From the shadows of the mortal world... your gaze has awakened something.
Do you dare to keep reading the scriptures of this forbidden novel?
Then listen well, curious soul.
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—Nice Lamborghini, you have, Ryuto—.
—It's what you get, great, right?—.
—Quite a bit, having this wild bull is not for everyone—.
—Ahahaha, it may be wild for others, but for me it's tame—.
Enjoying showing off such an incredible vehicle to Javier, a female figure appeared from the passenger seat, bringing him back from his stride.
—As I understand it, you borrowed it from me. My love.
—Hug, you had to say it in front of Javier… Hey, stop laughing, it's annoying!—.
—...sorry, Ahahaha, it's just that watching Yuuko control you with your temper is a fascinating sight—.
—Hmph, that's because Yu is stronger than me, that's the only thing—.
—Oh, that's a funny thing Ryu just said... Now, why don't you look me in the face and repeat it to me?—.
—Mm, my love, I'm having trouble, I can't move my neck, I think I need a moment for it to heal—.
Finding it funny to see Ryuto in trouble, he approached the Lamborghini on Yuuko's side.
Looking at her more closely in the dim lighting, he could make out her feminine figure, highlighted by her dress. It was sleeveless and had a round neck, obscuring her collarbone, but for a perverted God, just seeing those small rolls that formed across her chest and armpits was an insatiable sight.
The top was black, forming a cotton peak that rose and fell as she breathed. It hugged the small waist, where it transformed into the pleated skirt, where the color began to lighten to magenta, making it appear multi-hued.
—Good evening, Yuuka-san, did you put anything on?—.
—?... What are you talking about, Javier-kun?—.
—Well, you look especially beautiful today, more so than the day I met you.
—Hey, stop flirting with my girlfriend!—.
—Ehehe, thanks for the compliment, you look good today too. As they say, clothes make the man.
"It's a special night, I couldn't possibly introduce myself casually to such important guests. Bastard, I'd be tempted to get a beautiful fiancée. If I didn't have someone in my heart, you wouldn't get away with it."
—Hmph, if someone who doesn't know you heard you, they might believe you, but who doesn't know that you spend your time flirting with Kiyoura-san and Saionji-san—.
—I don't know what you're talking about—.
Turning his gaze, he pouted, causing Yuuka to laugh.
—You two really get along.
-A bit-.
—If it's not that much—.
Javier and Ryuto responded instantly.
—Instead of continuing to chat here… by the way, Yuuko-san, no, do you think you should tell your partner to come over? There's no safer place than my home.
He said, pointing at the dark forest.
Yuuko, seeing that it was useless for her guardian to remain hidden, since Javier had pointed out the specific direction, touched her earring.
Coming out of nowhere like a ghost, Javier greeted Lola who was wearing her signature yukata.
—Good evening, Lola-san, sorry to bother you with your work, but I'd rather you didn't sneak away, my intruder system is no joke—.
—... Good evening, too, Mr. Javier. Since you took the trouble to advise me, I'll take your word for it.
—How tough—.
—Lola is just too strict when it comes to my safety—.
—I see. Well, come in, ah, before that it's best if you seal your arcane energy for a moment.
—!—.
Before Ryuto or Yuuka, who were surprised by the suggestion that would leave them vulnerable to possible attacks, could speak, Lola came to Javier's back, placing her palm over his heart.
—Let me hear the reasoning behind your thinking that we'll heed an absurd request like the one you proposed.
—It's for their own good, I just don't want them to get hurt by the difference in arcane energy in the environment.
Narrowing her gaze, Lola analyzed Javier's tone of voice, his breathing, his heartbeat, but it wasn't enough to draw a conclusion. Glancing at the mansion just five steps away, her eyes grew cold.
"Hmph, stop with the nonsense. If the land you own is a bloody land, even if you want to keep the arcane energy sealed, there will always be energy leaks. I also took the trouble to investigate everything you and your family have done since arriving in Japan."
From the outside I don't find anything abnormal, but, from one moment to the next, you are strong enough to tear apart space to teleport at your convenience… Even now, when I can explode your heart, you are not worried, as if you don't fear death, your strength is abnormal, just like something that came from another place—.
"Wow, I didn't think I'd find such a capable person from the start. But thanks to the lovely information, it means there are more places just like my 'Sanctuary' but of poorer quality. The arcane skills are so mediocre that experts can't do it, thanks to this flawed node system and the energy as weak as murky water in the environment. And of course I don't worry, I'm the Hentai God, Ahahaha."
