episode_0043

Although the headquarters was a city built on top of a mountain range, that did not mean that its level of civilization was low.

Even compared to the major cities of the Cavensia Empire, there isn’t much of a difference.

The number of priests belonging to the Sun Church easily exceeded tens of thousands, and it was not the case that only priests lived in the city.

Especially, the accommodations were beyond words.

A district of inns that can accommodate both pilgrims and knights of the Empire seeking help in silencing the mouth of the Demon King.

However… … . The lodging villages located within the city were not necessarily only for outsiders.

As I said before, the priests belonging to the Solar Church are a group with a considerable number of members, and if you look closely, aren’t half of them men and half women?

As this is the way they train their divine powers, it is only natural that the ‘inn’ is a popular facility.

Among them, an unnamed motel located close to where the man and woman were enjoying their date.

“Okay, just a moment… … !”

Elijah, who was dragged into the room with his body almost wrapped around his waist, shouted urgently.

I struggled with all my might to somehow escape Evan’s arms─.

“… … ! Ugh!”

Iron fist!

It didn’t mean much. Elijah’s protests were meaningless, and Evan just threw her on the bed without saying a word.

“Ugh, keuh… … .”

Elijah suddenly felt miserable as he laid his head on the pillow.

If it weren’t for that kiss earlier, that soul-teasing saliva exchange, there would have been some way to counter Evan’s brute force.

‘Why, why can’t I calm down?’

She stared at my legs with longing. The trembling hadn’t subsided at all while she was being dragged here by Evan.

Unless he had been resistant to such experiences, Elijah had never directly experienced the thrill of a much higher divine nature.

It was not strange. If we were to strictly follow the hierarchy, Evan was the least powerful among the Pope, Israfil, Isabelle, and Lethe, but he was also a human who had been blessed by the goddess.

This meant a violent divinity that Elijah could not dare to resist.

‘No matter what, this is, this is cowardly… …!’

… … Of course, if you ask whether the difference in divinity is so absolute and transcendent that it could 100% break Elijah’s will to resist with just one kiss.

It wasn’t exactly like that, but at this moment, she didn’t have the strength left to see the truth.

So Elijah just gritted his teeth and opened his eyes wide.

The fact that he was so desperate right now was probably the result of the gap in talent. Even this heartbeat that was pounding uncontrollably, and this excitement that felt so longed for he couldn’t stand it, were just that.

“Hoo, haa.”

Elijah calmly controlled his breathing. The important thing is to remain calm no matter what happens.

The redness on her cheeks that had been flushed had subsided slightly, and her breathing had gradually calmed down.

‘Okay.’

And open your eyes wide. Now is the time to sort out the situation with reason and intelligence, not to succumb to this dark temptation.

“… … Huh?”

It failed right away. Elijah threw himself on the bed and looked straight at Evan, who was preparing something, and then he grabbed his lower body.

“Why, why are you taking off your clothes so calmly… … !”

Not for nothing, but because Evan was so inconsiderate and took off his top.

The sturdy upper body that is characteristic of the Paladin class, which not only applies divine power to the sacred law, but also governs the entire body.

“Ah, ugh.”

Elijah had to touch his temple urgently. Even Evan, who had been trying to chew on whatever she was saying for a moment, seemed to become briefly worried.

“… … Why are you like that? Are you sick somewhere.”

“Ugh, no, no.”

But Elijah waved Evan’s concerns away. There was nothing wrong with it.

She just let out a hot breath, her lips twitching out of control.

“That, just seeing your naked body like this made me feel dizzy without realizing it… … .”

“… … .”

“… … Did I bleed? No? ”

Evan looked at her with cold, salty eyes, and she rubbed the bridge of her nose cautiously, startled at how he interpreted the gaze.

Fortunately, no blood flowed. Elijah moved his hand awkwardly and scratched his cheek.

“Hmm, I guess I haven’t fallen that far yet.”

“It seems like it’s already fallen as far as it can go.”

“Cha, isn’t that a mistake?”

Elijah coughed, trying his best to cool his flushed face. It wasn’t intentional, but fortunately, the atmosphere seemed to have cooled down considerably.

Elijah Reuben tried hard to ignore the fact that he had to become a clown in return.

“… …Listen to me carefully, Evan.”

Even though the process was secondary, he had gained some respite. Elijah let out a short breath and looked at Evan with serious eyes.

“I definitely confessed my feelings to you, and like I said, it’s not a feeling that can be easily forgotten just because we kissed once… … . Still, this isn’t what I want.”

