Sato and Yuri stood at a respectful distance, watching as the Ghost Hunters worked tirelessly to construct their new village. The hunters moved with purpose, using the knowledge Aril had bestowed upon them to build structures and plant crops.
"Considering their numbers, they should be done in less than two days," Sato remarked, his arms crossed as he surveyed the progress being made.
Yuri turned her gaze to him, admiring the excitement and pride evident in his expression. She couldn't help but feel grateful for his guidance and support.
"Thank you, master," She said with a warm smile. "For all the help you've given us. Without your knowledge and guidance, we would never have been able to build a village like this."
Sato's expression remained serious as he spoke, his tone conveying a sense of determination. "It's not really a big deal, anyone could have done this." He said. "As long as it makes you happy, I don't mind it."
eaglesnov?1,сoМ Yuri feltl a rush of gratitude towards Sato. Despite his serious demeanor, he was always willing to support her in any way he could. "Thank you," She muttered, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment.
Sato then pointed towards the Ghost Hunters, drawing Yuri's attention towards them. "You are going to have to give them names at some point," He said. "At least a few of them, if you are hoping to build a successful society here".
Yuri shook her head vehemently. "Names? No way," she said. "I don't think I'm fit to name another creature."
Sato let out a deep sigh, then turned to face Yuri. He placed both his hands on her cheeks before pulling her close. "Are you implying that I'm weak?" He teased, a small smile playing on his lips.
Yuri let out a small laugh, feeling her heart swell with affection towards her master. "No, of course not," She said, a smile spreading across her face. "I just don't want to mess it up, is all".
Sato's expression softened as he looked into Yuri's eyes. "I was the one that named you, was I not? You won't mess it up," he said. "You are one of the strongest women I've met. And besides, naming things is an important part of building a society. If you name a creature, he too will have the ability to name another, depending on the abilities of the namer, of course".
Yuri's cheeks grew even redder as Sato's hands pressed against them, but she managed to nod in agreement. "I understand," she muttered.
Sato released his grip on Yuri's face and stepped back, his attention turning towards the workers who were busy constructing their village. "Who knows," he said, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "When I'm no longer around, you might be able to take on the status of empress or queen, or maybe even..."
But before he could finish his sentence, Yuri pushed him to the ground with surprising strength. She pinned him down, her eyes meeting his with a serious expression. "Master," she said coldly. "Please don't say that again."
Sato's expression grew serious as he realized the impact of his words. "Hey…Yuri?," He called out, his voice filled with remorse. "Did…something happen?."
Yuri's grip on Sato's eyes softened, and she kept her eyes locked on him. "Just..," She said softly. "Promise me you won't say something like that again".
Sato sighed in agreement, resting his head completely on the ground. "Okay fine I promise," He said. "Happy?".
"Yes I am." Yuri responded, the serious expression she had on completely vanishing and replaced with a smile.
Sato's countenance contorted with a mixture of mortification and elation as he processed Yuri's declaration.
Her serene expression had melted into a radiant smile as she lay her head on his chest.
"To be honest," Yuri murmured, her voice soft and gentle, "I wouldn't want any other status besides being your wife or assistant."
Sato's complexion flushed a deep crimson, and he averted his gaze, acutely aware of the hard ground pressing against his back and the warm softness of Yuri's skin resting against his chest.
"Yuri," he called out, his voice thick with emotion, "We are on the ground."
"I know," Yuri responded with a hint of amusement in her voice.
"And you're lying on my stomach," Sato added, his embarrassment mounting.
"I know," Yuri replied, unfazed.
The room fell into a comfortable silence as the two basked in the warmth of the moment. However, it was short-lived, and Sato's discomfort finally reached a boiling point.
"If you know, then please get up already!" He exclaimed, his tone laced with equal parts embarrassment and exasperation.
Yuri let out a musical laugh before sitting up, her hand extended to help Sato up from the floor. Their eyes met, and a spark of mutual affection passed between them, evocative of the deeper connection they shared.
…..
*Warthniq Kingdom*
In the opulent throne room of Warthniq Kingdom, Terence, the king, sat atop a lofty throne. All around him, sultry women vied for his attention, their seductive gazes fixed on his form.
"What?" He bellowed, his voice heavy with frustration as he addressed Eri, the Sword Hero's priestess. She stood a respectful distance away from the king, her posture straight and unwavering.
Eri's face remained placid, betraying nothing of the turmoil within her. She had come to the kingdom to fulfill her duty as a priestess, but the king's brusque tone did little to assuage her apprehension.
Terence's voice boomed through the throne room as he stared at Eri with intense fury. "You had one job to do," he asserted, his piercing gaze never leaving Eri's downcast face. "To drive out the people in the forest and claim the land for me. How could you have possibly failed me?".
Eri swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of her failure press down on her shoulders like a boulder. "Apologies, my king," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "We were ambushed by Terra. We had no choice but to retreat."
Terence's eyes blazed with anger, his fists clenching at his sides. "No choice?" he spat, his voice laced with disbelief. "You had no choice but to retreat?".
He slowly stood to his feet, his regal bearing radiating a fierce intensity. Walking down the small stairs before him, he closed the distance between himself and Eri with deliberate steps. His eyes never left her face as he spoke again, his words dripping with venom.
"Answer me this, Eri," Terence's voice was low and dangerous. "How was Terra able to ambush you? I thought you already slayed the demon lord of that Kingdom?".
Eri's eyes darted to the side, feeling the pressure of the king's anger. "We don't know," She stammered, her voice barely audible. "We were just as..."
Before she could complete her sentence, Terence's hand shot out, the back of it striking Eri's cheek with a resounding slap. The force of the blow sent her flying to the floor, her body hitting the ground with a dull thud.
As she lay there, her hand on her stinging cheek, Eri looked up at the king who was towering over her. His face was twisted with anger, his eyes blazing with fury. She knew that she had failed him, and that there would be consequences for her failure.
"You are a disgrace," Terence snarled, his voice dripping with contempt. "I trusted you with this task, and yet, somehow, you failed… What does that say about my decision?".
He approached Eri with a deliberate stride, his eyes locked on her trembling form. He leaned in close, his hand firmly gripping her jaw and tilting her face upwards to meet his gaze.
"You've become weak," Terence stated, his voice low and menacing. "I remember you being so strong, no man was able to hit you the way I just did. What happened, I wonder?"
He paused for a moment, a sly smile creeping across his face. "Is it perhaps...the hero that was assigned to you?" he said with a sly grin.
Eri shook her head frantically, her eyes wide with fear. She knew that the king's wrath would be swift and merciless. She could not allow him to track down the hero and harm him in any way.
But Terence was not satisfied with her answer. Seeing the weakness in her expression, his anger flared to life once more.
"What the hell are you crying for?!" He bellowed, his hand lashing out and gripping her hair tightly. With a brutal force, he slammed her face into the ground, the impact sending shockwaves through her body.
Eri groaned in pain, her vision swimming as she tried to steady herself, "I'm sorry, my king…it won't happen again".
"What was that? Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the sound of your tears!" Terence pressed her head to the ground.
Suddenly, the door to the throne room opened and Shinya stormed in, "let her go… right now!".
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