After our failed escapade, our fun was cut short, and we resumed exploring the Aether Realm, which wasn't a bad way to spend our time; it was actually quite lovely, but of course, nothing could compare to the sweet taste of my dear sister.
We spent roughly a week taking our time and enjoying the sights this realm had to offer, as everything was a new experience for us; however, we must've taken the scenic path since we didn't come across a single resident of this realm.
"Well, I don't know if we're unlucky to have not encountered a single person or lucky that our journey has remained uninterrupted." Remarked Elif lightly as he lay his head on Elaine's lap while she gently brushed his long, flowing silver hair.
"Hmm, well, considering we're supposed to be trading with the people of this realm, we're probably unlucky, though I don't mind." Said Elaine with a faint smirk as she looked at Elif, who chuckled in amusement at her words.
"It has been a week, Your Highness. Will we finally start searching for people to trade with?" Asked Ember softly as she looked at Elaine, who tapped her chin with a thoughtful expression.
"Hmm, well, what do you think, Brother?" "Whatever you desire, Elaine. I do not care; this might as well be a vacation for us." Remarked Elaine and Elif, respectively, as the former curiously glanced at the latter, who shrugged his shoulders while blowing her a kiss.
"Fufu, if that's so, let us find a settlement or town. I am curious what the people of this realm look like; I'm assuming they will resemble Fairies; who knows." Stated Elaine with a faint, child-like smile as she leaped onto her two feet while Elif's horizontally floated an inch or so above the ground.
"Care to help me up, darling?" Asked Elif with a faint smile as he slowly blinked at Idonea, who rolled her eyes before nodding.
Feeling Idonea's hands wrap around my body as she lifted me into a princess carry, I moved her hand to grasp my butt, causing her to faintly blush.
"Oh my, Idonea, out in the open? You're so bold." Said Elif playfully as he looked at Idonea, who blankly looked at him, only for her body to tense when a hand gently grasped her shoulder.
"Where are you grabbing, Idonea?" Asked Elaine softly as she looked at Idonea, madness and a killing aura swirling about within her beautiful, golden eyes.
"H-His Highness d-did that, your Highness." Said Idonea swiftly as she dropped Elif and quickly bowed to Elaine, who folded her arms with a raised eyebrow before glancing at Elif, who flashed a smirk, causing her to roll her eyes.
"Hmph, don't let it happen again, Idonea. After all, I'm sure you like having two hands." Ordered Elaine with a scoff as she eyed Idonea, who rapidly nodded before raising her head, watching her and Elif float into the distance beside each other.
"She's so intense." "Yes, she truly is." Remarked Ember and Marley, respectively, as they gazed at Elaine while standing beside Idonea, who heaved a sigh of relief.
"Hurry along, you fools; we're not waiting for you." Said Elif blandly as he didn't even bother to look back, though his words caused Marley, Idonea, and Ember to nod as they all reappeared behind him and Elaine.
"So, which direction, Elaine?" "Hmm, let's go left." Remarked Elif and Elaine, respectively, as the latter pointed to the left, causing Elif to nod as he let her take the lead while she skipped through the air beside him.
'She's not even doing it intentionally.' Thought Elif softly as his eyes wandered to Elaine's ample chest, which heaved up and down from her movements, a sight that aroused him.
For the next few days, I enjoyed Elaine's presence and the sight of her body while searching for a settlement; we may have gotten a little handsy along the way, but no one except our servants would know about it.
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"Boo, you stink, Elaine." Said Elif playfully as he glanced at Elaine, who pouted in annoyance while folding her arms and averting her gaze with a scoff.
"Hmph, excuse me for trying. Why don't you pick the direction next time, mister? Maybe you'll have better luck." Stated Elaine in annoyance as she side-glanced Elif before closing her eyes while he smirked.
Despite walking for a whole week, we didn't come across a single sign of civilization, which may seem shocking that even after two whole weeks, we'd yet to encounter a single person of this realm, but if one could comprehend the sheer size of what a realm was, it wouldn't be surprising in the least.
