Hero without Blood or Tear - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Chapter 14 - Meeting Great Evil (1)

Translator: Blizzcongollem

Editor: Perditor

Eventually we dismounted and faced each other .

“How much did you see?”

Walpurgis was dead serious . I decided it was best to be honest .

“I saw half of your chest . ”

“Hiiiii!”

Walpurgis jerked away in surprise and covered her chest . She was shaking when she retorted to me .

“You, you swine! Do you not know a lady has to marry the man who has seen her body?”

I have spent over 100 cumulative years in this game, but that was the first I’ve heard of such a thing . From my experience, nobles in this world didn’t have much in the way of being sexually reserved . Just what was the Prince-Elector of Bavaria teaching his successor?

“What? Me marrying your ladyship?”

Walpurgis seemed even more upset at my response .

“What? So you took a look without marriage in mind? Then you must be plotting to seize the seat of the Prince-Elector for yourself! You charlatan!”

This world didn’t have anything like the Salic law or morganatic marriage . That was why Walpurgis was allowed to be Bavaria’s heir despite being a woman and passing on the title via marriage with a man of lower stature was possible . Legally, there was no issue with a commoner like me marrying her .

(TL Note: Salic Law is old Frankish law used for long time in Europe that covered many things, but in context of here, forbade woman from inheriting lands . Morganatic marriage is a form of marriage where a person of higher stature marries someone of lower stature but the person of lower stature and their children being unable to claim or inherit anything . )

“No, that’s not it . ”

Walpurgis’ face recovered some colour when I denied it .

“T, then it is marriage?”

Walpurgis started nodding by herself as if there was some sort of internal thought process .

“I wish you would let me keep my helmet on for the first night . I s . . shall take off everything else . I do not know about anything else; but, I have one of the best figure in the Empire . . . ”

THE HELL was with this situation . A bride entirely naked except a helmet .

“Please calm down… you’re thinking too far ahead . It’s because the wound was severe…”

I calmly started to explain the situation at the time . I explained why I had to take her chest armour off and I made sure to clarify while her chest was large and bouncy and beautiful, I didn’t feel anything much beyond that .

For some reason, Walpurgis slumped her shoulders .

Disappointed .

“Then there will be no marriage?”

Her excited voice turned dejected like a puppy standing out in the rain .

“No . ”

“ . . . . . Ooooogh . I planned on showing my chest only to the one who would be my husband . ”

I felt unfair at this point .

“I only saw half!”

“Silence, you swine! If you eat only half of a beautiful and well-leavened white bread, does it count as not having eaten it? Even I know that you must buy the whole bread if you eat half of it! How dare you try to get away by claiming it is just half . ”

It sounded like an incorrect comparison but it was difficult to retort . An educated lady of a noble house indeed knew her way with words . However, I also knew a thing or two about making wrong but reasonable sounding comparisons .

“Your logic has its merits, but the main point is the raisin on that bread . If there’s no raisin, even such a well-leavened and white bread would be missing something . I haven’t eaten the raisin if following your analogy . Thus I respectfully request a refund . ”

Walpurgis tilted her head curiously at my words .

“Raisin? Raisin on top of a well-leavened and white bread?”

“ . . . You know, there are those kind of parts on a woman’s body . They were covered by your innerwear, so I don’t think I’m at the point where I should be taking responsibility . ”

“What?”

She stood petrified in the position when she finally understood . I imagine I could see her jaws drop wide open if she didn’t have that helmet on .

Shakeshakeshake

Trembletrembletremble

Quiverquiverquiver

The mood was uneasy . It felt like a bomb was about to go off . I tried to sneak away, but she had already drawn her sword . Then she finally exploded .

“You lecherous swine! I shall butcher you today!”

She was screaming at the top of her lungs .

“And they’re pink! Pink! How dare you call it a raisin!”

***

Two hours later .

I thanked whatever powers that be for surviving, but the real surprise was when I opened the stats menu .

I had gained +3,500 exp .

I gained exp equivalent to killing three ogres just by running away from Walpurgis and her deadly blades . What was this exp machine?

It was a convenient machine, but I couldn’t guarantee my survival if I continued to use it . There were significant aftereffects as well .

