Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Going to Meet Ray Who Became a Saintess
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On the way to the mansion I'd been granted, there happened to be the Temple of the Goddess. It was also the place where the current Saintess, Ray, was residing. I might not get to see her, but I decided to drop by Ray's temple first. Rise and Ariana had business to attend to, so we parted ways for now, promising to catch up later.
"What brings you here?"
"I've come to see the Saintess."
Was this place always this crowded? Thanks to the Saintess effect, it was packed with people in a way that was completely unlike usual. Ever since the Saintess had appeared, the church's influence had grown tremendously. These were folks looking to cozy up to the church and snag even a few crumbs from the Saintess, the Goddess's representative.
"You'll need to register first. It might take a few months before you can see her."
As expected, there were already way too many people wanting to see Ray.
In this harsh world where even Ray couldn't meet people freely! I revealed my identity to the priestess handling registrations for Saintess visits. When you've got power, you've gotta use it.
"Ahem. Actually, I'm Baron Daron."
"Even barons can't get in."
The priestess shot me down flat without a thought for my dignity. There was even a faint look of disdain in her eyes.
Whispers erupted around me at her words.
"That baron's demanding to see the Saintess ahead of everyone else?"
"Daron? Never heard of him. Some backwater baron?"
Fuck.
Wasn't I a noble now?
It felt exactly the same as when I was a commoner—unable to do whatever I wanted.
Right then...
"What the—? Isn't that Daron?"
A grating female voice came from behind me. I whipped around to see a redheaded woman.
None other than the Hero Party.
Charlotte, my childhood friend who'd become the Hero and immediately run off with another guy.
Jed, the top-tier swordsman who'd seduced her.
And Elinne, the grand mage who loved mocking the weak.
"It's really Daron. Whoa—Daron, you cleaned up nice today or something?"
Jed sauntered over, mocking me as he patted my shoulder. He ruffled my neatly combed hair with a bit of force. I ignored that clown completely and addressed Charlotte instead.
"What brings the esteemed Hero to a place like this?"
"None of your business, Daron."
The Hero.
That title made the people around us gasp in surprise. Some recognized her, but since the Hero Party hadn't made a big splash yet, plenty didn't know her face.
"Here to see the Saintess?"
"Don't make a fuss over the obvious and get out of the way."
Charlotte waved me aside irritably as she stood in front of the registration priestess. To her, I, Daron, was utterly pathetic—a weakling imprinted in her mind as inferior to Jed in every way: weaker, uglier, worse personality, no money. I was just some guy she'd known a bit back in the day.
There was no reason to stick around here, so I stepped aside without protest.
"Charlotte. The Hero."
"I understand. I'll contact the Saintess right away."
The difference in how she treated me versus Charlotte was night and day. Even as a noble, a baron's rank couldn't hold a candle to the Hero's title.
While the priestess made contact, Charlotte and her two companions chatted idly.
"Charlotte, the Saintess showing up means the Demon King really has appeared, right?"
"Probably."
"No matter how strong the Demon King is, he's no match for us. Looking at the records of past Heroes, they were all pushovers."
Jed, Charlotte, Elinne—they whispered one after another. Come on, even if you're murmuring, blabbing about a Demon King invasion right here? Regular citizens might not catch it, but if word got out too early, it'd cause massive panic.
"Hm? You were called Daron earlier... Are you perhaps Lord Daron?"
The priestess who'd been contacting upstairs suddenly remembered something and checked my name. She'd heard the Hero call me by my real name. When I'd introduced myself earlier, I'd said Baron Daron, so this must've clicked.
"W-Wait a moment."
Why was she making such a fuss over the name Daron? I figured it out quick.
"Ahem. Looks like it'll be a few months before we can meet. Well then."
True to a no-account baron's form, she bowed slightly while looking down on me and turned to leave without a hint of regret.
"Wait. Hold on. The Saintess said to contact her immediately if Lord Daron showed up."
"What?"
Charlotte shot me a puzzled look. The priestess suddenly fawning over me was weird enough, but the idea that the Saintess and I were connected must've shocked her.
