Chapter 346: Meteor Strike (1) (1/2)
“I know. But even so, I…”
***
The Erotika airship belonging to Eros, the archangel of love, was fortunately located in the northern part of the empire, within the realm of the emperor’s army.
Landius stayed in place despite the successful discovery and operation of Erotika because the assault operation using Erotika had to be kept secret.
“Gather here.”
Traveling around the continent using Erotika was not allowed.
Therefore, Jude and Lucas directly headed towards the northern part of the empire after finishing their respective tasks.
“This is the last temple of Eros. You know that, right?”
“Of course. This is the starting point of Adelaide.”
Instead of going straight north across the eastern part of the empire, Jude and Cordelia went through the northern part of the kingdom and the western part of the empire. In short, they turned around and headed to the northern part of the empire.
Because of that, their journey was almost twice as long, but it could not be avoided.
Crossing the east that was occupied by demon followers was dangerous, even for Jude and Cordelia.
Unnecessary risks had to be avoided in order to carry out the grand operation with full force as the fate of the world was at risk.
“By the way, Jude. There’s something I really want to do when I meet Adelaide.”
Jude had a bitter smile at the words of Cordelia who was on his back.
Because he knew what Cordelia wanted to do without him having to ask her.
‘I mean, I actually want to try it too.’
Adelaide Hastings, a woman with a transcendental beauty.
The strongest person in the world in the realm of beauty, surpassing Cordelia who was called an incomparably beautiful girl.
Yet there was not a single illustration of her bare face.
‘It was said that an illustration could not express her beauty.’
It was a very good excuse, but what was interesting was the fact that the Adelaide here in Pleiades always wore a veil for similar reasons.
‘They said that anyone who saw Adelaide’s face would suffer from lovesickness.’
So she covered her face with a veil.
For Adelaide herself and everyone in the world.
It was an absurd story, but it was true to some extent. They remembered several incidents of that happening in their previous lives.
“So, you want to lift her veil?”
Cordelia immediately nodded when Jude got it right.
“Yes, yes! Aren’t you curious?”
“I’m curious too.”
Because he had never seen Adelaide’s face in all his past lives.
“That’s why when we meet this time, I’ll ask if I can take a look. Even just a peek.”
“Hmm… I’m interested too. Should I ask if I can look too?”
At Jude’s words, Cordelia tightened her arm around his neck instead of nodding like usual.
“No! Never! I’m the only one who should see it!”
“KAAAAK! I mean, why only you? Are you afraid that I’ll fall for Adelaide?”
Cordelia groaned at Jude’s question before hugging his neck and whispering softly.
“Uhh… J-Just in case…”
Jude flinched at her cute-sounding voice mixed with anxiety and nervousness. He similarly whispered softly, suppressing his urge to immediately hug Cordelia and passionately kiss her.
“It’s okay, I only see you, Cordelia. Because my princess will always be the best.”
[AAAH! STOP! PLEASE! There’s a person here!]
Melissa screamed in a desperate voice, but Jude and Cordelia did not listen to her.
If it was someone else, Cordelia would have shouted that it was creepy and to stay away from her, but the one who spoke those very childish yet pleasant words was Jude.
So Cordelia was blushing and at a loss on what to do, while Jude had a deeper smile.
[Hang in there, Melissa. This is our destiny.]
Melissa did not hear Valencia’s voice, but she actually knew it too.
The two of them who were stuck with this lovey-dovey couple would have to suffer from shame and goosebumps for the rest of their lives.
[But… Come to think of it, both of them would have eternal youth. Hmm… it seems like it’s going to be a very long time.]
Cordelia was a Seraph, so her lifespan and youth were guaranteed to be like that of High Elves, and because Jude also became a superhuman, he possessed a body that would live for a long time than normal humans.
In short, they would remain young for at least a thousand years in the future, and Melissa did not think that the couple’s love would grow cold within those thousand years. Rather, it was possible that they would still remain lovey-dovey with each other.
[Eueueueue…]
I should research and create a male artificial spirit or explore historical sites to find a lover.
While Melissa was suffering, Jude and Cordelia who suddenly met eyes then kissed each other on the lips despite Cordelia being on Jude’s back, and Valencia shook her head as she coldly looked at the two.
