Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Welcoming Water - 2
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"I'll come back in two days."
"Luca...!"
Slam!
...
A brief shaft of light leaked into the darkness, shattering into fragments before blending into the familiar shadows of despair. I stared endlessly at the crumbling remnants of hope, then numbly opened my mouth.
"Luca..."
Was I dreaming right now? I rubbed my eyes and peered ahead, but the only occupant of this desolate room was me. He'd vanished as swiftly as he'd appeared, leaving only shards of glass scattered across the floor.
I picked up a piece of glass and stared at it blankly. Normally, my reflection would have stared back, but no light pierced the dark room to project my image. A vague memory surfaced: they say you can't see your reflection in mirrors during dreams. I set the glass shard down and rose to my feet.
"Luca."
My staggering steps mimicked those of a sleepwalker. Glass pierced my bare feet as I shuffled forward, warm blood trickling down, but I paid it no mind. Drawn like a moth to flame, I approached the door, grasped the handle—then recoiled as if burned by its chill.
Luca came back.
The words still felt like a lie, branded into my heart. Yet the fog of doubt that had dominated my mind for so long crept in, raising questions.
But... really?
After treading the razor-thin line between truth and falsehood for so long, truth felt like a rickety single-log bridge to me, its boundaries unclear. Whether flanked by truth or lies, one misstep would plunge me into an eternal abyss.
So I needed proof. Clear evidence that Luca had been here just moments ago.
I sniffed the air first. But no faint trace could linger. Grasping at straws, I sniffed the void, but only the metallic tang of blood invaded my nostrils.
Blood. The word sparked a flash in my mind. Yes, blood. Flowing blood. The warm fluid that had poured from my body moments ago. Something stone and corpses could never produce.
I reached toward where it had flowed.
The symbol of loathsome deceit and hypocrisy still dangled there. I gently stroked the smooth metal surface, then slid my fingers up along the hoop. They met my inflamed, tender earlobe.
The instant I touched it, joy flooded my face. Amid the sensation of life, Luca's presence rang clear. Not as a scent, but...
The sharp pain still etched into my skin proved his existence.
"Luca...!"
Now I called his name with conviction. But it still wasn't enough. I needed more proof.
So I grasped my earring and yanked it myself.
"Luca... aaah...!"
Ripping pain. Ruthless fingers tearing delicate flesh. Fresh crimson blood as the scab peeled away. In the agony, Luca's presence was confirmed. My pathetic brows twisted grotesquely, but a smile curled my lips.
"Luca... Luca...!"
The more I pulled, the more pain turned to joy, illusion to reality. The seal I'd thought unbreakable shattered; the man turned to stone regained life. Hope, dead in my heart, began to bloom.
"Luca... Luca...!"
It hurt. But it was joyful. The pain from when he'd tugged it moments ago replayed, sending shivers through my body. My hands trembled with delight, blood flowing above.
"Luca... really... aaah...!"
A tearing rrrip echoed in my ears. Pain no longer registered. Instead, a thrilling ecstasy surged. From my writhing lips slipped a single phrase.
"Luca... is alive."
That moment, I clamped my hand over my mouth, eyes widening. My god. What had I just said?
"Luca is alive."
I repeated it deliberately, without stumbling or hesitation. The fact that I could say it meant everything.
Since that day, I could no longer lie. I could speak only truth, as per the goddess's will—the saintess who uttered only the world's verities. That was Sera now.
In other words, saying Luca was alive meant he truly was.
"Ah... aaah...!"
I yanked the earring again. Flesh tore louder, shredding raggedly. One more pull, and it would rip free for good.
But I didn't hesitate. Instead, I uttered one more truth.
"Luca... Luca...!"
Saying it took immense courage. What if it wasn't true? What if I faltered? Yet I spoke it. Squeezing my eyes shut, I declared:
"Luca came to save me."
No hesitation, no stammering.
Just clear, deliberate truth.
Realizing this, I yanked the earring with all my strength.
"Aaaaaah!!!"
I screamed in ecstasy, collapsing to the floor. Shredded flesh sprayed blood; tears streamed from my eyes. But my mouth still smiled. Because I'd finally grasped all truths.
Luca wasn't dead. He'd broken the seal alive and returned to my side. Not Nadia's, not Eli's—to me.
He'd even come here to rescue me.
"Ah... ahaha..."
Laughter bubbled from my lips. But unavoidable pain brought tears. My head spun, strength fled my body; I braced against the floor, gasping raggedly.
"Hahaha... haa... haa..."
Blood and tears mingled, pattering to the floor. Staring at the staining shadows, I said it again.
Luca is alive.
And he came to save me.
That was my truth now.
Luca is alive.
"Saintess."
And he came to save me the moment the seal broke.
"Saintess."
Why? After all I'd done. I'd abandoned Luca, hurt Eli before his eyes, given my body to other men.
"Saintess!"
"Yes...?"
I lifted my head weakly. A priest glared down angrily. He scratched his ear irritably, sighed, and growled:
"Are you even listening to me?"
"No."
"Fuck, seriously."
I spoke the truth, of course. He muttered a curse under his breath and continued.
"Do you know how much trouble I've had covering for your sudden crazy stunt? In this world, who believes the saintess of the Ennesic Order—the goddess of life's own church—skipped worship because she's unwell?"
