Chapter 517
Chapter 517
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 517
Chapter Title: Quasi-Priest Kim Katt
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"This saintess was dispatched from the Order's headquarters to investigate the truth about the demon Andromalius. I heard that Quasi-Priest here made a major contribution. I was about to summon you for a chat, but this works out perfectly."
I'd been wondering why someone of saintess rank would show up in this backwater dump. And there it was—the reason.
The church had sent Andromalius's arm to the capital headquarters, from what I recalled.
Guess that was enough to drag their heavy asses all the way out here. Makes sense, since Hildegart said Andromalius was one hell of a tough demon. The headquarters must be taking it seriously.
"I-is that so? Quasi-Priest Kim Katt at your service! I swear to answer all your questions with utmost sincerity! For the justice and peace of this world!"
"No need for the flattery. Just the essential answers."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"I like a loud voice."
I answered with gusto, and she narrowed her eyes, tilting her head slightly as she crossed her legs the other way. Her thighs looked firm yet soft—not the hardened build of a warrior, but something purely feminine.
Then again, Karin and Claudia were extreme powerhouses, but their figures were slender and delicate. Big chests, too. This saintess was probably the same. Just a fierce-looking beauty with a killer body.
Still, according to my Kim Katt sensor, a saintess in this world's religion was clearly the pinnacle of murderous, destructive fanatic women.
—Vugal.
...Fuck?
Am I busted?
No, I trust Lisha's abilities. She said the church wouldn't catch on, so they won't.
"...Our Order is deeply concerned about the simultaneous demon gate outbreaks around Isvant, within the Krasheim vicinity, the uncharted zones, and near Baron Dodens' territory. Things are about to get busy around here. If we need your cooperation, I'll call for you."
That sounded more like an order than cooperation.
"So, what was encountering Andromalius like?"
"Utter, horrifying despair!"
My voice cracked from the tension.
"The deepest darkness! All the sins of this world embodied! The most brutally savage demon!!! I thought I'd lose my mind the moment I saw it! But with Captain Bakarel and the other faithful, we banded together and repelled it!"
I stuck to the facts as they happened.
Any bullshit, and she might pick something apart. Hildegart's info was spot-on, too—dangerously so.
"Demons are no match for us!"
I shouted even louder. Saintess Cardia stared at me steadily, then folded her arms. Her massive chest rested atop them.
"Even a rookie holy knight wouldn't have more discipline than the current quasi-priest. Though that's to be expected. Andromalius is a great demon, after all."
"Gr-great demonnnn!!!"
"Do you grasp the gravity? Records say it was last sighted during the Idol Wars. Devouring human brains to steal knowledge—truly a horrific demon."
That fucker's the worst!
"Tell me what you know."
"Yes, ma'am!"
I immediately relayed only the info I could infer from the situation back then.
I already knew about Andromalius, thanks to Hildegart. But that was info I couldn't have gotten normally.
Stuff I shouldn't know.
So I played it like I didn't know much.
"Not very nutritious info."
"N-no way! I've been racking my brain about its true nature ever since! It's packed with nutrients!"
She nodded at my protest.
"Good attitude. Always reflecting on the enemy—that's excellent. The senior priest wants to recruit you as a holy knight. I'd love that too."
"..."
"What the quasi-priest said was already in the reports. A pointless question, really. We've been briefed on Andromalius, so look into it if you're curious."
Then I should check it out. Cross-referencing with Hildegart's info might reveal something new.
"By the way, what brings you to the church today? It was quite the commotion."
"Ah, that's what I meant to talk about."
I immediately opened the sack and showed her Vugal's mangled corpse.
"...A demon corpse. And intact. Where'd you get it?"
Her eyes widened. As a saintess, she couldn't ignore something like this. She promptly piled the chunks of Vugal's body on the desk.
"It's chopped up?"
"Well... it seemed to be regenerating, so to ensure it was fully dealt with, I had no choice but to dismember it."
At my testimony, Saintess Cardia grinned.
"Is that right? Good work. That's the proper procedure."
She extended a pale hand, grabbed Vugal's horn, and inspected the head.
"This... piques my interest in you even more, quasi-priest. Tell me what you know. I'll listen slowly."
"Heh heh heh, an honor. By any chance, have you heard of the string of murders in the nearby villages?"
"No reports on that."
"Then I'll start from there."
I gave Saintess Cardia the same report I'd given the Adventurer's Guild.
The serial killings by the cursed sword user.
I'd subdued it and captured the cursed sword alive. But en route to the church, it went berserk, forcing me to destroy it.
After hearing the whole story, she slipped a hand into her cleavage and rummaged, pulling out what looked like a cigarette case. Big-chested women really do use that spot as a pocket. She took one out, lit it with holy light from her fingertip, and started smoking.
—Smoke billowed out.
Holy light to casually light a smoke? Fucking impressive.
