The only problem with all this was that only beings deeply familiar with the Root could accomplish it.
Although Aslan could freely enter and exit the Root, there was one significant issue: with his current abilities, he couldn't contact the Counter Forces—even though they were also connected to the Root.
Only Manaka, the Princess of the Root, could do that.
"I guess I'll have to trouble Manaka again."
Thinking this, Aslan felt slightly guilty. After all, he hadn't done anything for Manaka yet, and already he was asking for her help.
It made him feel rather uncomfortable.
"How can I compensate Manaka?"
This was what troubled Aslan. Precisely because he knew Manaka would never refuse his requests, he felt the need to offer proper compensation.
At the very least, he should give her a carefully prepared reward.
He admitted he was a scoundrel, but he didn't want to betray any girl's feelings.
As for Busujima Saeko and Marikawa Shizuka—honestly, that was just arrogance right after his transmigration.
In reality, Saeko's attitude toward him was more about loyalty and gratitude than romantic feelings.
And Shizuka merely treated him like a pleasant pet to care for.
Besides, they'd only interacted for less than three hours—what kind of deep feelings could possibly arise? Later interactions gradually turned them into friends.
The first person who genuinely developed feelings for him and pursued him relentlessly was Manaka.
Fundamentally, Aslan was quite relaxed and passive. At most, he'd flirt casually for fun.
Otherwise, he surely would've already won over Saeko and Shizuka.
Now, facing Manaka's intense pursuit, after several days of chasing, her first kiss still remained unclaimed.
"What if I just give myself as the reward?"
Aslan almost laughed at his own thought.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
However, when Aslan returned to the Matou household deep in thought, Manaka seemed to sense his unease.
Curious, she set down her work, sat before him, and gazed at him with loving eyes.
"Prince, what troubles you again?"
"I'm thinking about what reward I should give you for helping me so much."
Aslan propped his head on both hands, looked at Manaka, and smiled as he spoke.
"By the way, Manaka, what kind of reward would you like?"
After all, for him now, most things were easily obtainable. Even if Manaka wanted stars from the sky, he could pluck a few planets for her.
But that would feel too arbitrary and insincere.
Precisely because everything could be obtained so easily, sincerity had become extremely important.
Hearing Aslan's words, Manaka's heart pounded, and her face lit up with joy.
At that moment, she felt her life was complete.
"The Prince's words are the best reward for Manaka."
Manaka held her chest and spoke tenderly.
What mattered most in pursuing someone you love?
Positive feedback, the clear sense of growing affection, and mutual pursuit.
Now, Manaka felt she was in a mutual chase with her Prince. The distance between their hearts was slowly closing.
"But precisely because I know you'd answer like that, I feel uneasy."
Aslan gently stroked Manaka's soft, light blonde hair.
"But I don't know what I truly want either."
Manaka felt just as conflicted as Aslan. For her, Aslan's response was the greatest reward.
"Just being by the Prince's side is the best reward."
Hearing her words, Aslan burst into laughter, then gently patted her head.
"You may choose not to accept it, but I can't help giving it."
It was a matter of attitude. Of course, he could accept her feelings anytime—even fully train her into his personal weapon.
But what would be the point?
Instead, it would only make her lose her identity and humanity.
Become a slave to desire.
Instead, like this—slowly, letting things progress naturally—it was harder to lose the pleasure.
"Then, Manaka will look forward to the Prince's reward. Manaka will pretend to know nothing."
Manaka stood up, placed her hands behind her back, spun around happily once, then calmed herself.
Yet afterward, she still didn't dare look at Aslan. She feared that if she met his gaze again, she wouldn't be able to control herself.
She didn't want to leave a bad impression in front of her Prince.
Where Aslan couldn't see, Manaka couldn't resist spinning around like a child, overwhelmed with joy.
"La-la-la—Prince will give me a reward."
Seeing Manaka so innocent, Aslan couldn't suppress his smile.
He truly didn't understand how Arthur Proto could let such an innocent girl grow into that.
He only needed to show a little kindness and guidance, and Manaka would become the most attentive and obedient girlfriend.
Yet looking at Manaka, Aslan might already know what reward he should give.
A reward Manaka could never refuse.
"Hey, what about Al-chan's disciple Spirit Status?"
Suddenly, a bright, captivating voice rang in Aslan's mind.
It was Algol.
"It's settled. But by the way, why didn't you respond when I called you these past few days?"
Aslan wanted to consult Algol about the Spirit Status issue.
Algol, who once challenged gods and buddhas across 3,000 worlds alone—her achievements in Spirit Status must far surpass his half-baked efforts.
"I was adjusting the seal. That ugly Athena is truly cruel. She even placed the most crucial part of the seal on my beauty seal."
"That ugly hag must be jealous of Al-chan's beauty!"
"So, Al-chan, you've been busy these past few days, but achieved nothing?"
Aslan said exactly as expected. No wonder Athena gave Algol up so easily.
"Of course not! I'm Little Garden's number one beauty, Al-chan. How could I possibly have no way at all?"
Algol declared with supreme confidence. Although Athena's seal was solid and involved many aspects, she wasn't without countermeasures.
"You draw the Heroic Spirit summoning circle from earlier, and use Al-chan as the sacred relic. Then you'll be able to see Al-chan's true beauty."
"Even though a Heroic Spirit's body can hold less than one-billionth of Al-chan's beauty, it'll still be enough to leave you awestruck."