Lucian couldn't believe what he was seeing when he saw the notification. "Holy fucking shit...!"
"I can summon again?! Another SSS warrior?!"
The system responded.
[When you're ready, Master. You've earned it.]
Marshal's reaction was characteristically dry. "Another one, huh? Well, you've proven you can lead two of us."
"Let's see if you can handle three." The teasing tone carried genuine affection underneath.
"It's going to be perfect, too, if you can summon us a tank or healer. We need one of those." Marshal nodded in approval.
Glacielle showed slight concern. "Will you need me less from now on, master...?"
"Never," Lucian said right away, pulling her close. "You're one of a kind."
Without thinking, he kissed her on the forehead. She smiled and blushed so brightly that it made his heart skip a beat.
After seven days inside, which felt like weeks, the dungeon portal took them back to the entrance gate. It was almost too much to handle to come out of the sun after being underground for so long.
Marshal set up a proper celebration camp outside the dungeon. "You've both earned an actual feast for once," she announced, cooking food that actually tasted delicious rather than just providing sustenance.
Her maternal side was evident. As evening fell, toasts and acknowledgments were made around the fire.
Marshal raised her cup first. "To Lucian, who came in as a rookie and left as a commander worth following."
Next, Glacielle raised hers. "To Master, who never gave up and became everything I thought he could be!"
Lucian raised his own cup, his throat full of emotion. "To both of you, for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself!"
Then, he opened the Legendary Equipment Box and chose the Blade of Eternal Winter, a sword perfectly suited for his ice-based fighting style.
He gifted Glacielle his old Dragon-Forged Sword.
"A better blade for my first warrior, and I hope you can at least keep it." He said, "Even though you have those fans as your main weapons, hahaha..."
Tears actually formed in her eyes. "Master..."
Marshal produced an item from her personal inventory that she'd been carrying since her legion days. A Commander's Insignia, a rare quality accessory meant for leaders who've truly earned their rank.
She carefully pinned it to his armor. "You've earned this insignia, Master."
[Bond Level Increased: Marshal 4.0 → 4.5 Hearts]
[Marshal is now GENUINELY LOYAL beyond mere obligation]
The celebration continued into the night, but exhaustion eventually claimed Lucian with overwhelming force. Seven days of constant fighting, multiple level-ups straining his body, daily Dragon Breathing practice pushing spiritual limits, and accumulated leadership stress all crashed down at once.
He could barely walk to his tent when Marshal finally ordered him to rest.
"Get some sleep, Master. You've more than earned it."
Glacielle saw him leave, and he had a look on his face that indicated he was too tired to understand what was happening. "I'll check on you later," she said in a soft voice.
Lucian fell onto the bedroll in his tent, still wearing most of his armor. He was in pain all over his body, but it wasn't because he was hurt; it was because he had pushed himself to the limit for a whole week.
It hurt like crazy, but in the end... it was all worth it, especially seeing her two warriors feeling all proud at him. Every bit of pain had led to measurable growth.
He started drifting off almost immediately.
But then...
Someone walked softly up to the tent. Lucian thought the wind was making the canvas move.
Then the door opened.
Glacielle came in wearing a casual summer dress instead of armor made of ice. Her hair was down instead of pulled back in its usual way.
She had a small bottle of what looked like healing oil with her. Her expression was tender, determined, and slightly nervous all at once.
"Are you awake, Master?" she asked softly.
"Uhm... Glacielle...?" Lucian was able to lean on something a little. "What are you doing here?"
She got down on her knees next to him. "Shhh, don't move."
"You've worked so hard for us... and for me." She started to carefully take off his armor, like a warrior would do for an injured comrade. "Now... let me take care of you."
Lucian then realized what was going to happen next. He has seen this kind of situation many times when he tries to browse some good porn.
Lucian screams in his thoughts. 'IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN?!'
'O-Oh yeah...! Her bond has maxed out, and maybe today... we're going to do it!?"
She carefully helped him get on his stomach. "Master, your muscles are so tight."
With a soft pop, the vial opened. Healing oil that smells nice and herbal when it warms up.
"This will help with the pain and strain."
Oil poured onto his back, and it felt good and warm. With controlled strength, her hands started to massage his shoulders.
Ice warrior power was used carefully to work out knots of tension that had built up over days.
'Oh shit...!!! I think this is it...! I knew that she set this up, and she's really fallen over me!'
"Oh yeah..." Lucian let out an involuntary groan. "That feels great."
"I'm glad to hear it." Glacielle's voice was breathless. "You deserve this, Master..."
"After all you've done."
The massage went on, with her hands moving slowly down his back. Every touch was careful and planned.
Lucian could hear her breathing, which was a little faster than usual. 'There it is... the signal of a woman getting horny...'
"Master, I need to tell you something," she said as she kept working. "Watching you grow and get so strong these past few days has made me realize something important."
Lucian tried to roll over. "Glacielle, what—"
She pushed him back down gently but firmly. "Not yet... Please let me finish."
Her hands kept moving down his back. "I told you before that my feelings were real... but now they've gotten even stronger than I thought they would."
She leaned in and whispered in his ear. "I don't just look up to you as a warrior... I also respect you as a master."
She put her hands on his sides. "I love you, Lucian..."
She called him by his real name instead of his title, and the closeness of it made his heart race.
"And tonight, I want to show you how much love I have for you..."
Even though he was worn out, Lucian suddenly knew everything.
Being close to her, touching her, and feeling the warmth of her breath. "Glacielle, I..."
She gently kissed the bone in his shoulder. "Don't say anything right now..."
"Just let me take care of you." Her hands moved over his skin in patterns. "And I meant all of you."
She helped him roll over so they were looking at each other, and then their eyes locked on each other. Her light blue eyes showed love, desire, and a strong will.
Even though he was tired, he felt desire rise in him. She leaned in slowly, giving him every chance to say no if he wanted to.
"May I, Master?"
He nodded, but he couldn't say anything.
She smiled, which was a rare and lovely thing. "Now close your eyes and let me give you your prize."
Her lips brushed against his in a soft, gentle way that promised more. Her hand moved down his chest.
There was a system notification flashing at the edge of his vision, but he didn't pay any attention to it.
[WARNING: Intimate contact detected]
[Bond strengthening beyond measurable limits]
[Glacielle's devotion: ABSOLUTE]
[Synchronization potential: MAXIMUM]
[Note: This will change everything]
She locked the tent flap from the inside, making sure she had full privacy. Marshal sat outside by the fire with a knowing smile.
She made sure not to patrol anywhere near his tent tonight on purpose.
"They've earned their privacy," she thought. "About damn time, rookie!"
Inside the tent, Glacielle whispered against his lips. "I love you."
Lucian pulled her closer, forgetting how tired he was. "I love you too."
Everything else faded into a passionate darkness.