"White Rose Valkyrie?"
The instant Kurose Akira heard that voice, a flicker of surprise cut through his thoughts.
He already knew that the White Rose Valkyrie possessed certain divine means of observing events unfolding across the Magic Continent. Natalia, as the guardian soul of the White Rose Blossom, shared an inseverable link with her. That connection alone made divine surveillance plausible.
But even so—
He hadn't expected that in the dead of night, within this silent castle, the Valkyrie would still be watching.
Does she really have nothing better to do?
"Mr. Akira!"
At the same time, Natalia's face blossomed into radiant delight upon hearing his answer.
She moved closer, her soft, generous curves pressing intimately against him. Warm breath spilled from her crimson lips, brushing his skin.
It had been so long since she had felt his Holy Light.
And now—
Right now—
She desperately wanted to be bathed in it.
In a matter of moments, Natalia cast aside the modest coverings that concealed his brilliance. The radiant glow trembled faintly within her pupils like starlight reflected across a lake.
The familiar, intoxicating fragrance filled the air once more, making her delicate body quiver.
She had yearned for this Holy Light for far too long.
Faced with Natalia's initiative, Akira chose to accept it passively at first.
He might be unable to fully handle Ifsha—especially when she activated her [Death Coil] trait, which inverted vitality and entangled him in exhausting cycles of pleasure and drain—but dealing with Natalia?
That was practically effortless.
As for the cold warning echoing in his mind from the White Rose Valkyrie?
He couldn't hear it.
"Mr. Akira~ please use your Holy Light to purify me~"
"You are truly my favorite~"
"I wish I could stay by your side every day… but I'm too weak to become an adventurer like Lady Loserine~"
"Mr. Akira~ is this… alright?"
"..."
Akira savored every moment of her devotion.
Her tenderness was utterly different from Ifsha's blazing passion. If Ifsha was the rich, intoxicating main course, then Natalia was the perfect dessert afterward—sweet, soothing, restoring the confidence Akira sometimes lost in Ifsha's overwhelming embrace.
As for Lucia?
At best, she was the cherry on top.
And even if that cherry was still slightly green—tart and unripe—
He had no intention of letting it go.
He wanted them all.
And so, while Akira and Natalia "prayed to the Holy Light" within the White Rose Valkyrie's former residence—
The Valkyrie herself watched from the Divine Realm.
She bit lightly on her pearl-white teeth, eyes blazing with hostility as she stared at the image of Akira.
She had already warned him—told him to exercise restraint, to measure himself properly.
And yet here they were—
In the very place she once lived—
Being so utterly shameless.
Ridiculous!
Just as she was about to sever the divine projection—
Akira's voice suddenly echoed faintly into her ears.
"You're watching?"
Her brows knit slightly. The Divine Realm and the Magic Continent were separated by vast distance; his voice arrived with a slight delay.
Before she could even respond properly, the scene below had already escalated.
"Hmph."
She snorted coldly, icy light flickering in her eyes.
"Did I not warn you? Restrain your filthy thoughts—"
But before she could finish—
Akira shifted from passive to dominant, roughly lifting Natalia into his arms.
The sight was like oil poured onto flame.
"You bastard!"
The White Rose Valkyrie clenched her silver teeth, a fierce impulse rising within her—she nearly tore his Holy Light away entirely.
"What did you say? Sorry, I didn't catch that—haah… haah…"
Akira's voice drifted up again, slightly breathless.
That was the final straw.
"Idiot!"
"Filthy maggot!"
"..."
"What exactly are you doing, White Rose?"
A sultry voice drifted from behind her.
A voluptuous woman materialized silently at her side, her body woven from shimmering golden petals.
Compared to the White Rose Valkyrie's slightly youthful, almost delicate beauty, this Flower Valkyrie exuded mature allure—her curves fuller, her presence richer, radiating the intoxicating charm of a grown woman.
The White Rose folded her arms across her chest, turning toward her visitor with a guarded expression.
"Golden Peony. What are you doing here? I've been diligently guarding the Southern Gate."
Golden Peony smiled.
"The Lord God sent me with a message. If you continue guarding the Southern Gate for another six months, you will be granted permission to descend to the Magic Continent for a period of time—to settle your unfinished matters."
"Oh? I see."
The White Rose replied indifferently.
But inside—
Her heart surged with wild joy.
She could return.
There was something she had left behind in that world.
Something very important.
If someone else found it—
No.
Absolutely not.
It must not be discovered.
"What were you watching just now?"
Golden Peony asked curiously, her gaze drifting toward the fading projection. Within it, a man had been wielding brilliant Holy Light…
The White Rose's expression changed instantly. She severed the image in haste.
"Nothing! You saw nothing!"
Golden Peony's lips curved into an amused smile.
"I never expected you to enjoy watching such things. Don't worry—I'll keep your secret."
"I do not!" the White Rose snapped. "I absolutely do not enjoy that!"
"Yes, yes~"
Golden Peony laughed softly and turned to leave, no longer teasing her.
But as she departed, a mysterious smile tugged at her lips.
Seems I've found an interesting little one~
Once Golden Peony disappeared, the White Rose took a deep breath and attempted to reopen the projection.
She needed to confirm that the item she had hidden in her former residence hadn't been taken.
But when she activated the divine vision—
Only chaos greeted her.
"Strange… Did it break?"
—
"Mr. Akira… please spare me~"
Natalia lay gently against his chest, smiling sweetly, her voice tinged with playful surrender.
After just one "prayer," she had yielded completely.
Akira's confidence soared instantly.
See? How could I possibly be weak?
It was only when facing Ifsha that his Holy Light erupted too quickly under relentless stimulation.
But with Natalia…
He lifted his gaze toward the sky.
The horizon was already paling with the faint light of dawn.
Hm. Morning was close.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, he felt an odd vibration beneath his back.
"What is it?" Natalia leaned closer, curious.
"It feels like something's moving underground."
He gestured for her to rise first, then focused on the damp earth beneath them.
He could clearly sense it—
Something was about to break through.
As he watched, the soil split open.
A tender green sprout pushed its way up.
It grew rapidly before his eyes, transforming into a vibrant plant. From one of its vines, a flower bud formed, hanging delicately in midair, as if on the verge of blooming.
"What is this?"
Before he could analyze further, the bud seemed to respond to his presence.
It began to open.
Convinced something valuable lay within, Akira extended both hands to catch it.
When the flower fully blossomed, a single object drifted gently into his palms.
He froze.
"A… petal? And it carries a strange fragrance…"
[White Rose Valkyrie's Intimate Petal (?)A personal belonging of the Valkyrie. Should she discover that you have taken it, the consequences will be unimaginable. Grants qualification for one Transcendent-tier reward…]