CHAPTER 116: SAINTESS, LUST, BEDROOM...

Sunset shone on Calina with a forlorn back; her fingers tapping on the hilt of her sword with hesitation.

Upon a closer look, Mel spotted another iron sword nearbyl its steel cracked during the Monster Outbreak.

"Calina!" Mel approached her with light steps.

Calina’s gaze snapped sideways, then sighed at Mel’s mischievous smile.

"In case you’re wondering," Calina squinted behind Mel as Lila, Rosana, and, for some reason, Selaria now approached them like a magnet drawn.

"I don’t know any company this time."

"Oh, relax."

Mel shrugged off Calina’s groan and strode to her left side, kneeling where the woman’s sword swayed at her hip.

With a frown, the Witchhunter shifted to draw an arm’s distance between them.

Mel pouted at the gesture. "Hate me that much?"

"No-no." Calina stammered, hesitation flickering in her face. "I just need to be alone for a while."

Her lips pursed in silence before continuing. "I distinctly sensed it, something that... scared me somewhat."

Scared, huh?

Mel’s nose tingled; just the ashen scent of lava veins.

Perhaps Calina sensed the link between Embervale and the Tortoise. Maybe it was Lila’s Awakening. Or...

With a knowing smirk, Mel plopped down on the ground, legs stretching outward. "Don’t dwell on it. It’s not likely to come out anytime soon."

Calina raised a brow before hanging her head. "It better not be."

Her azure eyes narrowed in focus. "Embervale is my home, and I dislike it when danger beyond my strength arises here."

"Is it now?" Mel chuckled as she stretched her arm. "I don’t think you need to worry."

Her face beamed as Mel’s finger tapped Calina’s on the hilt. "Didn’t we just handle all the troubles earlier in no time?"

"That... can’t be measured up." Calina’s eyes narrowed, yet a hint of cheerfulness sparked in her expression.

"But yes, with your power of Summon earlier, even an army would fall at your mercy."

"Hehe." Mel’s fingers danced on Calina’s. "That’s the gist! Always be leaving it to your local Mel!"

The Witch Hunter rolled her eyes. "Overconfidence will dig you an early grave."

"Yet insecurity will rise a late comer." Mel grinned, stroking Calina’s finger. "With your anxiety just now, we make a good pair, no?"

"Did you just..." Calina’s mouth parted for a wry smile, then she eyed behind her to find a scary pair of emerald eyes locked into her eyes.

"Try to... refrain from flirting too much." The Witch hunter hung her head, afraid of the Witches behind her.

"Come on now, it’s in my nature to flirt!"

"Yeah, yeah," Calina juggled her hand away from Mel’s and her sword. "Embervale’s at danger, so leave it for another time."

"I would say the time is as good as any."

Rosana declared, before raising her dress to plop down beside Mel, skirt spraying at her thigh gracefully.

"Miss Calina always seems stressed," the Witch of Greed smirked. "Can’t keep yourself relaxed otherwise if not for Mel here?"

"I’m not afraid to admit myself an awkward person," Calina folded her legs, knees pointing upward, and buried her face in her thighs. "Laugh at me all you want."

"I don’t, though." Admiring Calina’s sulking gesture, she folded one of her legs and nuzzled her cheek into it.

She flashed a tender smile at Calina. "Anyone would if their home is at risk."

Those words hit something within the swordsman, her eyes narrowing within the confines of her thighs.

[ Calina was deeply sympathetic to your claim! ]

[ Calina favourability: 6 - 13 ]

Delighted, she petted Calina. "There, there..."

"Stop it." Quiver spread across Calina’s stern voice. "It’s not like I have any family here in Embervale. Even if it was destroyed, I won’t miss it much... probably."

"Aw..." Mel’s expression softened, her hand ruffling deeper into Calina’s hair. "That’s a shame. Want a hug?"

Then Calina’s head snapped to Mel with a tired gaze. "Think I don’t know what you really want?"

Mel’s arms bared open. "Nobody can deny a hug!"

"Well, today, I’ll be the World’s first." Calina’s eyes closed, huffing.

Lila watched from behind, and despite her jealousy spurring within her, a statement arose from Mel stuck out to her.

Home... the Heima Village...

The Witch of Envy frowned before she strode and leaned down behind Mel.

With an embrace, she whispered into Mel’s neck. "I can give you one."

"Hic." Mel faked a whimper. "Thank you, my Lila!"

A warmth bubbled inside Lila’s chest as she embraced Mel tighter.

As Selaria joined the conversation, reassuring Calina while ordering the soldiers to continue tending the students, Lila realised the World was larger than she thought.

If she needed to be honest, she couldn’t care much about Heima Village, or the villagers inside it.

Yet Her World no longer belonged solely to Mel, her sister, and herself.

Because ultimately, Mel cared more than she did herself.

And with that, she must also care about more than her world.

To truly belong to Mel’s was not to tolerate or reluctantly accept, but to understand why Mel must sometimes leave her side.

Only then could the Witch of Envy truly seize her, seize Mel to become hers alone.

Lila glanced down, the red marks on Mel’s neck shimmering ever so brightly in the sunset.

She pecked a kiss onto it, before a confident and possessive smile curled up without her knowing.

Maybe she’ll fall into despair, knowing Mel would never belong to hers.

But at least, she’ll choose the way she feels.

Because she had faith that Mel’s love would catch her before she plummeted into the abyss.

[ Envy Awakening Progression: 95% - 97% ]

--------------

As Samantha returned, she immediately sent back the crowd of students and Knights with the Compass Watch after a few dodging explanations.

Another spark, and Mel found herself... not at the Sky Haven where the Whale landed, but rather inside a familiar room of the Whale.

She glanced instantly at her bed; not messy with sweats and other fluids like hers and Lila’s, but rather neatly folded at the hands of a servant, or simply magic.

A breath hitched in her throat, as not an elf, but a white-haired nun sat at the side, hair fluttering down to barely cover her slight grin.

"Miss me?"

Mel gulped; she knew how an archon-ranked could easily adjust the teleport coordinate, so she wasn’t surprised her Partner did so as well.

What she was shocked at was her Partner’s heated gaze and the nightly scenery inside the Whale, when it was supposed to be sunset outside.

"Come now," Maria’s palms patted her thighs. "Sleep here and we’ll talk."

With a slight gulp, Mel nodded without hesitation.