"Well, you better work hard. Your path to greatness starts in the bedroom, and I must say you still have a lot to learn."

　　Konrad chortled, causing Iliana's cheek to redden in shame.

　　"Don't worry, I will teach her all she needs to know."

　　"Who needs to learn from you?"

　　"Hey, after all the bonding we did last time, you still have the face to act so high and mighty? Sorry, it's no longer credible."

　　"You!"

　　Once again defeated, Iliana had nothing left to say.

　　Konrad then pulled out two harem rings and placed them on their fingers. Naturally, their reactions wildly differed. While Daphne was elated, Iliana…

　　"Why do we have the very same ring?"

　　…couldn't stomach having the same model.

　　"It's my show of equal love. How can I say I love you all equally without giving you the same rings? Naturally, they are not just ornaments. They also allow me to stay connected to you and will alert me if anything happens."

　　Daphne cared very little about the ring's extra abilities. Rather, it was the thought of receiving her first gift from her Konrad that caused b.u.t.terflies to flutter within her stomach.

　　Iliana wasn't so easily coaxed.

　　"Isn't that a spying device? I knew you shameless, but I didn't know you possessive."

　　"Why not just call it security?"

　　"If you don't want it, you might as well give it to me. Two is better than one."

　　Daphne offered, causing Iliana to firmly grasp her ring finger as if to protect it from thievery.

　　"When did I say I didn't want it? Scram."

　　Efficient! Daphne's efficiency truly knew no bounds!

　　Impressed, Konrad gave her a pat on the head. She took that as an invitation and started unbuckling his belt.

　　"What are you doing?"

　　"Getting my daily dose of milk. I don't know how long that contest will last so I must make some provisions!"

　　Her clear, righteous tone caused Konrad to burst into laughter, and Iliana to wonder where she got all that shamelessness from.

　　"Hahaha, alright, make as many provisions as you want."

　　"Wait, wait…I must help her to huh…make sure she doesn't huh…let it spill…yes."

　　Iliana soon joined the fray, and the Kracht cousins attacked Konrad's rod on two fronts. The rest of the trip was action-packed.

　　...

　　The contest took place within the Holy Flame Temple. As the main seat of the Holy Flame Church and core of the Divine Flame Lord's faith, the temple was a ma.s.sive edifice that stretched across several square miles and stood at almost three thousand feet.

　　Supported by sky-high white pillars that reminisced of antique Greek architecture, its entrance was open to all, but not many dared step inside.

　　Today, however, a crowd had gathered at the bottom of the staircase leading inside while many others approached at breakneck speed.

　　More than one commoner was almost squashed by those rus.h.i.+ng carriages that paid no heed to the lives of the lowborn.

　　In fact, among the many carriages heading toward the Holy Flame Temple, beside the Kracht, very few advanced at moderate speed.