Leveling Up by Seducing Milfs-Chapter 216. Honoring The Fallen

The party went on all afternoon and into the night. But when the sun started to set, Fredrich asked for a moment of silence.

The Grand Magister said in a serious tone, "Before we eat and celebrate, we must honor those who did not survive..."

"Three hundred and forty-seven mages died in this battle..."

"Sixty-two dragon riders fell from the sky..."

"One hundred and twenty-eight demon soldiers were corrupted..."

"Ninety-three holy knights and ocean dwellers gave their lives for others..."

Rick was struck by the staggering numbers. More than six hundred people died.

Six hundred people would never return home, never see their families again, and never see another sunrise.

Rick said softly, "They died so we could live..." His voice somehow carried across the crowd.

"They deserve better than to be forgotten."

Nerissa stepped forward, and even though she was worn out, her Ocean Empress authority shone through. "I would like to give those an honor that is only given to the best warriors of the Ocean Empire..."

The ocean answered when she raised her hands.

Gentle columns of water rose around the beach where many of the dead were. The bodies rose, held in a glowing blue light that looked like liquid.

Nerissa said, "In the depths of the ocean, there are gardens of eternal rest..." Her voice carried the weight of eight hundred years of tradition.

"Beautiful and peaceful places where warriors who died protecting others are buried..."

"The ocean remembers them, sings to them, and makes sure they are never really gone..."

The water that held the dead began to move, sliding across the surface toward the Astral Deep. Families and friends went to the edge of the water to say their last goodbyes as their loved ones were lowered into it.

"May the currents guide you home," Nerissa said, following the Ocean Empire’s traditional burial ceremony. "May the waters remember your bravery..."

"May the depths give you peace..."

Slowly sinking, the bodies were accompanied by bioluminescent fish that appeared out of nowhere. It was a beautiful and sad goodbye that honored the sacrifice while also acknowledging the loss.

Rick stood next to Nerissa and took her hand. He said, "Thank you, Nerissa..."

"They all... earned that funeral."

Nerissa said, "We should all be remembered for our good deeds and sacrifices."

...

After the funeral, the mood changed back to one of celebration, but now with a bittersweet sense of the cost. Every cook in the city appeared to have prepared food and drinks for the unexpectedly appearing tables.

A mix of traditional ocean songs and songs from the mainland for celebrations began to play. People started to dance, laugh, and live with the same intensity as those who had faced death and lived.

Even though Rick was worn out, he couldn’t help but join in the celebration. Carmilla insisted on dancing, and her grace made up for Rick’s lack of coordination.

Natasha figured out the best way to eat the festival food without getting sick. Liora gave the group divine energy that made everyone feel a little lighter.

Sylvia turned into a dragon and gave rides to delighted kids who screamed with joy as they flew over the harbor. Zara had a friendly drinking contest with demon soldiers who had survived the battle.

They all raised their glasses to fallen friends between shots.

Nerissa, the Ocean Empress, had not been able to feel joy for fifty years. But when her daughter Myrissa pulled her into an ocean dweller traditional dance that neither of them had done in decades, she laughed freely.

Rick was able to get all six of his bonded partners together in a quiet corner away from the main festivities as the celebration reached its peak. They sat together on a dock that went out into the ocean, which was now clean.

Their feet dangled over the water, which reflected stars that were starting to show up in the clear sky.

"So," Rick said, then stopped to think about what to say next. "I need to talk to all of you about something important..."

Five pairs of eyes looked at him with different levels of interest and worry.

Rick said, "Nerissa is now officially my sixth Spirit Bond." He was nervous even though he knew these women better than anyone else.

"This means that she is now involved in our interactions with each other..."

"I know that’s hard because we’ve never talked about how this works when there are six of you now."

Carmilla chuckled softly. "Rick, do you really think we’re worried about normal relationship structures?"

"I mean... I’m a demon general," Zara said with a smile. "Monogamy isn’t a good thing for demons, but it’s still better to share because we are all here together because of you."

