I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

"Charging? What do you mean—"

Before he could finish speaking, Lisbeth had already gently taken his arm. The girl's body heat seeped through his sleeve, bringing a reassuring warmth.

"Lizbeth?" Mochizuki Kaede looked at the pink-haired girl who suddenly approached with some surprise.

Lisbeth buried her face in his shoulder and took a deep breath. The reason she was so listless today was because Mochizuki Kaede hadn't been to the weapon shop in so long. The cycle of looking up expectantly only to look down in disappointment every time the shop door opened left her feeling utterly empty.

But now, she can finally lean close to the boy she has been longing for day and night.

Lisbeth looked up, her face beaming with her usual radiant smile: "Didn't I tell you? I'm recharging right now~"

Mochizuki Kaede was slightly taken aback. He could clearly feel the weariness and longing in Lisbeth's eyes.

"I understand," he nodded and said, gently adjusting his position to make the other person more comfortable. "Then charge until you're satisfied."

"Yes, thank you." Lisbeth closed her eyes contentedly, wrapping her arms around his as if holding the most precious treasure.

A blue butterfly gently landed on Lisbeth's shoulder, its wings opening and closing slowly with her breath. A gentle breeze swept through the sea of ​​flowers, creating colorful waves.

Chapter 173: Stoleya's Joining

When Mochizuki Kaede and Lisbeth returned to the weapon shop, sunlight was shining on the metal signboard at the shop entrance.

When Lisbeth pushed open the store door, her short pink hair fluttered gently in the breeze, and a bright smile graced her face.

"Mmm—!" She stretched lazily and twirled around energetically. "After changing my mood, I feel completely refreshed!"

Looking at the revitalized blacksmith, Mochizuki Kaede smiled and said, "You've become the Lisbeth I know again."

“Instead of hesitating and worrying there,” Lisbeth clenched her fist, her eyes flashing with determination, “it’s better to pull yourself together and do your job as a blacksmith. After all, I’m your important partner!”

She turned and walked toward the forging table, then suddenly turned back: "But... if I get frustrated again... will you still take me to that place?"

Mochizuki Kaede nodded gently: "Of course."

"Then... what about charging?" Lisbeth's voice suddenly softened, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.

Mochizuki Kaede paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Yes, that's fine."

"It's a deal!" Lisbeth jumped up happily. "We made a promise! As a reward, I'm going to make sure all your weapons and equipment are sparkling clean today!"

Seeing Lisbeth's energetic appearance, Mochizuki Kaede couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Then I'll leave it to you."

When Mochizuki Kaede returned to the guild headquarters after the weapons were repaired, she was so shocked by the sight before her that she stopped in her tracks—

In the kitchen, Asuna was skillfully stir-frying ingredients, while the figure helping her was none other than the mysterious light purple-haired girl—Streaea.

She wore an apron, and although her movements were clumsy, she was extremely earnest, occasionally asking Asuna for advice.

On the sofa in the living room, Mitt's sharp gaze occasionally swept towards the kitchen, his fingers tapping on the sofa armrest. Silica and Yui were teasing Pina, and the little dragon was making happy "cheep" sounds.

Yuna was the first to notice Mochizuki Kaede's return, and she walked over carrying her lute.

"President, your popularity with women is truly enviable." She lowered her voice mischievously, "This beautiful Miss Stoleya came all the way here to see you."

Mochizuki Kaede really didn't expect that Stoleya could find their guild's headquarters.

He remembered the girl saying, "We will meet again," and he never expected it to come true so quickly.

"Asuna must have told you about Strea's background, right?" Mochizuki Kaede asked.

"They said they met during your honeymoon." Yuna nodded, her eyes sparkling with gossip. "But President, is your charm so exaggerated that it can make the opposite sex fall in love at first sight?"

Mochizuki Kaede shook her head helplessly, about to explain, when Asuna's voice suddenly came from the kitchen: "Kaede! You're back just in time, can you help me taste it?"

Strea also peeked out from behind Asuna's shoulder, her short, light purple hair sticking up playfully: "Mochizuki Kaede~ Come and try the collaborative dish that Asuna and I made!"

Mochizuki Kaede approached the kitchen counter and saw a plate of golden, crispy fried pork cutlets, emitting an enticing aroma.

Asuna gently turned the steak with tongs and explained, "This is a Milanese-style fried beef steak, served with a vegetable salad and a special tomato sauce."

"And it uses super rare ingredients!" Strea proudly puffed out her chest, gesturing with her hands to show an exaggerated size. "Knowing that only Asuna could perfectly prepare such rare ingredients, I immediately brought it to you guys~"

"Just... just for this reason?" Mochizuki Kaede looked at Stoleya with suspicion.

"Don't think too much about it~" Stoleya winked playfully, "With such delicious food in front of us, let's try it first!"

Asuna had already brought a small, perfectly fried beef cutlet to Mochizuki Kaede's lips. The cutlet was still steaming, coated with a thin layer of glistening sauce, and exuded an enticing aroma.

