Because Akuto had already unlocked the Gold-rank "Succubus Bloodline" by this point, under intimacy at this level, Saint Raphael quickly began showing signs of being drawn in and losing herself.
Fortunately, Saint Raphael had weathered countless battlefields of life and death and undergone long-term tempering. Her will was exceptionally tenacious, and she managed to hold onto her clarity for the time being.
"Haa…"
Exhaling a breath, Saint Raphael looked at the young man before her, the boy with whom she had formed a bond back when he was still small.
From the way their fingers were interlaced, the two were undeniably in an intimate, partner-like relationship. However, Saint Raphael knew this "partner" status had been brought about largely by Akuto's unilateral push. As for herself, she had always been indifferent to the idea of having a partner.
If she had never met Akuto, she might have chosen to remain alone for her entire life.
Of course, Saint Raphael did not resent the fact that Akuto had claimed her in a somewhat forceful way. After all, this was the first time she had ever experienced that kind of feeling—one that could only arise toward the opposite sex.
Since only Akuto had ever made her feel that way, and since Akuto was Akuto himself, once he expressed such a strong desire, Saint Raphael was willing to try the things only lovers could try.
Still, practicality was practicality. Acceptance was acceptance. The doubts in her heart had not vanished. She wanted Akuto to answer them.
…
So, Saint Raphael—still feeling the lingering warmth of their closeness—shifted her posture and moved closer, circling into a more comfortable position.
Lifting Akuto's face with both hands, she parted her lips slightly and spoke in a low voice.
"Akuto-kun. Since… since we've already gone this far, can you tell me what you truly are?"
Saint Raphael was genuinely curious about Akuto's current state.
"Of course. I've always told my own people everything I know."
Akuto smiled faintly.
In the next instant, he pulled her closer from behind her waist, drawing her into his embrace. Their breathing tangled, their closeness growing more intense, and Saint Raphael's expression softened into a smile that carried both indulgence and helplessness.
After a brief pause, she relaxed, letting herself respond to him more naturally, allowing the moment to deepen—while still keeping her mind fixed on the answer she needed.
Within that private closeness, she finally asked the question she cared about most.
[Saint Raphael: What exactly is your current state…? Why do you call yourself the Holy Son?]
[Akuto: Because I truly am the Holy Son.]
As Akuto answered, he directly transmitted the relevant memories into her mind.
He truly liked Saint Raphael—liked her presence, and liked the way the composed, steady dark-skinned girl from the original story could reveal a shy, yielding side in front of him.
After a full minute or two, Saint Raphael finally understood the situation completely.
[Saint Raphael: I see. You're the Holy Son of another world. That explains why I couldn't sense the aura of the God of the Bible on you.]
[So the earlier "you" was the state where you had projected yourself into this world, but had not yet awakened your memories.]
[Akuto: Correct.]
[Saint Raphael: I never imagined I could become the partner of an otherworldly Holy Son. But perhaps this is what people call fate. The "Raphael" in my name is, after all, a high-ranking angel from the Bible.]
[Akuto: Exactly. Which is why, from the beginning, you were destined to be mine.]
[Saint Raphael: You really are domineering, Akuto-kun. But… I don't dislike this domineering side of you.]
Saint Raphael's smile grew freer, tinged with a faint, dazed sweetness. With her doubts answered, she finally allowed herself to devote her full attention to Akuto and to the intimacy between them.
As she had said, if not for Akuto, she might have remained unmarried her entire life and never once experienced a feeling like this.
Now, she had finally found a man who could make her heart move. He was powerful, his affection for her was genuine, and aside from being "a little" too fond of women, he had almost no other shortcomings.
And in Saint Raphael's eyes, "being a womanizer" was not even a flaw.
She had always liked wandering the world. It was difficult for her to stay by a partner's side wholeheartedly. If he was a bit too open-handed with affection, then so be it.
Besides, with so many of Akuto's other partners choosing to forgive it, she found it easy enough to persuade herself as well.
…
The one thing that made her feelings subtly complicated was that she had watched Akuto grow up. Not long ago, he had still looked like a cute little boy, and now he had already become a fully developed young man.
That "raising" sensation made her already turbulent emotions surge even more. She did not dislike it—if anything, she liked it. And so, Saint Raphael leaned in more, and more naturally released the feminine charm she carried.
…
Elsewhere.
On Erica's side.
Late at night, Erica was researching information related to "the Holy Son" and "Akuto."
