"Alright, alright~ I get it."
Kurose Akira nodded with a smile. At the same time, his large hand "accidentally" brushed across Lucya's snow-white skin, giving it a light, teasing pat.
Lucya frowned slightly at his frivolous behavior, rolling her eyes before quickly getting dressed.
"Hurry up and put your clothes on. You should leave," Lucya said as she stood, restoring the Golden Throne to its original position.
It was already late into the night. She had no intention of risking letting him stay in the Holy Church overnight—it would only invite unnecessary trouble.
"Alright, I'll listen to you." Akira chuckled helplessly as he pulled his pants back on.
For some reason, he felt like he had just finished a secret affair and needed to make a quick escape.
"Oh, right—how did you deal with Kaelisi?" Lucya asked curiously while combing through her disheveled, snow-like hair.
"I handled her…"
Akira briefly recounted the battle, naturally including the part about Winnissian's white stockings.
"I didn't expect Winnissian to lend you her white stockings, even temporarily. No wonder you were able to defeat Kaelisi," Lucya said, visibly surprised.
"Oh? What's so special about them?" Akira asked.
"That's a secret technique of the Sun Theocracy's royal family," Lucya explained. "They imbue all of their faith into a personal belonging, granting it extraordinary power. But not every royal can use this technique—only those with the Sun Bloodline are qualified."
"So you're saying…" Akira paused, then looked at her with a strange expression. "The stockings are basically her true body?"
"?"
Lucya froze for a moment at his analogy, then replied flatly, "...You could say that. If a member of the Sun royal family loses their object of faith, their combat strength will drop significantly."
"I see." Akira nodded, gaining a deeper understanding of the Sun Theocracy.
"Enough. You should go now. I still have a lot of work to handle," Lucya urged again, a trace of helplessness in her tone. As the Pope of the Holy Church, she didn't have the luxury to indulge in personal matters.
"See you tomorrow." Akira waved with a smile before stepping into the teleportation array, his figure gradually fading away.
After he left, Lucya looked around at the disarray. Even her Golden Throne still bore traces of their… battle.
She let out a soft sigh, then immediately cast a spell, cleansing all remnants of their "holy war."
—
With a flash of white light, Akira returned to the guild.
The first thing he did was submit Lucya's breakthrough challenge.
[Lucya's Challenge Quest (Completed)!][Lucya has reached Level 50!][All attributes +50!][Lucya gains Overgrowth! Each level grants an additional 30 attribute points (freely distributable)!][Please select one of the following three Ultra-Rare Traits!][Note! Ultra-Rare Traits cannot be refreshed!][Ninefold Exquisite Body (Ultra-Rare)][Crown of Sin (Ultra-Rare)][Fox Spirit (Ultra-Rare)]
"These three…"
Akira stared at the options, deep in thought.
He immediately eliminated [Fox Spirit]. If Lucya found out he had given her that trait, she would definitely be furious—it would take ages to calm her down.
As for [Ninefold Exquisite Body] versus [Crown of Sin]…
Akira frowned slightly. The style of [Ninefold Exquisite Body] felt somewhat out of place.
But compared to [Crown of Sin], the choice was obvious. Lucya was the Pope of the Holy Church—an embodiment of justice and light. There was no way she would accept something like a Crown of Sin.
"This one, then."
Akira selected [Ninefold Exquisite Body] without hesitation.
[Ultra-Rare Trait added to your Adventurer Lucya — Ninefold Exquisite Body!][Ninefold Exquisite Body: Contains a miniature world within the body, capable of storing power the physical form cannot withstand. One of the finest cultivation vessels in existence. Those who obtain her primal yin essence will form their own miniature world within themselves.]
"?"
Akira frowned.
This trait had a distinctly Eastern cultivation flavor, which clashed with the setting of this world.
But that wasn't what concerned him most.
What he cared about was its actual effect…
And the part about obtaining Lucya's primal yin—
"Wait a second."
Akira suddenly realized something.
He hadn't formed any so-called "miniature world" within his body.
"What's going on?"
He fell into thought.
First of all, he was certain—Lucya's first time had been with him. That night's proof…
So why hadn't the effect triggered?
Was it because he obtained it before the trait was added?
Or—
Akira's eyes lit up.
He had been leveling Lucya within the guild all this time.
But Lucya's true identity was the Pope of the Holy Church—a being who should already be at least a demigod.
Which meant…
The Lucya in the guild wasn't her true body.
It was a clone.
Though they were technically the same person, triggering the effect of [Ninefold Exquisite Body] likely required her true body.
"…Well."
Akira rubbed his temples, letting out a wry smile.
After all that time teasing Lucya, he still hadn't truly claimed her.
