Really?
Kurose Akira fell into deep thought. He hadn't expected the cause to be the [Sunny and Cheerful] trait.Still, just as Lucia had said, the radiance emanating from his body was indeed related to the sun. What he couldn't understand was this—why would power of the same origin as the Sun God attract the attention of the Holy Arbiters instead?
With confusion in his eyes, Kurose Akira looked toward Lucia, hoping she could give him an answer.
Lucia naturally understood the meaning behind his gaze and explained softly, "The power of the sun is forbidden. Even the Pope of the Church of Light is forbidden from touching it. And yet, you possess such power—of course the Holy Arbiters would take notice."
"The power of the sun… is forbidden?" Kurose Akira murmured quietly.
He still knew far too little about these matters. The relationship between the Church of Light and the Sun God was far more complicated than he had imagined.
As Kurose Akira pondered, Lucia stared at him without blinking.
She, too, was puzzled. She had never heard of a human who could obtain divine power originating from the sun.
Moreover, the "sunlight" on Kurose Akira felt different—unlike the solar divine power she understood. It might not even possess any lethal or destructive quality.
The descent of the Holy Arbiters might not have been meant to eliminate him at all. There could be another reason hidden behind it—one she would need to uncover personally.
As for whether Kurose Akira possessing solar divine power should draw the Church of Light's attention… there was no clear ruling in the doctrines of the faithful.
Perhaps it was because the Magic Continent had not seen solar divine power for thousands of years. People had long forgotten its existence—or mistakenly believed that the sun and light were inseparable, assuming that light itself was the sun.
Even she, as the Pope, knew very little about it. All she knew was that divine power of solar origin fell within the category of taboo.
And that was all.
"No matter what, you only need to stay away from places where sunlight is at its strongest," Lucia instructed. "If you do that, the Holy Arbiters won't be able to locate you. According to the Church's records, only high-ranking members who committed unforgivable sins ever drew the descent of a Holy Arbiter. You are… an exception."
"..."
Kurose Akira fell silent. From Lucia's words, he could tell—Holy Arbiters were existences even the Pope herself had to fear.
Just as they were speaking, a series of system notifications flooded into Kurose Akira's vision.
[Ivsha's soul is undergoing a baptism of Light…][Her soul is ascending!][Light Baptism complete!][Ivsha is undergoing a transformation…]
As the notifications ended, Kurose Akira was startled to see subtle changes in Ivsha's demonic features.
Her originally pitch-black demon horns and wings were now tinged with gold. Even her mischievous black heart-shaped tail had shifted into a gradient of gold and white, gaining a faintly sacred aura.
In addition, Ivsha's skin had become even fairer and smoother—delicate and lustrous like the finest jade, radiating a healthy sheen. Her eyes grew deeper and brighter, as if they could see straight through one's heart.
Wait a second—
Did her size… increase a little too?
As the thought crossed his mind, another notification appeared.
[Your adventurer Ivsha has obtained a trace of divine power of Light. Succubus trait has transformed.][Succubus] → [Holy Succubus]
[Holy Succubus]: 98–62–90, Charm 120.Special effectiveness against the opposite sex +200% (due to the effect of "Unwavering Devotion," this effect only applies to you).When Light magic and Dark magic are released simultaneously, damage is increased by an additional 100%.
[Holy Elixir baptized her body. All attributes +50, Dark resistance +30%! (Permanent)][Holy Elixir baptized her soul. Immune to Dark corruption of the soul. (Permanent)]
"?"
Kurose Akira was delighted by Ivsha's growth—but at the same time, deeply confused by her enhanced "special effectiveness."
So I'm the one being hard-countered now!?
"Mmm~"
At that moment, Ivsha slowly opened her eyes. A comfort she had never experienced before washed over her, drawing a faint, blissful smile to her lips.
