Chapter 354: Those Words
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 354: Those Words
"Sorry... sorry to keep you waiting."
Waiting in front of Emiel Cathedral, Muen turned his head at the sound of a voice as melodious as a lark’s.
His breath hitched involuntarily.
It was early spring, and the weather was clear.
The gentle sunlight crested over the statue of the merciful Goddess, shining down impartially upon all things.
Before him lay the famous Path of Devotion, a road trodden daily by countless pilgrims. The sunlight spilled across the steps, giving them the luster of white jade.
But in this moment, whether it was the warm sun, the white jade, or the statue of the Goddess herself, everything seemed to pale the instant the young girl stepped out from the shadows.
Liya wore a pale yellow dress. The exquisite hem was adorned with layers of ruffled edges, and her waist was cinched by a silk ribbon, emphasizing a slenderness that could be spanned by a single hand—and, in turn, highlighting the fullness of her chest.
Beneath the skirt were shapely legs clad in black thigh-high stockings. As she moved, the fluttering hem offered fleeting glimpses of the faint indent where the stockings pressed into the soft flesh of her thighs.
"I... I'm not late, am I?"
The girl came to a halt in front of Muen. The hair at the edges of her face had been meticulously braided into two small plaits that bounced playfully. Her forehead was dusted with a light sheen of sweat, and she looked more radiant than spring itself.
"No, not at all. It’s just, you..."
Muen suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
The Liya before him seemed different from the Liya he knew. In his memory, she never fussed over her appearance. Aside from their previous time at the restaurant and last night, she always seemed to wear a simple, plain white dress.
But today, she had clearly put effort into her outfit and even seemed to be wearing light makeup, lending a different kind of charm to her cute face.
The striking contrast captivated Muen instantly, making it difficult for him to look away.
"Is... is something wrong? Do I look strange?"
Liya twined a finger around a braid by her ear and bit her rosy lip. Her eyes, shimmering as if veiled in mist, betrayed a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
"No, you look beautiful."
Muen took a deep breath, suppressing the ripples in his heart that had been surfacing with increasing frequency lately. He praised her sincerely:
"You look exceptionally lovely today, Liya."
This wasn't mere flattery; it was the truth. The girl before him was so cute it was enough to make anyone’s heart skip a beat.
"Is... is that so?"
The anxiety in Liya’s heart vanished instantly, replaced by a blooming joy.
On these white jade steps, many devout pilgrims found themselves distracted by this blossoming beauty. They stopped in their tracks, momentarily forgetting the deity in their hearts as they cast stunned, admiring glances her way.
"Ah."
Liya snapped back to her senses, her face flushing slightly. She said shyly, "It’s... it’s not what you think. I didn't dress like this just because you invited me. It’s because of what those people said before... I felt that, as a Saintess Candidate, I should at least pay a little attention to my image..."
"Mhm, I know," Muen said with a smile. "I’m not so arrogant as to think my charm is that great."
His handsome smile was brighter than the sunlight.
Liya felt the surrounding scenery dim. Even though this was the result she had worked so hard to explain, a certain feeling in her heart couldn't help but...
"However..."
Muen turned his head, his voice drifting over on the breeze, devoid of any other hidden emotion:
"I think you’re beautiful even when you don't dress up, Liya. More beautiful than anyone else."
"Mhm..."
Liya lowered her head, answering in a soft whisper.
Colors bled back into the world; the Holy City in early spring was truly a sight to behold.
*
"By the way, you said you wanted to look around. Is there anywhere specific you want to go, Muen?"
"Well, I’m not familiar with the Holy City, so I’m relying entirely on my guide, Liya. I just wanted to buy some alchemy tools and magic scrolls for the ceremony first."
"I remember a street that sells nothing but those things, but my memory of the Holy City is from several years ago. I’m not sure if things have changed."
"Let’s go check it out anyway. We have plenty of time."
"Okay."
The streets of the Holy City weren't as wide as those in Belland, nor were they as crowded with carriages and bustling crowds.
