Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Happy Times Don't Last
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* * *
Rattle, rattle.
Huh? What? Did you finish it already?
No way. That can't be... It can't be!!
[ Igugwoden: Is this the end of the chapter?? ]
[ Please Donate: That is correct. ]
[ Please Donate: Did you enjoy Lady Eirene's 'process of enlightenment'? ]
Enjoy it?
It's way beyond just enjoying it.
'It's so damn good!!'
Munch munch!
For starters, I loved how my little 'poll' had such a huge impact on Eirene.
I mean, come on—how could 'a virgin empress who's never known a blond, blue-eyed, busty stud's 36 years of first female corruption' not be delicious?
It's like rubbing delicious things together to make even more deliciousness!
[ Igugwoden: I legit did a handstand and clapped my feet while reading... It's so freaking fun, author! This is what comics are! ]
[ Igugwoden: Well done, Igugwoden~~! Ah!! That ripe empress is sooo fragrant!! ]
[ Please Donate: I'm truly glad that 'the world's response' reached you so well, Igugwoden-nim. ]
I scrolled back up through the panels.
My eyes stopped at one spot. Eirene's bathing scene.
It was drawn with such pointless, obsessive detail. Her armpits, or the way the hot spring water overflowed because of those enormous breasts—shown from every angle, emphasizing their overwhelming presence.
From a story progression standpoint, it was just filler to pad the length... but for a consumer like me, there was no more meaningful scene. This alone could fill three bowls of rice.
And that vulgar nun outfit, soaked and clinging transparently to her sideboob— I had to calm the inner demon everyone harbors just to keep reading...
'Hah...'
I love busty older women so much!
I've got my search keywords ready for later.
[ Igugwoden: But there's something bothering me, so... ]
[ Igugwoden: In the last panel: 'Happy times don't last long' << What's that about? ]
[ Please Donate: It means exactly what it says...? ]
No.
I'm absolutely, definitely not getting anxious or anything.
[ Igugwoden: Just asking for real ]
[ Igugwoden: It... kinda bugs me lol;;;; ]
[ Igugwoden: You'll resolve it quick, right? No blocks or anything coming up? ]
[ Please Donate: Worry not, Igugwoden-nim. ]
[ Please Donate: What you desire—Lady Eirene von Ainsberg's 'faith corruption' ]
[ Please Donate: 'The world's response' moves solely by your will, Igugwoden-nim. ]
[ Please Donate: Trials are but a fleeting moment. ]
What?
Trials...?
I mimed pushing up nonexistent glasses with a flick, then tilted my head side to side.
Then, faster than anyone, I hammered out a reply—
* * *
"Whew."
Eirene wiped the sweat from her forehead as she surveyed the spotless monastery.
Igeon had gone into town on errands, so today she was cleaning the vast grounds all by herself.
She'd been clumsy at first, but now she moved with the confidence of a pro, filling her with a fresh sense of pride.
The best part was that even when she threw herself into the work, no one got hurt or suffered because of it.
That was the biggest difference from life in the imperial palace, where everything was maintained by trampling others.
Before she knew it, the sun was dipping low. Days really fly by.
That's when a massive portrait caught Eirene's eye.
The portrait Igeon always prayed to—Igugwoden, the god.
She looked up at it. ...Nothing.
The face was still a blurry, wriggling mess; she couldn't make out any features.
'......'
Believe in God, huh.
Eirene had never understood religious folk. In her life, the only thing worth believing in was herself. How could anyone rely on some imaginary being like a god?
She didn't deny that religion brought peace to hearts and established social moral order. But for herself, at least, she wanted to press on without believing in such things.
She couldn't even trust the real people right in front of her eyes—how could she trust a god?
And even now.
She knew full well her interest wasn't in the god, but in a certain man named Igeon.
'Maybe religion and I just don't mix. If God really exists, He probably doesn't want a believer like me.'
The moment she thought that and looked away from the portrait.
—Believe in God a little.
'!!!!!!!'
Eirene jumped in shock at the sudden voice in her head and whipped around toward the source.
Wh-what...? Did it come from the portrait?
"......??"
Eirene approached the portrait cautiously. It still wriggled; Igugwoden's face remained unrecognizable.
What? Did I mishear?
...No. I didn't. I definitely heard it.
Could it be... the 'god's' voice?
Hold on. This voice... it sounds familiar...
'......'
Eirene stared blankly at the portrait for a long time.
Believe in God, huh...
If I believed in God, could I escape my fate?
Not the predetermined life of an empress, but one I actually wanted?
Lord Igugwoden.
