Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 86
The Crown Prince's name was Jern Ushiope. He was Gester's cousin, the only son of his uncle Anton Kuolinwho had seized the throne through rebellion and was now called Anton Ushiope.
It was their first meeting with Gester.
During the rebellion, Jern had been a child not even five years old yet, and up until then, Anton had kept himself shut away in his estate.
That must have been why.
Jern didn't recognize Gester.
To be honest, even Asherwho had spent his entire childhood with Gestercouldn't picture his friend when Gester was in disguise as a woman.
It was such a perfect disguise; how could Jern possibly see through it?
But that wasn't the problem.
The problem was something only Asher, who knew the truth, could sense.
'Cousin, man, cross-dressing.'
Asher could define Jern with those three keywords.
Incestuous homosexualwhat kind of horrific hybrid was this?
The thought of that man becoming king terrified him. If that was the fate decreed for Baern, Asher felt like he wouldn't have the slightest qualms about bringing the kingdom to ruin.
But regardless of those feelings, all Asher could do in this situation was endure.
He just had to wait until nightfall.
"We're looking into everything Lady Mila has been up to! Ah, n-no, not stalking or anythingit's pure fandom! The tournament this time was impressive, but if you ask me about the lonely rose that is Lady Mila, the most memorable commission was...!"
...Just until nightfall.
"How do you usually train? Lady Mila might come off as a warrior who just powers through with brute force, but I know! Your true weapon is those unpredictable attacks born from overwhelming flexibility! I can't even imagine how much training it took to forge these massive, rock-hard muscles... "
......
"A-anyway, it's such an honor to meet you like this! I really..."
Why wasn't nightfall coming?
Gester stared at Versia, his eyes pleading for help.
But unfortunately, Versia was too busy enjoying the situation right now. Even Asher, who truly pitied him, couldn't do a thing.
Versia mouthed words at Gester.
'Big. Deal.'
Endure it for the greater cause.
It's not like fawning a little would kill you.
Betrayal flickered in Gester's eyes.
Asher could only click his tongue at Versia's cruelty.
Fortunately, time only marched forward.
The agonizing moment finally came to an end.
The king made his entrance, and Crown Prince Jern swallowed his regrets, offered greetings, and headed to the king's side.
Only then did Asher whisper to Versia.
"Isn't that a bit too harsh?"
"What's the big deal? It's not my problem."
"Th-that's my friend you're talking about..."
At those words, Versia flashed a bewitching smile.
"You only need me as your knight, don't you? Body and soul, all mine."
It was a flustering remark.
Asher felt heat rising from within.
He fanned himself needlessly. Versia let out a soft chuckle.
* * *
As for the current king, Anton Ushiopewhat could one say?
That was the first impression that came to mind upon seeing him.
"He looks like a shriveled strip of jerky."
"...I can't even deny it."
He was like an ancient, withered tree.
Not in aura, but in appearance. And it was different from what Asher remembered.
The Anton in Asher's memory had been imposing and fierce, his presence razor-sharp.
A usurper who had killed his brothers out of greed to claim the throne.
He had been a beast of a man, fitting that description perfectly.
But none of that presence lingered in the man now.
Even Gester, amid his resentment, felt bewildered as he studied him.
Had time simply worn him down?
Or had guilt over fratricide finally caught up, withering him in regret?
...One might think that normally, but right now, there was a clear alternative explanation.
'The witch's doing. Heretic divinity is vibrating through his entire body.'
The king was wrapped in gloomy, twisted divinity from head to toe.
It was as if it were strangling his neck.
Asher felt no pity.
Even setting aside personal reasons.
He had colluded with heretics, after all.
Anton needed to know that wouldn't lead to a peaceful end.
It was self-inflicted, and with all the sacrifices in his wakecontempt was more than enough for him.
Asher decided to focus on more productive matters.
If a witch was hiding in the palace, there was a high chance she was weakening the king and pulling strings from the shadows.
So where exactly was the witch?
Before entering the banquet hall, ever since arriving at the royal palace, Asher had been gauging the witch's position and scrutinizing those around him.
Nothing visible so far.
She was probably hidden somewhere or in a spot out of sight.
The search paused there.
The king gave a speech and promptly left the banquet hall.
Now came a somewhat tedious stretch of time.
"Blue Sword, that spat with Sandstorm earlier was impressive. Felt refreshing."
Though he'd come to the banquet for another purpose, he still had obligations.
Which meant dealing with people for quite a while.
The other mercenary captains from Big Ten approached, exchanging pleasantries and opening up conversations.
Why Baern had come, how each unit had been recruited, what Baern hoped for, and what strategies they'd devised to survive here.
Most of the talk went through Halia.
They didn't dismiss her. They knew how vital it was to show basic respect to the leader of a major group, and thanks to that, Halia built equal footing while exchanging information.
Listening in, Asher realized something.
Indeed, unlike her usual demeanor, Halia was a mature woman.
She shed her immature girl image without overdoing it, naturally drawing out all the info she wanted.
Including details on Sandstorm's captain.
The captains warned her about him, and Halia thanked them.
At last, the time surrounded by crowds ended.
The long-awaited night had arrived.
"I'm exhausted."
Asher said, slumping.
And it wasn't just talkdespite not conversing much himself, the attention as the banquet's star had drained him completely.
Being under others' gazes was especially tough in Versia's body.
It already had such pronounced feminine curves.
The flimsy banquet dress only accentuated them, making the men's stares feel brazenly overt.
Just being looked at felt like bugs crawling all over his skin.
No matter how much he tried to get used to it, he couldn't.
"You're especially worn out today."
Asher rolled his eyes at Versia's leisurely reply.
"Men are all beasts. How do they not even think to hide their stares? Don't they know it's rude? Sigh... Sorry. I shouldn't let the Saintess's body be subjected to such lecherous gazes."
"Talking like you've never been a man. By that logic, you're a beast too, Sir Knight..."
"I'm different!"
"How so?"
"Ha!"
A hollow laugh escaped him.
After everything he'd shown so far, how could she ask that?
As Asher shot back instantly, Versia said,
"That didn't seem very chaste. More like a bitch in heat..."
"Saintess!"
"See? Blushing and glaring like thathow could I think you're manly?"
Versia shrugged.
Asher was stunned. He even thought, without meaning to, 'Is this why Versia gets more popular with the opposite sex in this body?'
Losing to her in masculinity always left a bitter taste for Asher.
His expression turned sullen.
It soured naturally from the annoyance.
But the sulking didn't last long.
Knock knock!
-It's about time.
Diego spoke with the knock.
Asher shot Versia one last peeved glare before heading to the door.
From behind came one final jab.
"Acting like that and feeling wronged."
Asher really did feel wronged.
It was the cruelty of someone oblivious to their own actions.
* * *
Night had deepened.
Clouds made it ideal for stealth ops.
The shadows blotted out the desert's brilliant starlight, almost like a blessing from the Parent God cheering them on.
Blue Sword gathered in one room.
In other words, the four Holy Faith elites and Gester to guide them through the palace.
They'd changed into night clothes.
Diego, senses expanded, murmured with eyes closed.
"Most are asleep. Only a few guards are awake, plus palace servants getting ready for bed."
"Good work."
Diego's specialty was detection.
Not distinguishing divine power from heretics, but it certainly aided the mission.
Halia lowered her voice.
"Let's begin. Palace reconnaissance."
Asher nodded.