Days in the Royal Capital! (3)
"...How did it go?"
In the audience chamber after dismissing the guards, King Reinhardt von Abeitus XIII of the Reinhardt Kingdom wiped sweat from his brow as he sat on the throne and asked Orlando.
"We'll need to watch a bit longer, but I don't think it'll be a problem."
"...That's a relief."
The king leaned back on the throne in exhaustion, shuddering as he recalled the divine beast that had just stood before him. That ferocious appearance. Yet its speech had carried refinement and respect unlike its looks—a half-human, half-beast form he'd never seen before. The stark contrast between its exterior and behavior left Abeitus with lingering unease in his heart.
"Honestly. Even I, who can't sense Esser, could tell it looked downright terrifying. It spoke with such deference and poise that we got off lucky. Otherwise, it would've been quite the dilemma."
"Indeed, it had a rather alien aura compared to other divine beasts."
"What do you think? Can we make use of it?"
Suddenly, a woman's voice echoed in the audience chamber, where only the king and Orlando remained. They turned toward the sound and saw a woman in an ornate dress, her face veiled by a translucent fabric. Her voluptuous, sensual figure was accentuated by the luxurious gown, and the faint glimpse of her features through the veil hinted that she was no ordinary woman.
Orlando gave her a slight bow before shaking his head regretfully. "Not yet... It seems young compared to other divine beasts. Aside from its physical prowess, nothing particularly stood out."
"What a shame. If we could've used it right away, having a divine beast join would've let us swiftly clean up the demons."
"Still, since it's taking up adventuring, we can expect rapid growth befitting a divine beast."
As the two conversed, the king on his throne pressed a hand to his forehead and shook his head. "...Is war truly necessary? Now that a divine beast has come to the kingdom, if we use it well to request mediation from the Shui Kingdom..."
"You know full well the Shui Kingdom's covert cooperation with the demons."
"Are you whining now, Abeitus? You know demons don't negotiate."
"I know, I know. I was just grumbling about the soldiers and knights who'd be sacrificed."
The king shook his head with a bitter expression, as if fed up with the pair, then sighed and turned back to Orlando. "...Will that divine beast cooperate?"
"It formed a guild. Seems intent on living in the kingdom, so we'll have to persuade it carefully depending on the situation."
"If it's interested in power, we could gauge its character and grant a suitable title. As a divine beast, it'll live long—if we ensure its loyalty to the kingdom, it'll be a great asset going forward."
With that, the three nodded in agreement. Orlando placed a hand over his heart and bowed to the others. "Then, I'll head back to the border. Stay well, both of you."
"...You rushed here without rest. Forgive me, Sir Orlando."
"No need. He wouldn't stay put knowing I'd left my post. We're just holding each other in check to minimize losses for now, but he'll strike at any opportunity."
The veiled woman approached the departing Orlando and gently embraced him. "Sending off a friend without even a cup of tea... Please don't overdo it, Sir Orlando."
As she pulled away, Orlando smiled and bowed to her. "My thanks for your consideration, Queen Reinhardt Pacifa Estoria."
The next day, the pope I met without much expectation was exactly the grandfatherly type I'd imagined. Unlike the king's audience with no nobles present, this gathering of high-ranking goddess church officials staring at me like some curiosity was downright burdensome. They were drawn to my intimidating aura while subtly urging me to embrace the goddess's faith—talk about pressure.
I gave vague, smiling responses until, somehow, I ended up sharing a meal with the pope, and Baul and Klea got roped in midway.
"Ho ho... So you're hunting that Hero Eater?"
"Yes. As you've heard, it's a vicious demon beast. That's why I became an adventurer."
I spoke like some hero on a sacred mission, subtly fishing for any info the pope might spill. He pondered with a thoughtful "Hmm~" before telling me with a pained expression, "We've had headaches from those beasts lately. Hero and adventurer disappearances we'd chalked up to accidents are now suspected to be their doing, so the church is gathering intel full force, but..."
Not helpful. What's with the king and the pope? Just lay out the whole apocalypse thing and instill some urgency already?
...Sigh. Fine. Even Klea, top-tier in detection within the church, only found that cat-like Hero Eater, Erebos, because I stepped in. It's not their incompetence; it's just hard to track.
With that realization, "Demon beasts are truly fearsome. Unlike humans or monsters ordained by the goddess, they appear out of nowhere, mindless engines of destruction... The goddess..."
Ugh. True to form for an elderly pope—suddenly he's praising the goddess nonstop.
I just had to play along: Do you believe? Yes, I believe!
"...I've heard the royal knights dealt with similar demon beasts around the capital a few times in recent years. Probably no Hero Eaters nearby, but with 4 or 5 recent disappearances, the guild management office is investigating just in case. Might be worth checking there."
Finally, some actual info. The royal knights took down a few... With powerhouses like that on the case, I can slack off, delay the end just enough to live comfortably, and enjoy myself.
With such overpowered folks around, I can buy time moderately, then just lounge around afterward, right? Stealing heroes' women for mental blows barely slows the apocalypse anyway. It was just me drawing a minimal human line while satisfying my urges.
From the goddess's memories, killing Hero Eaters is the direct way to delay doom... But if others handle it? Conversation over.
Combining intel from the king yesterday and the church today, I nodded and set my new life goal in Essentia: Pick manageable heroes, steal their women, turn them into my bitches! Delay the end just enough to enjoy till I die, live leisurely as an adventurer!
Yeah! Life's about moderation! Hell yeah! Playtime's the best! Woo! Happy & sexy horse life!
That mindset didn't last long for me. My resolve to slack off was upended when Archbishop Astus delivered an absurd task.
"This is ridiculous! It's a test of saintess abilities, not adventurer skills!"
Baul slammed the desk in front of me, yelling at the elderly archbishop. Astus smirked slyly and replied, "This time's different, isn't it? Klea and Clarice, plus the other candidates—not as strong contenders, but they've all touted demon beast subjugations. It's not even essential for a saintess."
The first task Astus proposed and approved: Demon beast subjugation in a designated dungeon.
"It's just extra points, but they're all boasting their experience. So let's verify their skills. Clarice, living in the capital, knows adventurers. For the others, the guild management office can recruit suitable ones to form parties—no issue. And Klea, you were with that divine beast, right? That's a boon."
No, it's a boon for that Clarice bitch. This is her turf. I'm still a lowbie. Terrified baby Sema after seeing those scary heroes.
"It's dangerous! Priests are support in subjugations or adventures! This has nothing to do with verifying saintess powers...!"
"Now, now. It's also to address the rising Hero Eaters. Knowing how dangerous they are, countering them will be part of a saintess's role going forward."
"But...!"
Baul kept protesting, but Astus brushed it off with excuses, showing no intent to listen. After enduring it briefly, he clapped as if wrapping up a done deal. "Anyway, it's decided! In seven days, candidates will verify subjugation skills with adventurers in assigned dungeons. Prepare accordingly."
Astus left a paper with details on the desk, ignored us, and exited.
"...Haa. How did it come to this..."
"Doesn't it feel like he's pushing that nun Clarice?"
Baul sighed again and nodded quietly. "Yes. Archbishop Astus supports Sister Clarice. Never said it outright, but they've known each other long."
"And he just runs this test? What does the pope say?"
"Archbishops decide the tests... The pope, with equal authority to the saintess-elect, avoids involvement to prevent bias. He approves post-election."
Baul clicked his tongue, stood with a grim face, adjusted his bishop robes, and told me, "I'll meet other archbishops supporting Klea. Watch over her meanwhile."
After Baul left, I pondered the odd unease nagging me and headed back to the inn with Klea and Lizbet.