Sigh

SIGH!

Haru lost count of how many times she breathed out heavily. She just had an exhilarating awakening that first kiss was like a flood gate, once opened, the merciless wave of emotions had surged and swallowed her whole, drowning her to a state of bliss that she never thought she was capable of feeling and left her panting for more.

It had been a week since she had her first kiss and the two unbridled souls became a kissing menace. They would kiss in the morning, afternoon and at night. He would even steal a kiss while they were in the middle of the city or in front of the crowd and she would instantly give in as though the more their lips touched, the more they couldn't get enough.

She never thought that there were different kinds of kisses in this world, but she noticed that he really liked kissing her on her forehead and whisper sweet nothings while she would just completely melt in his arms.

Haru realized that she had put her ancestors to shame as she was, perhaps, the only maiden in history who had let her suitor eat her lips every day while being wooed. She had let Adis take over her mouth in ways that only intensified the sexual tension between them. The itch of tasting her devil even further was gnawing her sanity and tempting her to commit several indecent acts on top of him.

She heaved another long and heavy sigh.

Speaking of her devil, once they had reached Nepri, one of the huge cities in Atlantis, Adis left her in a modest inn and vanished after lecturing her like a father to his naughty kid. He gave her strict orders of staying out of trouble and to remain inside her room. However, it was already past an hour and he was still nowhere to be seen. So she decided to go to the rowdy restaurant below to order a meal and to pass the time.

She made a mental note to deduct him some brownie points for leaving a beautiful maiden like her alone. Although, she's willing to give him additional points if he would kiss her again for ten times more. She softly giggled in anticipation. Oh, she missed her devil, already! Sigh!

Her attention was suddenly piqued by the loud, almost panic chatters of the patrons at the bar.

"Hey, did you hear the recent news? The Water Palace is in chaos right now. All the Kings have gathered there."

"Yes! I heard that it was because of a powerful demon that almost obliterated the sacred temple of Lumine. Now it was revealed that some high elder in Lumine was actually hiding a destructive demon."

"Oh, I also heard that they had called the formidable King of Umbra to quell the demon's rampage. But why are they discussing this issue here in Atlantis? Are they going to place that abomination here?"

"Tsk Tsk, I think it is best to just kill it. The King of Umbra can definitely do that in just a snap of his fingers."

Haru's eavesdropping for some juicy gossip was interrupted by the rambunctious and irritating noise from a group of *gnolls nearby. They were laughing and singing while eating.

"Ahoy, lassie! Looking for some roll in the hay tonight? We folks can give you a hell of a ride." One of the gnolls noticed her and threw some dirty remarks. His group of bastard friends laughed as they ogle at her beauty.

Haru pretended not to hear anything and just continued to massacre her food with her fork. When the scumbags didn't get any reaction from her, they stood up and gathered around her table.

She glared at them, undaunted of their intimidating stance and number. Now that her meal was disturbed and she was currently bored, it would be a good opportunity to let off some steam. When she was about to stand up, a deep and manly voice spoke out.

"Hey, Hey, fellas, I think our fair maiden here just want some peace and quiet." A bulky man with sharp eyes and a friendly smile came out from within the crowd. His salt and pepper hair complemented his carefree features. "After all, we do have many prostitutes available around."

The gnoll unceremoniously spat on the ground. "You stupid mortal, get off our business. This prey is ours!"

"Good men, I don't think you understand the situation here. You are in Atlantis, the most calm and friendly realm in Trium Regum. If you cause a stir, the level headed King Aquarius will not let you off. I am saving your asses here," the bulky man reasoned out.

"Tch! What King? All those royal bastards know nothing but to fuck! They can't even do something about this wretched winter. Citizens are stuck in their houses and gradually suffering from starvation while they were sitting in their high seats basking in luxuries and women. I am sick and tired of this life! At least, if we cause trouble, those bloody royals will take notice of our sorry lives. Too bad this bitch has to be the sacrifice."

Haru could no longer take the gnoll's nasty mouth. With piercing eyes, she stabbed his hand with her steak knife. Alarming howl spread throughout the restaurant, across the silent frozen field and ice crystal highlands.

