Chapter 500
Chapter 500
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 500
Chapter Title: Junior Priest Kim Katt
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My body stiffened up rigidly.
The corridor, laid with a red carpet, reminded me of that ghost house where we'd suffered so much last time, but compared to that rundown dump, this castle was practically a palace.
The interior was so luxurious that I couldn't help but get lost in it.
"Whoa."
It really was an impressive space.
I wonder how many gold coins it took to build this place. No doubt, a fortune.
And what about the servants maintaining it?
—Rustle, rustle.
Pretty maids were diligently cleaning. Their outfits were pretty nice, too. Black and white combo—might suit Karin. Maybe I should ask her to try it on sometime.
We were walking silently with the group when a man in neat clothes stepped in front of us.
"Please follow me, guests."
"Understood."
Barcharel replied, and the guards who'd been escorting us left. We followed the man and soon entered a room.
It felt like a guest room or waiting area.
"Please wait here a moment. Before your audience with the Lord, there will be mandatory etiquette training and a physical inspection. Excuse me."
He bowed politely and left.
As the door closed, the group's tension eased a bit.
"Nice castle. Well-built."
"Yeah. What's the coolest part?"
Claudy looked impressed.
"Hmm... the scale, maybe? Lots of servants? Or how the style's different from desert castles. That's intriguing."
"Desert castle? You've been?"
"Never actually went inside. Just peeked."
I'd like to check out that desert sometime myself.
Claudy talked like it was no big deal, but that place was basically a hellish otherworld.
"It really is a fine castle. But, darky, I'm seriously worried—don't do anything weird in front of the Lord, okay?"
"Heh heh, what do you take me for?"
"Irresistible urges are forbidden. Got it?"
"Obviously."
If I lost control of my urges here, we'd be totally screwed.
Besides, there's no trigger for it anyway.
Anyway, as we waited, the door opened and servants and maids entered. They gave us incredibly detailed lessons on etiquette, rules of conduct in the audience chamber, and the like.
Meeting the Lord seemed like a big deal.
So many procedures.
I focused hard, memorizing the example actions so I wouldn't forget. It wasn't too hard—just receive the audience and leave.
This rehearsal felt just like basic training in the army.
After that, we got a quick search for hidden weapons. Men with the male servants, women behind a partition with the maids.
"Please remove all weapons. No bladed items are permitted."
We had to surrender everything here. We handed them over, and time passed in a blur. Finally, it was time.
"This way."
The same man from before led us again.
"Brother Barcharel? We going now?"
"Seems so. Stay sharp from here on."
"Got it."
Full tension mode: on.
"Claudy, Winia. Time to get serious."
"Hee hee, Katt. You're too stiff. Relax a bit—it'll be fine."
"Don't wanna mess up. You sure you're good, darky?"
"I'm fine."
—Zap.
The guide shot us a look for chatting, so we shut up.
Is this a monastery? Why so quiet?
About five minutes later, we reached a massive door. Fit for a lord's castle—majestic.
"The audience chamber."
The man said curtly and opened it. The group's vibe shifted.
—Stiffen.
The search team stood ramrod straight and began walking cautiously. We followed suit.
The chamber was spacious.
Beyond the red carpet was a low dais with an ornate chair. Flanking it were guards standing at attention, staring us down.
High-level pros, no doubt.
We lined up mid-carpet, at attention, waiting for the Lord. —Thump thump. Man, I'm so freaking nervous. The commander's entering!
"The Lord is entering!"
The call echoed from up front, and a man who looked like the Lord appeared.
—Step, step.
He looked like your average neighborhood uncle, but his walk exuded ruler vibes.
His clothes screamed high-end formalwear. Fine garb signals status and cows people on its own.
Red hair... Overall, lordly uncle. Anyway, I cranked my tension to max, watching for mistakes.
Behind him trailed a red-haired bun lady with dainty steps—the Isvant lady, obvious at a glance.
Lord's average-looking, but lady's a beauty—must take after mom.
As I rolled my eyes thinking that——click.
I locked eyes with the lady.
"...?"
Her eyes widened in surprise, and my body went rigid. Hope eye contact isn't rude?
We've met before, though—
"—Ah! You're that barbarian warrior from before!"
Suddenly, she pointed dramatically and shouted.
W-what?
What's the etiquette for this?!
We're screwed, Kim Katt, fuck!
This wasn't in the plan!
—Stride, stride.
As I scrambled mentally, the lady broke from the Lord and marched toward me.
Uh, fuck!
Why?! How?!
