The sky stretched like a pale curtain, night drawing its veil over the land. Stars scattered into rivers of light across the sky, their glow reflected upon the still waters of the desert oasis.
The rising smoke from their campfire faded away, leaving only a few fish bones propped in the soil.
Having eaten their fill, Nolan and Nilou lay side by side upon the grass, gazing at the sky. The girl blinked her emerald eyes and whispered:
"How beautiful… the stars make everything feel so peaceful."
"Mhm." Nolan smiled softly and quietly slid his right hand over hers, gently brushing the back of her hand before holding it.
"Th-then… Mr. Adventurer, I think I've gained some inspiration for a new dance. Let me show it to you."
Nilou's fair cheeks flushed crimson. She sat up, shyly pulling her hand back.
"It would be my honor." Nolan sat up as well, brushing the dried grass and dirt from the back of her outfit.
"Thank you…" she murmured, lowering her head. To ease her shyness, she bent to untie her short boots and slipped them off, her stocking-clad feet pressing to the earth.
Removing her tights before a man was a little too embarrassing. Tugging at her skirt hem, she whispered again:
"Mr. Adventurer, please… turn away."
"It's only stockings. Nothing to be shy about. And it must be awkward taking them off by yourself. Want me to help?"
"H-h-how can you say something so strange!" Nilou, blushing furiously, cupped his cheeks in her hands and forcibly turned his head away.
"Stay just like this, and don't peek. Or else—I won't dance for you!"
Though disappointed, Nolan had no choice. To see her new dance, he gave up the view.
Still, he extended his spiritual senses quietly.
"Phew…"
Seeing him obediently turned away, Nilou relaxed. Quickly, she lifted her skirt, slid her thumbs under the waistband of her tights, bent forward, and pushed them down. The white fabric slipped to her ankles.
She stepped free, her feet pale and lustrous like moonlight upon jade.
Stashing the stockings away into her Vision's storage, Nilou parted her lips:
"It's done. You can look now."
Nolan turned back, his face calm, though his tone held playful regret.
"What a shame. I missed the beauty of a girl slipping off her stockings. Imagine: if I could enjoy that first, then watch the dance—I'd appreciate it even more.
"Nilou, if I don't find your dance enchanting, how about you put the stockings back on and take them off for me again? Of course, if I do find it beautiful, then I'll give you a reward."
"Uuuh!" Nilou's face burned red. "I told you—don't say such strange things! I'd never agree to that!"
With that, she turned and walked into the lake.
The cool water lapped at her ankles. Nilou turned back, smiling softly.
"This dance… is about life. Mr. Adventurer, please watch."
She spun, her skirt brushing the water, then began to dance upon the lake like a spirit.
Moonlight draped her in silver gauze, her graceful form reflected perfectly upon the surface.
The dance began slow and rhythmic, evoking peace and stillness—like the vast, endless desert. Within the movements lingered a subtle loneliness.
Then, after long, wistful gestures, Nilou suddenly grew lively. She leapt lightly from the water and descended without a splash.
Like a fish long trapped in drought suddenly diving into the sea, her movements radiated joy for life itself, an endless fountain of vitality.
Spinning and leaping, her every gesture bloomed with elegance.
As Nolan watched, he felt the effect of his newly acquired affection skill—his attack and defense surged. If he had been cultivating, even his training speed would have risen.
He watched with full focus until, finally, the girl ended with a graceful turn, her overflowing life force drawing inward, leaving behind a lingering resonance.
Nilou bowed in thanks, stepped ashore, and looked at him expectantly:
"Well? Mr. Adventurer, how was my dance?"
For someone like him, hardly versed in the arts, to feel its message so clearly—it was undeniably good.
Yet, stroking his chin, Nolan feigned disappointment:
"Hmm… it was close, but something was missing. Don't ask me what, but it just felt… a little short."
"Hmph!"
Nilou wasn't stupid. She saw right through him. Clearly, he just wanted an excuse for her to repeat the whole stocking ordeal.
"Forget it, I'm not talking to you." She turned away with folded arms, annoyed.
"Hehe, just kidding. Your dance really was beautiful—and so were you, while dancing."
Nolan slipped his arms around her from behind, whispering near her ear all the feelings her performance had stirred in him.
"Well… since you spoke sincerely, I won't be mad this time. But—let me go! This is far too improper!"
Nilou scolded him for holding a girl so casually.
"I promised you a reward if you danced well. How about… a kiss?"
He leaned closer, his lips brushing her cheek, smiling.
Her fair face instantly flushed scarlet, words tumbling out incoherently:
"N-no way!"
"All right, all right, just teasing." He chuckled.
"Phew…" Nilou let out a breath of relief. But in her heart, strangely, she felt a flicker of disappointment. Perhaps… some instinct within her had been waiting for it.
Noticing her lowered guard, Nolan suddenly pressed his lips to hers.
"Mm!"
Nilou's emerald eyes widened.
Her mind blanked, thoughts frozen.
A reserved girl like her—even if her affection was already full—still found it hard to take the initiative.
So Nolan took that step for her.
Confused, overwhelmed, Nilou let him lead. She didn't resist as the kiss deepened.
