NOVEL NEXT chapter 14
14 – Episode 2. How to Regain the Favor of the Demon Girl (4)
“There’s no reason for me to just hand it over as you wish, right?”
“Abel, show some courtesy.”
“…I have enough courtesy.”
I think just using honorifics with the ruffians is courteous enough.
“…I see.”
Perhaps Frees knows that I am a well-known troublemaker, he takes it more calmly than I expected. His expression was stiff, but his words were calm.
“So, what do you want? The sect is willing to accommodate Abel Gongja’s demands as much as possible.”
“Does the sect have something valuable enough to exchange for the fragments of the World Tree?”
“Well…”
If my status was that of a commoner or a slave, I might have demanded money enough to live on for a lifetime. However, as the son of a duke, material resources were practically meaningless.
“Ah, I suppose it exists.”
“…What?”
“The Holy Sword.”
“…What did you say?”
“If it doesn’t hold that much value, there would be no reason to trade, don’t you think?”
Boldly and shamelessly, they said.
If it were Abel, I believe he would have been much more audacious, but going to such lengths would only ruffle Houston’s feathers.
The important thing was to walk the line carefully.
“Why? Is it not possible?”
“That…is not possible. The Holy Sword is like a symbol of the organization.”
“In that case, let’s pretend this deal never happened.”
I know. They won’t give it up.
From the very beginning, I knew.
The Holy Sword has the power to not only purify magic but also temporarily enhance one’s abilities.
However, it doesn’t have a permanent effect of increasing divine power.
In other words, if I were to make this trade, I would be the one at a loss.
In the first place, even without the Holy Sword, if demons were to descend upon this world and the protagonist were to become a Sword Master, the organization would have no choice but to give it to the protagonist.
“If it’s money…any amount…!”
“Are you mentioning money at a time like this, Duke? Well…money is good. The more, the better, since money itself is good. But, don’t you have something you shouldn’t forget, Priestess Pris?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Please tell me where the money you use to show mercy to the people and assert your rights comes from.”
“!”
He flinched. Houston’s eyebrows twitched. He watched me with an interesting look.
The Empire of Beart, a religious empire, has existed since its creation. However, it was not of a size to establish a clergy throughout the empire like it is now.
It was at the level of a church that you might find in a village at best. The power of the imperial family played a role in its growth to this extent.
After the conquering wars to swallow the surrounding kingdoms, the aftermath naturally burdened the people, and the weary masses began to harbor dissatisfaction with the emperors one by one.
In that situation, the current Emperor Frey Illustrent Pertor cleverly utilized religion.
He recognized that people rely on the existence of a ‘god’ when times are tough and used religion as a good pretext to release numerous materials throughout the empire and regain public sentiment.
As a result, despite swallowing numerous kingdoms, the Pertor Empire was able to thrive without major backlash to this day.
In simple terms, it’s “give and take.”
“I can tell from your expression that you understand the meaning of my words. Please focus your efforts on saving the people rather than wasting money on unnecessary things.”
“…Abel Gongja, I didn’t know you would say something like that.”
It’s clearly an annoyed face. He probably holds back his anger due to his external image, but I wonder if he’ll stomp his feet inside the carriage on the way back.
“I didn’t know I could say something like this either.”
I shrugged my shoulders and chuckled.
“Alright. Let’s save the story of the purification water for later. For now, I hope you can meet the saint first.”
Frees seemed to have judged that she couldn’t convince me right away. However, despite her words, they still couldn’t take their eyes off the purification water.
“Yes, let’s go.”
As I turned around, I whispered to Houston.
“Will this be enough to pass?”
“…That rotten bastard.”
Houston cursed at me, but his expression wasn’t too bad. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a subtle smirk.
Luckily, it seems I’ve maintained my composure.
“Oh, by the way. I forgot to mention.”
I clapped my hands to gather attention. I had forgotten to warn them.
“Please refrain from touching that tree without my permission. ‘Beatrix’s Punishment’ might strip you of your mana and divine power.”
“Beatrix’s Punishment…! Are you saying that’s something Beatrix herself decreed?”
“Well, who knows?”
I smirked, playfully teasing.
Did I say that? Don’t become a nuisance and reveal yourself as a non-idol?
