"Are you sure... you want the Saintess's robe I'm wearing?"
Did I hear that right?
Am I so tired that I've started having hallucinations?
She could have clearly asked for so much more.
What on earth was she going to do with a Saintess's robe?
"Yes, the very one you are wearing right now."
Camilla looked at me with a beaming smile, clearly confident that I wouldn't refuse.
"...Fine!"
I had heard from Old Man Tauren that elves didn't care about gender, but I never imagined she wouldn't even care about race. But for the future of the Kingdom of the Moon, I'll do it!
"I'll give it to you as soon as I change."
"Wonderful! Then, I have one last request!"
"Speak."
Seeing the slightly lewd glint in Camilla's eyes, a chill ran down my spine.
This woman... she doesn't want my body, does she?
No way! I can give her anything else, but not that!!
"What... what exactly do you want?"
I instinctively covered my chest. It felt like her gaze was an X-ray vision, piercing through my clothes.
It made me feel as if a hand were roaming all over my body!
"Hehe~ The terrified Saintess is unexpectedly cute, too~"
She seemed delighted by my expression of fear. Camilla actually laughed, and that smile had the same lewdness as an old man teasing a young woman!
Good heavens!
She really is a lesbian!
Her brazen gaze made me feel an immediate crisis of my virtue!!
"What... what do you want!?"
I asked again, but even I could hear the slight tremble and grievance in my voice. Forget Camilla—even I felt a sudden urge to tease someone sounding like that.
"Don't be so nervous, Your Highness. I would never force you if you're unwilling. Of course, this third condition is a rather private one. That is..."
"That is what!?"
"From this day forward, the Alchemists' Association's quota of Holy Water is to be doubled."
Ho... Holy Water?
"Just... just Holy Water? Nothing else?"
"Why? Does Your Highness... expect me to want something else?"
Camilla had a teasing look in her eyes, a triumphant smile on her lips as she traced a curve over her red lips with a slender finger.
"If Your Highness wants to, it's not impossi—"
"No!!"
"Eh? I haven't finished~"
"I don't want it whether you've finished or not! Those are the conditions, right? Deal!"
I didn't want to stay in this Temple for another second, especially not next to this lesbian!!
"Someone, help me change!"
Perhaps because my voice was slightly frantic, Lola and Nara reacted instantly. Before I could even finish the word 'change', they were already inside the Temple.
"Your Highness, you..."
Lola seemed to notice something was off with my expression. She turned a hostile gaze toward Camilla.
"Lola, please attend to Ms. Camilla for a moment. I'm going to the back to change."
I really didn't want any more contact with Camilla. I practically fled toward my bedchamber.
Inside the Temple, it was terrifyingly quiet.
Lola stared at Camilla without a word.
Feeling awkward under the scrutiny, Camilla laughed dismissively.
"Bishop Lola, there's no need to be so tense. I haven't done anything untoward to Her Highness~"
Lola remained noncommittal, merely pushing up her glasses. The gaze behind the lenses was cold enough to kill.
"Ms. Camilla, I have heard rumors about you..."
She looked toward where I had left, and once she was sure I was gone, she turned back to Camilla.
"Ms. Camilla, Her Highness is the last hope of the Kingdom of the Moon. You had best conduct yourself with dignity. Otherwise, I cannot say what I might do."
The threat was blatant. Lola's eyes remained deeply cold.
However, Camilla didn't care at all.
"Bishop Lola, that's not quite right. From today on, I am also a member of the Temple. Assisting Her Highness is also my duty."
Lola's brow furrowed.
"You agreed to become a Temple Alchemist?"
"Indeed. From today on, I am a Temple Alchemist. As for how I'll be addressed, that depends on what title I receive."
"...While I understand Her Highness's reasoning, Ms. Camilla, I advise you... stay away from her."
Camilla didn't back down, standing up to meet Lola's gaze.
"Did Her Highness agree to that, Ms. Lola? You should know I am about to become the first Temple Alchemist~"
The two women stared each other down, the atmosphere in the Temple turning oppressive.
"What are you two talking about?"
When I returned to the Temple, I saw Lola and Camilla facing off.
In terms of height, Camilla, being an elf, stood at about 177 centimeters with a stunning figure.
In contrast, Lola was only 162 centimeters, with a much more slender and delicate frame.
Yet even so, I could feel their presence was evenly matched.
Like a dragon and a tiger.
"I was discussing future road construction with Bishop Lola," Camilla spoke first, and Lola didn't deny it.
