“Looks like you left a lot of stuff behind. I barely managed to bring this.”
Ceres gave a faint smile and tossed something to Yona.
As it flew in a gentle arc, Yona caught it and realized it was the sling bag she always wore on her waist.
This was the bag where she kept things she needed to access quickly, separate from her backpack.
“Anyway, the Church Region is in chaos right now. Just look at it.”
Though Yona had many questions about why Ceres was here and how she got here, Ceres didn’t leave her any room to ask.
Saying this, Ceres came beside the Alebians, closed her eyes, and shook her head side to side.
“I can’t believe the magic exploded over there…”
Yet, Ceres slightly opened her eyes.
A hint of uncontainable laughter lingered in her gaze.
But no one noticed that laughter.
“…You.”
The Alebians turned to face Ceres.
Their cold gaze sparkled as if they were ready to devour her alive, but Ceres shrugged it off with a smirk, seemingly unfazed.
“Alebians, long time no see. Coming here in person means you must be in quite a rush?”
“You, what on earth…”
“I didn’t plan for this either. Plus, it blew up into something way bigger than I expected! Look over there, can you believe this is normal?”
Ceres pointed a finger behind her.
The Church Region looked like it had just disturbed a beehive, with bright luminescent lamps illuminating it as brightly as day, and under those lamps, the Cathedral Knights were gathering, fully armed, ready to charge at any moment.
“Well, the Alebians put up a barrier, so it’s not visible from outside. But honestly, more than that… Yona?”
“…Yes.”
Yona’s lips trembled slightly.
Her tightly clenched fists were shaking, clearly showing her current state of mind.
“…I wonder what happened to Alex and what will happen in the future?”
“Yes. I’m curious.”
“Do you want to save Alex?”
“…Of course. I need to save Alex. He’s over there, trapped because of me… because I sold my soul to a demon—because of that reason.”
Yona’s voice sank low.
It was no surprise that the Church Region’s response to the demon would be unpredictable. In the middle of that banquet, with the Pope attending, Yona had exploded with magic, and Alex had not only shielded her but had even helped her escape.
“Ceres. Stop it.”
The Alebians stepped in to restrain Ceres. Her usually shining eyes were now deep and sunken, and as they reached out to stop her, Ceres wore a mocking expression.
“Why should I stop? You need to understand how resolute Yona’s determination is. Yona, keep talking. Depending on your answer—”
Ceres flashed a grin.
A cold gaze.
Lips twisted in a smirk.
“I have to go save Alex. Even if they try to stop me, even if their threats scare me, I have to go save Alex. I’ll face any danger for Alex. Just like he protected me, when he’s in danger, I’ll always be by his side. And I have to be.”
Having heard Yona’s inner monologue, Ceres looked back at the Alebians with a clear smirk on her face.
Ceres looked back at Alebians with a face full of mocking laughter after hearing the monologue.
Alebians, still looking displeased, fluttered her lips.
“…Yona, my pretty. I’m saying this for your sake. You need to stop it here. It’s getting too dangerous for you. Let’s quit.”
“What do you mean quit? Alebians, I don’t understand what you’re trying to say. But saying to stop means— you can’t be telling me to stop rescuing Alex, right?”
Yona’s eyes gleamed oddly.
A murky light began to glimmer in her golden eyes.
The only interpretation of “stop rescuing Alex” was that there was no other option.
But if such a thing were said, Alebians’ words would no longer be worth listening to.
“How could I give up on Alex, Yona? Alebians, you’re making unreasonable demands. How can you not understand humans— heh heh.”
Ceres smiled meaningfully.
With her eyes crescent-moon-shaped from her grin, she turned her gaze from Alebians to Yona.
“You want to rescue Alex, don’t you?”
“—Yes.”
A prompt response.
There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation.
She would rescue Alex. She had to rescue Alex. She would protect Yona and save Alex, who was left behind over there.
Now it was time for Yona to save Alex.
It was time to reclaim Alex from their hands.
Unless she knew how they would treat Alex, it was now Yona’s time to act.
“Alright. Then— well, well. There’s a very, very simple way. Alebians, you will cooperate, right?”
Alebians stared fixedly at Ceres. Ceres didn’t shy away from Alebians’ gaze, meeting it head-on.
The brief silence stretched on. Though it wasn’t long, the exchanged glances between the two felt prolonged.
“I didn’t mean for it to get this far.”
“Right, I didn’t say it was your fault, Alebians. This all stems from your trivial feelings. Alebians, this is the mess you created. You should take responsibility. Isn’t that right?”
“…I didn’t think it would escalate to this level.”
“But it has escalated. There’s no turning back now. The shards of guilt you’ve held onto brought about this result. But look, it’s all worked out well, right? I’m doing well, you’re doing well, and in the end, everyone benefits. If you think about it, that’s how it is. Isn’t it?”
Ceres grinned sneakily.
With a stiff face that hadn’t relaxed, Alebians glared at Ceres.
“Now then, Yona. To save Alex— are you willing to do anything?”
“I can do it.”
“Oh my, that unwavering answer! I absolutely love it. It makes you sound like a girl in love.”
Yona offered no response.
Whether she was a lovesick girl or whatever was of no concern to her. Yona’s mind was filled only with thoughts of Alex, and the only thing she could think of was that she had to save him. For that, she could do anything. Literally, anything. Anything at all. If it meant saving Alex, she would truly do anything—
“Then for starters, let’s give up on the priesthood.”
Yona’s eyes went wide at Ceres’ words.
