Chapter 278: Turning Point
Chapter 278: Turning Point
The morning sunlight streaming through the window woke me up naturally.
The first thing I saw was a naked Solari sitting on top of me, staring down at me intently.
“…Are you awake already?”
“Yes. I’ve been awake for a while, Brother.”
“…….”
Wait. Is that Helena?
The last lingering traces of sleep vanished instantly.
Now that I looked closely, her lion ears and tail were nowhere to be seen, and her golden eyes had returned to their normal color.
I was sure they said it would take about three days for Helena to wake up… and today was the third day. Right.
“You’re… Lady Helena, right?”
“Yes. If you’re referring to the Helena whose body is aching all over because she engaged in a fierce bout of lovemaking without even knowing it, then yes, that’s me.”
“…Are you perhaps angry?”
“Angry? Me? Heavens, no. It’s just that the Lord I trusted and followed so much shared a bed with my future husband using my body without my knowledge. It’s a wonderful thing. Yes. Truly wonderful.”
“You’re definitely angry!”
I scrambled to sit up and pulled Helena into a sudden hug.
We were locked in an embrace, facing each other. I rubbed my cheek against hers and blurted out the thoughts I’d gathered yesterday in a disorganized heap.
“The truth is, I got a bit injured while breaking through to get here, and to treat that… Ah, but it wasn’t just for the treatment, that was just how it started. But since I took the first time of none other than Sola—the Righteous Light—I felt I had to take responsibility. And even though the Righteous Light couldn’t bring herself to say it first, she didn’t seem to want it to end like this, so, well, what I mean is….”
Even I thought I was spouting nonsense, but Helena, who had been listening in silence, suddenly burst into laughter.
“Pfft…!”
“…Lady Helena?”
“Now that I think about it, isn’t it strange to be so formal at this point? Please, just call me Helena.”
“Ah, yes. Helena.”
“Good. You are to be the partner of the Righteous Light herself; you shouldn’t be using honorifics with me, her Saintess.”
“Helena. Please….”
When I looked at her with pleading eyes, begging her to stop teasing and have mercy, Helena’s smile grew even wider.
“Hehe. I’m just joking. Actually, I heard the general gist of the situation from the Righteous Light. Everything from how you came to save the Church… to save us, and everything that happened afterward.”
“Huh?”
As I pulled my cheek away from hers, Helena giggled, saying it was a shame she didn’t get to see my heroic deeds in person.
“I had many thoughts while watching you sleep. Part of me wanted to just….”
“Just…? What were you going to do?”
“Don’t look so scared. I just thought about pouncing on you right then and there to get pregnant. Isn’t the woman who bears a man’s firstborn special?”
“…….”
A pregnancy trap. That’s terrifying in its own way.
“But I decided against it. When I thought about it, you already have many other lovers, don’t you? I’m just someone who joined in later, so there was no need to take it so seriously.”
“Well, that’s….”
As my voice trailed off, Helena gave me the warm smile characteristic of a cleric.
“So, there’s no need to feel so guilty. Just treat me as you usually do.”
“I understand.”
As I usually do, huh? What would I usually do in this situation?
After a moment’s thought, I spoke up.
“Then, since it’s been a while, let’s start the day with a quick round of sex!”
“…….”
For some reason, the warmth in Helena’s eyes turned icy.
But you told me to act like I usually do…!
*
Unfortunately, Helena declined, saying she wasn’t feeling well enough.
It wasn’t a subtle way of telling me to read the room; she was genuinely exhausted because her body had been pushed to its limits the night before.
After all, even if the consciousness was Solari’s, the act itself was performed with Helena’s body—except for the parts below.
Afterward, I briefly explained the situation to the other women, who had assumed I was simply being treated all night.
Carla, as always, said she didn’t care who I was with or what I did as long as she could stay by my side.
Elisha was left stammering, wondering how on earth I had managed to get involved with the renowned Righteous Light.
Iona was just happy, asking if she could finally suck my blood now.
Iris… seemed a bit shocked. It wasn’t that she disliked having another woman around, but rather she looked like she had witnessed the ultimate "anything-is-possible" scenario.
Hmm. I think she mentioned seeing the true form of the Evil God, Confused Unity, during the Great War.
Maybe she developed some kind of fixed prejudice about gods back then. In reality, even gods are beings that die when they are killed.
Well, that’s something we can resolve over time. The important thing was that, despite their surprise, they decided to accept my relationship with Solari.
In truth, except for Iona, none of them really had a right to veto… but it’s much better when they understand and accept it of their own accord.
Fay wasn’t here, so I’d have to explain it to her separately later.
Anyway, once the discussion about yesterday’s events and our future plans was settled.
