Chapter 23: Going Out
Chapter 23: Going Out
Majin. Hearing the name alone, one might mistake them for monsters that charge blindly into the fray, but in reality, they are not much different from ordinary humans.
They are perfectly intelligent beings capable of reason, and becoming a Majin rarely requires one to abandon their previous life, except in a few specific cases. It is simply that their racial classification has shifted closer to that of the Demon Race.
There are several ways for a human to become a Majin. One might enter a direct contract by being imprinted with a Lust Crest, like Valerie; one might absorb demonic energy into their body due to various circumstances; or one might forge a contract with the Blood Throne.
The Blood Throne is an artifact of the Demon Race that only a Demon Lord can sit upon, and it serves to define the boundaries of the race itself. It involves a soul contract sealed by dropping one’s blood into a chalice placed upon the throne.
By swearing to share the fate of an individual or a group with the Demon Race, a member of any race can become part of them. If Sinclair had wished to become a member of the Demon Race, she could have done so despite being an Elf.
For this reason, many among the Demon Race were originally human; these individuals are all referred to as Majin after contracting with the Blood Throne.
Most often, these were refugees persecuted by the Empire or those defeated in war. In other cases, entire tribal societies that found common ground with the Demon Race would choose to become Majin.
The Snow Noble Tribe, who are counted among the Six Great Races, were a nomadic people of the north who integrated into the Demon Race by contracting with the Blood Throne, thus becoming Majin.
Thanks to the Blood Throne, their lifespans were slightly extended and their physical abilities enhanced. They were a specialized warrior tribe, producing Demon Lords even more frequently than the Lust Demons.
Seeing them visit the markets of Verita to buy supplies was quite intimidating, yet they could be seen engaging in trade with local merchants using surprisingly eloquent speech.
Thinking of it that way, it was sometimes hard to understand why the "Demon" in "Demon Race" used the character for "evil spirit." Based on Jaejin's conversations with Lena and other races, there wasn't a single race cruel enough to truly deserve such an ominous name.
Regardless, even after becoming a Majin, one wouldn't necessarily fall outside the human category and could continue their previous life. However, Valerie, who had shattered the Saintess's Blessing and become a Majin while holding the status of a nun, could not.
If she were to flee to a convent in the Holy Kingdom right now, she would immediately be targeted for execution, lose her life, and be remembered forever as a disgrace to her family.
For that reason, it was only natural for Valerie to stay at Lakeside, and she needed an excuse to send to the Holy Kingdom to smooth over her original mission of investigating the Beni Monastery.
"Then our diocese will support the Saintess Faction. If we, who are neutral, take action, it will provide a sufficient pretext to keep Valerie here."
"Is that true, Lady Sinclair!?"
Valerie’s face, which had been a mask of misery ever since she became a Majin, brightened instantly. Because of her own foolishness, she had failed to maintain her loyalty to the Saintess and had instead become a burden; she had even been considering taking her own life.
Since the passing of the previous Pope, the Saintess Faction had been consistently pushed back in the power struggle against the two Archbishops. They were truly like a candle in the wind.
The only reason the embers hadn't been extinguished yet was the fact that the late Pope had supported the Saintess and the unique nature of the Saintess herself.
In such a situation, the news that Sinclair, the Bishop of the Northern Diocese who had maintained neutrality under all circumstances, would support the Saintess Faction would be a tremendous source of strength.
"Of course, there are many details to negotiate, but for now, I will send word that such is the case. Until then, Sister Valerie, you must work here."
"I shall devote my entire being to my work."
Valerie rejoiced more at the news of supporting the Saintess than at the fact that this was the Demon God Cult or that she had become a Majin. The fact that Sinclair was an Elf rather than a member of the Demon Race likely played a part in earning her trust.
Afterward, it was decided that Rebecca would act as a senior to train and educate Valerie so she could easily adapt as a nun of the Demon God Cult.
Or so Rebecca had told him. Jaejin had been asleep the entire time those events were unfolding. Even with the power of Demonization, a full day of edging and eleven ejaculations had been taxing.
The moment Jaejin realized Valerie had become a Majin and his goal was accomplished, he had collapsed into sleep. He had been out cold for nearly twelve hours, as if trying to release all the fatigue accumulated over the past few days in one go, before finally opening his eyes.
"I think I'll go out today."
"Oh my, do you want to do it outside?"
"In your dreams. I'm going to get some proper rest today."
