Chapter 328 Benefits of Having Lucas in the Group
As they stepped inside, Nyla beamed at the duo and explained, "This restaurant is actually owned by Sophia's mother. She kindly arranged for it to be empty today so we could have some privacy and enjoy our time together without any interruptions."
Rio looked around, appreciating the elegant decor and the warm, inviting ambiance. The soft lighting cast a cozy glow on the tables, adorned with crisp white linens and sparkling silverware. He could sense the exclusivity of the place, yet he felt surprisingly at ease, knowing they could enjoy their meal without prying eyes or unwanted attention.
They ascended to the second floor, where a stunning space greeted them. A swimming pool and open walls provided views of the outdoors, and the sky was visible above. A table with five chairs awaited them, and they took their seats, with the girls sitting together Rio beside Lucas, and Layla on Rio's other side.
After ordering a variety of dishes, Lucas and Sophia couldn't help but steal glances at Layla, the human world's often-praised goddess.
Nyla noticed their behavior and gently said, "Don't worry, you two. She's just like us, without wings or anything, so don't be nervous."
Lucas laughed and said, "It's not that, sister-in-law. It's just hard to believe this is real. I never thought Brother Rio would become so legendary. It feels like yesterday when he joined us on the adventure to the Purple Tower of the Outcasts, and now he's defeated a silver-stage warrior. And to top it all off, we find out that he's the hero's child and has the most beautiful girl as his fiancée.
Although he referred to Nyla as his sister-in-law despite Rio already having a fiancée, neither Layla nor Nyla corrected him.
Instead, Layla reassured them in her serene voice, "I'm just a normal human like you and Sophia, so there's no need to feel uncomfortable. You're Rio's friends, so please treat me like a friend as well."
With that, Lucas and Sophia relaxed a little bit more in Layla's company, charmed by her down-to-earth nature and kindness. The group enjoyed their time together, savoring the delicious food, warm chatter, and beautiful surroundings.
"Brother Rio, I'm bummed we won't be training together again," Lucas lamented, realizing that Rio's strength level had surpassed that of black-stage monsters and there was little reason for them to adventure together anymore, or so he believed.
Curious, Rio asked, "Where are you guys staying now in the Land of Asura?" The boy was thinking, 'I might want to visit them there sometime.'
"We're in the same shelter, but higher up – the Black Tower of the Outcast," Lucas replied cheerfully. "Sophia's sister, Kyra Wilson, has been helping us, although she's quite busy and can't spare much time."
Nyla and Rio shared a knowing glance at the mention of Kyra, who had been investigating Rio. Now that Rio was acknowledged as a hero's child, though, Kyra had little reason to meddle in his life.
Sophia chimed in, "You wouldn't believe it, but Sister had to face lord beasts almost every other day, and she was at a loss when he summoned a group of forty beasts! The team that came to help us nearly got wiped out, but thankfully, Sister handled it well..."
Rio and Nyla's faces were filled with amused looks, trying to suppress their laughter. They knew firsthand how Lucas's misfortune had attracted a lord beast out of nowhere, which had almost cost them their lives. It was during that time that Nyla had become Rio's wife and she sacrificed herself to save him.
Lucas defended himself, "Hey, it wasn't all bad! Thanks to me, Sister Kyra got a bunch of mystic eggs. Plus, we can't forget all the beast souls and cores you guys managed to farm because of me."
Lucas attempted to counterbalance the negative aspects of his bad reputation by emphasizing the benefits of having him in the group. His enthusiasm was contagious, making it difficult for the boy and the girls to stay serious for long.
As the conversation continued, Lucas and Sophia shared their experiences at the Black Tower, while Nyla and Rio discussed their supposed training in the Corrupted Land.
Layla listened intently since she hadn't been part of their group in the past. After an hour had passed, the friends made plans to meet again in the future.
When Lucas and Sophia left, only Rio, Layla, and Nyla remained. Layla suggested that Nyla should head to their apartment, and she and Rio would go to the Havenglow Villa to see Rose. Although Rio was hesitant, he agreed for the sake of his relationship with his sister and second mother.
Nyla nodded, and the two cars went in separate directions. She had already packed her things to move into Rio's old apartment, where she would be living with him when she returned to Earth.
Layla had even arranged for the second floor to be converted into a single living space, with a room for everyone to share. As for the third floor, she had bigger plans for it. She was going to renovate the entire building and turn it into something she had planned.
Rio and Layla drove to the Havenglow villa, their car passing through streets and eventually entering a park. The guards recognized Layla's car and let them through. Once they parked near a fountain, the couple stepped out, greeted by a maid who opened the door for them.
As they walked inside, a figure sprinted towards them. Rose wrapped her arms around Layla, hugging her tightly. Rio understood their strong sisterly bond, even though Rose had cheered for him at the international tournament. Their bond had been built over many years and couldn't be easily broken, so it was normal for Rose to miss Layla and hug her tightly.
After embracing Layla, Rose hugged Rio and complained in a playful manner, "Big brother, did you forget about your little sister already, now that you've found yourself a beautiful wifey?"
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Edited By: TheWhiteSnow
