Chapter 498
Chapter 498
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 498
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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"Kang Myung-jin? Haha, our cathedral welcomes you. I hear you'd like to make a donation?"
Herpo smiled benignly.
It seemed Herpo had activated his unique trait.
'Seeing a message like this pop up means Hypocrisy and Deception are similar traits.'
However, my Deception was a whopping SS-rank. His mere A-rank Hypocrisy wouldn't work on me at all. Of course, he had no idea. He probably thought his Hypocrisy was working perfectly.
"Yes. I hope it goes toward the children. I have money, but... I can't care for kids like you all do. So I want to help them this way."
Herpo's smile deepened.
"I swear all the money will be used for the children."
"You're the Angelus Legion, aren't you? I can trust you more than anywhere else."
"Haha. Thank you for your trust. But... how much were you thinking of donating...?"
"Around five million penni."
"Heavens! That much...?"
Herpo made a show of being shocked. Five million penni was about fifty million won in earthly terms. It was a hefty donation, but not enough to truly surprise Herpo.
"Five million penni... is that too little?"
"Not at all! Five million penni is a huge sum! And what matters in a donation isn't the amount. It's the beautiful heart of Kang Myung-jin, who donates willingly for the children."
"Then ten million penni it is."
"...I hate to say this, but I heard you run a shop, Mr. Kang. Are you sure you can spend that kind of money so lightly...?"
I had a lot of money. Tens of billions in penni. It was what I'd earned using my position as an inspector last time.
"I once worked with a great merchant from the west. I used the money from that to open my shop, but I still have plenty left. I got lucky and became rich quick, but I don't know how to invest, so I just run the shop. Ah, do you know that western merchant?"
"How could I not know that trader? Of course I do. I see. So you're friends with the great western merchant, Mr. Kang?"
Herpo's demeanor shifted slightly. He'd taken an interest in me. More precisely, he was curious about how much I had.
'Those eyes are sizing me up, wondering if I'm a sucker.'
I could sense greed from him. Even as an executive of the Angelus Legion with plenty of money, he was still avaricious.
"Haha, no way. We just worked together once a long time ago."
"No real connection...?"
"Yes, none at all. I know my place. I'm not on his level."
I emphasized that I had no backing.
"Haha... This is quite rude, but may I ask your total assets? We need to check the financial status of those wishing to adopt for the children's sake. We can't send kids to someone with nothing."
"My liquid assets are around two hundred million penni."
"Two hundred million penni...!!"
This time, Herpo genuinely widened his eyes in shock.
"Does this qualify me to adopt?"
"...There are still procedures left, but financially, you're more than sufficient. Do you have a child in mind?"
"I want a pretty girl who can handle the counter. It'd be best if she's of age and ready to work right away."
"There are over three thousand children in this sector alone. Take your time looking. Oh, the children's will matters in adoptions. If they refuse, it can't proceed."
"Yes. I won't force anyone."
We smiled at each other. One thing was certain: it wasn't a smile born of goodwill.
"Have you toured the village? If you'd like, I'd be happy to guide you and introduce you to the children."
"I'd appreciate that."
"Most of the population here are children. This cathedral mainly cares for those under ten, while older ones nearing their coming-of-age live in outer buildings. By rule, adults must move to another sector, so we teach them trades based on aptitude."
"Do the kids want to leave?"
"Not many do. They know it's safer here than out there. But this place is for orphans with nowhere to go. Once grown, they must be independent. That's the rule."
The outer buildings weren't as grand as the cathedral but were decent enough. Most kids over ten were working: doing laundry, carrying water, logging, cooking, and so on.
"Don't problems arise among the kids? Fights, or... kids having kids...?"
"They're all good children. Fights happen occasionally, but never seriously. We separate them by gender too: boys with boys, girls with girls."
As Herpo passed, the children bowed brightly.
"Hello! Bishop!"
"Hello, Helsi. Good work."
"Bishop! Who's that with you?"
"A merchant who wants to adopt."
Herpo was popular. The kids seemed to genuinely respect him.
'He's fooling all of them well.'
Under Herpo's guidance, I closely observed the girls. They greeted me warmly too. The girls especially showed interest—probably thanks to my handsome face enhanced by Deception (SS).
I memorized the names of girls already beautiful enough to call so and those with high potential.
"That house. And that one's roof is partially broken."
"Hm. Yes. We'll fix it tomorrow or the day after."
