Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Don Quixote (2)
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Holy Kingdom and vampires.
These two were locked in a relationship where fighting was inevitable, whether they liked it or not.
In countless works of fiction, they were always divided into good and evil, clashing endlessly.
Holy water and divine power countered vampires effectively.
And in turn, vampires slaughtered humans with their overwhelming regenerative abilities and strength.
However, in this world, it seemed a saintess from the past had driven the vampires away.
If Katiranya's explanation was true, then relations between the two groups must be at their absolute worst.
Katiranya glared at Hepiriya while holding her parasol.
This could turn into a real fight.
I quickly stepped in front of her to prevent that from happening.
And flashed an awkward smile to apologize.
"Haha, sorry about that. She has some bad memories."
"Oh, it's fine. I was just a bit startled."
Phew, what a relief.
I could feel Katiranya's killing intent diminish once I blocked her view.
Hepiriya wore an awkward smile too, but she didn't seem intent on making an issue of it.
And fortunately, she hadn't recognized Katiranya as a vampire.
If she had, I might have been branded a heretic myself.
No, I probably wouldn't have been able to step in like this in the first place.
Still, better safe than sorry, so I kept standing between them.
Even now, I could feel killing intent stabbing into my back in real time.
Knowing it wasn't directed at me didn't stop the cold sweat from trickling down.
I ignored Katiranya's aura as best I could and continued the conversation.
"Hepiriya, was it?"
"Oh my, you remember. I'm delighted, Lord Edn."
Lord Edn?
Maybe because she's a cleric of the Holy Kingdom?
Normally, people didn't use "Lord" unless you were nobility.
But it wasn't anything strange, so I accepted it graciously.
"Haha, the pleasure's mine."
Hepiriya unconsciously clasped her hands in front of her chest.
My gaze nearly locked on, but I mustered my willpower and looked away.
At the same time, Katiranya behind me came to mind.
For some reason, the term wealth gap popped into my head.
Hm, better not dwell on that—it's rude.
I changed the subject to clear my mind.
"Anyway, thank you for your help the other day. It all worked out thanks to you."
"I'm so glad. I was actually worried, so I prayed to the Goddess for you. She must have heard my prayers."
Hepiriya was genuinely happy, even though she hadn't witnessed it herself.
Her radiant smile forced me to avert my eyes.
"Ahem. So, what brings you here? Sightseeing again, like last time?"
"Ah, yes. Exactly. I heard there's this fascinating thing called a fountain pen. Rlangbur really has all sorts of wonders."
Wow, why does that sound so pointed?
Is this what they mean by a thief's heart quickens at the rustle of every leaf?
Even though she wasn't aiming at me, cold sweat dripped down anyway.
It was a different kind from Katiranya's killing intent.
"Haha, must be the Goddess's grace, right?"
"It just might be."
We exchanged pleasant smiles as we chatted.
I could still feel the glare from behind, but what could I do?
Still, I couldn't leave her out too long, so maybe it was time to wrap up.
Just as I was about to end the conversation, I noticed Hepiriya staring right at me.
She was still smiling, but her eyes had a sharp glint.
What? Did I do something wrong?
Did she hate how I portrayed religious figures in Sherlock Holmes?!
Or had she figured out I'm the original author of Sherlock Holmes and the fountain pen?!
I tried not to show my panic when Hepiriya spoke.
Her voice was firm, yet laced with concern.
"Lord Edn, are you doing alright lately?"
What was that supposed to mean?
I couldn't make sense of it, so my head tilted involuntarily.
She gave a small laugh in response.
"Looks like you are."
"Y-yeah, nothing bad going on. How about you, Miss Hepiriya?"
Still confused, I scratched the back of my head and asked.
She chuckled softly.
"I'm doing well too. Especially since I've been reading something quite entertaining lately."
Haha, that's my work.
Of course, I couldn't say that, but it bugged me that she kept bringing it up.
She hadn't really figured out I'm the author, had she?
