Just as Alfia opened her mouth to say something, Akira suddenly snapped his fingers. His eyes lit up with inspiration.
"Wait a sec… what if I use the blood of another god? Even if it doesn't unlock the status, it might touch or disturb it enough to analyze."
Alfia blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the idea. She pondered quietly for a few seconds before replying, "In theory, it's not impossible. After all, those unlocking potions are made from the blood of gods. You can give it a try."
"Perfect. Wait right here."
With that, Akira suddenly reached out, threading his arms around her back and under her thighs in one fluid motion, gently lifting her into a princess carry. Her body leaned against his chest, and their faces were suddenly inches apart.
Alfia's eyes widened in surprise at the abrupt gesture.
Akira, grinning cheekily, met her startled gaze with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, sorry, I swear I'm not taking advantage of you. It's just… you probably can't move right now, right?"
"Do whatever you want." She muttered, closing her eyes again with an air of surrender.
She no longer had the strength or will to bicker with him.
Besides, hadn't he already taken more than just her physical comfort? That smile, those words, why did they echo so loudly inside her heart?
A strange ripple stirred within her.
With a light tap of his foot, the blood cocoon dissolved into a thick pool before reshaping itself into a soft recliner at Akira's will. He gently placed Alfia down, careful not to look at anything he shouldn't.
He turned away, too quickly, clearly avoiding a peek at her exposed skin beneath the damaged black dress. But that brief moment of fluster was enough to expose him.
Alfia opened her eyes slightly, only to feel a soft touch poke her cheek. Her dual-colored eyes moved, locking onto the bold idiot squatting in front of her.
"Hey." Akira said with a bright smile, poking her again. "You were the one who said I could do whatever I want, remember?"
A vein bulged visibly on Alfia's forehead.
"F—" She began, but Akira was already running toward the door.
"Stingy witch!" He shouted as he bolted like a frightened cat.
She watched his retreating back, words left unsaid and then, a chuckle escaped her lips. A faint, ephemeral smile appeared, blooming on her face.
The warm colors of the stained-glass windows shimmered across her cheeks, catching the subtle lines of her smile.
She quickly raised a hand to her lips, trying to hide the involuntary expression but the softness in her eyes lingered.
Even if she tried to hide it, even if no one else saw it…
That smile had already bloomed.
When Akira pushed the door open and returned to the outer hall, he immediately reverted to his usual casual demeanor. No trace of the tender exchange moments ago remained. Instead, he was met with the lively sounds of two grown men having an age-old debate on the church bench.
"No, no, I'm telling you, the virgin goddess outside has the most beautiful women in her familia." Zald said seriously, stroking his chin.
"Artemis, huh? True." Erebus nodded in agreement, but then his gaze grew mischievous. "Although, if we're talking about beauty, isn't Akira's Justice familia full of lovely young flowers?"
Zald's expression froze. His eyes slowly drifted past Erebus and locked onto Akira approaching from behind.
His face contorted as he tried to warn the clueless god, "No, those girls are still just kids. What the hell are you thinking?!"
"Zald, come on." Erebus waved him off, oblivious. "You've got no vision. Beauty transcends age, my friend. Youthful innocence is a virtue. That's a huge plus."
His face glowed with enthusiasm as he gestured wildly.
Zald was losing it. 'Behind you, idiot! He's RIGHT BEHIND YOU!'
Without a sound, Akira hovered behind Erebus, his steps light as a feather.
And then, he pressed a hand onto the god's shoulder, his tone sweet as sugar, but colder than frost.
"Hey, Erebus. Mind if I borrow your head for a moment?"
"UWAAAAAAGH!!"
Erebus leapt from his seat with an ear-splitting shriek.
He spun around, eyes wide, and let out a breathless laugh. "Ahaha… Akira. You scared me half to death. I thought an assassin was about to send me back to heaven."
Akira rubbed his eyes and gave a sleepy yawn, muttering, "Honestly, I'm in there trying to save a life and you two are out here talking about beauties?"
Zald cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject. "How is she? Alfia, I mean."
Only one person had come out of the room. That uncertainty made his heart pound with anxiety.
Akira, sensing the genuine worry, didn't joke around this time. "I cured her terminal illness. But there's still a few things left to sort out."
He paused, tempted to say "The operation was a success, but Alfia's now a man." just to see their reactions but in the end, he held back.
Zald exhaled in relief, a smile softening his gruff features. "Thank the heavens…"
Erebus stepped forward with a curious look. "So? What now? And what did you need my blood for?"
Akira smirked. "Just give some blood to me."
"…Huh?"
"Come on. You said you were the god of the underworld, right? Consider this your offering."
Erebus narrowed his eyes, but after a moment's thought, he sighed in resignation and stretched out a finger.
"Fine, fine. Take it."
Just as Erebus finished speaking, a faint breeze blew past, brushing lightly across his outstretched fingers. A few crimson droplets dripped from his fingertips, hovering in the air like glowing rubies suspended in time.
Akira was quick to act, his palm rose to catch them, gently wrapping around the divine blood as if handling a treasure. He narrowed his eyes, studying the glowing drops intently, a glimmer of recognition flashing in his pupils.
'This sensation… isn't this just like Astraea's divine blood?'
The resemblance was uncanny, its texture, its glow, the subtle aura of divine providence wrapped within.
"Oi, you. What exactly are you going to do with my divine blood?" Erebus asked with a raised brow, unable to suppress his curiosity.
As a god who descended from the heavens to the mortal realm, his curiosity had long since grown unchecked. His obsession with anything novel or chaotic far exceeded the boundaries of normal godly interest. And right now, Akira's mysterious behavior was making him itch all over with anticipation.
Zald, standing nearby, also shifted his attention fully to Akira, interest piqued.
Akira responded with a sly grin, the kind that promised mischief, "You both know about Alfia's skill Gif Blessing, right?"
At those words, the atmosphere froze.
The moment that name was mentioned, the faces of both Erebus and Zald turned serious, their eyes filled with heavy emotion. Of course they knew.
It was that very cursed skill, so powerful, yet so merciless, that had caused Alfia's endless pain, pushing her into the abyss of slow destruction.
"With this divine blood…" Akira deliberately paused, enjoying the sight of two old men practically leaning in from suspense. "I have no idea what will happen."
And then, with a flash of movement, he spun on his heel and dashed back toward the room.
Erebus and Zald were left standing there, completely frozen like statues in the middle of the church.
What?
This brat…!
You mean you made us sit through all that, just to tell us NOTHING?!
Was this revenge for our teasing earlier?!
A moment passed in stunned silence before Erebus suddenly burst to life, pointing furiously at the now-closed door.
"Y-You righteous little devil! You're toying with us!"
He stomped the ground and waved his arms like a child denied candy, chasing after Akira's shadow long gone.
Zald, on the other hand, let out a helpless sigh and shook his head with a bitter chuckle. "Akira… still as elusive as ever."
Even as he tried to rationalize Akira's actions, his gaze lingered on the closed door, a thread of unease flickering within his calm eyes.
'Just what are you planning in there… Akira?'