Chapter 427
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Nora Xeclyde’s birthday was a huge affair in the Saint Mesit Theocracy. It served to network with the landed nobles all over the Theocracy and consolidate the royal family’s influence, thus making it an important political event.
As a result, the day seemed to lose its significance when not spent in such a manner.
Nora was visibly taken aback by Roel’s birthday wish. She hadn’t paid any attention to the date ever since she moved to Tark Stronghold, and the occasional loss of memories during her Seraphication made it hard for her to properly keep track of time.
However, Roel still remembered it clear as day, proving that he didn’t view her birthday as a political tool as most people did. He had remembered it in his heart because of her.
It was moving for her to know that her birthday was remembered by the person she fancied, but it was hard for her to express her delight at a situation like this.
“W-wait a moment! I’m happy that you remember my birthday, but what’s with this cuff?!”
“It’s a Contract Shackle, though I guess I should probably call it Angel Shackle now.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a special lock created by the resonation of two bodies harnessing mana of the same attribute. It’s not a physical item, so it’s impossible to struggle free of it. It can only be severed when one of the mana sources vanishes,” Roel explained the principles behind the lock he had received from the Witch Queen.
Nora was initially confused by the explanation, but her body soon stiffened up when she understood the connotation behind those words.
“You mentioned… mana of the same attribute? Are you saying that…”
“That’s right. That fellow left a trace of her powers in my body in the previous fight.”
“!”
Nora felt her head spin. There was no one in the world who knew the prowess of the golden aura as well as she did, and that was why she reacted so vehemently to it.
“Why didn’t you tell me about it? I want you to head back right now! It’s an order!”
“An order? My apologies, but I refuse.”
“Roel, you!!!” roared Nora in agitation.
It unnerved her to think of what could potentially happen if they continued down this path that she lost control of her emotions. Seeing that, Roel let out a soft sigh, but he knew what he had to do.
He absolutely couldn’t let Nora leave on her own at this juncture. Neither the Angel King nor the Elrics were threats that she could face on her own. If he wanted to change her fate, he would have to first convince her.
Having made up his mind, he took a step forward, but his abrupt approach caused Nora to reflexively retreat toward the side of the door. So, he pressed his hands against the door, blocking her paths of retreat. He forced the panicking young woman to face him.
This was the first time Nora had seen Roel acting so domineeringly. His sudden change caught her by surprise, and their eyes met each other just like that.
“…”
“…”
In the silent exchange of gazes, Roel could see fear and panic in her eyes, emotions that rarely appeared on her. The last time she showed something like that was in the Witness State, but even so, it wasn’t as intense as right now. It was simply too difficult for her to remain calm after learning about Roel’s injuries.
On the other hand, Nora was also able to discern Roel’s emotions through his eyes. It was composure that came with the resolve to cast away everything.
Their hearts were silently communicating their wills to each other.
Some time later, Roel began speaking.
“I know that you’re asking me to leave because you’re worried, but dying is the last thing on my mind right now. I’m not going to die. I chose to remain by your side for you to triumph over the challenges and realize our hopes for the future.”
“But… what if I lose?”
“That won’t happen. That’s because you’re Nora Xeclyde.”
“What?”
Roel’s response was firm and powerful. It was without the slightest hesitation. He touched her cheek and looked intently into her eyes.
“You will win, I guarantee it. You’re stronger than that.
“You’re the only Xeclyde in the past thousand years to possess a Primordial Bloodline. You’re the pride of the Saint Mesit Theocracy, the rising star that will guide the Genesis Goddess Church to greatness. You’re kind, righteous, and unyielding. Even the fate of someone like me has changed because of you.
“There’s a brilliant future awaiting you. You’ll don the crown and become the protector of humankind. You’ll become the noblest Holy Eminence in the history of the church. Your name will be known to all humans, and your words will echo for generations to come.
“The Angel King was noble and powerful, but the era has long changed. It’s not the era of the dragons, high elves, and angels anymore. The remnant of the Angel King might make you stumble, but you’ll eventually muster your courage and beat it down. I believe in that.”
“…”
Nora was left without words. She stared into Roel’s gleaming eyes but couldn’t find any hint of mirth in them. All she could see was absolute confidence, almost as if he saw her as his faith.
It was neither hypocritical fawning nor exaggerated encouragement; Roel did earnestly believe what he had just said. He fully relayed his feelings through his eyes and words, and it struck a chord in Nora’s heart.
I never knew it was possible for someone to trust another person to such an extent.
He knows that his life will be forfeit the moment I fail. There’s no guarantee whatsoever. Yet, he still continues to hold confidence in me?
