After placing the Eye of the Goddess around Valo’s neck in the form of a collar, Anqi did not come to the infirmary to bother her again over the next few days.
Instead, just as agreed, on the holiday she sent Sister Superior Kenes to escort her to the headquarters of the Hidden Sea Church, which stood independently outside the Imperial Capital.
Along the way—
The mysterious, nearly invisible woman seated across from her clearly knew part of the inside story.
Forcing a smile that looked as if it might crack at any moment, she suppressed her displeasure toward the Demon Clan and repeated the precautions to Valo.
“Lady Varo, once we arrive at the Church headquarters, you must not treat the Saintess as casually as you do in the Clock Tower in front of the congregation—even if she has acknowledged you as her mother.”
The Sister Superior raised a finger.
“First: you may not look directly into the Saintess’s eyes.”
“Second: your gaze must rest on the second button of the Saintess’s uniform.”
“Third: you may not contradict the Saintess.”
Valo raised both hands. ‘If you bring me three winters in exchange for a body of snow-white silk, I might even crave southern cuisine.’
When the carriage came to a steady stop and the vast Church-style complex—comparable in size to the Clock Tower—filled her vision, Valo realized the Sister Superior had not exaggerated at all.
Banners. Cathedrals.
Believers. Holy knights.
Layer upon layer of inspections before entering the grand cathedral. The countless gazes cast upon her by the nuns and clergy.
No longer watching a cutscene through a screen, but personally standing within the headquarters of the Hidden Sea Church, the largest faith organization in Valorant, Valo finally gained a tangible sense of just how sacred and exalted Anqi’s status as Saintess truly was.
The people here worshiped her as if she were the Goddess incarnate.
Naturally, for her—the “guest of the Saintess”—the suspicious and scrutinizing looks never ceased.
So when Anqi appeared, calling out “Mother” as she fluttered her wings and trotted toward her, taking her hand with a satisfied smile and nodding gently—
“I’ve seen everything these past few days, Mother. You’ve behaved very well.”
Valo almost found this tone of training strangely endearing.
However… that was only on the surface.
The benevolent and holy Saintess persona Anqi displayed before the Sister Superior and the congregation quickly faded when they were alone.
What replaced it was neither Kaika’s dark corruption nor Finney’s blunt dominance, but a more calculating and dangerous identity—that of a “good daughter.”
At that moment, they stood in Anqi’s bedroom.
Calling it a bedroom was hardly accurate. “Palace chamber” would be more fitting.
What bedroom possessed such spaciousness and a transparent dome ceiling? Yet that alone proved the sacredness and transcendence of the Saintess.
The floors, wall tiles, furniture—everything bore the Church’s style. Not gaudy, but steeped in sanctity and quiet luxury.
Just like the card Anqi had casually produced on their previous outing—the numbers inside did not refresh daily. The Saintess could fill in however much she pleased.
Soon, the Sister Superior stopped outside the chamber doors and closed the heavy, ornate doors behind them.
Upon entering, Valo did not see a bed. Instead, her eyes were drawn to a circular pool resembling a small swimming basin.
Clear water flowed shallowly, barely covering the ankles. At its center stood a statue of the Goddess pouring water, maintaining the circulation.
Anqi suddenly released her hand.
Turning around, now alone together, the Saintess dropped any pretense of restraint. The full force of her “daughterly aura” was unleashed without disguise.
“All right, Mother. Before I show you around…”
“Please remove your clothes and step into the pool.”
Valo blinked.
Her brief hesitation was instantly noticed.
“Do not worry, Mother. This is not holy water that burns Demon Clan on contact. It is merely clear spring water.”
Anqi clasped her hands together. “In truth, the mere presence of your Demon King identity here is already a profound defilement to me. But since you are now my mother, I cannot very well refuse you entry into my bedroom.”
“So please allow yourself to be purified. This is part of my daily routine anyway. I will help you.”
Listen to that.
The obedience test had already begun.
Valo did not mind. At most, she thought—
Heh. Seeing each other completely bare like this… is that really appropriate?