She immediately looked at Kurose Akira, her eyes brimming with seduction."Kurose Akira~ I feel more excited than ever before~ I want to right now—"
Before she could finish her sentence, her gaze locked onto the dazzling holy radiance, as though irresistibly drawn to it—like she wanted to devour it whole.
Slurp~
Her pink tongue lightly traced the corner of her lips, and then—
Pounce!
Wait—!
Before Kurose Akira could react, Ivsha descended upon him like a falling cherry blossom, her heart-shaped tail swaying as she landed squarely on top of him.
Her eyes gleamed with excitement as holy radiance poured from her body, threatening to swallow everything around her. At the same moment, Ivsha gently grasped her most beloved holy light~
Seeing this scene, Lucia's brows knit together. She immediately turned and left the room.
Stepping outside, she noticed the sky had already darkened—night was about to fall. Without hesitation, she used the guild's teleportation array and departed.
When Lucia returned to the Church of Light, a faint blush flashed across her otherwise icy expression. She quickly suppressed the embarrassment and fluttering in her chest, forcing herself back into calm composure. After that brief disturbance, her emotions gradually settled.
Cold detachment and indulgent desire—two utterly opposing feelings intertwined within her heart, leaving her unsettled.
As for the guild she had joined… Lucia found herself growing increasingly curious.
A guildmaster who possessed solar divine power.A succubus immune to holy light.
Lost in thought, a faint smile curved at the corner of her lips.
What had originally been a bit of casual amusement after changing identities had unexpectedly become far more interesting~
"Your Holiness, the envoy from the Star Kingdom has been waiting in the Holy Hall for quite some time."
At that moment, a girl in a white dress—who had been attending Lucia—reported softly.
"What is their purpose for this visit?" Lucia asked.
"The Star Kingdom hopes the Sun Theocracy will assist them in resolving the recent demon lairs appearing within their borders," the girl replied. "However… this envoy is somewhat special."
"Speak."
"It is the Star King's most beloved princess—Vivian."
"Oh?" Lucia raised a brow. "That little girl created by a witch using the power of the stars?"
"Would you like to meet her? She's been waiting since early morning."
"..."(thinking)
...
"Ivsha! Do you admit your fault?"
"I know I was wrong~ Kurose Akira~ Please forgive my sin~ Your holy light~ is simply far too magnificent~"
Only after hearing Ivsha's plea did Kurose Akira finally release her golden heart-shaped tail.
"Hah~"
He collapsed onto the floor, letting out a long breath.
After evolving into a Holy Succubus, Ivsha's need for holy light had become even more intense.
The perfect fusion of faith and desire had caused the little nun to develop an even deeper dependence on him.
Fortunately—Kurose Akira still came out on top!
As for the key to defeating Ivsha—
He gently pressed his fingers to his chest. He could clearly feel his heart pounding violently, like an engine roaring within his body.
The wound where Idis had pierced through him was now completely gone, leaving only a distinctive heart-shaped scar behind.
What surprised him even more was that the blessing bestowed by the Elf Queen within the dream was still dormant inside him.
That meant he still possessed a precious trump card—even if his heart were pierced again, he could survive for seven full days!
"Ugh~ I'm exhausted~"
Like a puddle of mud, Kurose Akira threw himself onto the guild's large bed, pulling the soft, fragrant Ivsha into his arms as he drifted into deep sleep. Though he had won the battle with Ivsha, it had drained every last bit of his stamina. Right now, all he wanted was to plunge straight into restorative slumber.
In the blink of an eye, he fell completely asleep.
At that very moment, the scenery before his eyes shifted—
Once again, he found himself within the Elf Queen's dream.
However, just as he was about to walk toward the familiar wooden cabin, his steps abruptly froze midair.
Because he saw the Elf Queen standing quietly at the cabin's entrance—
But today, she was dressed in an elegant black gown.
No—
It wasn't just the change in clothing.
More importantly, her once-clear sapphire-blue eyes had turned into bewitching dark gold.
She wasn't the Elf Queen.
Malice!?
..
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