Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Friend (5)
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The main headquarters was a city built atop the mountain range, but that didn't mean its level of civilization was low.
Even compared to major cities in the Cabensier Empire, the difference wasn't all that noticeable.
The priests affiliated with the Sun Church numbered well over tens of thousands, and not everyone residing in the city was a cleric.
Accommodations, in particular, were abundant.
An entire inn district capable of housing pilgrims who came for worship, knights from the empire eager to lend their strength in sealing the Demon King's maw, and more besides.
However... the lodging areas scattered throughout the city weren't solely for outsiders.
As mentioned before, the Sun Church's priests formed a substantial group, and naturally, half of them were men and half were women, right?
Given the unique way they cultivated their divine power, inns were predictably popular facilities.
Among them, a nameless motel located near the spot where the pair had just enjoyed their date.
"Wait, just a moment...!"
Eliya, who had been dragged all the way to the room practically tucked into Evan's waist, cried out in desperation.
She thrashed with all her might, trying to escape his arms somehow─.
"...! Eek!"
Thud!
It wasn't particularly effective. Much to Eliya's chagrin, Evan simply tossed her onto the bed with utter nonchalance.
"Ugh, urgh..."
With her face unceremoniously buried in the pillow, Eliya suddenly felt utterly pathetic about her predicament.
If not for that kiss earlier—the one that toyed with her very soul through their exchanged saliva—she might have found some way to resist Evan's raw strength.
'Why, why can't I calm down?'
She glared resentfully at her own legs. They trembled uncontrollably, showing no sign of settling since Evan had led her here.
If she had built up any tolerance to such experiences, that would be one thing, but Eliya had never directly tasted the shiver induced by a far superior divine quality.
It wasn't all that strange. Strictly speaking in terms of hierarchy, Evan might be the weakest among the Pope, Israfeel, Isabel, and Lete, but he was still undeniably a human blessed by the Goddess.
This represented a violent divinity that Eliya's abilities could never hope to withstand.
'Even so, this is unfair...!'
...Of course, if one asked whether that gap in divinity was so absolute and transcendent that a single kiss could shatter 100% of Eliya's resistance.
Not particularly, but in this moment, she lacked the clarity to pierce through to the truth.
Thus, Eliya could only grit her teeth, her eyes burning with double rings of fury.
Her current feeble state was undoubtedly the result of their talent disparity. Her heart pounding wildly of its own accord, the excitement that felt unbearably sweet—all of it was just that.
"Hoo, haa."
Eliya steadied her breathing with deliberate calm. The key was to regain composure, no matter what.
The flush on her cheeks faded slightly, her ragged breaths gradually settling.
'Good.'
Then, she widened her eyes in a fierce glare. This wasn't the time to yield to such sordid temptation; she needed to boldly sort through the situation with reason and intellect─.
"...Eek!?"
Failure came instantly. The moment Eliya locked eyes on Evan—who had dumped her on the bed and was now rummaging through something—she clutched her jaw.
"Why, why are you undressing so casually like that...!"
Not for any other reason, but because Evan was stripping off his upper clothes with complete obliviousness.
Revealing... the taut upper body unique to paladins, who didn't just channel divine power into holy spells but enveloped their entire physique in it.
"Ah, agh."
Eliya hurriedly pressed her temples. Even Evan, who had been mulling her words momentarily, looked concerned.
"...What's wrong? Are you hurting somewhere?"
"Ugh, no, it's nothing."
But Eliya waved him off, brushing aside Evan's worry. There was no real problem.
She was simply losing control, her lips twitching as heated breaths escaped.
"Ju, just seeing your bare body up close like this makes me dizzy without meaning to..."
"..."
"...Am I bleeding? No?"
Evan eyed her coolly, and whatever meaning she read into that gaze made her flinch as she cautiously rubbed her nose bridge.
Fortunately, no blood flowed. Eliya awkwardly scratched her cheek as she shifted her hand.
"Hmm, guess I haven't fallen that far yet."
"Feels pretty fallen already."
"Isn't it a misunderstanding?"
Eliya cleared her throat, desperately trying to cool her burning face. Unintended or not, the atmosphere had notably chilled.
Eliya Ruben studiously ignored how she'd made a fool of herself in the process.
"...Listen carefully, Evan."
