episode_0019

[Advanced magic usage is restricted for 24 hours.]

The inevitable limitation of abilities. However, the inability to use advanced magic implies that lower-level magic can still be utilized. Furthermore, with no restrictions on physical abilities, this penalty was quite favorable.

“Not bad.”

After briefly summarizing the current situation, I looked at the saint in front of me.

Holly Trust. Among ordinary people who are often criticized by others as “concept enthusiasts” on the Maelstrom forum, she was one of them.

Upon seeing her desire for salvation on the bulletin board every day, it became clear to me why. With one arm and leg missing, and even one eye absent, she brought her uncomfortable body towards me. Beside her, Choi Ye-bin’s gaze was solely fixed on me, paying no attention to anything else.

“Are you the administrator?”

Despite being a stranger warping into an unknown space, she showed no surprise. The girl knelt down and began to pray.

“Have my prayers finally reached you? That you, the administrator, have come to grant salvation.”

“How did you know I’m the administrator? The friend next to me could also be the administrator.”

“I sense energy from you. I feel a brilliant destiny from you. The girl next to you is also entwined in your fate. That’s why I think of you as the administrator.”

“For now, it’s true that I am the administrator.”

Due to the absence of one hand, she couldn’t clasp her hands to pray. Instead, she placed her hand near her chest, closed her eyes with a polite expression, and began reciting a prayer. It felt strange. She was wearing a nun’s habit, and the energy and dignity she exuded matched exactly with that of a saint. However, the room she was in was quite dilapidated.

“Do you live here?”

“This is the temple bestowed by God. It’s my only sanctuary.”

She spoke with a gentle expression. This place, called the temple of God, reeked of squalor in the corners, and the walls were covered in mold. Something was wrong.

“Are you affiliated with any group?”

“I am a saint of the Lluasta Church, affiliated with the Lluasta Temple.”

Belonging to the temple, a saint. Typically, saints receive the utmost respect. However, it was difficult to understand why she was being treated with such disrespect. But resolving that question wasn’t difficult.

Thud thud.

Rough sounds came from outside, and soon a man entered the room.

“What’s going on with these guys?”

The man, holding a sword, glanced irritably at me and Chae Yebin.

[Step back and stay still, for 24 hours we cannot escape this novel. Since the starting point is sealed, we must act carefully.]

Having used low-level magic, I signaled Chae Yebin using telepathy. She quickly withdrew her arm from my embrace and stepped back.

Regardless, the man irritably tossed a loaf of bread.

“It’s today’s ration.”

Holly Trust clutched the bread tightly and expressed gratitude. However, the man’s response wasn’t very positive.

“Who are these people? Followers of the Lluasta religion?”

“No, he’s my acquaintance.”

As the girl said so, the man rushed over and struck her cheek forcefully.

“You brat. I told you to sit quietly and recharge your sacred power. Why are you calling friends unnecessarily? I thought you were some disabled person who came to offer money like a fool.”

The man openly displayed his contempt and vulgar language. I looked at him and asked a question.

“What’s your name?”

“Huh? What do you need to know for?”

“I asked politely, why are you so aggressive?”

“Do you need a reason? An idiot like you who came to gawk at a saint.”

When the man showed more hostility, I raised my hand to the sword I had brought.

“I was trying to be polite, can you handle what you’re doing right now?”

The man grimaced and then scrutinized me closely, asking in a puzzled voice.

“You… look like a mage. Do you happen to know any priests?”

He seemed to be mistaken about something. But there was no need to correct him. Judging by his fancy robe, he seemed to have inferred that I was somehow associated with the Lluasta religion.

“Would you do if you knew that? I don’t ask three times. Name.”

“Elcardo.”

“Elcardo…”

I immediately drew my sword and swung it right in front of his neck, stopping just in time. The man couldn’t move and swallowed hard.

“Elcardo. Normally, I would have cut your throat with this sword, but since you seem quick-witted, I’ll give you a chance.”

Elcardo’s eyes darted around. The man began to assess his situation. Despite wearing a wizard’s robe, he displayed impressive swordsmanship. I’ve heard of it before. High-ranking officials associated with priests not only possess exceptional magical abilities but also indulge in swordsmanship.

The priests of Ruastar always said, “If a high-ranking official visits, do not provoke them under any circumstances.” Elcardo sighed. He had accidentally offended a high-ranking official associated with a priest.

He knelt down and began to plead.

“Just once… please, just this once. I beg you.”

“Tsk. Get lost.”

As I turned away, the man stood up and bowed his head.

“If you need blood… or anything else, please tell me. I will do anything.”

“Hmm…”

After a moment of consideration, I gestured to Choi Ye-bin.

“Have a conversation with the saint here for a while. I’ll take this guy outside and look around.”

Choi Ye-bin silently nodded. She seemed to catch on to my act. Holly Trust blinked in confusion, but fortunately, Elcardo didn’t notice anything odd.

I walked out with the man.

— — —

“What… what do you want me to do?”

“Elcardo, what role does the saint play here? I’m curious about her.”

“Are you talking about Flimia? Why bother with such a misfit like her…?”

So, Holly Trust’s name here is Flimia. I stored her name in my mind for now.

“Why should I have to explain to the likes of you why I’m interested?”

“That… that’s not it. If you’re looking for a woman, I’d like to introduce you to a more beautiful and normal maiden…”

“Alright, enough of that. Tell me about Philemia.”

The man hesitated for a moment before gradually starting to provide some information.

“Philemia received the call of the gods and came to the temple two years ago. At first, she was admired for her exceptional holiness and beautiful face. However, after being dispatched to the battlefield some time ago, as you can see, she lost her arms, legs, and eyes. Since then, her market value has declined, and she was exiled to this trading post.”

“Trading post?”

“Oh… that’s our slang term for this place. Do you see the lined-up houses over there? We gather injured or problematic maidens here, and when someone comes to buy, we sell them. Maidens are rare and valuable, so they bring in money.”

“Aren’t maidens those chosen by the god of the Lluastan faith? And they’re being sold off like this?”

“It seems you haven’t been aware of recent changes. With the new leader of the faith, many things have changed. The new leader pours out thousands of maidens each year, so it was deemed profitable to sell off those with diminished market value. There were opinions suggesting that rather than letting these girls tarnish the image by being sent to official ceremonies or engaging in external activities, it would be better to just kill them off. But because many people are willing to pay large sums for maidens due to their purity and beauty, this system was established.”

“I see. They were despicable individuals.”

“Yes, you’re right. The maidens here are all despicable individuals.”

Elcardo sneered at me, clearly disgusted. Of course, my disgust wasn’t directed at the maidens. It was at these repulsive men who trafficked in maidens based on their market value.

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

“No. I’ve satisfied my curiosity. Now go. I’ll stay here for a bit and then leave.”

“Understood. Just one thing…”

Elcardo groaned like an irritated puppy.

“Speak up.”

“Please, I beg you to keep today’s work a secret from the priest. If the priest finds out about today’s work, I will truly die…”

“I will make sure of it. I’ll explain it well to the priest, so go quickly.”

“Thank you! I will hand over the saint cheaply. Her market value has been seriously damaged anyway, so I was planning to use her as a sacrifice later on.”

After hearing that, I paused for a moment and then spoke to the man behind me.

“Oh, there’s something I want to talk to you about. Come over here for a moment.”

Eventually, Elcardo walked slowly towards me.

I plunged the knife directly into his heart.

“Cough… Why…?”

The man looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it, questioning the reason for his own death.

I borrowed his words to respond briefly.

“Do you need a reason?”