Chapter 99
Chapter 99
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 99
It might have seemed like a hopeless case to Halia, but it was an earnest plea.
Realizing too late that Asher had been subjected to something perilously close to assault, Halia struck the back of Versia's neck, knocking her out cold.
And with that, the gathering came to an end.
While cleanup was still underway, Asher returned to the lodging and confided in Halia about everything that had happened.
"...The Curse of Galae, you say?"
Her tone held more incredulity than shock or gravity.
Asher bowed his head in shame. It was only naturalhe'd hidden it all this time, despite its importance, out of fear of unpredictable consequences.
Halia scratched her head vigorously, as if her skull ached. Then, with a sudden "Hm...!", she came to a decision.
"...Well, no major disasters have cropped up so far, right?"
"For the time being, yes."
"Then we're good."
"Pardon?"
"What, getting raped at worst? If push comes to shove, just grit your teeth and let her have her way once."
"?"
What on earth had he just heard?
Could words like that truly come from a saintess's mouth?
His mind ground to a halt. As Asher stared blankly, Halia continued.
"What other choice do we have? It's still better than letting Versia run wild and sleep with random strangers everywhere."
"N-No, that's true, but then what about me...!"
"Why, she's a good girl worth putting up with. If it comes to it, just marry her and take responsibility."
"???"
Halia didn't seem remotely serious. Or rather, she exuded a strange sense of trust.
"Historically, the Curse of Galae has sparked massive upheavals, but the curse itself isn't the scary part. It's the behavioral changes in the afflicted that are dangerous. Keep her leashed tight, and you can stave it off for a while, right? We missed our shot this time, but catch that witch, and this might sort itself out nicely."
There wasn't a single false word in what she said. The only issue was the optimism woven through it.
Maybe it was a relief, in a way. But was this really okay?
Conflicting thoughts clashed within him. Asher's head began to throb.
The silver lining, if any, was that Halia wasn't entirely thoughtless.
"Hmm, guess I'll have to dig through some ancient tomes."
Meaning she'd seek out a solution rather than fret over a problem with no immediate fix.
Should he feel reassured or anxious? Hard to say.
In any case, their conversation wrapped up there.
However, the problem's true severity only came to light belatedly.
Versia opened her eyes, and she spoke.
"That was a saintess. Sera Wizdia."
Her excitement had subsided, and her tone was calmer than before.
It was just the content that was utterly shocking.
The fallen saintess who had ended the Holy Kingdom's erarealizing they'd tangled with her made Halia grow even graver, as did Asher and Diego.
"What a fucking mess."
The curse word fit perfectly.
And it described the situation better than anything else.
* * *
The Holy Kingdom's downfall was a pivotal event in continental history, one that transcended the church itself.
How could it not be? That cataclysm birthed the current nation-states and reshaped the world's social order.
Sera Wizdia's name sat at the epicenter of that history.
Reflecting on her atrocities made her survival an issue of monumental importance.
The moment Halia heard it, she grabbed Diego and left.
"...I'll head to my palace. Need to investigate any traces of what that woman did here."
"I'll come too..."
"You stay with Versia. You know what to do if things go south, right?"
"......"
And just like that, the two of them were left alone.
Versia's limbs were bound. Halia's precaution, but Asher felt uneasy seeing her like that.
Those clear, bright eyes gazing up at him stirred pity every time.
"This is uncomfortable."
"...Not untying you."
"I'm really fine now. Sorry about earlier."
"Sorry doesn't cut it. Do you know how scared I was...!"
"It was that sorcery. I was so careless."
Asher narrowed his eyes, glaring at Versia.
Visually, she seemed fully composed now.
But he couldn't let his guard downhe knew how adept she was at masking her emotions.
Who knew? She might pounce the second she was free.
"I-I don't trust you, Saintess! You're a monster ruled by lust!"
"That's a bit harsh."
