Ark Simulator: Wasn't I Supposed to Be Incorporeal?
Su Rui seemed to pay more attention to Yela than to the scriptures and the disputes. His thoughts rippled with a probing tone. "... She... is very strong." This was a rare, affirmative assessment from Su Rui. He could vaguely sense the unfathomable power within Yela, like a dormant volcano—a kind of oppressive force far beyond that of ordinary guards, one that instinctively made him wary. "... Her movements... are not superfluous. Like... having been honed through countless trials," he added, with the keen intuition of a warrior for his own kind.
"Yes, Yela is amazing. She's my sword and my shield," Enya replied gently, her voice full of trust. "With her around, I feel safe." She didn't reveal Yela's true identity, but simply echoed Su Rui's words in agreement.
This "silent" communication became a unique tacit understanding between the two. They discussed the customs and culture of Kjerag in their minds, commented on the obscurity of the scriptures, and even... occasionally "complained" about the rigid preaching style of a certain elder. Enya discovered that although Su Rui a man of few words, when he did speak, he often hit the nail on the head or offered a novel perspective that she had never considered before. His undisguised disdain for "boring" things and his admiration for "practical" value also allowed Enya to feel a down-to-earth, vibrant human touch beyond her solemn duties as a saint.
Gradually, Su Rui became less passive and guarded than before. He began to ask questions proactively, though his tone remained indifferent:
"... It's still snowing outside?" His thoughts would come to Enya when she looked out the window.
"... That thing... can you eat it?" Enya would express curiosity (usually in a negative way) when he tasted a certain Kjerag specialty food.
"... Why does she (referring to Yela) always stand in the shadows?" He observed Yela with particular care.
Enya would patiently respond with vivid imagery and emotions. She seemed to become Su Rui's "window" to understanding this frozen world, while Su Rui became an "interesting, prickly" conversationalist in her monotonous saintly life.
In these increasingly frequent and in-depth "silent chats," Enya could clearly feel that the pale gold progress bar was filling up much faster! From the initial 9%, it slowly climbed to 15%, 20%... Although still slow, the trend was positive! This filled her with motivation.
All these "silent" interactions occur deep within Enya's consciousness. The only outward manifestation is that when Enya is alone (such as studying scriptures, meditating, or eating), a faint, gentle smile will occasionally appear on her face involuntarily, or her eyes will sometimes wander, as if she is thinking about something interesting. Her aura is also softer and more pleasant than usual.
These subtle changes, of course, did not escape the sharp eyes of Yela, who was always by her side, watching over her.
Yela stood quietly in the shadows of the Meditation Room, like a most loyal statue. Her gaze was mostly fixed on Enya, constantly watching over her safety and condition. She keenly sensed that the Saintess's mood seemed... unusually good lately?
When studying those dry scriptures, she no longer always frowned slightly; instead, sometimes the corners of her mouth would turn up slightly, as if she had seen some interesting annotations. When eating alone, she no longer just ate quietly; occasionally, she would look at the food on her plate with a kind of... "Will he (?) like this taste?" kind of sly, thoughtful expression. Even when gazing at the wind and snow outside the window, the lines of her profile became unusually soft, and her eyes held a kind of... warmth like "sharing the beautiful scenery."
This change began after the appearance of that "external consciousness." Yela's dark eyes narrowed slightly, alarm bells ringing in her mind! What exactly did that strange fragment of consciousness do to the Holy Maiden? Or rather... what kind of interaction was taking place between the Holy Maiden and it? Why did the Holy Maiden show such... a sweet and expectant expression, almost like that of a "girl in love"?! (Yela was overthinking it.)
She tried to perceive it more closely, but the foreign consciousness was carefully enveloped by Enya's powerful spiritual energy, isolating it from all external detection. Yela could only sense its presence becoming increasingly stable, and its spiritual connection with Enya seemed to be growing... closer? This was definitely not a good thing! What if that consciousness harbored malicious intentions, attempting to mentally corrupt or control the Holy Maiden...?
