Chapter 82
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Zombie Parade
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The Radiant Cross Society was an extremely violent religious order that worshipped the god of order, Aizomart. They were fanatical holy warriors with a grand mission to slay evil monsters, send their souls to their god, purify the world, and bring about paradise.
It was only natural that such lunatics would participate in this insane festival. Elise approached, set her bundle down on the ground, and greeted us.
"Meeting you so often like this makes me feel like we have a great connection."
Peeking out from between the bundles were what looked like weapons and armor. They were probably sponsorship items sent by the Radiant Cross Society for the festival. As expected from religious thugs, they appeared to be extremely lethal armaments. Quite tempting, indeed.
"But who's this behind you?"
Elise directed a curious glance toward Claudy.
"Ah, this is my girlfriend. Claudy, this is Elise, my friend."
I simply introduced Claudy as my girlfriend. Elise extended a handshake to Claudy with her usual expressionless face.
"I sense an incredibly strong power. Nice to meet you. I'm Elise, a junior nun of the Radiant Cross Society."
"Really? Nice to meet you too. I'm Claudy. Can I just call you Elise?"
"Call me whatever you like. But... I sense the power of another god. If I may ask, do you follow a particular religion?"
"Hel-Kan. Know it?"
"I see. I've heard of the faith that worships the Night Heaven Battle God. Anyway, since you're the Saint's girlfriend, you must be a good person. Nice to meet you."
"Saint?"
"Saint" was a term for someone walking a holy path, often used to honor followers of any religion.
Honestly, I didn't believe in this world's religions, so it wasn't a title I had much connection to. But after helping Elise with her church missions twice, that's what they called me. I explained it to Claudy like that.
"Ah, I happened to help with Elise's church missions a couple times, so they started calling me that."
"I see. Hmm... Well, doesn't matter. I thought you were hiding some religion or something."
"As if. I'm a man with no secrets."
The only thing I was hiding from Claudy was the shocking fact that I wasn't some barbarian immigrant, but an ordinary drifter from another dimension.
Well, aside from that, my true identity is actually the section chief... just kidding.
Claudy was hiding her age from me too, so we were even. Honestly, it was eating me up inside. I didn't care how old she was—just tell me already.
I wouldn't mind even if she was over 100.
She was half-elf anyway, so I could be generous about that much.
"Saint Katt, are you planning to go purify the undead now?"
Elise asked in a tone brimming with excitement, unusually high-energy for her. Classic Elise.
"Yeah. Gotta collect that dalant."
My guess was that the dream scenario of mass-exterminating undead had ignited her destructive urges.
But judging by the bundle she'd brought, she was here more to sponsor religious goods and promote her faith than to fight directly. Would she even enjoy the festival? She might just end up manning a stall the whole time.
That would be terribly harsh for her.
"In that case, please come visit our stall. We've brought plenty of good sponsorship items. I'm sure you'll find them interesting."
"Will do."
With greetings wrapping up, we turned to head out.
Then Elise's gaze fixed on the city gate. It was like a girl confined indoors by illness, sadly yearning for children playing outside the window. I felt a chill of extreme dread.
The moment that little religious thug stepped into the zombie parade, it would turn into hell.
Even tough people get sick of fighting zombies after getting covered in rotten blood and guts, but Elise would smile through it with room to spare.
"Elise? Know her?"
Clack, clack.
Then, from behind Elise approached an extremely tall blonde nun. I was utterly flustered. It was the first time I'd seen a woman that tall.
Considering my height of 178cm, she seemed about my height or maybe 5cm taller.
The insignia on her armor marked her as Radiant Cross Society too. But was she really a nun? With heavy plate armor over her habit, she looked more like a holy knight. Hard to say.
"Ah, Sister Blaret. This is Saint Katt, the one I told you about. The one who helped with missions twice."
"Is that so?"
The nun called Blaret looked at me.
She was the quintessential blonde blue-eyed beauty. Her habit was layered with heavy plate armor. At her waist hung a sword that looked distinctly holy, contrasting with Elise's mace.
There was a prejudice that religious folk usually used blunt weapons, but apparently not always. The scabbard suggested it was an extremely high-quality blade. Probably a symbol of her status.
"Ho, you're quite tall. Nice to meet you. I'm Sera Blaret Arkserun, Seeker Paladin of the Radiant Cross Society."
"Pardon?"
What was her name?
The ridiculously long name stunned me.
"Sera is my given name, Blaret my baptismal name, and Arkserun my title. Just call me Sera."
She offered a handshake.
"Ah, my name's Kim Katt—no, just Katt. Nice to meet you. Are you Elise's superior?"