However, this ancient city, which had stood for a thousand years, was steeped in the charm of history. Ancient buildings were carved with patterns praising the gods. Clerics in long robes passed by, occasionally smiling at the two wandering youths and stepping forward to preach their doctrines.
But upon seeing the emblem of Emiel Cathedral on Liya, they would walk away with a look of regret, continuing their search for other targets.
Temple Knights in heavy armor patrolled the streets, looking majestic and formidable.
Liya led Muen into a shop that looked quite ornately decorated. In the corner of the sign, Muen spotted the mark of the Stone Cauldron Association.
"A shop under the Stone Cauldron Association?"
"Mhm. I figured you wouldn't settle for the things sold at roadside stalls, Muen."
"Not necessarily."
If he had the heaven-defying luck of a protagonist, a roadside stall might actually be the best place to go—he might just dig up some incredible treasure.
Unfortunately, he didn't have that kind of luck, so he had to settle for buying brand-name goods like a good boy.
"How can I help you, guests?"
The shop clerk also wore the emblem of the Stone Cauldron Association. She offered a professional smile, but she couldn't help but freeze for a moment when she saw Muen and Liya walk in.
She was stunned.
The man was handsome, and the girl was charming and cute. Walking together, they seemed brighter than anything else, even in the Holy City bathed in holy light.
"What do you want, Liya?"
Ignoring the clerk’s lapse in etiquette, Muen rubbed his chin and looked at Liya. "Like I said, this is an apology for before. Pick whatever you want; I’m paying."
"Um..."
Various alchemy tools and magic devices were displayed on the counters and walls. Liya’s eyes darted around, overwhelmed. After a moment of careful thought, she said, "Then... I’ll take this."
Her slender, pale finger pointed to a dark piece of iron. Muen followed her gaze. According to the description, it was an alchemical metal capable of storing mana and being engraved with arrays.
"And what else?"
Muen smiled. "If you only pick one thing and it’s this cheap, I won’t be able to sleep tonight."
"Then... then I’ll add this, and this, and this."
Liya hesitated for a moment before pointing to a few magic crystals, some blank magic scrolls, and some odd-looking metals.
"Alright."
Muen looked at the clerk. "The things she just pointed out—upgrade them to the highest quality, ten of each, and wrap them up."
"Ten..."
The clerk’s eyes widened, her expression one of pure shock, as if she were watching a rich heir trying to buy a girl’s affection.
"Wait, wait, I don't need that many..."
"Liya."
Muen turned back, looking dead serious. "I’m doing this for my own sake, not yours."
"Eh?"
"We’re partners now, after all. The stronger you get, the more peace of mind I’ll have. You don't actually think I’m spending all this money just to make you happy, do you?"
Under the clerk’s 'isn't that exactly what you're doing?' gaze, Liya fell into deep thought.
It seemed... that did make sense.
But somehow, it felt like something was off?
Anyway, since Muen had put it that way, she had no reason to refuse.
The clerk briskly wrapped the items Muen had requested in exquisite packaging, handing them to Liya quickly as if afraid Muen would come to his senses and regret the purchase. When Liya dizzily took the items, her small hands were trembling slightly.
Even as a Saintess Candidate, the Church provided very little assistance in these matters. Most of these top-tier materials were things she had only ever seen in books!
She had never fought a battle with such abundant resources. The position of Saintess was as good as hers, Liya Angel’s!
Liya’s eyes turned into swirls as she fell into a cute fantasy.
"And what would you like, sir?" After packing Liya’s things, the clerk stood respectfully by Muen’s side, patiently explaining the functions of each tool. The trope of a clerk looking down on a customer didn't happen here; the gold thread embroidered on Muen’s collar and the aura he exuded with every movement were enough to prove his noble status.
"Hmm..."
Muen rubbed his chin in thought for a moment, then suddenly leaned in close to the clerk and asked in a low voice, "Do you have... the kind of things you aren't supposed to sell?"
"Eh?"
The clerk blinked. "Things... we aren't supposed to sell?"
