Conquest Complete, So Why Is the Affection Dropping? - Chapter 12
“I am Venom, Shin Joo. I will serve you with utmost devotion.”
Holy Knight Venom bowed respectfully to me. With dirty blonde hair and grey eyes, he was said to be Hexion’s peer.
Being a game character, he was naturally good-looking, but after seeing Hexion and Kaint who naturally radiated their own aura, even Venom’s perfectly decent face left me feeling nothing.
‘Seeing Hexion’s face was my joy, what will motivate me to work now.’
But it hadn’t even been a day, and I didn’t have the nerve to go back on my word. Besides, it was a senior priest’s recommendation, and maybe having an overly sexy man nearby would make me lose my mind again.
Perhaps it’s better to associate with such a tension-free extra character normally.
“Yes, I look forward to working with you.”
“I’ve always wanted to serve you up close. I thought you were an incredibly beautiful person.”
Getting something like flirting from a man who wasn’t even a romance target made me feel strange. This game really seems to have chosen the wrong genre.
“Is that so? I haven’t been close with the knights until now. I’ve never even visited the training grounds.”
“I was there when you placed the barrier around the Holy City’s walls, Shin Joo.”
Was he?
I remember knights following along, but I considered everyone who wasn’t Hexion as extras, so I didn’t pay attention to their faces.
“I’m sorry. I’m not very good at remembering faces.”
“That’s alright. From now on, you’ll remember me as a face you see every day.”
His gentle response made the conversation flow easily. Time flew by as I chatted with Venom, and lunchtime had passed before I knew it.
“It’s time for Healing Time. We should get going.”
“Yes, Shin Joo. Please wear this.”
Venom brought a white shawl and placed it on my shoulders. It was semi-transparent and rustling material, light as a feather but warm with air trapped inside.
“Did I have such a shawl?”
“It’s a gift from me.”
Ah. So he’s networking.
“Thank you, Venom. I’ll use it well.”
“Shall we go then, Shin Joo?”
As we opened the door and came out, a red-haired priest approached nervously from around the corner.
“Shin Joo, where are you heading?”
“I’m going to the East Plaza for Healing Time.”
“How about wearing this today?”
The red-haired priest held out a flower crown to me. A fresh floral scent wafted from the crown made of woven white flowers. Unable to ignore the priest’s sparkling eyes, I ended up putting it on.
“You look beautiful, Shin Joo.”
“Th-thank you.”
After I gave my thanks, the priest’s eyes reddened as they bowed and scurried away down the corridor.
As I descended the stairs, a holy knight with brown hair tied in a ponytail approached and bowed to me.
“You look exceptionally beautiful today, Shin Joo. Are you going to heal the believers?”
“Ah? Yes.”
“Then please wear this. It will make your appearance shine even more.”
The brown-haired knight handed me a thin ring bracelet. Feeling awkward as the bracelet wrapped around my wrist with a clinking sound, I waved my hand, making him beam with joy.
“It suits you perfectly, Shin Joo. The believers will be moved by your beautiful appearance.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you…”
By the time we crossed the colonnade, passed through the garden arch, and arrived at the East Plaza where believers gathered, Venom and I were carrying armfuls of gifts.
This was my first time receiving so many gifts at once.
“What is all this?”
“These are our feelings for you, Shin Joo.”
“Huh?”
Why this sudden change when it’s never happened before? It’s not like I achieved anything special.
As I tilted my head in confusion, Venom cleared his throat.
“Until now, we couldn’t give them to you because Hexion blocked us.”
“Hexion did? Why?”
“That guy was trying to monopolize your favor by keeping us in check.”
“Come on, that’s nonsense.”
Isn’t this the same Hexion who sharply blocked my advances? What favor? When I think about how he looked at me with disdain whenever I accidentally made sexually harassing remarks in front of him, I still want to kick off my blankets in frustration even while sleeping.
Even his service to me was just out of loyalty to a superior, wasn’t it? I still can’t forget his expressionless face from that time.
The reality check hit so hard then that I don’t even feel desire anymore. I might be able to remain celibate for life if asked to.
After finishing Healing Time, we had some time left, so I went around the West Plaza with Venom for a walk.
A massive gate stood prominently in the middle of the West Plaza.
‘Ah, that.’
I remembered something I’d forgotten. Right, I got the ancient language decoding skill.
I had planned to return to the temple and activate the gate right away back then, but I got caught up in the power struggle between the High Priest and the Admiral and forgot about it.
‘Now that I have nothing else to do, should I try fixing that?’
Quests don’t disappear unless completed, and it wouldn’t be bad to raise my reputation while at it.
