assistirfilmes Chapter 236: To Federica’s Sanctuary (3)
Chapter 236: To Federica’s Sanctuary (3)
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Chapter 236: To Federica’s Sanctuary (3).
Liltara chewed on the jerky absentmindedly, her pace unnaturally fast as if she couldn't control it. Ketal watched with amusement.
"Cough! Cough!"
Liltara suddenly started coughing as if the food had gotten stuck in her throat, pounding her chest.
"Here, drink this."
Ketal handed her a cup.
Liltara fumbled to grab it and took a drink.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
The water Ketal gave her wasn't just ordinary water.
It was a sweet beverage, infused with fresh fruit juice.
The taste and aroma of the fruit, which she'd never experienced before, made her dizzy. Even though her throat was clear, she continued to drink eagerly.
Unconsciously, she emptied the cup.
"Aah..."
Liltara let out a soft moan, her expression dazed, almost as if she was on drugs.
They said the addictive nature of sugar was stronger than that of drugs, so the comparison might be apt.
She kept reaching for more jerky, stuffing it into her mouth and suppressing the moans that tried to escape.
But gradually, her hand movements slowed and eventually stopped.
"Are you full?"
"...Yes."
"How do you feel?"
"...I feel full."
"Of course you do."
Ketal chuckled at such an obvious statement.
She had never felt such a sensation before.
"My body feels heavy. And... the suffering is gone."
The constant suffering that had always accompanied her was gone.
Ketal nodded knowingly.
"It was probably the feeling of hunger. It's an unpleasant sensation."
"Hunger..."
Liltara murmured absently.
She had lived her entire life with hunger, believing it to be normal.
For the first time, she realized it wasn’t.
‘...Ah, oh no!’
She snapped out of her daze.
‘No, Lady Federica! I haven’t succumbed to temptation!’
She tried to justify herself internally.
She hadn’t indulged mindlessly in the taste.
She was merely trying to keep Ketal from fleeing, doing what was necessary.
But.
But she had definitely let out a moan of pleasure from the taste.
A deep sense of self-loathing enveloped her.
After the meal, they continued on their journey.
A holy knight cautiously approached her and asked,
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
Liltara bit her lip.
She must not fall into temptation.
The taste had been incredibly alluring and still lingered in her memory, but it was a sensation she didn’t need.
She resolutely steadied her mind.
How long had they been walking?
At some point, Liltara realized something.
‘...My stomach.’
Her stomach was starting to feel empty again.
The ever-present feeling of hunger began to return.
Liltara frowned.
It was only then that she realized how unpleasant hunger really was.
“It’s about time.”
As evening approached, Ketal began preparing a meal.
He took out his cooking tools and ingredients.
“Looks like it’s not just jerky this time.”
“It’s a simple dish.”
Ketal moved his hands skillfully.
A fire was kindled, and the pot heated up.
Liltara watched the scene in a daze.
Numerous ingredients transformed into various forms under the tools.
It was like watching a grand play.
She had never seen cooking before.
Before long, Ketal had made a simple pasta dish.
“I thought something too flavorful might be overwhelming, so I’m starting with a simple dish. It’s pasta. I’m guessing you’ve never had it before.”
“...No.”
It was an oil-based pasta.
The pasta, coated in oil, glistened like jewels.
Ketal offered it to her.
“Go ahead, eat.”
Liltara closed her eyes tightly.
That night, too, she was thoroughly satisfied.
* * *
After dinner, it was about time to sleep.
Liltara and the holy knights began preparing for bed.
But Ketal stopped her.
“What are you doing trying to sleep? You need to wash first.”
Liltara was quite dirty.
The staple food she consumed in the sanctuary.
She carefully put the jerky into her mouth.
"Ugh."
And then she gagged.
It tasted awful.
It wasn’t just bad; it was revolting.
The rancid smell filled her nostrils.
She managed to swallow it, but she never wanted to eat it again.
She drank water, trying to wash away the taste.
"Ugh."
But instead of cleansing her palate, the taste became even more revolting.
The long-stored water had taken on a foul, leathery smell.
Was she supposed to eat this, and only this, for the rest of her life?
She shuddered at the thought.
And then, she was horrified by that realization.
"A-ah..."
The more Ketal exposed her to new things, the more her beliefs and values crumbled.
She couldn’t bear it anymore.
‘I've had enough.’
She wanted to refuse.
She didn't want to know any more about joy or happiness.
But if she did, Ketal would leave.
She had no choice but to succumb to Ketal's temptation.
"Ah..."
She was in great pain.
She clutched her head.
The pleasant scent that wafted through the air comforted her slightly.
'What is that smell?'
After a brief moment of thought, Liltara realized.
It was the scent of the perfume Ketal had given her.
She let out a small, involuntary chuckle.
During that time, Ketal enjoyed himself and pondered happily.
'What should I teach her next?'
He was having a lot of fun.
It was inevitable.
Teaching a child, who knew nothing, about the wonders and greatness of the world—it was impossible not to enjoy it.
She didn't know about games.
She didn't know about taste.
She didn't know about fragrance.
She didn't even know what it meant to be clean.
Because all of that is temptation.
He offered sweet fruit to someone who only ever ate dry bread and soup.
So what would happen to a believer?
Could they maintain their faith?
Ketal laughed with pleasure.
* * *
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
Ketal took a step forward, advancing on the marked ground, claiming more territory.
They were playing a game of hopscotch.
Liltara spoke coldly.
"I'm asking if you enjoy mocking a believer, tempting them."
"I find it somewhat enjoyable. Watching a child, who knew nothing, gradually realize so many things."
"...It's temptation. You are a trial sent to corrupt me."
"That may be true."
Ketal asked with a playful tone.
"So, of all the things I've shown you, did you know any of them?"
"......"
Not a single one.
She knew nothing.
She had grown up in a holy place since childhood and had learned everything there.
"This is the world, Liltara. You weren't truly following the values of Federica. You simply believed in them because you knew nothing else."
"...Nonsense. Stop trying to tempt me."
Liltara gritted her teeth.
"I am a follower of Lady Federica. I am one who upholds her values. No matter how much you try to confuse me, that fact will not change."
Liltara took a step forward.
She began to claim the ground, one spot at a time.
"I am grateful for what you've taught me. Because it will only strengthen my faith in her even more."
"Is that so."
Despite realizing so much, she still maintained her faith.
Her belief was indeed remarkable.
"It seems I've won."
"Ah..."
Ketal had won the game of hopscotch.
Liltara's eyes wavered.
She stood there, frozen.
Ketal, understanding, asked,
"Would you like to play another round?"
"If you propose it, I cannot refuse. I accept."
She answered quickly.
Her actions made it clear that she was only agreeing because Ketal suggested it, not because she wanted to.
Ketal smiled and drew the lines on the ground again.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]