Once it was pierced, there was no more obstruction. Jaekiel blew cold air
into Ether's energy without hesitation.
The level of coldness that Jaekiel had cultivated through his training in the
art of freezing was now extending outward.
"…The heat is settling down. What on earth is happening?"
The First Princess's murmurs could be heard.
"It's as if… it's fleeing to the corners of my body in fear of the Teacher's
coldness. Does this mean that the Teacher's cold is stronger than the drops
of Sun Water?"
Her voice was filled with confusion.
Jaekiel focused solely on his task. He had no choice; the moment he let his
guard down, it felt like the heat from the drops of Sun Water would burn his
brain.
On the other hand, Ether's energy was in a different dimension.
It wasn't just broad; the speed at which she manipulated her energy was
astonishingly fast. It was hard to believe she was human, as she had already
reached a superhuman level.
'With her energy so well-developed, it's no wonder her strength and
recovery capabilities are beyond comprehension.'
Jaekiel realized why Ether was able to endure the excruciating heat of the
Sun Water.
Although Jaekiel had lived without experiencing defeat, Ether's energy was
far broader than his own. The title of "Goddess" was well-deserved.
Jaekiel suddenly gained enlightenment.
'Is this how energy expands? Perhaps I can apply this to myself as well.'
Ether's body was wonderful teaching material.
Amidst the urgency, he grasped a thread for his growth. This alone was a
significant realization, but it was not the end. Ether's body was like a
treasure trove.
'Principle.'
Combining this remarkable body with Jaekiel's keen eye.
He discovered several traces on Ether's body. It was the way the First
Princess manipulated her energy to absorb the drops of Sun Water.
'Wait a moment, this method… '
He instinctively calculated, and before long, a light bulb lit up in his mind.
The answer to digesting the Sun Water was right here.
'If I apply this flow of energy to my cold… '
He didn't even need to go through Ether. He could digest the drops of Sun
Water with his own cold.
Then Ether wouldn't have to neutralize the Sun Water for him, and she
wouldn't suffer either. It was a very valuable realization.
At that moment.
"Indeed, you are not a physician but a teacher."
Ether murmured with a peculiar smile.
"You're studying my body even amidst this chaos. Impressive."
The First Princess was a warrior who manipulated energy countless times.
Jaekiel could feel her sensing his scrutiny of her body.
"Feel free to observe as much as you want. I don't mind."
Ether alleviated Jaekiel's concerns first.
Learning and reading the energy flow of another without permission was a
tremendous breach of etiquette. It was treated like theft, and many lives had
been lost because of it.
However, the First Princess granted permission without hesitation.
It was clear how much she valued Jaekiel.
At that moment, there was a shout from the mansion's front gate.
─First Princess, show yourself at once!
─The coward is hiding. Just like a rat!
─Return my man to me!
The corpses were shouting loudly. The darkness they were imbued with was
so dense that it felt like they were gripping Jaekiel's ears and yelling.
Of course, the First Princess did not lose her composure at all.
"You said she is a goddess of the Demon Realm? I can't understand why
she is jealous. What connection could she have with the Teacher?"
Jaekiel also had no idea why.
─Your Highness, are you alright?!
─We will desperately hold them back!
The warriors' shouts were still tangled at the front gate.
The sounds of weapons clashing and battle cries were fierce. It meant the
battle was very intense.
Boom! Boom!
Finally, cracks began to form in the mansion's front gate.
Boom! Boom!
At that moment, when it seemed it could no longer hold and would break.
"Teacher, I truly thank you."
The First Princess whispered softly and slowly stood up. After adjusting the
bandages wrapped around her upper body, she elegantly donned her
uniform's outer garment.
Step, step.
And she began to walk toward the front gate.
Her steps were very healthy.
The warriors first sensed her energy.
─This energy…!
─It's the energy of the First Princess! Everyone, gather your strength!
Even Jaekiel was amazed by Ether's transformation and stared for a while.
She clenched and released her fists.
"Hmm, I feel better than I expected. This sensation of coolness and clarity
in my body is new to me; perhaps it was always the Teacher who held the
answer for me."
The First Princess smiled widely at Jaekiel.
"Thank you. Teacher, you have taught me yet another lesson today. I will
surely repay this kindness."
As she said this, she tried to kiss Jaekiel on the forehead.
"…"
Jaekiel instinctively jerked his head back to avoid it. It wasn't out of dislike;
he felt that if he accepted any more of Ether's warmth, his body would
explode.
Of course, the First Princess smiled at his reaction as if she found it
delightful. She had completely regained her composure, and somehow the
strength of a god enveloped her.
Ether spoke toward beyond the gate.
"Messenger, didn't I say that just showing yourself would be enough?"
Immediately, a hurried response came.
─That's not enough now! You need to step up and clear them all away!
─More importantly, are you feeling alright now?
"I'm more than alright. I will take the lead myself."
Kwahhhh!
With a bang, the First Princess burst through the front gate.
Her recovered form—no, her even more powerful appearance—turned the
tide of the battle in an instant.
It was evident from the warriors' faces, filled with hope. The corpses
advancing under the influence of the Demon Realm goddess's necromancy
staggered in unison.
It was only natural.
The First Princess's power was immense.
"All of you, turn to ashes. You filthy creatures."
Kuguhuhuhuhuh!
Ether unleashed beams of light woven with her energy without even placing
them on a bowstring. Yet, it had an effect almost akin to that of a spear.
Whooooosh!
As she said, the corpses indeed turned to ashes.
It was an energy exactly opposite to that of magic. The essence was
fundamentally different, and that essence had completely absorbed the Sun
Water, making it powerful.
It felt as if a miracle had descended in the name of Ether.
'It seems the First Princess's health is resolved now… '
Jaekiel felt a strong dizziness.
At the same time, there was a great sense of discomfort. His body had
originally been filled with only coldness, but now something warm was
swirling around in his heart.
Suddenly, the Emperor's words came to mind.
─If you think of your body as a grand mansion, it will be easy. The Sun
Water decides whether it's a livable place before settling down.
Those words were indeed correct. Now, around Jaekiel's heart, there was a
spirit taking the form of a girl.
'Are you… the Sun Water Spirit?'
The girl nodded defiantly. She still seemed somewhat wary of Jaekiel.
'You're not fond of my body, are you? Because it's cold.'
The spirit silently nodded and began to create a house that blazed with
flames as if accepting the reality of needing to reside here.
However…
The dizziness was intense. Perhaps it was also due to the relaxation he felt
after confirming that the First Princess had regained her health.
Suddenly, his eyes closed, and his body lost its balance.
"Auditor? Auditor?"
The urgent voice of the messenger was heard.
"Auditor! Please, come to your senses!"
That voice gradually became distant.
Eventually, he lost consciousness completely.
How much time had passed?
In a dark space, Jaekiel suddenly regained consciousness. His body lay on a
very wide and soft bed.
It seemed to be dawn, but he couldn't tell how many days had passed.
"…Ugh."
He tried to rise but failed.
He couldn't even move a finger.
It was because he hadn't fully digested the power of the Sun Water. The
spirit had built a mansion right around his heart.
Just as he was about to try talking to the Sun Water spirit…
"You've finally awakened."
With a familiar voice, there was a soft touch brushing over Jaekiel's face.
It was so dark that he could only see a figure.
Yet, despite this, the curves of a voluptuous and graceful female body were
clearly visible. If a body were shaped to excite a man, it would look
something like this.
The hair that touched Jaekiel's upper body was extremely soft,
incomparable to any silk.
Jaekiel soon understood who the figure was.
"…Ether?"
"That's right. You recognize me, after all."
Ether continued to caress Jaekiel's face. Her hands were so soft it was hard
to believe she was a warrior.
"I promised the Teacher two things."
A rare, gentle voice followed.
"First, I said I would surely repay your kindness."
"Indeed."
"And…"
With a clap, the light was lit.
"…"
Jaekiel blinked instinctively. The First Princess was wearing nothing but
underwear.
She wasn't wearing any clothes at all. Indeed, her underwear barely covered
her breasts and buttocks.
'…I can't move my body.'
As Jaekiel thought this, Ether climbed onto his abdomen, accompanied by a
subtle smile.
"When I catch you, I'll wring everything out of you. Didn't I say that?"
Finally.
Slowly.
The string of Ether's underwear loosened and flowed down.
"From now on, I will do two things at once."
The overwhelming difference in power meant resistance was impossible.