Laughing in a mocking tone, Javier only showed a weak smile on the outside.
—Leave it like that, Lola, we didn't come here to cause trouble in someone else's enclosure.
—But Yuuko-sama—.
—Lola—.
—Yes… I'm sorry for my disrespectful behavior, Mr. Javier.—
-No problem…-.
Looking at Ryuto who hadn't said anything about the whole thing, he saw him leaning back with his chin on the steering wheel and just looked at Javier for a moment who looked at him, but didn't even intervene.
—...Then they won't seal their arcane energy—.
Responding with silence, Javier raised his hands as a sign that he didn't know anything either.
Moving aside, the Lamborghini's 770-horsepower V12 engine roared like a stampede of bulls.
-What a beautiful sound this sports car makes, should I buy one?-.
Ggggggggggg!!!
—Yuuko-sama!!—.
Listening to the power of the 770 horsepower car, it accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in two seconds, out of control, on the verge of crashing into the mansion's entrance. Lola lost her temper when she saw that the safety of her lady and her fiancé were in danger as they crossed the gate.
Lola, which was equal or superior in speed, exceeded 100 km/h in less than a second, in an attempt to stop the Lamborghini.
—Because they never listen when they are offered sincere help.
Javier said as he saw Lola fall heavily on the cobblestones.
Once again, with the abundant arcane energy in the sanctuary more than enough to stop the intruders, Javier raises his hand and the Lamborghini slowly comes to a stop in the middle of the road.
—... You see, you should have listened to me.
—I-I understand why the warning.
Both passengers were pale, Yuuko was sweating profusely, having to seal her arcane energy by pressing the pressure points and even so the overload cost her a few minutes of her time.
—Ryuto, you liked my surprise—.
—Bastard… This was the surprise you told me about.
—Ehehe, half of it, there's still a long way to go to be surprised—.
Waiting for them to recover, Javier walks to Lola, who was a wreck with lacerations on her legs, hands, and cheek, but who had gotten up without losing her essence.
—Mmm… 'cleansing' 'healing'—.
Casting two skills, the Yukata that had been torn into several pieces and stained with blood, returned to normal with cleansing and healing, making the external and internal wounds caused by the fall disappear.
—Thanks… I'm sorry I didn't heed the warning.
-Wow, this woman is much more sensible than she appears, whenever she read or watched an anime, these types of guardians were the first to get upset about the safety of their ward-.
—Accidents always happen, as long as you don't repeat them they shouldn't affect you—.
—Yuuko-sama can't go out like that, she might get hurt.
—Wait, don't go out, rest a little longer!
Ignoring Lola and Ryuto, Yuuko got out of the Lamborghini, dizzy and pale.
'Healing'
Casting the healing ability once again on Yuuko and Ryuto who hadn't recovered as quickly as Lola, Javier approached, observing that Lola was checking her for a problem with her arcane nodes.
—It doesn't seem like there are any problems, Yuuko-sama in her arcane energy—.
—... What is this place? —.
Yuuko asked, looking everywhere, but with reduced vision and the darkness affecting her, the only light was from the mansion, which had powerful lights, but it was still not enough to illuminate Javier's entire land.
"Welcome to my Sanctuary, Miss Asai Yuuko, Miyake Ryuto, and Lady Lola."
Presenting myself with open arms, I await the three's response.
-Sanctuary?-.
Surprised by Javier's term, Ryuto only replied.
—What are you trying to bring us to this 'sanctuary'?—.
—Yuuko-sama—.
—I understand, Lola—.
Ryuto and Yuuko, no longer able to remain normal teenagers, changed their attitudes, as this was very important to the supremacy of their own clans. However, Yuuko and Ryuto weren't fools; they looked up to Javier, who had brought them to his "sanctuary" specifically because he wanted something from them.
With a history spanning over 2,000 years, the Asai clan had been a forging clan until the Arcane Energy Sickness struck and the Gods died. They went from being a prestigious clan where forging was their lifeblood and commanded respect, to one in decline, at a time of that transition that took down other clans who clung tooth and nail, one that didn't mind taking others. The Asai clan began producing Arcane Mage Pills.
The Ryuto clan was involved in this process, but that was something Javier would learn about in the future, and it was not yet time.
—Since you brought two children of the main clans, I, Asai Yuuko as the representative of the Asai and Ryuto clans, ask you. What are your intentions for bringing us here?—.
Looking at Ryuto who was standing aside, Javier began to speak.
