Conquering The Novel

293  A Noble Decision

Tut— Tut— Tut— Tut

The rhythmic thumping of the helicopter blades filled the air as Ares, Elaine, and Rose sat in the private aircraft. Ares had acquired access to this sophisticated mode of transportation after his coronation as king, and now they were on route to the location between the Elven Kingdom and the Vampire Continent, where they expected to intercept Belphagor during his travels.

Elaine turned to Ares, seeking clarification. "So, you're saying we're going to confront one of the demon lords?" she inquired, her eyes searching his face for confirmation.

Ares nodded, a confident smile gracing his lips. "Yes, that's right. We're on our way to deal with Demon Lord Belphagor," he affirmed.

"....."

"I see..." Elaine mumbled, her mind delving into contemplation. "And how did you come to know Belphagor's whereabouts?" she asked curiously.

"It's all thanks to Rose. I entrusted her with the task of keeping an eye on him, and her diligence led us to deduce the ideal location for our ambush," Ares explained, acknowledging Rose's crucial role.

Elaine's constellation message appeared before her, gently reminding her of her long-held wish to battle a demon lord. {Isn't this what you wanted? To fight a demon lord? Now that chance is finally here.}

Elaine sighed internally, her thoughts conflicted. "...It's not that I'm not excited about facing a demon lord," she replied to her constellation telepathically. "I just... I'm more worried about Ares. I know I'll be fine, and I trust in his strength as well, but still, what if something were to happen to him? Can I truly protect him?"

Her mind drifted to the deepening bond between them, the newfound sense of preciousness she felt for him. The fear of losing or seeing him hurt tugged at her heart.

'I didn't had anything or anyone to worry about before, but not anymore. I now have someone precious to me that I don't want to lose or even see him hurt,' she thought to herself, her gaze fixed on Ares.

!?

Ares met her gaze, sensing the depth of her emotions, but still unable to fully grasp the thoughts racing through her mind.

Swoosh—

The sudden swerve of the helicopter jolted Ares and Elaine out of their reverie, narrowly avoiding colliding with a towering mountain peak.

Tut— Tut— Tut— Tut

"Argg!"

16:12

"Oops, my bad! Didn't realize that mountain was that huge," Rose, who was at the controls of the helicopter, admitted with a sheepish grin.

"....."

Elaine gave Ares a skeptical look. "Are you really sure she can fly this thing?" she questioned, her concern evident.

Ares responded nonchalantly, his gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window. "I'm not entirely certain, but if I see her about to crash into something, I'll just fly away," he replied with a nonchalant shrug.

!?

Elaine gave him a blank stare, a mix of disbelief and concern evident on her face. However, Rose quickly interjected, trying to reassure her . "Don't worry, I have plenty of experience flying helicopters and jets," she chimed in confidently.

"Well, that's... comforting," Elaine sighed, a tinge of relief creeping into her voice. "By the way, where did you learn how to fly these things?" she curiously inquired.

Rose's response caught them both by surprise. "Oh, from the Gamestation! I learned how to fly from video games," she confessed with a mischievous grin.

!?

Swoosh—

The helicopter jolted again, narrowly missing a large tree this time.

"Woohooo...!" Rose exclaimed in excitement.

"....."

Ares and Elaine exchanged a knowing look, the gravity of their mission momentarily forgotten as they found themselves in the midst of Rose's unconventional piloting skills.

"...Well, let's just hope your video game training is enough to get us to our destination safely," Elaine remarked wryly, holding onto her seat with a mix of amusement and trepidation.

***

Trriiing— Trrriing—

"P-Pivot! Pivot!" Elaine's voice rang out as she guided Rose's driving, attempting to keep the helicopter steady.

Meanwhile, Ares's phone began to ring, and upon seeing the caller ID, a grin formed on his face.

Tick—

[H-Hello, Ares!] Lia's hologram appeared on the phone, her concerned face filled with relief. [It's good to see you're fine!]

"It's been a while, Lia," Ares responded warmly.

[Y-Yeah!—] Lia began to speak but was nudged and interrupted by a woman's voice beside her.

[What are you doing? It's the king you're talking to, not your regular friend.]

!!

[O-Oh, my apologies for my casual way of speaking with you, Your Highness!] Lia spoke hurriedly, her smile turning slightly uncomfortable.

"Don't worry about formalities, Lia. You can talk to me in a casual manner, just like we used to before," Ares reassured her with a smile.

[C-Can I really?] Lia asked, glancing at the woman, who seemed to be her mother.

"Yes, you can," Ares replied, and Lia turned her attention back to him, nodding with a sigh of relief.

[Fuuu, do you know how worried I was when I saw the news about your death?] Lia's voice trembled slightly, tears welling up in her eyes. [O-Of course, because I would have lost my business partner and the only person who believed in my capabilities when I didn't even believe in myself.] she clarified, wiping away the tears.

[A-Ahem!] Lia's mother interjected, stepping into the camera's view beside Lia. [If her talent has been recognized by Your Highness itself, then I am sure she might really have a knack for being a weapon crafter!] The woman spoke, her smile bright and proud.

Ares responded with a warm smile. "Yeah, I think Lia has the talent to become one of the best weapon crafters in the world. I have complete faith in her abilities."

Lia's face turned slightly red, a mix of embarrassment and gratitude evident in her expression. She lowered her head bashfully, trying to hide her emotions, but her heart was racing with joy.

Her mother chuckled, the corners of her eyes crinkling with joy. [Haha, if you truly believe in her that much your highness, then I have no problem sending her to the Escratia Kingdom to further develop her weapon-crafting skills.] She responded, her voice filled with motherly pride.

"I would genuinely appreciate that," Ares replied gratefully. "And I promise to provide whatever she needs to improve her crafting skills, with no budget limitations." He emphasized his dedication to supporting Lia's craft.

"And... if Lia would like to become my personal crafter, I also promise to grant her the title of a noble," Ares added with a touch of seriousness.

!!

[E-Eh?]

Lia and her mother's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing Ares's promise of bestowing a noble title upon her. It was a significant offer, as nobility wasn't something given lightly or on a whim. The distinction between nobles and commoners, though seemingly diminished in modern times, still held societal weight and privilege.

The prospect of nobility was a tempting offer that could elevate Lia's status and provide her with countless opportunities. However, Lia was taken aback by the offer, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Accepting the title of a noble would not only change her life but also impact her family and those close to her.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Ares could sense her hesitation and assured her, "Take your time to consider the offer, Lia. I want you to make a decision that feels right for you and your future."

Lia nodded gratefully, thankful for Ares's understanding and support. [Thank you, Your Highness. This is... a lot to take in, but I'll definitely think it through.]

The heartfelt conversation continued, with Lia expressing her gratitude for Ares's belief in her abilities, and her mother expressing her joy and pride in her daughter's achievements.