Chapter 105:Strain

After safely escorting Rudella home, Yohan was now on his knees, condemned as a traitor.  

Under normal circumstances, Francia would have stopped him, but right now, she wasn’t in the mood for that.  

Letting out a deep sigh, Francia looked down at him.  

“…I know this isn’t your fault, Yohan.”  

“….”  

Yohan simply pressed his lips together and listened to what she had to say.  

“You couldn’t help it, could you? If a beauty like Miss Rudella asked, how could you refuse? No matter how much self-control you have, in that moment, you had no choice but to give in. Just like on our first night.”  

Francia had no intention of truly blaming Yohan. In the end, this was just a matter of timing and luck. Had things been different, it could have been her who conceived a child on their first night.  

“I won’t be angry, but promise me one thing.”  

“What is it?”  

Yohan tilted his head slightly. Right now, he was prepared to grant her any request.  

“We used to do it three times a week—let’s make it six.”  

“…Pardon?”  

Six times a week?  

Yohan blinked, wondering if he had misheard. But Francia’s eyes didn’t waver in the slightest. She was completely serious—no hint of playfulness.  

“I’d like to have a child right away, but that’s not possible. I still have my government service to complete, and if both Miss Rudella and I got pregnant at the same time, it’d be difficult for you as well. But in exchange, I’ll make sure I receive just as much of your love.”  

Her voice was firm.  

This time, she wouldn’t back down.  

“Six times…”  

Yohan didn’t show it, but he was troubled. Francia usually needed at least three times a week to be satisfied, and now she wanted six?  

Even a man with monstrous stamina wouldn’t survive.  

“Is that a problem? You always said I was your number one. But now, you can’t even grant me this? Did you favor Miss Rudella so much that you let her conceive first? Is that it?”  

Francia’s gaze grew cold.  

“This time, I’m not giving in.”  

Yohan had no choice but to accept. Even if it became physically demanding, he would have to endure it. Francia was truly upset this time.  

“Understood. Six times a week. Even if you ask me to stop, I won’t.”  

Satisfied with his answer, Francia smiled.  

“Well then, starting tonight.”  

Swish.  

She slowly slipped off her outer garment.  

“Don’t think too much tonight.”  

Expecting to be fine after doing that—well, that would mean having no conscience.  

It was like having his energy drained.  

“…Are you taking care of your nutrition properly?”  

Elena asked in a worried voice.  

“I am.”  

Yohan shrugged lightly. He had been consistently consuming the elixir given by Duke Pervache and the nutritious meals prepared by Francia.  

Of course, aside from the elixir, everything else was food that was good for stamina.  

“I think you need to take even better care of yourself…”  

Elena’s gaze held a hint of pity.  

Yohan blinked, momentarily silent, then cautiously asked,  

“…Is it that serious?”  

“Yes.”  

Elena responded without a moment’s hesitation, her voice firm.  

“For one, the dark circles under your eyes make you look sleep-deprived. And you seem to have lost some weight, making your face look harsher.”  

Frowning slightly, she examined Yohan’s face closely before continuing.  

“Of course, even your exhausted appearance has a certain charm that tugs at a lady’s heart, but it’s also a sign of poor health. I think you should be more mindful of it. If you don’t mind, shall I look into some tonics for you?”  

She fired off her words like a rapid-fire spell, finishing with a question.  

Yohan blinked in a daze.  

‘We haven’t known each other for that long, have we…?’  

“This is a little overwhelming.”  

“…That won’t be necessary. I’ve just had a lot to do lately, that’s all.”  

“Is that so?”  

“Yes. So, let’s get to the main point. Has any news arrived?”  

Elena nodded and lifted the stack of documents she had been holding.  

“There have been more applicants.”  

“Again?”  

Yohan’s brows furrowed diagonally.  

They were already sorting through the first batch of applicants, and now even more were coming in?  

Elena chuckled softly.  

“Yes. Right now, among knights and mages, the Purification Division is incredibly popular. After all, Duke Rahardt is here.”  

The rumors surrounding Duke Rahardt were as follows:  

One of the strongest warriors on the continent, a rising star who killed Grand Swordmaster Duke Aegis.  

A genius mage who reached transcendence in less than a year while also possessing the ability to close magic dungeons.  

It was only natural for him to be popular.  

Even though the job involved going into the heart of magic dungeons, being with someone of his caliber meant their survival was practically guaranteed.  

Moreover, working alongside the most highly honored individual in the Empire to close dungeons was an opportunity of great prestige.  

“I’ll leave these here.”  

“…Alright.”  

As Yohan nodded, Elena placed the neatly organized documents on his desk. The piles of application forms were already stacking up high.  

“Oh, and a letter has arrived from the Imperial Court.”  

“A letter?”  

“Yes. Here, take a look.”  

Elena handed him a letter tied with a golden ribbon.  

Yohan took it and unfolded it.  

“Hmm…”  

His eyes scanned the contents.  

“…The Holy Kingdom is offering assistance?”  

His expression tensed slightly.  

‘Doesn’t the Holy Kingdom dislike the Empire?’  

While the Empire also practiced religion, they followed a different god, and the political conflicts between them had been frequent. Their relationship had never been good.  

And yet, they were offering to help first?  

