Chapter 107
Chapter 107
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Saint's Man (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
html, body { margin:0; padding:0; }
Saint.
A peculiar figure who treated the illnesses and injuries of the powerless and poor in the back alleys for free.
In the early days, stories about him were dismissed as mere rumors outside the back alleys, nothing of significance.
After all, the people of the outside world had no reason to care about the woes of the rundown, dangerous back alleys. Unlike the back alley residents, they didn't have to worry about dying from minor wounds or ailments due to lack of money.
But then.
At some point, rumors of the saint began to spread through Bonderes high society.
In a world where those who felt shame at receiving free treatment gathered.
"The saint? Oh, that one who goes around treating people for free in the back alleys..."
"Yes!"
"I didn't expect someone like you to be interested."
"Of course not!"
"?"
"But now I am? And I think you'll be interested soon too?"
"What on earth happened?"
"You know Yulina?"
"Ah, our Yulina. How could I not? She's in the Bonderes handsome men encyclopedia. Why? Did Yulina get treated by that saint?"
"Not that, but she happened to witness him treating someone else, and that saint was so—"
"Miraculous?"
"Handsome!"
"?"
"I'll quote Yulina exactly. 'He's insane, insane! Insane!!! I've never seen such a gorgeous man in my life!? Bronze skin, sky-blue eyes, deep golden hair, and above all, those slightly revealed white teeth contrasting against the bronze skin when he smiles... But most of all, that mystical aura! A coexistence of masculine strength and feminine grace! No other words needed. Young lord. More noble-like than any noble I've ever seen!'"
"...Yulina said all that?"
The reason highborn ladies of society took interest in the back alley celebrity.
It was none other than his widely rumored beauty.
The saint's name, once whispered only in the back alleys, began to spread subtly into the sunlit world through the lips of noble ladies.
Then one day.
An incident occurred that made the saint the top fascination for all noble ladies.
Karia Dendro, daughter of the largest merchant caravan in Bonderes, 'Golden Barley.'
The saint ended up staying as a guest in her mansion.
From ladies to matrons.
Women flocked to the Dendro mansion to catch a glimpse of the famously rumored saint, and there they were captivated by his mystical aura and stunning beauty.
The number of visitors grew day by day.
Soon enough, the saint became the hottest topic in Bonderes society.
Countless women opened their ears and purses to win his favor.
Under that influence, the eastern back alleys of Bonderes became thoroughly his domain of activity.
That was the full story of how the saint rose to become a back alley heavyweight.
Even after becoming the back alley saint, not much changed for him.
He still stayed at the Dendro mansion, mingling with numerous visitors to expand his influence.
Today too, many women made their way to the Dendro mansion to meet him.
Saint.
All who faced him were overwhelmed by his mystical aura and beautiful features.
He was always the one swaying others' hearts, with never a single exception until now.
Society figures often talked about such a saint.
The saint who maintained an equal distance from everyone and treated all with equal courtesy.
Did he truly feel affection for anyone?
"You smiled...?"
The expression he just showed might be the answer to that.
The saint who had smiled perfunctorily even amid lavish gifts from noblewomen, refusing to open his heart.
Now, joy spread across his face.
'To think that person could make such an expression...'
It was the sentiment felt by most in the room.
They followed the saint's gaze with intense envy and curiosity.
To find the owner of that expression.
"Excuse me a moment."
"Ah, Eron!"
At that moment, the saint—
left the side of the curly-haired woman beside him, Karia Dendro, and stepped forward.
The crowd encircling him parted, making way.
'What's this? What's with the atmosphere. What has Rona been up to—'
Rishir, at the end of that path, was flustered by the sudden situation but gladly prepared to reunite with his comrade.
Just as he stepped forward with a pleased smile.
"Eron!"
A noblewoman right beside him shoved Rishir aside and overtook him.
Moments ago.
The city noble who had subtly mocked Rishir with her aristocratic airs as he searched for the saint—Marceline Ravalia.
She naturally pulled off elaborate makeup and adornments, wielding considerable influence in Bonderes society.
The new jewelry and attire she showcased at social gatherings soon became the next trend in Bonderes.
Thanks to that, Marceline enjoyed the privilege of having more contact with the saint than most in society.
Based on that, Marceline was convinced.
'He saw me! The gift I gave before worked!'
