Chapter 397: The Forest Fairies' Queen's failed attack

In different circumstances, for example, without a second world or Deathwill Castle, Alex's current situation would have been the worst.

That was not the case, though.

Even if dangers lurked around, and the looming clouds could turn into enemies, Alex had a good time in Meiya and Stella's house. His girls had been bothered by those circumstances, but not for too long as Alex genuinely enjoyed the past that the house contained.

There was a lot of stuff to try, eat, and talk about. Meiya and Stella also had spoken about oyakodon, deciding that they would keep a certain line between themselves. Their yearning for Alex, because of such an oath, became quite amusing as they didn't want to bump into each other, drawing pleasure in different places at the same time, competitively.

But because they had already sucked on Alex's manhood together, the activity that teetered on a border of utmost debauchery happened more than enough.

They still didn't kiss each other on the lips, which surely cost them a lot of willpower in the heat.

Moreover, so what if Alex couldn't freely wander around the island?

He already had a checkpoint in his winged girls' house. He could leave—alone or with them by his side—and do his stuff outside. Alex used this way to talk with Tomo Homie and overlook the gathering of wind mages and healers—for that, he requested Stella and Meiya's help.

He felt freedom in Deathwill Castle as well. He spent his time with his daughter and other girls. It didn't seem like something significant would happen in the castle or Alex's life, so his time with girls was as usual.

Alex missed Sara, and Celia often reminded him about her.

His leveling up had been smooth, and more lands and dungeons were found on the continent. And with girls eager to grow stronger, Alex's harem had some days of massacre, shocking players and residents.

Those two factions had been knotting their relationships pretty well.

And while the world and its people had their unique ways of building a relationship and bonding with their friends, lovers, and more, Alex had his ways and circumstances as well.

Thus, what seemed to be one of those normal days in Deathwill Castle, soon would turn into an event, and a certain queen would put a gun to Alex's head.

Would she, though?

"Good morning, Alexander! I've been waiting for you," said Anais Foxtail, her eyes gleaming mysteriously while staring at Alex going her way—he reciprocated her gaze with a smile, then turned to the green-haired woman on her side, beaming at her—Anais' smile broadened.

At first, it started rather innocently.

Alex had been curious about Anais Foxtail's battle style; he was aware of two styles. One was known as Feral Fox Style, and the another was famous as Bewitching Style.

From the talks he heard of many demi-humans and players—who had become closer with them—about fox people, Alex knew that this peculiar race, at first, used to have a bundle, if not more, of bewitching foxes.

At some point, one of the previous queens belonged to a tempting lot, amassing more followers for such a style. And in the current times, the two styles have a balance in popularity, with the feral style having a slight advantage.

"Of course, she uses two," Alex stood with squinted eyes, gazing at the gorgeous woman pelting punches at the bewitched straw dummy. A few more surrounded her as well—to no avail, they were charmed to admire the fluffy fox tails instead.

Exactly those flapping puffy things of adorable destruction had been the cause of every straw dummy standing still, harmless. Her tails exuded a unique charm and sparkling powder like a perfume.

And while it had seemed that those would be ineffective, Anais proved Alexander and Yumia wrong.

"Is there a point in charming them, though?" Alex asked, jerking his head to Yumia, who was also curious about Anais' ideas.

She parted her lips to reply—not uttering a word for a few seconds as enlightenment behind Anais' actions struck her—then she smiled, "Charming others is not just another way of stopping or stunning someone.

A charm is more than that. You can control your enemies in this way," Yumia said in a tone that had an audible rivalry, for her style was the opposite.

She called forth guardians of the forest, standing away with her skills raining down on the enemies, and Anais Foxtail was a type who would punch people in close combat while pursing lips to charm them at the same time.

That ability allowed her to hold on against Roy, the antagonist whose demon had called many monsters. It was surely not as easy to charm them as those straw dummies.

And that kind of charm was obviously different than charming men's hearts with love or affection.

"These are low-quality dummies, too," Yumia added, narrowing her eyes, "She will try her limits, then go for a proper battle experience."

Since Alex had opened barracks wholeheartedly for close races, and Anais' status was the highest in the fox tribe, she had access to the best of the best. She would use that experience here, showcasing her might to Alex.

And then, they would together fight against dummies and then spar with each other.

Yumia naturally found a place for herself, too, her skills were a great addition to both Alex and Anais. She also fought well against dummies and their high-quality experience as well.

