Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: The Saint's Inner Thoughts Are Heard
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After leaving the forbidden archives and returning to the Papal Court, someone was there to greet Victoria and me warmly.
"Brother! Did you accomplish what you needed?"
The identity of the boy wearing a white mask, who had subdued all the paladins in the vicinity, forcing them to their knees and punishing them, was...
"...I told you to stop with that title. Wilhelm."
It was Wilhelm, whom I had saved in the past.
"Haha, please don't say such disheartening things! How could I address you lightly when you are also the Saint's beloved?"
Wilhelm smiled brightly and shrugged his shoulders slightly as if it were nothing. With his every movement, I could see the others around him flinch.
"This... Did you do this?"
"Yes! I thought those who insulted you and the Saint deserved proper punishment!"
The members of the Paladin Order, bruised in places with tear stains visible on their faces, were all the people who had been badmouthing Victoria and me just moments before.
It seemed Wilhelm had solved it with his fists. It was amazing where such strength came from, given he was a boy smaller and more delicate than others.
"Well done. I've been thinking for a while that the entire Paladin Order needs to be rebuilt."
Victoria nodded to Wilhelm, giving him a grateful look. Then she produced a small cross-shaped flame in her palm.
Fwoosh.
"This is..."
"A Holy Mark. I won't repeat the same mistake this time."
The Holy Mark immediately transferred to the back of Wilhelm's hand, remaining there like a birthmark, asserting its presence.
Originally, a Holy Mark is a trace that manifests in someone with powerful Divine Power, or one that indicates being chosen by a god.
"To bestow something so precious upon me! Thank you, Saint!"
"It's my thanks for helping my partner. This should make it harder for the old men of the Papal Court to easily remove you."
Victoria had created such a mark with a miracle, far too easily. A small flower bud bloomed anew on her body, but she paid it no mind.
"...Partner?"
"Yes, aren't we in a relationship with marriage as the premise? What problem do you find with calling such a person a partner?"
"This is how I'm eliminating any escape routes for you, Astal. After the Demon King is subjugated, Wilhelm will be the Pope, so his influence will grow stronger too."
Victoria was gradually adding settings I wasn't aware of, ensuring our contract relationship wouldn't end.
Leaving room like that would naturally mean facing criticism from those around us if we broke up.
"...I hate women who are too clingy, you know."
In that case, a head-on breakthrough was the way.
If Victoria toned down her cold attitude toward me and showed a strongly possessive side, I could use that against her.
"...I think a man like you needs a faithful Saint like me by your side, managing your every move closely."
"Victoria, try to speak without insults and slander. Be gentle and kind, but don't let it show that you're head over heels because you like him!"
"What's the basis for that judgment? What confidence makes you say that?"
"You possess looks that could even tempt the Succubus Queen. That's also the reason you didn't take our lives when we met last time."
Victoria's expression was always similar. The owner of eyes like a sea of stars, which were rarely seen as she usually squinted, and with facial muscles that moved so subtly it was hard to read her emotions.
But,
"I do think a man like you would be in danger without a woman by your side who makes you delicious breakfast every morning, bathes with the same fragrance as me, and greets you with a kiss every night before bed."
"I need to feed him the food I make, show affection in small actions, and make him unable to live without me...!"
The current Victoria let out a bewitching laugh and slightly bent her waist, emphasizing the movement of her chest in her posture.
As if urging herself to be seductive.
"......"
Seeing that pathetic sight, I had no choice but to avert my gaze. Why was she suddenly doing things she never did before?
Even if she tempted me like this, I would never fall for it. After all, she was far from my ideal type.
"Perhaps... should I wear nothing but an apron for you? I think our relationship hasn't progressed to that point yet..."
"I don't think that's a conversation to have here."
"If you really want it... we could exchange things we'd like to see."
"Would it be okay to see Astal's abs or chest muscles? Or maybe I should really check his groin this time to see if he gets excited by me..."
Hearing Victoria's inner thoughts, I couldn't help but be frightened. Was the previous incident the problem? She was gradually showing a somewhat distorted sexual desire.
"Not necessary."
"Is that really so? I think it would be quite lewd. My bust is quite large, so I can fasten my clothes with my chest. Like this..."
Victoria slightly lifted the center of her clothes, emphasizing her chest. The movement of her soft skin and the slightly visible point captured my gaze.
"...I said not necessary."
Looking at Victoria like that, I tightly closed my eyes, but the sway of the incredible Divine Power pouch she had shown moments ago still lingered in my mind.
"What a pity. I'm in a rather good mood right now, so if my partner asked, I'd be willing to indulge a little."
"Hehe, now you'll imagine it in your head even if you dislike it, right? I'll gradually increase my presence this way!"
Victoria let out a bright snort again and took my arm, linking it with hers. She didn't seem to care that Wilhelm was nearby.
"Ah, and please don't be too jealous of the Holy Mark... It's my principle to cherish my partner's body more than anyone else's."
"Instead, I'd like you to leave a deep kiss mark on my lower abdomen..."
