Each Their Own Circumstances
The man who had gone to the chapel under the pretext of offering a prayer hid in the shadows, holding his breath at the scene unfolding before him.
It had been a coincidence.
In other words, he most certainly had not come to spy on what Leila might be doing after bringing the hero along.
Even as he justified his actions to himself, Soleil was utterly shocked.
Leila was acting embarrassed in front of the man called the hero.
The first time he had met the saintess was fifteen years ago. In all that time, he had never once seen her become flustered simply from holding a man's hand.
If she truly possessed such innocent, maidenly sensibilities, she would never have been subjected to such unjust treatment within the Holy See.
Recalling the past, Soleil thought to himself.
He had found it endearing to watch the child who followed him around, claiming to admire him. It felt as though he had gained a much younger sibling.
The first time he sensed something was amiss was the year she turned fifteen.
The sky had been just as clear that day.
"Sir Soleil!"
"Ah, Saintess."
"I'm fifteen today!"
"Happy birthday."
"Hehe!"
After congratulating the child on her ordinary birthday, he had asked if there was anything she wanted as a gift.
"Then… would you give me your time for the entire day, Sir Soleil?"
"If that is acceptable, then by all means."
"Hehe… Then let's meet at the main gate in an hour!"
"Understood, Saintess."
For seven years now, he had regretted not realizing sooner.
The child who normally wore only her nun's habit—despite Sister Teresa's constant nagging to try other clothes—had suddenly asked to meet in an hour because she needed time to prepare.
He truly had not known such a situation would arise.
After spending that hour, he made his way to the main gate dressed in his usual priestly robes, only to witness an unbelievable sight.
"Ah, Sir Soleil! You're here!"
"…Saintess?"
Instead of her nun's habit, she wore a simple white dress and a white hat with a brim. She had even applied light makeup for the first time in her life.
Anyone could see she had put considerable effort into preparing for a date.
Because she had been loved by everyone in the Holy See as a younger sister or a daughter for eight years, an unusually large crowd had gathered at the entrance that day just to witness the spectacle. She stood at the center of it all.
He should have fled even then.
"You look different from usual today."
"…Does it not suit me?"
Panicked by her teary, shocked expression, he had blurted out all sorts of compliments—that it suited her very well, that it was a fresh sight he had never seen before, that she looked beautiful.
"Hehe. Sister Teresa helped me dress up as a celebration now that I'm fifteen!"
After spending the day together and parting ways upon returning to the Holy See, he was immediately summoned.
What happened afterward was something he did not wish to recall.
All he remembered was the Pope, radiating murderous intent while holding the mace he had used in his active days, along with the bishops who usually doted on the child with snacks while pretending otherwise, all gathered to threaten him.
He had thought it would have been easier to face an army of demons.
From that day on, he began to be called by derogatory names such as "heretical inquisitor walking the path of heresy," "disgrace to the paladins," and "orc priest."
It had been unfair.
When he later asked the child about it, she had shyly admitted that she had felt envious watching happy couples in the square.
After consulting Sister Teresa, the sister had prepared clothes and makeup with unstoppable force.
When he asked if she wanted a lover, she said she did not particularly want to date anyone—she had simply been curious whether spending time with someone she liked would truly make her happy.
All without understanding the implications of her own words.
As one of the few people who knew what the child had gone through in the past, he could not bring himself to tell her she must not do such things.
From that day forward, the child—completely unaware—had tormented him in the most innocent way possible.
Even though she had male friends, she insisted on doing everything lovers did with him instead.
At first, he had laughed it off as childish curiosity, but before long, watching her grown self continue to confess her feelings made it impossible for him to protest the derogatory names any longer.
Still, he had resolved never to cross that line unless she became aware of her own feelings and confessed.
To keep her from getting hurt, to prevent her from awakening to jealousy or any such emotion, he had chosen a life of isolation.
…Not that he needed to worry. After earning the title of heretical inquisitor, the way women looked at him had grown as cold as frost.
And even now, seven years later, she continued to torment him without realizing it.
Honestly, he wished she would just confess and be done with it.
At the very least, he wanted to be insulted for something that was actually true.
