It was late at night.

Kai’s thoughts were racing.

Eliza closed the door of the study and turned the iron lock until it clicked.

Kai looked up from the desk where he was inspecting his dagger.

He watched her walk slowly across the room.

She wore a simple white nightgown, and her green eyes held a very serious expression.

"Are you having trouble sleeping?" Kai asked.

"Where is Vienna?" Eliza asked instead of answering, looking briefly toward the hallway.

"She is fast asleep in the guest bedroom," Kai replied.

"She fought hard today, and she needs the rest. Is something wrong?"

"I need your help with something very important," Eliza said.

She stopped right in front of the warm fireplace.

"I didn’t tell you the entire truth about why I stayed locked in that basement for three weeks."

Kai leaned back in his chair and put his dagger down on the desk.

’She is finally dropping her guard,’ he thought to himself.

’Let’s hear the real lore.’

Eliza reached up and pulled the collar of her nightgown aside.

A faint golden rune pulsed softly right above her heart.

It looked like it was burned directly into her pale skin.

"The founders of this village built a strong ward to keep the dark magic away," Eliza explained, her voice steady and calm.

"When the horde broke the outer walls, Arthur knew the physical defenses would fall. He took the core of the ward and sealed it directly inside my body to keep it safe from the corrupted priest."

Kai stared at the glowing mark on her chest.

"So you are a living battery for a holy artifact. Why did you not just activate it to kill the freaks outside your door?"

"Because I cannot do it alone," Eliza sighed.

She let the fabric drop back into place, but she did not step away from him.

"The magic requires a deep exchange of mana to break the final seal. The old texts call it a physical bonding ritual. It requires a male partner with a strong aura to trigger the release."

Kai raised an eyebrow.

"You want me to break the seal."

"I watched you fight," Eliza said softly, taking a step closer.

"You have more raw power than any man I have ever met. Vienna trusts you with her life, and you saved my people today. I want you to do this."

She reached for the hem of her white nightgown and pulled it over her head.

The fabric pooled around her ankles on the thick rug.

She stood entirely naked in the warm firelight.

Her body was soft and mature, full of lush curves that made Kai’s mouth go dry.

The golden rune on her chest pulsed a little faster because it was reacting to the sudden rise in tension between them.

Kai stood up from the desk and closed the distance between them.

He reached out and traced his thumb gently over the glowing mark.

The skin felt very warm to the touch.

A pleasant spark of magic jumped from her chest directly to his fingertips.

"Are you sure about this?" Kai asked, looking right into her green eyes.

"Once we start this, we cannot stop until the seal breaks."

Eliza nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I have never been more sure of anything. Please unlock it."

Kai leaned down and kissed her deeply.

Her lips were soft and tasted like sweet wine.

She opened her mouth eagerly to let his tongue explore, pressed her bare breasts against his chest, and the golden magic flared brighter between them.

He picked her up smoothly and carried her to the large rug sitting in front of the fireplace.

He laid her down on the soft fabric.

She watched him strip off his clothes with hungry eyes.

’I need to make this feel good for her before the magic takes over.’

He leaned down and kissed his way down her neck, then moved to her chest and took a tight nipple into his mouth.

He swirled his tongue over the sensitive peak.

Eliza let out a loud gasp and arched her back off the rug.

She tangled her fingers in his dark hair to hold him close.

The golden rune on her chest began to spread.

Thin lines of glowing light crawled across her stomach and down her thighs.

Kai felt his own mana responding to the artifact.

The energy of his cheat skill mixed with her bright holy light as the contrast created a strange heat that pooled in his groin.

He guided himself to her wet entrance.

She was more than ready for him.

He pushed forward slowly, sinking deep inside her tight warmth.

Eliza cried out and dug her nails into his shoulders.

"Don’t stop," she begged breathlessly. "Keep going. I can feel it working."

Kai set a steady rhythm.

The magic surged with every single deep thrust as those golden lines on her skin transferred onto his own body wherever their skin touched.

It felt like a warm fire spreading right through his veins.

He gripped her hips and pulled her flush against him.

The physical friction was amazing, but the magical connection made it ten times better.

He could feel her raw emotions washing over him.

"You feel so good," Eliza moaned aloud.

She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist to pull him even deeper.

Kai sped up his pace because the energy was demanding a climax.

The loud slapping of their bodies echoed through the quiet study.

’The seal is breaking,’ Kai thought as a wave of pressure built up in his lower stomach. ’Just a little more.’

Eliza threw her head back.

Her entire body tensed like a pulled bowstring.

The golden runes flared blindingly bright. She screamed his name as a powerful climax wrecked her senses.

The intense physical response shattered the magical seal entirely.

Kai lost his own control right at that exact moment.

He groaned loudly and emptied himself deep inside her.

A bright shockwave of golden light exploded from their connected bodies.

The warm magic passed right through the stone walls of the manor.

It rolled across the entire village in a rapid pulse, burning away the lingering shadows and purifying the corrupted soil in a matter of seconds.

Any remaining thralls hiding in the woods turned to ash instantly.

Kai collapsed onto his elbows.

He tried to catch his breath while the glowing runes slowly faded from their slick skin.

Eliza kept her arms wrapped tight around his back.

She rested her head on his shoulder with a contented smile.

"It worked," Eliza whispered softly, kissing his neck.

"The village is finally safe."

[System Event: Artifact Seal Broken]

[Village Purified: Safe Zone Established]

[Reward: Mayor’s Hidden Stash Unlocked]

[Affection Status: Eliza has reached High Affection]