## Chapter 680 – Paladin Kim Kat

As expected, signs never lie. People are the only ones who lie. Inanimate objects like this don’t deceive anyone.

Following the sign’s directions, I went straight, turned, and went straight again. From over there, something like a massive temple began to appear.

“Holy shit, fuck.”

They say that when people are truly surprised, all they can do is swear. I’m not kidding, it was a fucking huge temple.

Clean, straight avenues were lined with shops on both sides, and right in front was a temple. You could feel the religious influence from here. That was the Verde Grand Temple, the base of the Brass Celestial Angel maniacs, their sacred den.

I admired it as I moved forward.

The road was quite busy, but people were acting orderly enough that there weren’t any altercations. I was also careful about pickpockets and muggers as usual, but there were no signs of them at all.

I reached the entrance of the Grand Temple.

“Hmm?”

Two young, heavily armed holy knights stood firmly at the entrance. As expected of a Grand Temple. To use holy knights as guards.

“That’s the ceremonial equipment of the Order’s combat priests. Who are you?”
“Are you a member of our Order?”

Recognizing my armor, they approached with a friendly attitude. I thought they might be a bit strict since they were from the capital, but it seems they’re basically friendly to fellow members of the Order.

“Ah, yes. I’m Kim Kat, granted the title of quasi-priest from the Isvant branch of the Brass Celestial Angel Order. Nice to meet you, Holy Knights.”

I immediately took out my ID and greeted them. A smile was essential, and I even bowed my head.

The holy knight who received my ID said,

“Ah, a quasi-priest. So that’s why you were wearing that equipment. But, a title from the Isvant branch… It couldn’t have been easy to receive the title of quasi-priest.”
“Hehehe, he must be a good person.”
“Hehehe, you’re right. Ah, but could you take a look at this too?”
“Hmm?”

I immediately took out the Paladin Amulet hanging around my neck and showed it to them.

“That’s!”
“A Paladin!”

The holy knights’ mouths dropped open when they saw it.
It was a truly definite reaction.

“Wait… Ah, now that I think about it! A few days ago, a new work rule was added, wasn’t it?”
“It was a temporary rule. It was definitely an instruction from the Holy Maiden.”
“If a quasi-priest with the Paladin’s emblem comes, let them in. Come to think of it, the Holy Maiden recently went on a mission to Isvant.”
“…It was about the appearance of Andromalius.”

It seems they already knew everything.

Since the gate guard is a shift system, they must have added it to the work rules to let me in when I arrived.

“Could it be that you are?”

The holy knight looked at my face and asked.

“Andromalius…! A name not even worth grinding alive! He was a formidable enemy, but we were victorious! Over that damn archdemon!!!!”

I deliberately bared my teeth and roared loudly.

“Oh, oh!!! That’s right! That’s right!!! Didn’t we see that archdemon’s arm last time!!”
“I saw it, I saw it!!! You were the one who participated in that subjugation!!”
“Hehehe! That’s right!”

The holy knights’ reaction was a veritable explosion of goodwill.

Impressed, they excitedly chimed in and talked.

“This! I’d like to hear the story if I have the chance, but are you busy? Go in for now! We can’t keep you here at the entrance.”

Even if nothing else, I’m now known as someone who fought and won against the archdemon Andromalius. Since I sent his arm to the capital last time, those who should know probably know.

“Thank you!”

Of course, the holy knights couldn’t help but be friendly to me.

I passed through the outer wall of the Grand Temple.

“Wow.”

Not only was the outside huge, but the inside was also enormous.

Inside the outer wall was a small garden, and clean buildings with various religious decorations and designs were located there. Holy knights, priests, nuns. They were all walking around, each with their own work to do.

I greeted them and asked for the location of Holy Maiden Kadia.

“Ah, the Holy Maiden’s residence is in that building over there.”
“Hehehe. Thank you.”

The building where Holy Maiden Kadia was staying was also quite large.

Does she report for work and live alone there?

Entering inside without any particular restrictions, I found myself in a clean and luxurious hallway.

You could really feel that this church has a lot of money. Damn, is this where our Holy Maiden lives? Indeed, there was a reason for her personality.

“Oh.”

The paintings decorating one wall of the hallway were all religious and mythological. Should I call them icons? Holiness seemed to overflow.

However, they weren’t paintings that conveyed warmth or divine mercy.

