Chapter 71: Snowball (4)
Chapter 71: Snowball (4)
I wasn't sure if Iona was surprised by Carla’s puppy-like demeanor or the fact that her mana core was perfectly intact, but regardless, she nodded at my request.
"Yes... I understand. Having a guard to fight alongside you in a pinch would be very reassuring."
"Right?"
I could say with certainty that if Carla had been there, defeating Edmerec would have been much easier.
"But don't ask for too much, okay? For example, don't ask for Carla’s contributions to be credited to your own score, Student Yandel."
"Don't worry. I’m confident I can get a good grade on my own merit."
"Mm-hmm. That’s the spirit! A request like that should pass easily. Actually, there might be a bit of 'change' left over. Is there anything else you need besides Carla?"
"Huh? Carla is more than enough."
"Gasp...!"
For some reason, Carla clutched her chest and let out a sharp, breathless sound.
Watching her, Iona giggled and nodded.
"Alright, alright! Since it seems you don't want anything else, I’ll convert the remaining credit into points for you."
"I’d appreciate that."
"Well, to be honest, I have high expectations for you, Student Yandel."
Iona looked at me and licked her lips. Surprisingly, that was just her being pleased.
Vampires have a habit of licking their lips when they’re in a good mood.
Of course, from an observer's perspective, it looked quite suggestive.
Iona seemed to realize this a moment too late; she wore an embarrassed expression and waved her hand awkwardly with a strained smile.
"Anyway, I’ll pass that along! Sorry for dropping by so early! Classes are canceled for the next ten days, so get some rest until then!"
"Oh, yes. Thank you for the Refined Blood, Professor."
"Yep! See you next time! ...And you really did a great job subjugating Edmerec!"
Slide. Click.
With that short parting word, Iona stepped out of the treatment room.
"……."
A strange silence settled over the room.
I thought it was a bit noisy while she was here, but now that she was gone, it felt too quiet.
I spoke softly to Carla, who was still wearing a dazed, happy expression.
"Shall we grab some breakfast?"
I was incredibly hungry, probably because I hadn't eaten anything while I was unconscious.
*
Around the time I was finishing my meal with Carla...
News of my recovery must have spread, as the Academy sent someone to request a statement.
So, I told them everything: about the cultists hiding in the Gepp City underground, the dungeon, and the unwelcome obsession of the Confused Unity that began with Pietro, whom I had killed by chance.
They seemed to have already conducted their own investigation, so it felt more like they were just confirming the facts rather than interrogating me. It ended quickly.
Afterward, the presiding healing priest confirmed I was in good health, and I was finally discharged from the intensive treatment room.
"It’s been so long since we've been to the dormitory!"
"It’s only been four days at most. Don't make a fuss. Besides, there’s somewhere we need to stop before we go to the dorm."
"Huh? Where?"
"The female dormitory."
"……."
Why... why was she looking at me with those eyes?
"What are you thinking, Carla?"
"I was wondering where I’d have to sleep if Master got hauled off by the guards... that’s all."
"I’m not going there to break in; it’s an official visit. I should at least let the people who came to see me while I was out know that I’m okay."
"Aha. Then I guess I don't need to tell you about the secret passage I used whenever I sneaked out!"
"What’s that? Tell me more about it."
Chatting idly with Carla like that, we arrived at the 1st Year Class A Female Dormitory.
It looked exactly like the male dormitory. The layout was likely the same, too, though the security was much tighter.
For the record, since the number of students in Class A was so small and the building was so large, all departments were housed in a single dormitory.
Thanks to that, I didn't have to go through the trouble of wandering all over the place.
I stopped by the small dorm manager's office at the entrance and asked if they could call Elisha and Helena.
"Hmm. Student Elisha said she would be staying at the Sylvan Magic Tower during this break, so she isn't here right now. Shall I call Student Helena for you?"
"It can't be helped. Please call Priestess Helena, then."
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
After saying that, the manager operated one of the magical tools neatly arranged on the desk.
Well... since something dangerous had happened, Elisha probably had to show her face at the Magic Tower to let them know she was safe. My timing was just a bit off.
As I waited in a small room provided for visitors, Helena entered before long.
Golden hair and eyes that resembled sunlight. And a gentle smile that seemed to be the very embodiment of benevolence.
The berserker-like intensity she showed in the dungeon was nowhere to be found; instead, a Helena who looked like a born cleric greeted me warmly.
"Brother Yandel! You’re awake!"
"It’s thanks to you, Priestess Helena. I heard you kept casting healing divine arts on me until I was moved to the Academy."
"Oh, please. It was only because Brother Yandel shared those expensive potions that I was able to preserve my holy power. I simply used that power back on you, so why would I regret it?"
"Is that how it works? Haha."
Perhaps because we had risked our lives fighting together, the conversation started off in a very friendly atmosphere.
