Chapter 476: Kiss Charity
Immediately after that, Sakura was next: unlike a certain tsundere’s dream, Sakura did not return in the back of the giant fiery bird spirit.
The Beast Queen had other plans for her departure, plans that did not involve the magnificent creature that had borne her to Verdant Spire.
Dark smoke filled a small part of the atmosphere, thick and swirling, and a figure walked out.
"Long time no see, Ben-chan..." The soft and husky voice greeted that morning, with a warmth that seemed to cut through the crisp air.
The words were simple, yet they held an undercurrent of affection that spoke of a deep and enduring connection.
All eyes were on the source of the voice, curiosity and suspicion mingling on the faces of the Amazons who had gathered to see Benjamin off.
"Ah, if it isn’t Kuro!" Benjamin smiled brightly, his blue eyes nearly twinkling in the morning sun, the golden light catching the flecks of silver that danced within his irises.
His entire face lit up with delight, and he took a step forward, his arms spreading slightly as if to embrace an old friend. "How long has it been? Ten years?"
"Your perception of time is warping, Ben-chan. It was only a few years ago," Kuro answered calmly, her voice steady and composed, betraying none of the emotion that seemed to radiate from her.
...But the fox tail behind her was wagging happily, a telltale sign of her true feelings that she could not quite suppress.
The dark-furred appendage swished back and forth with increasing enthusiasm, giving lie to her composed demeanor.
"No, no! Even you are incorrect, Kuro!" Sakura corrected, shocked by both of their calmness at such a mistake.
Her fox ears perked forward, her amber eyes wide with disbelief as she looked between the two of them. "How can you both be so far off? Ten years? A few years? It has been mere weeks since you last saw each other! Your perception of time is truly warped, both of you!"
The individual called Kuro was one of Queen Sakura’s sisters who had secretly contacted her and begged—Pardon me—REQUESTED that Sakura let her see Benjamin again, under the pretense of retrieving her from Verdant Spire.
The request had been framed as a simple logistical matter, a sister coming to collect her sibling after an extended visit.
But anyone with eyes could see that there was more to it than that, that Kuro’s true motivation was far more personal.
She wore a dark kimono lined with golden texture forming hypnotic patterns that seemed to shift and dance as she moved.
The fabric was rich and luxurious, the gold thread catching the light and creating an almost mesmerizing effect that drew the eye and held it captive.
The garment was tied with an ornate sash that emphasized her slender waist, and her wooden sandals clicked softly against the stone path of the outer courtyard as she walked.
Her skin was pale, almost luminous in the morning light, like moonlight given flesh.
Her eyes were droopy, dark and expressionless, giving her an appearance of perpetual drowsiness that contrasted sharply with the alertness of her movements.
Her short hair was dark as well, cut in a sharp bob that framed her delicate features.
She had dark-furred fox ears tipped white on her head, the tips twitching occasionally as she caught sounds that others could not hear, and the same fur coating a puffy fox tail behind her that continued its happy wagging despite her best efforts to control it.
On arrival, she became an instant target of intense stares from the Amazons nearby: some admirable, some wary.
The women of Verdant Spire were not accustomed to outsiders appearing so casually, especially outsiders with such striking features and obvious power.
A few of the younger Amazons gazed at her with open admiration, taking in her beauty and her elegant bearing.
Others watched with guarded suspicion, their hands drifting toward their weapons as they assessed a potential threat.
Kuro looked around a bit, smiled and said, "So this is Benjamin’s first family? They certainly are unique."
Her eyes swept across the assembled women, taking in their muscular forms, their fierce expressions, their obvious strength. There was no judgment in her gaze, only curiosity and a hint of warmth.
"Hahaha! What are you talking about Kuro?" Benjamin laughed and walked even closer to her, closing the gap shortly as the dark fox began to blush.
Her pale cheeks flushed a delicate pink, the color spreading across her features like dawn breaking over a winter landscape. "You are all my family in this world. There is no first or second or third. You are all equally important to me, all equally loved. But yeah, I did land here first, and they took great care of me. Please, get along with them if you can."
And he bent down, placing a gentle kiss on her lips, as the other Amazons there murmured in entertainment.
The kiss was soft and tender, a promise of affection that needed no words to express.
Kuro’s blush deepened, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment as she savored the contact.
Then he patted her head, his hand gentle against her dark hair, and she leaned into the touch like a cat seeking warmth.
Sakura then asked to be kissed as well before she took off, her fox ears twitching with playful demand.
She stepped forward, her arms crossed, her expression one of exaggerated impatience.
Then Elara asked to be kissed as well if Sakura was going to be kissed, her voice ringing a note of competitive challenge.
She would not be left out, would not be seen as less important than the visiting Beast Queen.
Then a portal opened and Titania appeared complaining she wasn’t given a good bye kiss from Benjamin.
The fairy queen burst through the shimmering gateway, her butterfly wings fluttering with indignation, her voice rising in a high-pitched wail of protest.
But there was nothing to fear—Sara was present: so she formed a long line of women who were interested in tasting her beloved’s lips, and fortunately, all the women present in Verdant Spire had equal share of kisses.
The line stretched across the courtyard, a queue of eager faces and puckered lips, each woman waiting her turn with varying degrees of patience.
Sara herself had stood at the head of the line, her expression one of smug satisfaction at having organized such an efficient system.
"Hey, why is Kuro joining the line?!"
***
"What are you doing here, Trei?!"
"My word... What is with all the commotion?"
"Sir Benjamin is throwing kisses away for free near the palace! I just claimed mine: a wet and slippery one with our tongues dancing inside each other’s mout—"
"Truly?"
"Y-Yes, but let me finish firs—"
"I cannot miss out on such an opportunity! I must tell my grandmother as well!"
"...Mhm."
The whispers spread through the village like wildfire, the news of Benjamin’s generosity from one eager ear to the next.
Soon, the line had grown even longer, women of all ages and stations joining the queue with expressions of delighted anticipation.
***
After the shenanigans of the women, Benjamin had finished packing up together with Heka; not like he had much property in the first place.
His belongings were few, his needs simple, a consequence of a life spent being kidnapped repeatedly.
He moved through his chambers with efficiency, gathering his little possessions.
He did have to lay off some things, since everyone gave him something to travel with; food, jewelry, shells, panties, heirloom, herbs, perfumes, panties, rings, DIY Amazon dresses for women, magical artifacts and weapons, and did I mention panties?
The collection was eclectic, a reflection of the varied affections of the women who had bestowed them.
Each item carried a memory, a moment shared, a promise made.
Though, he only took what he needed and rolled them into a ball, wrapping it all up with a cloth.
The bundle was small, compact, easily carried. He secured it with a cord, ready for the journey ahead.