Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Chapter 30 - 마요네즈 하나로 성인(聖人) 등극
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter 30: Becoming a Saint with Just One Mayonnaise
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"You are undoubtedly the being in whom a saint has been reborn!"
"...Pardon?"
My dumbfounded response only made Lumiel look at me with even greater conviction in her eyes.
And then came the saintess's words, tinged with a hint of excitement.
"How... how can you create such a flavor with just potatoes, eggs, carrots, and celery! This isn't mere food—it's a taste that comforts a starving tongue and revives a weary body, truly a salvation in itself!"
"The tomato sauce before was the same! You crafted the most astonishing taste from the most common and cheap tomatoes, breathing life into the tables of the poor. This is precisely the miracle performed on behalf of the Lord!"
Her voice began to grow hotter with passion.
Like a devotee giving testimony of faith, her face bloomed with overwhelming emotion.
"And you weren't ashamed of it."
Lumiel paused to catch her breath, then looked up at me with golden eyes even more glistening than before.
"Rather than worrying about a noble's dignity, you humbly lowered yourself to cook for the hungry. And before that, without a moment's hesitation, you threw yourself to save me as I was about to collapse! Just like a prince from a fairy tale!"
She seemed to have forgotten what she was saying, pouring out words in the giddy tone of a girl in the throes of first love.
"In that moment, truly... my heart... it pounded so loudly, as if it wasn't even mine... The scent that wafted from you when I fell into your arms lingers even now... Your face keeps coming to mind, making it hard to focus during pre-meal prayers..."
Her words cut off abruptly, like steam from a boiling kettle suddenly plugged up.
Lumiel's pale cheeks flushed beet red in an instant.
Her golden eyes trembled in confusion, and then, realizing what she'd said, she covered her face with both hands.
"Hiiiaaah...! Wh-what did I just say...!"
The saintly, reverent demeanor from moments ago vanished as she let out a near-scream and bowed her head deeply.
"N-no, that's not it! Forget what I just said! Please! The part about prayers being hard was just a figure of speech! I swear!"
She flailed her hands in frantic denial, but her burning red ear tips betrayed her completely.
I barely suppressed a laugh and nodded as if oblivious.
"Of course. Prayers are important, after all."
At my clumsy response, Lumiel let out a small "Euuu..." and buried her face in the straw bed.
Now flushed from her ears down to her nape.
Rather than the dignity one might expect from a saintess, she showed the endearing awkwardness of a fresh young woman just entering adulthood. It was cute.
"Calm down first, Saintess. Your throat must be dry."
"...Thank you."
She took the cup without lifting her face, head still bowed.
For a long while, the hut filled with awkward silence, broken only by the careful sound of her sipping water.
In the meantime, the sun dipped lower, painting the western sky red as it marked the boundary between day and evening.
"Ah...!"
Lumiel startled at the change outside the window and jumped to her feet.
"It's already this late... The sisters must be waiting. I need to hurry back...!"
She rushed toward the door but stopped short.
This place was some distance from the Merenes estate center. Walking would make it impossible before sunset.
Realization dawned, and anxiety and distress clouded her face again.
"What should I do... Even if I go now, the carriage..."
"Don't worry."
I reassured her and stood.
"I'll see you back."
"Pardon? B-but how..."
"I have a very fast horse."
I pointed to Silvermane idly grazing outside the hut door, and Lumiel's golden eyes widened momentarily at its majestic form.
I extended my hand to her, asking as politely as possible.
"It might be a bit uncomfortable, but you'll have to ride with me. Is that alright?"
Hesitation flickered in her golden eyes, but she soon nodded with quiet resolve.
I mounted lightly first, stepping into the stirrup and settling into the saddle, then offered my hand again.
"Here, take my hand and put your foot in the stirrup."
Her small, soft hand tentatively rested on mine. The first time touching the saintess's hand.
Warmth transmitted through her delicate palm, slightly moist and smooth white skin.
She hesitated a moment, then gripped my hand with trembling fingers and carefully stepped up.
I supported her waist lightly, pulling her up onto the saddle without letting her lose balance.
"Kyaa!"
The sudden floating sensation drew a small cry from her, but soon her body settled safely behind me.
The slender but unmistakable warmth against my back. And her breath, quivering with tension.
"Hold on tight, Saintess. It's faster than you think."
She hesitated at my words, then gripped my waist ever so lightly, barely brushing my clothes.
At that cautious touch, I chuckled softly and repeated.
