Looking down at the lifeless Azazel, I groaned and stood up while absorbing Zartha back into my body before reaching down and grabbing Azazel's leg as I turned around, walking back to where Yuki, Lazuli, and Vanye were, dragging him with me. I didn't enjoy fighting much, but I had to admit, despite my hatred for Azazel, I sort of enjoyed it, partly because I got to beat up the bastard who had been bothering my wife, but mostly because I didn't have to worry about my blood being discovered.
I intended to kill Azazel from the beginning, so I didn't care if he saw my blood, unlike nearly all of my previous fights, where I tried to avoid getting hit entirely rather than using my incredible healing capabilities to my advantage. Until now, I hadn't really realized how much I've been limiting myself; Azazel was a B-class adventurer, and he was no doubt strong, but not once during that battle had I felt threatened; as a matter of fact, it was a little too easy.
"Well, when I think about it, I got an insanely lucky match-up… Azazel's mana did next to nothing, and his dangerous and sharp claws weren't big enough to mortally wound me, unlike that Elf boss's flaming axe." Muttered Alexander lightly as he rubbed his chin with a thoughtful expression before glancing at Azazel behind, only to shake his head.
I was fortunate with my opponent; thanks to him, I could abuse my trait [Rebirth], which made my life so much easier.
'Oh yeah, don't forget to burn my blood.' Mused Alexander as he snapped his finger, igniting a small flame just above his fingers, which he would use to burn any of his golden blood while walking through the forest.
Several minutes later, following the trail of destruction Azazel and I had caused, I arrived at the scene of three beautiful women conversing with a pile of bodies off to the left, a sight that caused me to feel relief; I was confident in their strength, but I was still a little worried. Tossing Azazel onto the pile of bodies, I threw a [Fireball] onto the pile of corpses, causing them to set ablaze and prompting the three women to glance at me.
"Gald you three are fine" Said Alexander with a smile as he approached Yuki, Lazuli, and Vanye, only for the former to suddenly dash toward him.
Seeing Yuki charge right for me, I grinned and spread my arms, expecting an unreasonably tight hug as if she were trying to crush me, only for a hefty fist to suddenly slam into my stomach, causing me to keel over, dropping to my knees, and although the pain subsided quickly, I was still wincing.
"Bastard! Made us wait two months for your return!" Stated Yuki furiously as she stood over Alexander and glared at him, causing him to cough awkwardly before lowering his head in shame.
Slowly standing up, feeling phantom pains from Yuki's earlier punch, I was suddenly engulfed by four arms before being tightly pressed against her armor, causing me to sigh in relief while I gently rested my face in her neck.
'Ahh, there's that unreasonably stupidly tight hug.' Thought Alexander with a wry smile as he raised his head, glancing at Yuki, who stole his lips.
"I'm just glad you're safe and finally home." Said Yuki softly with a faint blush as she rubbed her cheek against Alexander's, causing him to smile while faintly nodding.
After a few minutes, Yuki finally set me down, prompting me to grab Trina and absorb her before wearing my upper-body armor while glancing at Vanye.
"Have you two?" Asked Alexander curiosuly as he pointed between Yuki and Vanye, only for them to nod.
"Yep. We've introduced ourselves, though she never did state her relationship with you… Is she another one of your lovers?" Asked Yuki with a faint smile as he glanced at Vanye, who faintly blushed at her words, while Alexander wryly chuckled.
"No, not yet, though it will happen eventually." Said Alexander with a smirk as he shook his head, causing Yuki to nod while Vanye's blush deepened.
Blowing a kiss to Vanye, who ignored me, I chuckled before grabbing her and Yuki's hands, prompting Lazuli to close the circle while I used [Mass Teleport]. Appearing right outside our house, we entered, spotting Chloe sitting on Michelle's lap, only for them to quickly dash towards me.
"Alex!" Stated Chloe with tears of joy as she hugged Alexander, who lifted her into his arms, only for Michelle to embrace him in a tight hug.
"Thank you. Thank you." Muttered Michelle repeatedly as she snuggled deeply within Alexander's embrace while gently rubbing her back.