Nora suddenly felt like she was shouldering something heavy, but it didn’t leave her burdened. On the contrary, the weight gave her peace of mind, suppressing the anxiety and unconfidence within her.
“… Why?”
“Hm?”
“Why do you still believe in me? I’ve already failed once. You’re also aware of my current condition. I’m unworthy of your trust.”
“… You’re my liege, the most important person to me. I dare say I know you better than anyone else in the world.”
Roel thought about the memories of his past life and calmly revealed the truth. Nora blinked her eyes in surprise before her lips started curling into a smile.
“Spoken like a prophecy. But you’re right. I’m your liege, as well as your protector. I’m duty-bound to protect you. It would be dishonorable of me to let down your expectations.”
“So, you aren’t leaving anymore?”
“I wouldn’t be able to leave even if I wanted to,” Nora shook her head as she replied.
She couldn’t bring herself to turn her back on Roel and betray him, not after listening to what he had said. Under his encouragement, she managed to overcome her mental barrier and stand stronger than ever.
In truth, Roel had noticed that something was different about Nora ever since he saved her from the clutches of the Angel King. She had lost her usual confidence and strong will. That was why he had to do this to vanquish her vulnerabilities and allow her to focus solely on the future.
Nora wouldn’t lose as long as she was in her peak form. That had been proven in Eyes of the Chronicler.
This should be enough.
Roel’s heart finally eased up, and he released his hands from the door. He was just about to back away when Nora suddenly grabbed the other end of the chain and pulled him back in.
Tok!
Roel widened his eyes in bewilderment. The sudden tug from the other end of the chain caused him to lose his balance and lurch forward, such that he had to press his hand against the door once more to stop himself. When he finally raised his head once more, he found Nora’s smiling face right in front of him.
“N-Nora? What are you…”
Roel’s face stiffened up, sensing that something was amiss. On the other hand, Nora raised her hand and eyed the white cuff and the chain attached to it with curled lips.
“I’m delighted that you remember my birthday, but don’t you know that cuffing up your liege is a grievous act of insubordination?”
“W-wait! Weren’t you the one who said that you wanted handcuffs? Besides, don’t you like the gift I’ve prepared for you?”
“I can’t deny that, but I never gave you permission to cuff me. You were still talking about loyalty a moment ago, making it sound as if there’s no one in the world as staunch as you are. Yet, your actions speak a completely different tune.”
“…”
Roel couldn’t refute those words. The two of them stood mere centimeters apart from each other, such that they could feel each other’s breathing and heartbeat. The feelings that Nora had suppressed all this while began to burst forth.
“… I believe that some punishment is in order.”
With an intoxicated murmur, she leaned in and took his lips.
It was noon.
The radiant sun basked Tark Prairie in its golden rays, staving away the coldness of the night.
In this comfortable weather, a single man sat alone in the midst of a grass field, reflecting on his mistake.
It was common sense to prepare a present that was aligned with the receiver’s preference, but common sense wasn’t always right all the time. Roel’s current plight was one perfect example.
Oof. To think that the present was actually myself.
The Angel Shackle was an incorporeal magic tool that bound two sources of mana with identical attributes. It manifested as two cuffs with a chain that could extend endlessly. If one side were to tug on the chain, they would be able to drag the other party back no matter how far away they were.
Roel had requested Artasia to create this magic tool both as a gift and a way for him to help Nora during the crucial phase of her bloodline awakening. It was something that was thought up with many considerations in mind. Yet, it was being used for purposes that it wasn’t intended for.
“Here, open your mouth.”
On the grass field, Roel sat in front of Nora with many coils of chain wrapped around his body as he quietly looked at the sky, regretting his own mistakes. On the other hand, Nora grabbed the other end of the chain and ‘persuaded’ Roel to take a bite off her dessert spoon.
Roel was not tied up because he had a sudden awakening of masochistic tendencies or something. He did try to fight back, but he made a fatal miscalculation here—he had used angelic power as the intermediary for the shackles.
It went without saying that Nora had greater control over angelic power as compared to Roel, which meant to say that she could control the shackles to do whatever she wanted.
“Are you really not going to eat it?”
Nora disrupted Roel’s memory flashback. She dangled the dessert spoon in front of him, trying to bait him in. However, the latter had already made up his mind to ignore her.
“Nope.”
“It’s delicious. I specially prepared it for you. You should at least give it a try.”
“Remove the shackles first.”
“That won’t do,” Nora rejected Roel’s request with a bright smile.
She leaned in even closer while tucking her hair behind her shoulders, revealing her fair neck. She placed her mouth right next to Roel’s ears and whispered softly.
“Be good and take a mouthful, alright?”
“… I reject.”
“I guess I have no choice then. I’ll have to dish out some punishment.”