While eating breakfast in the monastery's dining hall, Jaejin decided to enjoy a long-overdue vacation. Since coming to this other world, he couldn't remember a single time he had rested with a peaceful mind.
It wasn't that his life had been incredibly rigid, but between daily training, studying, and having at least one session with Lena and Demonization every day, he hadn't had a chance to just take a day off and relax.
As he discussed his plans for the outing with Lena, Sheryl, who was sitting nearby, gave Jaejin a quiet glare before clearing her dishes and leaving the dining hall.
"She's been acting awfully awkward lately."
"I agree. Sheryl is a shy girl, but still..."
While Jaejin had been dealing with Rebecca and Valerie back-to-back, Sheryl had been acting on her own, and at some point, it had become difficult to even strike up a conversation with her.
Thinking that she must have her own circumstances as a Demon Lord Candidate of the Three-Eyed Tribe, Jaejin decided not to worry about it too much.
And so, he stepped out into the streets of Lakeside for the first time. As expected of a trade city on a weekend morning, it was teeming with people.
Lakeside, also known as a city of adventurers, was home to a branch of the Adventurer's Guild and many other guilds. The streets were crowded with shops selling goods for adventurers and the adventurers themselves looking to use them.
A warrior carrying a massive greatsword like something out of a fantasy novel, a mage walking with a staff as a cane, beastmen swordsmen—who were common among both humans and the Demon Race—and figures who looked like hooded rogues.
Jaejin couldn't take his eyes off the continuous stream of exotic scenery that changed with every block he crossed.
The merchants were exceptionally kind. He bought a kebab-like food—thinly sliced meat wrapped in flatbread—from a street vendor, and someone even offered him clothes at a bargain price.
It was only then that Jaejin realized he was drawing the attention of those around him. To be precise, men and women alike were staring at Lena, who was walking beside him in her nun's habit.
"Hehe, it's quite a bother being so popular."
Originally, nun's habits were designed to hide the body's shape to prevent lustful thoughts. However, the habit Lena wore was tailored to reveal her figure, making it clear that her breasts, which were nearly the size of her head, swayed with every step.
With her long blonde hair and stunning features, every time she took a confident stride with her long legs, her pelvis would peek through the high side slits.
Just by walking quietly beside Jaejin, she was drawing the gaze of every passerby.
"Well, you are beautiful..."
"Oh my, for Lord Jaejin to compliment me like that..."
As if delighted by Jaejin's sincere praise, Lena linked her arm with his and clung to him. She was already eye-catching enough, but engaging in physical intimacy while wearing a nun's habit was bound to leave an impression.
When Jaejin tried to gently push her away and soothe her, she pointed out a surprising fact.
"Did you know? Most of the people you see now are those who have been claimed by the Demon God Cult."
Having just passed the commercial district and entered the residential area, the people looking at them now were the residents of Lakeside.
The lecherous gazes some of them directed at Lena were the looks of those who knew the pleasure the nuns here provided.
"In the Demon God Cult, we either claim them one by one according to their tastes through confession, or we hold a secret festival called Walpurgisnacht once a quarter. They simply can't forget those times."
They sent sticky gazes Jaejin's way, looking envious that he was the one hearing sweet whispers in his ear from the pale pink lips of the blonde nun.
Being the target of their mixed gazes of jealousy and longing was almost painful.
"Ignore those looks. I belong only to you, Lord Jaejin, after all."
Lena tossed out words that made his heart race as if it were nothing. He almost forgot he was on the street and nearly let his pants bulge.
Looking around, it seemed Sinclair's claim that they had seduced half the male residents wasn't an exaggeration. The gazes weren't just staring because Lena was beautiful; the lustful looks he felt in the residential district were coming from everywhere.
And it wasn't limited to men. While the Beni Monastery specialized in men, in other cathedrals, the Lust Demons claimed other women, used submissive monks, or had the followers have sex under the guise of "study."
Even aside from the lustful looks, there were quite a few favorable ones. The Demon God Cult outwardly claimed to be a new religion and had many businesses that contributed to the local community, such as donations, volunteer work, and running orphanages.
Come to think of it, the merchants who had been so kind were likely acting that way because they saw Lena's nun's habit.
Upon returning from their outing, they were greeted by Bishop Sinclair. She and Lena shared a brief nod, as if they had already spoken.
"Shall we have a little chat, Lord Ginger?"