Hoo... She deliberately exhaled a sticky breath near my ear, using a sweet and dizzying voice to sway my heart.
Moreover, hearing such vulgar words in her inner thoughts made me wonder who the real succubus was.
"So that the marriage between Brother and the Saint is not hindered, I, Wilhelm, will help with all my life!"
Wilhelm, the paladin, witnessed such obscene behavior and even shed tears of emotion, swearing loyalty to Victoria.
He was kneeling on one knee, making a moved expression toward Victoria. Just how devout was he to the Heavenly God that he showed no particular reaction even when the Saint acted like this toward me?
"Don't do that. We could break up even while dating like this."
Without explicitly mentioning the contract relationship, I left one escape route open.
After all, we would return to being ordinary colleagues in a month, so we shouldn't cross lines or mix our bodies.
"It's only been a few days since we started dating, and you're saying such disheartening things."
"I told you earlier. I absolutely hate clingy women. I hate fools who don't understand others' feelings, act coercively, and just hope someone will love them."
I spoke with a slightly annoyed tone. If I hadn't heard Victoria's inner thoughts, I wouldn't have spoken like this.
I probably wouldn't have even known if she liked me from the start.
It was because I disliked seeing her use miracles on Wilhelm again after seeing that I could solve the side effects.
"Do you remember how much you insulted me?"
"...Is that so. I'll try to restrain myself more."
"My true feelings aren't getting through to Astal, it seems."
Hearing those words, Victoria slightly loosened her grip on my arm, bit her lip a little, and created some distance. Her gloomy expression was something I'd never seen before.
"I am a contradictory, sinister, bad woman, just as you said."
"Well, living with a limited lifespan, the thought that I could die anytime coexists with contradictory feelings of wanting to date Astal or have children."
As she said this, Victoria's expression contorted, and something glistened in one corner of her reddened eyes.
"Are you... crying now? You, the Saint who probably wouldn't shed a drop of blood even if stabbed with a sword...?"
It was a very small amount, but that was definitely a tear.
Until now, I had vaguely thought about Victoria liking me.
After all, I had never liked anyone before, never been in love. For an experience I'd never had, I could only fill in the gaps with imagination.
"No. You're mistaken. How could I possibly be hurt by such words?"
"I, I am hurt. Hug me quickly. Pat my head and say you're sorry for the harsh words."
"......"
Victoria's words and inner thoughts were contradictory right now.
What should I do in this situation?
Now, after reading about her in the forbidden archives, I had somewhat grasped what kind of life's twists she had.
I wish I hadn't known from the beginning. If I hadn't heard her inner thoughts like this, I wouldn't have cared.
Why was I concerned?
I clearly didn't like Victoria.
"Brother, why are you just standing there? Go comfort her."
"Wilhelm...?"
While I was pondering, a gentle hand pushed my back.
"When we met last time, I almost mistakenly thought both of you were truly emotionless people."
It was Wilhelm, the boy from the rural village Victoria and I had helped together. He brought up the past while gesturing with his head for me to go forward.
That was probably inevitable back then.
In my case, after my parents passed away, I thought sacrificing myself was the only way to atone for my sins.
In Victoria's case, living with a limited lifespan, she probably lived thinking she could die anytime.
"But now, I think both of you are just ordinary people. Crying and laughing, with feelings so strong that you're awkward at expressing emotions to your partner."
"...You seem to be misunderstanding something."
Looking at Wilhelm, I felt a strange competitive spirit. In my memory, he was just a young boy, so it was slightly absurd that he was trying to teach me.
"I don't have the bad taste of making women cry, Wilhelm."
I hugged Victoria from behind, holding her hands so she couldn't escape.
"Ah, Astal?!"
"So warm and firm... The cold sensation from your hands is so stimulating too... Are you trying to comfort me because I cried?!"
The sound of Victoria's pounding heart was louder than ever, and I could see her nape and ears turning red.
"So, be more careful with your words from now on. I'm human too, I get hurt."
I told Victoria about what had bothered me, acting as if it were nothing. Even if we were fake lovers, I didn't want to be insulted for an entire month.
"...I don't know if this will make you feel better, but let's get something tasty to eat before returning to the Demon Realm."
Was it because I saw the drawing of young Victoria crying in the forbidden archives? I didn't want to see her crying face again.
It's natural to comfort someone when they cry.
But it seemed Victoria had been aiming for this from the start.
"Alright. Then I'll show you a secret, special restaurant."
"What's on the menu?"
"Hehe, it's a secret. It's a place that gives couples something special, so I've always wanted to go there with someone, not alone."
"It's known for giving special food that's good for stamina. It increases the chance of pregnancy even if your papers are different."
Hearing Victoria's inner thoughts along with her pleased snort, I couldn't help but be shocked. I'd been fooled by crocodile tears. The thought swirled in my head.
"Plus, you have to write your names, so we can leave evidence that we dated."
"C-could we go somewhere else...?"
Having already spoken, I couldn't take it back now, so I tried to find another way to persuade her, but...
"No. I'll really get upset then..."
She was already using her considerable strength to pull me along, forcing me to move.