Chapter 65
Chapter 65
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The Saint's Inner Thoughts Are Audible
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After the whirlwind of Victoria's temptations had passed, Kyle pulled me aside separately. To the others, her actions just moments ago had seemed somewhat problematic.
"Astal, how can you be so clueless?"
Having put some distance from Victoria, Kyle let out a deep sigh, scratching his head vigorously as he spoke to me as if he couldn't understand.
"I paid for the bedding and the bed, you know. Just how much did you mess around at night for Victoria to become so obsessed?"
"……."
Even if I had two mouths, I'd have nothing to say. After all, this was the result of my utmost effort to avoid tainting Victoria's purity.
I had already rejected her confession, and I couldn't even tell her that I'd take responsibility even if she stopped being a saint.
"No matter how much you two fought, we can't let it hinder the task of subjugating the Demon King. It's a matter that affects the morale of those around us."
Kyle placed a hand on his face as he watched Victoria, who had tried to follow us even moments ago. It seemed like wrinkles were forming on his face in real-time.
"I'm sorry."
"You know how much Victoria likes you. Do you know how many meters she ran alone carrying you on her back in Bellamora's domain? She stubbornly refused even when we offered to help."
"……."
I recalled sacrificing myself to save Victoria and the moment I regained consciousness. The girl who stayed up all night nursing me so I wouldn't die.
The reason I rejected Victoria's confession was also because the battles ahead would be on a completely different level from what we'd faced so far.
I didn't want to experience watching precious people die before my eyes anymore. That's why I chose to run away rather than protect.
"…So, is there any way?"
"That's something you have to figure out yourself. Normally, when it comes to relationships, you don't listen to other people's advice or words."
I asked Kyle for help just in case, but he shook his head, expressing his refusal. I thought he'd be proficient in these matters since he'd been dating his girlfriend Stella back home for a long time.
"Love is purely a matter between two people. Marriage is different because it involves merging families. Actually, among nobles, marriage is often used as an opportunity for social advancement or for political or economic reasons."
Kyle was surprisingly cautious about this aspect. He scrutinized me from head to toe, showing meticulousness as if checking for any changes.
"First off, the dragon pheromone scent is vibrating intensely. With this, any race with a keen nose will know you're Victoria's possession."
"…Is that a problem?"
"It depends on the situation and timing. If they find out that a nation's saint has become a man's possession, most will react unfavorably…."
Kyle let out a hollow laugh as if even he found it absurd. He seemed aware that the position of saint originally didn't permit any male approach at all.
If that weren't the case, Victoria might have already pounced on me and crossed the line, so perhaps we should consider ourselves fortunate. Just as I was thinking that…
"…But it's different if the other person is you. Astal Kaiseross, the mad mage who prevented a single casualty in the Demon Realm for a whole year."
Kyle pointed at me with his finger and continued. The fact that there were no casualties while leading the hero's party together was more Victoria's achievement than mine.
Whenever someone was injured or seriously hurt, she often took charge, healing everyone with miracles.
Of course, to reduce Victoria's burden, I had performed the feat of enduring solely with potions or basic healing magic, never receiving her miracles.
"Surely Victoria fell for that side of you. It's you who shows such human praise that even a saint who follows the Heavenly God's words faithfully would be astonished."
"Kyle…."
"Even now, I'll express my gratitude. Astal, it's all thanks to you that our party made it here without anyone dying. Honestly… I never thought we'd be able to subdue Bellamora, one of the Four Heavenly Kings."
Kyle made a fist and thumped it against his chest a couple of times, speaking with an attitude that seemed to show respect.
The hero who swung the Flame Holy Sword and strove harder than anyone to save the world unexpectedly uttered pessimistic words.
"…Were you always like this?"
"I'm the hero everyone relies on, so I try not to show weakness… I'm also a person who worries and feels anxious."
At my remark, Kyle laughed heartily and admitted it. Earlier, he had shown a personality that doubted the gods while talking about his past.
