Chapter 11 - A Man, A Hero, And His Harem

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Song suggestion - 'NieR Autómata - City Ruins Dynamic Vocal'

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"I'm not a normal guy."

Ryū smirked, before walking up to him and pulled his right hand with both of hers, towards her chest.

"I know that… Bell." Her smile was soft and full of love.

Bell was shaking all over inside, because this might be the last time he sees her like this. If she rejected what he was about to say next. So he breathed in, then gathered his nerves.

"Yes, but I'm not normal… I care about you… a lot… and two others."

The elf's eyes widened in shock, but Bell noticed that her hands were still around his, only tighter this time. As if afraid of letting him go.

Then losing him to someone else.

"Ryū, I know elves are normally monogamous, but that's not something I can do…" Another deep breath. "I want you… all of you… and a big happy family, one day." Ryū's face turned crimson.

Bell's grandfather spoke to Bell again.

"Tell the girls what kind of future you want with them… as soon as you can and don't hide the other girls from them. They hate those kind of secrets. So paint a short but sweet picture of how you want to conquer the world, in your way, with her by your side. Then tell her that you want to make her dreams come true along the way too. If you don't know, then ask… before you tell her that, because some of their ideas are just… crazy. So you might need to tone it down a bit and make it more reasonable. Something you can and want to do. Got it, boy?"

He nodded inside, then continued.

"I want to be a hero that everyone can look up to. Build a family that we can be proud of..."

Bell didn't know what to say next, because he didn't think talking about raising children as well as his grandfather did with him was appropriate right now. He was still barely a child himself.

But he couldn't stop staring into Ryū's beautiful blue eyes.

They made him feel warmer than even the thickest blankets during winter.

Safer than the strongest of armour.

And calmer than the quietest of skies.

He couldn't resist any longer.

All he wanted to say was… he wanted her.

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Ryū moaned weakly into his kiss.

She could feel… an intense desire from him to provide and care for her, truly.

But she also sensed a little fear.

As if he was afraid with the way he would push and pull back away from her lips.

It was like he was testing her to see if she really wanted this.

Really wanted him.

Ryū was sure she did.

So she let go of his hands and wrapped her arms around him as he did the same.

They would figure this all out later.

All that mattered to her now was that... Bell wanted her and she accepted him.

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After a few minutes, they parted slightly with their foreheads resting against each other. Nose to nose and eyes closed, while their arms dropped to their waists.

They stayed like this for a little while longer.

A giggle then broke out from the elf when Bell sneaked a kiss and another and another. Until it became a kissing match between them.

Ryū won.

"How... Do... You... Have... So much stamina..." Bell said between breaths.

"I am level four."

"Level four?!" Then he laughed.

His second woman was embarrassingly stronger than him.

"Well, you did just fight against that black goliath beautifully."

The elf blushed at his praise.

"Thank you, Bell." She quietly said, "You were amazing yourself. I've never seen anyone do what you did. What was that?"

Now it was Bell's turn to be a bit embarrassed.

"Bell?"

"Argonaut. It's my skill... I still don't fully understand it yet, but... all I know is that it allows me to fight monsters far stronger than myself."

"I see... Well it certainly is impressive... Not many people can wipe out a floor boss in one hit."

"Y-Yes, but I had a lot of help. From you and everyone else. Plus you were amazing! Flying from point to point and hitting that monster so fast that I couldn't see a thing! Can you teach me how to do that?"

Now it was Ryū's turn to let out a chuckle of her own.

"Sure, Bell, but it'll take a lot of work. Are you prepared for that?"

"Yes!"

A few more kisses flew between them.

"Okay, we should go Bell, before the others get worried about us."

"Yes, we should, but not before I tell you something else."

Ryū tilted her head slightly.

"Another surprise? I'm not sure if I can take another, Bell Cranel." The elf was joking, making them both chuckle a little.

"It's about the other girls, I don't want to keep any secrets from you. Especially if we're going to make this work." Bell looked into her eyes until she nodded.

"One of them is a half elf, named Eina, and she's my dungeon hunting advisor. We've been together for a few weeks now." Ryū's ears perked up in surprise.

