A saintess? She's just a bad woman.

Page 44

He gripped his hands tighter and tighter, afraid of being flung away by his thoughts that were about to soar into the sky. His toes curled up tightly, and his legs crossed behind Saint Karina's slender waist. The two were silent, with only their rapid breathing echoing in the empty throne room.

Rowing is really tiring; after a while, your hands and arms will feel sore and numb. When Santa Karina suddenly accelerated in the last short stretch of water, and with the environment being very open, Brenda was extremely nervous.

She was worried that something might happen along the way, and that doing such a thing on the throne would be discovered by other people or intelligent beings of other races in the other world. Or perhaps, the maid outside the library in the real world would suddenly burst in. In short, the feeling of being paranoid caused tension and excitement to intertwine in her brain, making the emotions flowing through her body even more intense and turbulent.

The flow of emotions is truly wondrous, its expression distinct from facial expressions. It shares the owner's burning and tender feelings through the evaporation and precipitation of moisture.

This emotion erupted and was violently released as the two reached the other side of the waterway, at its highest point. Brenda saw the transparent waterfall cascading down, and the water splashing faster, higher, stronger, and more violently than when they were paddling.

Bathed in the red moonlight, the waterfall resembled scattered drops of blood; its bewitching color stung her eyes, causing them to sting and a few tears to well up. Her mood, hair, and clothes were all disheveled.

Saint Karina's perfect body, dressed in the same Emperor's New Clothes, was clearly visible in the blood-red moonlight. Her back was incredibly smooth, showing no signs of having lain in the coffin for so long; her fair, unblemished back was captivating. A mist rose as she swung her meter-long, silver-white holy sword; it was this very weapon she had used to paddle.

"You... when your Holy Maiden of the Eternal God Cult was doing this, was her true form also a Holy Sword?"

Fragments of memories flooded Brenda's bewildered mind, some of the figures overlapping with Saint Karina's silhouette. Another ethereal voice addressed her directly as "Teacher," a title likely given to her by Ernest VII.

This name sounds familiar; I don't know where I've heard it before.

"The second question, you and your ancestor must have done it, right? Your ancestor also liked to call you 'teacher' during these things, to get the stimulation of a sense of transgression?"

"..."

Saint Karina's expression changed slightly, but only for a moment.

"It seems that tonight's 'pleasant time together' has allowed you to see some things about me, and the gift from the evil god has also given you some insight into illusion. Yes, that is indeed how Ernest VII addresses me. You should see more about me in the future, and I believe you will gradually recall those 'wonderful' past memories for me. As you can see, the saintess of our Eternal God Church does indeed like to use the holy sword or other holy artifacts that she likes or is familiar with for that purpose. Moreover, a sharp and invincible partner can become gentle and bring women a wonderful experience and a pleasant feeling."

Then, Saint Karina gently stroked Brenda's cheek, wiping away the sweat from her face, and then picked up the clothes scattered on the ground.

Brenda looked up at the dome. The blood-red moonlight stained the throne the same color, while the blue moonlight was completely obscured by the clouds, and no trace of blue moonlight could be seen.

It wasn't exactly midnight, but night had fallen in the surface world, a time when the seal on the inner world was relatively weak. Brenda had a premonition that she would be able to leave this hellish place tonight.

"Can we leave now? Time... has come."

On one of the walls of the throne hangs a mechanical clock, its brass hour hand pointing to the number 7 and its minute hand to the number 12. The metal pendulum swings slowly and rhythmically, emitting a dull thud.

As the appointed time approached, Brenda grew increasingly nervous. Doing this in the semi-public royal library instilled a strange sense of unease, and she worried about encountering other people reading there.

In any case, there's no turning back.

Santa Karina quickly tidied up the clothes, picked up the other items from the floor, and draped them over Brenda, who was still in a daze. Her movements were practiced, as if she had done this long before.

"We can leave whenever you want, under the glow of the red moon."

"I hope to leave immediately."

With Santa Karina's help, Brenda got dressed, her feelings a mix of nervousness and complicated emotions. A jumble of feelings swirled within her, a complex blend of emotions.

The mystery has not diminished, but rather multiplied.

The throne still bears the "memorials" left behind after their intimate conversations about the origins of species; Brenda only hoped they would dry out before other people came to the library, leaving no trace.

Cleaning it up takes a lot of time, and she doesn't have enough confidence to clean it up before someone else comes, so she simply ignores it.

They left through another long corridor in the throne room, leading to the end of the inner world—the River of Eternity. Part of the River of Eternity's waters connects to the human world on the surface; crossing that waterway allows one to return to the human world.

However, the water flow in that area was rapid and terrifying.

Their destination was the waterfall of the Eternal River. They had already passed through the palace corridors and stood on the bank, with the waterfall of unknown height and bottomless depth right below them.

Putting aside the fact that Brenda can't swim, even if she could, she wouldn't have the courage to jump from such a height. If there were hidden reefs below, her head would surely be smashed into a pulp by the enormous impact, merging with the River of Eternity in a bizarre way.