Swallowing the pain of his memories, he once again peeked into the chapel.
He never imagined that anyone who saw him would think he looked like a first-rate pervert.
The saintess, who supposedly had no awareness whatsoever when it came to romantic relationships, had been making unmistakably embarrassed gestures ever since she held hands with the hero.
From where he stood, he could only see her back, so he could not tell exactly what was happening, but it was clearly an emergency.
According to the reports he had received, the hero had spent over a month chasing after women, revealing a clear playboy streak.
Of course, the only woman he had actually met was the mage from the Red Magic Tower, but in Soleil's mind, the hero had already become some kind of orc obsessed with women.
Having made up his mind, Soleil quietly and swiftly headed for the Pope's office.
To report what he had just witnessed—and the version of events he had embellished in his own head.
Having unintentionally confirmed the hero's ability, my mind was in such chaos that I could not possibly continue praying.
I told him we would meet again in the evening and fled back to my room.
What on earth was wrong with my brain?
I could not even remember the hero's face, which I thought had been rather handsome.
All I could see was a golden, four-limbed vending machine.
This was bad.
Was this the side effect of being forced to go without it for decades?
Ever since drinking that one can, my tongue had not stopped tingling.
Even in my previous life, I had never been able to drink more than one a day because the sweetness got to me too quickly.
I distinctly remembered having a very short tolerance for sweet things back then, too.
Now, it felt like I could drink endlessly.
No, no, Leila!
Of course my body was perfect, so I would not gain weight no matter how much I drank, and my holy power would keep my teeth clean, but still!
……Wait?
Did I really need to hold back?
The Goddess herself had called it a gift for me.
…Would it not be disrespectful to her if I refused?
From now on, I would research natural ways to obtain drinks from the vending machine.
There was plenty of time until we departed, so it was time to put this genius brain of mine to work again, Leila!
First, I needed to confirm the conditions of the ability.
Holding the hero's hand → the hero does something.
…
There was nothing I could do on my end?
In that case, I would think of ways to naturally hold the hero's hand.
First method: demand compensation under the pretext of training.
Second method: shamelessly ask for a drink.
Third method: offer money.
Hmm, that should be enough.
If possible, I would mainly use the third method and occasionally mix in the first and second for a more natural feel!
While I was so absorbed in making all these plans, I ended up missing the time to prepare for the evening welcome party and got scolded by Sister Teresa.
An unexpected gain.
Millia's hand had been soft, but Leila's skin felt like a baby's—completely different.
The moment I held her hand, my resolve to stick firmly to the pure love route wavered slightly.
Recalling how she had looked like a defenseless kitten after drinking the soda, I could not help but think she might be surprisingly easy.
At this rate, maybe a harem was possible after all?
The Goddess's Gift.
I had thought it was a useless ability at first, but thanks to it, I would never have to worry about cola again—and now a harem seemed within reach too.
It was a shame Dorothy-maman did not have much in the chest department, but traveling with characters I had never seen in the game sounded fun as well.
If I kept holding her hand under the excuse of getting drinks, we would naturally grow closer over time.
If she had not run away in embarrassment, I might have been able to hold her hand longer by offering to get drinks for both Millia and me.
Well, I could think about that part later.
For now, Millia came first.
—Knock knock.
"Millia, I'm here. Can I come in?"
"Yeah~"
When I returned to the reception room, I found Millia already making herself completely at home.
She had taken off her robe and was rolling around on the sofa. I patted her head and helped her sit up.
"I like you, Millia."
"Hnn… That's unfair."
"We have to make up for the time we were apart."
Ever since confessing a few days ago, our relationship had progressed rapidly. With no one around to see, we sat pressed together on the sofa, shoulders touching, and spent some time like that.
Millia's route was mostly complete, so now it was time to think of ways to pursue the other heroines without her objecting.
While I was pondering various methods, someone came to call us—it seemed the welcome party the Pope had mentioned was about to begin.
"Let's go, Millia."
"Okay, Ian."
Something felt off.
Instead of my usual saintess robes, I was wearing the cumbersome formal attire I only wore when representing Grandfather at official events, and my braided hair had been let down.
