"So, anything else you want to say after confessing to everyone?" Lyra asked, nudging Roland with her elbow, her cheeks still slightly pink.
Roland smiled calmly. "I didn't confess. I just voiced what everyone feels—the desire to stay together forever. I didn't say I wanted to marry everyone or anything like that."
Lyra clicked her tongue. "Good. Because I'm planning to marry Finn; I don't want to be stuck with you lot forever."
"Is that so? If it makes you happy, we'll all bless you. Though, I'd be very lonely without Sister Lyra here to bicker with me," Roland said smoothly. He knew she was lying; if forced to choose between Finn and the Familia, Lyra would choose her sisters every time.
Lyra threw her hands up. "I give up. I can't win an argument with him anymore. When did he get such a thick skin?"
"Don't look at us, Lyra," Alise laughed. "Even the 'Cunning Rat' can't handle him; we don't stand a chance."
"True," Kaguya added, hiding her face behind her sleeve and making fake sobbing noises. "Now that he's Level 2, he might even be stronger than us. We'll be forced to become his 'prisoners.'"
Taking the cue, Roland suddenly struck a dominant pose on the sofa, leaning back and beckoning to Astraea. The Goddess played along with a giggle, sitting beside him and letting him put an arm around her waist like a pampered consort.
"And you, Ryuu. Get over here," Roland said, patting the spot next to him.
Ryuu sat down obediently, looking a bit dazed as Roland pulled her close. Roland looked at the stunned trio. "Hmph! Now that Lady Astraea and 'Gale' Ryuu are on my side, you think you can face me? If you surrender now, I might find a place for you in my court!"
"We've definitely spoiled him too much," Lyra remarked.
"That prum over there, Lyra! For your insolence, I sentence you to a life without Finn! You shall be a lonely old lady forever!"
The room erupted in laughter. "What a cruel punishment! For Finn's sake, Lyra, use your secret bombs on him!" Kaguya laughed.
Lyra rolled up her sleeves and charged. Roland used Ryuu as a shield. "Guard! General Ryuu, why have you not engaged the Cunning Rat?!"
"Oh? Um..." Ryuu stood between them, looking confused.
"Has the righteous Ryuu also succumbed to the wicked King?" Lyra cried, getting into character.
"Wicked King? You mean Roland?" Ryuu asked, locking fingers with Lyra in a test of strength.
"Clearly, you've been seduced by his looks!" Lyra shouted. Ryuu immediately let go, her hands flying to her face. "I have not! Lyra, what are you saying!"
"Opening!" Lyra dodged past her, but Roland was gone. He used Blink to appear behind Alise and Kaguya, sticking his tongue out. "Haha! Missed!"
"Curse you!"
Kaguya reached from behind and jokingly "snapped" Roland's neck with a crack sound effect. Roland went limp in her arms, eyes closed. "And so, the Blood Prison Lord Roland was defeated by the heroic adventurers. Happy ending, happy ending," Roland narrated.
Astraea let out a melodic laugh from the sofa. Kaguya whispered to Roland as he lay in her arms, "You're getting bolder, even touching the Goddess like that."
The play ended, and Astraea asked Alise to handle the Guild registration tomorrow, with the date set to three months. Alise agreed, though she was still a bit sad they couldn't brag about the one-month record. She leaned her head on Roland's lap, looking uncharacteristically downcast.
"I guess we're just too weak," Alise muttered. "If I had the strength of the 'Warlord' or the 'Braver,' Roland wouldn't have to hide."
Seeing her sad, Roland looked at the others. They signaled for him to comfort her. He let out a wry smile. Fine, but don't blame me for what happens.
"Captain."
Alise looked up at him. Without her usual energy, she looked softer, almost vulnerable. Roland brushed her bangs back, exposing her forehead. In Alise's widening eyes, Roland's face drew closer.
He pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to her forehead. Alise felt as if her heart was going to burst; her body felt feverish.
"Waaaaah!"
She scrambled off his lap and fled to a corner to cool down, her face bright red. The other girls and Astraea were equally stunned by the move. After a few shaky breaths, Alise announced with a trembling voice, "Meeting adjourned! Dismissed!" before bolting out the door.
Kaguya gave Roland a (not-so-gentle) chop on the head before leaving, Ryuu following close behind with a red face. Lyra stayed for a moment to pat Roland's head. "Don't worry, Kaguya isn't mad. She's just jealous. You'd better make it up to her later." She waved and left.
Once they were alone, Roland turned to Astraea. "Goddess... am I too greedy for wanting all of them?"
Astraea hugged him. "Who knows? But for tonight... would you like to sleep with me, for old time's sake?"
"Yes."