Chapter 224: Rescue 2

"There are too many flies around my wifey," Yano displeased watched the bartender join the other mortals. Lia ignored Yano's remark and watched the back of the bartender.

Because the immortals couldn't get themselves together, the mortals had to suffer. Weren't they like heavens? Playing around with others' lives? The Mortal World shouldn't be controlled or taken advantage of by the Immortal World.

The Mortal World was its own, they should have the freedom to decide over their own lives. Just like how Lia wanted to sever the ties between heavens and the Immortal World.

Although things have calmed down in the Mortal World and the situation was managed, all these mortals here have long given up on the Mortal World. They wanted to use the last bit of their lives for something useful. This was also the mentality the bartender had, someone who came to the Immortal World to save the Mortal World yet abandoned it.

"Lia seems to be really popular," Mil and Skyla came to Lia and Yano, while Zero, Lu and Holn were subject to the mortals' curiosity, especially Zero was very well-loved. His appearance was particularly a weak spot for the protective females.

"Unfortunately," Yano threw a glance at Lia who was rather concerned about what the bartender was doing.

The moment the bartender approached the mortals, they all flocked to him eagerly listening to what he had to say. For some reason, it seemed like he was rallying them together. A bad feeling made itself apparent. What nonsense was the bartender planning to do now?

"Everyone!" the bartender hollered and then with a mighty jump landed in front of Lia before he knelt. The mass of mortals followed.

"Oh no," Lia sighed and wanted to back off but the bartender's gaze was fixated on her.

Right now it looked like the mortals were Lia's subjects and knelt in front of their king. In this peaceful landscape with the sun gracing them, the wind fluttering their clothes, this sight looked like a verse that could rival heavens.

As if to defy heavens, all the people viewed Lia as their king. Yano and the others went along and playfully knelt while their smiles irritated Lia.

"What are you doing? Stand up!" Lia had absolutely no idea what was going on until the bartender shouted, "You have our undying loyalty!"

What do you think you're doing? Shooting a mortal's film right now? Don't play around like this!

But loyalty? A word that Susa liked to use. The truth was Lia also wanted to visit Elder L because of Leo's death but Elder L was the person Lia was afraid of facing the most. He watched her grow up and she doubted him and even took Leo away from him.

"I'm the supreme leader-" the bartender's ridiculous words brought Lia back from her thoughts, "And everyone here all pledge to help you forever, whatever it needs to take!"

Lia was on the verge of despair. She wished the bartender would stop this act. She didn't know he was this kind of person. Did the disaster in the Mortal World change him into this? Did he think he was a hero now?

"Because you helped me-"

Although it was the bartender helping Lia and she did nothing for him. He was the one who basically saved her.

"I was able to open my eyes, trained to become stronger and thus was able to survive the ghost plague. You are my saviour and I'll be forever indebted to you."

"Oh," Lia was overwhelmed by the cheers. Were all these mortals brain dead? Did their brains get fried during the ghost purge?

However, it seemed to have some effects since Holn started to crackle again he hasn't done in a long while, "Good. Good! Truly good, Lia hahaha!" Lu and Holn already got to know Lia's true identity.

"Long live my immortal saviour!" the bartender looked at Lia with sparkling eyes before Yano shielded her and exhaled, "Truly a big, fat fly."

"Don't be like this!" Mil also laughed and patted Yano on the shoulders, "Lia's doing good deeds."

"Although I didn't do anything," Lia desperately wanted everyone to know the truth and clear up this misunderstanding.

"No, no my immortal saviour you are the reason why I grew stronger and could become the supreme leader!" the bartender wanted to hold Lia's hands but Yano's glare stopped him.

"What's this supreme leader anyways?" Lia was still confused.

"Remember when I told you about the 10 captains? He's the leader," Holn recovered from his laughing and put his arm around the bartender, "He's incredibly well-liked and actually strong."

"Oh? Really?" Lia sized the bartender up.

Funnily enough, he was still in his working clothes. He didn't seem to have a strong body either, he was fairly on the slender side and seemed to be only in his mid-20s but hiding underneath his clothes were lean muscles that actually packed a punch.

The bartender noticed Lia's gaze and grinned, "Never judge a book by its cover."

"Alright, go to the others now. Stop buzzing around my wifey," Yano shooed the bartender away and motioned Lu and Skyla to come closer, "Guys you need to bring them under somehow."

"Can't you just use your power?"

Yano blankly stared at Holn, "Do you think my power can be used like that? Do I look this convenient to you?"

Holn and Sklya both looked Yano up and down before exclaiming, "Yup."

"Wifey!" Yano actually clung onto Lia's arm and looked at her aggrieved. Lia felt the incredible urge to punch everyone. Yano acting like this was embarrassing.

