Chapter 56 Ah! My Goddess!
Chapter 56 Ah! My Goddess!
After some hesitation, the city guard commander finally let Iryoku go—not because he wanted to, but because he knew there wasn’t much he could do.
The crowd slowly dispersed, and the remaining Death Tree knights were taken into custody by the city guards. Soon, only Yumi and Iryoku remained, standing quietly in front of the nun and the children.
Christina, the nun, was still trembling as Iryoku stepped forward. Her wide eyes flicked nervously between him and the little ones huddled behind her.
“Are you alright?” Yumi asked softly, her voice calm and reassuring.
Now that they were up close, Iryoku and Yumi could see the nun more clearly beneath her hood. She was a young, pretty woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair and soft, gentle features. Her silver cloak, which fell just above her knees and revealed two overly thick, toned thighs, was far more revealing than one might expect from a nun—especially with the subtle glimpse of cleavage visible at her chest. The entire look was a striking contrast to the modest, conservative attire nuns typically wore back on Earth.
“Don’t be scared. We’re not bad people,” Iryoku added, his tone unexpectedly gentle as he offered a small smile to the children peeking out from behind the doorway.
“Wanna see something cool?”
He brought two fingers to his mouth and let out a sharp, loud whistle. Moments later, Rhogan came lumbering up the road with a low growl, stopping beside them.
“Check this out,” Iryoku grinned. “This is Rhogan, our rhino buddy. He’s friendly—come on, kids, don’t be shy!”
The children, who had been watching wide-eyed from the windows, suddenly burst out of the building, laughing excitedly as they rushed toward Rhogan. The massive creature let out a low, friendly growl as the children swarmed around him, petting his tough hide without a hint of fear.
Iryoku lifted one of the younger children—a boy with fluffy bear ears—and set him gently on Rhogan’s back.
“Up you go!”
“Wow! Me too!”
“I want a turn!”
“Let me ride him!”
The children shouted joyfully, swarming around the beast.
Christina finally took a deep breath and visibly relaxed. A warm smile touched her face as she gave a grateful bow.
“Thank you… for helping us. Would you like to come inside? We’d be honored to offer you dinner.”
Once inside, Iryoku and Yumi took in their surroundings. The chapel was larger than it had seemed from the outside, with rows of simple wooden benches and a high, arched ceiling that carried the echoes of their footsteps. At the front, above the altar, stood a large sculpture. It depicted the voluptuous figure of a winged woman with flowing hair, draped in a hooded cloak much like the one Christina wore. She floated gracefully, holding a glowing orb of light in both hands, as if offering it to the world below.
Iryoku stared at the statue seriously, his gaze lingering for a long moment.
“She’s really hot. Who is she?” he asked thoughtfully, his eyes still fixed on the sculpture.
Yumi, walking beside him, gave him a sharp nudge in the ribs. “Don’t be rude,” she muttered under her breath.
He shot her a look of exaggerated offense, as if he’d been falsely accused of a crime.
Christina, observing their banter, clasped her hands together. “Ah, are you interested in learning about the Love Goddess of Light and Beauty?”
“Love and Beauty, huh? I like that,” Iryoku muttered under his breath.
Yumi gave him another sharp nudge, this time with a bit more force.
But Christina didn’t seem offended. Instead, she approached the sculpture with reverence, her eyes soft as they rested on the figure.
“According to the writings of the first founder of this chapel, thousands of years ago, the Goddess Lux descended from the heavens and appeared before him. She saved him from certain death, then taught him her sacred ways as they traveled together—before finally ascending back to the skies,” Christina explained, her voice soft and full of reverence.
“Our Mother cherishes all children and creatures of this world,” she continued gently. “She is the one who brings happiness and light to us all.”
Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, Christina turned to face them, her eyes wide with conviction. “You were sent here by her.”
