Chapter 336

336 The First Step of Sultan Hassan #1

Why do men get something called ‘Sage Time’?

After the excitement subsides, men seem to be designed to think with incredible clarity, don’t they?

After receiving a beam of intense light in Delphi, I came out of my slight confusion and managed to regain a fairly clear mind.

The sage’s time that comes after several intense eruptions endowed me with thoughts clearer and more lucid than usual.

Considering all this with what I believe to be wiser than ever, I began to think: Perhaps, I’m somewhat of a lost cause.

Me and Elpride… it’s just inconceivable! It almost feels like the events of earlier were some kind of hallucination experienced during mana training.

But the slight soreness in my lower body tells me—this was definitely reality.

From now on, it seems that many complicated relationships are bound to become tangled. Why am I like this, always falling prey to women’s seductions?

Patience god Hassan and the god of chastity and purity Hassan are slowly fading from the list of potential deities for me, vanishing like dust.

What should I say to Luna and Hippolyte? Hippolyte, I’m not sure, but Luna will surely be angry.

Of course, hiding it will only worsen the situation.

My busy brain eventually reached a conclusion: confess the truth and hope for forgiveness while prostrating myself and groveling might be the best course of action.

It seems seeking forgiveness is easier than asking for permission.

In fact, thinking about it this way, I’m quite satisfied with this solution.

Though I may not become the god of patience or purity, I feel like I can at least become the god of wisdom during Sage Time.

I’m even scared of how wise I might become.

In front of me, Elpride was soundly asleep on freshly cleaned bed sheets.

The slender, snow-white legs extending under her negligee, the cool, firm thighs and knees unique to fairies, the thin calves and ankles, and the soft toes.

It felt like a dream that I could touch her so freely last night. A mere thought reawakens my excitement.

But I didn’t have time.

I had to meet Fleurs before lunch. If I miss the agreed time, that man won’t stamp the letter of recommendation.

Still, I had about an hour, so wouldn’t it be fine to touch her chest for a minute?

If I’m going to regret something, better to regret living than regret dying.

Slowly, I reached out toward Elpride’s chest as she slept.

On her side, beneath the soft silk negligee, lay a rather ample bosom.

Even during her days as a slave, when my arousal was hampered by Dusa’s curse, I’ve always been curious to touch this chest.

Slip… squish.

My hand connected with Elpride’s left breast. Through the thin silk fabric, it felt incredibly soft and warm. Hoping she wouldn’t wake up, I attempted to gently squeeze it.

Slip…

Just as I was about to, Elpride slowly opened her eyes while breathing evenly in her sleep.

“…”

I was genuinely surprised by the sight of her unexpected red eyes. The Fellowship of the Ring getting caught by Sauron’s eye must have felt like this.

As I froze like a mouse in front of a snake, Elpride surprisingly remained silent, maintaining a dazed expression.

It looked like she hadn’t fully come to her senses after waking up, as she often was disoriented upon waking.

Or maybe, having her foot so casually massaged by me before, touching her chest was no big deal?

Was it simply because of that or had our relationship evolved to the point where touching her chest was allowed?

Perhaps, when a man and woman make a marital commitment, it equals having the right to touch the chest anytime?

Just thinking that made the back of my neck tingle.

Carried away by the moment, I softly squeezed her breast with my palm and fingers, indulging in my selfish desires.

Crush…

Elpride’s previously dazed expression began to redden significantly, and her brows furrowed deeply. I was rather flustered.

This was what constituted Elpride’s “Middle Anger” stage.

If I were still a slave and I accidentally stepped on her foot, or if I slacked off when she gave orders, this was the degree of reaction she showed.

Should I continue, harsh words that don’t suit her delicate lips would surely come out.

Hiss… hiss…

Her breathing was getting faster, evidently loading up with insults.

At that point, I figured it was time to stop and pulled my hand away. Only then did I notice a prominent, firm n*pple protruding from her soft br*asts.

