Three days later…

Venta regained his consciousness.

He could feel his body as light as a feather…ah!~ That’s right, he was a bird.

His eye was too heavy for him to open it, and his throat was hurt as hell…Fuck! Had his body become a waste?

Venta: “Ugh…um…ugh…”

Moonlit stood up abruptly from the sofa, he dashed to the bed then he saw what he had been expecting to see for the last three days, the baby bird moved! He sighed with relief.

He went to sit on the bed beside the baby bird, he called out softly:

“Venta? Can you hear me?”

The moment Venta heard Moonlit’s melodic voice, his eyes were wide-opened.

Moonlit was a bit surprised to be staring passionately by those big round eyes.

Moonlit: “Are you ok?”

Venta’s throat was too painful for him to speak so he could only use his eye to look at the Moonlit.

“Is it awake?”

The deep low voice rang out of nowhere, seemed to come closer and it attracted Venta’s attention, he turned his head toward the direction of the voice. He was shocked silly.

Moonlit: “Yes, Venta awakes”

Venta praised Moonlit in his mind that Moonlit was able to talk normally with the person in front of them.

Venta wasn’t even sure if that person was a human or not?

“That’s good, I will look forward to the result then I will take my leave”

The deep low voice spoke very politely yet it was still quite oppressing, it made the heart of the listener chaotic. And Venta was no different.

That person while talking with Moonlit, didn’t move that sharp gaze away from Venta.

Venta braced himself to make eye contact with that person with a straight face even though his heart was beating so fast enough to make his ear unable to hear anything else except his chaotic heartbeat.

What was fearing Venta about that person?

It was simple. Because that person was so freaking huge, Venta couldn’t see that person’s face at all. That person was like a mountain, Venta seriously thought whether that person was a human or not.

That person diverted his gaze from the bird expressionlessly. He walked leisurely to the door.

He stopped at the door, he turned to look at Moonlit with an unreadable expression, he said:

“Do your best, I expect to see the result as soon as possible”

Without waiting for a reply, he left the room.

Venta didn’t hear what that person say to Moonlit because he focused on how huge of that person was.

If he didn’t guess wrong, according to the door, that person was at least or almost 3meters…shut the fuck up! That wasn’t a human but a small giant.

The bird’s eyes slowly rolled back in the head then he fainted again.

Moonlit: “Venta!!!”

 

Venta slowly opened his eyes, this time, he swore not to faint embarrassingly ever again.

He got up and took a look around the room then he couldn’t help but gasp a few times…rich…so rich…everything in the room presented as being high-class and elegant, gave off a noble presence. Moreover, it screamed to him to touch it, lick it and bring it home with him!!!

“…” Should he?

Ahem! No-no-no, he had to control himself and make a proper plan…

*Kindly remind, Venta was still our MC.

Anyways, where was Moonlit?

The room wasn’t as bright as he first woke up, it seemed to be dawn now.

Ah~ He couldn’t handle it anymore…

Grumble Grumble ~

His stomach was crazily shouting, he wanted to move but he was too hungry to take a step out of the bed…if no one came in, he would die soon…for real!

Crack!

The bird hurriedly followed the sound then it saw its benefactor, it was such a touching moment.

Moonlit was pushing the door, he just took a step in, he suddenly sensed intense gaze. He abruptly looked toward the direction then he met with the sitting Venta.

He was so happy, he didn’t waste a second, carried the tray run to Venta.

Moonlit said excitedly: “I’m relieved to see you awake, eat something first, you can’t stay too long on empty stomach”

Venta vigorously nodded his head.

The fragment of Flame Grape and Iceberg Flower Tea was too tempting for Venta. He didn’t wait, instantly devoured the juicy meal.

Oh God~ He didn’t know why but the taste of the Flame Grape made him feel like he was on cloud nine, indescribable happiness.

Truly unexpected, he thought it would be plain and dry. Seeing the grape was sodium flame color. It was a plump round and its skin was smoothing as well as shining like a pearl.

