'…Did I just get a cheat?'
The System's notification was still flickering in the corner of my vision.
After absorbing the core of the Founding Dragon, I'd received a strange, yet overwhelmingly powerful gift.
It had manifested as an ability—one that allowed to form impenetrable shields around the boundaries of my domain.
A defense no ordinary force could breach.
But right now, none of that mattered.
I needed to heal.
I stretched my hand toward the pond ahead.
There, lying half-subrged in the patch of dirt where the massive stone had left a pit, was the Holy Grail—a golden chalice, faintly pulsing with divine light.
It wasn't just glowing—it radiated warmth, sothing that sank into my very bones.
The mont my domain brushed against it, the Grail shimred… then dissolved into golden dust, which drifted toward and was instantly absorbed into the heart of my domain.
> [Artifact_Fusion_Initiated]
[Complete]
[Artifact: Holy Grail]
[Type: Divine Relic]
[Effect: Grants absolute healing authority within domain. Host may regenerate any wound, illness, or curse—even those deed fatal. Capable of restoring others upon entering the domain.]
[Limit: Cannot resurrect the dead; functions only while the host retains a pulse.]
'Heal first—before my pulse vanishes.'
I didn't hesitate. The mont I heard the System's confirmation, I ordered it to activate.
At the very least, Mialthara had to be freed from the lingering strain.
Sure, I'd intended to claim the Grail eventually—but not like this. Not this desperately.
Still, thanks to Aleriana, Olea, and Mialthara, the journey had been smoother than it should've been.
Honestly, I could've almost called it a date…
If I hadn't been knocking on death's door.
Swoosh
"This…?" Mialthara was the first to react. Understandable—her ability to control my blood flow ant she'd sense it first.
The return of warmth pulsing through my veins.
And then, with my palm pressed to my chest, I heard it.
Thump. Thump.
A heartbeat.
My heart had restarted.
The Grail had healed —no, it had regenerated .
Heart and all.
For the first ti, I understood why people argue with those who say there is nothing like heart thoughts and that all thoughts are produced by the brain, as the heart isn't just an organ that pumps blood.
The heart is more than just an organ. It is a signature of the continuous struggle to keep this body alive, to make one feel as if they are alive.
And when it stops beating, the only feeling one experiences is...
...absence.
The lack of being.
My thoughts had remained, cold and chanical—like echoes bouncing around a hollow vessel.
Now, with my heart beating again, I felt alive.
"Are you alright?" Aleriana appeared at my side, her eyes locking onto my chest. The blood was gone, the wound completely sealed.
My shirt lay shredded around it, but my body… my body was intact. Perfect, even.
I glanced at Mialthara and chuckled softly, catching on to what she was trying.
"You're tired, aren't you? Either way, That's not going to work," I said, noticing her subtle attempt at blood manipulation.
She'd tried to control it again. Curiosity, no doubt.
Especially since her power hadn't worked during the fight with Olea and Aleriana—but had worked when I was dying.
That must've thrown her off. I'd expected betrayal in my weakest mont. But she didn't take it.
That mont alone earned my trust—whether she intended it or not.
With a snap of my fingers, a green light ford.
"No, I was just—" Mialthara cut in, quickly rolling her eyes and crossing her arms, pretending she hadn't just tried to probe my blood again.
"Th-this?"
Then she froze.
A soft green light enveloped her.
Her fatigue vanished.
She blinked, startled.
From the way she looked, surprised and disappointed at the sa ti, it made feel as though this disappointnt was directed towards for not using the advanced version of the healing that she was probably expecting.
Yeah, from her behavior until now and that look she just gave , even after I healed her fatigue, I guessed that much.
Her disappointnt was born from the fact that this wasn't the sa reset thing I do with Olea or Aleriana.
It was Healing—pure and complete.
Her wounds were gone, but her energy might not have recovered, nor would her body have renewed.
But I noticed sothing else: her eyes had caught sight of the faint glow that pulsed across my chest when my heart restarted.
Her eyes lingered there… then shifted toward the spot where the Grail had once been.
I understood what she understood.
The Grail wasn't just an artifact anymore.
It was part of now.
I couldn't claim to read her completely, but I understood enough.
My abilities must've triggered sothing deep within her—a curiosity too sharp to ignore.
Her power hadn't worked near , then suddenly had. She'd seen regenerate Aleriana's wounds effortlessly, without activating an artifact externally.
