Chapter 266 ~ Linked Horizons

Chapter 266 ~ Linked Horizons The moment Yuuji ascended into the sky, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, he sent a message to Aika. His fingers moved swiftly over the sleek interface of his custom device, each word infused with quiet anticipation. Above the suburban sprawl of Kuoh, the view was breathtaking. The sky burned with the orange and crimson glow of twilight. Below him, rooftops dotted the landscape like a miniature cityscape model—neatly arranged, modest, and familiar. And then, amidst the humble townscape, it appeared. Kuoh Academy stood tall and proud near the heart of the city, a European-styled marvel that looked almost regal in the fading light. Its expansive courtyard and neatly maintained sports fields surrounding it. But even that grand building paled in comparison to what Yuuji and his companions now called home. From his altitude, Yuuji cast his gaze toward the distant woodland that blanketed the hills beyond Kuoh. Hidden beneath a veil of ancient enchantments and spatial distortions, their estate remained unseen to mundane eyes. But to him, its presence pulsed like a living, breathing fortress. The estate was vast—immense to the point of opulence. Their courtyard alone rivaled the entirety of Kuoh Academy’s grounds, with flowing streams, ornamental bridges, and exotic flora arranged in natural harmony. The main building was a fusion of polished stone, enchanted wood, and glowing sigils; the epitome of modern minimalism and ancient architectural elegance. Flanking it were several auxiliary structures—an immense warehouse constructed to house magical artifacts, training halls reinforced to withstand divine-level duels, and tranquil pavilions nestled amidst cherry blossom groves for relaxation and contemplation. If not for the thick forests and layered magical wards—each stronger than the last—shrouding their estate in protective mystery, the entire population of Kuoh would be able to see the celestial manor nestled in the mountains like a hidden kingdom. Yuuji hovered silently for a moment, looking between the glowing school in the distance and the shimmering mirage of their home, before pressing “send.” [Tsubakihara Yuuji: “We’ve all arrived here. I’m on my way to pick you up. Are you still in school?”] [Kiryuu Aika: “Ah! Really?! That’s great!”] [Kiryuu Aika: “But don’t come to school! I’ll send you the location! Let’s meet there instead!”] [Tsubakihara Yuuji: “Hm? Why though?”] [Kiryuu Aika: “It’s not time yet! Everyone’s gone now! No one’s going to see your “debut”!”] [Tsubakihara Yuuji: “What in the world are you on about?”] [Kiryuu Aika: “My boyfriend’s debut must be perfect! I want to show you off to everyone at once and enjoy the look on all their faces!”] [Kiryuu Aika: “So be a good boy and pick me up in this alleyway! And maybe, I’ll let you sneak and squeeze of these boobs and ass you love and miss so dearly~”] [Tsubakihara Yuuji: “...Alright.”] With a quiet sigh, Yuuji shook his head at his girlfriend’s antics, and shot forward like a streak of twilight across the sky, the air rippling in his wake. It wasn’t long before he found Aika. Her presence appeared like a distant flame in the dark—suppressed to the barest whisper, a masterful veil cloaking the monstrous sea of power within. Most would never sense it. Even experienced combatants would mistake it for a casual ripple of mana. ‘Even holding back this much, she must still feel like a pressure cooker to those with keen senses.’ He briefly turned his attention to the academy below, his gaze sharpening. From his elevated vantage, Kuoh Academy resembled a hive of magical activity—subtle, quiet, controlled. But to Yuuji, it was like watching flickering candle flames in the presence of a sun. One by one, he identified each of the active auras, most of them clustered in the main building and the old school building, with two particularly large concentrations—Rias Gremory and Sona Shitori, the heirs of noble houses. He narrowed his eyes slightly. Compared to what he expected from devils of noble lineage and peerage leaders in a supposed hotspot of supernatural activity, their magical signatures were surprisingly weak. Not just by his standards—but even by the standards of other worlds. Arche, the reserved level 45 spellcaster from Foresight, had more raw magical density in a relaxed state than these two combined at full attention. The rest of the peerages? Pale sparks dancing on wet paper. ‘Even a half-awake Arche could defeat Rias and Sona. Not to mention Foresight. They’d sweep the floor with both peerages in an instant.’ He shook his head. Not with malice—just quiet surprise. If this was what they’d be starting with, clearing the first mission on the list might’ve been a more difficult task than he first anticipated. Yuuji quickly arrived at Aika's location. And as soon as her figure came to sight, he saw her looking up to him, a beautiful wide smile adorning her face. He dispelled his invisibility as he landed before her, and the moment his feet landed on the ground, Aika pounced on him into a big, tight hug. “Yuuji~! I missed you so much~ Mmm~ My hubby~!!!” “Aika. I missed you too. So... So much.” Their lips met, pressed against each other in a long-awaited and overdue loving, passionate kiss. It had only been a few weeks since they returned from Suzuki’s world. Yet, each day apart felt like years. And now, they both returned to each other’s embrace, like a tired bird finally returning to its nest. They separated from the kiss and Yuuji couldn’t help but admire her appearance in her school uniform. As what one would expect from an anime with “fan-service” as one of its main appeal, the uniform of the school that served as its main setting seemed to have been made specifically to emphasize the girls’ womanly figure. A white long-sleeved, button-down shirt with vertical linings that hugged their figure tightly. A black shoulder cape and matching button-down corset, both of which purposefully meant to avoid their chest area and accentuate it. And finally, an extremely short magenta skirt with a white underskirt beneath it. Even on a girl with an average figure, these combinations of outfits would accentuate their figure and make them appear more feminine and sexy. And now, the girl before him, who was a figure that was anything but average, was wearing it. Her enormous chest, which was only barely contained by the valiant efforts of her shirt buttons, was further accentuated by the black shoulder cape and corset. While her mini skirt could only barely cover her lower half, giving him a good look of her thick, milky-white thighs, yet at the same time, teasing him of the heavenly sight below it. The sight alone was enough to arouse him ten-times over, and his inherent vitality from his [Divine Physique] only made it worse. And now... Aika was also looking at him with eyes filled with lust and desire. The scent and pheromones of the primordial succubus, capable of turning even Gods into mindless beasts driven by desire, waft into his nose. And finally, her alluring voice, pleading for him to ravage her. “Hubby...~ Fuck me~ I need my hubby’s cock deep inside me...~ It’s been so long... I need your thick, delicious, baby batter inside my womb~” Her whisper of plea almost shattered his self restraint. She cracked it, and Yuuji pulled her into his embrace, nuzzling his nose to her neck, as his hand squeezed her breast and butt, eliciting a satisfied moan from her. Confined in his pants, his cock was painfully hard. Anymore and it could very well rip the zippers apart from its sheer size and force. But at the last second, Yuuji held back. “Aika... I want to fuck you now... I want to fuck you so badly. But... our friends are waiting. So... let’s go to them first, okay?” Shiver travelled down her spine as his voice and breath tickled her ear. A bit of love juice squirted out of her pussy when he did as a moan escaped her lips. She was desperate for his love. For his hard, massive cock to ravage her greedy, soaking wet pussy and fill her hungry womb with his cum. But his words denying her from her hubby’s cock brought a smile to her face instead. “Mm... I’ll wait.” She felt treasured. Her hubby didn’t simply want to fuck her and use her to relief himself. He wanted savor their time together, love her properly, and fuck her long and hard, which he wouldn’t be able to do since their friends were waiting for them. “Thank you...” A sigh of relief, and perhaps a bit of disappointment, escaped his lips. And before he separated himself from her, he whispered into her ears once more. “I promise I’ll fuck you the moment night falls... Don’t expect to get any sleep tonight.” “Hehe~ That’s a promise~” He nodded and kissed her lips. “Are you ready?” “Uhn~ Let’s meet everyone~” Yuuji held her hands, then, with but a thought, they began to float and their figures disappeared from sight. And they made their way back to their home. --------------------------------X-------------------------------- The largest room within the estate, the conference room exuded a serene elegance, steeped in tradition and quiet strength. At its heart stood a long, lustrous mahogany table, polished to a deep sheen that reflected the soft lighting above. Lining its sides were plush, rectangular cushions upholstered in fine fabric, inviting guests to sit in comfort while still preserving a formal dignity. Dominating one end of the room was a recessed, square alcove, its center adorned with a striking piece of handmade calligraphy. Bold strokes formed the words “Linked Horizons”, etched in powerful, sweeping black ink across thick parchment. The artwork was encased in a finely carved wooden frame, protected beneath a gleaming sheet of glass. Beneath the calligraphy, resting on a narrow wooden shelf, were two elegant porcelain vases brimming with fresh white lilies, their delicate fragrance mingling with the soothing aroma of incense drifting from a jade vessel. Thin trails of silvery smoke curled lazily upward, vanishing into the still air like ghosts of thought. Flanking the alcove on either side stood majestic bonsai trees, their ancient, twisted trunks and meticulously pruned leaves standing tall within massive jade planters. Each tree was a work of art, embodying patience, discipline, and quiet power. At the opposite end of the room, a tranquil stone fountain served as a calming centerpiece. Water trickled gently down its multi-tiered surface, the sound creating a soft, melodic backdrop that filled the room with peace. Matching bonsai trees in jade vases stood sentinel beside the fountain, completing the room's harmony of nature, artistry, and purpose. For the first time since arriving in this world, the group had fully assembled—some meeting familiar faces, others exchanging introductions with curious eyes and cautious smiles. On one side of a grand, ornately carved table that stretched across the luxurious hall, the girls wasted no time diving into lively conversation. Laughter, teasing remarks, and excited voices filled the space as they quickly bonded, their contrasting personalities blending into a surprisingly harmonious chorus. Across from them, the guys sat in relative silence, sipping the fragrant tea Yuuji had carefully brewed. The subtle aroma of jasmine and spices lingered in the air, a comforting backdrop as each man silently reflected on the surreal memories that had been implanted in them—fabricated pasts meant to anchor their roles in this unfamiliar world. Amid the calm, Suzuki quietly made a move. Taking no chances, he dispatched several of his Phantoms—Momonga, Peroroncino, Nishikienrai, and Blue Planet—to scout the estate’s perimeter. At Lelouch’s strategic recommendation, they also had the mages weave layers of magical barriers throughout the dense forest surrounding the estate, their ethereal forms flickering through the shadows like sentinels cloaked in twilight. Once the final sip of tea had been taken and the gentle hum of conversation softened into anticipation, the group shifted focus. A solemn air replaced the earlier chatter. Yuuji leaned forward, his tone calm yet resolute. “Alright, first things first—let’s go over the ‘backgrounds’ we’ve received from the group chat,” he said, glancing around the table. “We may think we’re all aligned, but it’s best we confirm the details. Just in case.” With that, he began recounting his assigned “history,” his voice steady as he breathed life into the fictional narrative that now defined his place in this strange, new reality. “In this world, I’m the owner of the Linked Horizons Conglomerate, though no one, except for us in this room, knew that fact. It’s one of the most influential and secretive financial groups behind the world’s underground and supernatural economy. On the surface, it’s a tech and financial behemoth with a lot of hold on various other massive companies. But behind the scenes, it deals with artifacts, magic engineering, and other supernatural assets.” He looked around at his friends. “Officially, we’ve maintained distance from supernatural politics. But unofficially... The Conglomerate's had dealings with devils, fallen angels, heaven, yokais, and various other pantheons and factions in the past.” He let the weight of that statement settle for a moment before continuing. “I used my free mission support ticket before coming here and did actually made Linked Horizons... but I didn’t expect it to grow that big...” He used his reward to make a one-time purchase: an R-ranked item that allowed him to establish his own company. The item would evaluate the new business at anywhere between 10% to 80% of his total wealth in Aika’s world. His goal wasn’t just to make money—it was to build a company that could operate in both the human and supernatural spheres, ensuring they wouldn't be completely defenseless in the realm of politics. He named it Linked Horizons. He originally expected the company’s valuation to reflect 80% of his wealth in the worlds he had already visited, which alone would have made it a massive powerhouse in Japan. But to his surprise, the system calculated 80% of his total wealth—including the assets he had amassed in this world—resulting in a valuation that multiplied many times over. Linked Horizons didn’t just become a national juggernaut—it exploded into a global conglomerate