NOVEL NEXT Chapter 460: So it was true after all...
"Hey, don't you think it's been a few days since the Goddess last came back?"
At the peak of Sky Sanctuary, Zephyra gazed into the distance, her voice tinged with a bit of melancholy.
As one of the Twelve Holy Envoys and the most trusted assassin by the Goddess's side, her loyalty to Sylvia was unwavering.
Even though she'd been dragged off by the Goddess for a spanking more than a few times recently, Zephyra couldn't help but feel a strange emptiness in her heart after not seeing her for a while.
Even her... butt felt kind of empty.
"Timothy's been gone for a few days too! Actually, I bet the two of them ditched Sky Sanctuary and ran off somewhere to be all lovey-dovey. Ugh, I'm her pet, for crying out loud! Even if they're going on a honeymoon, they could at least take me along as a third wheel!" Azura, standing nearby, crossed her arms in frustration.
"Maybe not..." Zephyra said nervously. "You really want to be a third wheel? You're not worried the Goddess will spank you too?"
"Spank me? Pfft, I'm not scared! The Goddess might seem strict, but she's always been super nice to me. She's never even thought about spanking me!" Azura smirked, clearly proud of herself.
"What?! No way! I've been with the Goddess for years, and she's never treated me any differently. Why would she only spank me and not anyone else? Wait..." Zephyra's voice trailed off as a realization hit her. "Hold on! The only people the Goddess has spanked are me and Holy Maiden Aeliana. And Aeliana is the Goddess's closest confidante. Doesn't that mean... the spankings aren't punishments at all? They're actually... rewards?"
It was as if something clicked in Zephyra's mind.
Her eyes lit up, and she even looked a little smug. "Hah! Maybe not getting spanked by Goddess Sylvia means she doesn't think you're worthy of a reward. Who says getting spanked is a punishment? The Goddess's hands are cool and smooth, like jade. Sure, it stings a little, but when you think back on it, it's actually kind of... nice. I've even overheard some guys say that if they ever got to meet Goddess Sylvia, they'd be thrilled to get beaten up by her. I bet that's why!"
"Wait, getting spanked by the Goddess feels that good?" Azura looked skeptical, but seeing the certainty in Zephyra's expression, she started to believe it a little.
"Hmm, now that you mention it, I kinda want to try it next time. Too bad I don't know where the Goddess and Timothy are right now. Otherwise, I'd go find them right this second!"
"No way! The Goddess would never be on a date!"
Suddenly, Elder Turner, who had been listening to their conversation for a while, finally spoke up.
At that moment, Elder Turner looked exhausted, his breath weak, and dark circles under his eyes. Sylvia, being a rare and wise ruler, used to personally handle many of Sky Sanctuary's affairs. But with her gone, all those responsibilities had fallen onto Elder Turner's shoulders.
For the past few days, he'd been working day and night, leaving him utterly drained. But even in his weakened state, what bothered him most wasn't the workload.
It was...
"As the ruler of Sky Sanctuary, the Goddess has been away for several days. There's no way she's off on a date! I'm telling you, the Goddess isn't that kind of person! And Timothy? That kid doesn't have nearly enough charm to win over the Goddess!"
Even though he'd just been brutally shown up by their public displays of affection in the last court session, Elder Turner still stood tall, full of confidence.
"Uh..." Azura stared at him like he was an idiot. "Yeah, I'm not buying it. Besides, there's no external threats or internal problems right now. What else could the Goddess be doing? If it's not a date, then what?"
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"That's impossible!" Elder Turner tried to argue, but as he thought about it, he realized... she might actually have a point.
After all, things at the Sepulcher of the Sacred had calmed down, and the major sects had willingly submitted to the Goddess after witnessing her divine power there. The rebellion had been quelled, and Sky Sanctuary was thriving like never before.
Logically, there really shouldn't be anything left that needed urgent attention.
But...
Elder Turner, unwilling to let the Goddess's image be tarnished, racked his brain for an explanation. Finally, a lightbulb went off in his head. "No, wait! Before the Goddess and Timothy left, Timothy told me several times that they were going out to deal with two ancient serpents hiding somewhere. Now that the Goddess is missing, she must be out there dealing with them!"
"Are you sure?" Azura asked, clearly skeptical.
"Absolutely."
Azura thought for a moment, still unconvinced. "Okay, then let me ask you this: when Timothy described those two serpents, did he say they were light pink?"
Elder Turner paused. "Actually, yes, he did."
"And did Timothy also mention that those serpents liked to bathe and play in the water?"
"Uh... yeah, he did say that. Strange, how do you know? Did Timothy tell you too?" Elder Turner asked, confused.
Azura, who had been holding back for a while, finally couldn't contain herself and burst out laughing. "Oh, Elder Turner, you're so out of touch! Light pink, bathing and playing in the water? That's just Timothy's way of covering up the fact that he and the Goddess were going out on a date! It's a metaphor for kissing!"
"Kissing? That's impossible!" Elder Turner stood there in stunned silence, unable to believe it.
But as he thought back to Timothy's descriptions, and the slightly odd expression the Goddess had every time she returned from being out with Timothy, something clicked in his mind.
"No, I refuse to believe it!" Even though the truth was dawning on him, Elder Turner still didn't want to accept it. He desperately searched for any way to refute it.
But just then, a white paper crane suddenly appeared in the distant sky.
With a soft, melodic cry, the crane flew toward Sky Sanctuary, catching everyone's attention as it gracefully descended to the mountain peak.
"Come on, honey, take my hand and hop down," Timothy said as he jumped off the crane first, extending his hand like a gentleman.
"I'm not some frail little girl..." Sylvia shot him a slightly annoyed glance.
"Ahem, I'm just worried since we stayed up so late last night. You must be exhausted, honey."
"Well... I guess I am a little tired." Sylvia hesitated for a moment, her legs feeling a bit sore, before finally taking Timothy's hand.
But just as she stepped off the crane, leaning forward at the perfect angle, Timothy leaned in and planted a soft kiss on her snow-white forehead.
"W-What are you doing?" Sylvia, completely caught off guard, blushed and took a small step back.
"I'm just worried you're too tired, so I'm giving you a little energy boost."
"Yeah, right! I don't believe you for a second!"
The atmosphere between them suddenly became sweet and intimate.
Meanwhile, Elder Turner stood there, completely dumbfounded.
So it was true after all... Goddess Sylvia really was on a date!