“W-w-wait! What are you going to do?” exclaimed Roel in panic.
Nora had started taking off her boots with a slightly reddened face, exposing a pair of long slender legs wrapped in thin black stockings. Her movements were so oddly sensual to Roel that his mind started uncontrollably heating up, awakening his male instincts.
He knew right away that this wasn’t good.
As someone who was often in the accompaniment of ravishing ladies, Roel had a high level of tolerance as a man. However, when the esteemed princess known as a saintly angel to the masses looked at him with a furiously blushing face, her eyes intermixed with purity and desire, he found himself helplessly sinking deeper and deeper into the deadly seduction concocted by the vivid contrast.
Who could possibly withstand this?
All of Roel’s defenses quickly crumbled.
On the other hand, Nora had lightly placed her leg on his thigh.
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”
“N-no, that isn’t the problem here.”
The friction of her stocking on his leg left Roel feeling a little ticklish, and his face quickly turned red as well. He could feel her little foot slowly moving further upward, and her lust in her eyes seemed to be running amok.
Knowing that he couldn’t let things continue at this rate, he quickly cried out.
“I-I’ll eat! I’ll eat!”
“Hm?”
“Weren’t you feeding me earlier? I’ll eat, so you can stop your so-called punishment now!”
“A-ah, okay.”
Having lost the reason to continue the punishment, Nora slowly regained her rationality and withdrew her leg. She took a deep breath to calm down, but she was still unable to fully quell the heat she felt.
Thus, when Roel leaned forward to take a bite off the dessert spoon, she gave in to her desire and took his lips for herself instead. Roel instinctively tried to retreat, but Nora grabbed the chain tightly, not allowing him to move away.
The two of them were stuck like that for a long time before Nora finally let him go.
“That’s not what we promised,” Roel grumbled while gasping for air.
“… It’s the appetizer,” replied Nora merrily.
She finally picked up the dessert spoon and delivered it toward Roel’s mouth, finally giving him a taste of the dessert.
After having vented her feelings, Nora no longer attempted anything overboard, choosing to obediently feed him till he was full. She knew that if she were to continue pushing the boundaries, they might just go beyond the edge.
It was not to say that she was averse to the idea of consummation with her lover on her birthday, but she felt that the location was less than ideal. On top of that, the Genesis Goddess Church forbade its followers from taking preventive measures.
The birth of a new life was viewed to be a gift from Sia, but it was still too early for them to have a child just a single year after reaching adulthood. Furthermore, it wasn’t ideal for them to do so given the current circumstances of the royal family.
With Prince Kane’s disappearance, the Xeclydes needed a powerful and flawless successor. This wasn’t a good period for her to get pregnant, and there was still an important trial awaiting her just ahead.
“It’ll happen tomorrow, right?”
“Mmhm. During sunset.”
After lunch, Roel asked about the estimated time of Nora’s final relapse of Seraphication, and the latter quickly sensed her bloodline before nodding her head. The two of them leaned against each other and listened to the other’s heartbeat.
The fight that would occur during tomorrow’s sunset would determine their survival, the future of the Theocracy, and possibly even the fate of humankind. At the same time, Roel also had a mission he needed to accomplish.
He turned his sight westward, and his gleaming golden eyes seemed to traverse across space to gaze upon a group of enemies rushing in their direction. Their eyes were filled with hostility.
The crossroads of fate were soon to be upon them.
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Nora Xeclyde’s birthday was a huge affair in the Saint Mesit Theocracy. It served to network with the landed nobles all over the Theocracy and consolidate the royal family’s influence, thus making it an important political event.
As a result, the day seemed to lose its significance when not spent in such a manner.
Nora was visibly taken aback by Roel’s birthday wish. She hadn’t paid any attention to the date ever since she moved to Tark Stronghold, and the occasional loss of memories during her Seraphication made it hard for her to properly keep track of time.
However, Roel still remembered it clear as day, proving that he didn’t view her birthday as a political tool as most people did. He had remembered it in his heart because of her.
It was moving for her to know that her birthday was remembered by the person she fancied, but it was hard for her to express her delight at a situation like this.
“W-wait a moment! I’m happy that you remember my birthday, but what’s with this cuff?!”
“It’s a Contract Shackle, though I guess I should probably call it Angel Shackle now.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a special lock created by the resonation of two bodies harnessing mana of the same attribute. It’s not a physical item, so it’s impossible to struggle free of it. It can only be severed when one of the mana sources vanishes,” Roel explained the principles behind the lock he had received from the Witch Queen.
Nora was initially confused by the explanation, but her body soon stiffened up when she understood the connotation behind those words.
