Desires & Heresy

They stood in the empty corridor, the silence between them stretching longer than it should have.

For the first time since arriving in this world, Zane found himself momentarily lost in thought.

It was brief—barely a flicker of hesitation—but Seraphina caught it.

Her crimson eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Are you contemplating your path, Bishop Lucian? Or have you already decided to stand by my side?"

Her voice was smooth, inviting, but beneath the warmth lay something sharper—calculated intent, a silent demand for a question.

Zane met her gaze, his amber eyes calm, unreadable.

"I'll think it through, Your Excellency."

Seraphina's lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Please choose wisely," she murmured, her voice laced with certainty. "I guarantee you won't regret it."

With a final glance, she turned and walked away, her every step measured, confident.

Zane watched her go, his expression unreadable.

Then, as soon as she disappeared from sight—

His face darkened.

One Week Later

"This has to be a joke."

Zane stood in the central courtyard, sunlight streaming through the towering stained glass windows. A flock of clergy members passed by, murmuring prayers, lost in devotion. 

Meanwhile, he was stuck wondering if Seraphina had some sort of divine ability to sense when he was about to make a move.

It had been a full week. Seven days of trying to get close to Athena. Seven days of failing.

The worst part? It wasn't even because of Athena herself.

It was Seraphina.

Every. Single. Time.

Whenever he thought he had the perfect moment—when Athena was alone, when she was within reach—

"Ah, Bishop Lucian, I require your expertise on this urgent matter."

"Bishop Lucian, this discussion is crucial for the Cathedral's future."

"Bishop Lucian, surely you wouldn't neglect your duties?"

It had happened so often that Zane was starting to believe she had people stationed to report on his every move.

"Does she have spies? A secret surveillance network? A personal grudge against my free time?''

He clenched his jaw, staring up at the ceiling as if the gods themselves would offer him a reprieve. 

They didn't. How ironic..

Instead, the past week had been nothing but one roadblock after another.

He had tried everything.

1. Charity Work?

Useless. Unlike in smaller cathedrals, acts of selflessness weren't special here. The Grand Cathedral was filled with priests and bishops competing to prove their devotion through charity. Some did it genuinely, others for the sake of gaining recognition from Athena. Either way, he was just another name in a sea of pious men.

Even when he used his First Divine Authority, obtained from corrupting Celeste—

> [Holy Blessings] – Allows miraculous healing of minor ailments but cannot cure severe injuries or fatal diseases.

—he still got no reaction.

In the past, his acts of kindness had drawn in women like Eleanor, piquing their curiosity, making them seek him out.

But here?

Athena had already seen it all.

She had watched countless men dedicate themselves to charity. She wasn't impressed.

2. Attending Mass?

Did nothing.

Athena was highly respected but also incredibly busy. She wasn't the kind of leader who spent her days aimlessly wandering around. She was constantly surrounded by clergy, buried in duties.

Even when he attended sermons, she never lingered long enough for him to interact with her.

And when he tried to maneuver close?

Seraphina.

Again.

Zane's eyebrow twitched as he recalled the last time.

He had positioned himself perfectly near Athena after morning prayer, ready to greet her—only for Seraphina to slide in between them, dragging him into yet another—

"Important discussion."

At first, he thought it was coincidence.

Now?

Now, he was sure.

"That woman is blocking me on purpose."

At this point, he wasn't even mad. Just impressed.

"She's thorough, I'll give her that."

But he wasn't about to let her win.

He just needed another approach.

Another way in.

3. Offering Political Support?

Zane had even tried getting involved in the Grand Cathedral's power struggles.

It was no secret that the clergy was divided—Seraphina's faction controlled the Cathedral, but the Holy See had its own representatives watching.

By aligning himself with neither side, Zane had hoped to present himself as neutral but competent. Someone who stood above petty politics, someone Athena might find intriguing.

It didn't work.

Athena avoided politics entirely.

Unlike Seraphina, who thrived in political maneuvering, Athena's power came from something much more untouchable—her unwavering faith and devotion.

"She really is like a Saintess," Zane muttered, rubbing his temple.

If he didn't know better, he'd say the gods themselves had designed her to be the ultimate untouchable woman.

At this rate, he might as well pray for divine intervention.

Zane sighed, running a hand through his hair. He needed to think.

Unfortunately, the universe had other plans.

A Sudden Collision

Someone crashed into him.

"Ah—!"

The impact was weak, barely enough to make him move, but the woman who had bumped into him stumbled back, clutching the documents in her hands as her large, perky breasts bounced slightly beneath her robes. The ceremonial fabric restrained the movement, but not enough to go unnoticed.

Zane turned his gaze downward, already slipping into his perfected holy man persona.

A young woman—modest, refined, dressed in pristine bishop robes. Her light brown hair was neatly braided, though a few loose strands had fallen free, framing her delicate face. She looked up at him with wide, gentle green eyes, filled with both reverence and nervousness.

She froze the moment she realized who she had bumped into.

"Please forgive me, Bishop Lucian!" she blurted, her voice soft yet flustered. She quickly bowed, clutching the parchment tightly as if afraid she had committed a grave mistake.

Zane's smile was warm, reassuring. "There is nothing to forgive, Sister. The path of the faithful is often walked in haste."

She exhaled slightly, still looking embarrassed but grateful for his understanding.

Zane's gaze flicked to the official documents in her hands, neatly bound but slightly disorganized from the impact. She must have been in a hurry to deliver them somewhere.

"May Goddess Lunara bless you," she murmured before turning to leave.

Then, something slipped from her grasp.

A silver pendant.

It hit the marble floor with a soft clink, the thin chain unraveling slightly.

Zane's gaze followed the small object, curiosity flickering in his amber eyes. He bent down, picking it up with ease. The pendant was well-worn, handled often—something personal. He flipped it open, revealing a tiny, hand-drawn portrait inside.

A man with sharp features stood beside a younger version of the woman who had just bumped into him.

A keepsake.

His fingers brushed over the smooth metal as he glanced up—

But she was already walking away, completely unaware she had dropped it.

Zane took a breath, about to call out—

[Side Target for Corruption Identified: Bishop Evelyn Everhart.]

He blinked.

Then, slowly, a smirk curled at the edge of his lips.

Well, well.

Looks like the system just handed him an opening.

[System Update]

°~ [Athena's Corruption Progress: 0%]

°~ [Time Left: 2 Months, and 23 Days]