Chapter 583
Chapter 583
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 583
Chapter Title: A Good Friend to Meet
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"Saint. You must have had quite the ordeal. I never imagined things would unfold like this, but in the end, it all wrapped up nicely."
"Heh heh heh, tell me about it."
In truth, this whole affair had started when Elise came to investigate the human trafficking incident in the Fog Plains. What began as a simple inquiry had ultimately been resolved perfectly.
It was a major accomplishment for both Elise and me.
"The heretics were manufacturing Abominations. I'll report this to the Order as well. If we dig through the scriptures and records, we might uncover traces of those who conducted human experiments in the past. Finding that could reveal their true identities and motives."
Whatever the details, the heretics had been creating vile artificial beings.
This surely wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
If it had occurred before, the Church would likely have records of it. Cross-referencing those could, as Elise said, expose their origins.
"Yeah, I hope so. I don't even want to think about more victims showing up..."
The sky over Isvant, gazing up from below, was impeccably clear. Roofs were blanketed in snow, but this winter hadn't been excessively harsh.
Yet even under this pristine blue sky, unimaginable horrors were unfolding somewhere, always.
The world claims gods exist, but life for people is the same everywhere.
"Even now, the heretics are probably on the move."
"...Yes."
Elise replied with a troubled expression.
"Those without power are simply exposed to evil violence, suffering endlessly. No matter how grand the Church or how mighty the lords' armies, they can't protect every corner of this vast world."
She was right.
How much like dog food had I been back when I was powerless? At F-rank, even if these bastards stole my daily wages, there was nothing I could do. In a way, I was just like the common folk oppressed by heretics.
"All we can do is give it our all."
"Elise."
The Abomination incident had shaken Elise deeply enough to leave her depressed. I placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke.
I didn't want to see her looking so down.
"That 'giving it our all' is the very meaning of our lives."
"...The meaning of life, you say?"
"Yeah. That's enough. Now that I'm a Paladin myself, I get it. Alone, we can do nothing. But when people like us band together, we'll achieve something meaningful in the end."
That's what I believed, walking the path of Fusion Neo-Confucianism.
"Grow stronger. Keep moving forward."
"...Hee hee. You're right."
Elise nodded, her face visibly lighter.
"We'll press on. There's nothing to doubt. It was horrific. But it's something that always happens, and we always try to stop it. Someday, we'll achieve our goals."
"Exactly. We're destined to win in the end. Relax."
Justice always triumphs. Those on the side of justice must never doubt that.
"And above all, we are!!!"
"Divine Friends!!!"
"I'll protect justice on behalf of the Brass Celestial Society!"
"And I'll do the same!"
Once I head to the capital and tackle the Saintess Cardia's directives in earnest, we'll uncover plenty. My own strength will grow, too.
Next time I meet Elise, we can share intel and cooperate to crush these bastards even easier.
"It's a shame the Saint receives the Brass Celestial Society's protection, but in the end, nothing changes."
Elise said with a smile.
Seeing her face brought back memories of that terrified expression from before.
"Heh heh heh, I told you I didn't convert. The only god I believe in is our ethnic deity Hwanung."
"Hee hee, is that so."
Anyway, now it was time to send Elise off and head back to the Church. She wouldn't leave until the official documents arrived anyway, so no need for rushed goodbyes.
"Alright, head inside and rest. I need to talk with the Saintess. I'll bring the documents when they're ready."
"Thank you. I'll wait for them."
"Heh heh heh, sure. Ah, I was hoping to visit sometime soon, but things look busy starting tomorrow."
For the time being, I wouldn't be stepping out much. Maybe only to see Liz or something.
"Busy, you say?"
Elise asked, puzzled.
"If something new has come up, I'd be happy to join you."
"Nah, nothing like that. Just been on so many trips lately that I need to hole up at home for a bit. My wives have been complaining a lot about me being out too much."
"Ah..."
Elise's mouth fell open, her face flushing red.
"Your wives... You need to spend time with Lady Claudia and Winia..."
"Heh heh heh, yeah. I'm a married man, after all."
Truth be told, I was terrified of what Karin might say. Coming back later than planned was fatally bad. Risha must have been disappointed, too.
"...With two of them, doesn't it get overwhelming?"
Suddenly, Elise asked cautiously.
I knew my situation was unusual.
But it wasn't tough, and five was no problem.
"Not overwhelming. But it's not two."
"Pardon?"
"Heh heh heh, actually, it's five."
"...?"
Elise looked baffled.
My wives had already grown from two to five.
Even I could hardly believe it. No wonder Elise was shocked.
"Saint?"
But this was something I could share with my Divine Friend.
"Yeah?"
"Five... What do you mean?"
"I've got five wives now. Somehow ended up adding three more. Paladin prestige, I guess."
Elise's expression changed in an instant.
"..."
Her eyes widened, pupils contracting as she fixed me with a stare. For some reason, dark shadows seemed to creep across her face.