"I'd like to gift the kids sturdier roofs. I'll add another million penni to the donation."
Herpo's eyes gleamed momentarily before returning to normal.
"Haha... That's too much... We'll feel burdened."
"I'm just impressed by these kids living spiritedly without parents. Please accept."
"...Thank you. I'll use it for the children."
Eventually, Herpo led me to a rundown corner, pretending not to notice as he showed me shabby houses and sick kids. Each time, I upped the donation amount.
I let him have his way, knowing his scheme.
"That girl..."
I spotted a girl in a dress with gray bobbed hair. She was too grown to call a child. Prettier-faced and better-figured than the others. She carried a basket of laundered clothes.
"That's Sasha. She'll have her coming-of-age in two months and leave."
"......Her vibe and looks fit my shop perfectly. I want to adopt her."
"Well... she already has a placement."
"Already adopted?"
"No... But in two months, she'll work as a maid for Viscount Garon of Garon Estate in Sector 3,547."
She already had a spot lined up.
And there was a high chance of a backroom deal between Herpo and Viscount Garon. No noble of that rank would come all the way here just for a maid.
"I want her in my shop. How can we make it happen?"
"Well..."
I could almost hear Herpo's brain whirring, calculating maximum profit.
"There's a contract penalty. At least five—no, ten million penni."
In short, fork over at least ten million penni.
"Just that much? I'll cover the penalty!"
"Mr. Kang, don't answer lightly. Think it through seriously. That's ten million penni."
"To me, she's worth more than ten million."
"...Understood, Mr. Kang. But if Sasha refuses, please back off. We won't force her."
"Yes! Of course!"
Thanks to Herpo's introduction, I got to talk to Sasha alone.
"Sasha. Won't you be my child? You could handle my shop's counter."
"......The counter?"
Unlike her haughty looks, she had a soft, introverted voice up close.
"A sort of face of the shop. Do well, and I'll give you promotions."
"But I've never done that... Being a maid is more familiar and comfortable..."
"Maid work isn't as easy as you think. Up at dawn for cleaning, chores till bedtime. Few days off, and monthly pay under 150,000 penni."
"......"
Sasha's face stiffened. She knew maid work was grueling but had no better option.
"If it's not rude, how much will the viscount's house pay you as a maid?"
"...Room and board, plus 90,000 penni a month. Pay rises with experience."
"Become my child, and it's 300,000 penni monthly, at least one day off a week, free time after dinner. Room and board as family—no worries."
"But..."
Sasha glanced at Herpo. He smiled kindly and nodded.
"The contract with the viscount is fine. Mr. Kang will cover the penalty. Sasha, choose as you wish."
"......Give me time to think."
"I'll stay at the cathedral five days. Decide carefully."
"......Yes."
As I smiled, Sasha blushed quietly and nodded.
Dinnertime arrived.
I met others seeking adoptions—about twelve. They all seemed decent. But some were Herpo's cronies, others with dark intentions for the kids.
Fooling Ariel the angel was easy with special items. Angelus Legion checks? Herpo as an executive could bypass them.
During dinner with them, I secretly poisoned the food. Come morning, two cold corpses would be found, and the village would erupt.
'Kill two more the next day. To avoid suspicion, don't just target visitors—randomly kill workers or a few kids too.'
I confirmed two men ate the poisoned food.
Midnight.
I quietly opened the window and slipped out.
Hiding my presence was routine, and Illusion made me invisible. No one would spot me by chance.
I headed to the building across: where the nuns lived. Specifically, Sister Lucy's room, which I'd noted earlier. The door was latched.
'Easy to smash, but the window's better to avoid hassle.'
I stood by the window. Curtains blocked the view inside.
'Heavenly Demon Aura.'
A razor-sharp aura formed at my fingertip—sword energy manifested. Impossible in reality, but trivial in Heavenly Demon state.
I cut a small hole in the window with it, slipped my finger in, and unlatched it. Carefully, I opened it and entered.
I found Sister Lucy asleep on the bed. Unlike her black habit, she wore light sleepwear covered by a thin blanket, deep in slumber.
I closed the window, approached, and clamped her mouth with my palm. Then lifted the blanket. I grabbed her J-cup breasts tightly through the sleepwear.
"Mmph...! Nn, mmmph?!"
Our eyes met as she woke.
"Hello, Sister Lucy. Nice night, isn't it?"