The Saintess of Memphis
“Isn’t that the Memphis flag?”
Geum Taeyang had already stepped outside when Athena joined him a moment later. Spotting the flag, she pressed close to his side and spoke in a hushed tone. Seeing the Memphis banner flying on Britannian soil felt strangely out of place.
“Yeah. That’s the Memphis flag, all right.”
Geum Taeyang folded his arms with his usual charismatic flair and nodded in confirmation. Around the raised banner stood a sizable escort of guards and uniformed attendants flanking a luxurious carriage. Normally, a nation’s flag was only displayed openly by its military, royalty, or official envoys. To see it planted so boldly in an outlying city was both rare and unexpected.
“This is surprising, Taeyang. I heard Britannia and Memphis don’t get along at all. The nobles might be shifting lately, but even the common folk don’t seem to care.”
Athena glanced around, clearly puzzled. Arthur had mentioned changing currents in Britannia, yet that was palace talk. The people still remembered old grudges. Normally, a Memphis flag would draw glares, if not stones. Yet no one reacted.
“It’s because of the other flag next to it.”
Geum Taeyang gestured with his chin toward the blue banner bearing a fluorescent emerald crest.
“Why? What flag is that, Taeyang?”
“The banner of the Memphis Saintess. The Saintess of the Church of the Goddess of Light. Those people are her escort—the Bellahaim retinue.”
He offered the explanation kindly to his blank-faced wife. They had already shared their morning intimacy; when he had gone to greet her after waking, he found her sleeping naked and promptly ignored the lord’s orders to claim her again.
“Ah! The Memphis Saintess—I’ve heard Mother mention her before.”
The Saintess of the Church of the Goddess of Light was a famous figure. Athena’s eyes widened with recognition and she smiled brightly.
“During the Holy Kingdom era, Memphis enjoyed a good reputation. Their national religion, the Church of the Goddess of Light, performed many acts of charity. There were frequent natural disasters across many nations back then, and the Saintess always came to help. That’s why the Saintess—symbol of the church—is still welcomed wherever she goes.”
Geum Taeyang proudly displayed his knowledge, pleased by Athena’s lively reactions. A theocratic state was one where religious authority and state power were closely intertwined. Memphis had gone beyond that into full theocracy. The Saintess, as the goddess’s representative, had ruled as queen, bringing a remarkably stable period. Her lineage traced back to the first apostle directly baptized by the Goddess of Light, revered as the founder of the faith.
“What Mother told me was that this Saintess is just as miraculous as the last one. She said Memphis’s atmosphere might change because of her, and the Church of the Goddess of Light would grow even stronger.”
Excited that they were finally having a real conversation, Athena chattered on. So why had theocratic Memphis become a monarchy? Public opinion held that the Saintess bloodline’s miraculous power had waned. Then, coincidentally, Memphis suffered a long stretch of devastating natural disasters. The Saintess and the church, accepting responsibility, peacefully transferred national authority to the noble coalition.
‘They handed it over so cleanly that the Saintess is still respected to this day. They achieved a bloodless revolution on their own. That’s why, even though the Memphis royal family holds political power, the people’s trust and symbolic leadership still belong to the Saintess.’
The Church of the Goddess of Light remained Memphis’s state religion. Nearly every Memphis citizen was a follower. While the church no longer held official state power, influence was ultimately shaped by people’s faith. Signs that the Saintess lineage was regaining its former strength had stirred considerable excitement even within a Memphis enjoying its golden age.
“Are you two watching the Saintess’s Bellahaim retinue?”
Arthur joined them after settling the hotel bill and speaking with the innkeeper.
“Senior, have you ever met the Saintess?”
“No, never. I spent my academy days and vacations wandering remote places. What about you, Arthur?”
“She visited the royal palace a few times. I’ve seen her. She was incredibly beautiful, virtuous, and holy. Ah! There she is now.”
The three of them stood side by side, watching the rarely seen Memphis Saintess’s procession. There was an old saying that seeing the Saintess and her retinue brought good fortune.