But why... did the atmosphere in the Temple feel so strange?
Forget it, I shouldn't overthink. Let's settle the contract first.
"Lola, draw up a contract."
"Yes, Your Highness."
I turned to Camilla and pulled my sword from my storage space.
"Ms. Camilla, as you surely know, to hold a Temple title, you must be loyal to me. That means from this day forward, you are my subordinate. Are you willing?"
I pointed the Sword of Fidelity at her.
She hesitated for a moment but quickly made up her mind, dropping to one knee.
"I... Camilla Christina, hereby declare my loyalty to Luo Li Saint Sariel."
I moved the Sword of Fidelity forward three inches, resting it on her shoulder.
At that moment, an interface appeared before my eyes.
【Would you like to view the attributes of the elf, Camilla Christina?】
I tapped 【YES】.
An interface instantly appeared.
【Name: Camilla Christina】
【Level: 55 (60%)】
【Race: Forest Elf】
【Gender: Female】
【Age: 327 (Adult)】
【Companion Fairy: High Fire Fairy 'Lisa'】
【Class: Mage, Alchemist, Magic Caster, Swordsman, Archer, Bard, Historian, Chef, Nature Listener】
【Title: Alchemist (Incomplete)】
【Attributes:
Strength: 177 + (80)
Agility: 337 + (80)
Stamina: 454 + (80)
Recovery: 213 + (80)
Mana: 1089 + (80)
Free Attribute Points: None】
Holy... crap!
Her mana alone had broken a thousand!
And... am I seeing this right?
Camilla is over three hundred years old?
Did I just find a massive treasure?
So many classes?
But... it makes sense. With a lifespan of four to seven hundred years and the natural talent of elves, time is a surplus for them.
A normal human spends their whole life—maybe thirty to fifty good years—learning just one craft.
But her adult lifespan alone is five hundred years.
It takes a hundred years for an elf to reach adulthood, and they can learn countless things in that time.
Not to mention the five hundred good years following that.
Even in the final hundred years, when their energy fades, they remain incredibly knowledgeable scholars!
I knew this world didn't restrict classes, but for long-lived races... that lack of restriction is a massive advantage.
Spending five hundred years, one person master dozens of classes.
However, her incomplete title limited her power.
And this class ranking likely followed her proficiency in each.
"Camilla Christina, as the Saintess of the Moon, I ask once more: are you willing to pledge your loyalty to me?"
"I am."
"No lies?"
"No lies."
"Camilla Christina, in the name of Archangel Sariel, I accept your loyalty. From this day forward, I grant you the title of Temple Alchemist."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Looking at Camilla bowing before me, I felt wild joy mixed with a faint unease.
Because... this woman really seems to have ulterior motives!
It seems I'll need to establish a dedicated workspace for the Temple Alchemist later.
I absolutely cannot let her get too close.
Alchemists are masters of medicine and potions. I don't want to be caught in her trap without realizing it.
"Please rise, Camilla. From today, you are a Bronze Alchemist. This is only a temporary title and does not reflect your true strength. When you have achieved enough merit, I will grant you a higher title."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Camilla stood up. Lola then brought over a contract document—a printout from the document tablet. Only such replicas could truly grant titles.
She took the document, scanned it, and pressed her handprint onto it without hesitation.
In that instant, the contract duplicated itself. Camilla took one copy, while the other remained in the Temple.
Camilla was now officially a Temple Alchemist.
"Since Ms. Camilla has the title of Temple Alchemist, she should have a corresponding rank. I shall grant you the rank of second-class Baron. Camilla, I hope you won't refuse. Though it is not a high rank, it is only the beginning. There will be better titles waiting for you in the future."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Camilla smiled and nodded. Then, her gaze turned to a bundle Nara was holding.
"Your Highness, I believe that is what I asked for?"
"Er... yes."
Seeing the expectant look in her eyes, I suddenly felt a wave of regret.
Did I... recruit the wrong person?
"Then, Your Highness, I'll go pack my things and move in tomorrow~"
Camilla unceremoniously snatched the bag from Nara and turned to leave.
"Wait... wait a minute! Camilla, for the time being, you should stay at your current residence."
"Eh? Don't we get to sleep together after I pledge my loyalty?"
Camilla looked at me with a bewildered expression.
What the... how does your mind even work!? Who told you that pledging loyalty means sleeping together!!
"Of! Course! Not!"
"Well... that's a pity~"
Pity your sister!
I get it now. You just want my body. You're vile!
Rate on N.U.
