The Priest Gets a Real Education (1)
The loan shark who lent the money was demanding that he repay it with his body instead…… No deep thought was needed to guess what that meant. In a world where the roles of men and women were reversed, telling a man to "repay with his body" meant, without exception, selling his chastity.
"Could you just…… give me a little more time?"
Mirka surely didn't want to go through with something like that. Yet Amelia, the loan shark, just chattered on in a sly, mocking voice as if sneering at him.
"Come on now, why are you doing this? We've already been lenient by postponing payments for the past two years. And this church has a good reputation, so you must have plenty of donors, right?"
"Many people do visit us, but even more seek our help, so our expenses are considerable. That's why paying even the interest has been tough……"
"Aigoo, Brother Mirka~ Why act like you don't know better?"
Amelia strutted about arrogantly despite Mirka's distress, her hand roaming over his body with blatant greed.
"Faith is great. I like how you reach out to help the needy everywhere~ But in the end, did your faith really help those people? Or was it the money you borrowed from me?"
"Th-that's……"
"Don't paint me as the bad guy. I just lend and collect money strictly by the contract. I've been putting up with the delays, and now I'm reluctantly offering you a 'chance to repay with something other than money.' Isn't that pretty generous?"
Was there no rebuttal to her claims? Seeing Mirka stammer without a proper response, Amelia smirked in satisfaction—until her gaze drifted toward me.
"Ho, now that's a fine specimen."
She muttered as if appraising merchandise, flashing a thick smile and turning her attention my way.
"Of course~ If Brother Mirka really doesn't want to, we could use a proxy. This guy here looks sturdy and tough—probably gets calls from all over……"
"N-no!"
Mirka hurriedly blocked Amelia's hand as it reached for me. His face twisted in urgency and anger—emotions unthinkable for a noble cleric.
"This man is just a patient we're protecting at the church. He's essentially unrelated to us, so please don't drag him into this."
His words dripped with intent to shield me. Hearing them, Amelia's smile deepened, as if her plan had worked perfectly.
"Haha~ Fine, we can't involve others…… That means you'll take responsibility yourself, right?"
"……"
His words caught in his throat once more. But unlike before, he didn't even plead—likely because he'd resigned himself to his fate. He knew he couldn't delay anymore, and accepting the offer meant sinking into the mire.
"No need to drag this out. I'll come back to the church tonight. Prepare yourself in the meantime."
With that, the conversation ended. Amelia sauntered out, leaving a heavy silence in her wake. Mirka let out a deep sigh and turned to me with an awkwardly gentle smile.
"……Sorry you saw something embarrassing."
Just looking at him, I could tell: he was worried about me, a stranger he'd met today. He didn't want me tangled in his mess.
"Is the church in financial trouble?"
"Yes, unfortunately…… We get many seeking aid, so donations alone can't cover operations."
"No other place to ask for help? Like the lord, maybe……"
"The lord actually provided this place so our followers could proselytize and serve in the city. In exchange for our services to the residents, we get tax breaks—so we can't expect more favors."
Far from receiving investment, they were the ones paying taxes, making aid impossible. I'd hoped for another option, but……
"Besides, donations should come from goodwill, not coercion."
Was it his pure heart? Even in his predicament, this man of faith had ruled out begging others from the start. He'd sought a solution within his means, borrowing from the loan shark using himself as collateral. Now, unable to pay, he faced sacrificing his dignity and body. I couldn't help but feel pity for him.
He'd healed my wounds, and when the loan shark targeted me, he'd tried to protect me sincerely. I didn't want such a good man harmed in front of me.
"Don't worry about it."
Instead of fretting over him, Mirka gently reassured me in his refined voice.
"This is my problem. So please, Adrian, don't trouble yourself—just rest well today."
"But……"
"You have your own struggles, Adrian. It's hard enough dealing with them without forcing yourself to help others."
Don't strain yourself helping others? Hadn't he done exactly that and landed in this mess?
"Well, it's prayer time, so I'll be going……"
Before I could say more, he hurried off. Unable to bear the stifling silence in the room, I followed quietly. I didn't know exactly what to do yet, but I couldn't just leave him like this.
"……I pray to the Lord."
