Chapter 475: Chapter 476: Blessing of the Goddess of Archery, Metis?
[Soubu Academy → Cardinal Archbishop’s Secret Altar | Fantasy World | Late Afternoon → Evening]
Yukino Yukinoshita remained unaffected for one simple reason.
Her bond with Hozuki Nozomi ran deep enough already—threads of trust woven through shared silences and unspoken understanding. The succubus mark found no purchase in soil already claimed.
Therefore.
The Second Miss of the Yukinoshita household would soon awaken abilities of her own.
As for Sakurajima Mai...
"Nozomi, how was my acting? She believed every word."
Sakurajima Mai sat curled in Nozomi’s lap, the late afternoon sun casting amber light across the empty rooftop. Her arms looped around his neck, fingers playing with the short hairs at his nape. The scent of her shampoo—something floral and clean, like white tea—drifted up as she tilted her head, smile tugging at her lips.
He’s pouting. Actually pouting. How is someone this powerful also this cute?
Nozomi pinched her nose, the gesture more affectionate than annoyed. "I thought you were genuinely charmed. The succubus mark was planted and everything."
"Mmm." She poked his cheek with one finger, feeling the slight tension in his jaw. "What, jealous knowing I sat on another woman’s lap? Let her hold me?"
"Jealous of what? You’re both girls—what could possibly happen?"
The words came out dismissive, but his grip on her waist tightened. Sakurajima Mai felt heat pool low in her belly at the possessive pressure of his fingers through her uniform.
Then he lowered his head.
His mouth found hers—soft at first, a brush of warmth, then deeper. His tongue traced the seam of her lips until she parted them with a quiet "Nn..." The kiss tasted like the melon bread he’d eaten earlier, sweet and familiar. She melted against his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her palm.
When he pulled back, his thumb traced her bottom lip, slightly swollen now.
"Don’t do that again. I’ll worry."
His voice dropped, rough at the edges.
"And Mai-chan’s lips—only I get to kiss them."
Heat flooded her cheeks. Her thighs pressed together unconsciously, the commanding edge in his tone sending electricity skittering down her spine.
God, when he says things like that...
"Idiot," she breathed, burying her face against his neck to hide the flush spreading to her ears. "I promise."
She hadn’t intended to let Shiori kiss her anyway. The succubus was cute enough, objectively—heart-shaped face, doe eyes, the works. But something about her presence made Sakurajima Mai’s skin crawl, an oily wrongness she couldn’t articulate.
---
Back to Shiori.
After Yukino Yukinoshita’s cold rejection, the succubus burned with humiliation. She needed validation—needed to prove that the ice queen was the anomaly, not the rule.
Her heels clicked against the hallway tiles as she searched for a new target.
Soon enough, a sweet figure appeared. Long golden hair catching the afternoon light, gentle features arranged in perpetual softness. The smell of something home-cooked—miso, rice, maybe tamagoyaki—clung to her like a second skin.
"Excuse me, classmate." Shiori approached with manufactured shyness, cheeks dusted pink. "What’s your name? I’m Kawamoto Shiori, a new transfer student. Could we... be friends?"
Shiina Mahiru turned, her smile warm as fresh-baked bread. "Of course."
Too easy.
Triumph surged through Shiori’s chest. So Yukino Yukinoshita was simply special—everyone else crumbled before her charm like wet paper.
She extended her hand, already imagining the mark taking root. "Then from now on, we’re—"
"Hey. Do you want to die?"
The melodious voice cut through the air like a blade wrapped in silk.
Shiori’s body locked. She turned slowly, limbs suddenly heavy.
The speaker was petite—barely reaching Shiori’s shoulder—with long golden hair in messy disarray, as though she’d just rolled out of bed. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. She looked, frankly, like a disaster.
But that wasn’t the point.
Above the girl’s head blazed a halo of pure light, painful to look at directly. Behind her shoulders, wings of pristine white feathers unfurled, each one radiating an aura that pressed against Shiori’s demonic essence like a thumb against a bruise.
Archangel. ARCHANGEL.
"M-Mercy!" Shiori’s knees buckled, hitting the floor with a crack. Her whole body trembled, cold sweat beading at her temples. "Archangel, I was wrong! I was wrong!"
Gabriel’s expression remained flat, almost bored—except for the dangerous glint in her half-lidded eyes.
This succubus thinks she can poach in MY territory? Touch MY meal ticket—I mean, valued angel candidate?
"In my territory," Gabriel said softly, "daring to lay hands on someone I value. You’ve got guts."
She raised one small hand. The sacred pressure intensified, crushing down on Shiori until she could barely breathe, until her vision spotted with white.
It’s over it’s over it’s over why didn’t that idiotic Archbishop mention ANGELS—
"Gabriel-chan." Shiina Mahiru’s gentle voice cut through the suffocating weight. "You shouldn’t be rude to new classmates."
"Eh? No, but she had bad intentions just now—"
"It’s just making friends." Mahiru tilted her head, smile unchanged. "What bad intentions could there be? Anyway, I made an extra bento today. Would you like some?"
