Chapter 47: Back Again

“Of course not.”

Ella answered without hesitation.

“You know I’ve always been very disciplined in my life.”

Leah looked at her suspiciously.

“Then why are you so concerned about not letting them find out?”

“Zero is our companion. If she finds out about this kind of thing, it won’t be good for the team’s atmosphere.”

Ella explained with a straight face.

“Celes is always strict. If she knew about this, she’d definitely think we’re immoral…”

“Don’t say that word!”

Leah tried to cover her little mouth.

“This was just an accident!”

“An accident, an accident.”

Ella nodded repeatedly.

“As for Vina, that’s even more out of the question. If she found out, I can’t even imagine what would happen.”

Hearing this, the Saintess’ pretty face turned a little pale.

The little witch’s reputation preceded her—no one dared to imagine what terrifying consequences would follow if something like this landed in her hands.

These reasons were reasonable and perfectly valid. Leah thought it over carefully and let out a small hum.

She didn’t even know why she hummed.

After that, the two of them carefully searched the room and finally managed to find all the clothes they’d taken off.

“O Light, please grant us your warm Blessing. Every bit of cleanliness beneath the clear sky is your grace.”

A ray of Holy Light fell upon the two girls’ undergarments, and within a few minutes, they became clean and neat again.

After putting on their clothes and smelling the sunny scent on them, they both felt pure and spotless, as if nothing had happened the previous night.

Once Leah was dressed neatly, she went out the door. She was heading to the main hall of the sanctuary to confess to the Goddess of Light.

Ella took the opportunity to open the window and breathe in a few gulps of fresh air.

“Whew…”

Ah, the air—how fresh, how sweet. No annoying human technology, nothing to make her body go weak.

Lying by the doorway, she could still hear voices in the corridor—

“Saintess, you’re up so late today. I didn’t see you at all yesterday.”

“Mm, I had some things to take care of.”

“Did you rest well? They said you didn’t return to your room last night.”

“…I rested well, it’s fine. After I finished, I just slept there for convenience.”

Ella let out a quiet hum, thinking to herself, “Resting on me—how could that be bad?”

Thinking it over for a long time, last night couldn’t really be called a total disaster.

At least she’d established a connection with the team’s healer.

The one who’d always been lukewarm toward her—well, at least that was a breakthrough, wasn’t it?

Though the price was a bit steep, it didn’t matter.

The Demon King has a heart for the world.

For the sake of her goal, what’s a little sacrifice?

That’s right, that’s the logic—absolutely not just an excuse to comfort herself.

About half an hour later, Leah came back.

After praying in the sanctuary, she seemed to glow with radiance, holy and flawless.

But as Ella looked at her, she couldn’t help but recall last night’s scene.

So white, so big…

“About that problem on your body,” Leah suddenly spoke up.

Ella froze for a moment and blinked.

“The problem on my body… Forget it, it’s already like this.”

They’d already gone this far just researching a little.

If they kept going, who knew what would happen?

Yes, the Demon King was mainly worried about more accidents, definitely not afraid of losing again and being pinned underneath for more of that.

“Can’t just forget it!”

Leah pressed down on Ella’s delicate shoulder.

“If we give up now, then all those days before, and yesterday and last night, wouldn’t that all be wasted?”

The Saintess was ensnared by the sunk cost fallacy.

“But how are you going to continue? That method from yesterday can’t be used again.”

“I know, I’ll figure something out. I just haven’t thought of it yet—oh, right!”

Leah suddenly leaned in and sniffed Ella carefully.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Don’t move. I still remember the scent of yesterday’s incense. I’m checking if there’s anything similar on you. Also, I told you not to squeeze your words—speak properly.”

“……”

A few minutes later, Leah let go of Ella, her expression turning a bit odd.

“What is it?”

Am I all-natural herbal now?

“Now you have another scent on you—a Holy and radiant scent.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“It’s a good thing, of course it’s a good thing.”

Leah said slowly.

“The problem is solved.”

The original special fragrance was still there, but the Holy and radiant scent covered it up, making it pleasant to smell.

As for the special fragrance’s effect, she was immune anyway.

As long as it smelled nice now, that was enough.

But there was a small problem—the source of the Holy and radiant scent was the Saintess herself, and the duration was unknown, maybe only a few days.

If they wanted a refill later, maybe they’d have to get naked and hug again for another round?

“Since it’s solved, there’s no problem anymore, right?”

Ella gave her a sweet smile.

“Thank you, Leah.”

Don’t ask why there’s no honorifics—did she ever use any when calling me Ella?

Leah lowered her head and pinched her fingers, murmuring an “Mm.”

She didn’t mention the issue with the duration.

After all that effort, if it turned out to only last a few days, it would make the Saintess look so incompetent.

As for refills—she’d find a way when the time came!

***

After the “purification” was complete, Ella enjoyed a few peaceful days in the Church.

Every day, she was treated to delicious food and drinks, and could stroll around and look at everything.

As the Saintess, Leah naturally wasn’t there just to serve her; she was busy every day with her own affairs.

With time on her hands, Ella soon grew a little bored after seeing all the sights of the Chapel. When a person has nothing to do, their mind starts to wander.

It had been over two months since the forest ambush.

She wondered how the demons were doing now. With the Federation of Tribes as the main regime, and with her—the highest authority—gone, all the various tribes were probably getting restless again.

Who knew if there were more idiots like Feng Lie out there.

Those loyal subordinates of hers, the brothers who’d started the uprising together in the tavern—she’d given them quite a few people.

Even if they were ostracized, they’d be able to carve out a place for themselves.

Ella wasn’t worried about them, she just missed them a little, missed those days of high-spirited adventure.

If only she could go out and gather some news.

Fortunately, those days didn’t last long.

In just two days, the members of the Hero Squad returned.

The first to come back was Zero.

Rolls had taken her to their Homeland to handle her identity and registration, giving her a clean new life.

The past in the Silent Sanctuary couldn’t be erased, but at least it would silence some of the gossip.

Back in the Royal City, Zero’s first destination was the Cathedral of Light.

“Ella, Ella~ Look, I brought flowers~”

A very delicate Crystal Bottle, holding several unknown wildflowers.

There was even a water-drop-shaped rune engraved on the bottle.

“Mentor Luosi helped me find this bottle and used Engraving Magic to keep a bit of moisture inside, so the flowers will last longer.”

Ella took it and gave the assassin girl a sweet smile.

“Thank you~ Little Zero~”

Finally, someone she could squeeze a bit—how wonderful.

“Eh-heh.”

Zero, happy to be called so affectionately, suddenly sniffed the air and asked curiously:

“Ella, why do you smell a bit like sunshine? It’s a lot like Leah’s scent.”