Volume 7, Chapter 12 – The Temple of Gota City

After dealing with the fat head priest’s enthusiasm, Yisi’s group of six was led by him to the Ymir Temple of Gota City.

Before them stood a magnificent temple, its style completely different from the surrounding buildings. The stone pillars supporting it were painted a pure white that would easily get dirty, and the entrance boasted a plaza large enough to accommodate a thousand people. If it were just that, Yisi felt it would still be within an acceptable range. But in the very center of the plaza stood a small fountain guarded by paladins. In a place with an extreme scarcity of water, it felt like they were throwing money away on the street.

Connecting this to the fat head priest’s physique, an impolite speculation arose in Yisi’s mind: this fat head priest had definitely skimmed a lot off the top.

Bending his upper body slightly, the fat head priest smiled obsequiously.

“This is our temple, Your Eminence. Is it to your liking? I dare say, not even the residence of Gota’s city lord can compare to our temple. Only by decorating the temple beautifully enough can we attract more of the Goddess’s followers.”

As he spoke, the fat head priest waved at a nun waiting on the side. Two pretty nuns approached with silver trays. Unlike the conservative and solemn nuns of her memory, the attire of these two was very much in line with Gota’s customs. Although they wore black head coverings, there was a subtle, alluring quality to them.

“Your Eminence, this is a small token of our gratitude for your long journey. The Marquisate of Taris has many monsters and bandits. These magic items should be of some help to you.”

This practiced method of bribery was as if it had been done many times before. Is this how the fat head priest treated the envoys sent by Julius in the past? Never mind Evelyn, if even Julius found out, he would surely have the fat head priest dragged out and executed by fire.

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Noticing Yisi’s lack of response, sweat beaded on the fat head priest’s forehead, and he bowed his head even lower.

“Uh, Your Eminence, it’s too hot outside. Shall we go inside the temple to talk? There are too many eyes and ears here. Those people from the kingdom are always watching us, intentionally or not. It wouldn’t be good if they saw.”

Is he interpreting my silence as a sign that the bribe wasn’t enough?

Yisi had the urge to both laugh and cry. Although the fat head priest was clearly not an honest man, she was not a member of the Church, nor did she have any intention of upholding some great righteousness. She wouldn’t casually use the authority given to her by Evelyn to depose him. Moreover, once she exercised the right of removal, she would have to shoulder a new responsibility: finding a more suitable person to be the head priest of Gota. Having just arrived, she obviously had no suitable candidates.

As for how to deal with a parasite like this, it would be best to mention it in a letter to Evelyn later. She believed Evelyn would handle it appropriately.

With these thoughts in her mind, Yisi gave a slight nod.

“Yes, let’s go in.”

The interior of the temple was even more luxurious than the outside. And thanks to the high, hemispherical dome and the water reservoirs on both sides, which were perfectly positioned for ventilation, the entire main hall was exceptionally cool. Considering comfort alone, this was definitely one of the best places in Gota.

“It’s so cool… It would be nice to sleep here at night. Master, is it really okay for me to stay in such a beautiful place?”

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“How could we let a member of Your Eminence’s household sleep in the main hall! There are accommodations inside more befitting your status. If this young lady likes it, I can have my subordinates take her to choose a room she fancies in a moment.”

Even after hearing Mary say ‘Master’, he doesn’t look down on her for being a slave?

Sensing Yisi’s confusion, Camilla quietly explained.

“Mary’s clothes do not befit a slave. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that you value her greatly, Onee-sama.”

I see.

But Mary aside, can even Pepe and Refina stay here? Won’t the followers be displeased?

After she voiced her thoughts to the fat head priest, he replied with a cheerful smile, not minding at all.

“Since they are people Your Eminence acknowledges, even if they are vampires, the benevolent Goddess will accept them as her followers. Besides, it has become quite fashionable recently to have Blood Clan slaves as companions. The past few envoys also often brought their Blood Clan companions to the temple to pray to the Goddess. Everyone here is already used to it. Oh no, I mean, no one in the temple will speak ill of you.”

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It’s less like a companion and more like a pet for amusement, just like how elf slaves in novels are often written as tools for people to vent their desires—I must clarify that although Mary is also a half-elf, I have never treated her as a slave. If she herself weren’t unwilling, I would have restored her status as a free person long ago.

Behind Yisi, Edith clicked her tongue.

“Hmph, abandoning the pride of the Blood Clan to become human playthings. Such people should be sent to hell by my hand.”

No… they probably don’t want to be someone’s plaything either. They’re just forced by circumstances, with no other choice.

Fortunately, the fat priest did not hear Pepe’s comment. He looked very hesitant, as if deep in thought. After a long while, he finally stammered.

“Um… Your Eminence, although I received an urgent report from the Holy City some time ago, it only mentioned the inauguration of the new Pope, Her Holiness Evelyn Anna Ymir Shalu. The letter did not mention your name, Lady Yisi Enya…”

So he’s questioning my identity. A perfectly natural doubt.

Yisi gave Camilla a meaningful look.

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“I have come this time at the request of Evelyn to find something in the mining city. Camilla.”

Taking the handwritten letter from Evelyn with her right hand, Yisi handed it to the fat head priest. As if holding a precious item that could shatter at any moment, he carefully accepted it with both hands and infused magic power into the wax seal.

As the magic flowed in, a complex blue pattern appeared on the seal. The fat head priest looked as if he’d had a fright, and the fat on his body trembled.

“It-it really is the Pope’s seal! Forgive my rudeness, Your Eminence. I will arrange everything for you at once. You may command the paladins of the Gota temple as you wish. Even if you were to have them delve deep into the labyrinth right now to challenge the guardian, I guarantee that no one in this temple would dare say the word ‘no’.”

That would be terrible, wouldn’t it?

She had noticed that the paladins of the Gota temple were quite weak. Not only were their levels no different from ordinary people, but they would get out of breath after walking just a few steps in their full plate armor. Yisi didn’t have to think hard to guess that these men had become paladins through bribery.

Of course, not all the paladins were completely useless. Yisi had noticed a few diligent-looking ones and planned to help them a little when she had the chance.

Extremely nervous in the presence of a high-ranking figure like a cardinal, the fat head priest didn’t even open the letter before eagerly giving Yisi a tour of the facilities, such as the statue of the Goddess, the treasury, and the luxurious rooms. If it weren’t already evening with no time to prepare, Yisi had a feeling the fat head priest would have certainly arranged an exceptionally extravagant banquet.