When Lumel finally arrived, the banquet proceeded with eating, drinking, and casual conversations.
Even Tiamat, who had belatedly tidied up her appearance with a deep frown, eventually showed up, but no one paid any attention to her.
Aslan’s plan underlying the banquet required it to progress further so that many attendees would either become incapacitated or leave their seats.
As more people failed to notice or were absent when subsequent events unfolded, the banquet began to thin out.
When only the unwitting leaders of various factions remained at the banquet, enjoying themselves as an excuse not to leave,
that was precisely the moment to solidify practical alliances and explain what Aslan needed from each faction—this was Aslan’s true plan.
However, for this to work, the banquet needed to mature a little more.
The fewer people aware of this fact, the better.
The Emperor knew this and quickly sobered up.
Drinks similar to Earth’s rum or beer were served throughout the banquet and consumed by diverse voices.
Even Ereta drank, and by the time Tiamat was completely intoxicated,
Aslan, who had refrained from drinking, watched the situation vigilantly.
There were reasons for Aslan’s restraint: he disliked drinking because it made him easily drunk, but the main reason lay elsewhere.
While rolling the talisman in his hand, Aslan kept sharp eyes on every corner of the banquet hall, ready for Lewena’s possible arrival.
Although there were no signs of Lewena yet, the mere possibility kept Aslan tense.
Absentmindedly nibbling on Steamfalos wings while stroking its feathers, Aslan belatedly noticed Lumel tapping his shoulder.
“Aslan-sama.”
A light tap on the Steamfalos wing. Turning his head toward the touch, Aslan met the flushed cheeks of Lumel.
Judging by her slightly reddened face, she seemed to have had a bit of alcohol, though it might also be due to something else.
The noblewoman with silver hair and an impressive bust smiled subtly, noticing Aslan’s strained attempt to meet her gaze, and spoke.
“I’d like to get some fresh air… Would you accompany me?”
Unable to refuse, Aslan followed Lumel outside under the cool night sky after leaving the banquet hall.
Stopping by the railing under the moonlight, the woman exhaled deeply.
In truth, seeking fresh air was merely an excuse; she actually wanted to speak with Aslan, ask questions, and listen to what he had to say.
Determined, Lumel turned to Aslan, who cautiously approached and leaned on the railing. His clenched hands betrayed his unease, and his half-open eyes revealed sadness.
Realizing her intuition had been correct and acknowledging the tragic nature of it, Lumel felt both joy and sorrow.
She pitied Aslan’s plight but rejoiced in understanding him better.
Caught between these conflicting emotions, she glanced at Aslan.
“Did you manage to see your deceased wife? How did it go?”
Though only seeing his profile, Aslan’s expression wasn’t good. Despite his efforts to hide it, almost unnoticed by others, Lumel perceived it through her keen sensitivity.
It was impossible not to notice the sorrow flowing from his eyes.
“…”
It seemed Aslan didn’t want to express that sorrow. He moved his lips silently in a melancholic manner without uttering words, erasing the forced smile he had maintained.
With the absence of expression, a bittersweet atmosphere lingered.
“Are you very troubled?”
Aslan couldn’t deny it. He didn’t even question how she noticed, having already recognized Lumel’s exceptional empathy.
Knowing that saying he was fine would only reveal the truth anyway, Aslan remained silent while Lumel gazed at him with a sad look.
“It’s okay to admit if you’re troubled, Aslan-sama.”
After a pause, Aslan responded.
“I cannot.”
A firm reply. Yet, his voice carried a hint of regret, trembling faintly as if trying to recover it. Aslan continued.
“The power I wield… the attention I receive does not permit such indulgence. I am a veteran warrior, a priest-slayer, and Aslan, after all.”
Since arriving in Geladridion, Aslan had been special.
Through the system window, he could grow stronger, acquiring skills that allowed him to rapidly accumulate techniques in a short period.
Quests kept him focused on his goals, always guiding him on the path he should take.
