Chapter 568
Chapter 568
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 568
Chapter Title: A Good Friend to Meet
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"Katt, this thing feels really warm."
"Fucking love it, right?"
Claudia and Karin, bundled up in their Sasquatch fur coats, pressed close to me as they spoke. The hides were so large that there was plenty of room inside, and cinching a belt around the waist gave them a perfect silhouette that suited them beautifully.
"Wh-what's with how cute this is...!"
"Kyahahaha, kiddo."
Glad they both liked it.
We'd hauled back a ton of hides from that heretic secret research facility, so I had one for myself too. Slipping it on gave the same cozy insulation as a puffy jacket.
"Blackie, you look just like some barbarian chieftain in that."
Winia said that as she put hers on, and damn if her chest didn't pop out even more. Always a size that put my mind at ease.
"What, gotta top it off with a horned helmet? Swap your weapon for an axe too?"
"Heh heh heh, isn't that Mirkeshia straight out of the stereotypes?"
"Exactly."
Lisha came up from the basement, slipping on her coat with a laugh.
On Karin's recommendation, we'd gone to a tailor with guts, had them measure us up roughly, and paid for six coats by handing over the two leftover Sasquatch hides.
The shop owner had been thrilled, calling it premium leather, and it showed in the craftsmanship. Even I was more than satisfied with these winter fur coats.
Wearing these, we could head out in winter no problem. Sasquatches were monsters that lived in the snowy mountains, after all—their insulation was top-notch.
Six made, so one for Liztina too.
"So, what new mess cropped up? What's the deal? This one gonna drag on too?"
Karin crossed her legs as she sat down and got right to it. Time to fill them in.
"Well, my buddy Elise from Krasheim's in a bind. You know, the nun?"
"Heard about her a few times. Your benefactor, right? Wasn't she in on that demon investigation last time?"
"Yeah."
It was right around the imp incident when I'd gone toe-to-toe with Hildegarte.
"She needs some help. Remember that time I went hunting for the meteor? Told her how I sliced up all those heretics and village bandits?"
Karin gave me a wistful smile, locking eyes with me.
"You did. So, this time you're off investigating those heretics?"
"Not set in stone yet, but probably... Big Sis Karin?"
"What."
"Mind if I step out for a bit?"
I scooted right next to Karin, looping an arm around her waist. She hated when I went off far. But as a paladin, smashing heretics was my duty.
"Sigh, you little shit. How's your big sis gonna stop her own husband? I'll let it slide this time 'cause of the coat. Go on. Honestly, you're getting stronger, so I ain't blocking you."
"You're the best."
Karin told me to go as she tickled my chin.
"Seriously, you're too dutiful sometimes. I'll be lonely for a bit, but her ladyship's fine with it."
"Lisha...! Thanks!"
Lisha gave her approval too.
"Katt. Looks like I can tag along this time."
"Heh heh heh, 'cause of the coat?"
"Yeah."
Claudia seemed head over heels for the fur coat. She cracked open the window like she was already itching to test its performance.
* * * The next morning, I headed straight to Saintess Cardia.
No one better to consult on this than my direct superior. Mention heretics, and she'd jump in for sure.
"Ho, an unexpected visit."
The saintess's room always had that same vibe.
In the neatly kept space, Saintess Cardia sat in an ornate chair with mythical patterns, handling her duties. But right now, she looked disheveled.
Her radiant golden hair was tousled, her sharp eyes sunken with deep fatigue. Buried in work as always.
This woman never got a day off.
"Couldn't stand another moment without seeing this saintess's face? What a delight."
Cardia, with her over-the-top confidence in her beauty, set down her pen, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it between her lips. Chit. A sacred glow sparked from her fingertip, igniting the tip.
A fresh scent soon filled the room.
"Heh heh heh, something like that. You're as stunning as ever today."
"Flattery's always music to the ears. I'm beat today, so toss a few more to wake me up."
She seemed busy, so I cut to the chase.
"Right. It's about the heretics."
"What?"
"I'll explain everything."
"W-wait...!"
I barreled ahead before the startled saintess could interrupt, detailing the meteor hunt incident and how Elise got roped into this.
She listened with eyes closed, rubbing her brow nonstop.
"Hmm... Heretics in the Mist Plains... You've brought this paladin a real headache."
Felt like I'd just dumped another load on her shoulders, but it was unavoidable. I pushed the guilt aside.
"Just when I thought I could wrap up the busy stuff and rest... Now this. Makes me wanna pass out."
"Heh heh heh, doesn't it snap you right awake?"
I teased back at the saintess who was always sexually harassing me.
"So that's how the teased feel. Tricky... What you're asking for is troops, right, Paladin?"
She pulled blank paper from a drawer, dipped her pen in ink. Looked like she was drafting something.
Troops, huh.
"Yes... Honestly, I got no clue how to tackle this."
I had no feel for where to even start.
"Like I said, the Mist Plains are huge, and visibility sucks. I could handle a normal job solo, but digging through snowy mountains is one thing—this is a whole other league."