* * *
“Oh, hello.”
Clara entered the reception room with a bewildered expression, perhaps due to the sudden influx of people. She subtly stuck close to me, shrinking her body.
Though it has been some time since coming here, her wariness towards others still seemed apparent.
“A pristine lock of hair…!”
“Could she really be a saint?”
The members of the sect began to buzz with excitement upon seeing the sacred symbol of a pristine lock of hair. Those who had been observing the saint for quite some time adjusted their disheveled appearance.
“She seems quite… reliant on Abel-san. Does she understand her own position?”
“I do understand.”
“Is that so? Well… forgive me for getting straight to the point, but if it’s not too much to ask, could you show us evidence of being a saint?”
Clara glanced at me at Frees’ request.
It’s like a pet checking with its owner before taking action. Somehow cute.
“Would it be okay to say a prayer once?”
“To whom?”
“Do you happen to believe in any gods or something?”
“No. I… don’t have any particular beliefs.”
Of course not.
Even if the empire has grown, it’s hard to believe that everyone in it would believe in Beatra, and suddenly becoming a saint wouldn’t create faith.
From the start, there’s no way to know if Beatra, the goddess, even exists.
In the original work, they decided to call the god Beatra, but in reality, a transcendent being didn’t appear to guide the protagonist.
However, looking at the quest content visible only to me, it seemed clear that there was a transcendent being. Whether it’s Beatra or not, I don’t know.
“Well then, just assume a praying position.”
“Oh, okay.”
Clara clasped her fingers, closed her eyes, and a white light emanated from her entire body. The extended white hair glowed, and a pleasant sensation brushed through her body, washing away fatigue in an instant.
The sensation of fatigue being washed away still didn’t feel familiar.
It was both astonishing and a feeling that reminded me I had entered a fantasy world.
“That’s enough.”
“Oh, okay.”
Clara slowly opened her eyes. The people in the congregation were marveling at the phenomenon.
“This can’t be. Are you really a saint…!”
“Finally, has Beatra-nim bestowed the power to counter Veral?”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you! Thank you, Beatra-nim!”
Is it a human trait to arbitrarily attribute meaning?
Just when I was uncomfortably observing them, Frees walked towards us.
“I am Frees Dynas, the chief priest. Saint, I am.”
“Ah, yes.”
Frees kneeled in front of Clara, placing a hand on his chest and respectfully bowing his head.
“We hope that the Saint will come to the Beatra Bon Sect in Pherator, the capital of our empire. The Saint should lead us in accordance with Beatra-nim’s will, not in a place like this.”
“Please lead us according to Beatra-nim’s will!”
The people of the sect knelt down, clasping their fingers and offering prayers. It became unclear whether this was a place of worship or a reception room.
“Uh, there…”
Naturally, Clara was bewildered. She looked at me and the people of the sect alternately, asking how to handle the situation.
“Abel-nim…”
Now, what should I do?
The quest seems to want to break the cliché of a saint growing up in the sect.
“Clara. It’s your decision.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
Since death wasn’t mentioned as a consequence of quest failure, I intended to respect her thoughts as much as possible.
“Whether to go to the sect or stay with the duke’s household.”
“What are you talking about, Master Abel!”
Pris exclaimed, raising his head abruptly. I looked down at him confidently.
“Shouldn’t you be the one deciding where you want to live?”
“But as a saint, Lady Viatra has a mission!”
“We’re putting that mission aside for now.”
“What?!”
Pris was shocked. His face instantly turned red and then pale.
They were individuals who lived their lives with a sense of purpose, so it was understandable that he was upset.
“I’m not talking about her mission right now, I’m talking about where Clara will live.”
“Isn’t it only right for her to live in a place with strong sanctity? The protection of a saint falls under the jurisdiction of the church in the first place.”
“Is that so? What do you want, Clara?”
Clara looked at me once and then at Pris. She hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers, silently observing. I gave her the time she needed to calmly think.
After a while, Clara made up her mind and spoke hesitantly.
“I… I want to stay by Master Abel’s side.”
Passive but resolute in tone.
Clara had chosen to remain by my side on her own accord. I was very welcoming of this decision, but there was someone who was silently watching it unfold.
