Chapter 719: Wh-what exactly did you understand…?

Looking at Lyra’s lovely, dewy cheeks, the faint rosy flush spreading across her snow-white skin and the glimmer flowing through her watery sky-blue eyes like a reflected river of stars, even if Astrid had not been the one who initiated that series of intimate gestures, she could more or less guess what Lyra was referring to.

She meant how she had taken the initiative to sit on the pink-haired girl’s lap, pinched her cheeks, then leaned down and kissed her gently.

Such actions could reinforce Lyra’s perception of reality?

When Astrid did not immediately respond, the pink-haired girl in a blouse and short skirt blushed even more deeply. Her white-stockinged feet shifted lightly over the soft rug, tugging at the delicate fabric around her toes.

The hands supporting her lover instinctively tried to curl inward. Yet because they rested in a rather inappropriate place, the movement only made her more acutely aware of the softness rubbing against her palms. Smooth, finely woven black fabric spilled between her fingers, carrying the warm, lustrous sheen of polished jade.

Noticing Lyra’s movement, Astrid trembled faintly. Her eyes soon narrowed as she leaned close to the girl’s ear.

"If you touch me like that... it’ll tickle a little..."

Lyra was momentarily stunned. Then she felt the soft, fragrant body in her arms shift back and forth, causing their clothes to brush against each other. Amid the faint rustling of silk, she let out a quiet sound.

"Eh?"

Realizing why Astrid had begun moving, Lyra bit her lip. She could only maintain her present position, uncertain whether she should move or remain still.

"Anyway, it was... it was only an example!" Lyra’s face burned scarlet, watery light wavering in her blue eyes.

"I’m not certain whether my judgment is correct. I might not have enough points of reference, so it could just be my imagination."

"But at that time, I really did feel the influence on me weakening... Everything around me also seemed easier to perceive and much more vivid..."

Whether it was the warmth radiating from Astrid’s body, the cool floral fragrance lingering at the tip of her nose, the light from the bedside lamp scattered through silver hair, or the soft rug beneath her white-stockinged feet...

Everything seemed to have become more pronounced, making Lyra feel as though she were truly alive.

Astrid gazed at the foolish maid lowering her head in her arms, too embarrassed to look at her. Her glossy pink hair covered her ears and conveniently concealed the crimson flush on her cheeks, providing a symbolic shelter for the girl’s overwhelming shyness.

To put Lyra’s explanation simply, intimacy with Astrid, her lover, could effectively stabilize her anchor to the mortal world and prevent the perfected Holy Relic of Light from completely affecting her soul.

Given Astrid’s understanding of this steadfast little knight, Lyra would never have brought it up unless she was convinced it worked. Moreover, after thinking about it carefully, using such a method to alleviate the holy relic’s influence was not unreasonable. Back when Charlotte she had similarly used certain practical actions to help Astrid reinforce her existing perceptions during her advancement.

From a theoretical standpoint, if the holy relic gradually stripped away Lyra’s human emotions and preferences, causing her to become numb, then actions that heightened her senses and strengthened her recognition of herself could indeed alleviate the corresponding adverse effects to some extent.

At this very moment, as the person Lyra treasured most besides her parents, Imperial Regent and silver-haired succubus Astrid Calliste was undoubtedly the ideal candidate to help her preserve her sense of self.

Concern expressed through words, communication when their gazes met, even something as simple as holding hands or embracing, would all be excellent ways to ease the effects.

Of course, there was also the kiss they had just shared, as well as an even deeper collision of flesh and soul.

Judging by her emotional fluctuations and physical reactions, perhaps that sort of activity could greatly reinforce Lyra’s self-awareness?

"..."

After a brief silence, Astrid spoke softly.

"I understand, Lyra."

Lyra’s legs were covered by the black silk skirt of her lover sitting atop her. Her lashes trembled as she stammered,

"Astrid... Wh-what exactly did you understand...?"

It was such a strange matter. Wasn’t Astrid going to ask a few more questions, such as why Lyra needed to do those things?

Looking at Lyra’s lowered head, Astrid released the arm around her neck and gently swept aside the pink hair beside her earlobe, revealing the knight’s bright-red ear.

"I understand how I should treat Lyra from now on."

