First POV (Evan)

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"Ughhhhh...what happened?" I said as I woke up.

The last thing I remember was being bodied by Tilith and losing consciousness. I take a good look around to realize that I'm in a bed and in a fancy room.

"It seems you're awake now." I turn my head to see an elf attendant.

"Where am I?" I ask. "You are in Kaser. One of the Lumerian Company's mercer offices." She answered.

"After the Dhalani fortress in Suriyah was captured, you were brought here." She explained further.

"What about the others?" I ask with concern. "They are well and currently resting." She replied.

I nod.

"Now that you are awake, please wait here. There is someone who wants to talk to you, Master Marebito." Said the Attendant as she leaves the room.

I get off of the bed and turn my head to the window and look out.

'Now that Sakura is here...now what?' I thought to myself. 'Go home?' I ask myself.

While I stood there lost in thoughts, the same elf attendant entered the room with another elf.

"You must be Evan Ashen." Said the other elf.

I turn to them.

"I am." I replied. "Master Marebito, this is the director of the Lemurian Company's Mara Branch. His Excellency Luca Rochel Albion." Said the Attendant.

"Well met." I said. "Likewise, Mr. Ashen." Said Luca.

"I would like to apologize for taking command of one of your military units to meet my own ends, your Excellency." I said while being polite. "No need to apologize, in fact, you have my gratitude." Said Luca

"I see…" I said.

'Here, I thought I might get into some trouble.' I thought to myself.

"Now onto business." Said Luca. "What is it that you want to talk with me about?" I ask Luca.

"Simple. Work for me." Answered Luca.

I was surprised. I knew something like this was gonna happen but not this quick but then again considering the stunt I pulled I shouldn't be surprised.

"Although, you can decline that offer if you like." He said. "So, what will it be?" He asked.

"Can you hold off from that offer?" I ask him. "Yes, I can." He answered.

I nod.

"Good because this is something that I may need to discuss with someone." I said. "I assume it's with that self proclaimed goddess?" He asked.

'Tilith? Self proclaimed goddess?'

I was confused for a bit till I quickly realized that he is probably skeptical of Tilith and her status as a goddess.

I nod to his question.

"I see. Do tell me whenever you are ready to answer me Mr. Ashen." Said Luca as he turned around to walk out of the room. "Miss Reyu will be nearby if you have any more questions." Said Luca as he left the room.

"Miss Reyu." I called her. "Yes, Master Evan?" She asked.

"Can you inform the others and tell them I'm awake now." I said to her, "Very well." She said and left the room.

Now alone, I look back outside through the window and contemplate on what to do next.

Third POV

~ Bathing Room ~

"All done." Said Nia as she finished washing Sakura's hair. "Thank you, Miss Nidia." Sakura said thankfully.

"No need to be so formal. Call me Nia. Besides, I'm your handmaid now. Yeah, I did lie back then but now I can be a handmaid." Said Nia. "I'm in your care then, Nia." Sakura said with a smile.

As Sakura finished her sentence, two more people entered, Ligia and Tilith.

"Forgive me for asking, Lady Tilith, but can you tell me more about your and Sir Evan's world?" Ligia asks as she walks along aside with Tilith. "Of course I can, there is this beautiful beach in a region named Morgan called Br- oh, hi there Sakura, hi Nia." Greeted Tilith.

"Ah! My most sincere apologies, Princess Sakura! I didn't know you were there! I humbly request forgiveness for this intrusion!" Ligia exclaims as she hastily throws a salute.

"Relax lieutenant, come on in. You too, Miss Tilith." Nia said nonchalantly. "Besides, I can see that you brought out the big guns." Nia said with a grin and a thumbs up to Ligia.

After a few seconds, Ligia realizes what Nia meant then blushes. Ligia quickly covers herself.

"I'm sorry for being indecent! I should excuse myself!" Cried Ligia. "No, please stay." Said Sakura.

