Momonga followed the King, entering the room of Princess Sylvia.
They found the young woman sitting at the bed, with her blanket draped over her legs, and her feet peeking out the hems.
While her little sister, Renner, sat at her lap. Holding the young woman like how a daughter would hug their mother.
It was a peaceful scene, elevated by the warm light that spilled through the windows. The soft breeze of the wind against the thin white curtains. And the sound of gentle murmurs, like a lullaby.
Ramposa just stood there, as quiet as he could. Emersing himself in the gentle scene in front of him.
Allowing Momonga to step back enough, and give the family their privacy.
Unfortunately, luck doesn't seem to favor him.
"It's you..." Sylvia whispers, "you're here."
"Eh?"
'oh good job Momonga, real smooth there' he mentally chastised.
Momonga's eyes landed on her own eyes and once again beheld the surprise that even now, he had yet to wrap his head around.
Her slightly faded blond hair had achieved a golden hue. Her skin, not as pale but of healthier shade. But what took the cake were her eyes.
Her now yellow eyes, that gave hints of purple along the edges under the right light.
Princess Sylvia for the lack of the better word, had changed.
"Please, come in."
Her voice was gentle yet strong, mature even. Silently he admits, it lands just at his strike zone.
'Far from a young Princess and closer to mommy voice... the bastard who will have her will be a lucky one.'
Momonga stepped close, but she kept on urging. After two more coaxing, Momonga was soon standing right beside the bed.
Close enough to warrant a reaction from Gazef.
Momonga remained composed, knowing the man was no threat in anyway without his treasured sword.
Sylvia's arms suddenly snapped, faster than even Gazef and wrapped around him. Embracing him with a soft word that rang through the silence,
"Thank you... for bringing me back." she said.
"You're welcome Princess."
She pulled back for a bit and spoke with a gentle smile. "Please, just Sylvia. I believe my own savior has earned it."
'...shit! Can't deny royalty without proper reason... Fuck it.' he mentally chastised before he could refuse.
"So long as her highness addresses me as Momonga."
Sylvia blushed at that. Looking both shy and cute.
"Very well... Momonga-kun."
"..tsk!"
Momonga shivered hearing Albedo click her tounge. But he held himself steady, deciding to keep the conversation flowing.
"How are you feeling?" he asked as gently as possible.
"More than I could possibly remember." he made a confused expression while she continued. "I feel it in my veins. That power, sleeping, waiting and I admit, a little eager to be held."
"That is what I had hoped you could answer for me, Momonga-dono." adds the King. Ramposa, as he hugged his daughters and sat beside them. "This was–"
"Unnatural." interrupts a voice.
Everyone turned to the door where the Gold Adventurer Team, Blue Rose entered and knelt.
"""""Your majesty."""""
They greeted with Gagaran even grabbing Evileye into a deep bow.
Ramposa signaled for them to rise. While Renner left the bed and jumped Lakyus with a smile filled hug.
"While her words were crude and admittedly, alarming." continued Ramposa. "I still believe it would be best to know what exactly we are dealing with. Specially regarding my daughter's... current constitution."
"What has she exhibited?" Momonga asked.
"Well..." Ramposa then walked to the table at the sitting area, and removed the cloth over it.
Underneath were various silver ware. Spoons, forks and knives. Bent in a way that showed someone applying too much pressure. And a couple of cracked tea cups, plates and coasters.
"I see...", the items paint a vivid picture. "What else?"
"I feel stronger beneath the sunlight." said Sylvia.
"And she only slept for a couple of hours." supplemented Renner.
"Momonga-dono, what has happened to my daughter."
Momonga crossed his arms. His eyes closed in deep thought.
In Yggdrasil, it only cost 5000 gold to use [•Raise Dead•]. An amount a level 100 player can achieve with contemptuous ease by killing two level 80+ mobs.
But the Angel Tears, were a different item altogether. It is a supplementary item, commonly used for resurrection with the added effect of removing any Penalty.
The item is worth 1million Gold in terms of Yggdrasil Currency. The mana cost between the 5th Tier and the 9th Tier is no joke. Making such supplementary items, extremely useful in tight situations that required Mana management.
'I myself have used it various times in summoning Exp Required monsters like Doom Lord and Grimm Reaper Thanatos despite the–'
Like an epiphany, Momonga's eyes widened as certain details resurfaced.
"...How did I miss that?" he gritted out.
Till a punch knocked his attention. Momonga turned and raised a brow at the little red cloaked adventurer who had just hit his abdomen. Admittedly, it did nothing, it still screamed for attention.
"Oi. Explain. Now." Evileye demanded.
Momonga instinctively wrapped his arms at Albedo just as she lunges at Evileye. After a few seconds of struggling, she turns to her Lord and complains.
"But! Momonga-sama!" the beautiful woman shouted indignantly.
"It is fine Albedo."
"But–! They're disrespecting you too much, Momonga-sama!"
"Albedo–"
"We already resurrected their Princess! What more would they need!?"
Momonga winced, understanding where the woman was coming from. He had been used to be patient. Vying his time and waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Now, he has to juggle expectations.
For once, he was glad Nazarick wasn't here.
To appease the angry Succubus, Momonga tightly wrapped his arms around her own, and kisses her at her forehead, letting his lips linger.
Halting all her brain's function, long enough to let his words sink in.
"You're right... and it will be addressed. But through words first above violence."
Momonga watched as she bit down her lips with lingering anger mixing with a healthy blush on her skin. But she kept her words to herself and nodded.
