"Really... even more greedy than you seem. Sister Clarice. Is the position of saint really that coveted?"
A church building for penance and prayer. Sister Clarice spoke to me as I entered.
What a shameless woman... knowing what she's done and still daring to be so brazen... birds of a feather flock together?
No wonder she's that kind of filthy delinquent...
"Yes. I don't want to see some shameless person become a saint, not even in death."
"...You've changed quite a bit. Not long ago, you were just hiding behind Bishop Paul."
Ha. Paul? Yes. I'm different from before.
But that cowardly human has nothing to do with it.
My change is only because I met that... excellent male called Master.
"Yes. It truly is a very precious缘分 (fate/destiny). I would do anything for that person."
"…? I don't understand what that means… Heh. Alright. Good luck." When the candidates arrived at their respective places for penance and prayer, Clarisse, with a strange smile, said something against her will and left.
That smile was unsettling… but since the person behind her was now a criminal, she probably wouldn't do anything foolish.
Even if she wanted to repeat the same mistake, in the capital city where criminals were treated extremely harshly, her head would be chopped off instantly.
Afterwards, the candidates for sainthood, including myself, entered our respective prayer rooms for penance and prayer.
A cramped personal prayer room, barely big enough for one person to lie down, containing a statue of the goddess.
Feeling the tranquil silence surrounding me, I knelt down before the goddess statue… gently stroking… the condom containing my master's seed, tied to my underwear.
I will definitely… become a saintess and return to your side.
Master… Goddess.
I implore you, during this week of my penitent prayers… to protect my master… And so, thinking of my master… I begin to pray to the goddess for Her peace.
............
The sixth day of Claire's penitent prayers. So far, it's been a peaceful daily routine.
After simply accepting the available subjugation quests near the capital in the morning, each day is spent practicing skills against monsters while performing quests.
It's a pity that I still haven't mastered any special skills.
Although I feel like I'm almost grasping the essentials, I just can't use the skills.
Why?
Lisbeth once said that once I grasp the feeling of using a skill, with my high attribute values, I could try using multiple skills.
The skills shown on the adventurer card are the type I'm completely familiar with, capable of activating them with mere thought.
She also said that other skills, as long as the necessary attribute values are met, and the method of use is understood and followed, can be used even if the efficiency is low—but why can't I even use this seemingly simple Shattering Strike?
Infusing inner power into the weapon to amplify its power?
The instructions are way too brief.
The instructions are already simple, and the inexplicable use of Chinese characters in the name makes it seem like some kind of martial arts technique, which is why I chose this move, thinking, 'I just need to feel the power within my body, right?'...
But all I get is a vague, half-understanding feeling; the skill just won't activate... I'm gradually losing heart.
How can I recreate that feeling of kicking a soccer ball into a goal? Shooting a soccer ball is triggered by willpower, so that's not very helpful.
"How is it, Master? It seems there are no more monsters around. Shaking off the monsters for me, Lisbeth swayed towards me.
Lisbeth, who received my selfishly chosen gift of high heels, has been walking around in them the whole time, which is quite surprising.
I thought the unpaved roads outside the city would be difficult to walk on, but Lisbeth even used her Ethel telekinesis to maintain her balance and prevent her heels from slipping off, insisting on wearing the high heels.
That almost supernaturally sexy gait—only Lisbeth could probably pull it off.
But thankfully, it's a perfect match for Leona's sexy outfit; the visual enjoyment is delightful, and seeing Lisbeth always brings a sense of satisfaction.
"The mission is long over, let's go back now. It'll take some time to fully master it."
"Yeah. Everyone starts like that. Master will learn to use it soon too."
............
"Oh dear. Another one's been eliminated."
On this final day, wondering if something might have happened, I arrived at the building where Claire was taking the exam and saw a haggard-looking nun emerging from it.
The first elimination occurred on the third day, and four people had been eliminated by yesterday.
