Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 24
Hello, my pretty first love.
Delon felt a stinging sensation in his chest.
He had followed her to the inn with his heart pounding, expecting her to heal his wounds.
And this was the sight that greeted him.
The moment she spotted some handsome man, her cheeks flushed as she hurried over with quick steps.
Then she whispered something in his ear and broke into a bright smile.
Yeah, she had a man of her own.
That was the thought that slipped into Delon's mind unbidden.
I liked her first...!
No.
So this is what it feels like to have something stolen...!
He had never had her to begin with.
Delon's chest ached.
For some reason, he felt hollow inside.
Just then, the two of them approached.
Shall we start with the treatment?
At those words, Delon nodded.
She would apply some medicine and wrap his wounds in bandages. He would hold onto that memory at least.
He tried to steady his heart with that thought, but even that fell flat.
Come this way.
The treatment was done by the man.
And around that point, he realized,
A-Are you a priest?
Haha.
The man replied with a roguish smile instead.
* * *
Just because someone held the title of Saintess didn't mean everyone on the continent knew her face.
In fact, the information about a Saintess that civilians could access was limited to things like her hair color or general appearance.
It would be very hard to instantly picture someone from that kind of vague info.
Delon the miner was no different.
He didn't recognize Asher.
He just took him for one of the church's priests.
Coaxing him was easy.
We're out here on an investigation. There was an incident where one of the church's Holy Knights died.
Ah, yes. That definitely happened...
It just so happened there was a convenient excuse. When Asher asked if he could hear more about it, Delon nodded readily.
His work for the day was already ruined anyway, so he had plenty of time.
In fact, since his own meddling had caused it, they planned to compensate him.
And so they moved to the top floor of the inn.
On the way, Asher glanced at Versia.
Her mood looked utterly rotten.
Probably because she had learned about the morning quarrel.
He could see her starting to speak several times, only to hold back.
In the end, she let out a sigh and said,
Don't wander off alone. You're in a woman's body right now, so you need to be careful.
Yes...
I was worried. Sorry.
She wrapped an arm around his waist and smiled brightly.
But it was different from usual.
No crude jokes, and her expression was subdued.
She was serious.
It was true that, compared to her original body, Versia's current form was far more vulnerable to danger.
Asher took a moment for brief reflection.
I'll be careful...
From now on, you'll listen to me, right?
Asher nodded.
Only then did Versia look somewhat satisfied.
Anyway, they arrived at the top floor.
This is the collaborator?
Lubena eyed Delon up and down, legs crossed.
Delon flinched and stiffened.
Probably shrinking under her characteristically overbearing aura.
Asher laughed it off to lighten the mood, and only then could they hear the story.
At first, no one really paid much attention. Everyone knows mining is dangerous, and Pureed's tunnels are so convoluted you can barely hear yourself think. It's easy to get lost. They figured it was just an extension of that.
Delon scratched the back of his head.
Then one day, it happened. There was a team pretty well-known among us miners. Even their leader, Bourbonhe was a veteran of veterans with over forty years in the tunnels... And half that team went missing.
Was it an accident?
Delon shook his head firmly.
Right after, he swallowed dryly.
His expression turned grave.
No idea. The surviving team members said the guy mining right next to them vanished in the blink of an eye. They searched at first. But then they sensed something off and got out to call for backup. That's when the real trouble started.
His eyes held a hint of fear.
The search party had more disappearances. They say the screams echoed madly through the tunnels that day. That's how it got its nicknamethe tunnel ghost.
It was a chilling tale.
But there were too many suspicious points to dismiss as mere ghost story.
And you miners still go into those tunnels?
Ah, that tunnel's sealed off. But every now and then the ghost slips into other paths and snatches people... Well, we can't starve just because we're scared. Gotta eat somehow. Plus, disappearances happen outside the tunnels too.
Ah...
Asher exchanged glances with Versia.
He nodded.
It seemed so.
That sealed tunnel is suspicious.
Looking back under the assumption heretics were hiding there, everything fit perfectly.
Tunnels snatching people, vast sealed underground spaces, ongoing disappearances.
