Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1025 1025: Aether made a deal for Thrusters!

Archpriestess blinked in surprise as the golden-haired figure suddenly ran away, leaving her all alone in an instant. She quickly turned back, only to see... Aether emerged from the temple with an annoyed expression carved across his face.

His brows furrowed, sensing something was off, and he called out, ”Is someone here?”

Archpriestess let out a tired sigh, her lips forming a slight pout as she shook her head. ”No... thereʼs no one here,” she replied, her voice a touch strained with lingering annoyance.

”Anyway... what happened in there?” she asked, this time more gently, a hint of concern lacing her curiosity. Part of her felt a wave of quiet relief wash over her, knowing he returned unharmed.

Aether rubbed the back of his neck, exhaling slowly, ”To be honest? Nothing happened. I did all the talking. She didnʼt say a single word.” he muttered, his voice tinged with both frustration and confusion.

Archpriestess frowned deeply, her brows pulling together. ”Thatʼs not like her. Mother wouldnʼt call you unless she had something important to say. She never wastes effort without meaning.”

Aether shrugged with a helpless expression. ”Maybe she just wanted to mess with me... get under my skin or something.”

Noticing the irritation and flicker of restrained fury in his eyes, the Archpriestess gently placed a hand on his shoulder and led him back into her private chamber behind the Main Temple.

Aether dropped himself into the same chair he had used that morning, his body slumping slightly. The Archpriestess, calm and composed, moved gracefully to the side table and began brewing tea once more—the same calming blend she had prepared before.

The room filled with a gentle aroma as he brought the cup to his lips and took a slow, deliberate sip. A deep sigh escaped him, shoulders easing down, his mood gradually softening as the warmth spread through his chest and mind.

Archpriestess smiled faintly as she watched the tension leave his body. ”Tomorrow,” she began softly, her voice like a gentle breeze, ”Iʼll take you around the Empire. Let you see it... through your own eyes, how our life is here”

Aether nodded slowly, his gaze distant... As he took another sip, he murmured, ”Iʼd like that.”

He was honestly taken aback by the teaʼs effect—how soothing it was, how it quieted the noise inside his head. ʼSelene and Aqualina are going to love this… I should definitely pack some for them,ʼ he thought with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Then, a question rose in his mind, ”Come to think of it... whereʼs Helena? And Finnian? I havenʼt seen either of them since I arrived.”

Archpriestess leaned back in her chair, exhaling a weary sigh. ”Finnianʼs... he seemed to lost and Heʼs been training—intensely.”

”Training? And he got lost?” Aether raised a brow, curious now.

She hesitated, chewing on her words before deciding to speak plainly. ”Something happened back at the Academy. Finnian didnʼt say much, but... he was shaken. All I gathered was that heʼs out for blood—wants to kill someone, to reclaim his dignity or whatever it is he thinks he lost.”

Aetherʼs grip tightened slightly around the cup as he took a louder gulp. ʼReclaim his dignity?ʼ Of course, Aether knew what that meant...It had to be Victor. That bastard had beaten the crap out of Finnian, snapped a humiliating picture of him naked, and even threatened to leak it everywhere.

ʼLooks like he really took it to heart...ʼ Aether smirked inwardly. He could already imagine Finnian throwing himself into harsh training, driven by pure rage and humiliation.

With a quiet sigh, he shook his head and asked, ”What about Helena?”

Archpriestessʼs lips twitched as if holding back a groan, her eyes narrowing. ”Youʼre bonded with her, right? Then ask her directly! Why do you have to make me say it?” she snapped, clearly irritated... and maybe, just maybe, a little jealous.

Aether blinked at her reaction, ”How much did she tell you?”

Archpriestess smirked, leaning forward with a playful glint in her gaze. ”Everything... including how you made her feel... ecstasy.”

”....” Aether closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting out a controlled exhale. ʼThat girl... she really needs to stop blabbering,ʼ he thought, his brows twitching with frustration. But the moment her innocent, wide-eyed face popped into his memory, all the irritation melted away like snow in spring.

The air turned heavier, charged with an awkward tension. Aether could clearly read the storm brewing in the Archpriestessʼs gaze—the unmistakable flicker of Yandere lurking there.

Both of them sat in silence, feeling the weight of the mood. Aether decided to steer the conversation back to something more grounded. He cleared his throat. ”Right... where were we before all th--”

”You were talking about something else we could give you, instead of money, right?” Archpriestess interrupted, her eyes sharp, knowing exactly where he was going.

Aether gave a small nod and smiled faintly. ”Yeah... instead of currency, how about a piece of land?”

”Deal!” she said instantly, without even blinking.

”...Thatʼs it?” Aether blinked in surprise, rubbing his forehead. ”No negotiation? You donʼt even want to discuss the size of the plot or where itʼs located?”

