Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 90: Unforeseen Circumstances

Nol suddenly forgot all about breakfast.

“What did you mean by I brought you here?” He got straight to the point. “What did you see that night?”

“Hehe.”

Granny Meng kept her face turned ninety degrees, looking straight at Nol and laughing. The corner of her mouth stretched so much that the wrinkles on her face seemed to dance. “Hehe, hehe! You came to capture me, you killed me, you killed everyone, you never put up curtains, you spied on me from the window. I know everything. I saw you.”

Nol felt uncomfortable hearing this nonsense.

In the early hours, when Granny Meng shouted in the street, he did glance at her from the window a couple of times. Any normal person would be annoyed if they worked late into the night and were then awakened at 5 in the morning by shouting. Nol merely glanced at her in frustration, never doing anything out of line.

Her way of scolding was always confusing, and Nol was getting tired of it.

He thought for a moment and mimicked Officer Luo’s serious face. “Comrade, when you speak, you need evidence. Our security doors are uniformly installed and very sturdy. How could I enter your home?”

Granny Meng said nothing. Her gaze moved between Nol and Teest. Finally, she revealed her yellowish teeth. “There were no doors back then. Nobody had any,” she said. “I saw you long ago. The police never believed what I said. Nobody ever does.”

With that, she fluttered back to the dining table, munching on leftover eggshells, not sparing Nol another glance.

Nol sighed. “That’s enough for today.”

“You don’t seem scared at all,” Teest remarked curiously.

“With someone as imposing as you around, I’ve become used to dealing with mentally unstable people,” Nol replied sarcastically. “From what she says, everyone here has something to do with me. You know my situation. It’s not hard to guess. I was mentally prepared.”

“Oh…” Teest dragged out his response. “Your mental fortitude is truly growing.”

Nol glanced at him. “No, it’s not about mental strength. I just know myself. Even if I did go mad, I would take it out in the management office, not on innocent neighbors.”

“Taking a thousand steps back, even if I did go crazy enough to bother a neighbor, I wouldn’t have such a shocking impact.”

“Hmm, maybe you underestimate yourself,” Teest said. “But I agree with you. Even if you went mad, you would still be a protector.”

“Do you sweet-talk all your targets like this?” Nol asked, placing two plates of freshly fried meat pies in front of Teest.

“You misunderstand me. How could I sincerely praise those filthy things?” Teest sat next to Nol, pitifully poking at the meat pies. “Usually, I just smile at them and whisper some sweet words. Just like I would slice them up, not caress them… Mmph!”

Nol quickly glanced around and shoved a meat pie into Teest’s mouth. “I’m truly honored then.”

“And I never had any beliefs before. You are the first,” Teest mumbled while swallowing the meat pie. “The Drifting Mercenary Group is truly dishonest. Don’t be fooled by how Painter looks…”

Nol slowly moved away the meat pie he was about to use to silence him, his tone rising in anticipation. “Oh?”

Breakfast was the perfect time for gossip… No, exchanging information.

“You saw the faceless god pendant on Painter’s chest, right?” Teest lowered his voice, whispering, “That necklace; their mercenary group uses a lottery to decide who wears it. The one who gets it wears it for a month. During that month, others treat the person wearing the necklace as ‘God’.”

“Wow…” Nol paused eating his meat pie. To some extent, this former pope was even more blasphemous than Teest.

Teest: “They pray, confide, and offer money to the person wearing the necklace. The one playing the role of ‘God’ listens, comforts, and prepares gifts for the others.”

“To be precise, the entire mercenary group are non-believers. The Temple of Life was furious about this, and because of this, the current Pope specifically chose fanatical believers.”

‘Painter seemed like an interesting fellow,’ Nol thought. If only Knight Eugene was half as enlightened.

“At least the Drifting Mercenary Group’s prayers are sincere,” Nol concluded with a smile.

“Ah, who told you to only have one believer like me?” Teest laughed in response. “Belief is a very personal thing.”

……

When the delegation from the Temple of Life arrived, Nol had already prepared himself in a new outfit.

Having previously been recognized for his size, he now wore a broad, pitch-black cloak that concealed much of his figure. He purposefully wore platform boots, boosting his height to nearly two meters. Dark magic circles were embroidered beneath the cloak, ensuring that Nol’s face and hands remained shadowed.

Kando was hidden deep within Nol’s cloak, and in his hand, Nol held a sinister-looking long magic staff—a trophy they had won from a certain dungeon in the Black Forest. It featured an exaggerated dark staff head, assembled from bone, obsidian, and dark metal, resembling a deformed human face housing a magic stone. Tattered black ribbons were bound to the staff’s handle.

With a variety of other magical accessories, his appearance was much improved from his time in Whitebird City, making him look like a formidable boss.

Teest wore a set of intimidating black armor. He concealed himself entirely in it, with not a strand of hair visible, standing to the left of Nol’s armchair.

The neighbors were all out in full force, casting illusions within the tower. Beautiful floors were replaced by moss-covered brick walls, and the tower’s sky was obscured by an unfathomable darkness. The dim candlelight transformed the opulent first floor into a somber splendor, reminiscent of a haunted mansion often seen in horror films.

In the vast reception room, only Nol and Teest were present. In a corner, a few doll eyes flipped, their pupils fixed intently on everything inside the room. A tiny magic earpiece was tucked into Nol’s right ear. Made of cork inscribed with magical runes, it connected directly to Lynn’s room—almost all the neighbors had crowded into her workshop, ready to provide real-time updates.

This time, the Temple of Life was very courteous. They sent a high-ranking priest from Grape Collar. In addition to the accompanying Knight Eugene, they brought along eight temple knights, two assistants, and four servants to deliver gifts.

“God will remember your kindness,” the old priest, sitting at the other end of the long table, remarked with a chuckle. “This is truly a wondrous place. If someone hadn’t guided us, even the High Priest might not have found it.”

“Why worry about interpersonal relationships after turning into a monster?” The centaur was the first to speak, murmuring through Nol’s earpiece.

“What did they bring? …Did anyone see?”

“It seems like some food and medicine—everyday items, much like what Xiao Xu prepared last time.”

“Shh! Let’s hear what the old man has to say.”

Nol took a quiet breath, trying hard to sound profoundly ominous. “Enough with the pleasantries. I prefer humans who get straight to the point.”

Eugene’s eyebrows twitched, and his fingers moved slightly, as if ready to grasp the hilt of his sword. The old priest exclaimed with a hint of surprise, “I apologize. An old man’s mind tends to wander… Master of Paradise, do you have a preferred name or title?”

“I have no name,” Nol responded in a low voice. “As I said, get to the point.”

The old priest paused for a few seconds. Nol could feel the man’s evaluating gaze. “Alright, alright. Our god is a Goddess, so addressing you as ‘Master’ might seem out of place. May we address you as ‘Manager’ instead?”

“Esteemed Manager, our people have received your ‘announcement’, and we are hereby returning the two chosen beings to you.”

“Bah, they surely have more than two in their hands,” crowed the Raven Father through the earpiece angrily. “Last time they came to catch me, I overheard them—they have four just near Grape Collar!”