There were certain parts in the OverRealm where I could fly continuously for a year and still wouldn't see any signs of civilization. We may have fully explored the OverRealm, but even combining the territory of all the hegemonies in existence, we probably only claim about a fourth of the available land. After all, similar to the OverRealm, both the Nether Realm and Aether Realm constantly expand in size, granted, it's at a much slower rate.
'I believe I read somewhere that the OverRealm expands a kilometer every year in all directions.' Thought Elif lightly as he tapped his chin while leading everyone through the forest, encountering various soul-beasts along the way.
Of course, a kilometer once a year is hardly anything when you compare it to the sheer size of the OverRealm, but when you take into account that it does so in all directions and trillions upon trillions of years have passed, the gargantuan size quickly adds up.
Anyway, I shake my head, saving such thoughts for later as I focus on finding civilization.
"Elaine, if I find a settlement or town, you must do what I say when we return home." Stated Elif with a mischievous and naughty grin as he glanced at Elaine, who scoffed before nodding.
"Deal. If I win, you must do the same." Declared Elaine with narrowed eyes as she folded her arms underneath her ample chest and eyed Elif, who nodded before snickering at himself.
About an hour after making the bet, Elaine suddenly stops, and even without looking, I can feel her eyes boring into my back.
"You snake, Brother! You had sensed that settlement with your divine sense when you made that bet, didn't you!?" Exclaimed Elaine as she eyed Elif, who innocently tilted his head while looking at her in confusion.
"Hmm? What are you talking about, Elaine? Your dear brother would never do such a thing." Replied Elif innocently as he grabbed his chest while tenderly looking at Elaine, who gnashed her teeth at his blatant lies.
"I practically did all the work! We walked for a week, yet not even two hours after you took charge, did you suddenly find a small town? I don't believe it." Declared Elaine as she furiously shook her head while looking at Elif, who laughed in amusement before suddenly posing.
"Heh, what can I say? Heaven favors the beautiful." Said Elif with a narcissistic grin as he brushed aside his streak of purple hair while winking at Elaine, who didn't react and simply closed her eyes.
Chuckling, I scooped Elaine into a princess carry and floated towards the settlement in the distance; while I was also shocked when I discovered the settlement with my divine sense, I couldn't let such a chance slip by.
'Heh, beauty strikes once again.' Thought Elif narcissistically with a faint smile while Marley, Idonea, and Ember followed closely behind.
We weren't the only ones present in this town; there were a few others also trading with the residents of this place, but none of them seemed to be wealthy, so I wasn't concerned that they had already taken everything.
As for what the residents looked like, it was a mixture; some looked similar to Fairies, except for the wings; some looked like humans with tendrils sprouting out of their mouths, while others were seemingly balls of slime, similar to the slimes back at the OverRealm.
"Huh, I don't quite know what to say." Muttered Marley softly as she gazed at the many different souls, unsure of how to feel at their appearances.
"You should feel jealous; each one is more beautiful than you." Said Idonea mockingly, her words causing Marley's expression to twitch as she summoned her spear.
"How about I add another scar to your face?" Declared Marley with a wicked smirk as she eyed Idonea, who unsheathed her rapier while fearlessly staring her down.
"I wonder who will win." Muttered Ember as she watched from the sidelines with an eager gaze, her greenish flames morphing into a chair as she watched Marley and Idonea.
Rolling my eyes at their behavior, I slap all three of them with a purple royal palm, knocking them into the distance as they quickly regain their bearings.
"Behave, you three. Otherwise, I'll sick Elaine on you, and she is already not in a good mood." Said Elif lightly as he eyed Marley, Idonea, and Ember before gesturing to Elaine, who narrowed her eyes at them, causing the three to rapidly nod in fear.
"Now come, let us trade with these people." Added Elif as he floated towards the town, though Elaine's eyes never left their figures, causing Marley, Idonea, and Ember to shiver while they followed behind.