Simultaneous Travel: Becoming a Legend in the Heavens.

Chapter 517 The Piece That Shoots Down the Stars

Roswaal Mansion.

In the room, still filled with the warm smell of gunpowder, Luke released his large hand from the back of Priscilla's head and glanced at the princess, who was coughing incessantly, with a hint of regret.

"Are you in such a hurry to go back? It wouldn't be a problem if you came to the capital with me in a few days, would it?"

Priscilla, still kneeling, did not answer immediately. She clutched her bloated stomach, ignoring the lingering nausea. Only after her instincts gradually subsided did she wipe her face with a tissue and glare at Luke with displeasure.

"I've lingered long enough. I was supposed to leave yesterday. Haven't I served you well enough during this time?"

Aldibalan rebelled with a third of her elite troops, severely weakening her forces and causing widespread anxiety among the inhabitants of her territory. At this critical moment, she had no choice but to return to appease the people.

Although she was willful and capricious, as a lord she still had a sense of responsibility towards her subjects.

Luke placed his hands on his thighs and slapped Priscilla's cheeks a few times: "It's precisely because you're so satisfied that you're a little reluctant to leave. How about I help you resolve the troubles in the territory, and you can continue to stay here?"

Priscilla turned her head to the side: "I remember that you have never been one to help people directly. Whether it is Kazuma Sato or Subaru Natsuki, you should only offer a little help unless it is absolutely necessary."

"If they have potential, they should be properly trained. Forcing them to grow too fast is not advisable. Besides, brothers and women cannot be treated the same."

Even gods sometimes succumb to things like dorayaki, coffee jelly, or supermarket specials.

"I am not a little woman who can't live without you and only depends on you. I cooperate with you in those things only because I like you and it makes me feel comfortable."

Priscilla rose from the ground, the scorching sun's heat burning away the filth from her body. She slowly put on a gorgeous red and black dress and various splendid ornaments, and soon she was transformed back into the noble sun princess.

Although she knew the outcome, Priscilla still maintained her pride. She looked at Luke with sharp eyes, her lips slightly parted.

"Don't forget that I am also one of the chosen ones, and your rival. Even if it is you, I will not give up easily... Luke, you'd better not underestimate me. I am the center of this world."

Lu Ke rolled his eyes. "Alright, if you're going to leave, then leave quickly, so you don't end up neglecting both sides."

Priscilla's lips curled into a smile as she listened. She picked up the folding fan from the bedside and lifted Luke's chin from bottom to top, then slid it down little by little to his Adam's apple, to his chest and abdomen, and down even further, her gesture full of provocation.

"Is this how a leopard acts cute? I have to say, it's quite endearing to see a lazy leopard showing its belly."

Before Lu Ke could get angry, she turned and left, leaving him with her slender back view.

"Anyway, goodbye to the capital, my hateful yet lovable man."

pat.

The door closed, the horn of the dragon carriage sounded, followed by the sound of the carriage tracks fading into the distance.

It was still early, so Lu Ke lay in bed for a while before slowly getting up to enjoy the morning tranquility.

Rem failed to serve the coffee on time, apparently having been requisitioned by Priscilla as a coachman to take her to the nearest village before returning. So Luke called Ram.

With her hair all messy, the older sister glared at Lu Ke with murderous eyes and brought him a cup of coffee that looked and tasted much worse than usual.

"Does Prince Luke know that Ram didn't sleep well last night? She finally managed to get some sleep, but was woken up over something as trivial as coffee... Even Ram, who is known for her magnanimity, would be angry."

"Insomnia is not my concern."

Luke glanced at Ram's still underdeveloped chest and mentally complained, "Where's the width in that...?"

"Your Highness Luke, perhaps Ram is overthinking things. You weren't just making comments about Ram's chest in your mind, were you?"

Ram frowned, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and looked at Luke as if he were trash.

Luke's heart skipped a beat, but he pretended to be nonchalant and picked up his coffee to taste it: "No, my dear sister, you're overthinking it."

"That would be for the best, otherwise Ram would have to despise Prince Luke for the rest of his life because his head is full of lewd nonsense."

Ram clicked her tongue and sat down next to Luke without any ceremony, as if she was sulking. After a few minutes, as if she had released her anger, she slowly relaxed her body and leaned against Luke.

