Chapter 17: Bishop Lombard Wants to Hit Someone

Bishop Lombard had a habit: after every battle, if there were civilians nearby, he would always go greet them and let them praise his glory.

In other words, his vanity was ridiculously strong.

This time, after using his finishing skill — Stigma Feather — to “instantly kill” the already half-dead adolescent Ice Leopard, a high-tier magical beast, he naturally could not skip his routine.

But since there was only a single carriage present, Lombard’s enthusiasm dimmed a little.

Still, even a small audience was better than none.

He had to go through the motions.

While his knight order cleaned up the battlefield, Lombard took several priests and knights and headed toward the luxurious carriage.

It must belong to a noble or wealthy merchant, he thought.

Their admiring gazes and humble attitudes always pleased him.

As Lombard approached, he noticed Jack, the carriage driver, and his smile brightened.

“So it’s Gold-Rank Adventurer Jack.

Have you considered returning to the embrace of our Lord?

Miss Larry has been very devout lately — she is now an excellent priest.”

Jack’s expression instantly darkened upon hearing this.

After a long moment, he replied in a cold, dry tone,

“Larry became a priest, huh?

Good for her.

Unfortunately, we’ve severed ties, so I can no longer bask in her holy glow.”

“As for someone as crude as me… I wouldn’t dare defile the Lord’s sanctity.”

About half a month ago, Jack and his former girlfriend Larry encountered Lombard during a mercenary job.

Just like today, Lombard greeted and invited them afterward.

And naturally, when the job ended, Larry took all of their shared savings and went to the Green Barrier Cathedral — to join the Holy Church.

“Watch your tone!

How dare someone of your lowly status dream of staining our Lord’s holiness!”

Before Lombard could speak, one of the young priestesses behind him scolded Jack.

Lombard raised his hand to stop her.

“Our Lord is merciful to all bathed in His Light.

Even someone like Mr. Jack, who walks the edge of danger year-round, survives through the Lord’s grace.”

Lombard enjoyed the anger Jack struggled to suppress.

Adventurers and nobles were fundamentally different.

Adventurers had no faith — some even despised the Church.

But as long as they operated within Church-controlled lands, they had to endure.

If the Church put a label on them, even the continent-spanning Adventurer Association wouldn’t openly oppose the Church.

Having finished toying with Jack, Lombard turned his interest toward the people inside the carriage.

Not many could afford to hire a Gold-Rank adventurer.

As a knight opened the door, Yiluo and Coco came into view — and Lombard’s eyes lit up.

The richly dressed girl didn’t catch his attention.

Instead, it was the maid, whose holy aura and cold expression stirred something in him — a strange familiarity.

It felt like he had seen her before.

Like… he had met her…

But he knew that if he had seen this maid before, he could never have forgotten her.

It must be the Lord’s arrangement!

Lombard glanced at the six beautiful priestesses behind him.

Suddenly, they didn’t seem all that appealing.

Thinking carefully, perhaps only the Flower Saintess exceeded this maid in beauty — but even then, the saintess’s holy aloofness felt slightly inferior.

Before Lombard could ask them to step out, the maid herself disembarked and performed a perfect maid’s curtsey.

“My master is unwell and could not personally greet the radiant Bishop Lombard.

We beg your forgiveness.”

“Having just witnessed Bishop Lombard effortlessly slay a fifth-rank beast, my master believes your valor far surpasses the rumors.”

Though Yiluo’s expression remained cold, her words greatly pleased Lombard.

She even tactfully avoided mentioning that the monster was at most peak fourth rank.

“It is merely the strength our Lord grants faithful believers.

You flatter me, maid.”

“Eradicating all heretics and monsters is our duty.

Think nothing of it.

But to think that my reputation has reached your lady’s ears — what an honor.”

Lombard always did his best to appear gentlemanly before beautiful young women.

“I see that both your lady and her maid possess great potential to become holy priestesses.

As Bishop of Green City, I can personally preside over your initiation ceremony.”

The nearby knights and priests were stunned.

Although Bishop Lombard frequently claimed that pretty girls had “potential,” this was the first time he had offered to personally conduct the initiation ritual.

