"Let’s just follow the banners to the portal…" Nocture mutters, strolling calmly as the screams of her suffering followers echo through the city like background music. Annoyed, she shouts, "Shut up, you swine! I'm thinking!"
Even the pigs being slashed only whimper. Those dying let out a final squeak. Such is the obedience of her followers.
The sudden drop in ambient sound unsettles the defenders.
The Saintess was right—they are no longer human.
Driven by zeal, the defenders fight with renewed fervor, while Nocture, now with only a handful of pigs guarding her, continues toward the portal—completely unfazed by the tides of battle.
Hajime arrives at the city center, witnessing a rectangular portal the size of a two-story house. It’s finished and glowing with a bright projection: a “6th Saintess Selection Show” ad, complete with a play button.
The mod beside him says, “The destination is ready, Hero-san. Please leave this place! The Saintess will follow you shortly!”
Hajime squints. “Where’s it going?”
“To the safest place in the world: The Holy City of Sub!”
He twitches. “Can’t I go anywhere else?”
The mod frowns. “You can Hero-san, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’d take an hour to calibrate to your ad feed destination.”
As Hajime argues with the mod, he doesn’t notice the hooded girl with a faint presence dragging a stick in a circle around the portal's edge.
“Hey Caladblock,” Hajime asks, “Can you help me skip this ad? I really don’t want to watch some Saintess Selection trailer.”
Caladblock replies, “Sorry, love. If I interfere, the portal’s gone. This one’s functionally unskippable.”
Valiant adds, “Yeah… gotta sit through this one.”
Whalescalibur cheers, “Ohhh! It’s the Season 6 trailer! I’m betting on the underdog this time!”
Sighing, Hajime presses the play button.
“Welcome everyone to the 6th Saintess Selection Show, proudly sponsored by Deus-sama for your entertainment! This season begins XX/XX/XXXX with a live performance by the Starlight Dancers, a viral troupe that incorporates vacation ads into fluid choreography! Representatives from kingdoms far and wide will compete for the ultimate prize: becoming the Hero’s one true Saintess! Tune in for drama, passion, and promotional content galore!”
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Hajime groans internally.
"I have to sit through a Saintess talent show? This sucks hard."
He briefly considers swimming away and abandoning everything to damnation.
That is… until he hears a seductive voice that triggers something deep within him, asura is rising...
After following the banners, Nocture finally reaches the city center.
Only a few pigs orbit her now. Her loyal horde perished so she could reach this place. And now, she sees him—Hajime—watching the ad.
Smirking, she purrs, “Hero-kun, your queen has come to claim you.”
She crosses her arms beneath her bust and licks her lips—just as her mother taught her during her debut.
Hajime doesn’t react at her sultry provocation.
A pig shouts, “Show respect for our queen, you pleb!!!”
The simp instinctively rushes at Hajime—but Merryad, the princess knight, expertly blocks him, sending him flying into a wall.
Nocture claps slowly. “Well done, bitch. Saved me the effort of disciplining that swine.”
Merryad stands her ground. “The Hero shall not be corrupted by a vile creature like you! Thou shalt not pass my pay wall!”
Nocture turns to her followers. “This one’s out of your paygrade, little swines. Here, have some motivation...”
She pulls a small bottle from her hip, spits into it, and ties a heart-shaped ribbon around it.
"Whoever defeats this skank gets this limited edition merch."
The bottle floats in dark energy—calling to the horde.
The disgusting wave of creatures surges toward Merryad, drowning her in combat. She cries out, “Please, Hero! Leave before it’s too late! You haven’t recovered—don’t sacrifice yourself for me!”
Hajime remains still, twitching, paralyzed by trauma and confusion.
Nocture smirks. “As expected of a true Hero—devoted and loyal. You haven’t abandoned your queen.”
The twitching worsens.
Nocture cracks her whip.
“Come my followers! Behold the legs of your goddess!”
"Goddammit. That voice. I’ve been found by something vile."
"If I don't move… maybe she’ll get bored and leave."
He twitches once.
Caladblock: “Hey love… we should go. She looks… difficult.”
Valiant: “Yeah. That type of girl is clinging to you? That’s a very serious problem.”
Whalescalibur: “That’s Noctrine’s daughter! Her image is uncanny! Smite her, Hero! Let’s purge this evil!”
For the first time in a while, the holy sword wants to fight.
Then Hajime hears Merryad again. Her cry for me to abandon her deeply touches my heart.
"...It’s the first time her will aligns with mine..."
"I should really run. But I’m scared... scared that—" these thoughts transiently passes through me but their in vain.
Suddenly in my hesitation, the Baba Saintess appears rushing towards Nocture's way.
“Hero-kun! Please go! I’ll delay this abomination!”
She rushes in like the sacrificial heroine in the first arc of a bad anime.
“Our time was short… but don’t forget me…”
She’s is promptly kicked into a wall by Nocture. Blood trickles from the Saintess mouth. She doesn't have any damage...
“You got what you deserved, you fool,” Nocture scoffs at the Saintess.
“Now, Hero—lick the feet of your Queen.”
A vein bulges in Hajime’s neck.
In his anger state he slowly turns to face Nocture.
A loud RIIIIIIIPPPPPPPP occurs!
The sound echoes across the entirety of the plaza.
His shirt tears away—his abs exposed to the elements, his thighs bulging with strength.
Nocture, overwhelmed by his show of passion says: “I’m ready… come and TAKE ME Hero!!!”
She closes her eyes in anticipation.
She waits a few minutes but the heroes response is only....
Silence.
She opens her eyes wondering if somethings wrong—
but Hajime is long gone.