Myths Reawakened

Veronica sat on the sofa across from them, dumbfounded. Remembering yesterday’s lesson, she didn’t immediately lose her calm, waiting to collect more evidence.

The atmosphere in the living room became strange. Wayne calmly gave her a pointed look before picking up Senna’s hand on his shoulder and kissing it.

Whoosh!

Senna jumped away fast like she had teleported, her expression stiff. She clearly hadn’t expected him to be so bold.

Hmph, why bother to act if you’re this pure?

Veronica pursed her lips, now convinced of Wayne’s explanation. Senna was acting intentionally, and the truth was revealed after a test. How dull!

She harrumphed and walked away with a skip in her steps. They hadn’t eaten anything since last night, so she planned to make lunch in the kitchen and feed the trash can.

Senna was keen enough to see that her plan had failed. She couldn’t be more regretful. It was just a kiss on her hand. If she just endured it, she would’ve succeeded!

Even so, enduring the kiss wasn’t easy. When her faith rewarded her with a kiss on her hand, she felt like she was electrocuted, the stimulation making her shudder.

The electrocution was just the right intensity. It wasn’t negligible like being scratched through the boots, and neither was it so painful that she would fear it. The stimulation lingered, leaving her wanting another shock.

Senna’s rationality rejected it, but her body and thoughts led the pursuit for more, adding desires to her resistance. She inspected herself, once again feeling pessimistic about her future.

Wayne patted the seat by his side. “Why are you standing so far away? I’m generous. If you want to get closer to me, just say it. I’m not going to turn you down.”

Senna couldn’t stop her body from slowly walking to him. With fear and shock on her face, she sat down beside him and took his arm, resting her head on his shoulder.

“You smell so good, Master Senna!” Wayne said sarcastically before warning her. “I know what you’re planning. Since you’ve helped me make progress, I’ll let you off the hook this time. Watch yourself from now on and don’t ask for punishment.”

With that, Senna regained control over her body. She hurriedly stood up and sat on the sofa across from him.

Half an hour later, Veronica served the eggs she had slaughtered, feeding the trash can right before Senna. One of them lied blatantly, while the other willingly accepted the lies.

Senna’s expression darkened. Veronica and Wayne were just like Silvia and Auston twenty years ago. Every time she remembered her failure then, she felt a deeper resentment for the landfill that was Londan. Even the thought of it infuriated her; seeing it in person threatened to give her a stroke.

“Master Senna, what are you waiting for? Veronica’s cooking is good. You should have a taste,” Wayne offered in a friendly tone. She should make herself at home.

Senna would like to say no, but her hands and feet betrayed her and picked up the spoon, feeding her mouth.

Under Veronica’s disgruntled gaze, Senna, the guest, ate much of the lunch she had prepared for the trash can without noticing her displeasure. After the meal, Senna wiped her mouth with a napkin. The food was okay, not as bad as she had expected.

Senna wasn’t a good cook, and in the past, she had tasted the snacks Silvia made, so she had no delusion about Dragonbloods’ cooking. She had to admit that Veronica was a better cook than she had expected. At least she was much better than Silvia.

Senna lowered the napkin and looked at the loving couple across from her, frustrated. “Veronica, come to the study with me. From today on, I’ll be teaching you the draconic language.”

She waved, and a few thick magic books landed on the table.

At the end of the three-hour lesson, Senna gave Veronica a lot of assignments, so many that Veronica could only finish them by working hard until midnight, leaving her with no time to mess around with Wayne.

I can’t do anything to Wayne, but I can to you! Do your homework!

Although Senna was clearly making things difficult for Veronica out of selfish reasons, she was a strict teacher who was more than qualified for her job, permitting no mistakes from her student. Even Wayne felt like joining the lesson as he watched.

That night, when Veronica finished her homework at one o’clock and returned to her bedroom, she found Wayne lying on the bed, already washed up.

“Bastard, who said you could sleep here? Get out of here. You’ve dirtied my bed.”

Veronica tried to kick him out with a blush, but unable to resist Wayne’s shamelessness, she reluctantly allowed him to use half the bed after debating with herself for a while.

When the light went off, there were two blankets, and a pillow was placed between them as a firm rampart. When they woke up the next day, though, the rampart was nowhere to be seen, and they were sharing one blanket.

Smells nice! x2

***

It was May. The Holy Maiden selection was put on pause for a week for an undisclosed reason. After it resumed, things accelerated; if nothing else went wrong, the Holy Maiden would be selected by June.

