Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Can't Think About Profit and Loss - 2
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By the time the cleanup was finished, dawn was breaking.
Since Veronica looked quite fatigued, we decided to take a full day of rest before proceeding with the curse-lifting ritual.
"Ahem. That said... do we really need Cardinal Veronica here?"
"Why would I bring someone who's not needed?"
A priestess was essential for this ritual. That meant Veronica had to be present.
Veronica seemed extremely uncomfortable, so Cecil shot me a sullen glare before letting out a deep sigh.
"Being friends of friends is more awkward than I thought."
"Don't the two of you want to become friends? You're similar in age and position—it'd be great if you got along."
"I doubt she'd be interested."
"Yeah?"
Well, the Duchy placed heavy emphasis on magic, so it was inevitable they'd keep their distance from the Church.
Thanks to the Black Rebels event, Veronica had become a true heavy hitter in the Church. Even if the Pope in the tower stayed out of it, she was the main player in this incident.
Naturally, all the interests that came from ousting the Pope shifted to the Inspection Department and the Inquisition under her command.
The Church's strongest powerholder.
And the top mage of a magic-centric nation.
It was only natural they couldn't just get chummy.
Of course, I had no intention of forcing people who disliked each other to befriend one another.
These things were best left to them.
As long as they didn't cause problems.
"But you seem pretty close with Cardinal Veronica."
"We're best friends, after all."
"Best friends... I'm jealous. How do you even do that?"
"Just hang out for a long time, then help each other out regardless of personal gain, I guess?"
Cecil's eyes trembled. Why? You wanna be best friends too?
I smiled at her before turning toward the room where Veronica was.
"Anyway, see you tomorrow. Bathe and purify yourself. And take a long vacation. The curse-lifting won't wrap up in a day or two."
"Ugh. Fine."
Cecil looked like she had more to say but kept her mouth shut. After parting ways with her, I entered my room to find Veronica waiting in comfortable attire.
Aren't you a bit too relaxed?
"Why are you staring like that?"
Her silver hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she wore a tank top that exposed a hint of navel paired with short shorts that fully revealed her thighs.
It wasn't quite as revealing as the bikini from before, but it was still pretty bold.
"What? Smitten?"
She thrust out her ample chest, cocked her hips, and struck a seductive pose while saying something tempting.
It was certainly brain-melting enough.
If not for her face turning beet red from embarrassment.
I snorted at Veronica, and she fidgeted before draping a cardigan over herself and sitting at the table.
"Thanks for helping. Guess I owe you another thank-you."
"Forget it. You agreed to help me in return."
"Hehe~."
Looking smug, Veronica grabbed what appeared to be guest-use wine. She took a swig straight from the bottle without pouring it into a glass. Then she glanced at me and offered the bottle.
"Wanna sip?"
"You saving that glass to boil stew in?"
"Back at the convent storeroom, this is how we drank it. Unless it's a heavy formal occasion, I find this more comfortable."
She took another swig. A drop of red wine trickled down her pale neck and seeped into the deep valley between her large breasts. I pulled out my handkerchief and held it out.
"Cardinal. Drink carefully. You're spilling everywhere."
"Oops. Thanks~"
She took the handkerchief and wiped the wine from her skin. Then, quite naturally, she stuffed it into the pocket of her shorts.
"Why's that going in there?"
"Hm? Oh. I'll wash it and give it back."
"Can't you just leave it to the servants here?"
"Uh, uh? No. I mean. Yeah! But still! Since I used it, I should wash it myself!"
"Why are you so flustered?"
After chiding the stammering Veronica, I munched on the cookies served as snacks.
A brief silence followed.
I pondered the tasks ahead, and unable to bear the quiet, Veronica—perched on the bed—spoke first.
"So? What's the plan now?"
"The curse-lifting has stages. First is examining the cursed person's body."
"...Oh. Right? You planning to do that with Archduke Cecil?"
"Pretty much. Heads up: she'll have to be fully naked."
"...No one else? I mean... seeing a virgin—and an archduke, no less—naked feels a bit... you know?"
"But it's best done with the person most affected by the curse."
"Ughhh... Fine. Whatever. And then?"
"The dragon's curse leaves marks on the body. Specific scar shapes that let you pinpoint the curse's medium."
"You don't know where it is?"
"Nope. It gets specified once you see the scar."
It was the same in the game. If it were fixed, I'd have prepared everything and told Cecil already.
"So you have to see it after all..."
"Yep. Sprinkle this potion on the curse-mark scar and channel holy power, and you can precisely locate it."
"Oh, that."
I showed her the potion made from the ingredients bought earlier. Veronica examined the golden-glowing vial curiously for a moment before handing it back nonchalantly.
Lacking magical talent, she had no idea how valuable it was.
No need to enlighten her—just keep quiet.
"Holy power accuracy varies, so I need your help. Yours is stronger than mine anyway."
"Got it. And then? What's next?"
"I'll tell you tomorrow."
It depends on the location whether I go alone or with a group.
The next day, knights from the Bikini Knight Order opened the door and entered. Following their guidance to Cecil's room, we were greeted by a middle-aged man with a distinctive mustache.
Rotbang Claudia.
Cecil's uncle, who hoped his own daughter would become the next archduke.
The moment he saw me, he openly grimaced.
"I'd heard the Sage was impressive, but I didn't expect him to be able to lift the Claudia family's curse."
"Is that a compliment?"
Of course not.
I flashed another smile at the man grimacing like he'd tasted shit.