“It appears  everything is going well for you . You do not need to live with someone as ugly as I anymore . Hmmph . ”

Walpurgis, who was riding behind me on Philly, was still mumbling away as she was still angry .

“By the way, my lady . ”

“What do you want?”

Any sort of dignity or class wasn’t present in her response .

“I said what do you want?”

“ . . . T, that’s… can your ladyship marry even though you’re a nun?”

“Of course . I am a secular nun . I can romance or marry whomever I wish . ”

“Is that so . ”

That was my first time hearing it since nun wasn’t a job I was interested in .

“Naturally so . If the protege of the Order could not marry, the Order couldn’t use me as they wanted either . ”

She became really direct . It was apparent she was truly incensed .

“Furthermore, I am the successor to Bavaria . Do you believe my uncle would allow me to become a nun if I cannot marry?”

“I see . Then I wish you will meet a good man in your future . ”

It was something I said without much thought, but it turned out I poured oil on a burning house with those words .

“What? Hahaha! Those are very gracious words . Extremely gracious . Such thoughtful and gracious words!”

She started slapping my back while laughing . She still had her steel gauntlets on .

“Argh! Help! How could a nun be laughing while beating someone up?”

“I do not know what you are talking about, Valler . It is a massage . A massage! You must be tired from riding all night while carrying I . I am simply showing care for others as someone who serves a god . ”

<You endured a powerful strike! You gain +50 exp>

<Critical hit! You endure it skillfully! You gain +100 exp>

<You resist against a powerful foe! Your constitution increases +1>

What? I’m gaining stats from this?

My jaws opened wide at the rate my exp and stats were going up . Was I someone who could get stronger just by being hit?

“It hurts! I’ll level up at this rate!”

“Massages are supposed to hurt . Hmmph . ”

Thankfully, Walpurgis stopped at a reasonable point . It was fortunate that I didn’t open my eyes to some weird and strange path and didn’t earn any skill that would set me down the path of no return . I was truly thankful that I didn’t become someone who wasn’t me .

But I realized I didn’t know about Walpurgis as much as I thought . She was so lively even though we haven’t been friends for very long . I only saw the reserved and disciplined knight side of her, so I couldn’t imagine this kind of girlish yet dynamic side of her .

It seemed I didn’t pay enough attention to the comrade who always stood by my side . I really wanted to make it right to her this time .

***

Filly rode hard until the sun hung high in midday to catch a glimpse of the destination .

“Over there . ”

There was picturesque grassland following the bends of the Rhine river . In the middle of that scenery was a large hill . No, perhaps it was more fitting to call it a small naked mountain than a large hill .

On top of that hill were large walls . There lay the main convent of Order of Sisters of Walpurgis . They were renowned throughout the south-western part of the Empire .

“Is it strange that the convent is a fortress?”

I swayed my head at Walpurgis’ question .

“Order of Sisters of Walpurgis is a militant order protecting the south-western part of the Empire from the demon lords . It is only natural for it to be so fortified since they could be attacked at any moment . ”

The Order of Sisters of Walpurgis originated as an order for protecting the common folk . Their history was long and illustrious as well . They were an honourable martial order that trained many renown templar knights .

“I’ve heard rumours that the Abbess confides much in your ladyship . That she treats you as if you were her own daughter . ”

“She showers her endless love undeservingly onto me . I worry sometimes that I will not be able to repay her . ”

“My lady has done well so far . ”

Walpurgis sighed at my words as we approached closer to the fortress .

“You do not know . She has been under immense pressure as of late . I need to help ease her burden, but I return in defeat . ”

Walpurgis’ voice had no strength . My curiosity awoke .

“May I hear more on this?”

“Hmm… very well . It is not something for an outsider, but I shall confide in you, Valler . Our Order is in trouble . It is because of Pejamut, who has consolidated his strength and expanded his territory down south . ”

Originally, Pejamut’s territory lay well beyond the south-western border of the Empire . However, he had been making advances into the wide plains and plentiful forests in the south as of recent .

