CHAPTER 71: INVITATION?!

Emilia sucked in a deep breath, her heart thudding against her ribs as if trying to escape.

’Father... he really does remember me.’

She hadn’t been certain.

They had been apart for years, she had went through countless changes — she’d grown taller, her features more defined, her eyes holding experiences no child should have endured.

Recognition shouldn’t have been instant. And yet, as soon as their eyes met through the flickering hologram, she knew.

That was the thing about the bond between father and daughter — it ignored time.

Just as she could pick his face from a crowd of thousands, he could see past the woman she had become to the little girl he once carried on his shoulders.

For a brief, raw moment, Steven’s eyes trembled.

His expression didn’t change much, but the slight shake in his gaze was enough to betray him.

The corners of his eyes glistened faintly before he turned his head away and wiped them with the sleeve of his tunic, the motion brisk, almost as if brushing away dust.

But everyone knew it was tears...

When he turned back to Azel, his voice was steady, though not without weight.

"Boy, where are you?"

"Rochel City," Azel replied without hesitation, almost as if he’d already predicted the question.

Steven’s answer was immediate. "I’ll be there by morning. I’ll take a griffin."

He rose from where he had been sitting, the background behind him shifting with movement.

Then his gaze softened just slightly. "...Thank you."

"No problem, old man," Azel replied casually, waving him off. His lips quirked faintly. "Though I have to admit, she’s beautiful."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Azel felt the chill run down his spine before he even registered why.

Through the shimmering light of the communication orb, Steven’s eyes locked onto his.

His gaze was piercing. Aura radiated from them like invisible blades, flooding the connection with murderous intent so tangible Azel could almost taste iron in the air.

For a heartbeat, Azel imagined those eyes right in front of him, and he could practically hear the words unsaid: Touch my daughter, and you die.

The intent faded, leaving behind a faint, uncomfortable silence.

Then the hologram flickered once and vanished.

Azel exhaled slowly.

"And that’s exactly what would’ve happened if I’d agreed," he muttered, rolling his shoulders before standing up and stretching.

Emilia sat frozen, the blush still warming her cheeks.

She didn’t know what she’d expected after their strange conversation earlier, but she’d hoped — maybe foolishly that it wouldn’t end this abruptly.

Her lips parted as he walked past her, the urge to say something, anything rising in her chest.

But her throat tightened.

The words stuck.

So she let him pass without stopping him, watching the broad line of his back grow smaller until he stood in front of Rain.

He bent slightly, lifting Lillia into his arms with practiced ease.

"Thanks," he said, his gaze shifting to Elga. "Thank you for having me, ma’am. Like you heard, I’ll be back tomorrow — with the Sword Saint."

Elga’s smile deepened, warm and maternal, before she stepped forward and gave him a brief side hug. "You’re welcome here anytime."

And with that, Azel left.

...

By the time he reached the inn, the low hum of the city had mellowed into the softer sounds of early evening.

The light was fading, painting the streets in warm amber tones.

Azel let Lillia down once they were finally inside.

His shoulders ached faintly, not only did he have to carry her but he met the Saintess and even another heroine included in the pot.

Once again his bad plot armor was coming in clutch.

All he wanted now was to collapse onto a bed and let the night swallow him whole.

"Master~ Did something happen?"

Medusa’s voice came from the doorway, light and melodic but laced with worry.

She hurried toward him, her long, silk-smooth light-violet hair swaying with each step.

Her serpent-like pupils widened slightly as she studied his face.

"Nothing, Meda," Azel replied, reaching out to pat her head.

The moment his hand touched her hair, Medusa’s cheeks pinkened faintly, and a soft, almost involuntary sound of contentment slipped from her lips.

He idly threaded his fingers through the smooth strands.

She was cute, and not in a way she seemed fully aware of.

"These are Lillia’s new clothes," he said, gesturing toward the bundle in his other hand. "Did you like the ones I got for you?"

"Yes, Master. I’ll cherish them forever," she replied, her smile bright and almost shy.

"You’re meant to wear them, not keep them in a box," Azel teased, pulling his hand away. "I’d like to see you in one tomorrow, alright?"

"Yes, Master!" she answered instantly, her voice ringing with enthusiasm.

Azel walked past her into the inn’s main hall.

It wasn’t extravagant, but it was clean and well-kept, with three separate bedrooms on the upper floor.

He took the stairs two at a time, his steps quiet on the wood.

The first door he opened was Edna’s.

She sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed, her breathing slow and measured.

The faint glow of absorbed mana cores shimmered around her, their essence weaving into her aura.

She didn’t move when the door opened, though Azel knew she’d sensed him.

He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, watching her.

She needed to grow stronger — faster.

That was why he’d pressed her to absorb the cores as soon as he returned with Medusa..

A smile tugged at his lips.

"I’ll give you a good kiss when you’re done," he murmured, his voice low enough not to break her concentration.

Then he left her to it, stepping into his own room.

The bed greeted him like an old friend.

He didn’t bother taking off his boots before collapsing face-first onto it, letting the mattress swallow his weight.

"It’s been such a tiring day," he muttered into the pillow. "I just... feel like sleeping."

His eyes drifted shut.

Sleep was already reaching for him, soft and insistent, pulling him toward a blissful nothingness —

Until the sound cut through.

[Ding!]

[You have been invited to the ’Plane of Light’ by the Goddess of Light.]

[Will you accept? Y/N]