Chapter 110: Sheltering a God
9HqiAThe Arken Empire had to be superior to everything.oQN
Ffnc3That was why even imperial carriages were approximately fifty percent larger than any others, and their interiors offered comfort comparable to floating on clouds.OA9
XJt7D8That carriage, whose mere operation consumed the monthly budget of an entire village, set out on a long journey.UcLx
xRQIts destination was a massive dome resembling a cage, located in a remote area.Cy4IB4j
VQq“We have arrived, Your Highness.”CFgOJm
HeCOKuWThe person who stepped out of the carriage was Olivia Arken.mFdFVWV
arcchShe was a beauty worthy of being called the flower of the Empire.9ao4N
6yhUQowUpon entering, she found a vibrant green spring instead of the barren winter outside.d7oH9t
IGairj“Allow me to take your coat.”HJGR
n8YAj“No. I’ll keep it on. It might be cold, don’t you think?”gS8bVw
bdmaH“It is part of the dress code established by His Excellency the Grand Duke, so I ask for your cooperation.”Yqf
HAt08Hw“……”GnSiy
dQ9Z0OgOlivia removed her thick coat and proceeded down the path.Ep30T
GvncHuShe passed gardens where exotic flowers from all across the continent were carefully cultivated and continued toward an artificial lake at the far end.MR5tP
rM9HcBeside the shore stood a table from which the lake could be admired.1Of
eNia“Oh! Welcome, Your Imperial Highness.”zs9
pAjIn contrast to the colorful spring garden, an elderly man with white hair and age spots straightened himself to greet her.WCWP
HslkW3uIt was Grand Duke Valdemar Golt, one of the great nobles of the Arken Empire.88PX
1BQiVXOlivia smiled naturally as she put on her social mask.NwyXxrF
buMg“It is good to see you, Grand Duke Golt. As befits one of the Empire’s most prestigious families, you enjoy your leisure in a magnificent place.”oOD
cSu1u91“Haha, that is too much praise. The scenery is beautiful, and in places like this one can drink and enjoy the water. Please, have a seat.”2hQn
uRzu7Valdemar personally pulled out a chair for her.cETjvy
0oNEYg0When Olivia sat down, the old man’s hand discreetly brushed against her shoulder.VmLNiH
jAp39“Cough, cough.”TcVF
oTVsFylOlivia coughed and leaned forward.94EvF8
nnMyaThen she smiled carelessly.hjSBAEb
9XQs“It must be from the long journey. I’m very thirsty.”Sdeh
fUuu“Good heavens! What have they been doing inside if they haven’t even given you something to drink? Allow me to serve you myself.”INO
uT7X6Z2Valdemar personally walked over to the drinks table.dWef7
McJj“What liquor would you like?”Y0xQp
Yg20“Liquor? That would be a little difficult…”Fb740S
eK3opOlivia showed a troubled expression, her eyes slightly moist.6VFLk
D1PVmx“I don’t tolerate alcohol very well…”SGBm
2Tbif“Then why not take this opportunity to learn?”EC7
pTIA“I don’t know. It worries me. They say a woman who enjoys alcohol is a dangerous seductress. I wouldn’t want to become one.”FAT
gYEo“I would call her a refined lady capable of enjoying leisure alongside a gentleman.”r6bWw
2mWZffo“I don’t think I’ll ever become a refined lady.”MJsHcmy
NBcTvValdemar insisted again and again, but Olivia continued refusing.b6K
aR3In the end, he had no choice but to serve her hot tea.qxZf
45ba0IJHowever, Olivia merely pretended to take small sips.EJMgsC
rRmaZAShe neither drank nor touched any of the food or beverages prepared by Valdemar.Xuatuq
1XnzUPShe seemed like a doll.jrqLR
REpzgcShe smiled, but her eyes never met the Grand Duke’s.ZPx1TH
MAtThere was not even any vitality in them.9ZRI0
EBnDtzZSuch an aloof attitude should have been unpleasant, yet Valdemar’s crescent-shaped eyes never stopped gazing at her in fascination.YeuI7Q2
s4AkHis sticky lips parted as he let out an admiring sigh.aWrNEj
