Chapter 198. Front massage

I left my shop around noon and made my way home, expecting the breakfast Mom had promised. When I got there, the place was empty. She and Anna were gone—probably off shopping. I ate quickly, locked up the house, and decided to head over to Asher’s.He wasn’t home either.

I checked his favorite haunt, Genzai Innovations, but they’d said he’d just left.

Money really does make a man restless, huh?

I’d hoped to ask him about designing my company logo—he’s annoyingly good at that stuff—but I guess that’ll have to wait until he’s broke and bored.

With nothing better to do, I figured I might as well check in on the Priestess at the Divine Church.

It took me thirty minutes to get there. I entered, only to find Seraphina deep in sermon, her voice carrying through the sacred halls as she spoke about divine protection and the blessings of their goddess. The place was packed. Left with no choice, I sat through the entire hour, fighting the urge to fall asleep.

I spotted a few familiar faces, including the Guildmaster. She stood close to the Duke as always. Our eyes met, and she winked at me before turning away.

Once the sermon ended and the congregation began to file out, I stayed behind. To my surprise, the Duke approached.

"Asher, right?" he said, offering a handshake.

"Yeah, that’s me," I replied, accepting it. His presence made the hairs on the back of my neck rise.



"Still haven’t got your memories back?"

I raised an eyebrow. That came out of nowhere.

"Nope," I answered.

"Not even a flicker?"

"Nothing."

He exhaled, visibly relieved. "Good. That’s probably for the best, son. Take care." He clapped me on the shoulder and walked off, Liloth trailing behind.

What the hell was that about?

I turned to Seraphina, who was lighting candles at the altar.

"Hey..." I called out.

Silence.

She was definitely pissed. I’d been promising to visit for two days, but never did.

"I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. I’ve been caught up in a few things."

"Right..." she said, then walked to the next set of candles, murmuring prayers under her breath. I followed behind her like a shadow.

"So... you angry?"

"No."

Short answers. She was definitely angry.

"What did you want to tell me?" I asked.

She hesitated. "It’s not important anymore."

"Come on, don’t be like that."

She finished her prayers and looked exhausted. "I’ve been on my feet all day. I need rest. Come back another time."

She turned to leave, her flowing robes swaying elegantly. I stopped her.

"How about I help you unwind?"

She looked back, frowning. "What?"

"A massage," I offered with a shrug. "I’m good at it. Might help with the tension in your shoulders."

She stared at me like I’d just offered to desecrate the altar. I braced for rejection.

But she surprised me.



"...Fine. Follow me."

It actually worked.

I trailed her through the stone corridors. A few nuns shot me judgmental glances, though some smiled—curious, amused. Holy women, huh? Not all that saintly after all.

Inside her chambers, Seraphina collapsed onto the bed, sighing in exhaustion.

"What a day..."

"You look dead on your feet," I said. "You might want to slip out of those heavy robes. Can’t exactly give you a massage through them."

"Too tired to move," she groaned. "I might just sleep like this."

I walked over, sat on the edge of the bed. "Well, your clothes won’t undress themselves. Just wear something simple and I’ll step out while you change. Call me when—"

"Take it off yourself," she interrupted. "Don’t worry. I’ve got a bra and tights on."

My breath hitched. Undressing a priestess wasn’t exactly on my bingo card today. If anyone walked in, the scandal would be biblical. But... I wasn’t about to turn down the chance.

Shoes off, I climbed onto the bed and began unfastening the buttons down her back. Once undone, I gently turned her over and slid the sleeves from her arms, peeling the dress away with care. She lay there, serene and composed, eyes closed.

She wore a pristine white bra that struggled to contain her full, ample chest—easily E-cups, more generous than Ivy’s.

I didn’t stare.

Okay, I tried not to as l slipped off her dress lower when l paused to the sight before me.

Her black tights clung tightly on her, and just around her mound, the subtle rise of a nub pressed against the fabric, and the delicate contour of her folds was unmistakably outlined beneath the stretch of the material. I swallowed hard. How pronounced could her pussy-lips be, that even the tights couldn’t conceal their shape?

"Is something wrong?" she asked, startling me from my trance.

"N-No. Not at all," I said quickly, pulling the last of her dress off.

"Any lubricant?"

She pointed to a small glass bottle. Aloe-based—perfect.

She lay on her stomach and I straddled her hips, legs on either side of her as I rubbed the cool gel between my palms.

I started at her shoulders, kneading gently. Her muscles were tense at first, but she gradually loosened under my touch, soft sighs of relief escaping her lips.

"By the goddess... how do you know so much about this?" she murmured.

"Practice," I replied with a small smile. "Practice makes perfect."

In truth, since l had been a doctor, massage therapy came with the job. My hands knew what to do.

As I worked my way down her back, I asked softly, "Still not going to tell me why you wanted to see me?"

She shifted slightly beneath me. "Left... a little. Right there..."

Then, after a pause, she said, "It’s about the necklaces."



My hands froze. "Necklaces? You mean the pieces of the Key of Ascension?"

She nodded. "The Shangani Kingdom recently held combat matches. The victor was awarded one of the necklaces. The final match should be over by now."

I sucked in a breath. "So someone already claimed it?"

"Yes. If you’d come when I asked, I could have arranged something for you to get in the matches, and maybe claim it yourself. But it’s too late now."

Damn it. How foolish of me to think the necklaces would simply wait for me. Of course there would be others—ambitious ones—seeking to ascend to the heavens. The legends say the goddess grants any wish to the one who holds them all... and who wouldn’t chase that?

"So... what happens now? How do I claim a necklace that’s already been taken?" I asked.

She turned her head slightly. "That depends on you and the one who has it. You’re destined to cross paths. And since you both possess pieces, it’s only a matter of time before one tries to take the other’s. In the end, the stronger one keeps all the necklaces."

I exhaled a slow breath. "A challenge, huh?"

She shifted beneath me again, rolling to her back, now facing me.

Her bra pressed up slightly as she lay there, her chest rising with each breath she took.

"Well?" she said with a smirk. "What are you waiting for? I need a front massage too."

TBC