It had been one full day since they escaped into the wilds. Lucian's body ached, and his stomach growled louder with each passing hour.
He trudged forward, using the inner cloth of Guinevere's royal gown to cover himself. The makeshift wrap wasn't dignified, but modesty beat pride at this point.
"How long do we have to keep walking?" Lucian finally muttered, brushing leaves from his shoulder. "We haven't eaten anything but fruits, and my legs are going to fall off."
Guinevere, walking slightly ahead, glanced back with a tired smile. "We can't stop now, not while my siblings still have eyes searching the roads. But I understand… it's not easy for any of us."
Airi silently followed behind, her white suit a bit dusty, but she kept her expression calm and unreadable.
Lucian sighed and looked at Guinevere. "Alright, then where do we even go? Do you know any kingdoms that won't try to kill you on sight?"
She slowed her steps and looked up at the trees, thoughtful. "The Northern Continent has several realms. Some are ruled by iron fists, and others… by softer hands. If we're careful, we could find sanctuary."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Name all of them. I'll take my chances with the softest hand."
Guinevere gave a small chuckle and nodded. "Alright, then listen closely."
She began to speak as they walked, her voice calm but full of memory.
"There's Könighold, far to the northeast—an old fortress kingdom and they believe in strength above all else. Their king, Alderic von Brannwald, respects warriors, but he wouldn't shelter someone like me without demanding blood in return."
"Yeah, no thanks," Lucian said. "Next?"
"Then there's Castellia, to the south. It's a proud kingdom and their nobility is deeply political. Queen Rosetta di Leone might offer refuge, but only if it benefits her. And if she finds out I'm a threat to her influence, I'd be gone by morning."
"Definitely no," Lucian muttered.
"There's Velmont," she continued. "They adore fashion, culture, and diplomacy. King Thierre is known for his hospitality, but they're slow to act, and even slower to protect strangers without background."
"So, like... a nice bed but no sword to guard it," Lucian guessed.
"Exactly," Guinevere replied with a small smile.
Lucian frowned. "Any kingdom that's both kind and fast to help?"
She nodded. "Yes. To the west, there's Ebonrose. It's 120 kilometers from here. It's not too far, maybe three or four days if we pace ourselves."
"That's manageable," Lucian said, perking up. "Tell me more."
"Ebonrose is ruled by King Alaric Pendrake," Guinevere said, her tone softening. "He's stern, but he's honorable. He once helped my father during a diplomatic war. Their people are taught to respect refugees, and I have old allies in his court. If we can make it to his borders, we might be safe… at least for now."
Lucian looked ahead, eyes sharpening. "Alright. Then that's where we're going."
Airi stepped closer. "Master, would you like me to scout ahead?"
He glanced back at her, then shook his head. "Not yet. But, stay close. If something happens, I want both of you nearby."
They pushed forward, tired but united by a direction, a plan, and a little hope.
And somewhere deep inside, Lucian clung to one thought:
If I have to die again… it'll be on my terms.
---
The fire crackled gently. Crickets hummed in the distance, and for the first time since arriving in this world, Lucian felt something strange—peace.
He leaned back against a fallen tree, arms folded behind his head as he stared up at the black sky dotted with a thousand silver stars.
"It's been an entire day… and not a single quest," he muttered under his breath, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Thank you, whatever god programmed this damn system."
He closed his eyes for a moment, then looked to his right.
"Airi," he said softly.
The black-haired girl turned her head, kneeling just beside the fire. "Yes, Master?"
"Can you scout the area? Just make sure nothing's following us. If something smells even a little dangerous, wake me up."
"As you command," she replied without hesitation, standing smoothly and vanishing into the dark with eerie grace.
Lucian exhaled slowly.
Then—ping!
A glowing window flashed before his eyes.
[You Have Bonded With Airi]
[Bond Level: Master I]
[If You Level Up To Level 10, You Will Get Your Second Harem Companion]
"Huh?" Lucian blinked, sitting upright. "Wait, what?"
He stared at the screen, lips parting. "So… if I just level up, the system gives me another harem girl?"
He shook his head, trying not to think too hard about the morality of that, and turned to Guinevere, who was curled up just a few feet away under her cloak.
"Hey, Guinevere," he whispered, not wanting to startle her too much.
She opened her eyes slowly, blinking once. "Mm… what is it, Lucian?"
"I just wanted to ask," he said. "How do mages level up in this world? Like, how do they grow stronger?"
