Chapter 313: Bread and Dagger (11)
Chapter 313: Bread and Dagger (11)
The elf’s treatment proceeded smoothly.
It was to be expected; she was a Saintess who had dealt with countless critically injured patients. A collapsed nasal bridge and a shattered arm weren't even enough to make her break a sweat.
Especially lately, as she had practically become my personal attending priest.
Thinking back, I really did have a lot to be sorry for when it came to the Saintess.
Not only had she followed me around and achieved great feats every time, but she had also pulled me back from the brink of death on several occasions. No matter how much I thanked her, it would never be enough.
For a while, I watched in silence as the Saintess focused on treating the elf. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but her face looked quite haggard after not seeing her for two days.
Before I knew it, a man with a delicate impression had approached my side.
It was the Saintess’s escort knight, Yuren.
He wore an unreadable expression for a moment before nudging my forearm with his elbow.
“Ian, did you say something to Sis?”
“...No, not really?”
Hadn't we been talking perfectly fine just a moment ago?
If I had done something wrong, there was no way the Saintess would have acted like that.
Yuren wasn't someone who wouldn't know this, yet his expression as he looked at me remained utterly displeased.
Uncharacteristically, he showed a moment of hesitation.
He seemed to be debating whether to say what he knew or not.
After a long pause, a deep sigh finally escaped his lips.
His hand scratched the back of his head irritably. The direct question was thrown immediately after.
“Then why is Sis crying every night lately?”
“The Saintess is crying?”
The only thing I could give back to Yuren’s question was another question.
The Saintess was shedding tears every night?
Not only was this news to me, but I also wondered if there even existed a way to make such a haughty woman so weak-hearted.
I looked at Yuren with eyes that clearly said I had no idea what was going on.
In response, Yuren just let out another sigh.
“Ian, think carefully… You’re the only reason she’d be like that.”
It was Yuren’s repeated insistence.
At this point, I couldn't just ignore his opinion.
After all, Yuren was the person who knew the Saintess best.
And it wasn't as if I didn't have a nagging suspicion in the back of my mind.
When I ran into the Saintess with Senior Elsie a while ago, she had left me looking as if she were about to burst into tears.
Was she still upset because of that memory?
As I fell into deep thought, swallowing a groan, Yuren spoke in a tone that was practically pleading.
“Ian, please, just do better… Imagine your direct superior being in a foul mood all day. Do you know how miserable that is?”
“...Is that my fault?”
“Then whose fault would it be?”
My timid resistance was immediately crushed by Yuren’s desperate rebuttal.
Even if I wanted to argue, Yuren’s momentum was formidable. He seemed to truly believe that I was the solution to stopping the Saintess’s tears.
Yuren wore a bitter smile and patted my shoulder twice.
It was a gesture asking me to take care of it.
“Anyway, talk to her properly. Sis must be feeling anxious in many ways, especially given her position as the Saintess of the Heavenly God Religion…”
With those final words, Yuren walked away with long strides.
The Saintess, who had been tending to the elf, was just about to leave the examination room. His intention to create an opportunity for the two of us to talk alone was clear.
I hesitated for a moment, but in the end, I didn't leave.
I had many things to discuss with the Saintess anyway.
If I had the chance, it wouldn't be a bad idea to grant Yuren’s request.
To be honest, the Saintess had been weighing on my mind as well.
I still couldn't forget the way she had glared at me with watery eyes that day.
That gaze—resentful, sad, and looking so pitiful.
One way or another, I was just another man among many.
Seeing how I was particularly weak against the Saintess despite knowing her true nature, that much was clear.
While I let out a small sigh, the Saintess approached me with a weary face.
Treatment was a delicate task that required high concentration.
No matter how short the time, it was impossible not to consume mental energy. It must have been even more so since it was a sudden emergency patient.
Feeling even more apologetic for no reason, I ended up clearing my throat.
Regardless, the Saintess just glared at me with narrowed eyes.
“...I’d like you to explain the situation now.”
It was a perfectly reasonable demand from her.
Not only had she received a patient while she was resting, but that patient wasn't even human—it was an elf. Anyone would be unable to resist asking questions.
I also had no intention of hiding anything from the Saintess.
As soon as I made up my mind, the long and detailed story began to flow from my mouth.
Among them were many stories that had little to do with the elf.
Starting from the fifth ‘Love Letter From The Future’ that had arrived, to the actions of the ‘me’ from the future, Seria and Celine’s training, and the fact that I had encountered Avian while looking for Emma.
I poured out all those twists and turns.
The Saintess just listened to my long explanation in silence.
No matter how long my story got, she never stopped me.
It was a relief. At least she seemed interested.
Actually, there was another reason why I was revealing even seemingly unnecessary information.
It was because the Saintess’s presence was indispensable for the journey ahead.
The main reason my companions and I had been able to stay safe was the Saintess.
Without her, there was a high probability I would have lost my life long ago. Furthermore, the range of operations we could perform would have narrowed.
The presence of a competent priest was just that important.
She was practically an extra life in herself, and her presence meant that even if casualties occurred, the loss of combat power could be minimized.
So, I had no choice but to tell the Saintess everything.
To seek help, it was standard practice to first reveal the full story of the matter.
Since I needed her, I wanted to show her the appropriate courtesy.
Besides, wasn't the Saintess someone with a brilliant mind?
She was someone who had grown seasoned in the political arena of the Holy Kingdom. It wouldn't be surprising if she pointed out facts I had been missing.
And the fact that my prediction wasn't wrong was soon proven.
