Chapter 545
Chapter 545
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 545
Chapter Title: What the Hell is This?
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You get paid exactly for the work you do, and there's zero interference outside of assignments. It's practically nationwide adventurer status with an ironclad identity guarantee.
Above all, the Saintess never demanded that I convert.
She didn't utter a single word about having to serve the Scale God Verde.
She recognized me—a holder of the 'Quasi-Priest' position—as one of the faithful. That's how much she respects me. No doubt, the kind of talent she can use comfortably is precisely this sort of Quasi-Priest.
A talent from the outside, unbound by church doctrine, with proven morals and abilities. And thanks to the Quasi-Priest status, officially acknowledged as a believer.
That would be me, Kim Katt.
"Don't you feel a spark of interest now in becoming the Saintess's direct Paladin?"
The Cardia Saintess continued, puffing away on her cigarette in that haughty pose. Interested? My heart was leaning hard in that direction.
The conditions were just that good.
"Interested? I'm on the verge of exploding with excitement. But how many direct Paladins does Your Holiness have? If I accept, those would be my colleagues."
There had to be a few at least.
From the situation, they'd all probably be Quasi-Priests like me.
This title might be rarely used in church history, but it existed. So the Cardia Saintess must have handpicked them all.
"Colleagues?"
"Yes."
When I asked about it, the Saintess gave a curt reply.
"None."
"Pardon?"
What?
"Just me?"
"The position is currently vacant. Some explanation is in order."
The Saintess added details about the direct Paladin role.
Long story short, none of the Holy Knights she'd appointed as Paladins had handled things to her satisfaction.
"They're fine rounding up heretics in cities infiltrated by them. But they couldn't go beyond that. Holy Knights lack flexibility in many ways. As stubborn and honest as they are, they don't consider other methods."
"Ah."
"They had the skills, but they weren't the talent this Saintess sought."
So the position was empty right now, and if I accepted, I'd be the sole direct Paladin.
What, like top dog or something?
Anyway, no one else... I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. Whatever, moving on.
What I was most curious about was something else.
"Saintess, I'm not exactly stronger than the Holy Knights. Are you sure I'd make a proper Paladin?"
I'd gotten pretty strong myself, but against Holy Knights forged by fanatical faith, inhuman training, and elite combat education, I'd clearly fall short right now.
Of course, given time, I could catch up—or even surpass them.
I was confident of that.
But confidence didn't change the present.
Seeing those Holy Knights charge at Andromalius let me gauge their true power. One-on-one, I might win, but I'd be at a disadvantage.
"Hmm, you seem plenty strong for a Quasi-Priest."
She replied, touching her lips.
"Heh heh, by my reckoning, I am strong. Still, I figured I might fall a bit short, so I had to ask."
"You're sufficient. Combat prowess won't be an issue. Truth be told, it's the other skills that matter more... If you want, I can arrange special training from the Order."
Divine training, huh.
Anyway, no problem then.
"Nothing but upsides. Sure, you might not rest when it's busy, but you can carve out time off yourself, right?"
"Heh heh, yes."
The downsides? Tough work you have to judge and complete properly on your own. But that was par for the course in any job.
To me, who'd rolled as a dead-end adventurer, it didn't even register as a downside.
"Seems like nothing but advantages."
I grinned in reply, and the Cardia Saintess smirked back.
"Above all, getting to meet one-on-one constantly with this Saintess—known as the capital's top beauty—has to be the biggest perk."
"Ah."
This woman, really.
But with Cardia Saintess-level looks, she had every right to brag. Her personality was solid too, and she was generous. She was as stunning as she was accommodating.
"Every day would be a delight, wouldn't it? Who knows, maybe even a forbidden romance could blossom."
"Oh my."
Now that was a perk.
Oh, wait—did becoming a Paladin come with gear?
It would be nice, but I hadn't fully exploited my Combat Priest set yet. That'd be a shame.
"Saintess, does Paladin duty come with new equipment?"
"That'd be tricky. Even as a direct Paladin, you're not a full believer, so exporting a Paladin armor set is tough. Sorry, stick with the Combat Priest gear."
"Understood."
No big deal.
I slowly rose from my seat. I'd heard everything I wanted. Now I just needed to tell my wives and discuss.
"Take your time, Quasi-Priest. With Pandemonium's demons spreading, work's piling up. I doubt this Saintess will return to the capital until it's all resolved. Think it over until then."
"As you say, I'll give it careful thought and decide."
I could give my answer around when she left.
"Then I'll take my leave. Stay warm and take care, Saintess."
I bowed, and she added,
"Might have a task for you soon. I'll give orders next time you come. Dismissed."
The Cardia Saintess hinted I'd return once more before Paladin duty, then picked up her pen again. Looked like a few more jobs first.
Well, if she assigns, I'll do it.
Best to rack up goodwill early. That way, a few slip-ups later get forgiven. With Hilde around, demon or heretic work was no worry.
Anyway, I finished my goodbyes and headed out.