That was why the hegemon of the south-west of the Empire, Iron Prince-Elector Philip, gathered his army for a decisive battle . The Order of Sisters of Walpurgis lent a hand as well and Lady Templar Walpurgis participated with knights from Bavaria .

But the result was defeat . On top of that, Walpurgis barely survived due to Philip’s betrayal . Her heart could only weigh heavy when on way to report these facts .

“I have lost the fight and lost the noble warriors of Bavaria . I can only pray they are still alive . ”

“You worry too much, my lady . They are more than capable of taking care of themselves . ”

“I hope so…”

I could feel Walpurgis hugging me tightly from behind and leaning onto me . I could feel her exhaustion and sorrow . I had no words that could comfort her, so I grasped her hands that were hugging my waist . Walpurgis seemed surprised for a moment, but she grabbed them back .

“Valler, you are kind…”

“You praise me too much . ”

I passed through the gate of the convent-fortress quickly due to Walpurgis . It was a fortress devoted to nuns and women, but that didn’t mean men were forbidden from entering either .

The forbidden area was only the nuns’ quarters, and there were a fair number of men staying in the outer areas of the castle . Some were merchants here to trade, and some were patients waiting to be treated .

“Energetic . ”

“That building over there . They will allow you to stay as a guest . ”

There stood several majestic buildings, and some nuns recognized Walpurgis when we approached .

“Ah! Sister!”

“Sister Walpurgis is back!”

There was a commotion in the immediate area . It seemed Walpurgis was pretty popular here . Younger nuns even let out sounds like “Kyaaah! Kyaaah!” . Then the noise died down when a strict looking middle-aged nun approached .

“Welcome back, sister . ”

“I have returned . Please permit a place for Valler here, the man who saved my life, to rest .

“I see . ”

Despite her stringent appearance, she bowed towards me gracefully .  

“I thank you for saving Sister Walpurgis . ”

“No, I only did what was right . ”

“I will take appropriate measures so your stay here can be as restful as possible . ”

I removed my feathered hat to show my appreciation . When the conversation finished, Walpurgis approached .

“Valler, rest for the moment . I will visit you after meeting with the Abbess . A bath and meal will be ready for you . ”

With that, she told the middle-aged nun she will be meeting the Abbess . The middle-aged nun seemed taken aback at the request . She regained composure quickly, but I could sense that something was wrong .

“Sister Walpurgis, it is not something to discuss out in open . Please, follow me . Elena and  Marie, guide Mr . Valler to his room . ”

The two adolescent nuns stuck close to my sides . I wanted to ask what was going on, but there was no opportunity due to the two young nuns pulling at my clothes .

I could only ask when Walpurgis returned .

I waited for Walpurgis after bathing and eating but she didn’t seem intent on showing up . I simply wanted to rest on the bed for a bit, but fell asleep .

Rustle

How long was I asleep for? I opened my eyes as I felt a presence . It was Walpurgis .

“I apologize . I did not mean to awake you . I assumed you would be curious, but you were asleep . I was planning to retire to my chamber just now . ”

She didn’t sound good . Something definitely must have happened .

“Valler, I am sorry . I planned on introducing you to the Abbess to repay you . However, it does not seem appropriate under the circumstance . ”

“What happened?”

I sat up straight and asked her . However, she was still apprehensive, so I pulled a chair to ask her to sit down .

“ . . . . . ”

She didn’t speak for a while . It was not something that could easily be shared with an outsider . But I couldn’t just retreat after having come this far . I didn’t want to leave without knowing what was going on .

“I believe I have some rights to know as well . ”

They were words hinting at her promise to introduce me to the Abbess . Finally, Walpurgis surrendered .

“I suppose it could not be helped . ”

“What happened to the Abbess?”

“You cannot ever reveal this to anyone else, Valler . ”

“I swear upon my honour . ”

Walpurgis slowly nodded her head ever so slightly .

“Fine . Truthfully, the Abbess has collapsed . ”

I suspected something like that already . What was important was why it happened . My looks conveyed my question without need for words .

“ . . . The Abbess was attacked by the “darkness” . Her condition is critical, and she is not expected to make it through the night . ”

What Walpurgis said was more shocking than I anticipated .

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