Chapter 516
Chapter 516
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 516
Chapter Title: Quasi-Priest Kim Katt
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Anyway, I had two more things to take care of today.
First, head to the Adventurer's Guild to report on this incident, then hand over Vuigal's corpse to the church.
I quickly geared up in my full battle priest set, minus the greaves. I was still using the ones Cloudy gave me ages ago. I'd packed up the spare battle priest greaves neatly and stashed them in the warehouse at home.
With the plate armor followed by unique gear weapons equipped, confidence overflowed. I headed straight up to the second floor and opened the door.
—Whoosh.
Every time I opened the door, a feminine scent wafted out. Fresh and warm. Excluding Karin, who'd already gone to work, my three wives were still out cold, minds scattered.
Yesterday, I'd gone way too far again.
It was all because of that seductive woman, Lisha. Shaking her hips like that while begging for praise and acting all cute... I just couldn't hold back!
"I'm heading out to the guild and church for a bit."
"Katt... you're going out?"
When I announced it, Cloudy—the only one somewhat coherent—reached for my neck with melting eyes.
"Should I come with you, honey?"
"Nah, rest up. You look wiped."
"Hehe, after you left me like this, now you say that?"
"Ah."
I promised to be right back and hurried outside.
Full gear was great, but the high-end equipment drew stares. No choice but to throw on a cape. Only remove it when revealing my status in official settings.
The quasi-priest title had its perks, but it attracted attention. Unless something urgent came up, I'd stick to "Kim Katt incognito mode." Just toss the cape if cooperation was needed somewhere.
I flung open the Adventurer's Guild doors like always and headed to the counter.
"Welcome... You're D-rank adventurer Katt, right?"
"Thanks for recognizing me."
"Anyone who doesn't know you hasn't been paying attention."
An elderly staffer I'd vaguely seen around greeted me. My face was pretty well-known these days. He immediately checked what job I'd taken.
"Border village investigation quest? So, it's done?"
"Not just investigated—I solved the serial murder case itself."
"What?"
I pulled out the evidence from the village. He donned a monocle to review it. Then I brought out the adventurer tags I'd recovered, broaching the topic.
"And these are tags from the adventurers who went ahead. Five of them. Can you verify?"
"Heh, all five D-ranks dead..."
He took the tags and pulled a document.
"This counts toward my record, right?"
"Of course. Now, got the report?"
"Pardon? Report?"
"You didn't write one?"
"Figured verbal would do."
Ah, should've written it at home. This wasn't a simple subjugation—it was an investigation.
"Hrm, write one next time for investigation quests. I'll help this once. Tell me what happened."
Since I'd organized everything in my head, verbal reporting was no issue. I explained it all: the tracking, finding the bodies, and executing the serial killer at the trail's end.
He jotted it down on paper.
"The culprit was a man controlled by a demon. Well, I killed him outright, and the rampaging demon devoured the body, so nothing left. Oh, that demon was a demon sword."
"W-wait. Demons aside, a demon sword?"
"Yep. Demon sword. Tough opponent."
But he seemed skeptical about the demon sword part. Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he said,
"Hmm... That's beyond my authority."
"Even if explained as a Brass Celestial Society quasi-priest?"
"Tricky. First time for this. I'll write the report as you said. But need to show higher-ups first. Rewards later."
"Fine by me. Hard to believe even for me. I'm reporting to the church too—check there for verification."
Just facts, no issue.
Though I mixed in a few white lies.
Villagers knew about the demon sword and that I'd caged it and left for the city.
Couldn't lie about that obvious part.
But what happened after? Only we knew.
Even the coachman was clueless.
So I reported the demon sword rebelled during escort and got killed. Buried the inconvenient truth. Couldn't say a dark wizard purified it.
Officially, Vuigal the demon sword was subdued by me, then died en route to the city.
That was the truth of this incident.
"Appreciate it. Rewards will cover the serial killer subjugation fee those dead adventurers took, plus this investigation quest. All yours."
Two quests cleared at once. Around 40 silver? Cheap for averting a demon sword disaster.
I checked the proxy report he wrote, signed it. Same for the church.
* * * —Kyaaaaah!!!
The Brass Celestial Society followers' reaction was just as I'd predicted. To them, the sack holding Vuigal's (former) remains was more shocking than a bomb—they toppled over screaming.
"Uwaaaaaah!!!"