Process aside, she'd at least bought a moment's reprieve. Eliya exhaled briefly, fixing him with a serious gaze.
"I confessed my feelings to you clearly, and like I said, it's not some emotion I can forget just because we kissed once... But even so, this isn't what I want."
Evan regarded her silently, impassively. Grasping the implication of that subtle look, veins bulged on Eliya's forehead.
"...What's with that expression? You don't believe me? It's real! I, I don't actually want this?"
"You haven't said much yet."
"Hah. Unbelievable."
Evan showed zero sign of buying it. Hardly surprising, given she'd nearly nosebled the instant he started undressing.
Of course, Eliya had no defense on that front. It was true—a flicker of desire had stirred at the sight of Evan's bare form, however briefly.
'How do I prove it?'
Still, Eliya had her ideas. How could he possibly prove her hidden lusts?
On the flip side, one thing was certain: she had no desire for this impulsive romp fueled by the mood.
...Truth be told, she wasn't entirely immune to the urge to bury herself in that sturdy-looking chest of his—her lower belly was twitching even now.
But no meant no. Eliya calmly reined in her impulses and exhaled.
Her mind brimmed with words, but only one slipped out naturally.
"I don't want to burden you like this, Evan."
"..."
Did it land? Whether he was on the verge of dropping his pants or not, Evan's hand—fiddling ominously with his belt—halted for a beat.
Eliya swallowed dryly, pressing on with rational persuasion as best she could.
"I'm saying this because it seems like you want my body. Honestly, I'm thrilled—grateful, even. Of course I'd be excited if the guy I like lusts after me."
But.
"...Still, just calm down and think about it. We already booked the room, can't undo that, but even if we end up sharing a blanket tonight... We, we don't have to go all the way, right?"
Evan's crimson eyes still churned with inscrutable intent.
In the four years she'd known Evan Lane, Eliya couldn't recall a moment as tense as this. Her mind raced at full throttle.
What argument would most effectively sway him right now?
The principle of persuasion was obvious.
"Di, divine quality...! Wouldn't that be a waste?"
The instant she spotted his hand drifting back to the belt, Eliya yelped.
She was certain: the moment that belt came undone, that would mark the point where this man devoured her tonight.
Her words tumbled out in a rapid barrage, urgency creeping in naturally.
"Evan, you're going to become a Saint, right? Lete's overwhelmingly dominant, sure, but honestly, you're more than capable of surpassing Kazan Kashimir. Weren't you planning to share the coronation with her?"
"Doing it with me now won't benefit you at all. It'll cause some kind of loss, and it might trip you up later. You know that."
"So for now, yeah? Let's skip it tonight. If you're that hung up on me not accepting your feelings, holding hands and sleeping together is plenty for me. That alone would make me deliriously happy."
"Y, yeah. A year from now—if you've become Saint and still want to go at it with someone like me—I'll spread wide open anytime. Do whatever you want then."
A mix of cautionary warning and dangling carrot. Eliya felt her lips parch but gave it her all.
In truth, if Evan still craved her far in the future, she could embrace him with genuine bliss then.
Eliya patted the bed beside her as demurely as possible.
She hadn't washed up, hadn't rested, hadn't even changed out of her outing clothes, but her head was filled solely with the thought of shutting her eyes.
"C, come here, Evan. We wandered all over today. Aren't you tired?"
"..."
"No need to burn more stamina, right? How about we just relax and sleep...?"
Whoosh!
Eliya couldn't finish her sentence, gulping down a sharp, empty breath. The abrupt crimson glow that erupted as her voice cut off warranted it.
A radiant light, centered on Evan's body, blanketed the cramped room in pure divinity.
"—Ah."
The sheer volume of divine power piercing her eyes felt like it ignited her very brain for an instant.
Eliya couldn't help but wear an entranced expression, an overwhelmed moan escaping her lips.
He hadn't done anything special. It was merely divine power woven into form and released. Yet Evan's crimson glow was so...
'...No way?'
One thought flooded her mind. A single word surfaced.
The Goddess's authority, wielded only by those who inherited the powers of Saint and Saintess through the generations.
'Holy Domain.'
For a fleeting moment, it felt like her breath had stopped. Eliya shoved aside the surging confusion, scrutinizing her surroundings more intently.
