Chapter 30 – Chaos on the Sky Island

The hatch groaned open, and the first rays of sunrise spilled into the airship hangar.

Waiting for us on the island platform were the others—Elowen with her ever-present war hammer strapped to her back, Nyx leaning lazily with that sly grin of hers, and…

…Kline in pajamas covered with little alchemy symbols.
Seraphina in a silky nightgown that clung dangerously close.
And Harmonia—in a dazzlingly thin nightdress that left almost nothing to the imagination.

Nyx whistled low, smirking at Harmonia. “Careful, sweetheart. With that nightgown, you’re gonna kill half the men on this island.”

Harmonia only tossed her hair back proudly, chest pushing forward. “Let them look. I’m saving myself for my husband anyway.”

“HMMPH!!” Seraphina suddenly ripped her own gown at the thigh, exposing more leg, her eyes sharp with rivalry. “Not like I’m going to lose to you.”

Kline stood there, mouth wide open, eyes twitching. “N-Not impressed at all…! Totally not impressed…!!”

Blood sprayed from his nose like a fountain.

Elowen pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yeah, sure, not impressed… Tell that to the waterfall pouring out of your face.”

The hatch finally lowered. And then—

“GOTCHA!!!!”

Elysia came flying in like a missile, still in her own nightgown, straight at Nyx with claws out.

“—See? What did I tell you.” I muttered flatly.

“Eh?” Luna blinked, trying to assess the situation

Behind them, Oswald stumbled out, eyes bleary. “Huwaaahhh… Wh-where are we…?”

Before I could answer—BAM! Marlisa launched at me like a cannonball, wrapping her arms around my torso.

“Randy!!!” she squealed, pressing against me. Her chest squished against mine—bare.

“Ahhhh!! I-I forgot to wear a bra!!!”

My entire brain froze. My face went red.

“L-LADY, GET OFF—!!”

“HEY!! DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME!!!”

Kline dove in with his blood-soaked pajamas, nose still spewing like a broken faucet.

…God kill me now.

Nyx was already laughing her head off, clapping her hands like it was a stage play. “Ahhh, nothing like morning chaos! Go on, my little warriors—exercise those bodies!”

Elysia bared her teeth at Nyx. “We continue from last time—DON’T THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE ME!!”

Nyx grinned like a cat, pulling out a smoke vial. “Hah! Come at me, hunter saint!”

Fu Xi put a hand on my shoulder, calm as a mountain. “I understand this situation perfectly.”

“…You do?” I asked desperately.

Mina, watching the madness unfold, smiled faintly. “This… is a very cheery group you’ve gathered.”

Before I could even sigh in relief—two shadows closed in.

“RANDYYYYYYYY!!!”

Seraphina and Harmonia tackled me from both sides, voices shrill with… way too much energy for dawn.

“GAHHH!!” Instinct screamed in my head, and I bolted. My flight suit whirred, jets activating, and I blasted upward like a rocket.

But Harmonia wasn’t giving up—her magic lit up the air, ribbons of melody chasing after me. “WAIT!!”

Seraphina leapt high, eyes blazing. “I’m bored already! Give me your offspring instead!!”

“EEEEEEEEHHHHHHH!?!!?” I screamed, dodging fireballs of magic and near-suicidal leaps.

Luna slammed her sword into the ground, sparks flying. “HEY!!! That’s not happening!!! Back off!!!” She took off after them, hair whipping like flames.

“WAIT FOR MEEEE!!” Kline staggered after us, arms flailing, still in his blood-soaked pajamas.

Fu Xi and Mina remained on the platform, watching the chaos streak across the island skies—me flying for my life, women chasing me like predators, Kline trailing like a dying chicken.

Fu Xi finally chuckled. “Heh… this island isn’t just mysterious. It’s… lively.”

Elowen stepped forward and bowed to him politely. “Lord Fu Xi.”

He arched a brow. “Tell me… is this how you always handle things here?”

Nyx and Elysia crashed through a wall in the background, still fighting like cats.

Elowen only sighed, rubbing her forehead with the patience of a tired blacksmith. “Pretty much.” She gestured toward my house. “But Randy did say to use his home for breakfast first.”

Fu Xi’s grin widened, like a general after a long battle. “…Thoughtful kid. Well then. I’m starving.”

Mina glanced around as they stepped inside, her emerald eyes scanning the crafted beams and polished wooden floor. “To think… this island was mere rubble. Now it feels alive again.”

I scratched the back of my neck. “The golems rebuilt what they remembered. I just… gave them a push.”

“Well, to say the least,” Mina smiled faintly, “it feels like home already.”

The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. Elowen had already set the table, her war hammer leaning against the doorframe as if it too was part of breakfast.

