Frenzy at the West Gate and the High Priestess's Call
Two days later, I return to the West Gate street of Molingta. Just two days have passed, but the atmosphere is worlds apart from before.
"Down with the sinners—justice's hammer falls!"
"Tomatoes stuffed with stones, five dong per pop!"
"Hey, you! No cutting—get to the back and wait your turn!"
The street, once eerily quiet and reverent, now buzzes like a stadium overrun by rabid hooligans, thick with violence and shouting.
"Siron, you sure it's cool to talk like that around here?"
"What's the problem?"
"Uh... yeah, guess not."
Thinking about it, there's no real reason she can't. They're not out to grab innocent folks—it's for vicious criminals, so this much is fine. Plus, the guy hawking those stone-stuffed tomatoes looks like a priest from some temple.
Anyway, we push through the street thick with mad fervor and violence, reaching the Rapitera Temple where a massive line snakes around.
"Hey, you! No line? Where the hell do you think—mmph!"
"Shh, shut it, you idiot! That's a silver-rank adventurer!"
A few try yelling at us for barging ahead, but before Siron can even react, her acquaintances in the crowd shut them down. Her reputation really is trash—or a legend, depending on how you look at it.
We keep weaving in until we stop before the holy knight guarding the temple entrance.
"Halt. No entry without order."
It's the same knight from two days ago who summoned that lewd priestess for me.
"Hello. The High Priestess called for me."
"You..."
The knight squints, studying my face from every angle.
"Ah, Smith from the Adventurer's Guild."
"Yup, that's me."
"Hmph. They say clothes are a man's wings for men, but I didn't expect this much change."
"Huh? That... different?"
I blink in confusion, glancing between my outfit and Siron's face.
"You looked like a simple frontier lad before. Now? Like a Sahara tribe chief's husband—stately, dignified. Both looks suit you."
"Uh... th-thanks."
"Fine. If the High Priestess summoned you, in you go. It's chaos inside with preparations—grab any priest for directions."
"Got it."
I bow deeply to the knight's sincere praise, then step into the temple grounds with Siron, whose face mixes annoyance and pride in some weird expression.
"Siron, did I screw up?"
"What bullshit is that?"
"Nah, your face looks off."
"...Hey! You, blue-haired priest!"
Instead of answering, Siron hails a priest carrying a chair bigger than herself.
They whisper for a bit.
"Idiot. You gonna stand there forever? Follow."
"Uh, yeah."
We trail the blue-haired priest across the grounds to a small clearing. A huge platform looms, surrounded by chairs being set out everywhere.
She plops her chair down casually and beams back at us.
"Alright, let's go."
Looks like Siron asked her to guide us.
"Thanks, even though you're busy."
"Huh?"
She startles at my thanks, then flashes a flower-bright smile and waves it off.
"Haha, no—you gave me a legit break. Follow me."
Other priests try grabbing her along the way, but she grins, name-drops me, and slips free every time.
"High Priestess, Smith from the Adventurer's Guild is here."
[Enter.]
A voice pure as crystal flows from beyond the door.
"Go on in. Later."
The blue-haired priest bows lightly, checks for onlookers, then giggles and dashes off—clearly plotting more slacking.
"What're you waiting for? She said come in."
"Oh, right."
I ease open the familiar door and step inside.
"Welcome."
"Uh... h-hello."
She's standing primly, greeting me—huge tits... no, huge tits... wait, huge—
"You fucking perv, where you staring? Wanna die?"
"Ahem... cough."
Those tits are so massive, I wonder if they should even exist in this world. Lost in that merciful bosom, Siron's killing glare snaps me back.
"S-sorry."
"No need. I'm flattered, actually. Sit here, please. Adventurer Siron, you're welcome to join."
We sink into a sofa softer than a luxury inn bed, thanks to her courtesy.
"Someone else is coming, so wait a bit?"
I nod, desperately avoiding her chest.
"To pass the time, ask me anything you're curious about."
"Uh..."
Can I touch those violent tits to confirm they're real? The words rise, but superhuman restraint swallows them.
"That... were you the one talking to me through the crystal orb?"
"Yes. I'm High Priestess Agatha, who spoke with you via comm orb, Smith."
"Hmm..."
I study her closely. Silken golden hair cascades past her shoulders. A pure white veil hides her face, but her jaw and lips hint at stunning beauty. Even the prim robes can't hide those lewd... no, violent tits and perfect cleav—
"Gah!"
"You fuck. Should I gouge your eyes out?"
Stars explode in my vision. What happened? As it clears, unimaginable pain throbs in my skull—tears well up. Guess I got knuckle'd for ogling unconsciously. No exaggeration; I question how my scalp's intact.
"Ufufu, I'm fine, Adventurer Siron."
"..."
I rub my splitting head, gulping at the weird silence between them.
"Something off? You're staring so intently."
Zing! Siron's glare stabs me; I blurt out my real thought to survive.
"N-no, it's just... you feel way different from the orb chat priestess."
"Different how?"
"Uh... well..."
A merciless slut whose voice alone raises my dick—say that, and I'd die from both. "Just... really different. Hard to put into words."
"I see."
She nods simply, sparing me further embarrassment. True relief.
Knock knock.
Rescue arrives before awkwardness thickens.
[High Priestess. Coming in.]
Door opens before permission; the silver-armored knight who escorted me before enters.
"Hey, up."
"Wha?"
Siron pokes my side; we both stand reflexively.
"Nah, save it for formal seats."
The knight waves; Siron nods and sits. I follow.
Once we're down, she nudges Agatha aside, claims the spot, and plops down.
Clank.
She removes her helmet.
"Phew, can breathe now."
Sweat-damp silver hair spills to her shoulders.
"So, High Priestess—where's the guy I saved? Why's this one sitting?"
"Ardella. Same person."
"Same?"
The stoic silver-haired knight—Ardella—stares like the gate knight did.
"Ho, got it. My bad."
She admits it readily, then whistles softly.
"Impressive. That dopey guy I dragged here... is this dude. Clothes change a man—or hair, maybe?"
Both the gate knight and this Ardella—how do new threads make me unrecognizable? I'm the confused one.
"Everyone's here—let's start. Catching those bitches was good, but I've got a mountain of shit to handle."
As Ardella chats briefly with Agatha, I lean to Siron and whisper.
"Siron, who's this knight bossing the High Priestess around?"
"Didn't you read the paper with me at lunch?"
"Yeah."
"..."
"D-did I need to memorize it?"
Her pitying look—like trash in the gutter—makes me flinch away.
"Right, no intro. I'm Ardella Filoria."
"Uh, Smith."
"Know."
I introduce tensely; she smiles softly, nods.
That name nags... Ardella... Filoria... Ah.
"C-countess...!"
"That's my mom. No title for me."
"S-sorry."
"Don't sweat it. My fault for no intro."
Ardella laughs breezily; Siron beside me glares like I'm street filth. No words left. My ass clenches in tension.
"Whoa, no need to tense up. I'll bounce soon—no special ties means no seeing you again."
"G-got it."
"Heh."
Ardella scratches her head.
"Called her 'big sis' in the carriage, though."
"Huh?"
"What?"
Her bombshell drops our jaws—mine and Siron's. I said that...?
"Why the shock?"
"Uh, th-that—"
"You fucking called her that?"
"I, uh? N-no..."
For the first time, my mind blanks white. Terrifying knight ahead. Siron ready to knuckle me beside. World spins.