fFkcM“Stella was exactly this age.”3f3u8
kSOWGLaOlivia froze for a moment.j6DjjG0
5IqTYHer face hardened briefly.A4ca9
kksTb“She was also very beautiful at that age. But you become more beautiful with each passing day, Your Highness.”XYD9s
Btl7FOOlivia covered her lips with a fan and smiled with her eyes.Ddl
qWvHq“Hoho. After all, my mother was known as a beauty capable of conquering nations. If golden blood is combined with incomparable beauty, isn’t it natural for the result to be beautiful?”ZXjxlf
aabF“Haha! That is absolutely true!”5i92J
znVfAXmThe elderly duke laughed heartily while discreetly stretching out his hand.qAck2zK
MMF“They say you are already of marriageable age, yet still have no suitor.”kiMKX
ECgsc9Olivia picked up her teacup.fRN
JT9“That is correct. It seems I have not yet found the right person.”qM5
0QrD“Don’t look too far away. The person destined to become your companion is often much closer than one imagines.”YTGlhOW
tJ1YHs“My, really?”Ijx5C
bVDRQbw“What importance do age or appearance have? If he is a powerful man who cherishes you, you should hold on to him without hesitation.”1e0kx3l
DrIUEhr“I will keep your words in mind. I shall make sure to look carefully.”OfR
BtBThey talked, but the conversation went nowhere.SzFy
sjgH6Both Olivia and Valdemar were perfectly aware of that.vq2
s67H7She wanted him to grow tired and let her leave.hmLU
RZ7SZvBut Valdemar was not someone who could be discouraged so easily.EFy
zeEZF6Only after three long hours of insinuations and conversation did he finally release her.ICGM20r
QCm7PB“I suppose we can bring our pleasant time together to an end.”pdK
DBd2WUq“Thanks to you, it has been a very enjoyable evening.”z2AIKC
QOhShe did not even pretend to want to stay longer.91St
YSEZAs they exchanged courtesies and she stood up, Valdemar extended his hand.Nrk9
6tP69Olivia looked at it and tilted her head.TIi2S
mkcpaLa“What is the matter? Why are you suddenly offering your hand?”03fS5xU
KArqP“Isn’t it obvious? I am proposing a handshake.”2HoDA
6dFpYiThere was no way she did not understand.AtP34n
IvEt“Ah, of course. I understand.”JldEDM
xUUJO02Olivia attempted to shake it.13UC
X88peTc“Now, now. When one shakes hands, it should be done skin to skin.”uQMt
3df“I am an unmarried young woman. It makes me uncomfortable to take a man’s hand.”HE7DG
zzdXOrU“You did not touch the food or liquor I prepared, and you barely paid attention to my words. I think you could at least grant me this small request.”ceoC0
EGZQIt was a threat.ilcoT1
UatsMXA threat saying that she had better comply with his final wish before he voiced his dissatisfaction to the Emperor.f96
3Y60RT3Olivia understood that she could no longer continue refusing.YKS
lB9cWSJShe had no choice but to remove her glove and take that hand.C1G
XKuPOr rather, endure a prolonged handshake.j8zt
uMynEvery time she tried to pull away, he increased his grip.aOqOMb4
zxxzJkFor an old man standing at death’s door, he possessed surprising strength.VblgKn
sGzIt hurt so much that she nearly cried out.WyO
aAV1q“Could you let go now?”T8S8N
06p“Haha. It seems I have held you for too long. My apologies.”S7pdKe
0S2m519Only then did Valdemar release her.GzL2s4a
LbpoROlivia bid farewell with a slight bow of her head and left the greenhouse.Trur
EXvF7cBefore leaving, she glanced sideways at a ceramic flowerpot.1eFbRS
awRvQ8Its glazed surface was so shiny that it could be used as a mirror.5y6
pPejEOAnd it perfectly reflected the face of Grand Duke Valdemar Golt.2PKao
P7jHis eyes were smiling with perversion.o0Lc
tWpfAnd he was greedily licking the hand he had just shaken.qWfbcKQ
bIyXYJ***8WPWit
8IvOnce back inside the carriage, Olivia spoke to the escort knight who was about to close the door.a1aVzix
