Volume 7, Chapter 11 – Troubles Come One After Another

As expected.

Yisi’s expression stiffened. One of the things she was worst at was refusing others.

The situation of being asked for favors after revealing one’s strength was just like becoming rich overnight or revealing a special talent at work. The former would be bombarded with calls from insurance sales, charities, and friends and relatives. The latter, due to the revealed special talent—such as knowing how to use spreadsheet software or how to repair electronic devices—would lead to countless requests for help from colleagues, and even colleagues of colleagues’ friends. And the more you helped, the more they took it for granted, treating you as a tool to be remembered only when needed. They would come to you with any trouble, perfectly embodying the unreasonable logic of “the capable do more work.” It basically served no purpose other than to increase one’s own workload and troubles.

“Onee-sama has no obligation to help you. The favor of helping us bring Edith out has already been repaid by Onee-sama letting you know the guardian’s trump card. If you want more help, please offer equivalent compensation first.”

“Uh,” the adventurer who had made the suggestion was choked up by Camilla’s words and guiltily looked away. “It’s just a little help. Didn’t we help you bring your companion back too? And here Dominic thought that by helping you, you’d join us in subjugating the guardian.”

Dominic frowned and cut him off with a very serious expression.

“Cardinal Yisi has said that the Holy Art cannot be used lightly. If I’m not mistaken, it must be a magic with limited uses. Not to mention, Cardinal Yisi used the Holy Art to injure the guardian. If she hadn’t allowed us to discover that the guardian can use magic to strengthen itself, given the speed and power it displayed before we fled, our rash actions tomorrow night would have resulted in the loss of at least half our people. That favor alone is enough for us to be grateful.”

Good grief…

It seems it’s become even harder to refuse.

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However, she really had no desire to be used as a tool—though she might have agreed if it were a beautiful girl like Pepe or Andrea asking. Even if she should respond to Dominic’s goodwill on the surface, she would not openly agree to his companion’s unreasonable request.

It’s better to just reveal some information to Dominic. Although she felt that the fun of being an adventurer lay in challenging the unknown and enjoying the satisfaction of defeating a strong enemy through one’s own exploration, the adventurers of this world seemed to value money and their lives more. Even if she told them the Frost Spider’s weakness, they probably wouldn’t feel like she had ruined their fun, unlike Pepe.

Yisi deliberately put on a thoughtful expression. “Dominic, there is something I need to tell you.” Her expression turned serious, and she continued, “The guardian on the twelfth floor reminds me of a legend I once heard in the far north. There is a monster in the far north called the Frost Spider. When they encounter an overwhelmingly strong enemy, they use magic to greatly enhance themselves. If you want to deal with it seriously, it would be best for everyone to wear clothes that don’t burn easily and to wear an oilcloth cloak soaked in kerosene on their backs. The moment you notice something is wrong, immediately light the cloak and hold it in front of you.”

“A Frost Spider? I’ve never heard of such a monster… But since Cardinal Yisi’s description matches exactly what we just saw, we will take your advice. Derrick, I’ll leave the oilcloths to you.”

“Leave it to me.”

Dominic smiled and cupped his hands towards Yisi.

“If the guardian is truly as you say, Cardinal Yisi, then you have helped us immensely. When we return to the surface, I will be sure to reward you handsomely.”

“I was just casually mentioning something that might be related. There’s no need for you to go to any expense, Lord Dominic.”

She still didn’t know how long she would be staying in Gota. If she became too famous, she would be pestered by all sorts of people.

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“Well then, we will go prepare the oilcloths. We still have companions stationed on the twelfth underground floor, so we must hurry back, or they will worry.”

“Okay.”

Nodding to Dominic, Yisi watched as his party and the group of adventurers led by Derrick departed. Among them, Dominic’s younger brother didn’t forget to cast a friendly gaze at Yisi and Camilla.

After Dominic was far away, Yisi suddenly felt one of her twin-tails being tugged. Edith was staring up at her with an expression like a wife questioning her cheating husband, her azure eyes fixed on Yisi.

“A monster called the Frost Spider in the far north? How come I’ve never heard of it? Don’t try to get away with it. The Pescia Territory is right below the far north.”

“Uh… well… I only heard it through the grapevine; I’ve never actually seen one. Since it’s a legend, it’s normal for a young lady like you not to have heard of it, right?”

With a harmless smile that could make the sun break through the clouds, Yisi gave a cute wink.

She had known Pepe would question her, which was why she had only used the word “legend” when revealing the information to Dominic from the start.

Just as Yisi had expected, although her expression was full of doubt, Edith reluctantly withdrew her gaze, which had been like thorns on Yisi’s back.

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“Hmph, I’ll believe you this once.”

“Liar.”

Although Tiffany had said something unnecessary again, since her voice was very quiet and Pepe hadn’t heard, it was better to pretend she hadn’t heard it either.

Even though the only one who had heard, Mary, seemed to be looking at her with an expression of “whoa”-like amazement.

Just as Yisi was about to lead her companions away from the plaza, the voice of a man rapidly approaching came from the side.

“Ah, the Goddess be praised, Your Eminence has returned safely!”

An unusually obese male priest in priest robes hurried to Yisi’s side. Behind him followed a group of paladins in standard-issue armor.

These must be the church members who had rushed over after being notified by Derrick. According to Evelyn’s instructions before they left, in any human territory outside of the Ymir domain, all church members, except for the bishops of the two major dioceses, must receive her with the etiquette befitting a cardinal. And now that Evelyn had given her the robes and staff of a cardinal, she even had the authority to appoint the head of a regional temple—of course, the local church would report it to Evelyn as the Pope afterward.

As for what kind of status Yisi currently held, not even Evelyn could say for sure. Nominally, she was not part of the Church’s official structure, yet she enjoyed the authority of a cardinal, and was even freer than a cardinal. It felt like she was above a cardinal but below the Pope.

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As if to express his affection, the fat head priest, upon reaching Yisi, prepared to take her hands with exceptional enthusiasm. Pepe, standing beside her, instantly frowned. Yisi had a feeling that if the fat priest touched her, Pepe would chop his hands off.

As if sensing the coldness radiating from Pepe, the fat priest’s entire body tensed up. He then awkwardly withdrew his hands and rubbed them together fawningly.

“You are…?”

“Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am the head priest of Gota. My name is Altovichilia Liszt… Scatorichialis Ymir. As soon as I heard of Your Eminence’s visit from Derrick, I immediately gathered my men to rescue you.”

Hey, hey, isn’t that name a bit too long!

Even Andrea, the Queen of the Blood Clan, didn’t have a name that long.

Although it was very rude, for the sake of convenience, it was better to just call him the fat head priest from now on.

Internally labeling the person she had just met, Yisi offered an awkward but polite smile.