Yela's hand almost imperceptibly rested on the hilt of her sword. Her aura instantly turned icy and sharp! She would not allow anything to harm Enya! She had to find out the true purpose of that consciousness! If it dared to harm the Saintess... A chilling glint flashed in Yela's eyes.
However, when she saw the genuine, relaxed, and joyful smile on Enya's face, her icy killing intent subsided slightly. It had been a long time... since she had seen Enya so relaxed and happy. As a saintess, Enya carried too many responsibilities and pressures; her smiles always carried a sense of holiness and aloofness. But this... vibrant smile, with a touch of "humanity," stirred a complex and indescribable emotion within Yela, despite her initial wariness.
Perhaps... that consciousness is not malicious for the time being? Perhaps... it just happens to offer the Holy Maiden some... comfort?
Volume 18, Chapter 1096: Yela in Contradiction
Yela was caught in a dilemma. She decided to hold back for the time being, but to increase surveillance! Once she discovered anything unusual, she would immediately take action to completely eliminate this "hidden danger"! Provided that Enya's absolute safety was ensured, she could... tolerate the existence of this "uninvited guest" for a while.
Thus, a strange balance was formed in the Meditation Room: Enya and Su Rui were having increasingly familiar and relaxed "friend-like" conversations on a conscious level, and their relationship was rapidly warming up; while Yela, like the most vigilant guardian beast, watched coldly on a real level, her heart filled with doubt and wariness, ready to deal with any possible threats at any time.
Enya was completely oblivious to Yela's inner turmoil. She was utterly absorbed in the pleasure of her "spiritual communion" with Su Rui and the sense of accomplishment as she watched the progress bar steadily increase. She even began to secretly anticipate what it would be like when the progress bar was full and Su Rui's "physical projection" appeared. That awkward and sarcastic silver-haired boy, standing in physical form in the snow of Kjerag... just thinking about it made her... quite intrigued!
Meanwhile, deep down, Su Rui seemed to be gradually getting used to this strange "cohabitation" life. Although he still disliked the environment of Kjerag and found the saintess's work boring, Enya, his "landlady," didn't seem... too annoying? At least, she wasn't as bothersome as Mostima, nor did she... make him feel often at a loss like Lemuen. Chatting with her, to some extent, became a way for him to relieve boredom and... longing in this cold and lonely place.
Dusk comes exceptionally early in Kjerag; the leaden sky begins to transition into inky blue around three or four in the afternoon, making the fireplace fire inside the monastery appear even warmer and brighter. Enya, having finished her afternoon religious duties, sits by the window of the Meditation Room, holding a steaming cup of herbal tea, gazing at the snow-capped peaks outside, bathed in the pale gold of the setting sun. The wind and snow have temporarily ceased, and a solemn tranquility pervades the world.
Deep within his consciousness, the pale golden progress bar, nourished by Enya's continuous and benevolent "interactions," had quietly climbed to nearly 30%. Su Rui's fragmented consciousness was no longer a flickering candle in the wind, but rather like a steadily burning star, emitting a faint glow, quietly resting in Enya's spiritual ocean. His "silent communication" with Enya had become more natural and frequent. Although Su Rui remained taciturn, the initial wariness and distance had faded considerably.
"The snow seems to be lighter today," Enya said to Suya telepathically, vaguely conveying the magnificent snow-capped mountain scenery outside the window through her thoughts. "Look, the setting sun shines on the snow-capped mountains, doesn't it look like it's gilding the peaks with a layer of gold? In Kjerag, this scene is called ' God's Gilding,' and it is said that those who see it will receive the blessing of Kjeragandr."
"... Kjeragandr?" Su Rui's thoughts came through, carrying a hint of barely perceptible doubt. He seemed to have heard this name once or twice in Enya's scattered descriptions before, but he hadn't gone into detail.
