Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Chest-Opening School Season #3
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The Holy Kingdom Gracia is the headquarters of the Church of Radiant Flame.
It's a city-state about the size of Monarch City, the great metropolis of Angmar.
If you stretch it, the population might reach a million?
Very large for a city, but small for a nation.
However, thanks to the influence of the Church of Radiant Flame spreading across the entire continent, this place functions like a neutral zone.
"So this is the cradle of countless heroes?"
Following behind the delegation, Elga looked around like a curious child.
In her eyes were people carrying all sorts of tools—pickaxes, scythes, ropes, and more.
"Are all those people heroes?"
In response, Archbishop Bayona, dispatched to greet the Queen of Angmar, let out a hearty laugh.
"Indeed. Most are gathered to receive baptism from the Saintess herself. They're heroes in the making, forged through training."
"I see. So they're like me, huh? Wonder if any of them are worth sparring with."
Lioness seemed unable to contain her itch to fight as she eyed the heroes and hero candidates milling about.
Archbishop Bayona said,
"Lady Lioness truly lives up to the rumors—curious and valiant."
"There are rumors about me?"
"Indeed. Angmar is one of the continent's premier powers. News from Angmar spreads across the land in no time."
"Well, my exploits spreading worldwide is only natural."
Elga was a warrior who had racked up numerous feats along Angmar's borderlands.
It was only natural that tales of Elga and her guards had spread to neighboring nations, turning into rumors.
"So, what stories are going around about me?"
To Elga's question, Archbishop Bayona replied.
"They say for a noble lady of a great house, you're free of pretense and refreshingly straightforward."
"What? That I'm not ladylike enough?"
Elga furrowed her brow slightly.
It brought to mind how Elga harbored a subtle complex about not being noble-like. Her favorability toward Bayona had probably dipped.
"What does 'not ladylike' even mean?"
As Elga pursed her lips in dissatisfaction, Aira, who had been quietly walking along, spoke up softly.
"Are there rumors about me too?"
"Is there anyone on this continent who hasn't heard of Queen Aira?"
"Hmm, really?"
"If you hadn't arrived via teleportation gate today but entered boldly through the main gates, crowds would have swarmed just to catch a glimpse of your beauty."
Bayona's explanation made me realize Aira's fame had reached even this distant land.
Which made me wonder if rumors about me had spread too, putting me on slight edge.
They definitely wouldn't be flattering.
Aira said,
"So, when can we meet the Saintess?"
"Well... the Saintess entered a week-long vigil of sleepless prayer starting this week. You'll likely see her next week."
"You're saying the Queen of Angmar has to wait until next week?"
A slight crease formed on Aira's brow. Archbishop Bayona, walking ahead, flinched visibly.
He must know the rumors of what kind of queen Aira was reigning over Angmar as.
Worried she might say something outrageous, I quickly jumped into the conversation.
"Ah, so that's why Archbishop Bayona is greeting us in her stead."
"Precisely. Though the Saintess isn't here herself, I've been ordered to provide a welcome without shortfall. Now, let's hold a banquet the moment you settle into your quarters."
* * *
A grand celebratory feast was held in the grand hall of the church headquarters' cathedral to mark Aira and Elga's visit.
"Isn't the church supposed to embrace frugality?"
Elga peered at her reflection in a golden goblet, sounding puzzled.
As she said, the church traditionally valued simplicity as a virtue.
But today, with the highest dignitaries from mighty Angmar visiting, they couldn't skimp on the festivities.
To make up for the Saintess's absence, they were going all out. Probably to soothe Aira's mood.
━Hurry, hurry!
━Yes. Clear the plates from table five, please.
Nuns and priests bustled about carrying dishes and food, while the choir in white robes provided harmonious accompaniment with hymns.
Watching them, the image of Imp Nun Marmar flashed through my mind.
━Comrade!
Her plump, noisy voice had drilled into my head over the past week, making me hear phantom echoes.
By now, the rear guard should have departed the kingdom.
Loaded with baggage and supplies, they'd arrive here in about a week.
"What is this? Grape juice watered down with water? How am I supposed to drink this?"
Elga grimaced after sipping the bland wine—ek.
The church's precepts forbade intoxication, so the alcohol content was noticeably low, which irked her.
"No dancing girls either. Honestly, it's boring. Is there even a reason I have to be at this banquet? All the attention's over there anyway."
Sruk.
Elga's blue eyes, filled with discontent, turned toward the table where Aira sat.
━Lady Aira, you're truly radiant. A manifestation of the Creator's glory.
━What do you use for hair care?
High priests and nuns had already gathered around Aira, chattering away.
They'd probably keep at it for an hour.
Watching, Elga clicked her tongue.
"I'm not here to be a wallflower."
Elga had the presence to be the center of attention anywhere, but next to Aira, she was inevitably pushed to the sidelines like Hyangdan beside Chunhyang.
The charisma was just different.
Swik.
Then Elga rose from her seat.
Worried she might barge into Aira's group and cause a scene, I cautiously spoke up.
"Lady Elga, where are you going?"
"Stepping out for a magic weed cig. Why?"