* * *
Back home, I explained everything the Saintess said to Cloude and Winia exactly as it happened. I'd tell Karin and Lisha at night—they were out working.
"Huh... the conditions sound good. Basically the same as being an adventurer, right?"
"Oh, exactly what I thought."
Winia agreed it was adventurer-like.
I massaged her waist as she sprawled on the bed, listening.
"Running around on jobs everywhere kinda defeats living in the capital anyway. The house here is nice, but like Karin sis said, we can use it as a villa... Ungh, Blackie, right there, yes...!"
"Here?"
"Haaang...!"
Just massaging, and Winia let out a sultry moan. Seeing her arch from toes to head, toes curling in pleasure, got me fired up. Touching her skin alone made her feel it. At this rate, I'd have to massage her all day.
"Hoo... Anyway, Blackie, if you wanna be a Paladin, go for it. I'm all for it. But if you do, do it right... Got it? The sisters are selling the guild and shop to move up here. Can't mess up when they trust you that much. Gotta deliver results that'll satisfy them."
Of course I knew.
I'd never disappoint my wives.
"Heh heh, obvious. Don't worry. I know full well."
No matter what, I'd build my skills, grow stronger, and live in wealth and glory. Paladin was an opportunity.
A chance to reach higher and broader places.
Use the position to accumulate experience, skill, and wealth.
That was the path to true power.
"You gotta grab a real piece of the pie. From what I see, after some tenure as direct Paladin, you could even snag a real title... Hngh, B-Blackie, I... now..."
Keep kneading Winia's flesh in the massage, and her face fully flushed. She rolled over, baring her breasts.
"Massage my breasts..."
"Who taught you to be this cute?"
"Hurry... I can't hold back anymore."
I grabbed her huge tits as requested, kneading them softly. "Hngh, haa...!" She moaned with my movements, rubbing her thighs together, eyes squeezed shut.
"Hng, the capital, huh. Katt. Mama's always welcome."
Then Cloude chimed in from beside us.
"Wandering the world on the Saintess's orders sounds great. New experiences will make you stronger, Katt. Heh heh heh, right?"
"Heh heh, naturally."
Cloude had left the desert to see more. She loved new things. Traveling would thrill her.
"Could we go to other kingdoms, even farther? I'd love to visit your homeland sometime. If it's everywhere, maybe that way too?"
No way the Saintess would send me to Earth on business, busy as she was.
"Nomad lands got nothing special... But yeah, something might come up eventually."
Practically business trips, so local sightseeing on jobs.
"Anyway, thanks. For supporting the Paladin gig. Seriously, I'm tearing up."
"Psh... If Blackie likes it, I do too. Good things are good."
I kneaded Winia's breasts endlessly with gratitude. She closed her eyes blissfully, savoring quietly.
"But Blackie, what about the Mutuga Guildmaster? Gonna tell her?"
"Gotta. Honestly, if she says she can't marry 'cause of me and Karin, that's trouble."
"..."
Winia sat up on her knees, patting her thighs—signal to talk. I naturally lay with my head on them.
"So another sister I don't even know face-to-face?"
"Who knows. Plan to comfort her with words at least."
To do that, apologize in person first. I hoped Liztina would shake it off and rise.
"What if it goes bad? What if she seriously demands you take responsibility?"
Winia said, stroking my face.
Honestly, no confidence.
My goddess Cloude wanted women to bear more kids. Adding wives became my goal too, leading to four now.
But could I handle five?
Cloude, Winia, Karin, Lisha—they always supported me, gave positivity. I'd devoted everything to them... forever.
But five was a lot.
"Blackie, I'm a girl you took responsibility for too. Why'd I do it? Figured you'd cave to that."
"Facts, can't argue."
"So yeah, if she demands it, no choice, right?"
I silently took Winia's nipple in my mouth.
"Hngh... Anyway, Blackie's mine, so whatever. You'd take my side if trouble, right? That's enough."
"..."
"Can't live without Blackie. So you can't live without me either. Got it? Just think that."
"Aa, of course, Winia. Can't live without you."
How without Winia's breasts?
Just thinking darkened my vision, like plummeting into an abyssal hell at world's edge.
"Winia, have you finally understood this sister's heart?"
Cloude went behind Winia, petting her head.
"Roughly. That's your goal, sis."
"Heh heh heh, thanks. Yeah, good girl Winia. Second to Katt."
"Ugh... I like you too, sis, so back off."
Anyway, we had fun until Karin and Lisha returned. Sex always flies by time.
Soon they came back, and I explained the Paladin conditions from the Saintess identically.
"Good terms. Do it. Just set the acceptance date then?"
"Heh heh heh, we'll prep to sell the shop."
Both approved the solid conditions.
The free lifestyle seemed the big draw. Next year, first time climbing to the capital proper.
Winia and Karin would show me around.
They were from there originally.
"..."
Oh yeah, Liztina...
Guess I'll visit in a few days.