break your fucking face so badly that your own mother won’t even recognize you….”
“You got it” Aether glanced down at him with emotionless eyes, finding no satisfaction in the response. Without a word, he delivered another stomp!!
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