If I believed in you, could I live a new life?
One where I could believe in God... and in people?
Of course, no answer came.
* * *
A few days later.
"Thank you."
"Thank you so much, Sister..."
"No need. May God's Plain Fact be with you..."
Once a week.
Saint Aegerdeng Monastery provided free meals to the local orphans and poor.
Following God's words: 'Even if you have nothing, never lose the romance of sharing a dish of facts.'
It was a form of social contribution, though the main goal was building a positive image for the faith—but good deeds weren't meaningless just because of ulterior motives.
"Sis! You're sooo pretty! Your golden hair is like a wheat field!"
"Your Divine Power Pouch is huge!"
"Bigger than a watermelon!"
"Ahaha... Th-thank you."
She could now brush off the girls' innocent teasing with a laugh.
At first, she'd been so unadapted that Igeon had to handle her duties too...
He'd told her: 'Praising a nun's Divine Power Pouch is the highest courtesy.'
Knowing those kids coming for meals were just expressing max gratitude made the embarrassment fade.
Of course, as an empress, it wasn't exactly prideful.
'I worked so hard to build a stable nation where the people could live in peace, yet poverty remains unsolved—we're just leaning on the church one-sidedly.'
She recalled the plague-stricken region that got only minimal aid due to political excuses.
All those years felt futile. What was the point of an empress?
"Big bro Igeon! The new sister's super pretty!"
"Is she your girlfriend?"
"......!!!"
Unlike Eirene, who flushed just overhearing, Igeon smiled leisurely.
"Why would a cool sister date a guy like your big bro?"
"Yeah! Mom says sisters can't have boyfriends."
"Really? That's sad~"
"Hey, that's rude to the sister. Got it?"
"Yeah, rude."
"Sorry, Sister."
"Bye, big bro!"
Watching Igeon greet the kids with a smile, Eirene couldn't help but think.
How would that gentle man with kids treat his own?
He'd be amazing, surely. And his wife too.
Igugwoden nuns couldn't marry, but priests could—and that felt lucky today.
What kind of woman would his wife be...
It was an improper thought for a nun, but so what? She wasn't really one.
The day passed, and quiet returned to the bustling monastery.
"Good work."
"You too."
"The kids were naughty, huh? Let me apologize for them."
"No. Better silly talk from bright eyes than sorrowful ones, right? Anyway, today's easier than last time."
She could almost handle Divine Power Pouch—breast—praise now.
"Adapting this fast. You're amazing, Sister Rinasita."
"Amazing? ...How unreliable do you see me that this merits 'amazing'?"
Igeon smiled and, without thinking, placed a hand on her head—
"—Oops. Sorry. I just..."
"......?"
"No, uh... Your protesting face was so cute, I nearly petted you on impulse... That would've been super rude."
Watching him scratch his cheek, Eirene...
Approached cautiously, stood on tiptoe.
"Sister Rinasita...?"
"...Pet me."
She said, slowly looking up at him.
Even on tiptoe, she had to crane her neck to meet his gaze. His face was red as he looked down.
"You can... pet me."
"If you say so, Sister Rinasita..."
...Stroke, stroke.
His large, rough hand caressed her golden hair.
He had no idea he was daring to touch the imperial body no one could touch.
The thrill of doing something so wrong made her stomach flutter wildly again.
"It's... kinda embarrassing. Haha... But thanks for allowing it. Your hair's so soft and pretty, Sister Rinasita."
"You toss out 'pretty' so easily. Do you say that to every woman?"
"No way. Only because it's you. I don't say it to just anyone... Probably."
"Probably?"
Her pout drew another smile from him.
They'd grown close enough for light banter like this.
With him, she could be a girl, not empress. After hearing she was 'ripe,' she dared approach bolder.
"Alright, I'll finish up. You rest."
"Please."
After he left, Eirene looked up at the sky.
...Blue.
Vast blue sky.
As empress, she'd always looked down.
Looking up from the earth wasn't bad.
She liked this life. If she'd truly been Sister Rinasita, could she have lived like this?
But her real name was Eirene von Ainsberg—
Not a nun, but an empress. One facing deposition by rebellion.
Her fate wouldn't leave her be.
And—
"Don't just barge in!"
"Out of my way! I know she's here!"
"I've told you—she's not!"
"......?"
Hearing the abbess's urgent voice from afar, she went to check—
Igeon and the abbess faced a man with soldiers.
She knew that face. Count Rayfield. One of her vassals.
"!!!"
Seeing him, Eirene realized anew.
Her dreamlike time was nearly over.
—And inescapable fate was right at her doorstep.