Sacred Art of the Saintess..
“I-I mean, it’s not like that! I just need to perform a purification spell, and your clothes, u-um… b-because they might get
in the way!?”
Emilia’s voice was trembling as she stammered out the explanation.
Her cheeks flushed, and she couldn’t meet my eyes, her nervousness radiating off her in waves.
As I stood there, trying to process the absurdity of her request, my mind momentarily blanked.
I searched through my memories, trying to recall if there was ever any mention of a purification ritual that involved… stripping.
Nothing came to mind.
In the game, wasn’t it as simple as standing in the center of the circle and basking in the light for a few minutes?
I distinctly remembered Lucas going through this exact same ritual as well, and I definitely didn’t recall him having to take off his clothes.
Was this a different spell?
No, judging from the intricate designs carved into the glowing magic circle on the floor, it was clear she was preparing to use [Luminous Cleanse], the same sacred spell.
It was unmistakable.
A divine purification ritual, designed to cleanse darkness and evil from a person’s soul.
But even so, why would I need to remove my clothes?
I glanced at Emilia, her face still flushed with embarrassment, her eyes darting around the room as though she were second-guessing her own request.
Her uncertainty was certain.
She wasn’t even sure if this was necessary,
was she?
There was doubt in her expression. Was this the first time she was performing the
spell on someone?
No, that couldn’t be right.
As the Saintess of the Holy Church of Light,
she’d have performed this purification ritual countless times already, especially considering her role as a glorified inquisitor for the church.
She had probably conducted this spell
more than a hundred times, cleansing heretics or those touched by darkness.
“S-Senior, I know it sounds absurd, b-but
it’s for your own safety, so… uh, what I mean is that, um, please j-just don’t
question it for now….”
Emilia’s voice wavered, and she quickly
averted her gaze, her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she stumbled through her
explanation.
I couldn’t help but sigh, watching her cute
and flustered reaction.
She wasn’t exactly a master of deception—
her awkwardness made that clear.
There was no malice or ill intent behind
her words, just a genuine, albeit clumsy, concern for my well-being.
Knowing Emilia, her request might not even have any solid reasoning behind it. She was just the type to say things impulsively when she got nervous.
“Alright,” I said, suppressing a small smile
as I glanced at the glowing magic circle on the floor. “How much should I take off?”
Her eyes widened in shock, and she looked up at me, blinking rapidly. “Y-you’ll do it?”
I shrugged, giving her a reassuring nod. “Yeah. You don’t seem like the type to harm someone, junior, and you certainly don’t strike me as someone who’d take advantage of the situation.”
Emilia blinked, her mouth opening and
closing as if she were searching for the right words.
The blush on her cheeks deepened, and I
could tell she was flustered by how easily I’d agreed.
I continued, trying to put her at ease.
“Judging from the magic circle you’ve
placed here; it looks like you’re using some kind of divine magic. And I don’t think people of the clergy would use the power
of divinity to cause harm.”
“S-So
you realized I’m connected to the
church….”
I smiled lightly. “Well, it isn’t that hard to
put two and two together.”
Even if I didn’t have knowledge from the
game, distinguishing between mana, aura, and divinity was fairly simple.
Mana was loose and free-flowing, aura was
dense and oppressive, but divinity carried a different presence altogether—it felt warm, pure, and almost sacred, usually accompanied by a faint holy light.
The divine magic in the room, even now, had an unmistakable glow that set it apart from any other form of energy.
Emilia nodded, fidgeting with her fingers
nervously. “I-It’s true… I’m using a holy spell. A very powerful one… And the reason I asked to, um, take off your clothes is because…” she trailed off, her voice dropping to a whisper “I didn’t want the
you
mana inside you to interfere with the ritual’s effects, I-I won’t lie to you, Senior… the spell isn’t exactly in its 100 percent state right now,” she admitted, glancing nervously at the glowing magic circle. “But that doesn’t mean it’s incomplete. Its intended effects can still be achieved, if you get what I mean…”
I nodded, trying to put her at ease. “I see.”
