Chapter 69
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Girl Searching for Them. The Girl Who Came to Her - 1
The rich aroma of coffee lingered in my mouth. The coffee's signature bitter tang teased the tip of my tongue, while the sweetness of the sugar dissolved within it seeped perfectly into every crevice, delivering a surprisingly deep flavor.
For some reason, I felt compelled to share my thoughts, so I set down my coffee cup and spoke up.
"If this is your idea of treating a guest, it's so bad it's actually impressive. Did you do this on purpose? Or are you just hopeless in the kitchen?"
"Sorry about that. The ingredients aren't great, and I hardly ever make coffee. Back in the field, I'd just chew the beans straight more often than not."
"Sounds more like you just have no talent for cooking."
"Haha, damn. Should've spat in it if I'd known it'd turn out this bad."
She let out a deep sigh and plopped down onto her chair. For a split second, I worried the chair might break, tensing up unnecessarily, but nothing happened. Even though it was full-blown autumn now, she was still sweating profusely and fanning herself with her hand as she slowly opened her mouth.
"So? You here about an adoption?"
"Yeah. I've been needing a kid or two around to help out lately."
"Well, you're in luck then. I've got more than a couple I'd love to offload right now."
"Got a lot of troublemakers, huh?"
"So many it's infuriating. Especially Jake and Bell... No, what am I even saying?"
Another sigh escaped her lips. It was steeped in exhaustion, but somehow light in its weight. Her breathing flowed with an awkward ease, almost like a lullaby that could lull me to sleep if I wasn't careful.
"Anyway, if you want to see the kids, go ahead and take a quick look. Just don't get too close, though. Kids latch onto any scrap of hope they can find."
"Doesn't sound like you're pushing for adoptions all that hard."
"Because you're not really here for that."
But while her breathing was relaxed, her eyes remained sharp as ever. I shut my mouth under that piercing gaze.
"If you were serious about adopting, you'd have come with your husband. Or you'd be shoving paperwork in my face right off the bat. And honestly, you don't strike me as someone with the luxury for raising kids."
"You've got a real knack for reading people."
"You see all sorts in the field. It sharpens your eye naturally. Once saw a knight fall in love with a slime, even..."
"Sorry, but skip that story. Not a fan of army tales."
"You don't seem the type. Guess I misread you."
She shrugged and crossed her legs lightly. I smiled faintly as I watched her opposite leg slide smoothly over the other.
"Nice legs you've got, Priestess Vanessa."
"Sexual harassment? And I'm not a priestess anymore. Quit that gig a while back."
"Oh, really? That's awkward, then. I came here specifically to see Vanessa the priestess today."
"Hmph. Never thought of myself as some big-name priestess with a reputation."
I flashed another grin at that. But the smile faded quickly. Truth be told, I wasn't the sort who deserved to smile for long.
"So? What's the business? It's not like I can baptize you now."
"No need for baptism. I'm here for confession today."
"Easier to do that at the church. No rotten priests like me there, at least."
"Can't say it there."
"Why not?"
"Because I killed someone."
I thought it was a pretty shocking confession, but Vanessa just looked at me without a hint of surprise. Maybe it was her battlefield experience, dancing with death. She responded in a remarkably calm voice.
"Yeah, that'd be hard to confess at church."
"Right?"
"When did you do it?"
"Pretty recent. That's all I'll say."
"Got it."
Her eyes scanned me up and down. Looking for bloodstains or hidden weapons? Her wandering gaze eventually settled on my eyes.
"Did they deserve it?"
"Yes. At least to me."
"Regretting it now?"
"Not sure yet."
"Must be really fresh, then. You'll figure it out in time."
Her tone was serene, like she was tending to a scraped knee. After staring straight through me for a while, she exhaled deeply and asked,
"Anything else you want to confess?"
"You're not asking why I did it."
"You said they deserved it. That's enough."
"You just met me today. You trust me that much?"
"Trusting people was my job."
Trusting was her job—even after denying her priestesshood herself, she was more devout and genuine than any priest I knew. Maybe even more than the goddess she believed in. More than herself.
"I'm grateful for that."
"But I'm curious why you came for confession. Deciding to unburden it means there's at least a sliver of guilt left in your heart."
"Guilt... not sure. I don't feel guilty. I made that man die in agony, and I enjoyed every bit of it. No remorse or hesitation."
"Then why come here?"
"Good question."
The question circled back. Why was I here? I pondered for a moment, then picked up the awful coffee again. No matter how many sips, I couldn't fathom why anyone drank this stuff. Bitter, hot, smells off. Sugar helped a little, but I'd never understand people who craved it every morning.
Maybe the faint sweetness after the bitterness hooked them all.
Who knows.
"I don't really know my own feelings either. Maybe guilt snuck up on me without me realizing."
I met Vanessa's eyes as I said it. Her blue irises shone more beautifully than ever.
"...Or maybe I just missed you."
Vanessa's face lit up with unexpected surprise. But what caught me off guard even more was her sheepish chin-scratching afterward. On that peaceful weekend afternoon, spilling hidden feelings over idle chat—it stuck deep in my heart.
"Uh... that's a little scary. Lately, guests coming to see me haven't exactly brought good vibes."
"Really? You seem like such a good person. People show up with bad intentions?"