“I don’t like being tested.” Nol cleared his throat and said icily, “Not long ago, you had at least four unusual creatures. What happened to the other two?”

“They’re not in good condition, making transport difficult,” the old priest replied calmly. “Our people are doing their best to heal them. Once they recover, we’ll send them back to you immediately.”

Lynn sneered in Nol’s earpiece.

“Is that so? Then I know what to reward you with,” Nol replied without a change in tone. “Go south from Grape Collar for 350 miles. There’s a hill covered with sunflowers. Behind a waterfall, one hundred steps to the left of the hill, lies the ‘Festival of New Green’.”

The old priest’s face stiffened, barely concealing his excitement.

The Festival of New Green, a reward specifically chosen by Nol, was an intricately carved, leaf-shaped emerald created by the elves and lost after being stolen many years ago. It was recorded in the history of Tahe. The elves of those times had long vanished, making the gem ownerless now.

Being a rare magic core, it offered unparalleled healing powers and had a beneficial effect on plants, making it ideal for healers.

For the Temple of Life, which championed the banner of “Life” and used green as its symbol, this was the perfect bait.

This thing wouldn’t directly enhance their combat abilities. With a Saint present, the Players would surely let the strongest “Flawless” Anakin find an excuse to use it. Perfect.

“Use it to heal my people.” Seeing the old priest had calmed down, Nol continued in a hoarse voice, “As long as you return them safely, Paradise will always be generous in its reward.”

“You are truly generous.” The old priest sighed.

However, Eugene’s expression showed no sign of softening. The corners of his mouth turned up, but there was no mirth in his moss-green eyes.

Nol tapped the table with his armored fingertips. “If there’s nothing else—”

“Don’t be so hasty, Esteemed Manager,” Eugene finally said. “We recently received some unsettling news that we’d like to confirm with you.”

“Go on.”

“At the border of New Gemino, near Desolation Island, an extremely dangerous creature has emerged. It grows stronger by the day and has established its own stronghold. The local inhabitants are suffering greatly,” Knight Eugene said gently, his eyes fixed on the darkness beneath Nol’s cloak. “This creature understands all languages and possesses tools that people cannot comprehend. It’s bloodthirsty and entangled with the Eternal Church… Is it also one of your ‘people’?”

Beneath the gauntlet, Nol’s fingers tightened.

His worst fears were being realized.

“People” didn’t necessarily mean “absolute good”. Indeed, most in Paradise were ordinary people with regular moral compasses, but among the thousands there, some might be malefactors.

Regular Players, despite their “immortality” confidence, held a fundamental moral check on each other. His neighbors, however, were scattered across worlds, with most believing they had “transmigrated” alone…

It wasn’t without reason* that the Temple of Life acted so swiftly.

*Never go to the temple (Three Treasure Hall) for nothing (无事不登三宝殿) Idiom referring to there’s a reason why someone unexpectedly visits or brings up a topic, hinting that there might be an underlying purpose request.

“I understand,” Nol replied indifferently. “Whether it is or isn’t, if it’s causing trouble, Paradise will handle it promptly.”

“For our benevolent Goddess, we too will send people to suppress it,” Eugene said. “We hope you’ll understand and avoid any confrontations.”

“I assure you,” Nol replied. 

“The creature’s information and our gifts are together.”

Eugene bowed slightly, his gaze swiftly passing over the silent Teest. “Allow us to express our gratitude once more and apologize for disturbing Paradise’s peace.”

With a clap of his hands, the members of the Temple of Life left promptly.

“That old man seemed more like decoration. Our Mr. Eugene isn’t so simple,” Teest remarked as he removed his helmet, revealing slightly damp long hair. “Having a priest from a major city like Grape Collar accompany him suggests he’s a Chosen One.”

The previously icy Nol collapsed into a chair, looking as deflated as a melted ice cream scoop. “Is it just me or are there Chosen Ones everywhere?”

Teest undid Nol’s ornate cloak. “Not that many. They’re just more common in big cities.”

“I have to be fair, there are many capable individuals who aren’t chosen by the gods. Those who are chosen by two gods, apart from being powerful, tend to have something a little off with their minds… well, like me.”

Nol looked at Teest silently. The kid did have self-awareness.

It made sense. Very pragmatic individuals like Golden Sword Billy wouldn’t devoutly worship gods. They’d be content not opening stores in churches, much less causing a high-profile scene.

“I’m curious about Eugene’s prophecy.”

With the knight’s help, Nol managed to rid himself of the heavy and cumbersome shoulder armor. It seemed better for the “Esteemed Manager” to maintain his mystique. Otherwise, his cervical and lumbar spine might be ruined in the long run.

“That guy is a well-known fanatic. His prophecy is probably dreadfully boring.”

Teest leaned in and kissed Nol’s forehead and said, “…So, what do you plan to do about the situation in Gemino?”

Thinking of the malevolent individual who might well be a neighbor, Nol’s expression darkened.

“Just the two of us will go.” Nol decided, removing the magical earpiece. “I’ll be okay, but other neighbors might be affected mentally. They’ve just recently regained their spirits… If it’s just us, we can also scout the surroundings and help Lynn set up a few more cameras.”

“Just what I wanted,” Teest said, tossing his helmet aside and letting his hair down.

……

At night, in the dining hall.

Facing his neighbors, Nol didn’t like to hold formal meetings frequently, so he simply used the dining table as the conference table. There weren’t many people at the moment. Aside from the solitary Granny Meng, the rest filled two large tables, with even Little Piel eagerly joining in.

“Nol and the others are going to New Gemino?” Little Piel stirred his mashed potatoes with a spoon. “But they haven’t been here for long…”

“Since we’ve taken on the name of a monster organization, Paradise must handle monster-related matters,” Lynn explained earnestly. She liked this obedient local child. “If they don’t act soon, this could give the Temple of Life leverage over them.”

“The Eternal Church is already annoying enough. It turns out the Temple of Life is also troublesome.” Little Pierre pondered. “Where are the good gods?”

“Piel, one doesn’t necessarily need faith to live. In fact…” Lynn began to speak seriously.

True to her corporate background, witnessing Miss Lynn impart moral education and ideology on-the-spot, Nol almost choked on his dinner bun.

“The situation in New Gemino is chaotic,” Centaur Mr. Wu said somberly. “I’ve met other centaurs who fled from there. They all say that the Demon King’s corruption is getting worse. Mutated monsters are everywhere, and the soldiers and clergy who go there can’t leave… It’s impressive that someone set up a stronghold there.”

“Even if there really are monsters causing trouble, they might not be from our community.” Elder Ma scoffed. “Moreover, those religious zealots never speak the truth. Who knows what’s really going on?”

Ever since the rumors of “neighbors killing indiscriminately” started, Officer Luo had become quieter, his face showing unease. “Nol, can I go with you? I want to see which bastard…”

“That won’t do,” Teest interrupted. He was wary of the buns, but he took quite a liking to the meatballs made from meat filling. At the moment, he was holding a bowl of soup. “Sir, you should guard this Tower. Leave the villains to us.”

Officer Luo’s lips moved, but Julie patted his arm, subtly shaking her head.

“We’ll take good care of any new survivors and keep in touch,” Julie told Nol. “Safe travels to both of you.”

