Chapter 472: Ripple Effects
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 472: Ripple Effects
After exchanging greetings with High Priestess Sophia, whom I hadn’t seen in quite a while, I finally got to the point and asked if the video had been effective.
“Yes. As you might have guessed from seeing the people outside, the public’s response has been very positive. We’ll need more time to see just how effective it is in practice, but I’m certain that video will produce significant results.”
High Priestess Sophia replied with a look of utter satisfaction.
What a relief. Even though the Pope had given his generous permission, I was worried that the other clergy members might feel repulsed by the idea of priests having to watch such a video with others in the temple.
Judging by the priests’ reactions earlier, it seems the religious folk here are all quite open-minded.
“But I suppose this is what we should expect from the Saint. To think you would solve a problem we couldn’t, despite all our educational efforts, in such a manner.”
“No, no, not at all. I think the video was only effective because they had already received a basic education from the temple. Besides, it’s just that some things resonate more when taught by another man rather than a woman, which created a synergistic effect.”
“There’s no need to be so modest. It was a truly excellent lecture. The part where you instructed them to continuously whisper words of love so directly was particularly admirable. I’m ashamed to admit that our education mostly focused on practical techniques, while only paying lip service to the idea of performing the act with genuine emotion. I feel like I’ve had an epiphany myself.”
In response to my modesty, High Priestess Sophia smiled warmly, looking at me as if I were a prized son-in-law.
But my attention was drawn to something else she said, rather than her praise.
“…Huh? Don’t tell me you watched it too, High Priestess Sophia?”
I assumed only the junior priests in charge of education would see the video.
Could it be that the High Priestess is also receiving education?!
No, that can’t be right. If her partner needed that kind of education, they’d be guaranteed to die in bed with her.
Then why would the High Priestess know the contents of the video…?
“A-ahem! Well, yes. As the one in charge of this temple, it’s my duty to verify any video that will be shown within its walls.”
High Priestess Sophia answered, her face flushing slightly.
Seriously? The woman I think of as a mother-in-law saw that video.
Well, it’s not like I was the man in the video, but still.
“But is that okay? The, uh, rules and all…”
“It’s fine. I don’t know who the two people in the video are, and it was an educational video, not a pornographic one. Above all, there’s no way something done by the Goddess’s messenger could go against the Goddess’s will.”
…Is that how it works? Well, if the High Priestess says so, I guess it must be true.
After that, I chatted a bit more with High Priestess Sophia, and then with Matilda, who had returned from her conversation with the Pope. Then, we headed back to the mansion.
“Still, to think that would happen… Things turned out exactly as you wanted, didn’t they? It’ll be much more convenient being with you from now on.”
“You’re not being sarcastic, are you?”
“Of course not.”
Inside the carriage on the way back, Matilda chuckled as if remembering what had just happened.
What happened was this: on our way back from the temple, word must have spread that I was there, because every time I walked down the street, the crowds parted before me.
Thanks to that, not a single man approached us, so I didn’t have to worry about anyone hitting on Matilda. We were able to get to the carriage in peace.
“Well, I’ll take your word for it. So, did your talk with the Pope go well?”
“Ye-yes?! Yees… well…”
“Hm? What’s with that reaction?”
Did I ask something strange? No, I thought it was a perfectly normal question.
“No. The Pope also seemed very pleased that the video was producing good results.”
“Well, that’s good, I guess.”
That clearly wasn’t the important part of their conversation. Considering her reaction just now, there must have been something more.
I suspected she had discussed something important with the Pope.
But even so, it was probably a conversation between the higher-ups of the church. It surely wasn’t something they’d tell me.
Of course, if I insisted on hearing it as the Goddess’s messenger, I might be able to pry it out of her. But I wasn’t shameless enough to do that now, not after I’d avoided going with her because I found talking to the Pope awkward.
It bothers me a little, but what can you do? I’m sure Matilda will handle it just fine.
I trusted Matilda that much. At first, she seemed like an arrogant noble lady and not very trustworthy, but now I know she’s an excellent person and a fine Cardinal.
“I’m home.”
We returned to the mansion, but for some reason, there was no one to welcome us home.
Well, the maids greeted us, of course, but I meant besides them.
Honestly, I expected Leia to come out and greet me, grateful that I’d gone to the temple with Matilda in her place.
Forget Leia, even Vanessa, who always came to greet me when I returned, was nowhere to be seen.
Is that Vanessa still sulking?
I didn’t think she was the type to hold a grudge for so long.
“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”
“Okay. Ah, wait. Should we just go ahead and work on lifting your curse now? We have plenty of time until dinner.”
“Huh? Ah, no, it’s fine. It was a comfortable trip thanks to you, but I’m a little tired from passing through the crowded streets. And I have some things to think about from my conversation with the Pope…”
Since we’d already spent half the day together, I thought we might as well do the curse removal too… but surprisingly, Matilda was the one who refused.
It seems she really did discuss something important with the Pope.
The way she spoke felt like she was just rattling off excuses, but the reasons themselves were plausible, so I decided to let it go.
“Really? Well, can’t be helped then. But I think we’ll be going to the dungeon tomorrow. That means we won’t be able to do it at all. Are you okay with that?”
“Ye-yes. It can’t be helped. Going to the dungeon is also a precious mission from the Goddess. Well then.”
