10x Rewards: Conquering Women and Taming Beauties-Chapter 38: Arriving At The Temple

"Aristarkh," Vale called out, rushing toward me after sweeping the area with her senses and ensuring that no one was in sight.

Seeing that I wasn’t injured, she let out a sigh of relief.

"You didn’t have to endanger your life just to save me," I complained with a slight frown, feeling a little touched by the succubus’ concern.

"Tsk... not even a thank you." Vale folded her arms, clearly annoyed by my behavior.

Having never seen this side of their mistress, the two succubuses struggled to stifle their laughter.

The injured succubus didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she stared at the exchange.

’I’m the one who’s heavily injured, and the two of you are bickering as though you don’t have a care in the world.’

"Alright. Thank you." I said casually, then pulled Vale closer. "What do you want as a reward? A kiss... or..." My words trailed off, but from my wink, Vale quickly understood.

She blushed slightly and gave me a brief kiss before changing the topic.

"Just a kiss would be enough..." she paused, then added with a wink of her own, "for now."

Noticing the awkwardness appearing on the faces of her subordinates, she finally shifted her attention to them.

"Here... heal your injuries." She flicked her hand, and a potion appeared in her grasp.

Tossing it toward them, she shifted her attention back to the surroundings.

The two succubuses thanked Vale, then quickly emptied the contents of the potion.

Instantly, the potion went to work, miraculously healing the injury the first succubus had suffered.

Gradually, her breathing returned to normal, and her expression, which had been tightly squeezed from pain, regained its rosiness.

Later on, I learned their names. The one who had been injured was called Faevy, while the second succubus was called Liv.

After feeling like she could move again, Faevy finally stood up, and both succubuses turned their attention to Vale, waiting for her next order.

Vale took out the compass she had been using to track the Queen in the North’s movements.

She rubbed her chin slightly and muttered under her breath.

"We have to quicken our pace. It seems she has arrived at her location."

Simultaneously, Faevy and Liv’s gazes sharpened at her words.

Nodding, they quickly readied their weapons, prepared to continue the journey.

With that, we set off.

The path deeper into the cursed gate only grew colder and windier.

The two succubuses were already finding it hard to walk due to the stiffness in their legs.

On the other hand, perhaps due to my Cursed Nebula Physique or the fire-based cursed ability I possessed, I wasn’t particularly affected by the cold.

Vale was also unharmed due to her rank as a Cursed Master.

At such a level, one’s physical capabilities were enhanced to a great extent. Ordinary cold that could affect humans no longer had any effect on them.

"We’ll arrive soon, hold on for a bit," Vale tried to comfort the two girls.

At the same time, I waved my hand. A searing wave of heat formed, then condensed into the shape of a dragon, floating gently around me.

It brought warmth to the two girls, who quickly stopped shivering under the heat of my flames.

With that, we were free to continue.

Everyone was silent, save for the rustle of the wind and the distant cries of animals.

Gradually, we drew closer, and the vague outline of something resembling a house or temple appeared in our vision.

Squinting slightly, I tried to make out what I was seeing.

In Vale’s hand, a loud whistle resounded from the compass.

"It says she’s inside the temple," Vale said calmly, her eyes settling on the distant structure.

A sword appeared in her hand as her danger perception sharpened considerably.

My own sword appeared in my grasp.

Suddenly, a burst of energy surged through my heart.

My cursed rank increased by two instantly, reaching the tenth stage of Cursed Warrior, just one step away from becoming a Cursed Master.

’This... Lydia?’ I muttered internally. But that wasn’t the end of the surprise.

[Congratulations! Your bonded target, Lydia, has comprehended the Eagle Lightning Steps technique!]

[You have received five times her comprehension!]

[Congratulations! You have comprehended the Thunderous Eagle Lightning Steps technique.]

’Five times?’ I drew in a sharp breath.

It seemed that at some point, Lydia’s affinity toward me had crossed fifty without me realizing.

’Is it because she misses me or something?’ I wondered, keeping the thought to myself.

"Is something wrong?" Vale raised a brow in my direction.

"No," I replied. "I just had a sudden breakthrough."

Vale had already sensed the increase in my cursed rank, and it clearly startled her.

’It seems he has more secrets than I thought...’ she mused, deciding to explore them gradually.

After all, Aristarkh was her slave for now, and she didn’t see him escaping anytime soon.

In fact, it was impossible to escape her grasp.

"Alright." She shifted her focus back to the temple as they quickened their pace.

Following behind her, I studied the technique that had appeared in my mind.

’A movement technique? It came in handy... I need to reward Lydia when I return,’ I thought with a smirk.

Gradually, we closed the distance between us and the temple.

As we got closer, faint whispers drifted into our ears.

The place felt strangely deserted.

The biting cold gradually faded. Ahead of us, it was as though another world existed entirely.

In stark contrast to the snow surrounding it, there seemed to be a forcefield preventing the snow from entering the temple grounds.

"This..." Faevy exclaimed, slightly taken aback.

"Your Highness... what could be the reason for this?" she asked.

Liv shared the same thought. "Can a treasure truly cause such a phenomenon?"

Vale glanced at her compass to confirm they were at the right place.

After that, she rubbed her chin in thought.

Unable to come up with an answer, she turned to me.

"What do you think?"

’Me?’ Briefly stunned that Vale had asked me, I didn’t know how to respond.

How could I possibly know when I barely understood this world myself?

"Why don’t we enter and find out?" I said with a smile, smoothly sidestepping the question.

Vale nodded. "Since my sister could enter here and is still alive, it suggests there isn’t any immediate danger..."

The two girls nodded, though not entirely convinced.

"Let’s go." Vale stepped forward and crossed into the snowless land.

Instantly, a wave of warmth washed over our bodies.

In contrast to the cold outside, the warmth felt incredibly soothing.

The two girls couldn’t help letting out soft moans at the sudden change...

Even Vale lightly touched her skin, noticing how quickly it was warming.

Running a hand through her hair, she brushed off the remaining snow.

Finally, she smiled faintly. "The weather is now perfect."

Suddenly, a sharp sound tore through the air.

"Watch out..." Vale warned sharply as she noticed it was heading straight for me.