Teest victoriously finished his bowl of meatballs.

“Alright, I can return anytime.” Nol looked at Teest helplessly. “If the Temple of Life comes again, please contact me.”

Regarding this journey, Nol had planned it perfectly.

With spatial teleportation, they could teleport near a landmark in Gemino and discreetly walk to their destination. This way, even the Goddess of Life herself might not be able to trace them.

The plan was perfect, but reality… always presented various challenges.

The unexpected occurred as they entered the border of New Gemino—

A torrential downpour made everything dark. The wind was fierce. Nol walked close to Teest, who conjured a knight’s shield spell to keep them dry.

Even so, the muddy ground was difficult to traverse. Waterlogged meadows and treacherous marshes lay everywhere.

In a particularly large puddle, they found him.

A boy of about 14 or 15, emaciated, covered in bruises from falls and beatings. Webbed fingers, gray-black scales covering his chest and waist, and a fish-like tail, evident through his torn pants, lay listlessly to the side.

The pouring rain drowned out the boy’s faint breathing.

“A siren,” Nol said, stopping Teest, who was prepared to walk past. “Why is there a siren inland?”

“Who knows? Maybe he got lost,” Teest replied.

“Save… me.” The siren suddenly reached out, grabbing Nol’s pants leg, mumbling deliriously. “I want to go… to… Paradise…”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 89: A Small Home

Teest’s expression remained unchanging, as if he had anticipated this conversation. He turned to the side, making a polite gesture of invitation, as if this were his own home.

Nol’s shoulders felt warm and tingling, and his feet felt like they were walking on clouds. Even when he was spouting nonsense to Knight Eugene earlier, he hadn’t been this nervous. Now, he forced himself to look around the large room, trying to distract himself.

It wasn’t like Nol had never stayed in nice rooms since arriving in Tahe. The inn in Whitebird City was impressive and no smaller than this room.

But this place was different.

Its color scheme was cool, mixing a western fantasy setting with a modern apartment vibe. Near the bed, there was a small round table for writing and afternoon tea. A magic orb floated near a small basket filled with blueberries and raspberries, and a vase was filled with blue roses.

Opposite the bed, a reading nook was created with tall wooden bookshelves packed with books. A soft blanket was spread out on a couch with a floor lamp casting a hazy light behind. Next to it, a desk was prepared with stacks of parchment and ink pens, emitting the unique smell of paper and ink.

A well-maintained stove was against another wall, with magic replacing the usual gas and tap water. It resembled a modern stove, even having a magic tool above for purifying smoke. Something was simmering on the stove, and Nol could smell its rich aroma.

A dining table stood next to the stove, with glasses filled with purple grape juice, each containing several ice grapes. The only separate spaces in the room were the bathroom and toilet, which were slightly ajar, so Nol couldn’t see inside. Overall, it resembled a western fantasy-themed guest house, without the deliberate decoration, and had a lived-in feel.

Teest’s personal belongings were scattered around the room, with his pajamas laid out by the bed. The room felt like a “home”. Nol wondered how the Mad Monk had managed that.

“Come.”

Teest moved behind Nol and gently pushed him towards the dining table. When Nol sat down in surprise, Teest sat opposite, resting his chin on his intertwined fingers and looking at Nol with a smile.

“Do you like it here? I consulted with your neighbors and guessed the style you’d like.”

Nol was taken aback and, after a moment, managed to say, “I really like it. Thank you.” He truly loved the place. Apart from his odd personality, Teest seemed flawless.

Teest took a sip of his grape juice. “No need to thank me. Now, let’s continue our previous discussion. About our relationship.” Seeing that Nol was silent, Teest helpfully prompted him.

“…Actually,” Nol began, hesitatingly sipping his cold grape juice, “I had decided long ago that before leaving this world, I’d stay by your side.”

“But you kept deepening our connection, even deliberately showing me your death. I guess you wouldn’t believe my assurance.”

“Indeed.” Teest shrugged. “I prefer to add my own insurance. I admit I’m tempted. I kind of like you… in a romantic way.”

After hesitating for a few seconds, Nol said frankly, “So I hope you can reduce, uh, your intimate behavior.”

Teest smiled brightly. “Oh, considering my twisted psychology only now? Honey, you’re so naughty. I thought I had a choice. Emotions aren’t controllable.”

Nol clenched his teeth. “Since you can’t offer real love, treat me as a friend—trust me, the bond of friendship is strong. This way, I can better control my feelings.”

“Alright, you can’t resist anymore, hoping I won’t tempt you anymore.” Teest blinked happily. “The question is, why should I help you control your feelings?”

Nol opened his mouth in surprise, hesitating before answering, “If I really fall in love with you, even if I return to Earth, it will be… very painful.”

He was starting to avoid thinking about this issue now.

Teest stared intently into Nol’s eyes, making him feel uncomfortable. Gradually, Teest’s joy became brighter, his golden eyes shining like boiling honey, looking happier than ever.

“Unfortunately, I enjoy seeing you suffer because of me,” Teest whispered, raising his glass. “To this wonderful pain –”

This guy was more excessive than Nol thought, almost crushing his glass in anger. Seeing Nol’s reaction, Teest stood up and clinked their glasses together. Some juice splashed from his glass, causing ripples in Nol’s drink.

“I don’t understand why you overthink so much,” Teest whispered in Nol’s ear without sitting back down. “As I said, you don’t need to be responsible for me. You should be more wicked. You’re not wicked enough now.”

Nol frowned, avoiding Teest’s hair that clung to his collarbone like spider silk. “I don’t want to board a sinking ship.”

“You’re too rigid.” The Mad Monk laughed near his ear. “If I don’t give you love, you can take something else from me. Like…”

‘Your body?’ Nol thought, readying a retort, but then heard Teest finish his sentence.

“…Faith,” Teest said.

For a moment, the room was incredibly quiet—so quiet that Nol could hear the gentle pop of the flames from the stove.

“I am not a god, as I’ve said,” Nol emphasized after a long silence.

“What is believed in does not necessarily have to be a god. Some species in Shiva worship stones and rivers, and the people of Gemino firmly believe that portraits of their benefactors can dispel misfortune… Aren’t these the stories you set? Have you forgotten?”

“In my opinion, ‘faith’ is basically equivalent to ‘loyalty’ and ‘love’. Without them, I wonder what’s left,” Nol said through gritted teeth.

“What remains are ‘obsession’ and ‘beauty’.”

There was a playful tone in Teest’s voice. He let go of his cup, his fingertips brushing the back of Nol’s hand, tapping lightly. “… My temptation is my prayer. Please accept it gracefully.”

Nol’s thoughts were in a whirlwind. He had an inkling that Teest was just spouting nonsense, and for a moment, he couldn’t find a retort. The touch of Teest’s fingertips felt scorchingly intimate. The sweet scent of the juice mixed with Teest’s fragrance made it hard for Nol to breathe.

‘Forget it,’ he thought despairingly. Maybe he should just desensitize himself, raise his “Teest” threshold.

So, grabbing a strand of hair, Nol leaned in for a kiss.

It was their first conscious, deliberate kiss.

