Chapter 74: Goddess’s Lover He couldn’t catch a break, first it had been Emilia and now... the literal goddess of light? "Your lover?" His voice was measured, almost cautious, though he could feel the tightness in his chest. "Yes," the goddess replied without hesitation. Her tone was calm, yet her body betrayed her. She drew herself closer, her golden hair spilling like radiant silk over her shoulders, her divine glow softening the edges of the room. "You’re planning to save the world, are you not?" Azel’s gaze sharpened. His hand, now holding the warm porcelain teacup, froze halfway to his lips. "How did you...?" The question left his mouth before he could stop himself. His eyes flicked to hers, surprise flashing through them. But the goddess only smiled, serene, unfazed by his disbelief. "I don’t exactly know why you want to help," she said softly. "But we have somewhat the same goals." She paused, setting her own untouched cup aside, her golden irises deepening with seriousness. "I have foreseen a future, Azel. A future in which my saintess dies, a future in which the world is consumed by darkness, a future in which the calamity strikes and destroys... Millions lose their lives, their families, their homes. The never-ending war reduces everything to ash." Her voice broke the stillness of the Plane of Light, and Azel felt the weight of her words settle like a stone in his stomach. That was the future of this world... Death. She breathed in deeply, then exhaled. "The calamities are upon us. And for our hero to prevail, you will need all the help you can get." Azel tilted his head, his lips curving into a faint line. "...Yes. But I’m not the chosen hero." His tone was flat, resigned. No matter how much he wanted to refute it, deep down he knew the truth. It was Reinhardt who had been chosen by the plot, not him. "There is no chosen hero," the goddess shot back, her voice firm as if she had been waiting for that very answer. Her radiant form leaned closer, her eyes glowing with conviction. "Especially not such a man as the one Rain describes." Azel’s brows furrowed. ’Rain? What had she said about Reinhardt?’ He almost asked, but something told him it wasn’t in his best interest to pry. Instead, he sat silently, weighing her words. The goddess did not allow the silence to stretch long. She reached forward, her fingertips tracing the rim of his teacup before meeting his gaze. "As the lover of a goddess such as me, you’ll have total control over Holy magic." Her voice softened, persuasive yet dangerously alluring. "You developed a magic core easily, didn’t you? You’ll gain more resources like that. Greater strength. Greater power. Isn’t it intriguing?" Azel leaned back slightly, his lips pressing together. He would be lying if he said it wasn’t tempting. He already knew the advantages — after all, the ability to use Holy magic alone freed him from relying on Saintess Rain for healing. That alone was an unimaginable boon for someone walking his path. His mind weighed the options, practicality grinding against hesitation. Across from him, the goddess’s outward composure belied the storm raging within. Inwardly, she was in turmoil, her heart hammering louder with every second. She had to act. She had to claim him before the others did. Because once they discovered him, she had no doubt they would move without hesitation. The Goddess of the Moon especially. A perverted woman without shame, who would no doubt pin him down right here and now without bothering with pleasantries. Compared to her, the Goddess of Light was almost... gentle. Her hands trembled slightly, but she steadied herself. She was divine. She had lived for eons. And yet here she was, flustered before a mortal. Azel’s eyes locked with hers. "If the goddess allows it," he said at last, his tone carrying both reluctance and resolve, "then I’ll become her lover." Her lips parted, her composure cracking for just a heartbeat as her face softened with warmth. A smile spread across her divine features — serene, beautiful, and almost human. "I see," the goddess whispered. Her hand reached forward, delicate yet quivering, as she took hold of his chin. The warmth of her fingers pressed lightly against his skin. For a goddess, she was trembling far more than he expected. "This is your role now," she said, her golden eyes flashing with something sharper than light — something closer to obsession. "Your job is to act as my lover. Give me all the love and affection you have until the day you pass away. Then, when you leave your human body, come and join me here." Her words were like honey, yet the undercurrent in her tone was unmistakable — her voice held possessiveness, he would be a fool if he couldn’t hear it. She had a look Azel had seen before. Naelia. Medusa. Edna. That obsessive glint, as if the world narrowed to only him. "I’ll make sure to drain everything out of you," she whispered, her smile deepening, "so you can’t look at any more women." Before Azel could respond, her lips pressed against his. The kiss was warm, soft at first — then overwhelming. A relieving sensation washed over him, divine energy pouring from her into his body, filling him with power. Her wide chest pressed against him as her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him deeper into her embrace. The world around him blurred. [You are absorbing an immense amount of magical energy] [Congratulations! Your Mana Core has advanced to Rank 3] Azel’s thoughts scattered. His arms moved instinctively, wrapping around her waist, pulling her slender yet curvaceous frame onto his lap. The kiss deepened, his body responding to the flood of energy even as his mind struggled to catch up. The goddess’s lips were addictive, her taste sweeter than any nectar, the divine warmth sinking into him with every second. Energy surged, coursing through his veins like molten gold. Finally, she pulled back, her breathing faintly unsteady. Her finger rested beneath his chin, lifting his face to meet her glowing gaze. "Did you really enjoy it that much?" she teased, her tone half-playful, half-possessive. Her lips curled into a knowing smile. "Look at your satisfied face." Azel opened his mouth to respond — but before a word could escape, light swallowed him. His body vanished from the Plane of Light. The goddess blinked, her hands falling limply onto the bed as silence reclaimed the chamber. For a long moment she sat there, stunned, her divine poise shattering in the privacy of her own plane. She couldn’t hold it back... she didn’t want a mortal to see her blush. Then her cheeks flared crimson. "I-I just kissed someone," she whispered, her voice small, almost girlish despite her centuries of existence. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling her heartbeat race. The Goddess of Light, radiant and eternal, blushing like a maiden in love.