Chapter 403 (1): Palis x Black Axiom Sect
Wayne glanced at the sales booth of the lottery shop and then at Regina, who was craning her neck and looking around. He suddenly remembered his life before his transmigration and saw the plight that everyone could sympathize with but not describe with words—poverty.
“What? Do you need money?” Wayne asked.
Regina received the same salary as Ottilia, as well as allowance and bonuses from her boss. Moreover, known as the most diligent worker at the library with a tendency to work overtime, she also monopolized the rewards for the slave—employee of the month, quarter, and year. All that amounted to an impressive total income.
She was an excellent employee to her boss and an annoyance to her colleagues.
In a few years, she would earn enough to buy a mansion in the Western District of Londan, moving out of the dorm and becoming a success story with real estate and automobiles.
Even disregarding her income, Wayne had visited Regina’s place and learned that she came from old Prussian money. She would be able to lead a life of abundance even if she never worked a day and leeched off her parents instead.
She could rely on her parents at home and on her boss in the real world. She wasn’t someone who should have financial problems.
Also, her parents were quite the smooth talkers.
Learning that Wayne was an Oracle High Reverend at the Church of Nature with substantial assets in Londan, and that he had arranged for his sister-in-law to become the Pope’s secretary, his father and mother-in-law couldn’t be happier with him. He had both money and influence, making him a good husband that their daughter would be lucky to marry.
Toasts were made, and the hosts and the guests both had a good time. Everyone except for Regina enjoyed the meal.
(╥˘‸˘╥)
“I don’t... lack money, but you could never have too much. I want to try my luck. Perhaps I’d win big.” Regina explained stiffly, keeping her reasons to herself.
She had spent too much of her boss’s money, which could make others assume that he was her sugar daddy!
Besides, secretary was a job title that came with strings attached. She had been avoiding becoming a sex-payer. If she used too much of Wayne’s money, she could easily fall down the slippery slope of morality and integrity.
Sliding down the slope was one thing; it would be terrible if her boss went down the wrong path.
It wasn’t how she was taught to be since she was young. Quoting Wayne himself, everyone had to rely on themselves. When she wanted to buy something, she should use her own money.
Her thoughts amused Wayne. He hadn’t noticed how entertaining it was to tease the stubborn secretary.
“Tsk, tsk. Nicely said. The more the merrier. That’s exactly what I think.”
“Boss, I feel like I’ll win a hundred thousand today. I’ll win the top prize.”
“Sure. Everyone could dream.”
“Aren’t you going to encourage me, Boss?” Regina grumbled. “Why are you being so pessimistic, as if I would certainly lose?”
“How about this? Let’s play a game. I’ll give you a hundred thousand if you win. That’s going to be easier than buying a lottery ticket.” Wayne put an arm around Regina’s waist, dragging her away from the lottery shop. “Do you know rock-paper-scissors? If you lose, you only have to pay me one silker. If you win, I’ll give you a hundred thousand. We play it as many times as you want.”
“That’s basically free lunch.”
“But you’ll show your hand first.”
“...”
Regina wasn’t an idiot. She figured out Wayne’s unspoken message immediately. She let out a sigh and grumbled, “Life is hard. Where does the money go? Who earns all of it?”
“Do you have to ask? It goes to capitalists like me, of course,” Wayne said proudly. “Do you know what capitalism is? A group of people who fantasize about free lunches supports a group of people who actually get free lunches. That is capitalism.”
“I never fantasize about free lunches. I work overtime.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll buy you the nicest purses and shoes.” Wayne patted her on the head, rejoining the two secretaries ahead.
Regina sighed as her dream of getting rich overnight fell apart. It was too difficult to rely on herself. She had no choice but to use her boss’s money.
Wayne patted her head again, glancing back at the street corner. Money was irresistible. Although he knew that it was a scam, he still almost bought a lottery ticket.
Even he felt the urge to do it; no wonder Regina would stop to look at the shop.
If Wayne didn’t know it was the intrinsic pull of money, he would’ve thought that lottery shops belonged to demons, and that people had been returning despite their losses because of magic.
***
Bedroom, Mona’s home. That night.
Hesione lay in Wayne’s embrace, folding her wings behind her back. “Boss,” she panted. “I’m Mona.”
“Of course, Mona.”
Wayne put his arm around her, deciding against exposing her since she had voluntarily made herself a cream puff this time.
Hesione didn’t voice her surrender, but showed it through action. Though she was still pretending to be Mona, Wayne didn’t push further. Patience was a virtue that could move the bottom line. She still pretended to be Mona this time, but she might not do it next time.
“Boss, I’ve contacted the cathedral this morning,” Hesione said. “I told them that you weren’t heading to Palis. Should I call the cathedral and tell them your new schedule?”
“You’re too impatient. You act like we’re making a deal.”
Huffing, Wayne grabbed her shoulder and leaned down to kiss her.
I’m Mona! I’m Mona! I’m Mona!