Now it's the fifth… What a pity for that nun.
They said the exam would end at sunset; if she had just persevered for another half day, she would have passed.
But that nun is alright; the expressions of the eliminated candidates so far haven't been too bad, so it seems she won't feel too much regret even if she fails.
Aside from the 3-4 people targeting saintesses like Claire or Clarisse, the others claimed to be there to promote their own branch; that nun was probably one of them.
It'll almost certainly become a duel between Claire and Clarisse. How will it unfold...?
"Hello, Mr. Shimo. Miss Magician. So you're here."
I suddenly heard someone call me. Turning around, I saw the unsettlingly strong Malte, lightly armed with a sword, bowing to me.
"Ah, hello, Hero Malte. What can I do for you?"
"Actually, I have a favor to ask, and I'm looking for you two."
"Huh? Asking us for help?" The hero is actually asking me and Lisbeth for help?
How can we help the hero?
"Yes. Actually... I'm hunting down Bivora, the former guild master of the Serpent's Fang Guild. After several days of tracking, I finally discovered his possible hiding place yesterday."
"Ah, I see. But why me...?"
"We're about to raid that location, but the Knights lack skilled scouts and are worried that Bivora, a former thief, will escape again. You two recognize Bivora's face, and we'd like to ask for your assistance this time."
That guy was a thief... Wait, come to think of it, I don't know anything about scouting.
"Uh, we're not good at scouting either... and I can't even use my skills properly; going along would only be a hindrance. How about hiring adventurers with scouting abilities?"
"...I'll guarantee your safety. There are some special reasons..."
What's going on? He doesn't look too good. Is there something he's hiding? Hmm. What should I do? Paul swears that heroes are all good people, but I really don't believe him.
Even if they really need help, there's no need to go to a dangerous place with them…
"…If I can help, the reward will be generous. It's difficult to ask for help these days…"
Mart looked very uneasy, as if something was indeed wrong.
Hmm…why not take this opportunity to build some connections with the kingdom's heroes? If heroes as powerful as Mart could find out more beforehand, they could avoid women they needed to avoid in the future.
"…Can we finish quickly?"
"Yes. Since it's near the capital, it shouldn't take too long…probably…before evening."
"Can I go by myself? My guild members have some things to take care of."
"…Ah, okay. That should be fine."
"Okay. I'll go talk to them for a while." He grabbed Lisbeth's shoulder and walked into the empty church building, saying this to Lisbeth.
"Liz. Just in case. Liz is waiting for Claire nearby where the knights are. If you think I'm too late, go to the church and inform them. Talking to Paul will always find a way."
"If that's the case, I also…"
"No, although I don't think Malte, as a member of the kingdom, would do anything, I'm just in case. If something happens, I can run away without looking back."
Malte's expression was indeed a bit off, but to me, it didn't seem like he intended to harm anyone.
Of course, it could be acting… but if it's acting, his expression is a bit subtle.
The strong Malte wouldn't be threatened, would he?
His expression was really unbearable to look at. I'll just consider it a trick and go see him.
"Well… if we go somewhere too strange, I'll run away immediately. They wouldn't dare cause trouble openly in the crowded capital."
"…But…"
"I'll be even more upset if Liz gets hurt. I promise I'll be as careful as possible."
"…I understand. If anything happens, you have to run for your life, right?"
"Yes. If Liz feels something's wrong, use the Knights as shields. Understand? Even though I always seem to be thinking about how to escape, safety comes first. Yeah." After reassuring the worried Lizbet, I nodded to the thoughtful Malte.
"Let's go."
"Okay… thank you. Mr. Semo. Really… thank you so much." After bowing repeatedly to express his gratitude, Malte waved goodbye to Lizbet, who watched me leave with a worried expression, and walked out of the church.
And so, I headed towards the possible hiding place of Bivora with the strangely unsettling Malte… 134—Tsk, is it a trap?!