"Master, is there something on my face? Why do you keep staring at me?"
Even Bismarck, who had carried herself as an aloof and untouchable woman, couldn't help but blush slightly under Roland Phils's steady gaze.
As his apostle, her loyalty was already unquestionable. Her heart tilted toward him, though she would never admit it outright. If Roland forced himself upon her, her pride and nature would resist, perhaps even push back. But because of her bond of loyalty and the affection deep within, she might eventually accept him.
Yet Roland wasn't a fool. Forcing her would come at a terrible cost. It could corrode her trust, even drive her away from his circle of apostles. That wasn't just reckless. It would be beneath him.
So no matter how many improper thoughts stirred in his mind, Roland would never take her by force.
That wasn't his way.
Whether with mortal women or shipgirls, he believed in one thing: consent. Only if they gave their hearts willingly did it matter. Anything else was weakness, and Roland Phils was no weak man.
"Tell me," Roland said with a teasing smile, "has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?"
"Beautiful?" Bismarck blinked, caught off guard. "Thank you."
Her cheeks flushed deeper, red as fine wine. The sight of her regal, icy composure cracking against warmth only made her more captivating.
Unable to stop himself, Roland raised a hand and brushed his fingers gently across her cheek.
Bismarck stiffened, her body trembling at the sudden contact. The proud swell of her chest shifted with her sharp inhale, making Roland's mind flare with heat.
Hot. Dangerous.
For a moment, his head was filled with nothing else.
"Master, please," Bismarck said, her tone still cold, but her words softened with a hint of shyness. "Do not touch me so casually. Otherwise… I might get angry."
Roland chuckled awkwardly. "You truly live up to your icy reputation. Forgive me. Your beauty drew me in, and I acted without thinking. It won't happen again."
He realized how quickly he had contradicted himself. Only moments earlier, he had resolved to respect her completely. Yet here he was, letting his emotions carry him. It was almost embarrassing.
But honesty mattered more. He didn't hide it.
That honesty surprised Bismarck. She had expected excuses, arrogance, or simply cold command. Instead, he looked slightly flustered, almost boyish, admitting fault.
And strangely… she found that side of him endearing. Cute, even. The word felt wrong when applied to a man, but somehow it fit.
So instead of anger, warmth colored her face. A faint, rare blush softened her otherwise icy features.
"Thank you, Master. You are… not a bad man."
Roland tilted his head. "I thought you would never say such a thing. So you can praise others too, Bismarck. Perhaps I don't know you as well as I thought."
His smile widened. "Which only means one thing. I need to understand you more deeply."
Bismarck's lips curved, her voice low and teasing despite the red glow on her cheeks. "More deeply, Master? How deep do you mean?"
Roland froze.
She had just teased him.
He almost laughed aloud. So she isn't all frost and armor after all.
"That question…" Roland muttered, rubbing the back of his neck with a bitter smile. "I cannot answer it right now. Perhaps when the time is right."
"When the time is right," Bismarck repeated softly. She returned to her cool composure, but nodded with a quiet firmness. "Very well. I will wait."
Her words carried weight, not simply obedience but patience.
Roland exhaled slowly. He reminded himself why he couldn't afford to get carried away. The enlightenment of Bismarck had cost him dearly — one hundred thousand Faith Power. That was no trivial sum. Even with his growing base of believers, it would take ten full days to replenish. He couldn't let his thoughts wander when so much was at stake.
Faith Power was like gold. Once spent, it was gone. Regretting it did nothing. The only solution was to earn more, faster.
That meant nurturing his followers, strengthening their devotion, raising them to higher levels. Their offerings and prayers were the true foundation of his power.
Already, thanks to their last ceremony, he had gathered more than fifty thousand points of Faith Power in one stroke. That, more than anything, reassured him.
He needed more of that.
The answer was clear: show them his divinity. Reveal a miracle that proved without doubt he was their god.
His eyes narrowed. He released his divine sense, and the image unfolded among his gathered followers.
A colossal Tree of Life shimmered into existence, towering before them. Last time, it had risen only ten meters tall. Now, nourished by his growing Faith Power, it stretched twenty meters high, its branches lush and full, radiating waves of pure vitality.
At its roots sat a figure cloaked in radiant light, face hidden, body calm, the embodiment of a god.
The believers fell to their knees, trembling in awe. This was no dream, no trick. This was their Lord of Life, descending once more to grace them with his presence.
Their faith deepened with every heartbeat.
Roland smiled faintly within his divine realm. This was why believers mattered. Their devotion fueled his strength. Their Faith Power nurtured the Tree of Life. And with every ceremony, every prayer, both his divine realm and his godhood itself grew stronger.
The path was clear. And he intended to walk it to the end.
---
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