Chapter 18: Reward!

A single strike hit the bullseye.

Aimoer thrust the spear filled with Holy Light into the Demon God’s fatal point, angrily pouring in Holy Light, and watched it gradually dissipate in painful whimpers under everyone’s astonished gazes.

‘What’s going on? It disappeared just like that?’

Aimoer had never seen such a weak Demon God.

‘It was as if… it had been deliberately modified?’

Before Aimoer could react, the surrounding crowd burst into cheers and surrounded her.

“Waaah, don’t crowd me!”

Aimoer quickly curled up, afraid that if these people tossed her into the air in celebration, she might accidentally expose her tail.

“Hmph, Miss Aimoer, you did quite well. It seems I underestimated you before. When we go back to tally the war merits, I’ll personally write a letter to the Pope and put in a good word.”

Even the City Lord came over, patting her shoulder approvingly.

“Ah… um, thank you for your praise, Lord City Lord. It was just luck.”

Aimoer scratched her head, putting on a dignified expression.

Regardless, this time she would receive a large amount of war merits.

‘Hehe, it looks like the first step of my plan to make a comeback has been successfully completed.’

Aimoer secretly rejoiced, deeply immersed in the crowd’s admiring gazes.

Two days later, in front of the Adventurer’s Association in the Human Royal Capital, Glory City.

After a series of twists and turns, Aimoer finally returned here.

But this time, she didn’t have to be as timid and cautious as before.

Now, with the foremost merit of slaying a Demon God, and under the strong recommendation of the two managers of the City of Purification, she returned to the royal capital to receive rewards.

“I never thought I’d be back so soon.”

Aimoer touched the four gold coins and three silver coins in her pocket, already fantasizing in her heart about how much reward she would receive.

According to the world’s exchange rate, one gold coin equals ten silver coins, and one silver coin equals ten copper coins.

And with just two copper coins, Aimoer could buy a large bowl of sweet caramel pudding at the small café across from the abbey and eat to her heart’s content.

If the Pope rewards her with 50 gold coins this time, then Aimoer would achieve pudding freedom for a long time to come.

Not to mention the added fame and status.

With this reward, wouldn’t a comeback be just around the corner?

“I just wonder when Ouluola will reply again.”

Aimoer sighed, then reached back and precisely pressed down on Senteli’s head, who was about to hug her.

“Mmm, El—”

“Stop messing around. We’re here to receive the reward today. After we’re done, aren’t you going back to the City of Purification?”

“Mmm—”

Senteli twisted her body in slight dissatisfaction, but her actions became more obedient.

“If there’s no problem, let’s go.”

Aimoer smiled at her and led the way out of the Adventurer’s Association.

***

At 3 PM, on the Royal Capital Plaza of Glory City.

Aimoer stood below a temporarily built ceremony stage.

Beside her were Senteli and—Ji Yu, another Holy Maiden Candidate who took second place in the final exam of the Most Holy Abbey.

For some reason, that person had been staring at her with dissatisfaction since they met.

‘Could it be that some arrogant fool is about to come provoke me and get a harsh slap in the face, a cliché plot?’

Aimoer felt a bit embarrassed, scratched her head, and ignored it.

She was still thinking about going to eat a small pudding after collecting the reward, so she had no time to bother with her.

Thump thump thump —

Accompanied by a burst of intense drumbeats, it announced the official start of the reward ceremony.

Aimoer stood upright below the stage, a trademark professional smile on her face.

Coupled with her naturally alluring aura, she immediately attracted the attention of many onlookers.

She quietly listened to the Pope’s speech until—

“It is now announced that Holy Maiden Candidate Senteli and Holy Maiden Candidate Aimoer have meritorious service in subjugating the Demon God. Each is awarded 100 gold coins and 1000 merit points.”

“Holy Maiden Candidate Ji Yu has meritorious service in eliminating bandits. Awarded 50 gold coins and 500 merit points.”

‘100 gold coins!’

Aimoer maintained a calm smile on her face, but her heart was already in turmoil.

‘That is… 1000 silver coins, 10000 copper coins, enough to buy 5000 puddings! Holy crap holy crap holy crap, this time I’m really going to rise up, I can really make a comeback!’

Aimoer excitedly spun around in her heart, and her tail wagged joyfully.

She calmly walked up to the Pope.

The usual burning sensation came, but Aimoer was so excited that she didn’t even feel it.

“May the Holy Light shine.”

“May the Holy Light shine.”

She accepted the reward, smoothly made the sign of the cross on her chest, and quietly stepped back a few steps to put some distance between herself and the Pope.

“These two Holy Maiden Candidates are truly amazing. They’ve accomplished such great merits just days after graduation. They really are chosen by the Holy Light.”

“Yeah, yeah. I think that purple-haired one is more approachable. When the Saintess Election comes, I’ll definitely vote for her.”

Listening to the praise from the believers below, Aimoer was slowly floating on cloud nine.

She seemed to recapture some of the feeling from her previous life of being revered by thousands.

This intoxication was as wonderful as ever.

At that moment, her eyes were fixed on the Pope, but she could strongly feel a resentful gaze stabbing at her from beside her, like a knife trying to skin her alive.

She snuck a glance and met Ji Yu’s resentful eyes.

Seeing that, the other quickly looked away, her neck slightly red.

‘I have a feeling some trouble is going to happen soon.’

Aimoer turned her gaze back, waited for the Pope to finish his blessing, and then quickly walked off the stage.

The Holy Light on the Pope was still scorching.

Aimoer rubbed a few reddened spots on her arm, grimaced, and sucked in a cold breath.

‘Good thing this time we were far apart without physical contact, otherwise I’d be in agony again like before.’

And now that she had money, she needed to quickly find a way to customize a set of Holy Light Armor.

She expected many more opportunities to go on stage to receive rewards.

Aimoer didn’t want to be burned to death on the ceremony stage someday.

Anyway, first, eat a small pudding and rest.

“Sen, want to come with me…”

Aimoer rubbed her hands together and turned, about to invite Senteli to eat pudding, when her vision suddenly distorted.

Then, a familiar voice sounded in her mind.

“Oh my, living the good life, aren’t you, dear?”

Her pupils dilated slightly.

She hastily swallowed the words in her mouth and, without waiting for Senteli’s reaction, turned around without hesitation and ran towards the nearby restroom.

“Ah, my stomach hurts. I suddenly feel unwell. Excuse me…”

Aimoer ran away holding her stomach, ducked into a restroom, locked the stall door, leaned against it, and slowly closed her eyes.

“What, are you done? Can you talk now?”

The familiar voice sounded again in Aimoer’s mind.

When she opened her eyes again, the familiar Dark Hall came into view.

In the center of the hall, a familiar figure was leaning sideways, looking at her with a smile.

“Yo, a rare visitor, Ouluola. I haven’t heard from you in so long. I thought you and that bastard Sula had packed up and run away.”

Ouluola’s phantom let out a silvery laugh.

“I would never do that. On the contrary, you’re the one flirting all around, living the good life.”

“What? Jealous?”

“No way.”

“I don’t believe you anyway.”

Aimoer crossed her arms, brushed her hair back, leaned in close to her, and said word by word.

“Alright, you don’t contact me often just for small talk. Just say it. What do you need me to do now?”