Marceline stood before the saint, brimming with anticipation.
Her entourage followed excitedly behind her.
"Isn't that Miss Marceline?"
"Could Miss Marceline and Eron be...?"
The onlookers easily accepted the situation of Marceline staking her claim as the saint's lady.
They watched the facing saint and Marceline with thrilled eyes.
As if not missing a single detail of what was about to unfold.
What they missed.
"..."
Was the fact that when Marceline shoved a man aside to cut in front of him, the saint's expression briefly twisted.
The saint now wore his usual mystical smile as if nothing had happened.
He nodded to Marceline and said.
"Miss Marceline. Having a good time?"
"Yes, thanks to you!"
Marceline replied excitedly.
Perhaps from her hurried steps? Her breathing was ragged.
Then, the saint's hand reached toward Marceline's face.
"Eh...?"
The saint gently removed a stray hair from the flustered Marceline's lips.
His sky-blue eyes met hers directly.
"That's delightful to hear. I've had a good time thanks to you too, Miss Marceline."
"Eron..."
Marceline's eyes quickly welled up.
Just as she leaned in eagerly to continue the conversation.
"But, Miss Marceline."
"Yes? Ah, yes! Go ahead!"
"About the gift you gave me before."
"Ah, yes!"
I think I should return it after all.
"Yes? Why— You said you liked it then—"
The saint offered no explanation.
He merely smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Ah..."
Marceline stood dazed for a moment. Then she hurriedly looked around.
The gazes that had been envious toward her moments ago had turned cold.
Unable to bear it, Marceline fled the scene.
Her entourage hesitated briefly before following.
An awkward silence hung in the room, but it didn't last long.
The nobles approached the saint casually, as if nothing had happened, striking up conversations.
Relief was even visible in their demeanor.
Relief that the saint had no lady yet.
"Eron. What was that gift Miss Marceline mentioned?"
The one feeling that relief most strongly right now.
Karia Dendro, daughter of the Golden Barley caravan, blocked the approaching crowd and spoke to Eron.
Those trying to speak to Eron scowled in dissatisfaction, but that was all.
With the saint staying long-term as a guest in the Dendro mansion, Karia was undoubtedly the closest to him.
'What are you gonna do, glaring like that?'
Karia glanced sideways at them, savoring deep satisfaction.
As the daughter of a caravan leader running the Golden Barley, Karia had inherited her father's calculative nature.
She only felt satisfied if spending money yielded more than its worth, and if not, she'd use every means to recoup it.
To Karia, luxury was a world apart.
She couldn't understand other young women indulging in extravagance, even viewing them with pity.
Buying overpriced items just to stimulate envy through vanity.
Was there anything more foolish and pointless?
Karia prided herself on never becoming one of them.
Until she met the saint.
When the saint accepted her father's invitation and stayed at the mansion, their first meeting delivered a powerful shock to Karia.
"Miss Karia, what's wrong?"
"Pardon? Oh, nothing, I was just lost in thought— Anyway, lots of people want to talk to you, so is it okay to stay by my side? With someone boring like me."
"Of course. You're the most important person here to me."
"Pardon?"
"The one who invited me as a guest is your father, right?"
"Ah? Oh! R-Right."
"And why call yourself boring."
"Why? I'm not into dressing up like other girls my age... and all I talk about is money and business..."
"I don't think it's bad."
"Pardon?"
"Not fussing despite being aware of it means you're confident in your natural self, right? And few things are as beautiful as confidence."
"Kyaa!? Wh-What—"
"Ah, sorry. Your hair was messy, it bothered me. Did it upset you?"
"N-No... Not upset.."
"And I enjoy your stories."
"Pardon?"
"Having a vision at your age, planning your business and future. Impressive, isn't it?"
"...You're the first to say that."
"That's odd. What about your father?"
"Pardon? Well, father said something similar—"
"Ah, I get it. Excluding your father, I'm about the only one who's recognized your true worth?"
"Uh..."
"Essentially, you've been acknowledged by a merchant's eye. An honor. I have no experience there, but if a business decision comes, you can trust my judgment confidently."
"..."
The conversation they shared.
And the envious gazes from those around during that talk.
It was a feeling Karia had never experienced before.
Like she had become an extraordinarily special person.
Karia linked that emotion to luxury and ostentation.