The gnoll was trembling in rage while looking at his bloody hand. His eyes were almost popping out of its sockets as he glared at her. "You stupid bitch! I'm going to rip you into pieces and feed your guts to the vile monsters on the terrain." He gave a thunderous roar then pounced at her.

Before the beast could even touch her, muscular arms suddenly lifted the beast's huge body and threw him onto the bar, breaking his bones and crashing the tablewares on the ground. In one powerful throw, the gnoll was knocked out, leaving his cohorts trembling in fear as they dragged the savage beast away.

"Oh, boy, I tried my best to warn you but you did not listen." The bulky man nonchalantly exclaimed while gently shaking his head.

"Ah, so those muscles aren't just for show, huh?" Haru stood up and approached the man. She extended her right hand for a handshake. "Although I don't really need the help, but I appreciate your kindness. My name is Haru Akatsuki."

The man genuinely smiled and shook her hand. "Pier Willows. You can call me Pier. Is this your first time here in Atlantis?"

She just nodded but did not provide any information.

"Don't be discouraged. It's true that folks here are really nice. Some are rebellious but that's due to the burden caused by this winter." He commented as he sat next to her chair as though they were now comrade-in-arms and did not prompt a commotion just now. "I guess you're from Lumine just like me. I'm a mercenary and I have a contract in one of the guilds here in Atlantis so I'm quite familiar around here, too. Oh, are you an adventurer? Are you alone?"

Haru soon realized that the big guy was a chatterbox, but that's quite fine since she's bored and needed to gather some additional information she could use on her journey.

"Y-yeah, I'm an adventurer and I'm with someone." Since she was roaming around this world without any particular direction, then that classified her as an adventurer, right? "So... what does your guild do? Is the pay good?"

"Ah, are you and your companion looking for a mission, too? Well, it's one of the biggest guilds here in town so there's a lot of competition. Anyone can join so long as you can finish the job and not get killed. The more complex the request you accept, the higher the pay. It's just right across this place. I can take you there to look around if you want," Pier suggested.

"Mn," Haru nodded, thinking that she would just check the place for a bit then be back before Adis knew that she was gone.

She asked questions while they were walking towards the guild. "Pier, what is the status of the economy in this world?"

"Hmm, that's quite a difficult question, mademoiselle. All I can say is, if this winter won't stop soon, the people will starve." Pier started while walking slowly. "It's not true that the Kings are not doing anything about the situation. In fact, I am quite impressed at how they were keeping the equilibrium in this seemingly hopeless calamity. The formidable King of Umbra did his best to relieve the people from famine despite the continuous winter storm. King Zen and King Aquarius, although newly appointed as Kings, showed their proficiency and capabilities to rule the realms as well. They even proclaimed laws that are very helpful to the citizens amidst this disaster. However, I guess it is in our nature to forget gratitude when faced with greater misfortunes."

"You seemed to admire them so much," she pointed out the obvious.

Pier laughed out loud as though he was proud of it. "Although they're aloof and ruthless, they have saved many lives since the great war of yore. The King of Umbra, in particular, is revered by many, including me. It's a pity that His Majesty refuses to show his face to the citizens, though."

Haru creased her forehead in curiosity. "How are you coping up with food shortage if none could plow the land?"

"The three palaces are giving food rations to the citizens every month. Nonetheless, it will just be a matter of time before the palace will run out of food. Hunters and mercenaries are getting more jobs than before, though. So even those who were not adept in hunting and killing took their chances and eventually got killed in action. Ah, here we are," Pier exclaimed as they entered the boisterous guild.

He took her to the mission board where all the available quests are posted. "Let's see... since you are new to this type of stuff, I suggest you get a quest on the easy category. Oh, look there's still one more available. Here, you may want to try this out first."

She ignored his suggestion and was looking at the quests on the triple S class category. She took the one that would pay 1000 gold coins and unconsciously snatched the easy job in Pier's hand as well. While reading the details, she turned around and left without any word.

"Eh? W-wait, you're really taking that triple S class job? Are you insane? Can you even wield strong magic?"

"I don't," she nonchalantly said. Then, her eyes glinted and the corner of her mouth curved up in mischief. "But I know someone who does. And a devastatingly good-looking devil at that."