Chapter 486
Chapter 486
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 486
Chapter Title: Killing Demons
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All I got was two silver coins and a single ticket as a reward.
It was an absurdly paltry sum compared to the number of demons I'd slain, but there was no way to prove I'd massacred them all in the first place.
To prove it, I'd have had to bring back an equivalent amount of demon blood.
Killing a single demon yields liters of pitch-black blood. Even accounting for some evaporation, it's a hefty volume. All I'd brought this time was a fist-sized demon stone and enough blood to half-fill a canteen.
If I'd collected every last drop, I would've gotten paid properly... What a shame.
I'd missed out on the full reward due to a lack of information. No one had set out prepared with containers from the start.
The blood from all those demons I'd obliterated was pure money, gone to waste.
"Fuck."
The other adventurers seemed to be in the same boat as me.
And honestly, who hunts demons solo anyway?
They team up, take it down together, then each fills their canteen with blood.
Obviously, they won't count one canteen as a full demon kill.
You have to pool it all to get credit for one demon's worth of reward. That's only fair.
Doing the math roughly, if I'd collected an entire demon's blood solo, it would've been worth about fifteen silver.
"Fuckers, why didn't they tell us sooner?"
There were probably others who'd gone in blind, killed demons, failed to collect all the blood, and lost out on rewards.
It felt a bit like a scam, but as long as adventurers were the only ones losing out, it was fine. The lord saved on payouts, and the church got more demons slain regardless.
They had no obligation to tell us anyway.
It's your fault for not checking ahead.
Plus, you apparently need at least fifty tickets for anything worthwhile. Assuming seven or eight per demon, you'd have to hunt like mad.
That said, the gear was top-tier, so I got it.
The greaves I was wearing were high-end too. Still using them fine.
"Hm..."
I pondered for a moment.
What Hildegarth had told me was uncertain, but damn tempting info.
Report a demon gate tip, go with the holy knights, smash it—boom, massive reward.
But no guarantee she was telling the truth.
Maybe she just said it to lure me into a trap and kill me? Even if it was a trap, with Brass Celestial Society holy knights, I'd have zero worries. I trusted those demolition experts.
The real concern was if she'd lied just to talk to me... Well, every opportunity has risks. You gotta take them for the gains.
This church's pastor would definitely mobilize forces on my tip.
They trusted me that much.
If the info panned out, it'd be a huge payout.
Should I report it right away?
"..."
As the head of the household, I couldn't decide solo.
Better tell the wives first.
I left the church and headed straight home. On the way, I stayed alert for Hildegarth tailing me, but she didn't show. Still, to be safe, I picked up the pace a bit.
Still morning, so all four should be home.
Sure enough, there they were.
"Blacky's back?"
"Home early?"
"Yeah, looks like it."
Winia greeted me. Claudy, Karin, and Risha must still be sleeping? I'd asked the three of them for a bit more last night.
"Got your reward from the church? How much?"
"Uh... this much."
I handed over the two silver coins and ticket. She looked puzzled.
"That's it?"
"Yeah, about that. Seems they only pay full if you bring back every drop of demon blood."
"What? All of it? Fuck... yeah, we should've collected it all."
Winia grumbled that they should've told us upfront.
Of course, that wasn't the important part.
"Winia. I ran into that succubus again this morning."
Straight to the point.
"Blacky, what?"
"I told you before, right? Bumped into her once more in the city."
"...And?"
Winia's eyes narrowed.
I'd already told the wives she was after my essence and trying to get close. They were interested, but only Winia was really worried. The rest trusted my combat prowess and iron will.
Come to think of it, Risha gave me a talisman, but I hadn't used it. First time, too busy trying to kill her; second, too focused on the info.
"Anyway, she gave me some pretty useful-sounding intel."
"A succubus giving you info? Isn't she just tricking you? Blacky, the others aren't too worried, but I'm pretty concerned."
"Nah, don't worry. She can't touch me."
To reassure Winia, I added that I'd been trying hard to kill the succubus. But we were evenly matched—neither could quite overpower the other.
Matchup issues.
"It's not that. I'm worried she'll drain your essence. A succubus targeting you... what's the deal?"
"No way that'll happen. Winia, chill. You trust me, right?"
"'No way'? I trust you, but getting drained kills you."
"I won't die."
"...True. You've got essence to spare."
