Cuckold Wizard's Adventure-Chapter 635: Shinji, Dispatch Decision
Before anyone could react to the sudden voice of the goddess, thoughts began to pour into their minds like a rushing current.
βIβll explain everything, so come over here!β π§π³π¦β―ππ¦π·π―ππ£π¦π.πΈπ°π
Before they could even say βWait,β a magic circle expanded beneath their feet. In the blink of an eye, their surroundings twistedβand Shinji and Luluane were standing in an open field under a blue sky, with only a round table and enough round chairs for the group.
Two figures were already seated at the table: Goddess Arian, her silver hair flowing like moonlight, held her head as if fending off a headache, while next to her sat a small goddess with orange hair tied up in playful twin puffsβPadra, unfamiliar to both Shinji and Luluane.
Shinji looked to Luluane, who appeared just as puzzled as he felt. Neither of them had expected a different goddess to appear so suddenly, and they found themselves frozen, unsure how to respond.
βCome now, take a seat. We canβt get started if youβre just standing there,β Padra said, waving them over with a bright smile.
βY-yes, understood,β Luluane replied, moving quickly to obey.
Shinji glanced toward Arian. When she gave a slight nod, he sat beside Luluane, the tension in his shoulders not quite fading.
(So this is the oneβ¦ Padra. Sheβs not what I imagined. Her face is plain, but maybe she cares more about substance than looks.)
Padra watched Shinji with an unreadable gaze, though only he noticed. A moment later, her expression softened into a cheerful smile, and she clapped her hands together with a theatrical gesture.
βSorry for the sudden call, Apostles. There was a teensy misunderstandingβ¦β
βIt wasnβt just βteensy,β was it?β Arian muttered with a sigh.
βUgh, fine, maybe not. But donβt cut me off like that!β Padra pouted as she turned toward her fellow goddess.
Their exchange felt strangely casual, even familiar, and when Padra introduced Arian to Luluane, the connection between them became clear.
Still, their smiles only lasted until the explanation began.
Once they understood the full pictureβthat despite being apostles, they were summoned by a goddess not their ownβLuluaneβs face darkened. Though the mistake stemmed from Padraβs end, Luluane couldnβt bring herself to think, βItβs not my fault.β
If only she had better handled the remnants of the previous goddessβs influence, Shinji might not have been caught up in this mess. A deep sense of responsibility weighed on her.
βSo, in the end, itβs my fault,β Padra said softly, looking at Luluane. βYou donβt need to blame yourself anymore.β
βThatβs easy to sayβ¦β Luluane murmured, still unable to accept it fully.
βEven Arian forgave me!β Padra insisted with a hopeful look.
βTrue remorse is more than just words,β Arian said, her tone gentle but firm. βAnd regarding Satinβ¦ I share some of that responsibility as well.β
βI understand,β Luluane replied with a small bow. βIf the goddess says soβ¦ I will do it.β
With Arianβs approval and the mood softening around her, Luluane finally exhaled. Shinji remained silent but nodded in agreement. Still, he cast a subtle glance toward Padra, sensing something behind that ever-smiling face.
βThank you for the trouble. I appreciate you coming to get me,β Shinji said, addressing Arian.
βI didnβt come just to welcome Apostle Shinji,β Arian replied, her gaze steady.
Shinji swallowed a sigh as her serious expression signaled what was coming next: a request, just as heβd feared.
Arian spoke clearly about the reason for the mistaken summoning, her conflict with Satin, and her personal struggle in accepting this outcome. Luluaneβs disciple, quietly listening, was drawn in by her sincerity.
βIβve concluded that entrusting this task to you is the best path forward,β Arian said, her voice unwavering.
Normally, an apostle wouldnβt need an explanationβobedience to the goddess was enough. And yet, Arian chose to explain. Even if her heart remained unreadable, Padra was practically glowing with inner excitement.
(Arian, huh? Youβre seriously into him. I figured you had a soft spot, but this is another levelβ¦ Mmhmfufuβ‘ I knew she had good taste~βͺ)
It was obvious to Padra: Shinji was special to Arian. He probably couldnβt even borrow something trivial from her without earning it, yet here she was, asking for his help. Smiling to herself, Padra felt her little scheme had paid off.
βUnderstood,β Shinji said, bowing his head with calm resolve. βIβll do my utmost to act in a way that brings no shame to your name.β
βThank you,β Arian replied, glancing at Padra. βRight, Padra?β
βOf course!β Padra said with a thumbs-up. βIβll pay you back within reason!β
βComing from you, thatβs a little worryingβ¦β Arian sighed. βBut stillβApostle Shinji, in this world, thereβs no need to hide. Use your power as needed.β
Shinji caught the deeper meaning behind her words. Freriβs demonic power, time magic, the divine staffβ¦ Things he had restrained himself from using in his own world could now be tools, not burdens.
