There’s always a point in life where you forget warnings no matter how important it is. In this world, forgetting warnings is gravely dangerous.

***

2 days had passed since I’ve killed the Two Headed Black Hound which almost destroyed a village outside the Capital. I wanted to cut my hair back to its original style, but since Sora said, “Guys with seaweed-like long hair is this world’s women’s ideal man” with a serious tone.

On the other hand, my new pet, Silver, an Ashen Wolf Alpha pup, is very attached to me after treating it with several meat dishes. He likes getting pats on the head, but the friction on his fur creates low-voltage electric shocks, I can’t do it continuously.

The girls and boys I hired at the village are getting taught by Petal. The 5 girls are to be maids while the three boys do the heavy works. They had a hard time adjusting here in the first night, but they immediately got used to it first thing in the morning. They didn’t dislike my rules and my conditions about their serving time in my villa and Petal thanked me for giving her helpers in her chores, so I guess it was a win-win for me.

Now, since I woke up late, I decided not to go to school.

It may sound lazy, but if you’re a man with lots of money, starting few businesses, and will soon enter politics, it’s quite reasonable.

“Young master, visitors have come for you. They claim to be your fiancées.”

Jane called out to me from the door of the library while bowing.

For some reason, she looks slightly irritated. I wonder why.

More importantly, she must be talking about Cherry girl and Matt.

“Take them to the parlour, prepare some tea and sweets, but don’t take out the Chocolate just yet. I want to surprise them myself since we haven’t seen each other for a while.”

I said ‘a while’ when it was only two days ago, but if you put in consideration that a day here lasts for 30 hours, it’s understandable.

After answering with a graceful bow, Jane left the door.

To be able to act gracefully like that. I wonder how Petal teaches them.

I took a rubber-like band and tied my hair higher slightly to the back while leaving a hair line on the sides of my head. I tried this in front of a mirror. Since I didn’t look stupid I expected to be, I decided to let it stay like this for a while. But I’m going to cut this soon.

Arriving at the parlour, I saw Cherry and Matt silently sipping tea. For some reason, there is tension in the air.

Matt first saw me since her seat is facing my direction. Her eyes grew when she saw me. For some reason, Cherry did too.

“Oh my, I don’t remember you having such a handsome look.”

Matt was calm, but Cherry’s face turned slightly red when I looked towards her. Guess Sora wasn’t lying at all.

“My look, it’s just a side effect of my magic sword. It had too much regeneration effect and grew my hair longer instead since I had no injury.”

“Injury, where were you these past few days? When we first visited here, Miss Petal said that you were out for business.”

Oops, I should’ve not said that, now their making probing expressions.

“She wasn’t lying. I had Sora with me. Go ask him to confirm the truth.”

“I heard that he wasn’t present at the Fractional Meeting, but he was at the capital’s viceroy’s castle recovering. What were you two doing outside the Capital? Don’t tell me--”

“We weren’t picking up girls and ended up in trouble!”

I can read a whole story from Cherry and Matt’s expressions. I decided to clear that misunderstanding early. Good gracious, women are so presumptuous.

Looks like I can’t make any more excuses with them emitting aura similar to Mom’s when she was asking dad where he went out one night without asking.

“Fine, I’ll tell you.”

I sat down with them and told them about the business, the hunt, the time Sora got injured, and why I have maids now. I excluded the part where I used my full power in rage for their protection. I also told Jane and other witnesses about it to keep it a secret.

“So in other words, you saved a village together with their people.”

“I let the other village houses burn down, but if you put it that way, I guess it’s a yes.”

Cherry was amazed while listening to my story with sparkling eyes, while Matt was happy while saying “As expected of my future husband” which created a ruckus.

“Leaving that aside. Why are you two here? Aren’t you two supposed to be in class, especially you Cherry?”

“The Headmaster is on a journey to Trigedus City together with the teachers. He’ll be back in four months. During that time, there will be no class. I think they’ll be celebrating the New Year there which will happen in three months.”

YEA!!! MY SLACKING IS OFF THE HOOK TODAY!

