Chapter 106: Someone Can't Afford to Lose!
By the time Aeron and Cartethyia had settled Phoebe, it was already evening.
"Gulu..."
Aeron looked at the large golden retriever lying on his sofa, emitting incomprehensible whimpers, and couldn't help but sigh. Even the world's number one weapon isn't always guaranteed to win the moment it's drawn.
"Ugh, how come there's no electricity in your house..."
"I haven't been home for so long. Just tidy up a bit and make do."
...(Thinking that she herself was the reason Aeron hadn't been home, she chose to remain silent.)
As for why the final stop was this long-unoccupied doghouse... First, they couldn't let the Order see the highest-ranking priest in such a state.
Second, Aeron was too embarrassed to trouble Carlotta at Montelli's place again.
And third, Aeron's home was the closest, and after all this time, he wanted to check on his little nest.
"Speaking of which, shouldn't you, as a Resonator, be doing the moving?"
"Eh... You want a girl like me to do this kind of thing?"
Damn, that makes sense. Aeron actually couldn't refute it.
Come to think of it, hadn't he heard something like this from someone before?
Cartethyia looked at the simple room before her, feeling somewhat surprised.
"I really didn't expect... your place to be so plain."
Although it was a standard one-bedroom apartment with an integrated kitchen and living room, it only had the most basic furniture, without even anything that could be called a personal hobby.
"My monthly salary is just that little. After covering the necessities, there's hardly anything left. I don't want to get killed, you know."
"That's a bit too harsh to say..."
Cartethyia didn't know what Aeron had experienced to always be so fearful.
She had noticed before that Aeron was inexplicably confident in some aspects, yet overly cautious in strange places.
But no matter how big the issue, he always managed to resolve it in some odd way... though it was often quite irritating.
Thinking of this, Cartethyia glanced back at Phoebe on the sofa. It seemed what had just happened was too much of a shock for her.
"So, you didn't do anything naughty, right?"
"Well... that depends on how you define 'naughty.'"
If you asked him, suddenly being immobilized, then having clothes undone and hickeys planted—Aeron thought that was indeed quite naughty. But the premise of it being naughty was that he wasn't the one being immobilized.
Besides, what's the point of time-stop abilities targeting men? Whose dick could stand up under time-stop? Some golden vampire?
Although Aeron was no saint, he wasn't the type to let his little head control his big head and cross the line... unless his little head was forcibly controlled.
And while Cartethyia was just teasing, considering Aeron's habit of starting fires without putting them out, she was quite worried he might accidentally get abducted by someone.
...After all, to some extent, Cartethyia had to bear some responsibility for this.
At that moment, Phoebe on the sofa let out a vague murmur, shifting restlessly in her sleep. Aeron and Cartethyia both fell silent, their gazes turning toward her.
Phoebe unconsciously curled up, hugging a slightly worn cushion on the sofa as if seeking comfort, still mumbling something under her breath.
"Senior, don't... there... no... not allowed..."
"..."
"..."
"You... really didn't do anything?"
"Honestly, do you two have a bit too little trust in me?"
Why did everyone assume he was up to no good whenever he was mentioned? Was Aeron really such a troublemaker?
Aeron didn't respond, simply standing up and walking over to Phoebe. He lifted her from the sofa, intending to carry her to bed.
Sigh, he had finally returned home and wanted to reconnect with his bed and the bedding that had accompanied him for years. It seemed he'd have to put that aside for now.
Wait, if Phoebe had slept in his bed, did that mean it was now blessed or something?
As these strange thoughts crossed his mind, Aeron picked Phoebe up.
"Mmm—"
Nestled in Aeron's arms, Phoebe sensed a familiar scent and buried her head deeper into the crook of his neck.
"Hehe... senior... so big... so fragrant..."
"..."
"Can I wake her up?"
"I know you wouldn't be that heartless."
Damn, even that was seen through?
He had wanted to argue a bit more, but Aeron simply didn't have the energy for it now.
After watching Aeron lay Phoebe down on the bed—who was still mumbling, "Senior, don't go"—Cartethyia looked at the two of them with a relieved smile.
...It seems she's even more insecure than we imagined. Fleurdelys's voice echoed in Cartethyia's mind.
Well... let's just assume that's the case for now.
Once Aeron sat back down opposite Cartethyia, she finally asked the question she had wanted to ask earlier but hadn't had the chance to.
"Alright, what do you plan to do from now on?"
"Didn't I say I'd continue being a priest?"
"You know that's not what I'm asking."
Cartethyia didn't care about Aeron's status. Compared to such nominal things, she was more curious about... what Aeron himself wanted to do.
"As Montelli, the face of Ragunna, Fisalia striving to clear her name, and the reorganized Order led by Phoebe... aren't there plenty of opportunities for you?"
"You're overestimating me, Little Carte. Unlike Carlotta and the others, I'm just an ordinary person. Being able to eat my fill is satisfying enough—I don't have the luxury to think about the future."