The first human Yona met after falling into this world was Sister Aege.
Sister Aege was both a priest and had spent quite a long time as an adventurer, treating people as true equals.
He was the kind of Priest who treated a person like a person.
It was Sister Aege who took Yona in when she fell into this strange world, confused and lost.
And it was Aege who found a spot for her at the Cathedral orphanage.
Aege was gentle and also merciful.
Truly, someone who could be a model Priest.
Under such care from Aege, Yona naturally grew up with the mindset of a Priest.
Although she hadn’t been raised that way since childhood, Aege had a significant impact on Yona, who was entering her mid to late teens.
Thus, her obsession with the name Priest until now was largely due to Aege’s influence.
“Then for now, let’s give up the Priesthood.”
Yona was at a loss for words because of Sister Ceres’ statement.
Having lost her gender,
Losing even her own appearance,
Her hometown, her name, everything she once was,
Now, to be told by Ceres to give up the title of Priest.
“Could it be that being a Priest is more important than Mr. Alex?”
Ceres even had a hint of humor in her words.
Yona just stood there, speechless, her mouth moving but no words coming out.
“Ah— well, that was—”
“Right, I’ll give it up.”
At Yona’s answer, Ceres paused, staring at her.
With the declaration of giving up the Priesthood, Yona was quietly glaring at Ceres.
“…Well, that’s fine. You should be prepared for that. Now then…”
Ceres approached Yona.
A gentle purple aura wafted from her hand.
And with that energy enveloping her, Ceres gently caressed Yona’s exposed left arm.
“Now come out, serpent.”
It was then.
From Yona’s left arm, a black aura surged as if the moonlight itself dimmed into darkness.
– You’ve done something interesting. Truly, just like you.
It wasn’t huge, but it certainly had a presence.
Yona’s gaze, looking up at the sky, clearly caught sight of the black serpent.
In the darkness that even obscured the moonlight was a strangely glimmering black body.
The wriggling body couldn’t stay still, adorned with nine heads at the end.
Each head bore the face of a woman.
– In the end, this is how it turns out. Oh woman, you too can’t help it.
As Vervaria slowly descended and touched the ground, it curled up sharply.
One of the heads, particularly gleaming with light, lifted and stared straight at Yona’s face.
“Miss Yona.”
Sister Ceres stepped forward toward Vervaria.
With her extended hand stroking Vervaria’s body, Ceres spoke to Yona with a beaming smile.
“I said to give up the Priesthood, but to be precise, it’s not really a give-up. It’s more about changing your faction.”
Yona dazedly looked up at Vervaria.
She vaguely understood something was about to be said, which only added to her disbelief.
She recalled what Vervaria said in her dream.
Becoming the Saint of the Demon World and such, ridiculous claims that she had brushed off as nonsense.
And now it seemed that was not just an invitation.
So she was annoyed.
Anger welled up within her.
She hadn’t done anything.
She had only acted like a Priest, like a human, according to her principles.
Why was this happening repeatedly?
She hasn’t done anything wrong, has she?
“Yona, shall we get straight to the point?”
So, isn’t there really any reason for her to suffer?
Isn’t it those jerks trying to force her into misery who are the real bad guys?
Then why should I be the one to suffer?
Why should Alex be put in danger?
There shouldn’t be any reason for that.
A dark hue began to mix in Yona’s eyes.
The golden glimmering eyes started to turn orange.
If they’re going to make me suffer this much, I’ll play along accordingly.
I just wanted to live peacefully with Alex.
I wanted to return as a man, but that’s out of the question now; Alex is the most important thing right now.
That’s what I thought.
‘Why are they so eager to devour me?’
In that case, I’ll return the favor.
I cried out so desperately for a chance to atone, yet they ignored me––
The Church of the Celestial God.
Is that it?
I finally realized that the smug Ceres was also playing with Yona,
And it must be true that that damn Alebians were lending a hand too,
That snake bastard Vervaria was definitely in on it, torturing her together.
So, at this moment, she’s angry, and furious.
Yona’s mind was tangled in chaos.
“To become the Saint of the Demon Realm—”
“Sure.”
Before Ceres could finish her sentence, Yona nodded.
The chance for choice was long gone.
Ceres was taken aback by Yona, who showed not a moment of hesitation.
“…Um, Yona? I don’t know if you understand, but you’ll be becoming an apostate from the clergy of the Church of the Celestial God.”
Yona shut her mouth and glared at Ceres.
She had a deep affection for the title of Priest.
But that title was not more important than Alex.
“I don’t care about being an apostate. More than that, that title of Priest…”
Priest.
The last bastion Yona had.
And now, she added the term ‘that’ to it—
Yona took a small breath.
Once she said this, there would be no turning back.
“—Alex is far more precious.”
“Is that so?”
“Then— it doesn’t matter if I’m the Saint of the Demon Realm or whatever. Fine. I’ll do it. But listen closely.”
Yona took a small deep breath.
Suppressing the irritation that felt like it would burn her mind white, she glared at Ceres.
“So, pay attention. After I save Alex—”
Yona’s golden eyes, which were already shimmering orange, were filled with rage,
And her heart, brimming with anger, had completely lost its sanity.
“Next, it’s your turn.”
The orange-shimmering gaze turned towards Ceres.
With silent fury,
And unspoken hatred.
Yona glared at Ceres with those eyes filled to the brim.
“I didn’t do anything wrong. It’s you guys who made me like this. So—”
Yona took a small breath.
The cold winter night air chilled her thoughts.
“Prepare to be punished.”
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