Played by the Trendsetters' Whim
Unfortunately, my arms never did gain their freedom. I'd just closed my eyes for a bit and drifted off, enjoying a lazy afternoon nap with Hanbyeol curled up against me in a hug, when a bizarre noise came from outside the door.
"Does the Saintess always endure this discomfort?" someone asked.
Hamill replied, "Yes. She even sleeps bound like this. We're so sorry about it—we should at least prepare a soft bed for her."
"My goodness... I should follow her example. Hey, untie those ropes and bind her again properly."
"Yes, Priestess."
"Ahht!"
Have they all gone mad? It felt like I'd been caught up in some political scheme, but my body reacted to the atmosphere insisting I had to stay bound, and I could feel my panties growing damp. I'm crazy too.
My fluids were quickly absorbed by the panties, but in response, the nubs inside squirmed to life, pressing against me from within. It was just ordinary cloth panties, but every time they soaked up my essence, they seemed to revive with the sole purpose of satisfying me.
"Hngh..."
I stifled a groan, suppressing the sensation that threatened to push me over the edge from the nubs' caresses. With Hanbyeol sleeping right in front of me, climaxing again would make me less than human. Wait—no. Hold on. Weren't my hands free right now?
Iris had untied my arms to dress me and must have forgotten to rebind them—I was completely unrestrained at the moment. Had my arms atrophied from disuse? Whatever. There was no reason to just endure it passively.
Careful not to wake Hanbyeol, I slowly lowered my hands and grasped the side strings of my panties. The grotesque texture against my mound felt concentrated there alone—the strings felt like normal cloth. But the instant I tried to pull them down to ease the stimulation, my tail whipped around both hands and yanked them above my head.
Don't even think about taking them off.
Panicking that Hanbyeol might wake if I screamed, I held back the cry and sucked in a breath. The tail pulled my hands up until they touched the back of my neck, arching my back rigidly and making my legs twitch from the nubs pressing against my clit. With no way to resist, I trembled and sobbed quietly.
Luckily, the holy relic's torment let me off with just one orgasm. Shuddering in the afterglow, the relief of not waking Hanbyeol outweighed the satisfaction. I steadied my breathing and purified my body. My back was slick with sweat, but without the waste, it was just moisture—nothing sticky except for the faint scent clinging to my clothes.
After sending me over once, the tail released my hands. They flopped limply by my head, numb from exhaustion, but I groped around to straighten my clothes before Hanbyeol noticed. Thankfully, the panties had absorbed everything—my lower half was dry and fluffy.
Having been toyed with right after waking, my vision was blurry, but the sleep had invigorated me enough that I couldn't drift off again. Maybe because I'd moved, Hanbyeol shifted, tilting her head toward me and burying her face in my chest.
"...You're awake, aren't you?"
"Ehehe. Busted."
Hanbyeol grinned innocently but didn't lift her face from my chest. If anything, she hugged me tighter, clinging even more. Good thing I was dressed—otherwise, that pressure might have aroused me again. But I was flustered for a different reason.
"How long have you been up?"
"Hmm... since you were grunting and groaning? That woke me up. Sis, what were you holding back this time?"
Finally pulling her face away, she looked up at me with a playful smile. I'd thought I'd endured quietly, but we were close enough for her to hear my breathing. I guess I couldn't hide it completely.
"No, I... just had a nightmare."
"Oh... was that it? You felt kinda damp."
Stroking my back where she'd been hugging, Hanbyeol pouted and blew a gentle wind spell to dry me. The room wasn't heated yet, so the chill raised goosebumps as the moisture evaporated from my clothes, but she quickly warmed it with magic, and it was fine.
In typical fantasy novels, dual-casting was some advanced technique, but seeing her do it so casually made me think it was just raw level power. Maybe I should learn a bit of magic myself—that thought crept in just as Hanbyeol guided my hand to her chest.
"Like I always say, it's fine if it's you, sis."
"And like I always say, you can't just say stuff like that so casually. People might misunderstand."
I'd already felt a little guilty from the dream featuring her, so her words hit harder, and I pretended to freak out. She immediately whined in a pitiful voice.
"You don't like me, sis?"
I saw through her obvious fox act, but her expression was heartbreakingly convincing. I caved instantly.
"N-no, that's not it. I just mean... if you cling to me like this, people might get the wrong idea about you."
"What wrong idea?"
"Y'know, like you're gay or something..."
"Doesn't seem like anyone cares here? I saw girls going at it in the bath yesterday."
"Hanbyeol..."
Her blunt dirty talk made my face burn. She grinned and squeezed my hand.
"Ehe. You're embarrassed, sis? It's not even that naughty. So cute."
"Stop teasing your sister."
"Not teasing. You're just too cute. Hehe."
I had no choice but to yield as she burrowed deeper into my arms. I hadn't heard the details, but Daesik's words nagged at me. Beyond that, how anxious must she be, separated from her parents before even reaching adulthood? Puberty might bring awkward fights between parent and child, but she was alone in this remote place. I couldn't push away her dependence on the one familiar face she had.
Even though she was stronger than me. It was bitter being a powerless priestess who couldn't even protect herself.
"Oh, right."
Fiddling with my hand, Hanbyeol suddenly smirked. Sensing trouble, I tried to pull back, but lying down made it impossible. With no investment in strength or agility, I had no chance against her anyway.
"Sis, they were talking about you outside. Did you hear?"
"N-no, I didn't?"
Admitting it would mean I'd been grunting sober. Playing dumb, she gestured behind her, summoning red ropes.
"Why'd that come from there...?"
I tried to pull my arm free, but even if our strength stats were similar, I couldn't escape.
"No fussing. You'll have to go out bound anyway."
"How'd I end up like..."