For such an Aslan, admitting difficulty wasn’t appropriate.
It might apply to others, but not to Aslan.
At least, that’s what Aslan believed.
Those who held power must bear this burden. Though obsessive, it stemmed from a stubbornness that hadn’t wavered in twelve years—a stubbornness Lumel couldn’t argue against.
“Still… thank you for comforting me.”
When Lumel ran out of words, Aslan softly smiled and said, “Thank you.” The bittersweet undertone beneath that softness prompted Lumel to glance away and ask.
What kind of person was this ‘ex-wife’ who tormented this man?
“What was your wife like?”
Without hesitation, Lumel asked. The response came quicker than expected.
“She was a bad woman.”
When Lumel looked up at Aslan, he stared into the distant void, reminiscing.
“She liked soft foods. But she couldn’t handle anything too hot, so she often threw tantrums asking me to blow on it. She knew that doing so would make me give in and feed her.”
Behind his downcast eyes lay memories that still haunted Aslan.
“She was a woman who described every meal we shared in detail. A beautiful woman who smiled when calling my name, and also someone who spent the whole day brushing her bedhead in the mornings.”
The gentle smile that softened Aslan’s features hinted at a man reflecting fondly on cherished memories of past happiness.
Listening to these words, Lumel realized how much Aslan had truly loved his late wife.
And the pain Aslan endured because of that loss.
Turning back to Aslan’s now-bitter profile, Lumel asked,
“Do you like bad women?”
“…I’m not sure.”
A chuckling response. An attempt to deny, yet seemingly unable to do so entirely. Fidgeting with her hands, Lumel glanced at Aslan.
Aslan appeared genuinely in love with Lewena. Judging by his hesitant denial, the tender expressions accompanying his reminiscences, it was clear.
Despite losing her and enduring the resulting pain, Aslan hadn’t let go of that love.
Lumel envied that love.
“Then may I do just one bad thing?”
“Bad thing?”
Upon questioning, Lumel stepped closer. Just one step brought her close enough to lean on Aslan’s shoulder and wrap her arms around him.
Suddenly restrained by Lumel, Aslan found himself embraced as she rested her head on his shoulder and whispered,
“I like you, Aslan-sama.”
Speaking softly, when Aslan remained silent, Lumel raised her head to look at him.
“And I hope, Aslan-sama, that you’ll genuinely love me—not as part of my delusions, but truly.”
A confession driven by drunken courage. Upon receiving it, Aslan fell silent for a brief moment that felt eternal to Lumel. Finally, Aslan spoke.
“Before answering… I have one question. Why me?”
Upon hearing the question, Lumel seemed to ponder before smiling and responding.
“First, you saved me, didn’t you?”
When Aslan turned his eyes away, Lumel leaned on his arm and continued.
“Even if it wasn’t because you liked me… You’re a kind person who tries to save anyone in danger.”
Though being kind to everyone was disappointing, Aslan gave a sheepish smile at her following words.
“I like kind people. Someone who is kind to me and will be kind to the family we build together.”
“Family?”
Surprised by how far ahead she’d gone, Aslan looked at her, prompting Lumel to blush and turn her face away.
Hiding her face thus, she said,
“Also, secondly… Aslan-sama seems like someone who cares for others before themselves, making me want to support them from the side.”
“Support?”
“Yes, I feel like… I want to cherish you.”
There was no deception in the slightly embarrassed demeanor of the woman. Rather, as she glanced at Aslan, she added shyly,
“That’s why I like you. If those reasons aren’t enough… I’ll think of more.”
Initially hearing the first reason, Aslan wondered if that alone was sufficient, but upon hearing she’d think of more, he realized reasons weren’t important.
Love, after all, doesn’t need reasons.
Just as Aslan loved Lewena without reason, Lumel loved Aslan without needing one.
Love doesn’t require a reason to begin.
Aslan bitterly smiled.
“That’s enough.”