"An ordinary person who isn't even afraid of Leviathan?"
"That was just hysteria for the sake of survival."
"Hmph~"
Cartethyia looked at the person across from her, who was brushing off the topic with self-deprecation, and let out a soft hum.
"Fool others if you must, but don't fool yourself."
"Who am I fooling...? And why are you talking about such things today?"
At least from Aeron's own perspective, he had always been following his life's creed.
To be honest, if it were just Rover saying that, it would be one thing, but why is even Little Carte saying it? Could there really be something wrong with how he played this round?
Cartethyia didn't answer immediately. She simply leaned forward slightly, propping her elbows on the table and resting her chin in her hands, her emerald-green eyes fixed unblinkingly on Aeron.
Sunlight slanted in from the side window, casting a soft glow around her and making her gaze appear exceptionally clear. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because you're pretty?"
"Oh, wow, it took you this long to finally notice? A bit late, but at least you have good taste, Little Carte."
"Never mind, I take back what I just said."
Cartethyia had only meant to tease him a little, but she hadn't expected Aeron to actually respond like that.
But isn't that the truth? Don't you think so too...
Even if it's true, you can't just say it out loud!
She argued back against Fleurdelys in her mind, though the tips of her ears grew slightly warm. The other part of her was right—she had never thought Aeron was unattractive.
"But looking back now, it hasn't really been that long since we first met, has it?"
Aeron leaned back in his chair, gazing at the familiar yet unfamiliar ceiling above, reminiscing about everything that had happened.
But his thoughts were soon interrupted by Cartethyia.
"Why are you suddenly getting all sentimental like a burnt-out office worker?"
"Sorry for being a burnt-out office worker!"
Hearing Aeron's annoyed reply, Cartethyia just smiled and briefly recalled the circumstances of their first meeting.
Meeting him, then the two of them encountering each other at the Order, followed by him dying and reviving right in front of her, and then that proposal he made...
Hey, wait...
At this point, Cartethyia suddenly had an idea.
When she and Aeron first met, he had made quite an outrageous request, and his reaction afterward had been amusing.
Hehe... what if I tease him a little...
The movement under the table was subtle. Cartethyia maintained her pose—chin resting in her hands, looking innocently at Aeron—while her left foot quietly slipped out of her delicate white high-heeled slipper.
The space under the table wasn't spacious, but it was enough for her to make a small move.
Meanwhile, Aeron was still staring at the ceiling, pondering whether cos45° was acidic or alkaline, when he suddenly felt a sensation on his calf—something cool and soft?
Oh... firmer than I expected?
Cartethyia was slightly surprised in her mind. This guy might seem lazy and laid-back, but his legs had quite a bit of muscle.
Cartethyia's foot slowly slid upward along the line of his calf.
Under the table, her fair foot stood out vividly in the dimly lit room.
Her ankle was slender, the arch of her foot elegantly curved, her toes neatly aligned, and her heel and sole tinged with a healthy light pink. As she moved, her foot tensed slightly, making the delicate bones of her ankle appear even more distinct.
The soft curve of her arch pressed against his shin, and her rounded toes even curled slightly, their pads brushing lightly against his skin.
Cartethyia revealed a mischievous smile, her toes continuing their leisurely exploration upward.
Through the thin fabric of his trousers, she could feel the taut lines of muscle beneath. Aeron, who was constantly on the move, had little excess fat on his legs—his muscles were evenly proportioned and firm, and rubbing against them...
Actually felt pretty good?
During their first meeting, Aeron had made such a request of her. Back then, she had been utterly mortified, but now... the tables had turned~
Recalling this, Cartethyia couldn't help but let a sly curve lift the corner of her mouth.
"???"
Meanwhile, Aeron, sitting across from her, was completely stunned.
What the hell? Since when was there paid content? Isn't this the kind of thing you'd only find next door?
"Little Carte... what does this mean?"
"During our first meeting, a certain someone made quite a bold request. So... I'm just fulfilling it a little?"
Cartethyia deliberately drew out her words, but the movements of her foot grew even bolder. The arch of her foot pressed fully against the inside of his thighs, her toes playfully curling and stretching, lightly scratching through the fabric.
Remembering the shame she felt when she agreed to his request during their first meeting... Hehehe, now it was his turn!
"Did Ciaccona show you too?"
"..."
Though she felt a bit guilty toward Ciaccona, Cartethyia, now fully in a playful mood, did need some excuse to justify herself.
Her toes had already reached just above Aeron's knee, a little higher and they would touch his thigh.
Cartethyia looked at Aeron's face, which rarely showed such a dumbfounded expression, and the mischievous delight in her heart nearly overflowed.
...Are you serious? Fleurdelys' voice sounded somewhat resigned.
Oh, I just wanted to see how he'd react. Cartethyia replied cheerfully in her mind.