“You mentioned… mana of the same attribute? Are you saying that…”
“That’s right. That fellow left a trace of her powers in my body in the previous fight.”
“!”
Nora felt her head spin. There was no one in the world who knew the prowess of the golden aura as well as she did, and that was why she reacted so vehemently to it.
“Why didn’t you tell me about it? I want you to head back right now! It’s an order!”
“An order? My apologies, but I refuse.”
“Roel, you!!!” roared Nora in agitation.
It unnerved her to think of what could potentially happen if they continued down this path that she lost control of her emotions. Seeing that, Roel let out a soft sigh, but he knew what he had to do.
He absolutely couldn’t let Nora leave on her own at this juncture. Neither the Angel King nor the Elrics were threats that she could face on her own. If he wanted to change her fate, he would have to first convince her.
Having made up his mind, he took a step forward, but his abrupt approach caused Nora to reflexively retreat toward the side of the door. So, he pressed his hands against the door, blocking her paths of retreat. He forced the panicking young woman to face him.
This was the first time Nora had seen Roel acting so domineeringly. His sudden change caught her by surprise, and their eyes met each other just like that.
“…”
“…”
In the silent exchange of gazes, Roel could see fear and panic in her eyes, emotions that rarely appeared on her. The last time she showed something like that was in the Witness State, but even so, it wasn’t as intense as right now. It was simply too difficult for her to remain calm after learning about Roel’s injuries.
On the other hand, Nora was also able to discern Roel’s emotions through his eyes. It was composure that came with the resolve to cast away everything.
Their hearts were silently communicating their wills to each other.
Some time later, Roel began speaking.
“I know that you’re asking me to leave because you’re worried, but dying is the last thing on my mind right now. I’m not going to die. I chose to remain by your side for you to triumph over the challenges and realize our hopes for the future.”
“But… what if I lose?”
“That won’t happen. That’s because you’re Nora Xeclyde.”
“What?”
Roel’s response was firm and powerful. It was without the slightest hesitation. He touched her cheek and looked intently into her eyes.
“You will win, I guarantee it. You’re stronger than that.
“You’re the only Xeclyde in the past thousand years to possess a Primordial Bloodline. You’re the pride of the Saint Mesit Theocracy, the rising star that will guide the Genesis Goddess Church to greatness. You’re kind, righteous, and unyielding. Even the fate of someone like me has changed because of you.
“There’s a brilliant future awaiting you. You’ll don the crown and become the protector of humankind. You’ll become the noblest Holy Eminence in the history of the church. Your name will be known to all humans, and your words will echo for generations to come.
“The Angel King was noble and powerful, but the era has long changed. It’s not the era of the dragons, high elves, and angels anymore. The remnant of the Angel King might make you stumble, but you’ll eventually muster your courage and beat it down. I believe in that.”
“…”
Nora was left without words. She stared into Roel’s gleaming eyes but couldn’t find any hint of mirth in them. All she could see was absolute confidence, almost as if he saw her as his faith.
It was neither hypocritical fawning nor exaggerated encouragement; Roel did earnestly believe what he had just said. He fully relayed his feelings through his eyes and words, and it struck a chord in Nora’s heart.
I never knew it was possible for someone to trust another person to such an extent.
He knows that his life will be forfeit the moment I fail. There’s no guarantee whatsoever. Yet, he still continues to hold confidence in me?
Nora suddenly felt like she was shouldering something heavy, but it didn’t leave her burdened. On the contrary, the weight gave her peace of mind, suppressing the anxiety and unconfidence within her.
“… Why?”
“Hm?”
“Why do you still believe in me? I’ve already failed once. You’re also aware of my current condition. I’m unworthy of your trust.”
“… You’re my liege, the most important person to me. I dare say I know you better than anyone else in the world.”
Roel thought about the memories of his past life and calmly revealed the truth. Nora blinked her eyes in surprise before her lips started curling into a smile.
“Spoken like a prophecy. But you’re right. I’m your liege, as well as your protector. I’m duty-bound to protect you. It would be dishonorable of me to let down your expectations.”
“So, you aren’t leaving anymore?”
“I wouldn’t be able to leave even if I wanted to,” Nora shook her head as she replied.
She couldn’t bring herself to turn her back on Roel and betray him, not after listening to what he had said. Under his encouragement, she managed to overcome her mental barrier and stand stronger than ever.
In truth, Roel had noticed that something was different about Nora ever since he saved her from the clutches of the Angel King. She had lost her usual confidence and strong will. That was why he had to do this to vanquish her vulnerabilities and allow her to focus solely on the future.
Nora wouldn’t lose as long as she was in her peak form. That had been proven in Eyes of the Chronicler.
This should be enough.
