Aurelia and Alaric went out together, and it was certainly not just for a casual stroll.
Two adults, deeply enamored with each other, and Alaric was never one to suppress his desires. So, as they swam through the lake, it was inevitable that a more intimate and passionate battle ensued.
In the end, of course, the mage with the power of dragons triumphed over the ranger. Supporting her in his arms, he quietly sneaked back into the camp under the cover of night.
After escorting Aurelia back to her quarters, Alaric returned to his own tent, only to find Garona waiting for him at the entrance.
The half-orc rogue had not gone to rest. Instead, she was darting between several wooden training dummies, wielding a pair of military-issue daggers, leaving deep marks with every strike.
She was completely absorbed in her training, so much so that even Alaric's arrival did not make her stop—or perhaps, there was another reason.
Alaric crossed his arms and watched for a while. When he realized she had no intention of stopping, he finally spoke.
"Alright, alright, I get it, little steward." The mage sighed helplessly. "This time, I was in the wrong. I shouldn't have run off without telling you. Can you forgive me?"
Garona's movements faltered for a brief moment, but she continued sprinting and striking with her daggers.
Alaric noticed that her attacks suddenly became a little more forceful.
"Come on, don't be mad," he continued, trying to placate her. "I know I shouldn't have left your protection without warning. I promise it won't happen again, alright?"
Finally, the half-orc ceased her training. She walked toward Alaric, her breathing remarkably steady despite the rigorous exercise, a testament to her strength.
However, as she approached, she suddenly wrinkled her nose and cast a complicated look at him.
"Was it that golden-haired, long-eared woman?"
Her cold and direct question caught Alaric off guard.
"You… you could smell it?" He rubbed his nose awkwardly and lowered his voice. "Uh, would you mind keeping this a secret for us?"
Garona snorted in irritation.
Then, to Alaric's surprise, she turned and walked away.
"Hey, wait! Where are you going?"
Alaric quickly chased after her. Without thinking, he grabbed her hand to stop her.
As if shocked by electricity, the half-orc trembled slightly the moment their hands touched.
She immediately reacted, whispering furiously, "Let go!"
Alaric only tightened his grip.
"Hurry up and let go!" Garona's voice became even more agitated.
"Alright, alright, I'll let go," Alaric said casually, but he seized the opportunity to make a demand. "But first, promise me you won't just walk away. I still have something to ask you."
Under Alaric's shameless persistence, the female assassin reluctantly turned back. Her emerald-green skin hid the blush on her face in the darkness, so Alaric failed to notice.
Still, he sensed her odd behavior.
"It's just holding hands. We're both adults—why are you so flustered?" he teased.
Garona ignored him and instead asked coldly, "That golden-haired, long-eared woman's scent—what exactly happened?"
Her attempt to change the subject made Alaric pause. A moment of thought was enough for him to understand her reaction. He gazed at her intently until she uncomfortably turned her head away, refusing to meet his eyes.
Alright, he more or less understood now.
Alaric wisely chose to shift the conversation while she was still distracted.
"How does your new power feel?"
This was a much safer topic. Garona thought for a moment before replying, "I feel… much stronger. My stamina, strength, and agility have all improved… and I can easily sense the power of wind and fire."
As she spoke, the half-orc stretched out her arms, slightly clenching her fists. Alaric saw the air subtly swirl around her as she moved, and when she focused on her palms, faint sparks appeared.
"I'm getting used to it, but I still need more practice," Garona concluded. "Regardless, I should thank you for bestowing this power… upon someone like me."
As she spoke, she unconsciously glanced at her green hands and touched her slightly protruding tusks, her expression tinged with melancholy.
Even though she had integrated into the Alliance under Alaric's guidance and was mostly treated with respect, occasional strange looks and whispered words still hurt her.
And tonight, what Alaric had done might have made things even worse.
"This power is rightfully yours," Alaric shook his head, comforting her. "It was just a fortunate opportunity. If the trolls hadn't betrayed their gods, you wouldn't have had this chance… In any case, you are my people, so of course, I want to make you stronger. Stop overthinking it, alright?"
Yes, the power Garona now wielded came from the four demigods that Alaric had saved.
After resolving the Mar'kash incident, the Alliance commanders left to handle military affairs and purge the remnants of Zul'Aman.
However, Alaric stayed behind, as the demigods wanted to express their gratitude to him.
Alaric, being a mage, derived all his power from knowledge. While the divine energies of the demigods were formidable, they were not his style.
However, he remembered Garona's struggles and requested that the demigods bless her instead.
As a result, she not only pushed her physical capabilities beyond their natural limits, reaching a transcendent level, but she also gained the ability to manipulate wind and fire like a sorcerer (in the D&D sense of bloodline sorcerers, rather than the Warlock class of World of Warcraft).
"I… am your people?" Garona softly repeated his words.
"Of course. You are mine. Do you need me to prove it?"
Saying this, Alaric pulled her into a deep embrace… deep enough for him to fully feel her firm muscles and the softness that surpassed that of both humans and elves.
Wrapped in his warmth, Garona felt herself drowning in it. This sense of security and protection was something she had longed for since birth, something she had always desperately sought deep inside.
Ever since she came to Alaric's side, her once-lonely fate had changed. Warmth surrounded her now, making even the shadows feel like sunlight.
At this moment, that warmth reached an unprecedented level. She wished she could sink into it forever.
After what felt like an eternity, a sudden sense of restraint made her push him away.
Once out of his arms, Garona awoke from her daze. Embarrassment washed over her—she had behaved so out of character, so unlike the tough survivor she once was. Hurriedly, she turned away, intending to leave.
This time, Alaric did not stop her. Instead, he called after her, "Get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll properly introduce you to Aurelia and the others. I hope you can become friends."
Watching her retreating figure, Alaric let out a long sigh.
The number of people entangled with his emotions was only growing. With that thought, he slowly made his way back into his tent.
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