Chapter 127: Bonds Forged in the Holy Empire
Only Han Siu's party was heading to the Holy Bishura Empire.
The five of us who had explored that place dubbed the Saint's Dungeon together.
"Who would've thought we'd be back here so soon."
Elaine unpacked her things, glancing around her room that she hadn't even stayed in for a full month before returning.
She had joined Han Siu's party and started living with him in the Palania Kingdom, but that didn't mean her status as the 3rd Saintess vanished. It was like a dual citizenship of sorts, and the Holy Bishura Empire was quite lenient about such matters.
"At this rate, we might end up coming once a month."
The saintess chuckled lightly and sank into the plush sofa.
There was still some time before she had to meet the others.
But someone interrupted her rest.
Knock knock.
"...?"
"It's me."
"..."
The moment she heard that voice, Elaine's face twisted in annoyance.
It was someone she neither liked nor was close to. But she couldn't just ignore her outright. After all, the visitor was another saintess just like her. There was no hierarchy among saintesses in terms of status, but from an external perspective right now, the other held a higher position.
'Being in an SS-grade hero's party means that much, huh.'
"...Come in."
"Hi~."
The woman who entered was the 2nd Saintess, Kim Hansol.
Her black hair, reaching her shoulders in a somewhat disheveled state—likely from dodging the maids—did nothing to diminish her stunning beauty. Her white, lightweight outfit contrasting her dark locks, paired with her makeup-free face, were key points of her charm.
Maybe that was part of why Elaine kept her distance.
"What do you want?"
"Aw, why so prickly?"
"I'm not."
"Heh heh."
"..."
Elaine couldn't hide her unease. Kim Hansol's overly familiar attitude was nothing new, but today it felt especially off. She couldn't shake the feeling that the woman wanted something badly.
"...What do you want?"
"Huh? What do I want? Nah, nothing like that. Just came to ask a few questions."
"Mm. Go ahead."
She tried to play it cool, but her palms were sweating.
The first things that flashed through her mind were info on Siu. Or maybe the gains from the Saint's Dungeon. None of it could be handed over lightly. Even beyond that, Siu was her love, her master. She couldn't share anything without his permission.
With her resolve hardened—
"Does he really rock your world that hard?"
"...Pardon?"
Elaine stumbled at the unexpected question.
"Ahaha. He's super famous for it. They say he absolutely wrecks you?"
"..."
Kim Hansol didn't stop there, poking her finger in and out of a circle made by her other hand. It wasn't exactly subtle, but Elaine was so on edge that her fluster wouldn't subside easily.
"What, no answer? Don't tell me the rumors are overhyp—"
"No way!"
"Whoa, you scared me."
"I guarantee you, Lord Siu's cock is the strongest in the world! No man could ever compare!"
At Elaine's booming declaration, Kim Hansol smirked, her lips curling up.
Contrary to what the pink-loving saintess girl might think, she actually quite liked Elaine—not romantically, but as a person. Especially to her, who had laid a full carton of eggs this year, Elaine was just an adorable little sister.
'Now that's my Elaine.'
Finally, she was acting like the Elaine she knew. Kim Hansol thought it didn't suit her to be so tense, guarded, and deep in political games. Elaine was supposed to be honest about her desires and bold.
Elaine, her voice a bit heated, rattled off praises and boasts about Siu. She meant to school Kim Hansol, who seemed to be slighting him, on his greatness—but to Hansol, it was just cute.
'Ah, she's seriously adorable.'
How smitten did she have to be to talk with such a flushed face?
Suddenly, interest sparked where there had been none.
'Come to think of it, Ariel's showing a bit of curiosity too... Nah, no way. That self-righteous goody-two-shoes.'
"Um, Lady Kim Hansol? Are you listening?"
"Ah, yeah yeah. Of course I am. Hearing how much our Elaine loves Hero Han Siu."
"Hee hee. You heard it all, then."
'Huh...?'
She'd half-answered while tuning out with one ear, but Elaine looked thrilled.
How deeply did she love that guy? Everyone had their match, it seemed. For the Holy Empire's headache of a saintess to be drawing hearts in her eyes like this.
Feeling she'd preached Siu's greatness sufficiently, Elaine crossed her arms with a satisfied smile.
"So, what brings you here? You didn't come just for that.'"
"Huh? Yeah, I did."
"Pardon...?"
"I had some time to kill and was bored. Then I thought of you and came to chat."
"..."
