Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: You're the Saintess?
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You're the Saintess, aren't you?
A beauty unlike any I'd ever seen, radiating a displeasure utterly different from Lily's...
Hmm, is this woman the Saintess that Nameless mentioned?
Not entirely certain... but no, it has to be her.
That would explain this inexplicable disgust I'm feeling. And the clothes she's wearing—pure white, sure, but unmistakably the sort of habit you'd see on a religious zealot.
Especially that ornate rosary dangling from her neck. It'd be weirder if she wasn't the Saintess.
So, she's not exactly hiding it, then?
"Um... excuse me...?"
As Nameless and I ignored her words, the woman tilted her head with an awkward expression.
Hmm. Truth be told, I'd rather not get involved with her at all... but if she's really the Saintess, outright ignoring her might cause problems.
Look at the coachman right now—his jaw's practically on the floor in shock.
I let out a small sigh and stepped past Nameless to stand before the presumed Saintess.
"You're the one from the rumors—the Saintess?"
"...! How did you—!"
The Saintess's already large eyes widened even further, and she lunged forward, reaching out to cover my mouth.
Her touch felt repulsive against my skin.
I sidestepped just one pace.
"Wha—!"
Evidently not expecting me to dodge, the Saintess pitched forward, arms fully extended, and began to topple.
Should I catch her? No, still don't want to touch that body...
As I tilted my head this way and that, agonizing over it, she faceplanted into the ground.
-Thud
Hmm, too late.
"Ow ow..."
She let out a small groan, wriggling a bit before sitting up.
Her eyes were red-rimmed; she clearly found the situation mortifying.
It was a little funny—my lips twitched despite myself—but mocking someone who'd just fallen felt too cruel, so I held it back and asked after her wellbeing.
"You alright?"
"...Yes."
Of course, I didn't extend a hand to help her up.
I just didn't want to touch her...
Nameless, who had been silently watching us, let out a soft sigh. He approached the Saintess, bent at the waist, and offered his arm.
"...Allow me to help you up."
"Ah! Thank you."
Only then did the Saintess beam brightly, grasping Nameless's hand and rising to her feet.
Something about the sight made my eyes narrow...
Well, that's just how it goes.
Nameless has a kind heart; he couldn't stand seeing her like that.
Hmm, exactly.
Once fully upright, the Saintess brushed the dirt from her knees and flashed Nameless a sweet smile.
My brow twitched.
"You're the one from before, right?"
"If you mean from the mountains... yes, that's me."
What? Had the two of them already met behind my back?
My brow twitched even harder.
Something didn't sit right.
I shot Nameless a sharp glare, demanding an explanation. He scratched his head sheepishly, sidled up to me, and whispered in my ear.
"When Master headed to the village first..."
"Hmm..."
Nameless's explanation went like this.
The first time we'd left the cabin for the village, when I'd raced ahead under the pretense of a test, leaving him alone—this Saintess and what seemed to be her knight escort had come to the mountains where we lived.
They'd only exchanged brief words, like asking for directions.
Seeing him sweat bullets as he explained improved my mood a bit...
But still, something rubbed me the wrong way.
Making new connections without my knowledge? And not telling me about it?
Maybe I need to give him a good scolding sometime.
I huffed at Nameless and turned to look up at the Saintess.
I hadn't noticed earlier, but this Saintess... she's pretty tall, unlike me.
Of course, "pretty tall" by women's standards—she was still shorter than Nameless.
Even so... wasn't that about the ideal height difference people always talk about for a man and woman?
A stifling sensation settled in my chest. I shook my head vigorously to clear the stray thoughts.
Later... I'll think about this later.
More importantly: why had the Saintess approached us?
"Eek!"
I poked Nameless hard in the side and stepped toward the Saintess.
"So, what's your business with us?"
The Saintess glanced at Nameless, then nodded as if realizing something.
She turned to me with a bright smile and spoke.
"You seemed to be having trouble securing a carriage."
"...And?"
"My companion and I rented one outright, but if it's alright with you, would you like to join us?"
Hmm, sharing a ride... no real reason not to accept.
It's not a bad deal for us.
Actually, isn't it too good?
I narrowed my eyes at her, trying to read her intentions, but her cheerful smile suggested no ulterior motives.
Hmm, what to do?
I glanced at Nameless for his opinion...
"Whatever Master decides is fine."
He offered that unhelpful response and stepped back.
"Ha..."
Only useless at times like this.
I pressed my forehead, sighing softly, then turned to the Saintess, who watched me eagerly with sparkling eyes.
Lips pursed at the distasteful answer I was about to give, I let out another small sigh.
"...No reason to refuse."
"So you'll ride with us?"
"Yeah, thanks."
Hearing my reply, the Saintess bounced with joy for some reason, then cleared her throat awkwardly as nearby gazes turned our way, straightening her posture.
I eyed her coldly for a moment before turning and heading back to Nameless's side.
Business done—time to go.
This sudden mess was giving me a headache.
Honestly, I had zero desire to share a carriage with the Saintess.
I mean, come on?
She's radiating that unpleasant aura nonstop—why would I willingly travel with someone like that?
Still... there was a clear reason I had to grit my teeth and agree.
She's heading to our destination?
What a coincidence.
No way someone like a Saintess visits that far-off place without reason. And since what we're after is the scabbard of a sword once used by the Demon King's forces, maybe she's there to seal or retrieve it?
I need to confirm this.
Besides...
I turned to look at Nameless, who gazed at me with worried eyes.
"Master, if it's uncomfortable, we don't have to join them."
Hmm, who knows.
In the original story—where I didn't intervene—maybe Nameless and the Saintess ended up together?
Wild speculation, perhaps, but without knowing the original plot, I can't be sure of anything.
Gloomy thoughts began to stretch out endlessly.
No matter how much I disliked the Saintess, her beauty was an undeniable fact.
And Nameless matched her in looks—they'd make a perfect pair, wouldn't they?
In the original timeline, maybe some event brought them together for a happy life.
Suddenly, my chest tightened.
It wasn't frustration at the thought of the Saintess snatching away the disciple I'd raised.
Rather, realizing I'd erased that future with my meddling—that my intervention had wiped it away—made my heart ache fiercely.
Maybe coming down from the cabin was a mistake.
Or perhaps I never should have taken Nameless in to begin with.
The waves of melancholy crashed endlessly, my head throbbing. I raised a hand to my forehead.
"That's why I holed up in the mountains all those years..."
But I shouldn't think like that.
These were all my choices.
Taking Nameless as my disciple. Leaving the cabin.
I glanced at Nameless.
Sensing my mood, he fidgeted with his lips and broke into a sweat.
He looked just like a puppy eyeing its owner after mischief—laughter slipped out.
Hmm, actually, I should be the one apologizing...
But since he didn't know that, I roughly ruffled his hair.
"Seeing your face really chases away the gloom."
"...Pardon? Is that a good thing?"
"Of course it's good."
"...Yes."
Leaving Nameless with his subtle expression, I approached the Saintess to resume our interrupted talk.
"Can I just call you Saintess?"
"W-Well, it's supposed to be a secret... If it's alright, could you call me Elia?"
"Hmm, sure."
I'd asked just in case, but Elia... no memory of that name either.
I nodded and continued.
"Where's your companion?"
"Oh, right—I haven't introduced him. Sorry."
"No worries."
Elia scanned the area, then stretched her arm high and waved at a man.
"Lucius! Come here a sec!"
Hmm, so her companion's name is Lucius.
I turned and eyed the man she'd called.
...He's bigger than Nameless?