Volume 2 Chapter 77 Archbishop Homolka
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Stepping out of the underground waiting room, the excitement that felt like magic began to fade.
On the surface, it was Guillaume’s achievement, so Kian’s skills would not be well known to the audience.
Only the executives of Izerland fortress knew the truth.
Waterman, among others, had started to show a rather favorable reaction towards Kian.
It would have been splendid if he could also win over McCutchen, but unexpectedly, he was invited by someone he never anticipated.
(Head magician, Natasha)
Kian followed Natasha through a corridor where excited nobles were buzzing about.
Her wavy golden hair and flashy dress caught the eye.
The strong scent of perfume mingled with body odor.
He thought she resembled a common woman one might find in a brōtḥel.
However, as the Head Magician, Natasha maintained her beauty with far more investment and skill than an ordinary prostitute.
Despite the unpleasant odor, she was undoubtedly a woman of high quality.
(However, there seemed to be no connection between Natasha and me. Why is that suddenly changing?)
”Ah, yes, about your adorable companion,”
As they reached the west section of the curved corridor, Natasha suddenly stopped and turned back.
Her eyes widened in astonishment.
”Oh, where is your lovely friend?”
”I sent her home. It’s a confidential matter, isn’t it?”
”Yes… That’s right, she left. I didn’t sense her presence at all.”
”Sense? You speak like a swordsman.”
”It’s not something you’d feel at your level. Even a commoner could hear footsteps.”
”Did my companion have footsteps?”
”――――. Didn’t, maybe. Well, it’s fine. If she has come back, there’s nothing to say.”
The blonde, perfume-scented Head Magician opened the door to the kitchen and commanded, “This way, come along.”
Her voice was clear, yet it carried a tone reminiscent of an elderly mother instructing a child.
While she looked young, her actual age might suggest otherwise.
No one was in the kitchen.
A faint scent of high-quality spices lingered.
He felt a smell from the vent that seemed like the fragrance of the underground oven.
”Perhaps this is to get us alone together?”
”Oh, is that what you expect? I don’t mind. That last battle was wonderful. I thought you might devour me like a beast in bed.”
Natasha giggled and playfully stuck out her tongue from her lips, which were heavily coated in red lipstick.
”Ahh.”
She placed a slender finger on her tongue, coating it with saliva.
She pressed her wet finger against his lips.
The scent of a ripe woman’s saliva filled the air.
Her fingers traced his lips, caressing his jawline, teasing his chest, and finally touching his groin.
He could feel blood pooling there after the battle.
However, Natasha pulled away from Kian without taking further action.
”Too bad. Did you think we could go further?”
”No.”
”You shouldn’t lie. Your little friend is half-erect. By the way, I’m curious about how many women you’ve had s*x with. I prefer innocent boys, you know, those who are valuable except for the old men.”
”Would you tell me why you called me here?”
”Oh my, are you not a virgin? Your first experience must have been with a prostitute. You’re an adventurer after all.”
”……”
(It’s funny how this conversation is similar to when we first met, but she doesn’t consider that Christy and I are in a relationship.)
It’s likely that the previous denial by Maribel was still affecting her.
Natasha had been sending Kian a lingering gaze, but soon returned to a more businesslike expression and said,
”You have a visitor. I will act as the intermediary.”
”Who is it?”
”I believe they will be here soon. ──Look.”
Just as Natasha said, a knock echoed on the kitchen door.
The blond Head Magician said “Come in,” and the door opened to reveal an elderly man.
He was as plump as McCutchen, dressed in a pure white priest’s robe.
He appeared to be in his late forties.
His hair and brows were thick, and his skin was oily.
His face seemed to always wear a gentle smile.
”Hello, Natasha. Thank you for bringing him.”
”No problem. I couldn’t refuse your request.”
”Nice to meet you, Kian. I am Archbishop Oscar Homolka. I oversee the Western Church’s diocese in the Izerland fortress. Pleased to meet you.”
”Thank you, Archbishop Homolka.”
(What could the Archbishop of the Western Church want with someone like me?)
He tilted his head in thought while performing a warrior monk’s bow like Azrael.
Archbishop Homolka watched Kian’s sharp gestures with narrowed eyes.
”I have heard about you from Monastery Head Nene of the East End monastery. She and I are personal friends.”
