CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER : 71 : SLICE OF LIFE!

The inside of the tent was quiet once Aiden, Luna, Thristle, and Fluffynugget had gone off.

Only Lysandra, Leona, and Ivy were left behind, the three of them sitting together in a soft circle.

The air was heavy with worry, but gentle too.

Leona folded her small hands, her soft wings twitching as she whispered, "Daddy, come back safe... please."

Beside her, Ivy nodded along, eyes shut tight, her voice barely a murmur. "Onii-chan... please win."

Lysandra placed her hands together, closing her eyes. Her lips moved, but no sound came — she didn’t pray loudly, but the intensity in her chest was obvious.

That silence was broken by the flap of the tent shifting.

"...Onee-Chan!"

Throk Grimclaw burst in, cheeks flushed from running. He spotted Lysandra immediately, and without hesitation ran straight to her, his little legs carrying him faster than they should.

"Throk?" Lysandra blinked, but before she could ask anything, the boy dove right into her arms.

"Onee-Chan!" he cried, hugging her tightly, his face burying itself right against her chest. He pressed his cheek against her huge breasts, squishing into them like it was the safest place in the world.

Lysandra froze for a second, then smiled softly. She brought a hand up and petted his head with gentle strokes. "Oh, Throk... what are you doing here? You should be resting."

"Mmph... I just..." his voice muffled against her cleavage, "...I missed you. You’ve been spending all your time with Brother-in-Law lately..." He clung tighter, his head pressing deeper into her chest as if trying to hide.

Lysandra’s expression softened even more. "Oh, Throk... you’re adorable." She leaned down and kissed the top of his forehead. "I love you so much, my brother."

Leona tilted her head, puffing her cheeks. "What about me, Mummy?" she said, in that pure, childlike voice.

"Of course, you too, my little one." Lysandra kissed Leona on the forehead, making the girl giggle happily.

Still squished in her bosom, Throk peeked his eyes out toward Leona. Their gazes met.

"Uncle..." Leona whispered, her small smile brightening her face.

Throk smiled back, reaching a hand out from the safety of Lysandra’s boobs to pat her head. "You’re so adorable, Leona."

Leona laughed, little giggles echoing in the tent.

But Throk didn’t move away. If anything, he pressed his face in harder, burying himself deeper against Lysandra’s soft curves.

"Throk..." Lysandra chuckled softly, continuing to stroke his hair. "You’re being very clingy today."

"Mmm... I don’t care," he mumbled, nuzzling into her chest. "It feels good here. It’s warm, soft... and it feels like home."

Lysandra raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging her lips. "Oh? Now you’re hitting on your sister?"

"Ew, no way!" Throk shot back instantly, his muffled voice full of boyish disgust. "I just like your pillows, that’s all!"

From the side, Ivy broke into a small giggle, covering her mouth with her hand.

The tent’s flap rustled again.

This time, another figure stepped in.

A goblin girl.

She was about Throk’s age — around ten — but unlike her brute of a father, General Groth Fenish, she was nothing like the monster he looked like. She was pretty, even noble-looking, with delicate features and sharp, clever eyes. Her hair was neatly kept, and even her stance carried a kind of grace unusual for a goblin child.

But right now, her face twisted in anger.

"...Th-Kun."

Throk’s head shot up, his face still wedged halfway into Lysandra’s chest. "E-Eli-Chan?!" he squeaked.

The girl’s fists tightened, her whole body trembling as steam practically rose from her head. "What... do you think you’re doing?!"

"This—this isn’t what it looks like!" Throk panicked, waving his arms while still half-buried in Lysandra’s cleavage. "I swear, Eli-chan, please don’t be mad!"

Eline didn’t listen. She stomped forward, her small fist tightening as sparks of smoke curled around it.

"Wait—!"

Her punch flew before he could finish.

BAM!

Throk was sent flying across the tent, crashing into a pile of cushions with a loud whump. Smoke rose from where her fist had connected, and the boy groaned in the mess of fabric.

The three girls still sitting there... clapped.

Leona clapped first, then Ivy, then even Lysandra joined, all with small amused smiles.

Eline huffed, her cheeks puffed as she crossed her arms. "Baka."

