The Pervert Priest’s Pious Pledge

“Hey, hey, hey, kneeling so quickly? Isn’t that a bit… much?”

Iqiyah found herself rather astonished by Shulk, who had dropped to his knees in a mere second.

She had witnessed countless adventurers collapse in terror, but never before had she seen someone kneel with such instantaneous speed.

And… why was this fellow operating alone? Wasn’t it customary for adventurers to form parties of four or five?

Upon closer inspection, the man before her wore a white priest’s robe, adorned with gold trim, and clutched a standard copper priest’s staff. Aside from his somewhat unusual black hair, he appeared to be nothing more than a common priest.

‘Do priests even possess any combat prowess?’ she mused.

‘Wait, no, his level is still 1? What in the world is going on?’

How dared a Level 1 priest wander about in the formidable Blood Manor? What exactly was his background?

As Iqiyah observed the man, riddled with such contradictions, a distinct sense of curiosity began to stir within her.

“Get up, quickly! Are you not a man? Do you possess no backbone?”

She raised her exquisite, white-silk-clad foot, using the sharp tip of her black high heel to gently nudge Shulk’s chin upward, allowing her to meticulously examine his features.

‘Hmm… quite handsome, fair-skinned and well-proportioned. Indeed, a face I find rather appealing.’

“Ugh… you’ve completely misunderstood me!”

Iqiyah froze, taken aback. This was an answer she had utterly failed to anticipate. She had fully expected pleas for mercy or abject submission, but… what was this man attempting to do?

Observing Iqiyah’s momentary bewilderment, Shulk hastily interjected, “Please, grant me an opportunity to explain!”

‘An explanation? I was merely toying with him, yet this human dares to request a chance to explain? How utterly audacious.’

Facing such an egregious transgression, Iqiyah’s brows furrowed deeply.

Despite her simmering displeasure, her burgeoning curiosity ultimately prevailed over her sense of dignity. She resolved to grant this human a single opportunity.

“You are overstepping your bounds, human.” Iqiyah’s eyes were glacial, gleaming with a chilling light. “I shall give you one chance. Speak clearly.”

“If you fail to provide me with a satisfactory answer… I will kill you!”

“It’s like this, Lady Iqiyah!”

Shulk’s voice carried a hint of excitement, or perhaps, a touch of nervousness.

In truth, however, it was nothing more than a meticulously crafted performance.

He gazed down at the Blood Princess before him, or more accurately, his eyes were fixed on the information panel displayed by his [All-Seeing Eye] skill.

The instant he glimpsed Iqiyah’s character sheet, a precise strategy for his survival crystallized in his mind!

Iqiyah Scarlett, the Blood Princess who bore the [True Ancestor’s Blood], was recognized as the most formidable known entity among the extant vampires. Her standing within the bloodline was surpassed only by the elusive True Ancestor themselves.

Her disposition was rather childlike: playful and intensely curious, she possessed a penchant for collecting anything she deemed intriguing.

Moreover… perhaps owing to her childlike nature, she harbored a profound interest in lewdness.

Yet, due to her elevated status as a Blood Princess, others either cowered in overwhelming fear or showed her excessive deference. No one dared to engage her in conversation about her true interests, let alone delve into deeper discussions, which frequently left her feeling a profound sense of loneliness.

Consequently, she was often left to indulge her lewd interests by herself. While mindful of her noble identity and refraining from creating a public diary, she frequently engaged in spontaneous creative endeavors, seeking an outlet for her unique tastes.

For example, the suggestive attire she currently wore had been personally designed by her. She often derived a peculiar satisfaction when adventurers beheld her outfit, a sentiment perhaps shared with certain Japanese exhibitionists.

Beyond that, this individual also carried numerous… common ailments peculiar to vampires, giving her an almost middle-aged aura.

‘Ugh… this [All-Seeing Eye] truly provides an overwhelming amount of information. It’s almost like installing surveillance cameras inside someone’s home…’

However, that was of secondary importance. Having absorbed the data, Shulk’s mind whirred into rapid motion; he had already formulated a precise counter-strategy.

To ensure his survival, he absolutely had to capitalize on her playful, acquisitive nature. Her inherent loneliness also presented a critical point to exploit.

He needed to make Iqiyah perceive him as genuinely interesting, to transform himself into one of her treasured possessions!

Fortunately, as things stood, his dramatic slide-kneel had already yielded partial success. Iqiyah had not immediately devoured him, indicating a high probability that he had piqued her interest.