"Something like that. My rank is higher."
Her grip was incredibly strong during the handshake. Her shake overflowed with power. This was unmistakably a warrior's hand. As a paladin, she had to be insanely strong.
"I've heard a lot about you. Thank you for contributing to our Radiant Cross Society's growth and helping Elise."
"Nah, I was just doing it for the money."
"That aside, you're a tall man. Judging by your hair, you're from Mirkeshia? If I may ask, your religion..."
The atmosphere was turning ominous. Sera eyed me with sparkling interest, about to probe my faith.
"Sister Blaret. He has no religion."
Elise interjected, defending me.
"Is that so? Then this is the perfect chance to join our Radiant Cross Society..."
Despite Elise's efforts, Sera started proselytizing. If we stayed longer, it'd be trouble, so I grabbed Claudy's hand and pulled.
"Haha, I'll think about it later. Right now, I need to purify some zombies. Who knows, the undead might be reaching the city even as we speak."
"I see. My apologies. I didn't mean to hinder you."
"Nah, not at all. Anyway, nice meeting you."
I had no idea why these types always wanted to talk religion the moment they saw me. Come to think of it, back home, street preachers would approach me every time I walked a main road.
Did I emit some sucker aura or something?
No way in hell or heaven was I joining a religion.
"Hmm, a paladin, huh. Looks pretty strong. Radiant Cross Society? High class."
Pulling Claudy's hand, she paused to stare at Sera. Their gazes met. A religious war here would be bad.
"I sense a thick holy aura from you too, follower of Hel-Kan. It's been a while since I met a practitioner of your caliber."
They exchanged greetings, praised each other's martial prowess, and elevated it to casual chit-chat on religious views. As fellow powerful warriors, they hit it off.
Left sidelined without Claudy, I stuck by Elise.
Elise grumbled.
"I'd love to purify undead myself, but this mission is different... I was happy to be dispatched, but not like this."
"Whoa, you look so bummed."
"Very much so. Spreading this opportunity to the masses is good, but I can't help my personal disappointment."
"Well... hang in there. Your chance will come."
"I hope so."
Elise looked utterly deflated at not smashing undead. Women's emotions were hard to grasp. Living in this world, they all had inherent violent tendencies, it seemed.
"By the way, the culprit behind this undead surge is that necromancer who escaped from the dungeon, we've concluded. Seems like a pretty strong one. The church is pursuing him. That's why they're short-staffed."
"Ah, that guy from before?"
Last time in the Orcota Catacombs ossuary dungeon, we'd chased the necromancer but given up. Good call, from what I heard. The skeleton mage was fodder, but its maker might not be.
Anyway, we'd wasted too much time. Time to head out...
Looked like Claudy and Sera's talk was wrapping up.
Claudy seemed pleased. She smiled and called me.
"Katt, shall we go?"
"Yeah, let's head out."
Sera waved at me. I waved back and told Elise.
"Elise, I'll drop by after it's over."
"..."
Elise looked regretful. With her, undead wouldn't stand a chance, but she had duties. Next time, maybe.
Then Elise said to Sera.
"Um, Sister Blaret."
"Elise? Something to say?"
"Well, you see..."
Seeing Elise fumbling awkwardly was a first. Her usual blank face showing that was refreshing. Kids her age should have that charm.
"You really want to go purify undead, don't you?"
"That's not..."
"Heh heh, no need to say it. I get it."
Sera cleared her throat and continued.
"Nun Elise. You can go for today, then."
"R-Really, Sister Blaret?!"
Elise lit up with joy and shouted. First time seeing her emote like that.
"Of course. It's only the first day. Take it easy—that's best. I want to shake off travel fatigue too. It's fine. Just do me a favor later."
"Thank you! Sister Blaret!"
"Heh heh, not calling me big sis anymore?"
"..."
"What wouldn't I do for cute little Elise? Go on."
They seemed on great terms. Rumors painted Radiant Cross followers as merciless psychopaths, but up close, they were just normal people.
"...Thanks, Sera sis."
Elise hugged Sera. The height difference made it look like mom and child.
"Go smash those evil undead skulls, then. Have fun. I kinda want to taste some undead brains myself, but I'll rest today. Getting old is tough."
Sera patted Elise's back while spouting mad talk. Yep, I was right—they weren't right in the head. My body shuddered.
"Saint Katt! I request to join you!"
Elise turned to me beaming.
"Sure, fuck yeah, let's go."
And so, our party of three—me, Claudy, and Elise—headed out of the city.
Claudy looked serene, like she was on a stroll. Elise, buzzing with anticipation, drew her mace right away and scanned around.
Today's haul should be decent.