Chapter 444: Midnight Knocks
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 444: Midnight Knocks
"Miss Anna is even younger than I imagined."
Latina looked at the woman before her—the newly appointed Acting Sword Bearer—and a flash of admiration crossed her eyes.
It wasn't just her youth; her appearance far exceeded expectations. With such an exquisite face and a devilish figure, it was truly difficult to associate her with the cold, sharp title of "Sword Bearer."
As the Silence Bureau was a secret organization dedicated to fighting Evil Gods, the moment Anna joined, all information regarding her was classified as top-secret by the Empire. Furthermore, when her name first appeared before the various factions as the Acting Sword Bearer, she was merely an obscure student.
Consequently, when nearly everyone was stunned that the legendary Sword Bearer had passed his position to a young girl and scrambled to gather information on her, they could only find public records: she was an orphan adopted by the Sword Bearer and had previously attended Saint Maria Academy.
This was also Latina’s first time meeting this young matron... No, should she be called a young woman?
She was indeed only in her early twenties, yet she exuded a mature charm. Her flirtatious smile and soft features were the type to captivate anyone, regardless of gender. Combined with her elegant and serene demeanor, it was easy to overlook her relatively tender age.
"Senior Latina is the one to be admired. Despite being my elder, walking beside you feels like walking with a sister," Anna replied, bringing a smile to Latina’s face.
"Just call me Latina. No need for 'Senior.'"
"Understood, Miss Latina."
After the greetings, Anna turned and gave a slight nod to the Pink Bear standing nearby.
"Hello, Acting Dean. It has been a while. I heard you’ve been quite busy lately, but seeing your complexion still so rosy is wonderful."
"Just call me Pink Bear," the Pink Bear said, scratching his head ruefully.
"Because I lost several students not long ago, that old bastard Prang rallied all the professors and kicked me out completely. They even took away my pension. Sigh, how detestable."
"Professor Prang’s temper is as bad as ever, I see."
"Exactly! So what if I accidentally lost a few students, got caught by the Church hiding a few Saintess photo books, and took a tiny, tiny bit of a kickback from the Academy funds? Was it really necessary to strip me of my 'Former Acting Dean' title? Honestly, for a man his age, he’s so childish."
Pink Bear sighed and groaned, his small, dark eyes scanning Anna as he remarked, "Still, the Academy has really gained some prestige this time. So many extraordinary figures emerging all at once. That old bastard Prang might act indifferent on the surface, but I bet his mouth is splitting from grinning so hard right now."
"I wouldn't call myself an extraordinary figure. At most, I’m just a delinquent girl who dropped out halfway," Anna joked. "On the other hand, Her Highness the Saintess is the one who truly gave everyone a shock. Even I didn't expect that soft little girl from back then would become the new Saintess."
"Oh?" Latina looked slightly surprised by Anna's words. "Miss Anna knows Liya?"
"...You could say that." Anna seemed to drift into a memory, a playful curve touching the corner of her lips. "She and I did cross paths once. Though our acquaintance was brief, the circumstances were quite memorable. I can still recall them clearly even now."
"Then you two must have plenty to talk about." Latina chuckled, covering her mouth. "I’ll take you to rest first. Before the official conference tomorrow, you can go and speak with Liya in a private capacity."
"I would like nothing more." Anna’s eyes brightened, seemingly looking forward to this private meeting immensely.
"Ah, right. Regarding the Church’s Holy Ceremony, I heard it encountered interference from an Evil God. May I know the details?" Anna asked suddenly as they boarded the carriage to the Grand Cathedral.
"This..." Latina frowned slightly. "Matters regarding Evil Gods should be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting..."
"No, it has nothing to do with the Evil God. I’m just curious for personal reasons," Anna said with a smile.
"Personal reasons?"
"Yes."
"Since it is a request from the Acting Sword Bearer... very well. However, that incident involves Church secrets, so I can only provide you with the portions of the report cleared for public disclosure."
As a member of the Silence Bureau, which specialized in fighting Evil Gods, Latina knew that the rhetoric used in the newspapers wouldn't fool the seemingly harmless Acting Sword Bearer before her. Thus, she decided to be direct. After all, these matters would be discussed in the joint meeting anyway.
"That’s fine." Anna nodded, not minding at all. "Thank you for the trouble, Miss Latina."
"It’s no trouble."