"The kind of stuff where, if you put it out for sale, the Temple Knights would immediately come and haul you away," Muen asked with a serious face.
"Haul us away the moment it's shown..."
Looking at Muen’s handsome face so close to hers, the clerk seemed to think of something. Her face flushed crimson instantly, and she refused vehemently, "I’m sorry, sir, but this is a legitimate shop! We... we only sell legitimate goods! That kind of thing... those 'lewd' props, we absolutely do not have them!"
"...You don't? That’s a shame... Wait, lewd?"
Muen realized what she meant and his eyes bugged out. "When did I ever say I wanted to buy those!"
"Eh? You didn't? I thought you were buying them to spice things up with your girlfriend..." The clerk stole a glance at the girl who had her head lowered, though her cheeks were clearly just as red.
"No, and we aren't in that kind of relationship."
It took Muen a great deal of effort to explain his relationship with Liya to the skeptical clerk, and to clarify what exactly he meant by "things you aren't supposed to sell."
But unsurprisingly, the answer was no.
"I’m sorry, sir."
The clerk’s expression was more serious than ever. "This is the Holy City."
"As I thought..."
Muen wasn't surprised at all.
As expected, in a place like the Holy City, the management of contraband was far stricter than anywhere else.
Even if darkness still bred in this land bathed in eternal light, Muen, a newcomer, didn't have the credentials to access it.
Belland was better after all; with just a little effort, he could dig up several military magic cannons that had been "conveniently" decommissioned.
But here, even buying high-powered magic scrolls required registration with the Temple Knights.
Muen couldn't help but sigh wistfully.
It seemed that being a Duke’s son was useless in the Holy City, aside from having a bit of "stinking money."
Fortunately, there was a branch of the Imperial Bank in the Holy City, otherwise he wouldn't even have the stinking money.
"In that case... I’ll just have to make do."
He couldn't utilize higher-level items at his current realm, and the things he could use wouldn't give him much of an advantage unless they were the strictly controlled items.
Unable to find what he really wanted, Muen’s gaze swept over the area containing the best quality items the shop had to offer—which, to him, were only mediocre.
"This, this, and this..."
The clerk nodded repeatedly, carefully recording Muen’s requests in a small notebook.
"Aside from the ones I just pointed out that I don't want, wrap up everything else for me."
With a thud, the notebook hit the floor. The clerk thought she was dreaming.
*
After waiting for a while, Muen took the complimentary spatial magic device from the clerk’s trembling hands. As he swiped his card, he lamented, "Looks like I’ll have to sell another one of the old man’s manors."
Then, he led Liya away, heading non-stop to the next shop.
The next few shops sold more or less the same things, some even of slightly lower quality. No matter how much of a spendthrift Muen was, he had no desire to buy more. He just looked around casually and forced a few more things onto Liya.
By noon, it was Muen who led Liya to a fairly decent restaurant.
When shopping with a girl, most locations can be chosen by her, but the restaurant is where a man shows his refinement and preparation. It is the final fortress that determines success or failure. — From the Belland Dating Guide.
Although this wasn't a date, Muen felt the same principles applied.
The restaurant had a pleasant atmosphere and elegant music, with a statue of the merciful Goddess standing at its center.
While waiting for the food to be served, Muen pulled out a newspaper he had bought on a whim by the roadside.
"What are you looking at?"
Liya leaned in curiously.
"Intelligence."
Muen glanced at Liya, who was sitting very close to him, and spread the newspaper out on the table. "We have to know our opponents, don't we?"
The newspaper devoted a large amount of space to introducing the outstanding participants of this Holy Ceremony, such as the Slav Kingdom’s Executioner, the wandering swordsman from the Saigon Duchy, the Chanter from Arielze...
Of course, the most ink was spent on this year’s Saintess and the God-Attendant Knights. Their past deeds were unearthed one by one. Feats that ordinary people would look up to for a lifetime were reduced to simple text on the page.
"Slaying a legendary lake monster at thirteen, fighting an Overlord-class magical beast alone at seventeen, undefeated since becoming famous... these guys are more terrifying than the last."