"The other is..." Bell hesitated for a moment. "... Ais Wallenstein."

"Ais Wallenstein?!" She almost shouted.

"Yes, but we aren't together yet. I need to get a lot stronger first, otherwise it'll never work."

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Ryū was about to say that he didn't need to, because she was a lot stronger than him, but then she realised that Ais was from Loki familia. One of the strongest in all of Orario.

If he wanted Ais, he needed to be strong enough to gain their respect. Otherwise, they'd make things difficult for him.

This was not the issue with herself, since she didn't have to worry about any of that. The same was with this Eina.

But what if she learned about her dark past and recognised her?

"Bell... What if they learn about my true identity?" She was afraid.

"It's okay, you'll be safe and I'm sure they'll understand. Plus, Eina wants to meet you too." Ryū eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Don't worry too much about it, she just wants to get to know you a bit better and work things out."

The elf still hadn't taken another breath.

So Bell brought her in for another long and soft kiss.

Not as forward or passionate as before, but just enough to calm her down.

Ryū tried to imagine what this half elf might look like.

"Bell, is she more beautiful than me?"

What was she saying? This was so unlike her, but she had to know.

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Bell knew he shouldn't laugh, but he couldn't help it. Ryū just looked adorable like this. Cute and blushing with a slight shade of red as her ears dropped in a flutter.

"No, she's just as beautiful as you. In her own way."

The girl smiled, then swivelled her head around in a mixture of excitement and embarrassment.

She kept peeking at him from under her hood until Bell got the message and captured her with his lips.

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Before the two lovers returned to their group, they agreed to keep a distance between themselves.

No need for anyone to learn about their relationship yet, especially Bell's goddess.

The rest of the trip was relatively smooth as everyone made it safely back to the surface in a day.

Ryū returned to the Hostess of Fertility, while everyone else headed towards the guild.

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"BELL!"

The boy just closed the door inside a small room, before a beautiful half elf crashed into him faster than a firebolt. Holding on for dear life, her arms and legs wrapped around him, refusing to let go.

She was speechless.

When Welf had run into the guild earlier and told her to wait in a consultation box, Eina knew.

Loki familia had told her yesterday that Bell was alive and well.

But for some reason he hadn't returned later that day.

So when she heard news of him again, Eina couldn't control herself and quickly snatched up a room.

Now, she looked at him with teary eyes, a runny rose and an endless number of hiccups as she cried into his lips. Her uneven breaths were the only thing stopping her from sealing his lips shut.

Bell had almost died twice now within two weeks of them being together. It was too much for her heart to take.

Tonight, she would claim him and nothing would stop her.

To hell with the 'forest moon pact.'

It was a sacred pact between two elves pledging their everlasting love to the moon in a quiet forest in the middle of the night, before engaging in a passionate embrace.

I'm only a half elf anyway.

Eina reasoned and Bell wasn't even an elf.

I'm sure he won't mind.

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As much as he missed her, Bell couldn't stop thinking about how soft her rear was. It was like the perfect cushion with which to place his hands on as he held her up and kissed her back.

He couldn't ignore her plentiful chest either as they constantly reminded him what he had missed. Bell wondered what they would feel like without the guild uniform trapped in between them.

When they took a break from kissing and just hugged, Eina whispered.

"I missed you, Bell."

"I missed you too, Eina."

Then he kissed the top of her head, now buried into his chest.

"Why-why-why does this always happen to you!" She complained with a tiny thump of her head against him.

"Not always-" He tried to object, but a glare stopped him from saying anymore.

Then they both let out a heavy sigh as Bell rocked them from side to side by lifting his heels up one after the other.

At some point, Eina seemed to have taken a small nap in his arms when the only thing he heard was her shallow breaths.

She must have been really tired worrying about him for the past six days. It must be tough being a guild advisor, he thought. Bell would make it up to her later, she deserved that much after what he had put her through.

But he couldn't hold her up forever, as much as he wanted to. Eina's bum just felt too good in his hands and he couldn't resist a quick squeeze.

Bad idea.