Most of them depicted winged angels wearing brass, inhuman masks stabbing demons to death in a frenzy. Are those angels the messengers of the scale god Verde? Certainly, with those murderous spears, even demons would have no choice but to end their lives.

The depicted angels all seemed to be intoxicated with abnormal slaughter.

Stiff, cold. The very essence of a bladed weapon, devoid of any warmth. The expressionless masks only added to the eerie atmosphere. This isn’t an icon, it’s just a cruel painting.

There’s no way that guys depicted in such cruel paintings could be good guys.

I had the feeling that the Brass Celestial Angel Order’s angels were all crazy serial killers. In fact, they were nothing more than the embodiment of violence wearing the name of angels. Generally, when you think of angels, you think of good images, but in this neighborhood, the types of ‘angels’ referred to are all different depending on the religion.

Anyway, the audience chamber was further inside.

I approached it.

ㅡKnock knock knock.

And so, when I reached the huge and ornate door, I couldn’t help but knock on it with a slight tension.

I waited for a while, but I didn’t hear any sound, so I carefully opened the door.

ㅡCreak.

“Holy Maiden? May I come in?”

The inside was as magnificent and clean as its exterior.

The flat, pure white floor reflected the ceiling and my appearance like a mirror, and beyond the luxurious desk in front was Holy Maiden Kadia in her usual summer attire.

“You’re a bit late, Paladin.”
“I’m really sorry, Holy Maiden. I’m not lying, I didn’t know it would be this far and that the capital would be this big. The temple was also big. I came as quickly as possible… but it turned out like this. It’s my fault.”

I immediately bowed my head and apologized.

“Hmph. I’m not blaming you, Paladin. Of course, I expected you to arrive around this time. The Paladin isn’t late. It’s just that this Holy Maiden was too early.”

ㅡThump.

She put down her pen and leaned back in her equally luxurious chair, crossing her legs and taking out a cigarette. A smile was on her face.

Fortunately, she doesn’t seem very angry.
She was in her usual mood.

“Hehehe, I’m deeply honored that you say so.”
“It’s refreshing to see the Paladin again in this place. How is it? It’s definitely different from Isvant, isn’t it?”
“It’s just another world, another world. It’s like our tribesmen lived in a civilization at the level of goblins.”
“Is the level of civilization that different?”
“Yes. Well, there was a golem in front of the gate? I almost fainted. I couldn’t believe that such a crazy bastard was guarding the gate.”
“There’s something similar in the basement of the temple too.”

This is crazy.

“Anyway. There are a lot of stories I want to tell you… Have you finished preparing for the move? As I’ve already said, and as it’s stated in the contract, we can provide the Paladin with a place to live. It’s only natural.”
“Is it a designated accommodation owned by the temple?”
“You could say that. It’s a building where some members of the Order live. Of course, you’ll have a room to yourself, so there shouldn’t be any inconvenience in living there.”

It’s very inconvenient.

“Hehehe, that’s okay. I have some money saved up too. Since I came to the capital, I’m going to buy a house.”
“Is that so? Then bring the certificate after you buy the house. The temple will provide some financial support with this Holy Maiden’s authority.”
“Dejaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!”

Home price support…!

“Thank you, Holy Maiden!!!! My eternal boss!!”
“Hmph, are you that happy? Then come a little closer for now. It’s uncomfortable to keep standing there.”
“Yes!!!!!!”

I immediately went to the opposite side of the Holy Maiden and sat down. A workplace that supports home prices…! It was the moment I vowed to be buried here.

“Hmph.”

Anyway, sitting across from her, Holy Maiden Kadia had a somewhat satisfied expression and began to stare at me with a deep gaze.

“Hehehe…”

Then she laughed to herself.

“Holy Maiden? What? Is something good happening?”
“No. I’m just in a good mood. Just thinking about what kind of work to entrust to the Paladin makes me happy. Seeing you in front of me like this makes me even happier.”

Holy Maiden Kadia was a workaholic.
A diligent woman who finds joy in handling work.

“Hehehe, what are you going to make me do?”
“Well… If the Paladin steps up, I think we can assume that the problem will be solved. One by one, the troublesome things. We can eliminate them all, step by step.”

I am grateful for the infinite trust.

“It’s been quite difficult so far. Just thinking about doing that makes me feel good. I’m wondering what to make you do first.”
“I’m ready. Just tell me.”

No matter what happens, I will smash the problem in front of me. That’s why I came up to the capital. You have to do your best when building the foundation.

