Sorry for the late post.
//
Rustle Rustle
Luki put his clothes back on; now, with more experience in this area, he was able to do it on his own.
Each piece of armor fell into place easily, a buckle here and a rivet there, but, as mentioned before, the right arm piece was still missing. Still, what could he do about it?
After putting his suit into automatic mode, he remembered how excited he had been at the beginning, like a child, when he first got his hands on it; now, it was just another normal thing to do.
Then he secured the support on his back to carry Lili and turned toward her. She was already wrapped once more in her cocoon of sheets and thick fabric.
— So, ready again? — he asked from behind his helmet, bending down to pick her up.
— More ready than ever. — Lili replied, her tone visibly lighter, happier.
Luki gave a simple smile behind his helmet and focused on the task ahead.
Yes, after that bath, everything seemed much better than before, as if things had somehow become lighter and it wasn't because of the nearly ten kilos of dirt and grime they had thankfully managed to wash away.
Perhaps because they had finally taken that important step in their relationship, Lili seemed more cheerful and calm, no longer weighed down by thoughts of the curse and her possible death.
Not that she would die. As he himself had said, Luki wouldn't let her.
And, in one way or another, that feeling ended up affecting Luki as well, who had been so worried about her until then.
Anyway, after securing Lili on his back and gripping Hestia's Blade in his hand, the time had finally come to leave.
Now… where to?
Luki turned toward the path they had come from. Nothing. Apparently, that cheap, cuckolded, miserable, badly cummed, unloved, soulless, sadistic, petty, rotten bitch of a Dungeon had blocked the passage.
'What a surprise. It was taking so long, Dungeon, that for a second I thought you'd changed your ways. But it seems you're still the same as ever… fucking Dungeon.'
Crack
He heard the distinct and familiar sound of stone being hammered but paid no attention, probably Dungeon sending him some message again, but after so many months seeing this sort of thing, he didn't care much about it anymore.
Who is Dungeon, I don't know, is it edible?
Sigh...
Anyway, there's only one way to go, so they'll have to follow it, are you happy, Dungeon?
Luki turned to the river's source once more, but now he looked at the weak current flowing downstream; it had clear banks on the river's sides, as if someone had carved the exact shape of a tunnel for the river to pass through and for someone to follow their course along the sides.
— Let's follow the river until we find something, hopefully we should be able to return to the Labyrinth. — Luki said to Lili, then started on his way.
...
Shuaaa... Shuaaa...
Steps, steps, steps...
The river flowed slowly underground below while its sweet and relaxing sound echoing between the walls, the incline was minimal; unless it was a very long river, they would hardly leave the height of the twelfth floor.
Initially, the two would proceed in silence the entire way, attentive to their surroundings.
One might wonder why they were so unnecessarily tense now, when just minutes ago they were carelessly making out in the bath.
Well... firstly, that was in the heat of the moment, and secondly, both have a good deal of accumulated experience; being attentive inside the Dungeon doesn't hurt anyone.
Anyway, at first they remained silent, but after a long time without any unwanted surprises and the background sound of the river, their minds naturally began to relax, and this allowed a conversation to arise.
— So, Luki-sama… we kissed, right? — Lili asked, her voice low and hesitant.
— Yes. — he replied simply, without slowing his steps.
— And it was for a long time. — she added, beating around the bush.
— Yes.
— Uhm… I mean… — inside her cocoon, she writhed disconcertedly, clearly embarrassed, searching for the right words or perhaps even the courage to speak.
However, her curiosity and eagerness overcame everything else, and she asked.
— Did you… did you like it? — she asked hopefully, a small, silly smile appearing on her face.
A silly grin that was about to receive a bucket of cold water.
— Uhm… to tell you the truth, no. — after a few seconds thinking about it, Luki replied with certainty.
— Eh, wh-what do you mean?! I-I! — her voice cracked, clearly in shock.
But before she could assume anything, he continued.
— You're not very good at this, you know? Several times I felt your teeth, and you kept trying to stick your tongue in too deep and stuff. It was weird… — Luki said in a flat and honest tone.
