Ch.284Episode 12 – The Strongest Mage in History

The subtle trembling and momentary touch were never long.

Like the sweltering heat of a midsummer night, the short and intense memory scatters faintly, following the clouds.

Even as the cold air tickles the tip of my nose, the warm temperature of her soft skin remains.

Slowly turning my gaze, I see Lucia, barely covering herself with a crumpled blanket, burying her head against my shoulder as she breathes softly.

Snow-white skin. Her flawless complexion is like a snowfield untouched by footprints.

Her straight nose and delicate features. Even with her brilliant golden hair disheveled, she looks beautiful.

She appears so noble and pure. Having just awakened, I dare not even think of touching her.

After much hesitation, I absentmindedly stroke Lucia’s shoulder, marveling at skin softer than silk, and close my eyes for a moment.

And then I thought:

“…Fuck, I’m screwed.”

Episode 12 – The Most Powerful Magician Ever

There’s something I’ve heard countless times since joining the Intelligence Command.

Precautions to take when deployed overseas:

Don’t exchange confidential information in unsecured locations.

Maintain communication between staff for quick response in emergencies.

Avoid friction with civilians when possible.

Be careful with alcohol and preferably abstain from drinking and smoking overseas. And so on.

The rules an intelligence officer must follow are innumerable, all equally important.

But when asked what to be most careful about overseas, seniors would unanimously answer:

Women.

This isn’t about how the wrong woman can ruin your life or how you should focus on work instead of dating.

“Hey, do you know when an intelligence officer is in the most danger?”

“When meeting an informant who claims to have obtained the requested intelligence for the first time, sir?”

“No. When you’re getting laid.”

“Excuse me?”

“Having sex is when you’re most vulnerable, you idiot.”

Veteran field officers emphasized that “when a person is most defenseless” is precisely during sexual intercourse.

Wiretapping, surveillance, assassination, information leaks—being mentally and physically vulnerable increases the probability of falling into grave danger.

That’s why male intelligence officers deployed overseas are basically prohibited from having sexual relations. It’s an unspoken rule, you could say.

No prostitution, no one-night stands.

If it’s discovered that you’ve had relations with someone of the opposite sex abroad in any way, you’ll be summoned to the Inspection Office for intense questioning.

Though blatant honey traps are becoming less common, you never know. Even if you weren’t recruited by the enemy, you can’t escape disciplinary action.

There are no exceptions to this rule.

The only exception is when sex is used as a means to lure a target.

That’s why I too had been investigated by the Inspection Office for the “scandal with the Saint.” It eventually concluded with no charges and just a warning.

But this time.

This is real.

“……”

The lingering sensation of last night—hotter and more intense than a midsummer heatwave—still remains in my body, but my mind is more complicated than ever.

Who would have dared to imagine?

That I, a mere soldier or at best a diplomat, would sleep with a clergy member of the Order. And not just anyone, but Lucia—sister of the current Saint Veronica and herself elevated to sainthood alongside her.

Even for a blunder, this is extreme.

My head throbs painfully, and my stomach feels like it’s being pricked with needles.

A Saint of the Order with an enormous following worldwide. I can’t even imagine the consequences of violating her purity.

At this point, the Military Intelligence Bureau’s Inspection Office is the least of my concerns—I should be careful even walking down the street. The moment this leaks to the press, I’ll surely receive threatening letters filled with “affection” from zealous believers and packages full of animal carcasses.

Neither Clavins nor Leo would find it easy to cover for me then.

As I groan, clutching my head, moments flash before my eyes like a kaleidoscope—the times I collided with Lucia’s body again and again in the heat of the moment. Hiding under the blanket together for her modesty, fingers intertwined, kissing to muffle our moans.

Thinking back now, I don’t think we even used proper protection in our drunken state.

If Lucia were to become pregnant…

The thought sends chills down my spine.

“……”

I had no idea how to clean up this mess.

As I stared at the empty wine bottle on the floor covered in dust as if it were my mortal enemy, repeatedly rubbing my face with dry hands—

“…mmm.”

Lucia, who had been deep in sleep, opened her eyes.

With a small, somewhat cute voice tinged with a nasal sound, she blinked her hazy eyes while still lying in bed, seemingly not fully awake.

Our eyes met when she closed and reopened her eyes.

“…Ah.”

An exclamation escaped through her slightly parted lips. Lying there blankly looking up at me, Lucia pulled the blanket a little closer and gave me a shy smile.

“You woke up first…”

The moment I saw that smile, the anxiety about the future that had filled a corner of my heart melted away like snow.

Lucia, embarrassed, brushed her hair back and glanced at me from the corner of her eye. Her demeanor seemed to say that it was difficult to make eye contact right now.

“Yes.”

