Chapter 12

“What do you mean by ‘a rough end’? You make it sound like someone’s out to harm me just because I’m a priest.”

“This bastard…”

The knight gave a dry laugh at my words, then pulled me aside—far enough that the merchants waiting behind us couldn’t overhear.

“I’ll be blunt. Both the late lord and the current one despise outsiders poking their noses into the barony’s affairs.”

“And the most bothersome of the lot are priests who rely on the Church’s influence to swagger around.”

“……”

“I can see right through you. You probably came here waving your so-called sense of justice, looking to dig up evidence of what goes on here and report it all back to your Lumina Church.”

“……”

“You think you’re the first? Not a chance. Every year, two or three just like you crawl in.”

“……”

“And every last one of them vanished without a trace.”

I stayed silent for a moment, then asked him again.

“Are you truly unafraid of the gods?”

The knight snorted at my question.

“Afraid? Of those gods who bolted into the Celestial Realm the moment the Demon Kings descended? Are they even real?”

“Oracles? How do we know those weren’t just lies someone made up?”

“Divine power? Where’s the proof that it comes from the gods?”

“And those ‘Otherworlders’—the so-called heroes dragged here from other worlds? If they want to claim that title, they should at least face a Demon King head-on.”

“Heroes? Hah! Half of them can’t even take down a monster. Cowards, the lot of them… ptoo!”

I was a little surprised.

I’d heard that ever since the gods secluded themselves to avoid meddling in mortal trials, the Church’s influence had waned. But to see someone openly deny the gods’ existence, even in an age where divine power still clearly manifested…

Of course, this was the remote north, far from the Holy Continent where the Churches held sway. That explained some of it.

“So, priest. I’ll say this just once—don’t play hero. Take my warning and get out while you can.”

I studied the knight, shoulders puffed up like he thought he was the lord himself, and chose my words carefully.

A bit rough, but still within expectations. I’ll proceed as planned.

Smiling faintly, I seized his hands with both of mine.

“Perfect.”

“…What?”

“You don’t hate priests themselves—you just hate priests who go blabbing about the barony’s affairs.”

“Well… that’s true.”

“Then a priest more loyal to the Sinan Barony and its lord than to the Church should be acceptable, right?”

“…So you’re saying you’re different from the others?”

“Of course.”

I dropped the Lumina Church’s Divine Mark onto the ground.

Clang!

Then I raised my foot and crushed it.

Crunch!!

“Because I’m an excommunicated priest.”

“……!!!!!!”

“I have no Church. No god to believe in. No patron to shield me. I’m nothing more than a severed kite string, drifting on my own.”

The knight’s eyes widened at the shattered pendant.

And rightly so. What I’d just done was the ultimate act of renouncing priesthood.

To wield divine power meant you had once experienced the presence of a god directly, through body and soul. Even a disgraced, excommunicated priest could hardly bring themselves to trample the Divine Mark—the very symbol of the divine.

By comparison, fumie¹ was child’s play.

“Well? Do you believe me now?”

“Holy hell. What the fuck did I just witness?”

“For someone who claims not to believe in gods, you look pretty shaken.”

“No, I don’t believe—well, I don’t, but still…”

“You were honest with me, so I’ll be honest with you. I want money.”

“……”

“An excommunicated priest loses divine power eventually. Some sooner, some later. I’m no different. When that time comes, what can a man who’s spent his whole life buried in scripture do to survive? That’s why I came here—to earn as much as I can while I can still perform miracles.”

The knight glanced between the ruined Mark at his feet and my face, then gave a hollow laugh.

“…Fine, I get it. But why here, of all places?”

“Because it’s Sinan. You expelled all the priests. By now the barony must be full of quacks—half doctors, half barbers. Even the nobles and the lord himself must be inconvenienced. Tell me, is there any better market for miracles?”

“Hah… a priest hawking miracles like merchandise. I’ve really seen everything now.”

Our knight friend had no sense. Instead of gawking, he should’ve jumped at the deal I was dangling in front of him.

Tsk. Guess I’ll have to spell it out.

“Sir Knight, why not take the initiative and introduce me to the lord yourself?”

“……!!!”

“I’m sure the lord has skilled physicians, rare healing relics, and even mages dabbling in healing spells. But nothing compares to the real thing—a true priest. If I became his exclusive cleric, the one who discovered and introduced me would surely be rewarded…”

Before I even finished, the knight gripped my hand tightly.

“Brother priest!”

Look at this guy flip. What are you, Udyr?²

Later that night, he handed me a pass.

“Here’s your permit. I’ll assign someone to escort you to an inn called the Devil’s Island. I’ll meet you there tonight to discuss things further.”

I shot a sideways glance at the plump guard who called himself Wilson, then nodded at the knight.

“Devil’s Island, huh? Grim name for an inn. Very well, I’ll see you then.”

I tucked the parchment pass into my robe and turned to leave.

That’s when Wilson raised a pudgy arm and pointed above my head.

“But, priest… what’s that kid up there?”

Tch. Couldn’t just let it slide, could he? Annoying fool.

“Oh, this child? My niece.”

“Your niece? But her hair color’s completely different.”

I flinched and lifted my head. A few strands of bright blue hair were poking out from under the hood.

Damn. Sharp for a guy who looks so dim.

The knight, still drunk on dreams of patronage, hummed thoughtfully.

“Blue. Such a vivid, clean blue… I’ve never seen the like. Even among kin, that much of a color difference is strange…”

I clicked my tongue inwardly and rattled off the excuse I’d prepared.