While hugging Michelle, I saw Vanimo sitting on the couch, prompting Vanye to approach as she began to inform him what had happened; once Michelle finally calmed down, she released me from her hug, allowing me to pick her up into my other arm while nearing the couch before sitting down, with the Mother and Daughter duo on my lap.
"Please don't hit me, Michelle; Yuki already did enough for both of you." Asked Alexander with a wry expression as he glanced at Michelle, who raised her head and looked at Yuki, only to snort in annoyance.
"Hmph, I think you deserve another punch; Chloe was also worried sick about you." Stated Michelle firmly as she eyed Alexander, who glanced at Yuki in slight fear.
Seeing Yuki clench her fist while stepping forward, I gulped in fear; the pain may not last long, but her punch was still frightening.
"I-I saved Chloe, though? That should cancel out, right? Please?" Asked Alexander with a hopeful expression as he looked at Michelle, who rubbed her chin, causing him to sweat, only for her to nod.
"Hmm, I suppose that's fine. But next time you do that, we'll turn you into Yuki's punching bag." Replied Michelle firmly as she narrowed her eyes at Alexander while poking his nose, causing him to rapidly nod before passionately kissing her.
Once that was out of the way, I leaned my head back and heaved a deep sigh, feeling relieved I wouldn't have to be punched in the stomach again, though my peace didn't last for long as a certain noisy bird busted through the front door, startling everyone.
"Hahaha, the Queen of the skies arrives fi– Eh, h-how did you beat me?" Remarked Talis proudly with a grin, only for her to freeze in confusion while glancing at Vanye, Vanimo, Lazuli, and Alexander.
"Eh, who is she?" "She seems familiar." Remarked Yuki and Michele, respectively, as they gazed at Talis in curiosity, only for Chloe to suddenly widen her eyes.
"TALIS!?" Exclaimed Chloe in disbelief as she hopped off Alexander's lap and dashed toward Talis, her words shocking Yuki and Michelle as they widened their eyes before looking at him.
"It's a long, long story." "Oh, start from the beginning, Alex!" Remarked Alexander and Vanimo, respectively, as the former looked at Talis while the latter faintly smiled, earning a confused look from Yuki.
"How about we talk over some food? I'll cook." Said Alexander lightly with a faint smile as he stood up, his words prompting everyone to nod in agreement, causing him to chuckle while he quickly wore his apron.
"Alright then, just give me half an hour." Added Alexander with a faint smile as he walked towards the kitchen.
___
___
I had just made a basic meal since I needed it to be in large quantities, given all the mouths I'd need to feed, but even so, everyone praised me, especially Michele, Yuki, and Chloe, saying my culinary skills had improved again.
Anyway, once I finished cooking, we all sat down by the couch while I spent the next three hours explaining everything Lazuli and I had experienced, earning numerous expressions from Michelle, which I found funny.
"... Yeah, after using the Mage Guild's teleportation device to get here, we came directly home, and the next few things just happened." Said Alexander with a faint smile as he sipped alcohol and glanced at Michelle, Yuki, and Chloe.
"Well, I guess we can't really blame you for taking such a long time now." Muttered Michelle softly with an awkward expression as she scratched her head while Alexander rolled his eyes.
"Hmm, so Princess Jasmine is only 16 years old?" Asked Chloe with furrowed brows as she looked at Alexander, who raised an eyebrow before nodding.
"Yeah, but out of everything I said, why is that what you asked me?" Replied Alexander with a nod as he skeptically eyed Chloe, who leaned back while nervously shaking her head.
"I-I was just making sure you're not interested in underage girls." Said Chloe with a wry expression as she glanced at Alexander, who hesitantly nodded before looking away, causing her to click her tongue while muttering under her breath.
"I have a question… If you plan for Vanye and Vanimo to stay with us, where will they sleep?" Asked Yuki curiously as she glanced at Alexander while pointing at Vanye and Vanimo, the latter tilting his head in confusion.
"Heh, don't worry. I've already thought of a solution, and it requires you." Stated Alexander with a faint smirk as he confidently looked at Yuki, who lightly nodded.