Chapter 53: Climbing
Alice returned just in time to see Lena and a thin, black-haired girl tugging at each other. She hurried forward, pulling out her staff and chanting a holy spell.
“…What are you doing?!” Lena’s glare stopped Alice in her tracks, the glowing purple staff in her hand clattering to the ground.
“I…I…I’m here to help, Senior!”
Alice rubbed her forehead, her voice slightly distorted.
“Who asked for your help? We’re just playing around,” Lena said impatiently.
Although she sensed Mines was hiding something, Lena would keep her promises.
But before that…
She had to figure out Mines’s profession!
What if she was some kind of Origin Mage or other troublesome profession, secretly placing a soul chain on her at night, then stabbing her in the heart? She wouldn’t even know how she died.
Lena was wary of the strange and unpredictable professions in this world.
She had suffered enough in her past life, so she was cautious of certain professions.
In other words, she had to be prepared for anything.
Meanwhile, Alice was still complaining, “What’s wrong, Senior Lena…?”
Emma also approached, seeing Alice sprawled on the ground, her heart skipping a beat. She broke into a run.
“You must have upset Senior Lena.”
Emma crouched down, patting Alice’s head, and sighed.
The comforting gesture calmed Alice down somewhat, but she still muttered, “No way, I was just trying to get close to Senior…”
They were always together, sharing everything, their hearts connected. So, on their way back from completing the task, they had already discussed their plans, even intending to serve their future mistress together—Lena Falmouth.
It had always been this way; the strong were always surrounded by beauties. Although Lena was the same gender, her unparalleled strength still attracted many admirers, something Lena hadn’t experienced in her past life…
“How did the task go?”
Lena had Mines wait while she examined the rare materials Alice and Emma had collected for her in the black market.
“Let me go first.”
Alice placed the note and a large cloth bag in Lena’s hands, then began to list the contents:
“Ghost Scale Butterfly powder, Earth Dog teeth, Lich pottery jar, Earth Dragon eye, Harpy tail feather, Lava Lizard core…”
A dazzling array of items, all painstakingly collected by Alice from the black market, requiring considerable effort and persuasion.
Since Lena hadn’t given them any money, they had to use their own savings to purchase the goods, a display of their “loyalty” and also part of Lena’s test…
Lena wasn’t one to suffer losses; she would take advantage of any opportunity.
Do you want to follow me? Then pay the protection fee, it’s that simple.
“My turn, Senior Lena.”
Following Alice, Emma presented her carefully wrapped brocade box.
Made of shimmering fluorescent jade, the box itself suggested the value of its contents.
“It seems you’re very confident,” Lena raised an eyebrow, taking the box.
It felt icy cold to the touch, but upon opening it, a wave of heat washed over her.
Inside were three small, fingernail-sized fruits, their color a vibrant, blood red.
Lena was reminded of Mines’s eye color, almost the same shade.
Emma briefly explained, “It is said that in the desolate Ancient Mountains where Harpies dwell, there grows a rare treasure. Consuming it nourishes yin and yang, and is especially effective in regulating kidney energy. It’s known as a man’s gas station, a woman’s beauty salon, a rarity even in the Fran Black Market.”
Lena’s eye twitched. “I don’t think I wrote this on your note…”
“I prepared it for Senior Lena on my own initiative, I hope you’re not angry,” Emma said nervously.
“Angry?” Lena closed the lid with a snap, amused. “Why would I be angry?”
She simply hadn’t expected the quiet and demure Emma to bring such a potent fruit. What troubled Lena was whether or not to accept this generous gift.
Accepting it would seem like admitting to certain deficiencies…
But refusing would be rude, rejecting their goodwill.
Lena had already decided to accept the moment she saw it, but she was just saving face…
“If Senior Lena doesn’t mind, you can try its effects tonight, on Alice and me…” The two exchanged smiles, willingly offering their most precious first experience.
“We’ve secretly learned some techniques, even practiced together. We can definitely give Senior Lena an unforgettable experience. If you want, we can also take the lead…”
Emma covered Alice’s mouth, giving her a warning look.
Then she asked cautiously, “These three fruits are just enough for the three of us. So tonight, Senior Lena, do you have any plans?”
“…”
Wow, just wow.
Could these two little nuns be any bolder?
Seducing their master? Who taught them this?!
Well… whoever it was, they taught them well!
Couldn’t that famous idol learn from her fellow sisters?!
Lena was indignant, determined to teach them the importance of self-respect. “H-how did you know I haven’t… in a while…”
Joking aside, how could she refuse meat delivered to her doorstep?
With beauties willingly offering themselves, even if Lena was physically weak, she would rise to the occasion!
She would conquer them all! Hmph!
Emma and Alice said in unison, exchanging smiles, “That’s great!”
Great? Great what?!
You’re about to be ravaged by me all night, and you think it’s great?! Just wait and see, you two little minxes!
Lena inwardly cursed, pocketing the brocade box.
Alice’s face flushed, seemingly anticipating the night’s activities, while Emma shyly buried her face in Alice’s arms. The two little nuns from the Holy Inquisition were ready to offer their innocence to Lena.
This was the coming-of-age ritual they had longed for, the safe haven they had dreamed of. For their utopia, they were willing to sacrifice everything…
They had followed Catherine before, but Catherine didn’t have the power to lead them.
Now they followed Lena, whose strength far surpassed their imagination. If all it took was offering their bodies to join the Falmouths, they would kneel before Lena without hesitation, kissing her feet.
It was worth it.
Their chastity was worthless compared to absolute power; the scales always tipped towards profit.
One could call Alice twisted, but it was the world beneath her feet that had shaped her distorted values.
The Crimson Nunnery, which would one day bring bloodshed to the empire, wasn’t formed overnight. From a young age, Alice and Emma’s morals had been warped into a twisted form, beyond redemption.
Climbing.
Striving to reach the summit to witness the sun’s glory.
But the mountain you painstakingly climbed could be easily reached by others via cable car.
With just a little money, others could surpass your lifelong efforts. With just a small price, they could enjoy the warmth of the summit before you.
And you, my friend,
You would freeze to death on the mountainside, your body left unclaimed, unknown, eventually forgotten by the world…
This was Alice’s worldview, a belief Emma also firmly held.
They could treat anyone the way they treated Lena. As long as someone could become their god, they would follow them blindly, without hesitation.
Lena had achieved this and successfully controlled them.
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