Due to an unexpected spoiler, people around me had fun teasing me, but it didn’t change my daily life. During the weekdays, I performed the duties of a teaching assistant, essentially being Elena’s slave and writing. On weekends, I spend time exercising with Adelia to improve my physical strength.
Especially after the last encounter with Nicole, the time spent with Adelia has increased. She seems happy but also appears burdened by it. She suggested it might be better to spend time with Marie or Cecily instead of herself, saying she’s fine just exercising together on weekends, etc. It seems like she still belittles herself.
Of course, I ignored it all. Since Marie and Cecily said they could make concessions over the weekend, I was able to focus on Adelia during the weekends. Thanks to that, Adelia’s face became brighter over time, and her characteristic confident smile returned. Every time I looked at her, I couldn’t help but think that Adelia’s smile warms the hearts of those who see it.
It was because of the pressure, not only from Nicole, that connected Adelia and me, but to say we have fully connected was a stretch. There’s still a secret I haven’t told her, and those around me advised caution about that matter.
Still, just being by my side, Adelia seemed happy, never losing her smile. I heard women in love are said to become childish, and perhaps reminding me of that, she continued to show cute behaviors one after another.
“Come on! Come on! Just once! Let’s do it just once! Be strong!”
“Ughhh!”
Right now, I was doing squats at Adelia’s dormitory, receiving vigorous encouragement. On my shoulders, a noticeably heavy barbell was lifted, boasting a weight that required mana reinforcement for the body. Since my body can easily lift a sack weighing 100kg, you can guess how heavy it is by the effort I’m putting in.
Although I consistently train my lower body through squats, for some reason, Adelia was pushing me even more relentlessly than before.
Whether it’s because I someday believe I have to contend with my own limits, or perhaps it’s due to the increasing number of women around me, I don’t know, but it feels like I’m tasting death. Still, it’s better than truly dying in the midst of the night job. Moreover, even with the tremendous boost from Luminous, it was still unavoidable.
“Enough now!”
“Huah!”
Kwong!
As soon as the words ‘enough’ came from Adelia, I threw my weight down as if it were a piece of luggage. It felt as the ground trembled slightly from its weight.
While I rested on the ground, Adelia approached me and took out a white handkerchief from her pocket to wipe away the sweat. It was a very meaningful handkerchief for Adelia, one I had given her when she was lost in despair during the exhibition.
With sky-blue eyes mixed with determination and warmth, she encouraged me as she looked at me.
“You did well. Take a 10-minute break and let’s move on to the next.”
“…Can’t I rest more?”
“No. Your body is in full development right now. Endure it like a warrior until then.”
Adelia blushed and acted innocently when teased, but she’s strict when it comes to exercise. Although she was somewhat forced onto the path of a knight due to her family environment, her determination was genuine. So much so that even if I begged, she would just brush it off calmly and firmly.
Thanks to her, I’ve seen a dramatic increase in my stamina every week. While Luminous has bestowed some sacred power upon me, Adelia’s support was the most significant. Originally, exercise tends to be doubly effective with someone’s assistance. Especially Adelia, according to my father’s words, prioritized efficiency and was someone full of vigor.
‘So, her body…’
I glanced at Adelia while she wiped my sweat. She was wearing custom-made attire for exercise, all provided by my family. The pants were like what Nicole wore, a tracksuit, while the top was a tank top that revealed her abdomen and arms, designed to keep her cool.
Although I had seen it once by chance before, it still caught my attention. Her body always exuded a healthy beauty. The well-trained abs beyond the level of merely impressive made me want to touch them.
“Where are you looking?”
“Oh.”
Adelia asked me in a somewhat embarrassed tone, seemingly noticing that I was blatantly staring. Only then did I avert my gaze from her abs and look toward her face.
Blushing slightly, she seemed embarrassed and shyly covered her stomach. She must have noticed where my gaze was directed.
Before, I might have turned away in embarrassment and said nothing, but not anymore. What’s there to be embarrassed about when I’ve already accepted her? Soon enough, we’ll be seeing everything about each other.
Above all, I couldn’t help but think she was truly amazing. Really. Despite women naturally having far fewer muscles than men, to have developed such defined abs symbolized her countless efforts.
So, without any ulterior motive, I spoke my mind.