"There's no need for you to be formal with me as I am a guest as much as you are here. Secondly, I want to talk with you and Tilith here. If you don't mind, then please join us." Said Sakura. "I agree with her, Ligia, let's settle down." Said Tilith.

Both Ligia and Tilith settled down in the warm pool and sat alongside Sakura and Nia. Then Ligia ask of something from Sakura.

"So, the ambrosia is a part of you and yet at the same time its own person? This Shakuntiira person is the one I spoke to earlier?" Ligia asks while Tilith looks confused on what Ligia is trying to go on about.

Sakura nods in confirmation.

"Yeah, she's been with me all my life. To tell you the truth, I don't know much about her nature...But I do understand that she has something to do with the gods." Said Sakura.

"How?" Asked Tilith. "That I don't know. All I know or was told by her is that an ambrosia transfers her power to her chosen candidate bringing in forth a being from age past." Sakura answered.

"How does she give her power to someone?" Ligia asked.

After a moment of silence, Sakura's face suddenly turned red.

"It's a secret between her and the gods!" Said Sakura as she faced away from Ligia and Tilith. "Oh, did I overstep? My apologies to your highness!" said Ligia.

However, Tilith can't help but feel that this "transfer" of power is something more and has this bad feeling in her guts and that it may involve Evan.

'Should I ask Evan, what this transfer of power is?' Tilith thought.

~ Meanwhile ~

Evan can't help but feel cold sweats and shudder.

'Is Seria mad at me again?' Thought Evan.

~ Back to the Others ~

"Say, Sakura, can you tell me what happened after Evan was summoned?" Asked Tilith. "Ah, sure Miss Tilith." Said Sakura.

Sakura then began to fill Tilith in on what happened during his time in this world after being summoned. She tells how he fought and broke her out of the fortress in Suriyah. But she decided to leave out the part where her ambrosia tries to "transfer" her power to him. Ligia also chimes in and tells Tilith about Evan and what he did before the attack on the fortress while praising him excitedly before talking about the time he saved her from a terrible situation not once but a couple of times.

"Evan did all of that...for me?" Said Sakura as she looked down. "Indeed, he went through many lengths just to save you." Said Nia.

"Knowing Evan, he would go that far if not even more for anyone he cares for..." Said Tilith with a small smile as she remembers the many times Evan would go out his ways to help others be it with something minor or something big.

"Say, Lady Tilith, what is your story with Evan?" Ligia asked. "Me?" Tilith pointed at herself.

Ligia nods, and both Sakura and Nia turn their attention to Tilith, intent to hear the goddess's story and to know more about Evan.

"Well...I don't really know where to start...I've been saved and helped by Evan many times before as I did the same with him." Said Tilith. "You can start at the beginning where you two first met." Sakura suggested.

Tilith nods at her suggestion.

"Okay, I'll start at the beginning when we first meet..."

Tilith then began her story of how she met Evan. Then Tilith would tell the three how Tilith first doubted him if he was capable but he would prove to her otherwise quite quickly. Then she would talk about her adventure with him through Mistral, Morgan, and St. Lamia. Tilith would talk about how she protected him from a curse and was slowly dying from it. Then she would talk about the promise made between her and Evan. Then Tilith proceeds to tell the rest of the story and that Evan slayed Maxwell, lifting Tilith's curse.

"And that's the end of our adventure in Mistral." Tilith finished her story. "Amazing...to think Evan is a god slayer." Nia said in awe with both Ligia and Sakura agreeing with her.

The three sat there in silence as they digested what Tilith had told them. Then Ligia spoke quietly.

"To be honest with you two...Princess Sakura and Lady Tilith...I envy the both of you, I truly do. To have someone like that..."

After another moment of silence from Ligia as she debated whether or not she should continue.

"I don't think it's my place to ask you two of this but what is your relationship with Sir Evan?" Ligia asked. "I-if you're thinking that?! Then you're having a misunderstanding, Evan and I don't have that kind of relationship..." Said Sakura as she blushed and faced the other way.