To his dismay, Nol realized that, while he hadn’t improved much, Teest had become more skilled. For instance, while he was being kissed senseless, just clumsily gripping Teest’s hair, Teest still managed to caress his back, enticing him to stand.

They moved toward the bed. Nol tried to resist, but the passionate kiss distracted him. Teest was guiding him, not with force but like being in a flowing stream, making it impossible not to follow.

‘Being enveloped in thick honey must feel like this,’ Nol thought dizzily.

He tasted the sweetness of the juice. He felt as if Teest’s tongue had drawn half his blood to his brain. When they tumbled onto the bed, his face felt hot enough to boil a pot of water.

Teest’s shirt was unintentionally ripped open by Nol, loosely hanging on him. Nol’s mage robe was lifted, revealing a stretch of his pale and toned waist.

Their skins touched, and the warm friction was intoxicating. Nol’s back sank into the bed as silver hair cascaded around his face like delicate prison bars.

His hands rested on Teest’s shoulders, and to his relief, he found that the back of Teest’s neck was just as hot.

Nol relaxed, his stiff muscles slowly softening. His hands delved under the fabric, clumsily caressing Teest’s warm skin, making it even hotter, until it started trembling.

It’s over.

As Nol touched Teest, he mused—at this point, there was no alarm about his sexuality. He truly could be attracted to men.

Teest’s techniques, however, were hundreds of times more sophisticated. He was well-acquainted with the vulnerable parts of the human body, and Nol suspected that this skill was honed from countless victims.

Back on Earth, even the most expensive masseur couldn’t make his body as soft as mud. Now, under those hands, Nol’s bones and muscles seemed to melt, becoming a bag of warm wine wrapped in skin.

Even though Nol hadn’t seen anything directly, being a well-experienced gamer, he had a general idea of what went on between men.

He struggled to reach out, moving his hand downward along Teest’s waist, then hesitated for a moment. Uncertain whether he was happy or worried, he realized he still had a faint resistance to the “key parts of the same gender”.

At that moment, Teest suddenly stopped moving.

“The soup is ready.”

He briskly pulled away, his face slightly flushed, breathing a bit rapidly. “Cooking time needs to be just right… It’s dinner time, honey.”

‘This guy is definitely doing this on purpose,’ Nol thought. He wrapped himself in a blanket, waiting for a certain reaction to subside while placing the gold wheel by his heart.

“What’s for dinner?” Nol asked while straightening out his clothes, trying to sound casual, though internally he was screaming.

“Tomato onion meat soup,” Teest replied, kissing Nol’s forehead. His face felt warm and damp, and his disheveled shirt covered his pants. “Serve yourself a bowl. I’ll take a shower.”

Before their talk, Nol had decided to set boundaries, but now he felt like he’d been led astray. He ladled the hot orange-red soup while his mind was still in turmoil.

He originally wanted to become immune to daily temptations through “more intimate contact”, but the experience just now was too perfect, almost leading him to… Well, this was an acceptable risk.

Teest showered quickly. As usual, he loosely tied his bathrobe with his wet, long hair draping over his chest. Seeing that Nol had prepared two bowls of soup and heated some bread, he gave Nol a playful look.

‘Oh no.’ Nol couldn’t help but glance at Teest’s lips and the skin on his chest.

He had never noticed these things before! Now he suspected that his “threshold-raising plan” might have been a massive failure.

“Speaking of ‘faith’…” During dinner, Nol tried to bring up a serious topic. “Were your family members convicted by the Temple simply because you were taken by the Eternal Church?”

He would meet Eugene in a few days, and he needed to clear this up.

“Oh, they found some things in my house,” Teest replied, picking up a piece of well-cooked tender meat and chewing it with satisfaction. “Although my family didn’t worship any evil gods, in that situation, some ambiguous items were enough for a conviction.”

“Ambiguous items.” Nol raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, items that seemed to be of good omen, nothing significant.” Teest glanced at the meat in Nol’s bowl but eventually didn’t reach for it. “If I had to mention it, something strange did happen the day I was taken. I heard a voice that I shouldn’t have. The voice was mumbling something religious.”

Nol paused curiously, gesturing for Teest to continue.

Teest nonchalantly took a sip of soup. “At the time, I was busy playing hide and seek with my peers. I followed a set of footsteps into a room and then heard someone speak to me. But when I took off my blindfold, there was no one in the room.”

“What did the voice say?” Nol asked, intrigued.

“I can’t remember clearly. It was all religious nonsense,” Teest replied. “But I remember the voice. I never heard that voice again after that. It might have been a hallucination.”

It seemed this matter was unrelated to him. Nol felt a mix of emotions. Since Teest couldn’t recall the content, perhaps this wasn’t something to be too concerned about.

At night, Nol habitually went to hug Teest’s back. The latter suddenly turned around, shifted, and ended up embracing Nol’s waist instead.

Teest’s head rested against Nol’s chest while his arms were lightly wrapped around Nol.

“This is my evening prayer.” Teest shifted slightly, finding a comfortable position. “Goodnight, Nol.”

Sly guy.

Nol extended his arms, pulling the other into a hug. He was surprised to find that wonderful sense of security returning.

……

“When are you getting a second bed?” The next day, Uncle Ma asked straightforwardly. “Yesterday, Xiao Teest only moved one bed over. Isn’t it too small for sleeping? I cleared another room yesterday and can spare a single bed—”

“We both sleep without much movement. One bed is sufficient,” Teest quickly replied. “I’m his knight. It’s more convenient for emergencies this way.”

Uncle Ma frowned, but soon lightened up. “Well, since you two are boys you can make do I suppose.”

Nol cleared his throat loudly. “You sought us out this morning for…?”

“Ah, yes, to show you the current state of the tower.” Uncle Ma gestured. “With magic, it’s very convenient. The succubi are also willing to help, so we’ve set up most of our facilities. You’re the boss here now, so you should take a look, right?”

Upon hearing this, Nol’s spirits lifted. He quickly got dressed. “Thank you for your effort!”

Teest followed, chuckling, while spinning the “Betrayer” in his hand.

The first floor, resembling modern architecture, was divided into three main areas.

First, the residential and guest areas, where Nol’s room was located. According to Uncle Ma, newly accepted neighbors would stay here temporarily until they mentally stabilized.

Of course, this area also had rooms like “Uncle Ma’s guard room”, “public restroom”, and “emergency medical room”. It was small, but complete.

The rooms facing the entrance were merged to form a large dining hall. Some of the residents even set up stalls selling stir-fry, main dishes, fried items, and baked desserts.

Beside the dining hall was a storage area that took up half the floor. External supplies were sorted here, and Witch Lynn even made a cold storage for food ingredients. The Banshee Mother stored a large box of homemade ice cream there.

“The second floor’s forest is divided into three parts. Most of it belongs to the succubi. There’s a workshop for processing wood, and Elder Wang has set up an orchard.”

Uncle Ma pointed to the edge of the second floor. “The third floor is entirely farmland. Due to a lack of manpower, only a few patches of land are cultivated. The soil here is fertile. Throw in any seeds, and they’ll grow.”

“Lynn claimed the fourth floor’s swamp. She set up a workshop there, saying it wouldn’t disturb others.”