“Just impressive. Even my older sister wasn’t at that level.”
“…Really?”
Adelia must have sensed the sincerity in my words as she slowly revealed her covered abdomen with both arms. Then, she glanced at me and, with a slightly trembling voice, made a request.
“Uhm, would you like to touch it once?”
“What?”
Did I hear it wrong? With a bewildered expression, I looked at Adelia, whose face was turning as red as a tomato. But soon after, she covered her face with both hands, lowered her head, and collapsed to the ground.
“Ah… this isn’t it… what am I doing…”
“…”
What is she doing alone? She said it herself, but seeing her embarrassed state made me smile involuntarily.
Yet, in her own way, she must have shown courage. I gently reached out and stroked her head as she lay on the ground, trying to comfort her.
When I patted her head, Adelia flinched slightly. But soon after, she relaxed and started to enjoy my touch.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear.”
“…Thank you.”
As she replied with gratitude, I smiled and slowly lowered my face. I developed a new hobby with Adelia.
Eventually, I brought my face close to hers and spoke softly with a teasing voice.
“After all, soon I’ll be able to touch without any reservations, right?”
“···Huek.”
That was teasing Adelia. Whether she understood the suggestive tone of my words or not, she startled and let out a surprised scream. Because she showed such fresh reactions every time I played a prank like this, I couldn’t stop doing it.
I looked at her blushing face and couldn’t help but burst into laughter before slowly lifting my head. Adelia still had no intention of raising her face.
‘She’s really cute.’
Little by little, if I give her affection, she’ll choose me even when I reveal that I’m Xenon. In fact, there’s no reason for her to become a member of the Ters Kingdom royalty.
Being my woman was a much higher position than becoming a member of the Ters Kingdom royalty.
‘But why does Hiriya keep sticking around these days? I don’t understand.’
While I continued to gently stroke Adelia’s head, who was still not fully recovered, I thought of Hiriya.
After losing to Adelia in the duel, Hiriya continued to approach me for reasons unknown. Even the reason for exercising in Adelia’s dormitory today seemed to be because of that. While exercising in the training grounds, Hiriya would suddenly appear and intervene between us.
I can’t openly show my dislike, especially since she’s not just an ordinary noble but practically a princess from another country. I already have an official fiancé, yet she’s showing an excessive amount of interest.
‘Surely, she wouldn’t be attempting an impossible seduction.’
Maybe she just dislikes how close Adelia and I are. Besides, since I started exercising in the dormitory, I rarely have a chance to meet her.
Right now…
“Noona? When are we starting our exercise?”
“You… Are you doing this on purpose?”
“Isn’t it because noona is cute?”
“Ugh…”
Let’s enjoy this peaceful weekend. Spoilers or whatever, as long as I’m happy in the present.
‘But I wonder if Kate will come back.’
******
The kingdom of Xavier was currently in a state of considerable turmoil. It wasn’t just a simple state of confusion, one could even say that the very foundations were being shaken.
Not only have ordinary clergy members been implicated, but even a high-ranking cardinal has been revealed to have conspired with devil worshippers. Furthermore, the impact of devil worshippers on the world was more significant than anticipated.
The people of Xavier have begun to question the integrity of the entire kingdom due to the presence of a corrupt cardinal. They were even suspicious of ordinary clergy members.
How can they trust clergy who, in alliance with devil worshippers, have betrayed their sacred duties? Are you truly clergy who faithfully follow the teachings of Luminous?
As a result, a new cultural phenomenon called ‘Mass’ emerged, where clergy and ordinary citizens intermingle in prayer. Personal worship can be conducted at any time, but Mass, being close to an ‘obligation,’ was conducted without regard for social rank.
Although this helped extinguish the urgent flames, incidents of clergy receiving direct punishment from Luminous during Mass occurred frequently. Recognizing the severe progression of the clergy’s corruption beyond initial expectations, Xavier declared a ‘Holy War’ even up to the ‘Holy See.’
If that’s the case, what might Kate, the initiator of all this and the Grand Inquisitor, be doing now? She’s currently confined in solitary confinement within the sacred halls of the Holy See for perpetrating violence. However, merits are merits, so it’s a matter of course that she’ll soon be released.
Through a small hole, only a speck of light entered the pitch-black cell. As the thick iron door of the cell opened, someone came into view.