And Evan looked at Elijah indifferently and without saying a word. As he understood the meaning of that subtle gaze, a vein appeared on Elijah’s forehead.

“… … What’s with that look in your eyes? Don’t you believe me? It’s true? I, I don’t really want this kind of thing? ”

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

“Huh. I really am. I’m really speechless.”

Evan didn’t seem to believe it at all. After all, she was the woman who almost burst into a nosebleed the moment she saw him take off his shirt just before.

Of course, Elijah had no excuse for that part. It was true that Evan’s naked body had been briefly, just for a moment, swayed with desire.

‘How are you going to prove it?’

But Elijah also had his own thoughts. How could he prove his evil intentions to them?

On the other hand, it was clear that she did not want to play with the atmosphere like this.

… … To be honest, I didn’t really want to get buried in Evan’s solid-looking upper body, but my lower stomach was still starting to flutter.

But it wasn’t like that. Elijah calmly exhaled, restraining his desires.

There were many words filling my head, but only one word came out naturally.

“I don’t want to bother you like this, Evan.”

“… … .”

Did it work? Evan’s hands, which had been meaningfully fiddling with his belt, hesitated for a moment, as if he was trying to take off his pants.

Elijah swallowed hard and continued to persuade her as rationally as possible.

“I’m saying this because it seems like you want my body. To be honest, I’m happy and thankful. Of course I’m excited when a man I like lusts after me.”

however.

“… … But calm down and think about it. I can’t help it since we already have a room, but even if you have to share a blanket with me today… … . Uh, you don’t have to mix our bodies, right?”

Evan’s red eyes still flickered with an unreadable color.

Elijah’s mind raced as fast as it could, thinking that in the four years he had known Evan Lane, he had never felt more nervous than he did right now.

At this moment, what is the most likely argument to lure Evan?

Of course, the principle of persuasion was set.

“shi, divine form… …! Wouldn’t it be a shame?”

Elijah screamed as soon as he caught any movement towards the belt again.

She was sure that the moment she let that belt slip off, that moment would be the moment when she would be devoured by the man in front of her tonight.

The voice that spat out like a machine gun naturally began to convey a sense of urgency.

“Evan, you won’t become a saint? I know Lete is overwhelmingly strong, but honestly, I can easily beat Kazan Casimir. Weren’t you and Lete planning to be crowned together?”

“There’s nothing good about having sex with me now. You’ll lose something in some way, and it might come back to bite you later. You know that.”

“So now, okay? Let’s not do it today. If you’re so worried that I didn’t accept your feelings, I’d be happy if we just held hands and slept together. That would make me crazy happy.”

“Yeah, right. If you still want to be with someone like me after a year, when you become a saint, I’ll let you have it. Then do whatever you want.”

A way to instill proper caution while also offering a carrot. Elijah did his best, even though his lips felt dry.

In fact, if Evan still lusted after her in the future, she thought she would be able to hug him happily at that time.

Elijah carefully patted the bed sheet and knocked on the spot next to me.

She hadn’t washed yet, hadn’t gotten rid of the hangovers, hadn’t even changed into her clothes, but she was just thinking about closing her eyes.

“Come here, Evan. We’ve been going around a lot today. Are you tired? ”

“… … .”

“Do I really need to use up more stamina? How about just sleeping comfortably… … .”

Hwaaah!

Elijah swallowed quickly, unable to finish his sentence. The red light that suddenly burst out as his voice broke off was worth it.

Centered around Evan’s body, the red light literally enveloped this small room in divinity.

“──Ah.”

I felt as if my mind was instantly set ablaze by the vast amount of divine power that had penetrated my eyes.

Elijah couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief as his expression became ecstatic.

It wasn’t something he did. He just wove divine power into a form and released it. However, the red light that Evan was emitting was just too… .

‘… … No way?’

There was only one thought that filled her mind. She could only think of one word.

The power of the Goddess that only those who have inherited the power of the saints and saintesses through their ancestors can wield.

‘Sanctuary.’

For a moment, he felt as if his breath had stopped. Elijah looked around a little more carefully, trying to suppress his rising confusion as much as possible.

No, it wasn’t. Of course, this phenomenon wasn’t a declaration of a sanctuary. It was dark outside and the sun hadn’t risen yet.

It certainly wasn’t the power of the goddess who could make sunlight shine at midnight just by giving a command.

But no… … .

“… … .”

It was just beautiful. Elijah raised his hand absentmindedly, touching the shard of red light as if possessed by something.

Paat-

The fragment that was absorbed into my body through my fingertips─. The sacred energy contained within that fragment was something I had felt before.