"Yes, Kjeragandr," Enya's tone naturally carried a hint of piety and reverence, "Is the supreme deity we, the Kjerag people, worship. Legend says He is the embodiment of the will of this snow-capped mountain, the master of ice and storms, and the guardian deity who protects the Kjerag people as they thrive on this harsh land." She began to tell Su Rui the myths of Kjerag that had been passed down for millennia. "Ancient scriptures record that in the distant past, Kjerag suffered a catastrophic disaster. It was Kjeragandr who manifested a miracle, using his supreme power to quell the raging avalanche, guiding the lost people to a new home, and bestowing divine pronouncements that established the Holy Mountain and the lineage of the saintess."
Enya's thoughts were filled with awe and gratitude for the gods. She described in detail the various miracles of Kjeragandr —how the glaciers melted to form springs, how they guided hunters to their prey, how they lit guiding lights for travelers in blizzards... These stories were the cornerstone of the Kjerag people's faith, and also the Istina she, as a saint, had been exposed to since childhood and believed without a doubt.
When she recounted the story, she didn't deliberately promote or persuade; she simply shared it as if it were the most precious legend of her hometown, her tone calm and sincere. She even mentally sketched some vague images of Kjeragandr as depicted in the scriptures—sometimes a majestic giant wolf, sometimes a towering human figure shrouded in wind and snow, and sometimes just a pair of eyes that looked down upon all living beings, containing endless power of ice and snow.
Su Rui listened quietly without interrupting. But Enya could clearly sense that the emotional fluctuations he conveyed contained little of "faith" or "reverence," but rather a... calm, scrutinizing "curiosity" and... a subtle "reservation."
As Enya finished her narration, Su Rui's thoughts slowly entered, his tone calm, even carrying a hint of... pragmatic inquiry. "... Are there... evidence for these 'miracles'? Besides the scriptures?" His question went straight to the heart of the matter, filled with typical "Su Rui- style" skepticism. He came from a world that valued empirical evidence and power, and instinctively held reservations about such "supernatural" existences that relied on legends and beliefs.
Enya wasn't displeased by his question; on the contrary, she found it amusing. She had anticipated Su Rui's question. She smiled and responded telepathically, "The evidence... perhaps exists in every snowflake of Kjerag, every snow-capped mountain, and in the hearts of every Kjerag person who tenaciously survives in this harsh environment. For believers, the existence of God doesn't require visible 'evidence'; His grace is manifested in the details of daily life. For example, our hunting skills for survival, our architectural wisdom to withstand the cold, even my ability to communicate with the snow-capped mountains... to believers, these are all blessings from Kjeragandr."
She paused, her tone softening further. "Of course, I understand your doubts. For those who don't believe in Him, these could indeed be mere coincidences, natural phenomena, or... unexplained Originium Arts phenomena." She didn't force Su Rui to accept her faith, demonstrating great tolerance and understanding.
Su Rui's mind paused for a moment, seemingly processing Enya's words. Then, he sent a brief thought, "... Understood." His tone held less doubt and more... contemplation?
Volume 18, Chapter 1097: Not an Illusion
After a while, Su Rui added, his thoughts carrying a strange, almost instinctive sensitivity. "... the 'eyes' you mentioned... I feel... somewhat familiar with them." His thoughts conveyed a vague, déjà vu-like feeling, as if he had glimpsed something similar in some distant fragment of memory? But this feeling was fleeting and impossible to grasp.
Enya's heart skipped a beat. "Familiar? Have you... seen something similar elsewhere?" She was curious whether similar deities existed in Su Rui's world.
"...I can't remember." Su Rui's thoughts came through, tinged with uncertainty and...a little irritation, as if she disliked this vague feeling of memory. "Maybe...it's just my imagination."
Enya didn't press further; she could sense Su Rui's resistance to the question. She steered the conversation back. "Whether Kjeragandr 'exists' in the way your world understands it or not, for the people of Kjerag, He is a real and undeniable faith and spiritual pillar. This faith gives us the courage and unity to survive in the ice and snow. Therefore, in Kjerag, please maintain respect for Kjeragandr." Her tone was gentle, yet carried an undeniable seriousness. This was her fundamental commitment as a saint to this land and her faith.
