Chapter 450: Aftermath
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 450: Aftermath
Dawn rose from the depths of the earth, tracing a shimmering white line across the profound horizon.
Day had broken.
This was the Holy Garden, a sanctuary nestled beside the Emiel Cathedral.
Under the Goddess’s benevolent protection, this garden enjoyed a perpetual spring. Vibrant flowers of every hue competed for space, blooming wildly and without the touch of shears, their lush foliage naturally forming perfect silhouettes.
Past the statue of the Goddess, the first rays of worldly sunlight would strike this spot. Clergy, nuns, and even noble Bishops often came to the Holy Garden to stroll, converse, or read sacred texts, seeking to relax minds strained by the constant struggle against the twisted and the impure.
At this hour, however, the Holy Garden was naturally deserted.
Save for a single, solitary, slender figure standing atop the highest observation deck, letting the breeze brush against her face as she gazed at the dawn.
She stood as still as a statue, having remained there the entire night. With her hands clasped behind her back and the dancing light of dawn reflected in her eyes, she wore an expression of profound melancholy, a touch of wistful sighing, and the bone-deep loneliness that comes from self-affirmation.
I’m simply too powerful, she lamented inwardly.
As expected of me—one who has devoured countless romance novels, distilled my own theories, and mastered the art of the "play" to perfection.
Me, Ariel Bugard!
Even though a series of unfortunate accidents delayed me for over a month and threw my plans into disarray... in the end, did my "slow-boiled frog" strategy not reach its boiling point anyway?
To think that even before I realized it, her feelings had already reached the point where she would... would take the initiative to confess.
That’s right.
An active confession.
Ariel’s mind replayed every word of the conversation the three of them had shared in that room filled with floating pink bubbles.
Every sentence, every word, even every syllable tumbled through the ocean of her memory before finally freezing on the image of Liya—blushing furiously (in Ariel’s view), hesitating (in Ariel’s view), and yet, amidst her helplessness, summoning the courage to pour out her heart along with that simple word "Yes" (also in Ariel’s view).
"Terrifying. To think that without even realizing it, my manipulation of a young girl’s heart has already reached such a level."
Ariel shook her head with the air of a guilty sinner, muttering to herself, "Don't you agree, Teacher?"
"..."
The voice in her head remained silent.
But, seemingly unable to bear ruining her disciple’s rare good mood, she offered a somewhat strained response:
"Y-yes... I suppose so. After all... after ten years of effort, even the hardest steel would eventually be softened by warmth."
"That’s completely different!"
Ariel puffed out her chest, speaking with pride. "I’ve managed to turn a straight, beautiful girl completely around. That’s 'Hell Mode' difficulty, okay? And Teacher, haven't you seen how many cases of long-term, warm companionship lose out to a brief moment of excitement? Isn't that how all those 'Minotaur-style' story collections come about?"
"I... I suppose. However..."
"However?"
"...Never mind."
Ariel’s teacher sighed inwardly. In the end, she didn't mention that although she didn't dare take any active measures within the cathedral, she had sensed something earlier through her powerful soul strength.
There seemed to have been a fourth person in that room.
However, she couldn't be certain. Because of the Great Barrier, her soul strength couldn't actually leave Ariel’s body; what she felt was merely a ripple, like a dragonfly skimming the water's surface.
It was also possible it was just a hallucination caused by the interference of the Great Barrier.
After all, Liya was the Church’s esteemed Saintess. The idea of her hiding someone in her room... if word got out, fanatical believers would only see it as a smear against Her Highness’s purity and burn the accuser at the stake.
Based on her understanding of that pure, innocent girl—who would blush for ages if Ariel even told a dirty joke—such a thing was even more impossible.
She decided to settle on the best possible conclusion.
"Since Liya has summoned her courage, I can't let her down. At a time like this, it’s up to me to officially declare my feelings!"
Ariel’s gaze turned resolute, her expression solemn. She couldn't help but shout a resounding declaration toward the rising sun like a true warrior of pure love!
"Wait for me, Liya!"
And then...
"Who goes there!"
A sentry knight snapped awake as shadows flickered around the perimeter of the Holy Garden.
Ariel’s expression shifted instantly. "Damn, discovered so soon? I almost forgot I came here to get flowers. I need to grab a bunch and get out of here! Ah, there are so many—which ones look best? Teacher, help me think of something, quick!"
"..."
*
In the early morning, Great Nun Lin pulled back the curtains, bathing in the gentle, warm sunlight.
By the bright light, she stood before the mirror, adjusting the final details of her attire.
A black wimple tucked away the stray hairs on her forehead, falling naturally down her back. Her white shoulder-cape was embroidered with exquisite gold trim, symbolizing her status as a Great Nun.
Her form-fitting habit extended all the way to her ankles, rigorous and solemn. The Holy Light cross on her chest reflected the brilliant sunlight like a blessing bestowed by the Goddess herself.
After confirming that not a single hair was out of place from top to bottom, Lin finally nodded in satisfaction, offering a smile that was authoritative but not overly stern.
This was her daily ritual. As the Great Nun who led all the nuns of the Emiel Cathedral and served Her Highness the Saintess, she had to maintain perfect elegance and composure at all times and in all places.
