The Saintess (4) - The Next Day
The next day, an incident occurred in the Holy Federation that would hardly ever happen. It was none other than the murder of paladins. In the Holy Federation, the killing of a paladin was no different from declaring war on the nation itself. It was only natural, then, that people gathered near the crime scene.
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
While the people crowded together and watched in secret, Claire, captain of the heresy inquisitors, was quietly examining the bodies. Hmm. I can't get a read on who did this.
Normally a murder left residual energy on the corpse. Yet the perpetrator's control was so masterful that not even a trace of energy could be felt.
“Captain. I have something to report.”
One of her subordinates approached and whispered so quietly that no one else could hear.
“There were burn marks on the bodies of the dead paladins.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes. Without a doubt.”
Claire studied the corpses more closely. Sure enough, tiny burn marks were visible around the puncture wounds.
So it's definitely someone who uses fire abilities.
The mere fact that they could conceal their energy made it undeniable that this was no ordinary foe. It was likely a quasi-executive of the Demon Army, or perhaps something even higher.
Hiding their energy while using flames, huh.
She briefly considered the academy but shook her head.
That doesn't make sense.
To completely hide one's power required professor-level skill. Besides, all the professors had dined with the paladins yesterday. The academy staff were therefore eliminated from suspicion.
As for the students...
That made even less sense. Which left only one possible culprit in the current situation.
A demon, then...
In the present circumstances, a demon was the most likely being to kill paladins. Humanity was at war with them, after all. From the demons' perspective, there were few existences more troublesome than paladins.
And they would have no reason to hide their energy.
Having organized her thoughts, Claire spoke to her subordinates at once.
“Search the city from top to bottom for any demons. Do not miss a single corner.”
It was the moment she declared her absolute determination to catch the culprit.
Meanwhile, at that very moment, the culprit Claire was so desperately seeking was...
Ah, why do I have to start the morning with prayer?
Baran stood with his hands clasped before the statue of the Sun God, praying in silence. Yesterday's delayed schedule had been moved to this morning, forcing him to pray in front of the statue from dawn.
More importantly, I hope the plan is proceeding smoothly.
The reason Baran had deliberately left burn marks was simple: to focus suspicion on Chris. The heresy inquisitors must have been troubled by the complete absence of detectable energy. In fact, the only suspect that would come to mind was a demon. After all, demons usually left no traces when they infiltrated.
So the inquisitors were probably thinking:
A fire-wielding demon has slipped into the city.
Well, it wasn't exactly wrong. Chris really had secretly infiltrated the Holy Federation. Even if he wasn't the one who had killed the traitors.
They must be quite confused right now.
With the traitors suddenly dead, they would find themselves unable to leave. The heresy inquisitors would surely tighten security around the entire city.
As Baran was feeling satisfied with how his plan was unfolding, a voice called out.
“Student Baran, please step forward.”
Dale was calling him. It seemed his turn had arrived. At the same time—
-Tap tap.
Risa hurried out of the room with quick little steps. Baran asked her.
“How was it? The Saintess's blessing?”
“Umm… It's hard to describe. It felt like…”
“Like?”
“Like someone forcibly shining a bright light crystal directly into my eyes!”
What kind of description is that? In modern terms, it was like having a lamp bulb shoved straight into your eyeballs. How had the Saintess's blessing ended up being described that way? Now that he thought about it, light had indeed shone when he received the blessing before.
Well, I'll find out soon enough.
With that thought, Baran slowly walked forward. He soon reached his destination.
“Knock and then enter.”
At the paladin's instruction, Baran gave a quiet nod. Incidentally, this paladin was also one of the traitors.
I'll have to deal with him today as well.
Thinking that, Baran knocked softly. A benevolent voice answered from within the room.
“You may enter.”
He opened the door quietly. A small curtain hung across the space, blocking the view. Before receiving the Saintess's blessing, one first received counseling from her. To put it simply, it was like confession.