It didn't seem like it, so I let my suspicions drop.
"Anyway, enjoy your sightseeing. No one would dare harm a cleric of the Holy Kingdom, but better safe than sorry."
"Thank you. May the Goddess bless you, Lord Edn."
I received her non-blessing blessing and we parted ways.
She said she was off to check out the fountain pens.
Now it was just Katiranya and me again.
"So, did you enjoy that?"
"Pardon?"
What was this now?
I turned to see Katiranya puffing out one cheek, looking sulky.
She looked up at me with an irritated tone.
"You were grinning like an idiot. Well, I suppose that damned Holy Kingdom wench is more to your liking than me."
"No, that's not—"
"Hmph, no excuses."
When did I grin like an idiot?
More importantly, why did this feel like getting chewed out by a girlfriend?
Something felt off, but I had to soothe her first.
I followed after her, working hard to cheer her up.
But this isn't the right way.
"Hmm, I can't let my guard down after all."
While Edn fumbled to placate Katiranya, Hepiriya secretly watched the two from afar.
She had sensed a strange aura from Katiranya.
An aura she'd never felt before in her life.
"I haven't even seen anything like it in the ancient tomes."
It was hard to describe precisely, but it was an utterly repulsive, sticky energy.
Even the forbidden texts she'd accessed as a saintess made no mention of it.
No one else in the Holy Kingdom had ever mentioned it either.
She didn't talk much with the archbishops, since they were locked in covert power struggles.
The Pope and cardinals had never told her about it.
Besides, the Holy Kingdom had so many enemies since ancient times that it was impossible to pinpoint one.
She could think of more than ten off the top of her head.
"No, I can't ignore this. Even if it's just a hunch, it feels too ominous."
The saintess decided to monitor Edn and his surroundings.
She simply couldn't overlook the energy emanating from Katiranya.
"Goddess, please let nothing come of this."
Hepiriya closed her eyes, clasped her hands, and prayed before heading straight to her inn.
To send a letter to the Holy Kingdom.
The contents were twofold: the suspicious incident she'd discovered in Rlangbur, and entrusting the surveillance of the archbishops to them for the time being.
Hepiriya hurried her steps, needing to send the letter quickly and start watching.
But Katiranya was giving her a side-eye.
She'd noticed the gaze to some extent but pretended not to as she continued to the inn.
Turning back would give her away.
"A damned Holy Kingdom lackey, as expected."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Let's hurry on."
But fooling Katiranya, who had lived for ages, was easier said than done.
She soon turned away and headed to Jenectra Publishing House with Edn.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ How long had we walked? We finally arrived at Jenectra.
All that was left was to hand over the manuscript, but one problem arose.
The protest in front of Jenectra had grown massively.
The intensity was similar, but the crowd was far larger than before.
"Whoa. That's the kind of turnout you see when some lord does something insane."
As I marveled at the protesters, Katiranya asked curiously from beside me.
"Edn. Isn't Rlangbur's lord from your own house?"
"Exactly. Since nothing like that's happened, this must just be a protest over not getting Sherlock Holmes."
"...What idle fools."
Katiranya looked at the fervent protesters with pity.
But there was nothing to be done about it.
They were just bored, after all.
When I explained, she made a subtle expression.
"I think I get it, but that doesn't make their actions any more comprehensible."
"Can't be helped. People are all different, right?"
"...People."
For some reason, Katiranya seemed to mull over my words.
It didn't show much on her face, but she wore a smile that was both pleased and bittersweet.
I didn't know why, but she didn't look thrilled.
Not wanting to dwell on those emotions, I quickly took her hand.
"Wh-what are you doing...?!"
"Sorry. But we need to push through."
I grabbed her startled, trembling hand and led her forward.
It also served to change the subject, but we had to hold hands anyway.
The protest was getting pretty heated.
Honestly, it no longer looked like fun and games—they seemed genuinely angry now.
The back entrance to the building had even been occupied.
We wouldn't get in without forcing our way through.
