An Archer's Promise

Chapter 61: Who are you?

Beta read by Shigiya and Fluffy Slayer.

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-Feoh-

For what seemed like an eternity, he struggled to recall what had transpired, only for darkness to pull the veil on him each time. As if to laugh at his predicament, he was set upon by a wave of exhaustion, one that crashed over him like a relentless tide, yet only briefly before dissipating. But this was all too common for the guardian, a sensation he had grown accustomed to after centuries in this line of work, especially after a fierce battle. Memories flooded his mind, the showdown against the Orcs alongside Maya and Brynn in Luu-luu's Kingdom, the ambush by Olga's forces, and countless other battles before and after his death. Battles that had pushed him to his breaking point, culminating in the total expenditure of his energy in a desperate bid for victory.

And yet, this time felt different.

Unlike previous encounters where he emerged triumphant against overwhelming odds, this battle had concluded in a stalemate of sorts. He had managed to hold off the blonde girl possessing Saber's face, long enough to secure a temporary reprieve, but he was no closer to victory. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that he had only bought himself and the kingdom a pyrrhic victory. And much like the Romans, it won't be long till the beast sets out again. Nevertheless, he had survived, and that was a victory in itself, and that meant that he had more time to prepare.

'Can't believe that I actually survived fighting a Beast... I'd sooner face Gilgamesh than endure another encounter with her.'

As the fog lifted from his mind, he became aware of the soft chirping of birds outside the window, heralding the arrival of morning. Surprisingly, he didn't feel as battered and bruised as he had expected. His muscles, typically sore after a battle, felt strangely rejuvenated, devoid of any lingering discomfort. Even more astonishing was the absence of the pounding headache that had plagued him for weeks.

"Where am I?" he murmured to himself, his voice hoarse from sleep - still having a hard time believing that he made it out alive. Opening his eyes, he found himself staring up at an unfamiliar white ceiling with a golden chandelier, a stark departure from the dark wooden ceiling of his own room, which had endured damage from Luu-luu's persistent attempts to breach it at night. Despite the unfamiliarity of his surroundings, the sensation of the soft mattress beneath him offered a reassuring sense of comfort and relief.

However, his attempts to rise from the bed were in vain, due in part to the distinctive heavy weight pressing down on his chest. Enveloping him like a cocoon, it was indeed a nice source of warmth. That's when it dawned on him that he wasn't alone. A web of silky blonde hair draped across his body, carrying with it the scent of roses, and further to the side, the rhythmic rise and fall of breathing revealed the presence of another person.

"What the..."

With a growing sense of unease, he lifted the bed sheets, tracing the source of the movements to a sleeping Celestine, the Goddess Reborn, who was lying naked atop him. Both her arms and legs were tightly wrapped around him, giving the appearance of an enamored wife embracing her lover after a night of passionate love making. And to add fuel to the fire, her voluptuous chest lay cushioned against his own, with her cheeks nestled into the curve of his shoulder, as if seeking solace and security in his embrace.

The sunlight, filtering through the leaves outside, caused her eyes to flutter open, revealing their mesmerizing hue. Her ears twitched as well, seemingly from Archer's subtle movements, but despite that she decided to return into his embrace. It was a scene that would have thrilled many, but for Archer, it was nothing short of a troublesome affair.