Nol was amazed. He felt that what the neighbors built wasn’t just a base but some kind of doomsday fortress—even if their world were destroyed, the Lost Tower could be self-sufficient.

This thought cheered him up a bit. Even if they failed… they still had a fallback plan, didn’t they?

Then, without hesitation, Nol decided to take Teest to the dining hall.

It was busier than he expected. At the stalls, the Banshee Mother was making dumplings while playing with her daughter. The Raven Father was using magic to stir the meat filling. At the tables, some monster neighbors were chatting and helping with food preparations.

It was still early, and there was only one diner in the hall—

Turning his head, Nol saw Piel eating heartily.

Piel’s lower body was still on a specially-made wheelchair. He tried hard to swallow steamed meat buns, egg cakes, and fruit salad with a big glass of milk beside him. Seeing Nol, he waved eagerly.

“This afternoon, Dr. Julie will treat my bones,” Piel said, struggling to swallow his food, his eyes full of happiness. “She asked me to eat more eggs and proteins, saying I was too thin before…”

He looked nervously at Nol. “I don’t usually eat this much. I promise!”

“Eat more. We have plenty of meat here.” Nol ruffled Little Piel’s hair. “You can’t become a knight with a frail body.”

“I guess I should eat more too.” Teest crossed his arms. “Any recommendations?”

“I’m not sure if they have buns, but fried dough sticks are good,” Nol said thoughtfully. “I wonder where the plants corresponding to tea leaves are in Tahe? Maybe we could make some tea eggs…”

“It’s you.”

A hoarse voice suddenly sounded behind Nol, startling him.

He turned sharply to find a harpy perched on the back of his chair, her elderly face close to his.

It was Granny Meng.

She had probably come to eat. Nol noticed broken eggshells behind her. The old woman stared at him intently, her human face showing an enigmatic smile.

“I remember you,” she said rapidly, without modulation. “You’re the one who brought me here.”

“What do you want?”

She tilted her head ninety degrees while fixating her eyes on Nol.

“What exactly do you want?”

The author has something to say:

The General (hinting): Want to keep someone? Then seduce them.

Teest: Got it. Combining interests and emotions, right? Then I’ll believe in him!

Teest: (Seduce)

…It must be said, the result is still the same. The General sheds tears of joy (x

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 88: Double Bed

Grape Collar, some dark cellar.

“Lord Crimson hasn’t returned. He died in the past.”

In the flickering candlelight, the aging priest reported in a soft voice. “Even the Lord Demon could not come out unscathed. It seems the destruction of that church was an inscrutable part of fate…”

“His sacrifice was not entirely in vain.”

Another elderly voice answered from the communication crystal. “The Demon Lords only act out of temptation, and Lord Crimson was one of the most cautious among them. He deliberately ventured into the church before its destruction, surely discovering something profitable… Perhaps the ‘mission target’ that all Demons seek.”

“In that case, we are one step closer to the Chosen One.”

The old priest made a devout circle over his chest. “Two full prophecies. He is definitely a precious candidate in the eyes of God and must be brought back to serve.”

Even the current Pope had never received such long prophecies, let alone two. As long as this lost lamb was willing to return to the embrace of God, the entire Eternal Church would be willing to bow to him.

“Regarding the second prophecy…” The voice on the other side paused meaningfully.

“I only told Lord Crimson a part of it,” the old priest said.

“Very good,” the voice on the other end replied calmly. “Someone will take his place.”

“Yes, may everything be eternal.” The old priest bowed his head in the darkness.

“By the way…”

Just as the call was about to end, the voice on the other side began again. “The case of ‘Time Reversion’ being stolen, you don’t need to investigate it any further.”

“Our people have heard that the Drifting Mercenaries are likely involved. And the Golden Sword of the Alva Merchant Group has intervened. Digging too deep will only lead to disaster.”

Hearing about the Drifting Mercenaries, the old priest’s expression contorted slightly. Even though he enjoyed seeing the Temple of Life ridiculed, the renegade Pope showed no mercy to the Eternal Church, killing every Eternalist.

The Golden Sword of the Alva Merchant Group was also a troublesome figure.

Unless Enbilly himself was willing, no one could pry information from this Golden Sword. He had a very intimidating talent, able to grasp all the details of specific events and “monopolize the truth” to some extent.

Lord Crimson had foolishly tried to take out the Golden Sword. There had been hundreds, if not thousands, who had tried to assassinate Enbilly, and none had met a good end. Now, with Lord Crimson also dead, it might well be some curse.

“Thank you for your reminder. I am aware of the situation,” the old priest said. “Until I receive new revelations, I will keep an eye on ‘Paradise’. The appearance of Paradise, the Mad Monk’s submission, and the return of the Chosen One—this cannot be a mere coincidence.”

“Yes, but the priority should be finding the chosen one.”

“We will surely bring him before God.”

The old priest tightly held a scroll in his hands. The ink on the paper formed two brief sentences. These were prophecies belonging to the Chosen One—the real, complete prophecies.

[Following the river of fate, returning to the land of ashes. Walking through the chaotic times and corpses of Demons—the darkness in his soul remains.]

[His hands can slay everything, and he will follow the God of his choice.]

……

The Dark Forest, the Lost Tower.

Nol and Teest squeezed in front of Lynn’s magic screen, watching the “surveillance footage” displayed.

“It’s Anakin and Eugene, the captain of the Investigation Knights,” Nol said. “The Temple of Life arrived too soon.”

“There are only two of them!” Teest remarked with a tone of regret that was somewhat chilling.

Lynn, seated on a makeshift office chair, manipulated her magic controller that displayed multiple angles of the two visitors. To Nol, the controller embedded with a small crystal ball eerily resembled a mouse. “I see no ambush,” Lynn said, scrolling with the crystal ball. “It seems to be just the two of them.”

“I’ll go get ready. Now’s not the time for a clash with the Temple of Life.” Nol rubbed his temples.

Lynn patted her cheek. “Are you serious?”

“Huh?”

With a weary tone, Lynn said, “Mr. Xu, if you were to meet the boss of a potential partner company, would you think it formal if he just shouted from downstairs with a megaphone? …Would you even consider it a legitimate company?”

“Ah…” Realization dawned on Nol.

“To meet with a leader, making an appointment is the least you can do,” Witch Lynn said strictly. “And they only brought two people. Even if it’s to show ‘we come in peace’, that’s too few. It’s impolite.”

“You think this is a probe. Coincidentally, I think so too,” Teest chimed in with crossed arms. “It’s a wonder hearing such analysis from a naïve puppet witch. The world truly is full of surprises.”

“We’re all in the hall trying to save Piel anyway. How about setting another time for them to visit?” Lynn snorted, ignoring Teest’s remark. Being a resident of a civilized society, she wasn’t comfortable communicating with a murderer. It was one thing to deal with the natives, but Teest was different. Every time she looked into his eyes, she felt a chill run down her spine. She wondered how Nol managed to work with someone like that.

Nol was busy planning the time. It took a while before he responded, “It’ll take about two days for Piel to recover. Everyone else needs some prep time too. How about three days from now?”

