Chapter 56: Domineering Star! The Pure-hearted Princess's Self-Conquest Strategy?
Overlord Heavenly Star is a unique Felling Knife (Blade-Wielding) technique created by Saikyō Nene.
This technique manipulates gravity to attract space debris from beyond the atmosphere, causing it to fall at the extreme speed of the second cosmic velocity, annihilating enemies!
Its power is considered top-tier among all existing Magic Knights, with a destructive range capable of covering the entire Japan.
Precisely because of this, the International Alliance imposed a strict rule on Saikyō Nene, listing Overlord Heavenly Star as a forbidden Blade-Wielding technique.
She was strictly forbidden from using this move in any situation without prior permission.
Teacher Saikyou casually explained her ultimate move, holding a faintly rotating miniature Heavenly Star in her palm, which continuously absorbed surrounding dust and visibly expanded.
"How about it, kid?"
"You definitely won't regret becoming my disciple; this move is a trump card that can instantly turn the tide!"
Arthur propped his chin, his gaze fixed on the miniature Heavenly Star, and murmured to himself.
"Second cosmic velocity… that is indeed an extraordinary power."
The so-called second cosmic velocity refers to the minimum initial speed required for an object to escape Earth's gravitational pull without propulsion, with a theoretical value of 11.2 km/s.
A star falling from the sky at such a terrifying speed would have destructive power no less than the national treasures of Arthur's home world.
However!
Arthur, with a hint of playful amusement, surveyed the self-satisfied Saikyō Nene and asked.
"Overlord Heavenly Star is indeed incredibly powerful, but Teacher Saikyou, once this move is unleashed, are you not afraid of perishing with your enemy?"
Saikyō Nene: o(＞△＜)o
"Noisy~ Noisy~ How could I do such a foolish thing!"
Arthur was unfazed by this tsundere remark, directly pulled out his mobile terminal, and quickly searched for keywords.
He opened a long-forgotten report and read out each word distinctly.
"During the Seven Star Sword Art Festival finals, Yasha Princess was forcibly disqualified after her Blade-Wielding technique went out of control. Fortunately, the World Clock intervened in time, preventing any casualties."
Saikyō Nene suddenly unfurled her iron fan, fanning vigorously, while also whistling, her eyes flickering.
She put on an innocent expression, as if to say, "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
A moment later, unable to maintain her composure, Saikyō Nene closed her iron fan with a "snap," baring a pair of sharp little fangs, and growled fiercely.
"Stop nagging! Just tell me if you want to learn or not!"
Arthur put away his mobile terminal, bowed slightly to meet his mentor's gaze, and a faint smile played on his lips.
"Learn, why not learn."
...
While Stella gradually familiarized herself with the concept of dragons and Arthur dedicated himself to comprehending Overlord Heavenly Star, the others, under Saikyō Nene's strict guidance, also gradually came to understand their own shortcomings.
The first day of special training quietly concluded in this calm yet fulfilling atmosphere.
After everyone enjoyed the lavish dinner meticulously prepared by the maids of the Kiderahara family, they bid each other farewell and prepared to rest.
Arthur, having just finished bathing, wore a loose bathrobe, his silver hair damp, with steam still lingering.
He stood at the corner of the stairs, looking down at Fou, who was yawning in his arms.
"I just seemed to glimpse the Kurogane siblings entering a bedroom, Fou, what do you think?"
"Fuwu?"
Fou tilted her head, blinking her pure, innocent big eyes, as if to say.
Why are you asking me?
I'm just an innocent little beast; I don't understand what you're implying.
So, Arthur put away his gossiping thoughts and quickly walked towards his room.
As for whether Kurogane Ikki's journey would lead to enlightenment or demonic corruption, that was entirely up to his own destiny.
Creak—!
As soon as he pushed open the door, Arthur's nerves instantly tensed.
Something was wrong!
In this pitch-black room, besides him, was there someone else?
Someone had snuck in while he was bathing?
Arthur's nostrils twitched, catching a faint, sweet scent in the air. Magic Conduction silently gathered in his eyes, and his vision instantly cleared.
Then—he saw a Stella who was completely different from her usual self.
Her Royal Highness was wearing only a silk nightgown as thin as a cicada's wing, its short hem barely covering her perky buttocks, revealing and concealing as she moved restlessly.
Seemingly sensing the newcomer's gaze, Stella instinctively crossed her arms over her chest.