From the windows, chaos raged outside. Golems were running in panic as Randy’s pursuers (and victims) left trails of dust, broken trees, and half-destroyed scaffolding.

Mina pressed her palm to her temple, sweatdropping. “Jeez… I can see the golems panicking, some trying to clean, others fixing things. It looks like a battlefield…”

Fu Xi chuckled, lifting his cup. “With that kind of morning energy, most armies would give up before even starting.”

“Agreed,” Elowen said dryly.

Fu Xi took a sip and blinked, his eyebrows rising. “This… drink…!!”

Elowen smirked. “Randy calls it marmalade tea.”

“It’s exquisite. Unique. Fresh, yet deep. Almost like… the sunrise itself.” Fu Xi swirled the cup as if he were tasting wine.

Mina leaned in, sipping cautiously. Her eyes widened. “It’s sweet, but not too sweet. Balanced… I’ve never had anything like this.”

“And this?” Fu Xi pointed to the golden-brown slices on the plate.

Elowen puffed up proudly, though her cheeks reddened. “He asked me to build this thing called a… toaster. Weird contraption, but… it works.”

Suddenly—BANG! The door slammed open.

“Woooooowwwww!!!!” Marlisa’s eyes sparkled like a child entering a candy shop. “This… THIS IS JUST LIKE HOME IN OUR WORLD!!!” She ran around the kitchen, touching everything like it was holy relics. “Is this really Randy’s home!?”

“Yeah,” Elowen answered, smiling a little at her excitement. “Want to join?”

“Yes!!! Yes yes yes!!!” Marlisa darted to the counter. “Wait—don’t tell me—is that…?”

Elowen nodded. “…A toaster?”

“KYAAAAA!!!” Marlisa squealed, yanking open the cupboard, pulling out a loaf of bread, and shoving two slices into the slots. She slammed the lever down with the glee of a conqueror.

“…..Where’s the butter?”

“Second shelf,” Elowen replied without even looking.

Marlisa found it instantly, spreading it across the toasted slices the moment they popped. She took a bite—

“MMMMMMMMMM!!!!!” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I MISSED THIS SO MUCH!!!”

The others blinked as if she had been reunited with a long-lost lover.

The warm smell of toast, butter, and sweet marmalade filled the air, but then—

Marlisa froze. Her nose twitched like a rabbit’s. She sniffed once, twice, and spun toward the stove.

“…What’s that smell?”

Elowen stirred the pot lazily, her war-hammer propped against the wall like it belonged at the table. “Boiling water… with the egg of a tyrant bird.”

Marlisa’s lips trembled. She rushed over, lifted the lid, and a cloud of fragrant steam burst out. Inside, enormous eggs bobbed in the boiling water.

Her hands shook violently as she scooped one up, cracked the shell open—

“…A… half-boiled egg…” Her voice broke.

The yolk shimmered golden, dripping like liquid sunlight. She spooned it into her mouth. The taste—soft, rich, creamy—exploded against her tongue.

“Poached egg… just like home…” she whispered.

And then she broke, tears pouring freely as she devoured it with shaking hands.

Fu Xi crossed his arms, quietly observing. “To think… even a simple breakfast could stir such emotion.”

Elowen chuckled softly, a rare warmth in her smith’s voice. “That’s Randy for you. He brings strange things… but they remind us we’re alive.”

The door creaked open.

“…Ceh! You’re lucky this time,” Elysia muttered, her hair still messy from sleep. “I’m hungry. Hm? That smell—” Her stomach growled.

“Ooo~ breakfast!!” Nyx sang, skipping inside with a mischievous grin.

Soon the table was crowded. Randy’s home—once quiet—now echoed with clinking plates, laughter, and sniffles.

Elysia took one bite, and her eyes widened. Her lips quivered. And then—tears streamed down her face. “I-it’s… just like when… we…” She buried her face in her sleeve.

Oswald wandered in, rubbing his eyes. “Huh? Ooo, breakfast—” He took a bite, froze, and promptly started bawling too. “It’s so good… I missed this taste…!!”

The warmth, the nostalgia—it hit them all. For a moment, the chaos outside was forgotten.

BAM! The door slammed again.

This time, Luna, Seraphina, and Harmonia barged in—dragging something heavy. No. Someone heavy.

It was me.

They tossed me onto the wooden floor like a sack of potatoes, ropes binding my arms and legs.

Luna, without shame, tightened the leash around my neck and held the rope like a smug owner. “Stay.”

“Wha—oi!!” I struggled, glaring at them.

Elysia’s spoon froze mid-air. Her voice was low. Dangerous. “…Why do you have my Randy tied up like some… some pet…?”

Luna shrugged coolly. “Because he’s not the type who enjoys gatherings. If I don’t leash him, he runs away.”