"Isn't it possible to quickly build something? Or just give them bankes? I mean it won't rain or get cold here. They can just use the bathroom in your mansions and cook for everyone," Lia wanted this matter settled and get on with the plan.

Yano sensed her urgency and had Lu, Holn and Zero take care of it while Lia, Skyla and Mil assembled in the dining room.

"Are we still going with the previous plan?" Mil was the first to speak up as he stuffed his cheeks full with snacks. For some reason, Lia got the feeling that none of them took this whole situation seriously. They were all too carefree and careless.

Lia glanced at Yano and said, "Yes, I will try to talk to Eri again to gain more info. Nothing more than that. Yano will open a portal for me to the capital and after I'm done, I'll rush back, then we'll figure out something together. I won't get in trouble or danger nor will draw attention."

The plan sounded simple because the goal was only to meet Eri and not go into the palace. Since Lily was safe, there wasn't anyone who should be captured in the palace Lia cared about. This might be a trap or Eri had gotten the wrong information.

Either way, Lia needed to make sure. Obviously, it was already dangerous to meet Eri. Just because she let Lia go one time didn't mean she'd do it for a second time and magically become a friend. That was why Lia planned to appear in family M's mansion. Eri seemed to care a lot about her brother and Lia would use this to her advantage.

"Honestly, I'm still against it," Yano twirled a fork in his hands, "If you know there's no one there then why even bother going?"

"I want to know why she said that."

"That's why you're naive and reckless," Yano's words hit Lia in the heart. Yano was right but she hated hearing those words the most. Mika always used to say the same to her. But Lia's gut and intuition told her that there was really something in the palace, and Lia believed, as crazy as it sounded, that Eri didn't lie to her and said the truth.

That was why Lia wanted and had to go.

"Why don't you go with her?" Skyla looked at Yano and Lia.

"Yano in the capital also draws too much attention. M- The trash still thinks Yano is in the Mortal World."

"Good girl," Yano's mood brightened hearing Lia using his suggestion and rubbed her head.

"Also I will be there only briefly. Ask Eri and then leave immediately."

"It's out of our hands. You're too stubborn;" Mil sighed, "In any case be quick. We'll prepare for the next stage. We'll have to recruit as many people as possible, so we'll also be busy."

The atmosphere turned heavy as everyone realised they would have to engage in another fight. This time hopefully the last.

***

"Are you leaving tonight?" Yano walked into Lia's room and found her on the bed.

"Yes, at night fewer people will notice," Lia sat up as Yano made himself comfortable next to her.

"Give me your hand."

Lia looked at Yano perplexed but then did as he said. Her small hand fit perfectly in his large one. Yano drew a circle on the back of her hand and a golden circle lit up.

"What's that?"

"Communication ring. Just tap on it and you can talk to me," Yano smiled at Lia whose eyes widened.

"But won't that be inconvenient for you? You can only use one circle at a time."

"What?" Yano laughed, "You'll just go there and come back immediately. I'll stay here, so there's no need to use my power or are you planning to run away?"

As if afraid Lia would really run, Yano slung his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

Lia shook her head and lightly grinned, "Why would I?"

"See, so who are you worried about?"

"You're right," Lia rolled her eyes, she couldn't win against Yano.

"Lia," Yano's low whisper sent a shiver through Lia's body as his lips hovered next to her ear before his nose trailed her neck and his soft lips pressed a light kiss on her shoulders. All the while Yano pushed her even closer to him.

Lia's hands rested on his chest while her head was lowered, avoiding his gaze. Lia was confined in Yano's arms and couldn't move. The air started to evaporate from the heat that came from their bodies as they craved one another.

Lia's body tingled to the point that even her fingertips trembled against Yano's firm chest. Yet Yano still didn't let her go, instead, his nose bumped Lia's and moved upwards so Lia had to look up at him and there, in his clear and warm eyes, she saw the whole universe.

Lia's lips quivered as she couldn't help but get lost in Yano's deep eyes. His hand cheekily trailed her back while his lips drew closer to Lia's. Then he stopped with only a paper-thin gap between them, "Can I…kiss you?"

Yano's low whisper held back the desire that overtook him as he saw Lia so vulnerable under his touch. Lia's long eyelashes graced her cheeks as she blinked, relentlessly staring at Yano.

She didn't know what to say, all she could feel were the same emotions welling up inside of her that bound her to Yano.

Before she even realised, her lips moved on her own allowing Yano to bridge the gap and connect their desires. Yano's soft lips on hers was like water flowing into her body, drowning and making her numb.

Lia knew what this meant as their kiss grew deeper and more passionate.

Lia has utterly fallen for Yano.