I Will Eventually Embark On The Path Of No Return Called A Hero

[Arc3] - 65. The Nighttime Farewell

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"Yo~"

Cyd naturally flipped over the window and waved at Loki, who was stunned in her pajamas.

"What the..."

Just as Loki was about to shout, a hand covered her mouth.

"She's still asleep," Cyd lifted the finger of her other hand to her lips.

"Mmm..." Loki glanced at the sleeping Ais, then glared at Cyd begrudgingly. After her mouth was released, she grabbed Cyd's collar and lowered her voice. "Get out here!"

"Oh~" Cyd instinctively lowered his head. Since Loki's pajamas were quite loose, and it seemed like she had come here with some mischievous intent, her collar was wide open, allowing Cyd to easily see the floor.

"You! Are you being a pervert to a goddess?" Loki blushed, clutching her chest and retreating several steps before jumping out of Ais's room. "Come out and fight me!"

Cyd scratched the back of his head, walked to the door, and under Loki's somewhat apprehensive gaze, closed it.

"Click—"

The door was locked.

Loki plopped onto the ground, her eyes rolling back like a dead fish, with countless black lines seemingly appearing behind her.

Members of Loki's familia who passed by noticed her strange state but had no intention of bothering, yawning as they walked past her.

After all, it's only normal for Loki to act weird!

If she didn't sneak around at night and get thrown out by Ais, that would be the real surprise!

"What a troublesome goddess," Cyd sighed lightly and walked to Ais's bedside, sitting down gently.

Even in her sleep, if someone got close to Ais, she would immediately wake up and enter a combat stance. This was a reflex honed in the dungeon and the reason Loki always ended up getting thrown out.

However, this instinct failed exclusively in front of Cyd. It wasn't because Cyd had an inherently calming presence; it was simply because he always moved her to the corner whenever she slept to recover. After it happened so many times, Ais's instincts began to overlook him. Even if Cyd picked her up and took her back to the familia, she wouldn't wake up until it was time. Yet, if anyone else approached, she would instantly transform from a sleeping kitten into a fierce tiger.

"Sorry, I can't continue teaching you," Cyd raised his hand, playfully poking Ais's cheek.

Ais stirred a little, pressing her face into Cyd's hand.

"I thought it over and realized I can't help you grow stronger," Cyd poked Ais's nose. "Because being alone is lonely, you should rely on your companions. That's the only lesson this teacher can give you."

Cyd stood up cautiously, lifting his hand to grasp the scarf made of black scales around his neck. His fingers slowly sank into it.

[Aww, the poor dragon lady has to go through this again, always working without reward and now even getting exploited.]

"It's fine. After all, you've been secretly increasing anyway, haven't you? Does the flesh and blood of the King of Gods taste good?" Cyd tugged hard, and hundreds of black dragon scales fell from the scarf, forming a new one mid-air before gently landing on Ais's hand.

[You found out? It's just because the dragon lady has gotten chubby~]

"Goodbye, my troublesome student," Cyd bent down, ruffled Ais's hair, and then turned towards the door he had locked.

That troublemaker outside was probably biting her nails, waiting for him to come out.

Speaking of which, would there be a thousand axes waiting for him when the door opened?

"Hurry back, Teacher."

Ais, who should have been impossible for Cyd to wake up, opened her eyes, sat up, and tilted her head, watching Cyd's back. Her dazzling golden hair cascaded down, shining softly in the moonlight.

"Can you not leave?"

"Nope~ someone else is waiting for me," Cyd waved his hand.

"I'm also waiting for you, so you'll come back, right?" Ais lifted the blanket. If Cyd didn't agree, she would hold onto his leg and not let him leave.

"I'll be back, so sleep tight. Don't let Bell surpass you," Cyd unlocked the door, placing his hand on the doorknob. "Remember to lock the door and window when you sleep."

"Okay," Ais nodded firmly, covered herself with the blanket, and closed her eyes.

"Good girl. Goodnight," Cyd opened the door and then closed it gently.

To his surprise, there weren't a thousand axes waiting for him outside. Instead, Loki sat there, filled with resentment.

"Finally leaving, huh?" Loki stretched out her hand to Cyd.

"Happy?" Cyd reached out and pulled Loki up.

"No way," Loki stuck out her tongue. "I said it before, if Ais-tan is happy, then I'm happy. If I had to destroy the world to make her smile, I'd gladly set off the grandest fireworks for her."

"So... are you going to turn me into fireworks?" Cyd raised an eyebrow, noticing that Loki was gripping his hand without any intention of letting go.

"If you don't come back, I'll turn your little bunny into fireworks," Loki said, giving a thumbs-up.

"Oh~ looks like I'll have to turn you into a shooting star first," Cyd squinted his eyes.

"Ais-tan... Ais, this child is very serious. If she believes you'll come back, she'll keep waiting for you," Loki opened her eyes. "Don't make me go looking for you."

"Caught the eye of a troublemaker," Cyd grinned. "Just don't bully my little bunny while I'm gone."

"Who would bother?" Loki threw off Cyd's hand, pushing his shoulder in disgust. "Hurry up and leave!"

Cyd shrugged and pulled out Hades' helmet from the scales.

"Oh, by the way, you didn't do anything while cute Ais-tan was asleep, right?" Loki raised an eyebrow as if remembering something.

"Yeah, I just gave a little rub," Cyd lifted his right hand to illustrate. "So soft, and Ais's reaction was adorable~"

After speaking, Cyd put the helmet on his head.

Loki's face changed color from normal to pale blue, then turned bright red.

"Uwaah! Ais-tan, open the door! Open the door!" Ignoring the fact that Ais might be asleep, Loki screamed like a pig being slaughtered, raising her fist and pounding on the door. "I want to rub too! I want to erase the mark he left!"

"Click—"

Rubbing her eyes, Ais opened the door. With lightning speed, Loki reached out both hands and pressed them on Ais's chest.

Ais silently raised her hand. The scarf around her neck lifted swiftly, wrapping around her arm.

"Smack—"

Loki spun into the wall.

"Thud—"

Ais, somewhat angry, closed the door and locked it.

"Are you alright, Goddess?" A member of Loki's familia cautiously approached as Loki slowly emerged from the wall.

"I-I'm fine..." Loki wiped the blood from her nose. "No other marks! Ais-tan's first touch is mine!"

Yep, I'm fine. Off we go...