CHAPTER 113: A BRIEF HUG SANDWICH

Mel’s golden eyes swept through the strange tree with ease, a theory crafting in her head as she spotted the lava-like cracks in the bark.

That theory was only reinforced when the staff in her hand trembled, as if finding the tree both repulsive yet familiar.

"Summon: Doll Hound."

As the Hound materialized at her side, Mel pressed the trembling staff against its cotton-soft nose.

With a twitch, the Hound’s ears curled inward as it raised its head, staring at the tree in the middle.

Unlike the pursuit with Wrath, the target of the same or similar magic trace was very close by.

"Heh~" Mel mused, unexpecting of such findings.

"Spot something?" Samantha’s sharp gaze locked onto Mel’s.

"Maybe. Maybe not." Mel tapped her chin before her lips curled up. "I would trade you the secret for a hug from you."

Samantha raised an eyebrow, in awe of her student’s shamelessness.

Then, with a sigh, she strode forth and hugged Mel.

A comforted moan escaped Mel’s lips, her little surprise from Samantha’s compliance smothered by the warmth she was enveloped in.

The moment was brief as the teacher withdrew, keeping a careful distance with one hand petting Mel and the other firmly grasping her shoulder.

"No more joking around." Samantha’s face softened, yet a serious glint remained in her eyes. "The Students’ lives are at stake."

"Of course." Mel smiled, her voice lowering to a tender whisper. "Then, drag your ear close to my lips."

The teacher squinted in suspicion, yet her officer experience told her how Mel’s gaze glimmered with only sincerity.

Hesitantly, she leaned closer, offering her ear to the Witch of Lust.

Mel licked her lips as she saw the smooth, milky outline, resisting the urge to bite before leaning in.

"That was an Erdtree from the Eastern Elf Tribes."

Mel smiled as Samantha’s face twitched at the revelation.

Keeping her voice low as well, the teacher muttered as she kept her shaking calmness. "Explain more."

"For my beloved teacher, I will."

Mel extended her staff, grinning. "This staff was made from the materials of the Erdtree. Simply put, my summon also smelled the same magic trace on that tree."

"I find that hard to believe, Mel." Samantha frowned. "The Erdtrees were few in numbers, and were strictly prohibited from being exported by the Elven Tribes."

"Hehe." Mel’s left hand smoothed over Samantha’s hair. "Then what do you suppose happened?"

"Either you’re lying about your staff’s material and summons’ ability," Samantha’s gently trailing down from Mel’s hair to softly grip her neck.

With her thumb brushing a warning stroke on the throat, she glanced at Mel’s unfaltering smile, which bared a hint of shiver.

An apologetic guilt slipped into the teacher’s stoic mask as she pulled back. "Or the Elven Tribes were in cahoots with the Cultists."

She pursed her lips before bowing her head slightly. "Sorry. I have to test you a little, since the bold claim had significant meaning in the Kingdom’s Diplomacy."

A mischievous intent crossed Mel’s face as she remembered Saria’s guiltful look.

So a ’wounded’ blush spread across her cheeks, as she hung her head with a silent whimper. "It-it’s fine. I...I can understand."

Though Mel’s voice pitched higher than genuine hurt warranted, Samantha let out a regretful sigh.

Then, she hugged Mel again, arms wrapped around the girl’s shoulder. "Better?"

Mel froze at such a bold gesture, her instincts deciphering it as Samantha’s method of apology, and proof she’d seen through her act.

With a chuckle, she embraced back. "Much better."

Samantha returned the chuckle with a silent laugh, her palm raising to Mel’s hair from the back.

[ Gluttony found herself helpless before you! ]

[ Gluttony favourability: 9 - 12 ]

Mel’s cheek snuggled towards Samantha’s cheek, before a more timid grasp enfolded her waist.

"So unfair..." Lila’s chin nuzzled onto Mel’s shoulder. "Let me join, too."

As Lila’s chest sank into her back, Mel reveled in the fleeting moment of being sandwiched between both beauties, her hips swaying in restless longing.

Mel sang the quietest choir of celebration in her mind before Samantha withdrew again, wearing a poker face and keeping a professional distance.

"I’ll report this to the Church, Mel. Thank you." Samantha blinked before her lips frowned. "Or I suppose you’ll report this to her yourself?"

A tiny surprise sparked in Mel’s gaze, her hand idly stoking Lila’s arm before she muttered with curving eyes. "Whatever do you mean?"

The Teacher’s brows knitted together before she sighed again, this time mixed with worry and annoyance.

"Try not to drag yourself into danger too much." Samantha’s voice grew stern. "For your curiosity, or for her."

Mel’s lips parted and paused before answering. "Of course!"

As Samantha turned around and waved, preparing to wrap up the investigation and send her students back to safety, Mel noticed a quivering in Lila’s arm around her waist.

"What’s wrong?" Her hand caressed Lila’s finger to comfort her. "Any trouble?"

"Mel..." Lila’s murmur was tinged with fear, as her embrace over Mel tightened. "Ca-can you explain what that tree is, Mel?"

The Witch of Lust contemplated; she had hidden Lila the truth of her fight against the cult.

With Lila’s awakening close at hand, she smiled; it was time to reveal bits and pieces about the Cult.

"Of course," she drew back from Lila’s hug, before taking her hand into her own. "Not all of it, but I know at least the basics."

"Mm..."

A reluctant murmur escaped Lila’s lips as she eyed the pulsing veins beneath her skin.

"Please be careful, Mel."

"I will." She cupped Lila’s cheek. "I have you and all of us to consider."

"It’s not just that." Lila shook her head. "Those veins and that tree were too strange and uncomfortable."

Mel’s eyes widened slightly. "You mean...?"

"I mean... they..."

Struggling to find her words, Lila’s shoulders shuddered with parting lips, before she mouthed.

"They were alive, like... like a part of a living being."

Mel’s head tilted at the vague statement; unsettling, yet ambiguous enough to let imagination run wild.

"Then," Mel’s expression sobered. "Let’s explain more on the way."

Her Witch’s sense tingled, whispering that Lila’s realisation might be the crucial spark to resolve the mystery around the Cult’s presence here.

It might be as the Saintess claimed: Lila’s Awakening was key in destroying Nyrel’s scheme.