Brenda didn't dare look down any further.

"Are we supposed to jump off here?"

"Yes, this is the fastest way to leave here."

People always have to make choices and pay the corresponding price for their choices, losing some things and gaining new ones.

Having chosen freedom, one must pay a price in the courage and boldness required to pursue it. These costs can be regenerated, and as long as one is not terrified, one will no longer feel fear when jumping from a height in the future.

The rushing water splashed my robes, and the whistling wind blew past my ears. Having just experienced a fierce and profound exchange on the origins of species, my semi-closed circular muscles were still sore.

The dampness lingered on every inch of her skin, and her clothes clung to her sweat-soaked body, making Brenda very uncomfortable. What bothered her even more was the choice she had to make; she was actually quite afraid of heights.

Not only are they afraid of heights, but they're also not necessarily good swimmers.

But when he recalled how he spent more than half the nights each week confined to the dark, suffocating, and oppressive palace rooms by his identity as emperor, looking at those lifeless murals and tracing their outlines while being physically plundered and mentally tormented, he felt that embracing freedom boldly was not so bad.

Just consider this a bungee jump without any safety measures.

Saint Karina stood on the edge of the cliff, gazing at the rushing river below, exuding a leisurely and carefree air.

"To leave the Otherworld, your soul must withstand the test of the River of Eternity. If your will is not strong enough, if your will to survive is not strong enough, the River of Eternity will tear your soul into countless pieces."

"very scary……"

Brenda took a large step back. Her soul and body were shattered and riddled with holes, unable to withstand any more torment. Upon hearing these words, she immediately felt the urge to retreat.

Those who have experienced hardship and are of noble status generally cherish their lives more than ordinary people.

Ignoring her fear, Santa Karina took her hand and led her toward the cascading waterfall and the bottomless cliff.

"Some things you'll never know the outcome of if you don't try, so you have to find the answer yourself. Because—a cage is meant to be escaped."

Suddenly pulled forward by a force, Saint Karina, with an enigmatic smile, was dragged up into the unfathomable void. She had heard that the River of Eternity lay at the very bottom of the cliff, and she didn't know how long it would take to reach the end of the Eternal Realm.

When both feet leave the ground, the eyes close uncontrollably.

As long as you don't see, hear, or think about it, you can escape the mental damage caused by things you don't like. After all, there's no magic cure in this world; it all depends on your own willpower.

Vulnerable people may develop schizophrenia, hypochondria, or dissociative disorders as a result. Brenda is a bit stronger and has not yet developed any serious mental illnesses.

The deafening roar of the waterfall almost drowned out the sound of the wind rushing past my ears as I leaped down. My long, golden hair danced in the air, and my sensitive ears ached and itched unbearably.

The descent was accelerating, and Brenda dared not open her eyes. A few drops of icy river water seeped into her eyes, the intense sting causing tears to stream down her face.

She remained silent, shrinking into Santa Karina's arms like a frightened animal.

Although the other party was a stranger, and they had only known each other for less than a month, and she had no one to rely on or trust at the moment, she had to place a small part of her hopes on Saint Karina.

This woman was the first and only person to have her body taken in somewhat roughly.

And what happened on the throne today will likely become a vivid and unforgettable memory. It was the same person, the same person who attacked a strategic location from the rear, but the strategic location that was captured was not the slightly wider and flat river delta and the warm and humid valley in front, but a narrow and secluded mountain path.

The road had never been opened up; it was a desolate wasteland from beginning to end. After vigorous watering and clearing, the barren and dry path now bore the marks of footsteps, and the entrance was muddy and treacherous.

This is all thanks to Saint Karina's "merit"; she did a great job and I don't want her to do it again.

A jumble of thoughts raced through her mind, and finally, her body plunged into the icy, eternal river. The water submerged her entire body, covering her face, and her wet robes seemed to weigh a ton, dragging her frail frame to the bottom.

No one knows how deep the River of Eternity is, and even Saint Karina couldn't give a definitive answer.

Brenda thrashed about in the water, more and more water getting into her eyes, mouth, and nose, stinging her trachea. Her lungs were running low on oxygen, and invisible hands from the bottom of the water entangled her limbs and torso. She didn't know if these things existed, but the feeling of falling was undeniable.

She could no longer breathe, and was drifting further and further away from the river's surface. The dark water was cold, and she didn't want to die in the River of Eternity. She had finally found hope, finally mustered the courage to change this country, to be a wise ruler, finally found solace in a woman, and was no longer content to be a puppet of the nobility…

Dying?

Consciousness sank completely into darkness.

……

"Cough-cough-"

Brenda let out a violent cough. St. Karina pulled away from her face, and the river water in her stomach was vomited up with each cough. It felt terrible, and she never wanted to experience it again.