Roel’s heart finally eased up, and he released his hands from the door. He was just about to back away when Nora suddenly grabbed the other end of the chain and pulled him back in.
Tok!
Roel widened his eyes in bewilderment. The sudden tug from the other end of the chain caused him to lose his balance and lurch forward, such that he had to press his hand against the door once more to stop himself. When he finally raised his head once more, he found Nora’s smiling face right in front of him.
“N-Nora? What are you…”
Roel’s face stiffened up, sensing that something was amiss. On the other hand, Nora raised her hand and eyed the white cuff and the chain attached to it with curled lips.
“I’m delighted that you remember my birthday, but don’t you know that cuffing up your liege is a grievous act of insubordination?”
“W-wait! Weren’t you the one who said that you wanted handcuffs? Besides, don’t you like the gift I’ve prepared for you?”
“I can’t deny that, but I never gave you permission to cuff me. You were still talking about loyalty a moment ago, making it sound as if there’s no one in the world as staunch as you are. Yet, your actions speak a completely different tune.”
“…”
Roel couldn’t refute those words. The two of them stood mere centimeters apart from each other, such that they could feel each other’s breathing and heartbeat. The feelings that Nora had suppressed all this while began to burst forth.
“… I believe that some punishment is in order.”
With an intoxicated murmur, she leaned in and took his lips.
It was noon.
The radiant sun basked Tark Prairie in its golden rays, staving away the coldness of the night.
In this comfortable weather, a single man sat alone in the midst of a grass field, reflecting on his mistake.
It was common sense to prepare a present that was aligned with the receiver’s preference, but common sense wasn’t always right all the time. Roel’s current plight was one perfect example.
Oof. To think that the present was actually myself.
The Angel Shackle was an incorporeal magic tool that bound two sources of mana with identical attributes. It manifested as two cuffs with a chain that could extend endlessly. If one side were to tug on the chain, they would be able to drag the other party back no matter how far away they were.
Roel had requested Artasia to create this magic tool both as a gift and a way for him to help Nora during the crucial phase of her bloodline awakening. It was something that was thought up with many considerations in mind. Yet, it was being used for purposes that it wasn’t intended for.
“Here, open your mouth.”
On the grass field, Roel sat in front of Nora with many coils of chain wrapped around his body as he quietly looked at the sky, regretting his own mistakes. On the other hand, Nora grabbed the other end of the chain and ‘persuaded’ Roel to take a bite off her dessert spoon.
Roel was not tied up because he had a sudden awakening of masochistic tendencies or something. He did try to fight back, but he made a fatal miscalculation here—he had used angelic power as the intermediary for the shackles.
It went without saying that Nora had greater control over angelic power as compared to Roel, which meant to say that she could control the shackles to do whatever she wanted.
“Are you really not going to eat it?”
Nora disrupted Roel’s memory flashback. She dangled the dessert spoon in front of him, trying to bait him in. However, the latter had already made up his mind to ignore her.
“Nope.”
“It’s delicious. I specially prepared it for you. You should at least give it a try.”
“Remove the shackles first.”
“That won’t do,” Nora rejected Roel’s request with a bright smile.
She leaned in even closer while tucking her hair behind her shoulders, revealing her fair neck. She placed her mouth right next to Roel’s ears and whispered softly.
“Be good and take a mouthful, alright?”
“… I reject.”
“I guess I have no choice then. I’ll have to dish out some punishment.”
“W-w-wait! What are you going to do?” exclaimed Roel in panic.
Nora had started taking off her boots with a slightly reddened face, exposing a pair of long slender legs wrapped in thin black stockings. Her movements were so oddly sensual to Roel that his mind started uncontrollably heating up, awakening his male instincts.
He knew right away that this wasn’t good.
As someone who was often in the accompaniment of ravishing ladies, Roel had a high level of tolerance as a man. However, when the esteemed princess known as a saintly angel to the masses looked at him with a furiously blushing face, her eyes intermixed with purity and desire, he found himself helplessly sinking deeper and deeper into the deadly seduction concocted by the vivid contrast.
Who could possibly withstand this?
All of Roel’s defenses quickly crumbled.
On the other hand, Nora had lightly placed her leg on his thigh.
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”
“N-no, that isn’t the problem here.”
The friction of her stocking on his leg left Roel feeling a little ticklish, and his face quickly turned red as well. He could feel her little foot slowly moving further upward, and her lust in her eyes seemed to be running amok.
Knowing that he couldn’t let things continue at this rate, he quickly cried out.
“I-I’ll eat! I’ll eat!”
“Hm?”
“Weren’t you feeding me earlier? I’ll eat, so you can stop your so-called punishment now!”
“A-ah, okay.”
