The Saintess's Oath!

The city was a total mess, but somehow we'd managed to take down the Hero Eater. Looking at the scene with the corpse gone and only rubble from collapsed buildings left behind, it felt like we'd taken more losses than gains... Eh, whatever. The kingdom can sort that out. While others kept cleaning up debris or searching for survivors, Klea was hitting her limit, so we headed back to our lodging first. She'd gone a whole week without sleep or food for that ascetic prayer... Honestly, holding out this long was impressive enough.

We confirmed Marsie—who'd been evacuated with the priests—was safe and handed her over to Marte, then pried off the clinging Baul before arriving at the church dorms. Fortunately, our lodging was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠unscathed. Even with the Hero Eater crashing through, the church had avoided major damage outside the test site. Makes sense—the Royal Capital's church is huge. And the Hero Eater hadn't rampaged much around here anyway.

Back at the dorm, I suggested to Klea that she eat something and rest. With a smile, she dropped a bombshell.

"More than a meal, Master... I'd love your horse semen."

Whoa... Skipping a proper meal after a week for my horse semen...? Uh... yeah. Kinda absurd, but if that's what she wants...

Lizbet helped the exhausted Klea drink my horse semen, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠then tucked her into bed. She passed out immediately—must've been wiped. She needs a solid two or three days of rest. Good work, Klea.

The next morning, I stroked the still-sleeping Klea's head, then stood with Lizbet in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at my reflection. Same old horse head as always. My muscles seemed even more bulging... but whatever. The real question: what does my Demon Eye look like...!?

Demon Eye ON!

"......Kyaa♡"

"......Haa..."

The demonic horse head with its horizontal pupils in those golden irises stared back, and I let out a sigh. Holy shit... what is this hyper-real monster? Scary as fuck. Already a nightmare combo of ripped muscles and horse head, and now demonic eyes on top? Insane. Those horizontal slits barely visible in my normal brown eyes popped out starkly in gold—straight-up grotesque!

If this weren't my body and I stumbled on it clueless... I'd piss myself.

"Hee hee hee~♡ Master looks so cool~♡"

Lizbet giggles, clinging to me—apparently loving it. Really? Fine, if my bitch likes it... But I'll keep it off in public. Someone might actually faint. Judging by the Esser drain I see now, a day or two off should be fine. Kinda high consumption? Kinda low? Why's the default ON anyway... Annoying.

"Hmm..."

Looking closer at Lizbet and myself, our colors felt oddly similar. Different from Marsie or the civilians I'd glimpsed—more like a sticky black coating...?

Is it because she's my bitch?

"Let's check Klea..."

Peeking at the sleeping Klea outside, she had a similar vibe. Lizbet felt fully dyed, but Klea had a tiny remnant? Does becoming my bitch change the color in Demon Eye? Perfect for tracking progress. A bit ominous, but hey—monster body. Gotta expect some weirdness.

While I'm at it, Klea's status window...

Ughhh??? I just wanted to compare the Demon Eye color with her status... but why's it so advanced now? Almost like Lizbet right before pledging submission. Can bitch skills level up without sex? Favor's maxed out too. Jackpot. Her "others" favor was decent before—maybe mine's dominating the readout? As a cleric, she wouldn't hate strangers entirely... Anyway, the title: "Pledged eternal submission to me..."? Nice... Klea. Next breeding, I'll hear that oath for real.

I figured I'd get her oath right then, but no time. I got summoned to the palace to debrief on Bivora and the Hero Eater. The king suggested helping rebuild to build goodwill, so for two or three days, I worked under public eyes. Klea was basically confirmed as saintess, dragged around church duties despite exhaustion—prepping for the role.

The ascetic prayer scores were neck-and-neck with Clarice, but Klea evacuating civilians while wiped tipped it. Other candidates collapsed immediately, unable to help. Stamina matters. Her supporters deflated; no real opposition. Smooth sailing.

Escorted by Hero Knights, she handled church tasks; I did palace runs. We crashed at dawn for days. She looked drained from unrecovered fatigue—didn't wanna push the oath. No rush now. And just like that, her appointment day arrived.

Saintess rites: two steps. First, internal vow before the church—praying oaths to the Goddess. Second, public announcement of her selection and ambitions. Two days later, the Pope declares her saintess publicly—then official powers kick in.

Heh heh... My bitch as saintess? Feels damn good.

"Neris Cleya. Do you vow, by the Goddess's will, to faithfully perform the saintess's duty of tending Her lambs?"

"Yes. I do."

Lizbet and I got special permission as outsiders to watch the internal vow. Kneeling prayer-style before the Pope, back to the Goddess statue, Klea answers calmly. Baul watches fondly beside her.

Baul. Sorry, you're done. Don't eye my woman.

"Neris Cleya. Do you vow to fittingly and wisely perform the service of spreading the Goddess Church's faith and gospel?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Yes. I do."

Heh. Religious stuff aside, Klea's oath looks gorgeous. Her beauty plus the solemn vibe? Perfection.

"Neris Cleya. As one of the Goddess Church's representatives, a saintess, do you vow to faithfully serve as the guiding light for your fellow believers?"

"Yes. I do."

"Neris Cleya. Do you pledge reverence and obedience to the Goddess?"

"Yes. I pledge."

Religious questions end; Pope leads various prayers. He circles a cross ornament over her head, muttering, then lifts a huge chalice the priests bring.

"This is the Goddess's holy blood. The cup of Her blood for the new and eternal covenant. Shed for you—remember it, and receive the Goddess into your body."

Klea drinks from the chalice the Pope hands her. It's massive—thought she'd struggle, but barely any liquid. Not real blood... wine, probably. Goddess enters you? Fun ritual. Religious ceremony stuff.

"...The Goddess has begun good works within you, and will personally fulfill your desires..."

Heh. Yeah, that's religion for ya. Fake or not—Klea's saintess now. That's what counts.

After drinking the Grail-like wine, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠more prayers...

"...Neris Cleya. Your vows are offered to the Goddess. May your heart reach Her."

And with that, Klea's saintess oath was officially recognized.