"Well... first off, I'm not a good person. Second, the world's not kind—plenty come with malice for no reason. Like the one about to kick the door down, for instance."
Bang!
"Director Vanessa!"
Right on cue, someone kicked the door open. I shot Vanessa an impressed look at the perfect timing.
"Spot on."
"Retired soldiers' instincts can be sharper than active duty sometimes."
"Director Vanessa! We need to talk!"
I turned toward the door. A girl neatly dressed in priestess robes stood there, fuming and glaring our way. Vanessa waved her off with an annoyed expression.
"Sorry, but I've got a guest right now. Come back later?"
"Then I'll have to apologize to your guest. Because this is really important!"
"This guest's here for something really important too. Back off already."
"Uh... I'm fine with it."
I timidly piped up, but the two stayed locked in a standoff, blades drawn. The girl at the door glanced at me, crossed her arms, and declared,
"Fine! I'll say it in front of the guest, then. Director Vanessa, you still haven't submitted this month's donation expenditure report. Any reason why?"
"I skipped last month's too, and no one said a word. Thought it was fine."
"That's because I fudged it for you! Same with the month before, and the one before that! But this time, I can't let it slide. Hand over the report now!"
"Come on, it's all gone to the kids. What's to report? Just fake it again—snacks, outings, whatever."
"Gone to the kids, my foot!"
The girl stomped over, yanked open the desk drawer next to Vanessa's chair, and pulled out what was clearly an expensive pipe at a glance.
"Thought I wouldn't notice you skimming donations for junk like this? Where'd this even come from? Elven-made?"
"Don't touch it. Way too pricey for a priestess's salary."
"And it's okay for a lowly orphanage director to have it?"
"What can I say... I'm a badass orphanage director. Riding a top-grade black horse from Beimletter Mountains, puffing fine elven tobacco—a war veteran through and through. That's life, right?"
"Sis!"
The girl finally lost it and yelled. But a smile crept onto my lips again.
"Keep this up, and I'll report you to the church for real!"
"Ugh, you're killing me. Report me or don't—I don't care. I've got plenty stashed away; I won't miss it. The kids are the ones who'll suffer. Orphanage falls apart without me—who'll look after the poor things then?"
"The kids would be better off without you."
"Vanette, that's why you can't get a boyfriend. Pretty face wasted on a nag who whines to her big sis and blows up over nothing."
"P-Priestesses don't have boyfriends! What about you?!"
"Oh, Vanette. My only loves are the kids. Thinking of my darling little ones wipes away any desire for men..."
Crash!
"Waaah! Priestess! Bella and Kate are bullying me again!"
"...I can hear them. Damn brats."
Right on time, kids barreled in through the open door. Vanessa sighed deeply as the sniffling boy crashed into Vanette's arms. The two girls chasing him puffed out their chests proudly and shouted,
"We're the Brat Pirate Crew! Hand over the loot, you embezzling director!"
"Yeah! Surrender the treasure to Captain Bella!"
"What? Why are you captain, Bella?!"
"'Cause I'm uglier!"
"Fair, but captain's mine, you rag!"
"What? Rag? That's you!"
"I'm going insane. Sis, what the hell are you teaching these kids?"
"Good point. Maybe stack some coal briquettes in their room tomorrow. Who knows—might all be dead by nightfall if we're lucky."
"Ha..."
Vanessa and Vanette sighed in unison, sinking into despair, while the kids noisily carried on, oblivious. The room's brief silence was gone, the peaceful weekend vibe shattered—but oddly, I felt at ease.
Still, it was time to bow out of their chaotic day. I stood, giving Vanessa a slight bow.
"Guess I should head out."
"...Hear that, Vanette? See the guest off and watch the kids."
"What? Dumping it on me again? Hold on!"
"Come on, let's go."
"Sis!!!"
Bang!
Vanessa hustled me out quickly. Vanette's cute scream echoed through the closed door as I glanced back and spoke.
"Cute priestess you've got there."
"Cute? She's fun to watch scrambling around like that—barely a handful. Back in the army, I was a pro at friendly fire. Wonder if she knows."
Her sharp words carried that familiar hint of warmth. She shook her head and looked at me.
"Anyway, take care. Feels bad showing you my ugly side."
"Nah, it was fun. Oh, Priestess Vanessa—one more thing I wanted to ask."
"What?"
"Ever hear of a priest named Bobby?"
I watched her reaction as I said the name. But she tossed it out casually, no flicker of unease.
"Oh, that scum? Heard the gist. Raped all the girls at his church or something. Tried the same here, got caught by the archbishop, and they hanged him ages ago. Why?"
...
"I see."
I nodded slowly. Looked like no need to kill anyone else in Mailer.
"Nothing. See you, Vanessa. Great talk."
"Yeah, sure. I'll call it enjoyable too. Bye, uh... Never asked your name. What should I call you?"
"Me?"
I just smiled, staring right at her face. Her two blue eyes gleamed flawless above faint crow's feet. The longer I looked, the warmer my chest felt.
"Vanessa."
"Yes?"
"You look prettiest when you smile, Vanessa."
With that, I turned and left. Vanessa watched my back, started to say something, then shrugged and dove back into her daily chaos—of nagging little sisters and rowdy kids, nothing more.