<h4>Chapter 186 It''s the end of a not so enjoyable vacation?</h4>


    Imperial Dragons Arc


    ---


    (POV: Lumiere)


    Several hours had passed since Mimosa took Serena into the tent to tend to her. I anxiously waited outside, my hands shoved deep into my pockets for warmth.


    Steria stood beside me. Her hands were folded across her chest.


    I had already shared with Steria all the information I got from us.


    "It''d be best if Serena and no one else knew about this.." (Steria)


    "Why?" I asked.


    "Knowing Serendipity," Steria still had the habit of asionally referring to her as Serendipity. "She''ll try to destroy any fate that''ll keep you and her apart— her ugly side can be terrifying. If she gets tempted to meddle, there''ll be dire consequences."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Her ugly side? What''d you mean by that...?"


    She turned her gaze from the tent to meet my eyes, a mysterious smile ying on her lips.


    "Trust me, it''s not important," she said, before stretching her arms.


    "If there''s something important I should know then you ne—"


    "Like I said... it''s not important. Don''t be a curious Tom." Steria calmly interjected.


    A sigh escaped my breath. "Whatever."


    It seemed Steria always held something back, a veil of mystery shrouding her true intentions. I couldn''t me her, though. After all, we barely knew each other, still I knew the type of person she was.


    She was always 100% calm in any situation. It was like nothing fazed her.


    Then again, with her Apex Skill 『Spatial King Azurath』, she had the right to act in such a manner.


    Although initiating a Summoning Contract with Steria was an option, the main concern was the [Skill Trade]. In my previous contract, All-Father handled all transactions to prevent my death during the [Skill Trade]. However, suspending the [Skill Trade] was only temporary, and it was inevitable that it''d ur. Furthermore, considering Steria''s power, trading skills with her would likely result in a significant loss of mana


    But currently, I''ve realizedrge amounts of mana mattered a lot.


    If my battle against Eunaria went on any longer, without [Consuming Void] there was every chance I''d have died.


    I had a more diverse kit, but she did, just much smaller and somewhat tailored to our battle.


    But time was on our side, or so I hoped.


    With a heavy sigh, I withdrew my hands from my pockets and folded them together.


    "What do we tell the All-Father?" I asked.


    Steria yawned, her eyes half-lidded in fatigue.


    "Daddy likely already knows," she replied, her casual tone contradicting the weight of her words. "But if he were to intervene or provide any guidance, it would vite the code of neutrality upheld by the Five Orders."


    That was where the main question I needed to know came in.


    "So, who are the Five Orders?" I asked.


    Steria stretched again. "Like I give a damn," she yawned once more.


    Perfect.


    Much like she was always tired, she was also always carefree. Then again, that was the charming thing about her personality.


    I liked her for that.


    Then, as I stood across from Steria, her usualzy demeanor seemed to dissipate. Her normallyzy blue eyes sharpened, resembling that of a fierce tiger. I felt a surge of curiosity as I waited for her to speak.


    "Did you know," she began, her usual silky voice a tad more imposing, "there''re many people in this world who are just as insolent as us?"


    I remained silent, prompting her to continue. Steria''s words hung in the air, like a delicate thread waiting to be pulled.


    "And do you know the best way to handle these insolent individuals?" she asked, her voice dropping to a hushed tone.


    I furrowed my eyebrows, pondering her question carefully. "Wouldn''t that depend on their intentions?" I replied cautiously.


    Steria let out a low chuckle, her steps moving toward me, closing the physical gap between us. "When individuals have such fundamental powers are at their fingertips," she said, her eyes widened more, "their intentions are clear: domination."


    A shiver ran down my spine at her words.


    Steria''s demeanor was bing increasingly peculiar, her eyes holding an intensity I''d never seen before.


    "Steria, are you alright?" I asked, concerncing my voice.


    Something was off, and I needed answers.


    She paused for a moment, studying me with a mix of emotions ying on her face. Then, with a hint of bitterness, she uttered words that pierced through my heart.


    "You may be a bastard child, Lumiere, but with all the power you possess, why aren''t you the one dominating the entire Cross Kingdom? Hasn''t it bugged you thay you aren''t the king? You could erase their army and the kingdom off the map... yet you haven''t done it... doesn''t that sort of self restriction disgust you?"


    My breath caught in my throat, and I struggled to find words to respond.


