Chapter 454: A Walk

“I didn’t expect that, in the end, the only serious thing discussed at the meeting was that one matter.”

In the leisurely evening of the Holy City, the twilight wind kissed the wind chimes under the eaves, making them whisper drowsily like a dream. Once the frenzy over the Saintess’s succession had passed, the city grew so quiet it seemed asleep.

Muen held his senior’s small hand as they walked through the ancient, timeworn streets. With each step tapping softly on the bluestone pavement, he felt the breeze, the scent of flowers, the sunset—and the warmth from her palm.

“I thought that meeting would be much more solemn than I imagined.” Muen looked toward the setting sun at the horizon, his expression somewhat complicated.

To be honest, when Liya had spoken so gravely about some mastermind and a world-threatening crisis, Muen had already felt like a sheep entering a tiger’s den—he almost shouted for the Black Book to save his poor life.

After all, this so-called “mastermind” was surrounded by the most experienced Evil-God incident handlers in the entire world.

Those ruthless people, when dealing with Evil-God cases, could shake the yolk loose inside an egg, split earthworms in half just to be thorough, and even slap any dog that happened to pass by.

Let alone him—a harmless little yellow-haired villain.

Unfortunately, once Liya had finished explaining the pros and cons, the latter half of the meeting completely degenerated into bickering and shirking of responsibility.

Anyone who could sit at that table was no fool; each wanted to use the opportunity to wring some benefit out of the Church.

As for the Church’s hoped-for alliance... in Muen’s eyes, that was nothing short of a fantasy.

Every side had its own interests and demands. In the face of tangible gains right before their eyes, vague notions like “the end of the world” could only step aside.

“Wasn’t that serious enough already?”

Anna squinted her eyes and smiled, swinging Muen’s hand as her little head gently leaned against his shoulder.

“They spoke so righteously, made such lofty speeches, fought openly and secretly—all for the peace and stability of the world. Those people were very serious indeed, serious enough that they nearly came to blows.”

“But the Church wants unified cooperation—”

“Do you really think that’s the Church’s purpose?”

Anna tilted her head, a teasing glimmer in her smile.

“My dear junior, you’ve always been clever. How could you have such a naïve thought? Don’t tell me your body’s been too weak lately—it’s even affected your brain?”

“You, of all people, should know whether I’m weak or not, Senior.”

Muen grinned wickedly and gave Anna’s perky bottom a light smack. The soft flesh rippled with astounding elasticity, stirring a few improper thoughts.

“But yes, I think so too. It doesn’t seem like the Church really wants all those chaotic forces to twist into one rope.”

Muen nodded along with her reasoning.

If the Church truly had that intention, they wouldn’t have let Liya preside over the meeting.

Although she now had the status for it, compared to those old foxes who could practically be enshrined on an altar, she was still far too green.

During the second half of the conference, she could barely get a word in. If not for Lin’s assistance beside her, poor little Liya might have been so anxious she broke into a cold sweat.

“So what is the Church’s real goal then?”

That was the only thing Muen couldn’t figure out.

“I think... it was meant as a warning.”

“A warning?”

“Yes.”

Anna touched her chin, her expression gradually turning serious.

“To warn everyone that there truly is some crisis quietly brewing that could affect the whole world—to tell them to stop fussing over their petty domestic issues and to look further ahead. Something like that.”

“A crisis...”

Muen recalled the details of the meeting again and sighed.

“In this world where Evil Gods rampage, hasn’t ‘crisis’ always existed?”

“Who says it hasn’t?”

Anna playfully shrugged her shoulders, then suddenly stopped walking. Tilting her head, she stared straight at Muen.

“So, Junior... is there something you’re hiding from me?”

“...”

The sudden turn made Muen’s breath hitch.

He met her gaze.

Anna’s eyes shone like starlight, the tear-mole at the corner glimmering more alluringly with her gentle smile. There was no trace of accusation in her tone—just the casual curiosity of lovers, like asking, “Who was that woman you were with last night?”

Muen’s minor oddities during the meeting wouldn’t have drawn anyone else’s attention—but Anna was different.

Because while Liya struggled to preside over the meeting, Anna’s eyes had never once left him.

“Yes.”

Muen thought for a moment and answered truthfully.

“A secret?”

“A secret.”

“Can you tell me now?”

“Not yet.”

“Then let me guess...”

Anna tapped a finger to her rosy lips, spun lightly in place, her fluttering skirt like a lotus leaf in summer.

“You’re actually hiding another lover from me, aren’t you?”

“How could that be?”

Muen caught her soft, pale wrist.

“Senior, you know me—I’m not that kind of playboy... Okay, okay, don’t give me that look like I’m scum. You know exactly who’s around me.”

“The Princess, the Saintess, and that maid of yours... really no one else?”

“...No one else.”

“I see.”

Anna smiled softly.

“Then I forgive you.”

“Eh?”

Muen blinked.

The mischievous senior forgiving him so easily?

Surely she still had some trick up her sleeve.

“Honestly, do I seem like such a bad woman in your eyes?”

Anna pouted and gently tapped his forehead with a finger.

“Anyway... when it’s convenient for you to tell me, you’ll tell me, won’t you?”

“...Yes.”

Muen hesitated, then smiled and wrapped his arms around her.

“When the time comes that I can tell you, I won’t hide a single thing.”

“That’s good. But... punishment is still due.”

Anna leaned closer, her lips moving in a teasing murmur.

“Carry me.”

“Huh?”

Muen, bracing for one of her pranks, blinked.

“Carry you... just carry?”

“What else did you expect?”

Anna smiled, eyes sparkling.

“Hurry up, my feet are tired.”

“For someone stronger than me, to get tired from a walk—now that’s rare.”

Muen sighed about the wonders of the world but obediently crouched down.

Like a lively little girl, Anna suddenly leapt onto his back, clearly trying to make him stumble so she could laugh at his clumsy reaction.

But how could Muen lose his balance from something like that now? On the contrary, her sudden movement made those soft, round curves bounce against his back, giving him a very pleasant sensation.

Muen’s hands supported the equally delightful curve of her hips as he stood up slowly.

“Ready?”

“Go on.”

“Stallion One, prepare for takeoff.”

“My, Junior, you do have a clear sense of self-awareness.”

“No... I was joking.”

“Mr. Stallion, giddyup!”

“I said, I’m not—”

Muen carried Anna through the streets, under the trees, past flowerbeds and the solemn churches that lined their path.

Their bright laughter rang out—clearer than wind chimes, lovelier than the breeze.

An elderly priest glanced out from within one of the churches, smiling as he recalled the couples he had once blessed.

“By the way,” Anna whispered into his ear, “have you ever done this with Liya?”

“Liya? Of course not—she’s the Saintess.”

“Your fiancée then?”

“If I touched her rashly now, she’d probably stomp me into the floor.”

“Your maid?”

“She might be the one carrying me instead...”

“So...”

Anna exhaled a soft, warm breath into his ear.

“This moment belongs only to me?”

“...”

The sunset shed its last afterglow, stirring the clouds into a fiery sea.

And the brightest hue among them shone upon the senior’s pretty face.

Her eyes, clearer than any gem, reflected the most enchanting glow of the evening sky.

Muen couldn’t help staring; couldn’t help pressing # Nоvеlight # a gentle kiss to her lips; couldn’t help answering softly,

“Mm. Only to you, Senior.”