"Grrrgh!!!"
"Verdeeeee!!!"
Lately, I'd seen plenty of this madness.
Everyday sight, but a whole crowd in extreme freakout parade? Always fresh.
This was divine entertainment.
"Come iiiin!!!"
"Haha... thank you."
No entry permit needed anymore. I was a quasi-priest. Free access to the church building. Everyone knew me anyway—like family.
I brushed off the shrieking followers clinging with "What the hell is that demon corpse?!" and sought the senior priest.
But he was out today.
"What about Captain Barkerel?"
"Yeah, both are out."
"Hmm, got it."
Captain Barkerel on mission too? Who to report this major incident to? The guiding nun said she'd fetch the highest-ranking person present.
Highest in church now?
Mid-rank priest? No idea who.
Thanked her, waited in the reception room, and met an unexpected figure.
"Pleased to meet you. You're the quasi-priest appointed by the Isbrandt branch? Heard lots. Battle priest gear suits you well."
"Y-yes? Oh, pleased."
The door opened to reveal a tall, sharp-featured blonde beauty.
Who?
"...Pardon, but who might you be? I'm quasi-priest, but don't know every church face. Sorry for not recognizing you."
—Beauty.
Her shimmering blonde locks cascaded past her waist, full breasts and hips accentuated by a clinging white nun's habit, presence undeniable.
Her sharp eyes looked fierce, like a blood-soaked warrior... but her? Highest here?
If the church had a sexy big sis like this, I'd have noticed.
—Beauty on par with my wives, slightly less.
Still, I'd seen most church folk in passing. She'd have stuck in my mind.
Anyway, when I asked, she smiled from her seat.
"Ah, late introduction. Pleased, Saintess Cardia. Thanks for your church contributions so far. You've done well. Much hardship."
"Pardon? What?"
What did she just say?
"Didn't hear? Focus when others speak. I'm Cardia. Brass Celestial Society saintess."
Stunned, she smiled softly but firmly.
"S-Saintess?"
"Still dazed? My beauty stole your wits? Whatever. Snap to it. If you can't focus, I'll cover my face. Non-believer men lose it seeing this saintess. Be considerate."
Saintess.
Those two words and her self-absorbed vibe completely cowed me.
—Snap...!
Dunno why, but gut screamed "trouble," balls shriveling tight. Saintess ain't just church top—top of your whole religion, fuck!!!
I inwardly cursed the guiding nun.
You bitch, you set me up!!!
Mommy, a saintess in my lifetime?
Wait, maybe title mix-up. If saintess is just a rank, no biggie. Nah, that natural haughtiness... real high-up?
—Drip drip.
Sweat poured like facing Lady Isbrandt.
Unfortunately, superiors tense me up bad.
Saintess = division commander? Legion?
Someone answer, fuck!
Wracking my brain max, I spoke.
"N-no need. But wait. Meeting such an unexpected person flustered me. Pardon, but could you answer a question?"
"Anything not personal."
"Wouldn't dream... As quasi-priest, I don't know doctrine or ranks... How's a saintess treated normally?"
"Quasi-priest ignorant of basics? Shocking. But outsider earned by merit, understandable."
Saintess Cardia leaned back casually, crossing legs. Firm white thighs flashed, stealing my gaze.
But crossed legs + sharp face = instant thug vibe.
Kinda like Karin...
"Honorary, but good to know. Grab a scripture from a priest."
Should've studied.
Who expects to meet a saintess?!
"In Brass Celestial Society, saintess holds cardinal authority or higher."
Cardinal > senior priest. So two ranks above...
"...Should I bow now?"
"If you wish, permitted. Some men enjoy it. For your service to church and world, quasi-priest, I'll allow."
What bullshit!
"N-no, I. Uh. Don't know doctrine... Don't know protocol, Saintess!! Sorry for rudeness!!!"
I shoved the chair, slammed a grand bow.
—Thud!
Trained body and mana-enhanced skill enabled perfect etiquette.
"What style is that? Whatever, not nitpicking honorary quasi-priest on etiquette. Sit."
"Yes! Sitting!"
I jumped back to the chair using just arms in bow pose. First-time stunt. Hands clasped demurely upon landing.
"Ho, quick and spry. Good."
"Thank you!"
"Holy knight already? Like it. Now, shall we talk?"
What talk, damn it!
Why do I keep running into women like this!?