Arthur announced her arrival.
“That is Saintess Serazad. The 103rd Saintess.”
A woman with striking blue hair and fair skin walked forward, surrounded by her attendants. Saintess Serazad.
‘Oh… that hair color. That’s definitely the Serazad from the 15+ Memphis route.’
Geum Taeyang had never met Saintess Serazad in person since his possession. He had only seen her while playing the game—both the 15+ Leona route and the Memphis route. Memphis had its own protagonist mode, with separate all-ages and 15+ storylines.
“If the Mohican tribe ever faces invasion from Memphis, this Arthur will lead the Britannian vanguard and come to your aid without fail.”
After sharing lunch, it was time for Geum Taeyang, Athena, and Arthur to part ways. Arthur drew her treasured sword and pointed it at the sun, swearing an oath of knightly loyalty.
Having graduated from the Imperial Academy, Arthur had become commander of the Britannian vanguard. The vanguard was a special forces unit with high autonomy. In The Chronicles of World Conquest, Arthur had used this very unit to build her early personal achievements. Geum Taeyang knew this well, which was why he had never sought the Britannian royal family itself.
“Reliable as always, my junior Arthur. This Geum Taeyang will also grow stronger so I can help you achieve your dreams. Let’s grow together!”
—Hug!
In response to Arthur’s oath, Geum Taeyang gave her a warm, brotherly embrace.
‘Aaaah…! This feels too good…! What if he hears my heartbeat…!’
But to Arthur, this was no longer just a rough hug between men. It was an act of affection from the senior she loved. Though she still held her sword like a proper knight, her tightly shut eyes and trembling lips told a completely different story.
‘Grow well, my little chick. Once I decide you’ve grown enough, I’ll devour you properly and fill your womb with all the seed you want.’
Geum Taeyang knew exactly what he was doing and deliberately prolonged the hug, pouring his full attention into training Arthur even in their final moments. It was also a hug of gratitude—her oral service the previous night had been truly exceptional.
“Hahaha! How about it, Great Mother! I promised, didn’t I? That I’d build the Raonjena embankment before September! And here it is!”
Before late summer began, the Gaia Tribe had cause for celebration. The embankment to prevent Raonjena flooding had been completed. Geum Taeyang celebrated with the Great Mother, Athena, and the rest of the tribe.
“You’re truly amazing, Great Khan! We’ve also started building crop houses for winter and preparing schools for the children. Ever since you unified the Mohican tribe, our people have been changing day by day.”
Standing atop the embankment and gazing at the upper reaches of the Raonjena, Great Mother Sophia could not hide her admiration. Just as she said, roughly a month after returning from Britannia, various construction projects had begun in the Gaia Tribe—proper work carried out by outside laborers. Such projects required considerable funds. Where had the money come from? Was it again from Geum Taeyang’s magic money pouch, Jasmine?
“Hahaha! It’s all thanks to our tribespeople working so hard on their crafts. They’ve been making such high-quality goods that we’re getting rave reviews from outside!”
The craft business, brokered through the Jasmine Company, had become a massive success. Geum Taeyang’s idea of targeting nobles with limited quantities and exceptional quality had worked perfectly, and their fame had spread rapidly over the past month and a half.
“No, you’re being far too modest, Great Khan. Our techniques have always existed. It’s your leadership that made the difference. Thanks to you, Great Khan, we’ve received vaccinations and no longer fear summer or winter!”
“That’s right! Thank you so much, Great Khan! Every moment I feel proud to have been born into the Mohican tribe!”
The Gaia tribespeople waved their hands dismissively at their Great Khan’s humble words. They had once believed they were mere barbarians with no real skills, content to raise children and live leisurely. But that wasn’t true. The various craft techniques they had naturally learned from parents and grandparents were now recognized as masterwork by outsiders and held great value. Their chieftain and Great Khan, Geum Taeyang, had created the opportunity for them.
“Hearing you say that makes me, as Great Khan, incredibly happy. It feels like I’ve kept my promise—the one I made when I became Great Khan.”
