The Branch Manager's Shocking Suspicion
After Ludia and Huu left the room, the branch manager remained frozen in his seat, staring blankly.
"Branch Manager?"
"...Talk."
Only after the administrative priest made his presence known did the branch manager finally speak. His expression was like that of someone awakening from a dream.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
The priest asked with concern. Just moments ago, they'd been chatting and laughing heartily. Yet for over an hour after the two departed, he'd sat there motionless. What on earth could have happened?
"...Am I dreaming, perhaps?"
"Pardon?"
His mouth moved, but that dazed look in his eyes hadn't faded.
"What did I just witness?"
"...???"
You saw Ludia and the mercenary named Huu, the priest wanted to say, but he held his tongue. The branch manager's expression wasn't mere exhaustion—it was shock. A monumental, utterly unforeseen shock that had elicited a perfectly natural reaction.
"They didn't do anything to you, did they?"
"No, no..."
The branch manager waved off the priest's words. He muttered to himself, How could this be... Is this real?
Then, abruptly—
"Did you read the report from the valley battle last time?"
He grabbed the administrative priest's arm like a man who'd discovered something astonishing.
"Ah, yes."
"It mentioned a massive horizontal crack in the valley rock, right?"
"Er... yes, something like that. A huge horizontal fissure appeared... and the edges looked melted by fire and then solidified..."
"Exactly. That."
"...?"
Was that important? The priest eyed him puzzled. Ludia's Holy Power had poured into Huu, overflowing to carve that enormous fissure. The priest had simply accepted the report's conclusions at face value.
"According to the Central Paladin Order, if too much Holy Power flows into a sword strike, that kind of phenomenon can occur..."
"No, my boy. No paladin could create a fissure that large."
"What??"
The branch manager seemed utterly convinced of what he knew.
"When I held his hand earlier, I measured his Holy Power."
"I heard. Equivalent to a Chief Paladin..."
"Wrong. Far beyond that—abnormally beyond!"
"...?"
Excited beyond measure, the branch manager forgot his flushed cheeks and pressed on.
"And do you know how many cups of Trial Tea that man drank earlier?"
"...Ah, the tea that builds poison resistance."
"Yes."
"Two or three, wasn't it? Even Amelia can handle about four, so at that level..."
"No. A whopping twelve cups!"
"...?????"
Being a saintess candidate was grueling work. As symbols of the Church, they faced endless temptations and assaults from the outside world. Poisoning attempts were the most basic of threats. To counter this, the Church secretly administered micro-doses of poison to candidates, building their resistance. But the toxin was so potent that even first-timers would pass out after two cups. Knowing this secret, the administrative priest's eyes bulged.
"W-Wait, Branch Manager, if that's true..."
"That's why I brought up the sword strike."
"No way..."
The priest beside him was no fool. Excellent in studies and deeply versed in the Church's obscure history. Piecing together the branch manager's reaction and the clues, his face hardened. A massive sword strike. Overflowing Holy Power. A body impervious to poison. Only one person fit that description in his mind.
"Impossible, Branch Manager. The Hero passed away centuries ago."
"I know. But..."
"He vanished completely with the Demon King, didn't he?"
"True. But what do you make of everything I've said? Perhaps the Hero secretly raised an heir in hiding."
"That's..."
He was at a loss for words. Too many coincidences to dismiss as mere chance. The two stared at each other with grim expressions.
"Who else knows this?"
"The report writers, the paladins who fought, Ludia, and..."
"...?"
"Amelia."
The branch manager's face grew complicated at the priest's words. He rubbed his face with both hands and let out a deep sigh. The priest watching him didn't look much better. The Rubystone family, meddling deeply in Church affairs. And their pawn knew of Huu's existence. Did Amelia truly grasp Huu's abilities? Either way, her mere awareness was a headache.
"...For now, we could be wrong."
"That's why you sent them to the Heretic's Tomb. To confirm."
"Exactly."
The Heretic's Tomb, one of the continent's four great perils—a brutal dungeon. He'd originally planned a different trial. But upon learning of Huu's power, instinct drove him to play this card. It was a trial he'd kept in reserve, meant eventually for Amelia. But he'd changed his choice.
"I pray our suspicions hold true."
"And no one else must know. General Chest is perfect for the job. Wise decision."
"Yes. God, I hope so..."
Even the priest's reassurance couldn't calm the branch manager's pounding heart. One lingering doubt gnawed at him: Is he truly the Hero's heir?
