No, what did this guy just say?
What?
That thing was me, what?
I have no idea when I got a disciple I don't even remember, but the one impersonating that disciple was triumphant.
"Mr. Igeon cherished me the most among all his many disciples."
No, I never raised a disciple like this.
But whether I said so or not, the appraiser praised Igeon.
"Judging by your age, you can't be my direct disciple like I am. You're quite skilled. Even I was almost fooled."
Should I just sue this guy for fraud?
In the end, just as I was debating whether to drag him away with my fists or kick him out with my feet—
"Appraiser, we have a huge problem!"
When the employee burst into the room, the appraiser got angry.
"Can't you see I'm in the middle of an important discussion?"
"That's not it, but the person outside is...!"
"Aren't you leaving? I said I'm talking to an important guest."
Eventually, the employee was kicked out too.
Meanwhile, Igeon was loosening up his body.
'He's an SS-rank appraiser, so if I beat him up, I should get some decent data, right?'
Just as Igeon approached the appraiser from behind, who was searching for something,
The appraiser pulled out an unexpected item.
"Here, this is the item that Mr. Igeon recognized me as a disciple with."
"!!"
Igeon was startled by the familiar object.
A notebook.
It was none other than something he had once used.
Except.
'I lost this a long time ago.'
At the same time, Igeon seemed to know where he had met this appraiser.
'Could this bastard be that sniveling kid who got dumped by a girl?'
He had gone to China for a commission, and he must have met him then.
He was a rookie who had annoyingly followed him around.
"He was truly someone with an outstanding eye for things. He even kindly taught me his know-how in person."
No, I think I just cursed at him and harassed him because he was a total noob and annoyingly followed me.
"And then he left this at my lodging and vanished without a trace."
I thought I'd lost it, but did this punk steal it?
"Anyway, I couldn't read the handwriting, but it must be his idea notebook. To receive such a precious thing..."
It was just a list of people I planned to beat up later.
And this guy's name might have been in it too, but let's not mention that.
Anyway, he wasn't a stranger. It was a good thing that the rookie he'd met back then had become an SS-rank appraiser, but impersonation was a no-go.
'This punk dared to take my stuff.'
That's when Igeon reached out his hand.
"Since I've taken a liking to you, I'll give you this as well, plus an item from my shop for free."
The outstretched hand abruptly stopped.
"It's a production type, right? If there's any material you want, take it all."
No sooner had the words fallen than Igeon smiled.
"The master was such a cool person?"
Yeah, some impersonation, you might do it once in a while in life. Just reveal my identity and punish him, that's all.
Igeon patted the appraiser's shoulder with satisfaction. The appraiser tilted his head, but Igeon thought it was perfect timing.
That was because, while the notebook also contained a hit list, more importantly, it had blueprints he had hidden long ago.
They were things he'd obtained by beating up the vassal gods who created holy artifacts under forced labor.
'Thanks to that, I referred to it a lot when I first made a holy artifact.'
It had detailed ingredient measurements that were hard to remember now, and above all, I'd been quite regretful when my first textbook-like thing disappeared.
'This is perfect.'
Well, I'd make the impersonator pay the price next time.
But then. The moment Igeon got the notebook back.
Flash!
"!"
Something astonishing happened with the notebook. The form of the old, brown leather notebook changed.
[The dormant notebook reacts to the owner's magical power]
[The notebook has evolved into a holy artifact under the influence of the Serpent Lord Constellation's magical power]
A familiar pattern of light appeared on the now-black notebook.
It was a serpent pattern.
And as if branded by fire, a marking appeared on the notebook.
At the same time, the appraiser, who was adjusting his glasses, was amazed.
"It's a memory-type holy artifact. It seems there was a skill Mr. Igeon placed on it while he was alive."
He grew even more excited, calling it Mr. Igeon's will. So Igeon slyly made a move.
"Great, then since it's Mr. Igeon's will, appraise this wooden doll at five times its value."
"Don't be stingy, I'll appraise it at ten times."
And the longer their conversation went on, the more the employee outside fretted.
Then.
"Appraiser, can't you hear me?"
"What now! I said we're not accepting customers today!"
"That's not it, but the Saintess is here!"
"!"
* * *
Tap, tap, tap.
The Saintess's fingers moved at one-second intervals as she looked at her watch.
And.
"Oh my god, it's the Saintess."
"It really is Lady Sophie."
The small pawnshop was buzzing.
Sophie Mardi.
She was the Saintess of the newly established nation in Europe, the European Union.
