Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: 18. Give Me Your Genes Before You Go... (1)
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This has to be the right way, doesn't it? I'd done my best not to stab Nun Rachel in the heart, but no matter how nicely I put it, this was the limit of what I could manage.
What can you do? I still had to tell her the truth. It wasn't like we'd only known each other for a day or two—we'd been together for years. And Nun Rachel liked me, so at the very least, I had to warn her like this ahead of time.
"…"
A brief silence passed, and soon a single tear trickled from beneath Nun Rachel's eye. She quietly wiped it away.
Damn it... I knew this would happen, that's why I didn't want to say anything...
It must be hard for her to let me go, but watching her hurts me too. If I'd known, I never should've gotten so attached from the start, but it was way too late for that now.
Saying anything more wouldn't help, so I let out a deep sigh and gently stroked her silky hair.
The hair, smooth as water, was soon tousled by my hand.
"When... when will you come back...?"
Nun Rachel asked in a hoarse, dying voice. When? I had to answer, but honestly, I didn't know. In the game, the ending came after 7 or 8 years, so probably around then?
Assuming no major problems cropped up. Sure, this was a game world, but it was no different from reality. I couldn't make promises with variables lurking everywhere.
"Maybe... around ten years? I'm not totally sure. I'll come back as fast as I can."
"…"
Even after I promised to hurry back, she kept her head bowed limply, tears dripping down. It wasn't like I wanted to go—this whole thing made me feel like the villain.
"Don't worry too much. I'll probably come back every three years or so. We can see each other then, okay?"
"…"
In the end, we couldn't stay on the Demon Continent forever. We'd have to return eventually for supplies, and that might mean stopping by the church.
So I told her it wouldn't be a full ten years straight, hoping it'd comfort her somehow... but her gloomy expression didn't lift as easily as I'd hoped.
"Don't die."
"Huh? Oh, yeah..."
"You could die if you go there."
"I'll be careful."
She must really be worried about me. I guess I'd gotten so used to it that it didn't faze me anymore. Heading into those monsters' lair was basically suicide—you could die or end up crippled at any moment.
The wait didn't matter however long it took, as long as I came back safe. That seemed to be her real fear.
"So you can wait for me, right?"
"…"
She couldn't say no, so Nun Rachel nodded reluctantly. I kept soothing her, but she wouldn't calm down.
More words probably wouldn't help... So I sighed deeply and pulled her into a hug.
"Don't cry. Come here."
She'd grown almost a head taller than me by now. Back when we were the same height, she'd fit perfectly in my arms, but puberty had hit hard in just a year.
"Sob... Priest... How am I supposed to go on without you...?"
As soon as she buried herself in my chest, all the held-back emotion burst out. I stroked her each time, comforting her until, after shedding buckets of tears and snot, she finally settled.
"You can make sure to eat properly on your own, right?"
"Priest. I'm not a little kid..."
"I'm just worried, that's all. I'll tell the worshipper Masha to check on you and make sure you eat every meal."
I had no idea how much time had passed since she finished crying. Nun Rachel was still clinging to me like a baby, nuzzling closer as if begging for more petting.
Ah... I'm the one leaving, so why is she the one crying...?
Thinking about it now, it was ridiculous. I should be the one whining about not wanting to go. My life was on the line, and I'd be surviving in a monster-infested wasteland for the next decade or so.
Yet the one watching me leave was suffering more than the one being dragged away. What a joke.
"Feeling better now? Should we get up? Someone might come looking..."
"…"
I was about to stand, but Nun Rachel stayed glued to my chest, face buried, not budging. I couldn't force a kid who'd just been sobbing to get up, so I sighed inwardly.
"Priest..."
"Yes?"
I fiddled with her hair while waiting, and finally, she spoke. She wriggled in my arms and lifted her head.
"So... when are you leaving?"
When? Right...
When was it again?
In Satta, he'd left the church the same day he was chosen. It probably wouldn't be much different here, but telling a girl who'd just been crying that I was leaving tomorrow felt wrong.
Still, I couldn't not tell her. Sigh... I had to say it, but the words stuck in my throat.
"Priest, be honest. If you lie, I won't let it slide."
"…"
Ugh... She saw right through my hesitation and nailed me down. Biting my lip, I avoided her sharp gaze and answered.
"Probably... tomorrow? They usually leave right after being chosen... I'm not totally sure..."
"Priest, the Lord appeared to you in a dream Himself. He must've told you everything. Tell me the truth."
"Yeah... tomorrow."
Damn it... Should've said it sooner? I'd put it off because I was scared to bring it up, and now here we were.
What could I do? We'd been that close—it was hard to say. If I'd only seen her as casually as Masha, I'd have mentioned it at a better time on my own.
Just telling her I had to leave had her bawling like this...
"You're sure it's tomorrow?"
"Ah... Yeah."
"Sigh... Then today really is the last."
"…"
She let out a disbelieving laugh. The color that had just returned to her face drained away again, darkening rapidly.
"I'll come back every three years. Don't worry too much. Soon as I get off the Demon Continent, I'll come straight to you... Okay?"
I hurriedly tried to calm her before she exploded. If I'd told her earlier, at least she'd have had time to process it.
"Priest..."
"Y-Yes?"
Gasp—!
Huh?
Off guard for a split second, Nun Rachel pounced, and the world flipped upside down.
Caught by the surprise attack, I toppled backward, hitting the dusty floor as a small cloud of dust rose around us.
"Mmph... Mmmph..."
She crushed her lips against mine so fiercely I couldn't even think to resist. I flailed in brief panic, but soon felt the strength drain from my body as I surrendered to her kiss.
"Hah... Mmm..."
Nun Rachel... At least say something first...
If it were anyone else, I'd have fought tooth and nail to escape, but I understood why she was doing this. That's probably why I couldn't bring myself to push her away.
To her, I was like a lover. The thought of sending me away had broken her dam of restraint.
This would basically be our last time together.
As if desperate to etch my body into her memory forever, she ravaged me far more roughly than usual.
"Pha... Priest. If today is the last... then I can do whatever I want, right?"
"…"
Nun Rachel gazed at me with eyes sad as a rain-soaked puppy.
I didn't know. It was all so sudden, words failed me. But I knew exactly what she wanted, so I turned my head aside, silently baring my neck and yielding my body to her.
"Hah..."
"Ngh...!"
Like she'd been waiting, she sank her teeth into my nape. Her hands tore at my clothes, claiming every sensitive spot on my body one by one.
"Haa... Nun Rachel..."
A moan escaped as the stimulation hit my already hypersensitive body, amplified by the Corruption Value. Like a vampire possessed, she dug her teeth into my neck and breathed hot breaths against my skin.
Fine, if this helps her vent even a little...
I didn't care what she did to me.
We wouldn't be able to share this intimacy after today anyway. I just hoped she'd enjoy my body to the fullest.
"Pha..."
Only after leaving indelible marks all over me did Nun Rachel pull away. My nape glistened with saliva, marked clearly with her teeth and flushed red.
"Haa... Haa... Priest..."
Rustle, rustle—
The sound of clothes being stripped away followed. She shoved aside the annoying barriers guarding my body, revealing the pale nakedness hidden beneath.
"Priest, since it's the last time, I'm doing this my way. Even if you beg me to stop, I won't."
"Yeah... Use me as much as you want. Today, I'm all yours."