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No. I’ve only been up…”

I paused to catch my breath.

Last night. I had seen plenty of her in the moonlight, but then and now were completely different dimensions.

With the dim dawn sky as a backdrop, bathed in the warm early light streaming through the window, Lucia looked so sacred and noble.

At the same time, I felt a slight sense of sacrilege at having been intimate with such a person.

After calming myself, I finally managed to complete my answer.

“Not long.”

“I see. Then…”

Lucia reached out her hand. With one hand pulling up the blanket to cover her nakedness, she extended the other toward me.

Offering her hand, Lucia showed me a benevolent smile as always, with just a hint of affection.

“Let’s get a little more rest. Being diligent and waking up early is good, but you fought demons yesterday. It’s better to rest a bit more.”

“……”

I sat quietly, momentarily speechless at the sight of her.

When there was no response, Lucia gently lowered her head. Her flowing golden hair covered her face, but her flushed face and ears were clearly visible.

Finally, I embraced Lucia, who was overwhelmed with embarrassment, and lay back down on the bed.

*

It took about 20 minutes for Lucia’s complexion, tinged with embarrassment, to return to normal. During that time, I held her close and gently stroked her back.

Strangely, being with her seemed to calm my mind.

We remained silent, embracing each other.

It wasn’t that the mood had suddenly soured or become awkward.

We were simply too embarrassed to properly face each other—Lucia especially.

To be honest, I had no idea what to say either. It felt odd to ask if she was okay, and saying something like “You have quite sturdy buttocks” didn’t seem appropriate either.

“……”

Perhaps because not only her face but her entire body was flushed with heat, it was as hot under the blanket as it had been last night. Holding her in the cramped bed, I naturally felt the warmth too.

To maintain this body temperature in a punishment room without even a stove—this was almost on par with Camilla, the walking human furnace.

Holding Lucia, I lowered my gaze to check her physical condition. Traces of last night—as brief and intense as a midsummer heatwave—remained not only on the bedding but also on her body.

After hesitating for a while with her lips quivering, Lucia finally spoke.

“Um…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Pardon?”

“No one will know about today.”

Somehow holding Lucia in my arms, I continued speaking, worn out with fatigue.

“I swear what happened today won’t leak out. Didn’t I promise to keep your secret?”

“Ah… secret.”

Lucia nodded.

Her soft hair tickled my skin gently, but it wasn’t unpleasant. With her hands neatly folded in front of her chest as if in prayer, she nodded in agreement.

“Yes. That’s right…”

“So don’t worry, Saint. If any problems arise, I’ll handle them.”

“…Lucia.”

“Yes?”

Lucia, who had been looking down, slowly raised her head.

“My name.”

And in a low voice, she made a request.

“Please call me by my name. At least when we’re alone.”

It wasn’t a particularly difficult request. Besides, I had promised to call her by her name last night.

I gently stroked her back and granted her wish.

“Alright, Lucia. I’ll call you by your name from now on.”

“…Thank you.”

Lucia answered in a small voice and lowered her head again. Between her slightly bowed head, I didn’t miss the shy smile on her lips.

-Knock! Knock!

A sudden knocking sound.

Both Lucia, who had been smiling shyly, and I froze.

-Knock! Knock!

The knocking sound came again after a short pause, as if demanding an answer.

Lucia, who had been lying in bed, abruptly sat up, quickly cleared her throat with a “hem-hem,” and spoke. Her slightly dry voice echoed in the quiet room.

“…Who is it?”

“Oh, it’s me.”

The answer was simple.

Despite being under disciplinary action, it wasn’t the attitude one would show to a Saint. Even though Lucia was known for her kindness, it was woefully inadequate for an ordinary clergy member addressing a saint—perhaps even bordering on disrespect or blasphemy.

But neither Lucia nor I found the attitude strange. Or rather, we couldn’t.

Because,

“Lucia. It’s me, okay?”

The person knocking at the door was Veronica.

Responding in a tone clearly tinged with sleepiness, Veronica let out a long, drawn-out yawn.

Lucia, who had risen from the bed, was about to hop down but caught my eye and blushed, then slowly descended from the bed. Covering herself with the blanket like a dress, she stood by the door and whispered softly.

“Um, sister?”

“Hmm?”

“What brings you here… so suddenly…?”

“…What are you talking about? You make it sound like I need a reason to visit you.”

“That’s… not what I meant. But still…”

“Ah, never mind.”

A curt reply came from beyond the door.

“Open the door.”

“Huh, what?”

“I said open the door. I’m cold. Let me in.”

“But, but…”

Her trembling blue eyes turn toward me.

Sitting on the bed, I gently closed my eyes.

“…Life.”

Finally, the inevitable has arrived.