"If you hold like that, you'll fall off. It's fine—grip tightly."
"Pardon? B-but how can I touch a man's body like..."
In response, Silvermane—as if reading my mind—pawed the ground lightly, snorting with a soft whinny.
That slight motion made Lumiel sway.
Instinctively, she let out a "Kya!" and hugged my waist tightly.
"Hii?!"
The slender but definite sensation pressing against my back. Warmth seeping through her thin habit.
And the graceful curves of her modest yet ample figure beneath the saintess's robes...?!
The sudden soft pressure on my back made my body stiffen involuntarily.
But I quickly composed myself, speaking in a calm voice as if nothing happened.
"Are you alright, Saintess?"
"S-sorry! I didn't mean to, the horse just moved suddenly...!"
Her voice from behind trembled with panic.
She tried to pull away hastily, but Silvermane scraped the ground with a hind hoof, making her cling back with a "Hii!"
Now in perfect, undeniable contact. The ever-shifting softness against my back... Don't think about it.
'Don't think about it, don't think about it...'
I gripped the reins desperately, chanting to myself, but the vivid sensations only grew sharper—her ragged breath tickling my ear, her long hair brushing my back from where it draped over my shoulder.
I forced a casual tone.
"Then, we're off. Hold on tight."
A gentle nudge with my heel signaled a gradual acceleration from trot, but the beast—perhaps toying with its master—exploded forward on all fours right from the start.
"Kyaaaaah!"
The unexpected explosive acceleration.
Without the imperial saddle gripping my hips and waist, even I might have been flung back.
But the saintess, seated not in the saddle but on the horse's bare back, felt it through her entire body.
She screamed and instinctively hugged my waist even tighter.
"Whoa, whoa! Silvermane! Calm down!"
I yanked the reins desperately to control the mad dash, but the horse only seemed more exhilarated, pounding the earth fiercer.
"Kyaa! It's f-fast! Too fast, Lord Jonathan!"
"It's fine! I won't let you fall."
Emboldened by my words, her trembling eased bit by bit.
Soon, Silvermane's frenzied gallop settled into a steady canter.
No longer wild rampage, but a smooth glide over the land.
"Saintess, are you alright?"
I couldn't see, but I felt her head buried against my back nod.
I gently patted her arms around my waist and spoke softly.
"If you're okay now, try opening your eyes."
She hesitated, then cracked her tightly shut eyes open just a sliver.
A soft gasp escaped her lips.
"Ah..."
The world flowed past.
Reddened western sky, golden hills glowing in the light, wildflowers dancing in the wind.
All scenery streamed by like a painting.
The slender quivers from my back faded, replaced by quiet exclamations of wonder.
"...Beautiful."
Her whisper mingled with the wind, reaching my ear.
"The world I've only seen in books is unfolding before me. So fast, so free..."
Her voice carried a liberation and pure joy I'd never heard before.
For one who'd spent her life in monastic prayer and rigid rules, how novel this ride must be.
I tightened my grip on the reins, maintaining speed.
I hoped she'd fully savor this world's beauty, even if just for this brief moment.
How much longer did we ride?
In the blink of an eye, faint market lights appeared in the distance.
Silvermane slowed at my signal, coming to a silent halt at the market entrance.
Regret tugged at me, but I had to get her back before dark.
"...We're here, Saintess."
"...Yes."
Her voice thick with reluctance. She slowly, very slowly unwrapped her arms from my waist.
That warmth still lingered vividly on my back.
I dismounted first and offered my hand to her still-flushed cheeks.
"I'll help you down. Shift your body this way slowly..."
She gathered her legs to one side to dismount.
As her feet touched ground after the long tension, her legs buckled slightly.
"!"
I reflexively wrapped my arms around her waist to steady her.
Her body fell fully into my embrace. Face-to-face at intimate distance, her surprised breath brushed my chin.
A still, dizzying closeness unlike the ride.
Slightly shorter than Erika, her petite yet feminine figure, soft touch through ample robes.
I tried not to notice, holding until she regained balance.
But she showed no sign of pulling away.
"S-Saintess...?"
"Just a moment. Like this, just a little..."
And so, the saintess lingered in my arms for a long while.
Her golden eyes, inches away, held me steadily.
Embraced, she exhaled softly but clearly.
A faint scent of sun-dried wildflowers wafted over.
I waited for her to calm, but she seemed to burrow closer.
Then, dreamily, she murmured.