"What about you Lady Tilith? Surely, you have some kind of special relationship with him." Said Ligia. "I believe that Evan and I are bound by fate!" Tilith answered childishly.

"I don't think you know what I meant, Lady Tilith..." Said Ligia. "What do you mean?" Tilith asked while tilting her head sideways.

"What Ligia is trying to say is that, are you and Evan lovers?" Nia said bluntly.

Now it was Tilith to turn red.

"W-w-we are not lovers...yet" Tilith sputters and whispers the last part. 'Although, I wouldn't mind us being lovers...' Tilith thought to herself.

"Is that so..." Said Ligia as a part of her feels relieved while Tilith and Sakura can't help but have a bad feeling about something.

"Your highness, ladies, I apologies for disturbing your bath but I would like to inform you all that Mr. Ashen is awake." Said Reyu as she entered.

The news brought by Reyu caused everyone to stand up.

"He's awake?!" Asked Tilith. "Indeed, now if any of you wish to see him, I suggest finishing your bath and dressing up to see him." Said Reyu

~ Time-skip ~

"Evan!" Cried Tilith and Sakura with the others behind them as they opened the door to where he was.

Evan turned to them and saw Tilith lept towards him.

"Woah there, Tilith." Said Evan as he caught Tilith and Tilith gave him a tight hug. "I was so worried when you were taken!" Said Tilith.

Evan returned her hug back. Then he turns to the others.

"Nice to see you all doing well." Heh said with a smile.

After some more pleasant exchanges, Evan's face turned a bit serious. He would ask the others to leave except for Tilith as he had something to talk about. When everyone but Tilith leaves the room, Evan opens his mouth.

"Tilith, I need to discuss something with you."

"Hmmm? What is it?" Asked Tilith.

"How's back home?" Asked Evan. "Well, aside from everyone being worried about you. Everyone is fine." Answered Tilith.

"I see," Evan said with a nod. "Anything else?" Asked Tilith.

"Yeah, it's on what to do next, Tilith." Said Evan. "Should we stay a bit longer or go home? Speaking of home, how did you manage to find me?" Asked Evan.

"It's all thanks to Noel." Answered Tilith. "It was with this that I was able to find you." Said Tilith as she brought out a tracking device.

"Noel said that this can track your communication device." Tilith further explained.

Evan nods.

"Back to the first subject." Said Evan as he looked back out the window. "I was planning to return home after I kept my promise with Grey to keep Sakura safe and bringing her here. But after hearing from you that the others back home are doing fine, that plan is out of the window. However, I am considering taking a look at this world." Said Evan.

He then turns to Tilith.

"So, I'm asking you, would you like to have a trip with me to explore this world?" Evan asks. "Of course, Evan! I would gladly stay here! Perhaps, there are some beaches for us to have fun!" Tilith said happily.

"I see, that settles it then." He said with a small smile. "Why don't you go join up with the others, I'll be there with you guys after talking with his excellency." Said Evan.

Tilith nods and before she goes off, she simply asks Evan something.

"Evan, earlier I was told that Sakura and the person inside her is connected to the gods of this world. Sakura said that they can transfer their power to their chosen person, do you know how they do it?" Tilith asked innocently.

He looked at Tilith confused for a moment until he realized what Tilith was talking about. Evan began to have cold sweat, how was he supposed to explain that!?

"Uhhhhh, to tell you the truth, I don't really know how it works but all I know is that it is physical...I think..." Evan said vaguely while sweating cold bullets. "Physical...?" Said Tilith as she tilted her head in confusion but can't help but feel something is amiss.

Evan hurries her to go to which Tilith reluctantly goes after some convincing and vague answers by him. Evan lets out a sigh of relief before he then asks one of the nearby attendants to lead him to Luca to give him his answer.

~ Time-skip ~

It was nighttime, and both Tilith and Sakura were walking with each other, chatting along the way in the garden of the manor.