Ptchu! Lili felt a arrow piercing her heart.
But he didn't stopped there, he had to throw salt in the wound.
— Your current state doesn't help much either. It's not exactly exciting to kiss a homeless woman with one foot in the grave.
Ptchu! Another arrow, this time in her guts.
— Ah… ah… ah… — The sound barely came out, like a broken sound recorder
Inside her cocoon, Lili froze. Her mind went blank, desperately trying to process what she had just heard.
— N-n… n-no… Th-that has nothing to do with it…! I-I! — her voice trembled.
Her words tangled together, each one stumbling over the next.
— It was my first time, okay?! I'm just… I'm just not used to this kind of thing! And I'm not...! I'm not... — she burst out, flustered and desperate.
There was a brief silence.
Then...
— Pfff~ — A sound.
Lili felt it.
His shoulders shook slightly beneath her.
Another muffled sound escaped his helmet, like he was biting down on laughter.
— …Eh?
A second later, it clicked.
— …Luki-sama? — She said menacingly
— Pfff~ hah!
— Ah... AAAAAhahahaha! KKKKKKK! AHAHAHA cough Ihihihihi! — Luki finally broke, laughing out loud.
— I'm kidding, I'm kidding! cough Oh my Hestia! You should've seen your face just now! — He said, almost crying from laughing so hard.
For a moment, Lili just stared at him, stunned.
Then her face burned.
— Y-you…! You absolute idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! — her voice trembled violently.
Her face burned so much it felt like it might catch fire.
— I was being serious! I worked up the courage to say that, and you… you go and say those things with that stupid serious face! Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was?! For a moment I really thought… I really thought you meant it! — She snapped, mortified.
She turned her face away inside the cocoon, voice shaking with indignation.
— I'm never talking to you about things like that again! Never! I mean it!!!
— You're the worst, Luki-sama!
— Hahahahaha! — Luki laughed even louder, completely unable to hold it in anymore.
— And you are still laughing!!! Idiot Luki!
— H-hey, wait- pfff~! — he tried to speak between laughs. — I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just… I couldn't help it! You looked so serious, I swear, I almost broke right there.
— Hmph! — Lili huffed loudly and turned her face away inside the cocoon, clearly irritated.
Little by little, Luki's laughter died down. He took a breath, then glanced over his shoulder at her, his tone losing that sharp, hunter-like edge and turning even more playful, teasing.
— What's wrong? Is my baby angry? — he asked lightly.
— I am not your baby. And I'm not talking to you. — she shot back immediately.
— You just did.
— …!
Lili clenched her jaw, her ears twitching in frustration. Her chest felt tight, her thoughts tangled, emotions crashing into each other in a way she had never experienced before.
Annoyed.
Embarrassed.
Frustrated.
Never in her life had she felt like this.
It was as if she were some kind of doll he could toy with however he wanted, pushing her feelings around just to see how she'd react.
Her fingers curled into the fabric around her.
But strangely enough… It didn't feel bad.
— …Also. Seriously this time. I liked it. Ok? Wasn't my first or my best kiss ever but you were good for your first time. In my first, it felt like we were both trying to eat each other's faces. — Luki spoke again, his voice calmer now.
Lili puffed her cheeks and looked away, refusing to answer.
— Hmph.
She didn't say a word, still clearly irritated, but the change was immediate. Just those few words were enough to ease something inside her chest, warmth quietly spreading despite her efforts to stay mad.
— But why are you asking that anyway? — Luki continued, tilting his head slightly. — Are you feeling insecure or something?
At that moment, the playful, teasing atmosphere faded away completely. Replaced by a quiet intimacy that wrapped around them like a blanket, soft and warm.
Lili wanted to stay silent. Part of her felt like that was the proper punishment for him. How dare he toy with my feelings like that?
But then she realized something.
The one who really wanted an answer here… was her. And she wanted it badly.
— Well… it's not that… — she muttered at first.
Then she stopped, the words refused to come out. It was harder than she thought.