Lynn responded, “Sounds good, but we need a suitable way to reply…”

Nol smiled, picking up a spare puppet from Lynn’s table. “Can I borrow this?”

At the forest’s edge.

Anakin mentally cursed Eugene a thousand times. She had to exert a great deal of effort navigating through powerful players, securing the “contact quota” with the Lost Tower.

She had upgraded from a mere white priest to the first “Flawless” in the world of Tahe. Her younger brother, Solo, was on a transfer mission and couldn’t accompany her. Anakin had a perfect plan to meet Nol, exchange some recent intel, and get new tasks. This way, she could claim to the players that she’s “gaining Nol’s trust”, with the new tasks as proof. Eventually, she could have free access to the Lost Tower. However, she was intercepted by Eugene.

Eugene wanted to represent the Temple of Life and needed a strong healer. Anakin and Solo were completing a mission in the Black Forest when Paradise appeared in the world, so he probably had some suspicions.

Cursing her luck, Anakin couldn’t figure out his intentions.

Anakin gave a sidelong glance at Eugene, who wore an annoyingly polite smile on his face. She couldn’t decipher what this young captain of the knight’s order was thinking.

Indeed, Eugene was young and handsome, but he stood in the way of her path to become stronger. To Anakin, he looked utterly detestable.

“I am devoted to the goddess,” Eugene said when Anakin glanced at him a second time. “She once cooperated with the treacherous Eternal Son to resist the Demon King’s corruption. For her benevolence, we would never act in petty or narrow-minded ways.”

“Why tell me this? I don’t control you,” Anakin replied, her tone soft but words sharp. “Weren’t you the ones saying that the monsters were the doing of the Eternal Church? You change your narrative so easily.”

“Kind lies are necessary. Sometimes, so is righteous killing,” Eugene replied, his green eyes turning toward her. “For the goddess’ will, some truths are destined to be buried. Please understand.”

She didn’t want to understand. Anakin, a staunch atheist, couldn’t tolerate such talk and ignored him.

Thankfully, Paradise acted before the awkwardness lingered too long. About ten minutes after Eugene’s call, the ground trembled. Birds flew out from the forest canopy like dust shaken off. Not far from them, the ground heaved, and a creature, formed of roots and bones resembling a giant serpent, emerged. Its eye sockets alone were taller than a person.

The serpent rose and bowed slightly, filling the air with the damp scent of earth. Opening its mouth slightly, a deep voice emanated—

“Although we are a monster alliance, we understand human etiquette. Is this the attitude of the Temple of Life, knight?”

The serpent shifted uneasily, sending clumps of dirt the size of fists falling to the ground.

“Please don’t misunderstand.”

Eugene performed a knight’s salute and responded calmly, “I am here today just to request an audience. Whether to meet or not and the meeting time, of course, is for the Master of Paradise to decide. If we are fortunate enough to meet the Master of Paradise, we will naturally arrange the highest-level representatives and gifts.”

“Even when dealing with a king, the Temple would only send a regular messenger to set the time. Now, just for an inquiry, the Temple has dispatched me, the captain of the knights, which shows the sincerity of the Temple.”

‘You’re quite good at pretending,’ Anakin thought while her face contorted for a moment. She had no doubt that if the door was opened, this guy would walk right in.

The giant serpent looked Eugene up and down with its hollow eyes. “I see. The Master of Paradise can meet you in three days. Please wait here at sunset.”

“I will keep the kindness of Paradise in my heart. Please convey my greetings to the Master of Paradise.” Eugene bowed deeply again, his young and handsome face filled with smiles.

The remains of the giant serpent nodded and scattered on the spot, forming a small hill. Its massive head rested at the top of the pile, becoming a natural landmark.

“Three days.” Eugene narrowed his eyes at the giant head.

“Three days should be enough for you to prepare. Please find another healer by then,” Anakin bluntly replied. “I have other arrangements in the next few days.”

Eugene nodded. “It’s a pity. You are currently the most powerful healer in Grape Collar.”

‘…So he’ll be part of the delegation in three days,’ Anakin thought.

That was odd. Usually, such negotiations would be led by a bishop. They would bring along church knights, rarely involving Investigation Knights, let alone the captain of the Investigation Knights.

Seeing Anakin silent, Eugene moved forward a few steps and untied the horse he had secured beforehand.

“As you can see, I’m not really suited for this kind of task. Those creatures have been wreaking havoc on the land bestowed by the goddess. I admit, I don’t have any fondness for them.”

He caressed the neatly groomed mane of the horse, white strands adorned with beads polished from emeralds and peridots, resembling sprouts sprinkled in between.

When the horse bowed its head obediently, Eugene turned around, looking at Anakin’s complicated gaze. “But I carry a prophecy full of expectations. I won’t let the Goddess down.”

Anakin frowned.

…Eugene isn’t a servant of God, but a Chosen One.

“As I said earlier, you don’t need to tell me this. We’re not working together,” Anakin responded dryly.

Knight Eugene wasn’t the type to mindlessly show off, which made Anakin’s intuition raise alarms.

“The Goddess said, ‘I will behead the false god with the sword of faith.'”

Eugene continued calmly, “The prophecy is absolute. No matter what forces emerge or disturbances arise, the Goddess is destined to win. I hope you and the Saints will remember this.”

Anakin stood there completely stunned.

……

Nol stretched his neck.

“Once they leave, I’ll retrieve the puppet from the snake’s mouth.”

To achieve the fantastical effect of the giant serpent speaking, Nol stuffed a puppet into its mouth that could transmit sound. He used magic to alter his voice, pretending to be the temporary receptionist of the Paradise Company.

Once he approached it with the mindset of creating dialogue for a script, Nol realized he had quite the knack for acting.

Having scheduled the meeting time, he suddenly felt the relief of having “three extra statutory holidays”. His mood improved substantially. Even Teest, whom he normally found pleasant, seemed even more so—well, he would have been if not for that smug, mysterious grin plastered on his face.

“Why are you smiling?” Nol couldn’t help but ask as they left Lynn’s room.

“Well, they’ve arranged a private room for us on the first floor. The one prepared for you is especially large. They said you can decorate it however you like.”

Teest moved in front of Nol, walking backward with his hands behind his back. “You’ve been busy saving the child, while I had nothing to do, so I went ahead and decorated it—I just finished.”

“I could’ve done that myself.”

“No, I like that big room,” Teest said. “So I’ve decided to move in. I’ve already notified them.”

“I see.” Nol paused momentarily. That made sense; they still had the distance limitation imposed by the [Betrayal Overture]. This arrangement was quite good. Yes, he definitely didn’t have any ulterior motives.

When they reached the door, Teest gleefully swung it open. “Take a look—”

Objectively, it was a fantastic room. A lush green view from a massive window, the overall ambiance was delightful. But before Nol could appreciate it, his eyes were immediately drawn to a piece of furniture at the edge of the room.

It was a huge double bed.

Nol: “…”

Nol: “…One bed?”

To date, their neighbors thought of them merely as teammates, or at most, friends. It wasn’t uncommon for them to share a bed when they were out, but given the spacious room here, for Teest to have arranged it this way…

Nol stood at the doorway for a long moment, rubbing his slightly warm ears, trying to appear more serious.

