Chapter 182: Chapter 182: The Familiar Ceiling

Just after receiving a surprise kiss from Iona.

My body, already not in the best of conditions, relaxed from the tension, and I was told I fainted.

What followed, a bit delayed, was the pedestrian reinforcements arriving at the battlefield, marveling at the remnants.

They were shocked to see the sprawled bodies of monsters and archbishops.

Momentarily dazed by the seductive charm emitted by an unguarded Iona.

And various incidents involving people in robes exuding a suspicious sense of oppression…

In the end, it all turned out well because someone recognized my half-unmasked face and Iona’s.

“So, we moved the master to the intensive care unit at the academy.”

“Sigh. Now that I think about it, I barely used the mask this time.”

In battle, a sudden display of an oppressive aura usually makes the opponent flinch. That was typically the case.

This time, however, the problem was that my opponents were either in a group frenzy, fearless from having died once, bewitched out of their senses, or heavyweights unmoved by a mere moderate pressure.

“Ah, but why move to the academy of all places? It’s nice here, but it’s not close.”

“The distance doesn’t matter when you can teleport, Master. And anywhere else other than the totally neutral academy might have put you in a difficult position…”

“True. Getting treated in another country or specific church could have been troublesome.”

Thinking about it, the events I set in motion this time were quite significant.

Whether calculated or stemming from pure goodwill, the outcome would have been the same.

They surely would have tried to persuade me to be on their side.

Given my resources and abilities, it was much more advantageous to move freely rather than align with any faction.

In that sense, an academy with top-notch medical facilities that was more inclined to reward than demand was much better.

While pushing aside the glittering system window in the corner of my vision, I asked Carla.

“So, Carla, is there a reason you’re stuck to my side like this?”

“Of course. You might order me to leave at any time, so I should stay close, right?”

“…I’m sorry!”

An apology blurted reflexively. The more I thought about it, the more I was at fault this time.

An impulsive decision. Even my reasoning was somewhat hopeful at best.

Carla, slightly tearful, clung to me.

“Do you know how worried I was, Master?”

“Sorry. It’s just that at that time…”

“I know. Professor Iona would have been in danger without you. I understand, but…”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Carla’s tremors grew a bit stronger as she buried her head in my chest.

“Like the last practical dungeon, and this time too… sniff. When you’re in danger in a place I can’t help, my body just breaks down…”

“……”

Was that how Carla felt?

I hugged Carla a bit tighter, as if to say, ‘I’m here now, so relax.’

I wasn’t sure how long we stayed like that. Eventually, Carla’s shaking stopped, and I no longer felt the dampness on my chest.

Just as I thought, she had calmed down and was about to relax my arms.

Squeeze.

This time, Carla hugged me back.

With our bodies pressed together again, Carla slowly lifted her face towards me.

Just as I was about to reciprocate with a kiss…

Whoosh.

Carla, having grazed my face, whispered in my ear.

“So? What exactly happened between you and Professor Iona?”

“…Oh.”

A voice colder than a slab of ice.

What? Wasn’t this supposed to be a somewhat peaceful aftermath? Was it actually a thriller?

Tension flowed down my back, drenched in cold sweat momentarily. Carla, with her ruby-colored eyes flashing, pressed for an answer.

“Have you grown much closer to her in the midst of my suffering? Even freely offering your blood? And kissing?”

“Ah, um…”

“Please answer, Master.”

“Well, you see…”

Something did happen.

Good heavens. What was I thinking when I said things like, ‘Please suck me freely’ or ‘Shall we kiss’?

Looking back, I was not in my right mind at that time.

Was I half out of my mind due to charm? Having been exposed to the charm of both a succubus and a vampire, it was possible.

Was my hesitant and delayed response frustrating for her? Carla’s voice suddenly rose in irritation.

“If you cannot tell me what happened…!”

But in the next moment, her voice deflated like air, leaving a balloon.

“…Another way to curb my curiosity would be to shut me up simply, wouldn’t it?”

“……”

Turning her head slightly as if to avoid my gaze, her ruby-colored eyes sneakily peeked over, her lips holding a slight apology and, more so, defiance.