From the deep plunge of her red dress's neckline, Elga pulled out a rolled cigar. Having barely touched her meal, the urge to smoke had hit.
"Anyway, no one'll notice if I'm gone."
"I'll accompany you."
"Sure, whatever."
We headed to a quiet garden behind the banquet hall.
En route, attendant priests tried to follow, but I waved them off casually.
The church's garden had pristine tiles laid like walkways.
Amid the trees, where the banquet's clamor hummed faintly, Elga lit the magic weed cig dangling from her lips.
Fwoosh.
She inhaled deeply, then exhaled with a whoo.
"Ahh, much better. The church's stiff atmosphere doesn't suit me."
Elga already looked full of regret after just half a day here.
"When does school start?"
"Probably in a month, since we arrived early."
"Damn. It'll take a full week by carriage to get back to Angmar."
"You plan to return?"
"Dunno."
Dunno?
Elga was usually decisive—yes or no, clear-cut.
She was the type where like was like, dislike was dislike, so brushing it off with "dunno" meant she was probably offended.
「Calm Situation Assessment!
Gain experience from Talent 《Calm Thinking》.
All job experience +5」
Yup, as expected.
I felt the need to soothe her sulky self before she sparked a diplomatic disaster in this foreign land.
Leaving the banquet hall empty too long also scared me—what Aira might do out of my sight.
So, as always, I smoothly said,
"But, Lady Elga, if you return to Angmar alone now, everyone might think you ran away."
"Me? Run away? What are you talking about?"
"It's infamous how grueling the church's training is, like ascetic trials. They might think you couldn't hack it and fled back to Angmar early."
"But that's not true."
"Rumors don't care about truth, though."
Rumors flow toward what's sensational and intriguing, regardless of facts. No one knew that better than me.
So I gave Elga a little scare.
Knowing her, she'd hate being branded a coward more than anything.
After pondering, Elga exhaled smoke and muttered softly.
"That'd be a problem."
「Successfully bent the opponent's will!
Gain 'Trainer' job experience. +50.」
「Job 'Trainer' level up!
Lv. 2 → Lv. 3
Your training acts now carry even more persuasion!」
Nice, just like that.
Just doing what I always do racks up exp and levels. Almost too advantageous.
Levels rising faster than expected too.
If I'd had this from the start, taming these wild girls to my taste might've been a breeze.
Taming...
Not a bad keyword, even if I say so myself.
With this system and time, domesticating villainous tyrants might not be a pipe dream.
Worth a shot, right?
Starting with Elga over the inscrutable Aira—she's prickly but has plenty of emotional gaps to exploit...
"Hey, Theo. So what's your take?"
Elga's question snapped me from my thoughts. She blew smoke right in my face—whoo.
I coughed—cough, cough—waving it away. The floating text vanished too.
"What do you think?"
What'd she say?
I missed it.
Lost in thoughts of this overly friendly system, I'd blanked on Elga's rambling.
"You didn't hear what I said?"
"......"
What now? She looks pissed.
Desperately racking my brain, I recalled Ogre Gorgor's lesson: crises often birth opportunities.
Hadn't I turned that one into profit?
So, for this pinch, I opted for a direct approach.
"Sorry. I was lost in thought."
"You dare zone out with me, Elga, right here? What were you thinking? Who?"
"...Well, I was thinking about you, Lady Elga."
"What-?"
Elga scowled.
"I'm right here. Why think about me? What kind of nonsense excuse is that? You think I'm an idiot?"
Fury piled on her earlier sulk, making Elga's bound ponytail bristle upward in rage.
Her anger visibly spiking.
But I trusted my level 8 Actor job. More earnestly than ever, I poured in sincerity.
"Well, being alone with you like this... it reminds me of that time. And thinking of that brings back the feel..."
"What? What are you even saying?"
"...I'm deeply ashamed and sorry, but I was thinking about your breasts, Lady Elga."
Elga's hair stood on end.
"Y-you blasphemous bastard...! This is a cathedral...!"
Elga yelled, thoroughly flustered.
She clutched her dress's front, face flushing—embarrassment or anger, unclear.
"You're totally insane, huh?"
"Since that night, not a single day has passed without me thinking of your breasts. I tried forgetting you, but that sensation keeps coming back..."
Truth be told, this was half-genuine, not acting.
Elga's breasts held such magic—I'd jerked off to the memory for a couple days straight.
Soft, warm, lingering aftertaste of how heavenly bare skin would've felt. Life itself.
"Ughhh... What the hell."
Elga scowled at me like I was some freak.
But no neck-twisting or slapping? Halfway there already.
Good, good.
Smoother than expected.
Maybe I can test this out.
"Lady Elga—."
I gazed at her with misty eyes.
Some people can't say no.
Her pointed heels made her a tad taller, leaving me looking up naturally.
"You wanna die? Who stares like that?"
Kung.
"Hiek...!"
Elga's knuckle rapped my head like a meteor. Clutching it—ugh—tears welling, wondering if I'd failed.
Then text floated in my teary blur.
「Took a knuckle to the head and screamed...!
Gain 'Half-Fairy' job experience...! +50」
What the hell is Half-Fairy?