Volume Four: Withering in the Mortal World - Angel Hunting Zone (3)

Ta-da! Ta-da! Ta-da! --

It was nearly midnight in the Cathedral of Kasser, Marianna was jogging as fast as she could. Her long nun's habit was so difficult to trip over that she had to lift the hem to expose her calves.

"Supreme God, your foolish child has a reason for running out in such an improper manner in the middle of the night, please forgive me... please forgive me... and please, don't punish me, Granny..."

She ran while muttering to herself. In this wide corridor with its high dome, even the softest footsteps were amplified several times and echoed between the walls, making her irritable. If she woke up the nuns' nanny in charge of discipline, she would be in deep trouble, no matter how justified her reasons were!

Yes, the reason...

Why are you being so evasive when you're simply fulfilling your duties?

The nuns who served the Saintess had a duty that could hardly be called a duty—they could not go to bed later than the Saintess, and they had to check on the room about an hour after the Saintess went to sleep—this was for security reasons. Men were not allowed to enter the Saintess's bedroom, not even guards, so this task was usually given to the nuns in charge of serving her, who would immediately report to the guards outside if they found anything amiss.

Kasser Saintess was known for her magnanimity. Not only did she exempt her from this practically meaningless daily task, she also shortened the guards' night watch time. This was a great benefit to the guards and nuns, who were usually overwhelmed by the various rules passed down from their ancestors. Although everyone expressed concern for the Saintess's safety, no one actually felt it was inappropriate—even with the shortened watch time, the cathedral's security measures remained very tight, and there had never been any reports of the Saintess being murdered in the past thousand years.

Yes, that's how it was supposed to be—however, when Marianna got up in the middle of the night, she accidentally ended up outside the Saintess's bedroom, and inexplicably went inside, and the result was—

"My God, Saintess Maiden, you must be joking... Why did you suddenly disappear like that...?"

The bed was empty, and one of the casual clothes that was placed beside the bed was missing; she had clearly left on her own!

"Where exactly is it... eh?"

She stopped in front of a large gate, which led to the garden behind the cathedral.

"..."

Marianna cautiously pushed open the door, only opening it a crack before slipping out sideways and closing it completely. She herself didn't know why she was being so cautious.

I crouched low and wandered between the flowerbeds—and then, I found the person I was looking for in the gazebo behind the small fountain.

Honestly! If you're going to the garden for some fresh air in the middle of the night, at least tell yourself first!

Just as he was about to call out to her, he noticed that there was another person beside the Saintess Maiden.

Wearing a long black robe that seemed to be used to conceal their identity, and with their back to us, their identity could not be determined.

The two were standing very close, seemingly talking.

"Hey, Ai, isn't this a bit much...?"

"What's wrong with it?"

The Saintess raised her hand and gently stroked the black-robed woman's cheek. The woman turned her head, revealing a stunningly beautiful profile. Who was she?

"If the body, mind, and soul are all gifts from God, then making full use of them is the only way to respect the fruits of God's labor."

"But... I don't know why, but I always feel... uneasy."

"If that's the case, why do you still sneak out of Gloria every night to see me?"

"You started it all! I just... yes! I was just blackmailed by you!"

Is that really the case...?

The Saintess moved her hand to the woman in the black robe's lips, gently inserting her fingers into her mouth and stirring them roughly—an action that was utterly erotic, a stark contrast to the sanctity of the church.

"Ugh... Ugh... Mm..."

The woman in black robes gradually went from resistance to enjoyment, strange moans escaping her lips, while the Saintess simply watched her slightly dazed expression and muttered to herself.

"Many things... so many things are wrong, aren't they? You know, the mouth exists to convey words, to eat, and to be intimate with others; breasts exist to nurture offspring and to enjoy pleasure; genitals exist to procreate and to enjoy sexual intercourse..."

"Waaah... waaah..."

Long, slender fingers grasped something and pulled it from the black-robed woman's mouth—it was her tongue. The fingers gently rubbed against the pink tongue, letting the sticky saliva cling to the fingertips, creating an indescribable sense of danger and allure.

"But... passing on words causes conflict among humans, eating leads to killing, intimacy violates the precept against lust, breastfeeding requires exposing one's breasts, and procreation requires engaging in what are considered filthy acts... In that case, why did God give humans these organs—no, ultimately, why did God give humans physical bodies? If everyone were purely spiritual beings, wouldn't there be no conflict in the world?"

"Mmm... uh..."

"There are just too many doubts about humanity and the world we live in. Were humans really created by God? Was this world also created by God? Are all things truly governed by God? If not... why should we worship an existence that is completely unrelated to us?"

"Um..."

The woman in black robes could only let out muffled moans, clearly not paying attention to what the other person was saying, because the Saintess's other hand was on her body, wantonly teasing her.

"Well..."

The Saintess sighed softly, lowered her head, and looked directly at the black-robed woman's intoxicated face.

"You love me, don't you?"

"Of course... no! I just--"

"Don't look away, come on, look into my eyes, and then tell me what's on your mind... Heavenly Law."

"--!!!!!"

Marianna, hiding under the flowerbed, almost cried out.