“Is that so? Then aren’t you lonely Matt, while your grandfather is away?”

“About that, I told him that I’ll stay here for the time being.”

She calmly said and gave me a mischievous smile.

“Wait, ‘stay here’, I’ve never heard any discussion about this.”

“Right, I also think that she’s being shameless just because she’s your fiancée.”

Cherry girl suddenly butted into the conversation. She was here huh.

“I think you do not have the right to reject even if you were there. You’re just an aristocrat. I’m the granddaughter of a viscount. If you have some complains, say that to my grandfather.”

If she says it like that, I really don’t have the power to retort.

“Geez, fine…”

“It’s good that you’re very understanding.”

‘Understanding’ my ass!

She’s been doing things like these for a while. Did she notice that I do not have the power to argue against women?

“What? You’re just going to let her do as she pleased?”

On the other hand, Cherry voiced—no yelled out her objection.

“Oh my, isn’t it fine for a future couple to live in the same roof?”

“No it isn’t. That thing is only valid if you two are already married. What if things happen to you during that time? It would be a big shame if you get p-pregnant before getting married!”

*COUGH!*

“Are you alright young master?”

“Oh my…”

While I was listening to Cherry, I accidentally chocked on the tea I was drinking. It was not because I reacted to the word ‘Pregnant’, not at all. And please Matt, stop smirking.

“N-no way… you two…”

While I was drinking water to clear my throat, Cherry made a very shocked expression like the ones who’s seen a ghost for the first time. And Matt, she smiled bashfully at her while saying, “If you say it like that.”

I can also hear the maids muttering “it’s a blood bath” on each other’s ears on the background.

“Please, Cherry. Calm down.”

I don’t really know if she’s angry or about to cry, but she’s shaken.

“When…”

“Uh….”

“I asked you a question, when did it happen?”

Shit! I’m getting cornered.

“Uh…. It was when…. Uhm… the night of the party I held in my villa.”

“Was it after I left the party?”

“Don’t make it sound like that. I don’t remember much about what happened that time because I was too drunk. And please, put that knife back to where in the heavens you took it from.”

She sure has a very scary tendency. As a side question, where did she really take that knife from?

Then she looked up my face while having a half crying and half angry face.

“It’s not fair! I’ll also stay here until the Headmaster comes back! I will be accompanying miss Balerishk and at the same time, observe your actions as a heretic.”

“How did it come to that?”

“As the Saint of Helius, I will be observing you. Even if you’re a heretic, I’ll kill you myself if I deem you dangerous.”

You know, you’ll also die with me if you did. But let’s leave it at that for now.

“In other words, you also want to stay here in my villa. But doesn’t that need consent from your father? I don’t like getting chased by a man with a sword you know.”

“That’s fine. I’ll tell that to him later. But now, I will not permit anymore sexual acts until marriage while I’m inside this house.”

“Then it’ll be fine if we do it outside the house.”

“You don’t have to speak Matt.”

Cherry’s expression broke when Matt said the loophole in her words. Although it sounds pretty inviting, I’m not planning to do it. After all, I’m in the world where a mere kiss could get you killed.

My, my, it looks like my silent and peaceful days are getting more and more distant into the blue sky.

***

I let Cherry and Matt go back to their homes to get their things. I let four of my maids accompany them, Helen and Jane to Cherry, then Ann and Ellie to Matt.

As a change of pace, I hit the streets to find some fresh air. I only took a few gold and silver coins with me so I’ll be back before sundown.

While walking down the brick road, I notice a sign on a store which looked familiar. When I looked closer, it’s the potion shop where Ghena and I came together. Now that I can read Marzenthurian characters, I can read the sign as [Oljis’ Odd Magic and Potions] which sounds like a rip-off store from somewhere.

I walked into the front door and made the bell ring. Was that there before?

“Oh, sir noble, what can I do for—aren’t you that young man Ghena brought here before?”

“You remember me?”

“Of course sir, no one else in this capital wears that kind of shoes.”

Oh shit! I forgot to change my shoes because I was in a hurry.