Luki smiled knowingly behind his helmet and turned his gaze back to the path ahead, focusing on the tunnel carved by the river.
— If this is about low self-esteem or insecurity, then you can stop that crap right now. One Hestia in my life is already more than enough. — his tone was casual.
— I-it's not that! S-sorry! — Lili replied quickly, startled.
There was a brief pause.
Then her voice came out again, quieter, more serious.
— I just wanted to know… — she hesitated. — What does this make us now?
— What do you mean? — Luki asked.
Lili shifted slightly on his back, gripping the fabric tighter.
— I mean… we kissed, and all that… but you already have Hestia, and even though I said those things back then… I can't deny that I'm a little nervous about it. — she trailed off for a second.
— I just… wanted to know where I stand.
— ...Hmm… I understand. — he said in a calm, contemplative tone.
Then he spent the next few moments in silence, walking almost on autopilot while lost in deep thought, his expression unreadable behind his helmet.
Lili felt a slight chill grow in her stomach and a tightness in her chest, fearing his answer. However, she quickly composed herself; regardless of what he said, she already had her answer.
Whether he wanted it or not, whether Hestia wanted it or not, as long as she lived, she wouldn't leave his side, be it as his porter, maid, lover, or anything else… though she wouldn't deny wanting to be something more as well.
Moreover, just as she feared his answer deep down, she also knew that Luki would never disappoint her. So she simply left him alone with his thoughts, quietly anxious for his response.
And he did respond.
— I think nowhere. — he said, still in that contemplative tone.
— Ah- — Lili opened her mouth, but before she could even process the words, Luki interrupted.
— LET ME FINISH WHAT I'M SAYING!!!!! — he shouted sharply, his sudden outburst crushing whatever thoughts had started to surge in her mind.
Lili remained silent after the scream; she was more curious than anxious now.
Luki let out a long sigh.
— Look… sorry for yelling. — he said, his voice lower. — I just didn't want any arguments to happen because of some misunderstanding, okay?
Lili nodded in agreement, allowing him to continue.
— Lili, I'm going to speak to you as objectively and directly as possible now. So if this sounds a bit insensitive, I apologize beforehand. Feelings are complicated things.
— I understand. I know I'm putting Luki-sama in a difficult position, so whatever your answer is… I'll accept it. — she replied quietly.
— Thanks, Lili…
he paused for a moment.
— Look, I know we kissed, and everything that happened back there. And I won't deny that, yes… I might have feelings for you.
— But I already have Hestia. And I already feel like crap about what happened. Both because of you, whether you like it or not, I'm playing with your feelings. And even more because of her, I broke her trust, even if she doesn't know it yet. — His tone was firm, unshakable.
— I won't leave her. She's my girl. I'll admit everything to her the moment I get out, and I'll live with the consequences of my actions.
There was a brief pause.
— Maybe, in the heat of the moment… maybe because you said polygamous relationships are normal here… I got carried away and kissed you back. After all, I still a man, and just like any other, I feel excited by the idea of having a lot of women. But that doesn't change the fact that it was wrong.
Luki continued forward without stopping.
— Nothing will exist between us until she allows it. And honestly, I doubt a woman with even a modicum of self-respect, much less a goddess, would allow something like that.
He took another breath.
— So… I'm sorry. But nothing will exist between us.
How many times had they already had this same conversation in such a short span of time? Three?
If someone were watching from the outside, they would probably already be outraged by this melodramatic display of an unrequited, yet mutual, romance.
But what could be done?
That was simply the reality of the situation.
Harems were, in truth, nothing more than a fantasy, a romanticized relic of the past.
Centuries ago in human history, such arrangements had indeed been common. They were especially prevalent among those in positions of power like kings, nobles and warlords but they were not exclusive to them. Even among the common folk, multiple partners and large families were far from rare.
There were many reasons for that.
One of the most obvious was the lack of respect for women's rights. In those times, women were rarely seen as individuals with autonomy and emotional agency; more often than not, they were treated as property, tools for sex and lineage, labor, or political convenience. Their feelings were secondary, if they were considered at all.