This nervous gesture only accentuated the fullness of her chest, making it even more breathtaking.
Ultimately, Arthur was just a hot-blooded young man, and this vivid scene before him made his mouth go dry.
He didn't dare turn on the light, clearing his throat twice, trying to break the ambiguous silence.
"Uh… this is my room."
Stella lowered her head, her fiery red hair cascading down like a waterfall, completely obscuring her expression. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, and it trembled slightly.
"I… I know…"
At this moment, Fou's fluffy beast ears twitched keenly. She silently slipped from Arthur's arms, transforming into a white blur, and darted out the door with a whoosh!
Her movements were so decisive and agile, a perfect example of an overwhelming will to survive!
Arthur, at this moment, couldn't bother complaining about his friend who abandoned him. He turned sideways, his gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window, and continued to make vague remarks.
"It's late. You expended a lot of energy awakening your power today, so you should go back and rest early."
"No!"
Stella suddenly looked up, biting her lip lightly, her small hands clutching the hem of her nightgown tightly, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, steaming with heat.
"I finally mustered up my courage; if I miss today, then, then I won't have another chance!"
Arthur looked at Stella, who was unusually resolute, feeling a slight headache. He knew that if he didn't make things clear, he wouldn't get any peace tonight.
"What exactly do you want to do? Our relationship shouldn't have reached the point where we can share a bed, right?"
Stella: (⁄ ⁄•⁄ ω ⁄•⁄ ⁄)
"No… no?"
She countered in a mosquito-like whisper, her voice full of disbelief.
Then, as if something occurred to her, her tone suddenly rose, tinged with a hint of grievance and indignation.
"Didn't you help me awaken my power because… because you wanted to be with me?"
Her thoughts exposed on the spot, Stella was both embarrassed and angry, and a fleeting impulse to kill and silence him even flashed through her mind.
Arthur clearly sensed an invisible killing intent spreading, and immediately gave a wry smile, waving his hands repeatedly.
No wonder he always felt something was off; it turned out this innocent princess was once again engaging in astounding self-delusion.
"Don't misunderstand, I have other plans for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival. The stronger my companions are, the better. Helping you was also for—"
Clang!
Hiryū Zai Ken collided with the Holy Sword, sparking a dazzling shower of fire.
Steam continuously rose from Stella's head, her eyes turned into mosquito coils, and she revealed a completely broken smile.
"In that case, then you shall die to atone for your sins!"
Arthur was stunned: "I didn't do anything, and I still have to die to atone for my sins?"
"You did!"
Stella cried out, her voice laced with tears and uncontrollable indignation.
"You, you defiled this princess's body with your dirty hands! This sin shall be repaid with your life!"
"Hands? Defiled?"
Arthur deftly dodged Stella's erratic attacks, a flicker of realization in his eyes.
He remembered!
Earlier, when he was helping Stella activate her Magic Conduction, in his haste, he seemed to have slapped a certain place he shouldn't have touched.
But he did that to more efficiently transmit Magic Conduction!
Where could he go to reason about this?
He couldn't possibly resort to the traditional art of the Magic Conduction world—transmitting Magic Conduction through fluid exchange, could he?
Arthur looked at Stella, who was already so ashamed and angry that she had lost her reason. He casually dismissed the Holy Sword, his figure flickered, closing in. Taking advantage of her sword-swinging pause, he pulled her into his arms.
"Stop making a fuss, I was wrong, okay?"
Stella symbolically struggled twice in his arms, still pouting as she retorted.
"What were you wrong about?"
Arthur: (°□°;)?
No, he really couldn't answer that.
Even with his vast and varied knowledge, he couldn't find a standard answer for this situation.
"My mistake was… my mistake was not realizing your feelings in time."
Arthur looked at her flushed cheeks, his tone softening, with a hint of helpless sincerity.
"Give me some time, okay?"
Stella suddenly looked up, meeting Arthur's deep and serious eyes. She felt her earlobes burning as if they had been ignited.
She hastily broke free from his embrace, steadied herself, and rushed out of the room without looking back.
Only a trembling sentence, lingering in the air, reached Arthur's ears.
"Give me your answer tomorrow morning!"
Before her voice faded, Her Royal Highness had already disappeared outside the door.
Arthur stood in place, propping his chin, the girl's sweet scent and killing intent still seemingly lingering in the air.
If he were to reject the girl's fervent feelings, he felt he would be chased and cut down to the ends of the earth.