She was completely captivated by it.
And completely captivated by its source, the saint.
Thus, Karia developed a strong conviction.
That only she, the daughter of the Golden Barley caravan leader, could indulge in the luxury of monopolizing such a man.
She was willing to do anything to maintain that privilege.
In this moment, conversing with the saint.
Karia immersed herself in the attention focused on her.
Or perhaps, immersed in the man called the saint who created it all.
Traces of adornment appeared on the lady who had no interest in primping.
Glamour was added to clothes chosen only for practicality, and meticulous makeup to her previously plain demeanor.
In truth, Karia no longer cared much about the surrounding attention.
Only the saint's reactions toward her mattered.
So perhaps—
"Hm...?"
She sensed the saint's mind wandering elsewhere mid-conversation.
Then, the saint spoke.
"Karia, I'll talk to someone else briefly and come back."
"What if I say no?"
Karia said playfully, hiding a bit of sincerity.
Of course, it didn't faze the saint who effortlessly swayed women's hearts.
He just flashed a light smile and left.
"..."
Karia's dissatisfied gaze chased his back.
'Where are you going?'
He seemed to converse with someone else in the garden, then left the garden entirely.
"I'll be right back."
Karia left her guard Rock behind and cautiously followed the saint.
Soon, the saint entered behind the mansion.
Footsteps halting.
Karia leaned against the mansion wall, listening.
-Is your body feeling better now?
A shy woman's voice came.
'Who is that?'
Feeling unease, Karia focused on the saint and the woman's conversation.
-Yeah, thanks to you. You took care of me while I was out, right?
'Huh?'
But what she heard wasn't the saint's voice, but another man's.
No sign of the saint; only a timid woman and a man's voices.
-...Who told you?
-Ah, you know how it is. Anyway, thanks, Rona. I owe you again.
-...No, I owe you.
-Hm? Oh. Come to think of it, you're doing well lately? Saint.
-...Shut up.
"...!"
Karia's eyes widened.
The unease from the shy woman's voice took shape.
A neutral, confident, beautiful voice full of assurance.
It was the saint's voice that Karia—and everyone—knew.
So she couldn't have imagined.
'That's Eron's voice...?'
Hero candidates come to your base.
You hold the Star Festival there.
Clear all fate quests to deactivate the region,
then raise region conquest to 80%.
First base usually in Bonderes, but most give up and take the next city's.
Rep and affection way easier elsewhere.
City Council is doable tbh
Merchant Guild and Society are the real walls
Bankrupt trying to max Karia affection lol
Just skip her
"Eron!"
Karia couldn't overcome her mental turmoil and revealed herself before them.
There stood Rishir, the person the saint had brought.
And—
"Karia?"
The androgynous beauty had become just a feminine lady, and she too stood there.
Karia cried out, filled with betrayal.
"Y-You're a woman!?"
Then the saint's appearance changed.
Back to the androgynous beauty, he approached Karia.
And pressed forward, pinning her against the wall.
"You followed me?"
Karia flinched in surprise but immediately retorted.
"Th-That's not the point right now!!!"
"...You're right, that's not the point."
The dazzling beauty who drew affection from all ages and genders leaned in toward the plainly dressed but earnestly adorned curly-haired lady.
"Don't like it?"
"Uh...?"
"Do you hate me now?"
The beauty smiled provocatively. She lifted the lady's chin with a finger, forcing their eyes to meet.
"..."
Karia's eyes trembled violently.
Finally, she lowered her head and murmured.
"N-No..."
Satisfied with the answer, the beauty smiled and stroked the plain lady's cheek.
"..."
Unconcealed joy appeared on the plain lady's face.
After calming and sending the plain lady away, the beauty turned her gaze back to Rishir.
"...Uh, where were we?"
In a shy demeanor with no trace of her previous self.
Rumor. It is a droplet overflowing from a churning vessel, a fragment of information detached from truth.
Lately, Bonderes gossips were busier than ever collecting those fragments.
Such intriguing and stimulating rumors erupting simultaneously were rare.
"About this much, I guess."
Gossiper.
The middle-aged info guild member organized the intel inferred from rumors.
Viewing his compilation, he smirked oddly.
"Where are all these talents suddenly pouring in from?"
He couldn't even imagine that all those rumors stemmed from a single man.