Chapter 459: I Should Be Under the Bed
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 459: I Should Be Under the Bed
"A late spring chill has set in."
Inside the swaying carriage, the former Saintess, Latina, leaned against the window. Ignoring the increasingly biting wind, she rested her chin on her hand and gazed at the dark clouds gathering on the horizon.
"It might snow."
"Snow?"
Beside her, Pink Bear poked his head out the window as well, squeezing in next to her.
"Does it snow even in the warm Holy City?"
"Usually no. However, the recent major battles in the Holy City seem to have affected the local climate. This might be the first snow we've seen in years."
"Won't the Church intervene?" Pink Bear asked curiously.
"Why would they?"
Latina glanced at the bear. He had been getting bolder lately, even daring to cop a feel when she wasn't looking. She said, "It’s a good thing. After a snowfall, the vitality of spring will be even more robust... Actually, by my calculations, it won't be long before the Holy City enters its most beautiful season: summer."
"The most beautiful... Is it really that pretty?"
"Of course. The vegetation will be incredibly lush then. The entire Holy City will be shrouded in endless vitality."
"Is that so..."
Pink Bear imagined the scene and nodded along. "True. All that green... it must be a sight to behold."
*
Thud.
The bouquet of the Holy City’s most beautiful flowers fell to the ground, startling the three people who had all frozen like statues.
"A-Ariel?"
Liya was the first to snap out of it. She hurriedly pushed Muen away and straightened her disheveled clothes. With a stiff smile, she greeted the stunned Ariel, though her voice was still frantic.
"How long have you been standing there?"
"Since... since you two were holding each other."
Ariel’s eyes were vacant, like a fish gasping for air on dry land. Her delicate body trembled, and her lips moved rhythmically, but she couldn't bring herself to utter the word "kissing."
The bright starlight illuminated her pale face.
She looked like a statue that had stood there for an eternity. Her wide eyes were filled with utter disbelief, as if she had just watched the frog she’d been slow-cooking for ten years suddenly start performing a synchronized swimming routine in someone else's pot.
She looked at Liya, then at Muen, and finally at the traces that couldn't be erased even with their hurried tidying—like the faint lipstick smudge near Muen’s mouth, or the lingering flush on the girl’s cheeks.
A sharp pain radiated from the depths of her heart, spreading all the way to her fingertips.
"Wh... Why?"
Ariel stumbled back a few steps, looking as weak as if she were deathly ill.
"Why..."
A mournful song seemed to drift from nowhere, accentuating her pathetic state. The formal dress she wore, the most well-fitted in the Holy City, now felt like the gaudy costume of a clown.
"Why!"
Ariel snapped her head up, glaring fiercely at Liya. She roared the words that had been building up inside her since she witnessed the scene:
"I was the one who was here first!!"
"I..."
"Is it because of him? Did he do something to you? Wait for me, Liya! I’ll rescue you right now!"
A piercing wind pressure tore through the air, and a sharp hum threatened to shatter eardrums. A greatsword wreathed in raging flames was unsheathed, ready to turn every enemy in sight to ash!
However, that greatsword never fell.
Because...
"Ariel!"
Liya spread her arms, shielding Muen.
"Calm down!"
"..."
Ariel stood there dazed, holding her greatsword, her expression a mess of agony.
It hurt. It hurt so much.
The pain pierced her heart and shot through her very soul.
What could possibly be more painful than this sight?
Ariel felt as though her heart was being trampled by a massive magical beast, crushed into tiny, jagged pieces.
"Wh... Why? Liya, don't you know..."
"I know. I know how you feel, Ariel."
Liya’s gaze softened. She looked earnestly into Ariel’s eyes and said, "But I have always... regarded you as my best friend."
"Best... friend?"
Ariel’s body shuddered again.
Friend...
Friend.
Friend?
Just a friend!
How could two small words cause so much damage?
"But... but just two days ago, you clearly..."
"That wasn't directed at you."
Liya took a deep breath. It seemed cruel, but compared to a long-term deception, a short-lived wound was the better choice.
"The question I asked then, and the person I was answering, was..."
Liya glanced at Muen beside her. She didn't say anything more, but her silence spoke volumes.
"I... I don't believe it. There were clearly only two of us in the room..."
"Sigh..."
Her teacher’s sigh echoed in Ariel’s ear, shattering her final hope.
"There were indeed likely four people in that room at the time. I thought it was an illusion caused by the Great Barrier's interference, so I didn't tell you. Looking at it now..."
"..."
Ariel stumbled again, as if struck by lightning.
Her gathered mana and fighting spirit dissipated instantly, and the strength seemed to drain from her body.
She didn't even have a reason to swing her sword anymore. How was she supposed to clear the obstacles in her path?
What "certain victory," what "checkmate," what "Liya, wait for me"...
So, in the end... was I the clown all along?