Her
gaze flickered back to me, and I could see the anxiety in her eyes.
“B-But aren’t you going to question me, Senior?”
She was clearly worried.
I could tell she expected me to dig deeper,
maybe even to confront her about the hidden aspects of her identity. After all, it wasn’t every day someone used
divine magic in a private room, especially
when their background seemed so ordinary.
Her connection to the Holy Church was becoming harder to hide, and it was only a matter of time before I fully uncovered her true identity as well.
I mean a young woman clearly capable of
handling high level divine ritual magic with almost zero repercussions, in such a short amount of time, despite the fact that such high-level divine magic requires a couple
dozen paladins and priests to perform… it was clear as day of who she could possibly be in the holy see.
I sighed, not wanting to put her on the
spot.
“I won’t lie and say I’m not curious, but you must have your reasons for keeping certain things a secret.” I paused, watching her expression closely. “Like I said earlier, I don’t think you mean me any harm. Although I’m not well-versed in the holy arts, I can tell this spell you’re using is one of purification, and I don’t think you’d purify me without good reason. You must’ve noticed something within me earlier—something dark or dangerous enough to make a move like this. A curse,
perhaps?”
Her reaction was immediate-her
wide-open eyes showed genuine astonishment.
The embarrassment that had painted her
cheeks moments ago faded, replaced by a look of sheer disbelief.
The embarrassment that had painted her
cheeks moments ago faded, replaced by a look of sheer disbelief.
It was as if I had just hit the nail on the
head, much to her surprise. “Y-Yes…” she stammered, nodding, her
voice softer now, as though the admission was difficult for her.
“Were you perhaps aware that you were cursed, Senior?”
Emilia asked, her eyes wide with curiosity
as she studied my
reaction.
“Not exactly… but I could just tell?”
She laughed lightly, the sound brightening
the tension in the room.
“Fufu~ That’s exactly the same thing,
Senior.”
It was nice to see her mood lift, and the
warmth in her gaze made the air feel lighter.
She stepped closer, her expression turning earnest as she met my gaze.
“Hehe… I guess I can’t lie to you now, can I, Senior? Just as you’ve suspected, I’m a clergy member of the Holy Church of Light.
You might be wondering what my position is and who I truly am… but for your own
safety, can you please forget about this matter after everything is over?” worry, my lips are sealed,” “Then I’ll take your word for it, Senior…”
“Don’t
She walked closer, her eyes shimmering
faintly with divine energy, as if reflecting power that was about to envelop us.
the
“Just as you’ve deduced, I’m here to clear
the darkness lingering within you. You
but
might not feel its intended effects right you are cursed… extremely cursed, Senior. To the point that I can’t
now,
even fathom who could put such a wicked curse on you.’
“Do you
know what type
of curse it is?”
Emilia shook her head, her expression
grave.
“Unfortunately, no… Although I can tell it’s
a curse, any details beyond that remain a
mystery to me. In all honesty, I’m actually surprised you’re still alive, Senior. Right now, clashing within your very soul are two forces of darkness, both wanting to claim
||
the light within you…” you saying there are two curses within
“Are
me?”
“Yes and no. There are indeed two forces
of darkness, but one is merely an influence
while the other is the curse itself.”
“I see…”
Could these two forces be Liyana and
Erebil?
Erebil’s attempts to mark her influence within me through blessings made sense,
considering the power she wielded. It was entirely plausible that the lingering
darkness was a remnant of her intentions.
And as for the curse It’s pretty obvious it has something to do with Liyana…
Emilia stepped closer, her focus intensifying.
She placed a hand gently on my
chest, her
touch warm and reassuring, as if trying to establish a deeper connection.
“Let me see if I can sense anything more,’
Her fingers traced a path from my chest
down to my stomach, and I could feel the
energy humming between us. The light from the magic circle flickered
11
around us, casting ethereal shadows as she
concentrated.