with powerful ties to every major supernatural faction in existence. Lelouch crossed his arms. “Your idea is sound. I agree that it’d be easier for us if we have deep roots and influence in the supernatural world. But this is not just impressive... It’s dangerous. Most factions would want us on their sides. The only reason why they haven’t try pulling us to their side is because “we” never made ourselves known. And I suggest we keep it that way and use it only as a last resort.” Albedo’s eyes gleamed with pride, her lips curling into a smile. “As expected of Yuuji-sama. Then... we already hold financial dominance in both worlds.” Tatsuya’s expression remained stoic, but even he looked faintly impressed. “With this much capital and supernatural reach, clearing the missions would be much easier.” “Exactly,” Yuuji said, taking out his supercomputer and had Ai, his AI assistant, pull up a translucent screen filled with data from Linked Horizons that had already “appeared” in his data banks. “It’s already spread across multiple sectors—technology, pharmaceuticals, defense, magic artifact research, and even entertainment. But more importantly... He flicked the screen, revealing a separate encrypted tab. “...We have long-standing ‘ties’ to every supernatural faction in Japan. The devils of the underworld, heaven, the fallen angels, european pantheons, yokai factions... even some independent rogue sorcerer clans. We’re on their radar as a neutral but ridiculously resourceful force.” C.C. tilted her head with a small smirk. “I’m guessing our neutrality won’t last.” “I guess not,” Yuuji said with a smile and sigh. “I’d love to keep it, but with our mission and the events that would come, we’ll inadvertently be on one side and make some other side our enemies. But it buys us time and leverage. When the supernatural politics heat up—which they will—we won’t be outsiders begging for relevance. We’ll be the wild card that everyone either fears or tries to court.” They all nodded as they absorbed the information. “Then... who’s next?” Suzuki raised his hands. “Uhm, mine is short. Everything Yuuji-kun said matches the background I receive. I am recorded as Yuuji’s advisor, and I’ve been with him since he’s young.” Lelouch followed. “I’m Linked Horizons’ strategic advisor and the legal brain behind your expansion. My ties to the supernatural world here were established early on, but I remained behind the scenes. Some groups in the underworld believe I’m nothing more than a rumor.” “An advantage,” Albedo said softly, “one we can use.” As one of the greatest minds of Nazarick and one with the greatest management skill as expected of the Guardian Overseer, Albedo was already calculating how to use these advantages to help Yuuji clear the missions. “I serve Yuuji-sama as his proxy to the respective executives of LInked Horizons. Though, of course, only a few of the ones who held the highest authority, had ever met me in short, secret, private meetings.” Albedo glanced towards C.C. “My existence in this world is shrouded. Some think I’m a foreign noblewoman from Europe. Others whisper I’m a cursed immortal being kept hidden. Just like my real life, I’m an unknown who travels the world without direction. That is, until I met Yuuji. I have no ties to this world’s factions. Just to you, Yuuji.” Tatsuya glanced around. “I was a survivor of a magical experiment that sought to create powerful human mages. I escaped the facility and came across Yuuji, who helped me. We have been friends ever since.” Erika stretched slightly, clearly still recovering from the memory shock. “I was born to a family of ancient sword masters from the yokai faction who had died off because they’re unable to contain the “Shura” that is the source of their powers. My family also died because of it, but I alone was an exception. Honestly, this is such a tragic backstory to justify my Shura SSR...” She sighed. “And finally me~!” Aika cheered. “Hehe~ I don’t get the backstory from the group chat, but the “backstory” I’ve made up is that I’m part of a super powerful group of people and Yuuji’s girlfriend~!” They all nodded, having heard of Aika’s “true identity” that she told to Rias, Sona, and their peerage. “Now then... We have several things we need to do. I still have to summon Semiramis and see if we can build the Garden of Babylon to serve as our moving fortress in the sky. Then, we also have to get ready to formally reveal ourselves to the outside world since most of us were already enrolled in Kuoh Academy by the group chat. But before that, let’s discuss the missions we’ll have to complete and come up with some rough plans we can use to move forward.” Yuuji looked around at his companions — his dear friends, the ones he trusted the most — and they began their discussions.