Chapter 457: I Should Be Under the Bed

“It’s a counter spring chill.”

Inside the shaking carriage, the former Saintess Latina leaned against the window. She didn’t mind the increasingly cold wind at all, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at the dark clouds piling up on the horizon.

“It might snow.”

“Snow?”

Pink Bear, sitting beside her, poked its head out too, squeezing up against the window.

“Would it really snow in the warm Holy City?”

“Normally it wouldn’t. But the few great battles in the Holy City earlier probably disturbed the weather a bit. Maybe this will be the first snowfall in years.”

“Won’t the Church interfere?” Pink Bear asked curiously.

“Why should they?”

Latina gave the insolent bear—who’d grown bolder lately and even dared take advantage of her now and then—a sidelong glance and said,

“This is a good thing. After a snow, spring’s vitality grows stronger... No, by the timing, it’ll soon be the Holy City’s most beautiful summer, won’t it?”

“The most beautiful... Is it pretty?”

“Of course. By then the greenery will be lush, the whole Holy City shrouded in endless life.”

“Is that so...”

Pink Bear thought for a moment, picturing that scene, then nodded.

“Right, all green and alive. It must look great.”

......

......

Plop.

A bouquet of the Holy City’s finest flowers fell to the ground, startling the three people who all froze like wooden statues.

“Ai... Ariel?”

Liya was the first to come back to her senses. She hastily pushed Muen aside, straightened her disheveled clothes, and with a stiff smile greeted the dumbstruck Ariel standing before them, though her tone was still flustered.

“When... when did you start standing there?”

“Since... since you two were hugging.”

Ariel’s eyes were vacant, like a fish dying on the shore. Her delicate body trembled; her lips opened and closed again and again, yet in the end she couldn’t utter the words kissing.

The starlight was bright, illuminating that slightly pale face.

She stood there like a statue carved long ago, her wide-open eyes filled with disbelief—like she had just seen the frog she’d raised for ten years swimming happily in someone else’s pot.

She looked at Liya, then at Muen, then at the traces between the two that couldn’t be erased even with their hurried attempts to fix themselves—like the lip mark at the corner of Muen’s mouth, or the blush still fading from the girl’s cheeks.

A sharp pain spread outward from the depths of her chest to the very tips of her fingers.

“W–why?”

Ariel staggered back a few steps, looking frail, as if she’d come down with a grave illness.

“Why...”

Somewhere, a sorrowful melody seemed to rise, making her figure look even more pitiful. The most elegant gown in the Holy City now looked like the costume of a clown.

“Why!”

Ariel suddenly raised her head, glaring fiercely at Liya, and screamed out the words that had been pent up in her heart since the moment she saw this scene:

“I was first!!”

“I...”

“Was it because of him? Because he did something to you? Wait there, Liya—I’ll save you right now!”

A cutting gale tore the air apart, the shrill hum splitting the eardrums. A greatsword blazing with fire was drawn, ready to turn all enemies before her into ash!

But that greatsword never fell.

Because—

“Ariel!”

Liya spread her arms wide, shielding Muen behind her.

“Calm down!”

“......”

Ariel stood there blankly, holding up her sword, her expression wretched.

It hurt. It hurt so much.

Pain that pierced the heart, pain that split the soul.

What could be more unbearable than this sight?

Ariel felt as if a giant beast was trampling her heart back and forth until it shattered into countless pieces.

“W–why? Liya, don’t you know...”

“I know. I know how you feel, Ariel.”

Liya’s gaze softened. She looked straight into Ariel’s eyes and said gently,

“But I’ve always... thought of you as my best friend.”

“F–friend?”

Ariel’s delicate body trembled again.

“Friend...”

Friend.

Friend?

Just a friend!

Such small, simple words—why did they hurt so much?

“But... but a few days ago, you clearly...”

“That wasn’t meant for you.”

Liya took a deep breath. Though it seemed cruel, compared to a lie that lingered, a short wound was perhaps the kinder choice.

“That question back then—and the answer—were both meant for...”

