Chapter 460: insert generic Chapter title here

Returning Transcendent Opens an Idol Agency

Emma let out a screech and clung to Meggie's arm. "Too fast! Meggie! Don't drop me! Don't drop me!"

Tsuki covered her face and said, "So embarrassing...! B-But it's nice...? Why is it nice?!"

Meggie rolled her eyes, easily navigating through the halls like she WASN'T carrying two girls her size over her shoulders. "It's fiiine. I've carried grown men across miles like this. I won't drop you two."

Tsuki huffed and said, "That's not what I'm worried about!"

Emma hugged Meggie tighter and said, "It IS what I'M worried about! If you drop me, Meggie, I'll... I'll haunt you! Forever! And ever!"

Meggie reflexively answered Emma with some banter, saying, "Sounds like a proposal. I think we're still a few years too early for that Em."

Then Meggie realized what she said and blushed. "That's not what- Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up! We're done here! We're leaving! Forget I said anything!"

Flustered, she picked up her pace even more.

And like that, with a blur of green and a pair of fading screams, Meggie left the building, carrying Emma and Tsuki over her shoulders like she'd just stolen a pair of brides off the altar.

Although Meggie's head was mostly filled with pure panic, a small part of her recognized that the situation was familiar.

'...Huh. Isn't this what Mom said that Dad did to her when he stole her away from the Imperial Palace?'

In that case, it really was like stealing a pair of brides-

'NO! Dammit. I have to stop reading shoujo manga before bed... Even if those villainess stories are so good...'

===

Al stared at the empty space where his cousin Meggie had been standing just a second ago. Then he blinked and laughed.

'As expected, my cousin is amazing.'

To toss a pair of girls over her shoulders and then sprint off without a word and without a sign of exertion...

Al remembered his father saying that his cousins were all exceptional in even more ways than he was as a half-human, but this was on a different level entirely.

Not the physical feat. No, no. Al had seen plenty of incredible feats of strength and speed.

What was amazing was the fact that the students around them, his peers, all just rolled their eyes and acted like it was something ordinary. That seeing Meggie run off like that wasn't even worth a second glance.

'I should ask how she does it.'

Although they wouldn't be returning 'home' for a century or so, Al would love to know how to blend into the surroundings like that while performing an outlandish feat.

Peri glanced back at the empty hall and shook his head, a slight smile on his face. "Well... I was looking to getting some food with them. But this is fine too."

Ares immediately snapped his gaze to Peri, jealousy clear on his face. "Food?! You?!"

Peri immediately caught on and smirked. "Yes, food. Why? Jealous~?"

"OF COURSE I'M JEALOUS!" Ares jabbed a finger in Peri's direction and said, "You're that pretty and have a pretty twin sister, but you're going to hog Meggie and Tsuki too?!"

Rei sighed and placed a hand on Ares' shoulder. Looking at Peri, he said, "Sorry for my friend. As you can see, he's quite the hothead."

"I'M NOT A HOTHEAD, REI! IT'S THE TRUTH! AND LET ME GO, DAMMIT!" Ares brushed Rei's hand off and then jabbed a finger at Al. "And YOU! Stop acting like a white knight!"

Al raised an eyebrow. "...I am a white knight though?"

Since his father was a redeemed death knight, his mother was *technically* a goddess if you went by the definition of having a devout follower (Al's father) and could grant miracles (using magic), the combination made Al a paladin.

Sort of.

At least, that was what Al was calling himself, and he'd stick to it.

And a paladin ALWAYS protected the weak from the oppressors.

And girls from unwanted attention.

That's what his other mother taught him at least.

Ares' face turned as read as his hair before he said, "ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME, HUH!?"

Peri raised an eyebrow and said, "For the nephew of an important attorney, you sure do like causing trouble, don't you?"

"I'LL SHOW YOU TROUBLE!"

Rei let out a sigh. "Alright. I guess it's that time of the day."

Before Ares could do anything else, Rei stepped forward and pinched Ares' neck.

"Guh?! Rei, what the fu- hnnngh." Ares' words suddenly cut off and he slumped forward, eyes rolling up in his head.

Rei caught Ares and gave a small wave to Peri and Al. "Like I said earlier, sorry about my friend. I'll be going."

Then, like Meggie earlier with Tsuki and Emma, Rei tossed Ares over his shoulder and walked off in the opposite direction.

Silence filled the hallways.

Slowly, the chatter of younger students and the high schoolers echoed as they all milled about to head out and start their Saturday.

But while that happened, Al slowly blinked and murmured, "Father was right. This world really is different... I have much to learn."

Peri's ear twitched and he glanced at Al. "...World?"

Without skipping a beat, Al nodded and said, "The world of the elites. It's quite different, isn't it?"

Peri blinked. Then he nodded. "Ah, right. That..." He looked around at the other students and said, "Mom said that people with money and power act different from normal. I guess this is proof."

"Indeed."

Peri paused and then tilted his head, looking at Al. "...You're talking a lot more formal than last time."

"My second mother scolded me. She said that, even though I am not a bloodline prince, since I am her husband's son, and since she is a queen, I should act accordingly. Also, that such language is a bad influence on my younger sister, who will become the future queen of her homeland."

Peri slowly blinked. Then he said, "What?"

Al just smiled.

"...You know what? Sure." Peri shrugged. "...Do you like acting? I need someone to practice reading lines with."

Al's eyes lit up. "Say less, Friend."