Her fingertips pinched the earlobe lightly. Astrid leaned down, brought her lips close, and slowly breathed out.

"I never realized my dear lady knight was so..."

"...insatiable."

Astrid pronounced the final word extremely softly, her voice carrying a bewitching smile. Coupled with the fragrant breaths falling against Lyra’s ear, it felt as though a cat’s paw had scratched lightly across her heart.

The battle was over. After discussing the relevant arrangements, personnel changes, and, most importantly, Lyra’s present condition, Astrid had intended to settle down and enjoy a proper rest.

Now, however, it seemed necessary to continue the spellcasting that had previously been interrupted.

Hearing Astrid’s words and being teased by those deeply seductive gestures, most of the strength immediately drained from Lyra’s body. Her tender, cherry-pink lips were no longer tightly closed, instead parting slightly.

"Pfft... Lyra looks so adorable right now..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Astrid initiated a kiss even more passionately than before. Blushing, Lyra had long since prepared herself to accept it.

They did not stop until both were short of breath.

Astrid’s fingers gently caressed the girl’s fair, smooth neck, gliding over her collarbone before traveling upward again. Just as Astrid’s fingertip touched Lyra’s lips, a soft, unhurried knock suddenly came from the door.

The heated atmosphere cooled slightly.

Interrupted yet again, Astrid knitted her fine brows. Her hand stopped moving, resting lightly beneath Lyra’s chin.

Twice in a single night.

Both interruptions had occurred just after they started, timed with uncanny precision.

Even the usually mild-tempered Lyra felt somewhat deflated after being toyed with twice in succession, a hint of grievance surfacing in her blue eyes.

Why did it always happen at this exact moment...?

The only thing Lyra could be thankful for was that the interruption had not come half an hour later. If someone had knocked when they were just about to reach the truly embarrassing part, that would have been genuine torment.

Fortunately, neither of them was the sort to neglect important matters for personal desire. Those emotions lasted only a moment. Knowing the head maid must have something to report if she was knocking at this hour, Astrid tidied her clothes, put her shoes back on, and swept behind her ear the silver hair that had fallen loose during their intimate movements.

"Come in, Elise."

Having received Astrid’s permission, Elise pushed open the door in her black-and-white maid dress. Carrying two cups of tea, the head maid entered the bedroom.

"My lady, this is tonight’s bedtime black tea. In addition, Saintess of Light Monica Angelis requests an audience."

Astrid raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Monica? What is she doing here at this hour?"

"My lady, she says she wishes to discuss the Holy Relic of Light, as well as certain considerations regarding the newly established Church of Light."

"Miss Monica also said that if Your Highness has already retired, she can speak with you tomorrow instead."

If this had been Astrid five years ago, Elise ordinarily would not have come to report such a matter in the middle of the night. Back then, once the Third Princess reached her sleeping hours, no one was allowed to disturb her. Not even if the sky itself came crashing down.

But now, the Regent had explicitly ordered her not to withhold important matters out of fear of disturbing her rest. Even if Astrid Calliste had fainted from overwork due to excessive state affairs, or was in the midst of an intimate affair with her little maid and already lying in bed, Elise was to report immediately.

"Where is she now?"

"My lady, she is in the church of the Church of Light."

The quarters where Astrid and Lyra were staying happened to be within the clergy’s residential area behind the church. It was less than a minute’s walk away.

"..."

"Have her come here," Astrid said.

Since Monica was already here, it would be inappropriate to leave an ally who had contributed so much during the war waiting. More importantly, Monica had said her visit concerned the Holy Relic of Light.

Perhaps she could help Lyra.

Elise nodded and spoke softly.

"I will send someone to inform her immediately and prepare another cup of tea for Miss Monica."

.....

Five minutes later, Monica, dressed entirely in the pure white attire of a saintess, arrived at the residence behind the church. Following a maid, she made her way to the room where Astrid was staying.

Standing outside the bedroom door, Monica, who had thoroughly bathed and changed, dismissed those around her and spoke softly toward the door.

"Your Highness Astrid, your faithful believer, Monica Angelis, requests an audience."

After a short wait, a cool female voice came from within.

"The door is unlocked. Please come in, Miss Monica."

"Yes, Your Highness Astrid."

