Apprentice Priest Irene (1)
Apprentice Priest Irene (1)
Level could be seen as a measure of strength. To be precise, it was a simple two-digit summary of overall combat power.
Level 1 was about an ordinary, average commoner. But level 10 was equal to a seasoned soldier. There were variables like skills and equipment, but Glory Fantasia's combat system mostly tilted toward whichever side had the higher level.
Level could also be called a measure of physical ability. A high-level Wizard could beat down a far lower-level soldier with bare fists, after all.
In-game, this was also expressed as 'Karma'... but well, that wasn't important, so I set it aside.
I loosened my hands. At level 7, my physical abilities were roughly on par with a somewhat trained soldier. I wasn't seasoned, but I was at least approaching that level.
And the brat in front of me was big, but still just a brat. Meaning my raw physical ability was far superior. Being shorter, or having a smaller body, didn't matter in this world.
My Karma stat was higher than my opponent's.
In other words, in a simple brawl between kids, I could overpower him with my level alone!
"I'll beat you into a bloody pulp!"
Hector shouted. His thick fist clenched with a crack.
Come to think of it, I'd been hit by that once. I'd resolved to pay him back in full, but I'd forgotten.
Thanks.
For reminding me.
"Stop flapping your mouth and come at me. You little shit."
Hector charged. A huge swing followed his ragged breathing, cutting sharply through the air. I dodged it without much trouble.
Even without martial-arts training, I could see the openings: his exposed abdomen, his unstable legs, and the way his oversized upper body moved faster than his lower body could follow.
Rising physical ability meant the five senses developed as well.
I can see everything, you little shit! Now that I look...
He's all upper body!
"Upper-body freaks go to hell! That is God's will!"
['Ra' presses a hand to her forehead, saying she never said that.]
I slammed my fist into Hector's stomach. Hector's eyes bulged wide enough to pop out.
He staggered backward, but I had no intention of letting him go. Amid his hacking dry coughs, I drove in punch after punch. I kicked his legs out from under him, knocked him down, then raised my foot high.
"How dare you kick my broom!"
"W-wait...!"
"Kick?!"
I kicked too.
Right between the bastard's legs.
A sound like a pig being slaughtered rang out. His scream was pretty funny. He desperately clutched his legs together, but I stomped down on him a few more times on top of that.
"Ra cries out! Smash his balls!"
"Ack! Ack! Ack! S-stop, stooop!!"
"You son of a bitch! Acting all tough just because you're a man! Fine, strut around all you want! But how dare you drag me into it?! Why the hell should I get beaten up over a woman I never even went after?!"
The bastard's body trembled violently. His eyes rolled back completely. But I wasn't satisfied, so I stomped on him a few more times.
Hector's drool streamed down to the floor. His legs stretched out straight and didn't move.
He'd passed out. And I wasn't even halfway done.
I raised my head. I could feel the ones who'd been mocking me moments ago flinching and backing away.
"Where are you going?"
I smiled brightly.
"If you run, you get beaten twice as hard. Get back here right now."
Ahh.
What was this if not the work of a true cleric?
Awakening wayward children.
I truly was a talent for the Church!
['Ra' grinds her teeth, asking why she had to bring someone like this along.]
My fists flew through the air. The children's bodies slammed into the ground.
The girls trembled. I grinned.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and get back here."
"H-huh?"
"Teaching knows no gender."
I am a person who treats men and women equally.
"Bystanders are sinners too."
I beat the girls down just as mercilessly.
. . .
"...The atmosphere of the church has changed."
"It's all thanks to you, Priest."
I smiled brightly. I gave Hector's leg a light kick as he swept diligently.
"Don't you see that dirty spot over there?"
"S-sorry..."
Mierkant frowned.
"Did you hit the children?"
"Of course not. We just got a little closer. Right?"
"R-right!"
"W-we just got along well while talking..."
"H-he's a good kid! Zahard is!"
Beating them where it wouldn't show had been worth it. I nodded. I patted their shoulders.
"You're doing well, 'friends.' Let's keep it that way. Got it?"
"Y-yeah!"
"G-got it!"
"To think the church's biggest troublemakers would volunteer to sweep the yard..."
Mierkant shed a tear, seemingly moved.
"Indeed, there's nothing like friendship for changing a person. It's all thanks to you, Zahard."