He'll probably just say something weird to brush it off anyway~
"What's wrong? You were the one who made the request in the first place... are you scared now?"
Aeron remained silent, only his face beginning to flush red—a young man's blush spoke louder than any curse.
The rage was building.
Damn it, she's doing this on purpose just for fun? Should I let her get away with this?
Let's do it!
Find the right moment, seize the opportunity, steady your hand, calm your heart, aim first and then shoot—
Slap!
"..?"
Her wrist was caught in a warm palm, and Cartethyia's movements paused.
Aeron's hand was large, his five fingers easily encircling the slender bones of her ankle. His palm was warm, and when it pressed against the sensitive skin of her ankle, it sent a faint, electric tingle through her.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Cartethyia instinctively tried to pull her foot back, but Aeron's grip was firm, and she couldn't free herself.
Aeron didn't speak, only looked at her. His eyes, usually lazy or teasing, now seemed unusually focused in the dim light. His other hand also reached under the table, grasping Cartethyia's mischievous foot.
"Huh?!" Cartethyia let out a soft gasp.
Aeron's fingers slid along the curve of her arch, his thumb pressing against the soft sole while the other four fingers supported the top of her foot. This position left Cartethyia's foot completely in his control.
"You..." Cartethyia's cheeks began to burn.
"Hehe... Didn't you say you wanted to satisfy me?" Aeron's voice lowered slightly, carrying a hint of danger she wasn't quite familiar with. "Then shouldn't you let me... 'test it out' properly?"
His thumb pressed against Cartethyia's sole, not too lightly, not too heavily.
"Eek!"
Cartethyia shuddered violently all over, her toes curling up reflexively. An intense, mixed current of shame and strange stimulation shot straight from the sole of her foot to the top of her head.
"W-Wait... wait..."
Her protest was weak and feeble.
Aeron let go of her hand, stood up, walked around the table, and approached Cartethyia.
Cartethyia slumped awkwardly in the chair, but the expression on her face had clearly turned to panic. She watched Aeron draw near, instinctively leaning back, her spine pressed against the chair back.
"You... what are you going to do?" she whispered.
Aeron didn't answer, only leaned down, placing his hands on the armrests of her chair, completely trapping her between his body and the seat.
Cartethyia's breath hitched for a moment.
She looked up at Aeron's face, so close she could see her own reflection in those jade-green eyes—no trace of his usual smile or laziness, only a depth that made her heart skip a beat.
"Ph-Phoebe is still here..." she reminded him futilely, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum. "This kind of thing... isn't allowed..."
Cartethyia's heart began to race wildly. She felt her cheeks grow hot, her ears burning as well. Aeron's body warmth seeped through his clothes, his familiar scent enveloping her completely.
Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, the blush on her cheeks spreading all the way down to her neck. Both hands were pressed tightly against her chest.
Is... is he serious this time...?
Once this thought surfaced, it spread like wildfire. Her earlier mischievous intentions had long since vanished, replaced by a strange, unsettling, yet faintly anticipated flutter.
She watched his face draw closer, felt his increasingly heated breath, and her body made a choice before her mind could—
And so, Cartethyia tightly shut her eyes, then began to anticipate what would happen next.
She could feel Aeron's presence drawing nearer and nearer, and she could hear her own heartbeat growing faster and faster.
If... if it's him...
She thought weakly in her heart, nervously awaiting the impending touch.
She could feel his warm breath brush against the corner of her lips, hear her own deafening heartbeat, and sense him drawing even closer.
Seeing her like this, Aeron's movements grew bolder, and the distance between them began to shrink continuously.
Then, Aeron leaned close to Cartethyia's flushed ear and whispered softly:
"How did you know that on February 12, 2026, at 5:53:23 PM, I pulled a double gold in a single ten-pull and maxed out Aemeath's chains?"
"...Huh?"
When Cartethyia opened her eyes, what she saw was Aeron's infuriating expression.
"Haha, that's enough. So much has happened today, I don't have the energy to fool around with you anymore."
Listening to Aeron's words, Cartethyia simply lowered her head, saying nothing.
"If you want to compete with me, Little Carte, you're still twenty thousand years too early—"
"True form, revealed at last."
"Huh????"
Before Aeron could recover from the shock, he saw Cartethyia enveloped in Resonance Power. In an instant, the petite girl transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful figure nearly two heads taller than him, radiating a solemn and sacred aura.
Aeron, who had previously held the advantage in size, was instantly pinned to the floor.
Before him now was Fleurdelys's unbelievably exquisite face.
In a split second, the roles of attacker and defender were reversed.
Under the gaze of those cold, clear eyes, Aeron felt it difficult to even breathe, let alone continue his verbal tug-of-war.
"Then..." she whispered softly, her fingertips brushing over his Adam's apple. "Let's get serious."
Damn, someone's playing dirty ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!