Monica made one final inspection of her attire, from her headdress and ribbons to the hem of her robe and the silver metal high heels beneath her feet. She even smoothed every last wrinkle from the white thigh-high stockings on her legs, leaving not the slightest imperfection.

Only after ensuring she would meet the Lord’s incarnation in her best possible state did Monica push open the door and enter the bedroom.

The first thing she saw was an old prayer table illuminated by warm lamplight. The room faced south and contained few furnishings. East of the desk stood the bed, while a magical lamp fitted with a light-element crystal rested on the bedside table, casting the silhouettes of two people beside the bed.

Lyra, the Holy Light Knight who had fought so valiantly tonight, had removed her outer armor. She wore only a close-fitting white blouse and the pink-and-white short skirt beneath it. Her hands rested on her thighs, her knees pressed neatly together as she sat upright and obediently. With less of her usual determination and sharpness, she resembled a well-behaved girl from next door.

Beside her sat the silver-haired, red-eyed Imperial Regent.

Upon seeing her visitor, Astrid lowered the porcelain-white teacup from her lips and elegantly crossed her legs.

"What brings Miss Monica here so late at night?"

The physical heat within Astrid had gradually cooled during the brief wait. Her voice now held little fluctuation, sounding as casual as a conversation between friends.

As an outsider, Monica naturally could not detect even the slightest trace of the amorous atmosphere that had previously been brewing inside the room.

"My apologies for disturbing Your Highness Astrid and Miss Lyra."

With Astrid’s permission, Monica gently removed her silver high heels decorated with carved patterns. Leaving the entryway, she approached the two women.

"I have come to report to you both regarding the incorporation of the former Church of Light."

Earlier on the battlefield, Astrid had informed Monica of her intentions: after dealing with those who stubbornly resisted, they were to incorporate as many religious members capable of being persuaded as possible.

Monica had served as a saintess of the Church of Light for many years, so she naturally possessed a thorough understanding of the church’s internal composition. She knew fairly well who among them were foolish fanatics, who were apostates merely exploiting the Pope’s orders for personal gain, and who were believers capable of turning back from their mistaken path and leaving the darkness for the light.

The sheer degree of authority Astrid had delegated to her had greatly exceeded Monica’s expectations. Besides feeling the trust Astrid had placed in her, Monica became even more firmly convinced that Astrid Calliste, the Lord’s incarnation, possessed the same boundless heart as the Perfect Lord.

Do not employ those you doubt, and do not doubt those you employ.

Such was the transcendent vision and all-embracing magnanimity of the Lord’s incarnation.

If Astrid knew what Monica was thinking at this moment, she might have been unable to resist lamenting how strongly a person’s image could be altered by another’s perception.

Had Astrid chosen not to delegate authority to her and instead left the matter to the Imperial Expeditionary Army, Monica would probably have thought, "Her Highness Astrid acts with caution, and every action she takes is thoroughly considered. She possesses both unparalleled talent and profound wisdom. As expected of the destined one I have sworn to follow unto death."

Layer upon layer of idealization influenced and reinforced one another, resulting in a certain discrepancy between the Regent Monica saw and the real Astrid.

"How is it progressing?" Astrid asked.

Monica answered softly, "After the current Pope was detained by the Expeditionary Army, the bishops who followed him lost all hope of resistance. In the end, they remained behind, some willingly and others unwillingly."

"After bringing them under control, I followed Your Highness Astrid’s instructions and dispatched members of the congregation to reform their thinking. Knight Commander Kales is among them."

"Miss Lyra Beckett’s outstanding performance on the battlefield has already succeeded in shaking their beliefs."

The Lord was supposed to be invincible, the one and only supreme existence in the entire world. He was the paramount sovereign who created all things. How could He be so easily defeated by one of His own creations?

In today’s battle, Lyra had obtained the other half of the holy relic. With both sword and laurel upon her and six sacred, resplendent wings of light unfolding behind her, anyone who saw her standing beside the dimly glowing Hebrew would begin to wonder whether this silver-armored knight with pink hair, blue eyes, and extraordinary light-element affinity was the true recipient of the Lord’s will, the exalted one who carried out His righteous path.

"They will come to understand the sins they previously committed."

Monica knelt on the plush rug, her snow-white legs faintly visible beneath her stockings. She clasped her hands in front of her chest, assuming a prayerful pose.