Natasha nodded. "From a logical point of view, the Spirit Bond system was made to work with more than one partner."

"The question isn’t if it’s possible, but how we can meet everyone’s needs and keep their expectations in check, but of course... it’s all on you at the end of how well you treated us all fairly."

"Exactly," Liora said. "We’re all grown-ups."

"We’re all connected to you and to each other through you. As long as everyone is honest with each other, this can work." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I’ll admit," Sylvia said slowly, "I was a little unsure about Nerissa at first..."

"Eight hundred years old, three hundred kids, and an empire. That’s a lot of baggage to bring into a relationship."

"But after seeing her hold off Cthulhu’s last attack by herself so Rick could finish him off?" Sylvia’s face softened. "I fully accept her! Anyone with that much courage and dedication deserves to be here."

Rick felt a wave of relief wash over him. "So everyone is okay with sharing? No jealousy or competition?"

"Oh, there will definitely be competition," Carmilla said with a smile that made her look like a predator. "But the fun kind~!"

"The kind where we try to make you happy and not the kind where we tear each other down."

"I couldn’t help but hear, and I can’t thank you enough for accepting me." A voice they knew came from behind them.

All of them were shocked to see that Nerissa had been standing there the entire time, eavesdropping on every conversation.

"Nerissa!? S-Sorry...! We didn’t say anything bad about you!" Rick apologized right away.

Nerissa walked over to the group, having clearly been listening from a distance. Rick had never seen her look so open before, with her emotional walls completely down.

"I know I make things harder," Nerissa said. "Because of my age, my responsibilities, and my past, I can’t blame any of you for not fully accepting me into this... family."

"Girl, sit down," Zara said, patting the dock next to her. "We already told Rick we’re good."

"Now we’re telling you directly. You’re one of us! And there are no strings attached because you earned it."

Nerissa sat down slowly, as if she was afraid that moving too quickly would ruin the moment. "I’ve never been a part of anything like this before..."

"Even with Typhon, it was always formal, structured, and defined by our roles as rulers instead of real connection."

Liora said, "Then it’s time for you to feel something real."

"A bond based on choice instead of duty. Love given freely instead of a job."

The six women sat together in silence, enjoying the calm ocean and the stars that were shining on it. Rick stood behind them, feeling like he was intruding on a moment that wasn’t about him, even though he was the one who linked them all together.

Natasha said, "You know, statistical analysis suggests that our bond network has reached its best synchronization."

"Each partner brings unique strengths that complement the others."

"For example, Carmilla has tactical combat skills, I have strategic analysis skills, Liora has divine support, Sylvia has aerial superiority and wisdom, Zara has overwhelming offense, and now Nerissa has oceanic authority and centuries of leadership experience."

Natasha went on, "We’re not just Rick’s harem," ignoring Rick’s sputter at the word.

"We’re a full tactical unit! A family we chose and a team that can handle anything."

"Even god-level corrupt organizations, it seems," Sylvia said with a laugh.

"Now, now, let’s enjoy this peaceful day for all of us today..." Rick finally sat down with them, and right away he was surrounded.

Carmilla was on his left side, and Natasha was on his right.

Liora put her head on his shoulder from behind.

Sylvia’s tail went around his waist.

Zara sat down in front of him with her legs crossed.

After a moment of doubt, Nerissa took his hand in both of hers.

"HOLY SHIT...!!! MY HAREM OF MILFS HAS EXPANDED MORE AND MORE!!!" Rick screamed full of happiness inside his mind when all of that was happening at the same time.

Rick said softly, "Thank you."

"All of you... for putting up with this mess, for accepting me, and for being willing to share when most people would want to keep things to themselves."

"Rick, you beautiful disaster," Carmilla said with love. "You literally saved the world today."

"I think we can share you without killing each other."

Zara joked, "Speak for yourself."

"I might still kill him for scaring me when his health hits zero."