"So, when I felt Evan defeated Zebra, I used my power to send Seria, Karl, Elder Grah, Evan, and myself to safety next to Lake Aldela. After some chatting, Evan and I set off to Palmyna, the land where Cardes is sealed." Said Tilith as she finishes her and Evan's story in Encervis. "So what happens next when you and Evan arrive in Palmyna?" Asked Sakura.

"Well, like the usual fashion, Evan wa-"

Tilith's sentence was stopped at the sound of strings playing, catching both Tilith and Sakura's attention. They went towards the source of the music and saw Luca playing what seems to be a lyre. They continue to listen until Luca abruptly stops and puts down the lyre.

"Still not quite there..." Luca said. "Sakura Shakuntiira Adoniera, Princess of Adaar, and Goddess Tilith. What can I help you with?" Luca asks as he turns to the two. "Nothing at all, we were just listening to your play." Sakura said.

"Yeah, you were playing it well." Said Tilith. "I see, but the Lyre doesn't fit me nor does it fit my temperament." Said Luca.

After a bit of silence, Luca spoke up.

"May I ask...What do you see in your future, Princess? Do you have any expectations?" Luca asked Sakura. "You mean...what do I plan to do?" Asked Sakura.

Luca nods before speaking again.

"Yes, you fled your homeland and found asylum here, in my care. You're welcome to stay here as long as you like, I can even commission a mansion for you." Said Luca. "Or...I can have a hand in marriage with you." Luca said with a single glance.

"Buhh!?" Cried Sakura as she blushed. "A princess is still a princess even without a country." Said Luca.

"I have my brothers and an uncle to defeat before claiming the throne. So a union with a princess from an allied country would help me but it's up to you to decide." Said Luca.

While Sakura was stuttering her words, Tilith can't help but point something off about Luca.

"Why are you acting?" Tilith asked while tilting her head.

Luca raises a brow at Tilith, then hums.

"It seems that I've been seen through." Said Luca. "However, this "play acting" is just me trying to see if I can fulfill Evan's request." Luca explained.

"What do you mean by Evan's request...?" Sakura asked. "Let me tell you what happened earlier." Said Luca.

~ Flashback ~

"It has been decided that Tilith and I will be staying for the time being." Said Evan.

Luca nods and hums at the same time.

"As for your offer, but I have two conditions before I can agree with it or else I will decline it." Said Evan. "Oh...what will that be?" Asked Luca.

"My first condition is that Sakura must be kept safe and well treated indefinitely." Said Evan. "That condition can be fulfilled. What's your second condition?" Luca asked him.

"My second condition is that I will be cooperating with you, not working for you." Evan said with a blank face.

Luca hums at Y/N's second condition and contemplates a bit. After a moment of silence, Luca spoke.

"I can accept your second condition but how do I know that you won't just betray us?" Luca simply asked with a sharp glint in his eyes. "How can I know that you will treat Sakura well?" Evan responded back with a sharp glint of his own.

"Is that a threat?" Luca said in a cold tone. "A promise." Evan stated.

After a few minutes of a tense atmosphere, Luca let out a laugh, cutting the mood, and after he was done laughing, Luca spoke.

"I see, very well, I accept your conditions, the company that was assigned to capture Suriyah will be accompanying you, so treat them well." Said Luca.

~ End of Flashback ~

"Despite being a straightforward person, he is quite the complicated man." Said Luca. "All of that kindness meld with a core of steel or perhaps something even greater than steel." Luca finishes.

He then stood up from the bench.

"I must say, so far I'm impressed with your champion Lady Tilith." Luca said. "Evan is not my champion though. Evan is Evan." Said Tilith.

Luca glances at Tilith, then shrugs. Then he turns his attention back to Sakura.

"So to uphold my end of the deal, I simply thought that marrying you would keep him happy. But there's no need to hurry, I can wait for your answer." Said Luca before he turned around to leave. "W-what about your lyre...?" Asked Sakura.

