Chapter 322: Opening (2)
Grand Inquisitor Kate Louise Angelica. Her life can be likened to a train running on well-laid tracks. As a child, her village was attacked by bandits, and she lost her parents, but she was rescued and entrusted to a temple. The temple doubled as an orphanage, and most of the children raised there pursued careers related to the clergy.
This alone would have set her on a certain path, but Kate’s case was different. Like one blessed by Luminous, her divine power was unparalleled compared to others. As seen with Isaac, divine power can be used in various ways, but it is directly related to ‘growth.’
The reason Kate could secure the position of Grand Inquisitor at a young age is because of this. Did anyone harbor dissatisfaction along the way? None. Who would dare hold a grudge against someone directly blessed by Luminous? Instead, the number of people who revered and followed her grew.
There were no issues with her capabilities either. The number of devil worshippers Kate had crushed was countless. Her combat prowess was well known, earning her the title ‘Blue Flame.’
Moreover, she possessed a sharp mind. Devil worshippers, who usually stayed hidden, found themselves dragged out and beaten by Kate herself. Her prowess in both martial and intellectual fields, combined with her devout faith and the temple’s care of her appearance, made her a true embodiment of a well-rounded individual.
However, perhaps due to always running on the tracks laid by the church, Kate had a significant yet seemingly minor flaw. She lacked common sense regarding sexual matters. It wasn’t just pure ignorance, like a child’s innocence, but rather a skewed understanding.
Take, for example, the monthly ‘days.’ Being human, it was natural for her to experience her first menstruation. When she saw the unexpected flow of blood and rushed to the priest in shock, the priest, though flustered, calmly explained.
‘Congratulations, Kate. You have now become an adult.’
‘I’ve... become an adult?’
‘Yes. This blood is just a natural part of becoming an adult. There’s no need to be ashamed or surprised.’
Afterwards, the priest began to teach her about the female body, one step at a time.
She was taught about menstruation, how to manage it, and how to maintain cleanliness. This was all well and good, but the next question Kate asked was quite awkward.
‘Can I have a baby too?’
‘Yes, you can.’
‘How are babies born?’
‘...’
The number one most difficult question for any parent to answer: How are babies born?
The priest in charge found it hard to answer but managed to come up with a response.
‘Well... If you receive a man’s seed, you can have a baby. But! This is only possible with a man you love. Understand?’
‘Then what is love?’
‘That’s a difficult question to answer. It’s something you’ll come to understand as you grow. Given that you are blessed by Luminous, when you find someone you love, he will be happy for you too.’
That was the end of the education. The priest believed that Kate would naturally come to understand these things over time.
This turned out to be a misjudgment that might have never been realized. The church treated her not as a ‘person’ but as a devout ‘follower’ of Luminous.
Moreover, Kate herself, realizing she was blessed by Luminous, intensified her devotion. Her almost obsessive faith was dangerous in many ways, but considering that the Luminous church had once caused a significant incident, they were careful to exercise restraint.
Due to this precarious balancing act, even Luminous couldn’t directly confront her. As a result, she ascended to the position of Cardinal at a young age, becoming a ‘clergy’ figure perfected in martial prowess.
The church was entirely unaware of Kate’s lack of common sense. Blessed by Luminous, she was an object of admiration and reverence, occupying an untouchable position. Who would dare to correct her?
Sometimes, people were captivated by her beauty and background, but Kate always politely declined their advances with a smile. Her body and soul were entirely devoted to Luminous, and she firmly believed that serving him was serving herself.
Therefore, some priests, unable to contain their curiosity, asked her:
‘Cardinal Kate, do you plan to marry?’
‘I will marry the man chosen by Lord Luminous.’
‘...Is there such a person?’
Yes, there was. It was the young man Isaac Ducker Michelle, the author of Xenon’s Biography. At first, Kate was uncertain, but as time went on, she became convinced. This man was the one chosen by Luminous, the single beam of light to save the world and purify it.
So she directly approached Isaac and asked him to give her his seed, but for some reason, Isaac steadfastly refused. This left her puzzled. Countless men had courted her, so why was he refusing? Did he not like her?Diiscover new stories at novelhall.com
But judging by his reactions, it wasn’t that he disliked her. He simply seemed burdened and found her request odd. As time passed and Xenon’s Biography continued to shine brighter, Kate’s desire grew stronger.
Just as he spread light everywhere, she also wanted to receive his light. Noting that there were already women who seemed to have received his light, Kate waited quietly.
It was similar to a ‘baptism’ bestowed by Luminous. So, she decided to receive it with a devout heart, ensuring that her body remained pure as she awaited the day she would receive his seed. That was her plan.
Until she read the newly published Xenon’s Biography, Kate had never consciously acknowledged her own ‘desires.’ The first night when the main and supporting characters confirm their feelings and truly become one. Kate, being of legal age, was able to read volume 24.5.
‘I harbored desires towards Lord Isaac that I should not have.’
And she realized it too late. Volume 24.5, with its explicit depiction of lovers’ beautiful first night, shattered Kate’s understanding of sexuality. But it wasn’t just the content; it was a particular line that disrupted her deeply held beliefs.
[I want to have your child.]
...to pass the problem to Isaac. If Isaac had heard this, he would have definitely screamed, regardless of whether he really was a god or not.
A god without a shred of responsibility, how could he just pass on such a difficult issue? Luminous vividly felt the future unfolding in his mind and gently consoled her.
[Even the most beautiful emotion, love, can turn into an illness if it festers. It’s best to confess your feelings to Isaac.]
‘Should I also confess my desires?’
[You should ask the women around Isaac about that. They will be your great allies. Listen to their advice.]
This was true. Women would generally understand such issues better than men. Moreover, Isaac’s companions were aware of Kate’s ignorance regarding sex. At least, this would prevent the situation from getting more tangled.
‘I see. I understand.’
[Do you feel better now?]
‘I’m not sure yet. I think I need to meet him to know.’
[Remember, you don’t need to feel guilty. You just want to receive his seed, right?]
‘...’
[Hmm?]
Wait, that’s not right. Luminous was momentarily flustered. The future changes in real time, this is a truth he knew even before the Xenon’s Biography incident. But in less than a second, the future had changed. It was a minor change, but significant for Kate.
He called out to her in a slightly anxious tone.
[Child?]
‘Not just... the seed.’
[Hmm?]
Kate slowly raised her head and shyly confessed.
‘Is it okay if it’s not just for the seed?’
[... ...]
‘Is it okay to also experience the acts and pleasures described in the scripture?’
It’s okay in the sense that it’s natural for men and women to share pleasure through intimacy. But Kate was different. She wasn’t just focused on the seed, she was also fixated on the pleasure that would come from the act.
The once pure cleric had now awakened to something else entirely.
‘Please answer me, Lord Luminous. Is it acceptable to seek the emotions and pleasures that I can only obtain through him and no one else?’
After much deliberation, Luminous responded in a very strained voice.
[...It is acceptable.]
‘Thank you, Lord Luminous.’
At his answer, Kate’s lips curved into a deep smile. Already, her lower abdomen tingled with anticipation for the day she would receive his seed.
‘Oh, Lord Isaac... please, hurry and...’
[... ...]
Luminous witnessed his beloved devotee being overtaken by lust in real-time.
*****
The very next day.
‘Lord Luminous.’
[I’m sorry.]
‘Do you think an apology is enough?’
Isaac, who had just gone through a commotion, came to confront Luminous.
Translators note:
Luminous really just yeeted that hot potato at him lololol