CHAPTER 297: COMFORTABLE?

Raegar’s heart stuttered, confusion swirling in his chest. "What are you talking about? Let go of what?’’

His voice was sharp, defensive, but beneath it, a cold fear began to rise. The dread of losing them, his girls, his family, the life he’d built from the ashes of his past one. He shook his head, jaw tight. ’’There’s nothing wrong with me!’’

The stranger tilted his head, his eyes glinting. ’’Why are you lying to me? I see it, just below the surface. The fear. The doubt. Why are you acting so scared?’’

’’I’m not scared!’’ he cracked, rage boiling over, searing through his veins.

The stranger’s words struck a nerve, an aching wound he’d buried deep. His fists clenched, trembling, memories flooded his mind from his previous life, his parents’ cold rejection, the nights spent wondering why he was never enough, the terror of failing those he loved most don’t want him.

Seconds later, the stranger stepped closer, his voice softer now, almost pitying. ’’You’re afraid of the truth you’ve buried. You carry the weight of every time your old parents told you were less. Every time you were pushed away. Inside, you’re still that boy, waiting for someone to tell you you’re worthy. That fear is what keeps the Fusion from burning true.’’

Raegar’s breath hitched, his chest tightening. He wanted to scream, to lash out, but the stranger’s words pinned him in place, peeling back the layers he’d fought so hard to bury. ’’I, I can’t lose them,’’ he whispered. ’’If I let go, if I face that, what if there’s nothing left of me?’’

The stranger’s gaze softened. ’’You’ll never know until you try. The power you seek, the life you want, it’s on the other side of that fear. Face it, Raegar. Or it will consume you when the time comes.’’

He sank to his knees, the arena’s stone biting into his skin. The weight of his past, the rejection, the fear, crashed over him like a tide, threatening to drown him. ’’I just, I just want to be enough,’’ he choked out. ’’For them. For me.’’

The stranger said nothing, but the air around Raegar pulsed, the Fusion’s power stirring, waiting for him to let go finally. Moments later, the voices of his girls echoed in his mind, reassuring him that he was enough. When hearing their words, he calmed down as the newcomer stepped forward.

’’I am the spirit of the next Fusion Knight you’ll claim, but that’ll be some time yet,’’ the stranger finally spoke.

Raegar finally came too, looking up at the shadowy figure who continued talking. ’’The fear that’s buried deep down is stopping you from advancing. When you get back to the real world, ask your harem what they think and you’ll get your answers.’’

’’How did you bring me here?’’ he asked.

’’The Fusion Soldiers, we’re all connected, and I sensed you coming to claim them,’’ the knight revealed. ’’Now go back, I’m running out of Aether, but when you’re ready, journey to the Western Islands. It will help you clear your head.’’

’’The Western Islands?’’ he muttered. ’’I’ve heard of them, they’re part of the empire and are full of dangerous monsters.’’

The Fusion Knight nodded in agreement and said his farewells. ’’Yes, that is the place. But now I must send you back, it’s been longer than I expected.’’

Following that, the figure waved his hand, sending his consciousness back to his body, where he woke up on the dungeon floor. He came too and noticed Drusilla looking at him from above with a concerned expression, but it instantly changed when seeing he was awake.

A smile appeared as she greeted him. ’’Hello, sleepyhead. What happened there?’’

Raegar shook his head, smiling in return. ’’A Fusion Knight spoke to me, said I have an unresolved issue which I can now fix.’’

’’What issue?’’ Dahlia questioned.

’’The fear of losing you girls and everything I’ve built in this life,’’ he quietly answered.

When the two heard that, their hearts melted as the Dark Fairy suddenly hugged him tightly. She leaned in and whispered in a love-filled voice. ’’You’ll never lose me, my boy. I’ll always be by your side.’’

Raegar felt a shiver run down his spine as his smile grew wide. Drusilla kissed him on the cheek before moving back, allowing Dahlia to wrap her arms around his shoulders. She nibbled his ear and reassured him. ’’You’re stuck with me, handsome. I ain’t going anywhere now I’ve found you.’’