Her vision became clearer, and even though the stinging sensation from the river water still lingered in her eyes, she was certain that this was not the Eternal River. Beneath her was land that was hard yet soft, probably a grassy area.

The slightly sharp blades of grass pricked my skin, causing a stinging sensation that was both painful and itchy. The air was filled with the earthy scent of soil and the delicate fragrance of wildflowers, while the cicadas sang their incessantly throughout the summer night.

All signs indicate that she is still alive.

"I...I'm not dead..."

She opened her eyes and looked at her hands. Her fingers were still a little damp, her clothes were completely soaked from the river water, and her golden hair was all stuck together, with water dripping from the ends.

The chilling atmosphere of the otherworld had vanished; this was undoubtedly the human realm. This time, looking up revealed a true night sky, with a silver moon hanging high. The boundless moonlight veiled everything in its path with a pale silver veil, making everything appear tranquil and mysterious.

A woman, soaking wet, stood facing the moonlight, her long, wet white hair cascading down her back, her robes swaying in the night breeze.

The silver color of the Holy Sword is probably a disguise. Brenda had seen the Holy Sword change color many times due to different situations and circumstances, making it almost a universal gold-colored object.

Brenda stared blankly at Saint Karina's retreating figure for a long while before snapping out of it and hugging her shoulders.

"It's so cold."

She wanted to take a hot bath immediately, then have a steaming meal, and a cup of hot tea or a bowl of hot soup would be even better. Away from the forbidden library that Saint Karina had created for her, these things were readily available; she could continue living a life of luxury, where everything was done for her, but she had no freedom whatsoever.

This was the price she had to pay to return to reality. Brenda had no regrets. Although life in the palace wasn't exactly comfortable, she now felt at ease with Saint Karina by her side.

Right now, she's just an ordinary girl named Brenda, treated and exploited by the saintess as a woman, but that will surely change in the future.

87. A serious defense? Is there still hope?

In the pitch-black, deep night corridor, Saint Karina walked with difficulty.

The side hall was completely dark when she returned, without even a single candle lit, like the eve of a storm.

Actually, Saint Karina was a little uneasy because she had only gained some freedom last night, and she was already back so late today. She was worried that at the end of the corridor, when she pushed open the door, the demon named "Est" would be waiting for her to walk into her trap.

"If it weren't for this damn collar..."

Saint Karina spat angrily. Without that collar, she wouldn't need to be someone she couldn't afford to offend, someone who had to watch Esther's expression and gestures.

Who could imagine that the saintess, who flaunts her power and influence with the young emperor during the day, would have to endure the exploitation of her other superior at night?

Without a scroll to dispel the spell, forcibly removing the collar will not only fail, but will also result in intense pain from being struck by lightning and pricked by needles.

While the warning pain wouldn't damage Saint Karina's body, the mental anguish would certainly be enough to give her a hard time.

"Um... Esther, I'm back?"

She pushed open the door to the innermost room, but Saint Karina saw nothing.

The room was completely dark. Saint Karina did not have the ability to see in the dark, and the curtains were completely drawn, so she could not rely on moonlight or starlight to make her way.

"Didn't they come back?"

The feared demon didn't seem to be waiting behind the door, finally putting Saint Karina's heart at ease.

"Sister Saint Karina, are you talking about me?"

In the instant that Saint Karina suddenly relaxed, someone stood behind her and spoke in a slightly sickly tone.

"Whoo~"

A warm breeze caressed my ears, and the strands of hair at my temples danced in the wind, their white color standing out even in the darkness.

"!"

She covered her mouth to suppress a shameful sound, but Saint Karina's legs suddenly went limp as if they had lost all strength.

She collapsed to the floor, on the verge of tears.

"Sister Saint Karina, you seem quite relieved that I wasn't in the room? Why is that? Is it because Esther's expression of love wasn't nearly enough?"

Even though the room was still pitch black, Saint Karina felt as if she were being stared at by a carnivorous creature.

"Besides, we clearly agreed not to come home too late at night, but Sister Saint Karina is like a pet let off its leash, having so much fun outside that she doesn't want to go home..."

"It seems that further education is needed."

As she spoke the last sentence, Santa Karina felt her body begin to tremble.

Caught in a vortex of deep blackness, she began to wish the night would pass quickly.

"Whoosh, whoosh."

An iron chain had appeared on the collar; it was a useful tool, similar to a leash, that could have been attached to the collar, but it had been removed earlier.

"It's over..."

Saint Karina crawled on the ground in despair. She had never felt so humiliated, but Esther kept walking, and she couldn't stop.

"The end? No, it's not over yet, Sister Saint Karina. I must make you realize my love, so that you will be loved even more in the future."

"After that, my sister won't run around and fall into the arms of other women."

That morbid, incessant repetition, like a curse that would forever stay by the other person's side, filled Saint Karina with disgust.

"whee."

The sickly girl, who seemed to be laughing and joking, would have been an exceptionally beautiful and outstanding woman if not for her behavior and words.