Chapter 513 Hiroya Seeks Power And Kazumi Is Troubled
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Hiroya’s POV)
I had planned to take it easy in the afternoon, but—
”Lord Hiroya! Please, let’s have a match!”
”This time, it’s a revenge match!”
Hernando and Esperanza intercepted me before I could escape, dragging me into a mock battle.
Both of them were B-rank warriors—capable fighters—but I responded as myself.
* * *
”Ugh… again…”
”It seems we’re still not there yet…”
Hernando knelt, gritting his teeth, while Esperanza clenched her fists in frustration.
Gorge, watching from the sidelines, crossed his arms.
”No, it’s not that you two are weak. It’s just that Master is still far ahead of you.”
Hernando clicked his tongue.
”We even regained our energy at the brōtḥel… I thought maybe we’d stand a chance.”
Esperanza nodded.
”Yeah… I actually felt lighter than usual.”
Despite their exhaustion, they both stood up, brushing the dirt from their uniforms.
I gave them an easy smile.
”Your teamwork isn’t bad. You’re just up against me.”
Hernando groaned.
”Grr… If it were just Hiroya the boy, he wouldn’t say something so arrogant.”
Esperanza sighed.
”But it’s true. You have the strength to back it up.”
Their frustration was evident, but so was their acceptance. They understood.
”Well, it was good practice for me too. Thanks.”
Leaving them with Gorge for further training, I made my way toward the cafeteria.
* * *
”That was my first time seeing it up close… but wow, you’re ridiculously strong.”
Mitsuyoshi’s voice reached me before I stepped inside. He was watching from the door.
I shook my head.
”Come on, you’re definitely stronger than me, right? There are still too many monsters above me—like Gargantua. And you.”
He laughed, clapping a firm hand on my shoulder.
”You flatter me. But Lord Hiroya, you’ve already surpassed me.”
With that, he turned toward the backyard where Gorge and the others were still training.
He was probably going to whip them into shape.
A whisper tickled my ear.
”Humanity… Lord Hiroya’s power—I have already surpassed it.”
I turned to find Lilith standing beside me, having materialized without a sound.
She wasn’t looking at me but at Mitsuyoshi, a flicker of amusement in her gaze.
I exhaled.
”Still… I need to refine this power faster.”
Lilith’s expression turned serious.
”Indeed. Mastering Yamikirimaru and God-Slayer is essential. And only you can do that, my lord.”
I gave a small nod.
”I’ll make sure to line them up properly in the next exploration.”
Lilith smiled.
”Yes. I am counting on you.”
We walked into the dining hall together.
* * *
After finishing my meal, Lilith stood.
”I have a little talk with Violet.”
With that, she headed for the stairs, disappearing into the upper floors.
I, still in Hiroya’s form, tried to steady my mind.
The battle earlier had left my blood running hot.
I needed to cool off.
So I made my way to the greenhouse.
* * *
The moment I stepped inside, the fresh scent of earth and greenery filled my lungs, instantly soothing my body.
”Oh, Mr. Hiroya, you look lovely, don’t you?”
A gentle voice called from within.
Dorothy.
She sat on a bench beneath the soft glow of filtered sunlight, her presence as calm as the air around her.
I gave her a small nod.
”Hey, Dorothy. You here for a forest bath too?”
She smiled.
”Mmm. It’s relaxing, isn’t it?”
She scooted over slightly and patted the empty space beside her.
I took the invitation, settling onto the bench.
”Were you practicing?”
”Hmm? Ah… yeah. Hernando and Esperanza wanted a sparring match.”
As I leaned back, Dorothy shifted closer, resting her head against my shoulder.
A soft sigh left her lips.
”Mr. Hiroya’s sweat smells… so calming♡.”
I froze for half a second.
”Uh… sorry. I should’ve washed up first.”
She shook her head against me.
”Not at all… I love it♡.”
I chuckled.
”Is that so?”
(Dorothy had a thing for scents.)
Neither of us spoke after that.
The quiet hum of the greenhouse, the gentle warmth of Dorothy leaning against me—
For now, this peace was enough.
