"Now that our quota has been reduced because of the agreement between the Six Kingdoms, Xynnar War Pact, and the Skystead Alliance, the chances of forming a sizable force to challenge the three remaining gates is practically nil," Natasha commented. "Lux, I guess we will have to rely on you to help gather resources for the Stronghold."

Gerald rubbed his chin as he glanced at the Guild Buffs that were enabled in Lux's Guild. The more he looked at it, the more he felt his liver itch.

If not for the fact that he was the Commander of Wildgarde Stronghold, he might have asked the Half-Elf to let him join his Guild as well!

In fact, it was not only Gerald who was thinking about this matter. As a craftsman, the buffs inside Lux's Guild were simply too good to be true.

Anyone who had a profession would be willing to pay a hefty price for the opportunity to use the 20% Bonus Success Rate in Crafting items that was available in Lux's guild.

"Hahaha! That's my boy." Gerald said as he patted Lux's shoulder with a big smile on his face that made the Half-Elf shudder. "The times when I had to change your loincloth when you were young weren't in vain. Um, you know, our Stronghold is suffering difficulties as of late. Could you perhaps help gather these"

Gerald gave Lux a list of items that the Stronghold was currently in short supply. Some of them could be taken from Dungeons, while some could only be bought in Elysium.

Seeing that the list wasn't that excessive, the Half-Elf agreed to keep an eye out for the items and hand some of them to the Stronghold as his way of repaying the kindness they had given to him since he was young.

"Now I understand why you went to such great lengths, Alexander," Gerald said after talking with Lux. "Don't worry. I promise that I will keep this a secret."

"I will keep this a secret as well," Natasha replied.

Rainer looked at Lux with a serious expression on his face before voicing his thoughts.

"I have signed the contract, so I plan to keep this secret as well," Rainer stated. "However, Lux, you already know that I am a craftsman. If there comes a time when I need your Guild Buffs to craft an item, will you allow me to join your Guild to increase my chances of success?"

Lux nodded. "Of course. Sir Rainer, although Nero and I have our conflict, you never intervened and allowed us to settle it amongst ourselves. Also, your role in the Stronghold as our Blacksmith and Craftsman is a very important position. I am very happy to let you join my Guild, and contribute to the Stronghold in this manner."

Gerald laughed after hearing Lux's magnanimous declaration. However, deep inside, he was very tempted to jump ship. If not for the fact that he needed to keep his reputation, he would have used his thick skin and asked Lux to allow him to transfer all of the members of their Guild, into Heaven's Gate.

Their meeting lasted for two more hours as they discussed the manner of the cooperation they would have with Lux's Guild. Overall, the meeting went quite smoothly, and all sides were quite happy with the arrangements they had created.

After that, they all went to have dinner together.

Iris and Cai couldn't help but stare at Gerald, whose smile almost reached his ears, as he talked to Lux in a very friendly manner.

Alicia, who was excluded in the meeting, could feel that Gerald's, Natasha's and Rainer's attitudes towards Lux were no longer that of adults dealing with a child. In her eyes, it seemed that the three Guardians of Wildgarde Stronghold were treating Lux as their equal instead of someone that was under their command.

The dinner ended without too much fuss, and everyone went to the rooms that had been prepared for them. Naturally, Lux went to Iris' bedroom, as they talked about everything that happened that day.

Just like Lux had promised to Alexander, he told Iris everything. Contrary to what he expected, Iris remained calm during his narration, which made the Half-Elf wonder if he didn't explain it properly.

Seeing his confusion, Iris just smiled and kissed his cheeks.

"I am indeed very surprised with the story that you have told me," Iris explained. "But, when the announcement was made, I had a feeling that it was somehow connected to you. I didn't know where this confidence of mine was coming from, but I knew then and there that the one who created Heaven's Gate was no one else but you."

Lux gazed at the blue-haired beauty beside him and lightly squeezed her hand. He felt very blessed to have a smart, loving fiance like Iris, who made him feel like he was the luckiest man in the world.

A minute later, he moved closer to her and kissed her lips, making the beautiful lady close her eyes and cling to his body.

Soon, the sound of rustling clothes echoed inside the room, as Lux undressed his fiance, who was eager for his love.

After another round of kissing and sensual touching, sighs of pleasure escaped Iris' lips, fanning the burning desire that had ignited inside Lux's chest.

When he finally reached the limit of his patience and endurance, he spread Iris legs and lowered his hips to become one with her.

Although she was quite wet and ready to receive him due to his ministrations, her tightness almost made Lux release his seed as soon as he entered her.

Both of them missed each other terribly, and it could clearly be felt through the burning desire that was spreading in their bodies like a flame that couldn't be put out, unless it found the release they were looking for.

Waves upon waves of pleasure washed over Iris' body, until finally, her body arched like a bow, as her heart and womb were filled to the brim with Lux's love.

As the blue-haired lady panted for breath, she looked up at the man whom she loved dearly.

"I love you, Lux," Iris said as she reached out to cup his face. "I've loved you for a very long time."

"I love you too, Iris," Lux replied as he lowered his head to kiss her lips. "More than you'll ever know."

The two of them shared one more kiss before Lux once again moved his hips to start their second round.

Lux had a very strong body and a lot of stamina, giving Iris the sweet taste of passion that she had missed during the time when they were away from each other.

The two only stopped making love when Lux felt that Iris finally reached her limit.

Not wanting to put too much strain on her young, soft, delicate body, the Half-Elf decided to stop after doing it five times.

He gently carried her to the bathroom and washed her properly. The Half-Elf did his best to resist the temptation of making love to her again then and there as he held her waist to hold her in place inside the bathtub.

"Will you stay with me for a while before returning to Elysium?" Iris asked.

She wanted to spend more time with Lux because she believed that he would be incredibly busy once he returned to Elysiumespecially now that her fiance was the Guildmaster of a Mythical Guild, which was the first of its kind in Solais and Elysium.

"I will stay for a week," Lux replied as he playfully drew circles on Iris' lower abdomen. "I have a feeling that Grandma or Eiko will return to us by then, so I want to stay here and ensure that there is nothing wrong with them before returning to Elysium."

Iris smiled. "I miss them both."

"I miss them, too," Lux commented.

"Let's go on a picnicjust the four of us, after they've revived," Iris proposed.

Lux chuckled and nodded his head. "Sounds good."

The Half-Elf wanted to treasure the precious moments he had together with his loved ones. Although he was a Necromancer, he didn't want to see any of them dying anytime soon.

He could still remember how happy Heidi and Lilia were after being reunited with Bedivere. Deep inside, he was glad that he was able to give the family of three a happy reunion.

Lux wanted everyone to have a happy ending, which is why he made another vow that he would do everything in his power to save Solais from destruction, so that the future generations, including those of his future children, would be able to live in a world that was not headed down the path of ruin.