episode_0088

88.

“Haah, haah, haah….”

“…!! Are you coming to your senses??”

Erina, like someone who has returned from a very long journey, sits bolt upright, gasping for breath and drenched in sweat.

Her sweat-slicked back feels terribly unpleasant. A cool breeze quickly cools the sweat, but the damp bedsheets, darkly stained, are testament to how much she perspired.

“I’m… cold….”

“I’m sorry. You were sweating so much, I took your clothes off.”

Osti, his face dark, quickly grabs a nearby cloth and covers Erina.

Sniffing casually, he detects a strong smell of semen. It’s much stronger than the usual scent of his room.

He instinctively realizes it’s his own smell; he must have had a significant nocturnal emission.

‘…Nocturnal? That’s strange. I feel weak, like I’ve forgotten something important….’

“It’ll be confusing, but listen carefully. Do you remember going for a walk with me?”

“…Yes. I was fondling Osti-ssi’s plump buttocks… and?”

Her head aches. It’s different from the headache caused by magic; it’s the feeling of missing something crucial.

Something happened. It’s not certain, but that’s why she was lying down.

“A week has passed since then.”

“…What?”

A week. A short yet long time. Or rather, it’s definitely not short at this moment.

He’s not the type to joke, and judging by his expression, it’s undoubtedly the truth. Even judging from his intuition, she doesn’t seem to be suffering from any unusual condition.

Rather, it’s Erina who seems likely to fall into confusion; barely clinging to her composure.

“Shortly after we went for a walk, you suddenly collapsed. You… were sleeping, or so it seemed. Then you climaxed again and again, many times.”

“I’m sorry. My physical condition must have been worse than I thought….”

Erina bows her head in apology.

“If you’re feeling unwell, there’s no need to apologize. Everyone took good care of you. …Even Jaji-nim.”

“I must adequately repay them for that. …It seems this isn’t the end of the story.”

“Right. A delegation, or perhaps it’s inaccurate to call them a delegation, arrived from the Fried Church.”

“……!! A-already? Even if it’s a week, that kind of distance….”

The flow of magic is chaotic, not an environment suitable for using magic like teleportation. This is the northernmost region; even on horseback, it would barely be possible to reach the Fried Church’s main base.

They didn’t take absolutely no measures, but a week is far too soon. Furthermore, that week is a blank space for Erina.

Powerlessness flows unpleasantly down her back like sweat.

“No. They arrived the day you collapsed.”

“I don’t understand. Even a week would be somewhat understandable, but it’s impossible unless they prepared beforehand, isn’t it?”

“Calm down. It’s because you just woke up. Initially, it’s reasonable to assume they knew as soon as we arrived here.”

Erina chews over Osti’s words and admits it.

“Yes. That so-called prophet… is likely part of them, so that must be right…. Huu…”

“Wait. Let me get you some water.”

Osti pours her some drinking water, chilled with a magical ice container brought by Prim.

Seeing her drink it down refreshingly, he embraces Erina warmly with his large breasts, as if reassuring her.

“I’m calmer now, thanks. Though, down below is still raring to go.”

“Haha…. You’d have enough to fill a bathtub with what you produced over the week.”

Osti isn’t joking. The throbbing sensation of his penis’s blood vessels tightening suggests it’s probably true.

“Rest for a while. You still look pale.”

“B-but, I have to deal with things. Levi-ssi, Aries-ssi, Tina is also absent.”

“I appreciate that attitude… but it’s best to rest when you can.”

“I can’t cause the devotees any more worry.”

Despite Osti’s objections, Erina eventually gets out of bed. She’s so dizzy from lying down for a week.

“Don’t worry. Jaji will rest for a while, so how are things progressing? You weren’t just sitting around for a week.”

“We’re creating a kind of base, utilizing the mountains. It seems they intend to end it here.”

“…You mentioned that there were monsters nearby. They’re probably taking care of them as well.”

“You remember. That’s probably the case. I haven’t been able to check their movements for the past few days.”

Probably because he was taking care of her, he couldn’t find the time.

‘Monsters…. Monsters…? Something…, something was there.’