“I see…” Elysia’s eyes narrowed. “…Then hand him over to me.”

“No can do,” Luna shot back immediately, tugging the rope possessively. “God knows what you’ll do to him. Not like I care… but still.”

“Then give him to me!” Elysia’s chair screeched against the floor as she stood, her aura practically sparking.

“Since you’re both fighting,” Harmonia chimed innocently, her dress swaying, “I’ll take care of Randy. As a songweaver, it’s my duty to soothe him.”

“DON’T YOU DARE!!!” Luna and Elysia roared at the same time, their foreheads colliding with a crack. Sparks flew.

The rope in Luna’s hand—snap!—was suddenly cut.

“Eh—?”

Everyone blinked.

Because Seraphina—expressionless as always—was already hugging me like a giant teddy bear, my bound form squished against her armored chest.

“…There, there,” she murmured flatly, patting my head as if I were a child. “Let’s eat together.”

“Wha—Seraphinaaaa!!!” Elysia shrieked.

“Oi! That’s MY prisoner!!” Luna roared.

“Not impressed,” Harmonia pouted, folding her arms.

And me?

“MMMMMPHHH—” I muffled through the gag, face red from embarrassment.

Fu Xi calmly sipped his tea, unfazed by the war brewing around the dining table. “This… is quite the breakfast entertainment.”

Mina sighed, rubbing her temples as chaos brewed across the breakfast table. “…Huh…”

Meanwhile, I was still tied up like a damn hostage, sitting awkwardly on the floor. My eyes darted toward Elowen, silently pleading.

Help me… please help me…

She glanced at me. And then—she grinned.

Her lips moved slowly, clearly, so I could read them.

No. Can. Do. That’s. Your. Problem.

My jaw dropped. My thoughts screamed. Fuck you, bitch!!!

Elowen smirked smugly and took another sip of marmalade tea.

Desperate, I looked at Kline, hoping his antics might at least distract the rabid pack of women surrounding me.

“KIEEEEEE!!!” Kline suddenly screamed, biting into his own pajama shirt like a deranged animal. “KIEEEEE, YUM YUM, KIEEEEEE!!!”

Oswald’s face darkened, his voice rising in jealousy. “KIEEEEEE!!! YUM YUM!!! Why the hell is my junior more popular than me, KIEEEEEE?!!!”

The two of them howled in unison like some cursed choir.

Everyone turned their heads. The room went dead silent for a second.

I buried my face in my bound hands. Is… is this really my support? THESE idiots?!

And then—

Grrrrrggggllleee~

The sound echoed embarrassingly loud.

My stomach.

Everyone froze.

The first to react was Luna. Her eyes narrowed like a wolf sensing weakness. “…That was your stomach, wasn’t it?”

Seraphina’s grip on me tightened. Her cold, expressionless face softened just slightly. “…Awww.”

My eyes widened. No… no, no, no—

“Let me feed you.”

“Wha—OI!!!” I thrashed in her grip. “I’m not a baby!!!”

Seraphina ignored my protests and lifted a spoonful of steaming poached egg toward my mouth, her eyes shimmering with an almost dangerous maternal glow.

Luna’s aura flared. “Don’t you dare.”

Elysia slammed her hands on the table, standing up so fast her chair toppled. “Oi!!! That’s MY job!!”

“Since when?!” Luna shot back, sparks flying.

“Since always!!!” Elysia yelled.

Harmonia leaned forward with a sweet smile, her cleavage almost spilling out of her gown. “Ara~ then perhaps I should feed him? He might enjoy it more from me.”

“DON’T YOU START!!!” Luna and Elysia screamed together, their heads colliding with a crack!

Meanwhile, Seraphina remained calm, spoon still pressed against my lips. “…Open.”

“MMMMMMMPHHH!!!” I shook my head violently, refusing.

Mina buried her face in her hands. “…This… this is too much first thing in the morning.”

Fu Xi sipped his tea, completely unfazed. “Entertaining breakfast. Very entertaining.”

And me?

…My pride was dying faster than my hunger.

In the end, resistance was futile.

Seraphina cradled me like a child, spooning egg into my mouth with a terrifyingly gentle expression. “Say ahh~.”

“MMMPHH!! I’M NOT A BAB—!!”

Too late. She shoved it in.

Then Harmonia leaned forward with that sly smile, her chest pressing against my face as she purred. “Ara~ eat well, Randy-kun.” Smack—smother—suffocate. My vision blurred from sheer softness before she shoved another spoonful down my throat.

“STOP TRYING TO KILL ME WITH YOUR BOOBS!!!” I gagged, but my words were drowned out by Elysia slamming the table, her eyes blazing like wildfire.

“MOVE ASIDE!!!” She grabbed the plate and force-fed me at a speed that could rival machine guns. “EAT!!! SURVIVE!!! PROVE YOUR STRENGTH, RANDY!!!”