Her body softened, responding by instinct even as her mind lagged behind.
Moments passed.
At last, breathless, Nilou seemed unable to endure.
Nolan held her close, smiling:
"So, what do you think of this reward?"
"Uuh…"
Nilou buried her crimson face against his chest, too shy to look up.
After a while, Nilou's shyness seemed to ease. Nolan summoned a golden sphere of light and said with a smile:
"Alright, no more teasing. I wasn't lying about the reward. With this, you can always find me. Hmph hmph… you could think of it as a token of affection."
He explained the function of the Waymark, and when he saw Nilou had accepted him, he decided the timing was right—so he confessed.
Nilou's affection for him was already full, so of course her heart wouldn't refuse. But her lips still pouted in mock annoyance as she said, blushing:
"Mr. Adventurer, you're such a bad guy! Who confesses after stealing a kiss?"
"Ahem, don't mind the details." Nolan cleared his throat. "So then, will you accept this gift?"
"…Mm."
Nilou answered in the faintest whisper.
She truly liked him, but to pursue him on her own would have been far too embarrassing. Since he was the one taking the lead, there was no reason to refuse.
"Wonderful!"
Overjoyed, Nolan kissed her again, then handed over the Waymark. Nilou absorbed it and gained the ability Interstellar Travel.
He grinned.
"It's already late. If we walk back to Aaru Village, it might be morning before we arrive."
"But… don't you know spatial teleportation?" Nilou asked in confusion. She hadn't even had time to explore her new ability before hearing his next words:
"So why don't you spend the night at my place instead?"
Nilou wasn't naïve. Invited to stay the night at a man's home—she knew what that implied. Her voice trembled:
"Isn't… isn't that a little too fast?"
"Don't overthink it. We've been running around all day, and you danced so much. Don't you want a hot bath and a warm, soft bed?"
Before she could reply, Nolan stole another kiss.
"Mm!"
Nilou instinctively clutched his arm.
A spatial rift opened beneath them, swallowing them whole. Another rift bloomed above Nolan's bed in his Wonderland space, and they floated out together.
Eyes closed, occupied with fending off his kiss, Nilou didn't realize where they were until she felt herself pressed onto the soft mattress.
"N-no… don't…" she whispered, her face flushed and eyes hazy.
Nolan ended the kiss and held her waist, murmuring:
"Relax. I only want to hold you."
Yet his hand wandered, cupping her through the white dress, squeezing lightly.
"Mmm…" Her cheeks burned crimson.
Now in his own room, Nilou knew escape was impossible.
Stroking her back, Nolan gave a sly grin.
"I wasn't lying. I said I'd bring you back for a hot bath. But if my hands move… isn't that just me helping you undress for it?"
His fingers found the zipper on her dress.
"Hmph… hateful." As the zipper slowly slid down, Nilou oddly grew calmer—her shame giving way to resignation.
Seeing she didn't resist, Nolan grew bolder. He slipped off her dress and set it aside, leaving only a white camisole and striped panties on the red-haired girl.
"D-don't stare!"
Though she thought she was prepared, when the moment arrived, she still flushed and turned over to hide her face.
Nolan smiled, kissed her cheek, and tugged her striped panties down to her pale thighs.
---
The Next Morning
In the end, Nilou had yielded to his advances, joining him in cultivation practice through intimacy.
Her level jumped from 36 straight to 45.
Nolan also made progress:
[Level: 101 (974,232 / 11,000,000)]
Afterwards, drenched in sweat, he brought Nilou to the hot springs to bathe so they could rest comfortably.
Everyone else was there as well, so they made introductions.
Nilou didn't mind that Nolan had many lovers. She truly liked him, and he was undeniably excellent. That other outstanding girls liked him too seemed natural.
For her, being with him was already enough happiness. His womanizing was a flaw she could tolerate.
After spending the night together, the others welcomed Nilou warmly into the Wonderland.
From then on, Nilou officially became part of the group.
Whenever there was free time, Nolan could ask her to dance—activating his affection skill, boosting training speed, soul recovery, and more for everyone.
Overall, a great gain.
After a simple breakfast, Nolan and Nilou returned to Aaru Village to say farewell to Dehya and Candace, then used Interstellar Travel to teleport directly back to Sumeru City.
—Akademiya, House of Daena, second floor—
"Oh? Back so soon?" Nahida asked curiously, watching them appear.
"Yes. Our desert journey was… quite eventful."
Nolan recounted the adventures to her.
"The Doctor and Balladeer tried to use the Scarlet King's power against us? It's fortunate you were there."
Nahida was surprised to hear of the God of Pure Mechanization being strengthened in the Mausoleum, and the Fatui's exploitation of the Eremites to seize resources. Without Nolan, the desert would surely have descended into chaos, bringing calamity to countless people.
Grateful he had handled it early, she felt her affection rise.
[Nahida Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 380 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.8 (380/800)]
Seeing the prompt, Nolan was pleased. He suddenly remembered something and brought out the Electro Gnosis.
"Right, Nahida—do you think this could help expand the Akasha's coverage?"
(End of Chapter)
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