Chapter 628: Someone Stole Her Purity!

Joy’s entire body froze. Her face went blank for half a second before sheer disbelief replaced it.

"Excuse me?"

Julie laughed softly.

"You heard me. You’re practically doomed, my dear Joy. You’ll be spending your days close to him, investigating, observing, getting caught in his pace."

"And one week of that is all it takes. You won’t even realize when it happens."

For a second, Joy could only stare, her mind blank from how absurd the claim was.

Then, instead of anger, a dangerous little smile spread across her lips—the kind that made even seasoned soldiers take a step back.

"Julie." She said slowly, her voice low and calm. "That might be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life."

"Me, falling for Cassius? Don’t make me laugh."

Julie leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm.

"That’s what I said too, you know." She said with mock seriousness. "I told myself there was no way I’d fall for him. I was certain I wouldn’t. And yet..."

She shrugged dramatically.

"Here I am."

Joy crossed her arms tightly, glaring at her.

"Well, I’m not you. I don’t fall for men who spend half their time flirting with anything that breathes."

Julie chuckled, tilting her head.

"Like I said, that’s exactly what I said before I met him. I thought I was immune too. And then..."

She spread her arms with a wry smile

"...it just happened. I don’t even know how."

"He has this...magnetism about him. It draws you in. You try to resist, but somehow you just can’t. And before you know it, you’re already lost."

Joy scoffed, though her tone had a slight edge to it.

"That’s not going to happen to me. Not in this lifetime. I’m dedicated to the Goddess. My life, my loyalty, my devotion—all belong to Her."

"Even if Cassius were the kindest saint to walk this earth, I’d have no reason to care for him—and I never will."

Julie didn’t argue. She only smiled.

That knowing, irritatingly patient smile—the kind that said ’I’ll let you believe that for now.’

And that look, that knowing look irritated Joy far more than words ever could.

Her brow furrowed, her lips pressed tight, and after a few seconds, she abruptly stood up, saying sharply.

"Enough of this topic already."

Julie blinked, then tried to hide a grin.

"Oh? Did I strike a nerve?"

Joy ignored her and turned toward the door.

"I want to meet Skadi right now."

"Skadi?" Julie repeated, standing as well. "What do you want with her?"

Joy turned back, and to Julie’s utter astonishment—she smiled.

Not the dangerous smile she has when she was slaughtering sinners.Not her teasing smirk.

But a genuine, warm smile—so gentle and radiant it didn’t even look like it belonged on her face.

"Why not?" She said. "It’s been a while since I last saw her. I just want to give puppy a hug."

Julie stared for a moment, almost thrown off by the tenderness in Joy’s tone. Then she smiled faintly.

"You and your obsession with Skadi..."

She muttered, shaking her head as she rose from her seat to join her.

As the two of them walked out of the office, Julie continued teasing lightly.

"You know, you’re one of the coldest, most emotionless women I’ve ever met, but mention Skadi once, and suddenly you’re all sunshine and smiles."

Joy rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it.

"That’s because Skadi is special." She said simply. "Her soul is pure, the purest I’ve ever seen in my life. Like fresh snow untouched by the world."

"Even the most innocent children have their souls stained with shades of gray, but Skadi’s is pure white."

Julie looked intrigued. "Pure white, huh?"

"Yes." Joy said with quiet conviction. "It’s pure white. Unblemished. She’s so good, so innocent, it’s almost unreal. And for someone like me, who’s seen too much filth and corruption, seeing her is like breathing fresh air in a world full of poison."

Julie looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, lips curving slightly.

"Hmm..." She murmured. "Even though you say that, I’m not sure her soul’s quite as pure as you think anymore."

Joy stopped walking, turning her head sharply.

"What do you mean?"

Julie blinked, realizing she’d said that out loud.

"Ah—nothing!" She said quickly, waving her hands. "Forget what I said."

Joy frowned suspiciously. "Julie."

"Nothing, nothing at all." Julie insisted, stepping forward to deflect. "Come on, let’s just go see her already."

Joy sighed but didn’t press further. She was too eager to see Skadi anyway.

They walked out into the open field, where dozens of knights were training.

Swords clashed, armor gleamed, voices barked orders—but amidst all the seriousness, one particular sight immediately stood out.

"...Oh dear gods." Julie muttered under her breath.

