Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: New Position - 1
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***
It was quite a big deal for something that had happened overnight.
Even though the Papal Faction had weakened since the Demon King's defeat, who would have thought they'd join hands with those trying to resurrect the Demon King?
No matter how major the incident, it wasn't something to spread carelessly, so only a tiny fraction within the Church knew the truth. Additional rewards for keeping quiet were only natural.
"Uwooooh!"
Valtin, Lukendi, and Cyrone were over the moon. And why wouldn't they be? The gear they'd received was practically top-tier holy relics.
Valtin's gauntlets, Lukendi's holy spear, Cyrone's choker.
Those would surely save their lives at least once against the undead or evil beings.
"Man~ Traveling with the Sage really brings the good stuff!"
Cyrone burst into a hearty laugh and slung an arm around my neck. As her scent naturally tickled my nose, Valtin pulled me into a hug too.
Ugh. Fur smell.
"Sage! Thank you! You have no idea how much I struggled to get something like this!"
"It was a hush money bonus, so keep your mouths shut on your own."
"Oh, of course!"
Lukendi hugged his holy spear, beaming with joy. Meanwhile, Cyrone, who had been clinging to me, grinned ear to ear and outright embraced me.
"Since we're at it. Sage. Wanna join our party? Huh? Four-person parties are great!"
"Isn't the standard three-person party?"
This world placed heavy emphasis on the number three, and many dungeons limited parties to three max. No wonder the hero party was three.
But Cyrone just giggled and pointed at Evangeline, who was standing there at a loss, biting her lip.
"But the Sage's situation is different, right? You even tagged along with the hero party fine."
"Ah... Uh... H-Hyunwoo..."
Maybe because it stirred up the past, Evangeline's face clouded over. She looked like she had something to say, but I could guess what.
"Not interested."
"Eh? Why? Aren't you living the adventurer life too? You used to hole up in the guild taking requests before."
Fixed parties make it hard to pick the quests I want.
They wanted money-makers, not achievement runs.
Sticking together would just sour things, better to party up occasionally as needed.
"Tch. Guess can't be helped."
Cyrone didn't push further. Valtin and Lukendi looked a bit disappointed but weren't the type to force someone, so they backed off easily.
"See you later, Sage."
"Yeah. Let's work together sometime."
"Haha! Call anytime~ As long as the pay's good, nothing's off the table!"
Once they left, I turned to Evangeline. Our eyes met, and she flinched, fumbling awkwardly.
"Th-this... Bl-blood. Do you... need it...?"
Obviously, Evangeline had joined the op too.
Her reward—hush money, really—was none other than arrowheads.
Artifacts that turned bow attacks holy attribute just by using them. Pretty appealing to archers.
She fiddled with them, offering without regret, but I shook my head.
No need for me. Priest skills could do holy attacks anytime.
"Ah..."
"You use them. And... we've wrapped things up, so time to disband?"
"Wh-what?!"
"Why so surprised?"
"Huh? No. Um. Is there... anything else I... need to do??"
What Evangeline needed to do?
Hmm...
Couldn't think of anything.
"Head to the palace for now."
Best would be sending her back to the front lines, but couldn't just ship her solo.
"Anything! I'll do anything! If that's what you want, H-Hyunwoo! S-so, let's go together? Huh? Huh?"
Evangeline was desperate. She approached, trembling, begging like a drug addict.
The arrogance in her elf eyes was gone, lost their light. Hands and feet shaking.
Long ears drooped, tears streaming nonstop.
"I... I always... thought about it! Always sorry... I was wrong..."
"What's that over there?"
As Evangeline muttered frantically, a flat voice came from behind. Veronica.
She should be swamped with cleanup. Why'd she come out?
"Aurelius confessed."
Whoa. Impressive as expected.
No idea how she tortured him, but already? Interrogation just started...
Must've been thoroughly broken.
Veronica stated flatly, then glanced at Evangeline clinging to me like a lifeline.
"So? Anything else?"
"Hmm... Nah."
"No need to see Aurelius?"
"You handled it fine, right?"
"Eh?"
"I trust your cleanup."
"R-right... You can... trust me. Who else you gonna trust but me?"
Veronica grinned triumphantly, and Evangeline bit her lip hard, head drooping.
Tension between them was thick, but no explosion imminent.
"Figured out the Black Rebels' core, right?"
That's what mattered. I'd asked Veronica for intel on the final step to crush the Black Rebels.
As expected from competent Veronica, she handed over the documents.
Let's see...
Pretty much matched what I'd seen in the game.
Plan as intended, then.
"Evangeline looks beat. Let her rest here? Get some healing too."
"N-no..."