Her hips grinded against him as she let out a pleasurable hum.

"Bell..." She whispered with a soft kiss into his chest. "Baaaad bunny..." Kiss. "Myyyyy bunny..." Kiss. Then her next words made him gasp, blush, and almost drop her.

If she carried on like this, then he'd lose all hope.

"Eina, wake up. Please, wake up!" Bell whispered and begged at the same time.

"Noooooooo... too comfy my bunny is." Then she wriggled against him some more. The boy almost lost his mind when an idea came to him.

"Kami-sama!"

"Huh?!" Eina jumped right off him, looking around in panic. When she realised no one was there, she looked right at him.

"Bell, what... why did you do that?"

The boy tried to speak, but this was all too new to him. So he went with the truth.

"Y-You wouldn't stop grinding against me." Bell reluctantly shared, while covering his crotch with both hands.

Eina squealed like a volcano.

After that, they decided it would be best to leave the room and see how everyone else was doing.

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Later, a gag order was issued on everyone who had fought the irregular goliath on the eighteenth floor. Hestia and Hermes were punished for venturing into the dungeon, then they all split up.

Except Bell, who stayed behind to escort Eina home. Apparently, she called in sick and wouldn't work tomorrow either. Her colleagues understood and covered for her, but not without teasing the half elf later.

When Eina arrived outside her apartment, she turned towards the boy beside her.

"Bell."

"Yes?"

He was still tired from the dungeon but was ready to do whatever she asked.

"I… want to be s-selfish with you tonight." Her tone was soft and shy, as if embarrassed by what she just asked, but Bell didn't seem to understand.

"Erm, okay, so… what do you want?" Bell, you idiot. Was all Eina could think about. So she made things even clearer.

"You."

Time froze as the boy suddenly understood what she meant. Her eyes, her posture and everything about her sent a clear message.

Bell was going to lose his carrot tonight.

Gulp.

Eina laughed.

She then playfully tapped his nose with a finger from her gloved hand.

"Meet me in Amor square in two hours, okay?" Her voice was seductive and sweet, making Bell gulp again.

"O-Okay, and I'll get ready too." Eina smiled in a way that made him almost forget to breathe.

She's beautiful, he thought.

Then they parted ways.

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Two hours later, Bell stood in the middle of Amor square squeaky clean and with a fresh set of clothes he bought with all the valis he got today since coming back from the dungeon. Plus, a quick run towards Lord Miach's place to get their strongest medicines and potions to recover his strength and mental power. Gods knew that he'd need it tonight.

He wore a black jacket with a long sleeve white shirt, black trousers and dark brown boots that looked almost burgundy with a belt of the same colour.

There were many others around him too, dressed nicely while sitting on benches or leaning against walls as they spoke to their lovers. Bell couldn't help but imagine him being one of them soon.

A lot was also going through his mind right now as recalled spending most of his time fretting about what to wear, when a store clerk generously helped him out. Then he tried his hardest to find a place to take Eina out to eat. It wasn't easy, but he eventually found it.

As he checked himself over once again, Bell spotted a beautiful half elf arriving in a horse-drawn taxi.

She looked radiant.

A burgundy woollen jumper gave her a warm inviting look, while a cute black skirt flowed from her waist and paused mid-thigh to reveal a set of slim shapely legs in matching black tights and tanned leather ankle boots. She was the perfect mix of cute and sexy with friendly emerald eyes set against a warm ivory skin tone. Plus, a smile that could light up even the darkest of dungeons.

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Every soul in the square was focused in on her, for there was no one else more beautiful than the woman there. They all watched her happily glide towards one man. Some were in awe, while others were jealous as they tried to imagine being the lucky man she would embrace.

"Hey! Bell!" Eina called out as she approached the frozen rabbit with a cheerful wave.

"Eina?" He questioned disbelievingly.

The girl laughed at his stunned expression; her outfit had worked. This would not be an easy date for him if he couldn't keep his eyes off her and Eina didn't want his eyes anywhere else for the rest of the night.

"Yes it's me, Bell." Then gave him a quick kiss on his lips with both hands behind her back, before Bell pulled in for a few more.

