6. Richard
The Saintess’s own brother, Richard.
Reina remembered Richard as a responsible, moral, sunny, and cheerful cleric, just like the Saintess. His straightforward personality would have made him like a brother to the protagonist. And this Richard could be “poached” through certain means.
Level 70, considered top-tier among humans. He had the potential to reach level 90 and above, a rather important character in the original main storyline.
But seeing Richard now, Reina almost laughed.
—Where did this hooligan come from?
Years of using addictive herbs had made him look like a withered corpse. Forget about wielding a sword, even walking was a difficult task for him. To avoid falling, his “brothers in misery” would seemingly help him, but as they were all addicts, if one fell, they all fell, a comical sight.
“Richard? You should be practicing in the church right now…”
Saintess Agnes still didn’t dare to look Richard in the eye.
“My dear sister, those spells are too easy for me. I’m just out here taking a break, aren’t I?”
“…” The Saintess remained silent, her face filled with sorrow.
Just then, Richard glanced at the bishop beside the Saintess, Lei… Reina’s clone.
“Well, well, isn’t this the new bishop of the Church of Light, Miss Lei? You’ve progressed so quickly, climbing to this position in just a month!”
“You should buy my sister some sunflower seeds!”
“Hahahahaha—!”
At the same time, the few Holy Knight lackeys behind Richard laughed mockingly.
Reina remained unfazed.
“We’ve all witnessed Bishop Lei’s strength. Humanity has been able to fight until now all thanks to her.”
The Saintess finally couldn’t hold back any longer, but she still seemed powerless against Richard.
Richard’s expression was playful: “Is that so, my excellent sister? Are you hallucinating? Which battle wasn’t I at the forefront of?”
“And you, you completely ignored my contributions and focused all your attention on this woman.”
“Is she your long-lost mother?”
“Hahaha…”
Saying that, Richard walked forward, grabbed the Saintess’s golden hair, and forcefully pulled her in front of him. The Saintess immediately took a few steps back, but Richard didn’t let go, and took out a sharp pair of scissors.
“Consider this your repayment to me, hahaha!”
But the Saintess shook her head, made a praying gesture, and began to silently chant. At the same time, her slightly furrowed brows relaxed, and her complexion improved, as if she had returned to her former self, the Saintess with no worldly desires.
Seeing that she had no particular reaction, Richard grew bored.
He messed up the Saintess’s hair and cut off a few strands with the scissors.
Only then did he let go, satisfied.
This didn’t make the Saintess look ugly. Compared to her head of golden hair, it was just a drop in the ocean, but it did reveal the bruise on her forehead.
Seeing the bruise, Richard laughed even more maniacally.
He was just showing off.
—Look, the great Saintess is just a worthless toy in front of me!
In the Church of Light, Richard was someone who could do whatever he wanted, relying on the Saintess. He knew his position was thanks to his sister, so he didn’t bother to continue insulting the bishop. After venting his frustration from his bets with his brothers, he took out a cigarette case, lit an old cigar, and left, whistling.
Before leaving, he threw out a sentence.
“As expected of a Saintess without any feelings.”
The Saintess never looked up.
She couldn’t bring herself to harm her family.
Even though she didn’t show any sadness, Reina knew that the word “mother” had angered her greatly, yet she didn’t dare say anything to her brother, her only family.
Reina had a very good plan to get this Saintess back on track.
“Wait, Mr. Richard.”
Reina showed a gentle smile.
When Richard turned around, he was almost captivated by this beautiful bishop, but in the next 0.5 seconds, he felt an intense pressure. He instantly fell to the ground, pointing at Reina but unable to speak.
“You…! You…?”
In that instant, he seemed to see a huge black shadow standing behind this bishop.
The moment he felt any attraction, that black shadow would extend its sharp claws and leave a deep scar on his soul.
It was as if this bishop was possessed by something.
Richard’s reaction wasn’t unexpected to Reina. The mark Calysia had placed on her would prevent anyone from feeling any romantic attraction towards her. If they were attracted by Reina’s own cute appearance, they would receive the same punishment.
But Reina’s punishment for Richard wasn’t just this.
“Richard, you look terrible.”
“What?”
“It’s said that when people are close to demonification, their skin becomes dry and withered, their spirit weak, and their faith in the Goddess of Light wanes.”
“You look just like that now.”
Richard was startled.
Not because she had said these things.
Richard knew he was an addict. Ever since he became addicted to these drugs due to humanity’s failures, he had been in a state of despair.
What surprised him was that Bishop Lei dared to say so much to him, the Saintess’s brother, and even remained expressionless, calm and composed!
Richard glanced at the Saintess, then at Reina, spat on the ground, and gave her an angry look. But he knew that Bishop Lei must have some connection with the Saintess, so he could only endure.
—When the Cardinals have a meeting, I’ll humiliate this Bishop Lei in public.
But his desire for revenge vanished in just a moment.
Bishop Lei extended one hand, and instantly, he felt his breathing stop.
It was as if someone had squeezed his internal organs, making him unable to “breathe.”
Suddenly, his already weakened mind became drowsy due to the lack of oxygen, and he collapsed on the ground.
[Gravity]
The clone could use a portion of the main body’s power. Squeezing a seemingly level 70 human to death was more than enough. Plus, Richard, having been immersed in alcohol and drugs for many years, had long lost the ability to resist, leaving him with only the identity of “the Saintess’s brother.”
“Eh, Mr. Richard, Mr. Son, wake up!”
The Holy Knights on the side rushed forward and surrounded their master. Everyone present thought he was having a drug withdrawal and quickly handed the golden-haired man some strange powder.
Yes, Reina’s method was simple.
Just let Richard leave this world.
She had originally wanted to use these fallen humans, but seeing Richard in this state, she dismissed the idea of making him a subordinate.
The Saintess’s weakness was that she was too soft-hearted.
“Lady Lei…!”
Only the Saintess saw what Reina was doing. She extended her hand slightly, as if to stop Reina, but it stopped mid-air.
Reina smiled:
“If you’re not willing to do it, I’ll do it for you.”
“But…”
The Saintess looked up excitedly, wanting to say something, but was immediately interrupted by Reina.
“You’re actually happy, aren’t you, Miss Saintess?”
“You put on a holy appearance, following faith and doctrine.”
“But you’ve long wanted Richard to die.”
“Look how happy you are smiling~”
