Chapter 1408: A Very Lucky Man
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"I-I'm happy for you…" Chris smiled forcefully; I could feel a tinge of jealously. Why is he jealous? He has someone back home that he might be able to marry as well.
"Congrats!" Erdrich clapped. "You two were always made for each other, honestly! Elizabeth though, she's like a sister to me… so please make sure to take care of her, Blake."
"Of course, leave her to me, Erdrich, thank you for your blessings," I nodded. He was indeed like her brother, so having his blessings was ideal.
"Congratulations," Elfriedden smiled. "I hope to do the same with my beloved Rosen."
"Elizabeth! I'm so happy for youuuu!" Erika came running here, she was surprisingly nice. I thought she would act jealously, but I judged her wrong, it seems.
"Erika! Yes, I'm so happy too!" Elizabeth hugged her, the two girls jumping together and celebrating.
They were really like sisters at times… true friends. I was glad the girls I loved got along so well.
Erika didn't ask me for anything either, but of course, I wouldn't leave her waiting. I walked towards the two girls as they celebrated, taking another ring.
I had already created and given them rings before, but I felt that they needed new ones, just simply telling them to keep the ones I gave them before would have been too stupid.
I had already considered this before, creating these rings was easy using materials at my disposal, my own energies, my scales, horns, and even fangs and blood, combining and refining them with both Alchemy and my Creation skills.
The ring for Elizabeth was made of a beautiful white metal, decorated with flowers and then two feathered wings surrounding a golden jewel.
As for Erika, I made a green metal ring, resembling wooden roots, the green jewel in the center was surrounded by flower-like engraved metal.
Both rings weren't just decoration, but also powerful equipment pieces that'll amplify their main elemental abilities, protect them from their elemental weakness, and provide more Mana and Spirit Energy.
How? I applied a Mana Engine into these rings by using the one in my demonic and mechanical arm, a smaller, weaker version that can help them produce more energy.
When this Mana Engine is created using Spiritual Treasures, well, it can also produce that energy alongside Mana.
"Erika."
"Eh? Ah!"
Erika's eyes widened, as I called for her, she slowly walked towards me, knowing why I called her already.
I showed her the ring right away, her eyes instantly became tearful, as she was overcome by deep emotions.
"Would you marry me, Erika?"
"…"
Her eyes widened, as she looked into my eyes.
Yes…
Despite how many memories I also share with Elizabeth, how could I ever forget the ones I share with her?
Erika… We've gone through so much together since the first day I met you.
I helped you, but you also helped me.
Without you, I might never have been able to begin learning and appreciating what was being a human.
And without her love, affection, and friendship, I might have never truly changed from who I was before either.
Of course, my family and Eleanora were also important to me, but Erika was always special too.
"Erika, without you… I wouldn't be the person I am right now. I'll always be grateful for everything you've done for me."
"B-Blake…"
As she walked towards me while crying, she accepted the ring, as I gently placed it on one of her fingers.
"Of course… I'll happily marry you! I've dreamed about this moment for so long! T-To think it would be now, out of nowhere…! Hahaha…! I love you!"
Erika leaped towards me, hugging me tightly, and kissing me all over my face.
I lifted her up, as I spun around with her, we walked past a garden of flowers, as the colorful petals flew around.
"I love you too!"
"Heheh! Hahah!"
As she giggled adorably while I carried her around, I couldn't help but open my heart completely.
This was my true self; this was who I truly was.
And this girl was who I loved as well.
After living thousands of years repressing my own heart, my own emotions…
I could finally say that I was being myself now.
"Wooohh!"
As Erika celebrated, she ended up making me trip down into the garden of flowers, as we rolled through it.
Memories of the times when we used to play like this in the grasslands near home came back, the sky was clear blue and the sun was high up, just like now.
"Heheh! Oops…"
As she giggled, she climbed over my body, kissing my lips.
"Alright, let's get up already… We shouldn't stay here for too long, right?"
"Yeah! I'm kind of hungry right now, can't we go eat something?"
"Of course, I was thinking on returning to the port city and having a feast there, I am sure the news of our victory are already there."
As we stood up and got ready to depart, Elfriedden walked to my side.
"Blake, I hate to interrupt you right now, but before we go, I would like to talk with you and… well, Erika too."
"What's wrong?"
"It's about the Yggdrasil Tree, she is… she talked to me, and she said she wanted to talk with you and everyone else."
"She can talk?!"
Erika was quite surprised, even though I thought she could talk with her if the tree had such an ability, as she was made using wood from Yggdrasil too.
But I guess that wasn't the case.
"You couldn't hear any voice while healing her, Erika?" I asked her. "You literally fused your own wood with her…"
"Aaah… I did hear some little whispers now that you mention it!" Erika rubbed her chin. "B-But I forgor! I mean it didn't matter at the moment, right? And now… I thought it was just background noise."
"Hah, she's like she has always been, huh?" Elfriedden facepalmed. "Anyway, we should get going."
"Alright," I nodded. "Come on Erika, let's go. I hope you can apologize to the tree after ignoring her words."
"Y-Yes, sorryyyyy!" she cried.
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