Chapter 313: Parting

The day of departure finally arrived. Ansu came to the newly established Northern Church of Holy Light.

The cold wind of the snowy mountains howled past, swirling fine flakes of snow. Ansu looked up to see a cathedral built against the mountainside, its construction still being rushed to completion.

The thick walls were built from coarse rock. Though the exterior appeared simple and rustic, it stood like a fortress on precarious terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

On the open ground at the foot of the mountain, a large group of newly recruited followers of the Holy Light were practicing martial techniques.

Under the leadership of Jerry, Archbishop Paul’s attendant, the young clerics held heavy cruciform swords, their strikes clean and powerful. Their movements were vigorous and fierce, lacking the reserved temperament usually found in ordinary clergy.

Ansu stopped for a moment. This scene reminded him of his own battle mages who wielded maces.

A holy scripture in the left hand and a sword in the right—physical proselytizing, indeed...

Ansu looked toward Archbishop Paul, who had come to greet him, and teased with a smile, “What’s this? Are you training them like this because you plan to launch a holy war and fight your way all the return to the Royal Capital?”

Archbishop Paul shook his head with a chuckle but did not answer.

Ansu scanned the area. The number of newly joined clergy had increased several times over since their last meeting. It was clear that Paul’s missionary work in the North had been progressing smoothly.

“Archbishop Paul.” Ansu set aside his joking tone and spoke solemnly. “We are heading to the South. I’m leaving the North in your hands.”

“I am honored to serve the Chosen One,” Archbishop Paul nodded with a smile. “Go to the South with a peaceful mind and save the people trapped in suffering. We will guard the rear here in the North.”

“Thank you very much.” Ansu nodded.

As soon as he finished speaking, Jerry, who had been leading the training, stepped forward quickly and bowed.

“Father Paul, the followers have already mastered the basic sword techniques, and the special physical training is progressing steadily...”

“Still calling him Father Paul?” Ansu teased. “I think the old title sounds more natural.”

Jerry was taken aback for a moment before realizing his mistake. He quickly corrected himself, “Archbishop Paul! Yes, Archbishop Paul!”

Watching this, Ansu teased Paul again, “At this rate, should we start addressing you as Pope Paul in the future?”

“I believe the title of Pontiff would be more appropriate,” Paul explained calmly. “After all, the term ‘Pope’ leans more toward secular power and emphasizes rule. The latter emphasizes our role as ‘shepherds.’ Guiding thousands of lost believers to seek the source of the Holy Light and find peace and salvation for their souls is my ideal...”

Ansu curled his lip. This old geezer of the Holy Light had actually given this some serious thought.

He wasn't even pretending anymore...

Beside them, Jerry’s eyes were already red with emotion.

This usually taciturn and highly skilled follower had been with Paul since his demotion, traveling thousands of miles to this bitter, cold land in the North. Now, he had finally seen this day arrive...

“There is no need to be so emotional.” Paul glanced at him and spoke gently. “Everything I do has never been for secular power, but to practice our shared ideals and cause.”

Jerry nodded repeatedly, his expression filled with reverence.

Listening to this, Ansu thought that if anyone else had said it, it would have sounded hypocritical and hollow, but Archbishop Paul was truly serious.

Through their long association and his observations, Ansu had long seen through him. Archbishop Paul was indeed an extremely devout believer in the Holy Light.

It was just that the one he believed in was not the personified Goddess of Holy Light who sat high above, manipulating the world with divine decrees and conspiracies.

The New Church of Holy Light that Paul had established returned to a pure faith in the 'Light' itself, which was actually closer to the original teachings from when the church was first founded.

The two chatted for a while longer before Freya walked over quickly.

She first gave a polite nod to Archbishop Paul, and then her gaze fixed firmly on Ansu, her eyes rippling with emotion.

“Ansu...”

Ansu was wondering why she was a bit late, but as he looked closer, he realized the little Holy Maiden had specially dressed up today.

Even more eye-catching was that the hood she had worn since arriving in the North had finally been taken off, revealing her fuzzy pink cat ears, which twitched slightly in the cold mountain wind.

Noticing that Ansu’s gaze was fixed on her ears, Freya’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“Freya, why don't you see the Chosen One off?” Archbishop Paul smiled as he looked at the two, intentionally leaving the young couple some private space.

Freya nodded gently and gave a soft reply.

The theme of today was farewell. Ansu had stayed in the North for too long. Celia had been urging him to leave almost every day, and now everything that needed to be settled and entrusted to Archbishop Paul was finalized.

Finally, the day of parting had come.

The two walked side by side down the small path leading down the mountain. Freya gently took Ansu’s hand, and he immediately gripped it back tightly.

The mountain path wound along, flanked by pine forests covered in thin snow. The cold wind swept through the treetops with fine snow, making a soft rustling sound.

What should have been a warm farewell was instead filled with a heavy silence due to the sorrow of parting.

Freya stared ahead.

She had specifically chosen this path. It was narrow and secluded, leading to where the carriage team was waiting at the foot of the mountain, making the journey exceptionally long.

As she stepped through the snow, she suddenly hoped in her heart... that this road would never, ever end.

“By the way...” Ansu broke the silence first. His gaze fell on her twitching cat ears as he teased with a smile, “Why are you willing to show your ears today? I thought you were going to keep this image hidden forever.”

