Summoned and Unwanted

After seeing Vincent more shocked than she and Kazumi expected to see, Ester removed the mask. “Good morning. We thought it would be funny, but I guess Sakura has delicately flexible fingers.” She placed the mask on the bed and placed Plow on her lap.

Vincent calmed his breathing and looked at the mask. His gaze focused, and the details revealed.

.

[Name] Wood Demon Mask

[Condition] Undamaged, Flawless

[Grade] Uncommon

[Description]

A flawless wooden mask made by Sakura. The expression of intimidation and fear envisioned as the mask was created allows the wearer to threaten their opponent.

.....

[Effect]

*Minor Intimidation Intent Acceleration

*Minor Murderous Intent Acceleration

.

“This mask is a masterpiece.” Vincent placed his gaze on Ester, brushing Plow’s fur with a warm smile on her face, and asked, “I hope Sakura...”

“No need to worry about Sakura. She didn’t look as conflicted and guilty while giving you to me. Kazumi helped Sakura, and the mask’s quality must have encouraged her to take it as a sign, hehe.” Ester giggled and added, “What happened, happened. The final outcome is what is important.”

“I tried to help Sakura, but” *gulp* “she doesn’t know when to stop.”

.

[1x Wood Demon Mask (Uncommon Quality) gained.]

.

He stored the mask and got out of bed. “Huh? I don’t feel sore.”

Vincent touched his body, yet his muscles didn’t feel sore. Not even after stretching did his backache.

[Hahaha!]

[Suprise! You raised your pain resistance and strength stats by one yesterday.]

“Kazumi told me how Sakura hurt you so much that you built a pain tolerance.” Ester smiled and continued, “I don’t wish you feel pain, yet I a happy to hear about our similarities.”

“I feel much closer to you.” She raised a beaming smile, placed the sleeping Plow on the bed, and approached Vincent.

Ester touched his chest and then his abs. “You have become more attractive than I imagined without the burns on your body. It makes me happy to see my man isn’t suffering because of my weakness. I want to protect my man the same way as he protects me.”

Vincent stopped her hands. “Let’s stop to the neverending declaration of protection and go out for a drink today. I didn’t drink beer in a while, and I think we both need a reset since you will become my wife in two more days.” He landed a peck on her forehead and waited for a response.

“I only tried a few sips of wine.” Ester lightly blushed and continued, “But now I have someone to keep me company. I want to celebrate the upcoming occasion with you alone.”

*Pho* “Plow wants to come. Plow will be a good girl.” She wagged her eight tails and acted cutely.

Vincent wore his shirt and gently tussled Plow’s fur. “Today, I am on a date with Ester. I can’t pay attention to her if I have to pay attention to my cute little fox.”

“Plow understands.” Plow jumped on Vincent and climbed his shoulder. “Plow is hungry. Plow wants Vincent Vincent to feed me.” *Pho*

“Fine, if that makes you happy.” Vincent winked at Ester and left the room.

Ester saw Vincent leave with Plow on his shoulder. She looked at the mirror and mumbled, “I feel nervous. This is the third time he changed appearances.”

“First, he was skinny and weak, yet he kept fighting to the brink of death. Second, he became burned and depressed, but Kazumi placed our well-being as his goal, and he managed to regain his determination to survive. Third, he used that dangerous form to restore his body while acting like a hero and saving the goblins.”

Ester walked to the door and frowned as she looked at the bed. “Why do I feel unhappy?... Is it because I didn’t have a chance...” Ester stopped talking and blushed. “Stop think Ester. You are not Lupa and Lilith.”

Ester went downstairs and saw Vincent showing the mask to the tall Sakura nervously hiding behind Lilith. “Let’s eat breakfast together for once, Vincent had a good night’s rest, and he has recovered.” Ester tried to inform that nothing happened because of someone’s inspiration casually.

“I am sorry, sister...” Sakura looked apologetic, and she even looked at the floor a lot.

“Don’t worry girls. The final product is perfect. It even has two intent accelerators without high-quality wood nor runes being used.”

[Humph! You men all love your items, do you? Come on. There is one beauty behind you and three in front of you.]

[Romance. That is what life is all about.]

