Chapter 180: The Princess's Pursuit and Cremation Scene – Exclusive Black Stockings Appreciation Club (1)
A wave of sadness engulfed Elivira, leaving her speechless. She could only silently let her tears of pain and humiliation fall.
Seeing the icy and aloof Elivira shed tears was an image almost too unbearable to watch.
After delivering a severe lesson, Shia walked away gracefully, leaving behind the blue-haired woman collapsed in front of her beloved motorcycle, looking utterly desolate.
Shia hadn't done anything excessively cruel; she had simply cut a small hole in Elivira's latex outfit.
Yet, Elivira's vacant gaze and motionless body painted a picture of utter despair. It took her a long time to come back to her senses, her eyes filled with both love and guilt as she looked at her bike.
"It's all my fault. I couldn't protect you… to let you suffer such a terrible ordeal."
Her eyes were full of sorrow, her heart seemingly bleeding.
'It's all tainted!'
She reached out, trying to wipe away the marks left on the bike—stains that no amount of cleaning could remove.
Her heart was heavy with both pity for her beloved bike and hatred for Shia.
'How dare he do this to my precious bike? I'll get my revenge!'
'How could a mere lackey dare to go this far!?'
---
Meanwhile, Shia was walking home, his face showing little of the satisfaction that should accompany a successful act of revenge. His thoughts were preoccupied with future survival.
From his multiple game clearances, Shia knew that this world contained three true female protagonists. These weren't the usual side characters swept up by a protagonist like Mary Sue but women central to the story, each representing a phase of the narrative with immense fortune on their side.
The good news for Shia? He had a significant connection with all three of them.
The bad news? These women weren't saints.
Since arriving in this world, Shia had only interacted with Lilith, the first of the trio. But beyond her, there were two more formidable women, each beloved by fate (or the developers) in their own right.
And the powers behind Elivira... represented forces that...
'That Empress must be getting impatient,' Shia thought, his expression darkening.
He was well aware that the Empress's pressure was leagues beyond anything Lilith could exert. But now, he wasn't the same Shia who'd been thrown into this world with nothing.
A month of preparation had given him the confidence to face her.
'Yes, she's strong, but I've got my cards to play.'
As plans continued to churn in his mind, Shia suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
'Nia? Why is she here?'
Pulled from his thoughts, Shia looked up and realized he'd already returned home.
---
At his doorstep stood Nia, her long golden hair cascading down to her ankles, her pointed elf ears framing light green eyes. Her flawless figure starkly contrasted with her innocent face.
Her eager gaze met his as she rushed forward the moment he arrived, throwing her soft body into his arms.
The plush sensation of her delicate frame pressed against him as she nestled into his chest, her small head rubbing affectionately against him.
"You're finally back," she said in a slow, lingering tone full of attachment.
Shia chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her in return. His heart felt warm, though he couldn't help but find her endearing clinginess amusing.
"I was only gone for two days."
But Nia buried her head even deeper into his chest, her soft curves melting into him as if trying to merge their bodies into one.
Faced with such an adorably clingy elven princess, Shia gently ruffled her hair, his affection overflowing.
Nia tilted her head up, locking eyes with him before breaking into a serene smile. Then, without hesitation, she closed her eyes and stood on her tiptoes.
Her bold move made Shia freeze momentarily.
Her soft lips pressed against his, carrying a unique, sweet fragrance.
Shia's momentary surprise melted away as he tightened his hold around her slender waist, reciprocating her warmth with equal fervor.
When they finally parted, Nia's eyes sparkled with moisture, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush that made her look particularly enchanting. Her gaze held a blend of innocence and deep dependence, which filled Shia with a profound sense of satisfaction.
"This is outside, you know," Shia teased, trying to remind her of their surroundings.
Kissing so openly in public—wasn't she afraid of being seen?
But Nia only clung tighter, her delicate arms wrapping firmly around him.
"It's not the first time, anyway," she replied in a soft but matter-of-fact tone.
Her logic was simple. Since they'd kissed before, what difference did one more time make?
Faced with Nia's pure yet oddly confident reasoning, Shia was left speechless.
What could he say? It actually made sense.
However, Rong clearly didn't think so.
Suddenly, Nia felt a hand grab hers before being abruptly pulled out of Shia's embrace.
Rong's expression was filled with resentment as she glared at her senior, her frustration practically radiating from her.
"Senior, don't you think this is a bit underhanded?" Rong accused, her tone indignant.
Nia's eyes returned to their usual dazed, innocent state.
"Ah?" she murmured, her voice as slow as ever.
Rong was internally screaming.
'Don't act innocent now! I saw everything! You were totally stealing kisses!'
But Nia simply blinked at Rong with her unfocused gaze, her response as unhurried as her mannerisms.
"I was just waiting here for the Master to come home."
Her words were pure and straightforward, leaving Rong at a loss for how to respond.
'Why do I even bother?'
"I 'saw' what you did!" Rong retorted, puffing her cheeks with indignation. Her voice grew sharper with her rising annoyance.
"Okay." Nia nodded obediently, then looked at Rong expectantly.
As if silently asking: 'So what?'
Rong nearly exploded on the spot.
'What do you mean 'okay'?! Shouldn't you feel guilty? Ashamed? Regretful?'
Yet Nia remained completely unbothered, her expression as blank as ever.
Caught between fury and helplessness, Rong's glaring eyes only earned more of Nia's blank stares. The natural airhead wouldn't feel guilty even if the world were falling apart.