’’Thank you,’’ he replied, the fear fading away, but still lingered until he spoke to the others. ’’Let’s head back to the palace after I claim this power. I want to see the rest of the girls.’’

Raegar rose to his feet, drawn by a pulsing energy to a hidden room where a cluster of glowing blue orbs shimmered in the shadows. He sensed the presence of thousands of Fusion Soldiers. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and pressed his hand against the orb.

A surge of power flooded into his body like a rushing tide, the essence of over three thousand Fusion Soldiers now at his command, sparking a fierce grin of realization. The force radiating from him sent the women staggering backward, reeling from the sudden burst of energy.

By the time it was over, Raegar sighed in relief and turned to the women with a charming smile as he spoke. ’’Let’s get back and attend this ball.’’

They nodded just as he looked at the brunette and questioned. ’’Could I take the Imperial Airship to the Western Islands? There’s a Fusion Knight there I need to claim, it’s the one who spoke to me.’’

Just then, Arthur appeared beside them and suddenly revealed. ’’That’s the Mage Knight, skilled with Aether, using it to fight.’’

Raegar turned toward the Blue Knight with narrowed eyes. ’’Is he powerful?’’

’’Yes, my lord,’’ he responded.

Afterward, the three of them left the dungeon and stepped into the forest outside only o be blinded by bright light. Raegar covered his eyes, muttering. ’’Damn morning sun, I forgot we was inside for a while.’’

Drusilla giggled at this and teased. ’’Well we did go in there during the early hours, so it makes sense it’s morning.’’

’’Let’s get going,’’ Dahlia commented, changing the subject to get them back on track.

Following that, the trio headed toward the nearby road which led back to the capital and bumped into many merchants that greeted them. They didn’t know who Dahlia was thanks to hiding her true self. Raegar glanced at the empress, grinning. ’’That disguise is good, no one knows who you’re and once we start traveling you have this form, which has been seen by my side.’’

When the older woman heard this, her smile grew wide as she nodded. ’’Glad you noticed, It was one of Alfred’s suggestions, he loves to worry about me when I leave the palace, forgetting I can look after myself.’’

’’Well now you’re with us, trouble will find you just like it does with us,’’ the Dark Fairy added. ’’Devils, bandits and corrupt nobles.’’

Dahlia couldn’t help but laugh as she nodded. ’’I know, Zahara and the others have already told me everything.’’

The trio pressed on along the Kingsway toward the capital, striding along the roadside, heedless of the curious glances from passing travelers. After hours of steady progress, the road forked, and the brunette spoke up. ’’This path leads to the palace. It cuts through the woods.’’

The trio veered onto the wooded path, the air growing cooler as the dense canopy of trees swallowed the road. Sunlight covered the forest floor, casting shifting patterns on the dirt trail. Dahlia led the way while Raegar walked beside he. Drusilla was tired of walking and transformed into her smaller form, sliding into his shirt pocket.

’’Comfortable?’’ he asked, smiling.

’’Of course!’’ the Fairy exclaimed, stretching her arms.

Moments later, they continued walking in silence. Birds chirped softly, their songs weaving through the rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle breeze. The scent of moss and pine filled the air, grounding the group in the serene rhythm of the forest. No words passed between them for a time, the silence comfortable, broken only by the crunch of their boots on the path.

Occasionally, a squirrel darted across their route or a distant deer froze before bounding into the underbrush, but the woods felt alive and at peace. After a while, the brunette paused, tilting her head toward a faint trickle of water nearby. ’’There’s a stream ahead,’’ she said. ’’We can rest there for a bit before pushing on to the palace.’’

Raegar nodded and the group continued until they reached a small clearing where a crystal-clear stream babbled over smooth stones. They knelt to refill their waterskins, the cool water refreshing after hours of travel. Sitting on the mossy bank, they shared a moment of peace compared to the fighting they previously undertook.

While relaxing, Dahlia handed him and Drusilla some tea she pulled out of her storage ring.