“Okay. Get some rest.”
After parting with Matilda, I was alone again.
And here I was, trying to stay with Matilda because I didn’t want to be alone.
Since it’s come to this, I have no choice. Time to use my last resort.
“Silvia! Silvia, come out! Now!”
“Ye-yes!”
When I called for Silvia into the empty air with a slightly forceful tone, she popped out from somewhere.
Just as I thought. Well, I knew she was there since I could feel her gaze.
Honestly, if she’s going to spy, she should do it properly. Sending such an intense gaze is just asking to be caught.
“Silvia. If you knew I was back, you could at least come out and say hello.”
“W-welcome back, siir!”
“Yeah. I’m back.”
“W-well then…!”
“We’re not done talking.”
I firmly grabbed the arm of Silvia, who was about to turn and flee.
“Hngh…!”
Of course, she could have shaken me off if she’d really wanted to, but naturally, Silvia couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Instead, her body slowly went limp and she began to collapse, as if her strength was being drained from the spot my hand touched.
Seriously. Your resistance has gotten so low lately.
Is it because of the wish? Is that why you’re like this?
And you haven’t even told me what you want yet. What could you possibly be planning to ask for that just imagining it lowers your resistance this much?
I was originally planning to wait until Silvia told me herself, but at this rate, I feel like I’ll never hear what she wants to ask for.
It might be better to just set aside some time and ask her properly.
“Silvia. Have you seen Sara, Diana, or Leia?”
“Th-the three of them, siir? I-I haven’t seen them! I don’t know anything!”
Hey. I’m not interrogating a criminal, you don’t have to deny it so desperately.
“Really? What about Vanessa?”
“I-I don’t know! I don’t know any…!”
“Alright, alright.”
When I let go of her arm, Silvia staggered to her feet.
She gave me a deep 90-degree bow, then scurried away… only to peek half her face out from around a corner and start observing me again.
…There are so many things I want to call her out on.
Like how she still bows properly while running away, or how she doesn’t even go far after fleeing and just starts watching me again.
Anyway, so she hasn’t seen anyone. I can understand about Vanessa, but could the other three still be talking in Diana’s room?
Considering Sara and Diana’s attitudes, I could see them being persistent.
Seeing as they’ve been at it this long, maybe they’re actually getting something out of Leia.
Well, it’s not like there’s any actual secret technique. If I had to name something, it’d be her aura, but you can’t just imitate that angel’s angelic aura.
I decided to ask a passing maid if she’d seen the three of them and Vanessa.
Silvia, watching me from a distance, looked shocked, but I decided to ignore her.
Don’t look at me like that. Asking you wasn’t a complete waste of time. …In the sense that it made me happy.
Anyway, after checking with the maid, I confirmed that my three girls were indeed still gathered in Diana’s room.
As for Vanessa, the maid said she hadn’t seen her since this afternoon.
This is totally my fault. I can’t believe she was that shocked.
Well, it’s true. No matter how strong her ‘iron butler’ image is, Vanessa is still a woman. It must be embarrassing to be interrogated by a man about masturbating.
Maybe I should offer a small apology later.
But if this is the case, it means I’ll be alone until dinner.
Can’t be helped. Maybe I’ll do some special training with Silvia.
“Silviaaa…!”
“Hyaah!”
But as I tried to approach, Silvia fled desperately, like the protagonist of a zombie movie.
But this time is different. There’s literally no one else to hang out with but Silvia.
Therefore, I didn’t give up and chased her to the end.
And the result…
“Haut! U-uuuh… uwaaaa…”
Silvia, who had been fleeing in a flurry, started to panic even more when she realized I was chasing her, and eventually, in a complete state of panic, she tripped and fell to the floor.
Even then, she turned around and tried to get away by kicking her legs and dragging her butt across the floor. It was almost pathetic to watch.
Seriously, Silvia. Your reaction is way too over the top.
“…You okay?”
“I-I’m fi…!”
She was probably telling the truth. At Silvia’s level, there’s no way she’d get hurt from a simple fall.
“No. You don’t look okay. Maybe you need some treatment. But I don’t have any potions on me… I guess there’s no choice. Shall we treat you with some Healing Sex?”
But I completely ignored Silvia’s words and continued saying what I wanted.
“Eeeeh?!”
“What? You don’t want to?”
“I’d love to!”
She’s quick to answer things like this.
“Then try to look a little happier. You look like you hate the idea. Even I’ll get a little hurt if you keep this up, you know?”
“U… uuuht…. Heh, heh, hehet…”
When I said that with a deliberately bitter expression, Silvia looked shocked.
Then she slapped her own cheeks with both hands and looked at me with a bashful smile.
However, it seemed she couldn’t control the trembling of her body, so seeing her smile while shaking like that made me feel like a complete piece of trash…
“…No. Sorry. You don’t have to force it. I was lying about being hurt. Just act like you normally do.”
In the end, I decided to just appreciate her effort.
With her resistance this low, forget about that wish or whatever, isn’t she going to die of happiness just from having sex with me?
No, of course, she’ll be fine because of Healing Sex, but still…
Haaah. I guess it can’t be helped.
“Silvia. Forget about sex. Let’s just hang out today.”
I decided to spend time with Silvia by playing some poker.
Of course, not for stakes like before, but purely for the sake of the game.