I, Who Came From the Abyss, Will Save Humanity Again Today - Volume 2 Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Rewards

 

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“However, before that, you need to have a suitable identity. Black hair and black eyes are symbols of the Valen Empire’s royal bloodline, which is quite troublesome… Can you change your appearance, like changing your hair color or something?”

 

I shook my head at these words. If I could change my appearance, I would have turned myself into a handsome and charming young man long ago. How could I possibly remain in this girlish form?

 

Engel pinched the bridge of his nose with his right hand, looking quite troubled.

 

“Carlos, do you have any good suggestions?”

 

“…Perhaps an illegitimate daughter of a prince?” Carlos shrugged indifferently.

 

“What a great suggestion you’ve got there.”

 

“Who told you to ask me? Please, I’m just a wandering swordsman, I naturally don’t get along with those power-wielding nobles. For matters like this, please trouble the Pope to think a bit harder.”

 

After saying this, Carlos fell silent. Pope Engel furrowed his brows, continuously turning his neck lost in thought. As for me, knowing little about this world’s situation, I couldn’t contribute much to the conversation, not knowing what to say.

 

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became silent.

 

After a while, Engel suddenly seemed to think of something interesting, a strange light flashed in his eyes, and an indescribable smirk appeared at the corners of his mouth. He quickly composed himself, straightened his expression, and looked at me quite solemnly.

 

Seeing this, I immediately assumed a vigilant posture. Although we’d only had brief contact, I already understood that this Pope was someone even more full of mischief than Carlos, someone who didn’t play by common sense at all.

 

Sure enough, this fellow opened his mouth and said something utterly astonishing.

 

“Little Charcoal, let me ask you something… can you be considered female? I mean, can you bear children?”

 

“Pfft——”

 

Engel blinked his emerald-colored big eyes, looking like a curious baby, while Carlos nearly spat out upon hearing this.

 

Feeling a bad premonition rising in my heart, I shook my head without hesitation, like a rattle drum, hurriedly waving my hands at him.

 

“No! Impossible! Don’t even think about it!”

 

“How come? Your vital signs appear no different from humans, there’s no reason you couldn’t… Don’t worry, you haven’t tried it yet, right? It doesn’t hurt, it feels quite good towards the end~”

 

The unscrupulous Pope had a lecherous expression, looking just like a sketchy old man trying to deceive an innocent girl of her chastity with honeyed words. It instantly scared me pale, and I stepped back two paces, looking at him in horror, hugging myself as my body trembled.

 

This guy… despite being the Pope, he couldn’t possibly have some strange thoughts about me, could he?!

 

“What, what, what do you want to do?” I was so frightened my tongue got tied.

 

“I was thinking, if we married you into the Valen Empire’s royal family, giving you the surname ‘Wintermoon’, wouldn’t the identity problem be solved?”

 

“…”

 

“You just want to see if humans and abyssal beings can mate.”

 

Carlos saw through Engel’s true intentions with one sentence, but was completely ignored by him.

 

The respected Pope stared at me intently with a benevolent gaze, trying hard to move his facial muscles to make his smile appear more approachable.

 

“How about it, doesn’t it sound great? The Valen Empire’s royal family has excellent bloodlines, their reputation for beauty is world-renowned, and the men are overly doting on their wives. So many girls are desperate to marry into the family. If you just agree, I guarantee you can take your pick among the princes, and surely they’ll make you…”

 

“Eeek——!!”

 

I didn’t let him finish his words, it was really unbearable, I couldn’t listen anymore. I let out a shriek, with a voice like warbling birds, though unfortunately at too high a pitch. Engel and Carlos both covered their ears, looking at me in shock.

 

“Ahem.” I cleared my somewhat painful throat, my gaze swept past Carlos’s face and stopped on Engel, taking a deep breath, “Say that again, and I’ll hit you.”

 

Damn!

 

I really held back my inner rage and spoke to him very gently. If it weren’t for the fact that this person before me was the Pope of the Holy Church, I would have already pushed him down and ground him into the floor. Marry me off? Bear children for a man? What kind of international joke is this? Such things make me nauseous just thinking about them. Rather than make me do this, you might as well kill me with one strike.

 

“Haha, you’re angry!” After hearing my words, Engel not only wasn’t angry but showed an even more interested expression, as if seeing something amusing. The frivolity between his brows made me very uncomfortable. “Alright, alright, since you’re unwilling, I won’t force you. How about this, I’ll think more about the identity issue, let’s talk about rewards first. Little Charcoal…”

 

“Sylvia.”

 

I corrected him again with an expressionless face.

 

“Little Charcoal rolls off the tongue better, don’t mind it. Names are just titles, they’re not important. You can call me Engel directly like Carlos does. With friends, I prefer to be more casual.”

 

“…”

 

What could I say?

 

Who’s your friend? Or are we that close?

 

Such a willful and arbitrary person, yet he happens to be the ruler of humans… Whatever, no need to care, let him do as he likes, it’s not like I’ll lose anything.

 

“Who’s your friend.”

 

Ah, Carlos said it.