Regardless, it turned out to be sweet, a little bit sour and the spiciness was burning in his mouth, strangely, it made him feel good to eat. It was a heaven-class meal for him.

Wow! He really was a bird now.

Moonlit stared gently at the Venta’s happiness expression, without knowing himself, he was also smiling.

Moonlit: “Is it that good?”

Venta: “Fuc~…er…yes! very delicious”

He should be more cation with his mouth.

Just a few minutes, all of the Flame Grape was all gone in Venta’s belly. It was a little bit bulged.

Moonlit quietly gave Iceberg Flower Tea to Venta. When Venta noticed Moonlit’s action, he didn’t hesitate to drink it all in one go.

The Iceberg Flower tea was also great, its coolness fitted so well with the taste in his mouth.

Venta exhaled a satisfied sigh, he exercised his body to make sure it work properly.

Venta with a straight face climbed on Moonlit’s lap then sat down in a comfortable position ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°).

*Our MC’s liver grows a bit bigger.

Moonlit didn’t expect the Venta to show how comfortable he is with him. He couldn’t stop his hand to pet the bird’s three ocean blue hair lovingly.

Venta: “So after I fainted, what was the situation? And Moonlit, were they treat you well?”

Moonlit didn’t show any surprise, he already had a hunch that Venta would ask him.

Moonlit’s melodic voice was sound exactly the same as Venta yet the tone was hell and heaven, Venta’s tone was kind of apathetic while Moonlit’s tone was tender and thoughtful.

Moonlit started to explain everything to Venta in a relaxed manner.

***

As a matter of fact, back then before Venta passed out, he already purposely prepared every possible reason and predicted every possible consequence for Moonlit. All Moonlit had to do, just to adapt to the situation and choose the wise way to use it.

In the Nightfall Castle, Venta said that he had another way to bring Moonlit out of the castle and he did it.

Moonlit was overwhelmed by Venta, he couldn’t even imagine such a magical way to get out of the castle.

He was putting into Venta’s storage space which is located in Venta’s small round belly. Commonly, it was extremely rare to obtain storage space that can keep alive things. He was amazed.

Moonlit stayed there all the way out of the Dark Magenta Forest.

The space was quite small only around 1x1 meter, and the space was all white, pretty much empty, honestly, he couldn’t move much in there.

While he was waiting to send out, unpredictably, Venta added two more people, he was shocked yet they were shocked even greater than him.

Three adult people squeezed together awkwardly in the 1x1 meter space. He was alright but the other two were injured and they obviously tried their best to avoid touching him and somehow they even held their breath…to make themselves shrink?

They seemed to know who he was and he also knew them, they were Novaculata’s Knights.

Moonlit wanted to have a conversation to calm their nervousness and he also worried about their injured but his gut kept telling him, if he dared to talk to them, they would have a heart attack then might be dying on the spot? Therefore he chose to stay silent until they got out of storage space.

The moment, they were out, Moonlit knew Venta was at his limit. Moonlit carried Venta’s small body in his palm cautiously.

He prepared a lot of reasons to talk with the captain. Instead, the captain didn’t ask him anything but told him to keep it for his brother. He was a bit at loss but he recovered quickly.

Was it good or bad that he would need to face with a strenuous wall, his brother, Lumen Novaculata?

Anyways, if they hurried back, it was also perfect especially for Venta and wounded knights.

How long would it take for them to arrive at Aurora Territory? Moonlit couldn’t help but feel helpless and concerned. Would Venta and wounded knights be able to hold on till then?

In the next moment, Moonlit’s concern was meaningless. The captain pulled out an amber crystal, adult palm-size, out of his trousers’ pocket. Everyone was speechless even Moonlit.

Knight’s brain stopped working, the second they saw the freaking expensive amber crystal in their captain’s hand.

More importantly, the one that was in the captain’s hand was a hundred times better than the one selling at the market. They saw it clearly, it had Novaculata’s logo on it.

This kind of crystal couldn’t find anywhere else except was given by the duke, himself, and it was well-known in Novaculata that only his close people could obtain the crystal which represented the duke’s trust.

How could their third-rate captain that never meets with the duke face to face have it? No! Was that person even their real captain?

The Knights seemed to discover something they couldn’t believe, they had been acting like a fool in front of the duke’s trusted people?

“…” It was over.

Should they worry about their captain’s life? Or should they worry about their insignificant life?

Ah~ their first mission was too difficult…well…might be…there was no next mission since they couldn’t cure the Dark Magenta poison. Their life was at death's door anyway (◞‸◟；).

Moonlit was relieved to see the amber crystal in the captain’s hand. It seemed as the Venta said.

One of the reasons, Moonlit chose Novaculata was because he knew them but Venta told him beforehand that he MUST stay with Novaculata after he was out of Nightfall Castle, he mustn’t return to the Sun and Moon Palace. Venta didn’t give him a specific reason.

Venta also mentioned to him, some people came to save him. Among them, Novaculata wasn’t caring less as they appeared, Venta emphasized that Novaculata took this mission seriously and cautiously than anyone else. And now Moonlit could see why Venta trusted the Novaculata team over other teams.

The amber crystal was the crystal that was used to teleport, when you threw the crystal to the ground, it would open the teleportation gate, it could use only 1 time.

The amber crystal took a huge amount of gold to purchase one crystal. The crystal was usually divided into the three-level, top-level, middle-level, and low level.

Each level cost a large different range of gold yet the top-level crystal was incompatibly special…why? ...because the logo of each powerful house could print only on the top-level crystal therefore it was a remarkably precious and priceless gift.

With the help of amber crystal, they would immediately arrive at Novaculata Mansion.

The captain opened the gate, everyone walked in then only 3 seconds, they arrived at Novaculata Mansion, and no one got motion sickness during the teleportation. It was the top-level crystal after all.

 

Everyone parted away. And Moonlit didn’t waste time, he went directly to meet with Lumen Novaculata to seek the right treatment for Venta.

***

“Wait…wait…wait…you met with…er…um…S-si-Sir Lumen Novaculata…” Venta truly despised formality speech, he sucked at it, “…for the first time after went through all of those kinds of stuff, you ask him to help me?”

Moonlit innocently answered: “Yes?”

Venta didn’t know much about Lumen Novaculata but if it was Lux or Noctis, they would be beheaded him for sure.

For instance, the one who saved Moonlit in Lux or Noctis’s perspective was them, not a mere bird so they were supposed to be the ones who received Moonlit’s gratitude yet Moonlit came running, asking for help for a mere bird, without giving them any face.

Hence, Lux or Noctis and Bird, which one was more important for Moonlit?

It clearly showed that the bird was more important than Lux or Noctis for Moonlit.

How dare an insignificant bird steal their Moonlit’s attention? Thus its existence should be erased.

 In contrast, from Moonlit’s perspective, the one who saved him was the baby bird Venta. His action of caring about Venta wasn’t wrong.

Fortunately, Lumen Novaculata wasn’t in the same group of Lux or Noctis or this mere bird didn’t have a chance to wake up.

Venta sighed softly: “Please continue, Moonlit”

Moonlit: “…ok”

***

Moonlit wasn’t able to meet with Lumen Novaculata but his personal butler. The butler informed Moonlit that Lumen Novaculata had to do some business outside for a while. So butler would help Moonlit to deal with everything that Moonlit wanted.

Moonlit was able to meet with Lumen Novaculata, just this morning, a few hours ago before Venta gained consciousness (first awake).

Moonlit explained to Brother Lumen how he was able to get out of the Nightfall Castle in detail. He had a feeling, even if he hid some parts,  Brother Lumen would make him confess everything later.

Without a warning, after Brother Lumen listened to everything, he commented that Moonlit should go back to the Sun and Moon Palace relentlessly.

Moonlit was dumbfounded and amazed at the same time.

