Chapter 29: I May Look Like This, but I’m Still a Virgin

“…Excuse me, but what exactly do you mean by that?”

Caught off guard by Polena’s unexpected and somewhat brazen statement, I questioned her with evident bewilderment. Regarding me with a smile, she elaborated.

“I mean it literally. If you truly succeed in saving those poor souls, from that moment onward, I shall serve and attend to you as my master. In a professional capacity… as well as a physical one.”

Accompanying her words with a suggestive smile, her implications caused a different kind of discomfort to arise within me.

‘Wait, what is this… So in other words, if I resolve this matter satisfactorily, she’ll become my slave going forward… And not just for general labor, but also in a sexual sense?’

As I pondered the implications of her words, my gaze inadvertently drifted toward her voluptuous figure.

‘I apologize for saying this, but… her physique is undoubtedly on a level that Cazeros cannot hope to match…’

While Cazeros could perhaps rival Polena’s lower proportions to some extent, her ample and beautiful bosom was simply incomparable, demanding acknowledgment no matter how one looked at it.

It was akin to the overwhelming difference between a cherry tomato and a watermelon.

Meanwhile, seeming to recognize where my gaze had wandered, Polena slowly approached and spoke in a sweet, dulcet tone.

“For your information… I may look like this, but I’m still a virgin. If you successfully resolve this matter, I shall offer you that which I have diligently preserved until now. How about it?”

“!…”

While her intent was likely to solidify my determination, her words had the opposite effect, prompting me to avert my momentarily indulgent gaze.

‘…This doesn’t seem like a mere frivolous remark…’

Initially, upon hearing her offer herself, I had assumed she was simply a lighthearted woman accustomed to such propositions.

After all, as a tavern worker, I had presumed she would be familiar with casually trading her body, and her recent suggestion was an extension of that mindset.

However, her claim of virginity made me realize that this proposition held deeper significance for her.

Considering her preservation of chastity despite working in the promiscuous tavern environment, it became increasingly apparent that…

Recognizing this, I composed myself and inquired in a measured tone.

“Is there some pressing circumstance compelling you to make such an offer?”

“!…”

My words caused the smile to fade from Polena’s face as her expression grew solemn.

Gazing directly at her, I asked with gravitas.

“For a woman to offer her virginity as collateral, this cannot be a trivial matter. What is the reason that compels you to go to such lengths to resolve this situation?”

“…”

After a momentary silence in response to my question, Polena regarded me with a heavy, emotion-laden tone distinctly different from her earlier demeanor.

“…If I share my story… will you agree to my request… to strike a deal?”

“Depending on your story, I can make that promise. What is your decision?”

“…Haah…”

Heaving a resigned sigh at my words, Polena’s typically radiant countenance was tinged with bitterness as she began to recount her tale while regarding us.

Having arrived in Munhel as a foreign traveler, Polena had decided to settle in this city that had captured her heart.

Despite being an outsider, her vibrant personality and ability to uplift any atmosphere allowed her to seamlessly integrate among the locals, forging connections with numerous individuals in the process.

Regardless of status, age, gender, or religion, Polena maintained close relationships with a diverse array of people.

However… Polena’s life, filled with daily joys shared with these acquaintances, was abruptly torn asunder by the whirlwind of the heretic persecutions.

The friends and associates with whom she had laughed and reveled mere moments ago suddenly found themselves embroiled in frequent disputes, eventually ceasing all communication.

As a foreigner with little interest in religion, Polena found the situation perplexing and unsettling, yet she could not help but recognize the escalating peril as the days passed.

Witnessing the rift and swelling animosity between people caused by religious differences, Polena grew increasingly aware of the grave trajectory unfolding…

And eventually, the events she had dreaded became a reality.

Under the guise of expelling heretics from the city, mobs suddenly rose up.

Among them were many Polena knew personally, with whom she had fostered friendships. Seizing the cover of darkness, they raided the homes of those identified as ‘heretics’.

As a result, these ‘heretics’ and their families were slaughtered overnight, their businesses pillaged and reduced to smoldering ruins.

And the person who met such a fate… was Polena’s friend, killed by the hands of her other friends.

In a single night, her friends had slain another of her friends…

Faced with this incomprehensible situation, Polena was consumed by profound anguish, but this was merely the beginning of countless tragedies to follow.

Day after day, attacks on ‘heretics’ occurred without respite.

In the name of the Church, under the pretext of enforcing justice in God’s name, countless individuals were robbed and slaughtered, transforming the once peaceful and compassionate city of Munhel into a veritable slaughterhouse carried out in God’s name.

And as Polena witnessed these scenes from a distance…

She was gripped by an indescribable sense of despair.

Those who claimed to act in accordance with God’s will, enforcing religious righteousness.

Yet, from Polena’s perspective, these were not acts of divine service or justice, but merely the senseless slaughter of acquaintances by acquaintances – a scene of utter madness, nothing more, nothing less.

A situation so utterly miserable as to be intolerable to any human.

However, despite recognizing this reality, Polena was powerless to act.

All she could do was bear witness to the insane actions of these insane people.

And if the anguish and torment became too much to endure mentally…

All she could do was force a radiant smile upon her face.

While happily raising a glass, she could only spout pleasing words like, “Let’s worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.”

For no matter how much she agonized or grieved, nothing would change…

Thus, she adapted to the situation as best she could, burying her inexpressible pain deep within.

A woman smiling radiantly as she served drinks amidst the heart of hell…