Hesione thought to herself while responding like Mona would. She looked a little dazed after the kiss, but quickly recovered.
“Boss, are you going to Palis?”
“Don’t call the cathedral and update them. I’ll head there in secret.” Wayne sat back against the headboard. “The last time I worked with angels was in Berlo, Prussia. The church there has already submitted to Prussian authority, and things are likely the same this time. In case the demons set up something behind the scenes, I cannot be on the church’s list.”
He had had it all planned out. He would sneak in and let the reincarnated angels draw the fire in the front. While hiding in the bushes, he would pick off the strays.
Hesione realized what he meant. “It’s too dangerous. Let me go with you and protect you.”
“You’re coming with?”
Why else would I work so hard earlier? Do you not know?
Hesione cursed the shameless man in her head. They had done it already, and the sunk cost was too high for her to risk taking a firm stance now. “I worry about you going alone. Besides, you may be away for two months. I’ll miss you. It’ll be difficult to endure.”
“Now I’m interested.” Wayne perked up, asking tentatively, “Tell me, are you Mona or Hesione?”
“I’m...”
“Think about it carefully. Mona would say that she’s the Śār.”
“...”
Hesione clenched her teeth, her expression shifting multiple times before she said stiffly, “I’m Hesione.”
Her heart trembled as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Though she kept assuring herself that she was pretending to be Mona and saying what Mona would say, she still felt a sting in her heart like she had fallen.
There was no turning back, truly.
“Śār, let’s talk about the Anointed One,” Wayne pressed, wanting to settle the score fully.
Hesione shot him an aggrieved glare. “Don’t push too hard, Boss. Enough is enough.”
“Alright, I’ll let you off the hook this time. Let’s shelve the topic for the next time.”
“...”
“I have a question, though.” He cocked his head. “My targets are the demons, who are hiding in the underground catacombs in Palis. The Papal State’s reincarnated angels are after the demons, too. A meeting is inevitable. Are you not worried... that they’ll recognize you?”
It took a moment for Hesione to slowly speak up, “The demons have to be destroyed no matter what.”
Wayne nodded, stroking her shoulder with his fingertips. “I have a solution,” he murmured. “I’ll be the reincarnated Śār, while you’re the clergywoman that His Horniness assigned me. You’re only able to use nearly Śār-level power because of the stigma I granted you. How’s that?”
Out of the question!
Hesione got a knee-jerk reaction when she heard the Pope being mentioned. She pushed aside her anger and shook her head. “Stigmata can grant power, but not change someone’s life essence. While I could deceive a regular man, I’ll never fool my past comrades.”
“It could be explained.” Wayne met Hesione’s eyes and spoke in a loving tone. “Due to the Holy Light I’ve been injecting you with, your power has been enhanced, and the Golden Law and divine blood changed your life essence.”
Could you not wink when you speak? It’s unnerving.
Hesione shuddered under his gaze. As someone who did not understand love and romance, she only found the face particularly punchable. If Mona hadn’t restrained her, she would’ve swung her fist.
Wayne put on the face of a devoted lover, but to little effect. He said instead, “Lust incarnate and Derrida believe that I’m a reincarnated angel, and His Horniness, Archibald, and Kael agree. Their preconception would make them assume that anything unusual about you is because of me.”
“Perhaps...” Hesione responded noncommittally. It would be best if they could convince others that Wayne was Hesione. After all, she was far from the image of purity, and tarnishing her image would be the last of her worries. The bigger problem was that she could damage Heaven’s reputation and give the demons something to laugh at until their stomachs burst.
Weighing the pros and cons, she hoped that Wayne’s plan would work.
In comparison, she could tolerate the way his misdeeds spoiled the pure image associated with Hesione’s name.
“Then give me a buff...” Wayne wagged his tongue. “Last time, you only dipped in and didn’t work hard enough. Do it properly this time. Whether we could preserve Heaven’s honor would depend on your effort.”
Hesione didn’t deny him. Again, it wasn’t her first time, and humiliation had a diminishing margin. Still...
(⁄⁄•⁄⁄•⁄⁄)
Hesione’s eyes twitched. She asked silently, “Mona, would you stop holding me down for a moment? You see him. His face is so punchable. He’s clearly humiliating us.”
“Not us. Just you.”
“...”
“Besides, I’ve only kept your hands down, not your feet. You could step on him!”
Degenerates! Hesione cursed silently, scowling as she pressed her lips to Wayne’s, her eyes closed.
“Alright, Boss. I’ve reinforced the stigma. It contains my divine power so that you could be the Śār from now on.” Hesione tried to push Wayne away.
“You’re missing some of the corners. Lick it again—no, reinforce it again. It’ll be a shame if we’re exposed because you aren’t thorough enough.”
Shameless! Is that what you call reinforcing the stigma?!
Hesione weighed her options. Telling herself that Heaven’s honor came first, she reluctantly kissed him again.
She covered her face afterwards. This was the worst.
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