Archpriestess just smiled, calm and collected. ”As long as itʼs not money, weʼre more than fine. Donʼt worry—weʼll give you a piece of land that matches the value of your amount.”

Aether tilted his head, slightly stunned by her quick agreement, but nodded. ”Alright then... good.” He sipped his tea again, still wrapping his head around how smoothly that went. Honestly, he didnʼt expect her to accept so fast and without conditions.

ʼWas this also... Motherʼs plan?ʼ Aether wondered silently, unsettled. This was exactly why the Archpriestess always felt so unpredictable to him.

She gazed at him, eyes glimmering with something unreadable. ”Donʼt overthink it, Aether. Whatever happens... it just happens,” she whispered, her voice soft and cryptic.

Aether stared at her for a moment, his eyes subtly scanning her expression, before he gave a small shrug and lifted the teacup again to his lips. He took a slow sip, his gaze wandering casually around the room.

It wasnʼt grand or decorated with opulence. In fact, it was... surprisingly modest. The space was cozy, more like a typical household than the private chamber of a high-ranking Archpriestess. A few pieces of simple furniture, some personal items neatly arranged, and warm lighting gave it a quiet, lived-in feel.

”Even though youʼre the Archpriestess... you still live like a regular person?” Aether asked, his tone mixed with genuine curiosity and mild surprise.

After all, someone in her position could have easily surrounded herself with gold, silks, and rare luxuries if she wanted to. But instead, she chose this—simple and grounded.

Archpriestess gave a casual shrug, her voice softening. ”I love... being simple, Aether,” she said gently, her eyes fixed on him with a tender smile.

The way he drank his tea—his posture, his quiet focus—was unexpectedly elegant. His movements held a kind of calm maturity that clashed adorably with his usual chaotic, unpredictable aura.

So cute~

Her heart fluttered. She had to fight the growing urge to leap over the table and smother him in kisses—on his cheeks, his nose, his forehead. All of him. But she held back... Barely!

Then Aether tilted his head, his tone curious as he asked, ”Hmm... I havenʼt seen your little sister yet.”

The Archpriestess blinked rapidly, ”Little sister...? I donʼt hav—Ahhh!” she suddenly froze, as if she realised something. She nodded rapidly, her voice flustered, ”Y-Yes, my sister! Right... S-Stella, was it?”

Aether frowned slightly, his gaze narrowing. ”Was she not?”

The Archpriestess gulped hard, her composure visibly cracking. ”Y-Yeah, yeah! Stella... of course, thatʼs her name!” Her voice wobbled as her usually serene expression broke into something closer to a terrified smile. Her previously calm eyes now trembled like a trapped insect.

Aether gave a slow smile, watching her reaction with interest. ”Where is she, then? I havenʼt seen her anywhere since I arrived,” he asked casually, though he was very much enjoying her unravelling.

”W-Well, sheʼs kind of... um, well... she lives somewhere else!” the Archpriestess blurted out, grasping at anything that might sound reasonable. ”She couldnʼt make it because, you know, no one told her you were coming. So yeah—she didnʼt know you were here!”

Aether nodded slowly, then leaned forward as if preparing to stand. ”Alright then. Just tell me the way to her place, Iʼll go visit her myself.”

He nearly placed the teacup back on the table and looked ready to get up.

”W-Wait!” The Archpriestessʼs voice jumped in pitch, her face contorting in panic.

”What?” Aether asked innocently, barely containing the laughter bubbling behind his eyes.

”Thereʼs no need for you to go!” she insisted, her expression suddenly serious, as if a national secret was at stake. She was visibly flustered now, her mind scrambling for a way out of the hole sheʼd dug herself into. Honestly, she had completely forgotten about the whole ”Stella” bit—and now it was biting her back hard.

Aether frowned slightly. ”What do you mean thereʼs no need?”

She tried to smile, but it came off more like a nervous twitch. ”It means... sheʼs coming here!” she said, raising her eyebrows in an attempt to act casual. Then, without thinking, she muttered to herself, ”Oh yeah... You arrived?”

Aether blinked. That last part wasnʼt even directed at him. He tilted his head, watching her curiously.

Just what was she planning?

”She came!” the Archpriestess declared suddenly, her voice just a little too loud, ”Iʼll bring her in...”

”That fast?” Aetherʼs expression was sceptical, a brow lifting ever so slightly.

”W-Well, she loves you way too much, after all!” she said hastily, trying to pass it off with a smile. Then she quickly gestured toward the seat. ”Sit! Relax! Iʼll go bring her to you!”

Aether sat back down, his expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. ʼSheʼs really putting her whole soul into this performance,ʼ he thought, watching her dash toward the door.

She shut it behind her in a flurry of robes and panic.

Not even a full minute had passed before the door creaked open again... and ”Stella” entered.