Normally, I would have tried to get closer to the new family member by chatting or enjoying a group session at night… but this time was a bit different.
First of all, Solari had recently overexerted herself using her power in her descended state, spent energy on my treatment, and was worn out from the night-long activities, so she wasn't in a state to manifest.
It would be fine if Helena acted as a translator, but that would be a hassle in its own right.
…And even if there were no issues with communication, they wouldn't be able to chat freely.
After all, Solari is a Goddess.
My women might be "fallen," but they were all prominent figures in the past.
Because of that, they aren't easily intimidated by most people, but the title of a god like the Righteous Light changes things.
At the very least, they wouldn't be able to strike up a casual conversation first.
Well, Solari has a great personality, so they’ll get close given time. Whether it’s because she’s a lion or just because she has an old-fashioned mindset, she seems quite tolerant of polygamy.
And finally, the most important issue… the monsters are still surrounding Solaris just ahead of us.
This wasn't the time to be sitting around laughing and playing.
“Therefore, I’ve thought of a great method. It’s a way to bond without it being awkward, while also solving our immediate problem!”
“Wow! As expected of Master! You’re amazing! Wonderful! So smart!”
Carla’s shower of praise poured out as if she had been waiting for it.
Even though I knew it was flattery, I couldn't help but feel my shoulders swell with pride. There’s a reason why kings in history loved sycophants.
As I stroked the head of Carla—who was far too cute to be called a sycophant—Elisha, standing beside her, asked in a blunt voice.
“So? What is this method of yours?”
“Oh, it’s nothing much. We’ve had plenty of rest, haven’t we? Let’s go hunt monsters again.”
“We killed so many just to break through to this point. Was that not enough? Do you really have to do this much to impress the Righteous Light…?”
Elisha looked at me as if I were a complete madman. How mean.
While I was feeling slightly dejected, Iris cleared her throat from my lap.
“Ahem. I think it is a fine idea, Master.”
“Master?! Have you finally been corrupted by spending too much time with Yandel?”
“Elisha, think about it. Master’s words may seem insane at times, but he is often right.”
“That’s… true. I suppose he’s trying to create a common interest with the Righteous Light while clearing out the monsters as a bonus.”
“Mm. You understand well.”
Elisha pouted, and Iris tried to pat her head… but failed.
She was sitting on my lap and reached out her arm, but she couldn't reach, and her trembling form was both pitiful and cute.
Eventually, Elisha sighed and lowered her head, and only then did Iris succeed in stroking her disciple’s hair, letting out a satisfied snort.
“Ahem. Then, since it is decided, let us depart at once! Everyone, pack only what you need and meet back here….”
Since no one objected and Helena even seemed to be looking forward to it, Iris tried to wrap up the conversation.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Righteous Light!”
The voice of a Holy Knight pounding on the door interrupted her.
While I massaged the back of Iris’s neck to relax her after she stiffened in surprise, Helena stepped forward and spoke.
“Come in.”
“Yes. Regarding the movements of the enemy you ordered us to monitor… Saintess?”
“The Lord is currently resting. I have awakened in her stead, so please report to me.”
“A-Ah, understood.”
The Holy Knight flinched for a moment, but upon seeing that Helena didn't have lion ears, he offered a salute to the Saintess rather than the prayer he would have given Solari.
“The Righteous Light commanded us to report immediately if there was any anomaly in the enemy’s movements.”
“I take it something has happened?”
“Yes, Saintess. The bastards who were pounding on the barrier until their hands broke just a moment ago have suddenly begun to retreat all at once.”
“…Please wait a moment.”
Saying that, Helena clasped her hands and offered a prayer. Seeing the faint divine power radiating from her, she was likely communicating with Solari.
Before long, the halo faded, and Helena opened her eyes, speaking on Solari’s behalf.
“The Lord says that while we are currently surrounded, the enemy will be the ones surrounded once the reinforcements arrive. The cultists are likely retreating their monsters in anticipation of this.”
“…What does she wish for us to do?”
The Holy Knight knelt on one knee and bowed his head reverently. Helena commanded him in a firm tone.
“Naturally, we must pursue them and reduce their numbers as much as possible. Order the troops to prepare for a sortie immediately.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The Holy Knight made the sign of the cross one last time and exited. The sound of hurried footsteps echoed beyond the closed door.
Helena, who had been standing silently for a moment, turned toward us.
“This worked out perfectly! Monsters are formidable because they don't easily scare or run away, but once they turn their backs, they lose their inherent strength.”
She then pulled out and donned a cloak—the very symbol of an Apostle—and wore a look of pure happiness.
“Shall we have a contest to see who can kill the most?”
See? I told you hunting monsters together is the fastest way to get close.