Chapter 266: Who are you? (6)

Chapter 266: Who are you?
(6)

Even
after a brief greeting, the meeting with Jellicy continued.

And
quite vigorously at that.

-Bang!
Thwack! Slash!

Sounds
of swords striking shields and flesh, and trained fists and legs
bursting something filled the air.

Next
came the musty body odor.

The
breath and sweat of women wielding swords and sparring filled the
surroundings.

“Grrrr!
How is it? This is the training hall where paladins hone themselves
as swords and shields protecting the order!”

Louis
Jellicy had brought me to the training hall where the pure virgin
females of the Earth Mother Goddess Order, who stayed away from
sexual matters, were emitting plenty of biological pheromones.

The
reason was that just having a sophisticated conversation in the
reception room would be boring.

‘I’ve
felt it since our first impression, but she’s quite a tough
priestess.’

Balkan
thought so, but Jellicy’s mind was elsewhere.

‘…Hmm.’

The
lion beastkin Jellicy’s sharp senses were drawn to the guard
walking behind her and the male exuding an enormous presence from his
entire musculature.

-Thump
thump.

The
lion beastkin’s heart pounded.

‘These
two…there’s something between them! Grrr!’

Just
earlier, she had seen guard Giltear and Balkan firmly grasping each
other’s hands while gazing intently at each other.

She
couldn’t see Balkan’s face clearly because of his helmet.

It
was truly surprising that Giltear, who usually avoided meeting
others, including other members of the temple, showed interest in
Balkan and even offered a handshake first.

And
that sudden change was enough to make Jellicy fantasize about
something else.

‘Does
she like him? Balkan?’

—I
would like to have a sincere conversation with Lord Balkan.

Giltear
had even specifically asked to have a separate conversation with
Balkan.

There’s
only one reason a woman suddenly changes.

‘Only
when she falls in love!!! Grrrr!’

As
someone who once experienced passionate love between a handsome man
and a beast but ultimately failed to realize it, Jellicy couldn’t
help but be interested in her guard’s love life.

‘Giltear
is not yet a full temple member, so it doesn’t matter much if she
gets involved with a man.’

Giltear’s
position as a paladin guard was temporarily arranged by Jellicy using
her power.

Giltear,
who hadn’t yet fully committed to the temple, was in a position where
she could have a passionate romance.

‘This
is my chance to repay my debt to Giltear.’

Jellicy’s
lover and paladin, who had cultivated a passionate love together
despite violating the order’s rules, ultimately died in the
labyrinth.

It
was Giltear who stopped Jellicy from trying to die meaninglessly in
the labyrinth following her dead lover and saved her.

‘Today.
I’ll bring Balkan and Giltear together. No matter what!’

Lion
beastkin priestess Jellicy burned with enthusiasm as she thought this
to herself.

“So
the Eden Temple has places like this too.”

“Since
combat experience gained in the labyrinth may return as blessings
when you go back, it’s slightly more efficient to build combat
facilities in the labyrinth than on the surface. Well, that’s not the
only reason.”

“Are
you trying to show off the temple’s military power?”

“Grrrr!
That’s right! There are many outlaws in Eden, and we can’t handle
them all, but we’re trying our best to maintain order in the central
part of Eden! Especially in turbulent times like these!”

The
royal court has been attacked, and worshippers of Sloth are openly
spreading their experimental monsters throughout the labyrinth.

Moreover,
a new year will arrive in just two months.

It’s
possible that signs of the labyrinth’s transformation and various
changes might appear.

The
situation was quite tumultuous both inside and outside the labyrinth,
but Jellicy proclaimed that at such times, the order should display
its dignity and control disruptive elements.

“Everyone
here wields swords and raises shields high for a better tomorrow.
What do you think? Does it seem quite useful even to the eyes of a
warrior who has caught an Elder Lich?”

I
observed the paladins sparring around in response to that question.

The
average level is around the early to mid-30s.

