Free Web NovelChapter 550: Where It All Began (XXVIII)
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Aestrea had become a professional time manager, and because of that, he had managed to spend enough time with all his lovers and friends.
He woke up early every single day, often before sunrise, and started with intense solo training sessions in the private training dimension he had created, pushing his body and authorities to new limits for hours, refining his control over Chaos.
He sparred regularly with Zeva and Yara, who never held back, their fights turning the training grounds into craters as they laughed and bled together, growing stronger side by side.
After training, he would have breakfast with the entire family.
Lumi always sat on his lap, feeding him bites of food while giggling.
Chaerin, despite acting mature, would quietly lean against his side and call him "Papa" when she thought no one was paying attention.
Christina demanded morning hugs and kisses, sometimes refusing to let him leave the table until she got at least three.
Vivian sat on his other side like the graceful pillar she was, making sure everyone ate properly and mediating the playful arguments between Mia and Maria.
Mornings were often spent on organization work.
He held meetings with his generals, expanded Crimson Moon’s influence into new territories, strengthened alliances, and oversaw the training of new soldiers.
He personally sparred with elite units, giving them direct guidance and boosting their morale. In the afternoons, he made time for individual dates.
He took Christina to a newly built amusement park in one of the floating cities, riding every attraction with her while she screamed in delight and clung to his arm.
With Vivian, he revisited Lavousier’s Café almost every week, having long, deep conversations about their future while feeding each other desserts.
Zeva and Yara dragged him into the wild forests for hunting trips that always turned into intense sparring sessions followed by passionate nights under the stars.
Lumi demanded slime-themed dates where they played in specially made pools and watched comedies together until she fell asleep in his arms.
He took Rose and Violet on quiet, romantic walks through flower fields, holding their hands and listening to their shy stories.
Mia and Maria got luxurious bath dates in the grand hot springs he had constructed, where he spent hours spoiling them with massages and affection.
Alaine accompanied him on official visits, proudly standing by his side as his devoted head maid, though their private moments were filled with her gentle, loving service.
Isabella cooked elaborate dinners for him, and they spent evenings discussing philosophy and strategy.
Lilith took him to underground parties and seduction games, teasing him endlessly before they disappeared into private rooms.
Ruli and Leaf received extra training and study sessions, with Aestrea acting as their strict but caring teacher, rewarding them with head pats and sweets when they improved.
Those rewards somehow still worked out fine.
Chaerin got father-daughter days, flying together across realms, eating street food, and talking about her dreams for the future.
Evenings were reserved for group activities.
Massive dinners where the entire harem gathered, laughter echoing through the halls as they shared stories. Group baths that often turned chaotic and playful.
Nights where he rotated between rooms or brought multiple girls together, making sure no one felt neglected.
He slept with different combinations almost every night, sometimes with Vivian and Christina, sometimes with Zeva and Yara competing over him, sometimes with the quieter ones like Violet and Rose, who just wanted to be held.
He also made time for his friends and allies.
He visited Olivia’s faction, strengthening their "partnership".
He dueled with powerful gods who sought his guidance.
He even took entire days off to simply relax with everyone: picnics, festivals, movie nights in the grand theater he built, and lazy mornings where he refused to get out of bed while the girls piled on top of him.
Despite the busy schedule, he never missed a single promise.
He took Seraphiel on another date to Elyria to visit her family again.
He trained with Seraphiel in secret, helping her grow stronger. He checked in on every single person under his care, making sure no one felt left behind.
He even visited Horae a few times... and spent time with the twin brothers, James and Derek. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
He also met Leon and the other girls a few times, but didn’t interact much.
The three months were exhausting, but fulfilling.
Aestrea also made sure to look for Yennefer... and unfortunately, even when he expanded his senses to the maximum, clouding over thousands of galaxies and nebulae... freewebnovёl.ƈom
Nothing.
Just like Luna and Elleonora, she too had disappeared.
This bothered him a lot... especially the words that Horae had said six months ago... that they were "hiding" from him for some reason.
But now, the day had finally come.
Swoosh...
The desert around the main temple was packed.
Every important person in Aestrea’s life had gathered under the perfect alignment of the twin moons.
The sky glowed with an ethereal silver-red hue as the celestial bodies overlapped in perfect harmony.
