Lament <Side: Muse Symphony>
"Priests must preserve their chastity."
A misunderstanding—or rather, a malicious rumor—about priests that's been passed down for ages. To cut to the chase, this rumor has nothing to do with reality.
Where did this misconception originate? The most likely source is the magic priests use. Among priests' spells, there are a few that men can only cast if they're virgins, and women if they're maidens. But some say the rumor arose because priests obsessively force this on others, not just themselves.
Back when I was a knight, before becoming a priest, I'd just brush it off. But now that I'm the one at the center of this nonsense, it feels... strangely off-putting.
Of course, I'm no virgin. Raysi and I have already been intimate... Though technically, the first time I "lost" it was from riding a horse too hard. I remember the shock of blood trickling down my thighs mid-lesson.
* * *
『Cross Moon - 27th (Morning)』
"So much has happened. I'm exhausted for real."
The lord had insisted I stay in the clinic until the disappearances quieted down, but that proved unnecessary—I was out sooner than expected. Word was the incidents were resolved, and all the missing vagrants returned unharmed. They didn't say the culprit was caught, but since they let me go, it must've wrapped up fine.
"Still, is it okay to leave this soon?"
Being cooped up in that stuffy clinic was a hundred times worse, but they hadn't told me everything as the victim. There must be circumstances, yet being shuttled in and out at their whim was just as frustrating.
"If only Raysi were here... We could share a drink and vent. I miss him."
I'd told my worried junior priests I'd head to the church by evening, so no need to meet me. Dressed in my prepared priestess robes, I made my way there.
What had I done while stuck in the clinic? I gaze at the blue sky dotted with white clouds, lost in thought.
"Guess I should cancel the lecture..."
I looked fine on the surface, but an assault targeting me, the high priestess? Whether bold or backed by someone, bringing outsiders in for advice felt too risky now. Not that I doubted Ustis the orphanage director, but to protect the other priests, I'd halt such events until things settled—even the checkpoint for visitors would tighten up.
To that end, I'd sent an urgent letter via express mail. It should've arrived by now.
We'd barely arranged it through Clarice's connections, and now this petty reason derails it... Nothing's going right. Of all people, me—sexually assaulted, no less—and Raysi conveniently away...
I fiddle with the ring on my left ring finger, recalling him absentmindedly.
"Where'd you go without a word, Raysi..."
The engagement ring he'd given me. He'd rolled through the empire's deserts for a full month to gather the materials, he said. The depth of feeling in it was beyond me. I just prayed he'd return safe, my steps slowing to a halt before the church.
--Creak...
I fling open the church doors and step inside. The familiar sight eases my heart: stained glass casting rainbows on the floor in the sunlight, the organ I tend daily, the noble statue of the goddess.
Yes. This makes it real—I'm back to normal life. And my fellow priests blending into the scene.
Spotting me, they drop everything and rush over.
"Priestess Muse! Are you okay? Anywhere still hurting...?"
"We were so worried, Priestess! Are you really cleared to return?"
"No need to rush back to duties. Rest more if you need to..."
Welcoming faces, worried words, sighs of relief. Their concern lightens my burden a bit.
But...
"Thanks, everyone. As you see, I'm perfectly fine. No injuries."
Unlike their words, their gazes weren't the same. No longer the admiration or faint envy of ordinary folk.
From my days as a knight, mid-level manager, or group leader, I'd honed the knack for reading hidden intents in stares—call it a side skill. Looking now...
Beneath welcoming expressions: pity and sympathy for some. Natural, given my engagement—anyone would feel that hearing I'd been sexually assaulted. I get it.
Relief for others: at my unscathed return, or normalcy resuming. Also natural.
But... disgust from some. Directed at me.
Why? I'm the victim, the wronged one.
This I couldn't fathom. Do they buy into that "priests must stay chaste" idiocy? Assuming I'd lost my virginity from the attack?
Ridiculous. But without such absurdity, their stares make no sense.
"Haha..."
"Priestess Muse?"
"You sure you're really okay?"
"If you're uncomfortable, head home now."
A hollow laugh escapes. People obsess over one criticism amid ten thousand praises, right? A vague emptiness settles in.
But I couldn't sulk over this. Can't dismiss their worry with a glance.
"Ahem. No, I'm truly fine. More importantly, I've got backlog from my absence to handle—and announcements."