Under the expectant gazes of the two girls, Mochizuki Kaede carefully took a bite. The crispy outer layer encased tender, juicy meat, and the sweet and sour flavor of the special tomato sauce perfectly balanced the greasiness; it was indeed an excellent dish.

"How is it?" Asuna asked.

Stoleya moved even closer, her crimson eyes fixed on him: "Is it good?"

Mochizuki Kaede savored the rare delicacy, gazing at the two girls before her, each with a distinct style yet equally outstanding.

"It tastes great," Mochizuki Kaede honestly commented, watching the smiles bloom on Asuna and Strea's faces.

Of course, Asuna prepared far more than just fried beef cutlets. In the following time, she and Strea worked together seamlessly to serve up several more delicious dishes—pan-fried salmon with lemon sauce, cream of mushroom soup, seasonal vegetable salad, and a potato stew with an enticing aroma.

At the dinner table, everyone praised every dish. Just as the atmosphere was at its most harmonious, Stoleya suddenly put down her chopsticks and said, "Um... I'd like to stay here for a while."

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone except Asuna, who maintained a gentle smile, showed expressions of surprise. Mochizuki Kaede noticed Asuna's calm reaction and immediately guessed that Strea had already made this request in the kitchen, and that the kind-hearted Asuna had probably not refused.

Mitt's cold and beautiful face furrowed slightly: "So, Miss Stoleya wants to formally join our guild?"

Strea tilted her head and thought for a moment: "You could say I'm joining... but I prefer to act alone~"

“Then you wouldn’t qualify as a full member.” Mitt’s voice was businesslike and calm. “Please allow me to decline this request.”

Strea remained calm, instead revealing a sly smile. She picked up a piece of fried steak and suddenly held it to Mitt's lips: "Ah—"

This sudden action caught Mite off guard, and he could only instinctively open his mouth to accept the feeding.

While Mito was chewing, Stoleya turned to Mochizuki Kaede, her crimson eyes sparkling with anticipation: "President~ do you agree to let me join?"

Mochizuki Kaede remained silent for a moment. Judging from how naturally Strea interacted with Asuna, Silica, and Yui, she could indeed easily integrate into the group. Moreover, keeping her around might help unravel those unsolved mysteries more quickly…

"Okay." Mochizuki Kaede finally nodded in agreement.

Stoleya immediately cheered and picked up another piece of potato stew, feeding it to Mochizuki Kaede: "A reward~"

She was using the same chopsticks she had just used to feed Mitt.

Mitt watched this scene, his eyes flickering subtly.

“Since Mochizuki Kaede has agreed…” Mito sighed softly, “then I will accept as well.”

"That's great!" Strea clapped her hands happily and looked around at everyone. "From today onwards, please take care of me!"

Chapter 174: Nightmare

In the stillness of the night, there was a gentle knock on Mochizuki Maple's door.

"Could it be Stoleya..." Mochizuki Kaede got up and opened the door. Sure enough, the girl with short, light purple hair was standing prettily outside the door.

When Stoleya saw him open the door, she didn't say anything, but just gave a sly smile and went into the room. Mochizuki Kaede helplessly closed the door, turned around, and saw the girl already sitting confidently on the edge of his bed.

"Strella, what's wrong with you...?"

"The new room is too unfamiliar, I can't sleep~" She swung her fair legs, the hem of her pajamas swaying gently with the movement, "So I came here."

Mochizuki Kaede looked helplessly at the uninvited guest: "You can go to Asuna's or Silica's room. Don't you get along well?"

Stoleya shook her head: "It's so late, it will disturb them."

As she spoke, she actually threw off the covers and crawled inside, burying her face in the pillow and taking a deep breath, "Mmm...it smells like Mochizuki Kaede~"

Wang Yuefeng sighed and sat down on the chair by the bed.

Stoleya poked her head out from under the covers: "Aren't you going to sleep?"

"...It's too crowded for two people," he politely declined.

"Oh~" Stoleya suddenly sat up, her nightgown collar slightly open, revealing glimpses of her snow-white skin. What was even more eye-catching were the two small moles on her full left breast, which stood out against her snow-white skin, adding a touch of alluring sexiness.

"Could you please turn off the lights, President?"

Mochizuki Kaede got up and pressed the switch, plunging the room into darkness instantly, with only the faint moonlight shining in through the window.

"Thank you." Stoleya's voice was exceptionally clear in the darkness.

Mochizuki Kaede sat back down in her chair. Once her grey eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could vaguely make out the outline of the mound on the bed. Stoleya seemed to have genuinely come to sleep; soon, her breathing became even and steady.

Before long, drowsiness crept in, and Wang Yuefeng gradually leaned back in his chair and drifted into a light sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, a series of rapid and heavy breathing sounds, like a heavy hammer blow, suddenly woke Mochizuki Kaede from her light sleep.

