Taking Over the Church <2-in-1>

There is a drawbridge strung between the castle and the town. Crossing it, I get my first real view of the town.

Granted, I've gotten a little glimpse of it from the window previously, but standing there now, in the middle of it all, I really start to feel like I've come to a different world.

The cobblestone streets are lined with stone buildings, many of which are furnished with wooden signs. There are appetizing smells wafting from many directions at once.

(Are those the smells of freshly baked bread? Well, whatever.)

After stopping my nonsensical thinking, I turn my attention to my Legendary Bow.

"Could you lead me to the Hourglass?"

I've expected her to reply through a message screen, but she transforms into her humanoid form. She's already wearing her white one-piece after the light of her transformation dissipated.

Her dress is something I created using Omnipotence. It's similar to Filo's transformable dress in the source materials. No, it's better than Filo's dress. If someone appraises it, they will discover that its rarity is beyond Legendary. It's written as unmeasurable because I intended to be able to endure the Multiversal-Class attack. Also, I added many Multiversal-Class enchantments. When she transforms into her Legendary Bow form, the dress will turn into a long white ribbon that warps the bow's curved shaft.

All that aside, back to the present.

"You meant the Red-Sand Hourglass of the Dragon's Era?" She clarifies while grabbing my arm.

"Yeah."

"Follow me," she tells me curtly and starts dragging me somewhere.

As we make our way to the Church, the tall clock tower at the edge of the castle town becomes clearer. That's our destination, I suppose.

We are walking to that location while gathering the attention of the passersby. They are attracted by my fancy outfit and Artemis's beauty. But, we disregard the attention that we've gathered, and enjoy the comfortable silence between us.

Also, I see some demi-humans and Filolials on our way. I quickly lose my interest in Filolial because they look like an ostrich from Earth, but I'm fascinated by those demi-human's animal appendages.

I know that those demi-humans are slaves. There are some demi-children forced to do labor. I try to mind my own business and ignore the pitiful scene despite my desire to help those demi-children.

I'm a selfish asshole who's addicted to sex, but I'm drawing a line regarding children. They are precious because they can be both adorable and exasperating. Either way, I hold my desire to help those abused demi-children on the leash. I soothe my small conscience by promising that I'm going to change their treatment in public after I conquered this country.

We arrive at our destination. There is a large building, something like a church with a domed roof, and the clock tower extended from the top of the dome. The doors to the building are open, and people come and go as they please.

There are women dressed like nuns, and they shoot us awed and fascinated glances. They must have heard about us.

An attractive mature nun approaches us. I can see strands of brown hair from her veil. She has blue eyes, fair skin, and near the perfect figure that her one-piece nun outfit accentuates. She just screams MILF and is in my strike zone.

After stopping in front of us, she greets us with a smooth and soothing voice, "You two would be Bow Hero and the Spi—"

"Artemis. Call me Artemis. Hero gave me that name." Artemis interrupts the nun abruptly.

"Please forgive me, Lady Artemis." The nun apologizes in a hurry, flustered.

"Don't mistake in referring me again," says Artemis in a tone that sounds like a scolding for a child.

Instead of angry, the nun seems over the moon. It makes me wonder if the nun is a masochist behind her prim and proper appearance. I want to find out her kink in the bed. Alas, I'm here for business. Perhaps, after I conquered this land, I'll invite her to my bed and find out her kink.

Since I'm one of her worshiped icons, she won't refuse the 'honor' of accompanying me at night.

"So, what we can do for you, Lord Bow Hero, Lady Artemis?"

I stop my nonsensical thoughts after hearing the nun's question.

"Can you lead us to the Dragon Hourglass?" I inquire in return.

"Please follow me."

After that, Artemis and I follow after the nun. I am enjoying how her plump rear sway. They are so bubbly and meaty that she doesn't need to intentionally sway her hips to make them look enticing. She leads us deeper into the church, and there in the center is a giant hourglass.

It looks to be around seven meters tall and is covered in detailed decorations that lent the whole thing a holy, mystical feel. Actually, it has the same appearance as the anime version of the Dragon Hourglass.

Artemis and I approach the massive hourglass. We stop under it, and Artemis releases her right hand from my arm. Her other hand is still holding my arm. She raises her palm to the hourglass and shoots light to illuminate a jewel that is affixed to the center of the hourglass. Then, a small timer appears in the corner of my field of vision. It seems I have several weeks until the next Wave hits Melromarc.

I turn in the nun's direction and say, "Could you call the High Priest? I have an important thing to discuss with him."

"I shall notify the High Priest. Would you like to wait in a more appropriate location? I can prepare some refreshments while you are waiting for the High Priest's arrival."

I accept the nun's offer, and she leads us somewhere. After a while, Artemis and I sit down in intricate chairs around a white marble table. The nun has left to call the High Priest, but she quickly returns with a tray filled with teapot, cups, and snacks. She places them on the table and pours the steaming hot tea into our cup. Then, she takes several steps back and stands there, waiting for another call to her service.

Inspecting the cup, I wonder if the tea is poisoned or drugged. My paranoia is normal since I know that the High Priest won't think twice killing us, heroes his religion worshipped if we aren't as their belief portrayed to be.