None
have extraordinary blessing abilities, but all perform above average.

Considering
that most of the temple’s capable personnel have been deployed to
deal with the recent surge of magic-wielding monsters in the
labyrinth, this is quite an impressive force.

“Well…it’s
decent.”

“Grrrr?
Just decent?”

“Yes.
They’re all quite capable.”

Something
about that answer seemed unsatisfactory, as Jellicy crossed her arms
and began to nod, then abruptly stopped.

“…Hmm,
no. To the eyes of a warrior who has caught an Elder Lich, I suppose
it’s just an adequate level of skill. Grrrr! If we had other forces,
I could have shown you something more impressive!”

It
seemed she had intended to show off the temple’s power and impress
me.

As
Jellicy’s face filled with regret, Hope, who was walking behind,
said to her:

“The
other force is right beside you, isn’t it?”

“Grr?
Priestess Hope. What do you…Huh?!”

Jellicy
suddenly widened her eyes after hearing Hope’s words.

“Grrrrrr!
That’s exactly it!!!”

And
she cast her gaze toward Cleassia, who was following behind her like
a shadow.

“Giltear!!!”

“…I
refuse.”

Cleassia,
who had already foreseen what was about to happen, slightly furrowed
her brow.

But
regardless of her guard’s reaction, Jellicy clung to her.

“Don’t
be like that! This is a really good opportunity! Show him the
temple’s dignity!”

“What
dignity? Aren’t you just a battle maniac who wants to see me fight?”

“No!
Augh!! Grrrrrr! You stupid, frustrating girl! Do I have to spoon-feed
you like a baby caretaker?!!!!!”

“…Pardon?”

Cleassia
looked at Jellicy with astonished eyes as the lion beat her own chest
with her paws in frustration.

She
seemed genuinely confused.

“Chance
encounter! Adversity! Combat! Friendship blossoming amid it all! And
evolving into love! Don’t you get it?!”

“…I
can see that you’re not in your right mind, Lady Jellicy.”

“Aaagh!!!”

Jellicy
grabbed the back of her neck with a face that suggested she was about
to go mad from frustration, then turned her gaze to me.

“Balkan!
Don’t you want to spar with Giltear?!!”

“Hmm…”

At
that sudden proposal, I crossed my arms and pondered a bit, then made
eye contact with Cleassia, who was an underling of the Jealousy
worshipper.

‘She’s
already noticed me.’

I
knew that even before she hinted at meeting separately later.

What’s
important is how she thinks of me.

‘Will
she think of me as Idelbert’s disciple and a shadow hunting demon
worshiper, or as an apostate carrying a weapon imbued with magi and
disguise magic?’

Is
she an enemy, or someone who can be considered an ally despite
different ideologies?

My
response will vary depending on how she thinks of me.

If
time passes smoothly, Serif, who has been contacted, will come to
capture Cleassia within a few weeks.

But
the problem is during those few weeks.

‘Will
the Jealousy worshipper forces, now aware of my existence, allow time
to pass smoothly?’

Judging
from the demon worshippers I’ve encountered so far, I can’t help but
shake my head.

These
are people who attacked the royal court with just two persons, built
laboratories in the labyrinth to spread monsters and cause trouble,
and employ succubi who devour humans on the surface.

I
couldn’t even begin to guess what pretexts they might use to attack.

‘Maybe.
This opportunity is the chance to capture her for certain…’

Perhaps
now, with Cleassia in the temple, is the opportunity.

Moreover,
she is the person that Serif, who has helped me numerous times, has
been searching for.

[Capture:
60 gold coins. Miracle of a high priestess of the Earth Mother
Goddess Order]

[Description:
Green hair, green eyes. Obese. Wing-shaped brand on the back]

[*The
brand is certain, but other features and name are likely to have
changed]

Recalling
the rewards on the wanted notice I saw at the Adventurer’s Union, my
contemplation deepened, and finally, I reached a conclusion.

