Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Saint's Inner Thoughts
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As if approaching the source, the fog surrounding us began to thicken with each step deeper into the village.
Victoria and I, thinking holding hands wasn't enough, were walking arm in arm.
"Is it truly necessary to adopt a posture where such sensitive parts of our bodies are in contact?"
The heavy, divine power-tinged sensation made me roll my eyes, trying my best to divert my nerves elsewhere as I endured.
"We already tried just holding hands and lost each other, didn't we? Should we hug instead? I don't mind, you know."
"...Let's just keep walking like this. Hugging would likely hinder our stride."
- Ah, I still have no immunity to hugging... Last time when he hugged me from behind, I even let out a weird scream...
Only after I scolded her did Victoria finally let out a 'hmph' and tightened her grip on my arm even more.
The unique, powerful arm strength of a dragon hybrid was holding me, preventing any escape.
- I have to make good use of this opportunity, I need to make sure my chest touches him on purpose...!
While scheming sinisterly on the inside, the psychology of Victoria, who was pulling her lips thin horizontally, was bafflingly incomprehensible.
Why on earth did she harbor such excessive feelings for me?
All I had ever done for her was cast healing magic when she was badly injured, or tried to secretly resolve the side effects of her miracles.
Of course, there were times I showed no particular reaction upon seeing her naked, and I had earnestly advised her not to use miracles when I couldn't bear to see her writhing in pain.
'And she fell for me over just those things...'
I couldn't shake off an uncomfortable feeling in my heart.
The catalyst for love seemed too mundane. Everything I did for Victoria was just what anyone should have done.
Any normal person would think that way. Who in their right mind would flirt with a woman while she's suffering or in pain, just because she has a good figure or looks?
'...She's really a troublesome woman.'
Thinking that, I couldn't help but imagine the life Victoria must have lived growing up in the Papal Court.
How harsh must her environment have been for her heart to be moved by such small kindnesses or gratitude?
"You, how on earth did you live in the Holy Kingdom to only show me this side of you?"
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked Victoria. It felt like I had to ask now.
"I lived a life following the commands of the Heavenly God. I cared for those grieving where the Heavenly God's light did not reach, and did not spare this single body if I could make this world a little brighter."
- A... a sincere conversation between lovers...! He's curious about my past for the first time!
Victoria said this with her eyes slightly lowered, wearing an expression that seemed somewhat displeased.
It was as if she was recalling a sorrowful time; her faint, forced smile seemed tinged with sadness.
"Not that. I'm asking how *you* lived. It doesn't seem like you had a good time."
"...Trying to dig up a lady's past, aren't you being rather tactless? Ah, you never had any to begin with. I apologize for my slip of the tongue."
Victoria tapped her chin with her index finger, then acted as if she had just remembered something.
Normally, if I rose to such provocation and got angry or retorted, she'd tease me for days as 'the impious man who took his anger out on the Saint.'
But,
- I don't want to talk about it because it's too gloomy...
Even for me, Victoria's inner thoughts were unwilling to share her past.
- If I tell him about my childhood, how I was abused and forced to use miracles while my parents were held hostage... he'll find me unattractive...
"It doesn't matter how depressing the story is. Can you tell me up to a point you're comfortable with? Even if it's a contract relationship, right now I am your boyfriend."
I politely asked Victoria to tell me about her past. I had become curious about the trajectory of her life, given how different her outward and inward selves were.
Originally, when people live too harshly, they become strict with themselves. Having had similar experiences, I could recognize this fact.
"What an intrusive remark. Well, I'll give you high marks for your courage."
- Boyfriendboyfriendboyfriend...! It's true that I'm Astal-nim's girlfriend right now...! I'm so happy...!
Victoria's inner thoughts were screaming so loudly it felt deafening. She was cheering over the single word 'boyfriend,' overjoyed.
That such a woman was the Saint... no matter how I thought about it, she was an extreme character. I even began to doubt the Heavenly God who had chosen her.
"It might be a boring story, is that okay?"
"It's fine, so tell me. Don't leave a person hanging in curiosity."
"Huhu, this is one of the reasons I want to tease you, Astal-nim. No matter how cold your tone, kindness is hidden within it."
Victoria let out a small laugh and looked at me with warm eyes as she spoke. Her softened eyes seemed to hide some tender emotion.
"Just get to the point."
Seeing Victoria like that, a ticklish sensation rose from where our bodies were touching, and I maintained a curt attitude for no reason.
"...Since I was chosen as a Saint from a young age, I've lived receiving unreasonable requests from people around me to use miracles."
"I figured as much. You, after all, were trying to recklessly abuse miracles until I warned you."
"Isn't it about making the impossible happen in reality? My miracle can make a destitute person, impoverished to the point of not eating even one meal a day, a sudden rich person sitting on a pile of money overnight."
Victoria's words were true. In reality, the miracles she used were powerful enough to twist causality and heal the body.
While basic healing magic couldn't restore damaged or lost body parts, miracles could.