“I like that very much. The way you’re full of enthusiasm is really wonderful, Paladin.”
“Hehehe, that’s right.”
“First, we need to start with the inauguration ceremony. I’ll let you know about the other procedures after that. From now on, you will officially become this Holy Maiden’s direct Paladin. Always keep that in mind and act accordingly.”

ㅡThump.

“There, bring Cardinal Belluna. Tell her to bring the appointment letter and she will come.”
“…”

The nun in the corner silently nodded and went outside.

“Although you are this Holy Maiden’s direct Paladin… Registering with the temple is an essential procedure. Although you are an outsider, from this moment on, you will officially belong to the Brass Celestial Angel Order.”
“I understand. I will act in a manner befitting the name of Paladin.”
“Good.”

And so, Holy Maiden Kadia and I talked about the Paladin’s mindset and code of conduct. To put it simply, just act as you normally do.

Insulting the Paladin is also an insult to the church, so respond appropriately. In other situations, consider the image of the church.

These are all things I’m good at.

“Is that the one who will become the Holy Maiden’s direct Paladin?”

Soon, the door opened and a woman with light red hair tied in pigtails came in. Her attire was similar to Holy Maiden Kadia’s formal Holy Maiden attire, but the design was slightly different.

She was holding something like a luxurious box.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Cardinal Belluna.”
“Ah, I’m Kim Kat. A quasi-priest from an adventurer background.”

We exchanged simple greetings.

“Cardinal Belluna. Let’s start the inauguration ceremony now.”
“I understand.”

Holy Maiden Kadia got up from her seat and came behind me. The Cardinal stood next to her and opened the box. Inside were things like a certificate and a holy water bottle.

“Kneel down.”
“I understand.”

I immediately knelt on one knee.

“Since you are this Holy Maiden’s direct Paladin in terms of organization, we will keep the ceremony simple. Quasi-priest Kim Kat, from this moment on, you will live with the heavy responsibility of being the Holy Maiden’s direct Paladin of the Brass Celestial Angel Order on your shoulders. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“There’s no need to dedicate your heart to the scales… Just be loyal to this Holy Maiden.”
“Is there any doubt? I will always be loyal to the Holy Maiden.”

It was a simple ceremony, different from the usual ones.

After saying a few more words, she grabbed the holy water bottle.

“Originally, I should sprinkle it on your head… but I’ll just sprinkle it on your shoulder. You still don’t intend to convert, do you?”
“Hehehe, I’m grateful for your consideration.”
“Then.”

ㅡSplash.

Holy Maiden Kadia sprinkled holy water on my shoulder.

“Welcome to being a Paladin.”
“Thank you.”

Now I can proudly say I’m a Paladin anywhere I go. Now, anyone who messes with me is insulting not only our Holy Maiden but also the church. That has been `formalized`.

“Paladin. Please extend your hand.”
“Yes.”

The Cardinal took out the certificate and told me to extend my hand. At the same time, she also took out a dagger. Are we going to use blood to make a fingerprint?

“I’m going to make a wound on your palm and stamp it on the appointment letter.”
“I understand.”

ㅡSlice.

The Cardinal skillfully made a wound on my palm and rubbed my palm with her palm to make it bloody.

ㅡThump.

With that bloody hand, I stamped my palm print on the appointment letter. There were a total of four appointment letters. I stamped two of mine, the Cardinal stamped two of hers, and finally the Holy Maiden stamped her seal.

ㅡWhoosh.

As soon as the procedure was over, the Cardinal healed my palm.

“The procedure is over. The Paladin should keep these two appointment letters.”
“I understand.”
“What are your impressions?”
“From now on, I will fight for the peace of the Brass Celestial Angel Order and this world!!”
“Good. Very satisfactory. Cardinal, you may return.”
“I understand.”

She quietly bowed her head and left. Really, I’m now a Paladin in name and reality. My feelings are extraordinary. I have become a man who is not inferior to anyone, whether in terms of force or socially.

But is the procedure over with this?

“Then we’ll be done when we go to meet our Pope. Ah, but this might take some time.”

That was left.
Now I have to go meet the Pope.

“Where should I wait?”
“Is there a need to go? Just stay here. While waiting, let’s sit next to this Holy Maiden and briefly check what kind of work you will be doing in the future.”
“I understand.”

Holy Maiden Kadia, who grabbed my hand, said to the nun who was waiting in the corner.

“There, go and request an audience with the Pope.”
“…”

The nun nodded and went out again.

“Then sit next to me, Paladin.”