PMJmG“Could you give me my perfume?”jHOtl
bZc“Yes, Your Highness.”sgDyQ
Z5xuIt was the rose perfume she normally used.RmW5I
Zrf4h9She uncorked the bottle and poured its entire contents onto her right hand.1zhxZOz
zBAThe oil slid across her skin and eventually dripped onto the floor.C0on096
wXOThe interior of the carriage filled with the intense scent of roses.bDBj5H
bmjJEven a perfume capable of suffocating anyone seemed to have no effect on her.K0Ak
n4d5HShe took a white embroidered silk handkerchief and began rubbing her hand over and over again.N7k
bb0nAUThe face of Grand Duke Golt appeared in her mind.sfiF
KhE88WgThat greedy expression overlapped with the image of the Great Demon Morax.1qw
7FJ‘Disgusting.’4DKGi
D7vxdgXShe rubbed harder.MnX
PZF‘Disgusting.’COw
TNF1oShe rubbed again and again.Mhtk
sb1f5d0‘Disgusting, disgusting, disgusting!’WTX
P6YyGShe continued scrubbing without stopping.1Idwf
codbGHIn the end, that jade-white hand became completely red and sore.utbp3l
bbePgFor a moment, she even wanted to tear off her skin.QhC
7UOvBhvShe wanted to strip away every part of her body that had been touched by Valdemar.wCeiA2
lDzK‘Grand Duke Golt…’w8ZA
x6qVN6HThe handkerchief she held crumpled inside her fist.5sD
lZqMdOEven wearing a mask had its limits.umBFp
qUDCThe porcelain mask she wore began to crack, distorted by rage.DT6aag
nhvZF‘How dare you mention that name?’2Tcg
PmqStella Arken.aN7S
dsNShe was an older sister eight years her senior, a woman kinder than anyone else.Xls3F
bnMeShe possessed both beauty and talent and even had an excellent fiancé she had chosen herself.GPmnsdY
LR5ZnnOWhen she was young, Stella had been Olivia’s role model.PjJ
km2However, at some point Stella changed.3FVS7iv
Q4W9BDIt started on the day her engagement was broken.ZQVENj
lpoEYMdBecause her fiancé was arrested for treason and disappeared onto the execution platform.JoXA24A
P8ZaFrom that day onward,cjgum
KqFd7uBthe flower that had always been radiant and beautiful withered away.TWOxX5O
5mGtL6She grew more haggard with each passing day.C7O
VzuIn Olivia’s final memory of Stella, her golden hair, like strands of spun gold, had been cut short.buS
6abBCe“Olivia.”LMSLh8
QcyJIobA cracked voice.L6CfF
9RlLB“Isn’t the scenery of the Empire beautiful?”hZVtOc
Um9c5vHer body was dangerously tilted over the terrace.VgxA
TkN0fqhOlivia replied with a worried expression.YadeoD
fv0Lk“Sister, it’s dangerous to stand there.”CApb
jnY“Hehe, that’s why you must stay away from your sister, Olivia. At least today.”wxDDU6
NzN“Come down from there, Sister.”CV4Zt
xO6e“Stay where you are and listen carefully to your sister. Olivia is a good girl, isn’t she?”6bdLW
CATT3v5“Yes, Sister…”rv0g
g1HShe smiled.4WmXDeJ
8eWtLetBut there was no warmth in that smile.2fx6dzN
Jq2KjsOlivia did not throw a tantrum.qh3d
278ob“Do you know what runs through our veins?”Atok
Q4OEjStella asked.sXqdrAa
4ShFBQ4“Golden blood. I was told our blood is golden.”S79cB
ZXXUQ“Hehe, innocent Olivia. I wish you could remain that innocent forever, but it’s time to wake up from the dream.”e89zTmk
Co7oStella’s body tilted forward.lXYgcLk
tfMC“Please, see the truth with your own eyes.”A8KYyMl
Cw9y4jxAnd she jumped.KNkXSG
yCLThe little Olivia believed that wings would suddenly sprout from her sister’s back and that she would become an angel.EhpmxC
0ulLBut no angel appeared.nb8O
RJ1The only thing she saw was her sister’s corpse smashed against the ground.BzoXVj
cCMcgPIt looked like a flower in bloom.apWhPI2
ypCHer short blonde hair was the center of the flower.sod
mmJpNThe red petals spread open in full bloom.qOFu1
IwuwcwShe had finally obtained freedom.vdw
