NOVEL NEXT chapter 7
7. Are You All Playing Me?
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Only now did I realize that even boasting requires a qualification! Always clinging to the protagonist’s coattails to avoid the fate of cannon fodder, I finally got a glimpse of what a “regular priest” is, thanks to Kefir’s guidance and explanation.
Unlike my previous sycophantic charlatan behavior, a legitimate priest has a fixed quota and must be selected through fierce “competition.” But once you have that certificate, it’s like securing a job for life.
You can open your own faith-related shop; serve in the church, admiring the buxom nuns; or even become a “consultant” for wealthy tycoons. Kefir’s request for me was of the latter kind. It’s essentially still being a lackey, but at least the title “private priest” sounds more imposing, and it’s the only way I can “legally cling” to power now!
After leading me to the local church in town, Kefir, covering her face as if afraid of being recognized, just left me there.
“This is the church within the territorial town. Countless people from inside and outside the kingdom change their tactics daily to get a priest’s qualification certificate, but most are just muddying the waters. If you’ve truly ‘turned over a new leaf,’ I believe you, an infamous charlatan, can still manage to get a priest’s certificate.”
“What about you?”
I sounded like a pitiful little wife, but survival is crucial, and clinging to the protagonist is not shameful.
“I… need to make some preparations, I’ve been thinking of staying here lately.”
A shadow of gloom flashed across Kefir’s face, “Why ask so many questions! Hurry up and go!”
With a push, she disappeared into the crowd. Now is not the time to chase after her; I’d be a complete fool. Since Kefir has given the condition to “cling to power,” it’s time… to let her know just what kind of “strength” the infamous charlatan Ogelid possesses.
Stepping forward, I entered the local church of the territory. In this world’s script, I indeed constructed a worshiped ethereal goddess, and charlatans were born from it, spouting nonsense under the banner of “the goddess’s prophecy” and the like. That’s why “regular priests” are so sought after; after all, who wouldn’t want a secure job with just a bit of sweet talk?
Sure enough, in this church, I saw no serious white-bearded old men; no buxom nuns whose robes couldn’t contain their peaks; only… people, people, people!
“Come on! Those interviewing for the priest, this way!”
“Priest, I’ve been poor since childhood, orphaned, with a hungry little sister to feed, but I have a dream of becoming a priest, I wonder…”
“G.U.N! Scram! I’ve seen too many of your sob stories!”
A short, plump man in staff attire was shouting on his tiptoes, probably used to such scenes, his voice full of impatience, turning the vast church into a marketplace.
Isn’t this just a mass interview!?
The subsequent crowd, rushing for the interview like grim reapers, jostled me. I hadn’t had the chance to teach that youngster to be civilized and not to cut in line or scramble, when a slightly familiar figure caught my eye.
He had also approached the poor passerby who had nearly been squashed by me.
Draped in gold fabric that seemed to cost him nothing; flanked by two lackeys whose subservience was apparent at a glance; this was not the demeanor of someone here for an audition, but rather that of a leader on an inspection tour…
This was none other than the son of the town’s lord I encountered yesterday, the extra number two, pah… Long·Tao’er—a name that, save for the character ‘Long’ suggesting a lofty dragon, was merely a walk-on part in the script.
He grabbed the youngster who was in a hurry to audition and, lacking the strength to lift him, simply pushed him forward.
“Where did this penniless wretch come from, rushing to offer his whole family?”
The caught youngster shuddered upon recognizing who it was and bowed his head in apology.
“I’m… I’m sor…”
“Sorry and it’s over? This outfit is specially prepared for today’s priest audition. Not to mention if you damaged it, even if the color just faded a bit, looking at you, you couldn’t afford it in a lifetime!”
Long·Tao’er sneered disdainfully, his gaze not only on the poor fellow but also on… all the auditionees around.
“Hmph, all poor folks betting on luck, aspiring to be priests? Better off jumping off a cliff and hoping for a better next life. Throw this pauper out who’s affecting my mood for the audition later.”
No sooner had he spoken than his two lackeys, left and right, kicked and shoved the youngster out, quieting the noisy church in an instant. Many, recognizing Long·Tao’er’s identity, discreetly and dejectedly made their exit.
Watching all this, Long·Tao’er nodded in satisfaction, as if he held the world in his hands.
It wasn’t that I was too cowardly to help just now, but… after recognizing this all-too-familiar scenario, a very bad feeling had already crept into my mind.
In my view: The youngster being ousted early might have been a blessing in disguise. Because…
Facing Long·Tao’er’s “imposing” manner, the short and plump priest, who was both the church’s manager and the auditioner, said nothing, did not intervene, and even cautiously flashed a pleasing smile at Long·Tao’er, as if to say, “It’s all my fault for letting the poor in.”
Could it be that today’s priest audition was prearranged, with Long·Tao’er and his lackeys putting on a show?
“Cough cough! There was a slight unpleasantness just now! Such impolite youngsters could never become priests! Now, for the rest of you, we shall begin the interview and review for this last priest qualification certificate!”
As the short and plump priest winked at Long·Tao’er and loudly announced the start of the audition, I had already finished reading Long·Tao’er’s current “script” in my mind.
【Long·Tao’er had colluded with the church’s auditioning priest in advance, knowing the content of the audition, thus securing the only priest qualification certificate available recently!】
Damn! This is definitely a rigged game!
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The first volume’s illustrations have updated the character design for Mao Luo in Chapter 1.