She cautiously retraces a faint sensation. The memory has already faded, but following that faint trace, she manages to grasp a clue.

As she slowly recalls the ominous feeling, she shivers, and her penis aches. Then, she finally grasps the memory’s trail.

“…! Demons. That’s right. What was important. Demons are close by!”

“Demons…. That’s serious.”

Erina nods. She has a hunch that their gathering here is no coincidence.

Perhaps because she rested for so long, her body feels a little calmer.

“Han-na-ssi still hasn’t contacted us?”

“We’ll hear from her soon.”

Erina checks the situation within the church and breathes a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, nothing seems to have gone wrong. The fact that things are running smoothly even without her is slightly bitter, but reassuring.

First, as Osti suggested, she decides to have a delayed meal and rest for a while.

She lets everyone know quietly, so it doesn’t become a major commotion, and they all wait until dusk when they have some free time.

While waiting, having nothing to do, she suddenly remembers when she first met Levi.

It could be called fate or destiny. She wonders if she was simply entrusted to the flow and swept along.

She contemplates whether she has made the right choices at countless crossroads; only the Goddess knows the answer.

Even so, everything is a choice for the Goddess. Her heart clearly connects. She has never not desired her exquisite body, even for a moment.

‘Goddess… did you foresee this situation…?’

Originally, they were chosen to spread the Goddess’s name and address the declining population, but those who bear the same name have become enemies.

To receive the Goddess’s will, Erina thought she could only ask for it from their bodies.

Using Skill Maker, the Goddess’s power, she planted seeds for the Fried Church that would allow them to understand the true will of the Goddess, and she has confirmed that they are growing well.

Therefore, preparations are complete. All that remains is to pray for a good harvest.

Time flows, and it’s become the short time when everyone rests before dinner.

The only preparation for the demons is the contract she made with the succubus to not harm each other. Using her magic resistance skill pushes her capabilities to the limit.

If she could only use divine power, she could at least create a protective barrier, but it still shows no sign of returning. If only Kira were here, she could suppress these symptoms.

The ability to create infinite skills, but it appears her body has its limits.

Whether it’s instinct or subconscious, Erina is gauging that limit. There’s still plenty of room, but she wants to conserve it as much as possible.

And the Fried Church is a proper church; it can handle demons better than she currently can.

In any case, Erina’s task is to wait. She’s grateful they aren’t using her downtime.

“Everyone, I’m sorry for causing you worry.”

Gathering at a makeshift outdoor dining area, Erina speaks. She senses both anxiety and relief in everyone’s eyes.

And within that, a burning flame — excitement bubbling up.

“From now on, I’ll be more proactive.”

Living up to expectations is the role of a leader.

“First, we’ll prioritize evading demons. Ah, I need to explain….”

They were ordinary devotees living ordinary lives; but now, *this* is ordinary.

The world guided by the Goddess is surely like this, after all.

“…I believe you all understand. If you have any questions, ask those around you and discuss it.”

She finished explaining the general outline. Now, it truly begins.

Erina decides to go directly to the Fried Church to ignite the final spark.

She can’t just wait; if the Fried Church and Levi’s side encounter each other, it would be problematic. Therefore, she must take the initiative.

When she subtly mentions it to Osti, he can’t help but accept.

The fact that he still hasn’t returned from his adventure means he’s been struggling.

“…I hate to say this again, but where is our cute house dragon?”

“Prim… is it? Well, she hasn’t gone outside at least.”

“I’m here. What do you need?”

“It’s been a while….”

Prim, who simply came for dinner, walked up beside them.

Erina’s hesitant speech is due to a distinctly noticeable aura. Osti’s certainty that she was inside the church is because of this aura.

Despite her body being unable to sense anything besides divine power and magic, she feels something.

Assuming it was something Levi’s side did well, she decided to use it immediately.

She’s still a well-behaved puppy, so she plans to use her as an intimidation tool.

“Shall we have your company for a while? Just stay by my side.”

“……You seem unusually anxious today.”

Despite Osti’s concerns, Erina just smiles.

She has to somehow fill the week-long void.