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The Hoshimi Family Dojo.
It looked much like any other dojo. Arden and Miyabi had both changed into kendo uniforms, and their weapons were now bamboo swords.
It wasn't a matter of worrying about injuries—at their level, strikes were precise—but they didn't want to damage this otherwise decent dojo.
"Ready… begin!"
Souichirou acted as the referee, while the sole spectator was Madam Hoshimi.
No sooner had he spoken than Miyabi's gaze hardened, and she took several swift steps to close the distance between her and Arden.
Whoosh~!
A sword slash came down.
"!!!"
Arden hadn't expected her to strike so seriously. Reacting almost instinctively, he raised his bamboo sword to block.
Ah~!
The bamboo sword grazed past his ear.
The strike was fast and fierce—serious, though without full force.
"Whoa, trying to murder your husband, are we?!"
Arden shuddered in fear. Bamboo swords weren't sharp, but a solid hit to the head could still give a mild concussion.
He squared up, taking the match seriously.
"Words are useless—watch this!"
Though she had agreed to marry Arden, Miyabi also wanted to maintain face. She intended to dominate their future married life, one of the lessons her sisters had taught her when visiting Yunkui Summit.
Whoosh~!
As Miyabi's words fell, her second strike aimed straight at Arden's waist.
At that moment, Arden's eyes seemed to glow golden.
Clack~!
He reflexively pressed down with his sword.
Thunk~!
The bamboo swords clashed with a dull sound, and Miyabi was knocked several meters back.
The two of them moved rapidly across the dojo, their bamboo swords meeting and separating again and again.
There were no sparks or flashes of light, but each collision left a ripple in the air. With increasing skill, Miyabi's swordsmanship had reached a level of mastery comparable to a swordmaster. Each move flowed like the Sword Devil, agile as a butterfly dancing through flowers.
Arden, meanwhile, stayed steady, biding his time and seeking openings in Miyabi's attacks, responding to each strike with careful defense.
Whew… looks like Miyabi still has feelings for me.
He also quietly rejoiced that Miyabi was just using basic moves—no skills, special attacks, nor ultimate techniques.
Otherwise, Arden couldn't guarantee he could defend himself; the entire Hoshimi family might have ended up in ruin.
During the duel, Miyabi's eyes shone brighter and brighter, savoring the essence of the swordsmanship in her sparring with Arden.
"Honey, that's enough, right?"
Arden stopped pretending and called Miyabi "wife."
He knocked her bamboo sword aside and, while she was momentarily off balance, pressed down, restraining her.
If there was any advantage Arden had in a sword duel against Miyabi, it was his superior strength.
"Not done yet! I can't lose!"
Miyabi leaned back slightly, refusing to yield.
The reward had already been received in advance; if she lost this duel, her status in their future married life would inevitably drop. And that was unacceptable!
"…"
Arden didn't quite understand Miyabi's persistence—but he felt her counterattack.
After leaning back, she unleashed a full strike. The back of her bamboo sword, like a nimble snake, circumvented Arden's hold and struck the hilt in his hands.
Clack~!
Both weapons hit the floor simultaneously.
While Arden froze, Miyabi leaped, wrapping her arms around his neck and biting his nose.
"Ow ow ow…"
"You lost, darling!"
She pulled back, satisfied, grinning at Arden with the bright red mark on his nose.
"You really bite, huh? Part dog or what?"
Arden rubbed his sore nose, grumbling, though he admitted she had won.
Who would have thought Miyabi would throw away her precious weapon—completely unexpected.
"Foxes really are canines, huh!"
Called "dog-like" by Arden, Miyabi wasn't offended. She even laughed and agreed.
"…"
Arden could only stay silent.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, sorry for the display."
It wasn't just Arden. Madam Hoshimi and Souichirou were also speechless—this was the first time they'd seen their daughter act like this.
Love changes people. Seeing Miyabi so infatuated, she was far more adorable than the Miyabi who had once been entirely devoted to training.
Yes, a little wild now, too—though from whom she had learned this, he had no idea.
"No worries! You two must live well together—no fighting."
Madam Hoshimi admonished gently.
This wasn't nagging; if Arden and Miyabi actually fought over marital disputes, it could be catastrophic. If a real fire broke out, possibly all of New Eridu would go up in flames. The future of the entire city depended on this couple's harmony.
Souichirou secretly wiped sweat from his palm.
"Yes, yes, Madam is right. If anything happens, come to us. We'll take care of you both."
Being an orphan, Arden had only these two elders to rely on.
"Mhm, Dad—Mom~!"
Hearing their words, both Miyabi and Arden were deeply moved. Having parental support felt wonderful!
Miyabi readily nestled into her mother's embrace, enjoying the warmth. Arden wanted to as well, but it would be improper for a grown man to hug his mother-in-law. He waited until Miyabi finished with Madam Hoshimi, then embraced his wife himself.
In this way, he shared a portion of the maternal warmth.
Time passed in the comforting atmosphere of family love, and Arden felt the affection of elders he had long missed.
He now fully realized the nature of the family he had joined.
The visit to meet the parents, after the initial tension, had been harmonious, continuing into the night.
Madam Hoshimi suggested Arden stay the night, and he agreed without hesitation—a rehearsal for the future. Even though Miyabi would mostly reside at Yunkui Summit, visiting her parents occasionally was entirely reasonable.
However, when Arden prepared to stay in the guest room, Miyabi took his hand and led him to her bedroom.
Since she was willing, Arden, as a man, naturally did not hesitate.
…
That night. In Miyabi's bedroom.
With a single bed, it was a bit cramped for both Arden and Miyabi, but he didn't mind at all.
Huff…
Arden wrapped his arms around Miyabi's waist from behind, blowing softly at her pointed fox ears, causing her sensitive ears to twitch.
"Miyabi, how many children do you want?"
The mood set, Arden asked the serious question.
"I think… let's start with one first."
Suddenly, Miyabi felt pressured.
As a Void Hunter, she excelled in combat—but having children? She had never even considered it.
"Alright, then we'll start with one."
Arden's hands began to wander. "You teach the child swordsmanship, I teach daoist arts. I believe our child will be invincible."
He trusted that with their combined genes, they would produce a prodigy skilled in both sword and Dao.
"Y-yes… I'll… follow your… lead…"
Miyabi's voice trembled, and her body shifted restlessly.
There was no resisting Arden's practiced touch.
Mm~~ ah~~
Melodic sounds escaped from Miyabi's lips.
"To have a child, we must work hard."
Spring slumber knows no dawn, everywhere birds are heard singing.
Having sparred in the daytime, the evening session followed.
Although it was their first time, Miyabi's physique was exceptional. With previous lessons from Fufu and Yixuan, after initial hesitations, she quickly transitioned to the offensive.
"My darling, you're amazing!"
"Again!"
"Husband~~ more~~"
"…"
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