"Sorry, let Ram lean on me for a bit. I'm a little tired today."

Ram closed her eyes wearily, losing her usual assertiveness, and nestled against the person next to her like a fragile bird.

Lu Ke leaned closer to make her feel more comfortable against him. "You don't seem to be in a good mood?"

Ram's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible: "To be precise, it's terrible. Unfortunately, the men in the manor are either despicable oath-breakers or useless good-for-nothings, so I can only make do with Prince Luke as a cushion for now. After all, you... can be considered reliable, I suppose."

Luke: "This evaluation is quite novel. Can I ask why you think I'm reliable?"

“Rem… I can like Rem as much as Ram does, and I can say things that make Rem open her heart, so…”

Ram slowly exhaled, opened her wine-red eyes, and breathed on Ruolan: "Could you please take good care of Rem after this? That child is actually quite stubborn, and likes to blame and belittle herself, but as long as you can melt her heart, she will give you her whole soul."

"I dare not respond to such words, which sound like entrusting my son to someone."

Luke squinted at Ram, taking advantage of the situation: "How about this, big sister, sacrifice yourself for Rem and let me take care of you too."

"...You want both your older and younger sisters? How can you say such shameless things? Your skin is thick enough to withstand a sword saint's strike."

Ram curled his lip, shoved Luke aside, stood up, resumed his usual demeanor, and made a slash at his neck with his hand.

"Ram is going to take a nap. Anyone who disturbs him will be killed. If there's anything, just have your two underlings handle it."

After saying that, the demon maid left with light steps.

"They didn't say whether they agreed or disagreed."

Lu Ke smiled and shook his head, glancing in a certain direction from which the intense gaze was directed. The figure hiding there immediately ran away in fright.

The archangel of the forbidden library would cast her gaze whenever Luke left the room, but would immediately hide like a mimosa whenever Luke looked at her.

After several attempts, Luke gave up on communicating with Beatrice and got up to go upstairs.

Although I quite like the proud and aloof elf, her constant coy attitude is a bit unpleasant.

Once Luke's figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs, Beatrice, her face full of confusion, emerged from the corner and stared blankly at the spot where Luke had vanished.

"Aren't you going to try to get on his good side, Betty? He's the person you've been waiting for for four hundred years..." Roswaal's voice came from behind Beatrice.

“Of course I want to. Over four hundred years of waiting, over four hundred years of longing. Betty thought he would never appear, and she wanted to tell him how unbearable the wait was, to go with him to visit Mother, to know everything about him, and to let him know everything about Betty…” Beatrice’s voice was slightly melancholy, “But Betty and Luke have only known each other for a short time, and their first meeting was quite awkward. He got a good scolding… The most important thing is that he mistook Betty for someone else, something about a disciplinary committee member using spatial teleportation, something about ‘Big Sister’s loving whipping,’ which Betty didn’t understand at all…”

Roswaal raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Is this the only thing you've been agonizing over? Prince Luke also mispronounced my name as something like Dio. That was just a little prank by that person. There won't be a story if you don't take the initiative, Betty."

"Is...is that so? Then perhaps I really should...wait, why should I listen to you? Betty doesn't want to be taught by that bastard who's been hiding his identity for over four hundred years!"

Having just confessed her girlish secrets, Betty, now realizing what had happened and becoming furious with embarrassment, used teleportation magic to disappear from the spot.

"..."

Roswaal sighed, “Betty, follow the instructions of the Gospels and become Luke’s spirit sooner rather than later, lest more accidents occur.”

The Gospels are not their exclusive possession; every member of the Witch Cult has them, just not as close to the original Book of Wisdom as they do.

The Witch Cult might also see a significant reaction soon.

…………

"Yo! Luke, good morning."

I ran into Parker Cat doing calisthenics in the hallway.

The other person seemed to be nearing the end, striking a pose praising the sun and shouting "Victory." It was clearly something Subaru Natsuki taught them; the RPG protagonist, who's always trying to gain favor, doesn't even spare cats.

Good morning, Parker.

Luke patted Parker, who had flown over to him and was acting cute.

When Parker saw Luke appear before him, and Priscilla was not nearby, his eyes lit up noticeably.

“I saw a dragon carriage drive away from the manor earlier, and the scorching heat inside the house also disappeared. Could it be that Priscilla has left?”

