Chapter 200.2

Protected by the

, Misha walked on the water without any trouble.

Come. (Misha)

When Misha extended her hand to her, Sasha nervously stepped into the lake.

When she realized that the water current didnt carry her feet away even after she stepped into the water, she smiled.

Haha! Whats going on? This is amazing! (Sasha)

Sasha went into the water in a leap of faith.

Eleonore, Zes.h.i.+a, come join us! (Sasha)

Sasha was swimming and waving to the other two, still on the beach.

Hmm~, be right there! After we build a sand castle! (Eleonore)

Zes.h.i.+a and Eleonore were hardening sand with water and making something that looked like a building.

It seemed it would take some time to complete.

Okay, later then! (Sasha)

After saying that, Sasha dove underwater and swam after me.

And so did Misha right beside her.

Anoooosh~! (Sasha)

When the two were just one step behind me, I kicked the water and swam faster.

W-Why are you swimming away?! (Sasha)

Kuhaha! Were playing in the water! Now try and catch me! (Anos)

Oh, gosh. Come back here, you! (Sasha)

Sasha and Misha chased after me as I swam away right and left underwater.

As the three of us swam around, the water current grew even more raging and violent.

From the sh.o.r.e, Misa was staring at the lake and its whirlpool with her mouth agape.

Ahaha I think something crazy is about to happen (Misa)

Were wearing

, so well be fine. Lay stated casually with a smile.

B-But, you know This swimsuit is a little too embarra.s.sing (Misa)

As she said that, Misa wrapped her arms around her own body to hide it.

It looks good on you, though. (Lay)

Lay was also wearing a

.

His well-trained body was on display.

Y-You shouldnt stare at me so much (Misa)

Lay casually averted his gaze.

Then, Misa squatted down and scooped up the water from the sh.o.r.e with her hands.

Here! (Misa)

Then she splashed it on Lay.

Ahaha! You can never be too careful! (Misa)

Lay smiled refres.h.i.+ngly and squatted down to scoop up some water.

Looks like punishment is in order. (Lay)

Kyah, kyah! (Misa)

Misa turned around and ran along the sh.o.r.e.

Lay chased after her slowly.

Misa, how long are you going to run~? (Lay)

W-Well, if I stop, youre definitely going to splash me with water, arent you? (Misa)

Dont worry, I wont. (Lay)

Really? (Misa)

I promise. (Lay)

Then Misa stopped, pretended to slowly turn around, scooped up some water, and splashed it on Lay.

Ahaha! I got you again! (Misa)

Lay smirked.

Why, you! (Lay)

Lay fought back by splas.h.i.+ng water on Misa, who ran away once again while squealing happily.

The two were merrily running along the beach, splas.h.i.+ng water with their feet.

Get back here, Misa! (Lay)

N-No I wont~! So try and catch me~! (Misa)

Youre on! (Lay)

The refres.h.i.+ng laughs of the two resounded.

EVentually, Lay caught up with her and grabbed her hand.

Ah (Misa)

Here, gotcha. (Lay)

Misas gaze was drawn into Lays smiling eyes.

Eleonore and Zes.h.i.+a were building a sand castle on the beach. Misha, Sasha and I were creating whirlpools in the water.

And now, Misa and Lay were losing themselves in their own world

Now that you have caught her, what are you going to do? (s.h.i.+n)

As if he had suddenly come to his senses, Lay turned around.

s.h.i.+n, dressed in a

, was standing there in a daunting pose.

D Dad?! Huh? But I thought you were looking for dragons (Misa)

I was struck by a distressing presentiment. I had already found a few dragons, but left the rest to Eldmed and came back. (s.h.i.+n)

I I see (Misa)

On that note, Lay Grandsley. (s.h.i.+n)

s.h.i.+n flashed his cold eyes at him.

How about we take a long swim back and forth from this sh.o.r.e to the one across? If you make it back to this sh.o.r.e before I do, I will turn a blind eye to your involvement with my daughter just this once. (s.h.i.+n)

W-What are you saying now, Dad? (Misa)

Lay smiled as he held back Misa with his hand.

I may not be a match for him in swordsmans.h.i.+p yet, but Im pretty confident in my swimming skills. (Lay)

I hope so. After all, I would never entrust my daughter to a man who is a worse swimmer than I am. How could he rescue her from drowning if the need ever arises? (s.h.i.+n)

The two silently glared at each other, with sparks flying between them.

On your signal, if you allow it. (s.h.i.+n)

Interesting. Do compete to your hearts content! (Anos)

Taking my voice from underwater as the signal, s.h.i.+n and Lay kicked off the ground at the same time.

Your word is my command, My Lord. I shall prove that even though I am merely the Demon Kings right hand, My Lords swimming style is unbeatable. (s.h.i.+n)

Gairadite was the last hope left to humanity. Two thousand years ago, this very holy lake was our fortress. We always stood in front of the weak. We couldnt allow even a single demon to get past us. Thats why I worked so hard on my swimming skills! (Lay)

Lay and s.h.i.+n jumped into the water at the same time, swimming through the whirlpool at the speed of an arrow, and rus.h.i.+ng to the other side of the sh.o.r.e.

Ill show you how a Hero swims! (Lay)

I could not ask for more! (s.h.i.+n)

One as a boyfriend, the other as a father.

One as a Hero, the other as the Demon Kings right hand.

It was a clash of determination and pride, feelings and wishes, then love and affection. And now, the two men in their

went underwater.

This was truly the sort of battle that would fit in the Mythical Age. An underwater battle none of them could afford to lose.

Thus, they swam through the vast holy lake and returned in a flash.

s.h.i.+n was in the lead.

However, Lay mustered up the last of his strength and caught up with him.

The two plunged into the sand as if diving from the lake to the beach, and hit the ground almost simultaneously.

Haa Haa (s.h.i.+n)

Fuu Fuu (Lay)

They were both out of breath.

Even though they were so unperturbed back when they engaged in that intense sword fight.

That was a testament of how much strength they put into it, and how adept they were at swimming.

Which one of us made it first? (s.h.i.+n)

Misa? (Lay)

Lay and s.h.i.+n turned to Misa.

Standing near Eleonore and Zes.h.i.+a, she slowly turned around.

And so, the winner of this race was

Uhh Ahaha, sorry. I didnt watch (Misa)

The two men in their

slumped on the sand, as if they had lost the last of their strength.

They laid side by side on their backs, and just stared at the sky.

Her father and her boyfriend. The two were harboring irreconcilable feelings, but at that moment, they may have indeed been on the same page.