Nun in the Priest's Bed
My strategy was simple.
First, I put some distance between Benedict and me, then headed to the spot I'd coordinated with Sebastian in advance.
Once there, I sensed the monster's mana and pinpointed its exact location.
Then, I lured the monster with my own mana.
The moment I leaked just a hint of it, the creature started slithering toward me.
This monster's name was something that might feel awfully familiar to anyone who's roamed these woods... Leomell.
If I had to sum up Leomell in a word, it's just a chameleon.
Except it's a bit more vicious, infused with mana, making it a denizen of the demon realm.
Its standout trait? It's extremely weak. Put it up against a slime or a roper, and you'd have a real nail-biter on your hands.
Leomell's defining feature is its ability to blend perfectly with its surroundings, just like a chameleon.
It can alter its mana properties to match the ambient mana in the environment and camouflage its appearance too. That's how it survives.
Now, here's the fun part.
What if you pumped an upper-tier monster's worth of mana into a Leomell?
...Honestly, even I didn't know for sure. From the memories and knowledge in this body, I knew what a Leomell was, but not what would happen if I infused it with my mana.
Who the hell would even think to inject extra mana into a puny mana-weak reptile? Some pervert, that's who.
...Yeah, that pervert's me. I'm the one-of-a-kind mad scientist this world has never seen.
But whatever. The point isn't that. The point is, I was about to feed this thing some mana.
Like this.
-Ssssss...
My mana flowed into the Leomell. The creature crawled toward me submissively at first, trembling all the while, but soon it started shuddering violently.
A force too much for it to handle was pouring in, so this reaction was only natural. Still, I was confident it could endure to the end.
Because I'd make it endure.
-Wrrrrrm...!
As I channeled mana into the Leomell, I simultaneously cast continuous healing spells to keep its body from collapsing.
The Leomell began writhing and shrieking like mad.
=Kerrk, khek, kerrrrk, kerrk, kekek, khek kerrrrrk...!
The more it screamed, the bigger it grew—from the size of an average adult man's arm to something far larger.
As if evolving to accommodate the mana I was feeding it.
=KEEEEEEK!!!
Finally, with one massive screech, the Leomell transformed into something entirely different.
It still resembled a chameleon, but now it was huge—large monster territory—and its ferocity had spiked dramatically.
How big, you ask?
-Whoosh! -BOOM!!
Big enough that it swung its tail at me, the one who'd empowered it, without even recognizing its master.
"Tch... If only it would calm down a bit."
Annoying, sure, but this would do just fine.
I cleared my throat and pulled out the communication stone.
"...Benedict, I've found it. You need to come now."
With that, I dodged the Leomell's tongue lash and casually tossed the stone right into its path.
-Crack!!
The stone shattered. That sealed my alibi. Perfect so far, but...
...an indescribable irritation washed over me.
This wasn't anger as Kasian the priest.
This was Demetrius de Belpert, the incubus, raging at a stupid beast too dumb to recognize its own master.
"You dare thrust that filthy tongue at me, when you can't even comprehend the grace of the power I bestowed?"
My fury leaked out unbidden. The killing intent laced into it was more than enough to reawaken the Leomell's primal terror.
-Flinch!
The Leomell froze for a split second, like it was panicking.
Only then did I realize my mistake. I was supposed to keep taking hits from it. That's how it had to look.
No helping it now.
-Ssssss...
I poured even more mana into the Leomell.
Having absorbed it once already, the overload sent it into a frenzy. Pump in more power, and it should rampage even harder, right?
Seemed my logic worked—the Leomell's eyes rolled back completely.
=KYAAAAAAAAK!!!
Hard to believe this screech came from a mere chameleon, but with that, all conditions were met.
-Shrrrrk!
Its tongue shot toward me again.
-Swish!
I twisted aside to evade, and right then—
"Father Kasian, are you all right...!" "Benedict, my brother, you've arrived?"