Yet her body still trembled lightly, as if holding back something.

Carla, who usually giggled and agreed with my opinions, now showed a rare firm stance.

I climbed on top of Carla with a wry smile. Fortunately, my body had recovered considerably, and I felt no discomfort in moving.

“Eh.”

Carla closed her eyes tight, puckering her lips as if to challenge me to go ahead.

Leaning my cheek against hers, I whispered.

“Sorry. I’ve made you too anxious.”

Then, I sealed her lips roughly.

“Tomorrow, Elisha will be coming.”

“Yes… and after that, Iris and Senior Faye?”

“Yes. You’re well aware, Master.”

Carla, tidying her disheveled clothes, grinned.

“What? Weren’t you going to sleep over?”

“I would like to, but there’s a bit of cleaning up to do.”

“Cleaning up?”

“It’s nothing much. This time, you knocked down not just one, but seven archbishops, and even subdued a cardinal. There are some adjustments to be made about those rewards, and stories about the mysterious magicians who brought you here… I need to prepare a bit for that.”

“Ah?”

Currently, there aren’t any apostles. A cardinal is the highest leader, and an archbishop is a real force.

Naturally, the United Divine Orders had set bounties on all archbishops, and the frequently disrupted archbishop had bounties from many affected countries.

People don’t move based on honor or morals alone.

“That part, I’ll leave entirely to you, Carla. Iris has a lot of experience in this area, so consulting each other will make it easier.”

“Hehe… Iris has already been a great help. But, Master. Right now, we are still determining the extent of your contribution. Normally, we could handle it amongst ourselves, but is there a specific reward you would like? If so, I can arrange it accordingly.”

“Well… As for rewards, I’m not lacking in material things… I’d prefer rare items or equipment over gold.”

“You mean tangible goods, right? Leave it to me. I’ll have everything ready before you wake up!”

Carla nodded confidently, but soon started gently touching my forehead with a faint smile.

“I wanted to talk about your progress, too… but let’s do that once you’re fully healed. You still have internal injuries, right? Now, focus on resting and recovering, Master.”

“Okay.”

“And this is a book I borrowed from the library in case you get bored while we’re gone.”

“Thanks. I’ll read it later.”

Carla placed a book on the nightstand next to my bed and left the treatment room with a light kiss on my forehead.

Left alone in the dim treatment room, I fiddled with my forehead for a while, then focused my attention on a corner of my vision.

Rewards from the orders and various countries were good, but for me, this kind of reward was what I looked forward to more.

Sigh…

I took a light, deep breath and unfolded the minimized system window.

Ding!

[Cult Faction Officer Subjugation!]

Holy moly! Guacamole! How on earth did you do it?

You've toppled a mass of monsters, the seven archbishops of each Evil God's cult, and even the Cardinal of the Church of Intolerance all at once!

Do you know what this means?

It goes beyond merely delaying or canceling some of the Evil Gods’ cults’ plans. It means their forces have been significantly reduced!

Of course, this achievement wasn’t done alone... but without you, it would have been impossible.

This is an achievement that not only the people of the entire continent, but even the Gods who were just sitting up high will not spare their praise!

Especially the Church of Righteous Radiance is going wild!

There were times when they were nervously grinding their teeth, fearing you might die, but now they're bouncing around the sanctuary to the extent of running around because you survived spectacularly and completed the subjugation!

Tears of emotion stream down as they pour out their blessings, and other Gods join in.

The blessings of all Gods are bestowed upon you.

But still, be careful. You have certainly achieved something great, but it will have its own significant repercussions.

All stats greatly increased.

Mastery of all traits greatly increased.

Trait: Cult Abhorrence (C) greatly enhanced.

Trait: Blessing of the Sun God (B) greatly enhanced.

Trait: Blessing of All Gods (B) acquired.

Your fame echoes across the entire continent.

All Evil Gods’ cults designate you as an arch-enemy.

All Good Gods’ orders’ favorability greatly increases.

Title: Great Nemesis acquired.

Swoosh.