**English Translation and Rewritten Version:**
**Chapter 40 (40/515)**
**Name:** Peta Lucius
**Occupation:** High Priest of the Southern Branch of the Grand Celestial Temple
**Level:** 48
**Stats**
Strength: 132
Agility: 111
Intelligence: 158
Luck: 112
I compared my stats with Eve's once more, lost in thought. Could I win this? With the waves between us, a surprise attack from my side was impossible. Worse, the Hero was tied up beside Eve, and any misstep could put her in danger.
"So... you're the High Priest, huh? At least you're more honest than the others, right?"
"Indeed. I hold the humble position of Southern High Priest and strive to live up to it."
"Fine. One question: Who's the Hero's lover?"
The Hero blushed and turned away. Even my crew seemed baffled by Eve's casual tone, glancing at me in confusion. I had no idea why she was asking this. Was she really into lesbian NTR?
"Princess Erina of Ahildern."
"A princess? For real? Damn, she's a big catch."
Eve smirked, stroking the Hero's head. The Hero whispered something to her, and Eve shook her head, replying:
"No. Hearing that changed my mind. If I don't release you, the princess will come to save you, right? Everyone should experience a princess at least once, shouldn't they? Have you two... you know, done it?"
The mood shifted strangely. Eve drew her sword, sizing up my crew. I gripped my mace, staring her down. I'd planned to take the Hero back if Eve released her cleanly, but that didn't seem likely now.
Eve grinned ferociously, her sharp teeth like fangs. The Hero struggled to escape her grasp, but Eve pressed her head to the deck. Pointing her sword at my crew, she declared:
"No need for so many sailors when we leave, right? You said the princess is A.A.'s lover and your friend. I'll spare just you and one sailor. Choose who lives."
She openly threatened to kill everyone else. My crew exchanged panicked glances, then looked to me. I shook my head. If we returned like cowards, we shouldn't have come at all.
"That's absurd. You want us to just leave?"
"Shut up, priest. I haven't touched anyone yet, so leave before I do."
After long deliberation, I had no choice. I had to crush Eve's head here and save the Hero. If we left, Eve would take the Hero, and Erina would be NTR'd. I couldn't let that happen.
One of Eve's crew spoke up:
"Captain, he's the High Priest of the Grand Celestial Temple. Pushing him too far..."
Eve glared, her pupils narrowing. She shoved the Hero aside, and other crew members dragged her away. Only now did I notice all of Eve's crew were women—beautiful but weary from harsh seafaring, they followed Eve nervously. The crew member who spoke stepped back, stammering:
"I mean... if people from the Temple come... I just meant..."
"Do I look like a joke to you?"
"N-no, Captain... please... spare me..."
"Do I look like a joke? How pathetic do I seem for you to say that?"
Eve grabbed the crew member by the collar, shaking her violently. My crew whispered to me:
"Shouldn't we retreat now, Priest?"
"No. We fight. Prepare for battle."
Eve aside, her crew looked weak. If I freed the Hero and buffed her, even a mermaid-blessed Eve would become mermaid sashimi or ribs.
"Kyaaaah!"
A scream erupted from Eve's ship. The crew member who'd spoken lay clutching her stomach, blood dripping from her mouth, Eve's blade piercing her. Eve glared, grinding her teeth.
"Gah... ugh..."
Eve withdrew her sword, and the crew member fell into the sea. My crew, intimidated, began retreating. They ignored my call to fight, thinking only of escape. Eve cleaned her blade, glaring at my ship:
"You run after I offered terms? Priest or not, I'll flay every last one of you!"
She tossed her hat and dove into the sea. Her crew panicked, steering closer to my ship. I had no time to hesitate.
"Hyah!"
I leaped onto Eve's ship.
Boom!
Simultaneously, an explosion beneath my ship split it in two. My crew was swept overboard, becoming water ghosts. Blood sprayed intermittently from the deck, signaling a massacre. Eve's crew trembled, blocking my path.
"Stop... please... if we don't stop you..."
Crack!
I struck the lead crew member's head with my mace. She collapsed, her skull caved in. Most of Eve's crew seemed coerced or threatened into service, but I had no time for empathy. Making it clear they'd die if they blocked me was easier.
Their resolve unbroken, I pressed forward, striking down each crew member to reach the Hero. Despite the grim strikes, blood sprayed as they fell.
My ship was already in pieces, bodies floating in blood-red waters. Eve, sitting on the unsubmerged deck, wrung blood from her clothes.
She smirked at me, amused. I pushed through the crew to the bound Hero.
"Bless."
[Bless]
Increases target's health, attack, defense, and speed.
The Hero broke her chains and took a deep breath. As she was freed, Eve's crew scattered in fear.
Eve emerged from the water, standing on the deck, grinning. She flicked her wet hair, casually swinging her sword.
"Think two of you can win?"
The Hero picked up a fallen curved sword, pointing it at Eve. She whispered to me:
"Priest, I have an idea."
Before I could respond, she glanced at a small door on the deck.
"There's a mermaid captive below. Eve seems to cherish her. If we take the mermaid hostage, we might negotiate our way out."
"Can you hold her off?"
"I can. Eve seems... interested in my body."
She looked embarrassed after saying it.
I cast Bless on the Hero again and turned to the deck. Even Eve, strong as she was, couldn't easily defeat a buffed Hero. Eve smirked as the Hero charged, drawing her sword.
Behind me, they spoke:
"I don't tolerate insolence twice."
"This time's different. Battles aren't won by strength alone."
"Shut up. If you're caught again, I'll cut off both your arms. I hate being bothered."
Opening the deck door, a putrid stench hit me. I gagged, breathing fresh air before plunging inside. In the narrow corridor, crew members hid, wary of outsiders.
Grabbing a female crew member, I asked:
"Where's the mermaid?"
"T-the mermaid's in there... please, spare me..."
Leaving her pleading, I headed deeper into the ship. Eve's ship reeked of blood and despair. Oddly, mermaid statues, paintings, and maps of mermaid habitats lined the walls. I took a map—though not near Esta's coast, it might be useful someday.
At the corridor's end, grotesque moans echoed from a room. I burst in, mace raised:
"Get down before I smash your fins!"
"Guh... ugh..."
I froze at the sight. Castrated bodies, blood-splattered walls, and a clear tank in the center. Inside, a mermaid with a dildo moaned in ecstasy.