The destination of our teleportation was right outside the Academy City.
My body fell to the ground, and I heaved a long breath. I didn't notice I held it back until we teleported away.
Whatever that thing I saw, it was a dangerous thing. The fact the system also warned me meant the edge of the world wasn't the place that even I could visit for now. My instinct honed in numerous battles told me that I stood no chance against it.
Tristan looked at me with confusion and asked,
"Why did you suddenly act strange and tell me to teleport away, Arthur?"
"Something dangerous is lurking beyond that waterfall," I replied while taking out a bottle of water and gulping it down in one breath.
"Hah… I never thought that even in my current state, there was something that I didn't want to fight in this world. It's truly interesting and scary at the same time."
"… Are you serious?"
Tristan sat on the grass beside me and asked in disbelief.
"Yeah." I nodded at her and stood up.
Besides that something, I also saw something else, but I would keep it a secret from Tristan for now.
"For now, let's go to my mansion and eat some breakfast. I am really hungry after all that exercise."
Growl~
When I mentioned food, Tristan's stomach grumbled loudly. Her face flushed red, and she threw her face away from me, trying to hide it.
"I-It's not like I am hungry or anything, but I will take up your offer."
"Yes, yes. I understand."
After replying to Tristan half-heartedly, we walked down the grass plain and went to the nearest gate. I already got a face pass and was pretty much allowed inside without showing my identification card. As for Tristan, whose appearance changed, I became her guarantee, and the guard also let her pass easily.
As we walked down the street toward my mansion, Tristan's expression stayed cold, and she seemed to have a bit of trouble walking normally.
"Are you not used to your old appearance yet?" I asked curiously, glancing at her.
"Yes." She turned at me and nodded. "The center of the balance is off, so I need to get used to this body again."
"Figures." I nodded in understanding and looked at a certain area. "After all, something is missing from your body."
"True, my height is– Bastard!"
As she answered, her eyes widened in realization, and she then kicked me in the butt. Of course, I managed to dodge that and laughed it off. My AGI was now way higher than hers, so even if Tristan wanted to hit me, she was unable to.
Before long, we arrived at my mansion, and the gate was opened from the inside as usual. However, I noticed the lack of presence; only one person was inside.
And that person was walking toward the front and opened the door.
"Welcome back, Sir Arthur!" She exclaimed loudly with a bright smile.
Her appearance was similar to Tristan's. Even though their height was similar, she wore a nun costume, and her smile hinted at cheekiness. If they were put together side by side, everyone would surely think they were sisters.
When she saw Tristan beside me, she tilted her head slightly.
"Is that a new maid to help the mansion, Sir Arthur?" She asked. "And to think you bring someone with a similar appearance as me. As I thought, you really love me the most among the others, right?"
That cheekiness with no bounds was a part of her personality. Only this cheeky nun, Milea, could have something like that.
Tristan's expression froze when she was called a new maid. It looked like she was angry.
"She's my subordinate and friend, Tristan." I introduced her to Milea, and the nun nodded in understanding.
"I see. Please forgive me for not recognizing you." Milea bowed her head, causing Tristan's expression to melt.
"It's okay," Tristan responded.
This girl was fooled by the cheeky nun's act. I didn't think she felt bad and genuinely thought I had brought a new maid. That nun needed to be shown her place again. It had been a long time since I punished her.
'And I wanted some action after fighting a lot of monsters. Tonight is the perfect time for punishing her.'
I looked at Milea with a cold gaze, and she returned my gaze with an understanding nod. I nodded back, and that was all I needed to tell her I would see her tonight.
But before that…
"Where are the others?" I asked the nun as I walked inside the mansion.
Tristan followed right beside me, and Milea guided us to the dining room.
"Garcia is with Madam Vivian and the new girl she brought back. As for Miss Eliza, she's in the Academy right now. Mia is going to the church to pray, and as for Lisa and Lara, they are walking Astro around the city."
"So, no one is here beside you?"
"Yes, Sir Arthur. I prepared a hot meal after I heard from Garcia that you would return shortly. Please enjoy it and have enough rest. Also, I have prepared a room for your companion." She looked over her shoulder and gave a bright smile.
As expected, she had heard about Tristan from Garcia but pretended to be oblivious and did something like that to play around.
Obviously, Tristan realized that too. She was more sensitive than me at reading people's expressions. That was why she frowned deeply since we entered the mansion.
Looking at her like that, I couldn't help but grin and pinched her side.
"Hya!"
A cute yelp escaped her lips as she stopped, glaring at me with a death stare. She quickened her steps to catch up to me and growled.
"You're dead!"
"Don't be so stiff, Tristan," I chuckled at her. "Milea was just joking around. She was just surprised at how similar your appearance is to hers."
"My deepest apologies, Miss Tristan. I truly didn't mean it." Milea stopped beside a large door and bowed at Tristan with a genuinely apologetic look.
Even the cold Tristan was troubled when someone bowed to her like that. We lived a humble life without any servants back then, and she had lived as someone in the church for more than a few years after that.
Being treated politely would definitely be surprising.
"Cough." Tristan faked a cough and put up an understanding expression. "As long as you understand. I am this guy's close friend and not her subordinate or maid, okay?"
And that would make her easier to please, more than usual.
"I understand," Milea replied with a smile and pushed the door open for us. "Please enjoy your meal, then. Feel free to call me if you need anything. I will be in the kitchen."
"Thank you, Milea." I thanked her and entered the room. And when I passed by her, I whispered in a low voice. "Don't forget tonight."
"Certainly, Sir Arthur." She bowed, hiding her face from me, as her long blonde hair fell to her face.
However, I could see her excited smile. She couldn't hide that she was excited in front of me.
'It seems that my last punishment didn't teach her anything about her position. Though I do like her cheekiness, it makes me want to dominate her even more.'
And thanks to this, I decided to open Milea's status with 'Requirement Appraisal' to look at what I needed to dominate that cheeky nun. When I read her requirements, I couldn't help but smile widely.
'Perfect.'
With that, I enjoyed my breakfast with Tristan, whose mood was lifted after seeing various mouth-watering food on the table. She enjoyed it as if there was no tomorrow and decided to forgive Milea for her disrespectful behavior one time.
After the meal, I met Milea again to tell her that I would go to the church to re-introduce Tristan to Rania. However, when I got there, something really surprising greeted me.