—I have two or three requests, but before we get into that, what do you think of my Sanctuary?—.
—...Too dangerous for Japan and a global imbalance that would trigger a world war—.
—Your Ryuto—.
—As a merchant clan, I can mine land imbued with this concentrated Arcane energy and sell it to the highest bidder. Different types of plants can be transported!... Greedy bastard, that's what you wanted the 'Udaka Nara' encyclopedia for, and not only that, the sapphire and Celestil crystal deposit!—
Not answering the truth that Ryuto gathered, Javier looked at Lola.
—... What does Lady Lola think?—.
—I have no other thought than to ensure the safety of my Ojou-sama… But if I have to say anything, it's that this place is nothing more than a treasure in the mouth of a monster, who will swallow everyone with his madness—.
—Mm, well, since I heard your impressions. The first thing I want is an alliance with the Asai Clan—.
—What is your intention in approaching the Asai Clan?—.
—You heard from Ryuto, I plan to buy different plants that are difficult to acquire due to their price or scarcity, that's why I plan to bring different ferns and normal flowers to see how they interact with the concentration of Arcane energy in the environment. And from what I know, the Asai clan are experts in creating and trading pills and weapons.
—... Your second order—.
Without rushing, Javier let him think about the business that benefits the Asai Clan just as the Ryuto Clan is doing, so he looked at Ryuto.
—Do you want your own power, Ryuto?—.
—Where are you going with that question?
—Very easy, you are my anchor with the Ryuto Clan, but you are very weak, I am sure that your position is not stable, even if you are in a key position—.
Taking Ryuto's silence as a yes, Javier looked at him in embarrassment and had to grit his teeth as his gaze became that of a poker player.
—Ryuto—
Having a warning tone, Ryuto took a step forward, this time letting Yuuko look at his back.
-Conditions-.
—Ahaha, a born trader to the end.
—What did you expect from a clan like that?
—First: This place will not be revealed to anyone. Two: The magic method I will teach you is the one that existed in the Age of the Gods. Third: You will have to bring me an object.—
—What do you mean by 'object' and method of magic?—
"It will serve as a medium that will store a large concentration of Arcane energy, the only drawback being that you'll have to recharge it when it runs out. As for the magic method, I'll teach you when I have the item."
—I still don't see you gaining anything?... But looking at this 'Sanctuary' I realize that anything that has value to me is meaningless to you, just like these cobblestones.
Missing him for talking about the cobblestones she was standing on, Yuuko bent down and touched the ground with her hand, surprised.
—What kind of materials is it made of?—.
—Nerran Rock—.
—Impossible! That type of rock, even if it was sturdy, should have collapsed or cracked with the force I applied just now.
Ryuto, who knew the strength Yuuko was talking about, found it funny to hear her, since he had verified it with his own body.
Lola, curious that a simple Nerran rock couldn't crack or cave in with the terrible strength she gained through her lineage, stamped her heel on the cobblestone with a little force.
—What is this cobblestone made of?!
Nodding satisfied at Lola and Yuuko's surprise, he explained.
—You're not mistaken, Ryuto, because through your clan you obtained the Nerran Rock for me. But what you didn't know was that, thanks to the almost nonexistent Arcane energy in the environment, the runes given to you by your creator, the Goddess Aurora, were degraded with what you now call Nerran Rock.
-Impossible-.
—Of course not, my good friend; besides, thanks to the Moltgc rock, as it was called in ancient times, I was able to acquire the runes of said goddess and construct killing matrices to eliminate intruders. You don't have to be afraid; you passed through the gate of the house, and a small rune was placed on your body to prevent them from activating.
—What?! When?!—.
Yuuko was shocked, displaying a rare instance of a scruffy, foul-mouthed humor, in contrast to her normally calm personality. Lola, equally dismayed by Yuuko, closed her eyes for a moment, causing her to jump in surprise when she saw a rune beneath the skin on her forehead.
—... It was with the pillars—.
—Oh, you noticed, Lady Lola—.
—No, with my abilities it's impossible to figure anything out, it's just perspicacity. But security would be very lax if they found out about the trick.
—Half a point, configure a little something; killing, instinct, assassins, it's easy to hide with smiles and flattery, the prisoner rune goes much deeper. It inspects the soul and draws its own conclusions whether it comes to harm or as a friend.
—Wa-wait, Javier? What nonsense are you talking about? A sentient rune is...—
—Impossible… come on, my friend, look at what I have and think about my capabilities. You think that what you know and what is established suits me.