Having lost the reason to continue the punishment, Nora slowly regained her rationality and withdrew her leg. She took a deep breath to calm down, but she was still unable to fully quell the heat she felt.
Thus, when Roel leaned forward to take a bite off the dessert spoon, she gave in to her desire and took his lips for herself instead. Roel instinctively tried to retreat, but Nora grabbed the chain tightly, not allowing him to move away.
The two of them were stuck like that for a long time before Nora finally let him go.
“That’s not what we promised,” Roel grumbled while gasping for air.
“… It’s the appetizer,” replied Nora merrily.
She finally picked up the dessert spoon and delivered it toward Roel’s mouth, finally giving him a taste of the dessert.
After having vented her feelings, Nora no longer attempted anything overboard, choosing to obediently feed him till he was full. She knew that if she were to continue pushing the boundaries, they might just go beyond the edge.
It was not to say that she was averse to the idea of consummation with her lover on her birthday, but she felt that the location was less than ideal. On top of that, the Genesis Goddess Church forbade its followers from taking preventive measures.
The birth of a new life was viewed to be a gift from Sia, but it was still too early for them to have a child just a single year after reaching adulthood. Furthermore, it wasn’t ideal for them to do so given the current circumstances of the royal family.
With Prince Kane’s disappearance, the Xeclydes needed a powerful and flawless successor. This wasn’t a good period for her to get pregnant, and there was still an important trial awaiting her just ahead.
“It’ll happen tomorrow, right?”
“Mmhm. During sunset.”
After lunch, Roel asked about the estimated time of Nora’s final relapse of Seraphication, and the latter quickly sensed her bloodline before nodding her head. The two of them leaned against each other and listened to the other’s heartbeat.
The fight that would occur during tomorrow’s sunset would determine their survival, the future of the Theocracy, and possibly even the fate of humankind. At the same time, Roel also had a mission he needed to accomplish.
He turned his sight westward, and his gleaming golden eyes seemed to traverse across space to gaze upon a group of enemies rushing in their direction. Their eyes were filled with hostility.
The crossroads of fate were soon to be upon them.
Nora Xeclyde's birthday was a huge affair in the Saint Mesit Theocracy. It served to network with the landed nobles all over the Theocracy and consolidate the royal family's influence, thus making it an important political event.As a result, the day seemed to lose its significance when not spent in such a manner.Nora was visibly taken aback by Roel's birthday wish. She hadn't paid any attention to the date ever since she moved to Tark Stronghold, and the occasional loss of memories during her Seraphication made it hard for her to properly keep track of time.However, Roel still remembered it clear as day, proving that he didn't view her birthday as a political tool as most people did. He had remembered it in his heart because of her.It was moving for her to know that her birthday was remembered by the person she fancied, but it was hard for her to express her delight at a situation like this.W-wait a moment! I'm happy that you remember my birthday, but what's with this cuff?!It's a Contract Shackle, though I guess I should probably call it Angel Shackle now.Huh?It's a special lock created by the resonation of two bodies harnessing mana of the same attribute. It's not a physical item, so it's impossible to struggle free of it. It can only be severed when one of the mana sources vanishes, Roel explained the principles behind the lock he had received from the Witch Queen.Nora was initially confused by the explanation, but her body soon stiffened up when she understood the connotation behind those words.You mentioned mana of the same attribute? Are you saying thatThat's right. That fellow left a trace of her powers in my body in the previous fight.!Nora felt her head spin. There was no one in the world who knew the prowess of the golden aura as well as she did, and that was why she reacted so vehemently to it.Why didn't you tell me about it? I want you to head back right now! It's an order!An order? My apologies, but I refuse.Roel, you!!! roared Nora in agitation.It unnerved her to think of what could potentially happen if they continued down this path that she lost control of her emotions. Seeing that, Roel let out a soft sigh, but he knew what he had to do.He absolutely couldn't let Nora leave on her own at this juncture. Neither the Angel King nor the Elrics were threats that she could face on her own. If he wanted to change her fate, he would have to first convince her.Having made up his mind, he took a step forward, but his abrupt approach caused Nora to reflexively retreat toward the side of the door. So, he pressed his hands against the door, blocking her paths of retreat. He forced the panicking young woman to face him.This was the first time Nora had seen Roel acting so domineeringly. His sudden change caught her by surprise, and their eyes met each other just like that.In the silent exchange of gazes, Roel could see fear and panic in her eyes, emotions that rarely appeared on her. The last time she showed something like that was in the Witness State, but even so, it wasn't as intense as right now. It was simply too difficult for her to remain calm after learning about Roel's injuries.On the other hand, Nora was also able to discern Roel's emotions through his eyes. It