hBDAnd Olivia stared at that fully blossomed flower until a servant ran over to cover her eyes.t7y5R5
oo3Stella had been the worst kind of sister.dq4dfW
GEGShe displayed a cruelty that should never be shown to a child.Nvi8w
CbGkSBut it was also the final act of kindness to reveal the destiny and the even crueler truth behind the Arken bloodline.XaNoO1Y
VfWVskAnd through a servant whom Stella had deeply cherished, Olivia eventually learned even the secret behind that death.ta0oftx
3SpNThe cause of Stella’s death had been Grand Duke Golt.gae
twajjNrFrom a very early age, he had become obsessed with the young Stella and wanted to possess her.boYlY
XHGjTdHHis obsession became so extreme that he framed Stella’s fiancé and had him brutally executed.98EUFj
ss8SAfterward, he sent her a message.qWbIRzr
ZxlEHe warned her that he would destroy everything she loved in order to obtain her.OGq
JZ4The one who cooperated with him was the Emperor.9lZ0i
ZllEven the First Prince and the Second Prince, blinded by power, tried to sell their own sister in exchange for even greater authority.bAycdP7
3uljThat was the fate of those so-called flowers of the Empire.7nOPW
mRmInnocence was a luxury an imperial princess could not afford.dSuO
beKF2vo‘The sister who died because of you.’4thF8Y
XtR8OAnd you dare.vEv
JrJYou dare speak her name with that filthy mouth!IGJp3D
6dXOX6She repeatedly suppressed the urge to scream hysterically.3xadBU
yBcYGEven if no one was watching her, there were still ears that could hear.BW41
FEIjXKWhat existed beneath that mask of purity could never be discovered by anyone.uB9nT
MN9‘This is the only weapon I possess.’vgN
YBZJ1fShe had promised herself that she would wear the mask every man wanted to see.8MPzc
MPw3And by using that mask, she would turn them into her tools.T76w
htD‘But that wasn’t enough.’yPd7O
LF7Manipulating men still meant ultimately depending on men.tHj
KPr8IRhShe wanted to spread her wings and truly fly free.MLV
2iKyWAnd she had found only one way out.UiEXO8i
JmVQuK‘To become a saint.’q1v
LjhXRTo become an absolute devotee of Alte and reach a position comparable to that of the Pope.pg0
eWsThat was the only means of challenging the curse known as blood.Rs7Ex
A0BGgLThe reason she could even entertain that possibility was because Olivia possessed divine power.4ZOwrAz
FYSZRdAccording to the version known by the public, she had understood Alte’s teachings, attained enlightenment, and awakened her sanctity.Z2H7
NQ2hXqnBut, as always, the story was embellished.r6vdQGA
cxwwyQIn reality, Olivia’s awakening was born from a tragedy.ilq
JSCCrxfOn the day she witnessed Stella’s death, she felt something turning deep within her chest.4Llnotp
vu4nAt the time, she was too innocent to understand it.2adO
Y6uylBut as she grew older, she managed to conceptualize it.ohzf4xs
LOzErDAA Red Circle was revolving within her.XVION
X0mJLa‘To reach the rank of saint, one must attain at least the Fifth Enlightenment.’VPD
PQ0In terms of mages, it was equivalent to reaching the 5th Circle.U0hb
e7oL70Olivia was currently at the Third Enlightenment.UJvdT
H9nINBarely at the level of an itinerant preacher capable of using light magic and simple healing spells.qcGTRL
5mUDWFVShe could not attain enlightenment on her own.MAy
I5fShe needed someone’s help.3IZqup
CMBZThe religious leader was useless.1xiI
YyHyAfter all, he was still an ally of the Emperor.3Nypl0
IUCN5That was why she needed the help of the Holy Emperor of the Holy Nation of Odograsa.2ky4x
2WuPLkHe was a true saint who had shattered her prejudice that all men were the same.zdg
QEaOlivia sought his guidance.8U2ex
WdCsNn3And this was his answer.FXWBg
