Chapter 521
Chapter 521
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 521
Chapter Title: Junior Priest Kim Katt
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"It doesn't matter. Are you interested? Of course, our faith's basic principle is to reward those who act accordingly with fitting compensation."
The Saintess Cardia, who had promised compensation, spoke as if suggesting I hear her out first.
As always, manpower is in short supply.
That's why they hire mercenaries or adventurers, but to outsource such tasks, trust and reliability are essential. Today, she had dragged me around all day to test that.
Even if I'm a junior priest recognized by the church, I'm still a stranger. It makes sense to check me out. In the end, after spending the day together and buying my trust, she seems ready to entrust me with a job.
Obviously, finding more capable outsiders than me isn't easy. If she can use me, she should. Besides, I'm a junior priest.
Still, going this far means the task the saintess wants to assign is something she can't easily give to just anyone.
Is it a matter of skill? Or trust?
Either way, it'll be tough, but if there's compensation, no loss for me. That's my job, after all.
But if she tries to pass it off as another date, fuck that.
"Heh heh heh, then I'll hear it out and decide. But I trust you're not thinking of settling it with something like a date again."
"Hm? Didn't you enjoy your date with this saintess? You seemed to quite a bit, so maybe it was my mistake."
No, you bitch.
"There aren't many women more beautiful than this saintess even in the capital. As a man, that should be glory enough as compensation."
The saintess stared at my face with sharp eyes, tugging at the front of her chest as she spoke. Her cleavage was decently deep, but to seduce me with tits, she'd need at least Winia's size.
You bitch, no matter how pretty, do tits fill my stomach?
My wives actually do.
At least I could tell the saintess blatantly used her beauty as a weapon. Plenty of idiots must fall for it despite knowing. But I'm immune to charm.
"Heh heh heh, Saintess, you're overdoing it...! As if! Who'd be satisfied with a date!!!"
I tore at my hair in protest.
Maybe this woman is seriously trying to pull off passion pay...!
Daring to work premium talent Kim Katt for free!
Even Verde's saintess won't be forgiven!
"Not satisfied with a date? Then you want a deeper relationship? Heh, to receive direct courtship from a man—worth coming all the way to the border."
"What are you talking about!"
"To answer that, it might be a bit tricky. As a woman devoted to faith, I've never considered throwing myself at a man, or anything like that. But this time, I'll think about it."
"Aigoo! Saintess! Why are you doing this to me! I'm just a day-laborer scraping by!!!"
I dropped below the bench, kneeling and wailing. There's a limit to being self-centered, fuck! Trying to freeload Vugal's corpse like this!
Even Vugal in hell wouldn't want that.
That guy valued my gain as life's top priority. This is practically desecrating his brutal death. As I wailed, the snickering saintess spoke.
"Heh, just kidding."
The Saintess Cardia rummaged her cleavage again and pulled out a cigarette case.
"A demon's corpse is useful in many ways. Especially if intact. I have no intention of taking something so precious for free. Naturally, I'll pay the price. Teasing a junior priest is more fun than holy knights, unlike them."
Fuck, I thought my liver dropped.
Saintesses truly are icons of mercy and love.
"As expected! Merciful and righteous Saintess of the Brass Celestial Society! Truly a peerless beauty living by mercy and love! Your golden hair is so beautiful, and your figure stirs my heart!"
"Music to my ears."
—Rummage rummage.
The Saintess Cardia, listening to my flattery, shoved her hand back into her cleavage and rummaged again. Does she have pockets sewn in there?
"No, it's not even a pocket..."
"If you call it a tit pocket, it's not wrong."
"..."
...This woman likes sex jokes.
Anyway, the Saintess Cardia pulled out a small glass vial the size of a pinky finger from between her breasts. Inside shimmered a sky-blue liquid.
—Whoosh.
She looked into my eyes and suddenly tossed the vial.
Of course, I caught it easily.
But why's it so warm?
Heated between her tits?
Makes me kinda excited.
I'll ask Winia for a titjob when I get home.
"That demon—barring the dismemberment—retains its form, so it's valued highly. That should be satisfactory compensation."
"...Glad to hear it, but what's this?"
The small vial had a fancy design. Even the brass cap had geometric patterns. Holy water...? Never seen it sparkle sky-blue before.
"Holy water I made myself. Deadly to unclean beings."
Holy water!
Kim Katt, who gets holy water every damn day!
