Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Red-Haired Saintess of the Slums - 2
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Rain poured down. The sharp sounds of raindrops pounding the ground echoed noisily, but amid them, the careless footsteps of several people rang out clearly. I pressed myself against the wall, propped my crutches aside for a moment, and raised my crossbow. Soon, the voices of three unfamiliar men boomed out.
"...Damn it. What a hassle this is."
"You think the guy's really come to a dump like this? It's a bit... too filthy for that."
"That's exactly why he might've come here. Damn filthy bastard. Just thinking about what kind of pain the Saintess is suffering because of him..."
"If you're that worried, why don't you search properly, mage? Quit dawdling and do your job."
"Who the hell wants to be out here doing this? Mana detection traces mana residue, not people's footprints. If you're gonna complain, why don't you lot at least look for tracks..."
"You think it's easy for us to hunt for clues in this rain? This isn't even our job to begin with."
There was a faint sense of discord in their conversation. They hadn't even given the search party the full story, huh. It'd been over a year since I left the Order, and they hadn't changed a bit. If they'd just come out with the truth upfront, it might've been trickier. Half-baked lies only fuel curiosity about the real story. The Order makes even more grotesque decisions than a cripple missing an eye and a leg like me.
"By the way, why do you think he did it? It's not like he suddenly went mad out of nowhere..."
"It wasn't Romir. I know the guy. He's not the type to snap like that."
"So you're saying the Saintess did it? Good lord, that's some dangerous talk."
"When did I say that? I just mean... the situation feels off."
"We just need to do our job. No need to entertain doubts."
"Then they should've explained it properly from the start."
Their footsteps grew closer, deepening my dilemma. Did I really need to kill them? If bodies turned up, it'd only complicate things more. Maybe it was better to just let them pass.
But in the next instant, one of them uttered a single phrase he'd regret for the rest of his life.
"Hold on. Isn't that... blood?"
"What?"
They halted right in front of the wall where I was hiding and all turned to look at the same spot. Following their gaze, I spotted a bloodstain I'd missed. I'd thought the rain had washed it all away, but unluckily, it had splattered under the eaves and lingered.
"But... maybe it's just old? This is that kind of neighborhood."
"Still, it's worth checking. If it's fresh, it might mean the Saintess came through here."
"Damn... bloodstains. I hope it's nothing, but we should take a look."
They took a step forward. And in that moment, their fates were sealed.
The instant I spotted the first guard's face, I fired my crossbow straight at his temple. The silent bolt pierced his skull, sending brains and blood spraying out amid the rain.
"Uh...?"
Confirming he was dead, I set the crossbow down, drew an arrow from my belt, and charged at the second guard before he could react. I slammed into him with all my strength. As he flailed and fell awkwardly, I mounted him, clamped his mouth shut, and thrust the arrow through his throat.
"Gurk...!"
"Son of a bitch!"
Lifting my head, I saw the remaining mage hastily chanting a spell. Idiot. No matter how fancy their gear, battlefield newbies were always this predictable. Instead of dodging, I gritted my teeth and braced for impact.
"Raaagh!"
His magic bolt slammed into my forehead. But even with my low magic resistance, a spell chanted that hastily couldn't pack enough mana. It left only a minor scrape.
"Wha... what?"
While he panicked, I yanked the helmet off the fallen guard's head and hurled it at the mage's face. He crumpled to the ground. I snatched the guard's sword from his belt and used it as a crutch to stand.
"Hoo..."
Glancing around, no more guards in sight. Good. I wiped the blood from my forehead roughly and approached the mage.
"Urk... uwaaaagh..."
Half his face caved in, he flailed his arms, tears streaming. Pathetic willpower, even for a mage. I deliberately jabbed his left earlobe with the sword and spoke.
"Hey."
"Uwa... uwaa! Get lost!"
"Quiet down, or I'll make you like me."
I stared down at him. Like magic, his groans quieted, leaving only the sound of him swallowing hard.
"Why are you here?"
"To... to find the missing Saintess..."
"Why'd she go missing?"
"That's..."
Of course, he hesitated. But as I raised the sword again, he flailed his hands and spat it out.
"A... a church priest killed an imperial official! And out of fear of punishment, he kidnapped the Saintess... That's all I know!"
