"Lord Issei, if I may be so bold... would you mind telling us about your home world?"
The dark elf stared at Issei with shimmering, watery eyes, her expression brimming with earnest anticipation. Issei, ever the rogue, let a mischievous smirk play on his lips.
"I wouldn't mind, but..."
He tapped his cheek pointedly and gave her a suggestive wink.
The dark elf's face flushed a deep crimson. Steeling her resolve, she leaned in and planted a soft peck on Issei's cheek. For a moment, even Issei was caught off guard—startled by the sudden boldness of this beautiful dark elf and her exquisitely curved figure. Around them, the other elf hostesses turned red, whispering in awe at her courage.
"So... will you tell us now, My Lord?"
"Ah, er—right, of course. Though, about that kiss... I was actually just joking."
"Eh? Joking?" The dark elf froze, completely speechless.
"Ahem! That said," Issei cleared his throat, "I'll gladly accept the gift regardless."
"Ugh, how embarrassing..."
The dark elf, who usually took pride in being the ultimate tease, was now fidgeting shyly like a maiden in the throes of her first love.
'She never makes that face when she's with me,' Rimuru thought, watching from the side. 'Looks like another loss for me. I'm a slime, so I shouldn't even have a heart, yet why does my chest feel so tight and painful?'
Rimuru's eyes began to glaze over as if he might burst into tears at any second. Seeing this, the two elves flanking him panicked, immediately showering him with sweet, sultry whispers that would make any ordinary man lose his mind.
Issei noticed Rimuru's sinking mood, but he chose the path of a true man: ignoring his friend to focus on the gorgeous dark elf onee-san beside him.
As Issei began to describe the world of High School DxD, the elves listened with such rapt attention that they completely forgot their duties as drinking companions.
"Are there really no elves there?" one asked.
"I've never run into any, so I couldn't say for sure. My world is still full of mysteries, the existence of elves included."
"So, your world isn't that different from my previous one," Rimuru chimed in, "except for the fact that mythology is actually real there."
Issei shrugged. "Don't jump to conclusions. Who knows? Maybe your old world had a hidden complexity of power just as deep as mine."
Rimuru went stiff at Issei's remark. 'If Issei hadn't pointed it out, that possibility would have never crossed his mind. If there were truly no gods in my past life, then where did all those legends and mythologies come from?'
"You have a point," Rimuru admitted. "I guess I wasn't being sharp enough."
Issei drained the last of his drink and went back to being pampered by the elves. Not wanting to be left behind, Rimuru joined in, though it was clear the elves were far more enthusiastic about Issei.
It was a harsh reality—Rimuru was a genderless slime. Even though his human form was stunningly handsome (bordering on beautiful), he lacked that certain "edge" compared to Issei. Rimuru knew this all too well, but rather than moping, he chose to play the fool and enjoy the moment.
The elven pub, usually bustling with patrons, was currently reserved for these two special guests. Once they had their fill, they prepared to leave, but the elves clung to Issei's arms, reluctant to let him go.
"Don't worry, I'll be back," Issei promised.
"You'd better! If you break your promise, something terrible will happen to you!" the dark elf teased, her voice back to its playful, sultry tone.
"I hear you. Next time, though, I'll be expecting a kiss on the lips, not just the cheek," Issei grinned.
The dark elf blinked, her face heating up again as she remembered her earlier bold move. "I'll... consider it. Maybe."
"Enough already, let's go!" Rimuru, unable to stomach the sheer amount of "main character energy" radiating from Issei, started walking away in a huff.
Issei chuckled to himself, giving the girls a final wave before catching up to Rimuru.
They had spent a considerable amount of gold tonight. You might wonder where Issei got that kind of money. The answer? Trading with Rimuru.
As many know, Rimuru was a hardcore otaku in his previous life. He loved manga more than anything—so much so that he had sailed right past his prime marriageable years. Issei, utilizing his knowledge of manga from two lifetimes, had struck a deal. Rimuru was a very cooperative business partner, willing to pay a premium for every "manuscript" Issei produced.
Of course, Issei wasn't stupid enough to hand over manga from his first life. He only shared titles from his second life—stories that had no connection to his original world.
"You're too wasteful," Rimuru grumbled. "Giving them a tip that large..."
"What's the harm? I'm just being kind to girls who have it tough."
"Kindness has its limits, you know."
"Hah! Your way of thinking is the problem. That's exactly why you couldn't find a girlfriend in your past life."
"...Shut up! Don't bring that up again!"
"Fine, fine. Anyway, I've got a recommendation for a pretty spicy ecchi manga. Interested?"
Rimuru's ears (metaphorically) perked up. "How much?"
"Since it's a rare series and easily one of the best out there... fifty gold coins."
"That's highway robbery!"
"Don't want it?"
"Who said that? Let me see a sample first!"
"Coming right up."
Once again, their transaction was a resounding success.
To be continued...Anvanced Chapter p*tre*n.com/AgamYupi02