There, right in the middle of the field, was Skadi—her silvery hair whipping as she spun in circles, chasing her own tail like an actual dog.

"Stop! Stop running away from me!"

She was yelling at her tail in complete seriousness.

"I told you to stop! Just one second, I’m gonna catch you and tie you up this time!"

A few of the other knights were watching her, some giggling, others trying very hard to pretend they didn’t see their commander making a fool of herself.

Julie groaned, rubbing her temple.

"How many times do I have to tell her that her tail isn’t her enemy..." She muttered.

Joy, however, gave the most genuine smile possible.

Most people would have rolled their eyes or called Skadi an idiot—but not her.

Seeing the wolf-girl laughing, spinning like a child, so carefree and radiant—it made something warm stir inside her chest.

"She’s as pure and beautiful as the last time I saw her...what a relief."

Julie turned to her, half exasperated, half amused.

"You’re hopeless."

But Joy only continued gazing at Skadi like she was watching the most precious creature in the world.

Julie ignored Joy amd instead, she turned toward the field and raised her voice.

"Skadi, come over here for a second!"

Immediately, the silver-haired knight perked up mid-spin, her tail halting midair.

"Huh? Captain? What is it? Is it lunch already? Is it lunch?!"

She shouted, her ears twitching adorably.

Then she blinked, confused.

"Wait, no...I already ate lunch just a moment ago...Wait!"

Her eyes widened with hopeful realization.

"Are we gonna eat second lunch? Please tell me it’s second lunch! I hope it’s a big juicy steak!"

Julie sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, suppressing a laugh.

"No, Skadi." She said patiently. "It’s not lunch. And there’s no chance in hell I’m feeding you again with that appetite of yours."

"But something nice did happen. Look—someone’s come to meet you."

"Meet me?" Skadi tilted her head, tail wagging curiously. "Who?"

"Why don’t you come find out." Julie said, gesturing toward the side.

Skadi trotted over, curiosity lighting up her face.

Joy, on the other hand, was barely containing her excitement.

Her eyes seemed to sparkle unnaturally bright, and she straightened her posture with an eager, almost childlike energy.

The moment Skadi came close enough, she took a deep breath, her lips parting as she began to say.

"Skadi—"

But before she could even finish her name, Skadi suddenly froze mid-step, her ears twitching as her whole body stiffened.

Then, to everyone’s surprise, she took a step back, lowering herself slightly into a defensive stance.

Her silver eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Captain." She said, voice serious for once. "Who’s that? She looks suspicious. Really suspicious. She’s got this weird aura around her."

"And she’s looking at me in this...scary way!"

Joy blinked, completely thrown off.

"Scary—? What?"

Skadi gasped softly and pointed at her.

"I got it! She’s staring at me like she’s going to eat me up! Captain, I’ve heard there are people who eat dog meat! What if she’s one of them?!"

Julie’s eyes widened slightly. "Skadi, what are you talking about—"

"I’m serious!" Skadi said, tail puffing up like an alarmed fox. "If she takes another step, I’ll bite her! Don’t make me do it, Captain! I’ll bite her legs off!"

Joy stood there, absolutely dumbfounded, blinking several times.

"Skadi...what in the world are you talking about? We’ve met before. Many times. I-I’ve even given you treats before."

Skadi squinted even more suspiciously, folding her arms.

"Nope. Never seen you before in my life. Definitely suspicious. Don’t come closer, or I’ll bite!"

Joy was too stunned to even react properly.

"Julie..." She said slowly, turning to her friend. "What is going on? Why is she acting like she’s never met me before?"

"Don’t tell me she hit her head on a mission again and lost her memory or something?"

She said looking all worried before a vicious look appeared on her face as she said,

"I swear if someone caused this, I’ll chop their head off and hang it up, so no one else dares to harm my puppy."

"No, no, it’s not that, Joy."

Julie said awkwardly like this was a topic she didn’t want to talk about before adding,

"Even if she did hit her head, Skadi’s skull is ridiculously hard. Nothing could hurt it."

Joy frowned in confusion. "Then what is it?"

Julie sighed, lowering her voice as she leaned closer to Joy’s ear.

"The problem isn’t the skull, Joy. It’s...what’s inside it."

Joy blinked again, confused.

Julie continued, whispering quickly.

"Because of her, well...small brain and, uh, simple-minded nature, she can’t really retain everything for long."