Muen sipped the coffee the waiter had brought early and praised them.
"But... I shouldn't be too bad myself, right?"
Although he didn't have any achievements he could openly boast about so far, he had put on such a big show earlier that the evaluation of him shouldn't be too embarrassing.
With that thought, Muen finally flipped to the page introducing himself...
"Scumbag."
"The Ice Witch’s boy toy."
"A profligate young master with a black stockings fetish."
"Two-timer."
"The man who sank a Dreadnought-class battleship."
"The naked man running in the dead of night..."
"According to a certain Mr. Pink Bear who wishes to remain anonymous, he is, in short, a scumbag—a total scumbag. Young ladies must not be deceived by his appearance..."
"..."
"...Dammit!"
Muen slammed the newspaper down, fuming. "I’m the man who swept four opponents at the Academy! Why is the reporting all about this kind of stuff? Isn't there a cooler title? Like 'The Golden Campbell' or something!"
"Um..."
Liya blushed and looked away from the pixelated photo of a half-naked man in the newspaper. After fidgeting for a long while, she seemed to finally make up her mind. She balled her hands into fists and gave Muen a cute look of encouragement:
"It’s okay, Muen. I know you’re not that kind of person. These are all just rumors!"
"No matter what others say about you, I’ll be on your side!"
"Ugh... so bright."
Under the girl’s gentleness, Muen was moved to tears.
But he didn't dare to answer.
Because even though he knew the report was outrageous, Muen couldn't deny that... it did have a tiny bit of truth to it.
Mhm, just a tiny bit.
"An-Anyway, let’s eat first."
While they were looking at the newspaper, the dishes had been placed on the table one by one.
The appetizer was North-Veil style cod chowder paired with Grant-style baked snails.
The main course was a thick-cut Budohill filet mignon.
The dessert was...
"Panini cake!"
Liya’s eyes sparkled with childlike excitement, a look that hadn't appeared even when tasting the previous two expensive dishes.
"You like Panini cake?"
"Mhm."
Liya scooped up a piece with a silver spoon and put it in her mouth. A look of pure satisfaction immediately appeared on her face.
"Ariel likes this very much, so I ended up liking it too... But I’m the type who gains weight easily, and Panini cake is very expensive, so I don't eat it very often."
While enjoying it, Liya conflictedly warned herself not to eat too much, or she wouldn't be able to fit into her new clothes.
"I see..."
Muen rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. "But since you like Panini cake, you might like this kind of cake too."
Muen called the waiter over and whispered a few words.
A moment later, a new cake was placed in front of Liya.
"This is?"
"Give it a try?"
Liya tentatively scooped up a spoonful and put it into her small mouth. Then... her eyes lit up.
"It’s... it’s delicious!"
The taste was very close to Panini cake, but the heavy cream flavor had been replaced by a fruit-like sweetness, offering a completely different sensory experience.
"It was invented by the same master pastry chef. It’s called Passini. It’s just not as famous as the Panini cake."
Muen explained with a smile, "But I personally prefer the taste of Passini. And because of the different ingredients, compared to Panini... well, it’s not as fattening."
"Not as fattening? That means..."
"You can eat as much as you want."
Muen rested his chin on his hand, his voice like a devil’s whisper, "Do you like it, Miss Liya?"
"...I love it."
In her vision, countless flowers seemed to bloom around that handsome face.
Liya stared blankly, pushing Passini cake to the top of her list of favorite foods as she murmured, "I love it most of all."
*
After leaving the restaurant, the two continued to wander around, following Liya’s memory.
But even without intentionally observing, they could clearly sense the different atmosphere around them.
The Holy Ceremony was approaching, and the ancient ruins were about to open. Everyone was bracing themselves... yet the two of them were actually out shopping?
The feeling was as thrilling as skipping school to play video games right before a final exam.
Muen had this strange thought and looked at Liya beside him. "Is there anywhere else worth going..."
Liya was also spacing out.
