The Articles

Who?

It was an old priest.

The old priest.

The old priest pointed to his chest.

“I am Halluzi. I’m in charge of the small temple at Pibbslow Fortress as the Head of the Small Temple. I wanted to have a chat with you.”

The old priest looks around at the knights scattered about.

“By the way, you have impressive skills. I heard all the knights gathered here had risen to the rank of lieutenant, but you defeated them all. Ho ho.”

“…”

It’s a bit much to say I won against knights at Christopher’s level.

It reminds me of Christopher after a long time.

When I fought him, it was quite an intense battle.

That was a few months ago.

Now I’ve honed my skills to the point where I can defeat groups of people at his level with my bare hands.

‘Even I think my talent is extraordinary.’

It’s self-praise, but it’s an obvious fact.

I used to feel good when complimented and it was okay, but now it’s no longer a compliment. It’s become such an obvious fact.

You’re skilled.

You’re strong.

The time when I felt good hearing such words has passed.

“I have something to discuss with you privately. Follow me.”

“…”

Who is he to order me around?

“Are you not coming?”

“Do I have a reason to follow you?”

“Are you saying you won’t listen to me, the Head of the Small Temple?”

“Is the Head of the Small Temple a higher position than a Hero?”

Heroes don’t really have official positions.

If it were a Native Hero, their treatment would differ based on social status, but Summoned Heroes are different. They are beings from another world that can’t be categorized by social status.

How could they distinguish between nobles and commoners for a Hero from Earth where there are no nobles?

The same goes for official positions.

Even if the Emperor told me to come, I wouldn’t go if I was busy.

If this were reality, maybe.

But this is a game.

Above all, I was busy taking care of the knights.

I comforted the exhausted knights.

“Good work. Can you stand up?”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. You should try to use less force. It’s good that you stepped up as a shield because you have good endurance, but you need to manage your stamina.”

“I understand deeply. But…”

I helped the knight up.

He whispered quietly.

“It’s better not to meet separately with the Head of the Small Temple.”

“Why? Well, he does look like he’s in a bad mood.”

The old priest looks at Amel as if frustrated.

Seeing that he’s not leaving, he seems determined to take me.

“That too, but he came here because of women issues.”

“Ah… I see. I understand.”

“So…”

“Why don’t you stay with us?”

“Men, go away.”

The knights started getting up one by one.

Pushing away the knight who was whispering in Amel’s ear, the female knights gathered to form a wall. They pushed away the men who were looking for any chance to say a word to Amel.

“That’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair? Amel~ We’re better than that dirty old man, right?”

“Aren’t we better than those unfeminine ones?”

“You’re looking with lustful eyes.”

“As if you’re not?”

Growl.

Still, the atmosphere shifted towards the women guarding Amel’s side.

This was an expected flow.

When I was with Skilla and Tang So-hye, they chased away approaching men too.

Thanks to that, I was able to avoid the unpleasant experience of being hit on by men, so I didn’t mind the female knights’ escort.

Lux grabs my wrist and calls out.

“Amel, come this way.”

“Okay.”

The female knights gathered around and I was guided somewhere as if swept up in the crowd.

The old priest watching this glares at me with very irritated eyes.

The female knights’ quarters.

…though they share it with men.

But because Amel was using it, the male knights thoroughly cleaned a room. They even cleared out all the belongings of the male knights who were using that room, making it the cleanest room in the quarters.

“…”

I only saw the result, but I could guess how it proceeded.

“Amel, don’t mind them. You’re staying for a few days, right?”

“I think that’s the plan for now.”

Woooooah.

Cheers.

It shakes the entire quarters.

They rejoiced as if they were overzealous fans welcoming an idol, to the point where it was hard to believe these were the same members who had just been thoroughly beaten.

‘What did I do to make them so happy?’

Amel can’t hear Amel’s face, actions, habits, and voice.

Moreover, she didn’t know the feelings of men who had been living in an all-male environment, rubbing shoulders with only men, due to the scarcity of women in reality.