"Wow..." He whispered, before giving her a kiss. "You just look absolutely stunning." More kisses. "I have no words to describe just how beautiful you are." Even more kisses. "Nothing that would do you justice." And a few more kisses.

"I mean, is there anything you don't look good in?" He said after pulling back to get another good look at her.

Eina giggled at his reaction, before kissing him again and then whispered...

"Please, Bell... take good care of me tonight." Into his ear, sending shivers down his spine.

Then he felt a warm wet kiss on his cheek, before she retreated back to looking shy with a beet red face.

Bell gulped.

This woman was just too perfect for him and he hoped he would do right by her.

Taking a moment to gather himself first, Bell freed a hand from her waist to lift her chin up and said...

"I promise you, I will... my Eina."

She smiled brightly, "So! Where to first, Bell?"

But the boy simply tapped his nose with a grin and said, "Follow me."

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As they approached the docks, Eina's eyes grew wide as she covered her mouth with a hand in shock.

"Spoon Aqua?!"

It was one of several sailing restaurants in Orario, a pure-white ship over fifty meders long. A big, showy banner stretched across the ship as it was moored on the docks. A well-appointed attendant stood at the entrance with a stylish sign that said WELCOME ABOARD! written in Koine.

"Bell! How did you find out about this place and get a reservation so quickly!" It was a very popular place. So normally, you'd have to book a week in advance.

The boy merely grinned at her, before they arrived at the entrance.

"Little Rookie! Welcome to the Spoon Aqua. We hope you enjoy your stay here. My lady." The attendant was a human male dressed in an expensive waiter's black and white uniform. An easy smile rested on his face as he bowed to them both.

Eina blushed as she wasn't used to being addressed so formally and wrapped herself around his right arm.

Bell's arm was in heaven as he felt her considerable chest squished against him.

"You used your status to get a place here, didn't you?" It was not something she ever expected him to do, use his fame.

"Yes, they said something like it'll be good for business. Having someone like me there." He smiled bashfully.

"Of course." She laughed. He was the fastest person to ever level up after all.

"Anyway, let's go, I'm starving here!"

"Me too!" Eina giggled.

As they were seated down at a stylish white circular table for two, with a vase of flowers as the centrepiece, Bell thought back to one of his grandfather's strangest lessons. A general list of foods to eat and not eat, before sleeping with a woman. He had memorised them all but was never told why it was important. Just that he'd be told later when he was older.

"Oh, sooooo many options! I've never been here before Bell, I'm so excited!" The half elf was practically bouncing off her seat, which made him laugh. To Eina like this was worth more than he would spend tonight.

Because the menu was expensive as hell.

"I'm happy to hear that. Now, what to choose. How about some tapas and fish?"

"Tapas? Oooh, that sounds delicious!" She said while reading the ingredients off the menu, but not understanding what most of them were. "And fish, I love fish! Because ever since I came here, I never found the chance to eat it. Always so busy working, you know? Making sure adventurers like you don't go do anything ridiculous. Like going past the floor I told you not to go on." Her voice wasn't angry at all, but playfully vented her frustrations. With a smile of course.

Bell laughed, a little embarrassed, "I'm sorry? I can't help it!"

"It's okay Bell…" Her soft skin warmed him immeasurably as she placed a gloveless hand over his. "Just… don't worry me like that again… please…" She begged, with a sad expression, while lovingly stroking the back of his hand with her thumb.

The boy turned his hand around until he was holding just her fingers, then brought it up to his lips and gave her a kiss. His eyes never leaving hers.

"I promise… to always come back to you. My Eina." Her fingers instantly tightened around his.

"Promise?" He returned her grip, just enough to reassure her.

"I promise."

Eina seemed to give him a long thoughtful stare, while he began rubbing his thumb against her fingers.

She let out a heavy sigh.

"I guess that's all I can ask of you." Their joined hands were now resting on the table again as Bell rubbed them even faster.

"I know." Then he brought her hand up for another kiss, before laying it back down again. Where it stayed as they chose what to eat and drink next.