Su Rui's mind paused again. Then, a very brief but exceptionally clear response came. "... Okay."
This single word, "good," carries multiple meanings. It represents Su Rui's understanding of Enya's position and his respect for Kjerag's beliefs and customs; it also represents his recognition of the importance of faith to the locals, even if he himself may not believe; and it represents... his almost "promise" in response to Enya's request as his "landlord." This is a compromise based on trust and respect for Enya, rather than a conversion to a deity.
Enya sensed the solemnity in his words, and a warm feeling of relief welled up inside her. She knew how difficult it was to get a pragmatic yet proud young man like Su Rui to say "good." This was even better than the best outcome she had hoped for. She smiled and conveyed her gratitude in her mind, "Thank you, Su Rui."
Just then, the door to the Meditation Room was gently pushed open, and Yela walked in carrying dinner. She was still dressed in her neat maid outfit, her steps light and silent. She placed the tray on the low table next to Enya, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over Enya's face, and then keenly catching the lingering soft light in Enya's eyes—the kind unique glow that comes from pleasant interaction—and the faint, contented smile at the corner of Enya's mouth.
Yela's dark eyes flickered almost imperceptibly, and the doubt in her heart rose again. The Holy Maiden... was she having another pleasant "exchange" with that "consciousness"? What was it this time? She calmly set the table, her tone as respectful as ever. "Holy Maiden, dinner is ready."
"Thank you, Yela." Enya snapped out of her telepathic communication with Su Rui and gave Yela a gentle smile. Watching Yela's quiet, busy figure, a thought suddenly struck her— Yela's name shared the same first part as the deity "Kjeragandr"? Was it a coincidence? Or... were Yela's parents devout believers, and thus gave her such a sacred name?
The thought only flashed through her mind, and Enya didn't dwell on it. In Kjerag, it was common to name people after gods or related words, as a sign of respect for the gods.
Meanwhile, deep within his consciousness, Su Rui's thoughts flickered noticeably the moment Yela entered the Meditation Room. His "attention" (if consciousness has attention) seemed to be immediately drawn to Yela. Enya could sense that Su Rui's thoughts were like the most sophisticated radar, silently "scanning" Yela's every move. His curiosity and vigilance towards Yela seemed to have never diminished.
"... She." Su Rui's thoughts came through, still concise, but Enya could understand his unfinished words—he was referring to Yela.
"Yes, it's Yela." Enya responded telepathically, with a hint of mischief in her voice. "How about it? Don't you think she has some kind of... strange connection with the ' Kjeragandr ' we were just discussing?" she said half-jokingly, though of course she didn't really believe that Yela had anything to do with gods.
Su Rui's mind paused for a moment, then responded with a hint of... deliberation?: "... Power. Very well hidden. Unlike... an ordinary person." His intuition remained frighteningly sharp.
Enya smiled but didn't reply. She knew Yela was powerful, but as for whether she was "not like an ordinary person," she simply attributed it to Su Rui's warrior instincts and her perception of the strong. She preferred to believe that Yela was merely her loyal and powerful protector.
After setting out dinner, Yela, as usual, silently retreated to the shadows to stand, her gaze lowered, seemingly indifferent to everything. But Enya and Su Rui knew that her sharp eyes were constantly watching everything around her, including the most subtle changes in Enya's expression.
Enya began to enjoy her dinner while continuing her telepathic chatter with Su Rui. The conversation shifted from the taste of the food to the local customs and culture of Kjerag. Su Rui, though still not very talkative, would occasionally raise questions or offer her opinions on certain details. Their interaction was like that of longtime friends, natural and imbued with a unique tacit understanding.
The pale golden progress bar, in this peaceful and profound exchange, moved forward almost imperceptibly. Enya watched the steadily growing light deep within her consciousness, her heart filled with a serene joy. She increasingly felt that Su Rui's arrival might not be accidental, but rather... an unexpected gift from fate to Kjerag and to her? A special "friend" from a foreign land was miraculously blending into the silence of this icy wasteland. And the discussion about gods made Enya realize that although Su Rui didn't believe in gods, she had her own principles and... a unique and respectable wisdom.
