Chapter 456: A Stroll
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 456: A Stroll
"I didn't expect that, in the end, only one serious matter would actually be discussed at the meeting."
It was a leisurely evening in the Holy City. The evening breeze kissed the wind chimes beneath the eaves, coaxing out dreamlike, intoxicated whispers. As the fervor of the Saintess’s succession faded, the city grew as quiet as a deep slumber.
Muen held his Senior’s small hand as they walked through the ancient, storied alleys. Their footsteps beat a steady rhythm against the bluestone pavement. He took in the breeze, the scent of flowers, the setting sun, and the warmth radiating from her palm.
"I thought the meeting would be much more solemn than it turned out to be," Muen remarked, gazing at the sun as it dipped toward the horizon, his expression a bit complex.
To be honest, when Liya had been solemnly discussing the "Mastermind" and the world-threatening crisis, Muen had felt like a sheep walking into a tiger's den. He’d nearly called out for the Black Book to save his life.
After all, he—the "Mastermind" in question—had been surrounded by the world’s most experienced experts in handling Evil God incidents.
When those fierce individuals handled such matters, they were the type to shake an egg until the yolk scrambled, dig up earthworms just to split them vertically, and slap any dog that happened to walk by.
To say nothing of a "harmless" little yellow-haired guy like him.
Unfortunately, after Liya had laid out the stakes, the second half of the meeting devolved entirely into bickering and buck-passing.
Anyone sitting in those seats was a fox; they all wanted to use this opportunity to fleece some benefits out of the Church.
As for the "unified front" the Church hoped for... in Muen’s eyes, it was nothing short of a pipe dream.
Every faction had different interests and demands. Faced with tangible, immediate benefits, something as ethereal as "the end of the world" had to take a back seat.
"Was it not solemn enough?"
Anna narrowed her eyes and chuckled. She swung Muen’s hand back and forth, resting her head lightly on his shoulder.
"Lamenting the stakes, grand speeches, overt and covert power plays... for the sake of world peace and stability, those people were incredibly serious. So serious they almost came to blows."
"But the unified resistance the Church wanted..."
"Do you really think that was the Church's goal?"
Anna tilted her head, a hint of mischief in her smile.
"My dear Junior, you’ve always been so clever. How could you have such a naive thought? Has your body been so drained lately that it’s starting to affect your brain?"
"Whether I'm 'drained' or not, doesn't Senior know best?"
Muen gave Anna’s perky backside a playful slap with a wicked grin. The supple flesh rippled with an amazing elasticity, momentarily sending his thoughts wandering.
"But I suppose you're right. It doesn't seem like the Church's goal was to actually tie all those chaotic forces into a single rope."
Muen nodded, following her train of thought.
If the Church truly had that intention, they wouldn't have let Liya preside over the meeting.
While her current status gave her the right, she was still far too green compared to those old fossils whose ages belonged on an ancestral altar.
During the latter half of the meeting, she could hardly find an opening to speak. If Lin hadn't been there to back her up, his poor little Liya probably would have been sweating from anxiety.
"So, what exactly was the Church's goal?"
This was the one question Muen couldn't figure out.
"I think... it was a warning."
"A warning?"
"Yes."
Anna rubbed her chin, her expression turning serious.
"To warn everyone that a crisis truly capable of affecting the entire world is brewing in the shadows. To tell them to stop obsessing over their petty local squabbles and look at the bigger picture. That’s likely the gist of it."
"A crisis..."
Muen recalled the details of the meeting again and suddenly sighed.
"In a world ravaged by Evil Gods, hasn't a so-called 'crisis' always existed?"
"Who’s to say it hasn't?"
Anna gave a playful shrug, then suddenly stopped in her tracks. She tilted her head and stared straight at Muen.
"So, Junior... are you hiding something from me?"
"..."
The sudden shift made Muen’s breath hitch.
He looked back at her.
Anna’s eyes were as bright as starlight, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye made her look even more enchanting as she smiled gently. There was no pressure in her words; it sounded like a casual question between lovers, like asking, "Who was that woman you were with last night?"
Muen’s minor abnormalities during the meeting wouldn't have caught anyone else's attention, but Anna was different.
Because while Liya had been struggling to lead the meeting, Anna’s gaze had never left Muen.
"Yes," Muen replied honestly after a moment's thought.
"A secret?"
"A secret."
"Can you tell me now?"
"Not yet."
"Then let me guess..."
Anna tapped her crimson lips with a finger and spun around once, her skirt fluttering like a lotus leaf in summer.
"Is it that you’re actually hiding other lovers from me?"
"How could that be?"
Muen caught Anna’s soft wrist.
"Senior, you know me. I'm not that much of a philanderer... okay, okay, don't look at me like I'm a scumbag. You know exactly who is around me, don't you?"
"The Princess, the Saintess, and that maid of yours... truly no one else?"
"...Truly no one else."
"I see."
Anna chuckled.
"Then I forgive you."
"Eh?"
Muen blinked.
Would the "Little Devil" Senior really forgive him that easily?
Was she setting up some kind of prank?
"Honestly, do I look like such a wicked woman in your eyes?"
Anna tapped Muen’s forehead reproachfully.
"Anyway... when it's convenient for you to tell me, you will, won't you?"
"...Yes."
Muen paused, then smiled as he pulled Anna into his arms.
"When the time comes that I can tell you, I won't hide a single thing."
"Good. However... there must still be a punishment."
Anna slowly leaned in close to Muen, her lips moving teasingly.
"Carry me."
"Hmm?"
Muen, who had been braced for a prank, was stunned.
"Carry... just a piggyback ride?"
"What else did you want?"
Anna was all smiles.
"Hurry up, my feet are tired from walking."
"You're a martial artist far stronger than me, yet you get tired from a stroll? Truly, the world is full of wonders."
Muen lamented the absurdity of it all while obediently crouching down.
Like a lively young girl, Anna lunged onto Muen’s back, seemingly trying to knock him off balance to laugh at his clumsiness.
But how could Muen be embarrassed by something like this now? On the contrary, Anna’s vigorous movement caused those two round, soft globes to collide with his back, giving him an exceptionally wonderful sensation.
Muen supported her equally well-textured buttocks with his hands, gave her a little hoist, and slowly stood up.
"Ready?"
"Hurry up."
"Stallion No. 1, preparing for departure."
"You certainly have a clear self-awareness, Junior."
"No... I was joking."
"Giddy-up, Student Stallion!"
"I told you, I'm not..."
Muen carried Anna through the alleys, under the shade of trees, past flower beds, and by the solemn, majestic cathedrals.
The sound of their laughter was more pleasant than wind chimes, more beautiful than the breeze.
An old priest looking out from a church window couldn't help but smile, reminiscing about the many couples he had blessed in the past.
"By the way," Anna whispered into his ear.
"Have you ever done this with Liya?"
"Liya? No way, she’s the Saintess."
"What about your fiancée?"
"If I tried to touch her now, she’d probably just grind me into the dirt under her heel."
"The maid?"
"It’s more likely An would carry me..."
"So..."
Anna let out a soft "ha," breathing a warm, fragrant mist into Muen’s ear.
"This moment... belongs only to me?"
"..."
The sun cast its final rays, stirring a vast sea of burning clouds across the sky.
But the most vibrant color of all was on his Senior’s lovely face.
Her eyes were clearer than jewels, reflecting the most enchanting sunset in the world.
Muen was dazed. He couldn't help but lightly kiss her tempting lips, and he couldn't help but nod in response.
"Yes. It belongs only to you, Senior."