Chapter 197: Chapter 197: To The Church Of Righteous Radiance (2)

“Wow. This is insane.”

Though it looked like a spacious reception room that could fit a dozen people, it was actually the interior of a carriage.

I expected something nice since it was prepared by the Church of Righteous Radiance, but this was beyond imagination.

They’ve not only used space expansion magic to its limits, but there was no vibration that could be felt as it moved.

The air was fresh, indicating continuous ventilation even with the doors closed. Temperature control was a bonus.

And what about the interior design?

Plush beds lined up to match the number of people, a dignified lion painting on the wall, a plush sofa in the center, and luxurious carpets on the floor.

Lastly, the symbols of Righteous Radiance hanging all around.

The sun-like symbol was appropriately placed, transforming what could feel like a luxurious space into a reverent one.

How much gold was spent on this? No, this was representative of something money couldn’t buy.

As I admired the surroundings, Helena, sitting opposite me on the sofa, opened her mouth with a confident smile.

“How do you find it, Brother? Do you like it?”

“It’s excellent. This is almost like a luxury inn.”

“Indeed, it is. We call it a moving church within our order. The interior has been slightly modified for you, Brother.”

“…Is that alright? I heard that only the Pope could use the moving church.”

“The Pope sent it, so there’s no problem. Moreover, you are enveloped in the most brilliant blessing of our order. You are fully qualified, Brother.”

“Haha… that’s an honor.”

Helena clasped her hands in prayer, her golden eyes sparkling.

…It was overwhelming. Extremely overwhelming.

In an era where even cardinals and saint candidates receive only A-rank blessings, the Pope was elected by the cardinals and had no different blessing.

So, my A+ rank blessing was a clear sign of favoritism from the Righteous Radiance.

The issue was that I was on my way to decline the apostle position if they offered it.

I turned my head to avoid Helena’s piercing gaze.

Then I saw Iris covering her face with her hands and tightly closing her mouth.

It was as if small animal discovering its predator, or a child insisting, “Iris isn’t here~”

Realizing she couldn’t hide her long ears, I gently patted them.

“Iris?”

“Eek! M-Master! Not the ears….”

“If you don’t like it, take your hands off your face and look this way.”

“It… it’s embarrassing.”

“Do you know you look even more embarrassed now? How long are you going to stay like that?”

“Ugh…”

Iris trembled as if recalling a dark past. But she didn’t remove her hands.

“No choice, then.”

Not wanting to leave her like that, I lifted her and sat her on my lap.

Like a sleepy platypus hiding in its nest, Iris naturally buried her face in my chest.

She’d probably get up on her own once she calmed down.

As I patted her small back and sighed, I made eye contact with Helena, who was blankly staring at us.

“Sister Helena?”

“Hah! Wh-what is it, Brother Yandel?”

“You were staring at us. Do you have something to say?”

“Um….”

Helena looked around.

Carla sat on my left as if it were natural. On my right, Elisha had taken the spot vacated by Iris.

Faye was exploring the carriage with curiosity, and Iona was already rolling around on the bed.

Seeing this, Helena tilted her head.

“It’s always been fascinating how Brother Yandel is so close with slaves, even though I have no intention of interfering in your private life. But the slave on your lap now…”

“Ah?”

The Righteous Radiance fanatically hates Evil Gods. Naturally, they dislike cultists and slaves associated with them.

Why did my slaves fall?

Carla was implicated in a cultist conspiracy, and Elisha and Iris were accused of spirit summoning.

Helena, who saw me as a fellow hater of Evil Gods, didn’t understand my closeness with Iris.

Pressing Iris’s trembling neck gently to calm her, I spoke.

“All three made deals with me.”

“Deals? With slaves?”

“They may be slaves, but they are exceptional magicians. And they aren’t directly connected to Evil Gods.”

I couldn’t overturn the false charges against Carla’s father yet. But it was already known that Carla herself wasn’t associated with cultists.

That’s why she was sentenced to slavery, not death.

What about Iris and Elisha? It was clear that Iris attempted spirit summoning.

But that didn’t mean she worshipped Evil Gods.

…Though summoning another transcendent being was risky, it was unrelated to Evil Gods.

“It’s a waste to just treat them as ordinary slaves, right?”