Plus, maybe Hexion might see me differently if he watches me show off my abilities.
Also, who knows? Since it’s a warp gate, maybe we could instantly travel to distant places now. We might even be able to jump straight to the Admiral’s castle by the sea.
“Should we try fixing that next?”
“You mean the warp gate? The method of operation has been lost for hundreds of years, making it just a relic.”
“I know. But I want to try anyway.”
What’s the point of having skills if you don’t use them? It’s not like I’m cooking soup with them.
I approached the warp gate. The West Plaza was much larger than the East Plaza, but there were hardly any people passing through due to access restrictions for preserving the relic.
“Shin Joo, are you planning to fix the gate now?”
“Hmm… no.”
I wanted to show Hexion me fixing this, but I had no legitimate reason to call him separately. I also wasn’t confident about facing him properly yet.
“It is an ancient relic after all. Maybe if priests and holy knights pray together, the divine power will be amplified for better results.”
“I see! As expected, you’re so wise, Shin Joo!”
Using Shin Joo’s abilities raises reputation, but if no one sees it, no matter how impressive the ability, there’s no change in reputation stats.
I made up that excuse since it wouldn’t be efficient with only Venom watching, but his sincere admiration made me feel solemn.
“Since you’ve made such a grand decision, I, as your assistant, must give it my all.”
“What are you planning to do, Venom?”
“Not only will I gather all priests and holy knights, but I’ll also arrange for all Holy City residents to witness your great achievement!”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
“I, Venom, am deeply moved by your decisiveness and wish to learn from it, so please don’t worry.”
“You’ve gone way beyond learning at this point…”
I just wanted to raise my reputation, but somehow things are getting out of hand.
***
There was a reason Priest Baal introduced him. Once Venom got motivated, he would see things through to the end.
He passionately presented my ancient relic restoration show as an agenda at the temple meeting and managed to gain unanimous support from the priests and holy knights.
Both the East and West Plazas of the temple were opened, and Holy City residents began entering the temple.
Without access control, it became like a packed marketplace. After receiving reports about the crowd in the plaza, I repeatedly requested measures to prevent safety accidents.
‘But… if I fail with the skill, it’ll be like broadcasting my humiliation live in front of the entire population.’
I suddenly felt anxious. It might be a needless worry, but this system has always been as enthusiastic about my embarrassment as Venom is about everything. I couldn’t feel at ease.
‘This won’t do. I need to prepare myself mentally too!’
I looked at the table. Today again, there were rows of gifts left by priests and holy knights I’d never met before.
Hair combs, mirrors, perfume, lip oil, hair pins…
It seemed strange that there weren’t any money-making events despite having a currency system, but perhaps in this game, the way to increase your money is by selling your possessions.
Would you like to heartlessly sell the thoughtful gifts from the temple’s priests and holy knights?
Yes / No
‘That’s just a figure of speech. Don’t be so quick to accuse!’
I gave the accusatory status window the finger while it seemed opportune, then picked up the mirror.
‘Indeed, I’m not lacking in looks by any standard.’
This being a game and having seen premium handsome men like Hexion and Kaint right after possession, I hadn’t realized it, but my looks aren’t particularly inferior.
I hadn’t worn makeup since possessing this body. Partly because this being a temple meant there was a culture of looking down on bodily adornments typical of religious facilities, but there was a more decisive reason.
It was because ‘improving appearance’ had minimal impact on gaining romance targets’ affection.
Dating game conquests usually progress with the story. The entirety of conquest was about throwing appropriate lines at the right timing to stir their hearts and showing suitable abilities to make them fall for you.
But having looks as an additional weapon couldn’t hurt. Especially for someone like me who gets easily swayed by appearances.
‘Alright. This time I’ll go out wearing makeup.’
When I first became a university student, my technique was lacking so my makeup always looked cakey, but now that I’ve experienced society, I’m confident in my makeup skills.
I’ll show them the power of a working adult!
***
“Oh my, Shin Joo…”
“Do I look strange?”
“You look absolutely beautiful!”
Venom gave me two thumbs up with sparkling eyes. While I’m happy to receive praise, it’s a bit embarrassing.
There’s nowhere to escape from the situation that’s already unfolded. I walked majestically toward the plaza lined with two columns.
‘Hexion is here too.’
It was natural since all priests and holy knights were gathering, but he was standing alone, somewhat separated from the other knights.
“Shin Joo has arrived!”
At Venom’s voice, all priests and holy knights turned toward me. Hexion’s gaze also turned to me. Our eyes met.
‘Huh?’