It really is complicated to get a blessing.
Feeling inwardly dumbfounded, Baran sat down on the chair. The next moment, Aria's voice came from the other side of the curtain.
“Before bestowing the blessing, is there any counsel you wish to receive, or any sins you would like to confess to the Sun God?”
“Hmm…”
He didn't have any particular consultation prepared. He hadn't done anything wrong, and he hadn't been in this world very long.
“Do you have nothing to say?”
“Uh… Ah! I do.”
A concern suddenly rose in his mind—the first worry he had after the possession.
“Saintess. Have you ever been in a romantic relationship?”
“Pardon?”
“It's just that three female friends I know seem to have become rather obsessed with me lately.”
“……”
“The problem is, I can't tell whether it's just my misunderstanding or if they really are obsessed with me. What should I do?”
Are these people coming here just to rub their romance in my face?
“Huh?”
An entirely unexpected remark slipped from Aria's lips. While Baran had asked in genuine distress, from Aria's perspective this was the third time she had heard a similar story.
Why is everyone asking me for love advice?!
Luden, Sherry, and Lillia had each entered and immediately asked how they could grow closer to Baran.
I'm not a romance counselor. Why am I getting all these love consultations?
And from the very people involved, no less! It was only natural that Aria would react this way. After all, she was a person before she was a Saintess.
“Sigh. It's nothing. You said you aren't sure whether they are obsessed, correct?”
“Yes. One seems certain, but the other two are ambiguous.”
“Could you describe their behavior?”
“Ugh.”
Baran explained in detail the actions Sherry and Luden had taken. Aria slapped her forehead and let out a small sigh.
Anyone can see they're clearly interested.
They treated him far more kindly than other men, blushed in his presence, and made all kinds of appeals. How could he possibly be confused?
At least Lillia seems to have made her feelings obvious.
She had even kissed his cheek. If he hadn't noticed that, he would be beyond dense—he might as well be blind.
“So you're asking whether all three of them like you?”
“Yes, that's correct.”
“Before I answer, what do you want to do?”
“Pardon?”
“Who do you like the most?”
“……”
Even Miroel perked her ears at the question. Baran thought carefully. It was difficult to pick one. All three had become precious to him. The same went for Miroel, who was watching from behind.
“I don't think I can date anyone right now. But if I must choose who I like most, they're all precious to me…”
“Ah, hmm.”
Aria fell into genuine deep thought. She had not expected such an answer from him.
“So you wish to date all three of them?”
“Pardon?”
“Yes, I have heard your sins clearly. The Sun God will surely forgive them.”
Why is she deciding everything by herself?
While Baran sat dumbfounded, Aria continued.
“With the consultation concluded, I shall now bestow the blessing.”
She reached out, radiating divinity. The moment the blessing touched Baran—
You have received a blessing from Saintess Aria.
As a reward, all of the player's stats have increased by 1!
An unexpected reward. Baran looked at the message floating before him and thought, I will definitely save the Saintess. Long live the Sun God!
As he turned to leave the room, Aria spoke again in a voice full of concern.
“Student. The Sun God may forgive you, but just to be safe, you should watch out for kitchen knives.”
Maybe I shouldn't save her after all.
It was a moment when he seriously considered it.
So the day passed, and evening finally arrived. I quietly rose from the bed.
Are you going out again, Disciple?
Miroel asked as she embraced me. I nodded at the question.
“Yes. I have to save the Saintess.”
Hmm. I wonder how many pieces you'll end up being divided into at this rate. Even Kyle never seduced this many women.
Why are you saying that too?
I let out a small sigh.
“I'm saving people. Please don't attach such impure reasons to it.”
Yes, I know. I was only saying it once.
She seemed quite sulky, probably because of my earlier statement that they were all precious to me. In the end, I comforted Miroel and set out once more to hunt traitors, determined to bring this episode to a close.