Bang

  A loud boom resounded in the air and a ball streaked like lightning, heading towards the white sand. But before it could even nd, a pair of hands blocked it, defleg it upwards, the sands scattering as a lone figure dove towards the sand

  After the ball was deflected upwards, a hand reached out towards it, striking it hard aing it bolt through the air, barely passing over the and streaking wildly towards the other side.

  Bang Bang Bang

  Oer another, a series of bangs and booms echoed loudly. They passed, they blocked, they set, and they spiked. The ball was tossed around the pd the pyers scrambled around, eyes on the balls and the others before them.

  Of course, they were pying her than volleyball! Beach volleyball, that is! A match between husbands. The first team is posed of the King, Kris, Gerd, Cedrid Abraham, and the sed team with the Prince, Jiro, Ross, Fritz, and even the Great Chief who just joihem not too long ago.

  And as one would expect, the volleyball game was much simpler than the ones ba Earth. There were only a total of three sets, with a goal of sg 15 points required to win each set.

  They are already ihird and final set, the petitioing fiercer than ever, each spike packed full of power. After all, their beloved wives are watg. They are all determio win, passion burning in their eyes.

  "Your Majesty, here!" ［Gerd］

  "Good!... Take this!" ［Ernes］

  Gerd set the ball and the King leaped. As he struck the ball, yet another loud boom resounded in the air as it darted towards one of the enemies' ers, almost out the li was another point!ー or so it should have been...

  But before it could even nd, Fritz dove towards the sand and saved the ball, making it bounce upwards. A swift assist from Ross and the ball was ba the court, soon boung back to the other side as the Priossed it back.

  Unfortunately for them, Cedric was already lying in wait. As the ball was flying over the , he quickly jumped as high as he could and struck the ball at a sharp angle downwards. Aed yet amazing spike.

  Thud Whisk Whisk

  Jiro tried to save the ball, but he was just a step too te. The ball soon nded on the ground, whisking sand around and rolling around a little before ing to a plete stop. It was yet another point for the King's team.

  "Hahaha! Good one, Cedric!" ［Ernes］

  "I was just lucky, Your Majesty." ［Cedric］

  "Well, luck is also a part of one's ability. o be so humble." ［Ernes］

  With Cedric's point, their tally now es to 11 against 12, in the first team's favor. A little more and the game would finally be settled. As the game s clusion, all pyers stretched their bodies once more, readying for the round.

  Most of them were already grasping for their breaths, but there was not a sirace of surrender in their eyes. If anything, they are even more fired up, ready to grasp victory and show everyone who the king of the games was.

  "Alright! Here we go!" ［Galleus］

  Before long, the game tinued and the ball was bounced bad forth over the once again, everyone giving it their all. If oo see them, it would be hard to believe that they just learnt how to py it a couple ho.

  "Fufufu! It's so o see Ernes giving it his all for o reminds me of our youth. He was so amazing back then... Well, he's still amazing now. Fufufu!" ［Talia］

  "Well, Father might be amazing, but I believe Galleus is even more. Don't you think so too, Mother?" ［Natasha］

  "My, my, Your Majesty, Yhness, I believe my Fritz is even cooler, no? Didn't you see his save just now?" ［Eleanora］

  "Well, not as impressive as Cedric though." ［Veronica］

  As for the wives, they had quite the scary yet iing topic amongst them. All of them were just gushing about how amazing their husbands were, ag like high school girls talking and paring their crushes with one another.

  And yes, it was scary. After all, though they were smiling, their eyes were really hard to read, showing no clear emotions behind them. All that was certain was that things were not as simple as it seems. Women really are scary.

  "What do you think, everyone? Who do you think is the most amazing?" ［Talia］

  "Fufufu! I believe everyone is just as amazing, Your Majesty." ［Selia］

  "W-Well... For me, I think it's my husband..." ［Marianne］

  "I also share the same answer, Your Majesty." ［Alma］

  But what was important was that they were getting along with everyoheir social statuses didn't even matter at the moment, only getting along as women who were cheering for their husbands. A light atmosphere was about them.

  And as the volleyball game tinued, iers, anroup of people were enjoying their time. They were the younger ones sisting of the teens and the children, only Aria standing out amongst them.

