Ch 107
Saint.
A person who provides free medical treatment for the sick and injured among the powerless and poor of the back alleys.
In the early days, stories about him were treated as insignificant rumors outside the back alleys.
Matters of the underdeveloped and dangerous back alleys were none of the business of those in the outside world, and they did not have to worry about dying from minor wounds and illnesses like the back alley citizens did, as they had money to get immediate treatment.
However.
Sometime ago, rumors about the Saint began to spread through Bondales high society.
In a world where those who would feel shame in receiving free treatment gather.
-The Saint? Ah, that, the one who goes around the back alleys providing free treatment to people…
-That’s right!
-I didn’t know you’d be interested in such a topic.
-Of course I’m not interested!
-?
-But, I’ve become interested? And in my opinion, you will soon become interested too?
-What’s going on?
-Do you know Yurina?
-Ah, our Yurina. How could I not know? The Bondales handsome men encyclopedia. Why? Did Yurina receive treatment from that Saint?
-Not exactly, she apparently happened to watch the Saint treat someone else, and that Saint is so-
-Amazing?
-Handsome!
-?
-I’ll quote Yurina’s expression directly. “Crazy, crazy! Crazy!!! I’ve never seen such a handsome man in my life!? With bronze skin, sky-blue eyes, dark blonde hair, and above all, his slightly visible white teeth when he smiles contrast with his bronze skin… Above all, that mysterious atmosphere! The atmosphere where masculine strength and feminine elegance coexist! No other words are needed. Young Noble. More of a young noble than any noble I’ve ever seen!”
-…Did Yurina really say that?
The reason why the high-ranking ladies of high society showed interest in a celebrity of the back alleys.
It was none other than his rumored beauty.
The Saint’s name, which had only circulated within the back alleys, began to be mentioned by noble ladies and spread quietly to the respectable world.
Then one day.
An event occurred that made the Saint the top interest of all the noble ladies.
Karia Dedro, the lady of Bondales’ largest trading company, ‘Golden Barley’.
The Saint stayed at her mansion as a guest.
From ladies to wives.
Many women visited the Dedro mansion to see the rumored Saint in person, and were captivated by his mysterious atmosphere and beautiful appearance.
The number of visitors increased day by day.
Soon, the Saint became the most talked-about person in Bondales high society.
Countless women opened their ears and purses to win his favor.
Under his influence, the east back alleys of Bondales became completely the Saint’s territory.
This was the story of how the Saint became a big shot of the back alleys.
Even after he became the Saint of the back alleys, nothing much changed.
He still stayed at the Dedro mansion, interacting with various visitors and increasing his influence.
Today, too, many women came to the Dedro mansion to meet him.
✦✦✦
Saint.
Those who met him were all overwhelmed by his mysterious atmosphere and beautiful appearance.
He was always the one to move the hearts of others, and there had never been an exception until now.
High society figures often talked about such a Saint.
A Saint who maintains a distance from everyone equally, and treats everyone politely and fairly.
Is there anyone he genuinely likes?
“You smiled…?”
The expression he showed just now might have been the answer to that question.
The Saint, who had never opened his heart despite the massive gifts from the noble ladies, always smiling superficially.
A smile spread across his face.
‘That person, could they make such an expression…’
That was the impression most of those present felt.
They felt intense jealousy and curiosity, following the Saint’s gaze.
To find the owner of that expression.
“Excuse me, for a moment.”
“Oh, Eron!”
At that moment, the Saint, who was beside the curly-haired woman-
left Karia Dedro’s side and stepped forward.
The crowd surrounding him parted, making way for him.
‘What? This atmosphere. Rona, what on earth has she been doing-‘
Lisir, who was at the end of that path, was flustered by the sudden situation, but willingly responded to the reunion with his comrade.
So, just as he was about to step forward with a welcoming smile, it happened.
“Eron!”
A noble woman next to him pushed past Lisir and went ahead of him.
Just now.
Marceline Lavalia, a city noble who had subtly snubbed Lisir, who was looking for the Saint.