"...Quite the unusual tale. For an outsider like a quasi-priest to report this."
"Whoa, outsider? That's harsh. I'm practically family to the Brass Celestial Society."
"Fair enough. I heard you out. Handing over the corpse deserves a reward. I'll issue it in my name—look forward to it."
I hadn't even said I'd hand it over yet.
Still, a saintess's reward? Had to be huge.
"Th-thank you!"
"Handling multiple incidents like this... You're a talent worth coveting. Write up a detailed report soon. We'll talk more then."
"Of course!"
I answered energetically, and she exhaled smoke before continuing.
"You do realize you've just made an appointment with this saintess, right?"
"Pardon?"
"Make sure the report is proper."
"..."
Hey, I'm an outsider.
Even so, a saintess of the Order had no authority to order me.
But I'd do it anyway.
Screw authority—bow to the higher-ups. Especially if they're connected to me.
"Saintess, if I may ask something that's been on my mind?"
"What? Ask away."
I decided to ask one thing that had bugged me. A saintess outranked a cardinal by a hair. Above her would be bishops or the pope.
Above the pope?
God.
"By any chance... can you, uh, hear Lord Verde's voice or... something like that?"
A world where gods exist for real, and divine power too. Maybe this woman truly followed a god's commands.
"Hmm, a natural question."
She stared at me and slowly nodded.
"Contrary to popular belief, Lord Verde doesn't speak directly. His angels vanished when the Idol Wars ended."
No direct orders, then.
And angels.
Well, demons exist, so angels probably do too.
Never seen one, but possible.
"This saintess merely senses His will. Didn't you know the doctrine? Simply put, I feel the tilt of the scales. I know the balance of good and evil."
Of course, I couldn't fully grasp or understand her words.
Doctrine takes years to learn. So I skipped what I didn't get and zeroed in on what I wanted.
"The end times... If the scales truly tip, does the apocalypse come?"
The core belief: when balance breaks, the end arrives.
So, does it really?
"Interpretations vary, but if evil engulfs the world, what else to call it but the end?"
True.
"Then what if good engulfs the world?"
"Impossible. Evil can't be eradicated from the world. Kill it off, and it springs back like cockroaches. That's the world. And if only the good remain, problems arise inevitably. Limits of humanity... Want a deeper explanation of the doctrine? Get clearance. I'll explain personally."
"..."
She answered firmly.
Well, every religion has its doctrines.
People believe different things.
"Then what about other religions' paradise? Gods and faiths abound—what's truly right?"
For instance, the Radiant Cross Society believes purging evil brings paradise.
But that clashes with her doctrine.
By her interpretation, their paradise is impossible. Evil can't be erased.
Doctrines conflict, so you'd expect holy wars over who's right... But these folks are too nice?
"Tough question. Our views on evil differ slightly. That needs clearance too. Still claiming not to be one of ours? What's your faith? You seem awfully curious about religion."
She smoothly shifted topics.
"Let me guess—Mirkesha nomad, so Hunter God Haalbayr? Explains the bravery."
Who's Haalbayr?
"No, not that."
"Oh? Thought it was popular among Mirkesha."
I wouldn't know.
"V-villages vary a bit. You know that, right?"
"I see."
"We worship our ancestors."
"Ancestors? Recite your doctrine and core tenets."
She narrowed her eyes, relit her cigarette with holy light, and commanded.
"N-no way! Gonna kill me as a heretic?!"
"Prejudiced against saintesses? Our virtues are mercy and love. No reason to exterminate if you're not heretical or cultish. And you don't seem the type, so relax. The wicked can't even get church recognition."
Fucking relief.
"Simply put, we honor our passed ancestors, uphold etiquette among ourselves, and stand against injustice."
The core of fusion Confucianism.
Honestly, ancestors are vague, but etiquette's obvious, and fuckers get dealt with. All flexible as needed.
"Ho, a perfectly upright faith. Rational for tribal cohesion?"
She nodded approvingly, smoking.
"Respect for ancestors is key. Alright, noted. Fun chat. Time's up?"
"Time's up?"
"A private audience with this saintess is every man's dream."
She knew she was hot and owned it naturally.
But with four stunning wives, I felt nothing.
"Remember the name. Quasi-Priest Kim Katt. Consider it an honor."
"Heh heh heh, I'll tell my descendants. Please take that loathsome demon corpse off my hands."
"Bribing with a demon corpse? Utterly upright."
I stood.
Thankfully, she ignored the sword at my waist. Lisha handled it personally—no way she'd notice.
Not even a saintess could match Lisha.
"Farewell, Saintess."
"Proper report."
Why's she obsessed with reports?
Big organizations need that admin efficiency.
Anyway, home for report-writing. She'd be sticking around awhile. The senior priest and Bakarel were probably on errands.
I bowed and left the church.