Hiding behind civilian fear, but from the church's perspective, these were clear circumstantial evidence.
Asher turned to Delon and asked,
Do you happen to know where that abandoned mine is?
They had a lead.
* * *
They could investigate more, but there was no need to waste time on it.
The goal of undercover work was pursuit.
With a blatantly suspicious location and rumors to match, scouting it first was the right call.
They couldn't go during the day.
It required gearing up, so they had to avoid prying eyes. Thus, the operation was set for late night.
Asher memorized the map from Delon.
It wasn't just the path to the abandoned mineit marked the internal tunnels too.
Since departure was late, the group took naps during the day.
Once Asher finished memorizing the map, he headed to bed for a quick rest.
Then he sighed.
Asher's gaze sharpened.
Because there, on his bed, lay Versia.
So, why are you lying here?
It's boring alone.
Get out. What kind of scandal is this, a grown man and woman sharing a bed?
It's fine. We're engaged, remember?
That's just the cover...
He couldn't help suspecting she was up to some prank again.
It was good she was back to her usual self, but couldn't she drop these antics?
Irritation rose to his face.
But his sulky expression didn't last.
You're heading somewhere that might be dangerous. I'm anxious.
Ah...!
Come here and reassure me.
Only then did Asher realize his mistake.
Thinking about it, Versia had plenty of medical mission experience but no heretic tracking.
Especially trapped in his body, with its pitifully low total divine power.
The level of risk was different; she couldn't act normal.
Some escort knight I am, overlooking that.
He felt unnecessarily self-critical.
Asher softened his expression and approached, sitting on the bed.
Then he placed his hand over hers.
Sorry. I wasn't thinking...
That was the moment.
Whoosh! Versia yanked Asher in.
And with him in her arms, she started kneading his belly fat.
Asher freaked out.
Wh-What are you doing! Let go!
Helping you relax. It feels so good because it's squishy.
Stop it! Let go of...!
Who told you to get fat?
Asher flailed, but pinned on the bed, he couldn't mount a proper counter.
More than that, the sensation of his belly being squished felt too weird.
Laughter and breath tickled his nape.
The firmness of her arms made his body tense.
Eek! For real!
Don't like it?
I don't!
Fine. If you don't like the belly, what can I do...
Slowly, her hand slid upward.
Whoosh! Asher's flushed face shot up a hand to block it.
Take it back! I take it back!
Should've said so from the start.
Squish squish
His belly was kneaded again.
Asher's body trembled with humiliation.
He resolved firmly.
I'm losing it. Definitely...!
He would get rid of this damn gut once and for all.
No trace left for her to grope those chiseled abs.
Nursing thoughts of revenge for today's indignity, Asher had to endure being Versia's plaything for a good while.
But knight, you fold as a guard pretty quick.
Pardon?
No, just that a little emotional appeal and you hand over your body.
...That's enough. Seriously.
Marry the wrong guy and you'll end up beaten, I bet.
It was the moment Asher's eyes flashed.
Then, in a slightly lower voice, she added,
So stay by my side. I can't be your husband... but I won't hit you.
Asher, about to snap back, clamped his mouth shut.
He just studied Versia's expression closely.
Why is she really acting like this?
Her mood seemed better one moment, then anxious the next.
He could vaguely sense the emotional swings, but had no clue what she was thinking.
* * *
Late night arrived.
Having rested plenty during the day, Asher and the group reached the abandoned mine entrance.
No anomalies yet.
They would know more once they entered the known sections.
But trouble hit right away.
...Um, Lubena?
...What.
C-Could you maybe let go of my shoulder?
Asher felt troubled.
The moment they set out, Lubena had glued herself to him and showed no sign of letting go.
And it wasn't just that.
We're going? You're walking all stiff. And baldy! I said no more than three steps from me!
...Yes, sticking close again.
She had even called Satern to post up nearby.
Asher felt her hand gripping his shoulder tightly, trembling.
His lips twitched awkwardly upward.
A bead of cold sweat trickled down.
No way...
She wasn't scared, was she?