For starters, they dined on 'pimientos piquillos relleno de Bacalao'. Red peppers stuffed with a chunky, but firm white fish and reasoned with spices, before being roasted until crispy on the outside. Then 'pulpo a la Gallega'. An octopus sliced up into bite size chunks, cooked and seasoned with a little sweet smoky paprika, before being drizzled in olive oil. It was served alongside slices of pan-fried potatoes.

With each bite they sang words of praise.

"This is so good! I wish my family were here to taste this! Mama would love it!" Eina swooned as she took another bite.

"Really? What's she like?"

"Well, mama is a beautiful elvish woman. Even more so than me!" Bell chuckled, because he couldn't imagine anyone more beautiful than her tonight. "It's true! Her hair is so long and silky. God's I wish I had her hair!"

"Why don't you grow it out then or has it always been like this?" A sudden memory flashed through Eina's eyes and her cheerful expression dropped. Bell suddenly felt guilty for asking.

"Hey, you don't need to answer that if you don't want to." He reassured as he reached over the table to grab her hand to provide some comfort too, which she took.

"It's okay… I cut it after losing my first adventurer. Maris." Eina went on to explain experience as a new advisor, while Bell listened to every word. Giving her hand a squeeze every now and again to show her that he was still here.

When she finished, Bell felt like it was his fault for letting the atmosphere become this gloomy.

"Anyway, enough of my boring stories. I'm sure you don't want to hear about them."

"Hey, Eina. None of that please. I don't want my girl thinking that she's not important or not exciting to me either. I'm here for you, through thick and thin. Just like you've always been for me." That made her smile.

"There she is, I love that smile." His compliment was just a bit too much for her as she looked away, wondering what her mama would think of her now if she saw her like this. With Bell.

"But hey, if you want to grow your hair long again… I don't mind. In fact, I'd love to see you in it, but I'm also fine with you just the way you are. I mean, that's how you got me in the first place… right?" The half-elf laughed.

"Bell… when did you get this smooth with your talk?" The Bell she knew seemed to change and become even more confident every day. In fact, it was just far too sexy for her not to notice.

"Well, it's because of you. Knowing that I have such a beautiful half-elf woman waiting for me, every time I come home. Makes me feel like the happiest man alive." Bell was just overflowing with confidence, thinking about her and what he'd do to her tonight. It made keeping his excitement under control, almost impossible. Plus the way Eina was biting her lip at him right now wasn't helping either.

He needed a distraction.

"So, what about the rest of your family?"

"Oh, papa? Well, he's a big strong human who's really kind and nice. He's always looking after mama, when he comes back from work, because she's not very well. As far as I'm aware, she's always been like this. Ever since she left the forest."

"Really? Why?"

"Ah, well… do you know Riveria from Loki familia?"

"Yes…"

"Well mama used to be her chamberlain."

"Er… what's that?" Eina forgot; Bell had grown up on a farm. So the chances of him knowing about this stuff was zero. So she explained the whole story, but in a hushed tone. She didn't want anyone else nearby to eavesdrop on their conversation. It wasn't something she would share with just anybody, but Bell was an exception.

"Ah, I see. Well, I hope she gets better one day. Maybe even find a cure." This made Eina very happy to hear.

"Aww… thank you Bell. It really means a lot to hear you say that." She let out a heavy sigh, then continued. "I haven't seen them since I came to Orario. I miss them… A lot."

"Well, why don't we go see them some time in the future then?" Eina recoiled at his suggestion. That meant so many things and her mind couldn't stop imagining them at a million miles an hour.

Bell being oblivious to this, since he had only ever grown up on a farm with his grandfather, grew concerned. "You okay?"

"Y-Yes… c-can I ask why?" The boy smiled, before answering.

"Because… I want to know what it feels like… to be with family." His grandfather still clearly on his mind. "I wish… I knew what it felt like to have a mother… and a father…" Tears now started dropping from his eyes, staining the table cloth below him.

"Hey Bell, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up again… I'd love to introduce you to mama, papa and my little sister, one day. But I just need time…" Her thumb was now gently rubbing the back of his hand. A comforting gesture that he had done for her, not a moment ago.