He suddenly opened his eyes and saw the girl on the bed breathing rapidly and erratically, as if she were experiencing something terrible.

"Huh? What's wrong?" Mochizuki Kaede's heart tightened, and she quickly reached out to turn on the light. The soft light instantly filled the room, illuminating Stoleya's face, which was filled with sadness and fear.

"How...how scary...everyone...everyone will break down...!"

Stoleya was fast asleep with her eyes closed and her brows furrowed. She murmured intermittently, her voice trembling with sobs.

The next second, the girl suddenly let out a sharp scream: "Aaaaaaahhhhhh—!"

Mochizuki Kaede rushed forward and grasped her trembling shoulders with both hands: "Hey! Stoleya! Wake up!"

Stoleya was pulled from that terrible nightmare by Mochizuki Kaede's call. She opened her eyes wide in confusion, her crimson eyes filled with lingering fear.

Her gaze wandered around the room, finally settling on Mochizuki Kaede's face: "...Mochizuki Kaede?"

"Yes, it's me." Mochizuki Kaede softened her tone as much as possible and gently comforted him, "You seemed to have a nightmare? Are you alright..."

Before she finished speaking, Stoleya seemed to have suddenly found someone to rely on. She opened her arms and wrapped them around Mochizuki Kaede's neck, pulling him forcefully toward her.

Caught off guard, Mochizuki Kaede fell into a soft embrace. The girl's rapid breath brushed past his ear, and her full, soft breasts were pressed tightly against him. The girl's scent, her faint fragrance, and the softness of her body were all conveyed to Mochizuki Kaede without reservation.

"What's wrong?" Mochizuki asked softly, her hands hovering in mid-air, unsure of where to put them.

“I’m sorry…” Stoleya’s voice was muffled on his shoulder, trembling slightly, “Just like that… don’t move for now…”

Wang Yuefeng stood frozen in place, able to feel the delicate body in his arms still trembling uncontrollably, like a little bird shivering in a storm.

He involuntarily tightened his arms, trying to warm Stoleya with his body heat, his hands gently stroking the girl's back: "It's alright...it was just a nightmare..."

Mochizuki Kaede never expected that Stoleya, who was always so capable and at ease, would have such a vulnerable side.

It turns out that she too can be awakened by nightmares and seek comfort like any other girl.

"I...don't want to disappear..." Stoleya's voice was muffled on Mochizuki Kaede's shoulder, tinged with a barely perceptible sob.

Disappeared? Mochizuki Kaede's heart skipped a beat. Was she afraid of dying in this death game? But given the strength that Stoleya had shown, she shouldn't be so easily defeated by monsters.

Looking at the trembling girl in his arms, Mochizuki Kaede suddenly realized that no matter how strong she was, she was ultimately just a girl who could be afraid and vulnerable. This realization softened his heart, and his movements became even gentler.

Gradually, Stoleya's trembling subsided. When she raised her head, her face had regained its usual smile.

"Sorry, I had a rather scary nightmare~" She blinked, her tone light as if the vulnerability she had just experienced had never existed.

Mochizuki Kaede carefully examined her expression: "Are you feeling better now?"

"Although nightmares are terrifying..." Stoleya tilted her head and smiled, "but I'm fine!"

Her arms were still wrapped around Mochizuki Kaede's neck, the two so close they could count each other's eyelashes. The girl's warm breath brushed against his cheek, carrying a faint fragrance.

"That's good." Wang Yuefeng breathed a sigh of relief and was about to step back, but was stopped by her suddenly tightening arm.

"Thank you for the hug just now..." Stoleya leaned close to his ear, her breath brushing against his earlobe, "It felt so good~ Hahaha!"

"Wait..." Wang Yuefeng was about to break free when he felt the girl suddenly exert force, trying to pull him into her arms. He hurriedly braced himself against the edge of the bed to barely maintain his balance and avoid the embarrassing situation of being completely on top of the girl.

“Let’s sleep together~” Strea blinked her crimson eyes, “Otherwise I’ll have nightmares again if I’m alone…”

Despite what she said, her playful smile clearly showed that she was no longer afraid and simply wanted to keep Mochizuki Kaede there.

Mochizuki Kaede tried to break free, but found the girl's arms wrapped tightly around her like vines. Looking at her expectant eyes, Mochizuki Kaede finally sighed softly, "...I'll stay with you."

And so, the two lay side by side on the bed. Mochizuki Kaede, who had been awakened from a light sleep by Stoleya's exclamation, was now back in this familiar bed, and sleepiness washed over him like a tidal wave.

Stoleya lay quietly on her side beside Mochizuki Maple, gazing at him tenderly. She watched as the boy gradually closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep; his even breathing was like a soothing lullaby.

In the dim moonlight, she gazed silently at the boy's sleeping face. The fear from the nightmare had long since dissipated, replaced by a more complex emotion. Her lips moved silently, as if to say something, but no sound came out.

Chapter 175: Divination

"Fengzi~ I just got some new event information and was just about to discuss it with you."