Interrupting the earnestly pondering Lumel, he addressed her expectant brown eyes.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot accept the love you offer.”
Cannot accept it.
Expectation faded from Lumel’s eyes, replaced by a light despair.
“Why…? Is it because I’m lacking…?”
“No, that’s not it. Lumel-sama is an extraordinary person, far too good for me. It’s just…”
What explanation would Lumel understand? Aslan gazed vacantly into the distance, his words raw and unfiltered.
“I can’t afford to fall right now.”
Confused by this statement, Lumel blinked as Aslan continued.
“I said my wife passed away, but that’s not entirely true. Lewena… my wife, she was a bad woman and a priestess.”
The next words completely defied Lumel’s expectations.
“I tried to stop her, but I couldn’t. She went berserk and wiped Beryl, a flourishing city, off the map. All I could do…”
Gritting his teeth, Aslan unconsciously crushed the talisman in his grip. Noticing his anguish, Lumel placed her hand on his arm as he struggled to continue.
“All I could do was kill my own wife. In the city that burned and died, I severed her neck.”
Hearing this, Lumel hastily interjected, urgently and desperately.
“I won’t cause you any harm. Absolutely… I won’t hurt Aslan-sama…”
“That’s not the issue.”
Interrupting her with a denial, seeing Lumel’s despondent expression, Aslan faced her.
“If I were to accept Lumel-sama, you would become part of me. And if I were to lose you, I’d lose part of myself. And I… I don’t think I could rise again then.”
Aslan’s twelve years were marked by suffering. Throughout this painful journey, Aslan had continuously lost things.
At the end of this loss and suffering, Aslan realized he could no longer endure.
“Please understand. If you can’t… it’s alright to resent me.”
Aslan smiled wearily. The weariness in his moist eyes was palpable.
Lumel bit her lip at the sight of this fatigued smile, lowered her head, and could only lightly shake her head. Resenting him was impossible.
Reaching out, Aslan brushed her cheek gently.
Under the soft, warm touch, Lumel looked up as Aslan forced a smile.
“I will slay the evil deities. Until then, I cannot accept the affections of either Lumel-sama or Ereta. I apologize.”
Realizing she had been rejected, Lumel could only look at Aslan with sympathy.
Gazing at the starry night sky, Lumel softly spoke.
“…Can I be a bad girl just for tonight? Will you not hate me for doing something wrong?”
“I couldn’t hate you. You’re my comrade.”
Though unsaid, it was unnecessary. Lowering her head thoughtfully, Lumel smiled gently.
Being rejected didn’t feel too bad.
“Can I love you recklessly?”
If he wouldn’t accept her until he defeated the evil deities, she could simply wait.
“As long as Aslan-sama hasn’t accepted my feelings, as long as you haven’t fallen in love again… Can I selfishly pine for you?”
Taking Aslan’s hand, Lumel warmed his palm with her body heat, and Aslan couldn’t bring himself to tell her not to.
He couldn’t.
All he could do was bite his lip and nod hesitantly.
“If it brings you peace, please do so.”
The woman permitted to love unrequitedly smiled faintly and rested her head on Aslan’s chest.
“You’re secretly a bad person, Aslan-sama.”
“I’m sorry.”
Instead of replying, Lumel pulled away and hummed a tune.
Though rejected, it didn’t feel entirely bad.
Rather, given the chance it implied and the affection it promised, it satisfied her fantasies.
Permitted unrequited love. Repeating the phrase, Lumel turned and looked at Aslan.
“If you’re sorry, treat me better.”
“…I’ll try.”
“You can use informal speech if you want.”
“I’ll try that too.”
As Aslan stepped away from the railing, Lumel smiled broadly and said,
“Let’s return to the banquet hall. We’ve been out here too long, and our bodies must have cooled down. So…”
Kuaaaaaaaak!
Before finishing, a man’s scream erupted from inside the banquet hall.
“…Lewena.”
Aslan’s face paled completely.