"So warm..."
Her cheek brushed my chest softly, her hot body heat seeping through thin fabric.
Worried she might still be dizzy, I spoke carefully.
"Saintess, if you're steady now..."
But before I finished, she looked up.
With the purest smile, she whispered words that erased mine.
"Being with you, Lord Jonathan, makes me feel truly alive for the first time."
Her confession stole my breath.
"Prayers always felt like sending my heart out from a locked room. But on the horse earlier, it was like my soul itself soared. Because you were there, I wasn't afraid."
She placed a hand gently on my chest.
Thump, thump. My heart raced wildly—surely audible to her.
"I can hear it. Your heartbeat, mine too. I've never felt so vividly alive before."
Finishing, she shyly lowered her eyes, as if sharing a great secret.
Realizing her boldness, she startled and pulled away.
"Ah...! S-sorry! What did I say again...!"
Flushed, she closed her eyes and steadied her breath.
After deep breaths, she slowly raised her head.
The blush lingered, but her golden eyes regained astonishing clarity and serenity.
"...Thank you."
She no longer flustered.
Meeting my gaze directly, she bowed gracefully, slowly, with poise.
"Today, you showed me the world. Freedom that existed only as words in books, and the joy of being alive."
Instead of pulling away, she clasped my hand gently between both of hers.
Reverently, she pressed my hand to her forehead.
"This is my blessing and vow, in the Lord's name."
Her warm forehead touched my hand. I swallowed at the sudden gesture.
Looking up, her eyes shone holier than before.
"When your path falls into darkness, I vow to be your guiding light. A humble repayment for the salvation you granted me today."
With that, she released my hand.
As if nothing happened, she stepped back, face flushing anew.
"Th-then, I'll go...! The sisters are waiting...!"
Her last words nearly a shout, she dashed into the market lights without looking back.
Her white habit vanishing into the dark resembled a light, free butterfly.
"......"
Alone on the road, I stood motionless for a while.
Silvermane approached from behind, nuzzling my neck with a contented snort.
"Ack?!"
The warm breath on my nape made the beast curl its upper lip in what looked like a grin of satisfaction.
As if denying the earlier rampage, it stood beside me, eyeing me like 'Not riding?'
That ride earlier... Did it know what it was doing?
"Jeez."
Grabbing the saddle horn and stirrup in exasperation, it trotted normally as usual once mounted.
Facing the setting sun in the west, I turned toward Kandoria once more.
Thoughts of making fresh mayonnaise on return felt more exciting than bothersome.
"Hii-hi-hing!"
With Silvermane's cheerful trot, the moon quietly rose in the sky.
*Some time later, at the monastery.*
That night, back at the monastery, Lumiel stood by her small prayer room window, gazing at the night sky.
The evening glow so close she could touch it, the wind brushing her ears.
His broad, warm back that had supported her firmly.
And the meal from the hut—cozier and tastier than any feast.
Unconsciously, she clasped her hands over her chest.
—Thump, thump.
The unfamiliar pounding first felt at the hut had become an unending melody filling her body.
This was different from awe for the Lord.
A single stone tossed by one man had rippled uncontrollably across her lake-calm heart.
Feeling the cool night air on her cheek, she whispered softly.
"Lord Jonathan."
Yes, he had said it then. He wanted more people to find comfort.
That cloud-like white sauce he showed her—was it made for this?
"Come to think of it..."
The Princess offered power, the Tower offered techniques.
Back then, I could only give intangible justification and blessings.
I thought I couldn't be a real shield for his path—just frail prayers.
But now I understand. What I, his benefactor—no, the new saint—can offer. What I must offer.
If his Penance Feast became the church's trial to cleanse sins, this soft dish I tasted today is salvation embracing weary souls.
A miracle turning rough, humble ingredients into silk-smooth, cloud-fluffy cuisine.
Isn't this the Lord's warmest embrace the church must spread to the world?
What I can do. What I must do.
Bestow the church's holiest name upon this salvific taste, proclaim its value to all.
Pave the way for his benevolence to reach the farthest, lowliest places unhindered by worldly obstacles.
That is the one, strongest blessing I, Lumiel Benedicta, can give him.
'Wait for me, Lord Jonathan.'
'I will be your most devout apostle, opening the path for your goodness to reach the world's lowest corners.'
A shy, warm smile—her first ever—bloomed on the saintess's lips.
And with that smile, another tale of the empire quietly began.