Time passed slowly, and the harsh winter of Kjerag receded amidst howling snow. Life within the monastery continued to follow its ancient rhythm, day after day. However, deep within the consciousness of Saint Enya, a silent "cultivation" was about to yield its harvest.
The pale gold progress bar, representing the "Consciousness Materialization Synchronization Progress," finally reached Enya endpoint—100%—on a rare afternoon when the wind and snow had temporarily subsided and the sunlight pierced through the leaden-gray clouds, casting golden rays across the snow-capped peaks!
Volume 18, Chapter 1098 Su Rui the Cheese Snow Leopard
At that moment, Enya was sitting alone on a cushion in the center of the Meditation Room, performing her routine meditation. When her thoughts swept over the progress bar and she saw it completely filled with soft and steady golden light, her heart skipped a beat! An indescribable sense of excitement and anticipation instantly surged through her body!
It's a success! It really is... a success!
She forcibly suppressed the turmoil within her, maintaining her meditative state, and carefully "read" the clearer information that appeared after the progress bar was full:
[Consciousness Materialization Synchronization Progress: 100%]
[Synchronization Status: Stable]
[Conditions for materialization: The host (Enya) actively guides the process; a one-time material projection can be performed within a ten-meter radius of the host.]
[Physical Form: Based on the essence of attached consciousness and the resonance of the bond with the host, a stable projection form is adaptively generated.]
[Note: The physical projection is an energy aggregate; its existence duration and stability depend on energy supply and environmental adaptability. It can be repeatedly manifested, but this requires the energy of both the host and the projection itself.]
The information was clear, and the time was ripe! Enya took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes. Excitement and a barely perceptible hint of nervousness flickered in her lake-blue eyes. She decided to try it immediately!
She looked around. She was alone in the Meditation Room, the fireplace burning quietly, and outside the window, the snow was bathed in sunlight—a scene of tranquility. It was an excellent time and place. But... just in case, she still needed an absolutely reliable witness and... a bodyguard.
"Yela," Enya called softly.
Almost the instant the words fell, the heavy wooden door of the Meditation Room was silently pushed open, and Yela's figure appeared in the doorway like a ghost. She was still wearing her crisp maid outfit, her black hair was perfectly styled, and her expression was calm and respectful, but her deep black eyes maintained the highest level of vigilance at all times.
"Your Excellency, what are your orders?" Yela bowed slightly, her voice steady.
Enya looked at Yela, feeling somewhat reassured. She needed a witness to confirm that this incredible scene wasn't a hallucination; at the same time, she also needed a powerful protector to prevent any unknown risks during the materialization process. Yela was undoubtedly the best candidate.
"Yela, please close the door and stand guard at the entrance." Enya's tone was firm and serious. "From now on... no matter what happens, please remain calm and make sure... no one disturbs you."
A sharp glint flashed in Yela's dark eyes! She keenly sensed the unusual seriousness in Enya's tone and... a hint of barely concealed excitement? She immediately realized that something big was about to happen! Without asking any further questions, she simply replied in a deep voice, "Yes, Your Holiness." Then, she turned swiftly, closed and locked the door, and stood upright by the door like the most loyal guard, her back to Enya, her hand on the hilt of her sword. Her aura instantly turned cold and murderous, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.
With Yela's protection, Enya felt completely at ease. She closed her eyes again, sinking her entire mind into the depths of her consciousness. She "looked" at the progress bar, which was now fully lit and shining like a golden star, and issued a clear command with her mind, "Begin materializing the projection!"
The moment the command was issued, Enya felt her vast spiritual power surge like a flood, rushing towards the point of light representing Su Rui deep within her consciousness! At the same time, the air in the Meditation Room seemed to freeze, and the light began to distort and converge! Centered on Enya, countless tiny, pale golden points of light, like ice crystals, appeared out of thin air within a radius of several meters! These points of light, as if attracted by an invisible magnetic field, spun and coalesced rapidly!
