It's Raining

"Xia Lun, you are the Hero. You're different from me. You possess such noble qualities—kindness, bravery, integrity... If someone were to accidentally offend you, you'd surely forgive them, wouldn't you?" Aina said to Xia Lun.

"You make a good point," Xia Lun pondered for a moment before nodding seriously.

"That was exactly why... I was so deeply drawn to you in the beginning. You felt different from everyone else. It was as if you and those other filthy humans belonged to two different worlds... By the time I realized it, I was already hopelessly, inextricably in love with you."

Faced with Aina's affectionate confession, Xia Lun felt a stir of emotion. "Thank you, Aina. I had no idea you felt that way... I was also attracted by your aloofness and mystery. To me, your very existence holds a fatal allure, one that I can't help but explore."

"So... can you... forgive me? I really didn't mean to order you around like that during the day... Mmh..." Aina let out a melodious, soft moan beneath Xia Lun. "You've already claimed everything of mine... If you want to continue exploring... you have to let me rest a bit..."

Xia Lun leaned close to Aina's ear and chuckled softly. "No."

Since Aina could still speak to him like this, it meant she still had strength left. This was merely the probing before a duel between masters, not the true grand finale.

However, Aina's words did make Xia Lun recall the past.

He thought of Aina back then... cold, glamorous, unapproachable. She was like an ice lotus blooming atop a snowy peak; anyone wishing to draw near had to do so with the resolve to die.

But now, Xia Lun had scaled that snowy peak, successfully plucked the ice lotus, and melted the profound ice covering it with the warmth of his chest...

The thought made Xia Lun serve her even more vigorously.

"Xia Lun~"

Aina's tone was a mix of panic, pleasure, and satisfaction. It was melodious yet wrapped in shame and compliance. It was hard to imagine how calling out a single name could contain so many twists and emotions.

"Xia Lun, Xia Lun..."

She was losing the ability to speak... Xia Lun knew that Aina was indeed reaching her limit.

However, just locking eyes with her, he could see the love in her crimson pupils, full to the point of overflowing.

"Mmh..."

As Aina's fingernails clawed red streaks down Xia Lun's back, he finally slowed down, watching Aina reveal her most disheveled state before him.

"How was that? My Lady, are you alright?" Xia Lun patted Aina's cheek. The unfair treatment of being ordered around by her all day was finally vented in this moment, bringing a surge of satisfaction to his heart.

Before Aina could answer, Xia Lun sealed her lips, leaving her to emit only muffled whimpers.

Aina struggled and shook her head; it was apparent she had some objections to his service.

"Since you aren't speaking, I'll just continue. I will make sure you are satisfied." Xia Lun leaned down, seemingly having no intention of being gentle anymore.

Chains materialized around Aina one by one, binding Xia Lun firmly.

Well, it seemed he had gone a bit too far.

"Insolent rogue! Beast! Pervert!" Aina broke free from beneath Xia Lun, gasping for air.

"I knew I shouldn't have let you take the lead... You have absolutely no sense of propriety." Aina's face was flushed red as she patted her chest in lingering fear, looking as if she had just survived a disaster.

Aina slowly stood up on the bed, then gently extended her foot to kick the motionless Xia Lun over... It seemed Aina had no intention of dispelling the binding magic. Xia Lun, now resembling a salted fish, lay flat on the bed with a look of hopelessness.

"Xia Lun, you are not allowed to move anymore, do you hear me? I'll handle the rest myself." Aina huffed softly, standing before Xia Lun and looking down at him. "If you bully me again, I'll keep you pinned to the bed forever."

Xia Lun nodded with a hint of grievance. Looking up from below, everything was in full view.

With Xia Lun's concession, the Demon King regained the initiative.

The rhythm of the battle suddenly calmed.

If before was a torrential downpour, now it was a gentle breeze and soft drizzle, possessing a unique healing power that soothed the soul.

Aina narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly enjoying this pace.

"Heh." Xia Lun let out a somewhat scornful chuckle. In his eyes, how was this any different from a child riding a rocking horse?

"Are you looking down on me? Xia Lun."

"How could I? Aina."

"But your eyes say otherwise." Propping herself up on Xia Lun's chest, Aina slowly lowered her head. "You are looking down on me."

"I never said that, Aina." Xia Lun put on an innocent face. "As long as you like it, that's all that matters."

"I am the Demon King... Xia Lun. A mere human, a mere Hero, looking at me with those eyes—that is the look one gives to the weak... Are you pitying me?" Aina said somewhat fiercely. "Don't delude yourself! A guy like you... you really don't know what's good for you!"

The season changed.

Like a sudden summer storm accompanied by rolling thunder, dense raindrops fell from the sky.

Scorching dust was smashed into the mud, and the sultry cage was split open by lightning.

Xia Lun involuntarily held his breath. That sense of hearty, unrestrained destruction... Aina began her invasion in the most violent manner.

"Getting serious now? Xia Lun... Your expression isn't as calm as before..." Aina gritted her teeth, trying to act tough.

Xia Lun looked at Aina before him and felt she should worry about herself first.

For Aina, this was a tactic that damaged the enemy by eight hundred but cost her a thousand.

Sure enough, the summer thunderstorm came fiercely and left just as quickly. Before the pond could even fill with water, it had already ceased, leaving behind only the traces of the storm's erosion.

"Ooh—I can't go on..." Aina's messy long hair scattered over Xia Lun's chest. The magic dispelled, and Xia Lun helped brush the hair away from her face.

The dark clouds parted, revealing a brilliant, sunny sky.

Her gaze was hazy, her cheeks crimson, her lips trembling slightly. Her snow-white hair hung limply, a few strands sticking to Aina's lips.

"So beautiful," Xia Lun murmured.

"Is... is that so?" Hearing Xia Lun's praise, Aina's face flushed an even deeper shade of red.

The storm ceased, and the clouds dispersed. The pond, calm as a mirror, reflected the white clouds and the dazzling sun above.

Suddenly, a sun shower fell from the clear sky. Compared to the previous storm, it was insignificant, creating tiny ripples as it hit the surface of the pond.

The fish at the bottom, as if mistaking the ripples for food, suddenly leaped out of the water, splashing up a spray of droplets.