Throk groaned, sitting up with his hands raised defensively. "Why’re you angry?! I should be angry! I’m the one who got punched!"

"Baka," she repeated, turning her face away with a pout.

Then her sharp eyes landed on Leona. The pout vanished instantly, her whole face lighting up.

Her body even seemed to glow as she took a few steps closer. "She’s so cute..." Eline whispered, her voice soft for the first time. "Your daughter is so cute."

Leona giggled shyly, shifting back a little, but didn’t run when Eline reached out. Instead, she let the girl pat her head.

"Ehehe..." Leona giggled more, small wings twitching happily.

Eline melted on the spot, smiling in a way that completely betrayed her usual temper.

Watching her, Lysandra chuckled softly. "Eline, I should introduce you. This is Ivy, Sir Aiden’s younger sister."

Eline straightened up, trying to act proper as she gave Ivy a polite bow. "Nice to meet you. Th-kun told me all about you... I mean, all of you."

"Ehehe," Ivy covered her mouth again, her giggle quiet but warm.

Throk, still sprawled out on the cushions, groaned. "Why does it feel like I’m the only one suffering here..."

Eline turned to him, cheeks puffed again. "Baka."

Eline walked over, grabbed Throk’s hand, and yanked him back on his feet. Her cheeks puffed, still angry, but she wouldn’t let him stay down either.

From the side, Ivy leaned close to Lysandra. "Does she... like him?"

Lysandra gave a tiny nod, whispering back, "Y-yeah. Very much."

Eline glanced at her own chest, then at Lysandra’s massive curves, and her lips trembled. She leaned in, whispering in Throk’s ear. "Do you... like big boobs?"

Throk smirked, whispering back just as shamelessly, "They’re the best. Warm... soft like a pillow."

Eline’s face went red. She pouted, crossing her arms, but she didn’t hit him.

Eline glanced at Lysandra’s chest, then back down at her own, puffing out her tiny bulge of a chest before thinking, *Ohh... well... she’s not my competition. She’s already married and, most importantly, she’s his older sister. He’s still safe.*

Throk tilted his head. "Why’d you ask me that?"

Eline’s face went red. "I–I was just curious, okay?"

Throk smirked, then without warning dashed toward Lysandra. He leapt up and clung to her, burying his face right into her massive chest.

"Onee-Chan!" Throk said in a muffled voice, nuzzling in deeper. "Save me, she’s bullying me."

Lysandra blinked, startled, but her hand instinctively went to pat his head. "Adorable little brat," she muttered, sighing.

Eline stomped her foot. "Wh–what did you just say!?"

Throk peeked out with a smug grin. "See? Look at her, she’s already mad again!" He pushed his face further into Lysandra’s cleavage. "Mmm, so soft. I’m safe here."

Eline clenched her fists, her cheeks puffing up in a pout. "You... you little—!"

"Ah, ah, ah," Throk said quickly, still clinging to Lysandra. "If you hit me, then you’re bullying me in front of my sweet Onee-Chan. She’ll protect me, right?"

Lysandra sighed again, clearly caught in the middle but still rubbing his head. "Honestly... you two are exhausting."

Eline’s eyes softened just a little, though she still looked away, grumbling. "Hmph... fine. But don’t think you won this, Th-Kun."

Throk smirked from his safe spot. "Oh, I already did."

Eline pouted harder, glaring at him jealously, but—for once—she didn’t raise her fist.

---

Outside, the goblin soldiers were being whipped into shape, the fifty junior generals shouting orders while the five main generals moved among them, riling up morale.

Aiden stood with Luna, Thristle, and Fluffynugget, watching the chaos settle into order.

That was when Thristle spotted Arisha talking with her brother. Her lips curled into a mischievous grin.

"Go talk to her," she said, nudging Aiden’s arm.

"Not now," Aiden muttered, shaking his head.

"Yes, now," Thristle pressed, eyes gleaming.

Luna blinked, ears twitching. "What’s this about?"

Thristle crossed her arms, smug. "Just watch." Then she gave Aiden a hard shove forward.

Aiden stumbled a step, sighed, then walked toward the tall goblin commander.

"Arisha Zenith." His voice carried, calm but firm.