She naturally pulled off her flamboyant makeup and attire, and was a figure with considerable influence in Bondales high society.
The new jewelry and clothing she showed at the social gathering quickly became the new trend in Bondales.
Thanks to this, Marceline had the privilege of having many interactions with the Saint in high society.
Based on that, Marceline was convinced.
‘He saw me! The gift I gave him earlier worked!’
Marceline stood before the Saint, full of expectation.
Her party followed behind her with excited expressions.
“It’s Miss Marceline, isn’t it?”
“Could it be, Miss Marceline and Eron…?”
The audience also easily accepted the situation where Marceline claimed to be the Saint’s lover.
They looked at the Saint and Marceline standing opposite each other with excited eyes.
As if they wouldn’t miss a single thing that would happen from now on.
But they missed something.
“…”
The fact that the Saint’s expression twisted for a moment when Marceline pushed past a man.
The Saint, as if nothing had happened, had his usual mysterious smile.
He bowed to Marceline and said.
“Miss Marceline. Are you having a good time?”
“Yes, thanks to you!”
Marceline replied excitedly.
Was it because she had rushed over? Her breath was heavy.
At that moment, the Saint’s hand went to Marceline’s face.
“Oh…?”
The Saint gently removed the stray hair from her mouth, leaving Marceline flustered.
His sky-blue eyes met Marceline’s eyes.
“That’s welcome news. I’ve had a good time thanks to Miss Marceline as well.”
“Eron…”
Marceline’s eyes instantly welled up.
Just as she was about to continue the conversation with anticipation.
“But, Miss Marceline.”
“Yes? Oh, yes! Please tell me!”
“About the gift you gave me earlier.”
“Ah, yes!
I think I should return it.
“Yes? Why━ you clearly said you liked it━”
The Saint didn’t bother to explain.
He simply shook his head with a bitter smile.
“Ah…”
Marceline stared blankly for a moment, then quickly looked around.
The gazes of those who had been looking at her enviously just now had turned cold.
In the end, Marceline fled the scene.
Her party also looked around for a moment before following her.
An awkward silence hung in the air for a while, but it didn’t last long.
The nobles approached the Saint and spoke to him as if nothing had happened.
Their expressions even showed a sense of relief.
It was a sense of relief that the Saint did not yet have a lover.
“Eron, what was that gift Miss Marceline just mentioned?”
The person who felt that relief the most right now.
Karia Dedro, the lady of the Golden Barley Trading Company, stopped those approaching and spoke to Eron.
Those who were about to speak to Eron frowned in displeasure, but that was all.
Now that the Saint is staying at Dedro’s mansion as a long-term guest, the person closest to him is undoubtedly Karia.
✦✦✦
‘What are you going to do if you glare at me like that?’
Karia watched them with a sidelong glance, feeling intense satisfaction.
Karia, whose father was the head merchant leading the trading company, was a very calculating person, perhaps due to her father’s influence.
She was only satisfied if she got more than her money’s worth, and if she didn’t, she would do everything to make up for it.
For Karia, luxury was a story from another world.
She didn’t understand those young women who indulged in luxury, and even looked down on them.
To stimulate vanity, consuming items priced higher than their value to provoke the envy of others.
Could there be anything more foolish and meaningless?
Karia was proud that she would never be one of them.
Saint.
That is, until she met him.
Their first meeting, which came about when the Saint stayed at the mansion at her father’s invitation, gave Karia a strong shock.
-Miss Karia, what’s wrong?
-Yes? Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about something else for a moment━ By the way, it seems like many people want to talk to you, is it okay if you just stay by my side? With someone as boring as me.
-Of course. The most important person to me here is you.
-Yes?
-The one who invited me to this mansion as a guest is your father, isn’t it?
-Oh? Ah! Yes, that’s right.
-And, boring? Why do you say that?
-Why? I’m not interested in dressing up like other kids my age… and whenever I talk, it’s only about money and business…
-I don’t think that’s bad.
-Yes?
-Not dressing up even though you’re conscious of it means you have confidence in your natural appearance, doesn’t it? And there aren’t many things as beautiful as confidence.