I'd trailed him to the church's prayer room. Peeking through the cracked door, I saw him kneeling devoutly before the altar.
"Please continue to provide warm food and shelter to all who come here, and grant them lives free from illness, famine, and the ravages of war."
His posture was unwavering, his prayer sincere. The profound goodness radiating from him proved his nobility—but I caught the faint anxiety and fear in his voice.
"And I humbly beseech You, Lord."
Mirka continued in that state.
"Grant me the courage to overcome the trials ahead."
"Even if my body is defiled…… let my heart remain pure. Give me strength so my devotion to You endures unbroken."
Hinting at the miserable fate awaiting him. And repeating his resolve over and over right there.
The city bustled with countless people daily, circulating vast wealth and goods. Excluding the royal capital, it was the kingdom's most prosperous city. With the wealthy multiplying, so did those drowning in debt or scraping by. Even now, back alleys overflowed with the homeless, unable to afford a meal or bed—and Mirka couldn't abandon them, choosing the path of priesthood.
His sole wish: provide warm meals and shelter to as many as possible.
But in this city, even one church couldn't keep up. In trying to save people, he'd done what a cleric never should.
Yes, tonight was just paying the price……
"Hehe, Brother Mirka. You here~?"
Snapped from his reminiscing, Mirka reluctantly welcomed the late-night visitor, Amelia, and led her inside.
"Come in."
"Yessir! Of course~ What we're about to do can't exactly be out in the open~"
Was this a shred of consideration? Mirka felt slight relief, but it was just a small mercy amid disaster. In bearing the unbearable, he'd lose what mattered most to her.
"The church is quiet~ No one else around?"
"I sent the followers home. Patients are in separate rooms with good soundproofing, so they won't hear anything."
"Hehe, lucky us. Wouldn't want interruptions for what comes next~"
Following Mirka deeper into the church, Amelia scanned the prayer room at the end and grinned wickedly.
"Hmm, spacious, and the irony fits perfectly…… Yeah, this spot's ideal."
"In the prayer room? N-no, my room would be……"
"Hey now, why fight it? You know I'm in charge here, Brother Mirka."
"……"
"Just endure it once. It's all for survival—I'm sure the Lord will forgive~"
Forgiveness? Could a devout believer commit such a sin—right before their god—and be absolved?
Mirka felt the sting of guilt, yet he couldn't defy Amelia further. Having failed the contract, he had no choice but to obey.
"Alright, before we start, let me explain~"
With Mirka standing reluctantly before her, Amelia unpacked her bag, setting devices around the prayer room.
Mana-powered recording orbs. Once activated, they captured everything in their lens, replayable as video via magic.
"From now on, Brother Mirka, you'll spend some intimate time with me. And it'll be recorded, distributed through my channels."
Not just captured in his shame, but sold to eager buyers. No different from broadcasting his humiliation worldwide. For a man, nothing more degrading—yet his situation forced him to accept it.
"Payment: all interest and principal wiped clean. One shoot erases every debt that's troubled you~!"
Just once. Soil his body once, and the debts trapping him vanish. With breathing room, he could aid even more people.
"Clear so far? Any questions?"
"……None."
"Great~ Let's begin. Strip and stand in front of this orb!"
At Amelia's command, Mirka reached for his habit. His trembling hands betrayed hesitation, but it faded quickly.
-Swish, rustle.
Layer by layer, his clothes fell away, revealing delicate, pristine skin. Still shielding his front, not fully ready, Amelia smirked excitedly and prompted him.
"Look here and introduce yourself first, okay?"
"……Do I have to?"
"It's crucial~ The audience needs to know the star."
He'd hoped they wouldn't recognize him. But this far in, no backing out—Mirka complied reluctantly.
"I-I'm Mirka. A brother at the church in Renes Territory."
"Ooh, perfect intro, Brother Mirka. Next question……"
Her lips curled into a wicked grin.
"Any experience with women?"
Mirka flinched at the question, then answered shyly.
"N-none."
Words to thrill any woman in this world.
"Never once been with a woman…… I'm a virgin."
Hearing that, Amelia thought: A video stealing the virginity of the cleric everyone admired would be a blockbuster, worth hundreds of times the loans she'd given.