Journey to Planar World

Charlie was still staring at the petite girl with a complicated gaze. Although her body was small and her expression innocent, her eyes radiated something different—a burden from a long time and unimaginable loneliness.

”Why are you spacing out, Master?”

Her soft voice brought Charlie back to reality.

”Master...?”

Charlie quickly scanned the room. Thankfully, only Aishia was still asleep beside him.

The petite girl’s words were easily misunderstood. If someone else had heard, he could have been labeled as a pervert.

The girl stared at him seriously, then placed her small, cold hand on the Spirit Mark on the back of Charlie’s hand.

The petite girl stared at him seriously, then placed her small, cold hand on the Spirit Mark on the back of Charlie’s hand.

”Um. I am the Spirit you contracted, and also your sword. You are my contractor, and also my Master.”

Her eyes contained an indescribable emotion flickering within—loyalty, hope, and something else, something deeper and more painful.

”With this, I swear that I will protect your life, and destroy the enemies that stand in your way.”

”...”

Charlie could feel her small fingers gripping his hand tighter, as if afraid he would disappear if she let go.

”So… please don’t die before me.”

Her voice trembled slightly, and behind her flat expression, there was a deep plea.

”...”

Charlie stared at her wordlessly for a few moments. He knew what was troubling this girl—not just the fear of losing her contractor, but also a secret she had long kept hidden.

’The Sacred Sword that was supposed to be a blessing… instead resembles a demonic sword.’

Just as Areishia Idriss died after slaying countless enemies, Terminus Est was no ordinary sword. The sword could destroy all curses, but in return, it absorbed all those curses into itself—and those curses would be passed on to its master.

If Charlie were an ordinary contractor, he might have met a tragic fate like Areishia.

However, he was no ordinary man!

Charlie reached out and gently patted the petite girl’s head.

”As long as I’m not killed, or decide to commit suicide, I won’t die.”

The petite girl’s eyes widened slightly, as if surprised by his lighthearted response.

”I no longer have a lifespan limit and am forever youthful. Perhaps one day I’ll witness humanity’s extinction due to their own actions… but rest assured, I won’t die before you.”

That wasn’t a lie. After consuming mermaid flesh, Charlie was now Pseudo-Immortal.

”...?!”

The petite girl stared at him with questioning eyes, then slowly loosened her grip.

Charlie knew he had eased her worries—at least for now.

Thanks to The Chosen Savior skill, bestowed upon every Savior by Gaia and Alaya, he possessed the Highest Abnormal Resistance. Poison, curses, debuffs—none of them worked on him.

No matter how many curses Terminus Est absorbed, it could never kill him.

”What’s your name?” Charlie asked, even though he already knew the answer.

The petite girl stared at him with a flat expression before finally answering, ”Human vocal cords are incapable of pronouncing my true name, so just call me Est.”

Her voice was cold and flat, almost mechanical and emotionless.

Charlie nodded in understanding. ”Alright, Est. By the way, can you use a different nickname? The word ’Master’... it’s not good for my heart.”

Est blinked for a moment, seemingly considering his request.

”Honored brother?”

”Not bad, but not great.”

”Papa?”

Charlie choked on air and immediately vetoed. ”No way. No girl would want me if they thought I already had a daughter.”

”Onii-chan?”

”...Uhhh...”

Charlie tensed up. The word ”Onii-chan” was a critical hit for male otaku, and he was no exception. In the past, he had once asked his younger sister to call him that, but all he got was a look of disgust.

Est, noticing the change in his expression, quickly deduced something.

”You seem to like it. Then, from now on, I’ll call you Onii-chan.”

Charlie wanted to argue, but for some reason, his voice seemed stuck in his throat.

”Alright...” He finally gave in. ”That nickname is very good.”

After ending that topic, Charlie scrutinized Est more carefully. Only now did he notice something strange.

”By the way, why are you wearing thigh-high socks? Is that your hobby, Est?”

Est, who was usually expressionless, suddenly stiffened.

”...Are you saying I should take off my socks!?”

Her face showed a hint of hesitation—something quite rare for her, who rarely showed emotion.

”I didn’t say that.” Charlie raised an eyebrow.

However, Est had already entered wild conclusion mode.

”Actually, he’s demanding that I show him my bare legs...” She whispered softly, staring at Charlie with a blank expression but her words full of accusation. ”Onii-chan is truly a pervert.”

”I don’t remember saying that.”

As Charlie was about to argue further, another soft voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.

”Mhm... Good morning...”

Charlie turned and found Aishia, who had just woken up.

Her long peach-colored hair was still slightly messy, and her sleepy eyes gazed at Charlie calmly. Even so, her beauty remained undiminished.

However, it wasn’t just Charlie who noticed her.

Est stared at Aishia, then back at Charlie.

Silence.

Ten seconds passed in silence.

Then, in a flat tone, Est finally spoke.

”Onii-chan... a cheater.”

”Wait, what do you mean cheater!?” Charlie couldn’t follow the logic of the girl’s thoughts.

Est continued to stare at him emotionlessly. ”Already has a Spirit, but contracts another Spirit. This act is called cheating in Spirit contract law.”

Aishia blinked, seemingly not understanding. However, hearing the accusation, she instead smiled softly and said, ”I don’t mind accompanying Charlie together with Est.”

’Don’t talk as if this is polygamy, Aishia!’ Charlie complained inwardly.

Meanwhile, Est seemed to think for a moment before finally saying, ”Fine. I’ll consider accepting this cheating woman.”

”I’m not a cheating woman.” Aishia said calmly.

On the other hand, Charlie could only stare blankly at the ceiling.

*BANG!*

The door to the room opened, and the figure of a woman gracefully stepped inside.

Charlie, Aishia, and Est reflexively turned toward the source of the sound.

The woman had long, reddish-brown hair that cascaded softly, with a few strands falling over her shoulders. Her deep indigo eyes radiated authority, yet also gentleness. Her figure was voluptuous and alluring, with perfect curves elegantly wrapped in a white dress adorned with gold and pale blue patterns.

Her dress had an open cut at the chest, revealing a slight cleavage, yet still maintaining a holy and majestic impression. The long, flared sleeves added to her graceful aura. A thin black necklace encircled her neck, enhancing the charm of her already stunning figure.

There was no doubt—this woman was the Goddess of Justice, Astraea.

Her eyes glinted with a sharp, warning gaze. Although her voice remained soft, there was a tone of reprimand in it.

”Charlie...”

Charlie felt a chill run down his spine.

”Don’t play with women’s hearts. If you keep this up, one day you’ll be stabbed with a kitchen knife.” Astraea said with a smile.

Cold sweat began to drip from Charlie’s temples.

”Wait! This is all just a misunderstanding!” He hurriedly said.

Unfortunately, Astraea continued to look at him skeptically.

Her gaze shifted to Aishia and Est’s attire, which did not help his case at all.

Aishia was only wearing a thin, slightly loose nightgown, revealing her smooth, white shoulders. Her peach-colored hair, still slightly messy from sleep, only added to her alluring appearance.

Meanwhile, Est was wearing a worn-out shirt and thigh-high socks, which—in its own way—only made the situation more suspicious.

Est’s expression remained flat, but her words were as sharp as ever.

”Onii-chan... shameless man.”

Charlie nearly choked.

”You’re only making things worse!”

Astraea let out a long sigh before looking at him again, this time with a more serious expression.

”Charlie, we need to talk in private.”

”This is more exhausting than fighting the Abyssal Devourer...” Charlie sighed helplessly.