"It's true, isn't it! Honestly, I never expected you'd go straight for it like that! Your slit isn't even that stretched, and yet you think of jumping me right there?!"
Once the dam broke, a torrent of nagging poured out.
"You could hold back if you tried! I know because I've been in that body longer! You just lack self-control! How do you expect to achieve anything great with such weak willpower? This goes beyond your slitit's about leading the church...!"
Asher had to admit he'd bottled up quite a bit.
His stern expression persisted as the words kept flowing, refusing to stop.
At one point, he even started lecturing. He knew he should quit, but it was hard.
He shouldn't blame others, but Versia listening quietly without retort might've egged him on.
She punctuated his rant with little "Mm," "Yeah," and "Ah" sounds.
That was when it hit him.
'...Hold on.'
Were those really just affirmations?
Asher belatedly sensed something off.
They were too breathy, too excited for mere responses.
Still talking with eyes closed and head raised, he whipped his gaze toward Versia.
And that's when he saw it.
Versia, twisting her hips, legs rubbing furiously together, eyes burning with lust as she stared at him.
"...Mm."
"......"
"Yeah..."
"......"
What to call that moment?
She made no attempt to hide it now that she'd been caught, blatantly attempting some act right thereasher felt deep contempt.
His expression must've shown it, because Versia's cheeks flushed even redder.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"...Just a bit longer. Stay like that a little more."
"Ack!"
Asher bolted up and wrapped Versia tightly in the blanket, flipping her face-down.
Versia let out a wistful sigh. She writhed a bit, trying to maneuver, but the binding held firm.
Eventually, she went limp, seemingly giving up.
In a tone that sounded oddly peeved, she said,
"Why can't women grind the floor?"
"Please, enough!"
Asher felt tears pricking his eyes.
By the time Halia returned belatedly, he'd blurted it out.
"I can't do this anymore! It's too much! Just throw me into the heart of heretic territory!"
"Whoa there."
Halia scratched the back of her head and smacked her lips.
* * *
Dealing with a Versia utterly devoid of any will to restrain herself was no small ordeal for Asher.
He was human, a man. Constant exposure to that environment was bound to plant thoughts.
Of course, he hadn't acted on themjust had some lurid dreams. Waking up to that fact filled him with profound self-loathing.
-Feels good?
The dream voice still echoed in his ears even after waking.
Dark circles ringed his eyes heavily.
Seeing him like that, Halia said apologetically,
"I'll watch Versia today. You go to the palace with Diego. Leave the investigation to him... Yeah, better yet, catch up with some friends and cool your head."
"...Thank you."
He meant it.
He truly wasn't sure he could endure another day with Versia.
Why did Diego's sympathetic pat on the shoulder make his chest tighten so?
Even heading to the palace, Asher had to swallow the urge to tear up several times.
And so he left the lodging.
Would Versia be okay? Worry bubbled up as he stepped out, but he decided to trust Halia.
She was brash and loose, sure, but she had the wisdom of her years.
"Let's go, Asher."
"Yes...!"
Asher departed the lodging.
* * *
The Curse of Galae was no joke.
By now, just glimpsing a desk corner in the room corner sparked all sorts of thoughts.
Versia felt her mind drying up. Or rather, with her body's moisture actually depleting, it was literal.
Bound as she was, she twisted her body desperately to relieve the heat.
Trying to exploit a gap in Asher's binding.
That was when Halia spoke.
"Want some help?"
It was obviously sarcastic.
Versia tried to ignore it, but Halia shoved her face in close.
A playful, mischievous grin.
Versia tried to tune her out, but Halia's next words doused her boiling lust cold.
"I can help, you know. Given my age..."
Her youthful looks often made people forget, but Halia was old enough to be called grandma by any standard.
Hearing the exact number chilled Versia's heart instantly.
"...No need. Lost the mood."
"Heh heh heh."
"Could you move your face? Suddenly feeling nauseous."
GrandmaVersia finally grasped the terror of that word.