“Leaving that aside sir, what did you come here for?”

“Nothing, I was just walking down the road and found this store. Since it looked pretty familiar to me, I decided to pay a visit.”

“Is that so? Then please look around if you want. You might find something that interests you.”

Heeding his advice, I walked around the store.

I could see various things that weren’t here before. They’re probably new stock.

Then, I noticed something familiar violet colored stone. If I recall, it’s called [Shard of Lithius].

I then noticed that its color is similar to the ring… isn’t Lithius that idiot god?

“Did you find something you’d like to buy?”

“Ah no, I just saw something familiar that’s all.”

“Ah, the [Shard of Lithius], that’s the stone from the legends of the former heavenly god.”

“Former? I’m sorry. I don’t know anything about the story.”

“Only a few old people knew about it since it was a tale a few centuries ago and you’re not from around here. So it can’t be helped.”

“I’d like to hear the whole story if you’re willing to tell it.”

Oljis scratched his head while looking around the store.

“There’s only you here, I guess I can do that. I did promise you that, but you have to buy something in here so that I’ll worth my time.”

This guy’s all business, I like him.

“Then, how much is the [Shard of Lithius]?”

“I’ll sell it for 6 silver coins.”

“Each?”

“The whole crate…”

“Cheap!”

“It’s just a piece of rock for me anyway.”

Skipping the paying part, Oljis started telling the story while continuing his work. It took probably an hour, but I’ll just summarize it since the story is too long.

Let’s start on the topic about gods. Once there were three heavenly gods that rule over 4 lower gods. The three heavenly gods were Helius, Darkus, and Lithius. Helius is the god that governs the Day, Darkus is the god that governs the Night, and Lithius was the god that governs the twilight. The other four are Gods that governs the physical plane and rules over one element each. However, there’s one god that turned evil and fell into the underworld, Galdius.

I find it weird since their names have ‘ius’ at the end. It sounds more like Zeus for some reason.

Continuing, Lithius was the youngest of the Heavenly gods and was more powerful than Helius and Darkus. One time, she broke the only rule that gods made in the Heavenly realm; ‘It is forbidden for Gods to walk among men’ and got banished into the Void with the power of all the gods. That was probably the reason why she turned into the [God of the Void].

I wonder how people knew this stuff anyway. Do they have some prophet or oracle or something? It mystifies me.

“Was that all?”

“That’s all I can remember from what my mother told me long time ago.”

“I see, then, where did this stone came from?”

“Some says it came from the former third moon.”

There are three moons here?

“Ah! You still can’t see moons this month yet, there’s a monthly interval of the two moon’s appearance. So you’ll only see those in the next five days. For now, it’s still dark nights.”

“Is that so?”

After that, I exited the store and waved goodbye to the shopkeeper. If you’re wondering about the stones I brought, I’m just going to send one of the boys at the villa to take them.

I continued walking down the street while looking around the people. There’s nothing really weird happening here, it’s just there’s less and less people every street I come across to… there’s no one now?

Now everything just got instantly weird. I’m pretty sure that there are many people passing in this street this time of the day.

Just when I was going to turn back to the main street—

“Heretic, I have come for you!”

A man in full plated white armor wielding a long bastard sword called out to me.

“Uh… do I know you?”

Then he brandished his sword and made an offensive pose like he’s going to attack.

“There is no need for me to say my name to a heretic like you. All you need to know is that you will be punished by God Helius!”

This guy’s a Helius Temple Knight. This is the one Sora told me a while back. They’re the type of people who have a strange kind of faith towards their god.

“Do not struggle. It’ll help you from agony.”

“I really don’t—WOAW!”

In just a split second, the knight instantly closed the distance that I didn’t manage to finish my sentence. And by ‘fast’, I mean really fast. He closed our distance from 10 meters to 2 in just a split second.

I only managed to dodge it barely thanks to the > I casted while I was looking at him. I can also tell that this guy’s strong since he broke one of the three barriers in one slash.

“Do not struggle and accept your punishment.”