**
On the way back after meeting the branch manager, Huu said nothing.
"Um... Sir Huu?"
Ludia glanced cautiously at him from the side. What's wrong? Is something bothering him?
"....."
No perverted racket echoing in her head, no grunts. He just walked in silence. Before long, they'd reached the lodging.
"Ah...!"
Why? Why is he acting like this all of a sudden? As she puzzled over the cause, a memory flashed.
"Sir Huu, Sir Huu?? "
"...?"
"I'm sorry for deciding on my own earlier..."
Ludia bowed her head without hesitation.
"I took the trial without asking... You must be angry?? And now you have to go with me because of it..."
To Ludia, Huu was a terrifying existence. His roars that shattered sanity, the torn flesh, muscle, and exposed bone she saw each time she changed his bandages. His overwhelming combat prowess. Is he really a zombie? The sheer otherworldliness of him. But lately, thanks to that ring? His speech was still hard to get used to, but she'd felt them growing closer, which eased her mind. Yet it led to this blunder.
"I just wanted to leave the Church, so I took it... I didn't know it would be there..."
She stared at the ground, her voice shrinking to a whisper. The Heretic's Tomb daunted even skilled mercenaries. The Church barely managed it without fully clearing it. Dragging him into such danger—anyone would be mad.
"I'll serve you as best I can. If combat breaks out, this time I'll take the front..."
What do I do? He's stronger than me, but what if he thinks, 'You? How dare you?' Her bold words made her heart race—then thud. A thick hand rested on her head. They'd stopped walking.
"(Kuhahaha!! This big-titted bitch! Time for some education!)"
"Yes?"
The gruff voice she'd awaited boomed in her mind.
"(From now on, no yapping without my say-so! And no bowing! Save that for the bed!)"
"???"
What... is he even saying? If he'd yelled or raged, she could've apologized properly. But these pervert ramblings—what was she supposed to do???
Her head rang with confusion.
"(Master and his personal bitch are one body! Of course we're going together!)"
"B-But..."
"(What can't this genius stud handle?! Just prep that body for groping anytime, bitch!! Kuhahaha!!)"
This is weird... I should hate hearing that, but it sounds kinda nice? His bizarre speech left her unsure whether to feel offended or grateful.
"(Don't worry, bitch!! You're mine!! Anyone touching my stuff gets turned into jerky!!)"
"??!!!"
Protection. Amid the crude vulgarity, surprisingly touching words. Then—whoosh!
"Eek...!"
Her body heated up. As her heart thumped, a ticklish warmth spread everywhere.
"Ahh... Why now...!"
"??"
Ludia had to stop. The branded spot burned, breath quickening, face flushing. No! Not now!! Out here, suddenly—I'll... I'll!!!
"S-Sir Huu... Ahh..."
Her reason crumbled like a sandcastle. I can't hold it! What if I do something crazy?? No! Gotta grab him!Squish.
"Grur? (Huh?)"
"Q-Quick, inside, Sir Huu! Okay?? "
Before she knew it, Ludia clutched Huu's hand to her chest and yanked him along.
"(Kuhahaha!! This bitch is in full heat!!)"
"......."
Too embarrassed to speak, her face beet-red as she dragged him with all her might—when
"(...Huh?! Damn!!)"
Huu flinched, shook off her arm, and bolted into the lodging.
"S-Sir Huu!!"
No! It's surging again!! Desperate, she clung to her reins and dashed inside.
"Sir Huu!! Where are you?!"
If he leaves me like this... Ahh! No... Please...!!Splashhh!!! Gulping dryly as she searched, a fierce jet of water roared from behind a door.
...What?
"(Kuhahaha! Damn tea's gonna shatter the toilet today!! Thought I'd die holding it!!)"
The bathroom.
"Hah... Hah... Quick..."
That's why he was quiet earlier—bathroom break?! She wanted to ask, but already leaned against the door.
"(You look urgent too!! Doesn't that powerful stream excite you, bitch?! Uhahaha!!!)"
"Hnn..."
Why me, why now... Hate it... Hnng...!
Tears welling, Ludia waited desperately for Huu.
"(Don't worry, bitch!! I'll pamper you all day!!)"
"Ahh...!"
Thankfully, minutes later. Clutching Huu's hand, Ludia finally calmed.
"W-What are you two doing?! Why are you holding hands like some lovesick couple...!"
"?!! Mari! This is...!"
They faced yet another major trial.