Chapter 8: I could do anything…….Idiot

As the red sunset painted the sky, Elysion showcased its most breathtaking spectacle: the statue of Thermisia, the Goddess of War.

Its fame spread across the continent, and legend held that those chosen by the goddess would have their wishes granted.

Isabel knew Seraphina was the chosen one.

He had led her here to witness her transformation into the “Heroine of Sacred Fire,” her redeemed form.

“…It’s beautiful.”
“You know the legend, Seraphina?”
“Yes. The noble warrior goddess.”

Seraphina gazed at the imposing statue, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.

“Why don’t you make a wish?”
“…A wish?”

Seraphina chuckled.

“Don’t be silly…”
“No, really. Make a wish. Legend says the goddess grants the wishes of those she chooses.”
“…A legend?”

She didn’t believe in such things, but… she did have wishes.

Deeply hidden desires surfaced: to beautify Grace Field, to atone for her past, and…to be with Isabel Leonhardt forever.

These thoughts rippled through her heart.

“Let’s pray. I’ll make a wish, too.”

Isabel smiled and closed his eyes.

Seraphina followed suit, focusing on her desires.

…Will they come true?

A voice whispered in her ear, “Your wishes shall be granted… Heroine of Sacred Fire, you have my blessing.”

A warm wind swept through the area.

Seraphina opened her eyes.

“…!”

She stood in a garden filled with flowers, a blindfolded woman smiling serenely before her.

“I am Thermisia. Your wishes shall be granted…”

Red petals swirled around her as she returned to reality.

“…W-what…?”
“Seraphina? Are you alright?”

Was it a dream? She forced a smile.

“It’s nothing.”
“What’s that in your hand?”

Isabel pointed to her right hand.

Seraphina looked down and saw a sword, its hilt emblazoned with a fiery pattern.

A sword she had never seen before.

“…It wasn’t a dream?”
“What do you mean?”
“I…I saw something strange when I was praying.”
“Strange…? Ah!”

Isabel smiled.

“Thermisia granted your wish!”

The first piece of the redemption ending was in place.

Seraphina, the Heroine of Sacred Fire, was complete.

Now, all that remained was the Nobles’ Conference.

“My wish…came true?”
“Yes, it did.”

She was like a child, her joy infectious.

I was curious about her wish.

“Seraphina…”
“Yes?”
“What did you wish for?”
“It’s…it’s a secret!”

She blushed and turned away.

“What about you?”
“Me? Well…”

If I had glasses, I would have adjusted them and said, My dream is the peaceful end of Lilith Tycoon… No, that’s not right.

I’m a Mediator.

Game developers, are you watching?! My real wish was simple: to meet more heroines and collect more illustrations.

A trivial wish, unlikely to be granted by a goddess, especially since she had already chosen her champion.

Besides, I preferred to achieve my goals through my own efforts, however unrealistic that might be in the world of LilTy.

“Isabel! What is it? What did you wish for?”
“Hmm… well…”

I put a finger to my lips.

“It’s a secret. Ha ha.”
“…You have to tell me!”
“You didn’t tell me yours.”

“That’s because…” she mumbled, “…it’s embarrassing…”

“What? What did you say?”
“…It’s embarrassing…”
“Embarrassing? Why?”

She blushed and looked down.

“Tell me. What’s so embarrassing?”

She looked up at me and waved her hands frantically.

“No! You don’t need to know! It’s nothing! Don’t ask!”

She turned away, pouting. I sighed.

“…I was curious. That’s too bad. Oh, right!”
“…?”
“Did you store the sword you received from the goddess?”
“…This?”

The tattoo on her cleavage glowed, and she drew the sword.

“I kept it. It’s…fascinating.”
“It’ll be your lucky charm.”
“…Hmm… you think so?”

She looked at the sword with a skeptical expression, then smiled.

“…I hope so.”

She tried to return the sword to her tattoo, but accidentally knocked over a glass of juice.

“Ah!”
“Are you alright?”
“Y-yes, I’m fine.”

Juice stained her dress. I stood up and grabbed a towel.

“Are you sure?”
“I can do it myself!”
“No, let me help. It’s my duty.”

As I wiped the juice from her dress, I noticed a crown-shaped tattoo near her cleavage.

Naturally, I reached out to wipe it clean.

“W-wait! Don’t touch…!”
“Huh?”

As I rubbed the tattoo, it glowed red. Intrigued, I rubbed it again, and the glow intensified.

“Ah… Don’t…!”
“What’s wrong?”

She was breathing heavily, her face flushed.

Suddenly, I understood.

Her cleavage…it’s sensitive!

“I-I’m sorry!”
“…Pervert.”

She covered her chest and turned away.

Damn it! That was a mistake. I might have increased her malice gauge!

“A-are you alright?”

She frowned, her eyes filled with embarrassment.

“Ha ha, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“…It’s okay.”
“Really?”
“…It’s okay…if it’s Isavel.”

She looked at me intently.

This scene…it was from LilTy’s adult mode! Just a small…donation of $100 would unlock this scene.

The “Adult Mode,” where all of Seraphina’s secrets would be revealed…

I gulped, captivated by her alluring expression, her vulnerability.

This was it. The ultimate reward. I wanted to see…everything.

“Isabel…?”
“Seraphina…”

Alright, let’s do this…! I gently placed my hand on her shoulder.

“Seraphina…”
“Isabel…?”

I smiled softly.

“Shall we play chess?”
“Huh?”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

A brief silence hung in the air, then she whispered,

“…I guess so…?”
“Ha ha, then let’s have another exciting game.”

I retrieved a change of clothes from my bag.

“You’ve spilled juice on your dress. Get changed. I’ll go to the hotel counter and get a chessboard.”
“Oh… right…”
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay…”

That was a close call.

While the adult mode scene was tempting, it could trigger a bug and lead to a bad ending.

I couldn’t let my instincts jeopardize my mission.

My goal was to witness the heroines’ redemption in 4D, not just indulge in…fan service.

I needed to stay focused.

“I’ll be back soon.”

I bowed and turned to leave.

“…Hehe.”
“Seraphina?”
“Ha ha ha… you’re such an idiot.”

She burst into laughter, tears welling up in her eyes.

She wiped them away and sighed.

“You said you’d take responsibility… You could have done anything… Idiot…”
“Ha ha ha, is…is that so…?”
“Yes… I’ll have to be more…provocative next time.”

She smiled mischievously.

“…Provocative? Like what?”
“You don’t need to know! Get out! I need to change!”

She threw a pillow at me.

I dodged it and hurried out of the room.