I grumbled but accepted her binding meekly. Thankfully, my pathetic sensitivity didn't get me that wet anymore. The firm yet painless wrap around my arms actually felt stabilizing, like something holding me up. Realizing that insane thought made goosebumps ripple over me, and I shuddered.
Pathetic—getting so used to bondage that I accepted it as normal. Depressing. But I couldn't mope in front of her. Maybe she'd learned from Iris; she bound me without pain despite my immobility, then used the extra rope to cinch my chest for emphasis, decorating me her way.
"Where'd you learn this...?"
"Porn."
"Hanbyeol..."
"You weren't gonna say minors can't watch, right?"
"..."
"Sorry."
"Eek?!"
After knotting the ropes, she grabbed my breasts from behind. I yelped involuntarily, sucking in air, which only egged on her mischief. She kneaded them without mercy.
"Nngh, stop. Feels weird."
I couldn't say "lewd," so I twisted in resistance. She whispered in my ear.
"Then you'll go on a date with me today?"
"Y-yeah."
"Great! Let's go! We stopped shopping last time, and now we've got more cash from the dungeon!"
I felt tricked, but she was happy, so fine. As her hands left my chest, a twinge of regret hit me—I quickly shifted to thoughts of heading out. No real prep needed. Hanbyeol grabbed her wallet from the sub-space bag, belted a small pouch to my waist with my "pay," stuffed a wallet in it—she was busier than me. Purification magic meant no shower required.
"Heading to the market?"
Hamill asked from his chair against the opposite wall as we opened the door. Still awkward around him, I nodded anyway.
"Yeah, with Hanbyeol."
"Then I'll escort you."
He stood naturally, and I shook my head hastily. Traveling with this guy still creeped me out.
"No, it's fine. Hanbyeol's strong..."
"But mages are vulnerable in close combat. I trust Hanbyeol's skills, but just in case."
"Ah, we'll go with Iris! She said we should nap and then head out."
"Iris is currently judging the corrupt bishop. It'll take time."
"Uh..."
Judging a corrupt bishop. Inquisitors meant torture and burning, but with Iris, I pictured a fat priest groveling at her feet while she whipped him. Yeah, that fit her.
"W-well, then... maybe later..."
"Sis. We need clothes, underwear just in case, and you promised naps then playtime."
I tried postponing, but Hanbyeol hooked her arm in mine and whined. Guess I'm weak to her spoiled side. I ended up mumbling to Hamill.
"S-sorry to interrupt your rest..."
"No need. Protecting the Saintess is my duty. Don't apologize."
Still robotic. Good—made it easy. I wasn't sorry at all.
As we left the temple for downtown, snippets of talk about us floated by. Mostly mundane chatter, but "Saintess" perked my ears. Coming back, I'd been a battered wreck while everyone else was fine, treated like trash. Now, just from clearing a dungeon, rumors twisted me into a selfless heroine who shielded the party, healing and shielding others at the cost of my body. Too embarrassed to look up, but Hanbyeol beamed beside me.
"It's not wrong, is it?"
"...Daesik. He must've spread it on purpose."
No other source. He was gilding my image to exploit the Saintess vibe, whatever his goal. Made me uneasy—harder to act freely. At least my face wasn't famous. Just "elegant features, long black hair"—nothing pinpointing. Not hugely busty, not flat either. Black hair wasn't rare, so people just said "Priestess" and moved on—no "Saintess" calls.
"Good no one recognizes us."
"Yeah. Would've been a hassle if fans mobbed us, right?"
"Totally."
"I'll keep watch so no one clings to you."
"Haha, it's just a outing. It's fine. Brother Hamill's here too."
He trailed at a distance—intimidating, but that bulk and muscle screamed reliable. Stone-faced or not, his faith was ironclad; he wouldn't abandon the Church's Saintess. Right...?
Downtown got weirder, forcing my gaze down. Temple nuns and priestesses mimicking my arm-binding was tame. Some wore blindfolds, gags, leg irons, or spreader bars locking thighs apart or together. BDSM was niche, fine in private with consenting adults—but public? Creepy normal.
No one stopped them. Guards leered on duty; pervy folks peeked from alleys.
"What's with all this...?"
"Dunno. LGBT parade?"
Hanbyeol shrugged it off, eyes sparkling at her chicken skewer stall. I followed her lead. She bought three spicy ones: one for me, one tossed to distant Hamill.
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
"Thanks. Dig in."
I don't love spicy, but it was from her. The tail held it steady; I bit in. Milder than last time—tolerable heat left me panting lightly.
"Sss. Guess you adapt to spice."
"Right? That's the fun. Next time, even spicier?"
"No way."
Still stung my mouth and tongue—not painfully, thankfully. Glancing at Hamill, the monster chewed mechanically, expressionless. Hanbyeol sweated; how was he fine? Curiosity killed, I turned away and asked the vendor casually.
"Boss, those people wandering bound... what's the deal?"
"Ah, honoring the Saintess bearing our sins in penance. But... kids these days. 'It's trendy,' they say."
Tsking at a latex-clad woman dragging a collared slave on all fours, he shook his head.
"Neatly bound like a true priestess—you must be following the Saintess's path?"
"Y-yeah, something like that."
Couldn't say I caused this chaos. Awkward smile.
He tsked repeatedly, frowning. "They doll up without knowing the Saintess and priestesses' suffering. End times. Tsk tsk."
"Haha..."
Staying longer might break me—I slipped away.
"Sis, wanna try that?"
Hanbyeol pointed at someone gagged and crawling doggy-style. I gaped, pleading.
"Hanbyeol, please spare me..."
"Hehe. Kidding."
But her lingering stare as we passed chilled my spine—not kidding at all.