'That should be enough for now.' or so he thought, but as his arms left hers. He felt like an actual douche using the woman's feelings for his convenience.
'...maybe I shouldn't wait...'
Momonga immediately shook the stray thought aside, and decided to address the other occupants instead.
With as serious a tone as he could give, he spoke. "Please, know this. What I share with you I willing give. But know that I will not have words forced out of or upon me. This, will be my only warning."
Gagaran actually swallowed while the rest of Blue Rose felt a shiver down their spine. Including even the Royal Family and Gazef who was watching from the door.
"I apologize for my subordinate's actions." Sylvia spoke, as she slowly stood from the bed, showing her purple nightdress that hugged her curves. "I understand that we impose upon you. And falsely reward your gifts with suspicion. But please, I beg your leniency!" she then bowed by her waist, eliciting gasps from the room.
"Sylvia!" Ramposa reprimands with a horrified look, but the Princess was undeterred.
"We are just confused and we want to understand. What exactly is happening to me?"
Momonga's eyes softened as he sighed.
Nodding in acknowledgment of the young woman's plead. "To be blunt your highness, you are now an Angel."
The room was silent.
The Princess' blinked twice.
"...eh?"
"""""HUUUHHHHH!!!"""""
—.—.—.—.—
"So this are all... Confirmed!?" Ramposa asked with a quake in his voice.
"Yes your grace. It is recorded." Momonga tapped at the page of the book lying between them as if to emphasize his point.
They all sat at the sofas, each looming over a book that lay untouched at the table.
Showing exactly what Momonga had missed regarding the item.
'Lore'.
The Book is a hand made Encyclopedia continuing the various recorded Races of Yggdrasil, written by Luci★Fer.
Bound in Dragon leather, decorated with enchanted shimmering silver, containing pure white pages writ with golden ink. The book was a treasure to behold in terms of looks alone.
Currently, Momonga was showing them a certain race page. 'Aasimar'. A Demi-Celestial race that can grow to the height of the First Circle among the Good, the Ninth Circle among the Evil, or even as a Fallen or in between.
The more Ramposa and the others read, the more nervous they became. Princess Sylvia has practically unlocked near limitless potential.
And she could either rise beyond any mortal in recorded history, or fall beyond salvation.
"May I?" Ramposa gestured for the book, receiving a nod in return.
And while the King and Blue Rose clamored around the book the size of The Sacramentary. Momonga instead turned his attention to the two Princesses who remained smiling and hugging each other.
'She doesn't look that different. Just as lively, just as golden but, somehow, she feels more genuine this time.'
Renner felt so different that it actually made him feel better. It solidified his decision. Knowing that what he did was right all along. Or at least, what he believed.
His eyes turned to the Elder Princess who gently ran her hand at Renner's hair. Said Princess who in turn turned to him, smiling as she did.
With a gentle tilt of her head, a soft smile on her lips and an unwavering gaze. She winkes him just as the gentle light illuminated her eyes, while a soft breeze carried her hair.
It was picturesque. An image that lingered. And it made the so called Hero, blush where he sat.
A painful squeeze in his arm, made him turn sharply. And at the other side, is Albedo with her cheeks puffed out and glaring.
Momonga could only rub the back of his head, trying to ignore the Princess' giggling while addressing the angry Succubus.
"...sorry..." he softly admitted.
*kuhum!
Ramposa's cough brought everyone's attention to the forefront. And as he looked to Momonga, the man asked, devoid of humor in his eyes and tone.
"These records... are they first hand accounts? Will you lend them?"
"Yes, these are first hand accounts."
'Luci★Fer spent a lot of gold buying these informations. Character sheets are considered Personal Secrets after all.'
"And no, I won't be lending them. There is no other book like this Your Grace and I won't risk it."
Ramposa nodded, understanding and reluctance warred within him. "Then I must ask this of you... Will you serve my daughter, as her Sworn Sword?"
Momonga was stunned, Ramposa continued.
"You possess both the knowledge and means to guide her." he gestured to the book.
"And with your strength of arms, the means to protect her." he gestured to his sword.
"With Promise of Royal Protection, Endorsement, Land and Titles. I will elevate you. Under oath that you serve. Not me, not the crown, but my daughter with the intent to protect her, and guide her to Higher potential ever known."
Ramposa let the offer hang for a second before asking. "What say you?"
Momonga felt indecision crept to him. And instead of settling, uncertainty grew even more.
He let out a soft breath and turned to his companion.
She looked to him with worship in her eyes. Worship that softened when they saw his unspoken turmoil. And with a reassuring squeeze, and a firm nod. He turned to the king and said.
"I accept."
—.—.—.—.—
Momonga stood with arms crossed. Wearing his casual clothes with his sword sheathed at his waist.
Watching as both Albedo and the recently reassurect Princess Sylvia clash sword in the courtyard.
He made sure to take note of the surprisingly impressive discipline that Albedo is displaying as she educate the Princess in matters of fighting.
And while his partner took to the sword, he instead took as the shield. Expanding his attention to the nearby observers.
The clang of steel echoed across the courtyard as Noble Lord's and Ladies alike watched the exchange with varying reactions.
Most looked on with sneers, some with intrigue and question but a handful showed anger, jealousy and lust.
It has been three days since his appointment as Sworn Shield. And he knew, now that the foundation of his power has found a starting point. Things will soon pick up the pace.
But first, he must train the Princess to an acceptable level so that she may participate in he war with the Empire.
'One step at a time... patience, and one step at a time.'