Chapter 437: Proof of Existence (25)
Chapter 437: Proof of Existence (25)
Senior Elsie seemed somewhat unstable that day.
It happened to be the day after my argument with the Saintess. I had no choice but to wander about with a heavy heart.
In truth, there was nothing logically flawed in the Saintess's reasoning.
Accepting a small sacrifice to prevent a greater one. I had told her that even that was unacceptable, but the judgment of a mere swordsman and a politician carrying the fate of a nation were bound to differ.
My claim that I would find a way regardless was nothing more than an absurdly optimistic outlook.
A politician had to judge rationally. They couldn't simply rely on sheer determination as I did. I knew this, yet I couldn't shake the gloom that had settled over me.
Still, I thought the Saintess, of all people, would understand.
I had harbored a naive hope that she would at least sympathize with and support my desire to save the children, but the burden she carried was beyond my imagination. I still couldn't forget the dazed, vacant look on her face.
It must be because the secret tied to this orphanage has that much of an impact.
While I fully empathized with the Saintess's feelings, I saw no way out of this impasse. If I couldn't get help from the Saintess in the Holy Kingdom, who on earth was I supposed to turn to?
Should I borrow the authority of the Imperial Household?
That was an attractive option, but I quickly dismissed the irreverent thought. Misusing the name of the Imperial Household to poke at the Holy Kingdom's sore spots?
It would likely escalate into a diplomatic incident. No matter how much I had used the Imperial authority for this and that, I couldn't be that much of a nuisance.
What do I do now?
It was then that I ran into Senior Elsie.
A petite girl shivering in the middle of a clearing—it was a sight impossible to ignore. Tilting my head in confusion, I approached her.
Senior Elsie was holding a small booklet.
I couldn't see the title, but a quick glance at the contents suggested it was a book introducing the unique cultures of various nations. There seemed to be a lot of focus on the Southern Kingdoms. Probably because it was a confederation of many different countries and tribes.
According to rumors, some tribes still practiced human sacrifice.
In many ways, the Southern Kingdoms was a peculiar place. Just like the people I'd met from there.
The punk Teahn went without saying, and so did the top student of the Swordsmanship Department in our year.
Just what kind of strange culture had Senior Elsie encountered to make her tremble like that?
A low call escaped my lips.
"…Senior Elsie?"
"Hieeeeek?!"
Senior Elsie jumped as if my voice had given her a seizure.
She glared at me with eyes full of suspicion, glancing warily from side to side.
At this point, I became even more curious about the contents of the booklet she was clutching.
I pointed a finger toward her chest.
"What are you doing? You were reading something…?"
To make matters worse, Senior Elsie began to break out in a cold sweat.
"Ah! M-Master… Well, you see, this is…"
The girl's shoulders slumped. After watching my reaction for a while, she finally confessed the contents of the book.
"It's a book about a very barbaric culture!"
"A barbaric culture?"
Her hesitation was brief this time. Having apparently decided to change her strategy, Senior Elsie stomped her foot in indignation.
"It says some barbaric tribe eats dogs! And in the summer, for health! How could they do that? Puppies are… puppies are humanity's oldest friends…!"
At her tearful plea, I let out a thoughtful hum.
My eyes slowly scanned Senior Elsie's body. She was trying her best to feign anger, but her stiff muscles betrayed her true feelings.
"It's a betrayal of loyalty! How could they! Puppies only know how to love humans…!"
'Eating,' huh?
She meant it literally, of course, but the problem was that the person in front of me was Senior Elsie. Naturally, I found myself thinking of the metaphorical implications of the word 'eat.'
When used between a man and a woman, 'eating' had only one meaning.
I reflexively recalled past memories. The soft sensation of Senior Elsie's skin, her body which was surprisingly well-developed in the right places despite her petite frame.
Perhaps it was because I had overexerted myself the day before. My thoughts bypassed my brain and shot straight down my spine.
"…That sounds like it might be nice."
"Hieeeeek?!"
At my brief remark, tears welled up in Senior Elsie's eyes.
Dropping the booklet on the ground, she hugged herself, shivering uncontrollably.
"Please spare me! Please don't put the water on to boil… I'll be good from now on. I'll listen to everything you say, Master! I won't bully others, and I'll only use pretty words… and, and…"
It was a sight I hadn't seen in a long time. I couldn't fathom why she was so terrified, but one phrase among her ramblings stuck in my mind.
"You'll listen to everything I say from now on?"
"Yes, yes… I'll do whatever you tell me. So please don't eat Elsie…"
Looking down at Senior Elsie, who was clutching my pant leg and sobbing, I spoke with a bright smile.
"Then let's brainstorm a way to persuade the Saintess together."
"Yes, yes… anything… Huh?"
That was when Senior Elsie's crying stopped abruptly.
She stared up at me blankly for a moment, then began to grumble, narrowing her eyes.
