An Audience with the Saintess
"...I see. So that's how things turned out, and you've been in charge of this boy named Raoul for about two months now. Did I get that right?"
"Yes, Saintess."
While High Priest Ivan stood guard outside the door, Olivia was having a private meeting with Serena in the saintess's office. After returning to the nunnery following the worship service, Olivia had been summoned back. She had to explain Raoul's circumstances in response to Serena's questions—sticking to what she knew and carefully filtering out anything she shouldn't reveal. She mentioned how he was the cousin of a general store owner but had lost his identification and couldn't prove his status, so a guild member had brought him as part of regional guild activities. She also talked about how he'd been living at the nunnery for several months to build self-reliance.
When Serena asked why he hadn't been sent to an orphanage, Olivia replied that it was unavoidable due to Raoul's fear of men. To make it sound natural, she added that his condition seemed to have improved a lot from living here....
'A cute, diligent kid with an ordinary background... Looks like there won't be any big issues. The abbess wouldn't deceive me, after all.'
"Any other special circumstances?"
"No, none. Um... if it's not too rude, may I ask why you're taking an interest in this boy named Raoul?"
"Mm. No reason to keep it secret. If I'm not mistaken, I sensed a faint trace of divine power from his body... Ah, but please don't mention it to the other nuns? It might cause a stir."
"I'll keep it in mind. B-but divine power... That's surprising. I thought there was something unusual about him...."
Of course, everyone at the nunnery, including herself, already knew—but Olivia put on the best shocked act she could, sweating bullets inside.
"Then, since my aide, Priest Ivan, will accompany you... could you bring the boy Raoul to me?"
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"U-um, I'm Raoul."
"Hehe. Nice to meet you, devotee Raoul."
The saintess's office was quite spacious. I'd suddenly been called for a private audience with her. From the moment our eyes met, I'd had a feeling, but I didn't expect her to make the first move.
I was in the middle of planning back at the nunnery when the high priest standing beside her came to fetch me. His name was Ivan. He had kind eyes, so even though he held a high position, there was no uncomfortable pressure. And the way his gaze sparkled when he looked at me suggested he'd heard from the saintess that I possessed divine power.
While Ivan stepped out briefly, the saintess smiled gently and sat on the reception sofa, pouring tea from a prepared pot into a cup. It was the kind occasionally sold at Cecilia's store—a sweet tea called Hamallo. Perfect for women and kids.
"Oh my, no need to bow so deeply. Hehe... I just heard there was a cute boy at the nunnery and got curious to chat. Please, make yourself comfortable?"
We sat facing each other across the table on the sofas, and she kept using polite speech to ease my tension, as if trying to relax my stiff posture. I knew she wasn't sharp-tempered, but that hime-cut hair somehow made her seem intimidating... It had a way of putting people on edge.
I sipped the sweet tea on the table while we talked. Mostly, she led, and I answered. She wasn't calling me just for small talk, obviously. She started with trivial, everyday topics to pass the time, then naturally probed deeper. She seemed especially interested in my family history—probably thinking she could trace the source of my divine power through bloodline.
To align with Cecilia's story without contradictions, I vaguely said my parents were merchants traveling here and there, and I artfully dodged the rest.
"Hmm... I see. Ah, how's life at the nunnery? Any inconveniences?"
"Not at all. Everyone's been so kind; I'm really grateful to the sisters."
Getting gangbanged by 80 women is exhausting.
The saintess seemed to read the genuine comfort in my eyes. She lightly touched the cup to her lips for a sip, then wore a thoughtful expression.
Urgh. So beautiful. Every movement was graceful. She closed her eyes briefly in silence, then opened them to look at me and tossed out a bold proposal.
"Actually, during this pilgrimage, I'm planning to offer some residents educational opportunities. If you're interested in formally joining the Pure White Faithful Society... how about coming with us to Sangklie?"
"Joining... Sangklie..."
Inviting me to the kingdom's capital, where their diocese was... No doubt accepting would put me on the elite track. A windfall offer—did she plan to groom me within the church? She didn't seem that materialistic, but good was good, right? Any other devotee hearing this would weep tears of joy and pray in gratitude.
Completely corrupting the church sounded fun... but it was basically the nunnery on a larger scale, and I didn't want to be tied down long-term anyway. Even playing with dense, tantalizing female bodies all day, I still harbored a romantic longing for adventure in one corner of my heart.