“Teest.”

He said softly, “Regarding our relationship, we need to have a talk.”

The author has something to say:

Nol: We should have one room.

Teest: We should have one bed.

Nol, conceding a point!

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 87: New Home

A few hours ago.

To maintain a normal mental state and perception of time, Nol chose to sleep daily like a regular person. He especially had a habit of sleeping with his forehead against Teest’s back, giving him an odd sense of security.

Recently, he would embrace Teest from behind, and Teest would place the palm of his hand over the back of Nol’s hand, making it hard for Nol to withdraw.

But even so, Teest always gave Nol the feeling of being both close yet distant. One moment, Teest might give him a passionate kiss, and the next, he could just hop away as if nothing happened.

Nol had decided long ago to remain unyielding and deal with his own issues. The plan was beautiful, but reality was cruel. Like right now, small trivialities were running rampant in his head as he pretended to be asleep.

After hearing what Nol wanted to do “after becoming a god”, Teest seemed a bit unhappy, his back slightly tense. For a moment, Nol couldn’t figure out what upset him and found it hard to sleep.

Was it because he didn’t mention anything related to Teest? Would the Mad Monk really be so childish? This seemed no different from “a couple fighting over five million in a dream”.

As these thoughts swirled in Nol’s mind, he started to ponder drowsily.

If he truly became a god, what could he do for Teest? After aimlessly thinking for a while, he realized he had no idea.

According to the Mad Monk himself, his current exploration of the world’s truths was out of “strong interest”. Now, Teest was wealthy and leisurely, with top-notch power and appearance. Mentally… well, he seemed mentally stable and lacked nothing.

Kando hinted that Nol’s future path would be full of challenges. Who knows when Teest might decide to stop adventuring and retire…

While Nol was lost in thought with his eyes closed, Teest quietly slipped out of bed and left the room.

When Teest returned, Nol could smell the fine red wine and the scent of monster flesh on him, a scent he had previously detected in the General’s reception room.

Teest used warm air to blow over himself before carefully crawling back under the covers. He purposefully shifted toward the center of the bed and then placed Nol’s arm back around his waist.

Within a few minutes, his breathing became steady, and he fell soundly asleep.

Nol quietly opened his eyes, his view filled with silvery hair. The dimly lit room felt claustrophobic, reminding him of the small drawer in the antique shop and the toy bed inside it.

Twelve years had passed, and he wondered about the blue rose that had once been by the bed.

Wrapped around the warm Teest, Nol’s thoughts became increasingly scattered. As time ticked away, he had to reluctantly admit that sleeping against Teest no longer provided him with the same sense of security.

A few minutes later, he carefully withdrew his arm and quietly got out of bed.

Since he couldn’t sleep, he might as well go and speak with the renowned General.

…Time returned to the present.

The Black Glove Bar was bustling, but the General’s reception room was eerily quiet.

“Please go ahead.” Opposite Nol, the General leaned forward, ready to listen.

Nol nodded. “You’ve worked with the Mad Monk for so long. If you’d be willing to share some insights—like what behaviors he likes and dislikes—I’d be very grateful.”

For a moment, the General displayed an indescribable expression, something like subtle disdain. However, she quickly suppressed it.

“My collaboration with the Mad Monk?” She laughed hoarsely. “He comes to me for money and information, occasionally helping me eliminate certain Eternalists or thugs who dare challenge me—he simply sees me as a useful wallet. I think that’s not the kind of relationship you’re looking for.”

Nol crossed one leg over the other, sitting upright, and remained silent.

“A straightforward transaction was all there ever was between us from the beginning.” The General’s tone grew colder. “Indeed, I’m the Supplement Demon that escaped with him. He nearly dismembered me, and then, using my regenerative abilities, stitched me back together… Sounds touching, doesn’t it? Like we went through thick and thin together.”

A twitch appeared on Nol’s brow. Thick and thin together—this was precisely the current state between him and Teest.

Indeed, the General had once been through life and death with Teest. But no matter how he listened, he could only detect sarcasm in her tone—there were no fond memories of past camaraderie.

The General gave Nol a deep, piercing look, as if seeing through his thoughts, her voice becoming slow, almost poetic.

“In fact, once we successfully escaped, he pondered whether he should kill me to keep things quiet… It was only after I begged him, telling him that I would be more useful to him alive, that he dropped the idea.”

“Sir, I can see that you and I are not the same. Want to stay with the Mad Monk for the long haul? Then you best not have laughable ideas like ‘repairing him’, ‘reforming him’, or ‘taming him’.”

Indeed, the Mad Monk didn’t need any “salvation”.

Nol silently took a sip of tea, noticing a speck of wallpaper flake on the tea saucer.

“…Now, the Mad Monk has chosen to ‘pursue the truth of the world’ as a new interest. Until his objective is achieved, you’re just his companion on this journey. Recognizing your role is the first step in a stable partnership.”

Across from him, the General sighed, emphasizing the words “this journey”.

“That’s precisely what I wanted to ask.” Setting his teacup down, Nol gave a bitter smile. “When Teest burned down the Immortal Church, he claimed his revenge was complete. So, how committed can he be to his ‘personal interest’? I don’t want a… partner who might leave at any moment.”

‘”Partner with benefits” might be more appropriate,’ Nol thought.

“You can rest assured. Once the Mad Monk takes an interest in something, he holds onto it like a beast clamped onto its prey. He won’t let go until he achieves his goal.”

Finally looking straight into Nol’s eyes again, the General warned, “Prepare yourself mentally for this.”

“That’s all the better.” Nol sighed in relief.

Midway, he felt a nagging doubt. “From your experience, if there’s nothing to gain after achieving his objective, will he immediately end the partnership?”

The General’s odd expression resurfaced. “Are you, ahem, hoping to keep him by your side long-term?”

“……” Nol didn’t answer immediately.

If circumstances allowed, he would undoubtedly go home. This relationship was bound to end, and he had always known that. But now, imagining the “happy ending” when it all finished, Nol realized he might not be as elated as he thought.

“…Yes.” After a while, Nol finally responded, “Teest is my perfect partner.”

The General’s deformed face twitched, apparently disagreeing with his statement but politely holding back her thoughts.

“Oh.” She responded dryly, “Then you have to keep his interest. To be honest, it’s tough. The Eternal Church taught the Mad Monk many things, with ‘how to read others’ being the most basic. He hardly finds people he can see through interesting.”

“I’m confident about that.”

Is there anything harder to understand than a “pseudo-God of Creation“? A hint of amusement crept into Nol’s voice. “Thank you for your honesty, miss.”

The General looked visibly relieved.

Then, trying to contain her impatience, she waved her hand. “Now, can we discuss the medical supplies, sir?”

……

Little Piel firmly believed that he would die.

He had seen an old man on the street being run over by a carriage, his entrails spilling everywhere. Everyone said such injuries were fatal, and even the best priest in the world couldn’t save him. To keep such a person alive, a miracle would be needed.

After being hit by the chandelier, he didn’t have much will to live left. He just wanted everything to end quickly.

He wanted to become a knight when he grew up, but now he could no longer grow up.

