Volume 6 Chapter 24 The Temple Of The Great Shrine’s Brothel
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Excuse me, Head Priest.”
”Please, call me Donovan, Saint.”
Since the divine oracle arrived, the Head Priest’s whole way of acting has shifted. Not just a little—he’s turned completely around, like the world flipped upside down. His attitude toward me changed by one hundred eighty degrees. Mr. Donovan, huh? What an ordinary, earthly name.
In the past, it seems that when heroes were summoned, someone else chose their names for them. The big, wide summoning of heroes started not so long ago, but small hero summonings had been happening often before that. Maybe this is why Earth’s culture is scattered in pieces across this world.
If you want to pass down culture, why not share some real food, like miso and soy sauce? Since I know the dashi culture well, I wish they’d bring kelp, bonito flakes, and shiitake mushrooms, too. Were no Japanese people summoned back then? That makes me wonder.
By the way, Mr. Donovan… it’s definitely a Western-style name. But somehow, it feels a bit British? No, I’m not sure. I’ll ask the Professor next time.
”Um, Mr. Donovan, I don’t feel right being called a saint or something like that. I’m just a Hero, you know.”
”Please, don’t be so modest. Everything you do, every word you say, is a true miracle, Saint.”
”It’s not impressive at all. If anything, God Keras is the one who deserves praise.”
Being called a saint doesn’t make me happy—it just confuses me. If it were just a simple compliment, I could handle that. But it feels like he truly respects me, and that makes me uneasy.
He seems very smart, and he must have serious power inside his group, so it’s good that he’s willing to help.
”Indeed, God Keras is great. Everything happens by the gods’ will. No time should be wasted.”
I thought today’s visit would be just a quick check or a simple hello. But Mr. Donovan clearly didn’t think I was moving fast enough. His helpers rushed around quickly, and before I knew it, he had arranged a meeting with the top people at the Great Temple. Sometimes, there are people who can just make things happen like that—fast and without trouble.
It’s good the plan moves well, but suddenly meeting such important people… what am I supposed to do?
* * *
Near the gate on the city side of the Great Temple, the street has buildings with a wild, improper feeling—not at all like a place for holy priests. This is what they call a red-light district.
I at least know what a brothel is. Mr. Raoh told me things in other worlds aren’t so different from Earth.
On Earth, the s*x trade often supports the underworld, but here, the temple openly manages it.
Prostitution outside the temple’s control is a serious sin. So, their morals are probably not much different from Earth’s.
Though the sun is setting, this street is just waking up. Countless lamps and glowing magic lights flicker on one after another. The whole place feels like a festival, glowing and alive.
”Is this your first time in a place like this?”
”Well, yes.”
”It’s a foolish thing, but to save the common people, both kindness and punishment are needed.”
I don’t fully get it, but it seems to mean they accept both good and bad. I respect the culture of this world. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
The brothel Mr. Donovan took me to is very fancy, calm, and stylish. It’s often used to entertain important people or hold secret meetings.
In Japan, important politicians sometimes meet in fancy restaurants—though I only saw that in anime.
”The cardinal you’ll meet is a great womanizer. Flattery works well with him. Leave the small things to me.”
Is this a honey trap? Or something like, “Isn’t it nice?” with secret gifts passed around?
Mr. Donovan quickly arranged everything for the meeting. He checked the room setup and where the women stood. The marble pillars looked heavy but had wheels, so the women could move them like stage props. It reminded me of a theater play.
After the main setup was done, they covered everything with rich carpets, curtains, and soft cloths to hide the plain parts.
Mr. Donovan arranged for more than twenty women in the mansion. All were beautiful, some were professional priests, and there were only three slaves. I thought there would be more slaves for this work.
Watching from behind the scenes, it felt like preparing for a stage play. Seven women would perform on stage, and the others were backups. Thinking about it, it really is a show to fulfill men’s desires. The women must be quick on their feet to improvise.
When the lights were set and sweet smells filled the air, the place changed into a grand, grown-up social party.
Three big sofas were set up unevenly on a huge carpet in the center. No main seat was shown, like a round table. Normally, the cardinal—head of the country’s religious leaders—would get the main seat. It would be rude to do otherwise, but here, no one seemed to care. When I first heard they’d meet in a brothel, I thought, What were they thinking? But Mr. Donovan clearly had his reasons.
Two beautiful women sat on each sofa, lounging gracefully. The men sitting there had “both hands full.” This style of hosting had become popular recently and seemed linked to some summoned hero.
One woman dressed most richly seemed to be the host and leader of the women. She was like the main heroine or princess of the show, though she looked quite old. Usually, men compete playfully for this princess role—it’s proper etiquette. Honestly, I don’t see the fun in that, but I guess different cultures have different ways.
Looking closely, each sofa had one young girl and one tempting older woman. I wonder if there’s a hierarchy here or if they have special roles?
Everything was ready. Now we just waited for the cardinal. But these people had no sense of time. Even if I said meet at sunset, if the other person had higher rank, they’d keep us waiting until midnight. So, that’s why Mr. Donovan was rushing earlier; today was going to be a long, slow wait.
Feeling restless, one woman picked up a guitar and started to play. Though called a guitar, it had a round shape like a biwa and was played with a bow like a violin. But she sometimes strummed it with her fingers, so maybe it can be played like an Earth guitar, too.
The Professor calls this kind of instrument a guitarra. Maybe it exists on Earth, but I never knew. It’s strange how Mind Communication skill translates things.
The sad, soft sound, mixed with the clever lighting, made the mood perfect. With the music, it felt like I’d stepped into a movie.
Even in such dreams and fantasies, I’m not the star. I’m just a small extra, an unnamed face. I guess I like that. It’s not that I can’t be the main character—I just don’t want to. No sour grapes here, really.
Though her skill was amateur-level and not enhanced, the live music’s power still touched my heart. The girl looked about twenty percent prettier thanks to some magic boost.
Maybe I should try learning an instrument. Somehow, I got music skills—probably when I sang at Sar-Sar’s house. It’s a bit scary because it’s from a scam skill, but if I use it right, it could help.
I think Stargazer is a poor choice if you want dexterity. It’s like a weak bard job, but I could probably perform in a cheap tavern and earn food and shelter.
I looked out the window. The sky was a soft purple, and stars were starting to shine. The street lights below looked like a galaxy spread out on the ground.
Beautiful, butterfly-like women were catching men walking by and pulling them into their brothels.
Beautiful hunters… or maybe just the best girls each shop has? Every shop shows off its most stunning girls.
Character Notes:
• Donovan – Head Priest of the Great Temple. He has a newfound respect for the MC, referring to them as a ‘Saint.’ His actions suggest he is highly organized and influential within his organization.
• Keras – God of Purification in this world. While not directly involved in the narrative, Keras is referenced through the High Slime, a noble being that serves as a servant of the god. The High Slime is summoned by the protagonist due to their connection with the earth spirits and their status as a spirit vessel. A figure who purified the cursed old Toyata Village, making it a viable relocation site.
• Raoh – Pakkyamara. An infamous, scheming, but somewhat incompetent senior adventurer known for meddling with hero summoning rituals; often gets beaten up as a result. The one who want japanese food.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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