Yet while she was still feigning shyness, her Saintess daughter had already half-coaxed and half-pulled her, stripping away every layer of clothing.
Anqi then prepared for purification as well. Smiling, she wrapped her arm around Valo’s. Soft curves pressed warmly against her as she led her into the pool.
Once accustomed to the cool spring water, what Valo truly felt was the Saintess’s figure—so flawless it could be called perfect—and the warmth of the sacred pair upon her chest.
Was this not far more powerful than watching a game cinematic on a screen?
The thought had barely formed when Valo, instinctively covering herself with her arms, hurriedly shook her head.
Now was not the time to indulge.
There was no way Anqi had gone to such lengths to bring her, the Villainous Demon King, alone to the Hidden Sea Church headquarters merely for playful splashing between mother and daughter.
She had to be prepared for whatever choice or decision would appear along the Anqi Route.
As expected.
The girl behind her pried her arms aside. Slender fingers glided smoothly across her body—mostly flat, though occasionally encountering slight rises.
A soft tremor escaped Valo’s lips.
Satisfied, Anqi reached for a ladle nearby and slowly poured water over her shoulders.
“As I thought. Your body is exceptionally beautiful and clean. Your long silver hair is smooth and pure. Nothing like the filth attributed to ordinary Demon Clan.”
“No wonder no one suspects your Demon King identity.”
As her hands moved gently along with the flowing water, Anqi spoke casually, as though chatting between mother and daughter.
“In that case, I believe you already possess the qualifications for a certain identity.”
She sighed softly.
“Mother, do you know? Though my status as Saintess is exalted and everyone reveres me as though I were the Goddess herself, the decisions I must make, the work I must handle, the judgments I must deliver every day—they are all of Saintess caliber.”
“Even with the Sister Superior assisting me, it is but a drop in the ocean. Many matters can only be decided by the Saintess. She cannot intervene.”
“So I have often thought—if, just perhaps, there were a Holy Maiden Candidate by my side, someone of rank just below mine.”
At first, it sounded like mere daughterly complaint. But as she continued, her tone grew more deliberate.
The ladle stilled. Both arms wrapped around Valo’s shoulders. Snow-white wings unfurled with a sudden sweep, as though to enclose her.
When Valo looked over, Anqi’s profile was utterly serious. Yet the curve of her lips betrayed her confidence in having her completely within grasp.
“I could never find a suitable candidate before. Either their aptitude was insufficient, or the justification lacking.”
“But after that night, everything changed. Your pure Demon Clan identity, your sincere intention to do good, and your virtues as a mother.”
“After understanding everything about you, I have realized—you are the only one I can acknowledge as the Holy Maiden Candidate of the Hidden Sea Church.”
Water splashed.
For the first time, the Skywing Race girl representing holiness forcefully pushed Valo into the pool.
Gripping her wrists. Pressing down her waist. Her spread wings left no room for resistance.
Her golden eyes met Valo’s directly—sacred and impossible to refuse.
“Mother, I want you to become the Holy Maiden Candidate. As long as you abandon your Demon King identity and accept my transformation, you will gain authority second only to mine. Though I know you do not care for that.”
“More importantly, you will gain my complete trust and protection. You will truly become my mother.”
“Well then, Demon King Valo Rante II—what is your answer?”
Silence fell. Only the sound of flowing water remained.
This time, Anqi did not rush her. Perhaps she assumed that such a choice would naturally cause hesitation.
But in truth, Valo’s stern expression concealed something else entirely.
She was fighting with all her strength not to reveal a triumphant smile.
Holy Maiden Candidate?
Holy Maiden Candidate.
Abandon the Demon King’s body to become the Holy Maiden Candidate.
At last.
She had finally waited for Anqi to say those words. The ending script of the Anqi Route had finally begun.
All the feigned weakness, the compliance, the mock vulnerability—worth it.
Even enduring Anqi’s threats and teasing advances.
You little Saintess. You have finally handed over the key.