I Became A Slave To The Mastermind

Homosexuality.

The feeling of love toward someone of the same gender.

It is one of the strictly prohibited acts in our temple.

The reason is simple: People of the same gender cannot create life together.

One of the greatest blessings bestowed upon us by the Goddess is the joy of directly creating precious life with our own hands.

To forsake this beautiful blessing from the Goddess by loving someone of the same gender is regarded in the temple as akin to heresy.

In this sense, it is considered a sin similar to murder, which takes life away.

But, tragically…

The feelings I have for Lily are not of friendship. They are the love one feels for a lover.

Yes, I am attracted to women.

When I first realized this about myself, I was tormented by deep self-loathing and overwhelming guilt.

Wouldn't the Goddess feel disillusioned with me if she knew?

Perhaps I might even lose my status as a saintess.

That's why I have kept this secret from everyone, including the Goddess, all this time.

Thankfully, I have managed to keep it hidden without any issues so far.

Though, ever since meeting Lily, this feeling of love has slowly been pushing its way to the surface.

But I will endure.

I will never let this sinful feeling escape into the open.

I have sworn this to myself countless times.

And yet… Beyond homosexuality, there is another forbidden act in the temple:

Adultery.

Simply put, it means being unfaithful to one's lifelong partner.

To betray the companion with whom one vowed to share life.

Even I find such an act absolutely unforgivable.

How could anyone live so irresponsibly, so shamelessly, to commit such a disgraceful act?

That was my firm belief.

That was what I thought…

What I thought, until…!!!

"Hic… sob… Iris… please don't die…"

Thump, thump—

"What…? Huh…?"

A beautiful woman holding me tightly, shedding tears as if I were precious to her.

Her sweet scent, the faint warmth of her skin, and her jewel-like red eyes glistening with tears as she cried for me.

My heart, which had only quietly beat for Lily until now, was pounding so fiercely it felt like it would burst.

And this was for a woman I had never seen before.

W-What…?

Why…? Why is my heart…

It felt like my heart was about to explode, yet there was no pain. On the contrary, it was a pleasant feeling.

This was a familiar emotion for someone like me, who had already experienced love once before.

Yes.

This feeling is undoubtedly…

Sa—

I shook my head vigorously to clear my thoughts.

'Absolutely not, Iris!!!'

It can't be true!

I love Lily. That is certain.

Someone like me would never betray Lily and fall in love with another person so shamelessly.

This must be because of the fear of death.

Yes, that's the only reason my heart is racing like this.

Who wouldn't feel shaken when faced with death?

This intense emotion is merely the result of fear and the relief of survival.

…Or so I thought as I steeled my resolve.

Gradually, my racing heart began to calm down.

It seems my assumption was correct.

"..I'm so relieved…"

"I almost became a grave sinner, breaking two taboos of the temple."

I let out a short sigh of relief.

Trying to reassure the woman clinging to me and sobbing in worry, I spoke gently.

In truth, all the wounds I had sustained had already healed completely.

The bleeding had stopped, and the excruciating pain that tormented me was gone.

As always, I couldn't help but admire the goddess's incredible power.

"Ca…call someone…no, first, stop the bleeding…"

The woman, visibly anxious and unsettled, wore a look of panic.

I turned to her and began to speak.

"I'm alri—"

But at that moment, I had to abruptly change my words.

"Watch out behind you!!"

At my urgent warning, the woman widened her eyes and quickly turned to look behind her.

Flying toward her back was a flask filled with some unknown liquid.

Clicking her tongue, she stretched her arms out, enveloping me protectively in an embrace.

Crash!

The sound of shattering glass followed, and the woman's face contorted in pain as she shielded me.

"Agh…!"

Along with a sound resembling something sizzling on fire, I heard her faint groans.

"Are…are you okay?!"

"Ahahaha!! Serves you right."

From afar, a grotesque laughter echoed.

When I craned my neck to see the source, there stood Katrina—her body, which should have been destroyed, regenerating fluidly like a slime.

It was a horrifying sight, enough to make one grimace.

Her half-destroyed face wore a grotesquely wide grin.

"It's a poison that won't stop until everything it touches corrodes!!! Not even bones will remain! Kyahaha!!!"

Katrina's words made my heart sink like a stone.