"Haha. Don't mention it. But Priest, didn't you have something else to do? Why did you come to the garden?"
"Ah, right. That's right. I'd forgotten. Zahard, come here. There's someone I want to introduce."
"Really? Who?"
"She's senior to you—an apprentice priest who joined before you did. Two of them left on pilgrimage, and one has already returned. She'll probably be glad to see you."
I followed him into the inner part of the church. Mierkant opened the prayer room door with a clunk and suddenly put a finger to his lips.
"...She's praying to God, so be quiet. She's a devout child. She'll be just right as your teacher."
I poked my face out from behind his back. And I saw.
A woman as cold as ice.
Broken sunlight poured through the stained glass and wrapped around her. Her quietly tousled silver hair looked strikingly noble against her worn priest's robes.
She prayed with her hands clasped. The moment she began that simple act, time itself seemed to stop, and the world fell quiet like a painting.
...A Saintess.
That was the only word for her appearance. Her long lowered lashes and her slender, long, delicate fingers were all beautiful. If there was a flaw, it would be the scar across one eye.
But she was so beautiful that even the scar blended naturally into her features. Pure and radiant, she looked like the sort of woman any ordinary person would be thrilled just to catch the scent of her breath.
She was far too beautiful to remain an apprentice priest on the frontier. Had she chosen any path other than the priesthood, her looks alone would have made her famous.
And maybe because she was a priest of the Sun God... that area was impressive too...
...But why did she look so familiar?
"......"
She opened her eyes. Mierkant whispered softly. A beautiful flower that had not yet bloomed.
Mierkant personally told me the name of the girl who looked around my age.
"She's Irene. Since she joined the Church, she gave up her family name long ago. Her family situation is quite complicated, so don't ask."
"...Irene...?"
Wait.
Wait.
I hurriedly tore my gaze away, collected myself after being captivated by her beauty, and looked at her properly.
A face I'd seen before. Silver hair, blue eyes, a great figure, and even that cold aura.
Right.
It was her!
Why was the Blue Falcon, who would make her name as an Imperial knight at the end of the normal scenario, here?!
"She's senior to you. Irene, if you're finished praying, come here."
"...Yes, Priest."
"This child is your junior. He entered as an apprentice priest a few days ago. Treat him kindly. He's a good child."
Her voice was lovely. But the gaze she gave me as she walked over was not particularly kind.
Rather, it felt like she was looking at a mortal enemy. A glare as if she were eyeing a useless piece of baggage.
I quickly lowered my head. I hurried to greet her first.
"O-oh, hello...?"
"Point deducted."
A cold voice cut in.
"Don't stammer. Straighten your back. A priest must maintain proper posture at all times and in all places."
"Ah, yes."
"Answer briefly. Drawing out your words is a bad habit. In a formal setting, it can provoke reactions you don't want."
She bowed politely. But her eyes were the same as before.
"I'm Irene."
"I'm Zahard, but..."
"Point deducted."
"...I'm Zahard."
She glared at me.
"It has been decided that I will take charge of your education in place of the busy priest. Before we begin, there is something I must say."
Irene tucked her fallen hair behind her ear. She quietly approached and put her lips close to my ear.
I could feel her breath.
She bit off each syllable as she spoke.
"It's not too late even now. Leave the Church immediately. You pest."
...Well, I understood one thing. The scenario had gone completely off track, but her personality was exactly the same.
The Empire's Blue Falcon. A thorough rationalist, and at the same time...
A woman who hated men.
She pulled her lips away from my ear. Her expression was composed. Blank as before. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, but that was all.
I deliberately smiled at her as she maintained her poker face.
"I look forward to learning from you."
"...Did you not hear what I said?"
"I heard you clearly."
This was where I belonged. I hadn't milked the place dry yet, and as long as there was still something left to take, I couldn't leave.
My first goal was to pile up skills and grow strong enough that I wouldn't get beaten up wherever I went.
And besides...
"I'll study hard. Please teach me many things. Se-ni-or."
When she provoked me so openly like that, how could my competitive spirit not kick in?
Calling me a pest!
I could tolerate someone insulting Ra, but I couldn't tolerate being insulted myself!
I'll make you acknowledge me no matter what!
[Ra asks you not to tolerate insults to her either.]