DIgc0p5“The fact that a god dwells within you does not mean remaining only inside a cathedral. You must feel and accept that He is always watching you and standing behind you.”Fza
wJrrUpon hearing that, Olivia thought.BCWpGR0
gus‘There’s an entire carriage full of people like that around me. Are all of them gods?’A99kElA
Z3WqvfWell, yes.53k1f
JsJIdiots.hb5G
dUwG9That sarcastic thought made it even harder to accept the existence of a god.dfJFBZP
jTZSo she cautiously asked for a more detailed explanation.zMLe
T7XoDqzAnd the Holy Emperor replied.fdlHV
6b8“It is not difficult because you must believe in God. Try to love God, Princess. Then you will also hear His call.”czkgfq
INqHe said that such love was born from following the precepts.QYSh
NI36FlREven after swearing vengeance against her relatives and dedicating years of her life to following Alte’s commandments, her mana circuit showed not the slightest reaction.X5E7J
ebyZtThe divine call never came.tbtSx
olQssNaturally.nuVhbxs
JSMBecause that could not be called love.NVW
xdX6s5‘Love…’dwM
1URrTWhat exactly was love?sjTAzGo
bP5SThey said that if you loved, it would come.J58NeI
yBr21But she did not understand that feeling.cWW7pT
OcZy4MwThey said it could be seen in a person’s gaze.mIjb2O
UXjYet every gaze directed toward her always passed over her chest first.Zj8qkg
wcEvHwEven the supposed leader of the Church of Alte was no different.6DDUXq
yX6uZAlthough, after receiving so many looks like that, she had briefly wondered whether “loving with the heart” literally meant loving breasts.hMw
5qt2‘Love is nothing more than a tumor created by sexual desire.’VJOH
z3L40Every man carried one inside him.LkS1
IiMrEAnd all that accumulated within her was disgust.PWb83y
WlZq4She believed she would never understand love.mtr2
YKBAPJHowever, recently even that belief had begun to waver.arb
Z8yzYB7‘Perda Valdrova.’W9991lN
LuhHis image suddenly appeared in her mind.seFF
7YQUHis tall stature.YfD0i
C2auQiyHis gray hair.zFn
3pCHis deep blue eyes like a lake.jvj
PqP8His pessimistic expression and determined behavior.6EV6I2
Sjr‘Although part of that is due to the power he possesses…’HYHVeI
bCs6He had the ability to get things done.zRmH
bygThe people around him were exceptional.cIb6h
jXnRwJlAnd he enjoyed prestige.OD0gkTE
sYBvAs the perception spread that the Far East was relatively safe, even young people from the Empire began traveling there to work.CMdPo
f8fZWThat was not something that could be achieved through authority alone.cS8HMNZ
MBT77T‘And above all…’bfNP5
gfjA1VShe had never seen desire in his eyes.NCJQOEh
V4XAt first, it made her curious.7dNxe
mAWNGyShe wanted to know how long he could maintain that attitude.klpVGU
tZlcx35She had done things capable of making even married men or knights devoted to their principles waver.UNAkhUO
LojLXIvBut Perda’s heart remained completely unmoved.mLpLiU
ZP3AAnd that irritated her.bAAby
U1cisDIt made her feel as though she was the only fool for believing all men were the same.hiI
6GeOjrNo.pWL
XX69EShe truly was a fool.aR0t
LD5m62Perda was working to turn the Far East into a second capital.2KMud
67PU8And the only one incapable of fulfilling her promise to become a saint and help him was herself.2vi394
PWP‘Then how am I any different from those young noblewomen who live in a world of romantic fantasies?’KpeIxf
9W7eHmYThat was intolerable to Olivia.MhWD8v
vbepSShe remained motionless.aPVX7
D7XH0sYShe was of no help to him.8rYkh
nlqvzShe was barely a collaborator who was supposed to stand on the same level as him.Mmn2K40
uxdHAnd yet he continued moving forward while she remained behind.1DZV
euE‘In the end, all men are the same.’cVp
MJjQWrAt least in one respect.Lo5
ycxl2They always found a way to irritate her.aUUbJ7I