Latina quickly handed a file to Anna. Anna didn't treat it with any particular solemnity, flipping through it right in front of Latina.
She showed little interest in the truth of Cantville, the movements of the Evil God, or the million corrupted souls recorded within. Her gaze swept past them quickly, finally landing on a few specific words.
Current Saintess: Liya Angel.
God-Attendant Knight: Muen Campbell.
In this file—aside from more detailed records of the Evil God’s identity, movements, and objectives than what was given to the public—it still stated that the new Saintess, Liya Angel, had purified those million souls and driven away the Evil God.
However, the method was no longer a vague "Goddess's blessing." Instead, it described how Liya Angel acted as a medium, receiving the Church’s infinite Holy Light to accomplish the feat.
It all seemed perfectly logical.
Yet, Anna’s sharp eyes caught a single sentence buried within the dense text, recorded so casually it was almost unnoticeable:
—With the assistance of the God-Attendant Knight, Muen Campbell.
"Heh..."
Anna suddenly understood a great deal. She closed the file, rested her chin on her hand, and turned to look out at the Holy City as it was about to be swallowed by the night.
She knew that the person she had been longing for was currently in this very city.
Her eyelids lowered, and a half-smile played on her lips. In a voice only she could hear, she whispered, "My dear junior... you haven't gone and saved another beautiful girl, have you?"
"It’s infuriating, but... it really is just like you."
*
Night deepened.
After wandering outside for a while and buying a few things, Muen skillfully made his way to the door of Liya’s room.
This time, he didn't encounter any obstacles from Great Nun Lin, who usually guarded the place like she was warding off a thief. Muen opened the door easily and saw Liya inside, focused on reading something.
Muen crept up behind her and, while the girl wasn't paying attention, wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Who—? Mmph..."
Startled by the "sudden attack," Liya was about to cry out in panic when she felt that familiar, warm scent. Then, a deep kiss sealed away all her words.
An electrifying sensation instantly stripped away her reason. Liya tilted her head back, submissively offering her tongue and allowing the rogue to savor her as he pleased.
After a long moment, they pulled apart. The girl’s cheeks were so flushed they looked like they might drip with moisture. She gave Muen a bashful glare and lightly thumped his chest with her soft hand.
"Bad... doing this the moment you arrive..."
"Don't you like it? You seemed to be enjoying yourself quite a bit."
Muen chuckled and pulled Liya onto his lap, taking the seat she had just occupied, which was still warm from her body.
"What is my little darling busy with?" Muen asked, inhaling the faint fragrance of her hair.
"Some personnel information. They wanted me to familiarize myself with it beforehand."
"Personnel information? Who could possibly require my Saintess to study them in advance?" Muen leaned in curiously to look at the papers on the desk.
"Representatives from various civilian anti-Evil God organizations. There will be an Evil God conference held by the Church later, and I need to attend. So, I need to at least know the basic information about these organizations and their people," Liya explained.
"I see."
Muen scanned the pages. After seeing a few photos of bald middle-aged men and grim-looking guys, he lost interest and returned his attention to the girl in his arms.
"Where is Miss Lin?" Muen asked, rocking Liya back and forth. "I didn't see her."
"I told her to go rest." Liya winked playfully. "She’s been busy all day; she must be tired."
"Oh? Is the little lamb proactively inviting the wolf into her lair?"
"Hmph. If you know you're a bad wolf, why haven't you left yet? If you get caught, you'll be severely punished."
"I'll punish you, the little lamb, first!" Muen grinned wickedly. He held Liya tight, his hands beginning to wander restlessly.
"Mmph... no, I still have work..."
"It’s so late; you should rest, Saintess. Don't overwork yourself."
"...What do you mean late... it’s only nine o'clock."
Liya glanced at the wall clock, squirming in Muen’s arms as if she were ticklish. However, she didn't push him away. Instead, she actively engaged in the playful struggle against his wandering hands.
It was just horseplay, but unlike the simple ticklishness he shared with Ariel, the mere skin-to-skin contact and intimacy with her beloved made Liya’s breathing grow increasingly ragged. Her starry eyes gradually became hazy, shimmering with traces of desire.
As the temperature rose, Liya, straddling Muen’s lap, reached behind her back to unfasten her cumbersome clothing.
"Don't," Muen stopped her.
"Keep it on."
"Eh?" Liya looked confused.
