Note to the reader: *.......* means he's saying that in his head.

Rate and Review. :x

Sorry it took so long. This time I actually had some stuff happen in my life so I didn't have any time to write. I've also got multiple prologues for new stories, but none of them feel right. I'm taking my time picking what my next story should be about. If you have any suggestions for what you'd like to see in a story please comment.

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Chapter 43

I knocked on the door to the study. The queens had a lot of work lately so she spends most of her time here.

Sylvia:"Come in."

The guards at the door didn't react to my presence so they were probably expecting me. Word of my return must have already reached the queen. I stepped inside and found her busy completing paperwork like usual.

Sylvia:"That was fast. You've returned before the estimated date."

I took a seat on a stack of dusty books pushed to the side and leaned back against the wall.

Becket:"Their army moved so we met up faster than expected."

Sylvia:"That's good news. So I assume the goblin king is dead?"

I held up my title stone showing the red wrist band.

Becket:"Yeah, he's dead and I guess I'm a hero now. It's a little anticlimactic. I thought being a hero would be slightly different."

Sylvia's face showed a weak grin.

Sylvia:"Hero is just a title. It use to mean something, but that was a long time ago."

She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

Becket:"You look tired."

She opened one of her eyes and looked at me for a second before closing it again.

Sylvia:"I am tired. You should hurry up and marry my daughter so I can retire already."

I couldn't stop myself from smirking.

Becket:"After what happened before I left, I was under the impression you might what to fill that role for your daughter."

She opened both her eyes and smiled.

Sylvia:"It wasn't only the two of us there that night. I remember how much fun you had with my daughter."

I crossed my arms and lightly laughed.

Becket:"She lacked some of the vigor you had."

Sylvia:"Well, I had to try and keep up with your pace."

Becket:"Really? I thought you had me in your rhythm the whole time?"

She only smiled at me so I sighed and leaned forward.

Becket:"Well, I'll be leaving again soon."

Sylvia:"For your trip to the vampire continent right?"

Becket:"Yeah, I've got about four or five days before I need to leave."

Sylvia's face became serious.

Sylvia:"The vampires are a strong race. I advise against going there."

I looked at her and responded with a just as serious face.

Becket:"It isn't something I can avoid doing, but I'll be sure to be careful."

Sylvia nodded.

Sylvia:"If we could afford it I would send a few knights with you, but that isn't an option."

I already knew how dire the kingdoms situation was. They had lost a large number of knights this year because of one problem after another appearing.

Becket:"I'll be fine without them."

Sylvia:"I hope so."

I stood up.

Becket:"Well, I've reported my rise to the rank of hero. Now I'll be leaving."

Sylvia:"Be sure to visit Evalyn. Tonight would be the best time. I think she deserves a one on one session with you."

I had already crossed the line that I didn't want to with one of the brainwashed girls so all I could do now was embrace it.

Becket:"Yeah, I'll visit her."

I left the room after saying that. Laziness can easily creep in so it's best to always remain active. Skills can also wain after taking a single day off so I set my sights on the training field. Since I wouldn't need them I had a maid take my pack and utility belt to my room.

It was likely that I would have the training field all to myself because none of the knights had any free time anymore. The kingdom has become so short staffed that all the rookie knights have already started working with few breaks. It would usually take a couple years of training before they would be allowed to officially work for the kingdom.

I found Gideon practicing sword techniques in the training field. He's hit a bottleneck in his aura training and can't seem to get stronger through training it so he began focusing on his swordsmanship. I originally thought learning to wield a sword wouldn't be too hard since I was already skilled with a dagger, but it turned out to be much harder.

Skill wise I am a novice with the sword while Gideon is a master. I'm not even sure what Aelisia would be considered. A god level swordsman maybe? She can easily defeat Gideon without even using her aura. I guess that's just the difference in experience.

Becket:"Hey Gideon."

He was practicing a sword style that greatly resembled fencing. It was strange since I knew his normal style was almost an exact copy of Aelisias, and hers reminds me of a Japanese style.

Gideon stopped thrusting his sword and greeted me.

Gideon:"Becket, you're back. How was the goblin king?"

I shrugged.

Becket:"I didn't even get to see him until after he was dead."

I stepped out in front of him.

Becket:"So, what are you doing?"

He pointed his sword at me.

Gideon:"Practicing. Want to join?"

I nodded as I drew my sword. It was a temporary sword so I knew it wouldn't be able to take much damage.

Becket:"I'll join you for a single round. I doubt this blade will hold up long."

Normally I carried a much sturdier sword which takes longer to make, but it was currently at the smithy being repaired and upgraded.