"So if she doesn’t meet someone for a while, she just...forgets them."

Joy’s jaw dropped. "You’re joking."

Julie shook her head with a helpless smile.

"Unfortunately not. My sister’s brain isn’t exactly her best weapon."

Joy stared at Skadi, utterly disbelieving.

"No way...You can’t mean she actually forgot me just because we haven’t seen each other in a while."

"That’s exactly what I mean."

She paused, then quickly added,

"But it’s alright. It’s not that she loses the memory completely. It’s still in there somewhere, deep down. It just takes...a trigger, of sorts."

"A trigger?"

"Yes." Julie said, straightening up and calling out. "Skadi! Come here, it’s fine. She’s not going to eat you."

Skadi looked uncertain but slowly padded closer, her tail twitching nervously.

Julie smiled sweetly.

"Good girl. Now, Skadi—smell. You know—like you always do. Go on, be a good puppy smell Joy."

"Wait—what?" Joy took a step back.

But before she could react, Skadi dropped onto all fours without hesitation and crawled toward her, nose twitching like a trained bloodhound.

"Sniff...sniff...sniff-sniff..."

Joy froze completely, her entire body stiff as Skadi circled her like a predator sizing up prey.

"Julie." She said through gritted teeth. "I swear if this is some sort of prank you’re pulling on me right now—"

"Just give her a second." Julie said, trying not to laugh.

And then, just as Joy was about to protest again, Skadi froze mid-sniff.

Her ears perked up high, her eyes widened, and her tail began wagging furiously.

"JOY!" She gasped suddenly, springing to her feet. "IT’S YOU! IT’S REALLY YOU!"

Joy blinked, startled. "Skadi—?"

Before she could say more, Skadi leapt forward and threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"Joy! You’re back! You’re back!"

She said gleefully, rubbing her cheek against Joy’s shoulder.

Joy’s initial surprise quickly melted into delight, and she hugged her back with just as much warmth.

"Puppy! You do know who I am!"

Skadi giggled, nuzzling her.

"Of course! You’re Joy! The nice sister, who always gives me treats and combs my tail and gives me belly rubs! Skadi missed your belly rubs a lot!"

Joy’s eyes softened as she gently patted her head.

"Oh, my precious puppy, I missed you too. Your fluffy ears..." She brushed them lovingly "...and your adorable smile." She tugged Skadi’s cheek lightly, making her giggle. "And of course, your beautiful tail..."

Without hesitation, Joy hugged the fluffy tail against her chest and sighed in bliss.

"I missed this too much."

"Ehehe." Skadi giggled. "Joy, you’re squeezing it too much!"

Joy laughed, holding her close again.

"Come here, puppy. Who wants belly rubs? Who wants belly rubs?"

"Me! Me!"

Skadi said instantly, bouncing in excitement before plopping down on the ground and showing her belly.

"Skadi wants belly rubs!"

Joy immediately obliged, kneeling and gently rubbing Skadi’s stomach.

"Who’s a good girl?" Joy said softly, smiling. "Who’s the best girl?"

"Me! Me! I’m the best girl! I’m the best girl ever!"

Skadi said proudly, wagging her tail like a real pup.

Julie stood nearby, utterly speechless, watching one of the dangerous women she knew acting like an affectionate older sister doting on an oversized puppy.

It was...unsettling, to say the least.

But Joy wasn’t paying attention to anyone else. She smiled softly and said,

"Your soul must be even purer now, Puppy. I can feel it glowing brighter already. Let me see..."

Her irises shimmered faintly pink as she focused, peering deep into Skadi’s soul.

At first, she expected to see the same radiant, pristine white glow—the untarnished light that had always calmed her heart.

But the moment her eyes adjusted, the color she saw made her heart drop.

Her face drained of color.

Her eyes widened, trembling with disbelief as she stumbled backward, nearly tripping.

Julie immediately rushed forward, catching her by the arm.

"Joy! What’s wrong? What happened? What did you see?"

Joy looked at her, pale and shaken, her lips parting soundlessly before she finally pointed at Skadi, who was still lying on the ground looking confused.

"Julie..."

Joy whispered, voice trembling.

"Skadi...she—she isn’t pure anymore."

"...What?"

"She’s not the same innocent puppy she used to be."

Joy said in a horrified tone, her hands trembling slightly.

"Someone...Someone’s taken away puppy’s purity."