I clear my throat, steady the mood, and brief the gathered priests on my clinic decisions.
"Evening prayer meetings are suspended for now. Prayer to the goddess is vital, but gaps could let attackers slip in. She wouldn't want us hurt over it. For safety: no evening prayers, early quits for priests. Resume once settled."
"R-Really?"
"For safety... But what if she doubts our faith?"
"Wait, hold on...! Don't say that—she'll understand!"
Smiles at early quits, backlash from the devout with intensified disgust, others calming them. Varied reactions, as expected.
"I get your objections. But you're more important to me. I don't want more victims like me. Same reason the Ustis lecture's canceled. With this incident, the lord's side will be hyper-vigilant on outsiders."
To quell dissent, I leveraged my assault. The subtext: Obey, or end up like me. Harsh, embellishing the lord's words, but faster than individual convincing.
They wore complex expressions but no further opposition. They'd sensed it too—the fear of becoming victims.
--Clap...!
I clap to liven the mood and continue.
No evening prayers, but not idling.
"When prayer time shrinks, we must make each moment purer, more devout, right? So, let's maintain the goddess's temple cleanly. Spread the word while you're out—go buy cleaning supplies?"
"Y-Yes? Suddenly?"
"Oh... We were short on tools."
"Will Priestess Muse stay here?"
I send them all on errands. No need to force it; teams for safety are ideal, I know. But personal feelings played in—their hidden stares made me impulsive.
"Someone must mind the church. My attack was midnight anyway—no idiot strikes broad daylight. Tempt fate twice, and divine punishment falls. Don't worry—just go."
"Got it, Priestess Muse. Still, be careful!"
"Uh... what to buy?"
"Where to start?"
Worry, apathy, disgust, pity. Admiration, deviance. Once the whirlwind of emotions cleared, the quiet church. I kneel center, sunlight pooling warm like a blanket. Cozy, soft.
To sort my tangled heart, I pray to the goddess. Eyes shut, hands clasped, I murmur:
"Goddess Hecate. Forgive my impure thoughts just now. Punish my narrow heart that couldn't embrace my fellows. Don't forgive reducing prayers to our base greed."
Repeating repentance and atonement. And more...
"Impudent as it is, protect Raysi Gliss, future spouse of your humble servant. Let us reunite soon."
My love, my benefactor, my betrothed. With things calming, he'll return soon. Praying earnestly for his safety, eyelids heavy under warm sun, drowsiness claims me.
* * *
[Muse... I'm cumming♥]
[Ahh, Glacia♥ Give me more of your semen♥ Fill my womb full of it♥]
[Yes, Muse♥ All for our Mother, the Goddess♥]
[Of course, Glacia♥ My love, everything exists for the Goddess. You, me, the whole world. Kyahaha♥]
Ahh... are you watching, 'me'? I'm so happy♥ Officially married to Glacia now, and soon this world dyes in the Goddess's colors—I'll bear Glacia's child, and the Goddess's too♥
Hope you learn this joy of serving the Goddess with Glacia someday♥ I'll compose songs for her. Infusing every melody and note with my mana, turning listeners into slave succubi. Songs that make them climax, ejaculate, despair just from hearing—I'll create and perform them♥
So, Muse. No pointless struggling. Submit nicely to Glacia's cock, obey the Goddess's, embrace your fated role♥ You're already hers. She holds your destiny's thread.
[Resistance is futile. Fine, I'll play a lament for my pathetic past♥ Help me out, Glacia♥]
[Oh♥ Ohooo♥ Muse's pussy's squeezing so tight, my cock's melting♥]
[Hehe, Glacia's such a softie♥ The Goddess's pussy's way better than mine, but seeing you like this... we really are perfect together♥ Okay, time to play. Listen well, Mu, se♥]
--Slap♥ slap♥ slap♥ slap♥
--Squelch squelch♥♥
--Slurp slurp slurp slurp♥♥
--Smack... schluuuurp blorp♥
--Spuuuurt♥♥ splurt splurt spluuuurt♥♥♥
--Pssshhhhh♥♥♥
Countless harmonies of sex resound♥ I'm your future and present. The inevitable fall. A total pervert succubus, proudly swinging my cock despite being female, loving pussy-pounding while sucking dick♥
I love you, my pathetic past self, Muse♥
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