“GHAAAKKK!!?! THIS ISN’T A BATTLEFIELD!!!”

And finally—Luna.

She sat beside me, her eyes shadowed, a yandere smile curling her lips. Slowly, carefully, she shoved another spoonful into my already stuffed mouth.

“You’re trash… but you’re my trash compactor.”

“MMMMMPHHHHH!!!!!” I flailed like a dying fish, my cheeks bulging with food.

By the time they were done, my stomach was so full I swore I could see god. And regret. Mostly regret.

Elowen nearly fell over laughing, wiping tears from her eyes. “Ahahahaha!!! I can’t—I can’t breathe!! You deserve this, Randy!”

Kline and Oswald, still in the corner, were screaming their cursed duet.

“KIEEEEEEEE!!! YUM YUM KIEEEEEEE!!!”

I was convinced they had lost their souls somewhere along the way.

Meanwhile, Nyx and Fu Xi were casually chatting over tea as if none of this madness existed.

Fu Xi eventually turned his sharp eyes toward me. “Well, Randy… remember what you said in the airship?”

My face paled instantly. Shit.

“W-Wait… y-you’re not still on about that, are you?! It was a joke!! A JOKE!!! Hahahaha!!!” I threw my hands up, sweating buckets.

Fu Xi smirked, his presence suffocating. “Good boy.”

Relief washed over me—until Elysia narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“…What did he say?”

Fu Xi sipped his tea, oh-so-casually, and dropped the bomb.

“He said… he wanted Luna to be his first time. Together.”

“……………………”

Luna froze. Her face slowly turned crimson, steam practically rising from her head. Then she reached for Elowen’s massive war hammer.

BADUM… BADUM… BADUM.

“…Eh—waitwaitwaitWAIT!!!” I crawled backward in terror.

WHAAAAMMM!!!

The hammer came down, slamming Fu Xi straight into the floorboards beside me.

“Uggghhhhhh….” Fu Xi groaned, twitching.

Luna exhaled, wiping her hands like she’d just taken out the trash. “That… is what it means to be stupid.”

The room fell silent.

Nyx whistled low. “Damn. She didn’t even hesitate.”

Mina facepalmed. “…This group is going to kill itself before the enemy does.”

And me?

…I just lay there, tied up, praying to every god I didn’t believe in that someone—anyone—would undo the rope before Luna decided to finish what she started.

Her eyes glowed faintly red in the dim light.

“Randy…”

That smile. That sweet, angelic, horrifying smile.

“E-eh… y-yeah…?” My voice cracked like a cheap radio.

She tilted her head, the way a cat does when it’s about to pounce on a dying mouse. “Didn’t I tell you… not to say anything stupid… nya?”

Nya.

Three letters. Cute, harmless. But from Luna’s lips? It was a death sentence.

The hammer in her hand gleamed menacingly. Elowen’s war hammer. It looked ridiculously oversized in her delicate hands, and yet—somehow—I knew she could swing it like a toothpick.

I squeaked. “U-uh… w-why are you holding Elowen’s hammer…?”

Her smile widened. A tear rolled down her cheek, but the glow in her eyes never dimmed. “Since you like me saying nyaall the time…” She raised the hammer slowly, like she was savoring the moment. “…might as well finish you off… before anyone knows.”

“W-WaitwaitwaitWAIT!!!” I writhed against the ropes like a fish on land. “I-I-I thought nya was supposed to be cute!!! Not—NOT THIS!!!”

The hammer reached its peak. My life flashed before my eyes.

Nyx sipped her tea calmly in the corner. “Well, guess that’s the end of him.”

Elysia slammed her hands on the table. “LIKE HELL IT IS!!! I still need Randy!!!”

“Oi, who the hell says it like that!?” I screamed.

Seraphina leaned closer, watching with gleaming eyes. “Mmm, if he dies, does that mean I can keep his corpse…?”

“WHAT THE HELL KIND OF OPTION IS THAT!?!?”

Fu Xi, still twitching from earlier, groaned on the floor. “Kid… this is your punishment… accept it…”

“DON’T DRAG ME INTO YOUR GRUDGE!!!”

The hammer started to fall.

Luna’s voice echoed, soft and trembling, both cute and terrifying. “Nya~… say goodnight, Randy.”

“GYAAAAAAAAA!!!”

The room exploded into chaos—Nyx laughing, Elysia charging, Seraphina reaching, Harmonia shouting encouragements that were absolutely unhelpful, and me? Still tied up, still screaming, still regretting every single life decision that led me here.

And yet—through the madness—one thought pierced my mind.

Damn it… even when she’s about to kill me… Luna’s still… cute.

To be continued