As expected of the Pope—always leaving herself a way out.
But then again…
That might not be a bad thing.
At least it meant he'd have the chance to make her experience it twice…
Ahem.
"Mr. Akira~ You're finally back!"
Just as Akira was focused on Lucya's new trait, Ivsha rushed out of Virole's room, her face filled with panic.
"What's wrong?" Akira stood up immediately.
"Virole's condition doesn't seem right! Please come take a look!" Ivsha grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the room.
The moment he entered, Akira saw Virole curled up on the bed in pain. The soft fur along her purple-white deer back had turned completely dark red, emitting an ominous aura.
"This is…"
Akira quickly opened her status panel.
[Status: Demon King Fruit is gestating…]
"Demon King Fruit?"
Akira frowned.
Her [Forbidden Fruit] and [Seven-Colored Radiance] traits allowed her to produce seven types of fruits with different enhancement effects.
This new fruit…
Most likely came from her newly acquired [Demon King] trait.
Which meant—
Her current condition wasn't dangerous. She was simply enduring the process of fruit gestation.
"Don't worry, Virole will be fine," Akira reassured everyone.
"She's really okay?"
Alice knelt beside Virole, her face full of worry.
"M…Master…"
Virole let out a weak call, her voice filled with dependence.
Akira immediately moved to her side, gently stroking her forehead.
Her body was burning hot, like she was engulfed in flames.
Just as he was thinking of a way to ease her pain—
She suddenly bit down on his index finger.
"?"
The sharp pain made him pause, but then he noticed her expression gradually easing.
"Virole doesn't look as pained anymore," Alice said, relieved.
"You all should go rest. I'll take care of her," Akira said.
"Okay…""Then we'll leave her to you, Master~"
After some persuasion, everyone left the room.
As the door closed, Akira's gaze returned to Virole.
Her bite had softened into a gentle suckling.
"This little one…" Akira chuckled as he sat beside her.
He began organizing guild resources, thinking about who should be the next to reach Level 50.
—
Meanwhile, negotiations between the Elf Kingdom and Idiss were nearing their conclusion.
"Your Majesty, what is your decision? If you accept my terms, even if the Elf Kingdom loses this war, its foundation will remain unharmed," Idiss said with a smile.
"I need time to consider," the Elf Queen replied, frowning slightly.
It wasn't that Idiss's demands were excessive.
On the contrary, they required almost nothing—just offering blessings when the new king of the Star Kingdom ascended the throne.
A mere stance.
But the other condition…
"Take your time. It's only a single drop of the First Ancestor's blood. Compared to your kingdom's future, it's insignificant," Idiss said, her smile deepening. "I'll await your answer."
With that, her body dissolved into drifting rose petals, vanishing into the air.
After she left, the Elf Queen remained seated, her emerald eyes filled with contemplation.
A single drop of ancestral blood truly wasn't a heavy price.
But…
Idiss didn't want it for herself.
She wanted it given to Kurose Akira.
That was what puzzled the Queen.
"Elena," she called softly.
Elena appeared instantly, kneeling. "Your Majesty."
"I need you to investigate something…"
—
Back at the guild, Akira was reviewing breakthrough quests.
[Alice's Breakthrough Challenge!][Description: Alice wishes to meet the Moonlight Witch again, no matter the cost!][Objective: Find the Moonlight Witch!][Reward: Level Advancement! (Ultra-Rare Trait +1)!]
"Meeting the Moonlight Witch…"
Akira rubbed his chin.
Simple on the surface—but practically impossible at this stage.
"Wait…"
He suddenly recalled something.
Alice once mentioned a priestess from the Moon God Empire.
That priestess had claimed she could help find the Moonlight Witch.
Though her intentions were unclear…
She might be a lead.
"Ma…Master…"
At that moment, Virole stirred awake.
"I'm here," Akira said, gently caressing her face.
"Mm~!"
Realizing she had been sucking on his finger, her face flushed bright red. She quickly let go and buried her head in the pillow.
After calming down, she looked at him shyly.
"Master… were you by my side the whole time?"
"Feeling better?" he asked, placing his hand on her forehead.
Her temperature had returned to normal.
"Much better~" she said with a soft smile.
The dark red on her back had mostly faded, leaving only a small patch.
"Oh! Master! This is for you!"
She suddenly handed him a branch.
Hanging from it was a strange, dark-red fruit.
Akira took it.
[Demon King Fruit (Lust): Contains Demon King power. Grants temporary power upon consumption!][Current power: Lust]
"Demon King… Lust?"
Akira narrowed his eyes.
Why Lust?
A thought crossed his mind.
Is it because of me?
If so…
Then if he gained more Demon King powers…
Would Virole produce different types of fruits?