Another factor was intellectual development.
As societies evolved, as education spread and people became more aware of themselves and others, relationships began to change. The more educated a society became, the more seriously emotions were taken. Love stopped being a mere transaction or social obligation and became something personal, intimate, and deliberate.
It was no coincidence that higher levels of education often correlated with smaller families. People who planned their futures, who understood responsibility and consequence, rarely desired many children, let alone many partners.
Even among the wealthy, those with access to resources and knowledge, long-term, stable relationships were far more common than sprawling families.
Love, in that context, was no longer something abundant and disposable.
To Luki, love was meant to be a unique bond shared between two individuals who had consciously decided to walk the same path together. It wasn't infinite, nor something that could be divided evenly among several people without losing its meaning or at least, it shouldn't be.
Of course, polygamous relationships still existed in the world.
But that had never been his reality.
In his eyes, such arrangements could only truly exist in societies with vastly different values, worlds where survival trumped emotion, where tradition outweighed individuality.
Worlds like this one.
A medieval land of magic and swords, where gods walked among mortals, where ideals from entirely different eras collided.
Lili listened to everything in silence, her expression calm and thoughtful, without a trace of the anger or resentment one might have expected.
— Lili understands, Luki-sama… truly. — she said softly.
She hesitated for a brief moment, then gave a small, shy smile.
— And… Lili thinks it's kind of cute.
— Hey! I'm not cute. Men are handsome or awesome. — he cut in immediately, feigning outrage.
— Hihihihi~ Yeah, yeah. — Lili laughed sweetly. — Luki-sama is the most handsome and awesome in the whole world. At least… that's what Lili thinks.
Her laughter lingered in the air for a second longer than usual. When was the last time, or maybe the first, she had laughed like that?
— Good. As long as you understand that. Go on. — he said, shaking his head.
— Luki-sama is just worried about hurting us… our feelings. About doing the right thing. You don't want anyone to suffer because of you. That makes Luki-sama an amazing person.
— Not really. If I were that amazing, we wouldn't be in this mess. — he muttered.
— Maybe. But then… perhaps we wouldn't have met either. And Lili feels very lucky to have met someone like Luki-sama. Even in a place like this.
— Heh, you wish. — he threw one last joke over his shoulder, then fell silent, letting her speak her mind.
For a few moments, Lili said nothing, carefully organizing her thoughts. Then she spoke again, her tone resolute.
— I doesn't know what things were like where Luki-sama was born… but from the stories you told about your homeland, it sounds very different from here.
— Orario is different.
Her fingers tightened slightly as old, unpleasant memories surfaced.
— Life here is scary. Uncertain. We can die at any moment… to monsters, traps, curses, other people… or just bad luck.
— There is no guarantee of tomorrow. So… Lili thinks we don't really have time to wait for a "perfect" answer.
She stared ahead with a distant gaze. For a brief moment, she seemed much older than her appearance suggested, like someone who had lived through too much and understood the world too well.
— If you love someone, then you should love them. If you want something, then you should reach for it. Live one day at a time, like it might be your last… because sometimes, it really is.
— Society, history, traditions… those things are made by people. And people can change them. Strong people don't need to follow rules that don't fit their lives.
Her voice remained innocent, but her words carried conviction.
— And… in this world, it's actually normal for someone like Luki-sama to have many women around him. Someone strong. Kind. Responsible. Determined.
— Luki-sama is allowed to look for his happiness.
Her hand moved gently to her chest.
— And Lili will look for hers too.
Her next words came out softer but heavier, with a strength and weight that wasn't there before.
— I won't let this chance go. Not even if it means dying for it. So… please don't worry about it. Just focus on getting us out of here safely.
After a short pause, she added, clearly embarrassed:
— Lili will handle Hestia-sama.
Luki froze.
— You won't… her… — he tried to say something, but the words refused to come together.
Noticing his concern, Lili quickly explained:
— No! No, Lili won't fight her! It's just… um…
She fidgeted for a second.
