Reborn as a Transcendent-Chapter 732Book 3: : Envoys from the Holy Land, A Comfortable Lap Pillow

On both sides of the teleportation array stood two hundred soldiers in black armor, neatly lined up and stern-faced. The ground was covered with a crimson carpet embroidered with golden silk.

No matter how one looked at it, the arrangement was clearly prepared to welcome important guests. It was obvious that the mysterious figures in white robes threaded with gold were people of extraordinary status.

They walked in orderly formation along the carpet, and the one leading them lifted his gaze toward the front. There, a tall and imposing warrior clad in red and black armor stood upright like a mountain. It was none other than Commander Blei of the Direct Army.

“Welcome, Your Excellency Bishop Gurant,” Blei said, bowing slightly in respect.

“Lord Blei, it’s been a long time,” the man addressed as Gurant replied. He removed his hood, revealing a fair face with traces of age, he looked to be in his fifties. His eyes gleamed brightly, like the first light of dawn, radiating a warmth that made people feel at ease.

“Your Excellency Bishop Gurant, you’ve come a long way. You must be weary,” Blei said with a polite smile. For the commander of the Direct Army himself to come and receive him, Gurant was clearly no ordinary guest.

He was the Holy Empire’s representative to the southern churches, a man of both great strength and considerable influence.

“I heard His Majesty wished to discuss certain matters with me, so I hurried here at once,” Gurant said with a genial smile. That smile felt like the soft sunshine of winter, gentle and comforting.

“I’ll escort Your Excellency to the palace immediately. As for…” Blei glanced toward the rest of the church members but paused mid-sentence.

Seeing this, Gurant replied calmly, “They will go to the local church to rest. There’s no need to trouble Lord Blei.”

“Understood. This way, please, Bishop Gurant.” Blei gestured courteously, then took the lead.

“You all wait for me at the church,” Gurant instructed.

“Yes, Your Excellency!” the group behind him responded in unison.

Not long after, Blei escorted Gurant into an extravagantly adorned beast-drawn carriage headed toward the imperial palace.

Meanwhile, the remaining clergy followed three armored soldiers toward the church. The soldiers who remained on site began to whisper among themselves, their curiosity piqued. They were all fascinated by these foreign clerics.

***

At the same time, another beast-drawn carriage sped across the plains from Aoma Village, shaking violently as it raced forward. Inside, the jolting was enough to make one’s stomach churn.

“Ugh…” Lili’s face had gone slightly pale; she felt like she was about to throw up. Normally, she never got motion sickness. But this carriage, originally meant for carrying cargo, was so poorly cushioned that every bump made her dizzy.

“If you’re feeling sick, just lie down on my lap,” said Yae-hime, patting her smooth, fair, and softly supple thighs.

Lili hesitated for a moment, her cheeks turning pink, before resting her head upon them. Soft. Warm. Comforting. And fragrant. There was a faint, soothing scent that calmed the heart. Perhaps it was psychological, but once she rested on Yae-hime’s lap, the dizziness truly faded away.

Although the ride was still bumpy, it felt far more bearable than before.

“Princess, when did you learn healing arts?” Lili asked, lying on her back and looking up at her. Her tone was filled with curiosity.

“Remember when I went into that underground maze with Alicia? It was there that I received a legacy,” Yae-hime replied truthfully.

“I see. No wonder you suddenly know how to heal.” Lili blinked. “Did Allie becoming even prettier than before also have something to do with your healing skills?”

“Yes, that’s right. I can do cosmetic enhancement too,” Yae-hime said with a teasing smile.

“I…” A faint blush spread across Lili’s face, and she seemed too embarrassed to continue.

“When Alicia’s illness is cured, how about I give you a beauty treatment as well?”

“Y-yes! Of course!” Lili answered immediately, her face glowing red as she nodded eagerly.

Seeing her flustered expression, Yae-hime couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke her head.

“P-Princess, what have you been up to lately?” Trying to hide her embarrassment, or perhaps out of genuine curiosity, Lili asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Lately? As you saw before, I’ve been fighting those Apostles. And also some outsiders who invaded our lands. Between all that, I treated Allie’s illness and made a few potions.”

Of course, those so-called “potions” were really just the result of soaking her feet and producing Holy Water. That kind of thing was better left unsaid. At least, that was what Yae-hime thought.

“You’ve been working really hard,” Lili said, stretching out her small hand to touch Yae-hime’s face. But her arm was too short, and instead of reaching her face, she accidentally pressed her hand onto the “mountain range.”

Soft. Warm. And springy. Something she herself didn’t have. A deep sense of defeat welled up within her.

“These extra parts actually get in the way during combat. They’re nothing good,” Yae-hime said quickly, trying to comfort her upon seeing that disheartened expression.

Lili drew her hand back, her lips puffing slightly as she muttered under her breath, “That’s what Alicia said too. Hmph, you’re both in cahoots.”

“……” Yae-hime fell silent, momentarily speechless. ‘So even my comfort backfired?’

“By the way, who was that little girl earlier?” Lili asked, glancing up again.

“You mean Aurora?” Yae-hime replied uncertainly.

“I think so.” Lili nodded.

In the church warehouse at Aoma Village, the only girl she hadn’t recognized had been Aurora.

“Have you ever heard of the Fiat siblings in Jade City?” Yae-hime asked.

“I have… Oh, so she’s the sister!” Lili exclaimed in realization, her face lighting up with surprise. She remembered clearly, the younger sister who had been bedridden with illness was recently said to have recovered by a miracle.

“It wasn’t a miracle. Aurora was healed by you, wasn’t she?”

“Yes,” Yae-hime said with a light smile.

“I know it’s late to say this now, but Princess, you’re amazing,” Lili said earnestly.

At that moment, the final trace of worry in her heart completely vanished. With Princess here, Alicia’s illness would surely be cured. She believed it with all her heart.

Yae-hime didn’t respond, only smiled quietly and continued to stroke Lili’s head with tender care.

‘So this is what it feels like… being petted like this is actually really nice…’ Lili’s eyes narrowed in contentment as a peaceful expression spread across her face.

The beast-drawn carriage continued racing along the road, still bumping as before. Yet now, to Lili, the jolting felt more like being rocked gently in a cradle. Back and forth, the motion lulled her into drowsiness. Her eyes slowly closed, and she stopped resisting the wave of sleep, drifting comfortably into slumber.

How long had it been since she had slept so soundly? She couldn’t remember anymore. All she knew was that tonight, she would definitely have a good dream.

Yae-hime gazed at her sleeping face with gentle eyes, a faint warmth stirring quietly within her heart.

***

* **In the real world, within Haizhu City, at the Yang Family Estate.**

Vanessa sat at the edge of her bed, hugging her knees. Her face was pale as she stared blankly ahead, her eyes unfocused. At this moment—or rather, ever since yesterday—she had been trapped in a state of panic.

“S-so cold…” Even though the weather was warm, Vanessa felt an inexplicable chill spreading through her body. Raised in luxury and pampered since childhood, she had never suffered setbacks or faced anything truly terrifying.

“So dark… so deep… death…”

Yesterday, for the first time in her life, she had experienced death. That chilling sensation that froze her very soul still clung to her body, tormenting her without end.

“Princess… dark… light…” Her blank eyes began to glimmer as she stared at the wardrobe before her. “That’s *my* light! I’ll make her mine… or I’ll submit to her! Hehehe… yes, that’s it. That’s what I’ll do!”

Suddenly, she leapt to her feet, her eyes wide and her face twisting into a crazed grin. If she couldn’t conquer her fear, then she would embrace it!