Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Banquet Invitation and a Request
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“What insane thing did you pull off this time?”
The day after I’d slain the forsaken creation, Lize barged right into my room.
Her chest, barely covered by a thin layer of white fabric, bounced wildly with every step, perfectly mirroring her mood. Her face was the picture of utter exasperation.
“It wasn’t much different from my usual antics. Why? Something happen?”
“Oh, yeah. And plenty of it.”
Lize flopped onto the bed with a groan of disgust, then grabbed the pillow by my head and hugged it tight. Her breasts squished out to the sides where they pressed against it.
She didn’t care one bit that I was right there—a bold move, as always. Naturally, as she lay on her side gazing at me, I ended up straddling her midsection.
“What the hell happened?”
“You know how the battle nuns from the Holy Kingdom said to call them if we needed anything, and they’ve been hanging around nearby?”
“Yeah. So what about it?”
“Starting last night—no, right after you got back from Delta, actually. They’ve been way more pumped up than usual, like they all ate something funky. And what’s this about them offering to help us change our clothes?”
“……They offered to help you change?”
I instinctively let my eyes drift down toward Lize’s body. A short sleeveless top that showed off her toned abs, paired with blue dolphin shorts so skimpy they could pass for underwear.
‘Dressed like that?’
That was all the knight captains were wearing—sleeveless tops and dolphin shorts. No underwear underneath, obviously.
Even if you dressed and undressed carelessly, ten seconds tops was plenty for outfits like that. The idea of them helping with it was ridiculous, even to me.
Well, the knight captains had some weirdly warped sense of modesty about their attire, so maybe they didn’t see it the same way.
“What? Is Delta interested in my clothes now? Wanna help me take them off?”
I’d been lost in thought too long—Lize caught my gaze and flashed a sly grin, tugging lightly at the neckline of her sleeveless top.
The fabric slid down, exposing her violently deep cleavage and the upper swells of her breasts mashed against the pillow. I quickly averted my eyes and met her stare.
“Cut it out and keep explaining.”
“Tch, spoilsport.”
Lize pouted and let go. The pink nipple that had been on the verge of popping out—perky enough to spot even through her top—vanished behind the white fabric again.
No way she would’ve actually pulled it all the way down if I hadn’t stopped her.
“So anyway, I barely managed to shoo the nuns away, and that’s when I had a hunch. ‘Oh, Delta must’ve done something huge in the Holy Kingdom again.’”
In reality, it wasn’t just huge—it was a matter tied to the Holy Kingdom’s national fate. But blabbing about that monster everywhere wouldn’t do anyone any favors.
As long as the knight captains thought what they already did—that I’d pulled off something impressive again—that was enough. Not for my sake, but for the popes’.
Explaining the forsaken creation’s danger would inevitably mean mentioning the sacrifices the Lunar Pope had to make.
I couldn’t just spill that classified info on my own. The popes would have to announce it themselves or give me permission.
“But why’s that a problem? Having them help you change sounds convenient.”
I deliberately chuckled and changed the subject. If she pressed me on exactly what I’d done to make the battle nuns act so differently, I’d be in a bind.
“What kinda nonsense is that? Having someone else touch my body feels kinda weird, you know?”
“Didn’t you always push me to touch you?”
“You think they’re the same as you, Delta?”
As she said it, Lize buried her face in my pillow and took a deep breath. I heard a long, drawn-out inhale, and her hips lifted slightly, quivering. It was a seriously erotic sight.
For a second, I thought the bottom curve of her ass might peek out. Then again, with Lize, she’d probably do it on purpose just to tease me.
“Besides, we can change our own clothes just fine.”
“Really?”
“‘Really’? You making fun of me?”
Lize shot me a sulky look, then suddenly grinned like she’d thought of something fun—her usual mischievous smile when she was about to mess with me.
“Fine. How about a bet?”
“A bet out of nowhere?”
“I’ll strip down right now, and you guess if I can put them back on by myself. If I win, I order you to let me do whatever I want to you.”
“And if I win?”
“I’ll let you do whatever you want to me.”
With a playful laugh, the straps of her sleeveless top began sliding down her shoulders. She really meant it—her right arm lifted up, revealing her flawless, spotless armpit.