She glanced at Muen beside her and said no more. But in not saying anything, she had already said everything.

“I... I don’t believe it! Back then in that room, clearly—”

“Sigh...”

Her teacher’s sigh sounded in Ariel’s ear, shattering her last hope.

“At that time, there really might have been four people in the room. I thought it was just an illusion caused by the Great Barrier, so I didn’t tell you. But now it seems...”

“......”

Ariel staggered again, as if struck by lightning.

The mana and fighting spirit she had gathered all dispersed. The strength in her body drained away completely.

She didn’t even have a reason left to raise her sword—how could she possibly clear the obstacle before her?

All those vows of certain victory, all those promises—Liya, wait for me...

So in the end, the clown... was actually me?

The whole world blurred, shrouded in thick fog. In the very last moments, all she could see was Liya’s lovely face, tinged with concern.

“Ariel, you...”

“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”

Every second she stayed here, the pain inside her burned hotter, like fire consuming her from within. Ignoring Liya’s calls and attempts to stop her, she turned and ran.

In an instant, she disappeared into the vast night.

“Ariel!”

“Let it go.”

Muen caught Liya, who was about to chase after her, and shook his head.

“Let her calm down for now. This isn’t something persuasion can fix. She has to come to terms with it herself.”

“......”

......

......

The wind howled.

It sliced against her skin like knives.

Ariel didn’t know how long she had been running. The scenery around her grew unfamiliar; the darkness seemed like a massive beast, slowly swallowing her whole.

At last, she stopped and stared blankly at the indistinct landscape.

Suddenly, she felt something cool at the tip of her nose.

She raised her hand and saw a white ice crystal fall into her palm, spinning in the wind before melting in her warmth.

“What is this...? Snow, in spring?”

An endless sorrow welled up from her heart. Unable to stand any longer, Ariel fell to her knees with a dull thud.

As the snow grew heavier, she lifted her face to the unjust heavens and cried out in anguish:

“No—Liya—!”

It seemed once again that a strange song rose from nowhere, echoing in harmony with the mournful cry that sounded as if it came from the very end of the world.

Yet around her, there was no one.

Only the faint light flickering on the ring at Ariel’s finger—where a hazy, ethereal projection slowly rose. Soul power lifted a thick cloak and gently draped it over Ariel’s shoulders, covering her thin ceremonial dress.

Her teacher let out a quiet sigh. After hesitating a moment, he finally offered comfort.

“Don’t be so sad. There are plenty of flowers under the heavens—why dwell on just one...”

“No.”

Ariel seemed not to hear him. She bowed her head, fingers digging into the ground, whispering under her breath:

“No.”

“What?”

“Why did I run? I haven’t even asked properly yet. Liya... Liya might have been lying to me!”

“???”

“In all those stories about minotaurs, isn’t it always like this? The poor maiden is caught and threatened by a villain, forced into submission, and then—helpless—she lies to the one she truly loves to protect them!”

The more Ariel thought about it, the more it made sense. Otherwise...

“Otherwise, after ten years of subtle effort, could I really lose to Muen Campbell after barely a month of acquaintance? What did he even do? Did he kill and burn villages for Liya or something?”

Teacher: “......”

Though he couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, somehow... it oddly sounded reasonable.

“No, I have to go back. I’ll find a chance to be alone with Liya and ask her again!”

Life returned to Ariel’s eyes. She sprang to her feet, all traces of earlier despair completely gone.

She looked toward the direction of the grand cathedral and murmured with renewed resolve:

“That’s right. I, Ariel—the pure love war goddess—will never allow any girl to suffer under a villain’s coercion!”

......

......

Once she decided, she acted. Ariel’s astonishing determination quickly brought her to the corridor outside Liya’s room.

In her mind, the Saintess’s chambers were the only place in the entire cathedral where one could meet Liya alone.

For some reason, there weren’t many people around. Ariel reached the door easily and placed her hand on the handle.

Taking a deep breath, she pressed down firmly.

Creak...

The door opened smoothly.

