Chapter 435: To Deceive
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 435: To Deceive
‘The Pagan Saintess.’
I glanced at Jane, taking in her appearance. Her gaze was a little cautious, different from how she had looked at me before. Her blue eyes seemed to draw you in, and her golden hair, imbued with holy power, seemed to shine even brighter. Anyone would have thought her a saintess. But what caught my eye more than her appearance was the information she held.
[ Target - Jane ]
[ Status - Joy, Fulfillment ]
I’d already heard she was overjoyed when I said I wanted to see her, and indeed, a radiant smile bloomed on her face. It might have been a natural result of not having seen me for a long time, but the thought that she had grown that much more dependent on me made me tap the armrest of the Iron Throne and smile.
“Th-thank you.”
“If anything, I should be the one thanking you. I had hoped for it, but I never thought you would actually come over to our side.”
As I murmured, Baek Ahyeon, who was standing beside me, nodded.
“There has never been a case like this, O Savior. This is the first time I have seen someone change so desirably in such a short amount of time. Your revelation was true. As expected of you, Savior.”
“Your role was significant.”
“Thank you, Savior!”
Baek Ahyeon nodded, clenching her small fists with a look of accomplishment. In truth, all I had told her was to keep a close eye on Jane. I suspected that statement, too, would be greatly exaggerated in the retelling.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel pleased.
Things were working out better than I had expected. I thought we could win her over, but this was incredibly fast. Contrary to my plan, which had accounted for a longer timeframe, she was moving exactly as I’d intended.
[ Pagan Saintess. ]
[ Pagans also have their own Saintesses. This is a class created when those previously called Saintesses undergo a ritual of corruption and conversion. Their voice becomes imbued with power, along with immense holy power. The probability of converting others increases, and in response to their firm will and faith, they come to possess holy power that surpasses that of existing priests. ]
That was the new class she had obtained.
‘Nice.’
Her holy power had indeed increased. It was likely the effect of her faith in me growing stronger than her faith in the Goddess of Mercy. It made sense. Unlike the goddess, who had no physical form, the object of her current faith most certainly did.
Though it was a hell of my own making, I, who had saved her from that hell and given her peace, truly existed. It was no surprise that she showed such strong faith in me. I didn’t know what conversations had taken place inside, but along with her class change, her unique ability had also been altered.
Her original unique ability amplified the healing effects on a target, which explained how she had shown an efficiency similar to Baek Ahyeon’s despite having less holy power. Her new ability was a bit more outlandish.
[ Bronze Bull ]
[ Summons a golden bull made of holy power. The size of the bull increases in proportion to the amount of holy power consumed. The user's holy power and holy power recovery rate increase in proportion to the number of people swallowed by this sentient beast. ]
Even I was stunned when I first heard of the ability. Here, it was possible for spirits and even some summoners to summon familiars. But I had never heard of a priest bringing a summon along.
Come to think of it, I’d heard that the Half-Minotaur Wingrin had also recently acquired a unique ability to summon a familiar that looked like a dairy cow.
I wanted to see it, but I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble. There would probably be a chance to see it later.
I looked at her and spoke again.
“So, you won’t be returning to where you were before.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“It’s not just about the people here. There must be others on the continent with whom you have ties. Family, close friends, or perhaps a lover.”
“A-a lover! I don’t have a lover…”
After blurting it out, she hung her head low.
“You don’t have to hide it, Jane. Our faith does not forbid marriage.”
“Ah… yes, Lady Baek Ahyeon. B-but… I have committed myself to the Savior. I’ve realized how meaningless my past connections were, and I have no intention of forming new relationships with lovers or anyone else. I feel the greatest peace and happiness right here where I am now.”
“Saintess Jane…”
Baek Ahyeon looked deeply moved. Jane, in turn, sent a grateful look to Baek Ahyeon. It was an understandable reaction, as leading a large faith must have been incredibly difficult, but she looked at Jane as if gazing upon a daughter she had raised with her own hands.
I hoped it was just my imagination, but I started to feel a sense of unease. The synergy between Choi Seulgi, Baek Ahyeon, and Jung Hayeon was already dangerous enough. I wasn’t sure if the newly awakened Jane would fit in well here, but the fact that she had grown close to Baek Ahyeon was enough to make it a possibility.
Baek Ahyeon nodded as if she had made a decision. I forced myself to turn my gaze back to Jane.
Her eyes didn’t waver; there was no lie in her words. But she needed to go outside. Of course, her base of operations would remain here with me, but she needed to go into the small cities scattered across the Western Continent and do what I wanted. I looked at Jane and continued.
“Then what are your plans from now on?”