A real woman, a beauty, a strong person, and encouragement after the battle ended.

Knights who would fall in love just by waving a hand. As could be seen from the encouragement, their fondness for Amel, who remembered them as individuals rather than just one of the knights, reached its peak.

The female knights seemed to understand as they clung to Amel.

Only Amel was clueless.

Cheers for the room being clean.

Cheers for changing clothes.

Grumbling that they envied the female knights.

Cheers for speaking to them.

Cheers for touching an arm.

Cheers for eating in the kitchen.

Cheers for saying it’s delicious.

Cheer. Cheer. Cheer.

“At this rate, they might like it even if I slap them.”

“Is there someone who needs to be slapped?”

“We’ll pulverize them!”

The female knights make a fuss.

It’s scary to say even one word.

Win had no one to talk to in her mind since she went back to Cappuccino.

When night came and I was about to sleep, the female knights took turns standing guard, with one person each at the room and door.

“This seems excessive.”

“You never know what crazy bastard might try to come in thinking they’d die for it.”

“Are they that untrustworthy? While living together? Didn’t you say you usually share?”

“That’s true, but Amel is a woman.”

“…”

Wait, aren’t you all women then?

‘I’m a man though.’

“Amel, all men are wolves. If you let your guard down, you might get eaten.”

“…”

Dina raised her hands to chin level and bared her nails as if imitating a beast.

“Dina is right. You went to Basle earlier without us knowing, right? We understand your intention to give feedback, but you were too defenseless.”

“What if you had been caught like that?”

“Basle would have really pounced on you.”

Dina, Meshika, and Lux cautioned about going to Basle alone.

“Of course, since it’s you, Amel, you could have broken free even if caught, but…”

“The idea of being embraced…”

“Hmm…”

Gazes focused on Amel’s chest.

Desire shines in their eyes.

“…Want me to hug you?”

Kyaaak.

They come to be embraced.

In the midst of this.

“You’ve gotten quite close while I was away?”

Jang Yu-ha came in.

She pushed away Meshika who was sitting next to me and sat down.

“Not really?”

“No, it’s good to get close. It will pay off later. And the schedule has been set.”

“Schedule? Oh, the meeting with the Emperor?”

The female knights flinched.

“The Emperor is very eager to meet you. You’re one of the most famous Heroes, so of course he’d want to meet you.”

“When are we going?”

“They said they’ll send a mage who can use Teleport in 3 days.”

“Hmm.”

Teleport.

Win couldn’t use it.

It would be convenient if I could use it.

No matter which region I’m in, I could go to the Tower of Trials whenever I want.

Learning that Teleport was included in this world’s system, desire started creeping up. With Win here too, it’s even more tempting.

“And there are two more things I need to tell you.”

Jang Yu-ha continued.

“The Holy Knight Order will come here before the mage arrives.”

“The Holy Knight Order?”

“Yes, so if you want to meet them, the general said he’d arrange a meeting. Apparently, the Holy Knight Order is very interested in the Hero who learned divine magic and defeated the Death Knight.”

“Hmm.”

“Looking at the community, it says you can be welcomed as a Temple Warrior if you receive a few divine spells. I think this might be related to that.”

She pointed while bringing up [Community].

‘Temple Warrior, huh.’

“What divine spells have you learned so far, Amel?”

“…Excuse me.”

Lux raised her hand and asked.

“Is it okay to talk about this in front of us?”

“It’s not something we need to move to a different place to discuss. I don’t think you’re the type to spread information that could be disadvantageous to Amel.”

“I’m glad you see us that way.”

Amel counted on her fingers.

“Heal level 9, Bless level 1, Resurrection level 1.”

Is there more?

No.

“These three are all.”

“I see.”

“Only three?”

“It may seem like just a few in number. But haven’t you thought that level 9 is too extraordinary?”

“…”

I had, but the old habit of unconsciously underestimating myself came out.

“I asked my clan members too, and it seems the temple side automatically recognizes you when you reach the level to be acknowledged as a Temple Warrior.”

“Is there any benefit to being recognized as a Temple Warrior?”