-Kyaak!? Wh-what-
-Oh, excuse me. I was worried about your stray hair. Were you offended?
-Oh, no… should I say I was offended..
-And, I’m enjoying listening to your story.
-Yes?
-To have a vision and plan your own business and future at your age. That’s amazing, isn’t it?
-…You’re the first person to say that.
-That’s strange. What about your father?
-Yes? Ah, my father did say the same thing, but-
-Ah, I understand. Besides your father, only so many people have recognized your true worth?
-Uh…
-In effect, you could say you’ve been recognized by the head merchant, right? It’s an honor. I have no experience in that area, but if I ever have to make a business decision, I can confidently trust my judgment.
-…
The conversation she had with him.
And the envious glances from those around her while she talked to him.
It was a feeling Karia had never felt before.
A feeling like she had become an exceptionally special person.
Karia understood the feeling she had at that time as being connected to luxury and showing off.
Karia was completely captivated by that feeling.
And she was completely captivated by the Saint, the source of that feeling.
Thus, Karia came to have a strong belief.
That only she, the lady of the ‘Golden Barley’ trading company, could enjoy the luxury of monopolizing such a man.
She was willing to do anything to maintain that privilege.
At this moment, talking to the Saint.
Karia was caught up in the situation where everyone’s attention was focused on her.
Perhaps, she was falling for the Saint, the person who created all of this.
Traces of adornment appeared on the body of the lady who had never been interested in dressing up.
Her clothes, which had only considered activity, were adorned with splendor, and her plain atmosphere, for a lady, was enhanced with careful makeup.
In fact, Karia was no longer interested in the attention of others.
Saint. She was only interested in his reaction to her.
That’s why-
“Huh…?”
She felt the Saint’s mind wandering during their conversation.
Then, the Saint opened his mouth.
“Karia, I’ll go talk to someone else for a moment.”
“What if I say no?”
Karia said, hiding a little sincerity in her playful tone.
Of course, it didn’t work on the Saint, who had easily swayed the hearts of many women.
He simply smiled lightly and left.
“…”
Karia’s displeased gaze followed him.
‘Where are you going?’
She thought he was going to talk to someone else in the garden, but the Saint left the garden.
“I’ll be back in a moment.”
Karia left her escort warrior, Rok, behind and cautiously followed the Saint.
Eventually, the Saint entered the back of the mansion.
Stopping footsteps.
Karia leaned against the mansion wall and listened.
-Are you feeling better now?
Then, a shy woman’s voice was heard.
‘Who is it?’
Karia felt a sense of unease, but focused on the conversation between the Saint and the woman.
-Yeah, thanks to you. You took care of me while I was unconscious, right?
‘What?’
However, it wasn’t the Saint’s voice, but another man’s voice.
Where the Saint had gone, only the voices of a timid woman and a man could be heard.
-…Who told you?
-Ah, there’s that. Anyway, thank you, Rona. I’m in your debt again.
-…No, I’m in your debt.
-Huh? Oh, by the way, you’re doing really well these days, aren’t you? Saint.
-…Shut up.
“…!”
Karia’s eyes widened.
The unease she felt from the timid woman’s voice took on a form.
An androgynous voice full of confidence.
It was the Saint’s voice, the voice that Karia knew, that everyone knew.
That’s why she couldn’t even imagine it.
‘This is Eron’s voice…?’
✦✦✦
────────────────────
『Title: Base Activation? What’s this?』
Content: Is it different from Area Deactivation?
-: It’s literally making one area your base.
-『Author』: What’s good about making a base?
-: Random events will occur more frequently in your base, making it easier to manage.
-: Hero Candidates will come to your base,
and the Star Festival will be held at your base.
-『Author』: Star Festival?
-: Yeah, roughly speaking, it’s like a Yongbongjihoe where the strongest among the late-stage masters are chosen in a wuxia setting.
-『Author』: Oh, cool.
-『Author』: So how do you activate a base?
-: I saw Base Activation for the first time in Bondales, is that right?
-『Author』: Yeah.