We'd need a bunch of troops, but my command experience was just divvying roles in adventurer parties. Oh, and squad leader back when I was a corporal—worthless.
"What should I do?"
"Hmm..."
She set down the pen and crossed her arms.
"And just so you know, spotting those heretics wasn't bullshit. They were trafficking people. Had been for a long time. Wagons set up, long-term deal with that bandit village for sure."
"I don't doubt your word, Paladin. This saintess's trust in you is rock-solid—no need to worry."
"Thank you."
Good, she bought it all.
Truly a big-league player.
"It's a tough nut, like you said. Sketchiest group in the hardest spot to search."
Spot on. No idea how many troops, tracking's a nightmare. Only lead was that village I wrecked during the meteor hunt.
"But no backup from the Radiant Cross Society? If we solve it, it's all Brass Celestial Society credit. She know that?"
Cardia was thinking politics too. From what I knew, Radiant Cross didn't crave credit like that.
Especially not Elise.
"Yes. My close friend, Junior Nun Elise of the Radiant Cross, doesn't give a damn about that. Long as the heretics are dealt with, credit's whatever."
They'd sent her solo, so they weren't sweating allies anyway.
"Pure servant, heart full of faith. The type who walks the thorny path to build their paradise."
"...You know their doctrine too, Katt Paladin?"
"Picked up bits from my friend."
Cardia nodded and recrossed her legs.
"Good to have connections in other churches. It'll pay off someday... Praise for that. But this is sudden—mustering troops'll take time."
"O-oh! You're providing troops?!"
"Heretics show up, investigating's our duty. But Brass Celestial Society leads. Tell her nun that."
Obviously, if they supplied most troops, they'd be in charge.
Elise wouldn't mind—hell, she'd be over the moon.
"Wise words! As expected of Saintess Cardia! Rational, enlightened thinker! Truly revolutionary and forward-thinking!"
"Heh, that hits the spot. More specific."
"The reformer who created this direct paladin post to streamline the church's old ways! Perfect fit for changing times!"
Cardia was a reformer.
Doctrine basically banned using demons.
But she pushed to tweak it for more efficient evil-smashing.
"Ho, you knew."
"It's my job—how could I not?"
"Love it. I'll handle the troops personally. Still, it'll take time—prep in the meantime."
"Got it! Thanks!"
Consulting her was the right call. She greenlit a recon team without hesitation. Well, she thought I tipped her off on Andromalius too.
Trust was built—natural follow-up.
"Seeing you bring work unasked thickens the trust. Volunteering for tough jobs for friendship... Fine virtue."
"Heh heh heh, glad you think so."
Wrapped up and headed out.
Troops from Cardia secured.
Brass Celestial Society in front—we and Elise could coast.
Wipe the heretics or just find proof. Either way, good—smash 'em direct or let Radiant Cross handle.
Elise'd love this. Tell her soon. But first, Martial Artist's Guild.
Sasquatch coat gift time.
"...Heavenly Demon? You've been coming around a lot. What's your angle?"
Mariel blocked me at the guild, sour-faced but standing tall. I mostly came evenings, but daytime visits meant run-ins like this.
"Nah, just relaying a message from the guild master. Working on better relations."
Lied smooth to ease her.
"Hmm..."
"Hey, hey. Guild master's waiting. I'm heading up."
"Wh-what, going up on your own?!"
She tried blocking, so I struck a lethal Silsang Kwonbeop stance.
"You punk! Craving a taste of Silsang Kwonbeop?!"
"N-no! Not at all! Go up!"
Mariel crumbled under my killer aura, terrified. I shoved past to Liztina's room, barged in no-knock.
"Liz sis. Here."
"Wh-what, you! No knock?!"
"Surprise gift."
"G-gift...?"
Ditched my bag, pulled out the stashed Sasquatch fur coat.
"Present. Take it."
"Wh-what's this? A coat?"
"Sasquatch fur coat. Rare stuff. Got 'em from that last job."
Handed it over; her face flushed as she took it.
"S-Sasquatch leather coat... Super rare... Why this outta nowhere..."
"Scored a bunch. Had to make you one."
"You... You're a real man after all!"
"Duh. Try it on."
Liztina slipped it on. Great rack makes anything look good. Plus, Sasquatch leather was premium.
"Mmm... Fits perfect. Wait, Katt—how'd you nail my measurements?"
"Felt you up enough times."
No spot on Liztina my hands hadn't hit. Same build as Karin anyway—easy order.
"H-huh?"
"Heh heh heh, you're blushing."
"D-don't know you!"
Liztina looked thrilled.
"Th-thanks... Didn't expect a gift..."
"I'll snag more when they pop up. Off to work now."
"Why leave so soon... Y-you coming tonight...?"
"Heh heh heh, yeah."
Left the guild, headed to Elise's inn. Knew the spot, but not the room—old-school shout-out.
"ELIIIIIIISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
My bellow got Elise rocketing from the entrance. Th-this madwoman! Response time nuts!
"Holy Emperor...! I was prepared!"
"Wh-what...! You were waiting at the entrance?!"
"Exactly!"