Chapter 47: Don’t You Keep Your Word?
Misty steam filled the bathroom as warm water cascaded down Shion’s muscular back.
His hands pressed against the magic crystal-embedded tile wall, letting the water flow through his short black hair.
Droplets traced along his taut waistline, pooling in small puddles at his feet.
Shion closed his eyes, water droplets clinging to his long lashes as he recalled the crimson saint’s gradually surrendering gaze during their mental soothing session.
Cynthia’s condition had stabilized… As long as Heralys applied a bit more pressure, she would become increasingly dependent on him. The more she cared, the more passive she’d become, until eventually… she would be completely under his control.
His thoughts drifted to more distant matters—Heralys.
That radiant saint was more cunning than Cynthia, but her goals seemed clear. The so-called “Saint Completion Plan” sounded like some kind of evolution ritual.
If what she said was true, and everything was just for union, then perhaps… selling his body could solve it?
A purely physical relationship… that wasn’t entirely out of the question.
But what troubled Shion most was that Shadow-Eroding Saint—Skadi.
This saint could hide in shadows, lurking in darkness, ready to strike him down at any moment.
What puzzled Shion was that Skadi was clearly on the verge of becoming a witch, her mind on the brink of collapse. By all logic, she should need his mental soothing more than anyone, yet she insisted on carrying out this so-called “heretical judgment,” even if it meant completely falling into witchhood.
There had to be some reason behind this…
He’d have to find an opportunity to ask Heralys about it during tonight’s meeting.
Just as he was lost in thought, the bathroom door was gently pushed open.
“C-Cynthia-sama?!”
Shion’s head snapped up, water droplets flying from his hair. Through the misty steam, he saw Cynthia standing in the doorway wearing only a thin bath towel.
Her skin glowed with a delicate sheen under the bathroom’s warm yellow light. Her red hair fell loosely over her shoulders, the ends still damp with moisture. The towel barely covered her rounded hips, exposing her long, pale legs. Water droplets slid from her delicate collarbone, disappearing into the barely visible valley between her breasts.
He instinctively covered his lower half, his heart racing.
Cynthia stepped barefoot onto the wet tiles, the towel swaying slightly with her movements, offering glimpses of her slender thighs and delicate waist.
“Look how tense you are.”
She laughed softly, her fingers lightly touching the edge of the towel.
“Didn’t we agree not to use formal titles in private?”
“Y-you… what are you doing?”
Shion’s Adam’s apple bobbed as water droplets fell from his chin. His voice was slightly strained, his back pressed against the cool tiles.
“Taking a bath together, of course.”
She said matter-of-factly, her fingers toying with the towel’s edge as if it might come loose at any moment.
“This… isn’t really appropriate, is it?”
Shion’s breathing grew noticeably labored, water droplets sliding down his reddening earlobes. His fingers unconsciously clawed at the tile grooves, his knuckles turning white.
“Hmm?”
Cynthia frowned slightly, her red lips pursing.
“You just said you’d listen to everything I said, so why are you being reluctant now?”
“What exactly do you want to do?”
Shion took a deep breath. The warm steam mixed with Cynthia’s distinctive violet fragrance made his voice husky, his gaze unconsciously falling on the fullness swaying at Cynthia’s chest.
“I’ve wanted to try this for a long time.”
Cynthia’s lips curved into a mischievous smile, her red pupils already beginning to take on a heart-shaped outline, filled with undisguised anticipation. She stepped forward, and the warm water immediately soaked her long hair.
“Back in the basement, just upper body contact felt so good… This time, after such an intense battle, plus full-body zero-distance contact, what would that feel like?”
She licked her lips, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“That feeling… I can’t get it out of my mind. Now I’m already… dying with anticipation.”
“But…”
Shion was about to persuade her otherwise, but Cynthia impatiently waved her hand, commanding with unquestionable authority.
“Enough talk. Turn around.”
The saint’s voice carried irresistible dignity, yet was tinged with a coquettish sweetness.
Shion could only obediently turn around, facing away from her.
The next second, he heard the towel drop to the floor, followed immediately by a blazing hot body pressing against him.
Cynthia’s arms wrapped around Shion’s waist, her slender fingers tracing circles on his firm abs. Her soft chest pressed tightly against his back, two perky buds leaving clear impressions on his wet skin, making his breathing instantly halt.
“Mmm…”
Cynthia let out a satisfied sigh, her wet hair clinging to their overlapping bodies.
She pressed her cheek against Shion’s shoulder blade, nuzzling gently.
“As expected… so comfortable… This feeling is… more satisfying than I imagined.”
Cynthia’s palms slowly moved upward, her fingertips wandering across his chest, tracing the contours of his muscles. Each touch made Shion’s skin tighten slightly, as if struck by electricity.
This feeling… was too wonderful…
The saint’s pupils gradually contracted, finally becoming two pink hearts. Her breathing became rapid and heated, her cheeks flushed red, and her inner spiritual body felt as if wrapped in warm power, all fatigue and restlessness smoothed away in this moment.
Shion could feel the softness behind him constantly changing shape with her movements. The warm water washed over their pressed bodies, and his breathing grew heavier.
He could clearly sense Cynthia’s changes—her body growing hotter, her arms gradually tightening, as if she wanted to meld herself into his body.
“Don’t be so tense…”
Cynthia whispered in Shion’s ear, her warm breath brushing his earlobe, making him shiver.
“Relax a little…”
Her palm slowly moved downward.
“Hiss—”
Shion drew in a sharp breath, his whole body trembling violently.
Cynthia’s palm was ice-cold, while his body burned like fire.
This extreme temperature difference made his senses nearly explode, every nerve screaming wildly.
“Heh…”
She chuckled softly, pressing even harder against Shion’s back, her chin resting on his shoulder, the blazing heat nearly burning her skin.
Shion’s back muscles rose and fell dramatically, water droplets rolling down the taut curves.
“Cynthia… don’t…”
His voice was hoarse beyond recognition, his fingers leaving water streaks on the tiles.
“Didn’t you promise to compensate me double?”
Her voice was like melted honey, thick and sweet, with a hint of coquetry.
As she spoke, her soft lips barely brushed his earlobe, her teeth gently nibbling his earlobe, grinding lightly with her canines.
“Don’t you keep your word?”