The Saintess's strange behavior and words were already enough to confuse her, but now she finally knew the black-robed woman's identity—one of the Three Goddess?! What a joke! The supremely majestic, powerful, and noble Heavenly Law Goddess was actually having a secret rendezvous with the Saintess she served?

"I... okay... I... love-- eh!?"

Tianlu suddenly shuddered and looked around—

"Who goes there? Show yourself!" Normally she would have noticed by now, but her attention was completely focused on Ai, so even her senses were slowed down!

We're doomed!!!

Marianna nearly screamed; overwhelming fear made her limbs weak. She knew she had seen things she shouldn't have seen, heard things she shouldn't have heard. Why hadn't she run away the moment she sensed something was wrong? Now it was all over!

However--

"Don't get agitated... Tianlu, there's nobody here."

A faint smell of blood filled the air.

"No!? How could this be—hmm? It seems it really is gone..."

A faint Blood Mist concealed Marianna's presence, preventing Tianlu from confirming her existence.

"Right? But let's call it a day, I'm not really in the mood anymore."

"Huh? Ah... okay then..."

Tianlu seemed disappointed, but quickly regained his usual dignified demeanor, gave a slight bow, and then disappeared in a flash of golden light.

Ai Kasser simply continued to stand under the gazebo, gazing at the moon.

After a long silence, she finally said, "Why aren't you coming out? Sister Ma what what?"

"Waaah..."

Knowing she couldn't avoid it, Marianna had no choice but to bite the bullet and come out.

"Saintess Holiness, did you already—"

"Yeah, I sensed you the moment you left the room."

"Well..."

The atmosphere was so awkward.

But since Tianlu was gone, Marianna breathed a sigh of relief. If Tianlu had discovered her, she would have been immediately killed, but her Saintess was known for her understanding nature and was said to be powerless in combat, so her fate shouldn't be too terrible. She might even be able to get away with swearing a solemn oath to "keep it a secret."

And... to be honest, she's in a lot of turmoil right now, feeling like her entire worldview has collapsed. She really wishes she hadn't seen or heard anything.

"Don't be so nervous, Ma... this isn't necessarily a bad thing for you."

"... Huh?"

"At least from now on, you're slightly better than cannon fodder in my eyes, enough for me to... take action."

Sa-- "!!!"

The Saintess's figure flickered, and when she reappeared, she was already in front of her.

Wow, so fast!?

Then, a hand reeking of blood was pressed against her face.

"Let's use you as the first test subject. I've been wanting to try this for a long time... What would the Supreme God's reaction be if we dismembered the nun in front of the idol? This would be the first experimental data to 'verify the existence of God.'"

"... What kind of trick are you playing now?"

Tianlu looked at my demonic arm, Killing Intent murderous aura, and couldn't help but ask in surprise.

"Don't downplay the tricks and such..."

Don't assume this is something that will happen naturally.

Honestly, my head hurts terribly right now.

The sound has been going on non-stop since just now.

"Scream!" "Kill!" "Charge!" "Rage!" "Degenerate!" "Succumb!" "Go mad!" "Indulge!" "Slaughter!" "Humiliate!" "Excited!" "Rage!" "Roar!" "Slaughter!" "Conquer!" "Trample!" "Destroy!" "Stop using reason to hide yourself!" "Stop using morality as an excuse!" "Do what you want!" "Consider the consequences later!" "Give yourself to power!" "Don't hesitate!" "Don't waver!" "What are you waiting for?" "People are dead!" "The enemy is right in front of you!" "The foe is right in front of you!" "Will you continue to deceive yourself?" "Kill!"...

The sound grew louder and louder, and just as the crimson, crazed tentacles reached into my brain, I muttered something to myself.

"Shut up!" "..."

The sound stopped abruptly.

"I don't care about all that, or rather, I don't want to talk to you at all."

"..."

"I don't care how powerful you were originally, but now you're just an appendage subservient to me."

"..."

"My only ability is Blood Manipulation. Your significance is at best equivalent to enhancing external armor. Do you really want to take over?"

"..."

"Are you so determined to spread madness, trying to drive me insane? This rampage is just a temporary outburst, causing injuries and deaths is a minor matter. If it attracts the organization's attention and leads to your capture and eternal imprisonment, is that all you care?"

"..."

"Do you understand? If you do, then stay put and behave yourself as a support!"

Huff... huff... huff...

So tired.

It's just an internal monologue, something I'm only talking to myself, yet it's so tiring.

After all, this was the first time I had truly managed to resist the rage of the Rakshasa True Word.

I've said everything I've wanted to say for a long time.

There was a strange sense of exhilaration.

So, what's next?

"... Pfft."

--!?

What did I hear?

Laughter? A woman's laughter?

"Honestly, such a resolute rejection, my Husband is truly heartless..."

Wait, Husband?

"However... my judgment is indeed excellent. My Husband, you are more interesting than all the people I've met in the past combined."

Concubine?

What's with this pretentious self-proclaimed title?

"Since you've made such a clear request, I have no choice but to obey. Otherwise, I'd be unfaithful as a woman, wouldn't I?"

I felt something hug me from behind.

"Then, as my Husband wishes, please use me as a tool!"