Although Yela had her back to Enya, her perception was incredibly powerful! She instantly sensed the intense and strange energy fluctuations in the space behind her! She whirled around, her dark eyes filled with shock and disbelief! She saw countless golden dust particles seeping from the void, swirling around Enya like stardust! A powerful and unfamiliar energy aura was rapidly taking shape!
"Saintess!" Yela instinctively whispered, her feet barely moving as she almost rushed forward to protect Enya! But when she saw the focused, calm, and even expectant expression on Enya's face, she forcibly stopped herself. Saintess... was aware of this and acted on her own initiative? What on earth is this?!
Under Yela's astonished gaze, at the center of the swirling golden dust, a blurry humanoid silhouette began to rapidly solidify and become clear! First appeared long legs, then a slender waist, followed by broad shoulders and arms... The silhouette became more and more defined, and the energy fluctuations gradually stabilized.
Enya's heart raced as she held her breath, intently watching the figure gradually take shape. What kind of Su Rui would she see? Would it be the aloof, silver-haired boy with dark eyes from Siesta that she remembered?
However, as the light gradually faded, and the solidified "physical projection" was fully revealed before their eyes, Enya and Yela were both instantly stunned! Extreme astonishment appeared on both their faces!
Standing at the center of the light was indeed a boy. He had short, slightly messy hair as pure as the freshest snow, and among his hair... there stood a pair of fluffy, extremely soft-looking snow leopard ears?! The ears even twitched slightly involuntarily, appearing exceptionally lively!
His face was exquisitely Snow Eagle, his skin fair and almost translucent. His features possessed a youthful delicacy and sharpness, and his obsidian-like eyes (Su Rui's eyes!) were filled with Firstborn confusion and a hint of wariness as he rapidly scanned his surroundings. Behind him... a long, powerful snow leopard tail, equally furry and covered in ring-shaped spots, was swaying slightly uneasily!
His body was sleek and powerful, somewhere between a boy and a young man, every muscle seemingly bursting with explosive energy. Yet... this newly formed "Snow Leopard Boy" was... completely naked! His fair skin shimmered with a lustrous glow in the light of the Meditation Room, creating an extremely... alluring and striking contrast with his furry ears and tail!
Enya: "!!!"
Her cheeks flushed instantly! Her lake-blue eyes widened, her mind went completely Blank! She never expected that the materialized projection... would actually be... this form?! And... where were the clothes?! The progress bar information didn't mention this at all!
Volume 18, Chapter 1099: Nothing Can Help Me
Yela's reaction was even more direct! A chilling light instantly flashed in her dark eyes! Although the energy emanating from this suddenly appearing "creature" with animal ears and tail was completely consistent with the "foreign consciousness" she had previously sensed attached to Enya, this... naked appearance before the saintess was simply blasphemy! An unforgivable offense!
"Insolence!" Yela shouted, her murderous aura surging! Almost instinctively, she was about to draw her sword and kill this "shameless" intruder on the spot!
"Yela! Stop!" Enya finally snapped out of her shock and embarrassment. Seeing Yela's reaction, she was so startled that she immediately called out to stop her! Her voice was trembling with tension!
At the same time, Su Rui (Snow Leopard version), who had just materialized and was still in a dazed state, was also awakened by Yela's sudden, murderous shout and chilling hostility! His obsidian eyes sharpened instantly, his body instinctively assumed a defensive stance, his muscles tensed, and his fluffy tail bristled and stood on end! A low, warning growl, like that of a wild beast, came from his throat! Although he had lost most of his memories and power, the instinct to fight was still etched into his bones!
The atmosphere in the Meditation Room instantly became tense!
