Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 620: Peaceful Moment

CH620 Peaceful Moment

***

Silently, Alex slipped out of the mansion and entered the garden.

With exaggerated drama, he knelt down, letting his fingers trail over the grass and blossoms, savoring their aroma longer than required.

Then, he strolled to a massive tree that dominated the garden view and casually slumped against its trunk.

Clasping his hands behind his head, he crossed one leg over the other.

’Yes... this feels wonderful,’ Alex mused. ’Life shouldn’t constantly race at maximum pace.’

’Occasionally, halting to relish the instant proves beneficial.’

A subtle smile curved his lips.

’Still, it doesn’t quite match lounging under Lord Bonsai’s branches. Yet this suffices.’

Unnoticed by himself, slumber swiftly overtook him.

—

Poke...

A gentle touch grazed his chin.

Alex’s eyes fluttered open gradually.

The initial sight was a lovely face suspended above, observing him with gentle mirth.

"Why poke my face, milady?" Alex inquired, seizing the errant finger.

"You appeared so serene... I couldn’t help it, Master," Udara answered,

Her smile tender, laced with a sly tease.

For an instant, Alex stiffened.

Next, his eyes scanned the surroundings.

No guards patrolled the vicinity as expected.

’...Understood.’

He turned back to Udara.

Abruptly, he drew her softly into his embrace and adjusted their spots under the tree.

"Do you confess your error?" he questioned, amusement tinting his voice.

"I have no idea what you mean," Udara responded with feigned purity.

Yet her grin widened further.

A rush of blood coursed through Alex’s veins toward his loins.

Though aware of her game, he refrained from resisting. Still, his willpower proved resilient.

While his body succumbed to Udara’s playfulness, his thoughts remained sharp, yet he opted to savor it.

Drawing nearer, he planted a tender kiss on her mouth.

Udara reciprocated instantly.

What began as a gentle peck escalated into fervent, intense caresses.

Unexpectedly, Alex yielded first, withdrawing to gasp for air.

"You’re exceptionally daring today," he remarked, examining her captivating look.

Udara cocked her head a touch.

"Does it displease you?"

Her smile persisted, mischievous and alluring.

Alex’s eyes narrowed faintly.

Accepting the unspoken dare, he closed in again.

Their silent clash of lips and tongues reignited.

Regrettably, he misjudged the ’beginner’.

In moments, roles flipped, leaving him trapped under her.

As their frolic stretched on, Alex steadily lost territory—

Udara’s aura increasingly dominating his awareness.

’No... I refuse to lose this way,’ he resolved.

Thus, he deployed his secret weapon.

His hands, securing her, started roaming—caressing her curves purposefully.

Then he targeted, squeezing two vulnerable points.

"Ah—!"

Udara yelped, her poise shattering as she recoiled instinctively, clutching her chest.

A light flush swiftly colored her face.

Alex capitalized swiftly, flipping them and holding her beneath him.

"See?" he smirked triumphantly. "If you’re unprepared for the flames... avoid igniting them."

He prepared to advance when both detected an approach and halted.

Soundlessly, they parted, adjusting attire as though innocent.

Only then did realization hit Alex.

’...Hold on.’

’We’re married.’

’Why behave like guilty teens?’

Precisely then, Eleanore appeared in the garden.

Her eyes brightened upon seeing them, prompting her approach.

Yet she halted midway.

Her look darted between the pair.

A sly grin gradually emerged.

"What were you two up to?" she queried.

"We were... sparring," Alex answered fluidly.

He cast a playful look at Udara.

Udara’s blush intensified, reaching her ears.

She stomped firmly on Alex’s foot, then averted her face.

Eleanore’s grin broadened.

"Oh? Didn’t realize you’d initiate outdoors..."

She winked.

"Care to share tips?"

"Or notify big sister Zora?"

Udara clutched her arm urgently.

"Please don’t!" she begged. "I’d die from shame."

Alex and Eleanore erupted in laughter.

They knew perfectly— Zora would exploit it endlessly if informed.

Alex often bore her jabs, but Udara and Eleanore weren’t spared.

Udara especially proved prime teasing material.

Despite emerging post-Heaven–Earth trials, she remained defenseless against the Ice Empress’s ruthless banter.

"Stop laughing," Udara grumbled, tapping Alex’s shoulder softly. "Your fault."

The trio savored that cozy, family-like instant awhile.

’Pity Zora’s absent,’ Alex reflected. ’It’d be perfect then.’

In this existence, his true blessing wasn’t strength, but his wives’ harmony.

It dodged the typical turmoil of multiple unions.

"Where’s Zora?" Alex wondered. "Haven’t spotted her since emerging."

"She headed to the city admin hall with Silver, Havel, and Sergeant Lopota for expansion permits." Udara explained.

"Permits?" Alex arched a brow. "Why permits?"

Eleanore clarified.

"Shop’s growing, needing bigger premises.

"Mercenary Association suggested a guild hall too. So big sis seeks a site fitting both."

Alex nodded thoughtfully.

BloodIron City boasted a rare edge over others— its several oases.

For unexplained reasons, five oases lay within walls, nourishing its five districts.

Yet abundance imposed limits.

Water stayed strictly managed, spawning restrictions.

Population curbs stood prominent.

Instead of capping dwellers outright, officials limited structures.

Thereby dictating inhabitants.

No roof, no residence.

A clever, potent method.

New builds—or even mods—demanded approval.

Permits essential.

Like all red tape, delays and graft abounded.

Expertise navigated it.

Fortuna’s group lucked out with Zora’s prowess.

Alex breathed out gently, nodding.

"Since business expands, I presume smaller players noticed us?" he probed.

"Indeed," Eleanore beamed. "Was going to update you."

"Linked with Jadewell Merchant Company."

"Shipped your recommended goods lately; chairwoman Lady Rosa Mercier summons us afternoon."

Alex nodded, facing Udara.

"Info confirmed?" he asked.

"Thoroughly," Udara said. "Eighty percent likelihood Baron Luth Belloc’s data holds true."

"Even if wrong," Alex urged, "not far off?"

"Correct," Udara affirmed.

"Excellent." Alex approved.

He regarded Eleanore again.

"Departure time?"

"Half hour," she stated. "Arrive early—forge extra ties pre-Mercier."

Alex lifted a hand mildly.

"Avoid pushing. Let flow organic. No overt targeting."

Eleanore dismissed casually.

"Easy. Mere commerce talk."

Then mischief sparked in her gaze.

"Join us?" she teased. "Or resume your fun?"

"I believe we should con—"

"We’re coming!" Udara interrupted firmly.

Before Alex spoke, she yanked Eleanore’s arm, dragging her off.

Alex chuckled quietly.

’Still sensitive,’ he pondered.

His eyes lifted skyward.

’Progressing though.’

’Soon enough.’

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

—

Thirty minutes on, Alex with wives departed for the rendezvous, four guards escorting lightly.

En route, Alex eyed Udara repeatedly.

Her earlier temptress vanished; replaced by his steadfast, impassive Shadow Guard.

He nearly burst laughing.

Teasing tempted, but her beseeching look deterred him.

Alex grinned internally.

’Fine.’

’Private ribbing’s better regardless.’ He conceded silently.

—

Shortly after, navigating BloodIron’s broad, remarkably tidy streets, their coach reached Jadewell Merchant Company’s enclave.

***