Mouths open as they listened to Javier speak, neither Yuuna, Lola nor Ryuto could deny the words of the one who was the least human in their eyes.
Feeling a headache that intensified just by following the negotiation, Yuuko said.
—Enough with the blather. You want to bond with the Asai clan and secure Ryuto's position within the clan. What's the third?—
—Simple, introduce me to a cousin or sister—.
Both girls were taken aback by the unexpected request, but Ryuto couldn't help himself and ended up laughing out loud.
—What's funny, Ryuto?—.
—Ahahaha, I thought you were finally serious, but here you come with your taste in skirts... Ahh, it's been a while since I laughed so much, don't you have enough with Setsuna and Saionji?—.
Raising his shoulders as a sign that he didn't know what Ryuto was mentioning, Javier waited for Yuuko's decision which was still processing.
—... It's impossible—.
-Reason?-.
—All my sisters and cousins from the main clan are married or engaged, the elders and my father, the clan chief, would never give their approval, it would show that there is no respect between clans, and could lead to fractures within and without.
—Tch—.
Hearing the discontent in the childish attitude, Yuuko and Lola couldn't help but doubt that the same person throwing a tantrum was the calculating person who brought them for a simple barbecue.
—Come on, my best friend, you didn't say that little heart already had an owner, why bother looking for skirts when you already have the right one?—.
Ryuto put his hand on Javier's shoulder, grumpily, who moved his shoulder in an attacking manner against Ryuto.
-Damn, I'm only a year old and I thought I could enjoy a little bit of one of the princesses of some clan... Now that I remember, I have a mission that corresponds with the princesses of the clans-.
—Yuuko-sama there is still someone left—.
—Seriously, Lady Lola!—.
—Yes, Mr. Javier, if you don't mind the age, I think it would suit you.
—Wait, Lola, she hasn't yet—.
—Yuuko-sama, it's all for the Clan—.
Reluctant at first, upon hearing Lola's words, his doubts disappeared and his determination strengthened.
Javier, who could see Yuuko's emotions, asked.
—There's something wrong with her, she's very old.—
—On the contrary, Javier, he is very young.
Ryuto said with a complicated face.
—Young, how young?—.
—Seven years—.
This time with their mouths open, Javier, upon hearing Yuuko's response, all three of them laughed.
—Until I finally see a look of surprise on your face… I'll talk to my father about the business.
—O-I heard, not bad, this is it—.
—How can the host behave so rudely that he leaves his guests standing in the middle of the street?
—...Let's talk later—.
Javier said, seeing Yuuko's eyes that were so clear that there was no hesitation in selling that seven-year-old girl.
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Parking the Lamborghini in the roundabout in front of the mansion, the four entered the mansion and ascended to the terrace.
"What a splendid mansion you have here, Javier. Do you like Victorian design?"
—I have a certain love for their elaborate interior designs: the upholstery, the trim, the wood. When I was little, my school took us on a tour of a Victorian-era mansion. I was impressed by its details.
—That's why you bought this house and all the empty acres.
—More or less, plus I was out of town, it allows me a place of relaxation—.
I couldn't understand Javier's thoughts, as he spoke like an old man, even though he was barely 16. The four of them arrived at the terrace, where everything was lively.
—Sorry for the delay, but the last guests are here—.
—... Is it him?—.
-Yeah-.
Rei approached Ryuto who was surrounded by the Programming Club without warning.
—Thank you so much for your help! Without you, I'm sure we would never have finished on time!—
—Thanks, buddy, you helped us get the parts and everything worked out as it should.
—Seriously, thanks for helping me bring the parts on such short notice.
—Thank you very much. The sheets worked better than I expected, as expected from a B grade.
—Wow, look at all the thank yous. Hehe, thanks for helping us. By the way, wouldn't you mind giving me some contacts that you could give us at a low price, but that are quality?
Listening to one after another of thanks for the help, Javier, listening to Mizuho, couldn't doubt that he had inherited his parents' directness, or rather, without mincing words.
"Javier until you finally arrived."
"Sorry, I took a few…"
Surprised by Sayaka's appearance, he was dazzlingly beautiful in her attire. A pair of jeans, with floral embroidery on the calves, fitted at the waist, lifting her buttocks, which were already like hills with lush undergrowth that moved in the wind, and slipped between your fingers as you ran your hand over them. A square-neck blouse, barely visible at the neckline, had short, ruffled sleeves. The elastic waistband cinched in tightly, providing a glimpse of her G-cup breasts.