Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Saintess
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Saintess.
I stared blankly at the pouch full of platinum coins the guild master had given me.
Rogue Mastery seemed to read my mind, estimating the count from the weight.
'Exactly 500 platinum coins.'
A truly satisfying sum.
Starting from how the hell I was supposed to handle this much—from there, my immediate desire was to buy a house.
Around 100 platinum coins should be plenty for that.
And.
This was the first time I'd ever laid eyes on this much cash.
The pouch felt incredibly heavy.
I carefully scanned my surroundings as I headed back to where the others were.
'Is there anywhere reliable to deposit this money?'
Carrying it around in raw form made no sense. Worst case, I could stash it in Hidden Space.
'Still, I need to be able to splash platinum coins around like water.'
I had a pile of purely happy dilemmas.
Was there a bank or something? Would it be safe to deposit this there? I was full of questions like that.
'Should've asked about that too.'
Worst case, I could ask Volkan, but I had another option.
I looked at the woman waiting for me.
Her sunset-colored hair and eyes evoked the twilight evening glow.
She leaned against the wall, watching me.
"You're finally here?"
"Yeah."
"What did he say?"
"He asked if I had any gifts related to souls."
"Souls...?"
Ermé's expression flickered with unease for a moment.
Was there something dangerous about soul-related keywords?
"And he gave me the reward for the necrohorse from before."
"How much? The guild master wouldn't skimp."
I said nothing and held up five fingers.
Ermé's eyes went wide.
"Platinum...?"
I nodded silently.
Her eyes widened even more.
"Fifty? He's got a big heart."
"...Gotta add a zero."
"Huh?"
Ermé's eyes rounded further, then she put on a thoughtful expression.
"Looking for a place to deposit money, by any chance?"
"Yeah. You know somewhere?"
"I do."
Ermé answered my question, then casually linked her arm with mine and looked up at me.
"But in exchange, you'll have to hang out with me a bit. That okay?"
"Of course."
*
And so, arm in arm with Ermé, we ended up at the black market.
The place that had sold the paper revealing the glasses' true nature before.
'Blue Flower Pavilion.'
Still a Chinese-style wooden building. In this fantasy world, seeing something like this felt awkward.
"A bank here?"
"Well, not exactly a bank, but it serves a similar purpose."
Looking around, it was overflowing with people in what you'd call Chinese-style clothes.
And.
"Hmph."
A woman watched us with a dissatisfied expression, chin propped on her hand.
Her look was different from before. A cheongsam patterned with golden and red flowers, black stockings, hair in twin buns.
'A woman who does that hairstyle in real life, huh.'
That was my thought as she stared at us.
"..."
"You've seen her before, right?"
"Yeah."
"Be careful. She's an info broker."
I ended up making a dumbfounded face at Ermé's words.
"Info broker?"
"Yes. Her sect deals in information. Oh, a sect is like an adventurer guild's clan. But unlike guilds, their bonds are weaker. Why the funny look?"
Ermé eyed me.
It was obvious.
'No, is she like a pointy-eared fixer or something?'
She didn't look ordinary at all.
If my senses were right.
If she felt strong, she was probably just a notch below Volkan.
'A nasty-tempered woman hiding her true nature.'
That was the impression she gave me.
"...Anyway, you've got sharp senses in some areas."
Ermé muttered softly. My sharp senses were thanks to Rogue Mastery.
"Oh my, linked arms this time."
The nasty-tempered woman smiled and asked. Ermé just grinned back.
"Hmph."
The woman narrowed her eyes at Ermé's behavior, staring at us.
Her gaze turned to me. Clear blue eyes, like gazing into a lake.
'Nasty temper, though.'
Incongruously so.
"Speaking of, congrats. The guild master's taken an interest in you?"
"..."
Her info network was fast. Already in her ears.
"Hehe, no need to be so surprised. It's the Hao Sect Leader's job."
"Hao Sect Leader?"
I knew that.
One of the Nine Great Sects, the Hao Sect.
'...Wait, Nine Great Sects, but not Hao Sect?'
I had zero interest in wuxia novels, so I wasn't sure.
"One of the famed houses of the East."
The Hao Sect Leader chuckled.
I knew famed houses.
Countless noble houses propping up the empire.
Heard there were some in the kingdoms too.
"Their famed houses aren't your average. No offense, but they'd tell most nobles to get lost with their influence."
"The Nine Great Sects and their rivals, the Ten Hegemons Alliance, are like that. Hao Sect is one of the Ten Hegemons."
She snapped her fan shut with a tak and smiled.
"And I'm the girl in charge of the Hao Sect there."
"...Girl?"
With that strength? Girl seemed off.