Without hesitation, she knelt before the statue, placing a hand over her heart. “Thank you, Mother… you who pierce the skies and purify evil,” she whispered reverently.
Iryoku, never one to miss an opportunity, stole a quick glance as her cloak lifted slightly.
As she prayed, a soft golden light began to radiate from her body, gradually filling the chapel with a warm, peaceful glow.
Yumi and Iryoku stood in stunned silence, unsure how to react. The air felt thick—not with fear, but with something sacred and unfamiliar. Neither of them had ever put much faith in gods, even back in their own world. And yet, in that quiet chapel, with the golden glow and Christina’s serene devotion, it was hard not to feel… something.
When Christina finally rose to her feet, Iryoku cleared his throat.
“Uh, Christina, was it?” he asked, scratching the back of his neck. “Maybe you can help us. We’re looking for some missing companions. We heard one of them might be near the Church of Light’s dominion, southwest of the kingdom. Do you know anything about that place?”
Christina turned to them, her expression growing more serious. “I’m sorry,” she said softly, “but we don’t share the same beliefs as them.”
She clasped her hands in front of her. “The Church of Light is divided into many denominations. Our sect follows the Goddess of Light and Beauty, who teaches forgiveness, righteousness, and purity. We believe firmly in compassion… and in the importance of all life, especially the harmony between different people.”
She paused, her voice dropping with concern. “But the other sects... they don’t all think the same way. Some worship a different kind of god of light, one that doesn’t share our values. They reject unity between races. In fact, some are even encouraged to attack or oppress those who are different. They believe in keeping the species separate… and in some cases, claim a divine right to control or ‘cleanse’ others.”
She looked at them sadly. “It’s not a place I would send anyone lightly.”
“Mm… maybe we should go and look for Sensei first,” Yumi said softly, concern in her voice as she glanced at Iryoku.
He shook his head, worried but certain. “Trust me—she can handle herself. We should focus on finding Reika first.”
Trying to lighten the mood, Christina offered a gentle smile. “Please, come with me, brother Iryoku, sister Yumi. We were just in the middle of dinner.”
They followed her into a cozy dining room filled with rustic wooden tables. The children were lined up quietly, each holding small plates. One of the older girls was carefully serving food to the others. Despite their situation, the children behaved with quiet discipline—no fighting, no complaints.
The little boy with bear ears, the one Iryoku had lifted earlier, walked over and shyly held out a plate. “You can have this, big brother.”
Iryoku’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the gesture. A string tugged at his heart—he nearly shed a tear. With a soft, muffled voice, he replied, “I’m okay, little one. You go ahead and eat. I already ate a whole cow before I came here.”
“Wow! I didn’t know anyone could eat that much! I hope I can eat a whole cow by myself one day too!” the boy said innocently, his eyes bright with wonder.
Yumi, on the verge of tearing up, stepped in and gently patted the boy’s head. “That was just a joke. He likes to joke around a lot,” she said with a warm smile.
Christina stepped closer to Iryoku and Yumi, her expression calm and full of quiet strength.
“Please, don’t worry about us,” she said gently. “The Goddess has never abandoned us. She always provides what we need. The late Father Lian… he used to be a famous mage. When he retired, he devoted himself to our faith and used his entire fortune to care for the orphans of this city.”
She glanced around at the children with a soft smile.
“Actually, many of the townspeople still donate food and supplies. They’re good people—just scared. Those Death Tree knights made everyone nervous.”
Christina clapped her hands gently. “Now children, let us pray before we eat.”
All the children bowed their heads, and together they recited, “Thank you, Mother Lux. Please forgive our wrongdoings and feed those who go without…”
Their voices were soft yet clear, filling the room with a tender warmth that washed over Iryoku and Yumi like a wave of pure innocence. Both couldn't help but feel their hearts melt at the display.
After the meal, and once the children had been ushered off to sleep, Christina returned to Iryoku and Yumi.