  "Miss Aria, are you sure you don't want to watch Mister Kris' match? I'm sure he wants to show you his cool side." ［Yuna］

  "I know, I know, but Yuna, who do you think I am?" ［Aria］

  "Umm... You're Miss Aria...?" ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! That's not what I meant, you silly girl!" ［Aria］

  Yuna answered as she tilted her head and Aria giggled in respoo which, Yuna only got more puzzled. But before Yuna's fusios any worse, Aria opened her mouth and gave her an ued yet very Aria-like answer.

  "I'm his wife, remember? If there's anyone who knows just how cool and fantastic he is, that would be me." ［Aria］

  A soft ale voice resounded in the air, full of fidence as it rang inside Yuna's pointy ears. The speaker iion has a bright smile on her face, cheeks burning a slight reddish hue until the tip of her simirly pointy ears.

  Apart from what she said, Kris had already proven not long ago how amazing he was as he presented her with ice cream mochis. Just remembering it makes her heart flutter once again, but there was o say such things out loud.

  Well, she wasn't the only one whose cheeks were dyed with a rosy hue. Yuna and the others who listeo her also got a share of embarrassment, all thinking just how admirable Aria's words were.

  "And Yuna, have you fotten already? I have 'Hunter's Eye', you know? I see much further than normal people do. Watg the match from all the way here is not a problem." ［Aria］

  "ht! I almost fot! You did have that, didn't you?" ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! You're surprisingly fetful sometimes, aren't you, Yuna?" ［Aria］

  "Mmn... Just sometimes though..." ［Yuna］

  The wind was fresh, the waters were cool, and sunlight was gentle. As they drifted afloat the wavy seas, there was only a light atmosphere about, chatting about all sorts of things as they ughed and pyed around.

  Of course, they weren't too far off from the shore, only a little distance over, enough for them to submerge their bodies up until the chest area. The children were wearing floaters around them, having the best time of their lives as they spshed around,

  "Little Princess, are you having fun?" ［Grey］

  "Um! Nalia, fun! Py wif Big Bro!" ［Natalia］

  "Alright, that's good. But don't go too far the puppies, alright?" ［Grey］

  "Um! Nalia, behayve!" ［Natalia］

  But perhaps the most eye-catg amongst the group was the Little Princess. Not only was she the you, there were also the familiars cirg around her like a cohort of knights guarding her. Well, she is royalty, after all.

  Not just the prihe other children were also guarded by the familiars as they swam around with their floaters ing around them. Though Grey could easily watch over all of them with his eyes, every bit of help helps.

  But as Grey ying with the Little Princess, he couldn't help but notice a certain person b a hole on the back of his head with all his staring. It was her than the Sed Prince, Julius, staring very ily.

  "Julius, just spit it out if you want to say something." ［Grey］

  "Hmm... Nothing really, I just thought what a weirdo you are... Making all these crazy things oer another. I wonder where you get all these ideas from," ［Julius］

  "That's none of your business. And don't call me a weirdo, you bastard." ［Grey］

  "Ha! Speak for yourself!" ［Julius］

  It was the usual, once again. It was a simple topic, yet one way or ahe two always found a way to turn it into an argument. No one is even surprised anymore, easily accepting it as part of their usual lives.

  "Natalia～! e here, py with uncle." ［Julius］

  "No! Nalia py wif puppies!" ［Natalia］

  "Oh, e on! You've been pying with them sihis m!" ［Julius］

  "No! Puppies!" ［Natalia］

  Well, no matter how fierce he is against Grey, he is still helpless against his little hough not as much as his father and brother, he still doted on her very much, spoiling her as much as he could. He was just another fool.

  Leaving Julius and the Little Princess aside, everyone was having a lot of fun on their own, fpping around like hatgs learning to fly and spshing water everywhere while they're at it. They were like a school of fishes, huddled up near each other.

  "No! You're panig too much! Just calm down and breathe!" ［Eliza］

  "But the water's too salty! It always gets inside my mouth!" ［Galvin］

  "J-Just breathe slowly, Galvin! Slowly!" ［Iris］

  And by the looks of things, the older ones were teag the younger ones how to swim. Namely, Elnart, Galvin, and Bel were the ones receiving the instrus. The others were learning by themselves. They were adorable, one way or another.

  "Hahaha. How hardw. Learning how to swim, are we?" ［Grey］

  "Ah! Elder Brrey!" ［Eliza］

  "Yo! Do you need some help?" ［Grey］

  Even then, no matter how adorable they looked, Grey 't just leave them by themselves. It was still better if there was an adult supervising them. Everyone's faces beamed brightly as soon as they heard his words... Everyone except one person,

  As soon as Eliza heard Grey offered his help, she quickly flinched, cold chills running down her spine. After all, she had experienced first hand just how tough and difficult Grey's teag style was. Fshbacks of her training fshed before her eyes as she trembled ever so slightly.

