Chapter 1236: Side Story – Purification Ritual (1) (Mature Illustration)

“In preparation for the Fatherhood Ceremony, we will first proceed to the grand bath.”

A determined expression. Eyes filled with a cold stillness.

I followed behind Maria, who gave a distinctly different impression compared to Lulusia.

-Tok, tok, tok.

“……”

“……”

Maria’s footsteps echoed in the quiet stillness.

In the slightly tense atmosphere, I couldn’t hold back and tentatively spoke first.

“Maria, did you know? That I would be participating in the Fatherhood Ceremony today.”

“Lulusia… I only heard through the Saintess-nim that the Father-nim was a candidate. Even then, I wasn’t sure.”

“How long have you known Lulusia?”

“From the time the Saintess-nim was recognized as such until she left the Holy Kingdom, I was her assigned attendant. Of course, even as an attendant, the Saintess-nim wasn’t the type to really order subordinates around.”

That makes sense. Even thinking about it, Lulusia doesn’t really strike me as the type to boss subordinates around. If anything, I can picture her making requests carefully with a bright smile.

After a few more trivial questions and formal answers were exchanged, Maria and I suddenly found ourselves in front of the grand bath.

“This is the grand bath. Before the Fatherhood Ceremony, we will proceed with the purification ritual first, so I ask that you please enter with me and remove your clothes.”

“…Are you coming in too, Maria?”

“Yes. I am both the Father-nim’s aide and supervisor.”

“……”

Even so, you’re going to openly watch a man undress?

Considering this world’s views on sex, it was quite a bold statement. Perhaps the common sense of the people in the Holy Kingdom and globally accepted common sense might differ slightly.

“You don’t need to mind. I am merely participating as the Saintess-nim’s attendant and an assistant for the Fatherhood Ceremony; I have absolutely no romantic feelings towards the Father-nim.”

“…No, well. It’s not like I’m particularly mindful of it or anything.”

To begin with, it’s not like I’ve only been naked in front of women I’ve just met once or twice.

Since there was no particular reason to hesitate just because Maria was watching, I calmly continued to take off my clothes.

-Swoosh.

“……”

“……”

-Swish, swish.

“……”

“……”

…Of course, even so, if you asked if it was awkward to undress under another woman’s gaze, it wasn’t exactly not awkward.

Rather, usually I was the one undressing the other person, so being observed like this felt peculiar.

-Whoosh.

“…You certainly are bold, just as the Saintess-nim recommended.”

“Lulusia asked me, and there’s no particular reason to refuse now. Since I agreed to take this on, I have to do it thoroughly.”

Maria remarked after seeing me undress as if it were natural, even under the gaze of other women.

Without paying much attention to her reaction, the moment I entered the grand bath, hot steam rose before my eyes.

-Fwoosh!

“……”

As soon as the door opened, a huge circular bath came into view. In the center, clear water, seemingly hot spring water, rose up with steam.

However, something else caught my eye before the bath itself: naked female priests were looking towards me, hands clasped demurely.

“Welcome, Father-nim.”

“We were waiting.”

“……”

Three female priests bowed their heads carefully in greeting as soon as I entered.

Wondering what was going on, I carefully turned my gaze towards Maria, and she continued her explanation.

“The purification ritual is not just a simple bath. It is a process to purify the body of the man who will become Father, and simultaneously ensure he has a flawless physique as the Saintess-nim’s first man.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. Furthermore, it normally includes a process to make men unfamiliar with women more accustomed to female bodies, so they don’t make mistakes when facing the Saintess-nim’s naked form, but…”

“…it seems that extent of preparation might not be necessary for you, Father-nim.”

…That’s right. Just yesterday, since I met Lulusia after so long, we even had anal sex first.

There probably wasn’t anyone among the men currently existing who was as suitable for the role of Father as I was. I have no aversion to women, nor am I the type to particularly refuse relations with them.

Of course, until now, there was the justification of having relations with the guild members of our guild under the pretext of running the Hope City Guild, but…

‘In any case, the position of Father in the Holy Kingdom isn’t such a bad position in the end.’