I lightly pinched it between my thumb and forefinger—

“Kya…”

A sound quite unlike the usual Elpride escaped her lips.

Her face turned bright red as though extremely flustered. She covered her chest with her hands and turned away, leaving me with a sense of regret.

At least the whip didn’t come flying towards me. Thank goodness I had tossed it far away while she was asleep.

She said with her back facing me.

“Do we really need to meet the baron before this afternoon?”

“Yes, I should go now.”

“Then, after getting the baron’s letter of recommendation, all we need is one more noble person, right? To build a shrine and become a deity.”

“That’s right.”

“Still, do we absolutely need to build a shrine? Living like this isn’t enough?”

It was just my impression but Elpride seemed dissatisfied with me becoming a deity. The reason remains unclear.

The one tucked under the blanket added:

“Then, watch out for elves.”

“Elves? Why?”

“…”

She didn’t reply when I asked why. Judging by her steady breathing, she seemed to have fallen back asleep.

She must be tired from helping with my mana training for the past week. Last night was a first for her too.

I covered her with a blanket and left the room.

*

“Light Vessel—.”

Reciting the brief spell, a ticklish sensation ran through my palm.

Simultaneously, small globes of light like fireflies appeared on my palm, creating a glowing orb similar to an electric light. The first-tier magic, Light Vessel.

I’ve become a proper mage. I’m a being different from muggles who cannot use magic.

“Marvelous. It’s crude and not bright enough, but it’s better than I expected.”

To this, Baron Fleurs gave a suitable comment.

The condition he placed on me: to be able to cast the first-tier magic Light Vessel in a week—was fulfilled, allowing me to stand proudly, like a triumphant general.

“Is that all?”

“Yes, that’s it. Judging from your performance, you must have had relations with at least a woman of fifth-tier or higher magical abilities. I mean s*xual relations.”

Wha… how did he know?

I began to suspect that this Fleurs might’ve placed some eavesdropping or telepathic spell on me.

I’m unaware if such spells even exist, but considering he was a professor at the magic academy, he likely could’ve done something like that.

“Are you puzzled about how I know?”

“Yes, I am.”

“It’s because the seal placed on you could only be broken by the virgin bl**d of a witch. Quite an unusual seal.”

So, it’s broken only by virgin bl**d? What kind of seal is that?

Immediately, I recalled that it was Jupiter, the King of the Gods, who placed the seal on me. I heard that Jupiter’s romantic history was quite diverse and his tastes were broad.

So, knowing that it was Jupiter who sealed me, it wasn’t surprising that the seal had to be broken this way. He mentioned he had prepared a gift for me. Could this unusual sealing method have been the gift?

Not sure.

Anyways, because of Elpride, the seal was broken.

While I was slightly indulging in these thoughts, Fleurs added more.

“But for such an ordinary relationship to break the seal, the woman surely wouldn’t have willingly used her body unless it was special. Since chastity holds a lot of importance for female mages.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s said that the longer a mage keeps their innocence and chastity, the more powerful their spells become; hence, they don’t give it up easily. If she was willing to lose her chastity to break your seal, it suggests a deep connection between you two.”

There was such a concept? This was the first I heard of it.

I thought since Elpride hadn’t made any vows of chastity like Luna or Hippolyte, she wouldn’t feel much resistance toward her first experience.

Considering that she may have accounted for the risk of her magical power decreasing, it must have been a difficult decision for her to make.

So I asked:

“Then, what happens to witches who lose their chastity? Does their magic deteriorate?”

“Actually, it’s not necessarily true. The belief that mages need to maintain their chastity could be more of a superstition. It’s likely a result of the widespread faith in Diana, the goddess of chastity.”

Speaking of Diana, I recalled the woman who once stepped on my neck with her foot. Diana, the goddess of the moon and chastity, was the woman who wanted to make me her grand knight.

