"What the hell is going on…?"
Kurose Akira kept his eyes tightly shut, pretending to still be fast asleep.
In truth, he had woken up the very moment Elena opened the door for the Elf Queen. As for why—best not to ask.
But as his consciousness gradually returned, he was stunned to realize—
He was lying in Yuluxi's arms?!
Even more absurd—
His pants had completely vanished.
And worse still…
That scorching "Holy Light" was now pressed firmly against Yuluxi's wheat-toned abdomen.
The delicate, soft texture beneath it made the light tremble faintly… even causing golden droplets to spill forth.
"This guy…!!!"
That dense, sacred aura filled Yuluxi's senses, forcing her to bite her lip as a vivid blush spread across her cheeks.
Panic surged in her heart.
She wanted nothing more than to escape this humiliating situation immediately—but she didn't dare move.
If the Elf Queen discovered this scene, it would be impossible to explain!
Even though she hadn't brought Akira into the palace, if Elena were punished, she would inevitably be implicated as well.
And now…
She was pressed so closely against him—
Yuluxi felt utterly miserable, silently praying:
Elena, hurry up! I really can't hold on much longer!
Meanwhile, Akira—still pretending to sleep—didn't even dare breathe too loudly.
He could hear the Elf Queen's voice.
If he were discovered right now, there'd be no explaining it.
But the problem was—
They were far too close.
And Yuluxi, in her desperation, was trying to suppress that blazing "Holy Light" with her hand.
That only provoked it further.
Combined with the fact that Akira was now awake, the light intensified almost instantly—growing hotter, brighter, more uncontrollable!
"How is this happening?!"
Yuluxi's eyes widened in shock as she watched the radiance grow ever more dazzling.
Her anxiety spiked.
Had it not even reached its limit before?!
At the same time, her actions made things unbearable for Akira.
He was already holding back with everything he had—but the spreading heat was becoming impossible to suppress.
"…Hmm?"
Suddenly, the Elf Queen—who had been speaking with Elena—furrowed her brows slightly, as if sensing something unusual.
Her gaze snapped directly toward the Nightveil Silk where Akira and Yuluxi were hidden!
Damn it!
Yuluxi's heart clenched.
The Queen had noticed something!
That "Holy Light" was simply too conspicuous—even the aura-concealing Nightveil Silk couldn't fully hide its brilliance anymore.
Yuluxi was shaken.
What exactly is this thing…? Is it gathering some kind of terrifying energy?!
"Damn it… it's getting even brighter!"
She realized she had to do something—anything—to cover it!
Otherwise, they would definitely be discovered!
But no matter how she thought about it, she couldn't come up with a solution.
Hands? Clothes?
Completely useless.
Trying to block that radiance was nothing short of delusional.
And yet—
She had no choice.
As the light grew brighter and brighter, she had to act!
"…Elena! I hate you!"
After muttering a quiet complaint, Yuluxi steeled herself—
and opened her mouth, swallowing the dazzling "Holy Light" whole.
It was the only method she could think of.
No magic.
No suspicious movements.
Just… conceal it completely.
But—
She had underestimated it.
The brilliance.
The intensity.
The overwhelming sacred aura filling the air.
As the light entered her body, a powerful energy surged violently within her.
Her cheeks flushed deeper, her eyes shimmering with an unnatural glow.
"Mmh…!"
Her pupils trembled.
Her stomach churned violently, as though a storm were raging inside her.
She gritted her teeth, enduring the invasion of that burning radiance as it traveled down her throat, spreading toward her stomach.
She thought she had succeeded—
But then—
Her eyes trembled again.
Why is it only halfway…?!
Even so, she had no choice but to continue.
If she didn't fully conceal it, they'd be exposed.
After a brief hesitation—
Yuluxi activated her Dream-Lust Demon Eye.
But not on Akira.
That would be pointless—his Illusion-Destroying Demon Eye could counter her ability.
Instead—
She used it on herself.
In an instant, her consciousness sank into a dreamlike haze, placing her body into a trance-like state.
With this, she could dull the overwhelming sensation—
and finally suppress that blazing light completely…
Gulp… gulp…
Σ_(」∠)Ugh—
—
At the same time, Elena had already noticed the Queen's gaze.
She quickly spoke respectfully:
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will deliver your message to Palos. It's late—please take care of your health and retire early."
The Elf Queen gave a slight nod, her expression unchanged, before turning gracefully and leaving.
As her figure disappeared into the distance—
Elena finally let out a long breath.
Then she quickly moved to the corner, lifting the Nightveil Silk with a flick of her hand.
But the moment she saw what lay beneath—
She froze.
"You…"
She started to speak—then stopped, her body trembling slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief.
But at the same time, she realized—
Yuluxi's method had indeed worked.
The light had been successfully concealed.
"…I have to admit, coming up with something like that is impressive."
Her tone carried a hint of admiration… and unmistakable amusement.
"Mmmph—!"
Yuluxi couldn't respond—only muffled sounds escaped her.
Elena crouched down, asking softly,
"The Queen's gone. Aren't you going to let go now?"
"Mmph! Mmph—!"
Yuluxi tried to answer—but couldn't.
Because—
It was stuck.
Help me…!
Please…!
"…Wait."
Only then did Elena fully realize the situation.
She covered her mouth in shock.
