Chapter 97: Ais: Can I Kiss Akira?

At this time, Akira and Ais, who had just exited the Hostess of Fertility, did not immediately return to the Loki Familia's base. Instead, the two wandered leisurely toward the famed Bridge of Heroes located in the sixth district. Tall, imposing statues stood solemnly on either side of the bridge, their forms etched in timeless stone. Among the countless heroes who once served Orario with undying loyalty, only thirty-one had been immortalized here—names and legacies carved into history, their achievements deemed the most glorious of all. Interestingly, the arrangement of these statues bore no relation to the years in which they passed. Each one claimed its own rightful place, and the knight Fianna was among their ranks. There were others, too: Evelda, the Empress of the Amazonesses, Celdia, queen of the Elves and so on. Around these valiant heroes stood the figures of great immortals—companions, mentors, and guides—whose unwavering aid helped them achieve their miraculous feats. Of course, amidst these shining legends was one figure who stood out from all others. A hero without divine lineage or noble heritage—a man whose strength alone allowed him to etch his name in the annals of time. He was none other than Albert, the most powerful mercenary in history. His greatest feat: wounding the Black Dragon—target of one of the dreaded Three Great Quests—blinding it in one eye and forcing its retreat. Akira's gaze swept across the lifelike statues. His eyes moved slowly, meticulously, as if trying to peer beyond the stone, to see the souls that once burned brightly behind those hardened expressions—seeking to match each statue with the legendary names found in the ancient tomes. Beside him, Ais followed obediently, her delicate fingers curled around his hand. She seemed far less intrigued by the statues of legendary warriors. Instead, she busied herself munching on a snack, her golden eyes occasionally darting to a passing butterfly or rustling leaf with idle curiosity. After a time, Akira brought Ais to the well-known Armor Square, a location that had, over the years, become a hotspot for couples due to its picturesque surroundings and undeniably romantic atmosphere. At this hour, the square was abuzz with soft laughter and loving whispers. Couples strolled hand in hand, basking in each other's company, or lounged on the soft grass, openly displaying their affection. Akira frowned slightly. Bringing her here might've been a mistake... Sighing, he found an empty bench and flopped down lazily, sprawled out like a defeated warrior. He tilted his head back, gazing blankly at the cloud-dotted sky, as if it might whisper some answers to his confusion. Meanwhile, Ais happily swung her feet beneath the bench. Her bright little face, flushed with youth and innocence, lit up as she watched the lively surroundings, wide-eyed and full of curiosity. Then, out of the blue, she turned to Akira and asked, "Hey, Akira, why are those people sticking their mouths together?" Her innocent question hit Akira like a bolt of divine punishment. Boom! He shot upright, practically springing from the bench like a cat startled by a thunderclap. His gaze snapped to Ais's pure and questioning expression, and for a long moment, his mind went completely blank. Then, after taking a deep breath, he offered a slow and careful explanation, "Well... it's kind of like when people hug each other to show they care. This is just another way, more... special—to show deep feelings for someone." Ais pointed toward one of the couples and tilted her head. "Can I do something like that with Akira?" Akira froze. Then, with a sigh and a helpless smile, he reached out and gently cupped her soft cheeks in his hands. He gave them a playful rub and replied, "We'll talk about that when you're older. If we did something like that now, the guards would come running to arrest me." "I don't get it." Ais mumbled, her brows furrowing. "You'll understand once you grow as tall as Riveria." Akira said as he stood up. "Come on. There's nothing interesting here anyway. Let's go do something really exciting." Taking her hand, he led her away from the crowd, toward an open, secluded space with no one around. "This is the second time I've done this, so make sure you don't let go," he reminded her. Ais's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Mm! Got it!" Swoosh— Suddenly, a fierce gale surged forth. The wind spiraled rapidly, forming a massive white sphere of energy around the two of them—blindingly bright and packed with power. The sphere solidified like a protective cocoon, sealing Akira and Ais safely within. Though the wind raged violently inside, not a single strand leaked into the outside world. Akira controlled the storm with precise mastery, his hand gripping Ais's tightly to assure her everything was fine. Without hesitation, he activated his teleportation technique. Flash! The two figures inside the storm sphere vanished in an instant—streaks of white light trailing behind like shooting stars across the sky. They moved at a speed even faster than thought, blinking through the air like flickers of lightning. In mere moments, they had soared far above Orario's skyline. The storm did not cease. If anything, it intensified—lifting them even higher, as if the wind itself wished to carry them to the heavens. As they soared past the clouds, ascending to an altitude of nearly five kilometers, Akira gradually began to rein in the storm's ferocity. Down below, the sprawling city of Orario began to look like a dollhouse, each building no larger than a fingernail. Yet, even at such a dizzying height, the city's grandeur remained awe-inspiring—a testament to its title as the greatest city in the world. Fortunately, neither Akira nor Ais suffered from the effects of altitude. Protected by the storm sphere and blessed with exceptional physiques, they stood unbothered by the thin air or freezing cold. Akira turned to say something, but paused. A tight pressure gripped his waist. Looking down, he saw Ais clinging to him with trembling arms. Her face—usually bright with childlike mischief—was pale and drawn, her golden eyes wide and brimming with fear. "Akira..." she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Is this... really okay?" Her body trembled in his arms. Her usual carefree demeanor had completely vanished, replaced by a fragile vulnerability. The height had shattered her composure. Akira winced inwardly, 'Damn, I really hope I'm not giving her a lifelong fear of heights... or worse, water again.' Still, he kept his voice soft and soothing. "Don't be scared. You're safe—I promise." He murmured gently, one hand moving to caress her golden hair. "You trust me, right?" Ais buried her face into his chest for a moment before whispering, "It's not that I don't trust you..." Then she took a deep breath, pulled back slightly, and looked down toward the earth far below them. The moment her eyes met the dizzying view, a wave of vertigo crashed into her. But she gritted her teeth and endured it. Her hand clenched tightly at the corner of her cloak, trying to suppress the pounding in her chest. She couldn't stop the shaking in her legs. But then... she felt it. The steady warmth of the solid surface beneath her feet, the strength in Akira's arms, the shield of the storm wrapped around them like a blanket. That sensation of security... slowly crept into her heart. Like a quiet spring stream flowing through frost, it thawed the ice of her fear. And with that... she began to calm.