“We will follow you, Great Khan! We will follow you through rain and snow so you may grow that eternally green tree!”
“Our Great Khan! Geum Taeyang, Great Khan!”
The embankment completion ceremony had turned into a Geum Taeyang revival meeting. In the two months since he unified the Mohican tribe, the people were experiencing the revolution he had declared. How could they not feel pride at having produced such a Great Khan?
…Smile…!
Great Mother Sophia watched the scene with deep contentment and happiness. She had always believed in him, yet she had worried. The world was vast, and Great Khan Geum Taeyang was still so young. But seeing him walk the path of a true Great Khan so splendidly, she could not contain her motherly smile.
“The design looks good.”
The day after the ceremony, Geum Taeyang sat inside the central tent, reviewing various documents and nodding in satisfaction.
“I’m glad you like it, Great Khan.”
Kneeling before him was a woman with bright red hair—Camilla Jasmine, elder sister of Kyle Jasmine.
“And even though we’re still pushing hard, opening the main store in Grace and then branching into other nations with your permission was a brilliant idea, Great Khan.”
After the Mohican crafts achieved great success, business expansion was inevitable. Nadia Jasmine had sent her cousin Camilla Jasmine because Geum Taeyang needed someone to professionally discuss these matters with.
‘Camilla Jasmine is quite the talent according to the game setting too. Anyway, Nadia sent her because she trusts Kyle and me, I suppose?’
As previously mentioned, Nadia only truly trusted one family member: Kyle. Camilla was not someone she trusted, yet she had still been sent. While Nadia’s relationship with Camilla was distant, Camilla and her younger brother Kyle shared a very close bond. Moreover, Camilla’s reputation for competence was excellent. Nadia had sent her based purely on ability and strategic positioning.
“I hear Memphis is showing interest as well?”
“Yes, Great Khan.”
Geum Taeyang looked over the list of nations and major cities hoping to open stores. His reason for targeting the nobility was twofold: first, limiting quantity to reduce the burden on the tribespeople; second, penetrating high society. The fashion-sensitive social circles were already in an uproar, and the Memphis noble coalition, unwilling to fall behind as an emerging wealthy nation, had also begun showing interest.
“Let’s wait a little longer on Memphis. According to Advisor Camilla’s analysis, it’s a very suitable location, but there are factors beyond economics to consider. For the others, proceed as planned.”
“Understood. I will carry out your will, Great Khan.”
Geum Taeyang intended to use Memphis for his own purposes when the time came.
“Advisor Camilla, the Mohican tribe attire suits you very well.”
After finishing her report, Camilla Jasmine turned and left the central tent. Geum Taeyang watched her retreating figure.
Her large, pale backside. As a Grace citizen and human, Camilla Jasmine wore a loincloth.
“When in Darmia, follow Darmia’s laws. That’s how I work. I want to adapt here as quickly as possible.”
…Smile…!
Camilla turned back and gave him a bright smile.
‘Was she always like this? When I played the game, I only saw Camilla from Nadia’s protagonist perspective. I didn’t have a very good impression of her.’
Camilla was not a protagonist. She was barely even a supporting character. Geum Taeyang was still getting to know her.
After Camilla left, someone Geum Taeyang knew all too well—someone who was a problem precisely because he knew her too well—arrived.
“It’s been a while, Leona Bayern.”
It was the woman who had been claimed by Geum Taeyang as his second woman—the third if counting the order he had taken her—the supreme commander of Tuyranos, the assassin known by the nickname Spider Queen, Leona Bayern.
“People are busy as hell, yet you keep calling me back and forth. How annoying, Great Khan Geum Taeyang.”
Step, step, step. Dressed in Tuyranos military uniform, Leona approached with a sharp, cool expression, her deep hostility toward Geum Taeyang clearly visible. Yet inside, her heart whispered:
‘Haaah… Why are you only calling me now, you bastard… How much did I miss you, you fucking asshole…’
Like a puppy that had been abandoned and finally returned to its master’s arms, she was crying tears of joy.