For Sale. Fallen Lady. Never Used.

Chapter 212: Oracle (2)

[Roar? Roar!]

The Righteous Radiance, looking like a lion version of Helena, roared.

The Righteous Radiance offers its mane, saying, [Want to take a look at it?]

Though her features were identical to Helena’s, her eyes had a sharp gleam, yet she exuded a pure and innocent aura as she handed over a scarf.

A fluffy scarf that seemed as if it was made from a real lion’s mane.

So, this was just an ornament…

As I took it, the Righteous Radiance giggled and wrapped it around my neck. Then she clapped her hands with a bright smile.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

[Roar! Roar!]

The Righteous Radiance admires, [It looks great on you!]

“Uh… thank you. It does look quite cool.”

Looking at my reflection in a mirror I took out of my inventory, I saw an impressive sight.

The overall impression was one of added nobility, but there was also a faint hint of savagery, as if it could bite my neck at any moment.

It was a scarf with a complex design and a sense of authority. Clearly, a lot of thought had gone into it.

Whether human or god, it seemed that the ultimate use of it was for fashion and character customization.

Having once been obsessed with character customization myself, I understood the sentiment well. My current appearance was a testament to that past.

As I let out a chuckle, Helena, who had been quietly observing out of respect for her god, trembled and pointed at me.

“Th-that is…”

“Hm? What is it, Priestess Helena?”

“Now I understand! The scarf you’re wearing is part of the Holy Armor!”

“Holy Armor?”

According to Helena, the Righteous Radiance bestows a cloak of light to its apostles as a symbol.

The distinctive feature was a pure white mane that covered the neck and shoulders, just like now.

The cloak contained immense holy power and aided in all holy arts, but its true value lay elsewhere.

Normally, it was short, only covering up to the shoulder blades to avoid hindrance, but in battle, it extends to cover the entire body and transforms into armor.

The true form of the Holy Armor not only supports the wearer but also strengthens, heals, and activates various holy arts, including shields, in response to danger.

It was more like a divine power than a relic, and thus, it was a privilege that only apostles could use.

Thinking back, all the apostles in the holy paintings and statues I saw while touring the Great Church yesterday were wearing the same armor.

“So this is just a shell that looks like it… but still, you gave me something like that?”

[Roar!]

The Righteous Radiance tries to persuade you again, saying, [Yes. It suits you well, so why not become my saint?]

“…I told you, I can’t.”

She could be quite persistent.

[Roar…]

The Righteous Radiance sulks, saying, [Roar…]

“???”

Wondering if there was a translation error, I read it again carefully, but the content remained the same.

She actually just said, “Roar…”

The Righteous Radiance, with drooping ears and tail, began to cuddle with Helena.

[Groan…]

“Yes? Oh, um, if that’s what you wish, my lord…!”

Maybe Helena thought the Righteous Radiance was upset due to my earlier words, so she spread her arms wide and closed her eyes.

She looked like a maiden offered as a sacrifice to a lion.

However, her god didn’t seem to be very angry. She was just snuggling up to Helena, growling like a child throwing a tantrum.

Perhaps it was because they looked so alike, with only the ears and tail different. The two of them being so close created a strange atmosphere.

The curves and contours of their bodies pressed against each other in a nun’s habit, making for a contrasting scene with one having a determined expression and the other looking content.

Though I hadn’t discussed anything important yet, the rising inappropriate thoughts made me shake my head.

“Ahem. Anyway, can we return to the main topic now? Is that alright with you, Righteous Radiance?”

[Grumble?]

The Righteous Radiance, looking a bit embarrassed, says, [I got excited talking to someone after so long… What was it? Oh, right, making this girl my saint?]

“Yes. I’d like you to take Priestess Helena as your saint. I’m stronger as a magician, and… most importantly, Helena suits you much better.”

[Grumble. Grumble.]

The Righteous Radiance agrees, saying, [Indeed. Helena suits me well.]

“…Huh?”

Despite closing her eyes and waiting, Helena didn’t receive any divine punishment—only soft nudges. Opening her eyes slightly, she looked around in confusion.

I lightly patted Helena’s shoulder and said,

“Don’t worry, the Righteous Radiance isn’t angry.”

“Ah… that’s a relief.”

Sighing in relief, Helena listened as the Righteous Radiance continued, chuckling.

[…Roar.]

The Righteous Radiance reminisces, [She looks so much like my first priestess. I was really surprised when I first saw her.]

“A priestess? Not an apostle or saintess?”

“Did you know, Brother Yandel? The Righteous Radiance has been present on this land for a very long time. Before there were proper religions, apostles were called priests.”

“Just how long ago was that…?”

“Well… It was certainly before the empire was established.”

“Wow.”

The empire was the largest country on the Eurelia Continent and also the first.

In other words, the Righteous Radiance had been around since the Paleolithic or Neolithic era in a primitive religious form.

“This is too overwhelming… but to say she looks like the first priestess…”

As I alternated my gaze between them, the Righteous Radiance grinned and pressed her face against Helena’s.