“The darkness within you doesn’t seem to respond to my divinity, Senior,” Emilia explained, her voice steady but tinged with
urgency.
“Which means it isn’t parasitic in nature. That’s a relief, as parasitic curses tend to
reject purification rituals. Anyway, we should hurry and cleanse you now. Please stand at the center of the circle and…
p-please take off
will suffice…”
your clothes. Y-Your top
The words hung in the air, and I noticed
her cheeks flush a deep crimson as she
averted
her
gaze.
Nodding at her
request, I slowly
approached the center of the magic circle.
As I stepped onto the intricate design, I felt
the energy emanating from it start to seep
into
my
skin.
It was an oddly comforting sensation, one
that wrapped around me like a warm embrace.
Despite clearly being on the floor, I had the
strange feeling of floating, as if the circle
was lifting me off the ground, a gentle
warmth radiating through my entire body. Taking off the coat I was wearing, I tossed
it aside, glancing at Emilia for reassurance.
She nodded, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and embarrassment, giving me
the unspoken permission to proceed. I then began unbuttoning my shirt, each
button releasing a bit of tension that had been building inside the warmth in me.
As the fabric fell away, I could feel the light
within the circle intensifying, the glow
becoming almost blinding.
Suddenly, I noticed the light deepening and brightening in a way that felt heavy, as if a
weight
there.
settled on me that wasn’t really
It was a strange paradox-light and weightlessness all at once.
My heart thudded in my chest as I took off
the last of my shirt, exposing my torso to
the air.
When I looked at Emilia, I found her staring blankly at me, her expression a mixture of awe and shock.
“Enna,”
I called her name, my voice echoing slightly.
She didn’t seem to hear me at first, lost in
her own thoughts, her face as red as an
apple, a vivid contrast against the ethereal glow of the magic circle.
“Enna!”
I raised
my
noticing the
voice a little more urgently,
way
she squinted, scrambling
as if a child caught doing something
mischievous.
“Y-Yes, Senior!?” she stuttered, finally
acknowledging me, her
surprise.
eyes wide with
“What should I do next?”
“U-Uhm… stay there for now. I-I’m going
to activate the spell…” she replied, her
voice trembling slightly as she tried to
gather herself.
I nodded, remaining still as I watched her
intently.
Suddenly, she walked closer, her hand
raised as she concentrated, her brow
furrowing in
determination.
I could see the light within the circle
flickering, swirling with renewed intensity
as she focused her energy.
And as she did so, the vibrant glow returned to its normal hue, bathing us in a
gentle warmth that felt soothing against
the tension of the moment.
The oppressive weight I had felt earlier
lifted, replaced by a sense of calm.
“I-It seems the spell is activating properly,
Senior…” she stammered, her voice
regaining a touch of confidence. “We
should proceed to the second phase now…” “Second phase?” I asked, curiosity piqued. I distinctly recalled there being no mention
game.
of a second phase in the She nodded nervously, glancing up at me as if gauging my
reaction.
“Yes… but it’s a bit different from what you
might expect. I’ll need to enter the circle as
well.”
Before I could process her words fully, she
stepped into the circle, drawing closer
until we were just a few inches apart.
I could feel the warmth radiating from her,
a
comforting contrast to the intensity of the ritual surrounding us.
“I-I told you that the spell isn’t in a
hundred percent state right now, Senior…” gasped, her voice a mix of urgency
Emilia
and anxiety. Her hands found their way to
my chest, her touch surprisingly soft, but I
could feel them trembling slightly.
“T-That’s why… I have to directly intervene
with the flow of divinity inside you for
your
own
safety… Until the spell is done, I-I can’t let go of you.”
“Is that so?”
“Your body is so hard…”
“Did you say something?”
“N-Nothing a-anyways… Y-You have to hold onto me as well, Senior…”
“Why?”
“You need to release your mana onto me in
order for my divinity to have space inside
you…” she explained, her gaze steady yet vulnerable.
