Chapter 266

Chapter 266

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

Chapter 266: Seasonal Discount on Sin (3)

A quiet weekend morning.

Vikir ventured out into the streets. The midday streets were bustling with people. On the café terraces, ladies of the court or professionals meeting for business chatted away, while young folks walked, laughing and joking with clenched fists.

Beautiful women and handsome men hurriedly walked by, and as they passed, the gazes around briefly followed before turning back ahead. The air was filled with the scent of flowers from the flower shop and the sweet and savory smell of eggbread from a nearby bakery.

At the busy front railway station, where a carriage loudly conveyed urgent news, the sound of hammers announcing expansion construction echoed loudly.

“...”

Suddenly, Vikir stopped at the outskirts of the street. A narrow alley between red-brick buildings. At the narrow entrance, ropes marked with the insignia of the royal guards indicated restricted access.

This was the location where Vikir had carried out the assassination just a few hours ago. Two changes were noticeable. Firstly, the body had been removed, and only white lines marked the spot on the ground. Secondly, deep indentations were present on the ground.

“...”

Vikir examined the traces left on the ground from a distance. It was as if a snake had passed by. Something that was undoubtedly not there when Vikir carried out the assassination.

The crowd gathered, murmuring about the bloodstains on the walls and ground.

“Somebody died there overnight.”

“He was poisoned to death after being horrifically tortured.”

“It’s terrifying. Could this be the work of Night Hound again?”

“No, the culprit this time is that woman, Miss Ouroboros.”

“What? Another villain besides the Night Hound?”Fiind updated novels at novelhall.come on, catch up with the news, buddy.”

Vikir quietly listened to the surrounding conversations mixed in with the crowd. Since he left no clues, there was nothing to worry about. He moved through a complicated route and even transformed into a dog at times, making it impossible for humans to trace him.

However, the fact that Miss Ouroboros had arrived at the scene after he left was a bit surprising.

“...Strange woman.”

Vikir heightened his vigilance towards Miss Ouroboros. She had transcended the realm of mere imitations. A terrorist with unknown motives, seemingly chasing the Night Hound, required careful attention.

...But today’s outing wasn’t about Miss Ouroboros. Vikir pressed down his brimmed hat and moved away from the crowd towards the city center.

“...So many people.”

Arriving at the bustling heart of the Venetior, Vikir marveled at the busy square. The crowd was so dense that it felt like observing a tightly packed bean sprout dish.

“No one would notice if I blend in.”

Indeed, the saying about hiding a tree in a forest seemed fitting, Vikir thought.

Blending with the flow of the crowd, Vikir naturally moved forward. Soon, the emblem of the Saints announcing the headquarters of the Quovadis Clan, the ‘White Shield,’ came into view.

In front of the temple entrance, numerous people were standing in line. A priest in white robes stood on a pedestal, passionately preaching.

“Repent now! Special discount today only! A golden opportunity to absolve your sins at half the price! Come on, this chance doesn’t come every day! Today, it’s 50% off for minor sins! And we offer a 30% discount for moderate sins! For real serious crimes, please consult with the bishop. Come on, it’s indulgence! Only today, a special sale! Purchase now and enjoy tax benefits too! This promotion may not happen again anytime soon, starting tomorrow!”

The hawking of indulgences by the priest blended with the sales pitches of cotton candy vendors, roasted corn sellers, and bubble toy vendors.

People exiting the temple had bright smiles and walked away with lively steps.

All of them were individuals who had purchased indulgences.

Vikir overheard a conversation between a couple.

Despite that, Vikir stood there, seemingly unyielding. The priest then nonchalantly tore a piece of indulgence paper, stamped it with his seal, and handed it to Vikir.

“There. It’s commendable to come this far just for the life of a pig.”

“...Thank you.”

“Yeah. Just don’t commit sins next time. Live a good life.”

The priest took a deep breath, casually handed the crumpled indulgence paper to Vikir, and said, “Go on. Next time, don’t do anything sinful. Live virtuously.”

Vikir lifted his head and said, “Money...”

“Tsk, forget it, pal.”

The priest clicked his tongue and suddenly reached into Vikir’s pocket without warning. After a moment of rustling, he pulled out a handful of jingling coins, among which was a gold coin containing a trace amount of gold.

It was 1 gold coin.

The priest draped it around his neck and let it slide into the donation box he carried.

*Clang*

“There, you’ve repented!”

The priest’s usual catchphrase echoed with a solemn tone.

And that was the end of it.

* * *

Vikir exited the temple, holding a small indulgence paper in his hand.

[Indulgence]

‘May all sins of this devout believer be forgiven.’

– Issued and guaranteed by the Old testament faction; forging may result in punishment –

“...Is it really like this?”

Vikir had gathered the information he saw, heard, and sensed when he entered the temple. The subtle but unmistakable demonic aura that lingered inside and the faint but distinct scent.

[...I can definitely sense the aura of the Sixth Corpse. It’s still faint, but it’s there.]

Decarabia, hanging on Vikir’s chest, chimed in with a non-existent nose, echoing the same sentiment.

Vikir followed the putrid smell emanating from the ‘sixth corpse’ and returned to the main road.

“It might not be inside the temple, but it’s undoubtedly related. Somewhere around here.”

As Vikir was about to leave the temple behind and head back to the academy, he suddenly froze.

“...!”

In an instant, a familiar face caught his eye.

‘...’

Quickly adjusting his brimmed hat, Vikir pressed himself against a pillar.

Although she had her hood pulled down, Vikir, with his keen eyes, could recognize her.

Dolores.

She was surveying her surroundings with suspicious movements, cautiously making her way into the temple.

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]