(Hiroya’s POV)
”Um…”
”Hmm…? “
”Tonight… please take care of me.”
For a moment, I paused, processing Dorothy’s softly spoken words. But the way she fidgeted, the way her fingers anxiously clutched the fabric of her dress—it all made it clear.
(That ‘thing’ before the exploration.)
”I hadn’t heard from Kazumi yet, but it will be with you tonight?”
”Yes… next is Ms. Gieze. Tomorrow, Ms. Aluda, Ms. Eluda, Ms. Meluda… and together with Ms. Liz and Ms. Simona, Ms. Asuka.”
”… Tomorrow’s second half is going to be intense.”
Dorothy giggled, her voice sweet and teasing.
”It’s going to be quite the experience, isn’t it? That’s why tonight… I want to be yours completely. Your devoted Dorothy, here to serve you.”
She lifted her gaze, her amber eyes hazy with longing, her breath warm against my skin. Just that look—half-lidded, expectant—sent heat coiling through my core.
”Ah… I’m looking forward to it…”
”Mmm… mmm… chu♡ Mmm…”
The moment our lips met, a soft moan slipped from Dorothy’s throat. Her body melted against me, surrendering completely to my touch. The kiss deepened, her breath hitching, her fingers trembling as they clung to my clothes.
”Th… that’s not fair, Mr. Hiroya…♡ I came here to calm down, not to get even more… worked up.”
”What a coincidence. I’m here for the same reason.”
With a smirk, I wrapped an arm around her, my fingers tracing the curve of her lower back. Dorothy shivered, pressing closer, her body radiating warmth.
* * *
(Kazumi’s POV)
”Do you want to overwrite it?”
”Yeah… when I was with him… my body… started accepting it…”
That “him”—Bolt Zondark. The man who had kept her as his ‘lover’ for so long in the Royal Capital.
”I was held by him again and again… and I hated it, I really did, but my body… started craving it… and that disgusts me more than anything…”
Tears welled in Romy’s eyes as she trembled in frustration.
”He’s gone now, but his touch still lingers on my skin… I can’t stand it. That’s why…!”
I gently cupped her face, stroking her soft rabbit ears to soothe her.
”Yeah. If someone could erase that from you… it has to be Hiroya.”
”But… I feel guilty. For you, for everyone… even for Gunilla, who secretly likes Mr. Hiroya…”
Romy’s voice broke, her defenses finally crumbling. Her shoulders shook as she clung to me.
”I just… I just want to be held by someone I actually want. I want to overwrite it with warmth.”
I met her gaze, searching for hesitation but finding none.
”I think Hiroya can give you that. But let me ask you—what do you feel for him?”
She bit her lip, hesitating. Then, her voice dropped to a whisper.
”I think… he’s wonderful. Kind. Strong. He makes me feel safe…”
”Is that all?”
Her fingers tightened on my sleeve. A faint blush dusted her cheeks.
”When I was trapped, when I cried out for help… I called for Hiroya. I wanted him to save me. And he did. He saved me.”
Her eyes shimmered with something deeper. Realization. A longing that had been buried beneath fear.
”I… I like him.”
I sighed. Another one, huh?
(Well, it’s no surprise. He did save her in the coolest way possible.)
Romy sniffled, her small hands balling into fists. “Please… let Mr. Hiroya be the one to erase it… I don’t want any trace of that man left inside me.”
I stroked her head again, feeling the tension gradually drain from her body.
”Yeah… I understand.”
As I continued playing with her soft ears—a habit I had grown addicted to—I noticed her breath becoming heavier. I quickly pulled her into a warm embrace before she completely melted against me.
(Speaking of which… Gunilla too, huh?)
Hiroya had saved Gunilla when the Titan men attacked her.
(Seems like I’ll need to set something up for her as well.)
Before that, though, there was one more arrangement to make—one that involved Sister-in-law Karina.
(Things are about to get busy.)
As Romy nuzzled closer, I sighed again, bracing myself for the whirlwind ahead.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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