Perhaps it was for the best. For an orphan like him, dreaming was a luxury. Before, Little Piel’s biggest concern was surviving the upcoming winter, the furthest he had ever thought ahead. The two beautiful fairies gave him a dream—a dream that allowed him to have dreams.

That was enough, Little Piel thought. He had had an incredible adventure and even saved someone!

If reincarnation was real, perhaps the gods would let him be born as a squire in a knight’s family… Yes, being a squire would be enough! He shouldn’t be too greedy. The gods wouldn’t like that…

With his false hopes and the sweet taste in his mouth, Little Piel slowly closed his eyes.

…And then he woke up, his lower half cold, with people murmuring around him.

Sunlight penetrated his eyelids, painting his vision a shade of orange. He slightly opened his eyes and saw a towering spire, a staircase, and the clear sky above.

His gaze then slid down to his body. A silent scream erupted in his throat, and he started coughing violently—

His upper body lay on a stone bed, while his lower half was immersed in a large glass tank. His crushed lower body was regenerating, with muscles and blood vessels growing around the restored skeleton like grape vines climbing a pole.

Strange creatures he had never seen before were bustling around him.

Healing magic shone continuously, and people kept placing and removing molds on him to ensure his regenerating flesh and organs grew properly. A bubble producing fresh air was on his face, and bags of red blood were hanging above him, being transferred into his body through weird tubes.

Even more astonishing, he could understand what these creatures were saying.

“His blood pressure is stable,” said a large gray wolfkin. “The child is conscious. Nol’s pain relief spell really works. I’ll stitch him up later, so he recovers faster.”

Another creature, looking like a doll-like girl, shook her head. “Better to be cautious. Let the succubi prepare more liquid food and sugar water.”

“I wonder how Uncle Ma’s sauerkraut is doing,” murmured a short elf as he cast healing magic. “I really want to eat sauerkraut stewed with meat.”

The sunlight was warm, the air dry, and he could hear the sound of flowing water and rustling leaves. Harp music and singing came from a distance. Little Piel smelled fresh fruits, cream, and a well-cooked meat broth.

Where was this? The afterlife?

Little Piel tried to move, making whimpering sounds as he tried to grab the strange bubble on his face. A finger pointed at the bubble, and it popped.

“You’re awake?” A familiar face leaned closer.

Blinking and rubbing his eyes, Little Piel recognized it.

It was Mr. Fairy… but he looked as big as a human now, and there were two of them!

The one with black hair, who just popped his bubble, looked just as handsome and had a pair of beautiful blue eyes filled with amusement.

“I… Cough… I…”

“Just as you see.” Teest spread his hands. “Welcome to Paradise, kid.”

Frozen, Little Piel whispered, “So… I’m really dead…”

Teest: “……”

Teest: “Paradise isn’t heaven. Sadly, you’re still alive.”

Nol tried not to laugh.

After several minutes of stunned silence, Little Piel finally asked, referring to the creatures around, “These monsters, I mean, these gentlemen and ladies…”

“They’re just like you, rescued by someone’s kindness. You might scare people outside looking like this, but here, these folks might just envy you,” Teest said, glancing at Officer Luo, who was eyeing the griffin’s claws and wings with evident envy.

“Targeting such a young child, those cultists really are despicable,” not far away, Uncle Ma commented while cracking nuts.

“We should find someone to teach him to read. He’s too young not to go to school,” said a bear-like creature carrying farming tools. “Xiao Xu said he’s a local, right?”

“I heard he’s an orphan…”

“Indeed. We can’t ignore him then.”

“Maybe that family could help? They’ve already adopted a girl.”

“No, they have their hands full with her. Maybe the succubi could help. I’ll talk to the queen later.”

……

In the distance, more monsters gathered, chattering and discussing among themselves. From their conversations, Little Piel could only understand the general gist. But he quickly grasped one thing—these creatures were prepared to accept him. He would no longer be without a place to belong. It was truly magical. When he was human, he was displaced and lost. Now, among these monsters, he felt comforted for the first time.

Tears blurred Little Piel’s purple eyes as he blinked. “Thank you… Thank you for saving me,” he said.

Holding onto Nol’s sleeve with shining eyes, he pleaded, “Lord Fairy, I wish to stay here. I can do chores and even help find food… Please, can I stay?”

Patting his head, Nol replied, “Of course you can.”

Little Piel relaxed, looking around excitedly. Then, as if suddenly recalling something, he asked, “What about the two people who left earlier? Are they okay? They might need shelter too… I mean, if it doesn’t bother you…”

His voice trailed off, as if he thought he might be overstepping. Nol glanced at Teest, whose smile barely changed, only deepening slightly.

“They are fine and don’t need any help,” Teest said.

Nol smiled. “Yes, I’ve personally checked.”

Relieved, Little Piel lay back on the stone platform. Nol cast a sleep spell on him, and as he drifted off, a smile lingered on Little Piel’s lips.

“The succubi will train him temporarily,” Nol whispered. “Once he’s older and can disguise himself as a human, he can go to Grape Collar to learn proper swordsmanship.”

“Then become a knight?” Teest raised an eyebrow.

“Then become a knight,” Nol confirmed with a smile. “My Paradise always needs knights.”

“You better treasure me then,” Teest remarked.

Teest casually picked a peach from the fruit bowl, tossing it up and down. Then, in a swift motion, the gleaming blade of the small hunting knife pierced a piece of peach, stopping right before Nol’s eyes. The peach flesh was pleasingly pale pink, emitting a fresh and sweet scent.

The blade,the “Betrayer”, was clean, but the bloodstains on it seemed impossible to wash away. It was hard to determine which was more intense, the scent of blood or the aroma of the peach.

Teest intently stared at Nol as if the statement he just made was a question, and he was waiting for an answer.

Nol leaned slightly forward, ignoring the lingering scent of blood, and bit into the peach slice. He chewed slowly and deliberately, grinding the soft fruit skin with his teeth, savoring every drop of the sweet juice.

“My paradise always needs knights,” Nol repeated, “And so do I.”

Teest took another piece for himself and changed the subject. “So, what’s next?”

“I’ll stay at the Lost Tower for a while,” Nol replied. “It’s time for a short rest.” As Nol opened his mouth, Teest understood the gesture, peeling another piece of peach and teasingly brushing the blade near Nol’s lips.

“Perfect. I also want to be a little lazy,” Teest joked. “As long as no troubles come our way.”

Nol choked on his peach, shooting Teest a reproachful look. Teest raised his hands, feigning innocence.

However, the Mad Monk’s jinx proved true. Before the sun set, visitors arrived in the Black Forest—

Anakin, with a serene smile and beads of sweat on her forehead, and beside her was Knight Eugene in full armor.

“Emissaries from the Temple of Life have come to visit,” Eugene announced, bowing to the vast forest.

Author’s note:

Good news: Little Piel was saved after multiple consultations (?

Bad news: He has to go to school. (Little Piel: ……)

Paradise: No matter how poor, never skimp on education!

———————

The General: It turns out they are both double arrows. Excuse me, why don’t you two just get a room?

Kinky Thoughts:

I’m so happy Little Piel is saved! My heart would have broken otherwise. This marks the end of this arc.

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>