The sunset arrived quietly, painting the clouds on the horizon a magnificent, fiery red.
"That hurts..."
Roland lay flat on the soft grass, feeling the pain of falling from a great height, and murmured softly.
It felt like he hadn't experienced such a real pain since obtaining the Escanor template.
Fortunately, the sun hadn't completely set. Otherwise, with his unenhanced physique, a fall from four or five meters high would have surely resulted in broken bones.
"Good thing this mission is complete."
Roland looked up at the white figure in the center of the clearing, a relieved smile on his face.
"..."
Mirajane took a deep breath. Her white hair flew wildly in the sudden surge of magic power, and cracks spread across the ground around her at an astonishing speed.
Countless pieces of gravel were pulled into the air by the immense, pitch-black magic power, then pulverized into fine dust.
Full-Body Take Over: Satan Soul!
The magic power she had suppressed for so long surged out like a bursting dam. An ominous, dark purple magic circle instantly appeared above her head.
As the white light dissipated, her tattered black dress was replaced by dark purple armor that clung to her skin. Her smooth white hair shot up like flames, and dark purple markings appeared under the corners of her eyes.
Her hands ended in sharp, demonic golden claws, and her forearms were covered in purple scales—even more peculiar was the thick tail that had grown from her back.
The gentle expression on her face was long gone, replaced by a cold, contemptuous look that held a great deal of deterrence.
So... she's gone from a gentle, cute poster girl to a cold and aloof queen?
Roland thought subconsciously.
"Roland, are you okay?"
At that moment, Mirajane in the distance also noticed Roland, who had been sent flying, and quickly rushed to his side.
It was just my magic power uncontrollably exploding...
Just as she thought this, she suddenly remembered the magic Roland had described to her a few minutes ago.
Because the sun is setting, not only his strength but even his physique has weakened?
Carefully helping Roland up and seeing that he didn't look seriously injured, Mirajane secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. Well, my back hurts a little..."
Roland placed his hand on her outstretched palm and said with a gentle smile.
"Congratulations on getting your power back, Mirajane."
"It's all thanks to your help..."
Feeling the long-lost Satan Soul, Mirajane floated in mid-air and said softly, looking down.
If it weren't for Roland, she probably would have never been able to recover her magic power in her entire life.
With the afternoon's mission complete, the two of them sat side by side on the green grass, admiring the stream under the setting sun.
"Roland, do I look scary like this?"
Mirajane couldn't help but ask, her heart filled with apprehension.
"Putting aside why you would come to that conclusion, I actually think the current you has a different kind of charm, Mirajane."
Roland took his hand off her tail and stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"So... are you a masochist, Roland?"
Mirajane covered her mouth in feigned surprise and couldn't help but tease him.
"Believe it or not, I can turn you into a masochist..."
"Oh my, it was just a joke, but—"
Mirajane waved her hand with a light laugh, then slowly leaned in, pinched his chin, and met his gaze with her light purple eyes.
Faced with this Mirajane, who was completely different from her usual self, Roland suddenly felt his heart beat a little faster.
Then, he heard Mirajane's voice by his ear, her words full of temptation.
"If you want to play tonight, I can keep you company."
"..."
Roland took a deep breath and, under her expectant gaze, quickly leaned up and kissed her.
An intimate atmosphere spread across the green lawn. Mirajane responded passionately, quickly pushing him down onto the grass.
As Satan Soul was released, her clothes changed back to the pure black dress that could be considered lingerie, her pearl-like, fair and delicate skin faintly visible.
Roland couldn't help but place his hands on her waist, feeling the girl's fiery love.
"Can we not do it here..."
A long while later, Mirajane leaned against his chest, panting with her lips slightly parted, and said with a slight blush.
"Then how about tonight?"
Roland steadied his gradually ragged breathing and said in a soft, slow voice.
"It just so happens that Levy isn't home tonight."
"...So you two are already living together?"
Mirajane fell silent and looked at him with some confusion.
"Then why, when we were playing truth or dare last time, did Levy say you hadn't taken that last step—could it be..."
"Hey, hey, hey, don't jump to conclusions!"
Roland speechlessly cut her off, flicking the girl's fair forehead as he explained, "It's just that Levy wasn't mentally prepared, and I wouldn't force her."
Although they hadn't taken the final step, they had done everything they should have, and everything they shouldn't have.
"In that case, will I be your first?"
Mirajane nodded in understanding, then very cutely placed her index finger on her lips and asked with a smile.
"Yes."
"Really? Really the first?"
"You're... so annoying..."
They were intimate with each other until the sun set and the bright, full moon hung high in the sky, the dream-like, brilliant galaxy reflected on the gurgling stream.
The back hills weren't far from the guild, about a ten-minute walk.
"Is it necessary to go to the guild at this hour?"
Roland looked at the gentle girl holding his arm and couldn't help but ask.
The guild would be closing in about an hour, wouldn't it be better to just go home?
"It's Elfman, Elfman!" Mirajane tilted her head slightly and explained with a beaming smile, "If I'm not going home tonight, I have to let him know, otherwise he'll worry."
"That's true."
Roland nodded.
————
Inside the guild hall.
There weren't many guild members at night. Laki, the waitress, was sitting at a table playing with handcuffs out of boredom, while three Shadowkhan ninjas were cleaning up.
Elfman was sitting at a table near the entrance, chatting with Wakaba, Marcus, and the others.
"Sis!"
Seeing Mirajane, Elfman greeted her in a deep voice.
"I just happen to have something to tell you—"
Mirajane waved at him with a smile.
"Something?"
Elfman stood up and walked toward them.
"I'm not coming home tonight. Remember to lock the doors and windows when you're home, and prepare breakfast too~"
Mirajane's expression was very natural, and her tone was gentle.
"Not coming home... Then where are you going tonight, sis?"
Elfman was stunned, then scratched his head and asked, puzzled.
"Going to Roland's place for special training."
"Speci..."
"Kids shouldn't ask so many questions."
Mirajane interrupted with a smile.
Although she was smiling, Elfman felt a rather familiar sense of pressure.
"Well then, Elfman, I'll take good care of your sister tonight."
Roland looked up at the night sky outside, a gentle, reassuring smile on his face.
"So you can leave her to me without worry."
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]