At Veronica's words, Evangeline's shoulders shook hard. She slowly raised her head, reaching out like to grab me, but stopped short of touching.
"Huh? A-anywhere. Anything. Just stay together..."
"Gotta use teleport."
"...Ah."
My teleport's one-person. Her tagging along meant extra time.
Knowing that, Evangeline gazed wistfully before slowly stepping back.
But her eyes wouldn't detach.
Like her lingering regrets.
"If you gotta go, better hurry."
"Yeah. Evangeline. Stick around somewhere if possible. Church or capital. We'll all meet there anyway."
"...Okay..."
Good she accepted quietly. As she retreated, I prepped teleport. Destination: Claire's Kantread territory.
Check status there, then support or move together.
"Wait."
"Hm? What?"
"You didn't get a reward. You're the MVP here."
Valtin's party and Evangeline joined on my orders, but I was different.
Stopping the Black Rebels was my goal. No need for reward, refused.
Holy relics are Church property.
With Pope and some cardinals betraying, Church needed them.
I'd declined mine, but Veronica seemed displeased.
But still...
"What're you doing?"
"Blessing you."
Church quests could grant permanent stat/mana/holy power boosts.
Needed cardinal consensus, used stored holy power—rarely given.
If she's offering, no reason to refuse.
Veronica gripped my arm tight. My arm wedged in her ample cleavage, sweet scent wafting. Yet she looked up shamelessly, smiling.
"Ready? Here goes."
Soft light enveloped me. Mana ticked up slightly.
Blessing done, light fading, but Veronica didn't release my arm. Just breathed sweetly, gazing warmly.
"Hyunwoo."
"Yeah?"
"Come back safe. Careful. No injuries."
"Got it."
"And return right after. Church is waiting, you know?"
"Why's the Church waiting?"
"Cardinals eyeing papacy wanna meet you."
"You not?"
"Hehe. If I become Pope..."
Veronica slowly turned her head. What? Her gaze landed on Evangeline.
Ears drooped, she stared blankly, fists clenched tight, unblinking.
"...Hehe."
Face turned, couldn't see expression, but laugh meant good mood.
Why's she grinning at Evangeline?
"If I become Pope... can't marry."
"Aha."
"Can have a lover, though."
"Yeah?"
"...That's not what I want..."
Softly, but loud enough for all.
Veronica turned back, eyes meeting mine. Blinked, flashed sly grin.
"Play again after? Y'know."
Then tiptoed, whispered in my ear.
"Bought a new swimsuit."
***
Using the Sage-exclusive teleport, Hyunwoo departed.
Recalling his warmth just held, Veronica smiled quietly.
His scent after so long, but not enough. She knew this skinship was far too little to win him.
To breach his Wall of the Heart, stronger attacks needed.
Veronica placed hand on her ample chest.
Heart still pounded.
When she'd hugged his arm.
Clung to him.
Worried he'd heard her heartbeat.
If he'd noticed her body heating up from mere contact.
But what raced her heart most was the gaze from behind.
That woman's stare, forced to watch blankly as she attacked, trying to pierce his wall.
Veronica turned slowly. Caught sight: Evangeline, dazed, staring at his spot, ears drooped announcing her gloom.
"Ugh... Uh... Grh..."
Fists clenched to endure, but shoulders trembled. Big eyes brimming, one touch from spilling tears.
Overwhelming superiority washed over Veronica.
You all.
Can't do what I can.
And you enabled it.
Veronica stared intently, then stepped past toward Church, smiling.
Yes.
You're lucky.
But.
"...Not as much as me."
Only I can get this close, pierce his wall.
Smiling victor's smile, Veronica returned to her room, asking nuns/priests reporting to her for time.
Reports fine, but wanted to savor Hyunwoo moments longer.
Door locked, she hugged the scarf he'd given, neatly folded on desk.
Soft, warm, his scent lingering—her treasure.
Face buried, she lay on bed.
Her vast bed, fitting two easily, held a new secret: life-size Hyunwoo swimsuit doll.
"Hnng... To no one... S-sip... Won't give... To no one..."
Recalling his embrace, sniffing scarf, she clutched doll tight.
But fresh from real thing, fake doll woefully insufficient.
Faint Hyunwoo scent wrinkled her nose slightly—no fix, even as true Church power.
"...Right."
Veronica beamed at doll.
Next visit, infuse it with his scent aplenty.
Feel him even when gone.
Or...
"Heh, hehe..."
Some imagining? Face flushed with excitement, Veronica hugged doll again fiercely.
Thinking of recently parted him, this obsession maybe addiction to him.
Author's Note
Hello! It's Malmulmalmul! It's Thursday today! Just one more day till Friday!
September's already gone.
Alright, let's power through next month too!
See you tomorrow! Bye~