Chapter 353: A Loss is a Loss
"Hu!"
Efrideet took a deep breath.
Her cheeks slightly flushed as she stood up.
"Come with me!"
Li Meng grinned, stood up, and followed Efrideet out of the pavilion.
This scene was caught by Gloria, who was watching from the corridor of the mansion.
Seeing Efrideet walking over with the young man, a flash of surprise crossed Gloria's eyes.
Wait, did the young man actually win?
"Um, sorry, Gloria. You lost, and so did I."
Efrideet and Li Meng ran into Gloria in the corridor.
She had been waiting for them there.
Efrideet lost too?
Gloria stared speechlessly at Efrideet.
She rolled her eyes at her in annoyance.
"I told you not to play. Now look at what happened—you got yourself involved too."
Efrideet blushed deeply and lowered her head.
She hadn't expected the young man beside her to be so knowledgeable and experienced.
At this point, Gloria had nothing more to say.
She took a deep breath, looked at Li Meng, and spoke.
"Sir, you've won, but I have three conditions to propose."
Li Meng glanced at Gloria and then at Efrideet.
Finally, he nodded toward Gloria.
"Efrideet is the High Priest of the temple. Tonight's events must not be known by a fourth person."
Li Meng readily agreed to Gloria's request.
He had no reason to do anything unnecessary.
Li Meng nodded, signaling he had no issues with this.
"You may stay in my room tonight, but you must leave early tomorrow morning."
Once again, Li Meng nodded, agreeing without hesitation.
He had no intention of staying at the garrison fort for long.
"Let's go to my room, then."
Gloria gave Efrideet a sly smile.
She couldn't help but feel a bit smug about dragging Efrideet into this tonight.
It was the first time she and Efrideet had done something like this together.
Li Meng grinned, stepped forward, and wrapped his arms around the waists of the two women.
"The night's already half over. We don't have time to waste."
Li Meng's words made Gloria smile faintly.
Efrideet, on the other hand, blushed and lowered her head.
The silent corridor echoed only with the footsteps of the three as they walked.
Li Meng glanced at Efrideet beside him.
The sudden appearance of this woman was truly unexpected.
Why hadn't he seen her at the ball earlier?
But those things didn't matter.
Lady Luck seemed to favor him after all.
As they walked, they arrived at Gloria's room.
The bedroom was right in front of them, and even Gloria felt a bit uneasy.
She prayed Sandra wouldn't find out about this.
With a soft "click," the door opened.
As the door closed behind them, the corridor fell silent.
Only the glow of the magic lamp inside the room flickered through the cracks.
Time ticked by, and the night grew deeper.
It wasn't until dawn approached that the room finally quieted.
With another soft "click," the silence of the corridor was broken.
The three stepped out of the room, one after another.
The two women's faces were slightly flushed, with a trace of charm lingering in their expressions.
"I'll walk you out."
Gloria smiled warmly outside the door.
Efrideet looked at the young man beside her, hesitating to speak.
"What's wrong? Can't bear to part with me?"
Li Meng teased, his smirk making Efrideet's face flush even deeper.
Efrideet gave him a seductive smile, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
"Young man, I'll remember you. Let's go; I'll walk with you."
The three of them walked unhurriedly down the corridor.
The long corridor was quiet as they walked in silence.
Efrideet, walking beside Li Meng, sneaked a glance at the young man next to her.
Her heartbeat quickened as memories of the previous night's madness filled her mind.
The young man didn't look particularly strong—if anything, he seemed a bit thin.
But he was like a wild beast, possessing seemingly endless energy.
Both she and Gloria had reached their limits.
Luckily, dawn was approaching. Otherwise, who knew how long it would have lasted?
As the High Priest of the temple, she had done something outrageous tonight.
If word got out, her reputation would be ruined.
Yet the thrill hidden deep in her heart was something Efrideet couldn't resist.
She had lived properly and virtuously for decades, always maintaining her purity.
A night of indulgence had finally allowed her to live for herself.
At least for one night, she didn't have to be the sacred High Priest others saw her as.
"Efrideet, what are you thinking about? You seem lost in thought."
Gloria's voice snapped Efrideet out of her reverie.
Faced with Gloria's playful gaze, Efrideet blushed.
"The world is vast, but someday we'll meet again. If that day comes, Efrideet, will you look forward to it?"
Would she look forward to meeting the young man again?
Efrideet glanced at the young man beside her.
She didn't know how to answer Gloria.
But the impulse in her heart urged her to say yes—that she hoped to meet the young man again.
If she said no, he might never appear in her life again.
She had a strong feeling about this.
Blushing, Efrideet boldly took the young man's arm.
Though she didn't answer verbally, her actions were the best response.
The morning was still early, and the sky outside hadn't fully brightened, though the eastern horizon was beginning to glow.
The count's mansion was silent and empty.
The two women accompanied Li Meng to the courtyard gate.
"I'm off. See you."
Li Meng waved without looking back as he walked out.
"Yes, see you."
Gloria responded softly, watching the young man's retreating figure.
Efrideet stood silently, hesitating to speak.
But with Gloria beside her, she felt too embarrassed to say anything.
"What's this? Efrideet, don't tell me you're still thinking about him."
Efrideet blushed deeply at Gloria's teasing gaze.
"No, I just… think he's special."
"Special, huh?"
Gloria mused, watching the figure disappear down the street.
"He does seem like the kind of man women find hard to resist."
Gloria had to admit she found herself liking the young man a little.
The time spent with him last night had genuinely brought her joy and satisfaction.
It made her wish time could stand still.
"Efrideet, let's head back."
Efrideet looked back down the street.
The young man's figure had disappeared.
Feeling a twinge of regret, she turned to follow Gloria back into the mansion.
"Gloria, I'm tired. Can I sleep in your arms?"
"What, didn't get enough of being held by a man? Now you want comfort from a woman?"
"No… not at all!"
"Then come on, let's sleep together."
As the two women entered the mansion, the courtyard fell silent once more.
The night was deep, and dawn was breaking.
After leaving the mansion, Li Meng departed from the garrison fort and headed into the Ogre Mountains.
Morning, Ogre Mountains.
On a certain high peak, a lone figure appeared.
Li Meng turned to look at the distant garrison fort.
Though far away, the towering walls of the canyon were still clearly visible.
"Time to go home!"
With those words, a holy radiance erupted.
Ten radiant, sacred tendrils of light extended from Li Meng's back.
His entire figure was enveloped in divine light.