Apex 009 (Patreon)

Richard tried to reach out for his wife, but found only the sheets to his bed. He opened an eye to see that the bed was only filled by himself.

He sighed and rolled out of bed, stretching his entire body before he walked to the study, where his wife would no doubt be.

There he found his wife, sitting on a stool, clutching at the Gem of Imotai. Her eyes were shut tight and he could feel the magic pouring out from her. She was in her demon form, bare for him to see.

His annoyance soon turned to arousal as he approached. 'Well, if she's going to walk around like that…' He grabbed onto her thick mounds and within an instant found an invisible force gripping at his lower gentleman.

"What a rude little rat that's come into my study." Lorelei glanced back at her husband.

"Isn't it a little rude to say such things about me?" Richard smiled.

"When you're acting like a lecherous fool, I don't think I need to be so polite."

"I couldn't help myself. When I see my beautiful wife in her bare form, a beast awakens within me."

"Then is it only fair that I grab you in return?"

"I suppose it's only fair. Shall we call a truce?'

"Very well."

Richard let go of her and she did the same, letting him walk freely. He looked down towards the gem, though his eyes went back to admiring her beauty.

"At least bathe before you work." Richard rubbed a hand along her bare back. "Ah, we'll be going for a walk at noon. Let's eat out together."

"I'm too busy working."

"There may come a time when I have to leave, and then we won't be able to see each other."

"Then don't leave."

Richard chuckled. "I have my responsibilities. There are some promises I need to keep."

"I should be most important in your life."

"You are."

"It doesn't feel like it."

Richard pulled her in close. "Don't say such things." He kissed he neck again. "You're my wife."

"It certainly doesn't feel like it."

"I'm not the one spending months on end peering through a crystal ball. If you get to do that, I get to travel around the world, making sure various powers are kept in check."

"All the while the church sends assassins to deal with me."

"They can send as many as they like, who is going to get through all the traps that have been laid for them?"

"What happens if they bring more than just one or two? They have made a home in Fushia."

"I have favours I can call in, but I know you can handle yourself."

Lorelei smiled and brushed his chest. "Let us bathe?"

"Let's."

"I don't mind your smell."

"I don't mind yours."

She led him to the bathroom, where a long and deep bath awaited them. They climbed into the bath together, and as it began to fill with warm water, they found themselves unable to pull away from one another.

They dirtied themselves once more, and once they were done, they bathed properly. Richard held onto his wife as she lay against him.

"I'm sorry for spending so much time away from you," Richard said.

"I'm not sorry for studying so much," she replied. She intertwined her fingers with his. "Once I've found the secret, I'll be able to…" She turned to look up at him. "We could retire once and for all, doing whatever we wish."

Richard's brows raised in delight. "Are you becoming… homely?"

Lorelei narrowed her eyes and Richard felt a tension at his lower region. Richard chuckled and brushed her hair, staring down at her.

"Tease me like that again and you won't ever have a child." Lorelei's eyes were fierce like a lioness.

"That would be the greatest shame of all," Richard replied. "Once we're retired and we're both homely, I want a child at least."

Lorelei reached up to grab his neck. She squeezed it gently, choking him slowly. Richard did not stop his smile, and she pulled her hand away. She kissed his neck and then trailed her kisses up to his lips.

"I'll work until noon. Do not disturb me until then."

"Very well."

With that, Lorelei was gone. Richard remained in the bath for some time.

'You were right, Gaz. I did marry one hell of a woman.'

Richard changed into his daily attire, donning a breastplate, and a shield over his back. Since he was at home he was able to pick up one of his most trusted blades, Blade Song, a longsword which was gifted to him years ago.

He stepped towards the study, though his legs grew heavy when he faced the door. Lorelei had told him not to disturb her, and so he turned and made his way to the door. He opened it and stepped outside, welcomed by the warm sun and the sounds of the townfolk moving.

"Oh! Morning Richard, fancy seeing you back," Nickolas said. He was a labourer who often worked with transporting stone.

"Morning Nickolas. I managed to get back during the night."

"Slain any dragons during your journey?" he joked.

"No, no. My dragon slaying days are over, not unless my wife asks."

"Ah, it's one of those, is it?"

Richard chuckled. "Anything interesting happen whilst I was gone?"

"Just the usual. A few paladins arrived, but the miss took good care of them."

"I've heard. I'm sorry for such a bother, I'll be sure to speak with them."

"We know how they can be. We're hoping that there will be a Descension soon to assist in the matter."

"I'm not one to leave things up to the gods."

"I should heading to work," Nickolas said, realising the turn the conversation was taking.

Richard continued about his day, heading to the local baker. Lorelei was not the type of wife to cook food, she was a mage of considerable talents, such a thing was not her role. Though Richard could cook, he was nothing compared to most cooks.

"Hey Marnie," Richard called out.

"Ah! Richard, I didn't realise you were back. Did you have a nice trip?"

"Yes, thank you. I was hoping to buy some of your fresh bread."

"We were just about to send off your shipment." Marnie picked up a small basket. She grabbed a few buns from the back and placed them inside for him.

Richard placed down a small gem. "Here you are," he said. "This should cover us for a while."

"You're still half a year ahead on your payments."

"A small price to pay to make sure my wife is well taken care of. She's caught up too much with her studying, but at least she'll eat when she's reminded by your visits."

"It's not good to be cooped up in that tower all day, if you don't mind me saying."

"No," Richard said, sighing. "You're right, of course. I keep telling her, but she's stubborn. It's no surprise it took so long for us to get married."

Marnie smiled. "Things certainly have become more lively with the pair of you around."

"Well, I should let you get back to your work." Richard grabbed the basket, and then made his way out, with Marnie returning back to her work.

Richard grabbed a small bun from his basket and took a bite out of it. It was soft like a cloud and warm. He chewed it slowly, wondering what else he should eat for breakfast. The inn probably would have some cheese and meats, so he made his way towards the centre of the town.

There was a smith striking hot iron, a clothier sewing a cloak, and a woodcarver working on a small wooden block. Richard walked over to the woodcarver. The woodcarver, Norge, was a short man who was pudgy. He had the face that not even a mother could love, with marks and spots all over. He was quite thin, almost sickly, and though he spent hours under the sun, his skin was as pale as milk.

"Norge, morning."

"Nnn, Richard."

"Are you caught up on your commissions?"

"Not yet."

"Any chance I could add to your list?"

"Sure."

"I'd like a few figurines of various animal, all around the same size. Bears, tigers, wolves, owls, that sort of thing. I'd like two or three of each animal, thirty total."

"It'll be done by the end of the month."

Richard dropped a small gem for the woodcarver, who stopped carving his little figurine.

"Did you want it done by the end of the week?"

"No, no. A month is fine."

"You're paying too much."

"Isn't that the way of an adventurer?"

"Nnn." Norge accepted the gem and continued his carving.

It was then that Richard felt a shadow loom over Kemt, a dark presence which he hadn't felt in a long time. He stepped towards the inn.

"To think we'd meet each other so soon," Richard said.

Standing outside the guild, wearing a dark suit from another world, a bowler hat and wielding a cane was a man by the name of Tristan.

"I apologise for any inconvenience caused by my presence, but I have dire need to speak with you."