She knew now—I could use the artifact… as if it were instinct. As if it were internal.
"Are you alright?" Aleriana's voice ca as she stepped closer, her hand gently pressing against my chest.
The cold of her palm contrasted the warmth surging inside .
I chuckled, touched by her concern.
Even in the cold night, her presence felt warm.
Then I turned to Olia.
"Sigh… That was way easier than I expected. Prince Orion barely put up a fight," I laughed, running a hand through my hair with forced cheer.
Honestly, I'd expected more drama—more buildup.
But weakening Orion's power for my wife's sake had beco my only focus. Her worried eyes deserved so levity.
"You could've died," Aleriana murmured, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around on her own accord.
Softness pressed against my chest. Her fragrance filled my senses.
I buried my face into the crook of her neck.
It was soothing.
But also grounding.
She was right.
I had acted carelessly.
I'd thought I had it under control.
Even with the entire noble group backing Prince Orion at that damn banquet, I believed I'd walk out unscathed.
Killing them had been easy—only because Orion never imagined anyone would dare attack within that setting.
He had backup, of course.
The second queen's support alone guaranteed that. This wasn't over. Far from it.
Still… for tonight, we survived.
Letting myself relax in her embrace, I slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her in tighter. Then I glanced over at Olea.
She stood still, watching.
I waved her over.
"Um… That would be improper, Young Master," Olea said in her usual rough tone. As if denying the relationship between us.
Her voice had that sting again, sharp and cold. It made sigh.
It was the sa for the wife who was forced into an arranged marriage and was uninterested in following through the transition of developing love.
So I did what I had to.
"Give a hug, and I'll tell you a secret about your parents."
That got her.
She flinched. Her eyes widened. She froze mid-step.
Then, slowly, she nodded and stepped forward.
I loosened my hold on Aleriana just enough to give Olea space.
When she finally hugged , too—
'This is heaven.'
The sensation of softness from both sides—different shapes, different textures, different warmths—wrapped around .
In this cold night, it felt like paradise.
"W-Wait, isn't he Princess Aleriana's husband?"
'Shut up, Ruvina. You'll be here soon if you behave properly.'
With my eyes closed, I heard Ruvina saying sothing to none other than Mialthara.
The distance between their voices made it clear—they were speaking to each other.
There was shock and surprise in Ruvina's tone, which was expected, but I wasn't interested in hearing any of it.
I had nearly died—and sohow returned due to the love of my vibes.
This was the first mont of calm after an intense battle.
"Yes, he is. But he's a lecherous man who likes having won around him."
'You cursed blood woman…'
Hearing Mialthara spew such nonsense made my mouth twitch.
That was completely wrong. I don't only prefer won around .
There were also an undead won… and a reaper woman too.
"What? And they prefer to be near him?"
'Because I'm handso, you idiot.'
Ruvina's voice echoed with disbelief, not buying into Mialthara's lies.
I wanted to laugh.
Was she blind? Could she not see how naturally attractive and charming I was?
"Haah. He blackmails won with secrets they're desperate to know. I got into his harem the sa way."
'What harem?! Forget that! Who even wants you?! And I definitely don't blackmail anyone!'
I felt my brow twitch.
There I was, trying to relax—mind calm, body at ease—and yet this Mialthara was spouting nonsense like a broken fountain of lies.
I wasn't forming a harem; it was simply an imperial harem.
Additionally, every woman who ca to , ca of her own will.
"!—Th-then, am I his next target?"
'No, you have been removed. You are disqualified for even believing that blood lump.'
"So, he did blackmail you, huh? Tsk. You're as good as dead now."
'Don't spread rumors—'
"Huh? Wives, what happened?"
While I was still hugging, I suddenly felt both Olea and Aleriana each grab one of my arms, separating slightly.
Their eyes—athyst and sapphire—stared coldly into mine, as if I had done sothing terrible.
'Did you fart, Valeriana?'
:: More like you opened your stinky mouth. ::
Their cold glares, twitching lips, and wrinkled noses made think maybe they slled sothing rotten… just as Valeriana casually landed on my hair.
I turned my gaze to Aleriana, waiting for her to speak. Her lips parted slowly, and she said—
"So now you have your eyes set on Ruvina Cut-Tail, husband?"
"Huh, what cutlet?"
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