Because I had a lot on my mind, I arrived at the banquet later than planned. I climbed onto the stage to prepare for my speech and stood beside Grandfather.
Yet both Grandfather and several noticeable bishops looked strangely tense.
Grandfather, in particular, wore the same expression he had when the results of his bet with Sir Soleil—regarding whether I would become an inquisitor—came in.
"Grandfather, did something bad happen?"
"Oh, Leila. No, nothing at all. You need not worry."
"If it's nothing, then that's a relief…"
Since we had deliberately informed the hero's party late, they had not arrived yet.
After some time passed, word came that the hero's party would soon arrive, and the atmosphere inside the banquet hall shifted dramatically.
Seeing the space filled with killing intent, it seemed someone had caused trouble again.
Just as I had misunderstood the hero based on reports before hearing the Goddess's words, perhaps incorrect information about him had been passed around.
"Lord, grant that Your little lambs may rest in peace, and allow me to guide them."
—Clap!
Before the hero entered, I recited a prayer while drawing up my holy power and clapped loudly to draw everyone's attention.
"Saintess?"
"Leila?"
Yes, everyone was watching.
"Through this, the lost lambs shall find their way."
As I finished the prayer, I activated the holy magic Tranquility.
It was a holy spell that forcibly calmed the mind and induced rational thought.
After watching the white, luminous holy power spread throughout the hall, I addressed those around me.
"Everyone, I do not know what happened, but this is a gathering to welcome guests. The Goddess has never commanded us to reject outsiders."
"…Ahem."
"We are sorry, Saintess!"
"Rather than apologies, please prepare to receive our guests."
"Yes. I'm sorry."
"Yes!"
Seeing the killing intent dissipate, I nodded at the guard who had been hesitating by the door.
Soon, the doors opened and the vending mach— I mean, the hero Ian and the mage Millia entered.
They seemed uncomfortable with the atmosphere, so I signaled Grandfather to do something about it.
"Ahem, ahem. Our two guests of honor have arrived."
After clicking his tongue once, Grandfather began his speech.
"As you all know, the entire continent is cooperating to respond to the threat of the Demon King rising in the far west.
The reason we have prepared this gathering today is to welcome the hero, who has become the continent's hope as foretold by divine oracle.
Everyone, please pray that they may continue forward without faltering."
—Clap clap clap clap!
"Waaah!"
The applause and cheers were highly artificial.
Whew… At least they were trying.
While Grandfather spoke, I grabbed another bishop and interrogated— ahem, questioned him, and learned the truth.
Our commander had apparently misunderstood something after seeing me confirm the hero's special ability earlier.
I walked over to the commander, who was quietly eating in the corner while avoiding my gaze, kicked him in the shin, then returned to the stage where Grandfather stood.
"Now then, this is something you are all already aware of. Our Holy Kingdom's hope, the Goddess's representative—the saintess—has decided to accompany the hero in the battles to come."
"It is a pleasure to meet you. Though unworthy, I am Leila, who holds the position of saintess."
Standing in such a place with Grandfather was familiar to me, so I recited the lines I had prepared in advance, gave a brief introduction, and delivered my speech.
"May the Goddess's blessing be with everyone present here."
This time, unlike the holy magic I had used before the hero arrived, I infused my holy power with intent as I spread it.
While other clergy could not do this, I could use my holy power in various ways through sheer will because I communicated directly with the Goddess, just as I had when protecting myself from a demon worshiper in my childhood.
After bestowing a calming blessing upon everyone present, I approached the vending mach— the hero.
"Then, allow me to greet you properly once more. My name is Leila, and I will be accompanying you on your journey as a priestess. I look forward to working with you."
Naturally extending my right hand for a handshake.
Perhaps swept up by the atmosphere, the vending mach— no, let's just call him the vending machine. Anyway, the vending machine naturally took my hand.
"Yes. My name is Ian. As I mentioned last time, I am the hero summoned from another world. I look forward to working with you as well."
"Could you give me one more of those from earlier?"
"…Pardon?"
After the greeting, I tightly gripped his hand as he tried to pull away and asked.