“It’s not even locked?”

Delight flashed in Ariel’s eyes as she glanced around the empty room.

It seemed Liya hadn’t returned yet—but as long as she waited inside...

“Your Holiness, have you returned? I’ve already issued the order to search for that Ariel you mentioned, but I still wanted to ask—why...”

Suddenly, a voice came from around the corner of the corridor, accompanied by the soft spread of candlelight.

It was the High Sister, Lin!

Ariel’s pupils contracted; her heart nearly jumped into her throat.

From the few brief encounters she’d had with that woman in recent days, Ariel knew the High Sister was a rigid and stern person. If she were caught sneaking into the Saintess’s room—

The image of that cold, black prison flashed through her mind, and she shuddered.

No—she needed to hide somewhere, fast.

Her eyes darted rapidly around the room: wardrobe, curtains, desk... until they stopped on the brand-new, conspicuously large bed.

......

“Hmm?”

Lin pushed open Liya’s door, only to find the room empty.

“How odd. Was it just my imagination?”

After glancing around once to confirm no one was there, Lin rubbed her forehead and sighed in mild frustration.

“It seems the strain from these past days has really affected me. My mind’s even starting to wander. That won’t do—for a High Sister, that’s unacceptable.”

“I should just rest early. Anyway, whatever the Saintess and that bastard are up to tonight isn’t my concern, as long as it doesn’t affect tomorrow’s duties.”

With that, Lin walked out of the room.

Silence returned once more.

Under the bed, Ariel lifted the hanging sheet just enough to peek out. After confirming Lin had indeed left, she let out a long breath of relief.

“She didn’t notice—thank goodness. And this bed’s actually a pretty good hiding place... huh?”

Ariel froze and turned her head toward the dark depths under the bed.

Narrow, hidden, dim—but judging by the height, it could easily fit a grown man.

Which meant...

“At that time, Muen Campbell was hiding under the bed?”

Her eyes widened; her jaw clenched in fury.

“Unbelievable. I checked everywhere else but didn’t think of the bed... Damn it, Muen Campbell! Hiding under the bed to eavesdrop on girls’ conversations—how despicable! I knew he wasn’t any good!”

Ariel’s conviction grew even stronger. Back then, Liya must have known Muen was under the bed, which was why she’d said those false, forced words!

In other words, if Ariel could just find a chance to be alone with Liya, she would definitely uncover her true feelings—

Creak...

The door opened again.

Hearing those familiar footsteps, Ariel’s heart leapt—Liya had finally come back—

But the joy froze on her face almost instantly.

Because alongside Liya’s lighter steps, she heard another—heavier—pair of footsteps.

“So it really snowed in spring?”

That familiar deep voice made Ariel clench her fists tight.

Muen Campbell!

Why was he here too?

And why was he entering Liya’s room so openly?

This was the Saintess’s chamber—how could the Church just allow that?!

Countless tangled thoughts surged through Ariel’s mind, but for now she abandoned any idea of sneaking out. She shifted her body slightly, pressing herself deeper into the shadows beneath the bed.

This is a good opportunity, she told herself. Let’s see exactly how you’re coercing Liya, Muen Campbell!

“Yes, I didn’t expect it to snow either.”

Liya stepped into the room, brushing snowflakes off her clothes. It was a man’s coat—clearly not her own.

“The Observatory of the Star Temple said the previous battles affected the weather. Snow is rare in the Holy City. I just hope Ariel doesn’t catch cold running around out there.”

“She’s not a child. A Fourth-Tier warrior could sleep outside in the snow without a blanket. Still, speaking of snow... maybe I didn’t plan this well.”

Muen touched his chin, reflecting with deliberate seriousness. “If it had been snowing at the time, it might have been even more romantic...”

“Enough already.”

Liya slipped into his arms affectionately, rubbing her face against his chest.

“It’s already romantic enough. Any more, and I really won’t be able to let you go.”

Muen’s gaze softened. He wrapped an arm around her slender waist and said ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) quietly,

“When the chance comes, I’ll explain everything to Ariel myself.”

