The main temple didn’t have many people around, as it only allowed visitors when the Archpriestess gave permission… and even then, it was rare.
Most of the time, only a few maids who served the Archpriestess and sometimes the Saintess were seen within its sacred halls—that was all.
Even the apostles were not allowed to enter without the Archpriestess’s personal approval.
And right now, only Aether was permitted to stay here—by the Mother’s command, nothing more, nothing less…
Aether stared blankly at the figure before him. The sheer sinfulness of the sight made his mind go blank, like it had shut down completely. It was the kind of sight that could drive any man to madness.
Before him stood the Archpriestess… breathtakingly sensual, irresistibly dangerous. Her curvy body was barely hidden beneath a white lace bra and matching white panties—as if she had been in the middle of undressing, or.. perhaps dressing.
Her smooth skin glowed with a natural radiance, her breasts full and heavy, barely contained by the delicate fabric. Her hourglass figure, those sinful curves, that flat stomach leading into wide hips and thick thighs—it was a body that seemed sculpted to tempt.
Her cheeks were flushed with a deep, crimson blush. She opened her mouth, clearly intending to shout, but no words came. Her eyes trembled for a moment as her heart pounded furiously inside her chest.
She took a breath, calming herself, and a different look settled on her face.
Confidence.
Power.
Her gaze locked onto his, sharp and commanding. Without even a trace of embarrassment or hesitation, she spoke with a stern tone, her voice steady despite the heat rising between them.
“You have some nerve to barge in here like this…” she said coldly, walking toward him in nothing but her innerwear.
Her movements were slow, deliberate—each step full of seduction and grace, as if she owned the floor she walked on.
Her hips swayed slightly with every step, her thighs brushing softly against one another, and the way her full breasts bounced gently behind the thin fabric made Aether’s throat tighten.
He gulped audibly.
She drew closer and closer, the atmosphere thick with a dangerous. Without realizing it, Aether took a step back… then another, until his back hit the cold, solid door.
The Archpriestess didn’t stop. Her sultry body kept approaching—inch by inch—until she stood just an inch away from him. Then, without saying a word, she reached behind him, brushing her fingers sensually past his side as she locked the door with a soft click.
“A-A-Archpriestess…” Aether stammered, his voice shaky, patchy, his whole body flustered.
The Archpriestess’s eyes narrowed as she stared at his blushing face. A small grin formed on her lips, amused and smug. Still, her tone remained cold and commanding.
“You know exactly what you’ve done,” she said, her voice dangerously low. “This is something even I can’t just ignore. You’re in serious trouble now, Aether… very serious.”
“I-It was an accident… I swear!” Aether’s voice cracked as panic bubbled in his throat. “I didn’t mean to—”
Before he could finish, she leaned in further. Her generous breasts pressed firmly against his chest, making his breath hitch. With one finger, she silenced him by placing it gently against his lips.
Her voice dropped into a sultry whisper, warm and velvety.
“There are… no accidents,” she breathed into his ear, her lips brushing against his skin.
Aether’s entire body tensed. He gulped again, harder this time, “P-Please… I… I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry… Please don’t throw me out… please…” His voice was trembling, on the verge of tears, desperate.
To his surprise, the Archpriestess’s expression softened just a little. Her lips curled into a faint smile, her tone lowering into something more teasing, seductive… yet strangely tender.
“There’s no need to cry, little one…” she whispered, the tip of her tongue briefly brushing her upper lip. “There’s a way to resolve this… quite simply.”
Aether looked up, blinking in confusion. “W-What is it…?” he asked, his voice small, filled with anxious hope.
The Archpriestess leaned in, her breath warm against his cheek. Her voice was practically purring now.
“Only a man who is destined to see me naked… is my husband. So…”
“S-So…?” Aether’s face turned a deep shade of red. He swallowed hard, his eyes darting to her plump lips as her face drew even closer to his.
The Archpriestess chuckled softly to herself, watching the effect she had on him.
He didn’t reject her.
He didn’t deny her claim.
That alone told her enough.
‘He’s not pushing me away… does that mean he’s okay with it?’ she wondered, her heart fluttering with butterflies. Her body ached with temptation. She wanted to kiss him—badly—but they were still in the sacred heart of the Mother Temple.
She closed her eyes briefly to regain control over her rising desire… before leaning in again, her voice now low and smoky.
“You better take responsibility~” she whispered against his ear, then bit it gently, teasingly.
Ba-dump!
Aether’s heart jumped in his chest.
“M-MOTHER IS CALLING ME!!” he shouted suddenly, his voice panicked and high-pitched as he turned and ran away like his life depended on it.
The Archpriestess blinked in surprise, then burst into soft laughter.
“Hahaha…” she chuckled, shaking her head as she licked her lips slowly, watching his figure disappear into the hallway. A wicked smile curled at the corners of her mouth.
The scene around Aether suddenly dissolved into darkness—everything was gone, replaced by a vast void. But then, light flickered.
“You are doing well…” a mysterious, ethereal voice echoed in his ears.