“Don’t be unreasonable! Who would want to die just because someone told him to?! >”

I jumped up to dodge his slash that was directed to my torso and flew up—levitated I mean and left his range.

“I am being considerate of you heretic. I am giving you a merciful death despite being a heretic.”

Then he made a charging stance while holding the sword with two hands. Next, the sword started to gather light from the surroundings. This is bad.

[Activate Macro Spell: Hundred Layered Barrier]

In an instant, a very thick transparent plastic-like cocoon wrapped around my body while I waited for the Knight’s attack, but that was a big mistake.

“Erase all evil! >”

A huge slash of light directed towards me broke through the hundred layered barrier around me like a piece of cardboard. Thanks to the number of barriers protecting me, I managed to buy a little time to tilt my body sideways and dodge the huge slash of light by hair’s breadth.

“To evade God’s divine punishment, you really are a heretic.”

--This guy’s serious about killing me. Should I kill him?

Such a question floats in my head.

Although I can call it a reasonable statement for self-defence, I can’t see myself as a person if I did. But if don’t kill him, he will end up killing me instead. This is not the same as the Hound. My enemy is not a beast, but a human. Is it right to kill a man who is trying to kill me?

[Why do you hesitate and think deeply about it? Just erase that man’s existence and live for your own sake.]

Such words are whispered into my head.

This voice is not Lithius’. I’ve never heard of it before, but it sounds familiar.

“>”

I was too absorbed in my thoughts that I didn’t notice the knight approaching to attack me.

I barely managed to summon another set of > to block and dodge the attack.

You may think that I have lots of power but not using it properly, but in a real fight, thinking comes later and survival instincts kick in.

I landed on the ground to dodge the second attack, thanks to my enchant >, I didn’t crash hard.

What now, should I really kill this unknown man?

“What are you hesitating for? If you want to live, show me what a heretic is capable of.”

The knight hit his chest with his free hand while saying so.

--I see… I don’t have to kill him.

As I watch him approach me, I wracked my brain to think and assemble the spell I need to use.

--Since I’m not going to kill him, I’m just going to render him powerless.

[Non-Element Row: Arcane, Interference Type: Burn, Target: Ground, Mana Consumption: Full Power, Macro Key: >]

“>”

“>”

Since the spell chanted by thought has less probability to be casted as a half-assed spell, if verbally used, its full power can be unleashed.

“Wah-what’s happening to me?”

I targeted the ground below the knight formed a pentagram and burst then burned in green and violet colors. At the same time, his mana started to get burned without burning him physically. Since mana is like a lifeline, it’ll also drain his energy. If he’s not a magician, he’ll live.

But then, the flame was put out and the pentagram below him got destroyed by his white by his bastard sword. Although he escaped from it, he has probably no more strength to fight.

I should interrogate this knight. Even though he’s a Helius Knight, I’m doubtful about Cherry girl being affiliated with him. Only a handful of people knew our circumstances with each other including the Helius fraction. If she’s Helius God’s saint, why would they send someone to kill me from their side?

I kicked the knight to the ground who was trying to stand using the sword as his cane. I pulled off his helmet and saw an unfamiliar face.

“Who sent you to kill me?”

“To the holy being I serve with all my faith, God Helius…”

“Don’t fuck with me. I understand your reason in targeting me, but killing me means killing your saint. Do you not understand that?”

“Such sacrifices must be made in order to put divine punishment on a heretic like you.”

Looks like I’m not getting anything from this guy.

But if they sent me a Temple Knight, then the one who gave the order must be from the higher ranks in their church. After all, this guy’s power isn’t a joke.

“But it can be prevented if you die!”

The knight found an opening while I was in deep thought and tried to slice me with his sword. However, he has lost too much strength and got disarmed just by gripping his arm tightly.

Now, now, what should I do with this guy?

*EXTRA*

Later that day, news spread about a male exhibitionist walking in the streets caught the attention of the Capital’s soldiers which made them search the city to take that man into prison. As a side note, the man got caught and is pressed charges of public disturbance then turned into a crime slave.