“Well… ah, here it is. First, you’re guaranteed treatment equivalent to a bishop, can freely receive help from priests, and can borrow sacred objects.”

“Heh.”

Sacred objects?

Not much else.

Suddenly, the female knights.

“Hm? Why?”

“Just… it suddenly hit us that we’ve been too cooped up here and don’t know much about the world. Even if we heard rumors about Heroes, it didn’t really sink in…”

“Yeah. We didn’t know the temple was giving such exceptional treatment.”

Murmur murmur.

As the female knights exchanged opinions with each other.

Amel asked about the remaining one.

“So what’s the last one?”

“Personally, I don’t like it…”

Jang Yu-ha made a displeased expression.

“Apparently there’s something to be gained by probing the Head of the Small Temple.”

“That old priest?”

“Yes. But personally, I hope you don’t meet with the Head of the Small Temple.”

“Why?”

“I heard he has bad habits with women.”

“He’s still weaker than me though?”

“That kind of person tends to believe power is stronger than force.”

Power, huh.

Is the Head of the Small Temple such a high position?

“He’ll probably try to make contact. It’s up to you whether to meet him or not, but I want to oppose it.”

“Me too!”

“So do we!”

“The Head of the Small Temple once ordered us to come to his bedroom at night. Of course we ignored it since our superior is Captain Beogeureo. It’s obvious what his intentions were in calling for you.”

Lux added more.

“Plus, I heard this from the guys. Apparently that crazy Head of the Small Temple secretly calls for prostitutes at night.”

“He must be insane.”

“How could he do that in a temple.”

The female knights badmouthed the Head of the Small Temple, making disgusted noises.

Everyone unanimously said not to meet him, but the more they said that, the more likely there was something to it.

Amel, knowing this world was a game, saw this gossip as part of the plot development too.

Above all,

‘Those eyes.’

The look in the old priest’s eyes at the end hadn’t contained lust.

Lust. I know it. How many times have I received those sticky gazes in the months since becoming a woman? I couldn’t mistake that creepy gaze.

Sticky? It was rather dry.

His gaze was directed at my face, not my chest, and he looked very thoughtful.

In the middle of the night.

At the guard post.

A knight yawned.

“Ha~am. I wish I was on duty near Amel.”

“More importantly, do we need to be on duty when the dungeon has fallen?”

“The captain said it’s not over yet. Just keep your guard up properly.”

A group of three knights.

Dawn came.

The knights on night duty at Pibbslow Fortress had relaxed their guard somewhat after the dungeon’s seal disappeared and the undead and Blood Wraiths vanished.

Even though they were told to stay alert,

“Would anyone really come when there’s someone who can even take down a Death Knight?”

“What if they take advantage of that complacency?”

“They’d be killed instantly by Amel. Haha. Squad leader, you don’t know how strong she is because you haven’t faced her.”

“…”

Alyx, the squad leader of the guard unit, stared intently at Hans.

She had seen Amel challenge Hans to a duel.

After that, she had heard the news that Amel was taking on groups of knights.

But she hadn’t paid much attention.

That face, that figure, those muscles.

It wasn’t a body made for fighting.

Alyx, not knowing about the Hero’s avatar, unconsciously dismissed Amel. Even if she had taken down knights, Alyx thought it was just them providing service for a pretty woman.

That slender woman winning consecutive battles against burly knights.

It didn’t make sense.

But listening to Hans speak, she started to have doubts.

“Was she really that strong?”

“Of course. It was a chance to have my way with that wo… that person, do you think I wouldn’t have given it my all? How many chances do we have to embrace a woman in the first place? I gave it everything. But I lost.”

“You really didn’t hold back or anything?”

“My mouth hurts from saying this. Not just me, all the guys say Amel is strong, don’t they? That strength is real. Someone like me wasn’t even a twig compared to her.”

“…”

A twig?

Alyx couldn’t imagine it.

“How much strength could that body have.”

“The destructive power is incredible. Especially those breasts are no joke.”

