Chapter 507: The Heavens Shall Fall (XLVIII)
Christina burst into the grand chamber, her golden hair slightly disheveled from flying at full speed.
The mont her pink eyes landed on Aestrea, relief flooded her face.
She didn’t hesitate.
She rushed forward and threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and burying her face against his chest.
"Aestrea..." she whispered, voice trembling with genuine worry.
"Thank the stars you’re back! I was so deeply worried about you... After you disappeared, I kept thinking the worst. I couldn’t stop imagining sothing had happened to you..."
Aestrea gently wrapped his arms around her in return, one hand resting lightly on her upper back while the other settled at her waist.
The hug looked warm and reassuring from the outside, but his blood-red eyes remained cold and sharp, scanning every small detail of her expression.
There was still a chance, however small, that this was Nyarlathotep wearing Christina’s skin. He couldn’t allow himself to drop his guard...
"I’m here now," he replied softly.
"You don’t need to worry anymore."
Christina let out a soft, shaky breath and hugged him a little tighter, her fingers clutching the his clothes.
"I know... but I couldn’t help it. Everything felt wrong while you were gone. The base was chaotic, soldiers acting strange... I kept waiting for any sign that you were okay." She pulled back just enough to look up at him, her pink eyes searching his face.
"Are you hurt? Did anything happen in there?"
Aestrea t her gaze evenly, his expression softening just enough to appear caring while his mind stayed razor-sharp.
"I’m fine," he replied, brushing a stray lock of golden hair behind her ear with a faint smile.
"It was... ssy. But I handled it. And I also brought soone back with
who will be useful."
Christina tilted her head slightly, still staying close in his arms.
"...Was it that six-winged girl?"
A faint smile touched Aestrea’s lips, though his eyes stayed cold.
"Yeah. She’s currently cleaning up the rest of the Primordial Court’s soldiers in the base."
He kept one arm loosely around her waist as he continued.
"You’re going to get busy for a while. We need to turn this entire base into our own. Clear out the old symbols, reinforce the defenses, and start training more soldiers. Now that we have the space, there’s no reason to hold back."
Christina just smiled wryly, snuggling closer to him and pressing her cheek against his chest.
"I promised you that you wouldn’t regret forgiving ..." she sighed blissfully, taking a few small sniffs at his collar, inhaling his scent like it was the most comforting thing in the world.
This made Aestrea’s guard lower just a little. She rembered her promise... and she still had that sa little obsession with his scent.
However, a small problem remained.
He didn’t know if Nyarlathotep could actually borrow the person’s mories. It probably could.
His heart grew slightly colder at the thought.
After all, he was dealing with an Outer God.
Then, Aestrea suddenly tilted his head slightly and asked in a casual tone,
"Would you like to go on a date?"
Christina blinked, looking a little perplexed as she pulled back just enough to et his eyes.
"...A date?" she repeated, clearly caught off guard.
Aestrea gave a small nod, his expression softening.
"I’ll give the order to organize everything here. Seraphiel can handle the rest for now. We can spend the rest of the day together, just the two of us."
Christina looked taken back for a mont, but then pure happiness blood across her face. Her pink eyes sparkled as she quickly nodded.
"Yes! Of course I want to!" she said instantly, almost bouncing in his arms.
"I already have the perfect clothes prepared for it!"
Aestrea smiled faintly at her enthusiasm.
"Good."
Without another word, he snapped his fingers.
Space warped around them once again, and in the blink of an eye, they teleported away from the grand chamber back to his personal palace.
Once inside his private quarters, Aestrea changed into more stylish clothes, a sleek black coat with subtle silver accents, well-fitted pants, and boots that gave him a sharp but not overly formal look.
It was neither too fancy nor too casual.
Christina had already dashed off to change as well, clearly excited. Aestrea waited calmly, adjusting his collar while his mind stayed alert.
He still wasn’t fully letting his guard down.
Christina stepped out from the changing room a few minutes later, looking radiant.
She wore a beautiful white dress with delicate golden embroidery along the hem and sleeves.
The fabric was light and flowing, hugging her figure elegantly before flaring out softly at the waist.
A thin golden sash cinched her waist, and small pink crystal accents decorated the neckline, perfectly matching her eyes.
Her golden hair was loosely tied back with a simple white ribbon, a few strands left to fra her face..
Aestrea’s eyes scanned her from head to toe, his lips curling up into a small smile as he praised her.
"You look beautiful," he said softly.
"That dress suits you perfectly."
Christina’s cheeks flushed pink with happiness. She gave a little twirl, the dress swirling around her legs.
"Thank you... I’m glad you like it."
Aestrea offered his arm.
"Shall we?"
She took it imdiately, beaming.