And Cheon Seong-jae and his guard couldn't close their mouths when they saw her.
Their reactions were no different from anyone else's.
"It's really her in person."
"Wow, it's my first time seeing the Saintess in the flesh...!"
Their gazes were fixed on her beautiful face.
Her bright blonde hair, her white skin that looked like it had never seen the sun—all of it was beautiful.
Above all, there was an aura that set her apart from others. It was a special atmosphere that ordinary people couldn't dare approach.
Of course, all the 12 Saints were like that. And the stronger a Saint's holy divine power, the more so.
But while captivated by Sophie, Cheon Seong-jae was very puzzled.
"Doesn't the Saintess never leave the sanctuary except for official business? I heard the state church is strict about outings."
It was out of concern for kidnapping, because of those who covet her healing power.
But the guard said there was nothing strange about it.
"Actually, for an auction of Igeon's holy artifacts, it's worth the Saintess coming out."
Cheon Seong-jae's eyes sparkled. It was a look asking why he was suddenly evaluating Igeon so well, but the guard clicked his tongue.
"You don't even know why I followed you, do you? You're just a fanboy, but actually, even big names are eyeing Igeon's holy artifacts. Because of that, the auction could lead to a war between holy orders."
Cheon Seong-jae praised the items as expected of the great Mr. Igeon, but the guard clicked his tongue.
Well, sure, Igeon's popularity was high, but...
"Still, they're items he received from other Saints. Igeon borrowed all his buffs and items from other Saints. If I had that kind of support, I'd be SS-rank too... Hey, are you listening?"
It seemed the fanboy already couldn't hear him as he was busy praising Igeon.
So the guard was anxious inwardly. Because of the Igeon they had met just moments ago.
'There's no way that person is the real Igeon...'
If it were true, Cheon Seong-jae might leave the holy order.
Cheon Seong-jae didn't know it himself, but his potential at his initiation test was SS-rank.
And he was a record-breaking achiever. Even the departure of an A-rank would be a blow to the holy divine power, but someone like Cheon Seong-jae would be devastating.
But right now, none of that mattered.
"To think I'd get to see the Saintess's face—coming along was a hundred times worth it. She really is the Mother Teresa of this era."
The guard melted at the Saintess's benevolent smile. But on the Saintess's side, it was different.
'How dare these lowlifes stare at me.'
In truth, the Saintess who was being watched was in a very foul mood.
That was inevitable.
'Every time I come outside, it's like this.'
Sophie couldn't understand why people rated Igeon so highly.
Of course, it wasn't without reason.
Decades ago.
There was a time when a calamity spread at a terrifying speed, and they were about to quarantine several countries.
People facing being buried alive begged to be saved, but the Saints lied and pretended not to know.
And it was far more profitable to side with a great power than a small nation.
But then.
[What? Igeon went in there alone?]
At that time, for political reasons, the US had ordered the burial. They blocked the entrance with guns, but it was useless. Far from yielding to threats,
[I said open it before I throw you bastards in first!]
[Cough!]
Igeon had drop-kicked an American general right in the face. And that video is still in the top 10 most-viewed on YouTube.
Anyway, after that, that fearless Igeon guy single-handedly swept through that den of calamity that the whole world had given up on.
Of course, he had support from the Archer Constellation back then, but all the Saints knew.
[Actually, I only took care of the small fry.]
[......!]
In the end, it was the moment the other eleven who did nothing became fools.
That wasn't all.
That Igeon guy was a narrow-minded bastard who ruined their business.
For example, whenever they tried to make people anxious to negotiate for higher pay,
[You idiots. You're so slow, I'll just finish everything and leave.]
All they saw every day was a single note.
He was notorious for stealing all the commissions. Telling him to wait didn't work.
On the contrary, his overwhelming skill seemed to mock them.
And Sophie even had a personal grudge.
'You want to die, don't you?'
That terrifying low voice.
That monstrous face.
In fact, just hearing the name Igeon made her turn all sorts of colors, as if poison were spreading.
'That ugly, damn orc...!'
In the end, the guard spoke to the Saintess, whose face was hardening.
"Saintess, you seem to need rest. Your complexion is..."
"No."
The Saintess cut him off.
'I can't ruin things because of the Golden Lion.'
Again, the Leo Constellation would be desperate to take Igeon's holy artifact.
Of course, even if she wanted to concede, she couldn't.
'Do you know what kind of item it is.'
But what the hell.
"I'll talk to him in person."
"Saintess!"
'How dare they treat our holy order's item like it's worth a single dollar.'