“My lord?!”

[Grumble. Huff.]

The Righteous Radiance explains, [She’s probably a distant descendant. I modeled my human form after her, so that’s why they look alike.]

Helena froze in surprise, while the Righteous Radiance seemed very pleased.

It seemed unlikely that such a resemblance could persist over thousands of years… but in this world, it was possible.

Bloodlines with special powers maintain their traits faintly through generations.

If an ancestor’s traits resurface, they could continue for several more generations.

The Lindelheit family was similar. The dragon’s blood, thought to have been lost, became rich again after the founder’s awakening.

In the form of immense magical power and beautiful appearance.

Helena must have something, too. Something fundamental to her talent… although the talent of a saintess was a bit vague to me.

Maybe it was something in her constitution that affected her personality and way of thinking.

I pondered briefly before opening my mouth, seeing Helena struggling to breathe, almost like she was hyperventilating.

“Um… so you mean you want to make Helena a saintess?”

[Roar. Roar.]

The Righteous Radiance says, [Yes. Yandel, it seems you have your own plans. My support is actually a hindrance, isn’t it?] and smiles a bit sadly.

The Righteous Radiance suddenly drooped like a woman who had been stood up.

“It’s not that it’s a hindrance, really. It’s just that it doesn’t suit me well. It’s a bit wasteful, too.”

The Righteous Radiance perked up her ears at my excuse.

Nodding, as if encouraging me to continue, I went on.

“My goal is to annihilate all Evil Gods. This is something I can’t do alone. It’s much stronger to have a great magician and a saintess rather than being both myself.”

For instance, if I get critically injured and pass out, who would heal me?

Becoming strong enough to do everything alone was great, but Evil Gods weren’t opponents that could be defeated with such stubbornness.

So, it should be okay to say this to the Righteous Radiance and Helena.

[……]

The Righteous Radiance froze with her mouth open when I said I’d kill the Evil Gods.

She looked like she’d been struck by lightning.

But soon, she snapped out of it, opened and closed her mouth, and then started running around the chapel.

Like she couldn’t contain her joy.

She ran around the chapel three times, jumped up and down, and then rolled on the floor before returning to her spot.

The Righteous Radiance, her golden eyes shining, suddenly pounced on me.

“Whoa…?”

Her movement was smooth yet threatening, like a predator’s hunt. I twisted to avoid it reflexively, but…

The Righteous Radiance effortlessly caught me and hugged me tightly.

“Ugh.”

With a grunt, I slumped into the chair behind me, and the Righteous Radiance finally spoke.

[Roar! Huff! Growl! Roar!]

The Righteous Radiance exclaims, [No one says that seriously these days! Even the Pope only thought of sealing the Evil Gods, not killing them!] and her eyes sparkle.

Helena seemed to have similar thoughts, staring blankly at me.

“Brother… are you serious? Not just destroying cults or clearing all dungeons to reclaim the glory of the Good Gods… but actually annihilating the Evil Gods…”

“Yes. It’s already too late now. Even if we kill all the cultists or clear all the dungeons, the Evil Gods will be released from their seals. And without proper preparation and heroes, this time it will truly be the end.”

“You speak as if the apocalypse is inevitable.”

“At least, that’s what I know.”

“Ah.”

Realizing I was serious, the atmosphere grew heavy. But the Righteous Radiance didn’t care and lay on my lap.

She then took one of my hands and placed them on her belly.

[Growl.]

The Righteous Radiance demands, [Pet me!]

“What? What do you mean…?”

Seeing my hesitation, she took my hand and started moving it in circles on her belly.

Her soft abdomen felt incredibly tender to my palm.

As I inadvertently looked up, Helena hurriedly covered her own belly.

Her face turned slightly red. Cute.

Lost in these thoughts, the Righteous Radiance grabbed my head and turned it towards her.

[Roar. Growl.]

The Righteous Radiance nods, saying, [I see you have the potential to be my saint, but I understand if you refuse!]

“Thank you for understanding. So, let’s just transfer some of my blessings to Helena…”

[Roar!]

The Righteous Radiance pouts, [No, I don’t want to!]

Her puffed-up cheeks deflated as I petted her belly a few more times.

[Roar!]

The Righteous Radiance proudly declares, [There’s a better way! With a little help, you can keep your blessing and make Helena a saintess!]

“Oh… that sounds great. What do you need me to do?”

If there was such a method, I would do it right away. After all, a god is a god. How reliable.

[Roar! Roar!]

The Righteous Radiance cheerfully says, [It’s simple! You two just need to join bodies!]

“…What did you say?”

The unexpected response made me pause, but the Righteous Radiance continued with a bright smile, making a gesture with her fingers.

[Growl!]

The Righteous Radiance confidently explains, [Male! Female! Mating!]

Her answer was immediate, as if waiting for this moment.

Upon hearing this, Helena turned pale and started praying in front of her.

The Righteous Radiance continued to smile warmly at Helena.

It was chaos.