“Lady Saint! Are you really going to forsake your mission for something so trivial?!”
“This man is strange.”
“Man?!”
“Who said anything about forsaking the mission? We’re just talking about where she will live. Can’t you understand the context of the conversation?”
I gently scratched him and said, as he still seemed to be sulking. He turned his head away from me and looked at Houston, as if he thought there was no way he would be convinced.
“Houston Gong! Do you really think this makes sense?!”
“…Ha. Abel, you always put me in a difficult position.”
Houston frowned with his arms crossed.
Seeing someone who usually firmly states that something shouldn’t be done not being so decisive, it seemed like he was somewhat willing to consider my intentions. Perhaps he sensed that I wasn’t just taking Clara with me without any thought. He’s quite perceptive because he’s from a noble family.
“Explain why I should allow that girl to live in the mansion.”
I chuckled and placed my hand on Clara’s shoulder. She flinched at my touch. Feeling Clara’s gaze on me, I spoke up.
“Because I believe I can raise the saint better than the church can.”
At my words, people from the church urgently shouted.
“Lies!”
“Master Abel has always been a debauchee from the beginning…!”
“You’re not raising her, but trying to indulge in the saint’s body, aren’t you?”
They’re resorting to strange speculations as the situation becomes urgent.
They should be thankful that I have a modern mindset. Otherwise, they would have accused me of an insult and punished me for it.
Of course, they don’t have the power to do that.
“Even if that’s the case—”
“Hmph. Who are you insulting the nobility in front of right now?”
As Houston spoke in a low voice, everyone in the parlor fell silent. Even Clara’s shoulders, which I was holding, were trembling like a reed.
I couldn’t understand what was happening, so I tilted my head. Seeing that, Houston smirked.
“I didn’t expect such a reaction from my presence… How interesting. Is that also one of your abilities?”
Presence? I didn’t feel anything, though.
Just as I was wondering, Houston erased his smile and spoke.
“I wonder when the people of the sect became so high-minded that they can insult a duke’s offspring without consequences. I think an explanation is necessary, Prese Chugyung.”
“…I apologize, Duke Houston.”
“Don’t misunderstand. Even if you are a sect favored by the royal family, you are not as close to them as Duke Sirius.”
I didn’t expect Houston to cover for me.
“Abel.”
“Yes.”
“Prove your words. I don’t think you would say something like that without reason, but you need to prove it in order to convince them.”
I pondered for a moment.
The quest didn’t mention a deadline for Clara’s growth. However, the quest always provided the correct answers no matter how many times.
So, I just need to state a reasonable period that the other party can accept.
“…One month.”
I extended my index finger and said.
“Come visit the duke again in one month’s time. I’ll prove it then.”
“Very well, Prese Chugyung.”
“…Then please visit again at that time.”
Perhaps Pris had realized that the momentum had completely shifted in our favor as she willingly backed down.
“Please forgive our rudeness.”
“Of course. I don’t wish for any strain in our relationship because of this.”
Watching the situation unfold smoothly, I raised my thumb towards Clara. She looked at me, then finally relaxed her stern expression and smiled.
As the members of the sect left, Houston directed a question at me.
“You didn’t blurt out anything without thinking, right? How do you plan to nurture the Saintess? It seems you lack not only divine power but also Beastra’s faith.”
“Well… there’s a method. Just observe, and you’ll see.”
In truth, there was no method; I would just designate Clara with the magical purification water.
“…Alright. I hope you won’t betray my trust any further.”
* * *
Days passed with debates and discussions within the sect.
“Abel, a letter has arrived from the Spohn House.”
“Oh?”
Clara handed me the letter. A symbol of a lion with a shield was stamped on the seal.
It was undoubtedly from the Spohn House.
I immediately opened the envelope to check its contents.
“Abel, I’ve received your letter. I was surprised by the unexpectedly charming words. However, if you have something to discuss about our daughter and grandchild, it would be better to talk face-to-face than through a letter. Make sure to visit our Spohn Marquisate. Now, as soon as you read this letter.”
– Amilia Spohn
I received it not from Lina but from her mother.
Tears threatened to well up at this unexpected turn of events. Is it really right to go as the quest dictates?