Chapter 49: First Dance With the Sister-in-Law
[Richter's POV]
How sad of a fate, that's what I wanted to believe but I couldn't identify myself with Layla at all. For one I overshadowed my father's legacy to such an extent that his name on the shelves of history in Helius was almost erased.
That said, I'm content that Grayfia managed to sort this out. Fia released me as she wept and rushed to hug her daughters, I think she's conscious of her daughter's marriage life yet is powerless to do anything about it.
The trio of silver-haired beauties embraced one another, all I could see was how they failed to completely merge due to their breasts squishing one another, preventing them from doing so. It must be not easy to have those massive lumps...
They shared a brief bonding moment in which both Fia and Grayfia consoled Layla before they released each other, all smiles. If only I could solve my deadly enmities like that, let women do their thing.
"Brother-in-law, are you still up for that spar?" Layla approached me and hook up her arm around my arm, this was the closest we have been since the beginning, perhaps this talk with Grayfia was what she needed.
"Let's go, I want to talk to you in private as well darling!~" Fia pulled her daughter to the stands and created a barrier, seriously what's the big deal? I can still hear everything.
"Mother!" Grayfia protested hopelessly.
Then she proceeded to shame her daughter... asking her about our details, her life, her missions, our relationship... how big I was down there... women talk basically.
"I'm ready when you are, Layla" I ignored my maid and mother-in-law the moment my apostle revealed how big I was, I guess there is no privacy in this family.
Layla nodded and took me to the centre of the field, however, she didn't release me.
"I'll try to take your side as much as I can in this banquet, brother-in-law, but you must understand that what you did was a great crime... perhaps you're indeed as strong as Lady Calliope or Ophis or Great Red, I don't know... but we can't allow this matter to be thrown in the gutter. The peace that we currently have was achieved with three wars, countless lives lost and sacrifices made... then one day you appear out of nowhere and just like that three hundred thousand lives and a territory that took centuries to build... gone".
I guess communication is everything, now that she put it like that, I understood their feelings a little.
"It is a blow from which we won't be able to recover soon, do you understand, brother-in-law?"
"I do, so what do you expect of me?" I lifted my eyebrows.
"You're my big sister's mate... I... regardless of our past or anything, I still love her and she's happy with you, I hope for the best conclusion for both parties, and hence... I only hope that when the time comes and we're in the banquet, you will be a little more comprehensive... is that too much to ask?"
She looked up at me with what I could only describe as a young dragon begging for a little water, she then did something that I didn't expect, she waved her silver bangs to the side, accentuating them!
...?
How can I possibly reject her if she flaunts her silver hair like that, isn't she married?
"Okay..." I said drily but it produced a big smile on Layla's face, "as expected, you love big sister's hair, right?"
"..."
"You're always looking at it, me and mother's too~"
"I'm just appreciating it, that's all, let's begin with the spar".
"Sure~ please hold back a little against me... I don't know how strong you are in the end, but the power to destroy half of a city with a mere shockwave... that's not something I believe I can contend with"
'At least she's rational' I thought, deciding to hold back as much as I can instead of turning her into a beautiful sculpture.
"Then why do you want to spar?"
"I merely desire for us to communicate through our fists, that's what dragons do, right?~"
"Ho?~ in that case, would you like to limit this fight to just physical prowess? I will match your strength so you don't need to worry"
"Very well!~"
We made some distance between us, it is a friendly spar so I as well enjoy myself.
Layla got in position showcasing some sort of martial art, she seems prepared in every field.
In her battle with Grayfia before I noticed strategy and plans rather than plain violence, she has potential.
Alas, strategy only works within the means of power. If the foe's strength is overwhelmingly superior. There is nothing to do.
*WHOOOSH!*
*WHOOOSH!*
Both of us blinked towards one another, leaving but a blurry haze before we met in the middle, my naked first met hers, beginning our fight!
*BOOOOOOMMMM!!!*
As I promised I limited myself to meet her power, it was difficult... but I could do it. From the stands, I saw how Grayfia gasped upon seeing it. Of course, I had noticed in her fight how little control she has over her power, something that doesn't trouble me.
Although the fight was beyond bland, I didn't mind dancing with Layla.
*BOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!*
*BOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!*
*BOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!*
I punched forth, she dodged and delivered a kick, I met her kick with my knee, blocking it and having her back off before jumping and delivering a kick to her head.
Each strike released a shockwave and destruction that spoke ropes of her power.
Layla grit her teeth and blocked it but her silhouette got blasted away; before she could even recover herself, I was already in there, smirking.
*BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!*
I joined my fists together and slammed them down on her body, she crashed into the soil like a cannonball, creating a deep crater and a mountain of dust.
*COUGH!*
She coughed blood and didn't stand back, I sighed upon seeing her contorting body.
Aish... this is as much as I can hold back, any more than this and I might as well not move.
I noticed Grayfia trying to not hit Layla, in truth, she wouldn't have killed Layla, this girl is strong.
The faith that I receive enforces the durability of my gold by a wide margin, giving me unparalleled physical prowess and the capacity to repel other laws through my gold.
It doesn't, however, give me advantage into any other law or magic. The same must happen to Grayfia, my apostle.
Her ice seems to have somehow mixed with my gold through the heart lineage, as a Demon Goddess her authorities are darkness and ice.
Aside from that, she also has that devil fruit that transformed her body precisely into that frozen gold ice of hers. Although not as strong as mine, it is as though her whole body is mate out of dragon scales.
Unknowingly, from one day to another this maid of mine became a force to be reckoned with, I wonder how high she will go?
…
Layla smiled my way and extended her hand forward, "It is your win, brother-in-law. Thanks for not being kind to me... I'm at the end of the day, a warrior".
I pulled her out of the hole and held her softly, she coughed blood a few more times before recovering herself.
"You too did well, Layla. I can tell you this much, you're way stronger than Grayfia was when I met her. So, hold pride in your growth and become stronger for your own sake, not others..."
"Y-Yes" she blushed and we separated, she bowed to me and we turned towards the applauding mother and sister.
Five days left for the welcoming banquet.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone