Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 276 Dodging Responsibilities

"What do you think they're talking about?"

"I think it is none of our concern; to pry is to sin."

"...But you should know, you're the High Priestess."

"No."

"And why are we even outside? We can't even understand a word they are saying."

Miquella and Malenia were now outside the shrine, standing by the large stone door as they gave Rhys and the nymph a privacy to talk. And perhaps it was a good thing that they did leave the shrine, as they saw the true extent of the nymph's rampage.

The damage wasn't only inside the shrine, no—the city took most of it. While Rhys was fighting with the nymph in the shrine, it would seem that her abilities were also going amok throughout the entire city.

And what was once a polis of sand and stone, was now covered in green and a violent sleuth of trees; some with roots even thicker and bigger than the houses they destroyed. Fortunately, there did not seem to be a lot of deaths even though the people were evacuated too late since most were outside their homes when it happened.

"Do... you truly believe that it's him?" Miquella glanced at the door and sighed, "The Hero of Prophecy?"

"You are the one who brought him here, Sister," while Malenia looked at her sister in disbelief.

"Well, I also wanted an excuse to see how you were doing. And... it's a shame if he is," Miquella smirked while fanning herself.

"Why would it be a shame? The Hero of Prophecy is here."

"...Because he is the best lay I have ever experienced. And it is not even close," Miquella's smirk turned into a coquettish giggle before licking her lips, "Oh, dear sister. If only you knew just how good it felt with him inside me, it was an... an experience."

"You are disgusting," Malenia scoffed, "And you put the Hero in chains. Of course, he would follow you when you turned him into a servant — I could have the shivellans apprehend you for that."

"Arrest me for what, indulging myself with things that make me feel good?" Miquella raised an eyebrow, "Then you should apprehend every citizen in this city and let those living outside the walls in instead. And the concept of the High Priestess is outdated, and not to mention unfair — you are the High Priestess, you should be able to lay whoever you want to lay."

"Sister!"

"My words are only telling the truth," Miquella crossed her arms, causing her gold chains to dangle, "You are the highest authority in this city, even more so than the governess. Let me send you a couple of servants after all of this is done."

"No."

"Oh? Quite picky, Sister. Fine then, I will ask the Hero to lay you."

"..."

"What is this...?" Miquella raised an eyebrow, "Why am I not sensing bouts of refusal coming from you, Sister? Could it be you have a little crush on our Hero?"

"I bear no such shameful feelings for the Hero! What I have is only admiration, nothing more."

"W—"

"I wish for this matter to be over!" Malenia looked away, "Rhys Wilder is meant for greater things. Things that are bigger than us...

"I may be," Aengela also stood up, but not before raising her finger and causing the roots to once again dance inside the shrine... before crawling toward Rhys.

"T—"

"Do not move, Hero," Aengela muttered as the roots started slithering around Rhys's dismembered leg and arm, "It will not be as strong as your lost limbs, and will shatter if you use them in combat — but at the very least, it will make your life more comfortable."

Rhys then watched as the roots started to take shape, replicating his lost arm and leg, "This is—"

"I told you not to move, Hero... this will hurt."

And before Rhys could even say anything else, tiny, thread-like roots started to dig through his flesh.

"!!!"

Rhys had experienced the harshest pain even at an early age; this pain, however, was something else entirely. His brain almost instinctively caused him to lose consciousness there and then.

"Kh..."

"Endure it, Hero," Aengela walked closer to Rhys as he dropped to the ground, "Because from this moment forward, that will be the least pain you will experience — the path of a Hero is tragic; filled with death and destruction."

"Heh..." Rhys only smiled and gritted his teeth as he looked at Aengela as she stood beside his head, "This... is nothing, Ma'am."

"But of course," Aengela smiled and nodded, "The removal is the more painful part, so use it well and do not destroy them so soon, Hero."

"..."

Rhys and Aengela spent a few more minutes inside the shrine. Those few minutes, however, felt an eternity for Rhys as the wooden limbs connected through his nerves — how that even worked, well, as most modern scientists would deduce... magic.

"Hero!"

And finally, Rhys stepped out of the shrine; finally, he was able to walk with both feet planted on the ground.

"You look... strong," Malenia took in a small gulp as she quickly lowered her sight.

"I agree," Miquella, on the other hand, feasted with her eyes, "I wonder how even better you are now, Hero. Shall... we coil again in my sheets?"

"Sis—"

"There is no time for that."

And before Miquella and Malenia could even start arguing, they both bowed their heads as Aengela flew and sat on Rhys's shoulder,

"The Hero and I are to depart."

"What is she saying, Hero? Are you... leaving? But...

...you're the hero?"