Chapter 123 - Double Crisis 4 (2/2)
[Level : 231]
[Holy Priestess]
The result of his actions was a ridiculous amount of level ups.
“Hoo, hoo-ooh…...”
“She leveled up too much?Artpe, what do you mean?”
“What do you think I mean?Aria became higher in level than you.”
“What are you saying!?”
“I just explained it to you, you dork!”
In growth, the most important requirements needed was Mana and Record.Most people achieved this growth when they harmed other beings or when they accomplished an Achievement.
Aria had been in a very special situation.She had received an overwhelming amount of Mana and Record from the magic circle, so it had been possible for her to achieve such explosive growth.
The level of Artpe and Maetel was so high that Aria’s level looked low in comparison.However, she was much higher in level compared to the thief Silpennon.Silpennon had followed Artpe’s recipe for past two years, and he was considered to be a genius thief.Now Aria was clearly above him.
“Artpe, did you intend on growing this girl from the beginning······?”
“No.However, instead of wasting the Mana, I thought it would be best to help develop a rising prospect.Since she was already assimilating the magic circle using her Assimilation ability, I thought it was the perfect opportunity.”
“······.”
Maetel was baffled.She was at a loss for words.
If Maetel knew what the magic circle had been used in their past lives, she would have understood why he had done this!
“Silpennon.Aria should be very tired.You should take her, so she can rest.The city is probably in a mess.We have to go patch up the situation.”
“Why do I have to do that?What I meant to say is…..Aria is the second holy priestess.She’ll be traveling with you guys, so it would be best if she appears next to you in front of the people.”
When Silpennon said those words, Aria unconsciously clamped down on Silpennon’s forearm.When Artpe saw this, he grinned.
“Aria is in your party.Our party already has Vadinet.”
“However, the duty of the holy priestess is to support the hero…..Ah, it hurts!”
“Heeng.”
Artpe understood Aria’s heart.Silpennon was being dense, and Aria looked like she was about to cry.At that moment, Vadinet interrupted them.She was very flustered.
“I...I’m sorry, Artpe-nim.I know I am not qualified to intertere with Artpe-nim’s judgement and actions, but…..She is a holy priestess, and she cannot do what you propose.”
“Huh?”
“The holy priestess exists to support the hero.Moreover, the holy priestess is inextricably tied to the hero!If Aria hadn’t become a holy priestess, it wouldn’t have been a problem.However, she is a holy priestess that possesses the golden eyes.If she chooses someone else other than the hero…..”
“Ah······ So that is what you wanted to say.Mmm.How should I say this….All right.”
After hearing Vadinet’s words, Artpe thought for a very brief amount of time.In the end, he nodded his head after he came to a decision.
“Vadinet, you are under a huge delusion.”
Everything that was said by Vadinet was a fantasy.Her delusions didn’t make any sense, and he decided to break those delusions with his mouth.
“······what?”
“It doesn’t matter if it is the holy priestess or the hero.It is just a Class one possesses.There is no rights and duties attached to it.”
“What······?”
“Let me put it another way.”
Artpe put on a smile as he spoke.
“I’m talking about the rule that says the holy priestess must be in the same party as the hero.I’m also talking about the rule that says a holy priestess cannot mate with another man other than the hero……These are all delusions that were made up in the past.”
“······what?”
Vadinet was struck dumb.Aria couldn’t hide the relief she was feeling.Silpennon still had no idea what was going on.
It seemed Maetel was the only one that had the complete understanding of the situation.She could only snicker.At such moments, he felt a disparity between this Maetel and the normal Maetel.
“S...so…….I’m allowed to love someone other than hero-nim?”
“Of course.It’s the truth.If you see Aria right now…...”
“Ooh-ahhhhhhhhhh!”
Artpe had been about reveal Aria’s pure heart in such an unceremonious manner.Aria yelled loudly to shut him up. She had been unable to move even a finger a moment ago.It seemed she had recovered a good deal of her energy.
Artpe smirked as he confirmed the truth with Vadinet.
“It doesn’t matter if the holy priestess kisses, sleeps or bears the child of another man.The gods won’t punish the holy priestess.Holy priestesses are already burdened with many responsibilities, so why would the gods try to control the emotions of a holy priestess?If such a god existed, he would be a Demonic god instead of a god.”
“My god······ That means I’ve been under a ridiculous delusion…..”
“Correct.”
Vadinet lowered her head.It meant that she had accepted Artpe’s words as the truth.Of course, if she had been told this earlier, Artpe’s words wouldn’t have been as effective.
However, there truly were two heroes, and now a second priestess had made an appearance.She had witnessed the weakest amongst the Four Heavenly King take on the visage of the pope, and he had been easily killed by Artpe’s party.Everything that had occurred had torn down what she had considered to be common sense.This was why a crack had formed in her firm sense of self.
On top of that, she had absolute trust in Artpe, and he had pretty much taken a hammer to that cracked sense of self.It would have been strange if it hadn’t crumbled!
“I see….”
In the next moment, Vadinet raised her head.Her expression didn’t look dark.Instead, it felt as if her face was shining.
“Until now, I thought I had loved Artpe-nim, because I was the holy priestess.”
“······.”
“Artpe, may I kill that woman?”
“You may not.”
“However, it wasn’t like that at all.”
Huh?
Her intro was ominous, so he was thinking about stopping her right there.Unfortunately, Vadinet’s words were faster than his.
“I’ve fallen for you!Not as a holy priestess!I’m just simply in love with you!”
“Ah······.”
“Hooo······.”
“Wowzer·····.”
“Ah ah.Somehow, I feel much better!That’s right.Is this why people call this fate…..?!”
Her eyes started letting out a brilliant golden light.It was powerful enough to be on par with the newly named holy priestess!
Artpe had been worried things would somehow turn out like this, so he froze in place.He was like a statue.Maetel unsheathed her bastard sword.Aria had become extremely embarrassed even though the other holy priestess had expressed her love in no uncertain terms.
“You son of a bitch!Why don’t you just take every woman of this world for yourself!”
Silpennon was still very dense, and he didn’t have any common sense.Artpe didn’t know why Silpennon had to bring up this topic right now.Silpennon just continued to curse him.