-...-

Vincent stopped praising the mask. He extended his hand and told Ester, “May I lead my date to the garden to garden?” Vincent looked at Sakura and continued, “I think someone can be our maid for the morning before we go out.”

“Leave it to me!” *Thud! Thud! Thud!* Sakura rushed to the kitchen. Each of her steps sounded as if a stampede was headed to the kitchen.

“I feel bad for Sakura.” Ester felt conflicted to give Sakura, who didn’t do what she did without being allowed to do receive a punishment.

“I will go too, hehe.” Lupa quickly wiped a bit of saliva on her lips after the mention of breakfast. It was easy to tell Lupa had food on her mind the moment she heard breakfast and kitchen.

“You are coming with me.” Lupa grabbed Plow and left to the kitchen.

Iris glanced at Vincent one last time and said before leaving to help, “I am glad my chosen one has recovered.”

“Looks like I have to help as well.” Lilith winked at Ester before she left to leave Ester with Vincent alone.

The two of them went to the side garden and took a seat in the gazebo. *Thud! Thud! Thud!* It didn’t take too long for Sakura to deliver two plates in one hand and two cups in the other.

“There is no need to run and make a lot of noise. I guess best girl Lupa needs to teach sister Sakura about Ambush.” Lupa proudly followed Sakura with two plates in her hands. One had an extra serving of bacon.

“Plow can teach too.” *Pho!* Plow butted in.

“Hehe.” Lilith giggled after hearing the rivals of attention challenging each other. She placed a pitcher of water and a stack of cups on the table.

Iris followed after Lilith and placed two plates on the table. “We can leave if sister Ester wants to be alone.” Iris offered.

Ester waved her hands. “No need! Eating with my family is nice as well.” She revealed a beaming smile and tapped on the table. “Sit, sit, let’s eat.”

Everyone took a seat, and Plow sat in the middle of the table with a piece of bacon in her mouth.

[This is nice. Wolfie and Freerie also agree. They are happy watching their soul parents like this.]

Kazumi looked at Vincent and his harem’s cheerful scene, eating and enjoying breakfast together. However, she also felt a little left out as she couldn’t physically join them.

Later, Vincent and Ester waved at Lupa, Iris, Lilith, Sakura, and Plow. They departed after the pleasant breakfast, greeted the twins guarding the gate, and left for their date in the city.

“You are acting as if you know this city like the back of your hand. ” Ester asked after noticing Vincent not looking at the trees, benches, or lampposts. He walked beside her as if he had lived in the city for years.

Vincent placed his hand around her hips. “And you changed quite a lot from the first time you, Lupa, and I walked in that disgusting village.”

Vincent chuckled and continued, “I like the new confident Ester. I feel happy watching you interact with the others with a smile. As I told you before, you aren’t a freak. You are a beauty.”

Ester smiled with a pair of blushed cheeks. She placed her hand on the hand resting on her hip and walked without minding the gazes of nobles and their slaves or noble servants.

[I am happy for the two of you. It was a rough journey, but the ending of the first chapter of our lives is among us.]

-I feel nervous thinking of what is going to happen the day after tomorrow.-

[It’s only a couple of hours. It will pass faster than you think.]

-Thanks for the support. Now let me give Ester a date she deserves.-

Vincent and Ester visited many stores and rested on a few benches to chat for a bit. They visited Fabio’s shop before going to the Adventurers Guildhall, but he wasn’t there.

Abigail’s mother welcomed them instead. She explained how Fabio went to deliver the custom-made bed and to take the wedding dress sizes not too long ago. The request arrived this morning, she informed.

Abigail’s mother and aunt took Ester’s wedding dress size and offered some refreshments, but Vincent gave an excuse, and the two of them left.

[Good call. I heard Maid Xu mention how much her previous workmates loved to talk. I bet she meant these hospitable two.]

“Kazumi is telling me we dodged a bullet... I mean an arrow. I think we were going to stay there for a long time.” Vincent said.

“I didn’t mind those two kind women. They were kind to me and I even received compliments when they wanted to know how much I can move my limbs.” Ester said with a smile on her face. She looked happy to be complimented.

Vincent stopped and looked at Ester with a curious gaze. “Are wedding dresses made for war in this world?” He asked.