After breakfast, Lumine and Paimon reluctantly said goodbye to Akira, preparing to depart Inazuma and set out for Sumeru.
"Lumine, Chisato is already waiting for you at Ritou. I've told her through the bracelet, so the ship and supplies should be ready by now," Akira smiled, gently stroking Lumine's soft hair.
"Mm, got it. Chisato already messaged me," Lumine nodded sweetly, standing on tiptoe to plant a gentle kiss at the corner of Akira's lips.
Then, she turned to Paimon, smiling brightly, "Paimon, let's go! Next stop, Sumeru!"
"Mm-hm!" Paimon nodded vigorously, though she glanced back at Akira with a reluctant expression. "Akira, we're leaving now! Don't forget to miss me!"
"You little rascal, didn't I give you a bracelet already? Just call me whenever you miss me," Akira chuckled softly.
"Hehe, then we're off! Bye-bye!" Paimon waved cheerfully, then turned and left Grand Narukami Shrine alongside Lumine.
Akira silently watched their figures grow smaller and smaller until they eventually disappeared into the distance. After a moment of quiet, he spoke calmly, "You can come out now. Isn't hiding in the void tiring?"
"Huh?" Miyuki, who was standing beside Akira, blinked in surprise. She was, after all, a Pseudo-Herrscher of the Void, yet she hadn't sensed anyone lurking nearby.
Clearly, the intruder's spatial abilities had reached the pinnacle of Archon-level power, probably on par with ancient gods like Morax, which explained why Miyuki hadn't detected him.
Next to Akira, a deep void portal appeared, and a blond-haired young man stepped out.
"Who are you?" Miyuki immediately became alert, summoning her Subspace Lance and pointing it warily at the newcomer. She could sense hostility radiating from him.
"Relax, Miyuki. There's no need to be on guard. He's Lumine's brother," Akira calmly reassured her.
Hearing this, Miyuki nodded and dispersed her lance, quietly stepping back behind Akira.
"..." Aether stood silently, staring at Akira.
After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Lumine has already given herself completely to you, hasn't she?"
"You noticed already?" Akira raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly.
"I arrived this morning," Aether replied after another moment of silence. "I could sense something different about Lumine."
"So?" Akira asked casually. "Are you here to smack me with a stick again like last time?"
"Not exactly," Aether shook his head, sighing softly. "Lumine and I have traveled through countless worlds, meeting countless people. But I've never seen her like someone the way she likes you. She's even willing to argue with me for your sake-I really don't understand what's so special about you."
"Heh..." Akira chuckled softly, amused by the barely concealed jealousy in Aether's tone, but said nothing, waiting for him to continue.
"Still, I have to admit, you're probably the most handsome guy I've ever seen. And your strength-I respect it greatly," Aether admitted grudgingly.
"But it'd be better if you weren't such a playboy. Even the Electro Archon herself is your woman. Imagine that," he added sarcastically.
"Tsk, it's not being a playboy-it's universal love. I simply want to give each of these girls a home," Akira replied playfully. "They love me, and I genuinely love each of them. Isn't that enough?"
"Hmph, I've never met anyone as shameless as you," Aether retorted with a scoff.
"Although Lumine usually listens to me as her older brother, once she makes up her mind, no one can change it," Aether continued seriously. "I know exactly how stubborn she is. It took me several days to process it, but it's still hard to believe my dear sister has already thrown herself into another man's arms."
Aether looked straight into Akira's eyes, speaking earnestly, "Akira, since Lumine loves you this deeply, I'm entrusting her to you. Please cherish and protect her forever."
"Also, if we end up facing a destined battle in the future, promise me you'll keep her safe," he added softly. "Consider this my request as her brother."
"Of course. Lumine is my woman now. If anyone dares harm her, I'll personally erase them from existence," Akira nodded solemnly.
"Then I'll trust you," Aether sighed, before narrowing his eyes slightly. "But even so, why does it still feel so irritating?"
"Akira, fight me," he suddenly declared, summoning a golden sword glowing in his hand. "I want to test your strength and see if you're truly capable of protecting Lumine when the world falls apart."
"Oh? It's not the Dull Blade?" Akira eyed Aether's majestic golden sword with playful surprise, rubbing his chin.
"..." Aether's face darkened at Akira's teasing.
"Come on, I'm still the Prince of Khaenri'ah, you know. Why would I use a Dull Blade?"
"Enough jokes, Akira. Show me your strength-do you dare accept my challenge?" Aether asked seriously.
"But you're my dear brother-in-law now. If I beat you up, won't Lumine get mad at me?" Akira smiled mischievously.
"I won't tell her," Aether rolled his eyes.
If he ended up beaten black and blue and then went crying to Lumine, not only would she not comfort him, she'd probably laugh at him. And considering how head-over-heels Lumine was for Akira now, if she found out her brother was picking fights again, she'd definitely bonk him on the head.
"In that case, I'll gladly accept your challenge," Akira turned to Miyuki and smiled gently.
"Darling, you head back first. I'll spar a bit with my dear brother-in-law."
"Be careful," Miyuki nodded softly, giving Akira a gentle kiss on the cheek before turning and leaving.
"..." Aether was speechless.
Seriously? What kind of brother could watch his sister's lover casually being kissed by another woman right in front of him without feeling a bit irritated?
"Your womanizing alone makes me want to punch you," Aether muttered coldly.
"Oh?" Akira's lips curled into a playful smirk.
"Brother-in-law, my apologies in advance."
Before the words had even fully left his mouth, Akira instantly appeared beside Aether. Before Aether could even react, Akira grabbed him and directly pulled him into the Imaginary Space.
"So this is your domain?" Aether looked around at the golden-hued space, battle intent burning in his eyes as he swung his sword toward Akira.
A deep purple power of the Abyss enveloped Aether's blade, slicing through even space itself.
Yet, despite this tremendous power, the blade couldn't even reach Akira's body. A faint golden glow effortlessly stopped the powerful slash.
"Hmph!" Akira released a surge of golden energy, instantly knocking Aether backward.
"Then try this!" Aether quickly regained his footing, channeling power into his sword until it grew enormous, swinging it down at Akira.
"Brother-in-law, is that all you've got?" Akira taunted playfully. "Being this small... that's a man's humiliation, you know."
"..." Aether's face flushed red with embarrassment. "Shut up! Stop talking nonsense!"
He concentrated all his strength into his sword, preparing to unleash his strongest attack.