‘Father… … ?’

The head of the Ruben family. One of the seven cardinals, and one of the highest-ranking clergy in the entire Sun Church.

Perhaps even more so? Only the representative of the Goddess, the Pope Adam Mayfield, whom we have not seen for several times, can match this power.

Is this really the power that a mere ‘candidate’ who has not yet been selected as a saint can wield?

“1 year.”

It was then that Evan, who had been silent for a while, opened his mouth while emitting divine power.

Elijah lifted up his trembling eyes.

“There’s still time left until the final evaluation. Honestly, it’s not that leisurely, and there are only two more evaluations left. But.”

“… … .”

“Shall I be honest with you, Elijah?”

Evan’s mouth twisted in a self-deprecating manner.

“I can easily destroy Kazan in the final evaluation. I think he knows that he can’t fight me head-on─. The saint is a position that symbolizes the power of the sect.”

The next moment, as soon as Evan clenched his open palm, a red light flashed and scattered.

The sacred power that had filled the room was no longer there. Only a faint scent of a fragrance that stimulated men and women could be felt.

“Ah… … .”

Elijah unconsciously made a regretful expression and then closed his lips thinking, ‘Oh no.’

Evan, who rolled his eyes and looked up, was still standing with a relaxed attitude. He met Elijah’s gaze indifferently and continued speaking.

“My level is already far beyond the likes of Kazan and Robert. Well, it won’t be easy to easily change the candidate rankings since I’ve already lost points.”

“What I want to say is simple,” Evan added, leaning his head against the wall as he mumbled.

“… … If you’re a really low-level candidate, like Princess Dorothy, then maybe. To be honest, a physical relationship with you wouldn’t have a big negative impact on me. Elijah.”

Elijah felt his heart sink at those words. He blinked in confusion for a moment, but his heartbeat showed no sign of stopping.

‘… …Why is it like this?’

It got worse. Elijah swallowed hard at the sound of his heart pounding like crazy.

Did those words just now make you hopeful? Or at least give you some glimmer of hope?

‘That’s a lie.’

Elijah shook his head urgently. It was hard to believe. There was clearly a difference in rank between his and Evan’s divine nature.

It’s probably not a loss that can be easily brushed aside.

If she were to have sex with him, it would most likely be disadvantageous in some way.

“I didn’t expect it either, but it seems like the two women I’ve slept with so far are more compatible with me than I thought.”

I wanted to believe that. If what Evan was saying so calmly right now was really true, I felt like I would want to lean on him, even though I didn’t want to.

“Can I be more specific? The divine nature that will be turbid by mixing with your body. If Lethe were to tie me up and squeeze out just two days, I would replenish more than what I lost through you.”

“It’s definitely not good for your body to be so tight for two days,” Evan concluded.

“… … .”

Elijah opened his trembling lips halfway, but closed them again without letting out even a small sound.

It was then that Evan, who had been looking down at her like that, got off the wall and approached her.

“Elijah.”

Elijah didn’t answer. Evan tilted his head slightly and asked again.

“Ruben?”

That title was something he didn’t really want to hear. Elijah bit his lip, feeling a prickle in his chest, and shook his head from side to side.

Evan continued, chuckling.

“Okay, then, back to Elijah. Honestly, it’s refreshing and embarrassing that you’re pushing me away. I have to say this.”

Without touching the belt any further, Evan simply sat down on the end of the bed and shrugged.

Was it considerate to cast your gaze askance and not look directly at Elijah?

Elijah pouted his lips in annoyance. Evan’s lips still turned up.

“I’m not here out of pity right now. I’m not here to force myself to suppress my ideas and take this room for you.”

However, his voice had become much softer. It was playful as always, but it was also clear that it was relatively lighter than usual.

Evan absentmindedly reached out and stroked Elijah’s purple hair.

“I never hated you, Elijah.”

Elijah’s shoulders shook violently.

A moment of silence followed.

A beat later, she asked back.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Evan nodded and added a word.

“She was a bit of an annoying woman though.”

“… … Ugh.”

“That’s it, I’ve been beaten up so many times, I have nothing to say.”

Evan, who let out a small gasp and pulled his hand away, finally looked straight at Elijah.

“Black, ugh.”

Elijah was disarmed again by that surprise eye contact. If the action had a sound effect, his bright red face would have exploded with a ‘bang!’

“If I may just keep talking while I’m at it, I’m closer to liking you right now.”

“… … Okay, wait a minute.”

“I still appreciate the serious advice you gave me during the written exam. Apart from some aspects that didn’t suit me at all, you’re a kind woman.”

