Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Priest, We've Met Again. (3)
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Could there be a more hopeless situation than this?
I trudged into the market and quickly scanned the list first thing.
Hmm... That aside, Bishop Lisa's breasts seemed even bigger today... They were still lingering in my mind. The way she crossed her arms and rested them on top, her seductive pose, and then her breasts compressing as if they might burst from the weight—I seriously thought my dick was going to explode...
Ah... Damn it, not again...
I'm seriously going insane.
Now, just seeing anything remotely suggestive triggered filthy fantasies right away. I was mentally exhausted to the point of collapse, on the verge of dying from the stress, so why wouldn't these lewd thoughts just stop...? Not being able to jerk off was probably the biggest reason, but aside from that, I just felt pathetic about myself.
To regain some semblance of reason, I took a deep breath in and out, expelling all the hot energy churning inside me. My male urges hadn't fully subsided, but it felt a bit better than before.
"Guess I'll buy some food first..."
I stepped into the bustling market teeming with people, looking around everywhere. From the merchants desperately trying to grab even one more customer to the long lines of people waiting to buy goods.
It was overflowing with the same lively energy as always.
"Oh?! Priest Isaiah, come on in!"
"Yes. Hello."
I arrived at the fruit stall, where a burly, muscular woman greeted me warmly, showing off her build. I gave her my usual bright smile and started picking out the items Bishop Lisa had requested.
"Looks like some important guest has arrived."
"Ah, yes. Someone high up is visiting the parish."
"Wow, you must be busy."
"Haha... Yeah, something like that."
We exchanged a few idle words as I filled my basket with what I needed. Normally, I'd flatter her a bit and chat longer, but as she said, things were so hectic that I couldn't linger.
"Is this everything?"
"Oh, hold on a sec?"
I pulled the list from my pocket again to double-check.
Whoops...
I knew it... Almost forgot one.
"Um... Do you sell grapes by any chance?"
"Grapes? Just a moment... Heave-ho! Here they are."
The woman lifted a wooden crate hidden in the back and showed it to me.
Inside, deep-colored grapes with plump, firm berries were neatly arranged in rows.
Good thing I checked. I nearly had to come back for nothing—saved myself the trouble.
"Then... could I get just two of these?"
"Sure thing."
I pointed out the two best-looking bunches. She pulled out a bag and started packing them one by one...
"Huh?"
"Here you go."
"Auntie? I said just two..."
"Hehe, just take it. This one's free because I like you, Priest."
Wow... Never thought I'd live to see the day. Back in my old world, this would've been unthinkable, but maybe because chastity norms are reversed here? It felt oddly good.
"I feel too bad..."
"Ahaha... It's because you remind me of my son. Take it before I change my mind."
"Hehe... Thank you."
"You're welcome~ Enjoy them."
I wasn't stingy enough to refuse. After a token protest, I accepted the bag with a faint smile.
One bunch could make a nice snack later at the dorm.
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"This is heavy as hell."
Had I been wandering for about an hour?
My hands felt weighed down by the load. Should've grabbed any idle believer to carry it for me. Regret hit me late.
Ha... I thought I'd handle this much easily, but my body's this weak...? I could think I should've exercised more, but it wasn't like I hadn't tried at all.
Since getting bullied was my daily routine, I wanted to turn the tables, so I trained my muscles and even got private lessons from a layman aspiring to be a knight.
But maybe men grow muscle slower by nature? I don't know the exact reason, but I didn't see much change. After a year, I gave up on it all.
"Haa..."
I set the bags down by the fountain to rest and sat on the edge. I'd walked nonstop for nearly an hour, so of course I was tired.
As I rolled my stiff shoulders and craned my neck to loosen up,
"Waaah! Waaaaaah!"
A child's cry rang out suddenly. The sound was so clear that my eyes naturally turned that way.
"Daddyyy! Waaaaaah!"
Lost her dad? I hoped someone else would help, but as expected... People threw indifferent glances and hurried on, not wanting to get involved.
If no one stepped up, she'd be left alone. Worried, I hurried over to the child.
I crouched down and spoke to her.
"Hey, kiddo... Did you lose your dad?"
"Waaaaaah! Daddyyy!"
She seemed terrified. She wouldn't stop crying, so I figured I'd wait until she calmed down.
About ten minutes later, she tired out, stopped crying, and started sniffling instead.
"Sniff, sniff... Calm down now. Uncle will help find your dad, okay?"
"Sniff... R-Really?"
"Of course. Do you remember where you got separated?"
The kid shook her head no. I sighed inwardly. Bishop Lisa said to be back before lunch, but with this, it looked impossible.
Since I'd gotten involved, I had to see it through. Punishment was inevitable, but how to find her parents...? Worst case, take her to the church...
"Wanna wait here with Uncle then?"
"Okay..."
While waiting for her parents, I wiped her dirty face with my handkerchief and told her to keep a close eye out for Dad.
Hours passed like that.
No sign of her parents, and I couldn't delay any longer.
'Time to take her back.'
I couldn't just leave her. Bishop Lisa would chew me out, but my conscience wouldn't allow something so heartless.
"Looks like he's not coming today. Maybe tomorrow?"
"Hic... Daddy..."
The more I looked, the more pitiful she seemed. No lost child shelter around here either. I was about to pick her up and head to the church.
"Uncle... I remember now..."
"Huh?"
"I remember where we got separated."
She showed me her red, teary eyes and spoke with a whimper. She looked so heartbreaking that I froze mid-turn.
"You remember?"
"Yeah... Just in case... Can we go there once?"
The little girl clasped her hands, pleading up at me. Her big eyes welled with tears, her gaze impossible to refuse.
"Haa... Fine, just one last check there."
"Thank you, Uncle..."
With that, I headed in the direction she pointed.
We arrived at some alley for the final confirmation. An ominous feeling hit me—something was wrong.
"This... this is really the place?"
"Yes. Just go straight inside here."
Even in broad daylight, the depths were shrouded in thick darkness. Trash littered the ground, and here and there, people slept covered in newspapers in the corners. My body screamed danger.
Suspicious, but finding her parents came first, so I gripped her hand tight and ventured in.
"Left from here."
"Uh, okay."
'Damn... What's going on? Is this right?'
Questions piled up. Why would her parents be in a place like this? Was I being lured somewhere...? Everything felt fishy.
But the kid gave no time to think, tugging me deeper with her tiny hand. Soon, we reached what looked like a warehouse.
"K-Kid?"
"Here."
"Huh?"
"We got separated inside there."
The warehouse interior was pitch black, impossible to see into. My head spun. Every instinct screamed not to go in, and an inexplicable terror made me step back involuntarily.
"Kid, just out of curiosity... why were you in a place like this?"
"Uncle..."
Her eyes still glistened with tears. Something was definitely off, but it was like my mouth was sealed—I couldn't speak easily.
"Hurry and find Daddy for me..."