Sardinia Island, Witch's House—
As always, it was quiet and serene. The sea breeze gently blew, leaves rustled softly, and the entire Witch's House exuded an ancient yet dreamy atmosphere, like a castle from a fairy tale.
At that moment, the sound of a stallion's neigh came, and a divine-winged pegasus with four hooves stepping on flames and a pair of wings descended from the sky, landing in front of the Witch's House.
One man and three women jumped down from the pegasus's back—it was Sora, Athena, Liliana, and Karen. The pegasus affectionately rubbed its big head against Sora, then flapped its white wings and gradually disappeared into the sky.
"Hey… Athena, was this your doing?"
Looking at the divine power barrier surrounding the Witch's House, Sora's eyes flashed with a strange light, and he smiled mischievously at Athena.
"It was just to keep them from running around. I didn't harm them…"
Pouting slightly, Athena wore an expression that said, "I didn't do anything bad."
At this moment, Athena had reverted to her little loli mode, being held in Sora's arms like a teddy bear. This was Sora's request—to keep her in the small loli form during the day as his "teddy bear," and at night, when he wanted to do "naughty things," she would return to her queenly true form.
Although she felt endless shame at Sora's evil demands, Athena knew that now that she was in the hands of this great demon king, there was no way out. To avoid being "cruelly" bullied by him, she had no choice but to obediently cooperate.
She stretched out a fair, delicate hand and pressed it on the divine power barrier. Instantly, ripple-like patterns spread out, and the once impenetrable barrier was shattered and dissipated by Athena.
Sora hadn't expected that this little loli had once restored her divine power and returned before—probably during the time he was shot by Perseus, his soul entering the Netherworld to find Pandora.
Feeling the auras of the women inside the Witch's House, Sora knew Athena was telling the truth. To his surprise, he even sensed the exact same divine power fluctuations on Shizuka, Yuri, and Arianna.
"Athena, I didn't expect you to be so grateful. I'm almost starting to admire you!"
Sora naturally knew that the three women had received Athena's protective blessing. He patted Athena's little head and praised her.
"Hmph!"
A faint blush appeared on Athena's face as she coldly snorted and turned her head away.
Damn Kusanagi Sora, did he really think she was an ungrateful goddess? Those three human girls had taken care of her, so naturally she had to repay them.
However, while feeling indignant inside, Athena also felt a small happiness from being praised.
It had to be said that Athena was now drifting further and further away from the proud goddess path. She could be happy over small things and angry over small things, becoming more like a human girl whose thoughts were sometimes simple and sometimes complicated.
"Alright, let's all go inside."
Knowing the little loli was being coquettish again, Sora didn't mind. In fact, he thought Athena was even cuter now. Without lingering, he called to the women and, holding Athena, led the way inside.
"Hehe… Lady Liliana, why aren't you going in yet? Are you worried about what to do when you meet your old rival Lady Erica?"
"Lady Liliana, if you're this timid, Lord Sora will definitely be taken away by the strong Lady Erica. Is that what you want?"
Following behind, the little maid Karen saw Liliana's flushed, hesitant face. A sly glint appeared in her eyes, and a fox-like smile curved her lips. She leaned close to Liliana's ear and whispered.
"I… I'm not afraid of that person!"
"I've already made a knight's contract with the king. That damn Erica just got a step ahead. I won't lose to her!"
Liliana was the type of girl who became strong immediately after a little provocation. Karen clearly understood this well. After cheering her on a couple of times, Liliana no longer hesitated and stepped forward to follow.
Although she was wary of the detestable Erica, who had bullied and teased her since childhood, this time regarding the king's matter, she would never give in and would fight to the end!
Seeing Liliana's sudden fighting spirit, Karen smiled and followed. She actually had a good impression of Erica, since they had similar attributes, and many of Erica's tricks to tease their mistress Liliana were learned from her!
Moreover, the two often secretly made dark deals, like selling Liliana's novels to Erica or showing her some embarrassing photos of Liliana…
Well, besides being a maid, Karen had another identity—she was a little spy!
…
"Onii-chan! Wah…"
Just as Sora had stepped inside, a small delicate figure suddenly rushed over, clinging tightly to him and bursting into tears. If not Shizuka-chan, then who else?
After Shizuka, Erica, Zola, Yuri, and Arianna also ran out excitedly. Clearly, the moment Athena lifted the divine power barrier, they had already noticed Sora's return.
"Hey, hey, Shizuka, do you have to be this excited? It's only been three days since we last met."
"Hmph, you brat, let's see if you'll still be so fierce with me in the future. Now you know how important your big brother is, right?"