    What was she trying to imply?


    "So, what''s your point?" my voice a tad serious.


    "I''m not saying you should use your power to take over the kingdom," she rified, her tone softer now. "But it serves as an example of what an insolent person would do."


    Her words lingered in the air, and realization dawned upon me. She was right; there was an undeniable truth to her statement.


    "If you truly desire a peaceful life," she continued, "Then you must pluck the weeds before they overrun the farm."


    I stared at her, my mind racing to grasp the weight of her words.


    She was essentially telling me that I had to kill anyone who was a potential threat, before they even got the chance to be a threat.


    Before I could respond to Steria''s unsettling words, Serena and Mimosa emerged from the grand tent.


    Their presence instantly shifted the atmosphere.


    "Serena," I called our her name.


    And without hesitation, she rushed towards me, her body crashing into mine as she embraced me tightly.


    "Lord Lumiere!" Serena eximed, her voice filled with relief. "I heard you fought that Imperial Dragon."


    "Yes, I di—"


    But before the words could escape my lips, Serena sealed them with a passionate and fiery kiss. Her lips tasted of sweet strawberries, and as our tongues danced and intertwined, a wave of desire washed over me. My hands roamed freely, exploring Serena''s waist before finally finding their ce on her firm buttocks, giving them a firm squeeze.


    Steria, clearly unimpressed by our heated disy, rolled her eyes and muttered, "Get a room, you two."


    Breaking our kiss, Serena''s hands remained wrapped around my shoulders as she turned her gaze towards Steria.


    She smirked with some snark she retorted, "Or maybe someone''s just a little jealous."


    Mimosa couldn''t help but giggle at Serena''s remark, herughter echoing through the air.


    Steria, clearly annoyed, clicked her tongue, "Tch." Then she muttered, "It was way better when you were still unconscious."


    Serena, her fiery spirit undeterred, shot a challenging look towards Steria, her anger was slowly being triggered... again... by Steria... again...


    Sigh.


    How do I always survive this?


    She took a step towards Steria and sneered, "Is that so? How about we test it then?"


    Feeling the tension rise between the two women, I quickly stepped in between them, my voice firm andmanding.


    "No one''s testing anything."


    Steria and Serena exchanged a stern look.


    While their impulses may have urged them towards conflict, my words seemed to have struck a chord within them.


    With a sigh, Steria relented, her gaze softening as she muttered, "Fine."


    Serena, still visibly riled up, reluctantly nodded in agreement, her anger slowly subsiding.


    "I''m only doing it for my lord," Serena folded her hands and dramatically averted her gaze. "Hmph!" she uttered.


    As the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the camp, we watched my subordinates emerge.


    Mojito trudged forward, burdened by a mountain of supplies strapped to his hunched back.


    The weight seemed to drain the life out of him, his voice hoarse and weak as he gasped, "Why does it have to be me... who carries every damn thing?"


    Fasit couldn''t suppress a giggle as she walked.


    "Oh, Mojito," she tittered, "chivalry demands that you take on this noble duty."


    I could tell she was enjoying seeing the way he was in pains. Sometimes her sadistic tendencies came up at the wrong time.


    Isadora nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Fasit and I aredies, after all."


    Mojito let out a cough, his voice strained as he retorted, "And what about Skarz then?"


    All eyes turned to Skarz.


    His eyes peered into the distance.


    He cleared his throat, his deep voice rumbling through the air.


    "Mojito, consider it training. By carrying such a load, you''re honing your physical strength."


    "...liar..." Lirien spoke with a whisper.


    A bead of sweat rolled down Skarz?s forehead.


    "Bastard," Mojito muttered under his breath.


    Skarz chuckled lightly, but when Mojito''s gaze intensified, he quickly sobered.


    Fasit gracefully bowed and informed me, "Everything has been packed. We are ready to return home."


    "Return home?" Serena''s voice was confused.


    cing my hands on my waist, I sighed and exined, "It''s not advisable for us to stay here any longer."


    Serena''s eyes searched mine, disappointment etched on her face as she quietly replied, "If that is your wish."


    Sometimes, I wish she''d argue.


    The decision weighed heavy on my heart. I longed to stay and bask in the beauty of Vito Heights, but the responsibility on my shoulders demanded otherwise. Serena had dreamed of this vacation, and yet, I couldn''t bear to put her at risk.


    I loved her too much to do that.