"Maybe that's what love is. I don't know the exact reason either."
"Hmph~ Then when do you think our love will arrive?"
Faced with this sudden soul-searching question, Simon froze for a moment.
"Hadn't our love already arrived?"
"Hmm???"
Fanny looked utterly confused, but on second thought, aside from not yet sleeping under the same blanket like Lona and Napote, what difference was there between how they got along and a couple?
"Hmph! I don't want to sleep with you so soon without making things clear."
After suddenly blurting that out, Fanny ran off.
That completely baffled Simon. But when he thought of how Napote and Lona were already openly sleeping together, he understood.
"She really is still a little girl."
Over the next few days, Fanny became embarrassed every time she saw Simon, as though she still did not know how they were supposed to interact after making their relationship clear.
Simon was in no hurry. Knowing that Fanny had never been in a relationship before, he preferred letting things develop naturally. If Fanny had not suddenly brought it up that day, he would have wanted to wait a little longer.
He was enjoying the relaxed, happy atmosphere between them.
Over the past few days, Simon felt that things were still the same as before.
But Fanny was conflicted.
Like a young girl experiencing her first love, she was constantly caught between hope and worry.
Fortunately, the perceptive Lona noticed it. Unable to bear watching Fanny remain so conflicted, she chose a time when the two of them were alone and tried to guide her.
"Fanny, how long have you known Simon?"
"Him? We've probably known each other for nearly two hundred years now."
"That's quite a long time. What did you feel when you first met him?"
The straightforward, regal Lona was now like a gentle, understanding older sister.
"It was like we immediately clicked. No, it was more like I felt as though I'd known him for a long time the moment I saw him. My heart raced, but I also felt safe."
"You felt that way even back then? When Napote and I first met, it was while applying for the Fiend Examination. I noticed him then. He was tall and handsome like Simon, but he gave off a timid feeling. He was confident, yet he did everything so cautiously, afraid people would laugh at him. It was precisely that contradictory, melancholy aura that caught my attention."
"Did you already like him then, Lona?"
"Like him? Maybe a little. Mostly, I was curious, and for some reason I felt the urge to protect him. I wanted to hold that boy in my arms and keep him safe. Haha, isn't that strange?"
Even Lona could not help laughing as she spoke.
"Hahaha, it really is strange. Lona, you really are such a tomboy—a beautiful, powerful tomboy."
Fanny said it sincerely.
Lona did not mind being called a tomboy and continued.
"Strange as it was, I was certain that was how I felt. Later, he survived the examination, and I happened to have an extra Thousand Illusion Fruit. Maybe fate had destined us to cross paths. After getting to know him, I became even more certain of my feelings, so I told him directly. I never expected that Napote liked me too, and that was how we got together."
Love Confirmed
"My relationship with him was that simple and direct. But Fanny, you and Simon have known each other for so long, and you liked each other from the beginning. Why haven't you gotten together even now?"
Lona asked.
"I still haven't figured out the difference between liking someone and loving someone. Besides, my grandmother told me that I had to be sure I loved someone very, very much before truly getting together with them."
"Although that makes sense, as a God-Level powerhouse, you only need to follow your heart in everything. Other people's advice can only be used as a reference. I think Simon is very reliable. He's low-key and humble, yet he can step up when needed. He's a real man. To be honest, if you and he hadn't known each other for so long and liked each other, I might not have been able to stop myself from pursuing him."
"Eh? If you like him, then go after him. Why worry about me?"
Though Fanny said that, she still felt uncomfortable inside. Especially when she imagined Simon being with another girl, her heart ached terribly.
She absolutely would not allow Simon to belong to another girl—not even one of her closest friends!
"Haha, I was joking. But honestly, Simon really is outstanding. There will definitely be plenty of girls willing to chase after him in the future. Fanny, you need to seize this chance. Although you're a Highgod and very strong, the talent Simon has displayed is far more than what it takes to become an ordinary Highgod. Don't let someone else snatch him away."
After spending this time together, Lona and Napote had learned that Simon was truly only a Midgod. He had cultivated for merely a few hundred years, yet he had already fused three Profound Mysteries of the Wind Element. His talent in the Water Element was just as formidable. They were shocked, but also glad that they had become good friends with Simon while he was still a Midgod.
Once Simon successfully grew into a super powerhouse in the future, not only would they gain prestige, but they would also have someone to help them when they encountered trouble.
In Hell, it was very difficult to befriend a super powerhouse. The best option was to become good friends with them before they had grown powerful.
Only such friendships could withstand the test of time, and only they were truly pure and precious.
Although Lona had not known Simon for long, she could tell that he was someone who valued loyalty and friendship. He had also given her and Napote considerable inspiration in cultivation.
