Chapter 85
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Zombie Parade
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It was time for the sunset.
As always, when returning to the city, the sky was tinged orange, making him feel weary. Orange was the color symbolizing fatigue, after all. The uniquely cozy air made his eyes heavy, as if they might close at any moment.
However, the city was overflowing with festive energy, with lanterns lit everywhere.
Priests calling out to passersby, nuns singing hymns, and even bare-chested, muscular holy knights performing impromptu street magic shows. Religious figures of all kinds were endlessly fueling the city's fervor.
"Sister Barrett is waiting, so I should head back now. Thanks to you, Holy One, it was a pious day. I'm truly grateful."
Elise stopped and bowed with a smile. He decided not to dwell on how she could smile like that even after her armor was soaked in the undeads' black blood. As long as she was happy with it, that was fine.
"No need to thank me for that."
"Until next time."
"Yeah. Say hi to your sister for me."
"...Uh, my sister?"
Mentioning her sister to tease her made Elise's face flush red instantly.
"Just kidding. Take care."
"...See you."
She hurried off.
Her quick steps showed she was embarrassed.
"Hmm."
After the farewell, Claudia wrapped her arm around his waist and spoke in a seductive voice.
"Shall we head back to the room?"
"Uh... let's wander around a bit first before going in."
It was better to go in late, closer to midnight.
Going now would just mean getting drained until midnight and then passing out. To preserve his stamina, he needed to delay as much as possible. His bedtime was pretty much fixed anyway.
She was a wild half-dark elf, like a bucking stallion. He had to stall to minimize the time she'd suck him dry.
"Sure, let's do that."
Under the sunset sky lit by lanterns, he strolled the streets with Claudia. Delicious aromas wafted from the religious stalls. They were selling wine and skewers for talants. They looked so damn good his mouth watered.
"Ah, I'm hungry."
However, the civilian-run shops seemed to be struggling. For every person enjoying the festival, there were shadows where others were overlooked. The civilian stalls contrasted sharply with the bright city vibe, exuding a dark mood.
To save talants, he bought bird skewers from a civilian cart with cash.
The owner grumbled about how the religious folks were killing his business.
What could he say besides "that's too bad"?
Life had its ups and downs.
"Thanks."
He handed one skewer to Claudia and chewed as they walked.
"Fuck, it's undercooked."
Biting into both chunks at once, they were raw.
No wonder business sucked. Fucking idiot.
"I prefer it undercooked."
"Yeah? Honestly, I do too. This is damn good."
"Hehe, what?"
He had his eye on something, so they headed to the Salvation Paradise Church.
The Salvation Paradise Church, worshippers of the Radiant God Sertoga, was sponsoring the festival and displaying holy relics as prizes.
He'd spotted a few he wanted. He was anxious someone might snag them, so he needed to check. If they were sold, it'd kill his motivation.
"Welcome, pilgrims!"
"The Radiant God watches over you!"
"Undead material exchanges over here!"
Even near nightfall, the priests' energy was sky-high.
Despite clearly working overtime, their faces beamed with genuine joy from deep within. They were truly enjoying the festival, just in their own way.
Their fervor resembled that of fanatics who unwaveringly believed massacring undead would usher in a better world. Their passion was so intense it felt scorching.
Better just browse quickly and leave.
The crowd was thick, so he gripped Claudia's hand tightly and led her through.
Then he belted out dramatically.
"You're my woman! You're my womaaan!"
"Ka-Katt?"
"I'll call you 'youu'!"
"S-stop! Everyone's staring!"
To clear a path, he sang loudly on purpose. As expected, the crowd parted like the Red Sea. Gripping Claudia's lowered head's hand, he crossed through.
"Hmph, still crowded."
"Ugh... don't do weird stuff."
"Weird? That was a public display of affection."
"N-no! So please don't sing!"
"I'll let it slide this once."
The church courtyard was packed too. But the displays were neatly arranged, making it easy to check items. From consumables to gear, accessories, and sundries—all temptingly laid out.
Each one made his mouth water.
"Holy leather gloves with Lord Sertoga's emblem for 20 talants!"
"How about a glass of wine?"
"Get a holy knight's axe for 40 talants!"
"New converts get 5 talants free~! Anyone, please come~."
Nuns and priests hawked goods at the top of their lungs.
It felt oddly nostalgic, like folks back home pushing kimchi on foreigners. The bastards probably wanted to eat kimchi with talants too.
"Ah, shit. Sold out? Sold out?"