With a snap of his fingers, space folded around them once more. They reappeared in the heart of the divine city.
The streets were bustling as always, crowded with gods, divine beings, and beasts who had earned their place here.
Colorful stalls and small shops lined both sides of the wide cobblestone roads.
rchants called out their wares, the scent of street food and fresh flowers filled the air, and the sound of cheerful chatter mixed with the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages rolling past.
There were plenty of elegant carriages pulled by mystical beasts or pure white horses, giving the entire city a lively atmosphere.
Christina’s eyes lit up the mont they arrived. She scanned the crowded street excitedly.
As soon as she spotted sothing interesting, a small shop displaying handmade jewelry and glowing crystal ornants, she grinned and instantly dragged Aestrea by the arm.
"Co on! Let’s check that one out first!" she said cheerfully, pulling him toward the shop without waiting for a reply.
Christina dragged Aestrea through the bustling street with bright, excited energy, her hand firmly holding his as they approached the small jewelry shop.
"Look at these!" she gasped, eyes sparkling as she leaned over a display of delicate crystal pendants that glowed with soft inner light.
"They’re so pretty... This pink one almost matches my eyes!"
Aestrea watched her with a soft smile, standing close behind her.
"It does. Want it?"
Christina turned to him, biting her lip shyly.
"Only if you pick one for ."
He reached out and gently lifted the pink crystal pendant, then chose a smaller silver one shaped like a crescent moon for himself.
After paying the rchant with a few divine crystals, he stepped behind her and fastened the necklace around her neck.
His fingers brushed lightly against her skin, sending a small shiver through her.
"There," he murmured.
"Perfect."
Christina touched the pendant with a happy smile and leaned up to press a quick, soft kiss to his cheek.
"Thank you."
They continued walking hand in hand down the lively street.
Christina kept pulling him toward anything that caught her eye, a flower stall where she bought a small bouquet of glowing star lilies, a bakery with fresh honey cakes, and a street perforr playing a gentle lody on a crystal harp.
At one point, they stopped at a cozy open-air café nestled between two shops.
They sat at a small table under a flowering tree. Aestrea ordered a selection of sweet pastries and fresh fruit tarts while Christina watched him with warm eyes.
When the food arrived, she picked up a small strawberry tart and held it to his lips.
"Open," she said playfully.
Aestrea obliged, taking a bite. A tiny bit of cream stayed on his lower lip. Christina laughed softly and leaned in, kissing it away gently.
"You’re ssy," she teased, her lips lingering close to his.
Aestrea smiled faintly.
He cupped her cheek and pulled her into a proper kiss.
"Mhm~"
Christina lted into it, one hand resting on his chest as the world around them seed to fade for a mont.
When they finally pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Christina rested her forehead against his.
"I’ve missed this... just being with you like this," she whispered.
" too," Aestrea replied softly, his thumb gently stroking her cheek.
They stayed like that for a quiet mont, the soft glow of the lanterns casting warm light over them.
Christina’s fingers played lightly with the collar of his coat as she spoke again.
"Do you rember... back in the mortal realm? When I was still the Saintess of the Holy Church?"
Aestrea let out a low chuckle at her words.
"How could I forget? You were always surrounded by light and prayers. Every ti I dragged myself back half-dead from so battle, I’d show up at the cathedral just to see you."
Christina smiled, but there was a tiny pout forming on her lips.
"You always ca to
for healing... but you never stayed long. You’d show up covered in blood, flash that annoying smirk, and say ’Heal , Saintess. I’ve got more damsels in distress to save.’" She narrowed her pink eyes playfully, though a hint of real jealousy flickered in them.
"You saved so many girls back then. A princess, village girls, even that arrogant elf archer... I used to get so annoyed watching you flirt with them while I healed you."
"Flirt? I was just being polite." Aestrea raised an eyebrow.
It was true... his past soul solely saved because of his hero complex.
"Polite?" Christina huffed, poking his chest lightly.
"You let that red-haired rcenary kiss your cheek once. Right in front of . I wanted to smite her with holy light on the spot."
She paused, then her expression softened into sothing warr, more vulnerable.
"But... that was also why I fell for you, you know? You were always rushing off to help people who needed it. Even when you were exhausted, even when you didn’t have to. You never left anyone behind. It made
realize you weren’t just another arrogant hero. You actually cared." She looked up at him with shining eyes.
"Even if it made
jealous sotis... I loved that part of you."
Aestrea’s gaze lingered on her face for a mont. He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I ca back to you in the end," he said quietly. "No matter how many ’damsels’ there were."
Christina’s cheeks flushed again. She hugged him tighter, hiding her face against his chest with a small, contented sigh.
"...Good answer."
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