"Yela! Calm down! He... he's Su Rui! I made him appear!" Enya hurriedly stood up from the cushions and quickly moved between Su Rui (let's call him that for now) and Yela, spreading her arms to block Yela's almost tangible killing intent. She forced herself not to look at the... smooth, ear- and tail-wearing Su Rui behind her, her cheeks flushed red, and urgently explained to Yela, "This is... this is a special Originium Arts phenomenon! He... he meant no harm!"
Hearing Enya's words, Yela paused in her actions, but the wariness and coldness in her eyes remained undiminished. She stared intently at the bristling snow leopard boy behind Enya, especially his constantly twitching ears and restless tail, her brows furrowed. Su Rui? That alien consciousness? After materializing... it actually looks like this? And... it's not wearing any clothes?! What kind of behavior is this!
Seeing Enya standing in front of him, Su Rui (Snow Leopard version) felt the familiar, gentle spiritual aura emanating from her (an aura he had already recognized in his fragmented consciousness), and his tense nerves relaxed slightly. However, he still glared warily at Yela, his ruffled tail slowly drooping, but still maintaining a defensive arc. He seemed to realize his current... awkward situation, instinctively bringing his legs together and trying to cover his private parts with his arms. A thin blush rose on his fair face, and a hint of embarrassment flashed in his dark eyes. This was a stark contrast to his usual cold demeanor, and surprisingly... kind of cute?
Enya was both amused and exasperated by the chaotic and awkward situation before her. Forcing herself to remain calm, she said to Yela, "Yela, quick... quickly find one of my spare robes! The largest size!" The most urgent thing was to find something to cover Su Rui!
Yela took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the murderous intent and anger in her heart. She glanced deeply at the snow leopard boy, then at Enya, whose face was filled with anxiety and embarrassment, and finally chose to obey orders. She snorted coldly, turned around and walked quickly to the wardrobe on one side of the Meditation Room, deftly finding the loosest white velvet robe that Enya usually wore indoors.
Then, Yela, holding the robe, walked up to Su Rui, her eyes still as cold as knives, but her movements carried an undeniable force. She threw the robe directly at Su Rui and commanded in a harsh tone, "Put it on!"
Su Rui (Snow Leopard version) instinctively caught the robe, the soft touch making him pause for a moment. He glanced at Yela, then at Enya, whose back was to him and whose ears were flushed red, and seemed to understand something. He clumsily and frantically pulled the large robe over his body. The robe was still a bit short for him, the hem only reaching above his knees, revealing a section of his fair calves and bare feet. The wide collar also slipped down, revealing his delicate collarbone. But at least... the crucial parts were covered. His furry ears and large tail, against the backdrop of the robe, appeared even more conspicuous and... jarring.
After putting on his clothes, Su Rui seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his tense body relaxing somewhat. He tugged at the collar of his robe, trying to make it fit better, then looked up, his obsidian-like eyes gazing at Enya, a mixture of bewilderment from his new arrival and a hint of... dependence? He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but only a hoarse and uncertain voice came out. "... En... ya?"
His voice still carried the unique, cool quality of Su Rui, but perhaps because he was only recently "born," it sounded somewhat raw.
Hearing him call her name, Enya's heart softened. She slowly turned around, forcing herself to ignore the visual impact of his twitching ears and wagging tail, focusing her gaze on Su Rui's face. When she met those familiar, bewildered black eyes, all the embarrassment and panic in her heart transformed into an indescribable excitement and... a strange sense of accomplishment, like seeing her own work succeed!
"Su Rui ... welcome... to Kjerag." Enya took a deep breath, a gentle yet slightly trembling smile on her face, and said softly.
Meditation Room, the atmosphere remained eerie. A beautiful young man in a woman's robe with animal ears and a tail, a wary personal maid (a deity), and a saintess with flushed cheeks and complicated emotions... This combination looked like the opening act of some kind of fantasy story. And Su Rui's "physical" life in Kjerag officially began in this unexpected and awkward "birth ceremony."
