Chapter 90
"KYAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
No sooner had Lady Lumière appeared and whisked Yuuka away (or rather, kidnapped her) than Yuuka’s screams echoed through the air like a ricocheting wail.
"Huh…? Wh-What’s happening…?"
Aqua turned her frightened gaze toward the source of the noise. Pillars of light tore through the Abyss, appearing and vanishing in rapid succession.
"Is that… Lady Lumière? It looks like offensive magic, but…"
"She’s not seriously throwing around some insane power, is she…?"
Aqua muttered, exasperated. When asked how her training in the Hollow Garden had gone, Yuuka had once replied:
"I’m just glad I survived long enough to see Lord Albert again…"
Apparently, Lady Lumière was a demonic drill instructor. Right after slaying the Black Dragon, she’d made Yuuka take down a Dimensional Dragon—both creatures that normally required an entire army to defeat.
The Belgand and Blaze clans were among the few with the strength to oppose such monsters. No, had to have that strength. They were the ones who protected and guided the Demon Realm. That’s why they were called the Shieldbearers and Pathfinders.
"(Still, the Black Dragon and Dimensional Dragon seem like overkill… Well, I’m sure Lady Lumière has her reasons… Probably.)"
If Yuuka kept growing stronger at this rate, she’d likely be ready for demonic ascension soon. In fact, as an Archdemon, her power was already exceptional—surpassing even some mid-tier True Demons. All that remained was…
"(For me to grow stronger myself… and to deepen my bond with Yuuka.)"
The former, so I wouldn’t shame her as her husband.
The latter, because it was necessary for her ascension.
Either way, I couldn’t slack off while Yuuka was pushing herself so hard.
"Lord Noir."
As I called out, a light burst from my chest. Just like with Lady Lumière, it took shape—until a man who looked exactly like me materialized.
"Hmm. I was wondering when you’d summon me. This can only mean one thing."
"Right. I’d like you to teach me your clan’s magic—the legacy of the Black Clan."
"Naturally. I’d be delighted to pass it on to you, Albert. …And you want to impress your wife, don’t you? I completely understand."
Lord Noir grinned as he prodded. Infuriating, but he wasn’t wrong. No point hiding it if he’d see through me anyway.
"Obviously. What kind of husband wouldn’t want his wife to think he’s impressive?"
"Honesty suits you. Now, the secret art I’ll teach you is the Black Clan’s inherited magic. If Lumière and Lady Yuuka’s Sanctuary Spell is the shield, then ours is the spear—annihilating foes, erasing them from existence itself."
"Its name is Oblivion Magic."
"Lord Alberrrrt~! Thank goodness~! You’re safe~!"
Before long, Yuuka and Lady Lumière returned. The moment Yuuka spotted me, she lunged into a hug—still in the tattered remains of her training clothes, top and bottom barely more than rags. The warmth and softness of her skin pressed directly against me. …Don’t think about it. But her ample chest flattened against me, reshaping under the pressure. So soft— Hah! No, no, focus. I hurriedly cast restoration magic to fix her clothes and healing magic to mend her injuries.
"Yuuka, you… well, ‘unscathed’ might be a stretch, but you did well."
"Ehehe~! Oh, right! Listen, Lord Albert! During training, I saw a river, and on the other side were my mom and dad! They yelled at me not to come over yet~!"
Yuuka laughed as she answered. Seems she’d glimpsed something she shouldn’t have. Her speech had regressed to a childlike tone—another bout of age regression, perhaps. I patted her head in praise. Good girl, good girl.
"I’m just glad you made it back. More importantly, did you master the Sanctuary Spell?"
"Absolutely!"
As I stroked her hair, she nodded vigorously, her eyes closing in contentment.
"Then, Yuuka—I hate to ask so soon, but I need your help."
"Leave it to me!"
"Sanctuary Expansion."
The moment Yuuka chanted, a radiant light erupted from her, enveloping us all.
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