"Thank you, Lona. I think I understand what I truly feel now."
With Lona's guidance, Fanny finally recognized what she truly wanted deep in her heart.
Without realizing it, she had already fallen deeply in love with Simon.
At the same time, she was certain that Simon loved her too.
"Why thank me? We'll need you two great experts to look after Napote and me during our future travels."
"Hehe, it's nothing."
Having clarified her true feelings, Fanny finally returned to her usual innocent, cheerful self.
"I'm going to find Simon. I won't interrupt you and Napote while you two are in love."
Fanny only wanted to find Simon as soon as possible and tell him what she felt.
She did not want to wait even one more second.
Though they were only a few dozen meters apart, Fanny still burst forth at full speed and rushed straight into Simon's room.
"Simon, are you willing to be my boyfriend?"
Fanny's trembling voice rang out. Her deep blue, unfathomable eyes were filled with nervousness and anticipation.
While meditating, Simon sensed Fanny racing toward him at full speed. He thought something major had happened to her, only to discover that something major had happened to him...
After freezing for a moment, Simon looked at Fanny just as seriously.
"I am! Being Fanny's boyfriend would be an honor for me, Simon."
In both my lives, Simon silently added.
"Yay~ I knew you wouldn't refuse! I..."
Before Fanny could finish speaking, Simon pulled her into his arms and kissed her uncontrollably.
Fanny froze at first, her body stiffening, but then she relaxed. She wrapped her arms tightly around Simon and awkwardly returned his kiss.
After a long while.
"Mmm... Is this what being in love feels like? Simon, when you first kissed me, it felt like I'd been hit by a Soul Attack. My mind completely stopped working."
Leaning against Simon's chest, Fanny spoke blissfully.
"I don't know why, either. I just couldn't control myself and kissed you. It was like the Love God had taken control of me. You won't blame me, will you, Fanny?"
"Silly, why would I blame you? I'm entirely yours now. If you want to kiss me or hold me, it's all up to you."
Hearing Fanny say that, Simon could not control himself and kissed her deeply again.
Fanny responded just as passionately.
For the next few days, the two were inseparable.
Having just fallen in love, they wished they could stay glued together every day. Simon even went more than ten days without cultivating, a rare occurrence...
His body and soul were now in a completely relaxed state.
Since transmigrating here several hundred years ago, this was the first time Simon had gone so long without cultivating. Of course, that time when he lay unconscious in bed, unable to move, did not count.
Simon now completely understood why emperors from his previous life neglected morning court.
He also understood why Napote could be so happy even while being kept in line.
Simon was very happy now too!
"When we get the chance, I'll take you back to my clan. My mother, Iseline, will definitely like you. Last time, she asked when I would bring you home again. She said she hoped you would already be her daughter-in-law by then."
"Hmph~ Simon, you must have been plotting against me for a long time. Yet you made me say it first. You big bad guy."
Though Fanny scolded Simon, her entire body was nestled in his arms, languid as a little cat.
"I had to respect what you wanted, Fanny."
Holding the soft, sweet-smelling Fanny, Simon's heart was filled with satisfaction.
"No matter what, you have to beg me before I'll go home with you."
"Haha, alright. Then I beg Lady Fanny to take pity on me and agree to go home with me."
"Seeing how sincere you are, I'll reluctantly agree..."
And so, even though they simply stayed together without doing anything, they still felt incomparably happy. Unlike their previous relaxed and joyful companionship, there was now an added sweetness.
Simon could only sigh that heaven had treated him well. He truly wished things could continue like this forever.
Thinking of this, Simon's desire to grow stronger became even more intense.
He secretly swore that he would become strong enough to protect this happiness forever.
Fanny was worth it.
Time always passed quickly when one was immersed in love. In the blink of an eye, the day to set out on their first Fiend mission arrived.
That day, Simon and the others returned to the Fiend Castle. They met their employer, Kenchi, as well as the other Fiends who had accepted the mission.
Kenchi was also surprised when he saw Fanny.
"I never expected to recruit a Highgod Fiend too. My luck is really good. This mission is surely in the bag now."
As for the other Highgod Fiend, he was called Tara, an expert who cultivated the Laws of Water. His strength was nearly that of a Four-Star Fiend.
That was also why Kenchi had only been willing to hire one Highgod Fiend for this mission. So long as they were not too unlucky, with Tara and the other Fiends protecting them, reaching their destination, Lier City, would not be a problem.
Simon looked around and spotted Hamut, the funny guy who had participated in the Fiend Examination with them last time.
Hamut was also surprised to see Simon and the others. After exchanging pleasantries, they followed Kenchi out of the city and boarded a Leopard-shaped Metal Lifeform. Once everyone was seated,
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