  "Really? Big Bro Grey would teach us?!" ［Galvin］

  "Sure thing! I may not look it, but I was the one who taught y Sister Yuna how to swim, you know?" ［Grey］

  "Grey, stop lying! I already knew how to swim even before!" ［Yuna］

  At the mention of her name, Yuna quickly made a ebad headed towards where everybody was. She outing her face cutely as she tried to express her dissatisfa rey's ret statement.

  "My dear Yuna, that wasn't swimming. You were just floating." ［Grey］

  "What?! Th-That isn't true! I was moving, you know?!" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, true... But at a turtle's pace, that is." ［Grey］

  "Uuu... That's... I wasn't that slow... I think..." ［Yuna］

  Yuna tried to retainst Grey, but even she was unsure about her swimming abilities back then. She hates to admit it, but she really was on the slower side, uo move even a sier even after all her efforts.

  Thankfully, Yuna was a quick learner. Just a single day of teag and Yuna was already as able as any other. And a couple more practices ter, she was already like an olympic swimmer, c dozens of meters of distan just a couple seds.

  "Well! Anyway, we'll be teag you how to swim! Okay?!" ［Yuna］

  """Yaaay～!"""

  And skillfully as she could, Yuna quickly ged the topito something else, not daring to meet Grey in the eyes. Well, not that Grey has any iions ing jt any further. He was already satisfied with Yuna's cute expressions.

  As for the children, they didn't really mind their little banter. What mattered to them was that they could spend some time learning how to swim under Grey and Yuna's tutege. It py occasion.

  "Hngg,.. I also want to learn how to swim too..." ［Helen］

  "Haha... Me too..." ［Tilda］

  Meanwhile, overhearing their versation, Helen and Tilda, who were also holding onto floaters, also wao learn how to swim. They were just too embarrassed to join in with the kids. Though young, they were already adults, after all.

  "Umm... Big Sis Helen, Big Sis Tilda, should I teach you?" ［Marika］

  "Really?! Would that be okay?!" ［Helen］

  "Yes! You t on me!" ［Marika］

  "Waah～! Marika, you're an angel!" ［Helen］

  Thankfully, Marika was there to save the day. Well, not just Marika, the others were also more than willing to help out. All except Julius. He was still busy winning over his nied trying to vince her to py with him.

  All in all, everything was going well, with everyone busy with their own thing. Be it rexing, floating aimlessly, swimming, or spshing around. Everyone was making use of their precious time and made sure it would be a memorable experience.

  Bang Bang Bang

  And speaking of a memorable experiehe volleyball match was almost ing to a close, fierce tosses and passes happening all over the pce as the ball bounced bad forth betweewo sides of the sandy court.

  "Lord Kris! It's all up to you!" ［Abraham］

  "Right! Leave it to me!" ［Kris］

  One moal step and Kris leaped off the sandy beach. As Abraham set the ball high up in the air for him, his hands immediately reached out to it, ready to nd the deg move at a moment's notice.

  But the opposing team didn't just let him do his thing. Fritz, Jiro, and the Great Chief also jumped at the same time, creating a high and mighty wall before him, blog a wide range, and narrowing down his choices by a rge margin. A wall which was sure to give arouble.

  Unfortunately for them, their oppo was not just anyone. He was Kris! He may not be so experienced in volleyball, but as a High-Ranker, he t when it came to striking the enemies where they were weak. Volleyball was no different for him.

  BANNNGGGGG

  The loudest, most powerful boom echoed through the air and Kris struck the ball at a sharp ao the left. Their wall may be high and mighty, but as it wasn't solid, there were still gaps his attack could slip through.

  And slip through it did. Like a lightning bolt streaking through the sky, the ball easily darted past their wall before they could seal their gaps. And with most of their pyers blog, no one was left to save it as soon as it passed through.

  Thud Whisk Whisk

  The ball struck the sandy ground, sweeping sand and dust as it pself before boung and rolling. As everyone nded on the ground, all eyes were on it. The match had finally reached its clusion.

  "Ooohhh!! We won! We've emerged victorious!" ［Ernes］

  "Oh... Ohhh!! Your Majesty, we won! We really won!" ［Abraham］

  Their reas were a little te, but as soon as they realized, loud cries of joy aement danced in the air. Even the usually calm and posed Abraham couldn't help but celebrate their hard-earned victory. A sweet, sweet, victory.