“You’re welcome to rest here tonight,” she said kindly. “You can use this room, if you’d like, brother and sister.”
“Sankyu,” Iryoku replied as they stepped inside. Just as they were about to close the door, Christina leaned in with a playful smile.
“Oh, and don’t worry if you wish to… engage in holy breeding. This room is far enough from ours, so you may do as you like.”
Yumi’s face turned bright red, her jaw dropping in embarrassment. “We—we wouldn’t dare do that here! In a church!” she stammered, flustered.
Christina, still smiling, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
“Don’t worry, sister. Our goddess Lux teaches us to multiply with love. So please... fulfill our Mother’s wishes.”
With that, she gently closed the door and walked away down the hall.
Already having removed his armor, Iryoku sat on the edge of the bed with a contented sigh, peeling off his shirt.
"Now this religion is starting to look better and better," he said with a smirk.
Yumi shot him an annoyed glare.
He leaned back slightly, folding his arms behind his head.
“A voluptuous, gorgeous goddess who preaches love and sex? That’s already great. If they also allowed a man to marry multiple wives—” he raised his voice slightly, making sure Yumi could hear, “—then it would be perfect.”
Suddenly, a muffled voice came from just outside the door.
“Actually, it is allowed… as long as all members agree, they can marry.”
“What the hell?!” Yumi blurted out, cursing in shock. “Sister Christina?! Why are you still there?!”
"Sorry!" Christina’s voice chirped cheerfully through the door.
"I just... wanted to hear what a holy breeding actually sounded like. I've never done it—or even heard it before. But more importantly—would you two consider joining our faith? I truly believe both of you would be wonderful at spreading the teachings of Lux."
Yumi covered her face in sheer embarrassment while Iryoku tried—and failed—not to laugh.
“Hahaha…!”
“Go away! There won’t be any sex tonight!” Yumi yelled toward the door, her face burning bright red.
There was no response—only the hurried sound of footsteps retreating down the hall.
Still suspicious, Yumi pressed her ear to the door… then froze.
She could hear soft, rapid breathing just beyond it.
Without hesitation, she yanked the door open.
There, kneeling on the floor with her hood finally fallen back, they could see her clearly—Christina, long, soft bunny ears drooping against the wood.
Her mouth hung slightly open, a thin trail of drool slipping from the corner. Her shoulders trembled, and her breathing came quick and shallow. Startled, she looked up at Yumi with wide, innocent eyes, her cheeks flushed a deep red—then her gaze shifted to Iryoku, lounging on the bed, his muscular upper body exposed, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.
“W-Would you… care for me to join?” Christina asked, her voice trembling.
Immediately, Yumi and Christina locked into a forceful struggle, grabbing each other's arms right in the middle of the doorway.
"Just go away! This isn’t how a nun should behave!" Yumi scolded, trying to shove her back.
"But Sister, I truly believe this experience could help deepen my understanding of the Goddess’s teachings!" Christina insisted, pushing back just as fiercely. More drool slipped from her mouth, her pupils dilated wide as she stared past Yumi—utterly fixated on Iryoku’s half-naked form sprawled lazily on the bed.
Grinning smugly, Iryoku casually slipped off his pants, leaving himself in just his underwear as he lounged there, completely at ease. His sharp, piercing gaze locked onto Christina, and with a slow, deliberate motion, he licked his lips.
The sight made Christina push harder, her strength fueled by pure, unholy determination.
How is she so strong?! Yumi thought, gritting her teeth as they remained locked in a stalemate. Even though Yumi was much shorter, she had always believed she was strong enough to overpower someone like Christina—but the bunny nun’s strength was surprisingly fierce.
Meanwhile, Iryoku simply watched the chaos unfold, thoroughly entertained. As the struggle dragged on, he caught a glimpse of Christina’s cloak lifting just enough to reveal a fluffy bunny tail peeking out from just above her round butt.
