Chapter 118

Here’s the English translation without comments:

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### Episode 118

The Pleasure City of Sodomora and the Goddess’s Holy Warrior (Part 2)

Venus.

The goddess of beauty and love—and also the deity who presides over lust and carnal desire.

One of her famous tales, recorded in encyclopedias, was how she cheated on her husband with the Warrior God Mars. A woman symbolizing beauty and love, and a man who was the epitome of warriors—a strangely fitting pair, if you think about it.

Perhaps that’s why the Mars Guild and the Temple of Venus were on relatively good terms. In fact, aside from Pluto’s Temple (the Underground Maze), Venus’s Temple was the shrine the Mars Guild interacted with the most.

”When you complete certain requests for the Mars Guild, sometimes instead of payment, you get tickets to the Temple of Venus like this.”

Listening to Malco’s explanation, I understood how he managed to get these tickets. If the Minerva Guild took care of their members’ welfare with an incredible dining hall, the Mars Guild had its own way of doing things.

…

Honestly, thinking about it, it’s the kind of perk that’d get adventurers fired up.

”Ahem. Well, I’m just going as an observer. Just here to look around.”

”Exactly. No one’s judging.”

After some midday drinks, we headed toward the central district, where the Temple of Venus stood.

”What the hell? Look at those guys.”

”A savage, an elf, and a d*mn huge goblin?”

”Nah, that’s a human. See the stringed instrument on his back?”

”Whatever. Don’t make eye contact. They’ll pick a fight.”

Our trio—a hulking samaritan, a bald elf, and a ridiculous-looking minstrel—drew plenty of stares. It was a little uncomfortable, but between the alcohol and an odd sense of excitement, I didn’t have time to care.

The Temple of Venus.

Even back when I was a slave, whispers about the place reached my ears. But I never knew exactly what it was like. As I’d heard before, entry was strictly limited to selected devotees.

I’d been curious, and now I had the chance to see it for myself. And honestly, what could be more entertaining than this?

Not that I was planning to do anything inside—just observing. Observation as in learning. A perfectly wholesome, scholarly activity.

”Kuhuhu. Even though it’s my second time, I’m still trembling with excitement.”

After walking for a while, we reached the majestic structure dedicated to Venus in the city center.

The towering isosceles triangular roof, the marble pillars, the fountain and beautiful flowers in the garden—it was undeniably divine. The grandeur and solemnity, with butterflies fluttering about, even made my pounding heart settle into something more respectful.

”The hell? There are swans flying in the garden?”

I couldn’t help but gape at the swans preening in the small pond. It felt like the kind of place you’d take Luna for a stroll. Couples chatted happily as they wandered around—apparently, it was a popular date spot.

At a glance, would anyone even suspect what kind of place this really was?

”Swans are Venus’s symbol. But I see what’s really on your mind—you’re overwhelmed by how dazzling the building is, aren’t you?”

Malco’s sudden comment snapped me out of my admiration.

”d*mn, can you read minds or something?”

”Mind-reading? What’s that? Anyway, the Temple of Venus in Sodomora is unrivaled in scale. Their patron, Baron Fleur, is an ardent devotee.”

Baron Fleur?

That name rang a bell. Wasn’t he one of the nobles who harassed the owner of the Nymph Wing Inn about Echo’s bust size? And wasn’t he the guy I was supposed to meet in secret in a few days?

Hearing his name here felt surreal.

”Brothers, instead of standing around, how about we head inside?”

”Right, let’s do that. Brother, lead the way.”

Urged by the bald elf and the nosy minstrel, I hesitantly stepped inside.

The interior was paved with gleaming marble floors, red carpets, and decorations that made it feel like a palace. Clearly, it wasn’t a lie that the temple had noble backing.

My attention was caught by the chandeliers and painted vases—things you’d expect at a high-society party.

”Over there—the counter’s free. Let’s go.”

Following Malco’s lead, I turned to see a woman in a pink robe sitting behind a guild-like reception desk.

With long, wavy blonde hair and fair skin, she looked like the kind of beauty you’d expect from Venus’s temple. (Though Luna’s prettier.)

We approached the counter, and the blue-eyed blonde greeted us cheerfully.

”Oh my, what fine gentlemen! A bald pointy-eared brute, a hulking savage, and a noseless monstrosity! What brings you to our temple?”

Her compliment left me unsure whether to be offended or not, but her bright tone made it hard to stay mad.

Malco and Kalidur started nudging each other awkwardly, exchanging silent signals.

Thump. Thump-thump.

