Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey-Chapter 1021: You really did miss me, didn’t you?

"Aether! Are you alright?" Archpriestess cried out, her voice trembling with panic as she saw Aether suddenly drop to his knees, clutching his head with a tense, pained expression.

She longed to rush to his side and comfort him, but she couldn’t let her true feelings show in front of the others... After all, she was Archpriestess... All she could do was swallow her worry, try to steady her voice, and ask as calmly as she could.

Aether slowly raised his head, eyes a little unfocused, and gave a shaky nod. "Y-yeah... just a bit of dizziness," he muttered, forcing a crooked, almost embarrassed smile. He tried to rise to his feet, but his legs buckled beneath him, and he nearly collapsed again. This time, Archpriestess was ready—she caught him with her soft, steady hands and flashed him a gentle, teasing smile.

"Looks like I might have overestimated a little, hmm? You always put on such a brave face," she said with a quiet laugh, her voice softening as she helped guide him into the carriage. "Come on, let’s get you inside before you faint on me."

She climbed into the carriage after him, glancing back only once before the door closed and they were sealed away from prying eyes. The carriage rumbled to life and rolled away, its motion gentle and rocking.

As soon as they were alone, Archpriestess moved closer, worry etched across her face. She pressed her body against his, her warmth both comforting and urgent.

"Aether, what really happened? Are you sure you’re alright? Did you push yourself too hard out there?" Her voice was a soft whisper meant just for him, and her hands hovered over his shoulders, anxious and caring. "Maybe you should rest for a bit. Here, use my lap—I insist," she said, and before he could utter a word of protest, she pulled him gently down, guiding his head onto her lap. Her fingers slid into his hair, stroking softly, as if to chase away the pain.

Aether looked up at her, lost in the concern shining in her eyes.

He never wanted to compare this Archpriestess to the ones he’d known before—each version seemed to carry the same overwhelming worry for him, no matter the world or the story.

Whether she was the Mother Goddess in a game or simply herself, that caring gaze never changed.

He’d never quite understood her, not even in the 25th iteration.

Did she really love him, or was it just the echo of the Goddess’s words, hollow and repeating? Yet, whenever he saw her genuinely anxious for him, something deep inside him melted.

He couldn’t help but believe her sincerity, even if he doubted everything else.

Caught staring up at her, as if peering into her very soul, Aether felt a flush heat his cheeks.

The Archpriestess’s own cheeks turned rosy, and she gave a nervous, playful little scoff. "W-What are you looking at me like that for? You know, letting you lie on my lap like this is practically blasphemy!" she said, even as she continued to stroke his hair, her gaze full of affection.

"Then maybe you shouldn’t have pulled me onto your lap in the first place," Aether replied softly, a sly smile on his lips. He reached up, his hand brushing her cheek with hesitant tenderness. He didn’t understand why, but a surge of feeling burst within him—something locked away for so long was suddenly spilling over.

The way she smiled at him, the way her blush spread and she tried to hide behind that mask of piety—everything about her called out to him, urging him to seize this moment, to claim the beauty before him before it was lost forever.

The Archpriestess shivered slightly at his touch, struggling to keep her composure as a playful grin tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Oh... is that how it is? Looks like some missed me? Did you miss me that much?" Her words teased, but her eyes glimmered with longing and mischief.

"Yeah" Aether murmured, his voice low and intimate.

That answer caught her off guard. Her eyes widened, her breath hitching in her throat. "You... you really did miss me, didn’t you?" she whispered.

Without another word, she leaned in and captured his lips in a kiss—this was no gentle or shy peck, but a fervent, hungry joining. It was as if she poured out all her longing, all the desire she’d hidden away for so long. She kissed him deeply, desperately, clinging to him as if he were the only thing tethering her to reality.

Aether didn’t pull away. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as he kissed her back with equal passion, letting her taste every bit of him. For a moment, the world outside ceased to exist.

Archpriestess was caught off guard by the intensity of his affection, by how openly he responded. But she wasn’t about to let go, not when she’d waited so long for this.

Who in their right mind would ever turn this away?

Certainly not her.

Her silvery-gray hair fell over his face as they kissed, shielding them from the world like a silken curtain. The carriage rocked and clattered softly beneath them, but neither cared, lost in the heat and softness of each other’s embrace.

...

Eventually, the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Main Temple.

Crrckk.

The wheels groaned and the vehicle halted with a sharp, screeching sound. After a moment, the door opened and Archpriestess stepped out first. She wore a calm, serene mask, but anyone paying close attention would have seen the faint blush staining her cheeks and the wild gleam in her eyes.

Aether stayed behind for a second, breathing deeply, struggling to compose himself. His arousal was obvious, his shaft straining against his pants. The memory of that kiss still burned on his lips, making his heart pound and his body ache.

He took a few extra moments, trying—and failing—to cool himself down.

[Even your own body isn’t listening to you, huh? Ahaha.]

The Log’s voice echoed in his mind, full of amusement at Aether’s struggle.

Aether’s lips twitched with reluctant annoyance.

"Aether? Are you alright?" Archpriestess frowned, noticing that Aether still hadn’t stepped out of the carriage. She reached out a tentative hand, unsure what sort of trouble he was experiencing—never suspecting that it was the aftershock of a passionate kiss that had left him paralysed.

Only men would suffer like this from such things... women would probably never truly understand this kind of embarrassment.

’Come on, man... calm down...’ Aether screamed inwardly, desperately searching for a way to compose himself. But his body simply refused to obey. He gritted his teeth, frustrated, and tried to force his mind elsewhere. Then, suddenly, he remembered something—Drakhair’s words. In an instant, his arousal vanished, shrinking so dramatically it was almost painful.

’Yeah... that’s definitely disgusting,’ Aether thought, his face twisting in horror at the memory.

[But it did help you, didn’t it?]

His Log’s voice echoed in his mind, laced with a teasing amusement.

Aether ignored his Log and finally stepped onto the carriage step, gathering himself before touching the ground.

Thud!

The moment his foot hit the earth, a sudden weight pressed down on him. He dropped to his knees as if an invisible force had struck him, his eyes going stark white.

"Finally..."

A voice echoed in his head.

"Aether!! Are you really alright?" Archpriestess called out.

Aether blinked as his vision returned, colours and shapes slowly settling back into place. He forced himself upright, trying to steady his breathing. "I... I’m fine. Nothing to worry about," he said aloud, though inside he muttered, ’Log, can’t you do something about these memories and influences? This is starting to get on my nerves.’

[...Didn’t you bring this on yourself?☺️]

The Log’s response was quick, the tone annoyingly smug.

Aether let out a weary sigh. He knew the Log was right; he had accepted, and now the effects were becoming more and more unpredictable.

[I can’t do anything... You’re the one who asked for it in the first place!]

Aether shook his head, resigned, just as he noticed Archpriestess looking at him with a strange, wary expression.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

Archpriestess only raised her eyebrows, gesturing to his right side as if asking him to take a look.

Aether frowned, glancing down at his right hand. To his surprise, his hand was raised almost to shoulder height, clenched tightly around... nothing?

Yes, nothing... It was as if he was gripping an object that should have been there, but his fist was empty.

He blinked in confusion, unclenching his fist and giving his hand an awkward wave. "Ah... sorry, it’s just a habit, I guess. Maybe I’m just used to it," he laughed, attempting to brush it off.

"Used to what?" Archpriestess’s voice grew even more concerned, her eyes narrowing as she watched him. "Aether, you’re worrying me."