The Saintess's Oath! (2)
“Congratulations, Klea! No, Saintess Klea!”
Once Klea's oath ceremony was over, Baul came rushing up, making a huge fuss as he offered his congratulations. But Klea didn't even glance at him as she walked right past, straight toward me.
Ignoring the bewildered Baul completely, Klea approached me with a smile and asked permission in a soft voice.
“Master. Tonight... I want to offer you the oath I've prepared. Is that alright?”
“Puhuhu... You've made up your mind, then?”
“Yes. There's no need to hesitate anymore.”
Klea showed not a shred of doubt, her expression filled with resolute determination. She carried herself with the bold confidence of someone doing the most natural thing in the world.
An oath, huh... I wonder what she's prepared.
“There are still some events left, so tonight at the inn...♡”
“...Yeah. I'll be looking forward to it.”
She bowed her head to me in greeting, then returned to the priests. While I was pondering how to claim Klea's submission...
I never expected her to take the initiative like this. Tonight... Klea will finally be mine...
Alright, I'll wait with bated breath.
After watching Klea's oath ceremony, I had some time to kill, so I stopped by the royal castle.
The king personally stepped up, promising solid compensation for everything—from reward money for the adventurers who joined the Hero Eater subjugation to an official apology on behalf of the kingdom for the incidents involving Bivora and Marte.
Marte must have reported every last detail about Bivora with his usual rigid sense of duty. That little shit... Thanks to him, Marte got hit with a six-month pay cut for “tarnishing the dignity of a Hero Knight.”
In a monarchy, ending it at that is probably a blessing...
Well, whatever. The kingdom's also committing to protect Hero Knights' families going forward, so it works out for Marte.
Even without the apology, the way the kingdom's treating me feels pretty generous. The other adventurers who fought the Hero Eater are just getting one gold coin each...
But they summoned me to the palace, asking if I needed anything, what my plans were from here on out—go ahead and name your price, that kind of special treatment.
When the king asked, I thought for a moment and said since my level's still low and I'll be adventuring long-term, cash would be most useful since I'd have plenty of expenses. And get this—the king handed over a whopping 300 gold coins.
I stared at the hefty box brimming with gleaming gold, my jaw dropping. For a second, I wondered if I could even accept it.
Looks like the king's trying to turn me into the kingdom's mascot or something on this occasion... It's basically a “don't go to another country” message, right?
If I took the money, shut my mouth, and bolted to another nation, they'd probably come after me with killers...
...Not that I have any plans to leave yet. No reason to turn down free cash.
Okay. Thanks!
With that lighthearted attitude, I popped into the castle and walked out a rich man. On the way back to the inn, I couldn't help letting out a triumphant horse whinny.
“Puhuhu... My era has arrived!”
“Hehe. You look so happy. That thrilled?”
“Hell yeah! Of course! We're loaded now!”
I sat at the table with Lizbet, raising my arms in victory as we gazed at the open chest of gold coins on the table.
300 gold coins! 300! I was already living comfortably as a Divine Beast, but this is enough to do anything!
“Yeah. The king's got some real guts, that's for sure. Didn't expect this much.”
“Puhuhu. Treating me this well just to keep me from going elsewhere. Still, it's an insane amount.”
The initial awkwardness faded as the reality sank in—I was filthy rich. My excitement only built from there.
Man... With this, I could buy Lizbet and Klea whatever, no sweat... Oh! I could even buy a house? How should I spend it!?
“Hmm... With this much, we could even start a guild-affiliated business.”
While I was mulling it over, Lizbet dropped a bombshell.
A business!? Starting a company!?
“Business!? You don't just throw money around like that.”
“Sure, for a normal business. But... we have time, so let's think it over slowly. You don't know much about guild businesses yet, Master. And I'm no expert either.”
Hmm? Guild-affiliated businesses are different somehow?
Well... with this sum, if the items check out, starting something might not be a bad idea. But first things first—secure the basics. We can think about extras later.
“Oh. Looks like Klea's here.”
Right as Lizbet finished, a knock came from the door.
She's here! Another joy for today! I bolted over and flung the door open. Klea stepped in with a smile, carrying some luggage.
“I'm back, Master.”
“Welcome back, Klea. Been waiting for you!”
“Hehe. Yes. You seem in high spirits—what happened?”
I took her luggage, sat her at the table, and told her about meeting the king and getting the gold.
After listening calmly, Klea nodded and turned to face me.
“I see... such a massive sum...”
“It's less pure compensation and more a 'don't leave' incentive. Probably wants to use me like a kingdom mascot.”
Instead of surprise or joy, Klea rested her chin on her hand, nodding thoughtfully and mumbling to herself.
“Indeed... even the king... in that case... yes...”
Her thoughtful expression felt oddly intriguing. What was she pondering?
“With today, you'll be my bitch too, Klea. So this money's basically ours. Anything you want to do with it?”
“...Hehe. Thank you from the heart, Master.”
“Tell me if you need anything. I can give my bitches whatever.”
Hmm. I'm rich now, but Lizbet and Klea don't seem that thrilled. More like they're happy just seeing me excited...
It's like parents watching their kid get allowance money—weird vibe. They could stand to be happier.
“Speaking of which... I mentioned earlier I'd offer my oath to you tonight.”
“Yeah. Been waiting. You tired?”
“No. I've been looking forward to it too. The anticipation of becoming your bitch is giving me energy.”
Good girl. So eager. Satisfied with her answer, I sidled up beside her and gently kneaded her breast. Klea smiled and leaned into me, surrendering her body.
Perfect. She's truly ready now.
“Once you become my bitch, no more Baul... hell, you'll be mine forever—no normal human fucking for you. You set on that?”
“Hehe... Resolve? No. That's true happiness as a bitch. I'll embrace it gladly.”
She closed her eyes and smiled at me. Alright. If you're that firm...
“Before that.”
Satisfied with her response, I felt her place her hand over mine on her breast as she turned to Lizbet.
“Lizbet and I... Ah. Could we prepare together in the bath? I wanted to ask her something beforehand.”
She said it with a smile back at me. For some reason, that smile of hers felt just a little... scary.