The water pump—a piece of legendary heavy machinery that typically only exists in the fantasies of ACG.
It is primarily used to transport or pressurize liquid, and its operational capacity is so powerful it can even be used for flood drainage.
Ye Feng had never seen one before.
But when Aponia, both shy and tearful, whispered "I want it" in a soft sob, Ye Feng unlocked the heart-shaped lock at the top of the pink progress bar.
And then, he witnessed what a water pump was, and what liquid pressurization truly meant.
At the same time, Aponia dimly realized that she probably... could never go back.
Aponia's eyes were like pools of water, her body drenched in fragrant sweat, her pearly teeth biting into a stray lock of her messy hair.
Her eyes were so dim at this moment, they seemed devoid of color. Her unfocused gaze was fixed on the ceiling where, in her peripheral vision, she could see the drenched surface slowly forming beads of water that dripped down, tick, tock.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her.
Ye Feng used the nun's pure white veil to blindfold her.
With her vision obscured, her other senses were magnified, crowding out the space for thought.
Ye Feng's fingers moved with the rhythm of a concert conductor, while a devil's gentle whispers echoed by the nun's ear.
"Aponia, you need to understand what pleasure is. Let's start by examining yourself. I will assist you, how does that sound?"
"..."
Aponia's throat moved, her moist cherry lips parting slightly, but no words came out.
"You don't understand? Well, that's not surprising. After all, Aponia is always thinking of others, always taking on sins for being unable to save others from their fate."
"A compassionate holy mother is always so 'selfless' that she cannot even ascertain her own pleasure. But even without awareness, the soul will still pursue it instinctively."
Aponia tried to lift her hand, but the weakness in her body was beyond imagination. She struggled several times, only to let it fall helplessly, her graceful hand glistening as if it had been oiled.
"...Pleasure? My sins, my karma... do not permit the pursuit of such a luxury."
Ye Feng said, "Aponia, why must you define pleasure with such a 'narrow' concept? Even if you were to classify pain and sighs as part of 'pleasure,' what contradiction would there be?"
"'Pleasure' has no fixed form. It is precisely because you don't understand this that you have become so lost."
"—That's impossible!"
As if in a final burst of energy, Aponia said urgently:
"The pain of the world, the laments of the people, the tragedies I failed to prevent—how can any of that be called pleasure! Little Feng, don't say such things!"
"You're wrong, Aponia. It is not the pain and laments of the world, but your own."
"...My own?"
"Correct. Therefore, 'pleasure' is not something you need to actively pursue. It has always been there."
"I..."
"Still hesitating at this point? You can't be this dense, Aponia. A new pleasure is beckoning to you now, so why can't we be honest with each other? Besides, you yourself long for hope, for salvation, for pleasure, do you not?"
"..."
As if resigning herself to her fate, Aponia spread her hands open, a gesture of silent consent to Ye Feng's actions and his words.
Like an artist admiring a finally completed sculpture, Ye Feng looked down upon the holy nun from above and smiled triumphantly.
"Come, [Please], enjoy it to your heart's content, Aponia."
....
...
「Two weeks later, the church had returned to its former tranquility. Although cleaning up was a chore, Aponia took to it with delight, a serene expression on her face, the corners of her mouth holding the faintest hint of a smile.」
「Aponia was still as ethereal and holy as ever. But the slightly somber and melancholic aura of the past was completely gone, as if washed clean by a sacred rain.」
「If one looked closely, one could see a subtle hint of allure in her eyes. This gave the already otherworldly nun an astonishing charm, making one unable to resist the urge to paint their own colors on this pure white canvas.」
Putting down her basket, Aponia sat at the small, ivory-white round table on the balcony. She propped her chin on her hand, her fair arm resting on the tabletop as she gazed into the distance.
If one looked closely, however, one would see there was no focus in her eyes. Her attention was elsewhere.
Little Feng had gone to the [Convent of the Holy Maiden] again this morning.
Even though this was a "simulated" world, she didn't know why he was always running over there.
Perhaps... she should pay a visit as well?
She thought of Higokumaru—the sister of an old acquaintance, the Herrscher of Erosion born because of her.
But even if she went, what could she do?
The words she wanted to say had already been said during their first meeting.
And as for helping, she was powerless.
"What are you thinking about?"
A familiar voice and the feeling of a touch on her waist arrived at the same time.
Little Ye Feng hugged Aponia, who was sitting on the round stool, from behind.
"Little Feng..."
She placed her hand over his. The moment they touched, all her worries seemed to vanish like mist in the sun.
After two weeks of being honest with each other, Aponia's body and soul had been given over to Ye Feng.
At least, that was the case in this world.
In this brief time, she didn't want to think about painful things, sad memories, or the fog-like future.
"Little Feng, you're back."
Ye Feng rested his chin on the nun's shoulder. Aponia immediately caught a faint, indistinct scent. Though light, it was very familiar to her; after all, she had been bathed in it for the past two weeks.
The nun couldn't help but ask softly:
"Little Feng, what... were you doing at the [Convent of the Holy Maiden]?"
"What does Aponia think I was doing?"
Aponia paused for a moment. "Higokumaru?"
"Amazing. You guessed it."
"..."
Aponia fell silent.
This was something she had never imagined. Even the former Herrscher...
"Did she also fall victim to you?"
"What a thing to say. You make me sound like some unforgivable pervert. Higokumaru did it willingly."
She was "made" to do it willingly, more like.
Aponia knew Ye Feng's methods all too well.
She sighed softly. "Don't bully her too much..."
"More importantly, when does Aponia plan on going back?"
Aponia froze. Go back? Back where?
Ye Feng giggled. "To the Elysian Realm, of course."
"..."
Hearing this, even with Aponia's gentle disposition, she couldn't help but curse him inwardly as a "little beast."
He had gone to such lengths to make her succumb, to keep her here.
And just when she had resolved to live out her life in this "time-accelerated" world, he pops up and asks, "When are you going back?"
This was not how you play with someone's mind.
Aponia turned her head, her calm eyes gazing at this little beast, her tone gentle.
"Little Feng, you must be very pleased with yourself right now."