Chaos Era, Year 1816.
Having just returned from the labyrinth, everyone was in high spirits—clearly, this expedition had been another fruitful one.
Liyana steered the carriage, Xia Lun kept watch over their surroundings, Moke sorted through some small tools, Musen flipped through a scripture, and Aina sat primly with her eyes closed, resting.
The atmosphere was somewhat quiet.
Liyana was undoubtedly the first to grow restless.
"Those potions from Lady Ankula were really effective, huh? This adventure felt so much easier than before," Liyana attempted to spark a conversation.
Musen: "Indeed, they were quite useful."
Moke: "Mm."
The silence settled in once more.
"Ugh, those undead creatures in the labyrinth were so disgusting—they scared me half to death," Liyana pressed on.
Musen: "Light magic made quick work of them."
Moke: "They weren’t too bad."
Liyana: "…"
Her attempts to liven things up had failed, leaving her the most awkward one in the group.
With half an hour still left before they reached the city, was she doomed to endure this boredom? Liyana sighed.
"Xia Lun." Aina suddenly spoke up, her voice soft but audible to everyone present.
"What is it?" Xia Lun asked gently.
"Do you think… we should try dating?" Aina said.
It had been nearly two years since they first met Xia Lun and embarked on adventures together.
Her original plan… Aina intended to see it through.
The "Goddess’s" past actions had only fueled Aina’s competitive spirit. If she could steal Xia Lun away from the "Goddess," she wondered what expression that woman would wear.
To seize everything—that was the true demeanor of a Demon Lord.
No pain, no gain… If she wanted the Hero to fall hopelessly in love with her, then taking their relationship to the next level was necessary.
Yes, it was merely a nominal relationship, of course. She wouldn’t let the Hero take even the slightest advantage of her.
Strange. Despite having carefully considered this, the moment the words left her lips, Aina felt an inexplicable agitation.
The air froze. Musen’s fingers pinched the page of his book but didn’t turn it. Moke’s lockpicking tool clattered to the floor. Liyana’s whip hung motionless in mid-air.
Xia Lun blinked in surprise, then a faint smile touched his lips.
"Of course, Aina."
"Ah! Wah! Waaaah!!!" Liyana was the first to erupt into excited screams. "Oh my gods!!!"
"This is unbelievable… Musen, am I hearing things?" Moke muttered.
"By the Goddess… Moke, I think you heard right." Musen pinched his own burly arm, confirming he wasn’t dreaming.
Aina frowned, puzzled by her companions’ exaggerated reactions.
When Lady Ankula had openly confessed her feelings for Xia Lun in front of everyone, no one had batted an eye.
Xia Lun moved to sit beside Aina.
"I never expected… you’d say something like that," Xia Lun remarked.
A faint smirk curled beneath Aina’s hood. "Surprised?"
The answer didn’t come from Xia Lun—their companions nodded vigorously instead.
Aina making the first move… It was something none of them could have imagined in their wildest dreams, yet here it was, unfolding right before their eyes.
"So when are you two gonna kiss?" Liyana blurted out eagerly, as if she were the one itching to lock lips with Aina.
Aina’s brow twitched slightly.
Kissing? Truthfully, she hadn’t thought that far ahead.
Yes, couples were supposed to kiss.
Well, Xia Lun wasn’t unattractive. If he insisted, she could tolerate it—Aina wasn’t particularly bothered by such things. But anything more intimate… She still had reservations.
"Liyana." Xia Lun’s tone carried a rare sternness.
Liyana stuck out her tongue sheepishly and wisely dropped the subject.
"Aina, don’t mind her. You know how she is," Xia Lun said, turning back to Aina. "Just go at your own pace… Don’t force yourself."
Aina gave a silent nod, though an inexplicable irritation prickled inside her.
Was the Hero… accommodating her?
...
The next day.
"What is this?"
Aina’s gaze sharpened as she took in Xia Lun’s battered state.
He looked utterly disheveled—covered in dust, his hair a mess, his clothes stained with blood.
"Dragonblood flowers. For you." Xia Lun grinned, offering a bouquet of vivid crimson blossoms. A wince crossed his face as the motion tugged at his wounds. "Didn’t expect that thing to be from the Chaos Dragon Clan instead of a chromatic dragon…"
"You went into a secret realm alone last night?" Aina recalled Xia Lun vanishing after the party split up yesterday.
Xia Lun scratched his head sheepishly. "Ah… yeah."
"Why would you do something so foolish? I have no use for these materials." Aina took the flowers and stored them in her spatial ring.
"Well… after what you said yesterday, I felt I should do something in return. The tavern’s adventurers always say Dragonblood flowers are the ultimate proof of a man’s devotion—the perfect gift for a partner…"
Aina’s expression softened momentarily before cooling again.
"I don’t need you to prove anything. Don’t do this again—it’s troublesome."
If Xia Lun got hurt, it would be troublesome. She’d have to pick up his slack during their adventures.
"Oh… I see. Sorry." Xia Lun’s face fell.
Seeing his dejected look, Aina felt an odd pang in her chest.
He’d risked his life to gather these flowers for her… and this was how she responded?
Though her goal was to make the Hero sacrifice everything for her…
She was the Demon Lord, the Hero’s sworn enemy—but she wasn’t some ungrateful wretch. She had her pride… She couldn’t trample on the goodwill of an opponent she respected.
Yes, this had nothing to do with the strange fluttering in her heart. It was purely a matter of honor between rivals.
"Xia Lun, come here."
Xia Lun stepped closer.
Aina rose onto her toes, looped her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his.
Nervous. Clumsy. Flavorless… but warm.
She held his gaze, watching as his cheeks flushed redder by the second. His eyes darted away shyly before finally squeezing shut.
Aina almost laughed. Who’d have thought the mighty Hero could be so bashful over something like this?
Her own heartbeat had merely quickened, her face grown slightly warm—nothing unusual. Battles could evoke similar tension, after all. This was no different from facing a worthy adversary.
After what felt like an eternity, she pulled away.
"A mere kiss is well within my capabilities," Aina huffed, feeling oddly satisfied.
Don't underestimate her, brave one.