Venta’s prediction was correct once again. Venta also told him a plan when he confronted Lumen Novaculata.

Brother Lumen was really trying to send him off. And when that happen, Venta gave him a reason to use.

Moonlit followed Venta’s words and repeated them to Lumen Novaculata.

‘If brother allowed me to stay here and protected me until everything settled down, I will help you to heal, Sister Laura back to normal, I swore upon my word, was sincere from the bottom of my heart, I wasn’t joking around, please consider it, Brother Lumen, please I positively have a way to save Sister Laura’

The main reason why Moonlit chose Novaculata, was also due to him having a close relationship with Sister Laura, Lumen Novaculata’s little sister and Brother Lumen’s last family member.

Lumen Novaculata smirked then he replied:

‘Was the bird taught you to talk like this? Why did you trust that bird so much enough to bet on your life?’

***

Venta got goose-bumped all over his body, Shit! Lumen Novaculata undoubtedly sharp, Venta thought to himself: ‘Am I going to finish?’

Venta looked up at Moonlit: “Excuse me, Moonlit, why did you vow? No need to go that far”

He hid many things from Moonlit, and Moonlit should also sense that.

But why? Why did Moonlit trust him to the point of risking his life?

Moonlit said amusingly: “As what you told the knights, you also may be my guiding angel…” he closed his eyes, he opened them with a gentle smile, “…when the time comes, you can tell me, who you are and why you come for me, you know, I will wait for you”

Venta: “…”

He flinched, Moonlit was really smart, of course, he was able to sense something fishy about him (Venta).

Venta said quietly: “When I'm ready, I will tell you one day”

Moonlit: “Hmm, I will wait”

Venta sighed softly, Moonlit was the best. He didn’t force him and even trust him. Contrastly, Lumen Novaculata was kind of suspected him.

If Lumen Novaculata wanted to get rid of him, could he fight with the small giant using his current body?

“…”

Suicide seemed to be a better option.

***

Moonlit quietly nodded his head, he tried to come up with the reason to support, his brother, Lumen Novaculata suddenly said carefreely:

‘Well, I’m not a heartless man since Moonlit sincerely wants to help Laura, I can give you a chance…with two requirements, what do you think?’

Moonlit didn’t immediately answer, he felt puzzling, Brother Lumen might be cold and indifferent but he never fail to care about Sister Laura, why did he easily accept his request?

He smelled the trap even though he knew it was a trap yet he couldn’t walk away from it.

Moonlit hesitated a bit then he said: ‘I want to hear about the requirements’

The corner of Lumen Novaculata hooked up, he said:

‘First requirement, if something happens to Laura, the bird will die in any way I wish for it and Moonlit, you will belong to me unconditionally, whatever I do to you, you have no right to refuse’

Moonlit was never able to read Brother Lumen’s thoughts.

Nevertheless, this time, the gaze that Brother Lumen directly looked into his eyes, made him feel uncomfortable and uneasy, it alerted him that Brother Lumen desired him. Not exactly the same way as Demon Lord, Noctis yet similar.

He instinctively had to refuse but Venta told him many times that he must stay with Lumen Novaculata.

Moonlit calmed himself down, he asked: ‘What’s the second condition?’

Lumen Novaculata tapped on the table rhythmed, he answered unconcern: ‘For the second requirement, if you can’t do it, just forget everything we have discussed and go back to the palace’ he stopped tapping, ‘as long as you can heal the knights that being poison in Dark Magenta Forest, we shall consider about your proposal, that’s all for my requirements’

Moonlit after hearing such an absurd second requirement, abruptly prepared to turn the requirements down, Brother Lumen just tried to find a SUITABLE reason to send him off, he teased him. Before he could refuse, Venta woke up so he threw away all those ideas then rushed to Venta’s side.

***

Venta: “…”

Was he wanted to die so badly?

He chose such a fucking right timing to wake up…he was stupefied of his own luck…just what the hell was wrong with his luck!? (?? ᵒ‿ᵒ ??)