For a second, I wondered if this place was secretly some kind of hellhole.

”Ahem! L-Lady Sister! We have come to worship the great Goddess Venus! Cough hack ahem!”

Malco sounded like he had a bad cold—probably just too embarrassed to speak properly.

”Let’s see your tickets first.”

”H-Here you go.”

The clerk unrolled the scroll.

”The ‘Loving Couples’ package—three guests, one hour each. My, my. Would you happen to be virgins by any chance?”

Malco stiffened at the question.

”T-That’s… classified.”

”Hehe. Everyone says that. Well, please confirm your reasons for visiting at the screening station, then proceed to the chapel. Next!”

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The clerk pointed to an area set up like airport security, where armored women—oddly unfitting for a love goddess—inspected visitors’ belongings with maces at their hips.

”Hey, Malco. What’s that about?”

Malco blinked drowsily under his conical hat.

”Ah, that? Some people cause trouble during worship, so they started screening people a few years back.”

Makes sense.

As we lined up, Kalidur and Malco kept coughing nervously while I glanced around, fascinated.

So this is the Temple of Venus.

What would happen after this? Just as I was lost in thought—

Clank.

I locked eyes with one of the armored women.

And in that instant, a cold shiver crawled up my spine. I almost screamed.

The hell is that?

First, I noticed the white armor bristling with razor-sharp blades. It might as well have been a weapon itself—one tackle, and you’d be shredded.

But more terrifying than the armor was her face.

A crown of thorny rose vines instead of a helmet. A long, cruel-looking muzzle clamped over her mouth. Wide, glaring golden eyes—bright as a predator’s.

”d*mn, Malco, who the hell is that?”

Malco coughed nervously before answering.

”Ah… that sister’s Venus’s Holy Warrior. The strongest guardian of this temple.”

A holy warrior?

I’d heard of them—cursed by the gods, enslaved to atone for sins. The muzzle, the thorn-crown—she looked more like a prisoner than a warrior.

”Fucking terrifying.”

”Hoh, sharp as ever, brother. They say even Hippolyte and Actaeon wouldn’t stand a chance against the ‘Rose Crusader.’”

”Seriously? That strong?”

Hippolyte was the strongest warrior I knew, and Actaeon was a legend. If even they’d lose…

”Of course, no one’s ever seen her fight. She’s just… there.”

Like a deterrent. It reminded me of Skizzo, Pluto’s Black Paladin.

Just then—

Screech.

The holy warrior stood up and started walking toward me.

Her golden eyes locked onto mine.

Oh sh*t. Did I piss her off by staring?

”Uh… she’s coming at us, right?”

”Brother, it’s just your imagination. Only devotees of Pluto get turned away here.”

”Motherf—”

I swore as she drew a spiked mace from her waist.

Clang. Clatter.

She bared her teeth behind the muzzle, then swung.

”Oh sh*t!”

I dodged, but the mace cratered the marble floor.

”RUN!”

People screamed and scattered as she wound up again.

This time, I wouldn’t dodge in time.

But then—BAM!

Kalidur intercepted with a spinning kick, deflecting the blow.

”Hoh?”

Her eyes widened—she hadn’t expected resistance.

Kalidur exhaled, shifting into a martial stance.

”Attacking out of nowhere? We only came for the ‘Loving Couples’ package. What kind of lovers act like this?”

I yelled at his back.

”Kalidur! Your foot’s broken!”

”Haha. My body is tempered by discipline. No mere armor could—”

He looked down. His foot was twisted the wrong way.

”…Maybe I ate too much meat.”

Thud.

He collapsed.

”You bald idiot!”

Now, nothing stood between me and the warrior.

”Brother! Shout that your lover is here!” Malco screamed from the corner. ”Trust me!”

Lover?! Have you lost it?!

But as the mace whirred toward me like a helicopter blade, I had no choice.

”LOVER! STOP!”

Gasps filled the air.

”He said it! He’s insane!”

”Brave or stupid?”

”But how else do you stop her? Why’d she snap?”

The warrior froze.

Then—she hugged me.

”GAAAH!”

The bladed armor cut into me. It was like being embraced by a bear covered in knives.

She nuzzled me with her thorn-crowned head.

”STOP! IT HURTS!”

”That’s enough, Psyche.”

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[Afterword]

Summer nights are hot and full of mosquitoes lately… Hope you all have a comfortable evening!

Also, some say the harem tag was removed, but a light harem* tag remains… Not sure what was deleted…

And don’t worry—male characters won’t introduce NTR or BL!

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(End of translation)

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