“If my master and I could be initiated under the holy Bishop Lombard, it would indeed be our greatest honor.”

“However, we must first consult our family lord.

Please forgive our discourtesy.”

Hearing this, Lombard felt a surge of excitement — there was hope!

He quickly asked,

“May I know where you and your master are from?

Who is your family head?”

“We are from Manlin Port of the Tessleet Empire.

Our grandfather is Marquis Caesar Elizabeth.”

Yiluo answered smoothly.

Lombard’s expression shifted.

Tessleet was indeed a major empire under the Church’s influence…

But it was extremely far away.

Even without delay, traveling from there would take more than a month.

If they had to return to seek approval and then come back…

Who knew how long that would take?

And they might not return at all.

He had already claimed they had “holy priestess potential.”

He had no grounds to detain them.

And with so many people watching…

How was he supposed to salvage this?!

So frustrating!

“And such a long journey — may I ask your master’s purpose?

Where are you headed?”

Though pained, Lombard still held onto hope.

“My master is headed to Fulin Port of the Asa Empire, to visit the family of her grandfather’s in-laws — Duke Nero Windsor.”

This time Lombard was completely speechless.

The Asa Empire was also a major Church-aligned empire…

But in the opposite direction.

Traveling from Green City would take over a month.

These two empires were practically diagonal corners of the Church’s influence map.

Finding a route farther apart would be difficult.

What kind of man marries a wife THAT far away?!

Lombard wanted to hit someone.

But he had to maintain his stiff smile — couldn’t break character.

“If that is the case… why not travel by ship?

You would arrive in less than a month.”

You idiot, he thought.
They’re two ports — of course they’d travel by ship!

Yiluo showed an embarrassed expression.

“My master becomes dizzy as soon as she boards a ship.

She was born unable to sail.

But Duke Nero misses my master deeply and cannot travel personally.”

“However, honored Bishop Lombard need not worry.

Whether Duke Nero or Marquis Caesar, they would surely rejoice to have us initiated under your guidance.”

“But for etiquette’s sake, my master must inform them first before returning to Green City for the ceremony.”

Yiluo’s speech moved even the knights nearby.

Lombard found it almost impossible to reject.

But after calculating…

Even in the best case, they wouldn’t return for at least three months.

Should he endure?

Even if he didn’t want to — he had no choice!

“Then I shall await both young ladies in Green City.

I am certain you will become the most exceptional holy priestesses, bringing honor to your noble houses and your empires.”

“But since you will pass through Green City, why not visit the cathedral first?

I can personally explain the Lord’s radiance to you.”

He still wasn’t ready to give up.

“Thank you, Bishop Lombard.

My master and I wish to hear the Lord’s radiance from you as soon as possible, so we must hasten our journey.

Please forgive us.”

“…”

Rumble… rumble…

At that moment, the dark sky finally exploded with thunder.

Rain began pouring down.

“Honored Bishop Lombard, would you like to take shelter from the rain inside our carriage?”

Yiluo asked politely.

“No, beautiful maid.

You and your master should hurry on your way.

May you soon hear our Lord’s radiance.”

Lombard forced a smile.

Entering the carriage of two young girls just to avoid rain?

The other bishops would mock him to death.

“Then, Bishop Lombard — in the bright future illuminated by holy light, may we meet again soon.”

For the first time, Yiluo’s usually cold face revealed a very sweet smile as she prepared to re-enter the carriage.

.

.

“Bishop? Bishop?”

“Mm?”

Lombard stood in the rain, momentarily dazed.

His mind was full of the girl’s departing smile.

Since childhood, he had never received a revelation from Lord Kaos — but at this moment, he felt as if he had seen divinity itself.

He had witnessed glory.

Only when a knight called out to him did he come back to his senses, realizing he was drenched, looking rather pitiful.

He looked back at his priests and knights — all equally soaked.

The girls’ carriage was long gone.

He couldn’t abandon his subordinates to chase after it.

He sighed helplessly and ordered them to head to the nearest village to rest.

Before leaving, Lombard felt a wave of panic — what if the girl never returned?

He looked in the direction her carriage had gone.

And suddenly remembered—

He had forgotten to even ask her name.