Chapter 127. Sister, Allow Me to Show You a Treasure

Noah gazed at Clotilde, who stood before him, her brow furrowed in disgust, clearly repulsed by the entire situation. His mood, however, was quite the opposite.

He understood that Clotilde’s disdain was not merely directed at him, but at the reality unfolding around them.

She was refusing to accept the truth.

Because she had no intention of embracing it, her emotions were not as volatile as they could have been.

But really, how could she accept this reality?

Things had escalated far too quickly, hadn’t they?

Noah was more than willing to explain everything from the beginning!

“Ah, look at you, Sister, with that expression that screams denial. Very well, let me clarify a bit. My situation is somewhat akin to yours; I’m a special priest, which grants me considerable freedom. However, my role isn’t to eradicate heresy, but rather to investigate the movements of the demon kin.”

In preparation for his future guidance of her descent into darkness, Noah began to speak with a serious air, weaving a tale that danced on the edge of absurdity.

“Movements of the demon kin?”

Clotilde had initially been unwilling to even glance at Noah, fearing that another look might send her spiraling into madness.

Yet, upon hearing the mention of the demon kin, she reluctantly turned her gaze toward Noah, who was clad in priestly garb.

“Indeed, the guise of a human observer is merely a convenient cover for my movements. My true mission is to investigate the demon kin. Do you think it was mere coincidence that we crossed paths in the capital of that kingdom?”

“…Now that you mention it, I have indeed heard whispers of unrest among the demon kin there recently. It seems a certain princess has been quite active.”

As her interest in Noah’s words piqued, the serious Clotilde was destined to be swept along by his narrative.

Upon hearing Noah’s assertion, she realized there might be some truth to it.

Moreover, she had felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity upon their first meeting, a desire to draw him into the church as a clergyman.

If Noah had infiltrated that criminal organization for the sake of his own duties, it would certainly make sense.

“……Fine, I’ll begrudgingly accept your identity as a special priest, after all, Sister Belinda wouldn’t lie.”

After convincing herself that she had thought it through thoroughly, Clotilde resignedly accepted Noah’s claim.

—

Noah’s own words were a tangled web of truth and deceit, making it nearly impossible to discern reality. Coupled with the existence of a ‘witness’ to validate Noah’s identity, Cloetil had no choice but to place her trust in him.

Little did she know, Noah’s very existence was a grand illusion.

She found herself ensnared in a circle meticulously woven by Noah, where no matter how she pondered, the answers would always lead her astray.

“Wait a moment? So, I’ve been exposed to my colleagues from the very beginning!?”

The sudden realization that her defeat to the lust demon, and the subsequent curse of lewd markings, had long been known to her peers struck her like a thunderclap. It was her own refusal to heed their warnings that had led to her downfall.

Now, the nun who had initially rejected reality felt her cheeks flush with shame as she began to accept the truth.

“N-No! How could you possibly be a priest? As a fellow believer in the Lady Goddess, a true priest would never gaze upon my wretched form with such admiration and delight!”

As she began to confront the truth, the nun’s agitation flared. She glared fiercely at Noah, attempting to deny his identity.

Oh dear, hold your horses, dear nun. Your church has not only priests but even bishops with graying beards who are just as lost in lust, you know.

Though he thought this, Noah kept it to himself.

He swallowed the urge to mock her directly, knowing she would soon witness the truth for herself.

For now, Noah feigned displeasure, returning her glare with one of his own.

“How dare you speak, Sister Cloetil? Do you think this is anyone’s fault but your own? If you hadn’t lost to the lust demon, would you be in this predicament?”

“Ugh!?”

The once fierce nun immediately lost her bravado, instinctively shrinking back, her delicate features betraying a mix of embarrassment and guilt.

Indeed, it was true; at the heart of it all, it was her failure to heed the warnings that had led to her defeat by the lust demon.

But what of the restoration of her magic, and the act of undressing within this sacred church?

If Noah was truly a priest, he should know that such actions were even less permissible here than in the wild!

Even if he feared no one discovering him, did he not dread the Lady Goddess, who watched over all, casting judgment upon him?!

Surely, even the most benevolent of goddesses would not be so magnanimous as to forgive her priest and nun for such acts within her hallowed halls!

“You look as if you can hardly accept this, but it’s not so strange. Did I not say? I am an atheist.”

“W-What?! You’re a priest yet an atheist?!”

At that moment, the nun was utterly convinced by everything Noah had said.

Thus, when she heard him declare this, her face reflected the shock of encountering a deity other than the one she worshipped.

“Indeed, and not just me; many within the church do not believe in the Lady Goddess’s existence. I know you don’t believe now, but you will come to believe in time.”

Noah shrugged, a sardonic smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he uttered words that could shatter Cloetil’s worldview.

“How can this be… are you all mad… to not believe in the existence of the divine…”

Rather than anger, Cloetil felt a wave of pity wash over her.

How tragic it was for one to be a priest yet deny the Goddess.

Thus, while her words were harsh, her gaze upon Noah was filled with sorrow.

“Hmph, say whatever you want, but let’s continue. From my observation, there’s only one way to quickly recover your magical power, and that’s to satisfy your desires to the fullest.”

Noah didn’t bother to refute Goddess Clotilde’s words, even if the goddess herself was listening right next to him. Noah wouldn’t change his attitude no matter what.

“Can’t do it? Then just endure it.”

“No way to endure it? Then just give in.”

“The desires require mental or physical pleasure to be satisfied, and feelings of shame or guilt are also a kind of pleasure. If you focus on that, you’ll definitely be able to quickly recover your lost magical power.”

Noah intentionally used a tone that was slightly excited and playful, saying words that made Clotilde’s face turn red again.

“Impossible! You want me to voluntarily do something that’s unbefitting of a nun? Absolutely not! Reject! Think of another way!”

Sister Clotilde expressed her opinion with what she thought was her most resolute attitude.

That was absolutely impossible.

Unless she was forced to, she wouldn’t do something that went against her identity as a nun!

“Alright, I’ll think of a way.”

When she said that, Noah nodded, and under Clotilde’s gaze, which had clearly relaxed, he walked to the bookshelf in the room, picked up a small, ordinary-looking wooden box, and opened it in front of Clotilde.

What was inside wasn’t anything else, but the small toys Noah had used to calm her desires earlier.

“This… this… uh…!?”

The moment she saw them, Clotilde couldn’t help but think of the memories she didn’t want to recall.

Feelings of shame and pleasure surged up simultaneously, and the desires in her lower abdomen responded to her thoughts, making her, who was initially terrified, let out a voice full of charm.

Even though she hurriedly covered her mouth, the voice that could make one’s bones tremble still leaked out a little.

Wasn’t it?! She meant to ask Noah to think of another way to help her recover her magical power, not to make her feel pleasure!

Why was this guy still smiling?!

Realizing she had been forced into a state of arousal.

Sister Clotilde’s gaze towards Noah was filled with deep resentment — and affection.

……

……

PS. The updates in the mortal realm are done, and now it’s time for the underworld’s turn! Today’s fourth update!

(I still owed 63 chapters from last month, and now I’ve paid back 8, leaving 55 more. What’s going on? I thought it would be really difficult to catch up, but it looks like it’s not impossible after all.)