"They're still printing books steadily, though. Did people come from neighboring territories too?"
I couldn't help but marvel again.
Meanwhile, we started weaving through the crowd bit by bit.
I gripped her hand tightly so as not to lose her.
As we advanced, holding that small, cool hand, something amazing happened.
The eyes of the people blocking our path glazed over, and suddenly, like the parting of the Red Sea, they made way.
Stunned by the sudden turn, I blinked in confusion.
"What are you doing? Let's go."
"Did you do that?"
I turned to ask, and she proudly puffed out her flat chest.
"Who else? You couldn't even manage it, could you, mage?"
No, I just didn't do it.
You know I don't even have an Inner Realm!
It was probably just a joke without much thought, but it felt absurd.
While I stood there frozen, Katiranya took the lead.
Just moments ago I'd been guiding her; now she was guiding me.
I looked at her small back and said,
"Well, whatever. Thanks. Honestly, I was wondering if we'd make it inside today."
I'd received real help, after all.
Katiranya shrugged it off nonchalantly.
"Think nothing of it. I did it because I wanted to. Besides, I'm a guest of Rlangbur, aren't I? No need to worry."
No need to worry.
Despite her words, it felt like something I absolutely should worry about.
She was a paying guest, after all.
Still, not wanting to ruin the mood, I wisely kept quiet.
Thanks to her, we soon entered Jenectra.
In a word: bloodless entry.
I closed the back door and asked,
"What about the people outside?"
"I cast a simple suggestion. It'll wear off soon, and they'll go back to normal."
No sooner had she spoken than shouting erupted from beyond the closed door.
"Huh? Hey, awaken, Jenectra! Awaken!"
Oh, for real?
As I marveled, Katiranya read my mind and pouted.
"You didn't believe me."
"Haha, well, first time seeing it."
I averted my gaze with an awkward smile, and she clicked her tongue, shaking her head.
"Hmph. Whatever. Let's go meet the owner. He said he'd turn that manuscript into a book, right?"
"Yes. Let's head up."
We hurried to the upper floor and reached the owner's office.
I knocked, and a reply came a bit late from inside.
"Come in!"
"It's me, sir."
"Oh! Author! Is that a new manuscript?"
The owner, Foren, greeted me warmly.
It was a tad disappointing that he went straight for the manuscript, but I didn't mention it.
At his urging, I sat on the sofa and handed over the manuscript I'd brought.
"Take a look."
Foren snatched it up as if he'd been waiting for this moment and began reading.
After skimming the pages for a bit, he looked pleased yet subtly conflicted.
"This manuscript deals with knights, unlike the previous ones. Though the content feels a bit satirical."
He's choosing his words carefully so as not to offend me?
Seemed right, given how he was watching my reaction.
No need for that.
I waved it off, telling him to speak freely.
"It's satire, so go ahead."
"Oh dear. To be so rude to you, author."
Foren bowed his head as if it were his fault.
I waved again, telling him not to worry.
"It was bound to happen once we got famous anyway. It's fine."
Foren reluctantly nodded at my fervent persuasion.
"Ugh. If you insist. By the way, who's the lady with you? Surely not your lover—"
"Whoa, hold it."
What nonsense is this?
Katiranya wasn't my lover, nor a childhood betrothed.
A vampire who'd just awakened from slumber not long ago—what could there even be?
I didn't mind, but she might take offense.
I turned to reassure her it was nothing, but...
"Hm, not bad praise for a human."
Why is she pleased?
She was smiling and humming lightly, complimenting Foren.
What the heck?
Flabbergasted, I thought for a moment to figure it out.
Then a plausible reason hit me.
I'm a star author right now, and she's my fan.
And someone else was saying we looked good together.
"In other words, ultimate fan?"
"Ultimate fan? What's that?"
"Nothing."
Katiranya tilted her head, but I just shook mine.
Well, whatever. As long as she's not upset, it's fine.
I decided to be glad she wasn't annoyed.