His lovers stood closest, along with his children.
Vivian, Christina, Lumi, Zeva, Yara, Violet, Rose, Mia, Maria, Isabella, Lilith, Alaine, and Chaerin, all of them were there, eyes already glistening.
Seraphiel stood slightly behind them, her wings folded tightly, trying to remain composed.
The twin brothers James and Derek were present, along with Leon and a few close allies. Even some high-ranking members of Crimson Moon had come to see their leader off.
Aestrea stood before the sealed archway, dressed in his signature black and silver battle attire.
One by one, the goodbyes began.
He first approached the twins.
"Don’t die, you bastard. We still owe you drinks, " James pulled him into a strong hug, slapping his back.
"Bring back something cool. And don’t take too long," Derek grinned, dapping him firmly.
Aestrea smiled and returned the dap.
"I won’t."
Next were his lovers.
He kissed Vivian deeply, holding her face gently.
"I’ll come back. I promise."
Christina hugged him tightly, tears already falling.
"You better! I’ll be waiting every single day!"
He kissed her forehead, then moved to Lumi, who jumped into his arms. He hugged her small body close, patting her head.
"Be good while I’m gone, okay?"
"Mm... I’ll try..." she sniffled.
Zeva and Yara both punched his chest lightly before hugging him.
"Don’t you dare lose," Zeva muttered.
"Come back stronger so we can fight you again," Yara added.
He kissed each of them, then moved through the rest, gentle kisses for Rose and Violet, passionate ones for Mia and Maria, a loving embrace for Isabella and Lilith, and a long, tight hug for Alaine, who whispered her devotion in his ear.
Finally, he reached Chaerin.
She tried to stay strong, but her lips trembled. Aestrea pulled her into his arms and patted her head softly, just like when she was little.
"Papa will be back soon. Protect everyone while I’m gone, alright?"
Chaerin nodded against his chest, hugging him as tightly as she could.
"...Come back safe."
Aestrea gave one last look at all of them, his family, his lovers, his friends. His heart felt heavy, but full of affection...
Horae stepped forward, her expression unusually soft.
"Are you ready?"
Aestrea nodded.
"Yes."
Under the perfect alignment of the twin moons, Horae’s eyes shone with pure white light. She raised her hands and muttered ancient words in a language older than the stars.
The ground trembled as a giant archway materialized, the same portal he had seen before, but now vastly larger and more majestic, swirling with a deep, pulsating crimson energy.
Aestrea turned back one final time.
His lovers were already crying.
Christina had tears streaming down her face, and Lumi was sobbing openly... Even Vivian’s eyes were wet.
The twins looked solemn, and even Seraphiel, who didn’t spend much time with him, had her wings trembling...
He gave them all a small, reassuring smile.
Then, without another word, he stepped into the portal.
The crimson light swallowed him whole.
The moment he disappeared, the dam broke.
Crying erupted loudly across the desert.
Christina fell to her knees, sobbing. Lumi wailed, reaching out toward the portal.
Vivian covered her mouth, tears falling silently. Even the usually tough Zeva and Yara had red eyes. Seraphiel turned away, wings drooping.
Horae herself felt a strange tightness in her chest.
Despite only knowing him for six months, she had become deeply attached... to the point of treating him as her dear Master, being his masochistic bitch.
A single tear slipped down her cheek before she wiped it away.
But just then...
Step....!
The portal suddenly flared brightly.
A figure stepped out.
Instead of short pristine white hair, this man had long, flowing white hair with striking black strands reaching his shoulders.
His clothes were torn and battle-worn, yet he carried an overwhelming, refined aura. In both of his pupils, a silent moon shape glowed softly.
"A-Aestrea...?"
Aestrea smiled faintly at them, stepping forward.
"Didn’t I promise you all that I wouldn’t take a long time?" he said softly, causing the already crying group to literally cry even more.
Step, step, step, step...
Then, behind him, four women suddenly stepped out of the portal, all of them looked extremely beautiful and radiated powerful auras, especially the one who had a gothic appearance.
The entire group froze.
His lovers’ expressions shifted from shock to confusion, then to clear displeasure as they stared at the unfamiliar women.
"Aestrea..." Vivian said slowly, her voice carrying a dangerous edge.
Aestrea looked a little helpless under their collective gaze.
"...Oops."