If I play my cards right, it could serve as a justification to bring the priests of the Holy Kingdom into the Hope City Guild, and perhaps even fill the vacancy created when I poached Teacher Yang Miyeon from the President’s guild.

While thinking such thoughts, I carefully observed the reactions of the priests before me. A group of three, led by the blonde woman in the middle, carefully approached me.

“I am Sophia. I have come to purify the Father-nim’s body.”

“I am Angelina. I am here to massage the Father-nim’s body.”

“…L-Leah. I am Leah. I am in charge of serving to ensure the Father-nim’s body is comfortable.”

The blonde with long straight hair is Sophia, the one with blue wavy hair is Angelina, and the one with the light green bob is Leah.

Judging by appearance alone, Sophia looked the most mature, and Leah the youngest. Of course, even Sophia looked like she was only in her mid-to-late twenties, not particularly old.

…Well, since they’re priestesses, they might be older than I perceive. Recovery-type Awakeners really don’t age physically as long as they don’t engage in relations with men.

-Thump.

“…Ah.”

“Hut…”

“……”

As I was thinking that, my thing naturally rose up from the center of my body.

At the same time, I felt the gazes of the three female priests strangely recoil.

‘Still, maybe because they’re from the Holy Kingdom, they don’t seem very familiar with men.’

Perhaps these female priests are more embarrassed than I am right now. To begin with, even when they received training on the ‘Purification Ritual’, they probably didn’t expect to have to deal with a man like me.

A man openly revealing his lust might have been an unexpected situation even for these women.

“W-Well then… let’s begin the purification ritual…”

Still, perhaps because she’s the eldest, Sophia hesitantly approached me, offering her body.

After pulling me to the side of the bath, she carefully poured water scooped with a basin onto my body.

“How is the water temperature…?”

“Yes, it’s perfect.”

“I-I see…”

Should she be showing such open embarrassment and blushing, even during a purification ritual?

Because of reactions like this, my distracting thoughts seemed likely to increase more than if I were just washing. At least Sophia was the more reasonable one; Angelina and Leah were just standing far off and watching.

“Now, please wait a moment, Father-nim.”

“…Yes, take your time.”

After awkwardly pouring water, she carefully sprayed body wash onto her own body and rubbed it between her breasts to make foam.

I had a feeling it might end up like this since she didn’t bring anything like a towel, and it was as expected.

-Squish.

“It-It might be unpleasant, but please bear with it. Th-This ritual is a process of purifying the Father-nim’s body with our priests’ holy power…”

“It’s okay. It’s not particularly unpleasant; rather, it’s even better since a pretty person like Sophia is taking charge.”

“Yes, yes?!”

-Splat!

“Ouch!”

“A-Are you okay?!”

Sophia slipped and fell right there on the bathroom floor, surprised just because I gave a little compliment.

It was truly evident in every way that they were priests unfamiliar with men. Seeing them get surprised and make mistakes even with such a light compliment.

“I-I’m sorry…”

“…I’m fine, but aren’t you hurt, Sophia?”

“I-I’m fine. Self-healing is basic training for a priest of the Holy Kingdom, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

…Right. Most citizens are holy ability users possessing recovery-type Awakenings.

Sophia quickly regained her composure and brought her large breasts to my back, rubbing them.

She diligently rubbed her large breasts on my back, seemingly trying to be diligent in the act of washing me, in her own way.

-Squish, squish.

“Ngh, ughh…”

-Squish, squish.

“Haa, ngh, hoo…”

Of course, although her attempts to control her emotions were noticeable, it was less professional.

Clearly, even though she was washing my body, the voice I could hear sounded like she was more aroused than I was-it probably wasn’t just my imagination.

Still, because she was cute, I didn’t really have any intention of saying anything, and was just quietly feeling Sophia’s breasts against my back when…

“…Haa, no matter how unfamiliar you all are with men, I really can’t stand watching this anymore.”

Maria, who had been watching me and the three women from a little distance away, quietly approached.

…Making a face that seemed strangely displeased.