Gideon:"Then I'll begin our match."

He jumped at me with his sword aimed for my heart. I parried it to the side, but the thrust was weak. He quickly pulled the blade back and once again pushed it toward my heart. This took him only a second so a normal person wouldn't be able to respond.

Gideon:"That's troubling."

My wyvern hand was grasping the tip of his blade only inches away from my heart. His speed was so surprising to me that I wasn't able to react at all. Luckily my left arm has a mind of it's own.

Becket:"You've gotten a lot faster."

I smiled as I shoved him backwards by pushing his sword into his chest. My strength was incredible now and this was with out using the spell to increase it. Before I could counter he had already begun gathering his aura around his arms increasing their strength.

I prepared to accept his next thrust, but it was a feint. His foot crashed into my side sending me skidding across the ground. I stabilized myself and landed on my feet gracefully. That was a rookie mistake. I focused on his arms and sword since I thought he was about to attack with them. Obviously you need to keep an eye on all of your opponent. Every part of the body can be used as a weapon in some way.

His kick didn't do any real damage since there was no aura magic strengthening it. If he had tried to do that I would have sensed the attack coming. This time I jumped at him while covering my sword in multiple thin layers of ice. Our blades collided and pieces of ice scattered in all directions.

Becket:"You've gotten better since our last spar."

He tried pushing me back, but I held firmly in place.

Gideon:"Of course I have! I must prove to mother I'm not wasting my time!"

He only now noticed the ice on my sword had spread to his. Before he could release it the ice had covered his arms.

Gideon:"Damn!"

The second he was distracted by his hands freezing, I was able to reach out and grab the back of his neck. I pulled his head close and slammed mine into it. He was disoriented so I broke my blade free from his and sent a kick to his side like the one he hit me with.

The ice covering his arms shattered as he rolled across the ground. His sides had been vulnerable since his aura was busy trying to prevent the ice from spreading anymore. Unlike Aelisia he still wasn't able to strengthen all of his aura at once. Instead he would syphon power from parts of his aura in order to strengthen other parts.

Becket:"You still lost."

I pointed at him with my sword. It was now partially destroyed so I filled in the missing chunks with more ice. Gideon stood up while wiping blood from his mouth. I probably crushed one of his organs with my kick. His aura was concentrated on the spot I had kicked so I assumed he was trying to rapidly heal it.

He stepped forward slowly trying to close the distance between us. I slammed my foot into the ground and rocketed toward him. His limbs being temporarily frozen dulled his movements so he reacted a little slower than usual.

Gideon:"Aaahhhh!!"

My sword along with his shattered into tiny pieces and I sent a punch into his chest. I had aimed for the chin, but he was able to divert my fist. He was flung backwards; however, his balance wasn't broken like last time so he landed on his feet with only a slight crack across the armor covering his chest.

Gideon:"I surrender. I may have a chance with my sword, but not hand to hand."

I smiled as I tossed the hilt of my now destroyed sword to the ground.

Becket:"That was a good fight. I enjoyed it."

I nodded my head in approval as if I was acknowledging a disciples improvement. Of course he noticed my face and frowned.

Gideon:"You improve at an unnatural rate. It's not fair."

Gideon was pouting due to his loss.

Becket:"It's not an unnatural rate. I've got plenty of experience so I'm just adapting to a new style."

Gideon:"Sure, whatever."

I sighed and crossed my arms.

Becket:"I noticed you were using a different style during practice."

Gideon's mood seemed to improve a little.

Gideon:"I figured maybe my current style of swordsmanship might be lacking so I've began training in a new style."

Becket:"Is it something you created?"

Gideon:"No. I've been studying the style of a former hero."

I raised my eyebrows in interest.

Becket:"A hero from the adventurers guild?"

Gideon:"No, a true hero. One of the world travelers."

I stepped closer with an even more powerful interest.

Becket:"World traveler?"

Gideon stepped back with a slightly worried look on his face.

Gideon:"Yeah, one of the summoned heroes."

Becket:"Tell me a little more about these heroes."

Gideon looked a little happier. Maybe he enjoys knowing something I don't?

Gideon:"Hundreds of years ago seven heroes were summoned. They were the most powerful people in this world and helped to defeat the demon king. When the war was over the other races marched into demon territory and slaughter them all."

Gideon went quiet for a few minutes before continuing.

Gideon:"One of the heroes stood up against the others and tried to protect the remaining demons since they were civilians. Of course no one else accepted that and killed the hero along with the final survivors of the demon race."

Becket:"So was that style used by the one that tried to protect the demons?"