Muen followed her gaze to an old bookstore. The sign was clean and tidy, shining brightly in the sunlight.
"A bookstore? Looks nice. Let’s go in."
"Eh, no, there’s no need..."
Liya snapped back to her senses and shook her head. "How can we spend such important preparation time on..."
"This is also important preparation work."
Before Liya could finish, Muen had already pushed open the door to the bookstore.
The wind chime on the door rang with a pleasant sound. Behind the counter was a drowsy old woman who glanced at Muen and Liya before closing her eyes to nap again.
"It’s bigger than I imagined."
Muen looked around the bookstore. The crowded shelves were filled with all kinds of books—some new, some with damaged covers and the marks of time.
There were no other customers.
"This is the first time I’ve done something like this..."
Liya followed behind Muen, her fingertips brushing against the books, a small spark of excitement in her eyes.
"You’ve never been to a bookstore, Liya?" Muen asked, puzzled.
"No... I just haven't browsed like this..."
Liya said softly, "Ariel was always very busy, so when I went out with her, I always decided which books I needed beforehand and bought them directly. I’ve never just... leisurely looked at books like this."
"Is that so?"
Muen pulled a book from the shelf and flipped through it, then turned to look at her. "Then let’s spend the afternoon here."
"Eh? No, that won't do... Muen, don't you still need..."
"I’ve already bought everything I need."
Muen took the book and walked to a seat by the window. He turned back and smiled. "I was just wondering what to do with all this time. It’s wonderful to have found a shop that you like, Liya."
"..."
His smile was radiant.
That annoying thump-thump in her heart started again.
Even though her reason wanted to refuse, when she came to her senses, Liya found herself already sitting beside Muen, holding a book she had never heard of before.
"Is this really okay? The Holy Ceremony is in a few days. The preparation..."
"Haven't you been preparing for years, Liya? Every single day."
Muen flipped a page and said softly, "That’s enough."
"Is it... enough?"
"Mhm. I believe in you, Liya."
"..."
She had heard similar words many times before, but this time, Liya was exceptionally flustered, not knowing how to respond.
So, she opened her book and forced herself to immerse herself in the text.
However, her gaze drifted from the pages to the person beside her from time to time.
The sun began to dip, and the deepening golden light spilled through the window onto his profile, gilding him in a soft, holy glow.
It was a face she saw often, one she was already familiar with, yet for some reason, it was far more captivating than the books and words she had always loved.
The stories and knowledge in the book suddenly became dull.
The throbbing in her chest wouldn't stop; instead, it egged her on, tempting her to say something that absolutely should not be said.
The church bells rang in the distance, as if reminding her that the moment was slipping away.
"Muen..." Liya’s voice was a bit low and husky.
"Mhm?"
Muen turned his head. The sunlight left half of his face in shadow, but he was still smiling. "Is something wrong?"
"I..."
"Ah, it’s Her Eminence the Saintess!"
A sudden cry interrupted the words about to leave Liya’s mouth.
Outside the window, the crowd grew excited.
Surrounded by clerics, a magnificent sacred carriage made its way through the center of the street.
Amidst the white gossamer, the current Saintess sat elegantly, shrouded in an endless, holy, and noble light.
Fervent believers knelt to her, and the crowd cheered. She was surrounded and escorted by a tide of people.
But in Liya’s eyes, she seemed to be in the highest, loneliest place in the world.
There was no one by her side.
"That looks like hard work."
Muen’s gaze was also drawn to the Saintess’s carriage, but he quickly turned back to the girl. "By the way, what were you going to say?"
"Ah, I... I wanted to say..."
Liya looked at her hand. She had reached out just now, as if trying to grasp something, but now she took a deep breath and clenched it tight.
"I wanted to say..."
Liya tilted her head and gave a charming smile. "Good luck with the Holy Ceremony."
"..."
Muen blinked. In his eyes, the reflection of that incredibly cute face seemed to shimmer with a different light.
But the light was quickly tucked away. He also smiled and lightly bumped his fist against Liya’s.
"Mhm. Good luck."