Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Chapter 2-1. Calypso's Nightmare
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With slow steps, I headed toward the room where Arhil was staying. Since there was a room inside the guild hall, it wasn't far. After a short walk, the door came into view. As I approached, I saw it wasn't fully closed but slightly ajar.
They must not have heard Jeanne and my footsteps, because the conversation inside continued. Curious about what they were saying, I pressed a finger to my lips and glanced back at Jeanne. She understood the gesture and nodded. Her face suggested annoyance, making me wonder if I should just drop it, but the first words I overheard were already intriguing.
"I'm sorry, but Mark. Could you say it one more time?"
"Th-that's... I like you!"
Wow. I barely stopped myself from whistling. It had been a joke on my part, but he'd actually confessed.
"Hah."
Since the door was open, even her sigh was audible. Poor guy. That sigh suggested rejection was imminent. If she were open to accepting, she wouldn't sigh like that—she'd cheer or ask "Really?" instead. I could tell without seeing it. Silence stretched inside.
"I'm sorry. I can't accept your feelings."
"Why?"
Straight-up rejection. The silence before must have been her pondering how to turn him down. Naturally, Mark asked for a reason.
"I told you earlier, but I'm leaving this team. I've already made up my mind."
"Wait, do you really have to go? I can't understand why you'd suddenly decide that."
"Lien. You're the leader, so I'm sorry to say this to you, but do you really need to hear it? ...It's nothing grand. I'm just disappointed in you all."
"Disappointed? We've gone out of our way to accommodate Ms. Arhil."
"Of course, I'm grateful for that. You've provided me with many conveniences so far."
"Then why? Is it because of Mark's kindness?"
"No, that's not it. Do you not remember what you said when you came to me during the wraith attacks?"
"...That couldn't be helped."
"I know. But suggesting we use people as bait and run away was a huge shock to me, a priestess of Yophiel."
Oh ho. I had a rough idea. When the wraiths attacked here for days, the adventurers had sought her out and persuaded her while she struggled to hold on. They wanted to throw the people gathered in the guild hall to the wraiths as sacrifices and flee. They figured that would let them survive. Well, that's human nature. But using people as bait rubbed me the wrong way just hearing about it. Abandoning them was one thing—potentially dying while trying to save others is a terrifying thought.
Planning to survive by sacrificing others' lives, though? That was shocking. Then again, it might be the norm in this world.
"Wait a minute, Lien. Sorry, but my conversation with Arhil isn't over yet. I asked for a reason, but I haven't heard it. Tell me. What's lacking in me?"
The urge to quip "from head to toe" crossed my mind, but I held it back.
"Mark. You're not lacking anything. You're kind, gentle, strong, handsome, and considerate. If there's a flaw, it's that you don't hold back when angry? Any ordinary woman would shout 'yes' to your confession."
"Then why?"
"To be honest, it's simple. You're not my type, your affection felt burdensome, and I'm leaving this team soon anyway. Ah! Don't take it to heart. The last one's the biggest reason."
"...I see."
The room fell quiet again. They each seemed lost in thought, stalling the conversation. Perfect timing. I decided to make my presence known and knocked. *Knock knock.* With the sound, I pushed the door open. Smiling brightly, I stepped inside, drawing all their gazes at once.
"Oh? Everyone looks so glum. Did something happen?"
I'd overheard quite a bit from the start, but I played innocent and continued. They exchanged glances in silence. However, the giant named Mark had his lips pressed tight, eyes brimming with tears in a way that didn't suit him. Seeing that expression, I couldn't bring myself to tease. Thinking he'd shown an embarrassing side, he hurried past Jeanne and me out of the room.
"Anyway, I hope Ms. Arhil stays with our team. If we've done wrong, point it out like earlier. We can fix it, right?"
"That's true, but it's too late. I've already told Mr. Judah I'll join his team, and my heart's already gone."
She stated it firmly. Realizing persuasion was futile, the remaining two adventurers looked at each other with troubled, anxious expressions. Finding a priestess with Arhil's skills wasn't easy, so it made sense they'd cling to her.
"...Fine, we've said this much, right? Could you leave now? I just woke up, haven't rested properly, and all this talking is exhausting me to death. I need to chat with them and rest, so please go. Comfort Mark a bit."
Clear dismissal. In the end, they left without a word. I saw them off and firmly closed the door.
"Hah."
Once the door shut, she sighed and rubbed her temples with her thumbs, as if a headache had set in.
"We must have come at a bad time."
"No, it's fine. I just didn't expect a love confession..., so don't worry about it. Ah, I think I know why you came. To introduce her to me?"
I nodded. Jeanne stepped forward and extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jeanne d'Artuar."
"Not a patient, yet greeting from bed is impolite, but please bear with me."
"It's fine. You maintained a barrier without sleep for over ten days to protect people—we can understand that much."
At Jeanne's polite words, Arhil seemed pleased and smiled brightly.
"Thank you, and nice to meet you. I'm Arhil, priestess of Holy King Yophiel. Did Mr. Judah tell you about me?"
"I only heard a little. If that man hadn't stormed in angry just now, I wouldn't have known till the end. He said it was to surprise you, but it wasn't a prank I appreciated."
"Goodness. He told me not to play mean jokes, yet he did it himself. Hehe."
There was no natural opening for me to join, so I stepped back to give them space. That proved right—they quickly bonded, asking and answering questions.
What seemed like a short chat dragged on for about thirty minutes, leaving me leaning against a wall, waiting. But it wasn't boring. My name came up often, so listening to their thoughts on me was entertaining enough. When they ran out of things to say and fell silent, I seized the moment before awkwardness set in.
"Talk go well? What do you think, Jeanne? She seems decent, right?"
"Yes, definitely..."
Arhil blinked in surprise, realizing they were about to evaluate her in front of her.
"Ah. Wait, what? Judging a future teammate right here? Can I listen? Should I cover my ears?"
Jeanne smiled at her cuteness and continued.
"Unlike Judah, she's a lively girl—adorable. No idea what lies ahead, but with her, the road won't be dull. I don't know how skilled she is as a priestess, but her heart to protect people says it all."
"Of course! Trust me. If it weren't for the severed arm..., give me time, and I can heal it fully. Ah, fingers are fine even if cut—they regrow. I've done it before, so it's certain. Of course, no injuries is best."
Her chatty true self was a sight to behold.
"So, did I pass? Can I join Mr. Judah's team?"
"If Jeanne opposed, it might've been different, but good review means you pass. Looking forward to working with you, Arhil."
"Me too. The Holy King and God will bless our meeting."
I paused at her words. The god she meant was the creator above the Holy King who made this world. Ignoring it, she closed her eyes, clasped her hands, and offered a short prayer. Ironic. A woman of such strong faith in the Holy King was destined to become the apostle of Asmodeus, the monarch's subordinate. Watching her pious prayer, I said,
"The Holy King aside, God will hear you, bless you, and watch over."
This world's creator, God, wasn't far. Right before her, listening and watching her prayer. Powerless to grant true blessings, I could only offer empty well-wishes like a worthless god. She smiled faintly during her prayer at my words.
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