Erica truly was very interested in Akuto's "Holy Son" identity. Since she had not gotten an answer from Saint Raphael, Erica chose a different approach.
She would find it herself.
"Erica-sama, this is everything I collected this afternoon from the Copper Black Cross regarding 'the Holy Son' and 'Lord Akuto.'"
Inside Erica's room, a girl wearing an exquisitely made maid uniform smiled as she introduced the large pile of books beside her.
Her name was Arianna, Erica's personal maid, and she was currently serving in a managerial capacity.
Arianna had no talent for swordsmanship or sorcery, but her driving skills were outstanding. In the original storyline, she had once escorted Godou and Erica to confront the unsubmissive Athena while driving at a speed of one hundred kilometers per hour.
Even though it was summer on Sardinia, Arianna still wore a long-sleeved maid uniform that fully covered her upper body.
However, her uniform was not a traditional plain style, but a carefully designed modern variant. Its main tone was deep navy, with delicate lace and ribbon trim along the skirt hem and apron edge. A pure white ruffled collar adorned the neckline, while the cuffs were neatly cinched and wrapped with matching white sleeve covers, emphasizing cleanliness and professionalism.
Even so, the elegant uniform could not fully conceal the curves she was born with. Arianna was younger than Erica, yet her figure was noticeably more mature, and the fitted fabric hinted at a striking silhouette.
Standing still, Arianna lowered her eyes obediently, hands folded in front of her. She looked like a perfectly trained maid—proper in bearing, considerate in every detail.
In truth, though, she had a mix of "airheaded" and "scheming" traits. Most of the time she remained loyal to Erica, but if the timing was right, she would still tease her mistress.
Originally, aside from occasionally being absent-minded, Arianna was quite loyal and endearing.
But perhaps because she often exchanged ideas with her "friend" Karen, Arianna's former "airheadedness" had gained a slight edge of mischief.
Fortunately, it was only a little. Compared to Karen—who embodied "mischief" outright—Arianna was practically innocent.
After all, Arianna had personally witnessed that "Karen" brazenly reading Liliana's novels aloud and brazenly exposing her mistress's preferences without restraint.
…
"Thank you, Arianna."
Erica took a sip of coffee and casually set the small cup down in an empty space amid the资料 pile.
When she was younger, Erica studied relatively mainstream materials. But now that she had become a knight of the Copper Black Cross, she had the qualification to consult almost any records.
"The Holy Son… the Holy Son… the Holy Son…"
"Akuto… Akuto… Akuto…"
On one side was information about "the Holy Son" across various mythologies. On the other side was everything about Akuto, both before and after his "debut."
"Oh? Lord Akuto actually participated in Marquis Voban's god-summoning ritual? And he even fought alongside Saint Raphael-sama…"
"No wonder Saint Raphael-sama would be that devoted, that attentive."
…
"Wait…"
"Holy Prince Akuto's behavior… after that battle with Marquis Voban, seems to have become somewhat strange."
Using the documents in her hands, Erica deduced several points.
"These files say Holy Prince Akuto took away the shrine maidens' broken bodies after they summoned the god, and then treated them."
"Given the situation at the time, several of those shrine maidens should have been able to survive."
"But after Holy Prince Akuto's treatment, they still all died."
"Strange. This is extremely strange."
"Because he was the one who came to rescue that shrine maiden from Fusō in the first place, and he even saved Liliana along the way. So the possibility that Holy Prince Akuto is an evil person can basically be ruled out."
"Then… why did all those shrine maidens die?"
Connecting this with the later materials, Erica arrived at a rough conclusion.
"After that, Holy Prince Akuto began widely studying every mythology and all materials related to 'fate,' becoming a scholar with a global reputation."
"Then he began traveling the world. His footprints were no longer limited to Fusō, but spread across the globe. He frequently appeared in regions where mysterious phenomena occurred."
"There must be a connection here…"
"But based on the materials I have, I can at least conclude that the mass deaths of those shrine maidens may be related to 'fate.'"
…
After pondering for a long time, Erica decided to make a phone call.
She took out her phone, disabled airplane mode, and dialed her "friend."
"Hello? Liliana? Are you busy right now?"
In the next second, Liliana's voice came through, immediately sharp and unpolite.
"Erica?! How could I not be busy! All of Italy is a complete mess right now!"
"What do you want?"
After venting, Liliana asked again.
"It's nothing. I just have a few things about 'Holy Prince Akuto' that I want to ask you," Erica replied with a smile.
(End of Chapter)
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