Patting the little girl's back, Sora wore a smug expression.
Usually, Shizuka always bickered with him and often bossed him around like a housekeeper. Now that he had disappeared for a few days, the girl finally realized how important he was to her!
"Mm!!!"
Her big eyes still streaming tears, her cute little face looked like a little flower cat. This time, she no longer denied or talked back, but nodded vigorously.
"Uh…"
Looking at the girl, Sora was momentarily stunned. He realized that in just a few days, Shizuka had lost quite a bit of weight and looked somewhat haggard. Clearly, she had been very worried these past days.
"Sorry, Shizuka. I won't make you worry again."
Setting Athena down, Sora embraced the girl and gently rubbed her forehead, his face full of gentle apology.
"Mm…"
Burying her little head in Sora's arms, though still sobbing, the girl felt much better. Clinging tightly to Sora, Shizuka was truly afraid she was dreaming and that when she woke up, her big brother would leave her again…
Athena frowned slightly, clearly displeased that Shizuka had stolen her place, but she said nothing and decided to lend it to her for a while.
Well, since Sora treated Athena like a teddy bear, Athena had already taken his embrace as her exclusive spot. Sigh…
…
"Erica, Zola, Yuri, and Arianna, sorry to have worried you these days. I'm back."
Looking at the four women who were also worried and excited, Sora felt a warm feeling in his heart and smiled.
"I have always firmly believed that no matter what happens, you will definitely come back to us, because you are the king of our Erica Blandelli."
Although her heart was extremely excited and she wanted to rush onto Sora's body, Erica didn't compete with Shizuka who had already taken the chance. Instead, she gently stroked her golden hair and looked at Sora, saying softly.
Although she had been worried to death these past few days, especially when she saw Sora's earth-shaking battle with the Ancient Dragon through the society's satellite transmission, after Sora left, she became the pillar of the family. So Erica had to always appear strong no matter what.
Now that Sora was finally back, Erica felt a huge relief and let out a long breath.
Sora nodded slightly and gently comforted Erica. Although Sora knew this girl had given her so much all along, there was no need for any words of thanks between them anymore.
She then greeted Yuri and the maid Arianna on the side. When they saw Sora return, both women showed extremely joyful and excited expressions.
Especially Yuri, although she hadn't completed the final step yet, her love and worry for Sora were no less than Erica's and Shizuka's. She was just a more introverted and reserved girl, not good at expressing herself.
As for the maid Arianna, although she was a bit simple-minded and slow, she understood some things clearly. Without Sora, their so-called home would be meaningless and only exist in name…
"Hey hey, Great Witch, I'm back. Aren't you going to welcome me?"
Seeing the shameless Great Witch who had run off to tease Athena, Sora looked at her speechlessly.
"Oh dear, little devil brother, big sister knew you could do it! Welcome back, welcome back!"
The shameless Great Witch Zola waved her hand at Sora without a care and then turned her gaze back to Athena.
"Athena-chan, I told you, you'd definitely be caught and brought back by little devil brother! So? How is it? How is it?"
"Ugh… so cute! I can't take it anymore. I've got this disease where I feel uncomfortable if I don't hug Athena-chan. From now on, Athena-chan, you'll be big sister's cuddle bear. Big sister is much gentler than that rude little devil brother."
Zola rubbed Athena's small head against her large bosom, talking to herself shamelessly.
Her eye twitched. Didn't she say she would definitely be caught by that little devil brother? When did she say that before?
Although Athena was tempted to slap this shameless witch, she held back. After all, this annoying witch was Sora's woman. If she did that, Sora would have another reason to bully her.
"Great Witch, I forgot to tell you something. Athena's divine power wasn't sealed this time. If you want to die, keep provoking her like this."
Sora gave Zola a teasing look.
"Uh…"
Hearing Sora's voice and seeing Athena's face turning pale from being teased, Zola's expression stiffened, feeling a chill in her heart.
"Ha… ha ha… Lady Athena, welcome back. I was just joking with you earlier, don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously, ha ha… ha ha ha…"
Seeing this shameless Great Witch change her expression faster than flipping a book, Sora and the others were speechless.
"Alright, now let me introduce two new sisters. Everyone, get along well from now on."
"Come in, Karen, Liliana."
Sora shook her head speechlessly and called from behind.
Hearing Sora's voice, everyone inside immediately focused their gaze on the door. When Liliana walked in first, Zola and Yuri's eyes flashed with a strange light.
Erica seemed to have expected this, her turquoise eyes carefully studying Liliana, a faint unusual smile appearing at the corner of her mouth…