"Ah. I see."
So that's the story they decided on. Obviously a lie, but believable lies need a kernel of truth. The imperial official's death was probably real. And the killer was the Saintess. If she brought that priest's head... yeah, it pieced together. After a moment's thought, I asked one more thing.
"Does the Archbishop know?"
"The... Archbishop?"
Figures. No way this guy would know.
"...Whatever. He'll find out soon enough. Now get up."
"What?"
He looked at me like I'd spoken gibberish. But I wasn't in the mood to drag this out.
"Better stand while you still can."
"O... okay..."
He scrambled to his feet at my words. I leaned against the wall, tapping the sword hilt, and said,
"Clean those up."
"Th-those... the bodies... you mean...?"
"Yeah."
"Where...?"
"Figure it out."
He started to say something, caught my glare, and scanned around frantically. He pointed uncertainly at a spot.
"Th-there's a dumpster over there. Hide 'em inside?"
A dumpster? Living with one eye was such a pain. Without glancing, I replied,
"Do it."
"O-okay."
He hesitated, then grabbed the first guard's leg and dragged him toward it. Watching him grunt and struggle, I returned to my spot, picked up my crutches and crossbow.
One Ennesic Order priest. One imperial official. And the Saintess's disappearance. Whatever ripples their deaths caused, it'd shake the city to its core. And at the center were me and the kids.
Maybe I shouldn't have taken that job. But even if I could turn back time, I'd have hired that detective. My hatred for the Archbishop ran that deep.
"Ngh... hup..."
Turning, I saw he'd disposed of one body and was approaching the next. I loaded a bolt into the crossbow while watching. The last one I'd handle myself. With that thought, I slowly approached him from behind.
"All I need is a red-haired girl with the Saintess's voice."
"Huh...?"
Sera's throat vibrated faintly against my fingers, sending a thin hum up my hand. Pressing my fingernail into the center, she squeezed one eye shut and bit her lip.
"Eek..."
"Luca."
As Sera let out a choked groan, Rachel spoke quietly. I released her throat and answered.
"Yeah."
"You don't mean what I think you mean, do you?"
"Ask Vanessa to confirm, but yeah."
"Was this... something you two planned beforehand? Did you tell me last night and I just forgot?"
"No."
I let out a thin sigh. I'd said it boldly, but without Rachel's help, it was impossible.
"Still, I have to ask. Can't do it without you."
"Uh... oh man."
She bit her lip awkwardly as I stared earnestly, then bowed her head. But she soon lifted it, forcing a bright tone.
"Ah! Sure, okay. Maybe it's not what I think. Can I hold off answering till Vanessa gets here?"
Bang!
Right on cue, the door flew open, and the crutched priest limped in. Rachel squeezed her eyes shut at the sight of Vanessa's rain-soaked, fatigued face.
"Oh no."
"What kind of reaction is that when I'm entering my own house, detective girl?"
"Just call me Rachel."
"Got it, Moonlight."
"Ugh..."
Vanessa tossed her crutches against the wall and collapsed onto the floor. Despite the downpour, her body dripped with human fluids. I threw her a dry rag from the corner.
"How many'd you get?"
"Three. Seems that's all the search party that came to the slums. Most are combing the city center."
"Hear anything?"
"A bit, but later. Even I need a breather."
"Fine."
She stretched, wiping her face with the rag. Brain matter and blood mixed with clear raindrops. Watching her, I slowly spoke.
"Vanessa. Got a question."
"No rest for me, huh? Shoot."
"You've transplanted parts of your body to patients before, right?"
"To those who needed it. Why?"
"Ever transplanted someone else's body parts into a patient?"
"No. Never needed to."
She wiped her wet hair, got annoyed, and tossed the rag aside.
"I'm a healer, not an organ-trafficking scammer. My body's dedicated to the goddess anyway, so I can use it freely. But others' bodies? No. Though some Ennesic priests do harvest believers' organs to sell—that's trafficking, not healing."
"So it's possible."
"Yeah, technically. But remember: this is under the Ennesic Goddess's blessing. The recipient must be affiliated with the Ennesic Order. At least baptized, if not fully blessed like priests."
"Good."
"Pardon?"
I thought a moment, then asked another.