"…Don't tell me… you're stuck?"
"Mmph!!"
Yuluxi nodded frantically, tears welling in her eyes as she silently begged for help.
But instead of acting immediately—
Elena smiled.
A playful, almost wicked smile.
Resting her chin in her hands, she said lightly,
"Don't worry. I've heard that if you just wait until the light fades, it'll resolve itself~ Just hang in there a bit longer."
"…???"
Yuluxi froze.
Wait for it to fade?
Elena—listen to yourself!!!
"Mmph!!!"
She protested desperately—but Elena seemed entirely unconcerned.
"If that's the case, I'm going to sleep first. Good luck!"
With that, Elena casually returned to bed, pulled up the covers, and went to sleep.
"Mmmph—!!"
Yuluxi was left there.
Completely abandoned.
—
About two hours later…
"Cough—cough—!"
At last, after an agonizing wait—
the "Holy Light" erupted.
And that—
was the most painful moment of all.
As that sacred radiance mixed with her stomach acid, it felt like a raging inferno had ignited within her.
The burning sensation was unbearable—so intense she nearly rolled her eyes back.
She was on the verge of passing out.
Fortunately—
Just as she reached her limit—
the light finally began to fade.
At last, she was freed from the rigid, torturous state she had endured for two full hours.
"…This bastard!"
Yuluxi glared at Akira, resentment practically overflowing.
She wanted nothing more than to—
But Akira?
Still pretending to sleep.
As long as he stayed "asleep," he was invincible.
"…Haa…"
After struggling internally for a while, Yuluxi finally calmed down and slowly stood up.
Even though she could still feel the lingering turmoil in her stomach—
Right now, she had something more important to do.
"Elena!"
She stormed to the bed and yanked off the covers.
Elena stirred awake, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she smiled.
"Oh? You're done?"
"I—ugh!"
Before Yuluxi could finish—
a wave of nausea hit her.
She clamped her mouth shut and fled the room.
"Elena really is something~"
Elena sighed lightly, then glanced toward Akira lying on the floor.
She walked over slowly, her blue eyes carefully examining him.
Even after that release—
the "Holy Light" still faintly glowed.
"This man really is something~"
"…Wait."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
His breathing.
His heartbeat.
Something was off.
"…You're pretending to sleep, aren't you?"
A teasing smile curled on her lips.
"What a cunning man… daring to fake sleep right in front of me."
Then—
She lifted her delicate foot and gently pressed it down onto the "Holy Light."
Under the soft glow of moonlight, her toes moved as though playing a silent melody, teasing and kneading it—
causing the faint light to flicker once more.
"How interesting~"
Watching it brighten again, her mood lifted, clearly enjoying the playful torment.
Akira's brows twitched slightly.
Inside, waves surged violently.
He clenched down hard, suppressing the impulse threatening to break free.
He never expected—
Elena had this kind of hobby.
And worse—
She kept pushing further, increasing the pressure, as if testing his limits.
Finally—
Akira's eyes snapped open.
He grabbed her ankle in one swift motion.
"Oh?"
Elena smiled in satisfaction.
"Finally stopped pretending?"
"…Can you stop now?"
Akira asked, his expression dark.
There was no way she'd let it simply "fade" naturally.
More likely, she'd stop right at the limit.
In that case—
He might as well interrupt her directly.
"Nope~"
Elena grinned mischievously.
"Yuluxi is my dear friend. I have to avenge her~"
And with that—
She continued.
"…?! Wait—!"
In the next instant—
A burst of blinding white light filled the room.
It didn't touch Elena—
but the entire chamber was left in utter disarray.
"Seriously! Every time it's like this—I have to clean up again!"
She pouted in annoyance.
Just like what had happened in the Queen's chamber before—
she'd have to deal with the aftermath of the Holy Light again.
Akira shot her a glance.
"That's your own fault."
"Hmph~"
She snorted softly, not bothering to argue.
Instead, she looked out the window.
"It's about time. The Queen should be awake now. I'll take you to her."
With that, she turned and headed for the door.
"Alright."
Akira nodded and followed her.
Soon, they arrived outside the Queen's chamber.
Elena knocked gently.
"Your Majesty, Guild Master Su requests an audience."
After a moment—
the Elf Queen's gentle voice came from within.
"Su Xuan?"
"…Let him in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Elena opened the door.
Inside, the Elf Queen sat at her desk, focused on handling the affairs of the kingdom.
A pair of silver half-rim glasses rested on her nose, adding a touch of intellectual elegance to her already refined presence.
"Guild Master Su~"
She set down her pen, lifting her gaze with a soft smile.
"You've come to see me in person. Is there something important you wish to discuss?"
Akira stepped forward, nodding.
"Yes. There is something very important I need to discuss with Your Majesty."
"Something important?"
She inclined her head slightly, casting a glance at Elena.
Elena understood immediately, closing the door and leaving the room.
The Queen then rose gracefully and walked toward Akira.
"Now," she said softly, "you may speak."
"The Rose Duchess of the Star Kingdom, Idis, wishes to meet with you. She possesses something that could help the Elf Kingdom."
"Oh?"
A gentle smile touched the Queen's lips.
"The Rose Duchess… yes. A truly remarkable woman. Exceptionally gifted—and driven by grand ambitions…"