Chapter 428: You Need Proof
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 428: You Need Proof
"I... I'm doing squats..."
Liya’s voice came through the long-distance transmission stone, sounding slightly muffled and strained.
"Squats?"
Ariel stroked her chin thoughtfully and nodded. "I see. That is indeed a very suitable exercise for weight loss. No equipment needed, you can do it anywhere, and most importantly, it’s great for slimming and shaping the thighs."
"Y-yes... exactly. My thighs have been... mm... getting a bit thick lately."
"But if you ask me, you insufferable big cow, the part you need to lose weight on most isn't your thighs at all."
Ariel cast a resentful glance at her own perfectly flat chest, her fingers clawing at the empty air as she said fiercely, "You shouldn't be doing squats. You should be—"
"...Eeya!"
Liya’s voice suddenly spiked, carrying a strange, melodic quality that cut Ariel off.
"Wh-what’s wrong? Did something happen?" Ariel asked anxiously.
"No... nothing. I just... I accidentally stubbed my little toe on the table leg. Yes, the corner of the table. I'm fine now. Ariel, keep talking... I'm listening."
A creak came from the other side, followed by the sound of rhythmic slapping. It sounded like a clumsy child who had bumped into something and was now angrily hitting the table leg in retaliation.
Hmph, Liya can be so childish sometimes, Ariel thought with a smile.
"Honestly, hurting yourself while exercising? You’re such a klutz."
Ariel teased, "If you ask me, you shouldn't be doing squats. You should be doing push-ups."
"Push-ups?"
"Exactly. You need to slim down the part of you that needs it most, you big cow."
"I told you... I'm not... a... big... cow... ngh... I'm not!"
Liya denied it twice in quick succession, followed by more of those huffy slapping sounds.
Heh, she still hates it when I call her that.
A sweet smile played on Ariel’s lips. She could almost see Liya standing before her, blushing and fuming, trying to strike back after being teased.
"Liya, have you been doing okay lately?" Ariel couldn't help but ask.
"Good... of course, I'm doing great."
There was nothing unusual in her tone, but was she just putting on a brave face?
"That’s good. Listen, this time in the ruins, I actually—"
"Eeya... you're so mean~"
"Huh?"
"It hurts. I mean, it hurts so much. My toe from earlier... it still hurts."
"But don't you have Holy Light?" Ariel asked, puzzled.
"H-Holy Light? Right, I do... but I can't use it now. If I use it now, wouldn't the exercise I just did be... be for nothing?"
"Ah... true."
While Holy Light healed wounds, it also cleared away fatigue. And fatigue was the essence of a good workout.
But Liya is really pushing herself this time. She’s still so out of breath, and it hasn't let up at all while we've been talking. Is she exercising while chatting with me?
"Then, Liya, I—"
"Ah... no... I can't go on..."
"Eh? What do you mean you can't go on?"
"No... Ariel... I... I have something to do right now. Can we talk later?" Liya said suddenly.
"Huh?"
"Come find me in the Holy City... I... mm... I really can't anymore..."
Beep, beep, beep...
Leaving behind a cryptic sentence with a particularly high-pitched, sweet trailing note, the transmission stone cut off.
Ariel was left staring blankly, blinking in confusion.
"She hung up so fast. Could it be... is there really an emergency?"
Ariel felt a flicker of worry.
However, she quickly shook it off. The night was still deep, and dawn was far off, but after that brief conversation with Liya, her mood had completely brightened.
I'm sure Liya feels the same way.
No matter what difficulties you're facing, I'll help you solve them when I get there!
Ariel looked up, her gaze following the distant mountains shrouded in night, and she suddenly clenched her fist.
There was nothing more to say.
Destination: the Holy City!
*
Amidst Muen’s constant mischief, Liya finally reached that blissful peak among the clouds, every inch of her delicate body trembling with happiness.
She then leaned weakly into Muen’s embrace, her body as soft as if she had lost all her bones.
"Liya, you're such a little pervert, doing it while..."
Muen, also feeling the height of satisfaction, gently stroked Liya’s sweat-dampened long hair, teasing her with a smile.
"Hmph... you're the pervert..."
Liya snuggled into Muen’s chest and whimpered, "It’s all because of you, you meanie. I was talking to Ariel, and you just had to be naughty!"
"But you seemed to like it."
"I... I did not."
"Ho-ho. Your mouth says no, but your body is very honest. Just now, you were—"
"I! WAS! NOT!"
Liya angrily bit Muen’s shoulder, huffing, "Aren't you afraid Ariel will find out if you keep this up?"
"Find out..."
Muen, who had been immersed in the thrill of the moment, suddenly felt a shiver.