“Ouch, ugh. Stop, stop talking.”

“It’s cute how you take what’s given to you… … . I also enjoyed today’s date.”

“Gasp, ugh.”

Elijah couldn’t even breathe properly due to the consecutive follow-up blows, but Evan didn’t care and kept pounding her heart.

Evan quietly reached out and stroked her cheek, then grabbed her chin with his index finger and thumb.

‘Heh… …!’

That was the moment Elijah went into cardiac arrest. It wasn’t just a metaphor, it was like his heart really stopped beating. It was like a thud!

The gazes of the man and woman met in the middle, and this time Evan responded seriously.

“Thank you for liking me. I really do.”

“──!”

Elijah’s confession of love a few hours ago.

I have put together an answer with all my heart.

Elijah’s time stopped in an instant.

‘Oh, thank you, thank you, now… … .’

The two people’s eyes met again. Elijah’s heart felt like it was going to burst. It wasn’t a joke, really, he wouldn’t be surprised if he died right now.

The two were already very close. They were at a distance where they could clearly hear each other’s breathing.

Elijah thought with his pupils shaking. Is this the way we’re going to kiss? Is that it? In fact, shouldn’t there be no other future?

‘… … How, what should I do?’

I don’t know. I couldn’t figure out how. I could only tremble and wait patiently for Evan’s choice, like I did before.

In the end, it was Elijah who chose comfort rather than taking the initiative. Instead of raising her head first, she opened her lips slightly and closed her eyes, leaving a little room for her to be seen.

“Hmm.”

Evan let out a small laugh at that timid worldly advice.

The moment Elijah closed his eyes and flinched slightly.

“That’s why I felt charm and favor in your appearance. If you still can’t accept it, then there’s nothing I can do.”

“… … ?”

The development was quite different from what was expected. Elijah furrowed his eyebrows at Evan’s ambiguous first words, and Evan let go of her chin.

‘Key, kiss, aren’t you going to do it?’

Elijah opened his eyes in a panic, and Evan, as always, sneered mischievously and manipulated the switch on the wall.

As soon as I lightly touched it, the magical connection that had been operating the ceiling light was severed.

“I won’t touch you today, just like you said. You’re so worried about me, but I feel bad about just ignoring you and rushing over… … .”

“Uh, uh… … ?”

“By the way, I didn’t know you had such great self-control, Elijah. Amazing. I saw you again.”

“, Evan?”

Elijah absentmindedly reached out his hand, but Evan quickly fell back onto the bed, so his hand just brushed the air in vain.

Her eyelashes twitched for a slightly different reason than before.

Evan didn’t know whether he knew it or not, but he just looked up at her affectionately with blurry eyes.

“You’re right. It’s too late. I’ll wash up tomorrow and go to sleep for today.”

“… … .”

“Sleep well, Elijah.”

And without hesitation, Evan reaches out and grabs the back of Elijah’s head again.

He pulled her into his arms with moderate force, as if he were really going to sleep with only the blankets covering them, just as she had said.

Elijah was buried in Evan’s wide arms with a blank look in his eyes. He blinked a couple of times, feeling like he was a sleeping doll being held in his arms.

1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes. Time continued to pass like that… … but nothing changed.

‘Really… … . Okay… … ?’

Elijah became gloomy for some reason and started to stir.

It was an instinct to look for a position where I could smell Evan’s scent more deeply.

*****

30 minutes passed like that.

“Is it good?”

“Heck, ugh… … !”

Elijah couldn’t help but let out a strange moan at the touch of his clothes.

The right hand holds the top, the left hand holds the bottom. Hands that nonchalantly lift up the bra and panties.

As for her, she had no choice but to let out a tearful voice at the man standing behind her, even though she was panting with a heated expression.

“Lies, you rascal… … . Today, I won’t touch you… … . Ugh, that’s what you said.”

“… … .”

“You were just, uh, teasing me, doing that, ah! Yeah, that’s what happened… … !?”

Evan laughed silently, and Elijah unconsciously let out a heavy breath as his body gradually became hotter. His body was burning hot.

And then, when the man who had finally hugged me from behind buried his head in the nape of my neck.

“… … Ugh, ahh.”

Elijah’s voice eventually changed. In the direction of exuding a strange sensuality.

She blinked her hazy eyes. Her gaze was directed outside the window.

The moonlight hanging high in the sky dimly illuminated the room. Even so, we weren’t even looking at each other’s faces, but whatever.

Creak… … !

The night of men and women has finally begun.