Chapter 224: White Palace 2

As the meeting drew to an abrupt close, the lingering tension in the room was palpable, underscored by the glaring absence of any concrete plans.

The urgency of the situation loomed large, casting a shadow over the proceedings.

Even the venerable Pope, revered for his wisdom and authority, found himself shackled by the need for consensus among the disparate factions.

In a crisis of this magnitude, every move had repercussions, necessitating careful deliberation and coordination with other nations.

The Emperor as well, no doubt burdened by the weight of his own responsibilities, stood on equal footing with the Pope in terms of influence and necessity for consultation.

Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, one immutable truth remained: the dearth of reliable information regarding the unfolding events beyond their borders.

While the imperative to aid the imperiled northern countries was undeniable, each nation was duty-bound to safeguard its own interests and ensure the protection of its citizens.

The prospect of dispatching soldiers without a coherent strategy was not merely foolhardy—it was tantamount to inviting defeat at the hands of the relentless demonic forces that threatened to engulf them all.

Indeed, the demons' ability to circumvent even the most formidable security measures only served to compound the urgency of the situation.

Their insidious tactics and uncanny ability to exploit vulnerabilities left nations vulnerable and exposed, heightening the stakes of the impending conflict.

'They're all pinned down as expected'

...

"Huff...!" I exhaled heavily as a forceful kick slammed into my stomach, sending me staggering back several paces.

With a quick reflex, I drove my sword into the ground to steady myself, narrowly avoiding being propelled into the wall behind me by the sheer impact of the blow.

'Tsk...!'

Glancing up at Libert, who stood casually with his sword raised, I couldn't help but click my tongue in annoyance. Despite the intensity of our training, he seemed unfazed, almost nonchalant.

Gritting my teeth, I rose to my feet, determination burning in my veins as I launched myself forward, my blade aimed squarely at his heart.

Yet, as anticipated, Libert effortlessly sidestepped my attack with practiced ease.

Since the tumultuous meeting yesterday, our training sessions had intensified, each sparring session pushing me to my limits.

Across the training grounds, I caught a glimpse of Elena, engaged in her own rigorous training regimen with her mentor.

The training ground crackled with an intensity that belied the serene exterior, the palpable energy radiating from Elena's holy relic casting a shimmering aura across the field.

Even from a distance, its divine presence was unmistakable, imbuing the air with a sense of sanctity that seemed to seep into every corner of the arena.

As I squared off against Libert, engaged in our rigorous sparring session, I couldn't help but notice the sheen of sweat glistening on his brow.

Despite his outward composure, I could sense the strain he was under, the oppressive heat weighing heavily upon him.

'I'm lucky the holy sword is eating the heat for me,' I mused inwardly, grateful for the protective barrier afforded by Elena's divine weapon.

The warmth enveloping me, though intense, was tempered by the sword's benevolent influence, allowing me to channel its energy without succumbing to its searing intensity.

Yet, as I considered the source of my newfound vigor, a pang of guilt gnawed at my conscience.

While Libert and I had agreed to train solely with our swords, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was somehow gaining an unfair advantage.

Absorbing the residual divine energy emanating from Elena's relic felt akin to cheating.

'Should I ask him to infuse our duel with his own divine power to level the playing field?' I pondered.

Knowing Libert's steadfast resolve, he would likely dismiss my concerns with a shake of his head, urging me to press on undeterred.

As she tended to my injuries, I couldn't help but reflect on the folly of underestimating my opponent. While training was exhilarating, it was a stark reminder of the harsh realities of combat.

With my body still throbbing with pain, I realized that it was time to shift my focus to more pressing matters.

The letter the princess had entrusted to me remained unopened, its contents a mystery that demanded my attention.

Moreover, there were countless contacts I had yet to establish, alliances to forge, and strategies to devise.

Aunt and the others were likely waiting for my cue as well... too many things have been delayed.

'I should probably ask Aria to let me borrow her staff for a bit'

Utilizing my sister's portals had become increasingly perilous in light of recent events.

The populace had grown suspicious, their fear and mistrust mounting as they began to suspect a connection between the portals and the encroaching demonic threat.

Complicating matters in more ways than one.

With the staff of Estelle in my possession, however, a solution presented itself.

Conjuring a single-man teleportation spell should, theoretically, be within my capabilities.

Though daunting, the prospect of mastering such a complex incantation paled in comparison to the risks of continuing to rely on my sister's portals.

"Ow..." Elena exclaimed, a wince crossing her features as she squirmed in discomfort when I touched her foot.

"Are you okay?" I inquired, concern lacing my voice as I observed her reaction.

"Ah, y-yes... I'm fine," she replied, though her words belied the pain she was experiencing. "It seems that I accidentally sprained myself there."

"I can see that," I remarked, kneeling beside her on the bench. Elena had just finished her training, and as her attire consisted of specialized one-piece clothing to harness the power of the sun, there were no additional garments to impede my assistance.

She sat before me in her white one-piece dress, a vision of grace and strength.

Her dress is quite thin... I can see the pink outlines of her nipples.

As her lover, it felt natural for me to aid her in putting her shoe back on.

However, I couldn't help but marvel at her bravery—she had faced her teacher in battle without any undergarments, relying solely on the light emanating from her body to conceal her nudity.

It must've felt uncomfortable.

Gently touching her injured foot, I noticed her flinch, indicating that the injury might be more serious than initially thought.

"Can you heal it?" I inquired, hoping her divine powers could provide relief.

"Yes, but I'm out of divine energy right now," she confessed, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"I see," I murmured, concern furrowing my brow as I gently rubbed her injured foot, testing the severity of the sprain.

Elena's reactions were telling—her twitching and groaning in pain suggested that the injury was more significant than she initially let on.

Yet, amidst her discomfort, there was a subtle shift in her demeanor, a blush creeping across her cheeks as her groans took on a peculiar tone.

"Anh~ nngh!" she moaned, though the sound seemed oddly suggestive. As she covered her mouth quickly.

My gaze lingered on her, and despite her attempts to conceal it, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

It was a revelation that shouldn't have surprised me—after all, I had noticed hints of her masochistic tendencies before, particularly during our intimate moments.

'I guess this explains why she enjoyed that punishment last time way too much....'