With Freya’s current strength, she could easily hide all her demihuman traits. She was never comfortable or fond of showing this side of herself to others.

But she knew he liked to see them, so today, she had specifically revealed them for him.

Freya’s cheeks turned even redder.

She gently squeezed his fingers and called out softly:

“Ansu...”

“Hmm?”

“If... if things go well, we’ll be able to see each other again soon, right?”

“Of course.” Ansu nodded, though he knew the road ahead would likely not be smooth.

“Right, where is the magitech communicator I gave you?” he suddenly asked.

Freya quickly took out the complex magitech device.

“I'm swapping it for this one.” Ansu took out a smaller and more refined magitech device and handed it to her. “It’s a new model designed by Professor Duncan. It has a wider communication range and is more stable. If you run into danger or something you can't handle yourself, don't force it. Contact me anytime.”

“Okay.” Freya took it, her fingertips gently stroking the cold metal. She looked up at him, her eyes full of tenderness.

She also gave him a serious instruction, word for word: “You too, Ansu. If you run into danger or something you can't handle, you're not allowed to show off! You must remember to tell me!”

Ansu chuckled and nodded. “Alright.”

The two stopped on the snowy road. Freya looked deep into his eyes, her voice soft but incredibly firm:

“Lord Ansu, I will always support you. I will forever be your most solid backer.”

“No matter what happens in the future, I will always, always, always follow you and stand by your side!”

Looking at the girl’s serious expression, Ansu felt an indescribable wave of emotion in his heart. The sorrow of parting became even more thick at this moment.

They continued forward, but after only a few steps, they could see the open ground at the foot of the mountain where the snow had already melted.

Why was this road so short...?

Freya’s nose crinkled, and the sadness she had been holding back all along could no longer be suppressed. Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

“Ansu... Lord Ansu, goodbye!” she choked out.

“Don't be so sad. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again.” Ansu smiled helplessly and reached out to wipe away her tears.

But no matter how he tried to comfort her, he couldn't make her smile again.

So Ansu’s mind turned, and he suddenly reached out both hands, forming the shape of wicked claws.

And then.

He precisely covered those two full, soft mounds on her chest, reached in, and gave them a hard, triumphant squeeze while she looked on with a blank expression.

“Mmph... ah!” Freya let out a soft cry, caught completely off guard. When she realized what had happened, her entire face turned beet red with shame and anger. “Lord Ansu, you! You... mm~”

“Actually, I’ve wanted to do that for a long time!” Ansu gave a vile and wicked smirk.

Having such a perfectly shaped little Holy Maiden swaying in front of him every day, his eyes were practically glued to her. Today, he had finally succeeded! He could finally give them a good squeeze!

Freya’s cheeks were so red they looked like they might drip blood, but she didn't push him away. Instead, she grabbed Ansu’s hand as he tried to withdraw it.

And gently pressed it back.

“Actually...” Freya lowered her head shyly, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. “Lord Ansu, you can grab them however you want... you didn't have to hold back for so long... and in the future, we can even...”

The tender atmosphere flowed between them like melting snow.

Ansu watched her quietly, his heart filled with nothing but softness.

After a long time.

Ansu finally withdrew his hand, glanced unnaturally at the secluded surroundings, and coughed awkwardly twice.

Freya also blushed, gently tidying her slightly disheveled clothes.

The two looked at each other and couldn't help but burst into laughter. The sadness of parting was instantly diluted by quite a bit.

“Then, I'm off.” Ansu rubbed the top of her head and spoke softly.

“Mhm... goodbye, Lord Ansu.” Freya nodded vigorously, forcing a smile.

Ansu turned around.

“Wait, Ansu!”

Ansu turned back, and before he could say anything, Freya rushed forward, threw her arms around him, and kissed him.

A deep and passionate kiss.

In Freya’s heart, this wasn't one of those illusory fragments from her prophetic dreams. This was the first time she had truly, physically taken the initiative to kiss him.

Goodbye.

...

The cult’s carriage had long since disappeared at the end of the mountain path, yet Freya remained there for a long time before returning to the church.

On the way back, she was absent-minded, as if her soul had been pulled out of her.

Lord Ansu was gone...

He had left her side. It might be a long time before she could see him again...

Archbishop Paul stood not far away, watching her lost and dejected state. He sighed softly, not having the heart to disturb her or ask questions.

But in the next second, Freya seemed to suddenly make a decision. She snapped her head up, her voice clear and bright:

“Archbishop Paul! Have you already defined the boundaries for the new parishes? As the Holy Maiden of the church, is there anything I can do to help?”

Archbishop Paul was taken aback for a moment before showing a gratified smile.

“Yes. We have currently centered ourselves around the Talin region, though we've only roughly outlined the initial parish boundaries. Our focus next is to expand west and north while avoiding the Empire's forces.”

“Those vast barbaric regions are occupied by uncivilized barbarians, martial demihuman tribes, and even remnants of the demon army. Especially within the demons' sphere of influence, snatching faith from their hands will be like taking food from a tiger’s mouth. It is destined to be extremely dangerous.”

A bright light reignited in Freya’s eyes, and she was suddenly full of energy.

“Mhm, good! Then we’ll certainly have plenty to keep us busy!”

...