Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 14
Nothing was going smoothly these days.
Sir Whale's sudden summons and private meeting, followed by Versia's emotionally charged approval for Asher to join her trainingit had turned his entire day into utter chaos.
He never imagined Versia would catch his weakness like that.
Thanks to it, Asher had been utterly wrecked by her furious sexual harassment.
...Though he still wondered why he had to pay for his sins with sexual harassment.
Anyway, the day passed like that.
He'd passed out without even realizing he'd fallen asleep, and when he woke the next day, he was completely drained.
For the first time since joining the church, even the morning sun failed to energize him.
With a deep sigh, he burrowed into the blankets, clutching a spare pillow and shivering.
Just thinking about facing more sexual harassment today made his body tremble with shame already.
'I don't want to get up...!'
Maybe that's why his body felt so stiff.
His lower back ached, and a languid weakness sapped his strength.
Was his mind's turmoil manifesting physically?
He groaned feebly in his listlessness.
"Saintess, time to get up!"
Whoosh!
Dalin yanked the blankets away without a second thought.
Asher let out a groan and lifted his head. "Ugh..."
He shot her a resentful glare, but Dalin just beamed and delivered her verdict.
"You need to go wash up! The sun's already this high!"
"...I feel sick."
"That's exactly when you need to move!"
Dalin slipped her hands under Asher's armpits and hoisted him up with a whoosh!
Asher's toes lifted off the ground.
Seeing her like this, Dalin was pretty tall. Had her round face tricked him into not noticing?
Or maybe Versia was just short. Thinking about the height difference between his original body and Versia's, it was like a head and a half.
'...This is just making me more depressed.'
Why was today like this?
The thought of losing his tall frame suddenly made him feel forlorn.
And ironically, his stomach growled amid it all.
Gurgle, gurgle.
He went limp as Dalin washed him.
She changed his clothes and sat him in front of the mirror, brushing his hair smooth.
This part wasn't so bad. He half-closed his eyes and savored it.
While at it, he took a bite of the sandwich Dalin had made herself and chewed slowly.
Of course, that improved mood didn't last.
It was because of Dalin's words.
"Did you hear? Lately, everyone's talking about Sir Terbion."
"Mm...?"
"You know! They've been saying he's got this sudden wild charm, and it always comes up when we chat among ourselves!"
Pfsh!
An arrow pierced Asher's chest!
The wound Sir Whale had just stitched up tore open again, doubling the shock!
"Some say he gives off this roguish vibe that just hits youbam!"
"...!"
...Triple that!
"Others say their hearts race when he passes by with that sultry gaze!"
No, quadruple! Maybe even more!
"......"
Asher's face darkened.
His shoulders trembled.
From Dalin's perspective, she just wanted to brag about how outstanding her charge was, but the result was a brutal reminder of his defeat in masculinity!
Dalin noticed his mood and thought, 'Jealous?' Her eyes sparkled.
Asher still didn't realize how his recent expressive changes had swelled the fondness in Dalin's heart.
"Hehe...!"
And with that, Dalin's ministrations were complete.
She left the room to do the laundry as usual, and right after, Versia appeared.
"Good morning."
"Eek...!"
"Ah, muscle soreness. Not such a good morning, huh."
Her crooked smile brimmed with mischief.
Asher glared up at Versia with narrowed eyes.
Inside, he screamed.
'Roguish is masculinity? I can't accept that!'
Look at hershe couldn't even comb her hair straight, her eyes dripped malice, and her posture was all crooked.
She was miles from trustworthy manhood.
Asher deliberately bit into his half-eaten sandwich with a savage chomp.
He locked eyes with Versia in a stare-down, and she tilted her head.
Then she said,
"Why are you so on edge this morning? Is it that time?"
Thud.
Asher dropped his sandwich.
He stared up at Versia in a daze.
Her expression slowly twisted into contempt.
Finally, Asher spoke.
"...Saintess, even so, that's not something to say."
"Huh?"
"That's not teasingit's harassment! It's utterly awful, with no regard for the other person! Saying that just because I look downit's no better than some street thug!"
Asher shot to his feet.
Yes! She was a woman, so she could say such things!
But surely she needed to watch her words on this topic!
His face hardened with uncharacteristic sternness, convinced she needed proper discipline.
"Words like that are...!"
But he couldn't finish.
"...No, I was asking seriously? It's about that time, isn't it?"
"?"