The Saintess listened to my words with her eyes closed for a while, then let out a faint groan.
When she opened her eyes, they were filled with a clear sense of perplexity.
“The North and elves…”
“Do you happen to know anything?”
At my question, the Saintess slowly shook her head.
But contrary to that gesture, new information was flowing from her lips.
“I don't, except for the time I visited to comfort the soldiers in the past. However, it is a bit strange.”
The Saintess fell into thought, tapping her lips with her index finger.
For a split second, I thought those lips were quite attractive, but I deliberately hid that thought.
Showing it would only make me a target for teasing.
Fortunately, it didn't take long for the Saintess to derive an answer.
“The elves I saw back then were generally hostile, but at the same time, they feared humans. Especially since they consider life a part of nature, they cherish it dearly.”
Listening to that soft voice, I recalled the battle with Avian.
Avian’s eyes, as she rushed at me with gritted teeth, had looked almost determined.
A chilling hostility, as if she didn't mind dying in battle.
It was an emotion that didn't suit an elf.
At least, according to the Saintess’s testimony.
“But Avian…”
“Avian? Ah, that elf… Anyway, that’s why I’m saying it’s strange. It could be that only elves with a particularly strong hostility toward humanity become spies.”
That was also a plausible hypothesis.
They were people who would live among human society for years or even decades. To avoid being assimilated by humanity, their hostility would have to be that strong.
However, strangely enough, Avian’s cry kept weighing on my mind.
‘...Humans are all the same.’
That single sentence, spat out as if chewing it, was definitely not something learned.
It was closer to pouring out emotions she had felt deeply herself into words.
Avian said she had been doing business here for over ten years.
Had she been wronged by humans many times during those long years? Or was there some other circumstance?
It was a question that couldn't be answered for now.
As I fell back into thought, swallowing another groan, the Saintess began to steal glances at me.
I noticed her gaze and met her eyes.
It was a look asking what was wrong.
Then, the Saintess looked around hesitantly before lowering her voice to ask me.
“...What are you going to do with that elf?”
I wondered what she was talking about.
Instead, I asked the Saintess back with a hollow laugh.
“What would you like me to do, Saintess?”
“W-well, that is…”
The Saintess hesitated, glancing at my expression. It seemed she had a specific treatment in mind.
She soon spoke to me with a face that looked like she had made up her mind.
“She’s… she’s too young!”
“She’s probably been a spy for over ten years, though.”
“Still, by elven standards, she’d barely be an adult… If she gets taken away by the Imperial Intelligence Agency for no reason, then…”
It was a request typical of her.
The Saintess had always had strong compassion for the weak. Furthermore, having grown up as an orphan, she often showed a particularly soft side toward children.
So, the elven kid destined to be sent to the Imperial Intelligence Agency must have looked pitiful to her.
It was obvious what the end would be for an elf caught by the Imperial Intelligence Agency.
At best, imprisonment; usually, they would die after having information extracted through torture.
However, it wasn't a matter the Saintess could strongly demand.
The place where the war with the elves was in full swing was Imperial territory. Therefore, it was usually the Empire’s role to decide the treatment of an elven spy.
Even if I reported the elf’s existence to the Imperial Intelligence Agency, the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom had no right to object.
Of course, I also had no intention of concealing Avian’s existence from the Imperial Intelligence Agency.
That would be no different from failing to distinguish between public and private matters.
Nevertheless, I decided to grant the Saintess’s wish.
“Don’t worry, I have no intention of harming her.”
“R-really?!”
As if she had heard something unexpected, the Saintess shouted in surprise.
Her face brightened instantly.
The expression ‘dazzlingly beautiful’ must be used for moments like this.
I ended up averting my gaze from the Saintess’s clear smile. I felt like I wouldn't be able to control my racing heart if I kept looking.
“Yes, really… Instead, I’ll send a report to the Imperial Household and keep Avian under my supervision. I need to hear about the elves’ movements anyway.”
As if that alone was moving, the Saintess grabbed my hand with both of hers.
She even went as far as to provocatively tease me in her excitement.
“I-I’m so glad… You made a really good decision, Ian. Do you want to touch my breasts?”
This lady is saying something dangerous.
Hearing the Saintess’s provocation, I put on a solemn expression.
Even as a joke, it wasn't something to be thrown around lightly to a man. I planned to give her a firm warning this time.
Yes, that was the plan, but.
“...Really?”
Seeing the Saintess’s Pouch of Divine Power exerting a heavy presence in front of me, the answer that flowed from my mouth was completely different.
Even as I reflexively asked back, I thought, ‘Oh no.’ I realized I had fallen for the wicked Saintess’s trick.
But it was already too late, and the Saintess wore a seductive smile.
“Hmm, no? I changed my mind… But if you answer just one thing, I might actually let you touch them.”
It was then that the Saintess’s body pressed against mine.
Feeling a soft elasticity, the Saintess’s sweet scent shook my brain. I was left breathless and forgot what to say.
The Saintess’s breath touching my neck was just ticklish.
The Saintess’s pale pink eyes swept over me, tickling my heart. Soon, her gentle question flew into my ear.
“...That love letter, who did it come from?”
For a moment, I was dazed, unable to understand the question.
A ‘love letter’? All of a sudden?
But the moment I met the Saintess’s eyes again.
I had no choice but to shut my mouth.
The light had vanished from the Saintess’s pupils.
And in a terribly cold voice, she spoke once more.
“I asked who it was.”
I felt cold sweat dripping down my back.
Why did the genre suddenly change?