Just because he was an SS-rank saint of another constellation, she'd let it slide nicely.
Depending on the situation, she'd eliminate him.
But even in this situation, the appraisal office's employee wouldn't let the Saintess in.
"Um, there's a guest inside. No matter that you're the Saintess, I don't think he'll see you right now..."
Then the Saintess and her guard were dumbfounded.
'Seriously, just how great is this guest? How dare he make me, of all people?'
Even the world's leaders would cancel all their schedules and rush out barefoot to meet her.
So how could the most precious face in the world, her, be treated like this?
A strange sense of humiliation rose.
"Saintess."
"Open it."
Murderous intent could be felt in her voice.
Finally, when the employee quietly opened the door, the enraged Saintess raised her eyes.
'Who on earth...'
But then.
The Saintess, who was going inside, abruptly stopped.
'!'
There, there was a man so breathtakingly handsome that her heart skipped a beat. He was a bit far, but it was enough to captivate her eyes instantly.
So Sophie unknowingly tried to approach the man, but.
'......!'
As she approached, the Saintess's expression suddenly turned strange.
"S-Saintess?"
Suddenly, Sophie's hand began to tremble.
She couldn't even reach where the appraiser was.
That was because of the young man with the appraiser.
'What is that. That magical power...?'
It was a terrifyingly vicious magical power.
To her, who could see magical power with her eyes, it was clearly visible.
The vicious magical power emanating from the man's broad back.
It was like a serpent.
The vicious greenish-blue magical power drew the form of a writhing snake, as if it would crawl over and swallow her at any moment.
That wasn't all.
"......!"
If there were a door leading to hell, would it feel like this?
She didn't know why, but Sophie felt a chilling certainty that if she got any closer, she would die.
Though only the back of his head was visible, Sophie's body automatically rejected the approach.
It was instinct.
Perhaps that's why.
"I... I have to leave."
"E-excuse me?"
Pale-faced, Sophie stepped backward.
"I have to get out of here quickly."
The guard was flustered.
Why, when she had come in as if about to cut off the appraiser's head at any moment?
But whether he was confused or not, Sophie covered her mouth.
"My, my stomach doesn't feel well."
But then.
"Should I give you some medicine if your stomach hurts?"
"!"
Sophie flinched at that voice.
It was Igeon.
And at that moment, Igeon stood up.
Thud!
"Saintess!"
Startled, Sophie hastily fled out the door.
* * *
Meanwhile, around that time.
When Sophie ran out, the appraiser was bewildered.
"What the. Why did she come in and then leave? She even dropped her insignia."
But Igeon was looking toward where the Saintess had disappeared with a subtle gaze.
That was only natural.
[A direct subordinate of another constellation fearlessly approached the back of the Serpent Lord Constellation]
[Another holy god fearlessly invaded the Serpent Lord Constellation's domain]
[Your divine prestige has become sharper against the opponent's divine prestige.]
[Current Divine Prestige: 35%]
[If Divine Prestige drops below 20%, ability activation will be difficult. Recharging is needed.]
[You can use vassals to steal the opponent's divine prestige.]
- Currently available vassals (1)
(Low-rank subordinate god / Hunger)
- Ability: Devour (devours anything that can bring fortune, be it wealth or power)
[Do you want to send out the vassal?]
Whether it was for defense, the Serpent Lord Constellation's magical power stirred sharply.
Even though he was suppressing it, it was a familiar energy.
So Igeon, who was about to pull out his sword to investigate, asked.
"Is the one who was about to come in the Saintess?"
"How many other people in the world could be called the Saintess besides her?"
Then Igeon, who had been wearing a subtle expression, frowned.
"Wasn't the Saintess supposed to be a beauty?"
"What, you don't even know what she looks like? Even if you just look at the columns praising the 12 Saints, you'd occasionally see her."
"I never look at that stuff."
Why would he sit around reading articles praising those guys?
He even found his own photos from twenty years ago burdensome, so he deliberately avoided that side.
"But, columns about the Saints? The Saintess is one of those guys?"
Then the appraiser looked at him in disbelief.
"She's one of the 12 Saints!"
"!"
Igeon pulled out his phone.
It was a different search term than usual. A term he hadn't seen much when searching because it wasn't an official one.
-Saintess
Of course, he'd never been interested enough to search it before...
Flash!
Finally, when the image search results appeared, Igeon's eyes went wide.
And Igeon laughed as if it was ridiculous.
Ah.
So this was the Saintess?
(Continues in the next episode)