The entire world blurred, as if a thick fog had rolled in. At the very end, all she could see was Liya’s beautiful, worried face.
"Ariel, you..."
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
Every moment she stayed here felt like being burned by fire. Ignoring Liya’s calls and attempts to stop her, Ariel turned and bolted.
She quickly vanished into the vast night.
"Ariel!"
"Forget it."
Muen caught Liya as she tried to give chase and shook his head.
"Let her cool off for a bit. This isn't something that can be resolved with persuasion. She has to figure it out on her own."
"..."
*
The wind howled.
It cut against her skin like a knife.
Ariel didn't know how long she had been running. The surrounding scenery grew increasingly unfamiliar, and she felt as if the night were a giant beast slowly swallowing her whole.
She finally stopped, looking blankly at the unknown landscape.
Suddenly, she felt a chill on the tip of her nose.
She raised her hand and saw a white ice crystal drifting on the wind. It landed in her palm and melted instantly from her body heat.
"What is this... Does it snow in spring too?"
An infinite sense of desolation welled up from her heart. Ariel finally couldn't take it anymore and collapsed to her knees with a thud.
Amidst the growing snowflakes, she tilted her head back and let out a grief-stricken cry toward the unjust heavens:
"NO—LIYA—!"
A mysterious song seemed to rise from nowhere again, echoing this tragic cry that sounded like it came from the end of the world.
But there was no one around.
Only the faint glimmer on Ariel’s ring flickered. A misty phantom rose, and soul power lifted a thick cloak, draping it over Ariel’s thin formal dress.
Ariel’s teacher sighed softly. After a moment of hesitation, she offered some comfort: "Don't be too sad. There are plenty of fish in the sea, why must you..."
"No."
As if she hadn't heard her teacher, Ariel lowered her head, her fingers digging into the floorboards as she whispered, "That's not right!"
"What?"
"Why did I run? I haven't even asked clearly yet. Liya... Liya... she might be lying to me!"
"???"
"Isn't that how it goes in those Minotaur stories? A poor girl is blackmailed by a villain, coerced into submission, and forced to tell hurtful lies to her true love!"
The more Ariel thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Otherwise...
"Otherwise, how could ten years of my subtle influence be inferior to a mere month of Muen Campbell's company? What has Muen Campbell even done? Did he commit arson or murder for Liya's sake?"
Teacher: "..."
I don't know where the logic went wrong, but... it strangely makes sense.
"No, I have to go back. I need to find a chance to be alone with Liya and ask her again!"
Vitality returned to Ariel’s eyes. She stood up abruptly, her previous pathetic state vanishing instantly.
She looked toward the Cathedral and muttered with determination:
"That's right. I, Ariel, the Pure Love Warrior, will never let any girl be coerced by a villain!"
*
Ariel, a woman of action, soon sneaked her way outside Liya’s room.
In her mind, the only place in the entire Cathedral where she could be alone with the Saintess was her bedroom.
For some reason, there were no guards along the way. Ariel easily reached the doorknob.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed down.
Creeeak...
The door opened smoothly.
"It wasn't even locked?"
Ariel’s eyes lit up as she scanned the empty room.
Liya didn't seem to be back yet, but if she waited inside...
"Your Highness, have you returned? I've already issued the order to search for Ariel, but I must ask, why..."
Suddenly, a voice echoed from the corner of the hallway, accompanied by the soft glow of candlelight.
It was Head Nun Lin!
Ariel’s pupils shrank, and her heart nearly leaped into her throat.
From her few interactions over the past few days, she knew the Head Nun was a rigid and serious person. If she were caught sneaking into the Saintess’s room...
Thinking of the cold Black Prison, Ariel couldn't help but shiver.
No, I need to hide.
Ariel’s eyes darted around the room—the wardrobe, the curtains, the desk... Finally, her gaze landed on the brand-new, very conspicuous large bed.
*
"Hmm?"
Lin pushed open the door to Liya’s room, only to find it empty.
"Strange. Was it my imagination?"
She looked around, and after confirming no one was there, she rubbed her forehead and sighed in frustration.
"It seems the shocks I've received lately have been too much. Am I actually starting to hallucinate? As the Head Nun, this won't do."
"I should go get some rest. Anyway, I can't control what the Saintess and that scumbag do at night, as long as it doesn't affect her work during the day."
With that, Lin walked out.
Silence returned to the room.
Under the large bed, Ariel peeked out from behind the bedsheet. Confirming that Lin had left, she let out a long sigh of relief.
"She didn't find me. Thank goodness. This bed is actually a pretty good hiding spot... Huh?"
Ariel suddenly froze, looking toward the back of the under-bed space.
It was narrow, hidden, and dark, but based on the height, it could easily fit a grown man.
Which meant...
"Back then, Muen Campbell was hiding under the bed?"
Ariel’s eyes widened, and she gritted her teeth.