xezeteThe accumulated frustration felt as though it were drilling through her skull.Cfu
jM6She tried distracting herself by looking out the window.shp
kmlglThe blue sky.HAeUrew
OYzThe barren winter landscape.yQ2
rTeHIPNAs her gaze wandered without focusing on anything in particular, a small point clearly caught her attention.ebif
3Hj7J6“Stop.”pkJk4Is
bdb1DwThe carriage halted at her command.X0Bf
SUlTrpShe got out to take a closer look.FiM
K9sPerhaps she had been mistaken.tno
KxPBY8But after observing carefully, she realized it was no mistake.lHL3
R8SoGz‘That man…’yb21
6KHzfllIt was Perda Valdrova.U2SP8u
ITNc1BAnd the person standing beside him was probably Valdrova’s maid.YDm9Q7I
tHHzyK‘What is he doing in a place like this?’zRzcHFd
bYgRK5VShe mentally reviewed the map.yI7
ns3The Rosnova Estate was nearby.RZltw9
EeCHad he visited his birthplace and ended up sitting there?fbRz
0unXUGShe considered approaching to greet him.fSUn1ez
u21SoEBut her steps stopped before she moved forward.neihY2R
LwbflWhen she looked at him again, she noticed that Perda seemed extraordinarily dejected.KavK
tregcIt was a completely different image from the man who always stood straight-backed with a cold expression.W16
d51‘A weak image…’6fWR7
HqkjSHFOlivia hated that.66Gzxd
ADwIh5To her, showing wounds was the same as showing weaknesses.Gm8HM
n3HIn the world of nobility, a weakness was like a piece of bleeding meat.xq6SwsR
5yQdYThe nobles, like piranhas, would immediately swarm toward it.0mFVN
QMZHSomeone who could not bear the weight of nobility was of no use to her.7t02
C1i“…What a pity.”lEb
X1ZSqOlivia was surprised even by her own words.YdU
2D5hHad she just said she felt pity?Y5B3gu
fjh2j8IWas she really sympathizing with that man?Qfv
SJhFor a moment, she thought she had to be mistaken.C9i
scEBut instead of feeling contempt and letting out a sigh of frustration, her chest hurt.5Oqv
0hR341w‘Why?’t4R
yWv6hOlivia examined that unfamiliar feeling over and over, trying to understand it.hcTnm
dc7PGjWhat exactly was she expecting from that man?i5La
Q1JcQThe thought frightened even her.EdvA8
Es5JKwuAnd yet, she did not let go of that feeling.tbI
QtxWithout realizing it, she placed both hands over her chest and clasped them together.q3bjeRB
h6N9vHer gaze remained fixed on him, carried away by her emotions.agA
j5lfssqShe wanted to lick away the tears he shed.Gzc
6v7wegkShe wanted to taste his sorrow.QTUsGQU
wiWFEMThat feeling continued growing and growing.JBMx4GG
OomEventually, the two hands resting on her chest ended up folded over one another.XMXsQz8
oln6yeAs if she were praying.Y4kZ3
TBHIUE‘If I…’Zi7Yl
betHgDFor the first time in her life, Olivia felt something like this.ZJb3mOY
dzpgGN‘If I could become that man’s support…’v65XTZo
YRq2dIt was not contempt for weakness.3X6E
MoQIt was compassion.8FKDbza
PBJ9And then—ODuF
FCMs“Ah.”NdeY
LR2vR6nShe began to feel a strange sensation within her body.3ledgUT
TGOfThe very thing that had been the main reason she had never been able to become a saint.toV
R2O2The thing that no longer reacted no matter how many times she deceived herself into calling herself a fervent devotee.bfpU6cS
SHVFMMIt was moving.kl2
IyFhGWithout a doubt, this was the love for a god that the Holy Emperor had spoken of.Mrq8Gkx
XzJEcuGAnd then she understood.ca2o
RNz‘Perda…’dQYzmF
0ArrpW8That he was the very god she was meant to shelter within her heart.ETCw
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationShe’s starting to have feelings for perda but my bro doesn’t have feeling for her
H0RR1BL3CPU
MortalI genuinely pray that this story stays on the one true love route.
Fernando
Qi RefinementI sense the birth of a yandere