  "Whew～! That was a tough match. Well pyed, guys. Well pyed." ［Kris］

  "Right back at you. That was a lot of fun!" ［Galleus］

  "Hahaha. We were so close as well." ［Ross］

  But there was not a single ounce of bitterness betweewo teams. They quickly shook hands and gratuted each other, a loud round of cheers and appuse celebrating them, ing from their proud and lovely spectators.

  It was exhausting, true, but after seeing the smiles of their lovely wives beaming towards them, it was as if all their fatigue was healed. Rather, they were brimming with even more energy than before. They felt more powerful than ever.

  "How was my skills, Talia? Pretty good, wasn't I?" ［Ernes］

  "Fufufu! Yes, yes, you were the most amazing, Dear." ［Talia］

  "Now, now, there's o cry. You did your best, and I'm proud of you. You were really cool, Dear." ［Eleanora］

  "Thank you, but Dear... I'm n. I never did." ［Fritz］

  There were all sorts of iioween husbands and wives, but for the most part, they were just flirting with one another. It was fortuhat their children weren't there, otherwise, one could only imagine how embarrassing it would be.

  As the salty breeze blew past them, the men soon sat down on the sandy bead grabbed themselves some refreshments to revitalize themselves. As soon as they did, it felt like they were alive again, bright and satisfied smiles painted on their faces.

  "Fufufu! Then I guess it's our turn now, isn't it?" ［Talia］

  "Your Majesty, I'm just saying, but I won't be holding back, you know?" ［Eleanora］

  "Same here. I'll also do my best." ［Vilma］

  "Fufufu! Well, let's just see who es out on top." ［Talia］

  With the men's turn now over, it was time for the dies to show their prowess. Oer ahey stepped foot ihe court and once again, another fierce exge of strikes occurred on the white, sandy beaches.

  And not just the balls... other things... also bounced up and down as they moved and jumped ihe court. The fact that they were all wearing geous and gmorous swimsuits which atuated their figures also didn't help. It was more of a distra, if anything. The men could only wear wry and flicted smiles.

  "This is quite troublesome, isn't it...?" ［Galleus］

  "Troublesome, indeed..." ［Ernes］

  The ball bounced bad forth, the waves washed and spshed, and the winds whistled and dahe wonderful sery tio unfold before everyone's eyes and before long the sky's color had started to ge as the sun desded.

  The bright blue sky was no more, only a red and amber sky all over the horizon, the sea painted a simir color as the sun started to set. Even as the light faded away and darkness encroached the world, the sea's beauty remaihe same.

  "Mmn... What a beautiful su..." ［Aria］

  "Hahaha. You say that again." ［Kris］

  It wasn't just Kris and Aria. Everyone's hearts were ensnared by the su's mystical beauty and allure, frozen in pce as they watched the sun hide away and the stars take its pce. It truly was a wonderful sight to behold.

  Well, almost everyone... Because they pyed too much, some of the kids were already knocked out and sleeping tightly. The Little Princess slept in her mother's arms, Galvin was carried by Cedrid Bel by Ross. Sleeping little angels.

  "Eveyone～! We're going home now! Please gather here～!" ［Yuna］

  And As, it was finally time to retire for the day. It has been a lot of fun, but there is still a need for rest. Thankfully, there was o worry. As it was a 2-day outing, there was still tomorrow to enjoy. Everyone was looking forward to it.

  Oer another, everyone formed a line and headed ihe gate Grey just created, lio the Beldon mansion. All wore satisfied and happy faces, talking merrily about their experiehroughout the day.

  "Elder Sister Yuna, what will we be having for dinner?" ［Eliza］

  "I'm curious too. Will we be having hamburg steak again?" ［Iris］

  "Hmm... I wonder～. I'm a little fetful, you see～?" ［Yuna］

  "Ehh～? You must be kidding me..." ［Eliza］

  "Fufufu! Then it looks like we'll just have to wait and see!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna's soft giggles resounded in the air as Eliza and Iris g to her. The two young dies pressed her for answers, but she just kept avoiding their question, not wanting to spoil the surprise ter on. She just kept giggling and giggling.

  The sun tio desd from the sky until it was no more. Darkness has once again enveloped the world, only the moon and stars above illuminating the waters as the tides rose and fell. A sweet and calming melody lulled the world to sleep.

  CHAPTER 246 END