A thought crossed my mind: people who package themselves as young usually just don't want to admit they're old.
"What's that dubious look? That this girl is actually old...?"
"What do you mean acting thirty when you're over thirty."
"..."
The Hao Sect Leader looked stunned, then glared at Ermé.
"Wh-what are you saying? No way this girl is that old."
"Don't worry, Yuseong. I'm a fresh twenty."
"Anyway, reason for coming here?"
"Want to make a card. Like an ID."
"...Hm."
Her blue eyes fixed on me. They scanned up and down, appraising.
"Fine. Better to owe you one anyway."
"I'll buy the ID."
"Newbies fresh to the Cradle with what money... Ah, got paid by the guild master. Fine."
The Hao Sect Leader led us inside.
Inside were info agents disguised as customers, and one actual customer. We headed to a room-like area.
"Let me see..."
She rummaged in a drawer, pulled something out, and placed it on the desk.
Tak.
"Here. Made it in advance just in case."
"Really gunning to rack up favors, huh?"
"Gotta buy some goodwill from someone sorta-disciple to the Sword King, right?"
Her blue eyes smiled brightly.
People showing this much favor just because I'm Volkan's disciple.
'...Knew that old man was a big deal.'
Seeing someone like her be so friendly made it sink in.
"So, what's the real deal with that kid?"
Her blue eyes turned to me.
Kid? From the one calling herself a girl?
"...?"
"Sorry, dug a bit, but nothing on you. Your orange-haired girl has that nasty moniker 'Friend Slayer,' so a guy like you should have some rumors."
"You're digging into me now...?"
"Sorry, but unavoidable. Condition for us operating in the [Cradle]."
The Hao Sect Leader smiled sweetly.
But her eyes were cold. Like she saw me as a heretic—.
"Reminds me of Eastern assassins or the phantom thief rumors here long ago, but different trajectory. Moves like a seasoned ranger sometimes, Sword Master with the blade others. And sorta Sword King disciple position is suspicious."
Her eyes asked: who the hell are you?
Then she bowed her head.
"Sorry. Wasn't planning to probe like this."
"...Well, happens."
"But one thing's clear."
"What?"
"You're not from that far continent... where the Demon King revives."
"How'd you know?"
At my question, her eyes curved like half-moons, long finger to her lips.
"Sorry, not polite to reveal a girl's secrets."
"So your age is really thirt—"
"That's far enough?"
She smiled, but eyes icy.
I was really curious, though.
"...As apology, granting you access to one high-grade info."
"...Really sucking up hard?"
Ermé narrowed her eyes at the Hao Sect Leader.
The Hao Sect Leader smiled brightly.
"Can't help it. Unprecedented level-up speed, catching Sword King and guild master's eye."
"..."
"If you wanna keep him, gotta play straight. Not just me—empire folks, Easterners. Already whispers among beastkin, some elves, orcs, dwarves."
...My info really spreading wide.
Is this okay?
"That because of old man Volkan?"
"...Partly. Overall, I guess."
"Appreciate the favor."
"Oh, while thanking, become a regular here?"
"Long as you don't stab me in the back."
"...Scary words. As Hao Sect Leader, I'll keep it straight, but as one of the Ten Hegemons, can only say I'll try."
The smiling Hao Sect Leader shook hands.
She still felt strong. Compared to Volkan, similar but her power scale felt a bit lower.
I gauged her as I gripped her offered hand.
"Please to meet you."
"Likewise."
"Ah, about depositing the money."
"...Will deposit right away, sir. Use this card."
"Then 100 platinum for now..."
"...Oh my, oh my, a VIP."
The Hao Sect Leader smiled, straightened her outfit, fetched tea from somewhere.
"VIPs get all sorts of perks..."
"...Just the card."
Ermé would handle the rest.
*
"Heard that rumor?"
"Which?"
"Saintess showed up nearby."
Burkan said, tearing into meat heartily.
"Saintess?"
But I was puzzled.
Heroes.
Didn't they select candidates, compete, pick the best as heroes?
'Already decided?'
Burkan nodded at my doubt.
"Humans always produce at least one hero per generation. Orcs like us wield normal weapons, northern furballs too, elves bows. But humans always get a saintess or saint."
"Really?"
"You don't care about this stuff. Great warrior, but warrior's virtue: keep tabs on the strong."
"Why?"
"Gotta fight 'em sometime."
What was I expecting from this musclehead.
But not wrong.
Know your enemy and yourself, win a hundred battles.
Not enemies yet.
'Rozenta's a Saintess candidate.'
So she had high odds too.
Thus.
'Maybe go peek at the Saintess.'
Everyone crashed today, tomorrow bar-hopping. Schedule open.
I set off to find the Saintess.