When he tried up his tears with free hand, Bell looked up to her.

"Thank you." His heart felt very tender right now and he wanted to say more but didn't trust himself to say the right thing. So he stayed silent.

After a minute of silence, with little gestures such as holding each other's hands a little tighter with a smile here and there… they continued to eat and talk about other things.

Then the main course arrived.

They had ordered broiled lobster drizzled in a buttery thermidor sauce. Followed by a cold tomato soup and lightly toasted ciabatta bread. Plus, a large slice of salmon with crispy skin resting over a bed of roasted vine tomatoes and potato mash with crab.

Bell tried red wine at some point, but his throat didn't agree with him. While Eina only laughed, before taking her glass back. He decided water was his best option tonight.

Dessert was a single portion of black forest gateau, a chocolate cake with cherries and cream. Eina ate most of that. Her ears bounced with each bite.

An hour and a half later, they left the beautiful restaurant. Very full, but very satisfied.

Eina let out a happy sigh as she clung to Bell as they walked through the streets.

"Bell, that was wonderful… If I knew that you were capable of such a thing, I would have done this sooner!" The boy laughed, before kissing her cheek.

"I loved it too."

"So, where to next?"

They entered a lavish bar with dim lights and plenty of seats for small groups. It was a place made especially for young couples. There Bell and Eina stayed for an hour, chatting idle until she couldn't wait anymore.

"Bell?"

"Hmm?" She was now resting with her head gently placed upon his shoulders with her hands rubbing over his.

"Can we… go?" Her eyes told him everything.

Gulp.

"O-Okay." Bell picked up the tab and they caught a horse-drawn 'taxi'.

"Where to?" He asked. Eina gave the driver an address and a little white later, they arrived.

A white classy inn for high tier adventurers and guests. What Bell didn't know was that Eina used up a lot of her savings to book a room here tonight.

The boy was not used to such an expensive place, having lived in a farm and then an abandoned church for so long, but he was very nervous. All he had now was his grandfather's vague lessons about sleeping with women. Bell hoped it would be enough.

As they walked into their room, the couple noticed how clean and expensive everything looked. On one end, a large mirror with gold trimmings sat above a large smooth wooden desk and a chair under it. On the other, a large king-sized bed with a mixture of blue and white cushions invited them to lay there. While two nightstands stood on opposite sides with magic lamps and the wooden floor had a polished sheen to it. It even had a separate room for them to wash.

Another reason why Eina had chosen this place too, was for its sound proofed walls. She didn't want anyone listening in on them tonight.

This was to be a special night for them both.

Bell led her towards the bed, where they talked aimlessly about a few things. Until the kisses and cuddles began.

The last words Bell heard, before he became a man were…

"Take me... I'm yours."

And he did.

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A.N.

I hate how FF doesn't let you put at least ONE link per chapter.

So if you want to see Eina's outfit, check out my profile, where they allow links.

This was the first time I recommended a song to listen to with this story, but that's just a one for now.

Also, let me know just like in chapter 9 if you like, prefer or don't mind the links to one of the girl's specific outfits right after it's mentioned mid chapter, because if this were a real book then I'd slap the picture there.

But this is website won't let me. So links it is.

And if you want to see those photoshopped outfits redrawn as fan art… Let me know and let's set up a fun for creating fan art from the best parts of this story! :)

Onto other notes!

In the anime, at the end of season 1 post credits they show Ryū standing outside the guild with Mama Mia and a few other girls from the bar. That wouldn't happen. They all have work to do and Ryū would be too scared of being recognised.

None of the post credits were canon moments from the light novels (except Welf showing the broken magic sword to his goddess.)

So, I really hope that you guys liked this, because I'm very satisfied with how it went. I wrote this chapter mostly while listening to 'NieR Autómata - City Ruins Dynamic Vocal'. It goes perfectly with this chapter.

Thanks again for reading this week's updates!

And if you're a new reader, welcome!

See you guys next Saturday at 8pm EST!

Chapter 11: 4877 words. (Including a few dots that act as transitions and dividers)