The first stop was a large women's clothing store. Asia didn't want to spend much money, nervously insisting she only needed one or two outfits - but in the end, we walked out with over thirty.
Every time I told her she looked pretty, she would freeze, blush, and then quietly pick that outfit and add it to the growing pile.
It was adorable… and a little dangerous for my wallet, not that I minded.
Our next destination was a lingerie store. I could already tell Asia would be mortified shopping for something like that with me present, so I immediately sat down in the waiting area.
I discreetly slipped some money to one of the clerks and asked her to follow Asia, help her choose high-quality sets, and not mention the prices.
When the two of them returned, Asia's face was as red as the sunset, and the clerk gave me a knowing, mischievous smile. I didn't ask for details. I simply paid—and tipped her again.
The shoe store visit was far quicker. We just grabbed everything that looked nice and left without overthinking it.
Thankfully, thanks to the system's inventory feature, we didn't need to carry dozens of bags everywhere. Everything went directly into storage.
"Thank you for buying me so many things, Arthur."
Asia looked down shyly, holding the small bag with her wallet and the manga I bought her. Her voice trembled softly, as if she was afraid she would be scolded for being grateful.
Asia grew up in an orphanage where she shared everything she had. After becoming a sacred maiden, she was forced into ascetic living—no luxury, no comfort, no desires. It wasn't just poverty; it was obedience. And Asia obeyed because she believed giving up worldly things was righteous.
But she was still a girl.
She had once secretly dreamed of wearing cute clothes, of being loved, of having a home with warmth instead of cold stone walls. Those dreams were pushed deep into her heart—buried beneath duty and doctrine.
Now, after being excommunicated and betrayed… receiving all of this from me felt overwhelming.
While recalling everything she had endured, her eyes began to tremble. Her lips quivered. Then tears spilled silent at first, then in streams, each drop carrying years of repressed pain.
Arthur didn't speak. He simply pulled her into a gentle embrace. Asia's small frame melted against him as she cried into his chest.
He couldn't help but think: The novel never truly captured how strong she was. It always described her as cheerful, kind, unbroken by suffering… but reality paints a much more fragile picture.
She cried until the storm passed—until, slowly, a soft smile returned to her face, glowing like a warm candle after a long night.
"Now that you're feeling better," Arthur said as he wiped a tear from her cheek, "how about we go get some ice cream?"
Asia lit up instantly. She had never tasted ice cream before.
From there, the two wandered through the city—eating ice cream, going to a movie, laughing in an arcade, picking manga, walking beneath the trees of a quiet park.
They spent the whole day together, playing, talking, and simply enjoying the world until the sky blushed red with sunset, bathing everything in a warm glow.
I was currently carrying Asia in my arms as we flew home, suspended high above the quiet city. Her golden hair fluttered with the wind, illuminated softly by the fading light.
"Today has been the most fun day of my life."
Asia said it while staring at the horizon, her smile warm and innocent - so pure it almost hurt to look at.
"I've never had so much fun either."
It was true. In his previous world, Arthur never had a girlfriend, never had someone cling to him during a movie, never had anyone blush because of him. He barely even went out with his handful of friends. It wasn't loneliness—just apathy. Books and fanfics had been enough.
Now, though…
Now he was living one.
"Today is only the first of many days together," he said softly. "As long as you want to stay by my side, nothing and no one will be able to separate us."
The words slipped out naturally. For once, they weren't a lie or a mask.
Until this very day, Arthur still carried a shadow inside him—guilt. He had stolen another man's destiny, another man's story. He told himself it was for the world's salvation, that his interference protected lives.
But looking inward… he knew the truth.
He chose this world because of the girls.
Because he had read the novel dozens of times.
Because he had imagined himself in the protagonist's place hundreds of times.
And now that he finally had the chance he would not let fear or doubt ruin it.
As if sensing his turmoil, Asia gently cupped his face in her small hands. Her eyes, clear and green like spring, met his.
Then she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
Just a soft little kiss.
But Asia instantly overloaded—her entire face turned crimson, her legs curled inward, and he swore he saw steam rising from her head.
Arthur chuckled softly and held her a little closer as they descended toward the house.
Once they arrived, Asia practically sprinted to her new room under the excuse of "organizing her clothes." The way she slammed the door and hid her face behind it made one thing clear
She was running away in embarrassment.
Arthur smiled faintly and returned to the living room.
---
System Rewards
Use.
[Random Skill Card has been used]
→ Accelerated Healing
A warm current spread through his muscles, stitching micro-tears, soothing burns, and strengthening his vitality.
[Special Roulette Draw ×2 has been used]
Ding!
→ Tome of Magic and Sorcery of the Multiverse – Vol. 1
Knowledge flooded into his skull like a tidal wave. His vision warped. His head throbbed. Symbols, circles, runes, ancient languages, spellcraft principles—all of it carved itself into his mind.
He staggered but didn't fall.
A moment later—
Ding!
→ "Master–Servant Contract (System Version)"
Magic far more ancient—and far more dangerous—etched itself into his senses. He immediately recognized the structure. The original belonged to the Shinmai Maou no Testament universe, but this one… this one was enhanced.
He pushed the thoughts aside for now and went to finish his daily training, then took a long shower, letting the warm water wash away the exhaustion of the day.
...
Close to midnight, a crimson teleportation circle ignited inside the living room.
Rias and Akeno stepped out of it.
Immediately, Arthur sensed it
Their mana was unsettled. Their expressions were tense. Something had gone very wrong.
"Welcome back," he said calmly. "Did something bad happen?"
Rias exchanged a brief glance with Akeno one filled with frustration, dread, and barely hidden anger.
"Something definitely happened…" Rias muttered. "But… it's not the right time to tell you yet."
Her voice was controlled, but the bitterness leaking from it made Arthur's gut tighten.
Yes.
This was it.
Riser Phenex. The forced engagement.
The plotline he had hoped wouldn't come so soon—but knew was inevitable.
"By the way," Rias said, trying to recover her dignified posture, "are you free next week? I'd like to ask for your help with something."
A whole week.
Of course it was that.
Arthur sighed inwardly. He had just closed one conflict only for another to open right away.
Ding!
[A new quest has been generated]