Riku, still lounging around and complaining to himself, didn't act on any of his thoughts. Instead, he casually conjured up some new clothes, slipping into them with a refreshing sense of ease. Having graduated from the status of a "great sage," his demeanor had notably shifted, exuding a calmer yet more powerful aura.
(A/N: Legend says that if you're still a virgin by thirty, you turn into a great sage.)
"Riku, can you use magic too?" Fiya Hatsuse, who had been silently getting dressed, stopped to stare at him, clearly surprised. She remembered their fight—Riku had relied solely on brute force and speed to overpower her. The fact that he could also wield magic now was unexpected.
"What Riku?" He raised an eyebrow, teasing her. "You should call me 'husband' when we're alone."
"Hmph." Fiya pouted, crossing her arms with a defiant snort, though her blush betrayed her. "Stupid husband..."
"Drop the 'stupid,'" Riku said with a laugh.
"Well, yeah, I know a bit of magic," he admitted, still chuckling. "But it's more of a small trick than anything compared to real magic."
As he spoke, Riku suddenly realized something—he hadn't given Fiya any real gift for their marriage. The rings had been arranged by the Beast leaders and elders, leaving him feeling a bit embarrassed. He scratched the back of his head and quickly added, "Fiya, if you want, I can give you something now."
Fiya shook her head gently, her understanding shining through her crimson eyes. "Keep it. You'll need it more than me, husband. I don't go out as much as you do."
Riku felt a surge of warmth and guilt. He gently cupped her face, his golden eyes serious. "I'm sorry. I promise to give you something truly special in the future."
Her tail swished behind her, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'll hold you to that. But for now, isn't there something important you need to discuss with the elders?"
"Right, let's go." Riku stood, becoming more serious. He took Fiya's hand, and together they left the room. Riku instructed a Beast maid waiting outside to summon the leader and the elders, and they made their way to the conference room.
As they walked through the halls, other Beast folk they passed by offered them sincere congratulations. No matter how they might have felt before, now that the marriage was official, most seemed genuinely happy for them. It was, after all, a day of celebration for their princess.
Soon, the Beast leader and elders gathered in the conference room, settling into their seats. Riku and Fiya sat together at the head of the table.
"Lord Riku, how was your first night?" The Beast leader asked with a wide grin, clearly enjoying himself.
Riku, slightly embarrassed, rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Uh... it was fine."
"Old man! Stop saying stuff like that!" Fiya turned red, glaring daggers at the leader. She was clearly mortified.
The Beast leader chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll shut up."
The other elders chuckled quietly, looking on with a mix of amusement and relief.
"But seriously," the Beast leader continued, his tone becoming more serious, "why have you called us here today?"
Riku straightened up, his voice low and firm. "I'll be leaving soon to seek out opportunities to grow stronger."
The room fell silent, the weight of Riku's words settling over everyone. Fiya bit her lip, her eyes downcast. She knew this was coming, but the reality of it still felt too sudden.
"Must you leave so soon, Lord Riku?" The leader hesitated before speaking, his tone tinged with concern.
Riku smiled softly, his hand resting on Fiya's head as he spoke. "Don't worry. I have space magic. Coming back won't be a problem."
"Space magic?!" The elders and leader exchanged stunned glances, their shock evident. The ability to manipulate space was rare, something primarily associated with the Flügel, a race known for their strength and near-unrivaled mobility.
Fiya looked up at Riku, her lips forming a pout. "You never told me about that, husband."
Riku grinned down at her, amused by her playful irritation. Her tail, wagging furiously behind her, gave away her true feelings.
"Yeah, yeah," he said, brushing off her playful complaint. "I didn't call you all here just to talk about that. I need your help with something important."
The Beast leader and elders leaned in, all attention focused on Riku now. "What is it? If it's within our power, we'll do everything we can," the leader said seriously.
Riku's expression grew dark, his voice lowering as he spoke. "I know the general location of several hidden races. I want you to form an elite team to scout them out. We need to gather as much information as we can."
The shock in the room was palpable. All the Beasts looked at Riku as if he had just dropped a bombshell. The locations of hidden races were closely guarded secrets, their safety depending on their secrecy. To know even the general vicinity of these races was an immense advantage, both a great opportunity and a heavy responsibility.
"You... know where they are?" one of the elders finally asked, disbelief evident in his voice.
Riku nodded, his face set with determination. "I do. But we need to tread carefully. If we can gather the right intel, it'll give us a major edge. We can't waste this chance."
The room was silent, each of them digesting the weight of what Riku had just said. Finally, the Beast leader nodded, his voice steady. "We'll do as you ask, Lord Riku. We'll form the team and start preparing immediately."
Riku gave a satisfied nod, feeling the meeting come to a close. "Good. I'll leave the details to you. Just make sure the team is ready soon."
Fiya squeezed his hand gently, her expression soft, though worry flickered in her eyes. Riku squeezed back, giving her a reassuring smile. He would return. He had to.
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