“Explain what?”

“Everything about us. From that first dinner onward.”

“Aren’t you afraid she’ll kill you?”

Liya tilted her head and giggled.

“You weren’t so brave before.”

“Yeah,” Muen admitted with a faint smile, “I was terrified.”

“But I don’t want you to lose anything because of me. Ariel’s friendship... it’s important to you, isn’t it? And since I made this choice, I’ll take responsibility for it. If I’m stealing from someone’s wall, I should be ready to be hit with a hoe.”

Then, almost under his breath, he added,

“Anyway, this isn’t the first time I’ve fought against fate. Could it really be more hopeless than it was back then?”

“Muen.”

Those weren’t words of sweet romance, yet they were more moving than any love confession.

In that moment, as Liya gazed at her beloved, warmth surged in her eyes—

The fire between them began to burn once more.

Though there had been a brief interruption, the emotion brewing within that exquisite atmosphere did not fade.

And finally—at this very moment—it bloomed.

“I love you.”

The fabric draped over her shoulders slipped away as Liya rose on her toes and offered a sweet, gentle kiss.

“Mm. I love you too.”

......

Under the bed, Ariel’s delicate body trembled once again.

No.

No.

No.

That’s not what I wanted to hear.

Coercion—wasn’t Muen Campbell supposed to be coercing Liya? Why, then... why did what she was hearing sound instead like—

“Tomorrow, let’s go find Ariel together and explain. If it’s only you who says it, she’ll never believe it.”

Through the soft rustle of tangled clothes came Liya’s voice.

“Mm.”

“And also, Ariel seems to have some prejudice against you. I think she should know that you’re actually— ah... mm... bad.”

“Mm.”

“‘Mm,’ what ‘mm’? Don’t you mess around, I’m talking to you!”

“Mm.”

“Ah—stop, that tickles! Bad man... fine, I won’t help you explain anything. You’re a bad man.”

“Heh heh.”

Unmasked at last, the “villain” no longer hid behind pretense.

“Bad man? Hmph. Then tonight, I’ll show you just how bad I can be.”

“Ah—no... stop, don’t come any closer...”

And finally, the sound of the “coerced” girl’s tender protest drifted to Ariel’s ears.

“......”

Under the bed, Ariel once again put on her mask of pain.

This isn’t the kind of coercion I wanted to hear!

But no matter how loudly she screamed it in her heart, many things no longer needed explanation.

Reality always speaks louder than words.

Ariel stared blankly into the darkness beneath the bed. She wanted to crawl out and stop them right then and there... yet for some reason, she stayed curled up, silent, just listening.

Creak...

Creak...

Creak...

After a series of teasing, breath-stealing sounds that made her face flush and her heart race, the bed itself began to groan under the strain.

Then came the girl’s soft, intoxicating moans, mingled with the man’s heavy breathing.

Tears rolled silently down Ariel’s cheeks. She had thought this was already the worst it could get—but as someone who had no real experience, who had only ever “learned” such things from the pages of books, she had underestimated the depth of depravity of these two reckless lovers.

“Come on, sweetheart—call me your husband.”

The pair on the bed seemed to turn over, their movements growing more fervent.

“Mmph... hah... no.”

“Why not?”

“Mm... I’m the Saintess... I can’t... marry...”

“I can’t call you that? Hmph, sounds like you still don’t know how dangerous I can be, you little troublemaker...”

“Mm—hah! Too... too fast... I can’t—”

“Will you say it or not?”

“Ahh... I... I can’t take it anymore... please... husband... husband, spare me...”

Each soft gasp, each startled cry, made the poor bed groan even more urgently—and beneath it, Ariel felt a strange, indescribable emotion stir within her.

She too was breathing unevenly now—half in anger toward that damned man, half in something else she couldn’t name—as one trembling hand slowly, hesitantly slipped beneath her damp skirt.

“Damn you, Muen Campbell!”

Ariel gnashed her teeth.

“I will never lose to you!”