Chapter 408 The Spring Is Short!

In the evening's golden embrace, the two emerged from their cabin adorned in splendid attire. Olivia, ensconced upon the couch, exuded an aura of newfound maturity that enveloped her in an enigmatic allure. She donned stylish sunglasses; her gaze fixated upon the horizon where the twin suns were poised to descend behind the majestic mountain ranges to the west. The tranquil waters mirrored the sunlight intermittently, serenaded by the gentle babble of the brook, imbuing the atmosphere with soothing tranquility.

"Oli," Damien's voice beckoned, though the lady feigned indifference. "I believed you harbored a desire for this. The allure of libations and elixirs was my transgression, and I accept full culpability." He inched closer.

"Stay away from me! I am not inclined to converse with you at present," she murmured in frustration.

Damien deftly encircled his arm around her waist, hoisting her gently onto the couch, where he positioned himself beneath her. Olivia resisted, her inner turmoil evident. "Where shall I, when you have already ensnared my heart and body?"

"Cease your lamentations!" he implored, holding her securely. "You are no longer a mere ingenue; you have blossomed into a woman of sophistication. Moreover, do not forget that you are the instigator of this entanglement."

His outburst took Olivia aback. Collecting herself, she summoned her strength, pushing him aside with determination, toppling him over the edge of the couch. "What do you mean I am the instigator of all this? It was you who employed intoxicants to seduce me. A word of advice: never again employ such a tone when addressing me, or else…"

"Or else what?" Damien interjected. "Will you slay me?" he quipped. "Proceed, if you wish to become a widow within days." With a wry smile, he added, "And just so you know, during our initial encounter in the conference hall, you, the alluring, enigmatic lady, boldly appraised my di…um..er attributes with your discerning gaze countless times. Furthermore, were you not the one who extended an invitation to orchestrate a meeting with Grandmaster Theodore? Your motivations to draw me closer to you were evident, and now we stand as husband and wife."

A wave of bashfulness washed over her, yet she responded with a composed snort. "Hmph! Enough with your nonsense." Abandoning her initial protestations, she averted her gaze. Damien gracefully maneuvered closer, slipping beneath her once more, a gesture to which she now yielded. He enveloped her in his arms, savoring the silky texture of her waist, and they found themselves beneath the cloak of night. Hours drifted away as they lay together, wordlessly spooning, the celestial canopy above adorned with the radiance of three luminous moons. Her eyes shimmered with fascination as she beheld the trio of white moons, and she reached for his hands, tightly intertwining their fingers. It seemed that she had finally conquered her internal conflict.

Thinking this, Damien whispered in her ear, "You know, from the very first moment I laid eyes on you in that conference room, I harbored a powerful desire to misbehave."

With excitement, she turned to him and inquired, "To do what?" Damien responded with a swift movement, his lips grazing hers. Olivia made no move to push him away, savoring the moment as he indulged his desires. After a prolonged, passionate kiss, he murmured, "That urge first struck me when I glimpsed those crimson lips."

His words struck a chord, and she pounced on him like a tigress this time. Once more, the boat resonated with the melodious symphony of their ardor, and this time, the stars, the moons, and the shroud of night bore witness to their unrestrained passion.

Thus, the couple reveled in their week of culinary delights and amorous intimacy as the white boat continued its steady course. Following a delightful dinner one evening, Olivia handed Damien a parchment delineating a map of the headquarters' vicinity.

Damien unfurled the map and studied it intently, observing the intricate topography of the expansive territory. At its core, a miniature representation of the headquarters' superstructure stood out. "What is this for?" he inquired.

"Notice the region marked by the cluster of red dots? That's mine, and I'm offering you 50% of its expanse as a welcoming gesture, in accordance with Article 361 B. You can mark whichever lands you desire," Olivia declared with a warm smile.

"Nah, I don't have the time for that. Oli, manage them as you did before. Besides, I won't linger in this world for long," Damien responded.

"What? You're departing so soon?" she grumbled, her gaze fixed upon him with an intensity that could melt steel.

"Please understand, I'm not of this world. I have numerous unresolved matters."

"Too late for regrets. You should have considered that before you made your move on me. Now, you're mine, and I won't let you out of my sight. I'll grow old and die with you," she asserted.

"Excellent! Because I have no intentions of letting you out of my sight either. So, I'll be taking you along, whether you like it or not," Damien declared with utmost seriousness.

"Hmm, that's amusing," Olivia responded with a snort as if dismissing his words as mere folly. "Coming from a mere Purple Ranker, as if you could kidnap me, a Platinum Ranker."

"Oh, that's funny," Damien retorted with a wide grin. "Remember who you're talking to, my dear. This so-called 'mere' Purple Ranker managed to conquer and break the hymen of our old maiden Platinum Ranker in a single day. Besides, a devoted wife should follow her husband, wherever he may go."

Their intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by a series of rhythmic claps that echoed from the heavens above. Clap! Clap! Clap!

"As much as I relish continuing to witness this captivating drama, I find myself summoned to an urgent matter. My apologies!" resonated a resounding male voice, each word causing the river's surface to ripple with its sheer force.

The couple instinctively gazed skyward, their eyes widening as they beheld a magnificent avian creature with the head of a pheasant, the body of an owl, and vibrant plumage reminiscent of a peacock's grandeur. Astride this surreal creature sat a bald monk, draped in a saffron tunic, meditating in a cross-legged posture. The monk tenderly tapped his mount, prompting the Red Phoenix to release a lengthy tongue of crimson fire. Bang!