No, it wasn't. Naturally, this wasn't a declaration of Holy Domain. The view outside the window was dark; the sun hadn't risen.
This was not the Goddess's power to summon sunlight in the dead of night with a mere command.
And yet...
"..."
It was simply beautiful. Eliya raised her hand in a daze, brushing against the crimson fragments as if entranced.
Pop—
The shard, absorbed into her body through her fingertips—the sacred energy encapsulated within—was something she'd felt before.
'Father...?'
The head of House Ruben. One of the seven Cardinals and a high priest whose lofty realm was among the pinnacle even across the entire Sun Church.
Perhaps even beyond that? To rival this power, maybe only the Goddess's proxy, unseen for years—Pope Adam Mayfield—could compare.
Was this truly the power emanating from a mere 'candidate' not yet selected as Saint?
"1 year."
Evan, who had maintained silence while emitting divine power, finally spoke.
Eliya lifted her trembling gaze.
"Time until the final evaluation. Honestly, not much margin for error—only two tests left. But."
"..."
"Let me be straight with you, Eliya?"
Evan's lips twisted in self-deprecating mockery.
"I could smash Kazan in the final evaluation anytime. He probably knows he can't face me head-on—and the Saint symbolizes the church's martial might."
The next instant, as Evan clenched his open palm, the crimson light flashed and scattered.
The sacred force that had filled the room vanished without a trace. All that lingered was a faint, hazy fragrance subtly arousing the man and woman.
"Ah..."
Eliya unwittingly betrayed her regret before catching herself and pressing her lips shut.
Evan, glancing at her askance, stood at ease. He met her gaze impassively and continued.
"My realm has already surpassed Kazan and Robert by leaps and bounds. Sure, with all the points I've lost so far, flipping the candidate rankings outright won't be a cakewalk."
What he meant was simple. With that addendum, Evan leaned against the wall and murmured.
"...Someone truly low-tier—like, say, Princess Dorothy—might be different. But honestly, a physical fling with you won't drag me down much, Eliya."
At that single phrase, Eliya felt her heart plummet. She blinked in momentary fluster, but the throbbing showed no signs of abating.
'...Why is this happening?'
It only intensified. Amid the mad pounding, Eliya swallowed hard.
Surely not because of those words—sparking some faint hope?
'No way.'
Eliya shook her head frantically. Hard to swallow. There was a clear disparity in divine quality between her and Evan.
It wasn't some negligible loss to brush off so casually.
Sleeping with him would surely incur some penalty, one way or another.
"Didn't see it coming myself, but apparently the two women I've bedded matched me better than I thought."
She wanted to believe it. If Evan's nonchalant follow-up was genuine, she'd find herself hoping against hope.
"Want me to spell it out clearer? About the divine quality clouding from mixing with you—that'll probably get replenished far beyond what you'd cost if Lete ties me down and milks me for just two days."
Not that it'd be great for my body being wrung out those two days, he tacked on, trailing off.
"..."
Eliya's trembling lips parted halfway. But no sound emerged; she clamped them shut again.
Evan, who had been gazing down at her steadily, peeled from the wall and approached.
"Eliya."
No response. Evan tilted his head slightly and tried again.
"Ruben?"
She didn't care for that form of address. With a prickling heart, Eliya bit her lip and shook her head side to side.
Evan let out a soft chuckle and pressed on.
"Fine then, Eliya. Honestly, having you push me away for once is refreshing—and a bit baffling. But I have to say this."
Ceasing to toy with his belt, Evan merely perched on the bed's edge and shrugged.
His gaze slid sideways, avoiding her directly—perhaps out of consideration?
Eliya's lips pouted in turmoil. Evan's corners remained upturned.
"I'm not here out of pity. Not suppressing my urges for your sake to book this room."
His voice softened further. The usual playfulness lingered, but fainter than typical.
Evan reached out casually, stroking her lavender locks with a soft rustle.
"I've never hated you, Eliya."
Eliya's shoulders jerked sharply.
Silence ensued.
A beat later, she whispered back.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Evan nodded, appending one more word.
"You were a bit annoying, though."
"...Ugh."
"Well, I walloped you plenty back then, so no complaints."
With a quiet chuckle, he withdrew his hand—finally meeting her eyes squarely.
"Sniff, ack."