My star player showed up.
"That monster..."
Benedict seemed clueless about the Leomell. Made this even easier.
"...No idea. But while I was walking, I accidentally stepped on it. That's when it went berserk and started rampaging." "You stepped on it?" "There was clearly nothing there. Then it just appeared out of nowhere..."
-Whoom!
"...!"
-KABOOM!!!
Before I could finish, the Leomell whipped its tail at us and charged.
As it barreled in, it camouflaged itself—using its innate ability, just like old times.
Benedict's sharp mind pieced it together instantly.
"That must be this monster's power!"
-Kagagagak...!
Benedict drew his sword and blocked the charge effortlessly.
"Hiding its form, concealing its mana...! A tricky one."
Experienced folks, no matter how humble, tend to trust their instincts. Luckily, Benedict was not only smart but seasoned, leading him to the perfect misjudgment.
"Then, Father, just hold on a moment. I'll finish it off quick...!"
-Tatata!
"Lord, in your stead, I shall pass judgment upon this evil beast that defiles your land...!"
Benedict began swinging his sword amid prayers to the Lord.
Now then...
...time to watch the show. Got any popcorn?
*
"Huff... huff... huff... huff..."
The battle was over.
Benedict, panting raggedly, was the victor. The Leomell, hacked to pieces and dead, was the loser. Or should I say, the defeated fodder?
"Well fought, Brother Benedict." "Hoo... hoo... No... problem... hoooo..."
Benedict eyed the Leomell corpse while catching his breath.
"Truly... an incredibly strong monster. Haven't seen one this tough... in ages...." "I see...." "Even up north... nothing like this... huff..."
...Did I overdo the buff?
Nah, this was just right. Necessary to mask the demonic mana I'd briefly unleashed.
"Thank you... for your help, Father... Drawing its attention... now and then... made it easier...." "No, you did all the work, Brother Benedict." "A monster like this... hiding here... I should take the body... back to the Holy Nation... for analysis..."
Can't have that. I knew it wouldn't work from the start.
I didn't know what would happen when I infused mana into a Leomell, but this? I knew exactly.
What happens when you cram the overwhelming into the feeble.
-Fsssh...
The fallen Leomell crumbled, unable to withstand the mana, dissolving into grains of sand.
"Ah...." "The monster's corpse... vanished."
I let out a hollow sigh, and Benedict actually started comforting me.
"It's... fine... At least... this place is... safe now..." "...Good. Let me help you back." "No... need..."
-Grab!
I caught him as he staggered.
I wanted to heal him, but my cover was "priest"—fake priest, at that. Anything beyond basic holy healing would blow it wide open.
So shut up and let me carry you.
But then...
"It seems... Father Kasian... isn't truly... a priest of the Holy Nation... You should've been able... to use healing rites..."
......He'd noticed first.
What now? Kill him on the spot? Too hasty. How to handle this?
As I debated killing or not, Benedict extended his own lifeline.
"Surely... you posed as a priest... for the village's sake... On behalf of the Holy Nation... thank you...." "...Even though I impersonated one?" "Spreading the Lord's grace and love... makes the impersonation... a trifle...."
...What a protagonist to the bone. That was kinda cool, actually.
With that thought, I supported him back to the church.
I was going to take him to the cabin, but...
......A scent hit me that absolutely couldn't be there.
"Brother Benedict, would you like treatment at the village clinic, by chance?" "Ah... yes, returning like this... Sister Viola would be shocked...."
Fair enough—covered in blood. Shocking sight.
"Yes, then. To the clinic."
I took him down from the church, dropped him at the clinic, and returned.
Rushing into the cabin...
"Heok... heok... heok... heok... Kasian... Father Kasi-aaan...♡"
...I found a lewd nun, panting harder than I'd been after battling the monster, drooling pussy juices everywhere.
And in my room, no less.
Damn, she's got a real talent for making me want to fuck her senseless.