W-what?
"Elise...?"
It was the exact same look she'd had when she misunderstood my Brass Celestial Society battle priest armor last time. Overcome with dread, I stood frozen, staring back at her.
"Saint."
"Y-yeah?"
Elise called my name coldly.
"Five, you said?"
"Uh... yeah, just now. What's wrong...?"
For some reason, sweat was pouring down my back.
Had Elise gotten much stronger lately? Her mere presence was overwhelming me, a warrior honed to razor sharpness.
What the hell is this...!
"..."
Elise shut her mouth and continued staring at me with that ominous look.
Me...!
Don't look at me like that!!!!
I couldn't handle this gaze from Elise! It felt like I'd done something terribly wrong. Was polygamy against Radiant Cross Society doctrine or something?!
"The Saint is truly just and faithful."
What?
"But you seem overly fond of women."
"D-does it come off that way?"
With five wives, yeah, it sure looked like I was chasing skirts, just as she said.
No room for excuses.
"Saint."
"Y-yes, Elise?"
Her eyes bulged wide. Pupils shrunken. Light faded from her gaze, shadows draping her face.
Step.
Elise took a step closer, looking up at me with that terrifying glare.
"It's natural and human to desire the opposite sex. But if it's excessive..."
"Ex-excessive?"
"Then problems arise naturally, don't they?"
"Ah."
A lecture...!
Elise was lecturing me out of concern!
Nothing more fatal than woman troubles!
"Of course, I don't think you'd cause issues. For someone as truly faithful as you, women being drawn to you is only natural."
I stood at attention, attentively listening as Elise kept leaning in closer. Her demeanor was scary, but her intentions were touching.
"Still."
"Gasp...!"
Finally on tiptoes, Elise grabbed my collar, pulled me close, and spoke in an icy tone.
"Wouldn't it be better to show a little restraint?"
...Our breaths nearly touched, but no warmth reached me at all.
"..."
She held my gaze a moment longer, then released me.
She straightened her clothes and turned away.
"Saint, I'll take my leave now. Thank you so much for this. We'll meet again when the documents arrive. Rest well and recover your strength—you've earned it."
"Uh..."
"Farewell."
With that, Elise walked briskly toward the opposite side of the Church.
I could only watch her retreating back.
"What the hell...!"
Elise is too scary...!
Thump thump.
My heart was racing hard. I took slow, deep breaths to calm myself. Right, Elise was a devout believer. Strictly speaking, falling for temptations of the flesh was no different from corruption.
She must have spoken so fiercely out of worry for me.
Truly, we were genuine Divine Friends.
"Leh-fay..."
Anyway, I composed myself and re-entered the Church.
Next time the documents came, I'd deliver them to Elise.
Heading straight to the chapel, I found Baccarel and our scout team discussing documents with Saintess Cardia.
"The Paladin's here. Captain Baccarel, compile this properly and relay it to the congregation."
"Understood! I'll ensure everyone gets the full details."
Baccarel responded energetically, leading his scouts toward me at the door.
They smiled and waved.
"Great work, Paladin!"
"You did well."
"Hard work out there."
I exchanged brief greetings.
"Heh heh heh, you all did great too."
Soon they all filed out, and the chapel doors closed.
Saintess Cardia, seated, turned to me and beckoned with a finger.
"Paladin. Come here."
"Yes."
The chapel was like any church: a central aisle with red carpet, flanked by rows of long wooden pews.
Saintess Cardia lounged in the backmost pew.
Should I sit next to her? That'd look kinda funny.
"Planning to stand?"
"Pardon? No, just deciding where."
"Next to me will do."
"Next to you?"
"You accomplished something huge. A little reward is in order."
"Heh heh heh, you do love that sort of thing."
If she said sit, I sat.
Slide.
Saintess Cardia shifted over, making space. I took the seat. Sitting side by side with the Saintess—this was a real reward.
"...It was inevitable that this Saintess came to Isvant."
She turned her head toward me.
"Far from the capital, the heretics are getting bold. Of course, similar things happened near the capital too. But those were just small fry."
"Small fry?"
"Plague Gods, nameless demons, anti-mana zealots. Arkel School, New World Peace Gospel Society."
She listed them calmly. From context, heretics, cults, or anti-government groups.
"Those guys are heretics too?"
"Similar sorts. Beyond worshiping evil gods, demon kings, or demons, any group preaching the absurd, the false, or the wicked has always been marked for extermination by the Church."
Basically, anyone stirring chaos gets lumped in as heretics.
"They weren't that big. The Church's forces alone could investigate and wipe them out. Proximity to the capital made response easy. But after this incident, it won't be so simple."
I thought the same.
This was the boonies.
"Me too. The lunatics running that facility weren't small-time. They must be tied to nobles or rich merchants—takes serious capital for that."
"You grasp it well."
She nodded.
"As expected of this Saintess's direct Paladin. Yes, I suspected the same."