“But…”

I slowly shook my head at Helena, who seemed to want to argue.

“No. That’s enough for me. Besides, it’s called a deal, but it’s not a rigid relationship.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, you’ve heard about elves and what partners mean to them, right?”

“…Soulmates, paired wings, entwined roots, a thousand-year promise… Don’t tell me?”

“Yes. That’s right. You know Iris was the master of the Sylvan Magic Tower, right? Despite being able to break the slave mark herself, she remains my slave because of a stronger bond.”

“Ah…”

Helena nodded slightly, seemingly impressed. Encouraged by this, Iris squirmed and turned around to show her face.

“Just as Master said. I understand how someone like you, a priestess, might see me and Elisha, but there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. Master’s enemy is my enemy. Master’s goal is my goal. This mark… will eventually disappear, but until then, it’s a symbol of trust between me and Master.”

Iris touched the thorn vine mark on her neck with a faint smile.

“Perhaps Lady Lindelheit made a similar promise?”

“Nope, that’s not it.”

“Huh?”

Iris blinked her sky-blue eyes, tilting her head. Carla also blinked her ruby-colored eyes and tilted her head in the opposite direction.

“Young Lady Lindelheit, I thought you would clear your slave status later and be bound to Master.”

“What are you talking about? I’m always Master’s slave.”

“…Then why were you so eager to teach your family’s secrets? I thought it was to revive Lindelheit through Master, considering you’d become family.”

“Because my body, mind, and all the knowledge in my head belong to Master. To be honest, I also liked leaving my mark on Master.”

“Was that a territory marking…?”

Iris looked incredulous. Elisha and Helena seemed to have similar thoughts, their mouths agape.

Only Carla blinked innocently, unaware of any problem.

“Hey, Carla? If I were to release you from your slave status…”

“No, Master!”

Carla’s face turned pale as she clung to my arm.

“Don’t abandon me! You said you’d keep me as a slave forever!”

“No, I’m freeing you, not abandoning you.”

“Either way, I wouldn’t be your slave anymore! Did I do something wrong? Did I upset you? I’m sorry. Tell me, and I won’t do it again…”

She looked like a puppy in the rain, with an anxious expression.

I patted Carla’s shoulder and slowly pulled her off my arm.

“Calm down. I’m not abandoning you. You can’t remain a slave forever. I’m talking about the distant future.”

“I… I’m okay with being your slave forever. I told you before. I don’t care how many other women you take in. Even if you don’t love me… it hurts, but it’s okay. Just don’t try to separate me from you. I need you…”

“……”

“I can’t even imagine a life without being your slave…”

Heavy.

Carla’s obsession was too heavy.

I knew her mindset was twisted from her slave training, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.

Even though she had shown a brighter side recently, her underlying fear remained unchanged.

I sighed deeply and pulled Carla close. Then, I whispered in her trembling ear.

“It’s okay. Why would I abandon such an obedient and pretty slave? Carla, you’re my slave for life. No one can take you away. You can’t escape either. So, relax and leave everything to me. Just think about how to make me happy. That’s the role of a pet slave, right?”

“Yes…”

The possessive words I’ve whispered countless times.

Repeating them again, Carla’s trembling gradually subsided until it stopped completely.

Though her face turned bright red and her expression became dazed, she was okay.

I didn’t realize Carla was so fixated on the master-slave relationship.

But there was no reason for me to refuse. I’ll keep her as she wishes.

From now on, I’ll be more cautious when discussing this topic with Carla.

“Phew…”

I sighed in relief, thinking the issue was resolved, and looked up.

“Ah.”

Helena, looking as if she had seen a gaslighting master, recoiled in horror.

“Sister Helena, there’s a bit of a misunderstanding…”

“Oh! It’s time for prayers! I’ll excuse myself now. It was a pleasant conversation, Brother!”

Helena quickly got up from the sofa and headed towards the wall adorned with the symbol of Righteous Radiance.

Reaching out to Helena’s retreating figure with a bewildered expression, I knew she wouldn’t come back.

Of course, there was no chance to explain either.

Swoosh.

Iris’s small hand overlapped mine as it hung in the air.

“…I understand.”

She smiled warmly, as if seeing a comrade.

“No, don’t understand. Give me a solution.”

And Iris, you often act like a baby, so this is your fault.