Chapter 269: One of the Reasons
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 269: One of the Reasons
Muen suddenly leaned down and captured Anna’s lips, which were more delicate than any blooming flower.
"Mmm..."
Anna’s lithe body stiffened for a fraction of a second before turning supple and alluring. Her eyes, usually as clear as autumn pools, gradually grew hazy with desire.
She reached out her slender, jade-like hands to hook around Muen’s neck, parting her lips to welcome him and arching her body in a fervent response.
As their lips met, their tongues and teeth intertwined, rubbing and tangling together in a constant exchange of sweet nectar. A sensation like an electric shock coursed through them, leaving them both trembling as their movements grew more intense.
Muen wrapped one hand around Anna’s slender waist. Looking at the intoxicated, breathtakingly beautiful face so close to his own and breathing in the fragrance of the girl that filled his senses, his embrace tightened. He wanted nothing more than to pull her so close she would merge into him entirely.
Enveloped by Muen’s increasingly potent masculine scent, Anna felt a searing, wild serpent plunge into her warm cavern, taking her softness captive. As it thrust and parried relentlessly, she found herself wilting into Muen’s arms, feeling as though she were about to melt away completely.
After a long while, they finally pulled apart.
Anna straightened up, dazed for a moment as if savoring the lingering heat of their passion.
Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, and her eyes remained misty as she gazed at the man before her. Any trace of the anger she had felt earlier had long since vanished, replaced by a warm, overflowing love that filled her heart.
"Junior, you really are a bad man."
Anna gave Muen’s chest a playful, coquettish thump. "Doing this to me... what am I supposed to do with you?"
"Then a bad man I shall be," Muen chuckled. He caught her hand in his, gently kneading her soft fingers, and raised the bouquet in his other hand once more.
"So... can the best Senior in the Academy finally accept the most beautiful flowers in the Academy?"
"...Hmph."
Anna gave Muen a look brimming with charm and took the flowers, leaning in for a light sniff.
"They’re very fragrant."
"Of course they are. I hand-picked—"
"They reek of magical ripening."
"...Uh."
"And the one who ripened them was a female mage. Judging by the scent, she’s no older than twenty..."
"How can you even smell that?!"
Muen pulled Anna back into his arms, softly pleading for mercy. "Forgive me, Senior. It’s the middle of winter; this was the only way I could get flowers for you. Everything in the Academy’s plantation is medicinal herbs—if I picked those, the professors would skin me alive."
"..."
Anna tilted her head, watching Muen for a long time before suddenly breaking into a radiant smile. She ruffled his hair, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
"Alright, alright, I forgive you. You really do love to act like a spoiled child, don't you, Junior?"
"Heh... only with you, Senior."
Muen took the opportunity to nuzzle against Anna’s supple chest before looking up to change the subject. "By the way, Senior, what’s going on here?"
"What do you mean?"
"All of this..."
Muen pointed toward the back of the classroom.
The bookshelves that usually occupied the rear half of the room had been cleared out. The ancient texts that once sat upon them were now packed away in crates. Even the precision instruments were wrapped in cloth and tightly bound with rope.
Muen had noticed this the moment he entered, but only now had he found the chance to ask.
"Senior... are you moving classrooms?"
"No." Anna shook her head. "I’m just packing my things."
"Packing? Why?"
"Because I’m withdrawing from the Academy."
"Withdrawing... Withdrawing?" Muen froze, a flash of sharpness crossing his eyes. "Why? Why would you leave now? Is someone forcing you again? Is it the Silence Bureau? No, I’m going to find them right now. They’ve gone too far, especially after you—"
"Easy, easy."
Anna pressed a finger to Muen’s lips, a sweet smile playing on her face. "Don't be so anxious, Junior. I’m withdrawing of my own accord. No one is forcing me."
"Of your own accord?" Muen was even more confused. "But why?"
"Because..." Anna tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and said softly, "I’m joining the Silence Bureau."
"Wh—what? Joining the Silence Bureau?"
Muen’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn't wrap his head around the sudden turn of events; his mind went blank for a second.
"Why?" Muen asked, his voice tinged with anger. "They persecuted you so much before!"
"They were just following the rules, weren't they?" Anna soothed him. "And at the time, their intention was, to some extent, to protect me. They just didn't expect those evil believers to be so fanatical that they would launch a direct assault on a Silence Bureau branch."
"But—"
"Alright, there’s no need to be angry. Let me tell you another secret."
Anna pulled Muen close again, whispering into his ear, "Do you remember that old man I took you to see?"
"That... your adoptive father?"
"Yes. His true identity is actually... the Sword Bearer of the Silence Bureau."
"The... the Sword Bearer?"
Muen’s brain stalled again. He had known the old man was unusual, but he never imagined he was the legendary Sword Bearer!
The Silence Bureau was a place that answered to no one except the King and the gods. And the Sword Bearer was...
"I only found out recently myself," Anna sighed, tucking another strand of hair back. "Before that, I always thought he was just a mysterious old man with a few tricks up his sleeve."
"..."
Muen’s lip twitched.
What kind of power-fantasy plot was this? My adoptive father, the shopkeeper, is actually a legendary powerhouse behind the scenes? The kind who could command a hundred thousand Silencers to boost his shop's sales with a single word?
"And joining the Silence Bureau isn't just because of him."
"There’s more?"
"Yes. I mentioned it to you before..." Anna smiled. "But it’s probably easier to just show you."
With that, Anna suddenly pointed a finger.
In the back of the classroom, beneath the neatly packed crates, the shadows cast by the window light began to writhe. They transformed into a pitch-black pool, gradually swallowing all the luggage.
In moments, the back of the classroom was completely empty.
"Is that..." Muen swallowed hard.
"A portion of the Silent Moon’s power. I suppose He didn't have time to strip it from my body back then," Anna explained.
"This..." Muen recalled the Silent Moon’s desperate attempt to take Anna away and felt a sudden realization. Then, he looked at her nervously. "Is it safe? It is the power of an Evil God, after all..."
"Don't worry. The Moon is dead," Anna said softly.
Muen understood immediately.
Right—the Moon was dead.
The horror of an Evil God’s power lay in the fact that once you were tainted by it, it was nearly impossible to sever the connection to the deity. But the Silent Moon was dead, and His power had become "unclaimed."
There was no power in the world cleaner or purer than this.
"So, you’re joining the Silence Bureau for this?"
"Yes. Aside from the Church’s Judgment Temple, there is likely no place on earth that understands Evil Gods better than the Silence Bureau. Only there can I learn how to truly master this power."
Anna leaned in and tenderly nuzzled Muen’s cheek. "Didn't I say it? From now on, I can be the one to protect you, Junior."
"Senior..."
Anna’s tenderness made Muen’s heart swell. He took the opportunity to bury his face against her ample chest once more.
"However, that is still only one of the reasons."
"There’s more?"
Muen blinked, amazed that she had considered so many factors. "What’s the final reason then?"
"As for that last reason..."
Anna stared straight into Muen’s eyes, her expression becoming somewhat meaningful.
Just as Muen began to feel fidgety under her gaze, she suddenly pursed her lips and gave him a playful, mischievous grin.
"I’m not telling a bad man like you~"