For some reason, his neck felt a bit cold. He inexplicably recalled Ariel’s massive, heavy Great Sword.
Just to be safe, he quickly cupped Liya’s dainty face and said with total seriousness, "Dear Liya, if Ariel ever tries to chop me in the future, you have to help me."
"Hmm? Why would Ariel want to chop you?" Liya tilted her head.
You're asking why? It's because you're in my arms right now! If I were Ariel, I'd be sharpening my blade already!
Of course, she probably didn't know anything yet.
"Anyway... you'll help me, right? We had a deal."
"A deal... ah..."
Liya remembered the promises she had made to Muen on the way to the Holy City, and her lips curled up unconsciously.
She remembered how, at the very beginning, she really did think he was a bad person.
And now...
Hmph, he really is a bad person.
"Hehe, depends on your performance."
"Then I'd better perform well."
Muen suddenly flipped over, pinning Liya beneath him.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Liya blinked, her expression the picture of innocence.
"What am I doing?"
Muen gave a wicked grin. "Little Liya is done with her squats. Now, it’s my turn to do some push-ups."
*
The Holy City, City Gates.
After refusing help from her family, Ariel had rented the fastest carriage in the imperial border city and traveled non-stop to reach the gates of the Holy City.
As soon as she arrived, she noticed the atmosphere was unusual.
The gates, which usually allowed believers from all over to enter freely, were now under strict lockdown. Squads of knights in polished armor patrolled back and forth with solemn expressions.
A faint glimmer drifted over the city, radiating a holy aura.
One luxurious carriage after another, flying various banners, formed a long queue before the gates. Just by glancing at the flags, Ariel recognized many famous powers and families.
"It’s so crowded..."
Ariel pulled aside a believer who was repeatedly bowing toward the Holy City and asked, "Did something happen in the Holy City? Why are there so many people?"
"Hmm? You don't know?"
The believer gave her a look of disdain, as if looking at a country bumpkin, and said coldly, "Tomorrow is Her Highness the Saintess’s ascension ceremony!"
"...I see."
Ariel realized immediately. She had been so anxious to see Liya that she had completely forgotten about this.
After the Pay Homage to the Sage Ceremony that she had missed, the next step was naturally the new Saintess’s ascension.
For such an important event, every nation and faction would surely send extra personnel on top of those already there for the previous ceremony to show their respect.
Thinking of this, Ariel gazed deeply at the Holy City, now within arm's reach.
At a time like this, Liya must be feeling even more heartbroken.
Sorry, Liya, it’s all my fault. But don't be afraid, I'm here!
"Identification."
"Eh?"
At the gate, Ariel stared blankly at the knight in front of her, stammering, "Wh-what identification? Don't I just need a pass certificate to enter the Holy City?"
"That was before, but these are special times," the knight explained. "For the safety of the Saintess’s ascension ceremony and to prevent dangerous elements from infiltrating the city, if you cannot prove which country, family, or faction you belong to with a registered identity, you cannot enter. Haven't you seen how many believers can only worship from outside the city?"
"Wait, wait, wait! I'm from the Leopold Empire! I'm the first heir of the prominent Bugard family, Ariel Bugard!" Ariel said urgently. "Not many people would dare to forge a noble identity like that!"
"Proof."
The knight didn't waste words, simply holding out his hand.
"..."
Ariel froze, patting her pockets blankly before shaking her head.
How could she have something like that?
She was supposed to have entered the city with the Academy’s group, which wouldn't have required individual ID. Furthermore, she rarely relied on her family when traveling; she had even refused the family carriage this time and hadn't brought a single family crest.
Besides, usually, you didn't need that kind of thing. Who knew the Holy City would suddenly be this strict!
"If you don't have it, please move along. There are people waiting behind you." The knight waved Ariel away impatiently.
"Wait!"
Ariel thought for a moment, a spark of inspiration hitting her. "The Leopold Empire Embassy! And the Academy! They can all prove my identity! If you just let me in, I can get my proof."
"To get in, show your proof."
"But to get my proof, I have to go in first!"
"Then give me your proof!"
"I told you, I have to go in to get it!"
"Proof first, then you can go in!"
"I'm going in!" Ariel roared.
"No! You must have proof!"
With a clink, the knight’s eyes flared with anger as he drew his sword halfway from its scabbard.
"Dammit!"
Ariel grit her teeth, feeling a deep sense of despair at the stubbornness of these Holy City knights.
But she couldn't exactly force her way in. This city was the gathering place for humanity’s peak combat power. Even if her strength had improved significantly recently, forcing her way in would be a death sentence.
"Looks like I'll have to think of another way."
Ariel’s eyes flickered.
The rules were rigid, but people were flexible. How could her path to reuniting with Liya be ended by such a small setback?