Raegar listened to Dahlia tell him everything she knew about the continent to the far west. Strange people who practice strange magic and monsters that he could only dream of wandered the lush jungles. While she was engrossed with the stories, he noticed even more ships entered the capital.

The Dawnfire navy patrolled the waterways, making sure the merchants weren't causing trouble. While sitting there, the brunette nudged him. ''Can I get some of that chocolate?''

''Yes, sorry I was daydreaming,'' he replied, chuckling. ''I was caught up in your story and the ships sailing past.''

''Don't worry about it, handsome,'' Dahlia responded, a cheerful smile appearing. ''We'll explore those places one day, maybe once we take the rest of the continent?''

Raegar's eyes widened. ''You want to conquer all of this place?''

Dahlia nodded, her smile growing wider. ''Of course, it was my father's dream, and if you help, we can take everything. Especially the northern barbarians, they are a thorn in my side.''

''I understand,'' he said quietly. ''Grandfather and father have spoken about this many times. Both agree many of the kingdoms would thrive under your rule, but the north and south will fight back, bringing the empire into a full-out war.''

''That's okay with me and High Command,'' she revealed, giggling. ''We've been building our forces up for the last five years, the armies are bursting at the seams and need a target to let out that excitement.''

Raegar chuckled at her choice of words but nodded. ''Okay, but make sure you clear out the bandits and outlaws, they'll love another war and will raid the Kingsway or smaller villages.''

Dahlia's amber eyes lit up as she asked in a seductive voice. ''How about you clear them out for me? You can use the Fusion Warriors?''

''I knew you were going to ask,'' he laughed. ''Alright, I want a reward for it, I've cleared out the empire enough times now.''

The older woman's smile grew wider, more seductive as she leaned in to whisper, her lips brushing against his ear. ''How about an empress on her back, moaning your name?''

''That was bound to happen today, Dahlia,'' he growled.

She giggled before upping her reward. ''More Aether tablets to help you advance even further, you've fallen behind thanks to always being busy.''

Raegar sighed but agreed. ''Alright, I'll do it in a day or two.''

When Dahlia heard his words, her face lit up with a bright smile that seemed to illuminate the area around them. Overcome with joy, she reached out, her fingers gently cupping his cheeks, her touch warm. Without hesitation, she leaned in, pressing a passionate kiss against his lips.

The world around them seemed to fade, the soft murmur of the nearby river and the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze adding to the moment. As their lips met, a surge of energy coursed through him, a tingling shiver cascading down his spine. Their Aether intertwined in a fleeting, electric connection.

In that instant, the truth of her earlier explanations became clear; he understood the depth of their bond, the unspoken harmony that pulsed between them. When they finally parted, their breaths slightly uneven, their eyes locked in a shared moment of wonder. The air around them felt charged, as if the very atmosphere hummed.

Dahlia's gaze sparkled, her smile soft but brimming with affection. Slowly, they rose to their feet. Hand in hand, they began to stroll along the riverbank, the gentle lapping of the water against the shore keeping time with their steps. The world around them seemed to glow in the fading light, the horizon painted in pink and gold.

''Thank you for all your help, Rae,'' she said earnestly. ''Without you, Dawnfire would be covered in chaos.''

''Don't worry about it,'' he replied. ''I enjoy fighting, and looting the dead earns me more than enough gold to be worth it.''

The two laughed, but were interrupted as Dahlia's stomach rumbled, causing her face to go bright red. Raegar chuckled at this before grabbing her soft hand, dragging the older woman back to Main Street. ''Let's go get some dinner, then we can find a fancy inn to stay in,'' he revealed.

Following that, they found a pasta restaurant that honestly shocked him when he realized they were in this world. He suspected there was someone from Earth reincarnated into this world, considering how wide stretch all this stuff is. When the two stepped through the entrance, only to were greeted by an older man.

''Evening, young ones. I'm Michael,'' he cheerfully said. ''How can we serve you tonight?''

''A table for two, please,'' Raegar replied. ''We want something to eat and found this place.''

