Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Too Many Secrets. #1
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The opening of the Academy Ark semester was now just about two weeks away.
According to those in the know, heroes and students scattered across the lands would soon flock back to the Academy Ark.
They'd fill the dorms and lodgings to the brim, turning the Church's city of Gracia into a total madhouse.
The whole city was buzzing with anticipation for the end of break, making preparations.
Even schools in this world had vacations, huh.
"Does the Ark really need a break?"
In response to my question, Archbishop Bayona, seated at the admissions office desk, signed off on papers while giving a casual reply.
"You could call it field training. It's a period where they spread the teachings and words learned at the Ark to the world and take on many disciples."
"Ah, field training. Got it."
Bayona's explanation seemed spot on.
Students spend half the year at the Ark receiving teachings or sorting out various matters.
The other half, they roam the world, purging the darkness and filth lurking in every corner.
"Of course, how they spend their break is left to the cadets' discretion. Some are awfully busy, others highborn, and so on."
"I see. So after opening, they'll assign dorms?"
"Precisely. After precise measurements and assessments post-opening, dorms and affiliations will be assigned meticulously. You'll need to wait a bit longer. Is the temporary lodging we've provided uncomfortable by any chance?"
"No. Thanks to you, it's been perfectly comfortable. Looks like the enrollment procedures are all wrapped up, so I'll take my leave."
"May blessings be with Queen Aira and Sir Gospel."
"And with you."
Creak.
Exiting the admissions building, I saw the streets bustling with quite a crowd milling about. Each one carried bizarre tools on their belts or backs.
Probably heroes.
Either students returning to the Ark or new enrollees like us.
Amid the throng, I looked up at the sky.
Above my head loomed an artificially crafted dome—smooth, immense, dome-shaped ceiling. Vast enough to blot out the heavens.
Word had it this dome was the size of a whole city.
From outside, it looked like an opaque barrier, but from within, it was glass-clear, letting the blue sky and clouds shine through unfiltered.
This was the Church's school, the Ark.
An institution that trained and educated all sorts, forging them into heroes.
Humanity's final bastion against the darkness beyond the barrier.
If Aira studied here, even she might become a slightly better person.
Getting Aira into school was like a cat barking—utterly impossible.
But I'd made it happen somehow.
I'd twisted the story, fled fate, and achieved that astonishing feat.
It was something even I could praise myself for.
"Excuse me—."
Someone called out then, snapping me back. Turning, I saw a girl with brown hair in a ponytail staring at me.
Her outfit was standard adventurer gear: leather clothes, cloak, belt-heavy pants, sturdy boots. Face was plain—neither pretty nor ugly.
Who was she?
No clue.
"I want to pay tuition and apply for enrollment. Where do I go? I never got lost once from Vadalys here, but I've been wandering inside the Ark for an hour already."
Ah, a visitor.
Vadalys was some quiet rural village on the continent's edge. Country girl come to the big city?
Not curious enough to ask, so I just gave directions I knew.
"Over there, you'll find the admissions building. Are you a hero too, miss?"
"Miss? I'm no noble. And not a hero yet. Anyway, thanks. Here's some good karma back."
She waved and vanished into the distance.
Her ponytail swishing like a horse's tail reminded me of Elga's hair tied back.
That thought dragged up the incident from days ago, blood rushing south.
"Hm."
To calm my erection, I scanned surroundings with composed thoughts. Plenty of women around.
Imagining each had soft, melting breasts for men made for a strangely odd mood.
"Nelmi—! Come on—!"
"Hurry up, Selura. Let's spread a mat under this tree and eat lunch!"
Giggle, cackle.
Laughter everywhere.
The Ark, blooming with cherry-like blossoms all around, was stunning, and the people strolling beneath looked joyful.
New semester, birth of CCs season?
It really hit me that I was going back to school.
Schooling would hone all sorts of skills, right?
It was a hero-training institution, after all. And above all, I had this.
"Status window."
==============================
Name: Taeo Gospel Angmar lv. 26
Jobs: Half-Fairy lv. 6
Lewdman lv. 6
Actor lv. 9
Tutor lv. 4
Mage lv. 1
Talents: 《Tenri Eye》 《Calm Thinking》
Disposition: Chaos-Neutral.
You are the sole survivor of a fallen house.
Evade the enemies who desire your house's ruin and restore it to glory.
Fortunately, you brim with zeal for house reconstruction.
===============================
A few days after bedding Elga, this was my progress.
I'd learned that past job level 5, levels and EXP come harder.
To push Actor from 9 to 10 would require masses of acting or life-risking deceptions.
So what was that?
My eyes were drawn to the 1-level Mage job.
I'd bundled job EXP boosts via 《Calm Thinking》 plenty, but Mage wouldn't budge.
Could I even use magic to begin with?
Summoning Tenri Eye or status windows felt magical.
But to me, magic meant fireballs and telekinesis—combat stuff.
A hero-training Ark would surely teach magic.
Maybe even time-stop spells? Like "time, freeze." That'd be handy for all sorts...
* * *
"Taeo, you're later than expected."
In the special quarters at the Church's grand cathedral.
Aira sat on the sofa, reading a book. Thick, full of archaic terms—probably ancient tongue?
I bowed before Aira.
"Your Majesty. Apologies. With all the students crowding in, waiting took longer. But enrollment is fully complete. Just await opening now."
"Good. The luggage from Angmar all arrived?"