"But I really am unwell."
"That doesn't make sense. Priests perform healing blessings, yet the saintess can't attend due to injury? If it's a joke, it's not funny; if serious, it's utterly absurd."
"I see."
I didn't care. Not about what scum like him said. Undeterred, he crossed his arms.
"Worship's handled somehow, but do the confessional right. Got it? An imperial overseer arrives today—be extra careful. Just sit there and offer your body quietly."
"..."
"Got it? Answer me."
"Hey."
Curiosity struck; I looked up. He snapped irritably.
"What?"
"I heard another priest skipped too."
"Ah... Romir, you mean."
"Yeah. The one handling donations. Why him?"
He paused, then replied.
"He's unwell."
"Does that make sense?"
"I don't know. But Romir only skipped worship—he's diligent otherwise. And it's none of your concern anyway."
He snapped curtly and headed for the door.
"Anyway, guest's coming soon. Behave. No more outbursts."
"Okay."
"Answer properly."
"I said I will."
He shot a suspicious glance but had nothing more to say. He yanked the door open and left. I ignored the intruding light, bowing my head.
Slam!
The door slammed shut roughly. I stared blankly at it, then lowered my gaze to my body.
And pulled out the hidden glass shard.
No reflection in the dark room. But it held Luca's words from that day.
Prove it, then.
What did that mean?
Dust and solitude piled like dandruff on my shoulders in the silent room. As if by long habit, I grasped my wounded ear.
"Ugh..."
A soft groan escaped with familiar pain. Blood seeped from the unhealed wound, but I smiled. This was Luca's punishment—and proof of his love.
"Yes. This is punishment."
Truth again. Punishment for my disbelief. For giving up midway, unlike Eli.
"This... is punishment."
I repeated it, pressing the shard to my palm. Its sharp edge sliced tender flesh, blood beading along a hideous line.
But the pain was negligible. Even this worthless body adapted quickly, healing. Nothing compared to Luca's sufferings.
Yeah. This is nothing.
Prove it—his words were surely a test of my endurance.
Now I slid the shard toward my inner thigh. The den of corruption visited by countless men besides Luca. If punishment was due, it belonged here.
The cool glass against deep flesh made my hand tremble with instinctive fear. But that fear drew a satisfied smile. It proved I was receiving proper chastisement.
"Ah... ahak...!"
The intrusion pierced my inner thigh; hot breath escaped as tears streamed unbidden. Less physical pain than the humiliation and revulsion of self-mutilation surged with nausea. But I endured, dragging the glass more viciously.
"Haa... haaa...!"
The more I moved, the slicker my palm grew with sweat and blood; the glass slipped. No. Can't stop. This isn't enough. More punishment.
When inner thigh blood mingled indistinguishably with other fluids, I turned elsewhere. Arms, buttocks, wrists. Even my neck. The greater the pain, the nearer salvation felt; Luca's face sharpened in my mind.
"Ah...! Haa... ugh...!"
It hurts. So agonizing. That's why it's joyful.
"Ugh... uhaaah..."
I feel alive. No—Luca lives. Inside me, in the tearing flesh. Pulsing, moving within.
I'm being saved right now.
Creak.
The door flew open as the thought struck. Light seeped in; I lifted my head blankly. A man stood in the doorway, staring.
Who is that?
Too much blood blurred my vision; I couldn't make him out.
Who...?
My mind fogged. If a believer, he mustn't see this. He'd scream, alerting the priests. No. Luca said two days. I need time for full punishment, more wounds.
Step. Step.
But the man approached silently. Caught off guard, I stared blankly at his face, obscured by his collar. A sudden thought hit.
Could it be...?
"Luca...?"
I whispered his name. He drew near without a word.
And gently stroked my hair.
"Ah..."
Warm fingers brushed my nape; a faint moan escaped. A unfamiliar scent lingered, but approaching despite this state meant it was Luca. But why? He said two days. Why now...?
A fact flashed through my mind—one I'd denied inwardly, but it answered every doubt.
Why say two days, yet come now?
Why forgive while punishing me?
Why rush to save me post-seal?
Simple.
Because Luca loves me.
Loves Sera, not Eli.
"Ah... haha..."
It sounded absurd at first. But no reason to deny. Luca never said he loved Eli—not once explicitly, never confessed formally. No concrete proof he loved her over me.
And unlike his constant gentleness with Eli, I'd always been snappish, irritating—yet he never pushed me away. Simple reason. He loves me. Couldn't wait even two days. Planned punishment but missed me too much.
"..."
Suddenly, his hand encircled my waist. Luca's touch against my skin. Joy welled; tears threatened. He smiled brightly at my beaming face and spoke softly:
"As expected of the Ennesic Order. How did you know my tastes and prepare her so perfectly?"
I tilted my head, uncomprehending. But it didn't matter. I'd missed his loving heart all this time; misunderstanding this trifle was nothing.
"Ah... aaah... Luca...!"
I couldn't hold back, kissing him deeply. He responded fervently, no evasion. Pent-up feelings, blocked by Eli's barrier, poured out with tears. Tongues entwined, saliva exchanged in a deep kiss—then his hand slipped under my clothes, and I cried out in rapture.