Thick, bushy eyebrows obscured his eyes, much like his voluminous beard—a senior cardinal named Deimos, belonging to the same rank as Cardinal Bark, and one of the eyewitnesses who directly witnessed the punishment handed down by Luminous.
Deimos looked around the solitary cell, where only a single beam of light shone. His gaze shifted towards the center. There, he noticed Kate, kneeling in devout prayer, relying on a single ray of light. She prayed earnestly.
“…Grant us light, please. Bestow upon us the power to bring hope to the just and wield the scourge upon the corrupt,”
Unperturbed by Deimos opening the cell door, she continued reciting her prayer. It was one of the venerable doctrines passed down among the inquisitors, particularly fitting for the current situation.
As Kate finished her prayer, Deimos, in his aged voice, called out.
“…Cardinal Kate.”
“Yes, Cardinal Deimos.”
Responding to his call, Kate slowly rose from her seat. Despite being confined to the cell, her beauty remained undiminished, having meticulously taken care of herself, a marked difference from her past.
Deimos could sense it. The aura of sanctity emanating from her had grown severalfold. The scent of lilacs, denser within the cell, even making one’s nose tingle. According to the guards, she spent the whole day reciting prayers, except for meal and sleep times, indicating the intensity of her faith.
“For what reason have you come?”
“It’s the Pope’s directive. You are now allowed to come out.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Kate, with a genuinely grateful expression, nodded graciously, sporting a kind smile. Deimos, sensing an unfamiliar reverence in her smile and actions, couldn’t help but feel taken aback.
Receiving grace from Luminous, she naturally possessed a strong sanctity, but even to him, a fellow cardinal, her demeanor exuded an unprecedented sense of reverence. This was no ordinary occurrence.
Kate, already possessing a sanctity that surpassed that of a cardinal for quite some time, felt inexplicable, surrounded by the scent of lilacs filling the solitary room.
Observing this, Deimos cleared his throat and, after a few hesitant coughs, spoke in a quiet voice.
“What are your plans now? Will you continue on the pilgrimage path to find Xenon as before?”
“Yes. That’s the plan.”
Kate, once again embarking on the pilgrimage path to find Xenon after stopping midway, had an obvious plan in mind.
However, Deimos suspected that she might have already found Xenon. Her words during the Cardinal Bark incident echoed in his mind.
‘Dare to doubt him…’
One couldn’t make such statements without meeting someone in person. While it could refer to Luminous, Deimos, with his extensive experience, could discern subtle gaps.
Yet, he wouldn’t ask directly. There was the immediate need to pacify the confusion of Xavier, and besides, he felt too old. Such complicated matters had to be set aside, focusing on the present reality.
However, curiosity couldn’t be easily suppressed. What exactly did Kate intend to do upon meeting Xenon?
He smoothed his lush beard and asked cautiously.
“May I ask a question?”
“I’m always willing to take questions from Cardinal Deimos.”
“If you meet Xenon, what are you planning to do?”
At that question, Kate blinked her green eyes slowly and then flashed a gentle smile. She neatly folded her hands and paused.
Was it an illusion that the single beam of light emerging from behind grew stronger? Deimos gazed, utterly captivated by her divine figure.
Hwaaang…
The single beam of light that had been the only thing in the dark cell began to brighten, gradually illuminating the entire cell, far brighter than before, as if dispelling all the surrounding darkness, a majestic and beautiful sight.
While Deimos was left speechless by the indescribable scene, Kate, with a soft smile, finally spoke.
“My original goal was to receive his seed and please Luminous. But that was my arrogance and misconception. He was not a ‘light’ that someone like me could contain. He’s blindingly beautiful, radiant, and divine to the point of blinding one’s eyes.”
“…”
“So I want to go to him and deliver my words.”
Finally, she released her clasped hands and slowly moved downward. Past her ample chest, past her spine and navel, finally to the lower abdomen where the child would be growing.
Kate looked down at her lower abdomen with sparkling green eyes, gently running her hand over it before speaking.
“To plant his seed, and it grow abundantly.”
There was an immaculate purity, untouched by even an ounce of filth, yet it held a terrifying ‘madness’ because of it.
“To spread his ‘seeds’ of light far and wide.”
Not knowing what went wrong.
“Including me.”
It was the true image of a fanatic.
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