Gideon:"Yes, that hero was obviously the only true hero among them. Killing off the innocent is something a real hero would never do."

He sighed.

Gideon:"Well, after the demons were wiped out the six remaining heroes settled down all over the world. People became inspired by the heroes and the adventurers guild was started."

Gideon scoffed at his last few words.

Gideon:"The adventurers guild so easily hands out the title of hero now that it doesn't even mean anything anymore."

I nodded while keeping my red wrist band hidden behind my back.

Becket:"Well, it's starting to get dark so....later."

I waved goodbye and set off toward the palace. The queen didn't show up to diner since she was too busy. Aria was happy I had returned, but got a little depressed when I told her I might not be sleeping in our room tonight. I ate slow so that I would be the last to leave the dining room.

When I felt the time was right to make my way to Eva's room I first decided to stopped by my room to remove all of my equipment. Aria was still awake, but she tried to pretend she was asleep. I didn't say anything and set off to Eva's room. The guards at Eva's door glared at me as I knocked.

Eva:"Come in."

I opened the door and stepped inside. A candle with a very sweet aroma was burning on the table next to her bed. She wore a pink negligee and matching panties. Most of the negligee was see through so I had a full view of her slim body. The part hiding her breasts was unfortunately not see through which slightly disappointed me.

It was obvious she expected me so she must have heard about my impending visit from her mother. She was sitting on the side of her bed with her hands in her lap. I wasn't sure what she used, but I could tell she had just lit the candle after I knocked.

Becket:"You look beautiful tonight Eva."

Since I had already gotten past my reluctance to sleep with a girl I considered brainwashed, I decided to accept my new lover. The other night I wasn't able to properly do things because I was caught up in the moment, and there was another person in bed with us. Each step I took toward her caused her blush to deepen.

Becket:"We haven't had a chance to talk since that night."

I didn't need to specify the night I was referring to so I didn't. It would probably just make it harder for her to talk about. I sat down at the end of her bed on the same side as her.

Eva:"I-I didn't mean to b-barge in on you and mother."

I gave her the gentlest smile I could and reached out for her shoulder. She stiffened up when it touched her, but didn't try to shake it off or move.

Becket:"But it sure was a happy surprise. I've never had a more wonderful experience."

*Well, it still doesn't beat the sky diving sex, but maybe I could give it sixth place. I mean it was the first time I slept with a queen and a princess.*

Now that I had sorted out that experiences ranking among my top ten I returned my attention to reality.

Eva:"I e-enjoyed it too. I felt strange, but I'm glad I didn't run away."

*Should I tell her about the enchanted earring?*

I mentally shook my head.

*That would likely just cause more problems.*

Becket:"Well, I am sorry that our first time together had to be so sudden and in such a weird way."

She either hadn't noticed or didn't care that I had closed the distance between us.

Eva:"I-It's fine. I-I didn't e-even really pay a-attention to who e-else was there at the t-time."

Since her stuttering increase I assumed she had taken notice of how close we were.

Becket:"Let me make it up to you. How about a massage?"

Her face started to form a smile, but she was able to stop it before it fully took shape. She was trying so hard to maintain a stoic face like the one her mother often wears.

Eva:"I would love one!"

Even though she was able to prevent the smile her voice was still raised when she answered me. I lightly laughed as I helped her into position on the bed face down.

Becket:"It'll feel better without this on."

Without asking I began pulling the negligee up in order to remove it. She nodded and helped me take it off her. Now she only had on a pair of light pink panties, but since she was lying face down her breasts were mostly out of sight.

Becket:"I'm going to start now."

I received another nod so I got to work. In my previous life I had massaged a few of my lovers; however, I was never as skilled as I was now. The gentle touch, flexible fingers and soft baby like skin that covered my entire body, including my hands, allowed me to raise the level of my massage skill. I couldn't help but think an elf probably made the best lover.

I took my time and ran my hands all across her body. After about an hour the massage began to change so she was now on her back facing me. I had avoided touching her in specific places so that I could save them for last. My fingers gently glided past her belly button and under the thin cloth protecting her most sensitive spot.

She closed her legs on my hand so I began to kiss her. Slowly her legs weakened and released my hand. I separated our lips and moved to her neck then down to her chest. As her moans got louder I began to wonder what the guards outside the door were thinking while listening to us. I heard they had all been guarding her since she was a young girl and held a sort of fatherly love toward her.

Those thoughts vanished as soon as she began to tighten the grip she had on me and slightly raised her hips. I smiled as she relaxed back into her bed. Her stamina was low since she was just a princess, but we were just getting started.

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