She grabbed both my hands right in my face and shook them vigorously.
—Shake, shake!
"I wondered when you mentioned a black-haired warrior, but to meet again like this! That arena match was unforgettable!"
Her voice boomed with enthusiasm, as powerful as her ample chest. What etiquette is this, fuck! Stunned, I awkward-smiled with my frozen body.
"H-Honored to see you...!"
"Honored? Nonsense! Slaying an ogre and even that demon—you're every bit the warrior I saw!"
She remembered that day. How do I reply without offending? My head spun.
I glanced sideways—everyone stiff, heads turned my way. Damn it! But etiquette said answer nobles politely, so I fired back.
"Just doing what needed doing."
"'Just doing'? True humility! I like it, barbarian warrior!"
"Thank you so much!"
No, Lord...! Your daughter's going wild—rein her in! She peppered me with questions about the demon subjugation, endlessly chatty.
"Oh ho ho ho ho! The demon must've died like a squashed worm! Just imagining it is satisfying! Reminds me of the ogre slaughter!"
Her energy was sky-high.
Her naturally loud voice added exclamation points to every word. Does she run on steam whistles?
She even brought her hand to her mouth laughing—peak noble.
"The demon ended up like burst meat chunks!"
"Burst meat chunks! Perfect phrasing! You know your stuff!"
—Drip.
My back was soaked in sweat already.
Might start dripping if I'm unlucky.
Someone save me...!
"...That's enough."
"Father! This is the barbarian warrior who shone in the ogre subjugation! He helped a ton!"
"I get it. Calm down and come here."
Finally, the seated Lord gestured.
"Oh dear. I got a bit carried away. After the audience, I'll summon you personally. Excuse me."
...Summon me personally?
Do that and my sweat'll vacuum-seal me like sous-vide Kim Katt. She went to the Lord's side after that.
"Ahem."
The Lord cleared his throat, and Barcharel stepped forward two paces, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head.
—Praise time begins.
We followed, awaiting the Lord's words.
"First, thanks for nipping the city's threat in the bud. That grotesque giant arm wasn't some run-of-the-mill demon. You worked hard. True Brass Celestial Society holy knights."
His voice was deep and resonant. Praise in that tone made my shoulders want to puff up.
Wonder what the reward'll be.
"Adventurers, you too did well. I heard an adventurer—no, the barbarian warrior newly made junior priest—sensed something off during the demon probe and reported it? Adventurers have their uses, haha!"
...Talking about me specifically?
Do I respond?
"Rise and lift your head, junior priest."
As I pondered, the Lord said that.
"Rising and lifting head!"
Like a raw recruit, I barked it out loud, snapping up. Damn, so tense I went full drill-sergeant response.
"No need for such rigid replies... Impressive. A fierce-looking warrior. The epitome of a barbarian. Must have natural strength."
"Yes, Father! A skilled warrior! You should've seen the match!"
"Please calm down."
The Isvant father-daughter duo critiqued me right there. They started firing questions. Screwed. Tension spiking.
But over-tensing leads to slips. I forced calm, regaining composure. Freaking out once in unfamiliar spots is enough.
"Chilly weather, yet you did great. Must be shivering, but what an achievement... Right, junior priest?"
"Yes! It was freezing! But your direct praise warms my heart like spring breeze! Thank you!"
Relax? Fuck that.
My mouth-motor revved beyond normal.
"Hm? Haha! Eloquently spoken. So glad, and this Lord is glad too!"
Luckily, he liked it and laughed.
That kicked off nonstop questions at me.
His tone suggested curiosity about us 'barbarians.' Cities have plenty, mostly bottom-rung, though.
Probably intrigued a black-haired guy like me got church recognition as junior priest. Normals don't view black hair kindly.
Lord's no different.
Clergy don't discriminate, so they were nice.
I minded my words to avoid offending.
"Coming from far barbarian lands to this city—any discomfort? Quite different from your harsh homeland."
"This perfect, beautiful city caused no discomfort! Admiring its sights broadens my horizons! My tribe was a closed well! A city like this—endless wonders!"
The lady's style was catchy. When replying to superiors, speak loud, enunciate clearly. Military drilled that.
"Yes, yes! The city is beautiful! Good eye! People grow through experiences! Seeing wide places like this builds character!"
The Lord's smile said no offense taken. Looked pleased... Green light?
"Thought barbarians were savage, but not so. You, junior priest, corrected this Lord's view. Take it as honor."
"Utmost honor! Thank you, Lord!"
"Hahaha! Loud replies—excellent! Now, time for your rewards!"