In fact, she had to face those dummies, otherwise, she wouldn't be able to level up at all, so catching Anais and other rivals would be impossible.

"Time flies so fast. We are past our schedule," Anais stretched, her lips pressed on a bottle of water straight from Alex's homeworld. It had that easy-to-suck top and cold water that tasted too good for everyone in the Avander World.

And as she stretched her limbs, Anais used one of her tails to hold the drink.

"It was a good time with you two," Alex smiled genuinely from the bottom of his heart—Anais and Yumia reciprocated with the same emotions as they both could forget about their status in his presence—then Alex added, "I barely have time for my hobbies and friends lately… Everyone is so busy, so unless it is a high-quality dungeon, I don't think I will see them anytime soon.

And I only allow myself to spend an hour on my hobbies out of conscience. Everyone is working so hard, right?" Alex asked without wanting an answer, adding with the most genuine smile ever—that took down even Anais—"And I am constantly surrounded by family, so there's always that peculiar mood and some complaining about others like usual, so I am happy to spend such a time with you. It's a valuable and productive time, but you two are closer to friends for me. In fact, I think I have a good relationship with you, mother-in-law.

I really enjoy this different mood," Alex concluded, humming joyfully while gazing at the beautiful girls in a friendly relationship with him.

Anais stared at Alex with wide eyes, lips parted without words coming out, and raised eyebrows, forming a genuine expression of a stunned lady, which she hadn't done in a while, in a very good while.

As the queen, she was used to forming many fake expressions, yet she couldn't even muster the strength to break through her shock and to at least close her lips.

She shifted her eyes to the forest fairies' queen, seeing a desperate attempt to not pour out any heart-breaking and debilitating emotions out of her heart—that would hurt Alexander, and she didn't want it.

Yumia used a random excuse, "I will check on Remia in the main garden," saying this so quickly that when Alex recorded those words, Yumia was already out of the barracks.

In her stupor, Anais reacted slowly, "Ah, my interest in potions has grown significantly lately, and Remia does a good job at it indeed, her alchemy is that delicious, I will excuse myself."

And she ran after the Forest Fairies' Queen.

Alex sniffed something odd in the air, but he couldn't tell what exactly it was, "See you next time."

In his eyes, Yumia and Anais were closer to friends. They were gorgeous, and natural lust might guide his eyes to their beautiful curves, but that was all.

And while it was 'all' for Alex, Yumia's heart ached.

"You poor, poor soul," Anais couldn't help but sigh a few times, repeating some words while striding toward Yumia—who was sobbing on the bench, not in the main garden—her heart aching as if Anais was hurt.

The fox girl took a seat on the bench, lifting her eyes to look at the black sky, "I know two cures to a broken heart. A time and good sister. Am I the latter?"

Her fluffy and warm tails draped over Yumia from behind, soon circling around her like a full-body scarf.

Yumia nodded, "You are. Thanks."

Anais nodded faintly, not saying anything more, for a time, was needed now, even if just a little. But inwardly, Anais couldn't stop herself from uttering a few words, 'She failed even before she could attack.'

Alex admitted that Anais and Yumia's presence was refreshing and pleasant, and he had done that with a genuine smile that sown seeds of sadness and anxiety within Yumia's heart.

It was not his fault, for Alex didn't mean harm.

Yumia also was a problem, for she could've pressed further regardless of all, perhaps.

"My girl had a hard time, too…"

"Maybe he's surrounded with so many girls that he has enough. If you look at his current harem and think of possible targets of his attention, it's not so weird, is it? Sorry, girl."

"No, it's fine. You are right… If I could turn back in time, I would've saddled Alexander on our first meeting. I've made a mistake. I actually had more occasions than that," Yumia whispered, feeling slightly better as she turned slightly perverted.

Anais laughed, too, feeling like her good friend regained some of her spirits, "You have to tell Remia, too. She might do something odd if you don't."

Yumia contemplated for some time before replying, "I will tell her to forget our talk, even if it might be impossible. Then I will continue being the queen, the mother, the grandma, and Alexander's good in-law."

"You got it, girl," Anais cheered her friend, then added, "Those sweet relationships will cure your loneliness and a need for a man. It's better than making a mistake that might cost them all.

In those times with wars out of the window, I am also in need of company. How about we become sworn sisters?" Anais fished out two golden goblets and peculiar alcohol that in Alex's world was known as sake.

"With the pleasure," Yumia replied, extending her hand for a goblet.

They drank that under a black sky, their eyes shining brightly in place of a moon.