"No, no. The Saintess is so busy, as you said. If it can't be done, it can't. When I meet her later, I'll just tell her honestly that I couldn't make it for this reason. Please go ahead and send in the great Hero... Ahem, the Hero. I'll be off."
"I'm sorry!"
The priestess bolted from the counter to grab me. It was a direct order from the Saintess. If this lowly priestess ignored it and word got back to her... She'd be the one in deep shit.
Guess even religious organizations run on rank tyranny. She was panicking because pissing off the Saintess would screw her over.
"What's our priestess's name?"
"Wh-Why do you need my name?"
"Just so I know. Or should I ask the Saintess myself later?"
"Camille. It's Camille."
"Priestess Camille."
I flashed a sly grin and whispered softly where the Hero and other civilians couldn't see.
"You owe me one now."
"Y-Yes... Yes."
In truth, even if Camille's snub got back to Ray, it probably wouldn't amount to much punishment. But given Ray's recent headstrong behavior and how little was known about her early days as Saintess, Camille's attitude made sense.
"Hurry and make the call. Tell them Daron's here."
"Yes!"
Camille finally relaxed and returned to the counter to relay the message. Approval came down quick.
"Lord Daron, the Saintess will see you right away. Ah, sorry, Hero. Not today—how about tomorrow?"
As the now-polite priestess tried to escort me inside, Charlotte shoved her way in and stalked toward me.
"What the hell are you?"
"What else? The Saintess wants to see me, so I'm going."
"Who do you think you are?"
"Maybe because I got to the counter first? The Saintess really is fair, huh."
She'd know that was bullshit. As I mocked her openly, Charlotte's pretty brow twitched in anger. Still a beautiful face. Seeing her pissed because of me was satisfying.
She couldn't accept it.
Meeting the Saintess first wasn't a big deal, but going after a nobody like me? That had to sting. Hell, it was a huge deal—the Hero losing out to some average guy. Furious as she was, Charlotte couldn't say more with all the eyes on us, especially in front of the sacred temple.
I gave her a cool smile and strode confidently into the temple.
Charlotte, Jed, and Elinne all looked baffled by the situation.
Come to think of it, those jerks had already met Ray once. Back during our date, at that restaurant. If they knew that unremarkable girl Ray was the Saintess, that'd be a shock too.
Claiming Ray as mine before she became famous as the Saintess had been a brilliant move. I hadn't even thought about screwing over Charlotte, but seeing that earlier? Still felt damn good.
Following the priest's guidance, I walked through the holy temple's interior until my feet came to a natural stop.
"Are you Lord Daron?"
"Yes."
"The Saintess is waiting."
The holy knight guarding a door that screamed "important person inside" stepped aside and opened it. As the door swung open, a sweet fragrance wafted out. I stepped in, and the door closed behind me.
No one else was in the room—just one person waiting for me.
"Ray?"
"Daron."
Ray called my name and hurried toward me. She threw herself into my arms—
"Ray? Ow! Aren't you squeezing too hard?"
"I'm glad to see you and all, but fuck, I still think it's bullshit!"
"Ray. Act like a Saintess."
"Fuck off."
Ray cursed roughly as she started yanking on my dick. Not like a handjob or anything—she was seriously trying to rip it off.
Back then, she'd let it slide because I was exhausted, but now that I was fine, this was probably payback.
"Fuck, how many women do you plan to fuck?!"
"I told you beforehand, ow!"
"What makes you think you can talk back?"
Ray had been the first to find me and Ariana after we escaped the cave. She'd sensed my energy with her holy power and rushed over. Only she saw us, so no big issue, but that witness being Ray was kinda bad in hindsight. I could picture her smashing my back while Ariana and I went at it wildly in the forest clearing. I'd played up the pain with some whining, so she hadn't gone harder, but now that I was healed, it was time to settle the score.
"Got it. I'll do whatever Ray wants."
"What? W-Wait—mmph."
I didn't care if she was mauling my dick. I yanked Ray close and pressed my lips to hers.
Time to taste Ray as the Saintess for the first time.