”I am grateful to her. At one point, she allowed me passage through the territory to trade for herbs.”
”I see. I also know you are close with Aliona Gouldrin. And that you single-handedly defeated a Griffin and exterminated a vampire with Gouldrin.”
”……”
”Let me ask you directly. ──Are you considering accepting Baron Waterman’s invitation to join his guard?”
Archbishop Homolka’s voice was very soft, but it was clear that this was not a question to be answered lightly.
”I don’t know yet. Honestly, I haven’t thought about it… But I dislike being bound, so for now, I plan to continue as an adventurer.”
”Tsk, tsk, tsk. You shouldn’t lie. Continuing as an adventurer? There’s no way you’d choose such a nonsensical option. It’s dangerous and offers little reward. You have to travel here and there at the Guild’s request, and frankly, it’s not a worthwhile job. ──Well, I know that those born into certain circumstances may dream. The adventurer Guild is open, and you can make a living with just your skills, even without education. Perhaps you might strike it big.”
The plump archbishop paused for the first time.
His voice was higher than most men’s, with a certain musical quality.
Despite his appearance, it was pleasant to listen to.
It had the quality of a voice one might find in an elven bard.
In a way, it could be described as magical.
The archbishop fixed his smiling eyes on Kian.
”But you don’t have to walk such a thorny path, do you? I saw your match from the best seats in the house. It was you fighting, wasn’t it? ──I know that Lord Guillaume is missing.”
(I see, it’s coming back to me.)
The knighthood ceremony of Guillaume.
At that time, most of the attention was on the imposing Watermans and the former Knights of the Sun Eleonora, but now that he thinks about it, this man was also there.
Though he didn’t leave much of an impression, he was off to the side.
”…Lady Natasha, did you tell Archbishop Homolka that I participated in the match instead?”
”Yes. Because if I’m asked face to face, ‘Have they found Guillaume?’ I have no choice but to answer.”
”Just she said, I had high hopes for Lord Guillaume, but it’s unfortunate. I wonder what he’s doing now. But I don’t care about him anymore. Right now, it’s about you, Kian. To be clear, if you value your life, I wouldn’t recommend becoming a subordinate of Baron Waterman.”
”Is there something shady about him?”
”Just being a confidant of Lord McCutchen is quite troubling. For example, hypothetically──just hypothetically, okay? If Lord McCutchen were to fail and had to retreat to the countryside, Baron Waterman’s position would become very precarious. Someone much more capable might be chosen to guard Her Excellency Maribel.”
”Archbishop Homolka said it’s better to wait before serving under Waterman. You wouldn’t want me to reveal the reason, would you? Also, it’s forbidden to leak this conversation from the kitchen. Don’t forget that I marked you with my saliva earlier. ──If you don’t listen, I’ll make sure you can’t speak for the rest of your life, understand?”
”────”
(I see, the indirect kiss earlier was a curse of sorts. But)
The 3-day Moon Earring that Kian wears will absorb any curses or mental control.
Kian, awakening to his vampire traits, finds curses difficult to affect him.
Natasha’s skill as a magician is uncertain, but he was confident he could deflect a silencing curse.
However, just to be safe, it would be better to change into a flashy floral jacket from his Nightshade coat.
Recently, his appearance had been rather plain, so it was just right.
”Of course, I won’t say a word. Life is precious.”
”Hehe… very well. I do like obedient boys.”
”Today’s match was splendid, Kian. I don’t wish to make you my enemy.”
The archbishop said this with a wide grin.
His teeth, likely from indulging in sweets, were a mess of dentures.
”In the past, Azrael would kidnap children from the villages of Franz, convert them, and turn them into soldiers. I wonder if they still do such things?”
”I don’t know. It’s been 15 years since I left that country. The top officials must have changed quite a bit.”
”For instance, your brother, Lord Jibril, has joined the Twelve Divine Generals?”
”――――.”
”The Western Church was originally founded by rulers of various kingdoms to combat the dark minions. While its doctrines have expanded and its purpose has changed, considering its origins, it wouldn’t be strange for an Azraelian like you to be hired as a warrior. Unfortunately, there are many barriers of race that cannot be crossed, but while it may be impossible for the church knights, I would personally be willing to hire you. ──Now, what is your adventurer rank?”
”Rank 8.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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