Clearly, Kyle, the hero chosen by the main god Odin, unlike me, even doubted his own status as a hero.
"Besides, I have to marry Stella when I return home. I absolutely don't want to die."
"……."
The reason Kyle risked danger each time to send a magic carrier pigeon through me. As he mentioned the name of his girlfriend waiting for him back home, he smiled bitterly.
Whenever I heard such words, my heart would skip a beat, and an uneasy future would surface. A future like what happened in my hometown, where everyone I knew died and I alone survived.
"…Kyle, I swear I'll kill the Demon King even if it costs my life. So don't say things like that."
I deliberately declared my resolve to Kyle. If there must be someone who dies on this journey, it should be me, who isn't involved with anyone.
I knew about Victoria's feelings for me, but I still couldn't quite grasp what I should do about it.
"Then don't you think Victoria would spend her entire life cursing you? I think she'd chase you to hell with a hammer."
"Surely not."
"She's more than capable. Can't you see her trying to eavesdrop on what we're talking about from way over there? With that level of obsession, of course."
"…Really?"
Suddenly feeling a creepy gaze from behind, I turned my head and saw Victoria's horns there. One of her physical traits she failed to hide in time.
"So, don't even think about dying. I don't know what happened in Bellamora's Illusionary Dream… but you have a woman to take responsibility for now."
"I understand. I'll keep it in mind."
I nodded as I watched Victoria walking toward us with heavy footsteps from afar.
"I need to know what you're talking about. After all, there should be no secrets between husband and wife." A chilling intuition washed over me that if I made even a slight slip of the tongue, my skull would be shattered by the hammer Victoria was holding.
Unfortunately, I couldn't tell Kyle that we were in a contract relationship or that we had engaged in sexual acts due to the Heavenly God's oracle.
"Is the conversation over? I've come to reclaim my treasure."
"…Victoria."
I let out a short sigh as I looked at Victoria, who was clinging right next to me and growling at Kyle. Seeing her like this, I couldn't help but suspect she really was a feral cat.
"This level of obsession seems too much. Shouldn't you at least not interfere when fighting enemies?"
"Dragons have an instinct to collect and guard what they deem valuable. That's why there are places called lairs. Even I, with only half their blood, can't help but follow my instincts."
"My desire to tie your limbs and kidnap you to a hidden cave where no one knows is as strong as a chimney, but we have the duty to kill the Demon King." Victoria was glaring at me with dragon-like irises while hiding such inner thoughts. Her sharp gaze felt like it was strangling me.
"…This won't do. From now on, no kissing or hugging. No linking arms or physical contact whatsoever."
I played my trump card toward Victoria. It was becoming burdensome that she kept making such excessive physical contact with me.
"Do you think you have a choice in this matter? Choice belongs only to the strong…."
"Then I'll just stop the life-sustaining treatment and die."
I chose the most efficient method of conversation. This kind of one-sided emotional expression was nothing but a nuisance.
No matter how much she liked me, Victoria showed an inability to maintain proper boundaries or discretion.
"Please don't even joke about such things…."
"It's not a joke. We ultimately have to catch the Demon King. The greater cause must take precedence over personal feelings."
"……."
I deliberately spoke harshly to Victoria, and then tears welled up in her starry eyes, dripping down as she sobbed with a wet voice.
"O-okay… I won't be jealous anymore… Please don't abandon me…."
Victoria grabbed my sleeve tightly, looking at me with pitiful eyes like a rain-soaked cat.
"…Ugh, you trash."
"I am not…!!"
Kyle was mocking me a bit as he watched that scene, and I began to soothe Victoria by hugging her tightly to resolve the situation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "So, our goal is to sneak in and assassinate Dullahan when he holds a banquet to celebrate the arena winner."
"Understood. I will follow the plan."
Only after clinging to me for about 30 minutes, begging me not to abandon her, did Victoria finally calm down and show compliance with the other comrades' plans.
"Then let's depart. To the Undead Arena, Poseyken Hollow."