A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 36
Mayer was difficult to move with money or honor. He typically lived like a beggar, and on busy Market Street days like this, he occasionally opened a street stall and earned a few coins if luck favored him. Then he’d spend that money on drink.
‘And here he is, blessed by the gods no less, yet he drinks like a drunkard.’
Few people knew that Mayer Els was the last High Priest. Twenty years ago, when massive corruption was uncovered, the Temple had been shut down.
While the Temple’s inner circle had been embezzling funds, the High Priest Mayer Els had sat alone, oblivious, drowning himself in alcohol. It was only natural—the Temple had virtually no function anymore. Especially since the Monastery had already taken over the role of serving the masses with divine power.
Thus, Mayer Els transformed in an instant from an alcoholic High Priest into an alcoholic unemployed man.
Sezare wanted something from Mayer, so he observed him from nearby whenever the opportunity arose, trying to discover what might move him. Few people could conceal their presence as completely as he could, making it difficult to delegate the task to others.
Of course, this was somewhat painful for Sezare. He was rather fastidious and sensitive, detesting filth intensely. Therefore, Mayer’s dusty, decrepit tent was deeply irritating to him. He was nearly going mad with the desire to escape this tent and this street itself as quickly as possible.
Yet Mayer drank only a fixed amount each day and did nothing else.
‘I’ve been moving faster than expected… I’m becoming impatient.’
Normally, he would have identified the location of the sacred relic and then moved in earnest. But he had rushed things to prevent Kiana’s engagement to Lord Rodrigo.
“So, in my opinion, wasn’t it a bit hasty? And besides, Lady Kiana’s marriage shouldn’t matter much to you, should it? You said you two were merely using each other.”
To Ranaq’s words, Sezare answered without the slightest wavering.
“She’s my benefactor. No matter how much we may use each other, I cannot stand by and watch her marry such trash.”
“Ah… well… I thought you had abandoned all such human emotions, my lord.”
Sezare tried not to recall his past conversation with Ranaq. He did not wish to think deeply about why he could not bear to watch Kiana and Lord Rodrigo’s wedding.
Then it happened. With a rusty bell’s jingle, the tent entrance opened.
Sezare’s eyes widened in surprise as he recognized who had entered. The sudden visitor was none other than Kiana, dressed as a maid. Her pink hair was carefully concealed beneath a checkered headscarf, and round spectacles covered half her face.
‘If you’re going to hide your identity by wearing a maid’s outfit, at least don’t wear a checkered headscarf…’
Watching the checkered headscarf emanating presence from all the wrong places, Sezare let out a hollow laugh.
“Have you come for a blessing?”
As Mayer, just waking from sleep, rubbed his eyes and asked, Kiana answered bluntly.
“No, I don’t believe in such superstitions.”
To say such a thing so confidently while coming to a place like this—Sezare felt a slight vertigo despite knowing Kiana’s personality.
The tent interior was filthy. Yet paying it no mind, Kiana sat across from Mayer and spoke without hesitation.
“I’ve simply come to talk.”
“…What?”
Mayer stared at Kiana blankly, bewildered. Indeed, it was absurd to say one had come to converse with a destitute old man running a crumbling shop like this.
“Leave.”
And Mayer immediately pointed toward the door with his finger.
“It seems the mysterious visitor knows quite well who I am.”
“Of course. Did you think I’d walk into a shabby place like this without knowing anything?”
At Kiana’s response, Mayer chuckled and waved his hand.
“You seem to harbor resentment toward the Temple, but there’s nothing I alone can do to change that. So please, leave.”
“Well, it’s actually the opposite. I happen to have some affection for the gods.”
“…Affection… for the gods?”
“Yes. I’ve even received help from them in times of uncertainty. That’s why I wanted to spend some time with the High Priest.”
Kiana gestured to the maid who had accompanied her.
The maid approached and hastily produced what she had brought. A bottle of the finest wine and two large glasses emerged. Kiana smiled as she watched Mayer’s expression change.
“So if you’d be kind enough to be my drinking companion for just this one bottle, I’d be most grateful.”
For Mayer, refusing people was easy. But refusing alcohol was difficult.
“By the way, that liquor is genuinely strong. Care to take a challenge?”
And avoiding a provocation about drinking was impossible.
“Ha, what do you take me for, young lady…”
“I see you as the High Priest who drank throughout his tenure and nearly destroyed the Temple.”
“Ha!”
Mayer slapped his knee and laughed.
“This young lady has quite the eye for people! Well then, let’s begin!”
And so began the drinking contest between Mayer and me.
The two of us drained our cups in one breath and refilled them. Again the cups emptied. The cycle repeated endlessly. I produced bottle after bottle without limit.
And after some time.
“Enough now, enough!”
Mayer surrendered first.
“You’re quite the drinker, young lady. I could actually drink more, but… when I drink too much, my hands and feet become unbearably cold like ice…”
He rubbed his hands and muttered sadly.
“When I was at the Temple, I would have my subordinates bring warm water before drinking… But there is no hot water here anymore.”
Then I spoke quickly.
“I brought hand warmers for exactly this reason.”
“Hand… what? The Temple people reject magic and don’t use magical artifacts.”
“They’re not magical artifacts. They’re merely scientific devices utilizing supersaturated solutions and exothermic reactions.”
The reason Mayer remained an alcoholic yet never became truly drunk was simple: as someone blessed by the divine, his body would react whenever he was about to lose consciousness. For him, that reaction manifested as cold extremities.
“Well then! Since we’ve overcome the blessing placed upon the High Priest’s liver with the power of science, shall we have another round?”
Suppressing that physical reaction with a scientific device, I picked up the next bottle. And I raised it enticingly for a toast.
“To the last High Priest who defies the divine blessing until the very end!”
“Yes! To my ruined liver! God, this Mayer will be coming soon! Please wait for me!”
“To the poor young priests who had to fetch hot water for the drunken High Priest!”
I proclaimed the toast and wiped away a tear. Then I murmured quietly.
“Ah, those pitiful children like graduate students… They probably never knew how to do such pathetic chores when they entered the Temple… It feels like my own situation, and it makes me sad…”
And more time passed.
Bottles began rolling across the floor. Finally, Mayer swayed and lost focus in his eyes. As if waiting for this moment, I sat up straight and spoke quietly.
“Spy, leave.”
My voice was completely different from the cheerful tone until now. It was a grave and merciless command.
“Pardon?”
“Leave right now. I have something to discuss with the High Priest alone.”
The maid hesitated before finally sighing and leaving the shop. My words carried an atmosphere that could not be contradicted.
“High Priest.”
Having sent the maid away, I looked at him and asked directly.
“Where is the Temple’s final sacred relic?”
My pronunciation was precise and my question deliberate. Hidden from view, Sezare’s eyes narrowed sharply.
‘…A sacred relic?’
Why was Kiana searching for the very object I had been seeking?
Mayer hiccupped once, then slapped his own cheek as he answered.
“Ugh… my… my secret… even if… I were to take it… I couldn’t… say…”
“I see.”
“But… why… are you asking that?”
Kiana answered calmly.
“For the Crown Prince’s sake.”
Sezare, who had been concealing his presence, momentarily held his breath.
Kiana picked up the bottle of liquor again.
“Well then, here’s to the pitiful brain cells of the High Priest who has endured so well!”
She poured the glasses generously and clinked them together once more, quickly pressing the hand warmer into Mayer’s grasp.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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