‘…Indeed,
it’s better to bury her now.’

Whether
physically or socially.

“Sounds
interesting. A sparring match.”

“Ohhh!!
I knew it! As I expected! What warrior with a body like yours would
avoid a match!”

“…Tsk.”

My
answer brought joy to Jellicy and dismay to Giltear.

Giltear
clicked her tongue with a voice so small it was barely noticeable and
quickly masked her expression.

When
Jellicy swiftly borrowed a section of the training hall, the gazes of
the paladins who had been sparring around immediately converged.

Actually,
there had been many glancing looks before, but now that there was a
proper reason, they seemed to be watching openly.

“Hey,
what’s going on?”

“A
sparring match. It’s between Lady Jellicy’s guard Giltear and a
mid-level adventurer. His name is Balkan, right?”

“Wait.
Balkan as in… the one who jumped into the grand fountain with
d-dildos and anal plugs?!”

“Well,
yes, that too, but didn’t you hear yesterday’s news? Their party slew
an Elder Lich that had established itself on the 19th floor and
rescued all the necromancy faction people.”

“That’s
right. And I heard that he also nearly annihilated the Back Alley
Clan almost single-handedly…”

“Insane.
What kind of stunts does he pull every time he comes to Eden?”

It
seemed that yesterday’s events had already spread as rumors, as most
of the thirty or so paladins surrounding the area appeared to know
me.

Considering
that just a few months ago I only received looks that said “Who’s
this guy? I feel like raping him,” it was quite pleasing that
rumors of my prowess were spreading.

While
thinking about how to deal with Cleassia with one part of my mind, I
continued to observe my surroundings.

“He
caught an Elder Lich yesterday and today he’s sparring with Giltear?
What insane stamina. I wondered how he became that Adventurer’s Union
leader’s disciple—”

“What
a male body… Gulp. Ugh… E-Earth Mother, please grant me a
peaceful night tonight as well…!”

“Away,
lustful thoughts! No male can challenge my pure faith in the Earth
Mother Goddess…!”

That’s
not to say that suggestive gazes had disappeared.

In
Eden, where men were already scarce, some virgin female paladins of
the Earth Mother Goddess Order, who were even controlled against
masturbation for mental training, encountered a sudden male presence
and cautiously rubbed their trained thighs while looking at each
other.

“Too
bad. If the opponent were Giltear, it would end in an instant…”

“Come
on. It can’t be that bad.”

“No,
haven’t you seen Giltear killing monsters while protecting Lady
Jellicy? With that thin rapier, she punches holes in monster bodies
like they’ve been shot with a ballista.”

“Hmm…
Honestly, I find Giltear a bit off. I guess it’s because Lady Jellicy
pushes her so much… I’ve never seen her handle holy power.”

“Since
she didn’t become a paladin through the orthodox way of handling holy
power, it can’t be helped that she can’t use it. Still, at least
she’s not an apostate dealing with magi.”

“I
guess…”

I
could also overhear conversations about Cleassia.

Contrary
to how Jellicy had been pushing her, public opinion didn’t seem
entirely favorable, and the reason for that also appeared to be
because of Jellicy.

Well,
jagged stones inevitably attract negative attention.

‘Though
in this case, it’s closer to a radioactive nuclear waste stone.’

Thinking
about what was about to unfold, there would soon be no need to cast
jealous glances at that stone.

“Bunny.”

[What.]

“Let’s
show off our newly acquired power.”

“The
rules of the sparring match are simple. Subdue your opponent! With me
here, don’t worry about minor injuries!”

Cleassia
sighed at Jellicy, who had appointed herself as referee and was
winking at her.

‘What
a pointless thing to do.’

Even
inducing emotions through blessings didn’t always work as intended.

Jellicy’s
immense friendship and trust in Cleassia occasionally manifested in
such impulsive actions.

