Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Red-Haired Saintess of the Slums - 4
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"Oppa! Oppa! Killer oppa!"
A small hand shook my body vigorously. My consciousness snapped awake before the hand even touched me, but I was too annoyed to react and just let it be. Then Bella, thoroughly pissed off, hopped right onto my chest and grabbed my cheeks.
"Get up! Now there are two mean-tempered sisters!"
...
I was hearing the news of the surgery's success in the noisiest way possible.
I should have felt relieved that it was success, not failure, but for some reason, my mind wasn't at ease. Far from relief, an inexplicable anxiety bubbled up, and I couldn't figure out why. What was it? Even though everything had gone according to plan, why did opening my eyes feel so daunting?
"Let him sleep a bit more, Bella."
At that moment, a gentle voice settled in my ear. It was definitely Sera's voice, but it carried a softness and consideration she'd never shown before. Bella sensed it too and shrieked in confusion.
"Wh-what? How do you know my name, you witch? And why are you suddenly so nice? That doesn't fool me!"
"Hmm... A little disappointing. You can't recognize me just because my voice changed a bit? Kate, what about you?"
"Huh? The tone sounds kinda familiar. Wait... Detective sister?"
"See? You do recognize me."
"What? For real?"
"...Ugh."
Suddenly, the weight crushing my chest vanished, followed by a clatter and a light thud on the floor. It seemed Bella had lunged at Rachel and climbed on top of her.
"Ow ow... That hurts, Bella."
"Whoa. Now that you mention it, you really are Detective sister? Disguised?"
"You could say that."
"Why? Why did you do it? There has to be a reason!"
"Hey, Kate. Don't just stand there—help me get Bella off... Whoa!"
But contrary to her wish, another clatter and thud echoed. Kate, fully excited, raised her voice.
"Why? Why! Is it because that psycho witch looks prettier now? You're plenty pretty too, sister!"
"Thanks. But it's not that—Luca asked me to do this."
"Huh? The killer oppa? Why would he? Asking you to disguise as that psycho sister... He must really hate you!"
"Silly Bella. It's the opposite. Right, sister? I know. You and oppa actually like each other, don't you?"
"What? That's..."
"Not the case."
I'd planned to stay quiet until the anxiety in my heart faded, but with this pointless misunderstanding brewing, I sat up. But when I opened my eyes and faced Rachel, I regretted it deeply.
I nearly called out Sera's name. Rachel looked so brutally like her—identical, even. Cat-like slitted eyes. Delicate, sharp features matching her fiery personality: red hair and lips. And without the traces of corruption that had stained Sera's body, Rachel truly embodied Sera's form.
Yet at the same time, an indescribable sense of wrongness crept in. Sera could never mimic that calm demeanor, the tenderness woven into her speech, or the subtle warmth she exuded. Rachel resembled Sera greatly, but in other ways, not at all. Those facets of Rachel reminded me not of Sera, but of another girl I knew.
"You're awake, Luca. No nightmares today?"
"...Looks like the surgery went well."
"Yes. Perfectly. I don't remember a thing, but Vanessa must have worked her ass off. She passed out right after confirming no issues."
"I... see."
"What's wrong, Luca? Feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
My half-hearted reply made her furrow her brow and lean toward me. That old image—the pure Sera from back then—approached, and I instinctively wanted to back away.
"No. I'm fine."
"Hmm. I've got a ton of problems, though. This voice is mine for a while, but I'm not adapting well. Ah, ah. I am the saintess. I! Am! A hero!"
"You finished the disguise already, huh."
"Yeah. I carry tools around. Hey, want me to doll you up too, Luca?"
Sera—no, Rachel—pulled out unfamiliar tools and teasingly shoved them at me. I recoiled and turned away; she chuckled and closed in.
"Aw, come on. It'll be fun."
"No. Pass."
"Ooh! Great idea. How about cross-dressing? You'd look surprisingly good."
"Don't be ridiculous. Keep it up, and I'll get mad."
"As if you could. Come on, killer oppa."
Rachel teased playfully. But no smile came to my face. Not because her joke fell flat.
It was just that her natural playfulness kept reminding me of Eli.
Now I understood the source of that nagging wrongness. Rachel's appearance was pure Sera, but her actions and tone echoed Eli somewhere.
What filled my eyes and ears was innocent Sera's exterior. But seeping into my heart was the inner Eli I loved. The two girls from that irrecoverable past I yearned to return to overlapped, choking me as my mind went blank.
...
It hurt. Like torture, I squeezed my eyes shut. Then a savior's voice rang out from somewhere.
"Ah... I'm exhausted. What're you doing there? Detective mi... Shit, you scared me. The disguise is too perfect."