At my million-dollar smile, he ground his teeth and stormed off with heavy steps.
"What's his deal?"
"Do you know what the Claudia family curse is?"
"Not the details."
"Anyone who gets the scar dies before 35."
"...What?"
"The dragon's curse doesn't affect everyone in the Claudia family. It's like a status ailment: boosts mana growth rate and base potential dramatically—the size of the scar, specifically."
Hence the high growth potential, but the penalty is the issue.
Lifespan drastically shortens, and when the scar shows, it tanks favorability around them and ramps up stress.
Just being nearby does it.
"...That's... hold on. So Archduke Cecil, who's cursed..."
"She never could've become archduke normally. But Cecil rose to the position through her own ability."
"...Impressive."
"Isn't it?"
I gripped the ornate door handle, thinking.
Thanks to that, I get to claim the achievement for free.
Gotta thank the devs for this one.
"So lifting the curse weakens Archduke Cecil?"
"Doubt it."
I recalled the game. Even after lifting the remaining curse on Cecil, she was still an outstanding mage.
-Creak.
The door opened. Inside stood Cecil in a robe, clearly in a foul mood, flanked by the two knights from before. She cleared her throat lowly and smiled upon seeing me, but disgust lingered on her face.
"So that's why Rotbang..."
"If I lift the curse, it makes it harder for his daughter to become archduke."
She became archduke purely on merit despite being unable to normally.
If the curse lifts too? She'd solidify her position, making his daughter's ascension a distant or impossible dream.
Hence the wariness.
Especially since it wasn't some no-name wanderer, but the continent-renowned Sage come to lift it personally.
"...There might be interference."
"Don't worry about that."
Having overheard us, Cecil spoke leisurely. But her tight grip on the sofa betrayed her true bad mood.
"Just focus on lifting the curse. Ignore everything else."
"Got it. Leave that to me. Now then..."
With arms crossed, I said,
"Strip."
"......"
Silence filled the room. Even Cecil seemed thrown off, and the knights beside her more so.
Veronica probably would've been too if she hadn't been told.
"Sigh. I'll handle it. The Sage will turn around, so please undress."
"...No need. It's fine..."
She kept glancing at me warily, fiddling with her thick robe's ties before finally loosening them. Her revealed pale nude body bore...
"...Whoa."
From her cleavage down to her intimate areas.
Black, grotesque scars covered it.
Cecil scratched her cheek awkwardly after exposing the vicious dragon-shaped scars.
"I doubt seeing a body like this sparks lewd thoughts. I know how these scars look to others. Feel free to puke or curse me. I get it."
Her voice dripped with self-deprecation. She was visibly depressed, so I shook my head.
"You're underestimating me. I say 'possible.'"
"...Your tastes are unique."
Cecil shook her head in disbelief, but her mood seemed improved. Good thing the clown skill 'Low-Level Joke' worked to ease the target's stress and lift their spirits.
"......"
But Veronica's mood soured from the curse's influence!
The joke's effect on non-targets caused displeasure, worsening it!
Damn, it's potent.
"...Enough chit-chat. Let's start?"
At her sharp reaction, I patted Veronica's shoulder lightly. If I don't fix this, she'll sulk for days.
"Friend. You're 'possible' too."
"Ahem."
Only then did she relax a bit. Matching the atmosphere is tough.
With the brief banter warming things up, I handed Veronica the potion vial.
"Apply this, and the curse in the scar activates."
"Got it."
"Suppress it with holy power then. It looks strong, so be careful. I'll support."
I held up the Divine Mark she'd given me before. With the explanation done, Veronica slathered the potion on her hand and slowly placed it on Cecil's chest—practically flat compared to hers.
"Ngh...!"
"...What? That moan?"
"...A moan?! This...! Hnng!"
Cecil was anxious. Her emotions could affect the curse, so I needed to ease her with 'Low-Level Joke' to shift her from gloom.
Meanwhile, Veronica channeled holy power to suppress it, biting her lip lightly.
"Urk...!"
Beads of sweat formed on Veronica and Cecil.
It was inevitable.
The curse-mark scars were reacting.
"Aaahh!!"
No longer a moan, but clear pain. I placed a hand on Cecil's sweat-drenched forehead and recited a prayer.
"From the high heavens, glorify the divine. On earth, bless the peace of loved ones..."
Holy power enveloped Cecil's body with the silent prayer. Her pained expression eased, but the burden on Veronica and me grew.
It was a dragon-related curse, after all.
No way lifting it would be easy.
"This is...!"
How long did we apply potion, channel holy power, and recite prayers?
A new rough, black tattoo-like scar formed on Cecil's smooth abdomen. Using its shape, I pinpointed the location quickly.
Let's see...
Here...
"Got it. Good work, Veronica."
"Haa... haa... haa..."
Her silver hair clung to her sweaty forehead, making the alluring Veronica collapse into a chair. I tapped Cecil to rouse her.
"Found the curse medium's location."
"...Where... is it?"
At Cecil's question, I pointed.
"...Huh? Where?"
"Underground. Deep in the Duchy's capital sewer system."
"Phew... That's... fortunate? So? What's the medium? Do we need more to find out?"
"Nope. I know what it is."
The item doesn't change, just the spot.
"The demon's heart. Catch the demon slumbering deep in the sewers and destroy its heart."
"...What? A demon? But I heard... demons are super strong..."
I smiled.
Demons are strong.
But still.
"Weaker than a dragon."