Chapter 88
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: 19. Why Am I the Hero? (2)
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“Priest!”
Huh?
Sylvia suddenly waving both hands and charging forward.
At her abrupt action, Isabel froze stiff, and unfortunately, Sylvia's voice reached the priest's ears, forcing their eyes to meet unintentionally.
Are you insane?!
Pushing aside her chaotic emotions, she quickly grabbed Sylvia's wrist. No way could she face him after everything that had happened. She didn't even have the courage to lift her head from the sheer embarrassment.
Sure, she could blame it on the drugs back then, but even setting that aside, just recalling those events made her hands and feet tremble uncontrollably.
“Huh? Why, sis?”
“...Hey, Priest, he's talking with the parishioners. Don't interrupt and let's go.”
“Interrupt? I'm just saying hi real quick?”
“He looks busy. Come on, let's just go.”
Isabel spouting lame excuses to escape the situation as fast as possible.
She thought their eyes had met already, but if they hurried away, maybe they could still salvage it.
“Looks like you two are here.”
Of course, if only that voice hadn't reached them.
Priest Isaiah, smiling brightly as he looked up at Isabel and Sylvia—he had no idea when he'd approached.
Isabel felt her heart stop for a moment, instinctively averting her gaze like it was a reflex.
I'm screwed....
Of all people, the one she least wanted to run into. Not that she hated him or anything. It was just her last shred of conscience screaming at her to get out of there.
“Hello, Priest.”
“Uh, h-hello.”
Sylvia, blissfully unaware of Isabel's turmoil, greeted the priest with a fresh smile. Unable to keep pretending otherwise, Isabel awkwardly forced a smile and welcomed him.
Damn it.... I wanna run....
She wished there was a rat hole to crawl into. Why couldn't the priest just continue his conversation with the parishioners instead of coming over here?
“It's been a while. Here for the hero selection ceremony, right?”
“Ah, y-yeah....”
Unable to show her expression, she slapped on a poker face and played dumb.
Priest Isaiah swept his gaze over Isabel and Sylvia with an innocent smile.
His eyes soon fixed on Isabel, the senior of the two.
“Isabel, long time no see. How've you been?”
“Ahaha.... Yeah.... I'm fine....”
Unlike Isabel, his tone was gentle, as if he'd completely forgotten that day.
She couldn't read what lay behind those clear eyes at all.
“I really owe you for what happened back then. You saved my life.”
“No, no... haha....”
Those words again—how many times had she heard them?
Ever since that incident a year ago, whenever he saw her, it was like they were glued to his lips.
Saving his life, his lifesaver... Once or twice was fine, but after a certain point, getting greeted like this every time started to feel burdensome.
“Ahem.... Priest, I helped out back then too, you know....”
“Hehe.... Thank you too, Sylvia.”
Sylvia, lips pouting like a sulky child demanding her thanks.
Priest Isaiah scratched his head apologetically in response.
...But why's this girl's tail doing that?
It was wagging furiously like a dog greeting its owner home from work. She was expressing her emotions plain as day, tail and all.
“Oh, right! By the way, Sylvia, I didn't see you at last week's Sunday service. Were you super busy?”
“Ahaha.... Yeah, lots going on. I'll definitely make it next time.”
“I'm not nagging or anything.... No need to push yourself too hard. You always came without fail, so when you suddenly missed one, I got worried something might've happened.”
...Huh? Wait... That was fine up to a point, but what's with this conversation? Isabel was eavesdropping from the side, and the content was seriously grating on her.
Sylvia was definitely an atheist, or so she'd said. What was this out-of-left-field nonsense?
The girl had zero interest in religion. And yet... she was claiming to attend Sunday services without missing a beat?
Isabel didn't want to think it, but... no way was Sylvia crushing on the priest....
Her expression twisted more and more. Sylvia wasn't even hiding it anymore—her face was blatantly flushing red.
“Anyway, follow me, you two. I'll guide you inside.”
“Ah, okay....”
Due to the crowd, Isabel and Sylvia followed Priest Isaiah through the back door instead of the main entrance.
Everyone else was waiting at the front, so was this okay? When she asked,
The locals who lived here said all villagers originally residing here had to gather in one spot inside the church.
That way, the Lord could descend and properly identify the hero.
And so, they arrived at the church's grand chapel. As she entered, familiar faces came into view one by one.
“Just wait here. The selection starts in 30 minutes. Make yourselves comfortable.”
Priest Isaiah turned and left as if his job was done. Glancing over, Isabel saw Sylvia gaping at his retreating back, staring holes through him.
Whack—
“Ow! Why'd you hit me?”
To snap her out of it, Isabel smacked the back of her head. Sylvia staggered forward a bit and shot her a sharp glare, demanding what her problem was.
Seeing her stiffen her neck in denial, clueless about her own wrongdoing, Isabel figured she needed more smacks.
“Are you crazy?”
“Huh, why?”
“You go to Sunday service? Didn't you tell me you're an atheist?”
“Well.... Can't a girl have a little faith? Why are you suddenly like this?”
Was she playing dumb for real? If so, that was serious. It was obvious even to a bystander—Isabel's head throbbed.
“You lunatic, even so, the priest is...”
She couldn't finish. Any further would cross the line into truly taboo territory, so she barely swallowed the words back down.
“The p-priest... why him...”
“Why not post a big sign saying you're head over heels? Huh?”
“Ah.... Is it that obvious?”
Obvious? It was beyond ridiculous—Isabel nearly sighed in disbelief. Sure, aim high if you want. But a mere adventurer harboring feelings for a priest? That didn't add up.
No matter the cultural differences or her lack of tact, Isabel hadn't expected it to be this bad.
“You.... Sigh....”
Just sighs now. What was the point in saying more? She gave up and sank into the long pew.
Now that she thought about it, even that fancy outfit was probably worn to catch the priest's eye.
“Think about the gap in status between you and the priest. Some things are doable, some aren't.”
“What, come on.... Sure, it's a bit like that, but it's not a huge deal, right?”
Isabel knew how Sylvia felt. Naturally, when there's an attractive guy, wanting him for yourself was a basic female instinct.
But there were limits. Trailing him to his workplace like this was borderline criminal. If he showed interest or hid it well, maybe, but
From what she'd observed, no way.
And above all...
I've already been with the priest...
That messed with her head like crazy.
“Tch.... Fine, I'll be careful....”
“No, just... whatever. I give up.”
No point lecturing further—she wouldn't get it anyway. Let her do what she wants. Isabel leaned back against the pew. After a short wait, the chapel's double doors burst open.
The ceremony began. As the Pope entered the chapel, the noisy space fell silent in an instant.
Behind him came the cardinals and archbishops in procession, and I quietly observed everything from my secluded spot.
“Phew.... It's starting.”
Nun Rachel, who had sidled up to me at some point and stuck to me like gum. It could've looked suspicious, but luckily, our corner spot kept us unnoticed.
“Nun Rachel, where's the Bishop?”
“Over there. Can you see?”
Squinting in the direction she pointed, a black mass came into view. Head to toe in black—Bishop Lisa, unmistakably. Seated near the front, staring bored at the podium.
“Why? Should we go to the Bishop?”
“Nah, no. We'll stay here. Whatever....”
Not keen on getting involved, I shook my head.
Then I turned my gaze to where Isabel and Sylvia sat on the left.
Thankfully, they were still there, seated properly.
“We shall commence the ritual!”
With that booming voice, the descent ceremony began. The cardinals and archbishops standing behind the Pope sprang into action right after his words.
This was the moment of my first face-to-face with Saintess Amaness.