Luke nodded, replying casually, "Yes, she went back to her territory..."

Parker was overjoyed and couldn't help but smile. The biggest enemy was gone, and he finally had a chance to let his precious daughter show her strength. He had been giving Leah some pointers on how to make friends during this time.

I must get the lifetime insurance!
"...After all, the royal selection will be in a few days."

Parker, who was in a good mood, suddenly stiffened, realizing something was wrong.

After the royal selection, Luke will become the King of Lugnica, living in the palace in the capital, and will never return to Roswaal's mansion. In that case, Lya may not have a chance...

“Luc, Leah is studying politics. Why don’t you go and watch with her? I think you’re more likely to become king than Leah. It wouldn’t hurt to learn these things in advance.”

Lu Ke thought about it and felt that there was nothing wrong. Just as he was about to nod, he suddenly looked towards the stairs.

Rem, who had returned from delivering the person, came up and blushed slightly when she saw Luke. She glanced at Puck with some embarrassment, her fingers twirling in a knot under her body, and she spoke softly.

"Um, Your Highness Luke, you said before that I could contact you if I needed anything... Is now a convenient time?"

"Of course it's convenient. Let's discuss it in detail over at my place."

Luke perked up, smiled, took the oni girl's hand, and led Rem into his room.

Parker: ...

Is Rem a bit of a jinx to their Ria?

…………

Cold and shaky.

The blinding sunlight was palpable even with eyes closed, the air was scorching hot, and you could smell the yellow sand, yet the texture beneath you was still relatively soft.

The constant slight jolts made her feel nauseous, and she felt excruciating pain all over her body. Her bones were broken, her skin was scorched, and her internal organs were severely injured, yet a healing stream enveloped her.

Meryl Portelt barely opened her eyes and found herself in a carriage pulled by an earth dragon. Dazzling sunlight streamed in through the window, and outside lay an endless desert covered in billowing sand.

He's not dead?
Mary was a little lost as she tried to get up, but the water-elemental mage who was healing her stopped her and gently dissuaded her.

"Wait a minute, your injuries are quite serious. They've only just stabilized, so you can't do any strenuous exercise."

Despite the pain, Melly looked warily at the healers, her voice hoarse: "Who are you?"

"This is not the attitude you should have towards your savior, little sister. If it weren't for the fact that there was a skilled healer in my team, you would have been in a very bad situation."

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a burly man wearing a helmet squeezed into the carriage and sat down next to Meryl.

"There's no need to communicate with a child like you, but for the sake of basic cooperation, let me introduce myself."

He spoke calmly, "I am Aldibalan, an unwanted and inferior product, discarded by the witch, a pawn that caused the stars to fall, currently a mere traitor who betrayed the princess. It doesn't matter if you don't understand, anyway, you and I are just insignificant little people..."

"No need for so much explanation, you just want to take advantage of me, right?"

Melly interrupted Aldibalan's speech, displaying a coldness beyond her years.

"I can sense many powerful magical beasts not far away... You want me to protect you, right? You saved me because you know my identity and abilities, so I won't be grateful."

Aldibalan smiled and shook his head: "'Beast Tamer' Melly Portert, Elsa's adopted sister and partner, possesses the [Blessing of Manipulation], which allows her to attract and enslave magical beasts... Of course, I know your identity, which is why I saved you. There is no such thing as unearned kindness in this world, and there is no need to save those who are worthless."

Mary clenched her fists silently, her innocent eyes filled with the flames of revenge.

“I have no interest in you, nor do I intend to repay your life-saving grace, but… it’s fine if we use each other. I help you, and you help me. It’s mutually beneficial, and neither of us owes the other anything.”

"..."

Al was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Then let's use each other like this, and fight for our respective goals."

Suppressing her anger and trying to remain calm, Mary asked, "So...where are we going now?"

Aldibaran lifted the curtain of the carriage and pointed calmly to a small section of the spire that was still visible in the distance, though it was covered in smoke and dust.

"Aoglia Dunes, the Tower of the Sages".

Built four hundred years ago by the "Great Sage," with the participation of the "First Sword Saint" Red and the "Divine Dragon" Polkenica, the Sage's Tower was used to monitor the "Witch of Envy," Satella!
(End of this chapter)