— If Hestia-sama loves Luki-sama the same way Lili does… then, since no one can have Luki-sama all to themselves... Lili thinks, sharing is the only answer.
— Sharing? Meh... they say sharing is good, but I don't really like the idea of being split in half. — he added jokingly.
— Pfff~ Hahaha! Luki-sama really can't stay serious for too long, huh? — Lili burst out laughing.
— Hey, cut me some slack! The atmosphere was getting way too awkward. Someone had to break it.
— So… what do you say, Luki-sama? — she asked, still smiling faintly.
— I'm not going to agree with you. That would be like admitting I actually want it to happen. But I'm not going to stop it either.
Lili blinked.
— Then you are going to...?
— Don't know, I think I'll leave this problem for future Luki to deal with.
— Future Luki probably thinks current Luki is a jerk.
— Yeah...
He shrugged and continued walking as if the conversation hadn't just reshaped their entire relationship.
After that, it felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted from both of them. And perhaps it was precisely because of that ease…
That relaxation…
…that Luki finally noticed something he hadn't before.
— Huh? — he muttered, stopping abruptly and staring at the wall beside him.
There was nothing strange about it, no bloodstains, no trace of rare metal; it was just an ordinary earthen wall.
However, there was something behind it.
Don't ask how he knew, but he did; it was as if he could sense that on the other side of those two meters of compacted earth, there was empty space.
— Lili, wait a moment. — He said as he set her down.
— What are you doing, Luki-sama?
— Just checking something.
He walked to a place he felt was thinner, where the other side was closer.
Putting his hand against the wall, he tried, without much enthusiasm, to dig into it using his fingers. It didn't work very well. Even being so strong, fingers simply weren't made for that kind of task.
Using his sword wouldn't work either; what was he going to do, cut the wall until it fell?
So, he did the most sensible thing his head could think of.
He punched the wall.
BOOM!
The punch was strong, strong enough to make the wall tremble and echo, but it didn't create a crater or blow it apart.
Instead, a deep crack spread across the surface like a spiderweb.
Luki pulled his hand back slightly. The knuckles of his fist were already bruised, the back of his hand faintly swollen, a dull pain pulsing through the bones.
— Luki-sama?! What are you doing?! — Lili called out, startled.
— Don't worry about it. — he replied calmly.
He clenched his fist again.
BOOM!
Another punch. The crack widened.
BOOM!
He punched it again… and again… and again.
Just as he had imagined, the wall didn't collapse, but it gave way. The compacted earth began to cave inward by force alone, chunks breaking loose with each impact.
But his hands were paying the price.
After a few minutes, the skin on his knuckles had already split open. Blood splattered against the wall and dripped onto the ground, staining the dirt dark red. With every strike, more skin tore away, until faint streaks of white could be seen beneath the torn flesh.
Even the hand protected by the remaining arm armor wasn't spared. It was in better condition, but the pain still throbbed deep inside, vibrating through bone and metal alike.
— Luki-sama, stop! Please! — Lili pleaded, her voice trembling. — Your hands…!
He barely heard her.
Breathing heavily, he rested his forehead against the wall, blood dripping slowly from his fingers. His hands burned, tingled, screamed for rest.
He inhaled deeply.
And waited.
The sensation crawled across his palms, that familiar warmth, that strange, soothing numbness.
When he opened his eyes again, his hands were perfect.
No wounds. No torn skin. No blood.
Tireless Adventurer was working flawlessly.
Luki clenched his fists once more.
— Alright… — he muttered.
This time, he didn't hold back, punching the wall for longs ten minutes like a true martial artist.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The wall finally gave in.
CRASH!!!
Chunks of earth and stone burst inward, collapsing with a heavy crash. Dust filled the air as a hole large enough for a person tore open through the wall.
On the other side…a corridor.
Neatly laid bricks, aged and yellowed, stretching into the darkness beyond.
Luki straightened up and looked back at Lili.
— Looks like we found our exit.