That sudden eye contact disarmed Eliya anew. If actions had sound effects, her flushed face would've gone boom!
"Since we're here, might as well keep going: truth is, I actually like you now."
"...Wa, wait."
"Still grateful for that serious counseling during the written exam. Setting aside the parts that never meshed with me, you are a kind woman."
"Agh, ugh. Stop, don't say more."
"Cute how you take whatever's given so eagerly... I enjoyed our date today, too."
"Hic, hurk."
Bombarded by the relentless barrage, Eliya could scarcely breathe—but Evan toyed with her heart undeterred.
Evan extended a hand quietly, caressing her cheek. Then, index and thumb gently gripped her chin.
'Hek...!'
That was the instant Eliya's heart flatlined. No mere figure of speech— it truly thumped! to a halt.
Their gazes locked midway, and this time, Evan responded with utter sincerity.
"Thanks for liking me. I mean it."
"—!"
A response to Eliya's love confession from hours earlier.
Woven with heartfelt sincerity.
Eliya's time froze in an instant.
'Tha, thanks... thanks, right now...'
Their eyes tangled once more. Eliya felt her heart might explode. No exaggeration—she could've dropped dead on the spot.
They were already intimately close. Near enough to hear each other's breaths crystal-clear.
Eliya's pupils quaked as she thought: Are we kissing now? Is that it? Shouldn't every future beyond this lead there?
'...What, how do I...'
She didn't know. No clue what to do. All she could manage was tremble and wait obediently for Evan's lead, as always.
In the end, Eliya opted for docility over initiative. Rather than lean in first, she left a sliver of space—lips quivering faintly, eyes drifting shut gently.
"Hmm."
At her timid ploy, Evan let slip a light laugh.
The moment her closed eyes flinched in retreat.
"That said, you've given me plenty of reason to feel drawn to you, attracted even. If that's still not enough to convince you, can't help it."
"...?"
The turn of events diverged sharply from expectation. Eliya's brows twitched at Evan's cryptic opener; he released her chin.
'No... kiss?'
Flustered, Eliya's eyes snapped open. Evan, true to form, flashed a roguish smirk as he fiddled with the wall switch.
Click. A light touch severed the mana link powering the ceiling light.
"As you said—no touching tonight. You worry about me that much; feels wrong to bulldoze past it callously..."
"Wha, what...?"
"Didn't peg you for such ironclad self-control, Eliya. Impressive. You've earned a reevaluation."
"E, Evan?"
Eliya reached out instinctively, but Evan flopped back onto the bed—her hand grazing empty air futilely.
Her lashes fluttered for a reason subtly different from before.
Oblivious or not, Evan gazed up at her fondly through half-lidded eyes.
"You're right. It's too late. We'll wash tomorrow; let's just sleep."
"..."
"Good night, Eliya."
Without hesitation, he reached out—cupping her nape once more.
With measured strength, he tucked her neatly into his embrace. Precisely as she'd suggested: blanket shared, nothing more.
Eliya sank into Evan's broad chest with dazed eyes. Feeling like a doll cradled for sleep, she blinked a couple times.
One minute, two, three. Time dragged on in that pose... unchanged.
'He's really... going to... sleep...?'
For some reason, Eliya felt glum and squirmed faintly.
An instinctual bid to nuzzle deeper into his scent.
Thus, thirty minutes passed.
"Feel good?"
"Hek, ugh...!"
Eliya couldn't suppress a lewd moan as hands slipped beneath her clothes.
Right hand on her top, left on her bottom. Bra and panties casually shoved aside.
Even as she panted with flushed fervor, she couldn't hold back a resentful outburst at the man pressing from behind.
"Liar... You said no touching tonight... Huff, that's what you said."
"..."
"You were just, eek, teasing me all along, hyang! Yeah, that's it...!?"
Evan smiled wordlessly; Eliya heaved ragged gasps as heat bloomed across her body. It burned feverishly.
And when the man embracing her from behind finally buried his face in her nape.
"...Ahng, ahung."
Eliya's voice warped at last. Into something dripping with sultry allure.
Her glazed, half-lidded eyes twitched. Her gaze drifted to the window.
Moonlight hung high, faintly illuminating the room. Not that they faced each other anyway.
Squelch...!
At long last, the man and woman's night began.