"The tea isn't drugged. Don't worry," says Artemis before sipping her tea elegantly.

Artemis's blunt announcement surprises me. I look up from my cup and turn in the nun's direction to see her reaction. As I've expected, she doesn't take it well. Her face that looks like the face of the Holy Mother shows a scandalized expression as if the idea of drugging me is preposterous.

I quickly shoot her an apologetic smile and then start explaining, saying, "Sorry if you're offended by my paranoid behavior. You must understand that I'm in a different world and don't know if I'm really safe."

"Don't worry about it, Hero. I understand," says the nun after recovering.

"If you don't mind, would you introduce yourself. The High Priest seems to be late, and we have nothing to do in the meantime. Anyway, my name is Roland Quinto, and as you know, I'm summoned here as the Hero of the Bow. She's my partner, Artemis. The Spirit of the Legendary Bow."

"It's an honor, Hero. My name is Eleonora Bern. I'm 28 years old, and have been a priestess in this hallowed hall for more than a decade."

After that, we have a small chat to kill time. I am trying to get closer to this MILF-like nun. I said MILF-like because she's surprisingly still a virgin despite she's almost hits 30. She was a former daughter of a noble family. She joined the Church because she was arranged to marry a Lord from a more prestigious noble family who she didn't like.

As Eleonora and I have our chat, Artemis is content listening and snacking. She suddenly stops and turns in the direction of the doors after a while.

"Several people are approaching," she reports to me.

I nod at her, accepting her report. Inwardly, I'm wondering if one of them is the High Priest.

After waiting for a bit, one person walks into the room. I immediately realize that he's the High Priest of Three Heroes religion. He looks similar to his anime counterpart.

The moment he enters my field of vision, I'm immediately on guard. He is giving me the wrong vibe. Granted, I've expected this reaction, knowing what kind of person the High Priest is.

Wasting no time, I use my Omnipotence to turn him into a loyal, devoted, and worshipful minion. No one, except for Artemis who senses the change in the High Priest, knows what I've done.

(I'll explain later. For now, just be silent.) I send a telepathic message to Artemis. In return, she replies via the message screen.

[Understood.]

As he approaches us, the High Priest increases his pace. His fake genial smile turns genuine. He stops not far from my chair and prostrates to me, surprising Eleonora who lets out a soft gasp.

"I, Biscas, the High Priest of this hallowed place of worship, feel blessed to be in the presence of Your Holiness."

I let my satisfied smirk adorn my expression. Then, I speak in return, "Be at ease, High Priest Biscas. As a man of faith, you needn't debase yourself before us."

"Impossible! You're above me, your Holiness. I'm not worthy!"

I quickly feel irked by his incessant groveling and ass-kissing. I regret turning him into this. But, I need him for my plan.

However, I feel slightly surprised because the shadows haven't dropped to apprehend me due to Biscas' strange behaviors. Even if they attack me, I can easily disable them.

"As one of your worshipped icons, I command you to stop debasing yourself. You've shown yourself to be faithful, and you're worthy to stand and act normal in my presence."

"Truly, I'm honored, Your Holiness!" He sheds tears of gratitude and raises his body slowly. After straightening his posture, he asks, "So, what could this humble one do for you, Your Holiness?"

"First, take a seat. It'll be uncomfortable to talk if you're standing there."

"By your will, your holiness. Excuse me..." Biscas walks to and sits down on the empty chair across the table. Our positions are facing each other.

"By the way," I turn in Eleonora's direction, "I'm sorry for this, but I need to speak with High Priest Biscas in private."

"No! You don't need to apologize, your holiness. I shall excuse myself." Eleonora replies while copying Biscas' way of calling me.

Her lovely face has turned red. She seems ashamed because she lacks humility and proper behavior in front of her worshipped icon that Biscas has excessively shown in my presence.

(Hmmm... I think I'm going to add her to my harem. In fact, I can use her as my future Head Priestess after Biscas retired.) I think as Eleonora walks off.

After Eleonora left the room, the doors are closed. I guess the hidden shadows have closed the doors with magic. I know about their presence because I believe in Artemis's report. She's told me that several people approaching this room. Yet, it's only Biscas. From that, I've deduced that the other presences belong to Shadows guarding Biscas.

"Your Holiness, would you like for the Shadows in the room to leave?" Biscas offers to me, surprising me. I never expected him to do so. I shouldn't have been surprised by his loyalty, I suppose.

I contemplate my answer for a bit. "Yeah. Tell them to stay outside of the room. It's better if there is no one listening to our discussion."

"By your will, Your Holiness." Biscas nods dutifully and shouts to the hidden shadows, "Leave us!"

I wait for a while before turning in Artemis's direction. Sensing my gaze, she stops her snacking and gives me a faint nod, telling me that those shadows have truly left this room.

And yet, I'm still paranoid. Using my Omnipotence, I create a transparent soundproofed barrier around the table. Now, I'm ready.

"Head Priest Biscas," I begin, looking into Biscas' closed eyes behind his round glasses, "You must help me to turn this Matriarchal Country into a Theocracy with me as the ruler and you as my right hand."