"End of the month, right? This week, it should be..."
Versia propped her chin, rolling her eyes thoughtfully.
Asher's face stiffened.
No, his mind froze.
"Doesn't your lower back hurt a bit? Or your chest throbbing?"
His mouth fell open.
"Cravings for stuff you don't usually eat?"
What on earth was she saying?
"Everything annoys you, you don't want to get up?"
The life drained from Asher's eyes.
No way, no way...
He was still processing.
"...Aha."
Versia smirked like she'd figured it out.
Her eyes curved into sly arcs.
And with that verdict,
"Congrats on your first period."
"Kyaaaaah!!!"
"Whoa, girly scream."
Asher was engulfed in terror...!
* * *
Asher Terbion, pillar of the church.
He loved swordsmanship and good deeds; his dream was to be a faithful knight of the Parent God; his day started with a light jog followed by a bath; the moment he felt most fulfilled was evening prayer. A Holy Knight who embodied diligence.
He never could have imagined.
"Mommy prep, it's already here?"
"......"
That he himself would menstruate.
Unable to even refute Versia's words, it vaguely showed the depth of his shock.
Asher stared blankly out the window with unfocused eyes.
His body slumped half over the chair.
Versia tried to snap him out of it.
"What's the big deal? It's not gonna kill you. I've been through it."
"......"
"Want me to wet dream too? Not sure if I can on command."
"......"
No use.
Versia's words failed to reach him.
Something like fighting spirit sparked in her.
Versia eyed him up and down, then smiled brightly.
"It's easy. Want me to teach you?"
"There's a way?!"
Asher bolted upright.
Desperation filled his eyes.
Her words yanked his wandering mind back, filling the room with hopeful energy.
Satisfied with his reaction, Versia deepened her smile and replied.
"Can't stop it completely. But you can delay it."
"O, ooooh!!!"
"About ten months?"
"...O?"
It took just three seconds to sink in.
Asher blinked, then wailed.
"Aaaah!!!"
He dropped to his knees.
Tears welled in his eyes.
"Try praying. Who knows, it might hold off if you beg."
Versia said it offhand.
But sometimes, humans cling to even such delusions.
That evening, Asher prayed fervently to the Parent God.
'This is too great a trial for Your child! Already shaken by an unimaginable ordeal in lifeplease take pity and grant mercy!'
Thus, Asher despaired.
"...Ah, it's that time. I'll get fresh sheets!"
"......"
The gods were cruel.
* * *
His stomach stabbed with sharp pangs.
His body was a mess everywhere, and even walking hurt his calves, making it hard to do properly.
In that pain, Asher yearned more strongly than ever.
'Quickly...'
He had to find a way back soon.
Did all women in the world endure this every month?
It was brutal. A fierce duel would just mean enduring the pain of blows, but this constant internal and external signals all day were torture.
His cheeks had hollowed out.
Even his gait wobbled more than usual.
"You look miserable."
"H-how do you endure this every month...!"
"You get used to it. After a couple times..."
"I'll be gone before then!"
Asher shot Versia a sullen glare.
She gazed down at him calmly.
Then suddenly tugged open her collar.
Her collarbone showed.
Asher flushed crimson and jumped back.
"Wh-what are you doing?! In the hallway!"
"No, during that time, the libido boils a bit..."
"A man's body wouldn't boil like that!"
"Wouldn't it?"
"Argh, seriously!"
Asher stretched out his arm and yanked Versia's collar closed.
He feared others seeing her skin.
They bickered as they headed to the garden.
"Oh my~ You slut. What are you doing out in public?"
A shrill voice echoed down the hall.
Asher froze.
High-pitched laughter followed.
And then more words.
"Got a man and now you're acting like a total whore?"
The blatant provocation made heads turn.
Asher's eyes narrowed.
A woman approached, her priestess robes altered like a party dress to bare cleavage and legs.
Blood-red hair, upturned eyes, crimson irises. Her high nose and thin red lips exuded an aura like a bewitching fox spirit.
At her side was a bald Holy Knight, his scalp gleaming blankly in the light.
They were upon them in moments.
Asher tensed up.
He had no choice.
He hadn't expected to meet her like this.
'Saintess Lubena...!'
Lubena Pradeiri.
One of the four saintesses listed in the current Holy Church, known as the Holy Knights' grave.
She curled her lips into a smirk.
"Oh, playing coy? Why the scared face?"