Gabriel’s eyes went wide, the halo above her head flickering with sudden excitement. "Can I...?"
FOOD. Actual food. Not convenience store onigiri or stale melon pan.
"Of course you can."
Shiina Mahiru took Gabriel’s small hand in hers, and the two golden-haired girls walked off together—a study in contrasts, the angel’s rumpled chaos beside Mahiru’s immaculate softness.
"Sorry, Shiori-san." Mahiru glanced back with an apologetic smile. "Gabriel-chan and I have plans. Let’s talk another time."
Shiori nodded dumbly, still kneeling on the cold tile.
The crisis... passed?
Tears welled up, spilling down her cheeks.
Mahiru-san is an actual angel. So kind... even to a despicable succubus like me...
Meanwhile, Gabriel practically skipped alongside Shiina Mahiru, stomach growling audibly.
She saved me AGAIN. At this rate I’ll owe her my firstborn or whatever.
Recently, she’d blown her entire month’s allowance on gacha pulls. Eating had become... optional. But then Shiina Mahiru started appearing with extra bentos, feeding her like a stray cat she’d adopted.
Gabriel’s favorability toward her skyrocketed accordingly.
Best of all—on one accidental occasion, Nozomi had witnessed Shiina Mahiru spoon-feeding her.
The halo above Gabriel’s head had actually gained progress.
Progress that was supposed to require good deeds.
Eating counts as virtue now. Heaven is GREAT.
---
Back to Shiori.
After encountering Gabriel, her arrogance evaporated like morning dew.
She worked quickly, quietly. Found Kujou Alisa in the library— statuesque, radiating cool Russian beauty—and planted a succubus mark the same way she had with Maria. A brush of fingers, a lingering gaze, charm seeping through skin contact.
By evening.
Shiori led her small procession through winding back alleys that smelled of rust and old rain. Maria walked at her right, Alisa at her left, and Sakurajima Mai trailed behind—all three priestess candidates for the Cardinal Archbishop’s ritual.
Perfect. The Archbishop will be pleased.
Sakurajima Mai studied the Kujou sisters from beneath her lashes. Both gazed at Shiori with hazy devotion, pupils slightly dilated, movements languid and dream-like.
Creepy.
Because of Nozomi’s protection, the mark hadn’t touched her. She was simply acting—playing the charmed maiden while searching for the mastermind behind this whole operation.
Otherwise, even if they eliminated Shiori today, more succubi would emerge tomorrow. The source needed cutting.
The Cardinal Archbishop’s secret location turned out to be an abandoned warehouse, its interior gutted and rebuilt into something resembling a cathedral. Crimson tapestries hung from rusted beams. Candles flickered in iron sconces, their flames casting dancing shadows across a massive altar at the center—carved from dark stone, its surface etched with glowing red sigils.
The smell hit her immediately: incense, cloying and thick, layered over something metallic. Blood, maybe. Old blood.
In the center of the red altar stood a figure in ceremonial robes, hood drawn.
Shiori stepped forward, hips swaying.
"Archbishop. I have not failed your trust." She gestured grandly at her captives. "The priestesses you requested."
The Cardinal Archbishop’s eyes lit beneath his hood.
His gaze crawled over the three beautiful girls—Maria’s innocent sweetness, Alisa’s cool elegance, Mai’s effortless grace—and his tongue darted out to wet his lips.
"Very good, Shiori. Well done." His voice was oily, rich with satisfaction. "I will petition the gods to commend you."
Then his attention locked onto Sakurajima Mai, and he actually gasped.
"She is... she’s Mai-chan! My favorite actress!"
Oh god. A fan.
Sakurajima Mai kept her expression blank, fighting the urge to grimace. Of all the villains in all the warehouses...
"Hahaha! Shiori, you’ve outdone yourself." The Archbishop spread his arms wide. "Come. Let me reward you properly."
"Yes, Archbishop~"
Shiori approached with a coquettish smile, and the Archbishop immediately pulled her against his body. His large hands gripped her waist, yanking her close until she was pressed flush against his robes.
He kissed her.
Not gentle—hungry. His mouth covered hers completely, tongue pushing past her lips with practiced aggression. Shiori made a show of weak protest, small hands pushing at his chest, but she soon melted against him, arms winding around his neck.
His hood fell back.
Revealing a completely bald head, the scalp gleaming in the candlelight. His face beneath was handsome enough—strong jaw, sharp cheekbones—but something predatory lurked in his eyes, something that made the word "holy" feel like a sick joke.
What a cliché, Shiori thought, even as she returned his kiss with manufactured passion. At least he’s not ugly.
"Villain!" Kujou Alisa’s voice rang out, sharp despite the enchantment’s haze. "What are you doing to Shiori?"
"She’s our best friend!" Maria’s cheeks flushed with protective anger. "You can’t—you can’t just bully her!"
"Yes! Exactly!" Sakurajima Mai added quickly, injecting righteous fury into her tone. "No bullying girls!"
Nailed it. Very convincing.