There was a sincerity in her eyes that made
me want to trust her, despite the
increasingly bizarre nature of the situation.
But….
Is that really necessary?
My mind raced with doubts, wondering if
this was truly the same spell I’d encountered in the game.
Still, considering all her reasoning and the
urgency in her tone, I found myself to trust her for now.
inclined
“Once I release my divinity within you, the
spell will work its magic, S-Senior, so time
it with me and release your mana inside me
as well,”
Emilia instructed, her voice
trembling with a mix of excitement and
nerves.
“Okay…”
“One, two, three, go…
Her countdown resonated through the charged atmosphere, and with that, light surged from her arms.
It expanded like a radiant wave, enveloping
me in warmth as I felt her energy gush over
me.
The magic circle brightened, filling the
room with a blinding luminescence that felt almost alive.
But since it was my first time transferring
mana directly to another person, I had no
idea how much to give.
“Is this enough?” I asked, trying to gauge
her
reaction.
“Ah-Ahng~… S-Senior, please be gentle!
Ah! Ngh~!”
“E-Enna…?” I stammered, confusion gripping me as her body flexed and
convulsed.
‘Why the hell is she moaning?’
She pressed her head against my chest,
arcing her body slightly as if struggling to maintain her balance.
“Hngh~! S-Senior, y-you’re being too rough~! P-please go a little more slowly! Ah~!” she gasped, the sound of her voice
twisting into something softer, more
intimate, the deep blush on her face along
with the slight tears on her eyes as she
looked at me didn’t help with the situation
at all….
Back outside Emilia’s door…
Anna and Amon exchanged nervous glances, their skin crawling with an
unsettling
sensation that neither of them
had ever experienced before.
The goosebumps on their arms were
almost painful, as though an invisible force
was
pressing down on them, suffocating
the air around them.
The two looked at each other in silent fear,
but before they could utter a word, a figure
appeared right at the center of the door.
A woman—or at least, something that
resembled one-stood there, cloaked
entirely in darkness.
The blackness wrapped around her like a
solid veil, concealing every detail of her
form except for a pair of vertical eyes
glowing eerily from within the shadows.
The creature exuded an energy
terrifying, so
so
suffocating, that it felt like a
cold hand had wrapped around their
throats,
second.
squeezing tighter with every
Neither Anna nor Amon could move.
They were frozen in place, as if their bodies no longer belonged to them.
Every instinct screamed at them to run,
flee from the overwhelming presence,
they couldn’t lift a finger.
to
but
It was as if the very air had turned to stone,
trapping them in place with no escape.
Their hearts hammered in their chests,
beating faster and faster as the oppressive
energy grew heavier.
It felt like they were standing at the edge of
an abyss, staring into the face of
annihilation itself.
The cold grip of fear tightened around
their hearts, and they both felt, with
sinking dread, that this was the end.
The entity before them emanated nothing
but destruction.
But then, something changed.
Despite the overwhelming threat, despite
the suffocating aura, Anna noticed that the
creature’s gaze wasn’t focused on them—it
was fixed firmly on the door, where Emilia,
the Saintess,
was.
A flicker of hope ignited in Anna’s chest.
If this thing was here for Emilia, then she
couldn’t afford to let it harm her…
Gritting her
teeth
and fighting against the
crippling fear, Anna tried to speak, her
voice barely a whisper.
“W-Who…?”
But before she could finish, the dark figure
vanished-gone as suddenly as it had
appeared.
The oppressive energy, the bone-chilling bloodlust, the suffocating darkness-all of
it disappeared in an instant.
All they saw was a flash of white, a bright
light that blinked out of existence as
quickly as it had come.
Huff…! Huff…!
Free from the paralyzing fear, the two
siblings collapsed to the floor, their chests
heaving as they gasped for air.
Sweat dripped from their brows, their
limbs trembling from the aftershocks of
terror.
The only thing left that might prove the
sudden creature’s existence was the
broken
the
red crystal of where it once stood,
very same red crystal that Anna
bought….