"Well, we've killed enough time. I'll head out now~."
Kim Hansol turned with a grin.
Elaine, who had been on guard expecting some scheme, reached out in confusion.
"W-Wait? You're really leaving?"
"Yeah. See ya later."
"But..."
Yet Kim Hansol left without a hint of lingering.
Left alone, Elaine stared blankly at the door for a while, then sighed. She was utterly incomprehensible. Given her background, it wasn't surprising, but Hansol was off-spec in every way.
"...Ah, time already... Sigh. Didn't even get a proper rest."
The saintess shook her head.
But time was time; nothing to be done.
Soon, she left the room.
Maybe because she'd just been raving about Siu—
Her cheeks were a bit flushed as she headed to meet him.
The Holy Bishura Empire had a total of four saintesses.
1st Saintess of Harmony. 2nd Saintess of Judgment. 3rd Saintess of Blessing. And finally, 4th Saintess of Healing.
Each specialized in their field, so none was more important than the others.
However, their public image could vary based on their activities.
For instance, 2nd Saintess Kim Hansol was hugely popular among the people for her active role as the core dealer in SS-grade hero Ariel's party. In contrast, the 1st Saintess handled internal coordination within the church, earning admiration from the faithful.
The young girl before Siu now, however, had no public activities beyond volunteer work.
"..."
"Um, Lady Saintess?"
"Please call me casually, Saint Candidate Han Siu. I'd be grateful."
"..."
Where had she learned it? 4th Saintess Cassandra was a girl who made people uncomfortable in various ways.
She reminded him of Hero Ariel, yet felt different somehow. Dealing with her was tricky. She didn't just show proper respect and deference—she overdid it to an excessive degree.
"I'm still just a candidate, and only an A-grade hero. It makes me uncomfortable when you treat me like that."
But Cassandra shook her head.
"No, that's not true. You're the party leader of 3rd Saintess Elaine and a hero yourself. How could I? So please, speak comfortably..."
As she continued, the parlor door opened, and Elaine entered.
"Oh?"
"...!!"
"Ah, Elaine."
"You're with Sandy?"
"Sandy?"
Siu looked at Cassandra, unfamiliar with the nickname.
The mid-teens girl with light pink hair had turned as red as her locks. Seeing that, Siu finally thought, Ah, she's acting her age. Nicknames embarrassed her, it seemed.
"She's cute, right? Our little Sandy."
"P-Please stop, 3rd Saintess."
"Come on, just call me big sis Elaine."
"I-I couldn't possibly!"
Cassandra shot to her feet.
"Saintesses are equal, but we're still seniors and juniors by ordination order. How could I..."
"Sheesh."
"Eek!"
Bored of the stuffy talk already, Elaine lunged at the little saintess and buried her face in her own chest. Elaine's breasts weren't huge, but they were soft and springy. Cassandra's face stayed flushed.
She sat across from Siu, holding Cassandra in her arms.
"Jeez. She just had to get stuck with such a rigid educator nun."
"Haha. You never know. The one mentoring you isn't exactly a total free spirit either, is she?"
"Mm, true enough."
As Elaine nodded, Cassandra squirmed in her cleavage.
"Mmph! L-Let... let me go, 3rd Saintess!"
"Call me sis and I will♡"
"Ugh... B-But..."
"Sis♡"
"...S-Sis..."
"Kyaa♡ So cute♡"
"Mmmph...!"
Far from releasing her, Elaine squeezed tighter.
Siu chuckled warmly at the sight of the close-knit saintesses. Maybe because the world was flipped, but they felt like family. Cassandra didn't seem to hate it entirely, judging by her expression. From the start, the way she'd come to check him out reminded him of a girl meeting her new brother-in-law.
Gender-swap it and it'd be horrifying... but they were women in the original world anyway.
"So, what brings you here?"
Elaine released Cassandra and voiced what Siu wanted to ask.
"Just... to say hello. We might become one family someday."
At Cassandra's words, Elaine's eyes widened, then softened into a gentle smile.
It struck a chord in her heart.
"One family... Hee hee, you're right. Lord Siu, when do we get married?"
"Marriage... Maybe once things settle down? So we can honeymoon right after."
"Honeymoon! Yes!"
Soon, the two excitedly chatted about honeymoons. The wedding and trip wouldn't be just for two, but planning ahead couldn't hurt. Siu held the strongest say anyway.
"Wait, I meant about your recognition as saint..."
Cassandra watched them in a daze from the side.