was composure that came with the resolve to cast away everything.Their hearts were silently communicating their wills to each other.Some time later, Roel began speaking.I know that you're asking me to leave because you're worried, but dying is the last thing on my mind right now. I'm not going to die. I chose to remain by your side for you to triumph over the challenges and realize our hopes for the future.But what if I lose?That won't happen. That's because you're Nora Xeclyde.What?Roel's response was firm and powerful. It was without the slightest hesitation. He touched her cheek and looked intently into her eyes.You will win, I guarantee it. You're stronger than that.You're the only Xeclyde in the past thousand years to possess a Primordial Bloodline. You're the pride of the Saint Mesit Theocracy, the rising star that will guide the Genesis Goddess Church to greatness. You're kind, righteous, and unyielding. Even the fate of someone like me has changed because of you.There's a brilliant future awaiting you. You'll don the crown and become the protector of humankind. You'll become the noblest Holy Eminence in the history of the church. Your name will be known to all humans, and your words will echo for generations to come.The Angel King was noble and powerful, but the era has long changed. It's not the era of the dragons, high elves, and angels anymore. The remnant of the Angel King might make you stumble, but you'll eventually muster your courage and beat it down. I believe in that.Nora was left without words. She stared into Roel's gleaming eyes but couldn't find any hint of mirth in them. All she could see was absolute confidence, almost as if he saw her as his faith.It was neither hypocritical fawning nor exaggerated encouragement; Roel did earnestly believe what he had just said. He fully relayed his feelings through his eyes and words, and it struck a chord in Nora's heart.I never knew it was possible for someone to trust another person to such an extent.He knows that his life will be forfeit the moment I fail. There's no guarantee whatsoever. Yet, he still continues to hold confidence in me?Nora suddenly felt like she was shouldering something heavy, but it didn't leave her burdened. On the contrary, the weight gave her peace of mind, suppressing the anxiety and unconfidence within her. Why?Hm?Why do you still believe in me? I've already failed once. You're also aware of my current condition. I'm unworthy of your trust. You're my liege, the most important person to me. I dare say I know you better than anyone else in the world.Roel thought about the memories of his past life and calmly revealed the truth. Nora blinked her eyes in surprise before her lips started curling into a smile.Spoken like a prophecy. But you're right. I'm your liege, as well as your protector. I'm duty-bound to protect you. It would be dishonorable of me to let down your expectations.So, you aren't leaving anymore?I wouldn't be able to leave even if I wanted to, Nora shook her head as she replied.She couldn't bring herself to turn her back on Roel and betray him, not after listening to what he had said. Under his encouragement, she managed to overcome her mental barrier and stand stronger than ever.In truth, Roel had noticed that something was different about Nora ever since he saved her from the clutches of the Angel King. She had lost her usual confidence and strong will. That was why he had to do this to vanquish her vulnerabilities and allow her to focus solely on the future.Nora wouldn't lose as long as she was in her peak form. That had been proven inEyes of the Chronicler.This should be enough.Roel's heart finally eased up, and he released his hands from the door. He was just about to back away when Nora suddenly grabbed the other end of the chain and pulled him back in.Tok!Roel widened his eyes in bewilderment. The sudden tug from the other end of the chain caused him to lose his balance and lurch forward, such that he had to press his hand against the door once more to stop himself. When he finally raised his head once more, he found Nora's smiling face right in front of him.N-Nora? What are youRoel's face stiffened up, sensing that something was amiss. On the other hand, Nora raised her hand and eyed the white cuff and the chain attached to it with curled lips.I'm delighted that you remember my birthday, but don't you know that cuffing up your liege is a grievous act of insubordination?W-wait! Weren't you the one who said that you wanted handcuffs? Besides, don't you like the gift I've prepared for you?I can't deny that, but I never gave you permission to cuff me. You were still talking about loyalty a moment ago, making it sound as if there's no one in the world as staunch as you are. Yet, your actions speak a completely different tune.Roel couldn't refute those words. The two of them stood mere centimeters apart from each other, such that they could feel each other's breathing and heartbeat. The feelings that Nora had suppressed all this while began to burst forth. I believe that some punishment is in order.With an intoxicated murmur, she leaned in and took his lips.It was noon.The radiant sun basked Tark Prairie in its golden rays, staving away the coldness of the night.In this comfortable weather, a single man sat alone in the midst of a grass field, reflecting on his mistake.It was common sense to prepare a present that was aligned with the receiver's preference, but common sense wasn't always right all the time. Roel's current plight was one perfect example.Oof. To think that the present was actually myself.The Angel Shackle was an incorporeal magic tool that bound two sources