Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Spent the Night with a Chastity-Maintaining Priestess
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The journey alongside her was somewhat awkward and extremely quiet.
We'd only met a day ago, and our first encounter had been such a mess, after all.
It was hard to chat amiably like I did with the others I'd traveled with before.
'Still, if it's too quiet, it'll feel uncomfortable.'
I cautiously spoke to Sietra, who was walking silently with her cheeks flushed and eyes fixed on the ground.
"S-so, when did you start working as a priestess?"
I wasn't particularly interested, but I had nothing else to talk about right now.
It's best to ask questions about the other person when starting a conversation.
Even if I bring up something I know, they might not find it interesting.
I could end up boring them with nothing but dull stories.
On the other hand, questions about them usually lead to their own tales, flowing smoothly without boredom.
All I have to do is pretend to be interested, even if I'm not—it's simple.
"Of course, assuming I pick the right topic."
"I'm an orphan. I've lived in the church since I was a baby."
"Ah, haha..."
She said it casually, but hearing she was an orphan made me awkwardly scratch my head.
"......"
"......"
Pulling out the wrong topic could lead to an even heavier silence than before.
Topics matter.
"...Um."
Thankfully, my last question seemed to make Sietra uncomfortable enough that she hesitantly spoke up.
I beamed at her welcome response.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Ugh, d-don't look at me smiling like that. It's irreverent."
First time in my life anyone's called a smile irreverent.
"W-well, is there something you're curious about?"
But in this situation, I was the one who needed to adapt, so I wiped the smile off my face and asked carefully, following her advice.
Sietra's cheeks flushed faintly as she averted her eyes and asked,
"W-what's... love like?"
"......Pardon?"
The unexpected topic caught me off guard.
Love, out of nowhere?
Isn't that something you'd ask a young student teacher visiting an all-girls high school? First love stories and all.
"W-well, you're... awfully lewd, but you've shared your heart with those three women anyway."
Sietra answered with a deliberate frown, as if hiding her own feelings.
But her eyes sparkled with curiosity anyone could see.
'She's really into that stuff...'
Humans are curious creatures, after all.
Maybe suppressing her emotions for religious reasons had only made her more intrigued.
Like the saying, the thief knows his own guilt.
Her strong curiosity made her reject it all the more fiercely.
"You don't need to reject it so much."
"......Huh? What do you mean?"
"Just that it'd be a shame, since you're so pretty."
Sietra stared blankly at me after hearing that.
Then she realized what I meant and her face turned beet red. I realized my slip-up too.
"G-get away from me, you demon━!!"
"Eek! Sorry! I'm sorry, so please don't splash me with holy water!"
I've realized something lately.
Being handsome comes with its own inconveniences.
I never got treated like this back when I was fat Ken. Sometimes I miss those days.
Those three loved me even when I was fat, so did I really need to become like this?
"Ugh... You're saying the same things as Provost Proban..."
After thoroughly "purifying" me with holy water, Sietra calmed her excitement and offered me a handkerchief apologetically.
'Even Priest Proban said the same thing.'
Makes sense. If she'd grown up in the church as an orphan, Proban was basically her parent.
Her child-like figure rejecting men at marriageable age would worry anyone.
"H-he probably sent me on this errand with you for that reason."
"What reason?"
"Romance. He probably wants me to change my mind while traveling with you."
Flustered by her words, I put some distance between us.
"I-I have three wives, you know...?"
"I know! Why are you backing away? I'm the one trying to keep my distance here?!"
Sensing danger in my gut, I instinctively dodged.
But now I could relax.
I wouldn't betray my love for those three by giving in to lust.
I was the type to avoid risky situations.
Feeling at ease, I smiled and continued the conversation.
"That's weird, though. You know I have wives... so wouldn't that make me useless?"
If Proban's goal was to spark her interest in men,
pairing her with a single guy would be better.
Start small, nurture love, awaken her romantic side—that'd be the smart strategy.
"That's exactly why. He trusts you won't do anything weird because you have wives."
A bit sulky from my earlier dodge, she crossed her arms and grumbled.
'Priest Proban's got a sharp mind.'
Thinking about it, putting a potential wolf next to his daughter-figure would be risky.
So he chose the less dangerous me to help her gradually get used to men.
Either way, I'd figured out why he'd forced a guard on her.
"Want me to tell you about my wives, then?"
"......Whatever you want."
Since Proban had assigned me for her sake, I figured I'd help out with something simple.
I'd share some romance stories—might not help much, but worth a shot.
Luckily, her curiosity won out; she pretended disinterest at first but soon swallowed hard, hooked on every word.
We walked for quite a while, chatting enjoyably.
By sunset, we'd safely reached our destination village.
"Thank you so much every year. The kids count down the days for this."
The donation was smoothly handed to the orphanage director.
While sipping tea as guests, we chatted briefly.
I noticed the kids peeking in with shining eyes.
Young ones not old enough for lessons yet.
Thinking they'd have a fun day with this money made me feel pretty proud.
'Good quest.'
Protecting the kids' happiness while stirring Sietra's curiosity about the opposite sex—mission accomplished.
My heart felt full as I smiled.
Except...
"And then?! So what happened with Rapne?!"
"Uh, w-well... More importantly, our inn..."
"We can eat dinner and talk, then get rooms later!"
Hearing romance tales for the first time, Sietra was hooked, urging me on like a kid discovering Peter Pan.
Of course, stories about Rapne and the others were pretty captivating.
Not just plain romance—mixed with all sorts of adventures.
"I'll buy the drinks too!"
Getting into it, Sietra even covered dinner, listening eagerly.
"Hmm, can't be helped, then."
Having someone enjoy my stories was delightful, so I got excited too. We clinked glasses and dove deep into tales.
There was no end to our adventures with the girls.
Sietra hung on every one.
Our drinking session stretched on.
Before long, her wariness toward me faded, and she grew friendly.
We laughed together, sharing all sorts of stories.
Our meal upon reaching the journey's end lasted far into the night.
The hours grew late.
And then.
"......Mm."
Chirp chirp.
The morning chirps of birds.
I blinked awake, puzzled by the sudden change in scenery, and sat up.
'Huh? I was just talking with Sietra...'
We'd been chatting happily moments ago.
One blink, and everything shifted.
And this soft, warm sensation on my bare skin.
Familiar.
Looking down, it was the inn room's fresh white blanket.
Softly laundered by the innkeeper for guests.
Taking in the sight, a chill ran up my spine, snapping me fully awake.
I flinched and glanced sideways with trembling eyes.
There...
As white as the inn's fresh blanket.
Yet softer—a woman's shoulder peeked gently above the covers.
Sietra lay peacefully asleep beside me.
The scene resembled the start of any cliché "one-night stand" tale.
And like those protagonists,
alarms blared in my head.