He lacked leg armor, so he was after the "[Salvation Paradise Church's Greaves Blessed by the First Morning Sunlight]." At 120 talants, it was pricey, but the stylish, practical greaves were irresistible. That was his goal. Buying that holy water bottle midway stung.
"Ah, there it is!"
The greaves were still there, gleaming proudly on high display. The high price kept buyers away. Good. He prayed no one bought it.
"Hmm, that sword looks nice."
Claudia was browsing too, drawn to blades. A unique saber with a cup hilt embossed with holy symbols. Price... don't ask. Expensive.
"You there, the tall one!"
Someone called the tall guy. He was the only tall one, so he looked around. A nun waved.
"Me?"
"Yes! Come here!"
The nun confirmed with eye contact and beckoned.
He approached.
"Interested in accessories? Right?"
She handled jewelry. Necklaces, rings, bracelets with religious motifs looked decent.
But here's the thing: he was Buddhist, so not really tempted.
"How about this ring?"
"A ring?"
"Yes! Rings! This pair is for lovers—guaranteed eternal happiness! Rare chance for just 40 talants!"
"Eternal happiness" was sales bullshit, but the silver rings looked pretty nice. Would Claudia like them? She wore lots of earrings; probably rings too. 40 talants wasn't impossible.
Not right now, though. He only had 20.
"Sounds good, but I'm a bit short on talants."
"Oh, I see."
Her attitude iced over instantly, calling another customer.
What the hell, bitch?
"Claudia, let's..."
"You! You!"
As he turned to leave, a bare-chested, muscular middle-aged man stopped him. A church-issue longsword hung at his waist—definitely a holy knight.
"You've got an amazing build!"
"Uh... yeah?"
The man's face was flushed. Just a musclehead drunk?
"And tall! Such a robust frame!"
With booming energy, he thrust a book at him, depicting a buff nude man in detail. Title: "[Essential Educational Guide on Holy Body Training for Devout Holy Knights - By Saint Carlson Cradett Cuthbert]."
What the fuck is this crazy book?
"Interested in holy knight training? Right now, just 5 talants for this manual!"
No interest, you stoned fuck.
"Not interested."
"Come on! Your skeleton is perfect!"
"No, no talants."
"Then why come here!"
"To see what's for sale."
"Perfect timing! Selling this training manual!"
This guy was nuts.
"No, fuck off, I don't need it."
"Come on!"
"Cl- Claudia!"
The man grabbed his shoulder menacingly; he freaked and called for Claudia.
"Yeah? Leaving now?"
"Let's go quick!"
Grabbing her hand, he fled the Salvation Paradise Church. "You! You!" echoed behind like a yokai's call that turns you to stone if you look back, but he ignored it with superhuman willpower.
"Huff! Huff! Close call!"
"What happened?"
"A musclehead groped me!"
"..."
"Anyway, let's eat before heading in. One skewer isn't enough."
"Sure, okay?"
He didn't ask what she wanted. Lately, she'd been pushing stamina foods on him. He'd blink and they'd only order those. Tonight, plain soup.
"Let's get soup."
Those foods were pricey, so soup it was. He never thought eating would bankrupt him, but at this rate, ruin awaited.
After dinner, the sky was pitch black. Streetlights kept it from total dark. In that mood, Claudia clung to his arm.
"Now to the inn to rest?"
"..."
Rest? No chance.
Night work was just starting.
Heading warmly to the inn.
"Hey, barbarian thug!"
From the shadows, Kobson crawled out.
Actually crawled.
Suppressing the urge to fall over in shock, he rubbed his eyes. Yep, crawling.
"Help me up, will ya?"
"Wh-wh-what the fuck! Who beat your ass, you fucker!"
He looked so thrashed he panicked and hauled him up.
"Calm down, barbarian. Drank too much; world's spinning."
"Ah."
He was wasted. Looked like he'd been drinking all day. Kobson was a legendary boozer, pouring earnings into booze.
"Heh heh, blew all my talants. Wanna do undead purge tomorrow?"
"You getting up tomorrow?"
"What're you saying? I'm a farm boy. Hangover's nothing."
No idea how farm boy related to hangovers, but he was smashed. Probably didn't know what he was saying.
Where to dump this guy... Crawling meant carrying him...
"Ow!"
Claudia poked his waist.
She mouthed "ditch him" with a pissed expression.
Fine, ditch it is.
"Alright, see ya tomorrow. Meet at the gate in the morning."
"I'll be there. Ugh, take me to my inn... Hey, where you rushing off to?"
Claudia dragged him to the inn like a lioness with prey.