of mana with identical attributes. It manifested as two cuffs with a chain that could extend endlessly. If one side were to tug on the chain, they would be able to drag the other party back no matter how far away they were.Roel had requested Artasia to create this magic tool both as a gift and a way for him to help Nora during the crucial phase of her bloodline awakening. It was something that was thought up with many considerations in mind. Yet, it was being used for purposes that it wasn't intended for.Here, open your mouth.On the grass field, Roel sat in front of Nora with many coils of chain wrapped around his body as he quietly looked at the sky, regretting his own mistakes. On the other hand, Nora grabbed the other end of the chain and persuaded' Roel to take a bite off her dessert spoon.Roel was not tied up because he had a sudden awakening of masochistic tendencies or something. He did try to fight back, but he made a fatal miscalculation herehe had used angelic power as the intermediary for the shackles.It went without saying that Nora had greater control over angelic power as compared to Roel, which meant to say that she could control the shackles to do whatever she wanted.Are you really not going to eat it?Nora disrupted Roel's memory flashback. She dangled the dessert spoon in front of him, trying to bait him in. However, the latter had already made up his mind to ignore her.Nope.It's delicious. I specially prepared it for you. You should at least give it a try.Remove the shackles first.That won't do, Nora rejected Roel's request with a bright smile.She leaned in even closer while tucking her hair behind her shoulders, revealing her fair neck. She placed her mouth right next to Roel's ears and whispered softly.Be good and take a mouthful, alright? I reject.I guess I have no choice then. I'll have to dish out some punishment.W-w-wait! What are you going to do? exclaimed Roel in panic.Nora had started taking off her boots with a slightly reddened face, exposing a pair of long slender legs wrapped in thin black stockings. Her movements were so oddly sensual to Roel that his mind started uncontrollably heating up, awakening his male instincts.He knew right away that this wasn't good.As someone who was often in the accompaniment of ravishing ladies, Roel had a high level of tolerance as a man. However, when the esteemed princess known as a saintly angel to the masses looked at him with a furiously blushing face, her eyes intermixed with purity and desire, he found himself helplessly sinking deeper and deeper into the deadly seduction concocted by the vivid contrast.Who could possibly withstand this?All of Roel's defenses quickly crumbled.On the other hand, Nora had lightly placed her leg on his thigh.Don't worry, I won't hurt you.N-no, that isn't the problem here.The friction of her stocking on his leg left Roel feeling a little ticklish, and his face quickly turned red as well. He could feel her little foot slowly moving further upward, and her lust in her eyes seemed to be running amok.Knowing that he couldn't let things continue at this rate, he quickly cried out.I-I'll eat! I'll eat!Hm?Weren't you feeding me earlier? I'll eat, so you can stop your so-called punishment now!A-ah, okay.Having lost the reason to continue the punishment, Nora slowly regained her rationality and withdrew her leg. She took a deep breath to calm down, but she was still unable to fully quell the heat she felt.Thus, when Roel leaned forward to take a bite off the dessert spoon, she gave in to her desire and took his lips for herself instead. Roel instinctively tried to retreat, but Nora grabbed the chain tightly, not allowing him to move away.The two of them were stuck like that for a long time before Nora finally let him go.That's not what we promised, Roel grumbled while gasping for air. It's the appetizer, replied Nora merrily.She finally picked up the dessert spoon and delivered it toward Roel's mouth, finally giving him a taste of the dessert.After having vented her feelings, Nora no longer attempted anything overboard, choosing to obediently feed him till he was full. She knew that if she were to continue pushing the boundaries, they might just go beyond the edge.It was not to say that she was averse to the idea of consummation with her lover on her birthday, but she felt that the location was less than ideal. On top of that, the Genesis Goddess Church forbade its followers from taking preventive measures.The birth of a new life was viewed to be a gift from Sia, but it was still too early for them to have a child just a single year after reaching adulthood. Furthermore, it wasn't ideal for them to do so given the current circumstances of the royal family.With Prince Kane's disappearance, the Xeclydes needed a powerful and flawless successor. This wasn't a good period for her to get pregnant, and there was still an important trial awaiting her just ahead.It'll happen tomorrow, right?Mmhm. During sunset.After lunch, Roel asked about the estimated time of Nora's final relapse of Seraphication, and the latter quickly sensed her bloodline before nodding her head. The two of them leaned against each other and listened to the other's heartbeat.The fight that would occur during tomorrow's sunset would determine their survival, the future of the Theocracy, and possibly even the fate of humankind. At the same time, Roel also had a mission he needed to accomplish.He turned his sight westward, and his gleaming golden eyes seemed to traverse across space to gaze upon a group of enemies rushing in their direction. Their eyes were filled with hostility.The crossroads of fate were soon to be upon them.