"Damn it! I checked everywhere else back then, but I never thought of the bed... That bastard Muen Campbell, hiding under the bed to eavesdrop on girls' conversations! How despicable! He really is no good!"
Ariel became even more convinced of her theory. Liya must have known Muen was under the bed, which is why she said those things against her heart!
In other words, as long as she could get Liya alone, she would definitely learn her true feelings...
Creeeak...
The door opened again.
Hearing those familiar footsteps, Ariel was overjoyed. Liya was finally back...
But the smile quickly froze on her face.
Because besides Liya’s footsteps, she heard another, heavier set of steps.
"I didn't expect it to snow in spring."
The familiar low male voice made Ariel instantly clench her fists.
Muen Campbell!
Why was he here too?
And why did he enter Liya’s room so openly?
This was the Saintess’s room! Does the Church not care at all?
Complex thoughts raced through her mind, but Ariel abandoned the idea of coming out for now. She shifted her body slightly, hiding deeper under the bed.
This is a good opportunity. Let me see exactly how you're coercing Liya, Muen Campbell!
"Yeah, I didn't expect it to snow either."
Liya walked into the room and brushed the snowflakes off her clothes. She was wearing a man’s coat, clearly not her own.
"The Astral Observatory said the previous battle affected the weather. Snow is rare in the Holy City. I hope Ariel doesn't catch a cold while running around."
"She’s not a child. She’s a Fourth-Tier Martial Artist; she could sleep in the snow without a blanket. But speaking of snow... did I mess up the planning?"
Muen rubbed his chin, reflecting seriously. "Would it have been more romantic if it were snowing..."
"Alright, now."
Liya affectionately hugged Muen, nuzzling against his chest.
"It was romantic enough. Any more and I really wouldn't be able to let you leave."
Muen’s gaze softened. He wrapped his arms around Liya’s slender waist and said softly, "I’ll explain everything to Ariel myself when I get the chance."
"Explain what?"
"Everything about us. Starting from the restaurant at the very beginning."
"Aren't you afraid Ariel will hack you to death?"
Liya tilted her head, giggling. "Weren't you so scared before?"
"Yeah, I was terrified," Muen replied with a smile.
"But I don't want you to lose anything because of me. Ariel’s friendship is very important to you... And since I’ve made this choice, I have to bear the consequences. If you're going to steal someone's girl, you have to be prepared for them to come at you with a hoe."
In a voice barely audible, Muen added, "Besides, it’s not the first time I’ve fought against fate. Could it really be any more hopeless than it was at the start?"
"Muen."
Hearing these words—not traditional sweet nothings, but far more moving—Liya looked at her lover with deep affection.
The fire began to burn again.
Though there had been a small interlude, the emotions brewed in that beautiful atmosphere had not vanished.
And finally, at this moment, they bloomed.
"I love you."
The coat she was wearing slid off. Liya stood on her tiptoes and offered a sweet kiss.
"Mmh, I love you too."
*
Under the bed, Ariel’s body began to tremble again.
No.
No.
No.
This wasn't what I wanted to hear.
Coercion! Shouldn't Muen Campbell be coercing Liya? Why... why does it sound like...
"Let's go find Ariel together tomorrow to explain. If it's just you talking, she won't believe it."
Liya’s voice drifted down amidst the rustle of clothes.
"Mhm."
"Also, Ariel seems to have some prejudices against you. I think she should know... Eek... mm... you're bad."
"Mhm."
"Don't just 'mhm' me! Stop being naughty, I'm talking!"
"Mhm."
"Mm... that tickles... you villain... I'm not helping you explain anymore. You're just a bad man."
"Heh heh."
His "mask" stripped away, the villain finally stopped pretending.
"A bad man? Heh, today I’m going to show you exactly how bad I can be!"
"Mm... no... I hate you... get away from me..."
Finally, the "coerced" girl’s dainty cries of resistance could be heard.
"..."
Under the bed, Ariel once again donned her "mask of pain."
This wasn't the kind of coercion she wanted!
But no matter how much she screamed in her heart, many things no longer required explanation.
Facts are always more forceful than words.
Ariel stared blankly into the darkness under the bed. She wanted to rush out immediately and stop them... but for some reason, she just curled up silently, listening.
Creeak...
Creeak...
Creeak...
After a bout of heart-pounding flirting and kissing, the bed finally let out a pained groan under the heavy burden.
Then, came [Content Redacted].
Ariel wept silently. She thought this was already the limit, but as someone with zero real-world experience who only learned from books, she had underestimated the level of this pair of adulterous lovers.
[Content Redacted]
The soft moans and sharp gasps made the poor bed groan even more urgently. At the same time, they caused Ariel, hiding underneath, to feel an indescribable and strange emotion.
She was also panting slightly. While cursing a certain scumbag in her heart, she secretly and slowly reached a hand toward her own mysterious...
"Damn you, Muen Campbell!"
Ariel gritted her teeth.
"I will never admit defeat!"