 

“Carlos, even if you don’t consider me a friend, I still consider you a good brother, the kind that wet the bed together.”

 

Engel smiled carelessly without minding, looking at Carlos with a sly expression. This time, Carlos actually avoided his gaze.

 

“…Tch.”

 

There’s a story here!

 

My black eyes darted around, looking at Carlos then at Engel, corners of my mouth revealing a sneaky smile.

 

These two, couldn’t be…

 

“Little Syl, what are you thinking about?”

 

Carlos cast me a suspicious look.

 

“Nothing~”

 

“Back to the rewards. Little Charcoal, is there anything you want?”

 

Hearing Engel’s question, I only considered for half a second before resolutely deciding to follow my heart’s desire.

 

“Gold coins.”

 

“…”

 

I pretended not to see Carlos covering his face, my face slightly red as I stared intently at Engel.

 

In my previous life, I struggled desperately for this thing, my life’s biggest dream was to achieve financial freedom, yet I still couldn’t cross that huge threshold. Since I have the chance after being reborn, why should I let myself fail here twice?

 

Having enough money means having sufficient time and energy to do what one truly wants to do, I understand this principle better than anyone.

 

“Hahaha, Little Charcoal, you’re really interesting. I find myself liking you more and more.”

 

“But I… like gold coins.” I remained unmoved, anyone can say they like something.

 

“Don’t worry, how could gold coins be lacking? Pontifical Knights receive a monthly stipend of 30 gold coins from the Holy Church.”

 

“Thi… thirty pieces!”

 

My eyes immediately sparkled with countless little stars.

 

Thirty gold coins! Every month! You should know that Grandma Claire’s household expenses for an entire year don’t even use up one gold coin!

 

So the salary of a Pontifical Knight is this high!

 

Too wonderful~

 

“…Besides that, I’ll additionally reward you with 1 million gold coins as thanks for saving countless citizens of Sylgaria.”

 

Still immersed in the joy of the 30 gold coin salary, I was stunned when I heard this, thinking I must have misheard.

 

“How much?”

 

“1 million, about equal to a main city’s annual income.”

 

After saying this, Engel waited with interest for my reaction.

 

One million… one million!!!

 

I was so excited my face flushed red, too happy to know what to say, clenching my little fists and jumping up and down on the spot.

 

At this moment, the blonde man who had previously seemed repulsive to me seemed to be covered in a layer of dazzling golden light, becoming like a male god.

 

“Engel! You’re not fooling me!”

 

“Hey, don’t look at me like this, I’m still the Pope of the Holy Church after all, how could I possibly lie about such a small matter? Little Charcoal, are you looking down on me?”

 

“Mm-hmm!”

 

I looked at him with eyes full of admiration, nodding stupidly, too excited to speak.

 

“What an embarrassment…”

 

Seeing how I was so easily bought by Engel, Carlos tilted his head back somewhat helplessly and sighed deeply.

 

“If only other abyssal beings were as foolish as you, giving money would solve everything.”

 

“Alright, alright, gold coins are just a small matter.” Engel gently patted my shoulder, trying to calm me down. “Besides this, Little Charcoal, is there anything else you want?”

 

“Huh? What?”

 

With my mind full of only the three words “I, Sylvia, rich,” I hadn’t yet recovered my senses from the immense joy.

 

“I said, you’ll get the gold coins. I’ve also arranged a house for you in Order City to facilitate your life there. Besides these, you can make one more request to me, as a reward beyond the knighthood.”

 

“Oh, let me think.”

 

This time I finally heard Engel’s words clearly, and I fell into contemplation.

 

One more reward, what should I ask for?

 

I have money now, and a house too, life is perfect. Right now I just want to find a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters, bring grandmother and Barry over, and enjoy life to the fullest.

 

But what about Elia…

 

Wait.

 

I suddenly calmed down.

 

I am… here to kill monsters.

 

Blinded by money, I actually forgot such an important thing… This appearance, would surely disappoint them.

 

“A weapon.”

 

After my mood settled, I slowly said.

 

“A weapon? With so many gold coins what weapon couldn’t you buy, why waste this opportunity?”

 

Engel was somewhat confused, unable to understand why I made such a request.

 

I shook my head at him.

 

“A powerful, weapon. Not a sword, but a scythe.”

 

“…A scythe?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“She used a farming Shandao when fighting against endless abyssal beings in the village before. This kind of weapon belongs to the category of exotic weapons, it’s hard to buy suitable ones with gold coins.” Carlos interjected timely.

 

“Hmm… exotic weapon. Little Charcoal, are you sure you want this as your reward?”

 

I looked at Engel seriously and nodded heavily.

 

“Then let’s make her the best one. Engel, you know who to find.”

 

“The exotic weapon master at Shanter Castle? Lord Scalliger?”

 

Engel stroked his chin.

 

“Mm-hmm.”

 

“That eccentric old man, would he easily agree… wait.” Engel had a flash of inspiration and revealed a strange smile. “Haha! I’ve thought of a brilliant idea… Alright, let’s do it this way. Little Charcoal, it seems before going to Order City, you’ll need to visit Winter City of the Valen Empire first.”

 

…………