"The ogre Gorgor under me now is unloading. With Imp Marmar, they're handling intake. No worries needed."
"Well done. Rest now. To that end, I permit you to massage my feet."
Swish.
Aira extended her sole toward me as if it were natural.
Pale, dainty foot. Recently painted black pedicure on the nails—seductive.
How could even feet be this pretty? I broke sweat holding back my stiffening cock.
"What are you waiting for? Rest is fine."
"Yes. Thank you...."
Someone might grumble that ordering foot rubs isn't rest—but for Aira, touching her body was the ultimate bliss others could claim.
Bliss equaled rest.
Thus, rubbing Aira's feet was peak rest—formula established.
「Calm Situation Assessment!
Gain EXP via talent 《Calm Thinking》.
All job EXP +5」
Got it.
So I grasped Aira's soft, cool bare foot and kneaded firmly. I'd learned acupressure ages ago, so decent at it.
"Mm, ah. Feels good, Taeo. You like it too?"
"Yes. This is true rest, Your Majesty. Wise as ever."
"Good."
Words aside, no way it was comfy.
Rubbing the feet of a peerless beauty, for one.
Look up, and smooth thighs led to black panties peeking.
"......"
"......"
Aira seemed oblivious, focused on her book, but I stole glances at her panties.
Beyond that fabric, a moist hole to pleasure men. Slick, smooth, warm.
Even Queen Aira had one.
I'd licked it a few times, so the black cloth felt transparent, mound plump in my mind's eye.
How good would thrusting my cock in feel?
Fucking the queen.
Heart could stop, heaven-bound, no surprise.
"Taeo, your hands stopped."
Right now, I was lucky to rub her sole. Even footjob from this would've been bliss.
Squeeze, squish.
"Good. A bit harder's fine."
Squish, squiiiish, squiiiish.
"Yes, ahn, good. So refreshing. Feet've been tired lately. Body... all... ahh, melting loose...."
Aira murmured, but my head swirled with her sleek legs and that beyond.
Without Calm Thinking, I'd have licked calf or foot.
Why'd I end up like this?
I knew the reason.
The Elga incident days back.
Bedding Elga taught me 'woman.' Like Adam's apple revealing all.
Biting Elga, no returning to before.
That blissful feel and scene looped in my head; women sparked lewd fantasies.
Beyond arousal—torment.
I wasn't some hormone-raging middle-schooler.
Appearance aside...
Then.
"Taeo, you're distracted. You've been off lately."
Aira noticed my change. Cold sweat beaded; time to act through.
"Well, with opening soon... lots to mind."
"Often alone with Elga for that? Or scheming behind my back?"
"......"
Her insight talent shone. Petty lies wouldn't fool Aira. Full-force acting needed.
"Scheming? Absurd. Elga and I just discussed loyalty to you and Angmar."
"Hmm...."
Aira eyed me coolly.
Would her 《Tarantella》 talent's spider-sense pierce my act?
"Taeo, as always: just stay loyal like now. No need to overdo."
「Your acting merits future praise!
Gain 'Actor' job EXP. +50」
Perfect. Slid by.
"So, long time, Taeo. Prove your loyalty."
Swish.
Aira withdrew her foot from my hands, pressing to my face. Kiss it, loyalty proof.
Briefly, boiling lust cooled.
Learning unknowns wasn't just women.
Post-reveal as Demon King Angmar heir, rebellion stirred in me.
This continent and Angmar Kingdom—rightfully mine as true ruler, no?
Human reason aside, Taeo Angmar's will or instinct?
Thus, loyalty to Aira waned lately.
Strictly, Aira was usurper spawn.
Thief stealing my rightful claim.
Powerless now, hide fangs.
So, play ever-loyal Taeo.
"I'm Your Majesty's dog."
Swallowing humiliation, I kissed Aira's foot. Glancing up, her slender eyes gazed down.
"Then, reward: lick my feet."
"...Thank you."
I stuck out my tongue, lapped her instep.
Smooth, soft—but like King Goujian licking bear gall for vengeance, this was my reminder bile.
Slurp, slurp.
"Taeo, you're such a dog. Like the pup from my childhood. Licked my feet too. Female, though."
"......"
"You're male, right, Taeo?"
"Slurp, slurp."
Yes, licking toes like a dog now.
Just wait.
Someday, doggy from behind.
Aira, you'll live to bear my kids. Ten at least. Yearly. Repay my sufferings.
Heh heh—I swallowed inner laugh, plotting lewd schemes.
But how?
Lately realized: bedding women involved complex mechanics.
Let alone fickle, inscrutable Aira—how to fuck her?
In hindsight, Elga felt tutorial-level. Aira? Final boss.
Final boss—fitting, almost laughed. To reach, grind EXP, level up diligently.
Half the world women.
Plenty grinding spots.
"Oh yeah, met Draco house daughter at temple yesterday. Name..."
"Mirna Draco?"
I paused licking, looked up. Aira furrowed brows, so resumed.
"Slurp. Slurp. Lick."
"Yes, Mirna Draco. Ahn.... That name. Dinner tonight.... Hmm, dinner date. You, Elga too. Your houses' gathering."
"Belhock house coming?"
"That's secret."
Ah, a secret.
Anyway, houses' meeting.
Prime chance to view foes together. Who'd think Aira'd gift this.
Unexpected four houses summit.
Butterfly effect from story deviation?