Chapter 109: Sanctuary

Lady Catherine felt as if she had experienced a distant yet sweet Dream.

In the Dream, she was like a small boat in a tsunami, tossed and turned, with wave after wave crashing down upon her.

Helpless, she could only cling tightly to the little boat, feeling neither able to rise nor sink, a sense of discomfort overwhelming her.

Later, she felt herself atop the clouds, an exhilarating pleasure and inexplicable fear mixing together, sending her to the peak again and again.

As the Dream continued, the sensations became no longer illusory, but real and tangible. She became both a captain riding the waves and a knight conquering a steed.

Finally, she looked down and saw Roman’s beautiful face, the white flower on his right eye drenched and glistening, unhealthy blush and sweat from intense exertion covering his face.

Lady Catherine assumed she was dreaming, so she indulged even more freely in her actions, savoring the fusion of spirit and flesh within her.

For a moment, she even thought that if this beautiful Dream could become reality, she would have no regrets even in death.

After all, in a Dream, there was no need to worry about shame, ethics, or even the other person’s feelings.

Lady Catherine did everything she wished.

At last, she awakened as the beautiful Dream ended.

Opening her eyes, she first stared blankly at the uneven stone surface, then glanced around to find the air filled with moist steam.

She was sitting naked, leaning against the stone in the Hot Spring.

What is this…

She propped herself up on the stone, trying to stand, but as soon as she was halfway up, her legs gave out and she plopped back into the water.

With a splash, Lady Catherine frowned and rubbed her sore backside, then timidly touched the area between her legs.

While soothing her body’s pain, Catherine pressed her hand to her forehead, struggling to recall what had happened today, but her mind was completely blank.

She could only search for clues in her surroundings.

If she remembered correctly, this was the Mineral Vein they had discovered before.

The Hot Spring she was soaking in was found along with the Mineral Vein and could purify a Transcendent’s magic power, increasing its purity.

Tonight, she had brought Roman here.

Roman.

Thinking of the Dream she’d just had, Lady Catherine was suddenly gripped by fear.

No way…

By habit, she let magic flow through her body, but Lady Catherine suddenly froze.

The magic flowed more smoothly than ever before; the last time she’d felt this way was years ago, before she was plagued by the Curse.

Almost trembling, she directed magic to her heart.

It was obvious.

That persistent Curse, which gnawed at her day and night like a nightmare, slowly driving her to despair and resignation, had truly been completely eradicated.

Not only that…

As the magic coursed through her body, the lingering soreness and weakness faded.

Lady Catherine stood up from the Hot Spring, her wet body glistening.

‘Starry Sky’

She called upon the name of her Sacred Seal, and her ocean-blue eyes instantly turned deep and mysterious, like the Starry Sky itself.

At the same time, the night sky above her grew more enchanting, countless stars adorning the flawless moon and channeling magic toward Lady Catherine.

Her wet hair instantly crystallized, water droplets solidifying, and the flowing darkness gradually transformed from the roots into the Starry Sky’s deep blue.

Her skin changed as well.

Under the smooth surface, veins began to shimmer, and her once-fair complexion took on the Starry Sky’s hue.

Now, standing naked, she radiated a divine beauty.

Slowly opening her eyes, Lady Catherine looked down at her hands and the two blue peaks on her chest. Emotions swirled within her heart.

She had finally crossed into the Sanctuary.

The Curse that tormented her for years and the Wish she had longed for had both ended tonight.

At the moment of transcendence, Lady Catherine did not feel as joyful as she had imagined, but instead was filled with deep emotion.

To connect with the Starry Sky, to unite and become one, was the final form of the Holy Sigil of Starry Sky.

Previously, she could only maintain this state for about ten seconds, and only at night.

The only visible change had been in her eyes.

But now, her state felt natural, limitless.

As long as it was night, this power could continue without end, and her entire body had transformed.

Her body had become the deep blue of the Starry Sky.

Lady Catherine touched her chest, her abdomen, and the dark forest below.

The more she looked, the more she marveled.

She did not find it frightening; rather, the strange beauty felt fresh and intriguing.

So, where was Roman?

Lady Catherine was now certain that the changes she had experienced tonight were all brought about by Roman.

Why?

Because as her magic passed through her lower abdomen, she distinctly felt a lingering warmth that did not belong to her.

There was no doubt—the viscous fluid left inside her was Roman’s.

The pure life force, combined with the inexplicable disappearance of the Curse, made the connection clear.

This life force was even dangerously potent; had she not detected it in time and absorbed it with magic, it might have already begun to take root.

She even still felt some dampness below.

That child, to do this on his first time…

Wait!

So—did that mean everything that just happened wasn’t just a Dream?

Clutching her cheeks, Lady Catherine felt her face burning, so hot that even her Starry Sky state could not hide the flush. Shyness overwhelmed her.

Had she truly given her first night to that child?

The Dream she’d had wasn’t just her imagination.

The sense of breaking ethical boundaries left Lady Catherine conflicted, feeling joyful one moment and uneasy the next.

Yet, no matter what, she had to meet Roman face to face.

Whether to thank him or to end things, she could not let the child bear the consequences of this alone.

Lady Catherine assumed Roman had fled in embarrassment after what had happened, so a sense of responsibility welled up within her, urging her to find Roman and take all the blame upon herself.

In her Starry Sky state, Lady Catherine could use the star map to quickly locate anyone she sought. She closed her eyes to sense.

First, she needed Roman’s presence as a guide…

Suppressing her embarrassment, Lady Catherine silently reached down.