Aether was now surrounded by blazing white flames, as if divine fire danced around him.
It didn’t burn.
It didn’t hurt.
The flames swirled with life, like they were alive… connected to his very soul.
With a calm breath, Aether raised his hand. With a simple flick of his fingers, the divine flames vanished—gone as though they had never existed.
He bowed deeply, respectfully. “Thank you for your patience and guidance until now, Mother.”
A soothing, almost melodic voice replied. “Hmm… You learn faster than anyone I have ever seen in my lifetime. Your learning instinct is remarkable, Aether.”
He smiled, his tone full of humble gratitude. “Without you, I could never have achieved this… Thank you again, truly, for guiding me.”
He had finally completed his training in mastering the holy flames.
The voice hummed again, more serious this time.
“Just don’t forget… since you weren’t born in this world, you lack the innate ability to heal others. The flames you create are manifestations of pure energy—purity itself. The purer you become… the stronger the flames will be. The more refined your soul is… the deeper they will burn into your opponent.”
Aether nodded seriously, his expression calm and focused, and just as he was about to turn and leave—
“Hmm…” a soft hum filled the air, laced with hesitation.
He blinked gently and turned back to face the root-like figure, asking with a calm, respectful voice, “Is there something else you need, Mother?”
“…”
“You don’t need to hold back, Mother. I am your faithful servant,” Aether said, his voice sincere, his face solemn with devotion.
“…sigh… It’s just… since you are a blank card holder, you cannot wield desired weapons like the others,” the voice responded, her tone a little weaker now, as if reluctant to bring it up.
Aether smiled gently. Of course, he already knew that. In every iteration, he never had a weapon—not a fixed one, anyway. He always just used whatever felt right at the time.
“It’s fine… I really don’t need a weapon at all,” he replied calmly, without a hint of complaint.
But the voice seemed reluctant still, like the thought truly bothered her. “You are the first one I ever taught directly… and you exceeded everything I ever imagined. As your Master… I can’t just send you off without any sort of gift.”
Aether let out a soft sigh. He knew her personality—how stubborn and insistent she could be. She always pushed herself, always gave everything, even to the point of exhaustion. She had almost drained him dry every time they met… he couldn’t argue with her when she got like this.
He stared quietly at the thick roots around her feet—the ones connected to her divine form. He knew what they were… the very roots that could transform into weapons.
After a moment of silence, Aether looked up and spoke.
“If it bothers you that much… why not just give me a piece of your root?”
“…Huh? That won’t have any effect, Aether. Without your card granting access to the tree’s core, it’s nothing more than a thick root. Anyone could cut it. It wouldn’t be special,” she replied seriously.
Aether smiled again, warmer this time. “That’s okay… I don’t need power or blessings. I just want something that’s yours. As long as it’s from you… it’s enough. Just stay with me. That’s all I really want.”
“….Are you… proposing to me?” the voice asked, sounding utterly stunned.
Aether froze. ‘Oh shit!’ he cursed inwardly as his face flushed red.
“I—I didn’t mean it like that! I mean… I said it, but it’s not what it sounds like… I wasn’t trying to—Oh God, I didn’t mean—”
“Hahaha…” a gentle, teasing laugh echoed in his ears. Aether’s cheeks burned even more as he heard her say between chuckles, “I’m just messing with you… hahah… Look at you, all shy like a boy caught proposing to his crush. Hahaha… Child, you’re far too young to be courting someone like me!”
Aether looked away, lowering his head in embarrassment, his face bright red.
Then, her tone softened again, with a knowing warmth. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you… and her.”
Aether stiffened, his heart skipped a beat. “W-We didn’t do anything! I swear!”
“Haha… I’m not scolding you, dear. I’m just saying… you have my blessing. Please, take care of her. Make her happy, Aether,” she whispered with quiet sincerity.
Suddenly, a low trembling hum filled the air as the large root at her feet slowly stirred, moving like a slithering serpent before rising toward Aether.
Meanwhile, outside the temple…
The Archpriestess stood with her arms crossed, her brow slightly furrowed as she watched the Saintess pacing back and forth, her expression filled with restless worry.
“He’ll be fine…” the Archpriestess said gently, assuming the Saintess was simply worried about their mutual friend.
The Saintess gave a small nod in return, but inside, her thoughts were spiraling.
‘Why am I feeling like this…? Why am I so anxious about him? What is this fear clawing at my chest? It’s like I’m about to lose something… something precious… like when I lost Mother. Why?!’ she screamed inwardly, her fingers trembling slightly.
Just then—
Thud!
The heavy temple doors opened with a deep echo.
Saintess’s face lit up instantly with pure, unfiltered relief and joy. “Are you alright, Aether?!” she called out before he had even stepped fully into the light.
The Archpriestess’s lips twitched slightly, forming a subtle frown. Her gaze shifted to Aether, who emerged from the temple, walking calmly with a massive block of root in his arms.
Her expression softened, and she offered a proud, welcoming smile.
“Welcome… Archpriest Aether.”