The awkward and tense atmosphere in the Meditation Room eased slightly after Su Rui (Snow Leopard version) awkwardly slipped into the obviously ill-fitting white women's nightgown. At least, the blush-inducing scene of "nakedness" was temporarily gone. However, a new problem immediately arose—what to do next with this suddenly appearing "Su Rui" with animal ears and a tail?
Yela crossed her arms, her dark eyes like the sharpest icicles, scrutinizing the "uninvited guest" before her without blinking. Su Rui (the snow leopard version) frowned slightly, uncomfortably tugging at the hem of his overly short robe, his large, fluffy tail swaying slightly with unease, sweeping across the ground. His obsidian eyes held a mixture of wariness and confusion, occasionally glancing at Enya, as if seeking some kind of confirmation and reliance. Enya stood between the two, the blush on her cheeks not yet completely faded, her lake-blue eyes filled with complex emotions—excitement and relief at Su Rui's successful materialization, helplessness at the bizarre situation before them, and a hint of... uncertainty about the future.
Volume 18, page 1100: No need for supervision.
"Your Holiness," Yela broke the silence first, her voice cold and serious, carrying an undeniable decisiveness, "This 'person' is of unknown identity, strange in appearance, and... his appearance is extremely unusual. For safety's sake, he should be isolated immediately and placed under strict surveillance until his origins and intentions are ascertained before making any further decisions." Her suggestion was direct, filled with distrust and vigilance towards Su Rui. In her view, this boy with beast-like features, regardless of his "connection" with the Holy Maiden, was a huge security threat in himself and had to be placed under the strictest surveillance.
"Isolation? Confinement?" Enya frowned immediately upon hearing this. She turned to face Yela, her tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable air of protection. "Yela, he's not an enemy! He's Su Rui! He's a guest I... invited through special means. His consciousness had previously been attached to me; I understand his condition better than anyone! He's just materialized and is still very weak. What he needs is care and guidance, not imprisonment and interrogation!" Her gaze was firm, carrying the inviolable authority unique to a saint.
Listening to their conversation, Su Rui (the snow leopard version) didn't fully understand the meaning of many words (such as "isolation" and "guarding"), but he could clearly sense the hostility in Yela's words and Enya's protectiveness. He subconsciously moved behind Enya, his large tail curling up and gently rubbing against Enya's calf, as if seeking shelter. This subtle gesture instantly melted Enya's heart.
"But, Your Grace!" Yela's tone became more serious, a hint of anxiety flashing in her dark eyes. "His form... you saw it yourself! This is definitely not a normal human! What if he harbors some dangerous power, or what if his appearance brings unknown calamities..." She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear—those who are not of our kind must have different intentions! Especially this form, so similar to the symbol of the god (Kjeragandr) (the snow leopard), made her even more wary, feeling that there must be something fishy going on.
"His form might be proof that he is destined to be with us Kjerag!" Enya interrupted Yela, her gaze falling on Su Rui's slightly trembling snow leopard ears and his bushy tail. A strange light flashed in her lake-blue eyes. "Yela, look! His features, don't they resemble... a familiar blessed by Kjeragandr in legend? Isn't this the will of the gods?" She tried to find a reasonable, even "sacred" explanation for Su Rui's existence from a religious perspective to dispel Yela's doubts.
Yela: "..." She looked at Su Rui, who was clearly still in a daze, even a little... adorable? (Yela refused to admit it), and then at Enya's fiercely protective look, and for a moment she was speechless. The will of the gods? How come she, the "god" herself, didn't know about this?! But she couldn't say it out loud.
The focus of the debate quickly shifted from "whether to take her in" to "how to settle her." Yela and Enya both agreed that Su Rui needed to stay in the monastery, but serious disagreements arose regarding the specific arrangements.
"Even if he stays, he must be given a separate room, guarded by a designated person (implying she herself), with his movements restricted. Without permission, he must not approach your bedchamber or important areas, Your Majesty." Yela insisted on her principle of safety first and proposed a plan that was almost "house arrest." She would never allow this "beast boy" of unknown origin to have too much unmonitored contact with the Holy Maiden.