Realm Lord
Chapter 135: A Burger

Chapter 135: A Burger

The fluorescent lights of the restaurant cast a warm, welcoming glow over the checkered tablecloth as Arthur and Aziel found themselves seated across from each other, their eyes wide with anticipation. The familiar aroma of grilled beef and crispy golden fries filled the air around them, a stark contrast to the harsh, unforgiving atmosphere they had grown accustomed to in recent months. Before them sat meals that looked almost too good to be true—thick, juicy burgers with fresh lettuce and tomatoes peeking out from between soft sesame seed buns, accompanied by heaping portions of perfectly seasoned French fries that glistened under the restaurant’s lighting.

Without ceremony or hesitation, both young men dove into their food with an enthusiasm that bordered on desperate hunger. They shoveled burgers and fries into their mouths with such fervor that their cheeks bulged comically, yet neither seemed to care about appearances. Radiant smiles were plastered across their faces as they chewed, their eyes practically glowing with satisfaction. The simple pleasure of a hot, freshly prepared meal had become something precious to them—a luxury they had almost forgotten existed.

For both Arthur and Aziel, this quiet moment in the bustling restaurant might very well have been the happiest they had experienced since entering the treacherous second realm. The weight of constant vigilance had been lifted from their shoulders, if only temporarily, allowing them to savor something as mundane yet wonderful as a shared meal between friends.

"Holy crap, I don’t think food has ever tasted this good, dude," Aziel managed to say around a mouthful of burger, his words barely comprehensible through the mass of food he was attempting to chew and swallow simultaneously. Bits of lettuce threatened to escape from the corners of his mouth as he spoke, but his enthusiasm remained undimmed.

Arthur couldn’t help but chuckle at his companion’s obvious delight, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest as he reached for his drink. The cold liquid was refreshing against his throat as he took a long, satisfying sip before setting the glass back down on the table. "I know what you mean, dude," he replied, his own voice carrying notes of wonder and appreciation that would have seemed strange to anyone who hadn’t experienced what they had endured together.

They sat in comfortable silence for several more moments, the only sounds between them being the quiet clinks of cutlery against plates and the soft sounds of contented eating. Around them, the restaurant hummed with the gentle buzz of other diners’ conversations, the sizzle of food cooking in the kitchen, and the occasional laugh from nearby tables. It was a symphony of normalcy that both young men had learned not to take for granted.

Finally, Arthur set down his burger with a satisfied sigh and leaned back in his chair. The relief and contentment on his face was palpable as he let out a glorious, unashamed burp that echoed slightly in the space around them. He patted his stomach with one hand before speaking, his expression growing more thoughtful and serious.

"It’s weird, not being in constant danger for the first time in months... well, I guess years, really," Arthur began, his voice taking on a contemplative tone as he gazed out the restaurant’s window at the peaceful street beyond. "I’ve gotten so used to being in danger that I’m almost uncomfortable right now. Like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know?"

Aziel looked up from his meal, and began to respond before suddenly starting to choke on a piece of food that had gone down the wrong way. His eyes watered as he coughed, reaching desperately for his drink. He took several quick sips, clearing his throat with obvious relief before continuing their conversation.

"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean," Aziel said, his voice slightly hoarse from the coughing fit. He set his drink down carefully and leaned forward, his expression growing determined and focused. "It sucks, honestly. I’ll be going back into the second realm as soon as possible—I want to fill my core completely and move on to the next realm. There’s no point in staying here and getting soft."

The casual, almost dismissive way Aziel spoke about returning to such a dangerous place made Arthur stare at him blankly for a moment. ’This guy seriously has a one-track mind,’ Arthur thought to himself, shaking his head slightly in disbelief at his companion’s single-minded determination.

"Have you decided on a guild yet?" Arthur asked, genuinely curious about his friend’s plans for the future.

Aziel picked up a crispy fry, examining it for a moment before popping it into his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully before responding, his expression growing slightly stubborn. "No, I’m not joining one. Too many rules, you know? And besides, I kind of figured that you weren’t planning to join one either, and if I was in a guild and you weren’t, I’d have to party up with other people sometimes." He paused, meeting Arthur’s eyes directly. "I’d rather just party with you, if that’s alright. You know?"

His answer caught Arthur completely off guard, hitting him like a physical blow to the chest. Throughout their entire time together in the dangerous second realm, Arthur had carried a nagging doubt in the back of his mind that the friendship they were building was only there due to necessity and survival. He had assumed that once they made it back to the relative safety of Earth, their bond would naturally dissolve and they would become strangers again, returning to their separate lives as if their shared experiences had never happened.

But what really caught Arthur off guard was the sheer amount of happiness that flooded through him upon hearing those words. The warmth that spread through his chest was unlike anything he had felt in a long time, and he had to take a moment to compose himself before responding.

"Yeah," Arthur said, trying to keep his voice casual despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm him. "I still want to reach the seventh realm and climb the heights of power, so I’ll need a lightning brain like you for a human shield." The sarcasm in his voice was thick and playful, a clear indication that he was joking.

Aziel’s gaze immediately focused and sharpened, his eyes narrowing as he processed Arthur’s words. The playful atmosphere suddenly crackled with mock tension as he raised an eyebrow challengingly. "What did you say?" he asked, his voice carrying a dangerous edge that was completely undermined by the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Do we need to have another ’spar’?"

Arthur began to laugh, the sound rich and genuine as it filled the space between them. The memory of their previous sparring sessions brought a grin to his face as he met Aziel’s challenging stare with one of his own. "Yeah, maybe we do?"

They both shared a hearty laugh that drew a few curious glances from nearby tables, but neither of them cared. The moment felt perfect—two friends enjoying a simple meal and each other’s company, free from the constant threat of death that had shadowed their recent past.

Soon enough, they finished their meals, savoring every last bite and taking their time with the final few fries. The plates were cleared, the check was paid, and the time came for them to part ways. As they stood outside the restaurant, the cool evening air refreshing against their skin, both young men felt the weight of impending separation.

Aziel needed to return home to his family and handle the mundane but necessary tasks of readjusting to life on Earth, while Arthur needed to figure out his next moves. Yet despite the temporary nature of their parting, both knew that their friendship had been forged in fire and would endure whatever came next.

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