It was an incredibly blatant pose. Ever since she’d confessed that crossing the line once might make it hard to hold back, Lize had kept tempting me right on the edge like this.
And I could feel my own patience wearing thinner by the day. There’d been a time when I thought I’d gotten used to it, but not anymore.
“Either way, it feels like I come out on top.”
“Then win or lose, we both win.”
Lize beamed. I reached out and ruffled her hair.
“Enough weird talk. So why’d you come to my room? Just to hang out? Or something else?”
“Huh? Oh, right. I came to tell you something, but I got distracted flirting with you.”
“You barge in complaining about the battle nuns going nuts, and that’s what you forgot?”
“It’d been a while, so I figured we’d chat first. And when did I say they were nuts? I said they were super pumped. Don’t go twisting my words for misunderstandings.”
Like half her strap down and flashing her armpit wasn’t misunderstanding material.
I pulled my hand away from her hair. Lize buried her face deep in the pillow, peeking up at me with just her eyes.
“The popes are throwing a banquet. Tomorrow night?”
“A banquet? The popes?”
“Yeah. They especially want you there, Delta. Sounds great, right? Getting personally invited by His Holinesses. So what epic thing did you do?”
Lize poked my side with her finger. I grabbed it, and she immediately intertwined hers with mine, our fingers interlocking firmly.
She met my eyes and smirked, lifting the corner of her mouth.
“Lize. So you were here after all.”
The door suddenly flew open. A curt voice preceded someone striding in, long silver hair swaying. It was Iris.
Iris froze the moment she entered, spotting Lize’s half-down strap and our clasped hands. Then she realized nothing had happened yet and stepped forward.
“Huh, Iris? What brings you here?”
“……Why are you, Delta, asking Lize that instead of me?”
“Yeah, why are you asking that instead of me?”
Come to think of it, this was my room. Lize had acted so at home that I’d gotten confused for a sec.
Under our stares, Lize flashed her usual playful grin. Iris shook her head and spoke up again.
“Anyway, I came with a message of my own. I was going to send Lize, but she wouldn’t come down no matter how long I waited. Delta, you heard about the banquet two nights from now?”
“Just now.”
“It’s related to that. Could you come to the lobby?”
“Now?”
“Claudia and Erika are waiting. The sooner, the better.”
“Got it. Be right there.”
Iris gave Lize one last glance before closing the door and leaving. I got up from the bed. No idea what it was, but if they wanted me outside, I’d go.
Lize gave my pillow one final nuzzle, wriggling playfully, then neatly straightened the sheets before standing up after me. I watched her the whole time.
Feeling my gaze, Lize tilted her head.
“Why’re you looking at me like that?”
“You just made my bed. You don’t strike me as the cleaning type.”
“……Why do you sound just like Erika?”
Lize grumbled but stuck to my right arm, linking it with hers. It was so routine now that it barely registered—soft breast pressing against my arm aside.
With our height difference, she practically dangled off me as I headed to the lobby with her in tow. The lobby was busier than usual.
Claudia spotted me first and waved enthusiastically with a big smile. Erika, beside her, gave a slight bow by way of greeting.
Stella and Selene stood in front of them. They silently eyed Lize clinging to my arm, then bowed politely to me.
“You’ve arrived, esteemed guest.”
“Welcome, honored one.”
Their far more courteous demeanor than yesterday drew sharp glares from the knight captains. I ignored them and sat on the sofa nearby.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin. You’re aware that His Holinesses have invited our esteemed guests to the banquet two nights from now.”
The piercing stares faded only after Selene started explaining. With four pairs of eyes off me, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“First, have you decided how long you’ll stay in the Holy Kingdom?”
“I plan to leave at least four days from now.”
It was the conclusion from discussions with the knight captains. Barely over a week total— the popes would be disappointed, but I had reasons to hurry back to the Empire.
Kaikilia.
The Emperor of the Aiternum Empire, Kaikilia, was the issue.
Considering Selene had gone to the emperor herself before we came here, staying longer might spell trouble.
“Understood. Then, to the main point.”
Selene and Stella turned to me in unison. The knight captains followed suit, making six pairs of eyes on me now.
“Regarding the banquet, might we ask a favor of you, esteemed guest?”