The night deepened. A bright moon hung in mid-air, casting silver moonlight over the land and forest like a gentle veil—hazy, dreamlike, and illusory. The sounds of insects and birds emerged from the grass.
It was a scene of tranquil beauty.
In the village, a lively bonfire party was underway. Wood was piled up in the clearing, burning fiercely, and people danced with joy. Before, under the threat of the Kingdom's army, the atmosphere had been oppressive, and no one could relax. Now that Roy had forced the army to retreat and even revealed plans for future development, the villagers felt that not holding a banquet after such ecstasy would be a disservice to this momentous occasion.
The bonfire was in the center, with people dancing on the inner circle. The outermost ring was lined with barbecue racks. over the scorching charcoal fire, the aroma of roasting meat fat permeated the air, mixed with a hint of spiciness that made everyone's mouth water.
A bite of grilled skewer, a swig of ice-cold ale.
The villagers felt they wouldn't trade this for a god's throne.
This, too, was something Roy had taught them. He had gone to great lengths to buy cumin seeds and chili peppers from distant merchants, opening a new world of flavor for everyone.
"Sho good!"
Tiona accepted the feeding from the simple villagers, swiftly devouring skewers and chugging ale. An adventurer's appetite was astonishing, and her bold style drew cheers. Her innocent smile made people instinctively like her.
Although he had promised Marius to hand over Welf Crozzo, Roy didn't act immediately. instead, he accepted the invitation to attend the bonfire party.
The guy is right there anyway; he can't run.
Unlike her sister who was frantically stuffing her face, Tione kept her eyes glued to Roy—or to be precise, to the swarm of "bees and butterflies" fluttering around him.
Roy's return and his successive defeats of the Kingdom's army had long since spread across the surrounding ten miles and eight villages.
Those were God Ares and Prince Marius—identities infinitely higher than these villagers—yet Roy had rubbed their faces in the dirt. One could imagine how shocking that was.
Hearing that this village was holding a party, countless people scrambled to join in.
Everyone's target was locked onto Roy.
"Little Roy, let me introduce you to my granddaughter. She's only 0.1 tons and very beautiful," an old lady said enthusiastically, grabbing Roy's hand.
Hearing that unit of measurement, it took Roy two seconds to react. Wouldn't she crush me to death?!
Roy fled in terror.
Young girls, dressed up flamboyantly and not yet married, chased after him one by one. Handsome, strong, imposing, and domineering—how could they let such a golden son-in-law escape?
The people of Roy's own village panicked.
Are you kidding? Our daughters haven't even got him yet; how could it be the turn of you outsiders?!
More girls joined the battlefield.
The army of girls chasing Roy reached a mighty force of over a hundred, their momentum no weaker than the Kingdom's army.
The hearts of the ignored young men nearby were bleeding. Among the group chasing Roy, they saw several famous village beauties—goddesses they dreamed of. How can this be?!
In the end, it was Tione, unable to bear it any longer, who ended the farce. She roared like a beast, "Get away from him, all of you! The Captain's virginity will be guarded by me!"
Boom!
Tione stomped heavily. Her terrifying foot strength shattered the ground, cracks spreading wildly.
Everyone turned pale with fright and fled in all directions.
Tione's strength had been witnessed by everyone during the daytime battle. This girl defeated those Kingdom soldiers as easily as taking something out of her pocket. Her petite body housed a lioness.
"Thanks, Tione." Roy wiped away a cold sweat. After all, it was the enthusiasm of his hometown elders; he couldn't refuse them too harshly. It was better for Tione to step in.
"It's nothing, nothing. I am the last strong barrier protecting the Captain." Tione completely changed from her fierce demeanor, smiling like a flower. "Captain, let's dance too." Tione put on a shy, coy expression like a little woman.
"Sure."
Roy stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Tione's slender waist.
"Ah~" Tione let out a squeal. Her cheeks flushed red, the blush gradually spreading until her wheat-colored skin seemed covered in a faint pink mist. Due to the Amazons' bold fashion, she wore very little clothing. Roy's large hand made direct contact with Tione's skin, and the transmitting heat made Tione go weak all over, as if her Level 3 strength had vanished.
Tione practically draped herself over Roy.
Roy could feel the Amazon girl's softness, a wild aura lingering around his nose.
Unlike Astrea's skin, which was smooth and delicate like the world's finest silk, Tione's skin was toned from training—taut and full of elasticity.
Their figures danced in the firelight.
Tione's movements appeared quite clumsy.
She had grown up in the warrior nation "Telskyura," spending her childhood in brutal slaughter with zero dancing experience. When she proposed dancing just now, she had mustered all her courage. Before this, she had observed others' dance moves and memorized them firmly.
But once she actually tried it, it was completely different. This wasn't a solo sport.
Tione only remembered her own moves, and when trying to coordinate, she became flustered, stepping on Roy's feet repeatedly.
Normally, with her Level 3 reflexes, this wouldn't happen.
But at this moment, she seemed to have completely forgotten her strength. Like a timid, introverted girl, the more she stepped on him, the more panicked she became.
"Tione, calm down. Imagine there's no one else around. Just look at me," Roy's voice sounded in Tione's ear.
His steady and determined emotion quickly infected Tione. She took a deep breath and gradually calmed down, her heart feeling as sweet as if she had eaten honey. The whole world seemed to go quiet; in Tione's pale green eyes, only Roy remained.
Even without any dance foundation, relying on her extreme reflexes and Roy's guidance, Tione danced gracefully, like a little butterfly. The Amazon girl revealed a joyful smile under the firelight, leaving the surrounding onlookers stunned.
Tiona, who had been focused on eating, couldn't help but be drawn in. It was her first time seeing Tione with that kind of expression—just like the princess in a hero's tale, rescued after the hero slays the monster.
Leaving Telskyura with Tione was indeed the right choice. Tiona shifted her gaze to Roy, a trace of curiosity flashing in her eyes. So that is a Hero.
As the light dance ended, thunderous applause erupted nearby.
Unlike Elves, Tione was straightforward. "Captain, what kind of woman do you like?"
Roy laughed. "I like the pretty ones."
"So fickle!"
Hearing Roy answer with almost no hesitation, Tione pursed her lips. In other words, as long as she was pretty, Roy liked her. What a playboy.
But that might not be a bad thing.
Otherwise, how could she compete with Astrea, Ryu, Daphne, and Cassandra?
The competition is fierce, but I am the competition!
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Danmachi : Starting with an Elf (451 Chapter – Ongoing)
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