"Heh heh, won't even get the chance. Anyway, the info."
I pulled her close, spread out the map, and explained what Hildegarth had said. Winia listened, checked the map, and nodded.
"So... can't fully trust it, but if true, it'd be a huge help?"
"Exactly."
"Why would a succubus give you that?"
"Says she wants to win me over... whatever. If I can use it, I will. That's my motto."
"Fair. If the info's good, it's big money... Tough call."
Winia was mulling it over too.
"Even if it's a trap, with holy knights, no issue. I wanna check it out. Reward's tempting."
"Still hard to trust a succubus."
"Yeah."
As we huddled, Claudy came down from the second floor.
"Katt... what's this about? Succubus?"
"Oh, Claudy. Up already?"
"Yeah..."
Clady looked incredibly seductive in her purple negligee that barely reached her navel. She slid naturally to my side and demanded details on the succubus.
I repeated the story. She nodded.
"So you wanna go check it? Katt, why hesitate? With church holy knights, no problem. If there's a shot, take it."
"But sis, it's a succubus."
"Worried about that, Winia? Hmm... still, I wanna see this succubus with my own eyes."
Hildegarth would be toast the moment she met Claudy.
"...If sis says so. Yeah, sis has nothing to worry about."
And with that, we decided to use the info.
* * *
The next morning.
I grabbed a fresh map and headed back to the Brass Celestial Society church.
I'd stashed Hildegarth's marked one at home. Couldn't show church folks a map with demon traces. Bought a new one and copied the marks exactly.
Planning a quick job, I sprinted solo and arrived soon.
A priest stood at the church entrance, as always.
One I knew by face.
"Hard work again today. Mind if I see the senior pastor? Got business."
"Running like that, must be urgent. Of course. Follow me."
Smooth escort. Connections matter. Normally, senior pastor's not easy to see.
But my past merits made it possible.
"Heh heh, sorry to keep bothering you."
"You're practically church VIP. Make yourself at home. Wanting the senior pastor means something big, right?"
"You got it."
Led to the usual guest room, waited briefly. We'd decided with the wives to use it—consulted Karin and Risha too.
The door creaked open.
"Did the dagger I gave you last time help?"
The senior pastor entered with a kindly smile.
"Huge help. Sliced up a few demons. Truly grateful."
I stood and bowed.
"Glad to hear. And since you've slain demons... that's why you're here, right?"
"As expected from a pastor—sharp insight. Yes, exactly."
"I see..."
His face grew serious as he nodded and sat. I sat too, pulling the map from my bosom and spreading it on the table.
"This map?"
"One I used scouting demons these past days. See the path I marked?"
"Indeed. Putting in such effort to hunt demons... touching."
"Heh heh, just doing what must be done."
I spun the tale, embellishing Hildegarth's info suitably for the senior pastor.
Obviously omitted getting it from a demon. Had to hide that.
Framed it as my own discovery from investigation. Prepped with Winia yesterday.
"Felt intensely evil aura around this marked spot. Atmosphere was off. Actually caught a demon there."
"Such a thing... evil aura... hmm..."
The priest uncle listened intently, like it was vital. He mulled my words, sweating, face shifting.
Probably imagining worst cases.
But.
Anyone else, maybe not. But me saying it? He'd help. That's the guy. Came knowing that.
"So, I request an investigation. Could be dangerous, or a bust. But I've crushed evil plenty. I sense something. Needs checking."
"Investigation... you say?"
"Yes."
I shot to my feet, persuading confidently.
"Worth investigating. Maybe a demon gate. I found it, so I'll guide. Please help!"
"Demon gate! Whew! Hold on, let me pray briefly... wait!"
He clutched his rosary from his bosom, muttering prayers. Hook set? "Demon gate" hit hard.
"Pastor. I'll guide personally. Please help. Can't solve solo—need church. Might be nothing; best case. But I can't ignore suspicions."
I gripped his hands tight.
"That's why I've investigated and reported threats immediately. Can't tolerate harming the public good."
Did my resolve reach him? Eyes met. His gaze pure and upright.
"...Very well."
Scored?
"Your piety and justice come through. You've trusted and served us; now we repay."
"...Meaning?"
He cleared his throat.
"I'll assemble holy knights, priests, and nuns for the search. May Verde's blessing be with you!"