"Whoa! You cursed at the nun! Nun's switch time!"
"Shut it."
She literally kicked away the charging kids to a corner and approached us.
"Good morning, Luca. Our saintess is more tired than me and still asleep. Surgery went fine, so no worries."
"Got it."
Vanessa's body was soaked in blood. It looked more like torture marks than surgery, but I nodded indifferently.
"Thanks. For taking on my unreasonable request."
"No biggie. I had my fun."
"So, Luca. What's the plan? First disguise in ages has my heart racing. Spill it now?"
"..."
I shut my eyes tight again, banishing Sera's lingering image. Then I spoke heavily.
"Eat first, then talk. I'm starving."
"Huh? Uh... Sure. Weird thing to say first."
"And that's you saying you'll fetch it, right? You too, miss. Gotta pay for food."
"Whoa. Luca skips out, but not me. Sexist!"
"If you wanna claim that, go lop off the archbishop's head yourself."
"I'll do my best."
The two bickered as they slowly walked off. Only after confirming they were gone did I slump against the wall. Truth be told, it wasn't hunger—I needed time to calm my heart.
...
Don't be stupid.
That's just Rachel disguised as Sera.
"Oppa. Oppa."
As I repeated that mantra to myself, Kate poked my shoulder. She whispered with a knowing smile.
"Oppa, you like Detective sister, right?"
"No."
I answered sincerely, and Kate giggled.
"Figured. But you know? She seems to like you. Why else would she go that far?"
The child's voice, speaking of love, was utterly pure. Painfully so, to a tainted adult like me.
"...Not interested."
Another sincere reply. It had nothing to do with me now, anyway.
"Mm... So, what's the plan?"
"Finish chewing before talking, miss."
"Then don't make it so tasty."
"I bought it, idiot."
"...Anyway. What's the plan, Luca?"
The two, now oddly chummy, traded jabs while eyeing me. Facing their six eyes, I answered simply.
"Waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
"Uh... How long?"
Different questions, but Rachel—who'd watched me longer—hit the mark. I set down my bread and replied.
"Until you're used to that voice."
"Huh, I'm totally used to it already."
"Didn't say it, but your accent's slipping. Needs practice."
"That picky? Uh... Maybe... Ah. Ah. Hellooo..."
Rachel tilted her head, muttering to herself. Ignoring it, I turned to Vanessa.
"And until the Order admits the saintess is missing. I'd like you to check that, Vanessa."
"I can, but they might never admit it. They're buried in secrets."
"No matter how they deny, suspicion will grow. When they can't answer, it's as good as admitting it."
"Gauge the mood, got it. Easy."
"Whoa! Spy talk? Me too!"
"Me too! I wanna!"
"Huh? Me too!"
"You're ugly, so no, Jake!"
"...Anyway, safe to talk in front of the kids?"
Vanessa eyed the rowdy kids with a done expression. Noisy, sure, but I didn't mind.
"Fine. Might even need their help later."
"Don't say that lightly. Kids take it straight."
"Not joking."
"Kinda scary now."
"Ah. Uh. Ahem. Ah, but Luca."
Rachel, practicing her voice beside us, spoke in an even weirder tone.
"That voice sucks too. Anyway, spit it out."
"A...hem. Waiting till they admit she's missing means no infiltrating right away?"
"Not abandoning it, but not now."
"Then how do you find Bobby?"
Her tone implied direct search was the only way. I shook my head, denying it.
"Make them come find us."
Rachel shut up; Vanessa smirked, chin in hand, winking her single eye.
"Sounds like we need supplies. Anything specific?"
"Not essential, but nice to have. Like pawns to use."
"Mercenaries?"
"...I prefer contractors."
The word "mercenary" still left a bitter taste. As I grimaced, Vanessa pondered and sighed.
"Merc or contractor, only one spot around here hires muscle. Don't wanna go."
"Where?"
"Brothel. Best for whores or thugs."
Vanessa shuddered, but it sounded fine to me. Disposable scum like that? Perfect.
"Not bad."
"Ha. Joke's on you. Serious?"
"Dead serious."
"...Damn. Fine. If you insist, I'll make contact."
"Know 'em well?"
"They snatch our kids; I kill theirs. So they'll jack up the price for me."
Price. With nothing to my name, that worried me. I counted my meager assets on fingers, then asked.
"What do they want?"
"Cash or holes to fuck."
She said "holes to fuck" instead of "women." Bottom-feeders who didn't care as long as it had a hole. Never met 'em, barely heard details, but their stench wafted from every gesture.
And that thrilled me.
"I'll handle that."