The enchantment had apparently convinced the Kujou sisters that Shiori was their dearest companion. Seeing her manhandled by a bald man triggered their protective instincts.
The Cardinal Archbishop laughed, the sound echoing off stone walls.
"Don’t rush, my priestesses." His hand slid down Shiori’s back, groping her rear through the thin fabric of her skirt. "After we meet the Goddess and receive her blessing... it will be your turn."
His other hand fisted in Shiori’s hair, tilting her head back.
"Let me reward Shiori first. Miss Alisa—you’re next."
Sakurajima Mai maintained her indignant expression, but internally she felt only mild disgust.
Hozuki Nozomi is ten times more handsome. Hundred times.
This bald villain couldn’t hold a candle to her boyfriend. The comparison wasn’t even worth making.
She lowered her head, covering her eyes to avoid the increasingly obscene display.
Shiori, for her part, had stopped resisting entirely. The Archbishop’s hands roamed freely now—one squeezing her breast through her uniform, the other hiking up her skirt to palm her bare thigh.
Just a human body, she reminded herself, letting out a theatrical moan. Treat him like a toy. Maintain the contract.
Succubi couldn’t survive without male energy. The Archbishop was useful, if nothing else.
The red light beneath the altar intensified, responding to their combined "divine power." The sigils pulsed brighter, casting the entire chamber in bloody luminescence.
"Ahn... Archbishop... nngh..."
Shiori’s head fell back as his mouth attacked her throat, leaving wet marks across her pale skin. Her skirt bunched around her hips now, his thick fingers teasing the edge of her panties.
The Kujou sisters covered their eyes, bosoms heaving with indignation beneath their uniforms.
Sakurajima Mai peeked through her fingers.
Wait—is that actually working? The ritual?
The magic circle at the altar’s center blazed to life. Cardinal Archbishop and succubus floated upward together, wrapped in crimson light, their bodies still intertwined.
A portal of pure white light tore open in the air above them.
A snow-white hand pushed through first—delicate fingers, flawless skin. Then the rest of the Goddess emerged.
Long silver hair cascaded past her waist, shimmering like liquid moonlight. Green gemstone ornaments adorned her brow. Her dress was a simple white slip, but it clung to curves that would make sculptors weep—full breasts straining against the thin fabric, narrow waist, hips that flared with divine perfection.
She was barefoot. Sacred. Beautiful beyond mortal comprehension.
The smell of ozone and wildflowers filled the chamber, drowning out the incense and old blood.
"Goddess!" The Archbishop’s eyes welled with tears. He and Shiori dropped to their knees mid-air, hands clasped in prayer. "You have finally appeared! Has my piety finally moved you?"
Sakurajima Mai stared.
What kind of deity requires... THAT... as a summoning ritual?
Hozuki Nozomi, hidden in the shadows near the chamber’s entrance, felt his brows climb toward his hairline.
This is... a Goddess?
The silver-haired divine being didn’t even glance at her supposed worshippers. Her gaze cut through the darkness, finding him immediately.
"No," she said, voice cold as winter stars. "I am not here for you."
The Archbishop blinked. "What—"
"I am here for the once-in-a-millennium Hero."
"H-Hero? What Hero?"
Contempt flickered across the Goddess’s perfect features. She raised one elegant hand, and a bow of pure light materialized—golden, humming with power. An arrow of concentrated divinity nocked itself.
"You are evil," she pronounced. "And evil must be purged."
"Goddess, NO—"
The arrow flew.
Cardinal Archbishop and succubus had no time to resist, no time to scream. The golden light struck them both, and they simply... ceased. Dissipated like morning mist, leaving nothing behind but fading particles of light.
Only then did the Goddess’s lips curve into a slight smile.
She turned fully toward the shadows where Hozuki Nozomi concealed himself. "Hero. Are you still planning to hide?"
The Kujou sisters had already crumpled, unconscious the moment their succubus mark-holder perished. Hozuki Nozomi stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Sakurajima Mai.
"You know me?"
"Of course." The Goddess descended slowly, bare feet touching the cold stone without a sound. "You are the once-in-a-millennium Hero. Many worlds require your power for salvation."
She approached until barely a breath separated them. This close, he could smell her—something ancient and intoxicating, like sun-warmed honey and crushed starlight.
Her hand rose, cupping his cheek with terrifying gentleness.
Then she pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Heat bloomed from the contact point, spreading through his entire body, settling somewhere deep in his core.
"This is my blessing," she murmured against his skin. "Accept it. We will meet again, Hero."
She pulled back, eyes glinting with something that made his instincts scream.
"Remember my name. I am Goddess Metis."
Light swallowed her, and she vanished.
[Ding! Congratulations to the player for receiving the Blessing of the Goddess of Bows, Metis. Your talent in archery has increased to MAX.]
Hozuki Nozomi’s expression twisted.
Goddess of Bows, Metis.
If his memory served correctly... this Goddess was notorious. Infamous, even. A perverted deity who specialized in seducing Heroes into forbidden relationships, collecting them like pretty toys.
Are you kidding me?
Being blessed by HER meant only one thing.