(So sheβs giving me permissionβ¦ or rather, baiting me with reward. She mightβve forgiven the earlier offense, but that doesnβt mean I get a free pass. This is probably her way of setting the rules.)
The more he delivered results, the higher the ceiling for compensationβand if he overstepped, Arian would have every right to reprimand him. Still, the trade-off seemed fair enough.
βJust donβt do anything reckless. We canβt allow chaos to spread,β Arian warned.
βUnderstood. I hid my identity in my original world, but hereβ¦ thereβs no need for that anymore,β Shinji replied.
βGood. Then Iβll trust you,β Padra said, though a hint of suspicion lingered in her eyes.
There was an arrogance behind her smileβan unspoken belief that if something went wrong, she could handle it as a goddess. It wasnβt neglect, exactlyβ¦ just confidence that things usually worked out.
In this place where Padra and Arianβs powers kept each other in check, no one could read minds. And before any darker thoughts could be uncovered, Shinji turned toward Luluane and the others with a composed smile.
βIβll cooperate for the time being. Please take care of me.β
βYes! Weβre counting on you,β Luluane said brightly.
Tiana and Tiona followed her lead with gentle bows. Though the meeting had started on unstable ground, things ended with understandingβand as Shinji accepted his role, Luluaneβs heavy heart finally began to lighten. Her disciples shared that relief, watching their master regain her usual calm.
βWell then, Apostles, I leave the rest to you,β Padra said as she stood.
βWeβll be waiting for good news,β Arian added, giving them a final nod.
With the goddessesβ blessing, the group returned to their camp. Thanks to Padraβs arrangement, not a second had passed in the outside world. No one noticed theyβd been goneβbut the mental fatigue from facing divine beings lingered.
They decided to rest and meet the resistance leaders the next day.
Shinji was led to a tent beside Luluaneβs group. A new one had been quickly set up for him, with only a simple bed inside. Still, as a temporary base, it was more than enough.
He considered the possibility of overpowering the group and extracting information by forceβbut the situation hadnβt grown desperate enough for that. Any rash action could risk angering Padra and losing the rewards heβd been promised. That alone kept his thoughts in check.
(Thereβs still a lot I need to understand. Iβll stay quiet for tonight.)
Lying on the bed, sleep crept over him. Just as his consciousness began to fade, an odd sensation stirred him awake.
He sat upβand locked eyes with Tiana, who had just stepped inside the tent.
She blinked, clearly surprised he noticed, but quickly smiled.
βAs expected of an Apostle. I didnβt think youβd be awake,β she said with a soft laugh.
ββ¦Is something wrong, coming here at this hour?β Shinji asked, noting the darkness outside.
What he didnβt realize was that the tent had been sealed with magic from Tianaβs summoned beast. Sound and sight from the outside were blocked, effectively isolating him. And he had no way of knowing.
βI came to thank you for your cooperationβ¦ May I sit beside you?β she asked, her voice warm.
Shinji understood the implication. Encouraged by Padra, Tiana quietly stepped closer and sat beside him, her movements calm and graceful.
Next time: The older sister discipleβs gentle hospitality.
A Goddess with hidden motives.
A silent retaliation brewing behind the scenes.
And a boy, slowly stepping deeper into the godsβ game.
Notes:
β’ Luluane β Female. An apostle of a different goddess. She has long, flowing hair and a pale complexion. She is sincere and remorseful for the accidental summoning, repeatedly apologizing and showing genuine concern. Her relationship with Shinji is initially tense but becomes more relaxed as they work together. She is also a summoner and has a close bond with her disciples, who see her as an older sister figure.
β’ Padra β Female. A goddess. She has orange hair styled in twin tails and a petite, delicate appearance with modest chest proportions. Her personality is carefree, cheeky, and playful, often acting bratty. She manages the world where Shinji was summoned. Her power revolves around summoning magic and phantom beasts. She has a friendly but sometimes audacious relationship with Arian, often pushing boundaries.
β’ Tiana β Female. Luluaneβs first disciple. She has blue hair tied in a round bun, a petite build, and a well-defined, feminine figure. Energetic, confident, and competitive, she is quick to speak and express gratitude. Her relationship with Shinji is respectful and positive.
β’ Tiona β Female. Luluaneβs second disciple. She has red braided hair and fluffy cat ears. Slender yet curvaceous, she is modest, quiet, and reserved, contrasting sharply with Tiana. Her relationship with Shinji is polite and apologetic for the rude summoning.