If you do not take it out quickly, your hand will never escape from here, you know?
"……Here."
"Hehehe. Thank you."
After receiving the Dr. Pepper that suddenly appeared in his hand, I quickly tucked it into the waist of my formal attire, released his hand, and turned to the mage, Millia.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I apologize for the trouble earlier today. Millia, the mage of the Red Magic Tower."
"N-no, no! If anything, we must have caused you a great deal of worry, Saintess…! Please, treat me casually!"
"I will consider it if you call me by name first, sister."
"……Leila…unnie?"
…?
Unnie…?
Should I not be the one calling her unnie?
"Excuse me? Unnie?"
"Y-yes… Is that not okay…?"
I almost agreed immediately to her pitiful gaze, but held back and asked for confirmation first.
No, I already knew from the documents, but…
Seeing her in person made me wonder if the documents were wrong…
"Um, how old are you, sister?"
"Nineteen…"
"…Oh."
Impressive.
A body that could put most adult women to shame belonged to someone three years younger than me.
Not that I was jealous.
If I had such large lumps of fat attached to my body, it would probably feel a bit… inconvenient.
…Though that height was a little… yes, enviable.
"Millia."
"Y-yes!"
"I am not used to speaking casually with others. Still, if it does not bother you, you may call me unnie as much as you like."
"…Hic! Leila un…unnie?"
"Hehe, what a cute child. I look forward to getting along with you."
"Yes! Unnie!"
It was a shame I could not pat her head because of my height, but it seemed I would get along with Millia just fine.
After chatting for a while, we decided to depart in three days once preparations were complete. Using the excuse of getting some fresh air, I stepped out onto the terrace.
—Pop! Fizz~
Leaning against the railing on the terrace, I opened the lid of my recently acquired spoils and savored it when the commander followed me out.
"What is that now…"
"It is a gift the Goddess prepared for me. Would you like to try some, Commander?"
"No thank you. If I were to lay a hand on a gift meant for the Saintess, I would be struck down by divine punishment."
"Hehe, she would not mind."
"That is enough. I am not particularly curious anyway."
Living without knowing this happiness must be a loss of half your life, Commander.
I thought I had forgotten it all, but drinking this soda brought back memories of my previous life, shimmering like stars in the night sky.
It was thanks to the Goddess's consideration that I retained my memories of my past life that I was able to become who I am now.
Those memories had grown somewhat hazy, leaving only the vague impression that things had been quite difficult back then.
It was rather amusing, now that I thought about it, how I had become more accustomed to being called unnie or noona rather than oppa or hyung.
One day, I would surely fall in love with someone in a romantic sense.
Would that person beside me be a man or a woman?
While I was chuckling at my own pointless thoughts, the commander approached and began patting my head.
This felt nostalgic.
With that thought, I entrusted my head to his gentle touch and opened my mouth to ask.
"What brought this on all of a sudden?"
"Since I will not see you for a while after two days, I am telling you to cause only moderate amounts of trouble."
"Boo… What do you take me for?"
I puffed out my cheeks in protest at the commander, who kept treating me like a troublemaker despite how saintly I had been behaving.
"You should have caused only moderate amounts of destruction. Even now, there are people at the Empire's map-making office who faint at the mere mention of your name."
"…It is not that bad… probably."
"That is exactly why you should exercise some restraint."
Really, was it not too much how everyone treated me?
"Anyway, it probably will not happen, but still, take care of yourself. And be careful—men are all wolves, so stay vigilant, and then vigilant again."
"Come on, wolves? They are all well-behaved puppies."
"Haah…"
Anyone watching would think the commander was my father. A thirty-seven-year-old man with a twenty-two-year-old daughter… Pfft.
Come to think of it, there was something I needed to get back from the commander.
"Um… Commander? My…"
"No."
"Hnn."
I had tried to bring up the subject casually to get my staff back, but the commander's defenses were too solid.
My hands had been feeling strangely empty lately…
I would have to find something else to use on the journey.
Anyway, the welcome ceremony for the hero's party ended without any major incidents.
Today, too, was a night with a beautiful moon.