Chapter 229: Prime War [VIII]
The evening before The Day of Silence.
Tokyo International Airport, typically bustling with the constant roar of plane engines, the clamor of passengers dragging suitcases, announcements echoing in every corner, and rows of waiting taxis, was today as silent as a graveyard.
Only occasionally did staff appear, working behind empty counters or in deserted hallways. The check-in and boarding areas, usually packed with long queues, were now eerily empty, as if the place had just been abandoned.
After all, tomorrow was The Day of Silence; all public facilities, including commercial airports, had ceased operations a day earlier as part of global preparations.
However, there was a special exception: a private jet was still permitted to fly from Tokyo International Airport that day.
This was one of the exclusive privileges for the Seventh Campione.
A young man dressed casually in a dark t-shirt and jeans dragged his suitcase across the glossy marble floor, breaking the silence with the sound of its wheels. It was Ren. Turning, he reassured the five women seeing him off.
"Haiz, don’t look at me like I’m never coming back."
Itsuki, Masha, Hayasaka, Alya, and Ririka gazed at Ren with varied expressions.
Hayasaka, having witnessed a glimpse of Ren’s true power and understanding the scale of his strength as a Campione, was confident he would be fine, though a faint trace of worry lingered in her eyes.
The other four women, however, weren’t as clear on just how powerful Ren truly was. To them, he was still the man they loved, heading to a dangerous battlefield. Naturally, they couldn’t help but worry for his safety.
"Hubby, come back safe. I won’t forgive you if you don’t." Itsuki said, her voice trembling as she looked at Ren earnestly.
She caressed her swollen belly, nine months pregnant with the child of the student she once taught. "Not just for me, but for our child too."
"Don’t be reckless, Ren-kun. Safety first. Remember, Alya-chan and I are carrying your children. You don’t want them to grow up without knowing their father, right? Just don’t push yourself too hard."
Masha stepped forward, like a virtuous wife, adjusting Ren’s slightly messy collar.
"So this is what it feels like for a wife to send her husband off to war, knowing it might be a final farewell. I—ouch!"
Before Alya could finish, Ren lightly flicked her forehead.
"The Prime War only lasts a day. Don’t be so dramatic, acting like we won’t see each other for months or years." Ren shook his head. "Besides, you all can watch my brilliance as I protect the world."
To others, The Day of Silence was a mysterious phenomenon debated by experts worldwide. In truth, it was merely a camouflage used by global elites to prevent mass hysteria when civilians learned of an alien invasion.
Not all humans were affected by the global-scale sleep magic prepared by the united mystic practitioners. Those with sufficient access and privilege could avoid the sleep spell, such as global elites, top government officials, and the mystic practitioners themselves.
To monitor the Prime War’s progress in real-time, through a combination of magic and science, they had created a secret broadcast channel airing the battlefields during the event.
Itsuki and the others, as women in the harem of a Campione, naturally enjoyed privileges reserved for humanity’s upper echelons.
They would witness everything, which somewhat eased their hearts.
"We look forward to Ren-sama showcasing your extraordinary moments." Hayasaka said in her professional maid tone, though her firm gaze radiated confidence.
"There’s nothing I can do to help Ren-sama." Ririka whispered, her voice tinged with self-consciousness, shyly expressing her concern. Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her skirt.
"Alright, enough. This feels like I’m raising a flag for something bad to happen." Ren sighed, disliking the melodramatic atmosphere. He stopped their farewell speeches. "Rest assured, everything will be fine."
He then flashed a faint grin, his gaze moving from one face to another. "Instead of words, I’d prefer you show me actions."
After saying that, Ren didn’t expect Itsuki to react so quickly.
Usually more reserved and cautious due to her role as a homeroom teacher, Itsuki now shed all restraint. With a bold move, she wrapped her arms around Ren’s neck, pulled him close, and kissed him.
It wasn’t an ordinary kiss. It was a deep, passionate French kiss, their lips locked tightly, tongues intertwining, dancing in a seductive rhythm.
Behind them, Masha, Alya, Hayasaka, and Ririka’s faces flushed red with embarrassment.
Masha covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide.
Alya turned her face away, her cheeks burning, mumbling something incoherent in Russian.
Ririka gasped, her gaze dropping to the floor as if the ceramic tiles were suddenly fascinating.
Even Hayasaka, usually the most composed and controlled, showed a hint of red on her cheeks, though she tried hard to maintain a stoic expression.
The kiss was too explicit, too intimate, too... scandalous to be witnessed in public, even among them. Thankfully, the airport had been cleared.
As if oblivious to the others’ reactions, Itsuki continued kissing Ren, pouring all her worry, love, and desire into one bold act.
This was the farewell she wanted, a promise that she would wait for his return.
"My turn, then."
Seeing Itsuki finally break the kiss, Masha stepped forward, her face still slightly red but resolute. Without hesitation, she hugged Ren and kissed him.
Her kiss was softer, filled with affection and the warmth of a wife sending her husband off.
Next was Alya. With a hint of tsundere but eyes full of worry, she kissed Ren’s cheek. Her kiss was quick, light, and energetic, as if giving Ren a final boost of spirit before his departure.
"Don’t die, papa~ I don’t want to raise our child alone." she whispered playfully, though her eyes were serious.
Ririka approached shyly. Instead of kissing Ren’s lips, she gently kissed his cheek, a sincere and vulnerable gesture.
"Good luck, Ren-sama." she whispered, her voice barely audible. For a moment, she held Ren’s hand, her grip soft but full of prayers.
Lastly, Hayasaka. With a more controlled expression, she approached and kissed Ren’s forehead.
It was a formal kiss, yet it carried deep care.
As both a maid and a lover, she understood Ren’s role and the dangers awaiting him.
The kiss was an expression of her loyalty and best wishes.
"Come back victorious, Ren-sama." she said calmly, though a flicker of emotion shone in her eyes.
Ren accepted each kiss, feeling the support and love radiating from each woman. A faint smile curved his lips.
This farewell was indeed melodramatic, but their genuine touches and expressions gave him a different kind of motivation beyond the thrill of battle he craved.
"I’m off."
Turning without hesitation, Ren waved at the five women. He walked with steady steps toward the private jet specially prepared to take him to the battlefield in South Australia.
The jet’s sleek, aerodynamic form gleamed under the slanting afternoon sunlight.
*VROOM!*
Soon after, the roar of the engines shattered the airport’s silence.
The private jet moved slowly, then swiftly accelerated down the runway, finally taking off, soaring sharply into the sky, leaving the quiet airport behind.
Itsuki, Masha, Hayasaka, Alya, and Ririka stood there, watching the jet’s silhouette shrink on the horizon until it vanished completely.
Only after the jet disappeared from sight did the five women turn away. Their faces still showed worry but also determination.
They would wait, pray, and trust in Ren, the Demon King now flying toward a battle to protect Earth.
The night of The Day of Silence was imminent, and they knew the real war was about to begin.