After a round of scolding, repeated refusals, and ultimately physically forcing Christina out and slamming the door shut, Yumi finally gave up.
Letting out a long, exhausted sigh, she peeled off her clothes and flopped onto the bed beside Iryoku.
He turned to her with a wide, mischievous grin.
“Don’t even think about it,” she warned sharply.
He just chuckled, pulled her into a warm hug, pressed a kiss against her cheek, and drifted off to sleep.
Later that night, Yumi stirred. She cracked her eyes open just in time to see the door quietly closing as Iryoku stepped back into the room. Still half-asleep, she mumbled something under her breath and rolled over, brushing it off as nothing.
But then, a moment later, it hit her.
She blinked, turned back, and looked beside her.
Iryoku was there—sleeping soundly, just as he had been before.
Her groggy, half-lidded eyes narrowed as she stared at him, trying to figure out if she’d just imagined it… or if he had really left and come back.
Deciding it could wait until morning, she sighed and flopped onto him, snuggling close as she drifted back to sleep.
Iryoku’s eye cracked open. He looked down at her for a moment—then closed it again, a wide grin slowly forming on his face.
The next morning, they prepared to leave and continue their journey. The children surrounded them, jumping up and down, shouting, “Just stay here with us!”
Yumi hesitated. A part of her truly wanted to help them more—but she knew they had to keep moving. They still needed to find Reika and Alessandra.
Christina approached them. Raising one hand into the air, a soft golden light shimmered to life in her palm as she spoke a quiet blessing.
“May Lux be with you,” she said, and the light gently wrapped around both Iryoku and Yumi like a warm breeze. “This is a gift from the Goddess, a token of gratitude for helping the children.”
“See you later, Brother and Sister,” Christina said, bowing deeply.
Yumi gave a shy nod in return, still feeling a little unsettled by Christina’s sudden shift—from overly curious and embarrassingly perverted the night before to devoutly holy and composed now.
She turned to Iryoku—only to catch him winking at Christina.
Christina’s cheeks flushed ever so slightly.
“Wait, you—” Yumi began, but before she could finish, Iryoku clicked his tongue, prompting Rhogan to charge forward.
The rhino’s heavy steps carried them swiftly out of the city, heading south through the forest that marked the border beyond the Kingdom of Uruk.
Yumi, still pouting, eventually let out a soft sigh. “I’m scared… What if the Death Tree knights come back and attack them again?”
Iryoku glanced at her and said calmly, “Don’t worry dear. I already took care of it.”
Back in the city jail, next to the barracks, the red armored commander sat hunched over his desk, trembling. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead as he muttered to himself, “Damn it… I thought being a stand-in commander would be easier.”
With the real commander and the city’s elite knights deployed to the front lines, the pressure had landed squarely on him.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the hall, followed by a sharp knock at the door.
“Commander! Something’s happened to the prisoners!”
Now inside the cell block, the commander stared in horror. The Death Tree knights—every last one—were dead. The room was a scene of slaughter. Bodies were mangled, limbs severed, and the unmistakable marks of torture were etched into their corpses.
The commander’s knees nearly buckled as he remembered the words that young man whispered during his unexpected visit in the middle of that night:
“Nobody messes with the children… or the nun.”
Meanwhile, deep within the forest, Yumi crossed her arms, pouting and shot Iryoku a sidelong glance.
“You don’t want to tell me what you did? Fine,” she huffed. “But that means you don’t get to be mad about what I did either.”
Iryoku just smirked.
And together, they disappeared into the trees, the sound of hoofbeats fading into the distance.
Back at the church, Christina was walking through the chapel, gently reciting teachings to the children gathered inside. Her voice echoed softly beneath the tall arches, weaving words of kindness and faith.
As she approached the statue of their goddess, she knelt in prayer. Just then, something caught her eye—a small bag resting quietly at the statue’s feet.
Curious, she picked it up and opened it. Her eyes widened.
It was full of gold coins.