“Strictly speaking, she’s my friend’s daughter. A friend who was one of the Otherworlders. His hair was just as blue as hers.”

“Your friend… a hero? Then he must have…”

I nodded with a bitter expression.

“Yes. He fell in battle with monsters, right in front of me. Since then, I’ve taken her in.”

“…I see. Then forgive me for insulting the heroes earlier.”

“It’s fine. Anyone could say that. More importantly… may we go now? The road’s been harsh, and both this child and I are tired.”

Something in my tone must have tipped him off. The knight’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Ah, of course. But before that, could I see the child’s face? If she’s your niece, then she’s my niece too. Wouldn’t it be shameful for an uncle not to know his niece’s face?”

I hesitated, then finally nodded. With her appearance, I didn’t want to risk showing her off, but suspicion would only cause more trouble here.

“Shia.”

With the knight and a few guards watching, Shia slowly pushed back her hood.

Swoosh.

Her hair, a clear blue as if waves had been woven into strands, spilled into the cold northern wind. A face too beautiful to seem human emerged beneath it.

Gasps rose at once.

“Ah…”

“Whoa…”

“Dear heavens…”

“My god, how…”

Even after she ducked back into her hood, they stared at her as if chasing after the lingering vision.

Shia lowered her head bashfully, then whispered to me in a smug voice.

Hmph. Did you see? This is my natural radiance.

You don’t have to rub it in. I already know you’re damn pretty.

When I accepted her self-praise without resistance, she hugged my head tightly and squirmed in embarrassment.

U-ugh…

What, are you embarrassed?

S-silence! If you intend to flatter me, you should at least give advance notice so I can prepare myself. That’s basic manners.

What are you even on about…?

As I was whispering back and forth with her, the knight suddenly reached for her hood without asking.

Before I could stop him, Shia’s hand lashed out first.

Smack!

“Don’t touch me, you lowly, rude, smelly, ugly thing.”

The knight flinched at her icy words, then forced a crooked, unsettling laugh.

“Tsk, tsk. Quite the sharp tongue. Priest, take some advice: wandering life isn’t good for raising children. Think it over.”

“Haha, true enough. But now that we’re settling in Sinan, things should improve little by little.”

“Hmm. Or instead… how about I make you an offer, from one brother to another?”

“An offer?”

For an instant, greed flashed in his eyes.

“As I said, if she’s your niece, then she’s my niece too. So—how about I adopt her?”

…The hell did this bastard just say?

He licked his lips and continued.

“I’m not without standing here, you know. I’ve got wealth, influence. Of course, you’ll settle down and start your own household, but my side could give the girl far better conditions.”

“Think about it—wouldn’t you be freer, traveling alone? I’ll even find you a fine bride soon, personally.”

Wait. Was this bastard… seriously?

I felt his snake-like eyes sliding along Shia’s robed figure. My hand twitched toward the hilt in my backpack.

Goddamn. What a filthy piece of trash…

Just as I was about to snap his neck right there, Shia’s thighs clamped around mine, a silent command to endure.

I forced down my disgust and killing intent, managing an awkward smile.

“…I’m sorry. My friend’s dying wish was that I raise her myself and one day marry her off to a good man.”

A scowl wrinkled the knight’s brow.

“A marriage? That would come naturally if you let me adopt her… well, fine. If you refuse, so be it.”

“Ha. My apologies once again.”

“…Enough. Be on your way. Wilson—you know where, right? The ‘Devil’s Island.’ Don’t screw it up.”

“I know it, sir. The purple inn on Barlom Street, aye?”

“Good. Treat him well—he’s someone valuable. And tell the innkeeper I sent my ‘regards.’ Don’t forget.”

Wilson gave a strange grin.

“Of course, sir. Without a doubt.”

That night.

“This the room?”

“Yes, sir knight.”

“They’re asleep for sure?”

“Yes. As soon as I gave your ‘regards,’ I slipped the ‘medicine’ in. Only a sip each, but they drank the soup. Took bread into the room too.”

“Which one? Black? Gray?”

“The black.”

“Oh… you spent good coin.”

“Heh… orders are orders.”

“Good. I’ll repay the favor. Wilson, Jo, Radan, Liam, Oliver—ready yourselves.”

“‘Yes, sir!’”

Shhhnk!

Lying on the bed inside that dreary purple innroom, I chuckled at the sounds outside.

Figures. The place looked like it was built for kidnappings.

“Hey. Wake up.”

I nudged Shia, sprawled across the bed and snoring like a child. She rolled over and clung to me.

“Uhh~ warm…”

Smack!

“Ow!”

“Cut it out. I said wake up.”

“Mmm… what is this ambush? Do you think the mighty North Demon King Akathastasia would fall to such cowardly attacks…?”

“Save the lines. They’re here.”

Finally shaking off sleep, she wiped drool from her lips and looked around.

“Mmm… really?”

“Yeah. My bad feelings are never wrong.”

“Ha… my beauty again, causing all this. Sword God, forgive me. After all that effort sweet-talking them, for things to collapse like this…”

“Forget it. This just makes it more troublesome. I’ve got plenty of other ways to meet the lord without that bastard knight.”

“Hmph… Then I should disguise myself next time. My beauty is too much of a curse.”

“Just shut it.”

“Not shuuuting, not shuuuting it, lalalala—”

As she babbled nonsense without a shred of tension, the doorknob clicked and slowly turned.

Creak.

I drew my nameless sword and grinned white as the intruders slunk inside.

“You’re here? You rotten lolicon trash.”