In fact, she did exactly that. In the decade or so since she had become a Great Nun, her elegance and composure had never shown a single crack.
And they never would.
Lin pushed open the door and stepped into the cathedral’s corridor of stained glass.
"Your Excellency, Great Nun."
Passing nuns and clergy bowed respectfully to her. Even the high-ranking Bishops she occasionally encountered would offer a polite smile.
She responded to each with refined courtesy.
Elegant. Composed.
"Quick! Call for reinforcements! Catch her!"
"Don't let her escape! Contact the Bishop!"
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the window. Bursts of powerful mana fluctuations occasionally rippled through the air, disturbing the tranquility of the Goddess’s domain.
Even the Bishop who had been smiling just a moment ago suddenly looked furious and hurried away.
Lin’s brow furrowed slightly, but she did not panic. She stopped a flustered little nun nearby and asked, "What happened?"
"I... I heard a thief sneaked into the Holy Garden and plucked all of Bishop Meredith’s favorite flowers! They didn't even leave the roots! The Temple Knights are out in force trying to catch the thief right now!" The little nun’s eyes were wide, looking as excited as if she were watching a play.
"Is that so..."
Lin’s lip twitched slightly at the news, but she quickly regained her composure.
"May the Goddess assist Bishop Meredith in catching the thief soon."
A beautiful day, starting with a minor incident.
But clearly, this small mishap could not affect Lin’s habitual poise.
—If even the Saintess being "rooted" by a certain golden-haired pig could happen, what else was impossible?
It was just a thief in the cathedral.
After everything that had happened recently, Lin felt her level of tolerance had increased significantly.
She continued forward.
Soon, the noise faded into the distance. She seemed to enter a restricted area where outsiders could not easily tread; no more nuns or clergy passed by.
Lin followed the familiar path until she reached the very end of the corridor.
Then, she stood silently before the only door at the end.
She stared at the door. She knew what would have happened after she went to rest early last night, and she knew what the scene inside looked like at this moment.
But it didn't matter. It wasn't the first time she’d seen it, so why be flustered?
That scoundrel couldn't possibly have done anything more outrageous, right?
Taking a deep breath, Lin finally raised her hand and knocked on the door with elegant composure.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Your Highness the Saintess, it is time to wake up. You are scheduled to preside over a morning prayer ceremony."
*
Muen woke up in a daze, caught between lingering sleepiness, the rhythmic sound of knocking, and a profound sense of emptiness emanating from deep within his body.
His hands wandered restlessly, and his body shifted slightly.
Mm, the familiar ceiling, the familiar large bed, the familiar soft and fragrant warmth, and...
The familiar knocking.
"What is it... oh, it's Lin."
Muen grunted twice, then habitually slapped a patch of soft flesh. "Time to get up, little lazy pig. Miss Lin is calling you."
"Stop it~ Junior~"
A soft, charming, and familiar voice rang in Muen’s ear. "Don't be naughty~"
"..."
Muen was instantly wide awake.
He silently lowered his head and looked to his right.
The seductive and mature Senior was resting her head comfortably against his chest, one long, fair leg draped over his abdomen. This posture made her twin peaks exceptionally pert, which explained the soft sensation from a moment ago.
This was Anna.
Then, he looked to his left.
The cute girl currently showed half of her flushed, beautiful face, clutching one of his arms tightly. The bottomless softness seemed intent on swallowing his hand whole, and her two plump, shapely legs were clamped tightly around him like a mischievous octopus. Every inch of her skin seemed desperate to fuse with his.
This was Liya.
Their heads were close together, looking like a pair of sisters with a deep bond. But the memories of last night’s absurd yet wonderful battle told Muen that their relationship wasn't exactly friendly.
At the very least, during the heat of the battle, they hadn't stopped tripping each other up with little tricks, and that "little toy" had visited more than just one warm cavern.
Now, let’s look at the key points.
Anna on the right, Liya on the left.
And outside the door... was that stiff, formal Great Nun.
Under normal circumstances, even if she hated it, Miss Lin could only be helpless regarding his relationship with Liya.
After all, it was a fact tacitly accepted even by the Pope.
But...
Miss Lin might accept him and Liya exploring the Great Dao of Life together, but she wouldn't necessarily accept him dragging someone else in to have an orgy with the Saintess!
No, wait—thinking about it carefully, her Saintess hadn't just been "rooted" by a pig; she’d been dragged by that pig to have a party with other "cabbages"... There probably weren't many people who could accept that!
Hiss—I’m dead!
In an instant, a thousand thoughts raced through Muen’s mind.
But the clearest image was of himself being tied to a stake by the Pope personally on charges of sacrilege, obscenity, and being a scumbag, to be burned alive amidst the cheers of ten thousand believers.
Or perhaps being beaten to death by a berserk Miss Lin.
In this moment of chaotic thought, even his utterly exhausted, aching kidneys no longer seemed important.
Muen stared with hollow eyes, his brain once again operating at an unprecedented speed.
"Heh... perhaps this is the trial the Goddess has bestowed upon me."
Help!