The black-haired woman seemed to have heard her too. Without hesitation, she pushed me out of her embrace, distancing me from her.

"I'm just glad you're safe, Iris…"

Then, turning her body toward Katrina, she added:

"Eek?! A-are you okay?!"

Her upper clothes had melted away, exposing her slender, pale back, where vivid red burn marks were spreading rapidly.

When I looked at her with trembling eyes, she smiled warmly at me and said,

"It's okay. Just wait here for a moment."

In the next instant, she vanished from my sight.

Boom!

A massive explosion resounded, and Katrina was blown apart once more.

But the scattered remains of her body began to regenerate slowly again.

"Ahahaha!! Hit me all you want. I can regenerate endlessly!"

Despite Katrina's taunting laughter, the woman maintained a calm demeanor.

Irritated by her composure, Katrina's brow furrowed slightly.

"The demons will storm this place soon enough. Let's see if you can kill me before that happens."

"I know. I also know that you can regenerate."

"Oh-ho. Then why don't you just give up—"

"And I know your weakness."

"…What?"

The woman, finishing her words, scanned the surroundings before smiling as if she had found something.

"You always have to keep it close, don't you? Your true body."

She pointed her finger confidently at one spot.

Though barely visible to the naked eye, something glowing faintly green was embedded in the corner of the wall.

Katrina's face twisted into a fierce grimace.

"You… how did you know about that!!!"

Without hesitation, the woman ran toward the green glow and muttered under her breath so softly it was almost inaudible.

"It was in the novel."

Then—

BOOOOM—

The wall exploded entirely, shattering the object into pieces.

Moments later…

"Aaaaaargh!!!"

A horrendous scream echoed as Katrina's regenerating body began to melt back into the floor.

"Th-this can't be happening!!! Nobody should have known!!! How is this possible?!"

Katrina screamed in despair as the woman slowly approached her.

"Is this really how it ends? So easily? My ultimate alchemy?!"

Looking at the woman nearing her, Katrina spat venomous words.

"You wretched witch!!! You won't survive this either! My poison will—"

CRUNCH—

"Urgh…!"

But her words were cut short as the woman kicked her hard.

Katrina's body collapsed weakly onto the ground. Just like that, it was over.

After ensuring everything was settled, the woman sank to the ground, exhausted.

"Are… are you okay?!"

I hurried over, placing my hand gently on her back.

"I'll heal you!!"

But before I could even begin my incantation, the woman intercepted my hand and spoke.

"I'm fine, Iris. It's already healed."

"W-what? That can't be…"

Her injuries were impossible to heal naturally.

Yet, as I closely inspected her back, I noticed a faint blue mist dissipating into the air, leaving no trace of the burn. All that remained was her unblemished, pale skin.

She really was completely healed.

"How… how is this possible?"

I couldn't hide my confusion. Could she also have the goddess's blessing?

Upon closer observation, I realized something I hadn't noticed before in my panic.

Like me, she emanated the presence of divine power.

As she stood and turned, I could finally see her face again.

Flowing black hair, as deep as the night sky.

Eyes a mesmerizing shade of red, so captivating one might never escape their allure.

Her face, pale as porcelain but enhanced with a slight blush that added life to her ethereal beauty.

Even seeing her again, the word 'beautiful' felt woefully inadequate. Her appearance was almost divine.

I found myself drawn to her, unable to look away.

My gaze wandered, tracing her sharp jawline down to her slender neck.

Then lower, to her delicate collarbone that hinted at an alluring sensuality.

And further still…

"Wait… what?"

I was stunned by the sight before me, nearly losing consciousness.

'Why are her clothes…'

Oh.

The poison must have melted them all away.

"…Iris?"

She tilted her head in confusion, her expression innocent as she called out to me.

It seemed she hadn't noticed yet.

"Iris? Are you alright?"

She looked at me with concern, but I couldn't respond.

I was utterly captivated—entranced by the breathtaking sight in front of me.

Specifically, the pair of forbidden fruits now exposed.

Normally hidden beneath clothing, every woman possesses two peaks.

And at their tips, rosy summits.

Yes.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the mesmerizing fruit before me.

Thump-thump, thump-thump—

Oh no.

Why does my heart hurt again?