From then on, Helena showered me with praise, citing all sorts of examples: how incredible my feats were, how my decisions in that situation were the best in hindsight, and how prepared I was to be carrying such a large quantity of potions and scrolls.
I played along as best as I could, but honestly, my face must have been turning red by then.
This was... well, it was practically worship.
"As expected of one who is blessed by the Righteous Light, and to whom she personally bestowed a Relic...!"
"Ahaha..."
No, it really was worship!
Before I knew it, the topic of conversation had shifted to how amazing I was for being favored by the Righteous Light, and how great the Righteous Light was for finding someone like me.
She even recognized Carla, but she didn't say much, assuming that since it was me, I must have had a reason.
For a member of the Church of the Righteous Light, who loathed cultists—and Helena, who was particularly extreme even within the Church—to just overlook Carla, whose family had fallen due to cultist allegations...
I was almost afraid to ask what kind of existence I had become in Helena's mind.
How long did I have to endure such cringeworthy talk? Finally coming to her senses, Helena suddenly blushed and lowered her head.
"I-I’m sorry, Brother. I got a bit too excited, didn't I?"
"It happens. You didn't do anything wrong, so don't worry about it, Helena."
"Thank you... Ah, I should tell you this. The main chapter is planning to officially sponsor you soon, Brother Yandel... would that be alright?"
"Huh? Sponsorship? For me?"
I was going to bring it up myself if necessary, but it ended up going this way on its own.
However, did my surprised reaction come across as a negative sign to Helena?
"D-don't worry! Even if it’s called sponsorship, the Church’s support feels a bit different from other places! You don't necessarily have to take refuge in the embrace of the Light! It’s enough if you just continue to tear apart cultists and monsters as you have been!"
"Calm down. I was just surprised. I’m grateful that the Church of Light evaluates me so highly. However, I’m not exactly lacking in funds... so if it’s alright, could I receive help in other areas?"
"Other areas...?"
"I’d like you to share dungeon information with me, or let me join in on cultist subjugations. Oh, of course, I’m not shamelessly asking for a free ride. Anywhere suited to my level is fine. If there isn't any, then it can't be helped."
If left alone, the Church of Light would poke their noses into all sorts of places, only to fall into traps and be wiped out by cultists.
If they were lucky, they’d just be annihilated; if they were unlucky, the entire order could be corrupted. For me, this was an event that had to be prevented at all costs.
I needed to build influence by tagging along on the Church’s subjugations like this in advance, so that when the time came, I could stop them by pointing out that something was suspicious.
In fact, this was the standard route.
However, I was a bit concerned about Helena, who had been frozen in a daze for a while now.
"Helena?"
"……."
"Priestess Helena?"
"Yes, y-yes... I’m listening. So... you’re refusing money and asking for the chance to rip apart the wicked dogs of the Evil God instead?"
"Pardon? The phrasing is a bit violent, but yes, that’s it."
"Oh! Lord...!"
Suddenly, with a look of profound emotion, Helena clasped her hands together and looked up at the ceiling.
Then, she snapped her head toward me, sending a burning gaze my way as she spoke.
"Brother Yandel. I know this is impolite, but may I be so bold for a moment?"
"I’m not sure what it is, but... yes. If there’s something you want to say, please feel free."
"Would you like to believe in the Righteous Light and go to heaven?"
"……."
What’s with the sudden proselytizing?
"Uhh, I’d still like to remain in the secular world for now."
"You don't necessarily have to take refuge in the Lord and give up everything like I did."
"I’m sorry, but no."
When I refused again, Helena nodded, though she looked disappointed.
"If that is your wish, Brother Yandel, then it can't be helped. Just know that the Righteous Light always keeps her arms open for you."
"Thank you for understanding."
The faith route was efficient, but it came with various restrictions based on doctrine.
Even if one wasn't a priest who received and used holy power, the same applied.
Furthermore, if you were officially baptized in any church, that god would begin to watch over you.
That wasn't a metaphorical expression; it was literal.
Since both the Good Gods and the Evil Gods were currently sealed, they observed the world in that manner.
But I had many things on my conscience, didn't I?
The fact that I knew what was going to happen, and the fact that I was a being from the outside world, Earth.
If things went wrong, I could become a target for subjugation myself, so no matter what else happened, I could never receive a baptism.
Perhaps because I had rejected her so flatly, the atmosphere was about to turn awkward.
Helena smiled brightly and moved on to the next topic.
"Then, is there anything else you need? You said financial support was unnecessary, but if we leave it at that, our side won't feel right about the sponsorship."
"Hmm. Something else..."
After a moment of thought, I nodded.
"Then, could I perhaps get a few sets of nun's habits?"
"...Pardon?"
"I think about three sets should be enough."
"……."