"That's not necessarily a good thing."
"What do you mean it's not a good thing? If sacrificing a worthless person like me, a wildflower blooming on the roadside, can save countless lives, it's a joyous matter. Truly a simple calculation."
As if I were the strange one, Victoria rolled her eyes and shook her head. She had become far too accustomed to pain in this way.
Even though the greatest misfortune is originally not knowing you are unfortunate.
"What kind of nonsense calculation is that? When you use a miracle, you suffer terribly, and on top of that, I caught you crying. Can't you please value your own body a little?"
I raised my voice slightly, getting angry at Victoria. The veins in my neck seemed to bulge.
"Are you worried about me now? My victory. How perverted must your usual gaze have been for you to get this angry?"
Victoria made a 'V' sign with her hand and gave a slight shrug. Though her expressionless face gave no emotion away.
- That's exactly what's good about you. You didn't see me as a Saint who uses miracles, but just as an ordinary woman named Victoria Everheart.
Her inner thoughts were evaluating me more favorably than ever. It was irritating to the point of frustration that I just stood there like a fool in a situation where I should clearly be angry.
"It's natural to get angry. There's no one who wouldn't care knowing someone they know right beside them is suffering."
"...Do you know something, Astal? People are usually not very interested in others. Moreover, there are plenty who think a Saint should endure such pain."
"That can't be..."
"You and the previous Pope were the only ones who worried about me while half my body was turning into flowers. It's from experience."
Victoria spoke calmly. As if she had experienced it to the point of weariness, and was accustomed to such reactions.
"Even so, I think you sacrificing yourself is wrong. It's the same as grabbing a clueless kid and telling them to save the world."
I didn't like Victoria's attitude.
It was clear self-loathing. I knew how painful and lonely it is to believe that if you just struggle alone, something will work out, and to overwork yourself.
"That's what a hero's party is. It's the gathered wishes of the world's people, you see."
"Even so, wrong is wrong. Before you are a Saint, you are a single person named Victoria Everheart. Pain and suffering can't be justified."
"Hmm..."
Victoria spoke with her eyes closed, in a reverent attitude. While still arm in arm, she leaned her head close to my shoulder, and the scent of flowers began to spread.
"You're saying something quite praiseworthy, unlike your usual self. Could it be that even though it's a fake relationship, you've developed feelings for me that you didn't have before?"
Victoria spoke in a low voice, lifting the corner of her mouth slightly as if satisfied.
No matter how faint her emotional expressions and facial changes usually were, I could tell she was feeling quite pleased right now.
"That will absolutely never happen. Rest assured."
"Will you be able to say the same thing a month from now? I hope you won't be begging to extend the contract for a few more days, no, even just one more day..."
As she said that, Victoria leaned the body linked by our arms forward, creating a gaze looking up at me from below.
The violent form of her chest, influenced by gravity, was drawing a streamlined curve downward.
"You really do like breasts. Truly fitting for a pervert obsessed with lust. How is it possible for you to feel desire looking at the Saint's body?"
As if noticing my gaze, Victoria smiled thinly and stuck her tongue out slightly. It was irritating how she acted deliberately contemptuous, making a disgusted face.
"...It was just a natural line of sight due to the movement."
"Is that so? For your information, I'm quite confident in my chest. Even the Succubus Queen referred to me with a derogatory term due to my voluptuous figure."
Using her other arm to support her chest, Victoria made a motion to flaunt her bust. It was grating how she acted as if she wanted me to look.
In the first place, for a Saint so devout she could be called the Heavenly God's daughter to endlessly engage in lewd talk was an act bad for the heart to witness.
If anyone were to eavesdrop on this conversation, I could disappear like dew on the execution grounds.
"What kind of Saint are you to say such things?! You were like this before, but lately it seems even worse!"
"Getting excited over something trivial. If you want, as a reward for your praiseworthy words, I could even tell you my bra size..."
- I need to slowly make him see me as a woman with this kind of fox-like behavior...!
"...I don't need it!"
"Hmm, really? Well, I suppose it was too stimulating for a virgin mage who's holding a woman's hand for the first time."
As usual, Victoria made provocative remarks, waiting for me to make a mistake.
The reason I didn't think she liked me when I first heard her inner thoughts was precisely because of this.
If I fell for such teasing and showed behavior misunderstanding that she liked me, her pattern was to tease me relentlessly for months.
"...For your information, it's an H-cup. Isn't it a full size that makes you feel the Heavenly God's love? Be proud that you've become my lover, Astal."
"It's fake! We're only lovers in name!"
"What does that matter right now? Ah, as expected, a virgin thinks differently. I'm sorry for tainting your purity."
- I won't let you get away from now on. It's all Astal-nim's fault for being so tempting...♡
Hearing Victoria's creepy remarks and inner thoughts, I silently quickened my pace and walked forward.
"Your steps have gotten faster. Are you excited after all? By common knowledge, when aroused, men move faster than usual..."
"I am not!"
I needed to quickly reunite with my comrades and get out of this village.