Hans made a round gesture in front of his chest.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I don’t understand why you can’t believe it.”

I can’t believe it until I experience it myself.

There are people who are stronger than they look on the outside.

Nevertheless, among those who wield swords, there are none whose bodies are not trained.

Just look at the female knights.

Biceps as hard as rocks.

Six-pack abs.

And those thick thighs.

While too much might not be aesthetically pleasing, muscles don’t betray effort.

It was attractive enough to give praise for the fruits of their efforts, as much as the visible muscle mass.

However, this woman called Amel had barely any visible muscle.

Most of it was covered by clothes so it couldn’t be seen properly, but

Alyx could estimate the amount of muscle from the opponent’s movements.

‘What a world we live in where such a skinny woman is said to be strong.’

“Even if you can’t believe it, Amel is the one who actually killed the Death Knight. She’s also the one who killed the Lich that we couldn’t kill even when attacking in groups.”

“…”

“Speaking of Death Knights and Liches, things really do progress smoothly when a strong person takes action. The original plan was to wait for the priests… the Holy Knights and cooperate, but with just Amel moving, it was finished in a day. No, not even a day.”

As soon as Amel appeared and entered the dungeon, the stagnant war situation was reversed.

As if all our struggles and battles until now were for this moment.

“You probably didn’t see it since you went to the sealing site, but watching the Death Knight flee with its tail between its legs was quite a spectacle. Haha.”

“…”

“It would be nice if other Sword Masters moved like Amel too.”

“Those people must be busy in ways we don’t know.”

“You think so? It seems like directly fighting would be the best way to contribute to the country since they have the most outstanding combat ability. Don’t you think?”

“…”

“Well, you’re a noble so you probably know much better than me, squad leader.”

“…”

Alyx doesn’t know well either.

She’s from a noble family, but only a lower-ranked one.

“Squad leader.”

“What?”

“It looks like that bastard Head of the Small Temple called again.”

“…”

Alyx’s squad was in charge of guarding the eastern gate of the fortress.

In front of the knights on duty was a road for carriages, with dense forests looming on both sides.

A carriage approaching through those forests.

The carriage approached and stopped.

Someone got out of the carriage.

A slim waist and lifted breasts. Hans’s gaze was drawn to the exposed cleavage. Alyx smacked him on the head.

Her face was covered with a veil, but in the dark night, the thin veil only revealed her lips.

Those lips were very red, as if she had just eaten a mouse.

Velosa.

That was probably her name.

Behind Velosa were two more women wearing less conspicuous veils.

They followed a step behind Velosa, as if attending to her.

“Would you open the gate for us?”

“…”

Alyx finds Velosa irritating.

She was exactly the type of woman she disliked.

“Hans, go check.”

“What? Why not send Collie…”

“Don’t argue and go.”

After sending Hans.

A short time passed.

“Alyx is still as strict as ever, I see.”

“Why should I let you in and out of a confidential facility as if it’s your own home?”

“Hehe. Hehehe.”

An unpleasant laugh.

It sounds like mockery.

If you ask whether that Head of the Small Temple is a trustworthy person, he’s not.

But still, he’s a high-ranking priest.

Does just anyone become a high-ranking priest?

Though they say he has bad habits with women, there was still a minimum level of trust.

The temple that dispatched that Head of the Small Temple must have at least some sense of responsibility.

Velosa smiles slyly.

“I heard from the Head of the Small Temple that there’s an interesting person inside. I heard she’s extremely beautiful and strong, what kind of person is she?”

“Why do you need to know that?”

“He said she’s more beautiful than me, so it’s natural for a woman to be curious, isn’t it? If you tell me, I can return the favor. Don’t you like me?”

Bellosa ran her fingers down between her breasts, pulling at her clothes, and purred seductively.

“Shut your mouth before I throw you out.”

“What a shame.”

And then Hans returned.

After a brief search, he opened the small gate in the castle wall and let them inside.

In the process, her veil was removed, but only her blood-red eyes smiled slyly; she wasn’t hiding anyone or anything else.