Michael eagerly nodded. ''Good, this is one of the best pasta places since the mistress started opening stores on this continent,'' he revealed.

When Raegar heard this, his eyebrows rose, but Dahlia interrupted. ''Do you sell Sake? That eastern drink that appeared in the empire last year.''

''Of course!'' Michael exclaimed. ''We have the finest in the city, but it will cost you a lot.''

''Don't worry about the coin,'' Raegar answered, taking out a pouch and shaking it, creating a jingle thanks to all the gold. ''We have enough.''

Following that, they were led to a table, getting them seated before handing the duo menus. Dahlia quickly ordered what she wanted, and he ordered a few dishes, shocking Michael, who questioned. ''This will be about eight gold coins, is that okay?''

''It's fine,'' he said, handing over ten to get the payment out of the way.

When the older man walked away, Dahlia turned to him, an amused glint in her eye. ''Hungry are we? I knew you could, but this is something else.''

''Well, thanks to the amount of Aether my body uses, I need the energy,'' Raegar revealed. ''It burns away so quickly that I don't get fat.''

The older woman giggled. ''I wouldn't be bothered if you were a little chubby, but I suppose the Aether keeps you fit.''

Raegar shook his head, chuckling as horns erupted in the distance. Dahlia's head snapped in its direction, only for a smile to appear on her pretty face. ''Looks like the expedition has returned. This should be good.''

''Expedition? What's that about?''

''Oh, to a faraway continent,'' she revealed. ''It was commissioned by my father, who will be greeting them when they enter the port.''

''What about you? You're the current empress?'' he questioned, a curious expression crossing his face.

''We'll see the members the day after the Ball,'' Dahlia answered, smiling at him.

''It's tomorrow or the day after, right?''

''The day after, didn't I already tell you this?''

Raegar chuckled as Michael reappeared, holding a fancy-looking bottle of Sake and placed it on the table. ''I thought you'd be thirsty, so I brought this over before your food.''

''Thank you,'' Dahlia thanked the man and began pouring him a glass.

After that, they began chatting about the expedition, its perils, and its wonders. Raegar listened intently as she recounted the harrowing journey through jungles teeming with beauty and danger. She spoke of canopies that blocked out the sun, and every step was dangerous with the threat of unseen predators and treacherous terrain.

Her voice grew heavy as she described the monstrous creatures they faced, beasts of such immense power that even hundreds of seasoned, high-tiered warriors fell before them, their skills and bravery no match for the relentless ferocity of their foes. Yet, amidst the tales of loss and danger, her eyes lit up as she described the ancient temples they uncovered.

Weathered stone facades etched with cryptic runes and intricate carvings that hinted at forgotten civilizations. She spoke of strange peoples they encountered, tribes with customs and languages so alien they seemed to belong to another world. Her words painted vivid pictures of otherworldly landscapes and breathtaking wonders.

Glowing flora that pulsed with light, rivers that shimmered like liquid crystal, and relics of unimaginable craftsmanship that defied explanation. Each story wove a tapestry of awe and terror, leaving Raegar both captivated and sobered by the magnitude of what she had endured and witnessed.

The air grew thick as she began to recount the most chilling chapter of the expedition, the encounters with the cannibal tribes that stalked the crew through the jungle. ''The story says they were shadows among the trees,'' she revealed. ''The first sign was the silence, even for a jungle that never truly slept. Birds stopped singing, the insects fell quiet, and a chill settled over them.''

She described how the expedition's scouts had found strange markings on the trees, crude, spiraling symbols smeared in what they later realized was blood. At first, they thought it was a warning from some territorial beast, but the truth was far worse. The tribes moved like predators, she explained, their bodies painted with ash, blending into the undergrowth.

They didn't attack outright, not at first. Instead, they hunted with an almost inhuman patience, trailing the expedition for days, picking off stragglers who wandered too far from the group. ''They'd wake to find men missing,'' she whispered, her voice trembling. ''No screams, no signs of struggle, just gone, as if the jungle itself had swallowed them.''