"You look beautiful like this."
Muen leaned in and kissed her lips again. His deep blue eyes reflected the current Liya.
She was still wearing her ceremonial gown—elegant, holy, and breathtakingly beautiful. The thought that this figure, worshipped by countless believers, was currently in his arms, blushing and allowing him to do as he pleased, made the fire in Muen’s gut burn even hotter.
"You're so bad..."
Liya sensed Muen’s thoughts. She gave his lip a playful nip but didn't stop his "defilement" of her sanctity. Instead, she lightly tilted her hips, cooperating as Muen slid his large hand under her skirt, tracing the curve of her shapely legs and slowly revealing the exquisite scenery beneath.
Muen’s breathing grew heavy. They gazed at each other, the flames of desire intertwining and growing more intense...
Knock, knock, knock.
The two of them froze.
It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped on a roaring fire; both of them looked dazed. Yet, the ill-timed knocking continued, arrogant and persistent, ignoring the ruined atmosphere inside the room.
Muen gritted his teeth and exchanged a look with Liya. Miss Lin?
No, her knock is softer.
Then where is Miss Lin?
Didn't I say? I sent her to rest.
Then the other nuns...
Ah, right. Knowing that he might be up to no good with Liya at night, neither Lin nor the Church would allow any ordinary nuns near Liya’s room at this hour.
Muen’s eye twitched. He suddenly felt that the lack of Miss Lin’s "supervision" wasn't necessarily a good thing.
Liya also puffed out her cheeks in slight annoyance and called out toward the door, "Who is it?"
"It’s me."
Ariel’s slightly excited voice came from outside.
"!!"
Muen and Liya shared a panicked look and scrambled to their feet.
"Ariel? It’s so late, is something the matter?"
Muen frantically looked around the room but couldn't find a place to hide. While Liya dealt with Ariel at the door, she guided Muen to crawl under the massive bed, which was large enough to fit six or seven people.
Muen ducked under the bed, feeling the world turn pitch black, and immediately pricked up his ears to listen to the movement outside.
After smoothing her hair and clothes to ensure nothing looked amiss, Liya finally opened the door. She saw Ariel standing there excitedly, dressed in her pajamas.
"I came to chat! You were so busy during the day that we barely got to talk... Don't worry, I’m just here to talk, I won't do anything else. After all, we’re best friends, right?"
Ariel blinked "bashfully," her ulterior motives so obvious that even Muen under the bed could hear them clearly.
You damn girl, stay away from my Liya.
Muen gnashed his teeth under the bed, yet he felt a strange sense of absurdity. Dammit, Liya and I are in a committed relationship. Why am I the one hiding under the bed?
"Chat... chatting? At this hour?"
"Yeah! Didn't we used to have late-night chats like this all the time?" Ariel tilted her head as she looked at Liya, then suddenly let out a small "Huh?"
"Why is your face so red? Were you exercising at night again?"
"Ah, no..." Liya took a guilty step back and laughed nervously. "It... it might just be a bit hot in the room."
"Is it?" Ariel took the opportunity to slip into the room. Her eyes scanned the area warily, and when she found nothing unusual, her raised eyebrows relaxed. She nodded. "The temperature is a bit high in here."
"Um, Ariel..."
Though she hated to dampen her friend’s high spirits, Liya glanced at her lover still cramped under the bed and hesitated. "Can we... do the late-night chat another time? How about tomorrow? Tomorrow night would be perfect."
"Why?" Ariel wrinkled her nose. "We finally have some time..."
"But... but... I still have work to finish! Yes, work," Liya said with sudden conviction.
"Work?" Ariel followed Liya’s gaze to the thick stack of files on the desk. She let out a soft "Ah," and her eyes filled with visible disappointment.
"O-kay then..."
With a highly reluctant response, Ariel dejectedly turned to walk out of the room.
Seeing this, both Liya and Muen under the bed breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief. Though she felt bad for Ariel, at least she had been sent away. If she had stayed any longer, someone as sharp as her might have actually discovered something.
Under the bed, Muen rubbed his chin, already looking forward to continuing the "fun games" with Liya once Ariel was gone.
However.
Accidents always happen when least expected. Just as Ariel reached the door and her hand was about to touch the handle...
Knock, knock, knock.
Another knock echoed through the night that was destined to be anything but peaceful.