"Why do I have to talk to that bit—"
"Pretty words."
"—to that lady? May I ask why? Hehe."
And so, the plan that was formed was 'Operation: Make the Saintess Jealous.'
For the record, I wasn't the one who came up with it. No matter how much of a scumbag I might be, I wouldn't do something like that to a woman who had confessed to me.
Of course, Senior Elsie didn't seem too thrilled about it either.
The reason she agreed to play this role was that it wasn't unrelated to Sir Reynold.
Since it involved her uncle, she had no choice but to take an active role.
Still, I was glad to have Senior Elsie's help.
Because of it, I was able to walk through the city alone with the Saintess like this.
However, we couldn't show our faces. We were celebrities, and the moment our identities were exposed, having time to ourselves would become impossible. That was why we both had our hoods pulled down low.
In fact, this might have been a stroke of luck.
The Saintess's hand and mine were tentatively linked. It was a minimal measure to avoid losing each other in the crowd. Looking back now, it might have just been an excuse.
The Saintess remained silent as we walked through the city.
Was she thinking about our conversation last night?
The Saintess was not someone so naive that she wouldn't realize why I had suddenly suggested a date. She would have understood long ago that it was a gesture of reconciliation, and she likely saw through the hidden intention behind it as well.
I wanted to use this opportunity to persuade her.
Yet, the words wouldn't come. I had to say something, but my mind was so cluttered that I couldn't refine my thoughts into speech. It was the Saintess who spoke first.
"…Are you surprised?"
At her light joke, a bitter smile touched my lips.
It was a poignant observation. In truth, my body had become more stiff than necessary.
The cause was when I first met the Saintess today, before we put on our hoods.
In the morning, she had met me with a tired face and casually held my hand. When I went to see her in the afternoon as planned, I was greeted by a goddess of beauty.
I had forgotten for a while.
The places the Saintess and I usually went were always overflowing with blood and disease. There was no room for the luxury or vanity of dressing up. But if she was going out alone with a man she was interested in, the story was different.
A woman's beauty ripens further with even subtle makeup.
Today, I had no choice but to realize that truth vividly. Even with her smile partially hidden by the shadow of her hood, it was hard to meet her eyes.
The Saintess seemed to quite enjoy that fact.
"Have you finally realized? Who you are walking beside?"
"No, well…"
When I stammered an answer, a small laugh escaped the Saintess's lips.
She looked at me as if I were cute, then suddenly began poking my side with her index finger.
"Ugh! Hey, what are you… Ow, ow!"
Since she had trained in martial arts, her pokes were surprisingly powerful. In the end, I had no choice but to let out a weak cry instead of a groan.
To be honest, I could have endured it, but I felt like this would make the Saintess feel better.
Fortunately, it seemed my guess wasn't wrong.
The Saintess soon suppressed a satisfied smile.
"So behave yourself. Don't let your eyes wander."
Then, standing on her tiptoes, she added one more meaningful whisper.
"…And don't even think about ruining my mood for no reason."
"Ha," I let out a dry laugh.
It was just like the Saintess. Since we were out on a date today, she was telling me not to say anything that might upset her.
Of course, I wasn't the type to give up just because of that.
"If I don't ruin your mood, is there still a chance?"
"Feel free to try your best."
"Hmph," the Saintess said, acting coy.
It meant she had no intention of changing her mind. Although I feigned composure on the outside, my worries were deepening.
I couldn't think of any leverage to persuade her.
The only method that came to mind was, well…
Maybe I should take her to a secret room and pressure her. Commanding her with a firm tone while adding a bit of sexual harassment.
It was a truly trashy idea. But considering the Saintess's tastes, there was no better way.
That was when I sensed something strange.
Huh? My eyes turned toward a corner of the passing crowd. The Saintess, who had been acting haughty, followed my gaze.
Then, her brow furrowed.
"…Oh?"
A familiar face was visible there. It was Perry Quars, the merchant who had collapsed bleeding last night. And beside him, several others, including Ria, were accompanying him.
The atmosphere was harmonious, but one could tell just by their attire.
It was a gathering of merchants. This meant the friendly atmosphere was likely only skin-deep.
At this point, I felt two questions arise.
"Has Perry regained consciousness?"
"Yes, this morning… but I should have told him strictly to rest for a while?"
It was the answer I expected. I nodded a couple of times without a word.
Rather, my true question was something else.
The second curiosity, that was…
"Shall we follow them for now?"
The Saintess seemed to hesitate for a moment. Her feelings were clearly reflected on her face.
Disappointment, regret, and then anxiety and worry.
Finally, a long sigh escaped the woman's beautiful lips.
"…If it turns out to be nothing, you're dead."
It was a warning, though I wasn't sure who it was directed at.
Me, or Perry?
Either way, it didn't matter.
And so, the tailing by the hooded duo began.
Naturally, it was a suspicious sight to anyone who saw it.