Therefore, his next move might involve addressing her “loneliness,” simultaneously upholding her dignity while subtly conveying his approval… this approach might just dissolve her solitude!

“I am but a humble priest, and I have long since heard of Lady Iqiyah’s formidable reputation from distant lands. It is my fervent desire to come here and pledge my unwavering allegiance to you, Lady Iqiyah!”

“While the outside world spreads tales of your might as a formidable BOSS, instilling fear in all who hear, I am different…”

“From the very first moment I heard your esteemed name, I was utterly captivated by your unparalleled beauty and immense power!”

“Yet, what truly enthralls me the most… is your exquisite aesthetic appreciation for lewdness!”

“Eh?”

Iqiyah blinked repeatedly, her eyes wide. Faced with Shulk’s seamless barrage of compliments, she was clearly struggling to process his words.

“If I could but receive your divine grace and be counted among your esteemed subordinates, then even death itself would be a worthwhile price to pay!”

Iqiyah’s mind momentarily crashed. In her millennia of existence, she had never once encountered an individual who pledged their allegiance to her in such an utterly unique fashion.

“Oh, my, you…”

“I have always known Lady Iqiyah’s beauty to be peerless in this world, her influence sweeping like a sudden storm, her methods decisive as thunder. She is truly a paramount figure among the Bloodline, a veritable hero among demon lords.”

“But for such a formidable being… to find solace only in the realm of lewdness, and alone at that, what an immense pity!”

“I came here today… no! The singular purpose of my very existence, the sole reason for my birth, is to join Lady Iqiyah’s command! To assist you! To enlighten you!”

“Ah, if only I could join your esteemed ranks, I would assuredly fulfill my life’s ultimate mission…!”

As he uttered these words, Shulk dramatically tilted his head skyward, portraying an expression of absolute devotion.

“This… this…”

Iqiyah clutched her crimson cheeks, her small feet excitedly tapping on the ground, nearly treading mere centimeters from Shulk’s crotch – a near miss that would have surely ‘separated his brothers’.

This very outfit was, indeed, her own personal design, and she had always harbored a secret hope that someone would truly notice it.

Now, her original intent had been articulated by Shulk with such piercing accuracy. The sensation of her private desires being so overtly exposed made her face burn scarlet, yet simultaneously, her heart swelled with an indescribable exhilaration… this was far more satisfying than solitary amusement!

“You’ve made me terribly embarrassed with your words…”

She felt utterly disarmed, like a raw recruit completely ensnared by Shulk’s verbal bait, left with no means to retaliate.

She could feel the proud fortifications of her heart rapidly approaching their breaking point, and a chilling premonition warned her that the man before her was poised to deliver his final, decisive strike.

‘No… don’t… I am a Blood Princess. To be swayed by a mere human’s few words is simply…’

Instinctively, she averted her gaze, unwilling to be further captivated by this unfamiliar man.

Then, a peculiar sensation, transmitted through the fine leather of her shoe, tingled through her toes.

She cast her eyes downward, only to witness Shulk prostrated on the ground, his face a mask of pure rapture as he licked her immaculate black high heels.

“Ah, Lady Iqiyah, I utterly adore you!”

“Iya-ya-ya-ya-ya! Stop licking that!”

Her feverish brain barely managed to muster a sliver of rationality. Iqiyah frantically tugged at what could scarcely be called the hem of her skirt, desperately trying to conceal her body.

Though this very garment had been her personal creation, designed to project an image of both lewdness and formidable power, at this precise moment, that carefully cultivated image had become an overwhelming source of shame she yearned to shed.

Nevertheless… despite her outward evasion, her heart swelled with an uncontrollable delight.

‘Finally… finally, someone noticed, ehehehe~’

‘Such a pervert… he must be a kindred spirit, a fellow traveler in depravity.’

‘I’ve truly stumbled upon a treasure~’

A whirlwind of pleasure and nervousness completely overwhelmed Iqiyah’s senses. Without another thought, she extended a hand and swiftly clenched it. Shulk’s body instantly felt an immense pressure; this force constricted his limbs, slowly lifting him, until he floated suspended in mid-air.

“Lady Iqiyah! Are you truly going to take me in? Oh, I’m overjoyed!”

“You, you, you just silence yourself, right now!!!”

Iqiyah immediately cast a spell, sealing Shulk’s incessant mouth. Then, while pointedly avoiding Shulk’s fervent gaze, she seized him by the collar and fled as if pursued, dashing into the deepest reaches of the Blood Manor.