Rover stared at the glowing panel before him, cursing inwardly: 'Oy! System, why does it feel like you're forcing me to pick option three?'
It was true—the other two options were extremely risky, yet their rewards were only 100 EXP and some useless trinkets.
And no matter which of the first two he picked, the outcome was still death staring him in the face.
[Ding! Please do not doubt the System's mission. Every choice relates to Fate, and the System is extremely serious.]
'Ah! Extremely serious…' Rover sighed to himself.
[Ding! Host must choose quickly.
3…
2…
1…]
'Ack! Option 3!' Rover quickly declared.
Although option 3 looked like a trap—and more than a little perverted—at least it was simpler than the others.
[Ding! Choice accepted. Please complete the task to receive your reward.
Time limit: 30 minutes. Countdown begins.]
Rover took a deep breath and looked toward the Saintess, noticing that a few drops of tea still clung to her robe.
'Goddammit! Just once…' he steeled himself.
Suppressing his nerves and fear, he spoke softly, "Saintess, there's still a bit of tea on your robe. May I help you wipe it off?"
Silence…
The entire hall fell into absolute stillness.
Everyone's faces were frozen with disbelief at what Rover had just said.
Stanley's hands gripped the armrests of his chair so hard his knuckles turned white. He ground his teeth and hissed, "Rover, what did you just say?"
"Ah! Did no one hear me clearly?" Rover said calmly, his voice nonchalant. "I saw there was still some tea on the Saintess's robe, so I offered to wipe it for her."
"You…" Stanley's eyes looked as if they were about to spew fire.
Everyone here knew the Saintess's body was an untouchable treasure. No one could lay a hand on her.
Even the Saint or the Pope would be punished by the Judicators if they dared to touch her without permission.
Rover's words were the height of disrespect and rudeness toward the Saintess.
If she became angry, it wouldn't just be Rover—this entire family could be reduced to ash.
Alex, meanwhile, was inwardly delighted. He had never imagined Rover could be stupid enough to dig his own grave so perfectly.
Though Rover looked calm, his heart pounded with terror. He was gambling everything on the Saintess's mercy, hoping she wouldn't take offense at his words.
Kleng!
At that moment, a woman in a white robe stood, drawing a sword from her waist. "Anyone who dares offend the Saintess must die!"
Rover inhaled sharply, cursing the System in his heart.
"Wait! I…" Rover quickly tried to explain. "I only wanted to help her!"
Kleng! Kleng! Kleng!
More of the white-robed figures stood and drew their swords. The gleam of their blades reflected cold light, making them look even more lethal.
Rover: "…"
Now he truly wanted to cry. He had never expected the situation to spiral so far out of control.
'Oy! System, help me! I'm in this mess because of your damn choice—do something!'
[Ding! The System only presents choices to guide you toward the best possible outcome.
This is the trial of Fate. Please do your best to overcome it.]
Rover: "..."
He felt utterly scammed, silently shouting in his mind: 'Goddammit! System, you tricked me!'
[Ding! The System feels offended. If you insult me again, your penis will be shortened by 5 cm.]
Rover: "..."
At that moment, the Saintess raised her hand. Instantly, all the white-robed figures withdrew their blades in perfect unison, like machines following a single command.
"You…" The Saintess pointed toward Rover and said softly, "Come here."
"Ah! I…" Rover trembled. But since the arrow had already left the bow, he had no way to retreat.
Step by step, he approached the Saintess under the mocking gaze of Alex.
'Yes…' Alex thought smugly. 'Once you die, the title will be mine.'
Rover, unaware of Alex's thoughts, continued forward slowly until he stood before the Saintess.
When only a few meters separated them, Rover knelt on one knee and said quickly, "Saintess, I was just joking earlier, please… don't be angry."
BAM!
Stanley slammed the armrest of his chair and roared, "You bastard! Do you have a death wish?!"
But the Saintess calmly took out a white handkerchief, extended it toward Rover, and said softly, "So… you don't want to help me?"
Everyone: "..."
Their eyes shifted from anger to shock, silently screaming the same question: 'What the hell is going on?'
Even Alex's eyes went wide, as if they were about to pop out of his head.
Stanley froze, both confused and terrified.
What was happening? Could the Saintess truly be this forgiving?
Rover was surprised too, but he quickly composed himself, stepped forward, and reached out to take the handkerchief from her hand.
"No!" Alex shouted suddenly. "Saintess, your body is sacred! How can someone so lowly touch you?"
He rushed toward her—but in that instant—
Kleng!
A white-robed woman unsheathed her sword with lightning speed. Alex barely saw the flash before a gust of cold wind brushed across his neck.
The blade stopped less than a centimeter from his throat. One move—one slip—and his head would roll.
"Alex! My son—" Stanley gasped in panic. "Saintess! Please forgive him, he—"
The Saintess ignored them both and said gently, "Lend me a hand…"
Her sweet voice carried a strange charm that gave Rover courage.
He clenched his teeth, thinking, 'Huh! If I don't take this chance, I'd be like a dog ignoring the meat right in front of its nose.'
He reached out and took the handkerchief—but his fingers brushed against the Saintess's hand.
The Saintess flinched, pulling her hand back instinctively.
Alex's eyes blazed with fury. "You bastard! You dared touch the Saintess! I'll—"
Kleng!
The woman beside him pressed her blade against his neck again, her voice cold as ice. "Silence."
"But… but…" Alex gritted his teeth, face red with anger, glaring at Rover.
Meanwhile, the Saintess softly asked, "How does it feel?"
"Hm?!" Rover looked at his hand holding her handkerchief and muttered, "So soft… ack! I mean—the cloth, hahaha…"
The Saintess smiled. Though half her face was hidden behind the mask, that smile was dazzling beyond words.
She lifted a finger and pointed to a few tea stains on her white robe, right above her thigh.
Rover took a deep breath, thinking to himself, 'Is this… my special reward?'
Slowly, he reached out, placed the handkerchief on her thigh, and began gently wiping.
"You—"
"Stay still!" The white-robed guard's sharp voice stopped Alex the moment he tried to move.
Alex clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"He… he's touching the Saintess! He's actually touching her!" Alex growled.
"The Saintess gave permission," the guard replied flatly. "He is allowed."
Rover, oblivious to everything else, focused entirely on the soft, warm sensation beneath his hand.
It was so perfect he wished he could stay like this forever.
"Um…"
A faint, involuntary sound escaped the Saintess's lips, making everyone's faces flush red.
She covered her mouth quickly, then tapped Rover's forehead lightly, pouting. "Bad Rover, be gentle. You're pressing too hard."
Everyone: "..."
If this weren't the Saintess but some other woman, they would have thought they were watching a pair of lovers flirting right in front of them.
"Ah! I'm sorry, I—" Rover started to speak, but then a sudden gust of wind swept through the hall, causing his hand to slip.
His palm landed squarely on the Saintess's abdomen.
Everyone: "..."
Stanley: "..."
Alex: "..."