"Only one hour left?"
Kurose Akira glanced at the clock. Just as Ivsha had said, there was indeed only an hour remaining until two in the afternoon.
If they took turns bathing, time might actually be a bit tight—but it should still be doable.
"It should still be—"
Just as Akira was about to refuse, Ivsha had already stepped forward and hooked her arm around his.
"Please don't worry, Mr. Akira. I'll make sure to cleanse every single trace of grime for you, thoroughly and carefully."
As she spoke, heart-shaped sparkles flickered in her eyes.
And at some point without him even noticing, her peach-heart-shaped tail had already coiled around his wrist, sending faint, teasing sensations through his skin.
With such passionate enthusiasm—
Did he really have any reason to refuse?
"…Then I'll be in your care."
"It would be my honor."
Ivsha gently held onto Akira's arm, and the two of them walked together toward the bathing area.
Loserine stood there blankly for a moment… then went right back to fiddling with her puzzle.
As an undead, she didn't generate strange thoughts.
—
A few minutes later.
Steam billowed through the guild's bathhouse.
Akira sat quietly in the water, waiting for Ivsha to cleanse him.
As he waited, his heartbeat gradually accelerated, roaring like an engine.
Clearly, this was his first time being bathed by a girl.
"Mr. Akira… ever since the last time I had a small taste of blanching," Ivsha murmured softly, "that moment's sweetness has lingered in my mind ever since~"
She poured body wash into her palm, gently clapping her hands together to work up a rich lather—then evenly applied it to her favorite canvas.
"And then?" Akira asked.
He closed his eyes, feeling a tranquility like feathers brushing across the surface of a lake.
Yet his heart was in chaos. He urged himself not to fantasize, but strange images flooded his mind regardless.
"So~"
Ivsha scooped up a ladle of warm water and gently poured it down, washing away the soot and ash left by the flames.
Of course—
This wasn't the end.
It was only the beginning.
She applied more body wash again, but this time, not to her palms.
"I want to receive your grace once more," she whispered. "And if possible~ I want to stay by your side forever… to feel your affection~"
As her words fell—
Ivsha leaned in again.
With his eyes closed, Akira temporarily lost his sense of sight, but his other senses sharpened dramatically.
Especially his sense of touch.
He could clearly feel a heavy, pressing softness against his back.
It seemed Ivsha was doing a very thorough job of cleansing him.
"Ivsha, try to hurry a bit," Akira reminded her. "We don't have much time."
There was only one hour left—and they still had to rush to complete the task.
"Hurry…"
Ivsha paused slightly at his words, then quickly showed an understanding expression.
The corners of her lips curved into a seductive smile."Mr. Akira… that was your request~"
The moment her voice fell, that playful peach-heart tail gently tightened around Akira's wrist…
(What follows is a soul-purifying baptism of indescribable detail. For the sake of brevity, twenty thousand words are omitted here…)
In the guild hall, Loserine remained focused on her puzzle.
After a full day and night of tireless effort, she had successfully completed one-tenth of the puzzle.
She temporarily set down a piece and looked at the clock.
There were twenty minutes left until two in the afternoon.
Yet Akira and Ivsha still hadn't emerged from the bathhouse…
This left her puzzled.
Her diamond-bright skull tilted slightly to the side, unable to comprehend what they could possibly be so busy with.
When the minute hand reached 1:45, the bathhouse door finally creaked open.
At the same time, Akira's voice rang out.
"Ivsha, we need to move faster—it's almost two!"
"I'm sorry~ Mr. Akira. That was my fault… your willpower exceeded my expectations!"
"You underestimated me…"
Akira and Ivsha walked out of the bathhouse together.
They had both changed into brand-new outfits.
Akira wore a light-yellow, casual medieval-style long coat—a plain outfit purchased from the shop for just 10 copper coins.
Ivsha, meanwhile, had changed into an entirely new nun's habit.
The habit was primarily black, paired with delicate black stockings. The design was simple yet elegant, perfectly outlining her graceful figure. The long skirt swayed softly with each step, giving off an aura that was both holy and mysterious.
But most importantly—
The full name of this outfit was "Combat Nun Habit."
It was made of a special magical fabric that adjusted dynamically to the wearer's body, flowing like water and clinging snugly to every contour, moving seamlessly with her form.
Naturally, this nun's habit had cost Akira 5 silver coins.
Expensive—but worth every coin.
"New-style nun outfits are really interesting~" Ivsha said with a playful sway of her hips.
When she attempted to spread her wings, the habit perfectly adjusted to her demonic wings, morphing smoothly as if it were part of her body itself. It expanded with her wings without tearing or damage, completely eliminating the need for constant repairs.
She could even discreetly hide her peach-heart tail beneath the skirt, making it difficult for others to notice.
Akira straightened his sleeves and urged gently, "Ivsha, it's time to go."
"Mmm~"
Ivsha nodded softly, hiding her wings and tail away.
As Akira headed toward the teleportation array, he casually tossed a white robe toward Loserine.
After nearly being exposed by Natasha last time, Akira knew he had to be extremely careful about concealing Loserine's armor.
That armor was simply too dazzling—it would inevitably draw unnecessary danger and trouble.
As white light flared within the teleportation array—
They once again arrived in Sunset City, immediately heading toward their rendezvous point.
This time, it wasn't the café in the west of the city.
It was the Yerman Family Castle.
Although Lady Natasha wasn't a member of the Yerman family, her close relationship with Loserine and Roxia's mother granted her the right to reside here.
Of course, she herself was also a noblewoman by birth.
"You've finally arrived, Mr. Akira!"
Natasha had been waiting outside the castle for quite some time. When she saw Akira, a smile curved onto her lips.
Yet her gaze lingered mostly on Loserine.
Although Loserine was now draped in a white robe that concealed most of her radiant platinum armor, Natasha—who had seen that armor before—could never truly fail to recognize her.
Natasha didn't know why Loserine had appeared in Akira's guild, but she firmly believed Akira was not some vile necromancer.
Moreover, she knew Loserine was a Vowbound Knight chosen by the White Rose, possessing an unyielding soul and noble character.
In her eyes, no necromancer could ever control or defile Loserine's soul or body.
Perhaps… Loserine had her own reasons.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Akira said with a faint smile, apologetic. He seemed to be about five minutes late.
"Please follow me. Coffee and desserts have been prepared in the reception hall."
Natasha swayed gracefully as she led them into the Yerman Castle, continuing,
"The Yerman Family has stood in Sunset City for over a century. They are the strongest knightly family here. However, ten years ago, a sea disaster claimed several of the family's most important members…"
As she spoke, her peripheral vision flicked toward Loserine at Akira's side.
"…including the Yerman Family's only Vowbound Knight—Loserine. As well as Roxia's parents."
"That maritime disaster dealt a devastating blow to the Yerman Family. Our only remaining hope is for Roxia to be selected in the once-every-twenty-years White Rose Rite, and become the next Vowbound Knight."
"This is our only chance."
"But now…"
Natasha's eyes flickered faintly as she sighed."Someone wants to destroy all of this."
She turned around, locking her affectionate gaze onto Akira. In a tone bordering on supplication, she said,
"I sincerely hope you can stop this from happening—by any means necessary. As long as Roxia's safety is ensured, I am willing to give you this precious item as your reward."
As her words ended, Natasha retrieved an emerald-green pendant from between her snowy cleavage.
At the same moment, a notification popped into Akira's vision.
[Task Reward Added: Natasha's Soul Pendant (Elite)…]