“The Pope personally sent his opinion. They’re planning to dispatch the Saintess, along with a unit of Holy Knights and priests.”  

They were even sending the Saintess, the very center of the Holy Kingdom?  

“How did the Imperial Court respond?”  

“They haven’t sent a reply yet.”  

“Are you planning to hear my opinion first?”  

“Yes.”  

Yohan nodded.  

‘This is quite suspicious…’  

The reason the Holy Kingdom had reached out directly to offer help was most likely simple—they wanted to assist in reclaiming the magic dungeons. After all, their nation was built on the foundation of “divinity.”  

There probably wasn’t any hidden agenda.  

They were just trying to use the Empire.  

“Tell them we accept.”  

Of course, that wasn’t a reason to refuse.  

Even if the Holy Knights weren’t necessary, the opportunity to receive help from the Holy Kingdom’s priests, who could use healing magic, and the Saintess herself was rare.  

Since they were heading into the heart of the magic dungeons, the more people helping, the better.  

“Yes. I’ll send the letter immediately.”  

Click.  

Elena left the office.  

Yohan tapped his fingers on the table as he gazed out the window.  

‘I don’t think this will cause any major issues… but it’s still concerning.’  

Truthfully, Yohan had been trying to avoid getting involved with the Holy Kingdom as much as possible.  

That place was home to the Archbishop, who had an unhealthy obsession with Francia.  

Even though his presence had already changed many things, Francia’s natural constitution remained the same.  

There was a chance that the Archbishop or even the Tower Master might take an interest in her.  

‘Well, it probably won’t matter.’  

Since the Saintess was leading the delegation, only the Holy Knight Commander would accompany her.  

The Archbishop wouldn’t come. That was reassuring.  

Besides, he wasn’t the one heading there personally.  

Of course, this could be an overly optimistic assumption.  

One could never predict how things would unfold.  

However, Yohan now had the power to handle whatever came his way.  

His strength had grown to the point where even the prestigious Rogino Imperial Family wouldn’t dare interfere with him.  

Even the Tower Master wouldn’t be an issue.  

‘Enough of that. I need to finish sorting these documents today. Let’s focus.’  

Shaking off unnecessary worries, Yohan immersed himself in his work.  

*        *       *

Holy Kingdom Pantheon  

The temple was filled with Saintess Arbella Saints and the expedition party formed around her.  

Perhaps because they were about to embark on a mission, the paladins and priests stood stiff, their eyes firm with determination.  

From the upper level of the temple, Cain Luhar asked.  

‘Are you looking forward to the expedition that much?’  

Before him, Saintess Arbella was offering a prayer, a serene smile gracing her lips.  

As Arbella slowly opened her closed eyes, her deep gaze met Cain’s. She smiled gently, as if bestowing a blessing upon him.  

‘Of course! To be able to meet the Holy One in person… How could this not be a glorious moment?’  

A rosy blush spread across Arbella’s cheeks. She touched her face with her fingertips, smiling. The excitement and anticipation in her eyes made her emotions clear.  

Cain smiled warmly.  

‘Haha, indeed. After all, you’re going to meet the partner ordained for you by Lady Freya.’  

‘That’s right…! Ah! Just thinking about the Holy One makes my heart race again…!’  

Overcome with rising heat, Arbella cupped her flushed cheeks with both delicate hands and lowered her head. Though she was revered as a saintess, at this moment, she was unmistakably just a young girl.  

Clearing her throat, Arbella adjusted her posture and changed the subject.  

‘By the way, I’m relieved that you’re coming with us, Archbishop Cain.’  

‘Haha. How could I not, when the Saintess herself is venturing into the heart of the demonic lands?’  

Cain chuckled warmly.  

Among the archbishops, he possessed the highest level of divine power. Naturally, the blessings he wielded and his personal combat prowess were exceptional.  

Even among the ranks of the paladin commanders and the pope, none could match him. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him the greatest archbishop in history.  

‘Besides, with our brothers and sisters crossing into the Empire, I can’t just stand by and do nothing.’  

Cain Luhar’s dark eyes sank deeply.  

Relations between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire were far from amicable. In truth, it was mostly the Holy Kingdom’s one-sided disdain, but as the hostility had persisted for so long, even the reason for it had lost significance.  

Yet, Cain Luhar had a clear and undeniable reason to hate the Empire. He had lost his parents in one of their wars and had become a refugee.  

By some stroke of luck, he had made it to the Holy Kingdom, where his latent talents blossomed, allowing him to rise to the rank of archbishop. But his hatred for the Empire remained.  

‘You’re worried about Lady Freya’s children, aren’t you? As expected, Archbishop Cain, you have such a kind heart!’  

‘Haha, you flatter me.’  

As Arbella’s eyes sparkled, Cain gave a sheepish laugh.  

While one reason for accompanying them was his distrust of the Empire, his true purpose remained hidden.  

‘…The Obsidian Saintess.’  

A master of healing magic, and someone possessing a purification ability so rare that even in the Holy Kingdom she was a rarity.  

A woman revered as a saintess even in the Empire, where religious power was weak.  

If the rumors were true…  

‘You might be able to save me, Obsidian Saintess. Because you must be a being sent by the divine.’  

Cain Luhar’s dark eyes deepened.  

It was time to finally bring an end to this hellish curse.