"Mommy!"
But holy water made by the saintess herself changes things. I immediately pulled out a cloth scrap and wrapped the vial preciously. No doubt, saintess-made holy water is top-tier.
"Thank you!"
This... I like it.
Thanks, Vugal.
"Looks like you like it. You can use it to slay demons or drink it—no issue. Great for health."
"Health?"
"Do high religious leaders look young for nothing? Overflowing holy power. This holy water holds my power, so drinking it won't hurt."
"Ooo!!!!"
Saintess-endorsed health supplement!
This could sell for a fortune.
"Of course, it's not for sale—don't leak it outside."
"Kuhk. Shame."
Whether drink or use, it's ample pay for Vugal's corpse. For a knife-for-food guy like me, health food is essential.
But can five of us share it?
Health food, so wanna split... Anyway, show Lisha first.
"Back to business."
"Command me."
"Holy water's got you motivated. Good attitude. Sometimes, reward-driven folk are more useful than faith-driven ones."
"Well said. But... Saintess, you speak kinda harshly."
"Harshly?"
Maybe her eyes? She exudes boss-like aura, like she'll assign something shady.
"...I admit my impression looks fierce. Anyway, the task isn't too hard. Demons are causing simultaneous incidents nearby. You know?"
"Of course."
"Our troops can't handle all—need outsiders. You're perfect, junior priest. No need for escorts; you handle it solo. Ideal for this."
True, but hyping the requester means issues.
"Heh heh heh, honor to be praised by you, Saintess."
Her tone suggests I'm a convenient holy knight substitute.
"But assigning holy knights is tricky... Those thick-headed ones excel at fighting but suck elsewhere."
She pressed her temple with a finger.
"Isn't combat enough for holy knights?"
"World needs brains too. Holy knights can't. Especially with demons or heretics."
Holy knights get top training but are ultimately a violent force.
They flip out at demons or heretics.
Great for exterminating evil, but tricky otherwise—that was her explanation.
"So? Not just smash-and-grab? Investigation or scouting then."
Adventurer pro here.
"Close. Sharp mind."
She leaned back like at home, crossing legs and exhaling smoke.
"And discreet. Junior priest, with a goal, can you hold anger even before demons or heretics?"
"Naturally. For the goal, momentary rage is suppressible."
"Heh, perfect attitude... Holy knights lack flexibility."
—Grrrrr!
I remember holy knights convulsing at the demon gate. They're nuts. Evil triggers their rage disorder.
"You're a flawless holy knight substitute—love it. Compromising talent is most useful."
"Heh heh heh, spot on."
The saintess stroked her lips, eyeing me.
Time for the real job talk.
"Compiling intel since I arrived: signs of heretics, cultists, or demon summoners. Similar past reports."
I know heretics operate nearby. She wouldn't miss it.
"One city they infiltrated. Infiltrate, root out the filth."
"Pardon?"
Heretic hunt?
Sounds high difficulty.
"Shouldn't holy knights handle that?"
"They're on demons now. Hunting's lower priority. And they suck at it."
Saintess Cardia sighed mentioning holy knights.
"Assign hunting, they catch one, can't resist smashing heads. Can't trace tails. Head-splitting headache."
Holy knights won't ignore heretics. Too violent for interrogation—likely smash in rage.
"Kill without intel, survivors hide deeper. Holy knights alone raise alarms."
"Understood. Makes sense. But solo might be tough."
Get it, but seems hard alone.
"Reports say you crushed heretic group in slums."
Ah, with Elise.
"Other feats too—proves talent. I'd like you for this. Takes time, but solid reward."
Tempting.
Promised pay.
"What if I fail?"
"Disappointed in your ability. High hopes. Failure happens."
No penalty.
No real loss disappointing her.
"Heretic infiltrations common—not hugely risky. With info and time, doable. Even letting fester for sweep isn't bad."
I nodded.
"But visible? Humans wanna fix. Especially amid incidents. That's why you. Question: accept my mission?"
She switched legs, staring, demanding answer. Beautiful face.
No penalty? Kim Katt style: try it.
"Got it. If you entrust, I'll do my best. Reward looks juicy. Heh heh heh, must be huge."
"Heh, wanting more than date? Chance for this saintess to woman up."
"Cash!!!!"
"Kidding."
Anyway, she assigned heretic hunt in the city. Detailed orders at church.