"I'm tired of it. I won't play it anymore." Said Luca as he simply waved a hand and left.

After he left, only silence remained as both Sakura and Tilith stood there. Until Sakura picked up the lyre and sat down on the bench.

"Would you like to listen to me play this lyre Tilith?" Sakura asks.

Tilith sat down beside Sakura as she began playing the lyre.

"Say, Tilith, what do you think I should do?" Sakura asks. "What do you mean?" Tilith asked.

"I mean like what Luca said, what do I plan to do for the future. So, I was wondering what you think I should do?" Said Sakura.

Tilith hums and contemplates.

"Well, I can't tell you what to do but all I can say from experience is to follow your heart." Answered Tilith. "Follow my heart, huh..." Said Sakura as she continues to play the lyre with Tilith listening to her play.

~ Time-skip ~

In a room, five figures are there. Evan, Ligia, and Aran were sitting down with Luca and his attendant standing up on the other side of the table.

"Alright, shall we begin?" Said Luca.

All three nods and before Luca spoke.

*Knock* *Knock*

"You may come in." Said Luca.

The door opens and Sakura walks in.

'Sakura?' Evan thought.

Sakura then walks towards Luca.

"I've come to reply to your marriage proposal." Said Sakura as she bows to him.

'Marriage?' Thought Evan as he raised a brow.

"Go on." Replied Luca. "Your Excellency Luca Rochel Albion, with all the respect and humility such a generous offer you have offered me, I sadly have to say that I regretfully and respectfully decline." Said Sakura.

"I see and...?" Said Luca.

Sakura turns to Evan and walks to him.

"Evan Ashen." Said Sakura as she stopped in front of him. "I believe that I have no rights to ask you of this but I-"

"No need, Sakura." Evan interrupts her. "Regardless of your decision, I will support you nonetheless." Evan said with a sincere smile.

"I...thank you, Evan." Sakura said with her own smile.

Then Luca claps in amusement.

"It seems that the princess had found her resolve." Said Luca. "I accept your gracious rejection, Princess Sakura of Adaar." Luca finishes.

"Now back to where we were. Evan, you and Lieutenant Ligia's company next assignment is in Garandoa." Said Luca.

What Luca said surprised everyone except for Evan.

"Garandoa?" Asked Evan. "The dwarven kingdom!?" Ligia exclaimed.

"Indeed, I want you to muster all the charm you have to make an ally out of them, or..." Luca trails off.

'I already have a bad feeling where this is going.' Evan said to himself.

"Perhaps you can charm the King's younger sister." Luca finishes.

There Evan felt Sakura's intense stare boring onto the back of his head.

'Great, just great...' He thought to himself.

~ Datra ~

"So you're saying that a human brought out a spear of lightning that decimated the Duke?" Dakris asked. "Indeed, ma'am. Not only that, he seems to have many mysterious allies, especially the one who can shoot a gun that has the force of a cannon." Said an injured Dhala Soldier.

"Dismiss." Said Bred. "Yes sir." Said the soldier as he walked out.

Bred sat there in silence digesting what he heard.

~ Garandoa ~

"My lord! I bring tidings!" Said a Dwarven Messenger. "Pale long-ears have come to speak for the Lemurian Company. They've already crossed the foot of the mountain and are moving closer."

"They are led by a mysterious man whose name we do not know and it is said that the Princess of Adaar is with them." The Messenger finishes. "My lord, could this man be the one...?" The Messenger asked.

The Dwarven King slams his hammer down.

"Just more liars, hoping in vain to claim and defile my sister. Just like all the liars before them, they will break under my hammer!" Yelled the Dwarven King.

~ Somewhere ~

Evan sneezes.

'Am I getting a cold or something?' He thought to himself.

Author's Note

Alright, with this finished, I will resume my works on the other stories. The next chapter is going to be SWD.

Until then, I hope you all have a nice day or a good night.