Arisha, who had been stern and composed a moment ago, stiffened instantly. Her cheeks burned red. Her brother smirked, patted her head, and leaned in. "Good luck, little sis." Then he walked off.

Stupid big brother.

Arisha turned, back straight but her hands were a little too stiff at her sides. "Y-Yes, Sir?"

Aiden rubbed the back of his neck. "So... how’s everything going?" His voice was careful, almost nervous.

Arisha’s mind blanked. "O-Oh... I-I am fine." Why did I say that? Idiot!

Aiden gave her a confused smile. "Good to hear... but I meant the army."

"Oh! Yes, of course, the army." Her words tumbled out fast. Control yourself. Deep breaths. He’s just a man... a tall... gorgeous man with eyes that look like the sky after rain. Ugh, stop thinking that!

Aiden’s gaze flickered toward her long green hair, her sharp yet feminine features, and—he quickly looked back up, forcing a smile.

"So morale’s good?" he asked, stepping a little closer to hear her better over the shouting soldiers.

Arisha felt her whole body tense as he loomed slightly over her. She was tall—six feet exactly. But him, with his white hair brushing his shoulders and those piercing blue eyes, stood just a little taller. Just enough to make her heart pound.

"Yes," she managed, cheeks hot. "Morale is... high. Strong. Everyone’s... everyone’s ready."

"Good," Aiden said softly, his lips curving.

Too close. Too close. His voice—why is his voice like this? Calm, smooth, but strong. I can’t... I can’t look him in the eyes or I’ll faint. Stupid, stupid...

Aiden leaned in slightly, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Arisha."

Her breath caught. "Y-Yes?"

"If we make it through this war..." His eyes locked on hers, steady and serious. "...would you go on a date with me?"

Arisha froze. Her entire mind shut down. Her heart slammed in her chest like a war drum.

Date? A date? With him? This isn’t real. This can’t be real. Don’t blow it, don’t—say something, you idiot!

Her face was completely red, her usual cold composure shattered into dust. She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. "I-I... Yes. Yes, Sir. I would."

Aiden smiled, a little relieved. "Then it’s a promise."

I’m dead. I’m already dead. His smile is illegal. Gods help me, how do I survive until then...

Behind them, Thristle smirked, whispering to Luna. "See?"

Luna narrowed her eyes, tail twitching. "...Tch. Another rival."

Aiden walked back to the group, brushing ash from his sleeve. Luna puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms, glaring at him with a pout so cute it almost broke his composure.

"Master..." she muttered, tail swishing furiously.

"Mii~!" Fluffynugget chimed, hopping to his shoulder as if seconding Luna’s disapproval.

Aiden sighed, rubbing the little puff’s head. "Don’t you start too."

Thristle, however, wasn’t pouting at all. Instead, she had that mischievous smile of hers, sharp fangs glinting. "So it went great, it seems."

Aiden simply nodded, too tired to elaborate.

A few yards behind, Arisha sat slumped against a rock. She looked absolutely drained, her face flushed, her body trembling faintly, as if her soul had just drifted out of her body—yet there was nothing but bliss in her expression.

Back with the group, Thristle’s eyes softened, just for a second, before she tilted her head. "You know... I miss someone like her from the Kingdom."

Aiden raised a brow. "Who?"

Luna leaned closer too, curious.

"She’s a good friend of mine. A general of the army," Thristle explained, her voice carrying rare fondness. "Her name is Vegia Shadowglow. A mage, unlike the other generals. She’s kind, modest... always a bit flustered. I like her. She listened to all my complaints without ever getting annoyed. I would like her to be here."

Aiden smirked. "So... you want me to marry her now?" His tone was clearly teasing.

But to Thristle, it sounded like a stroke of brilliance. Her eyes lit up, lips curling in excitement. "That’s a great idea. You should."

Luna immediately puffed up, her pout deepening.

Aiden chuckled, scratching his cheek. "I’ll think about it when we meet her. For now, let’s focus on what’s in front of us."

"You won’t regret it." Thristle grinned ear to ear, practically bouncing in place. "She’s hot... and she’s got bigger boobs than me."

Luna froze, then growled lowly. "Maaasterrr..."

Aiden sighed again, already bracing himself for the chaos that would inevitably follow.

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END OF Chapter : 71 : SLICE OF LIFE!

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