And a day passed.
Jude and Cordelia finally arrived at the discovery site of Erotika and were greeted by familiar faces.
***
“My disciple!”
“Master!”
“Cordelia.”
“Lena-nim!”
Landius and Lena ran towards Jude and Cordelia who were running at them too.
“May the muscles always be with you!”
Cordelia was the first to shout and greet them, and Landius loudly chuckled. He made the muscles of his entire body bulge and responded by raising his fist.
“May the muscles always be with you.”
[He’s clearly not normal either.]
Melissa’s remark was ignored again this time.
Lena softly giggled and Cordelia brightly smiled at that sight.
“By the way, my disciple, did you receive my letter?”
“Yes, Master.”
If he had not received the letter in the first place, he would not have come to this place.
[He seems to have some hidden intention.]
Valencia’s words were correct.
And Jude knew what that hidden intention was.
“Ahem, ahem, ahem.”
His cheeks turned slightly red and he awkwardly cleared his throat.
His wide shoulders lightly shrugged.
“Congratulations on opening the eighth door.”
“Ehem, ehem, thank you. As I wrote in the letter, I’ll lead you to the path of the eighth door… Wait a minute.”
Landius unknowingly looked up and down Jude’s entire body before he blinked his eyes. He took a step back and viewed Jude’s body again, but with wide open eyes this time.
“W-Wait. Wait a second.”
What is that?
Why is your body like that?
You’ve become a superhuman now.
You’ve completely transformed and crossed the border.
Huh? How?
Why?
How in the world?
“F*ck.”
There was only one answer.
Jude had also opened the eighth door.
He was definitely at the sixth door when they separated, but now, he had crossed the seventh door and opened the eighth door.
“Ahem, ahem, well… I somehow did it…”
Jude awkwardly grinned and Cordelia quickly covered her mouth with both hands, though her eyes were smiling very happily.
Cheonmujiche.
The incarnation of martial arts from the heavens!
“Huu…”
How many times did I die while trying to open the eighth door?
I literally crossed the line of death several times and died.
But Landius’ frustrations (?) did not last long.
Soon after, he forced himself to smile and patted Jude on the shoulder.
“My disciple, I’m proud of you.”
They were in a situation where a stronger person was much welcomed.
Moreover, Jude was a person who remembered his past lives more than anyone else.
Jude was different from Landius himself who failed to open the eighth door and lost his life before the Great Summons. Jude always experienced the Great Summons and had to live through those hellish times.
So Landius could admit it.
It was not just because of Cheonmujiche. Jude was qualified to open the eighth door.
“M-Master.”
“Yes, my disciple. I admit it. I have no choice but to admit it.”
“I-It’s not that…”
Pak! Pak! Pak!
Loud patting sounds were heard from Landius’ hand tapping Jude’s back.
His show of affection by tapping Jude’s back felt like he was smacking Jude to the ground.
“Landy.”
Lena shook her head as if it could not be helped. She grabbed Landius’ arm while Cordelia quickly grabbed Jude’s arm.
“Huu… Anyway, my disciple. Congratulations once again.”
“Yes, Master. Thank you. Again, congratulations.”
After their heart-warming finish, the four headed to Erotika besides each other.
“As expected, it’s pretty.”
Erotika was a cruise ship and not a battleship, and a very beautiful vehicle befitting the archangel of love.
The white ship was adorned with gold everywhere.
It was the so-called airship, but it was more like an airplane or a spaceship than a general sailing ship.
“I’m Adelaide Hastings. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Upon entering Erotika, Adelaide and three priestesses serving Eros greeted the party.
‘Wow, it’s true.’
A white veil covering the face.
It was not as translucent as the one often used by ladies, but the white cloth had gold embroidery, so no one could even figure out the approximate shape of Adelaide’s face.
But Cordelia gulped without realizing it.
She thought that Adelaide was a great beauty just by the splendid lines and atmosphere of her body dressed in white clothes.
“Cordelia?”
Instead of replying, Cordelia tightly hugged the arm of Jude who laughed a bit.
“I’m Count Jude August Bayer. This is my fiancée, Countess Cordelia August Chase.”
The two slightly bowed before being guided by Adelaide to the inside of Erotika and the rooms that were assigned to them.