Of
course, from Cleassia’s perspective, this was a positive
phenomenon.

It
was evidence that her emotion manipulation, which was close to
brainwashing, was working.

‘Just
two more months to go. I’ve already passed more than half.’

Cleassia’s
master, the Jealousy worshipper Karelos, had not given up his
ambitions for the temple, and Cleassia, following his orders, was
about to fasten the first button of that grand plan.

Starting
with the complete brainwashing of Jellicy, the forces of Jealousy
would once again take root in the Earth Mother Goddess Order.

‘And
at the end, the brainwashing of the saint, which failed
previously…’

“Ahem!
Hmm!”

Cleassia’s
thoughts were cut off there. Jellicy was signaling her to prepare for
the sparring match.

“Go
easy. Be generous. Show the inclusiveness and sweetness of a woman.
Got it? Grrrr.”

“…Understood.”

Turning
away from Jellicy, who was whispering as if giving tips, Cleassia
looked at the man standing in the distance.

“One
bout. I look forward to it.”

After
briefly showing respect, he assumed a stance, aiming his massive axe
that was over 2 meters long, wearing a dark gray helmet modeled after
dragon scales.

Facing
the muscles that seemed ready to pounce at any moment and the
presence that dominated the surroundings, she felt as if her breath
would stop.

Who
would consider that a weak man?

He
was a massive beast with strength that would rank in the top three
even in this place.

‘An
axe imbued with magi…’

Moreover,
his axe contained an indescribable, suffocating magi firmly embedded
within.

It
was so skillfully concealed that even Cleassia, who was adept at
concealing and detecting magi, might not have detected it.

Someone
wielding a weapon with such magi wouldn’t have agreed to a sparring
match without any thought.

‘Whatever
his intention is, I’ll have to find out step by step in this sparring
match.’

Cleassia,
with her lips stiffened by tension, drew the rapier from her waist.

“Likewise,
I look forward to it.”

After
those words, silence fell, and Jellicy lowered her hand to signal the
start of the match.

Simultaneously,
Cleassia rushed toward Balkan and launched the first attack.

It
was an attack delivered at high speed, but the force behind it was
pitiful.

It
was merely a feint for probing, without any special meaning.

Just
a first move thrown to gauge each other’s intentions.

But

Swish—

Balkan’s
body moved in response to the simple thrust that could have been
deflected even while standing still.

As
if he wanted to be hit by that attack.

“…!!”

That
was a sense of incongruity that only Cleassia, who was facing him,
could feel.

Before
Cleassia could withdraw her rapier, feeling intense doubt and anxiety
at that strange movement.

Clang!

The
tip of the rapier and his axe blade collided very slightly.

However,
the aftermath was not at all small.

Kwaaaaang!!!

Along
with a massive vibration, a violent explosion of magi swept through
the training hall, and Balkan, caught in the explosion, rolled across
the ground and crashed into the wall of the training hall.

“Kuh,
urgh…!”

Balkan,
who had fallen from the embedded wall, spat out a mouthful of blood
through the mouth hole of his helmet and then used pure holy power to
heal himself.

Cleassia
stared blankly at Balkan.

“…W-what…?”

Pretending
to be injured by his own explosion?

‘And
he’s even healing it with holy power? How? What was that magi he just
used? Could he possibly be wielding magi while also using holy power?
That can’t be possible—’

“Just
now, that… I didn’t feel that wrong, did I?”

“Magi…!
There’s no way we could have misperceived such intense magi!”

“A-ambush?
Is it an ambush?! Is the temple under attack?!”

“…No.
No, this isn’t an ambush…!”

Cleassia,
who couldn’t find words in that bewildering situation, looked at the
paladins who were drawing their swords amid the commotion.

The
gazes of those who had drawn their swords were all directed toward
Cleassia.

As
she faced the paladins’ gazes gradually pouring toward her, Cleassia
realized.

‘Oh,
fuck…’

She
had been tricked.