Fleurs continued:

“Recently, a theory is gaining popularity that a chaotic s*xual life might even increase one’s magical power.”

“Does that mean the more relationships one has, the stronger their magic becomes?”

“Yes, historically, many great mages have been married or had many lovers. According to recent Nestorian theories, s*xual activity might enhance magical power.”

Whatever it is, a healthy s*x life seems to enhance magical abilities.

“So, from now on, have relations with many women. The more you do, the higher the probability your skill in manipulating mana will rapidly improve. It would also help my research.”

Sliiick…

A sinister blue glow emanated from under his top hat.

“Anyway, I’ll give the letter of recommendation as promised.”

“Will you also teach me necromancy?”

“Oh, yes, we had that agreement too. So, I’ll teach you all of the necromancy and spirit summoning that I’ve master upto seventh-tier. Whether you can learn it or not is up to you, but as Pluto’s son, you have sufficient talent.”

Ah, necromancy.

What an amazing sound it has.

If I could regain that powerful force, I’d no longer feel afraid of Gloria attacking me.

“But, I will not pledge allegiance to you, Zegress, son of Pluto. My contract is with your father, Pluto, not you.”

“Is that so? Well, it can’t be helped. By the way, were you originally a follower of Pluto?”

I suspected it ever since I saw his skeleton-like appearance and his talk of necromancy, but I asked out of curiosity. The man nodded.

“Yes. Before I became a follower of Venus, I was originally a follower of Pluto. Most of the residents of Sodomora were the same, and it was meant to be our destiny…”

Pheeew…

A gentle light emitted from his eyes beneath the hat.

Though I couldn’t read the expressions of a skull or its eyes, I could tell he was lost in some nostalgic memories.

He spoke again:

“So, how many recommendations have you gathered? Since you mentioned Delphi, you must have the snake-like Carvigas’ approval.”

“I received Miss Enya’s recommendation last week.”

“She’s a wise young lady who reads the situation well. I only wish my daughter Brigitte could inherit half her qualities. So, counting me, that’s three. We need one more.”

“By any chance, do you know an aristocratic connection? Someone who was originally a follower of Pluto, like Baron?”

“I don’t know many nobles due to my current lifestyle, but I do know the grand priest of Pluto who lives secretly in Sodomora. He could give you the recommendation. He’s titled too.”

“He had a hand in creating this state of yours…” Fleurs evaded.

The grand priest of Pluto!

Suddenly, I realized the leader of the cultists hiding in Sodomora.

Which is why the Shrine Knights Antiope and Vice Vein were dispatched to Sodomora, and why many cultists have attacked here.

“Who is it?”

“The adventurer who works with Mars Guild would have already met you—a man named Vincent Friedrich.”

“Vincent Friedrich?”

A completely unfamiliar name, so I furrowed my brow slightly when the man beneath the top hat brightened his eyes and continued.

“Of course, those familiar with this name are either dead or retired. He’s probably known by this name now. The head of Mars Guild, Valtma.”

Oh, seriously…

The face that came to mind was that of a middle-aged man who was partly bald, with a single eye, and covered in wrinkles.

The kind of uncle who smells of alcohol and you’d expect to see anywhere in the village, turned out to be the grand priest of Pluto?

d*mn, I never even suspected it.

Wait, the head of Mars Guild was the leader of the cultists?

He even invited me for dinner several times and often asked if the adventurer life was fulfilling. I just thought he was a shrewd uncle, but this was a shocking revelation.

Is this real?

It seems the reason Mars Guild couldn’t issue credentials was due to having spies inside. Even more shockingly, the spy had reached the position of guild head!

As soon as I finished my conversation with Baron Fleurs, I headed to Mars Guild’s building.

When I visited the messy warehouse-like office and knocked on the door, the same tired voice called out:

“Nobody’s home, don’t come in.”

“Fleury mentioned someone here can write a letter of recommendation for me.”

“d*mn it, that bony b*stard finally opened his mouth about it.”

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