The selection had entered its last stage.

According to Senna, half of the candidates had been eliminated. The bodyguards who hadn’t actually come to become the Anointed One, as they claimed, were all eliminated, leaving the Holy Maiden candidates supported by the church’s headquarters. Desiree, Wayne’s old neighbor, remained in the competition. Without her brother serving as a smokescreen, her incredible talent showed, winning the support of several higher-ups.

Senna was one of them.

At this point, the Holy Maiden selection had become a vicennial game of power struggle and compromises for the church’s headquarters. The Holy Maiden herself wasn’t the key, but the supporters behind her.

In the meantime, Senna visited the mansion to teach Veronica every day. She had learned her lesson, so she kept a distance from Wayne and never made it seem like she was seducing him with bedroom eyes again.

On the eighth of May, Senna rushed into the bedroom and had to back out amid Veronica’s screams. When she closed the door, she almost got hit by a pillow.

She stood at the door with a dark face, cursing the couple out for getting so bold. Veronica, especially, should know that some lessons would only hurt her.

Why are you being so diligent? No wonder you’re falling for his lies!

“Master Senna, please respect others’ privacy and knock the next time!”

Wayne walked out of the bedroom while adjusting his pants, complaining and giving Senna an approving look.

Nicely done. I’ll consider this a successful assist.

Senna didn’t understand. She had clearly interrupted them. She shook her head to stop her imagination from running wild, saying concisely, “Sir Moula, the Nature Knight, has arrived at the headquarters. Vice Captain Garvin is waiting for you. You...”

“You should take a bath before meeting them.”

“Of course.”

Wayne’s body writhed as new skin replaced old skin, cleaning him in three seconds. Senna stayed silent. He was as repulsive as ever, but she found herself getting used to it.

“Where’s Sir Moula? With the Order of Nature?”

“No, he’s at Vice Captain Garvin’s home. He doesn’t want to enter the headquarters proper. Outside of us, the Pope, and the High Prophet, no one else knows about this visit...”

Senna briefly explained the situation before opening a portal to lead Wayne out of the mansion.

***

Garvin’s residence was nestled in the mountains. Usually, he stayed in the knight order’s dorm and rarely came home. Due to his lack of material desires, he never pursued the enjoyment of luxury. His wooden house was therefore unassuming, lacking any expensive furniture.

From the perspective of material success, Garvin was clearly a loser, failing to gather any savings after all these years. Wayne, on the other hand, admired him. Garvin was a breath of fresh air at the materialistic headquarters, improving his impression of the church somewhat.

On the fenced front yard of the house, Wayne saw three figures: Garvin, who was giving him pointed looks with a smile, High Prophet Tubert, who wanted to use this chance to explain himself, and a middle-aged-looking man who appeared graceful and gentle in a white long robe.

The man he hadn’t met was the Pope, Ludwig.

Ludwig was a good-looking man. When Wayne turned to him curiously, he nodded with a friendly smile. He was quiet, serene, and well-mannered, captivating for his steadfast yet easygoing temperament. His gentle smile was soothing. Everything about him seemed appropriate and natural, making him easy to like.

So, he had to be a bastard!

Wayne greeted him respectfully, addressing him as His Holiness the Pope.

This was also Wayne’s first time seeing High Prophet Tubert in person. Accompanied by a mandrill, the old man dressed in a white robe had white hair and white eyebrows, looking his age but still spirited. He fit Wayne’s stereotypical imagination of a legendary mage.

Tubert was eager to say something to Wayne, but Senna wouldn’t give him the chance, shielding Wayne behind her.

“We meet again, Candidate Wayne.”

“Vice Captain Garvin, it’s an honor to be graced by your presence once more.”

In a race to the bottom, Garvin was effectively the only saint present, so Wayne took an instant liking to the Vice Captain. He spoke to him respectfully, putting away his usually snide remarks.

“Do your best. Sir Moula is waiting for you inside. Even if you don’t succeed, don’t be disappointed. Just as I’ve offered before, I’ll introduce you to the Order of Nature.” Garvin patted Wayne on the shoulder and stepped aside, drinking from his flask as Wayne made it to the cabin.

Under Senna’s conflicted gaze, Wayne reached the door. He knocked, entering once he got a response.

Pope Ludwig took an involuntary step forward. Although he maintained a poker face, his fists were clenched under his sleeves.

Goddess, don’t let him succeed!