-: Roughly speaking, after clearing all the Destiny Quests and deactivating the area,
you need to raise the area’s Conquest Rate to 80%.
-『Author』: Conquest Rate? Does it go up when you clear Destiny Quests?
-: No, you need to raise the Group Reputation and the Favorability of the characters belonging to the group.
-『Author』: I don’t know what that is, but I know it’s going to be a pain in the ass.
-: It’s a bit tough for large cities like Bondales with a Magic Tower.
-: Can I spoil it?
-『Author』: What is it?
-: Usually, the base system first appears in Bondales, and most people try to make it their base there,
but most people give up on making Bondales their base and make the next city their base.
It’s much easier to raise reputation and favorability.
-『Author』: Oh really? Thanks, I almost went through hell.
-: Ah, spoiler sh t.
-『Author』: What? Are you also working on Bondales?
-: No, because of your spoiler, you didn’t waste your time in Bondales, sh t.
-『Author』: Are you a bastard?
-: No, but I’m on my third run and I still can’t do the Bondales base work.
-: Seriously, that place is a really amazing place geomantically.
-: What the hell is wrong with those old-fart City Council members?<
-: Honestly, the City Council is a piece of cake, yeah. ㅇㅇ
The Merchant Guild and high society are the real walls of tears.
-: Merchant Guild Karia< Lee's gift request is real lmao.
-: Is that Karia? The one who prefers gold coins as gifts.
-: Yeah.
-: Even if you give her gold coins, her favorability doesn’t go up, what’s up with that?
-: It’s a translation error, yeah. ㅇㅇ
-『Author』: What was it originally?
-: A sh t ton of gold coins.
-『Author』: ?
-: She’s not interested in anything but money,
but she has so much money that she doesn’t even consider a considerable amount of money as money anymore. ㅠㅠ
-: I went bankrupt trying to raise Karia’s favorability, yeah. ㅇㅇ
It’s best to just skip her.
────────────────────
✦✦✦
──────────
『Area Conquest Rate: 77%』
──────────
✦✦✦
“Eron!”
Karia, unable to overcome her mental turmoil, finally revealed herself before them.
There, the person the Saint had brought, Lisir, stood.
And-
“Karia?”
The Saint, who had transformed from an androgynous handsome man into a simply feminine lady, also stood there.
Karia, overcome with betrayal, shouted.
“You, you’re a woman!?”
Then the Saint’s appearance changed.
He returned to his androgynous handsome self and approached Karia.
And pushing that momentum, he cornered Karia against the wall.
“You followed me secretly?”
Karia shivered, startled, but immediately retorted.
“Th-that’s not the point right now!!!”
“…Right, that’s not the point.”
A gorgeous beauty who could attract the favor of people of all ages and genders, pressed her face against a simple, curly-haired lady who was clumsily but diligently dressed up.
“Don’t you like me?”
“Oh…?”
“Have you come to dislike me now?”
The beauty smiled provocatively. She put her finger on the lady’s chin, making her look directly at her.
“…”
Karia’s eyes trembled uncontrollably.
Eventually, she lowered her head and muttered.
“N-no…”
Satisfied with the answer, the beauty smiled and stroked the simple lady’s cheek.
“…”
An unconcealed joy appeared on the simple lady’s face.
After calming the simple lady down and sending her away, the beauty turned her gaze to Lisir.
“…Where were we?”
In a shy manner, with no trace of her previous appearance.
✦✦✦
──────────
『Your fame is widespread throughout Bondales!』
──────────
✦✦✦
Rumors. They are droplets overflowing from a turbulent vessel, fragments of information separated from the truth.
Recently, the gossips of Bondales have been busy collecting those fragments.
There have been few times when so many interesting and stimulating rumors have spread simultaneously.
“Roughly this much.”
Gossip.
A middle-aged man, also a member of the Information Guild, organized the information he had deduced from the rumors.
He smiled mysteriously as he looked at the organized information.
“Where did all these talents suddenly come from?”
He couldn’t even imagine that all those rumors originated from a single man.
✦✦✦
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