"Last time, you told Bella something like, 'Act up and I'll take your eye back.' That possible too?"
"Yes. No one's crazy enough to try, but yeah. Why?"
"I need it."
"...No idea whose body you want, but they have to be Order-affiliated."
"Don't worry. No one can deny she's part of the Ennesic Order."
"Who's... oh. Please no."
Vanessa clutched her face in despair, shaking her head.
"Please tell me it's not what I think."
"Would a lie make you feel better?"
"No, but... damn it."
Vanessa, Rachel, and Sera's gazes pierced me. Feeling far from pleased, I spoke.
"So. Can you do it?"
"...Which part of the Saintess?"
"Just one spot."
"Where?"
"Vocal cords."
"Who gets them?"
"...Rachel."
Even I trailed off on that last answer. It all hinged on Rachel. After long silence, Vanessa spoke slowly.
"Mind if I ask why?"
"Need the Saintess to find Bobby. And someone I can trust. Right now, only Rachel fits the second part."
"Luca..."
Sera whispered my name pleadingly, but I ignored her and turned to Rachel.
"Luckily, the Ennesic Saintess has never shown any real powers beyond whoring for money. So if the appearance matches, they'll buy it. Both redheads—body shape can be faked with clothes. Face? You're good at disguise."
"H-how'd you know?"
"When we met, you were faking your identity to infiltrate that baron's house. Forgery's not your only trick, I bet."
"Well... damn. Changing my face is no big deal for me."
Rachel squeezed her eyes shut, scratching her head furiously. Vanessa spoke up again.
"So, fool the voice and we're done?"
"Exactly. Assuming Rachel agrees..."
"Luca!"
Sera's scream-like cry cut in. I finally met her eyes.
"Luca... what is this? I misunderstood, right? Tell me."
"You understood right."
"Just make me do it! Whatever you say—live, die, anything. Just obey. Why her? If I obey perfectly, that's enough!"
"You have to pay for your crimes, Sera."
I stood and approached her step by step.
"You've lived stealing others' lives. Haven't you?"
"I..."
"Academy genius mage. Hero party's legend who felled the Demon King. Ennesic Order Saintess. You stole Eli's talents and took those unimaginable positions."
"Th-that was..."
"Gonna deny it now?"
I stopped right in front of her. Overwhelmed by sudden karma, she staggered against the wall.
"That was Eli's..."
"You stole it. Eli's life."
"..."
Sera couldn't deny it. Her wavering eyes fled mine to the floor. I grabbed her chin, forcing her gaze up.
"Thought you could live a stolen life forever?"
"Luca..."
"Quiet, Sera."
I pressed my fingers into her throat. Her voice choked back instantly, replaced by desperate gagging.
"I don't care about your opinion right now."
Sera stared at me with tear-brimming eyes. Desperation filled her blue irises, but it didn't reach me. Even hours of it wouldn't move me.
"Fine."
Vanessa's voice came then. Turning, I saw her faint smile laced with hate, mirroring Sera's blue eyes.
"Never enjoyed transplants before. This time might be fun."
I nodded slowly and turned to Rachel.
"Rachel."
"Ah... damn it."
She covered her face. I faced her.
"Can you do it?"
"What if I say no?"
"I'd find a harder way."
"Haha..."
"Rachel."
I hesitated, then knelt on one knee. Gasps from behind, but I ignored them.
"Sorry, but you're the only one I can trust right now."
"Ugh..."
"Will you become the Saintess for me?"
I looked up at her for the first time. Flushed cheeks, trembling shoulders, cascading red hair. She evoked pure, innocent Sera.
Rachel fidgeted, nibbling her fingers in hesitation. I held still, gazing up. Finally, her shoulders slumped with a sigh.
"I never said it, but you know my debts to you are piling up, right?"
"Sorry."
"Don't say sorry when you're asking..."
She glanced at Sera briefly. Whatever passed between them wasn't friendly. Eyes closed long in thought, she finally blurted,
"Okay. Damn it."
Vanessa smirked cruelly at Rachel's words. Rachel muttered like self-hypnosis.
"Might be kinda fun. And reversible, you said... I lose nothing really..."
"So you'll do it?"
"Fine."
She finally met my eyes straight.
"If that's what you want. I'll be the Hero's fake Saintess."