She yawned, but sat up a little and stretched her arms. "Well… there are a few ways. The most common one is slaying beasts like dire wolves, corrupted boars, or shadow fiends—when you kill them, you grow. Some say it's about taking in the mana they carry. Others believe it's a spiritual thing."
Lucian nodded. "Makes sense. And people?"
"Killing people works too," she said a little more solemnly. "Though… most kingdoms don't take kindly to murder, so unless it's in war or defense, it's risky. You can also train. Focus your mana, push your limits, exhaust your body and refine your technique. It's slower… but it's safer."
"Alright," Lucian whispered. "Thanks."
She gave a sleepy smile and lay back down. "Don't stay up too late."
"I won't," he said, watching her settle again.
But he didn't rest.
Lucian stood and moved to the edge of their little camp. His fists clenched and unclenched. Mana swirled faintly around his skin like a mist.
"If I can level up," he murmured to himself, "then I can survive the next quest before it even starts."
So he trained.
He swung, punched, kicked, and controlled mana through his limbs over and over again. Sweat soaked his brow and back, but he didn't stop.
Airi returned just before dawn.
"All clear, Master," she said softly.
Lucian gave a tired nod, breathing heavy. "Good."
---
For over three nights, Lucian trained beneath the stars.
Every step, every swing, every drop of sweat—it all pushed him further. The tension in his muscles had faded, replaced by quiet strength. His mana control had sharpened.
By the time the sun rose on the fourth day, the thick woods began to thin.
They were getting close.
Lucian reached into the small cloth pouch tied to his waist—stitched together from Guinevere's torn inner lining—and pulled out one of the forest fruits they had gathered earlier.
He turned toward the black-haired girl who walked silently behind him.
"Airi."
She looked up immediately. "Yes, Master?"
"Catch." He tossed the fruit underhand, and she caught it without even blinking.
"Thank you," she said as her soft fingers held it gently, as though it were something precious.
Lucian smiled a little, then looked away.
I want to help this girl…
I want to help my whole harem gain humanity, emotions, and free will. I want them to have real lives.
The thought stayed with him for a while.
He stared at the trees as they passed, feeling the sun break through the canopy in warm beams.
How did I even end up here…?
He didn't know. But Earth felt so far away now.
I wonder how my friends are doing…
He didn't want to think about it too much. It twisted his stomach in ways even death couldn't.
So he kept walking.
Airi trailed behind him quietly, biting into the fruit without complaint.
---
Under the pale moonlight, Lucian moved like a shadow—his breaths sharp, his feet light, his hands steady.
He exhaled sharply, mana flowing faintly in his veins.
Then, the familiar ping.
[Level Up: 7]
[Mana Efficiency Improved]
Lucian grinned to himself, wiping the sweat off his brow. Finally. He was getting stronger, and for once, there was no blood on the ground—no failure, no restart, no death.
"Lucian…"
He turned at the soft voice behind him.
Guinevere stood there, her eyes shy but clear. Her cloak hung loosely over her shoulders, and her face was flushed from the night's cold.
She stepped closer without hesitation—and then, to his surprise, wrapped her arms around him.
What!? Her body was warm. Her heartbeat was fast.
"Thank you, Lucian…" she whispered. "I don't even know who you really are. But four days ago, you appeared and you saved my life. I should be dead by now."
He stood frozen, arms slightly raised, unsure what to do.
"I feel… safe around you," she added, voice low.
Lucian's chest tightened. The hug was light, but it weighed heavy on him.
She didn't remember that the second loop… what he did… what he tried to do, driven by panic, fear, shame, and some twisted logic to win.
His heart sank.
She's hugging me… after what I did. She doesn't even know.
He looked down at her and forced a smile, though his hands trembled slightly. "Don't worry, Princess. I'll protect you."
She looked up with a gentle smile and slowly let go, walking toward a flat rock nearby.
She sat on it, her cloak parting just enough to show her legs. Lucian instinctively turned his head and covered his face.
"H-Hey, your dress is still open—!"
But she didn't care. Her hand moved slowly across her thigh and stopped at a long, pale scar that stretched over her skin like an old wound that never healed properly.
She looked at it for a moment, then spoke quietly.
"I hate my brothers so much…"
Lucian slowly lowered his hand and looked at her again, this time without fluster or shame—only concern.
"One of them did this to me," she said, tracing the scar lightly with her fingertip. "And then… they threw me into the Academy of Eldoria."
Her voice was flat, but her hand shook.
"I was forced to stay naked in front of the instructors. They wanted to break me. I fought back… and that's when I got this."