“I haven’t planned anything specific… It will be as usual. Just… just being by the Savior’s side will make me very happy. I intend to decide my path according to your will.”
A satisfactory answer.
“After some time has passed, you may have to go outside.”
“What?!”
Sadness instantly clouded Jane’s face. She seemed to be having trouble understanding what she had just heard. It was only natural for her to be flustered at being told to leave so suddenly. It might have sounded like I was releasing her, but for someone who now considered this place her home, it was by no means welcome news.
“D-did I do something wrong… F-forgive me…”
“Saintess Jane, please calm down. That is not what the Savior meant.”
I gave a slight nod.
“Baek Ahyeon is right. I’m saying there is a job you must do. You may, of course, return whenever you wish to rest or come back. There will likely be work for you soon.”
As I broached the subject, Baek Ahyeon immediately followed up.
“Saintess Jane, what are your current thoughts on the Western Continent?”
“That is…”
“They are corrupt. All humans are the same, but the West is particularly contaminated. Didn’t yesterday’s events make you realize many things?”
“Yes, th-that’s right.”
“Ignorance is not a sin. On this vast continent, there are still many who have not been corrupted and have maintained their purity.”
“Ah…”
“The Purification Ritual is a very effective method, but it requires enduring a small amount of pain.”
I wouldn’t have called it a small amount of pain. The act they called the Purification Ritual drove a person to the very depths of hell. Only after continuously experiencing the greatest imaginable pain were they forgiven for the sins they had committed.
“Ordinary people would never be able to withstand such a ritual. That is why the Savior has chosen you, Saintess Jane.”
“Ah…”
“Yes. Your role, Saintess Jane, is to preach the greatness of the Savior to those humans who have not yet sinned and to proselytize. I understand that the time away from the Savior will be agonizing. I, too, spent a great deal of time alone in the past.”
“……”
I had nothing to say to that sad look in her eyes. It was true that Baek Ahyeon had spent more time away from me than with me.
First, it was to gain other followers, and then it was because of the grand temple in the East. Of course, thanks to her bloody efforts, the faith had grown to an unimaginable size, but that didn’t mean I didn’t feel sorry for her.
It was the same for everyone who supported me, but without Baek Ahyeon, I would never have come this far.
“However, it is a pain that can naturally be endured for the Savior’s sake. In your case, Saintess Jane, he has promised to arrange time for you to return and rest, so you could say your situation is better than mine was. The harder you work, the more pleased the Savior will be. You might even receive a great reward. Just as I did.”
A bright smile spread across Baek Ahyeon’s face. I hadn’t even decided what kind of reward I would give, but her saying that was likely born from a desire for Jane to work even harder.
Of course.
The effect was tremendous.
“A reward… a reward…”
“Yes, Saintess Jane. The stigmata I received before. Who knows? You, too, might receive a stigmata in a sacred place.”
I wasn’t planning on giving such a stigmata as a reward. But it was quite surprising to hear Baek Ahyeon say that. I thought it was a reaction she, who was so prone to jealousy, could never show. Of course, the answer was surprisingly simple. I realized it was very similar to how she didn’t feel much jealousy toward Choi Seulgi, Jung Hayeon, or even Mev.
In the case of the Pagan Saintess, Jane, she was someone who had come into Baek Ahyeon’s fold.
Baek Ahyeon clearly defined Jane as an ally. I thought she might be remembering the older sister who had died in her place. There was no evidence, of course, but for some reason, that’s how it felt.
“I-I’ll do it!”
It felt as if Jane’s eyes had instantly come alive. Baek Ahyeon nodded again with a satisfied expression.
“A wise choice, Saintess Jane.”
“There is still much time before the great event, so you need only cherish that resolve in your heart for now.”
The meeting seemed to be wrapping up. As the time came, Baek Ahyeon began to look at me with an expectant expression. She seemed to be hoping for physical affection as usual, but her expression was somewhat ambiguous. It felt like she wanted me to do something for Jane, not for herself. I could see her gazing at Jane with an incredibly pleased look.
It would be a lie to say I had no ulterior motives. As I nodded, Jane glanced at Baek Ahyeon and began to approach the Iron Throne. Just as I had before, I wrapped my tail around her waist and kissed her neck.
“Agh… ah…”
Jane’s trembling form was almost pitiful to watch. There was no jealousy in Baek Ahyeon’s eyes. After letting out a sigh of relief, I kissed the lips of Baek Ahyeon, who was waiting for her turn, and with that, the meeting concluded.
The preparations were complete. All that was left was to launch. I smiled faintly and sent the signal to the one awaiting my command.