"Um... it's so sudden... I can't really decide on my own..."
"Oh dear. It might be a difficult decision. Of course, you don't have to answer now. When your parents return to Langshu, could you pass on my message? That I'd like to meet them personally."
Special treatment... An idea sparked instantly.
"Yes. I'll definitely tell them when they come. And, um... I'm not sure about joining yet, but like everyone else, I want to... tr-train... so I can protect others. Is there any way...?"
"Oh, how admirable. Indeed... You're interested in training. Very well, I'll make a schedule for you. Oh, but handling divine power will be important too... What should we do...?"
Serena readily approved my training request. As she pondered who to assign for divine power lessons, I sparkled my eyes, readying my ultimate move. Fists clenched tightly on my knees. Tilt my head just enough to show expression, cheeks cutely flushed.
"Um... if it's okay... could I learn from you, Saintess...?"
"From me?"
"Y-yes. Learning from someone as beautiful—ah, no, kind as you... would put my mind at ease... and be easy to understand..."
I deliberately stammered shyly, then gazed up at her with big, pleading eyes.
"Is that no good...?"
My killer cuteness, 100% success rate against older women. But surprisingly, the saintess only blushed her cheek slightly, showing no big reaction.
"……………."
"……………."
A strange silence filled the room. She pondered for a while, then gave her answer.
"I'm sorry, devotee. During this pilgrimage, I have to care for other struggling people... I have a lot on my plate, so I'm not sure. But if an opportunity arises later, I'll let you know."
"Y-yeah, I figured... Sorry for asking..."
Never seen someone say "if an opportunity arises" while actively considering it. That was an indirect rejection...
"But don't be too disappointed. Ivan! You're outside, right?"
"Yes, Saintess. You called?"
High Priest Ivan entered naturally at her call.
"About Raoul's training... After this, could you consult with the devotee on the details? It might change the training division..."
"I see... I understand. Leave that to me."
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After finishing the consultation on training with Ivan, I returned straight to my room at the lodging.
'She even thought of dragging me to the capital... but couldn't do personal lessons? So picky about weird things. Haaaa!!'
Recalling it, I slumped completely and buried my face in the pillow.
Me, who'd devoured every older woman with my cuteness one-tool strategy, finally hit a wall. My head spun. Nah, self-deprecating as one-tool was harsh. I'd just maximized the advantages of what I had.
Up close, I couldn't even think of hypnotizing her entourage or pulling schemes. Instinct told me her "level" was higher than mine.
Sending an SOS to Luis via divine power had crossed my mind a few days ago, but no matter how much I focused, she didn't appear. Whatever. It was only the first day... Opportunities would come.
I decided to think positively... but I half-expected things to get tricky.
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The training talk wasn't just to conquer the saintess. I'd been thinking about it since Cecilia's store days. My debauched sex life had just made me forget. But now, a real chance for proper training had come.
And the training I chose was...
The next morning, I was in the front yard of Tierin Cathedral—the paladins' outdoor training ground.
"This must be the boy the saintess requested."
"Yes. Paladin MacKellin. Ah, it doesn't need to be as rigorous as formal knight training. His willingness is what's most important."
"Haha! No worries. I know better than anyone what's key at that age."
"Then I'll take my leave..."
Ivan gave a light bow and gracefully disappeared into the cathedral.
Standing before me was a tall middle-aged man. His short black hair framed a not-unpleasant face, but the large scar on his cheek spoke of vast experience.
I decided to forgo this blessed body's magic affinity, divine power affinity, spirit affinity—all those magical perks—and focus on close combat training first. A man is a sword. Why? 'Cause it's badass, duh.
Magic's smart and great for seducing women, but personally, it lacks that cool visual. If magic's an acoustic guitar, swordsmanship is electric. What's the romance of isekai if not facing foes with a single blade?
"Kid, nice to meet ya. I'm Senior Knight MacKellin. Don't know why the saintess asked this, but it ain't important. If you've got the will to learn, I'll teach you with all I've got. Got it?"
"Yes! Thank you, Knight!"
As paladins sparred, swords clashing, I nodded energetically in reply.
Finally, my first productive endeavor since coming to this isekai—for myself.