Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 36
Afterward, even though Lubena grumbled about something as she left, it didn't reach Asher's ears.
Punishment, confinement. Those words were rattling around in his brain.
He could only hear what had happened later.
The first reaction from Asher after hearing the full story was pure astonishment.
"Is, is something like that even possible...?"
There were plenty of things to critique, but even so, the very first question out of his mouth was about Versia's ability.
It had to be.
A power that wielded divinity to make one's will come true. In Asher's understanding of the world, that was simply impossible.
Why wouldn't it be?
Prayer techniques were an art form perfected through technical skill, not faith.
In other words, divine power only exerted its full physical force when a predetermined method produced the expected result.
Yet Versia's power denied that logic entirely.
Not technique, but faith. She swung her heartfelt wish of I hope it turns out like this however she pleased and brought that result into reality.
Physical force unbound by formula.
And the result it produced was "divine retribution."
It was true authority. True omnipotence.
Suddenly, worry crept in.
"I need to be more careful with prayers from now on. If the Saintess's divine power works like that..."
He had thought that with enough hard training, even this body could handle prayers.
But if it was a power that dangerous, it was better to abandon it altogether, backlash be damned.
And sure enough, hadn't the church been thrown into internal and external chaos by the aftermath of her power this time alone?
As an organization that represented God's name, the church had no choice but to be utterly conservative when it came to displays of true authority or traces of divine retribution.
He was sighing deeply like that.
"Don't worry. Even if you died, you couldn't use that power like I do, Knight."
"Pardon?"
"There's a reason for it. Too complicated to explain, so I won't."
Versia smiled evasively and brushed off the question.
Asher tilted his head in confusion, but since pressing her wouldn't get him anywhere, he just chewed on his lip.
It was then.
"But is that all?"
"Hm?"
"Don't you have any thoughts about what comes after the confinement?"
At those words, Asher froze solid.
Frustration and guilt twisted his expression into a pitiful pout, his head drooping low.
He did. But when it came to that, he only had one thing he could say.
"...I'm sorry."
"Yeah, you should be. I couldn't even get a proper sip of water down, I was so worried about you, Knight."
Drag. Versia pulled up a chair and plopped down right beside him as she spoke.
"I was so anxious. Afraid you might really die on me, Knight."
"Th..."
"I don't even remember how I got through those days. Couldn't sleep, so my thoughts kept cutting out on me."
"......"
"Come on, reassure me already."
Versia subtly slipped her arm around Asher's waist.
Asher's body went rigid.
His temperature rose a little.
It wasn't just the touch.
Knowing that Versia had skipped meals and sleep out of worry for himthat she cared that muchstabbed at his heart for some reason.
His eyes couldn't meet hers at all.
Then a low chuckle rumbled from right up close, tapping at the nape of his neck.
"Stay by my side. Always. It was so lonely without you, Knight."
"Bu, but I was with you..."
"If you say that, I want to punish you."
Asher's eyes darted around wildly.
A twinge of worry hit him.
Had he hurt her?
No, he definitely had.
So that's why she was saying things like this that she never would otherwise.
"It's a promise. From now on, you'll listen to me, right?"
"I'll... keep it in mind..."
His voice trailed off into a pathetic crawl.
Satisfaction colored Versia's tone.
Her arm stayed firmly around his waist, refusing to let go.
Eventually, her fingertips trailed down over his stomach, sending a shiver up his spine.
For some reason, his body twisted awkwardly, and Asher grabbed her fingers tight.
"St, stop..."
"But I don't want to."
It was agonizing.
Truly, unbearably so.
* * *
Now they had finally reached the point where they could return fully to their old routine.
The reason it had taken so long wasn't just Asher's collapsed stateVersia's body, which had stayed by his side through it all, was badly weakened too.
He hadn't noticed right when their bodies switched, but Versia's was definitely sickly.
It had been in a constant state of fasting, so even a little food brought on a nauseating fullness.
As such, Asher threw himself into a sort of rehabilitation.
The work itself wasn't hard, but there was one persistent issue.
"Saintess... I'm heavy."
"It's rude to say that to a woman."
"But you're a man right now..."
Versia's physical affection had spiked in a strange way.
Before, it had just been teasing words, but now she was wrapping arms around waists, hugging shoulders to pull him closeembarrassing stuff like that.
Right now was no different; she had him trapped in a hug from behind.
Her chin rested on the top of his head as she giggled, and the height difference made him feel utterly confined.
But above all, one thing.
"Why do you keep poking my lower belly? It's ticklish..."
"'Cause it's all squishy. Feels nice."
"...Suspicious."
When he narrowed his eyes, she finally flashed that evasive smile and pulled her hand awaybut he still couldn't figure out what her game was.
A deep sigh escaped him.
He knew he shouldn't get used to this kind of closeness, but whenever he tried to push her off, flashes of her anxiety or emotional weight held him back.
She had suffered because of him, after all. Maybe it's okay to let her have this much... That kind of thinking always crept in.
To some degree, it was her words and behavior wearing him down.
"It's punishment. You made me worry."
She knew full well he couldn't say no to thatand she exploited it.
It was maddening beyond words.
Those were the days, anyway.
Once he was fully back to normal, one long-delayed matter finally reared its head.
It was time to report the results of the previous dispatch to the saintesses.
This was troubling for Asher too.
"You're seriously creepy."
"......"
"That escort of yours isn't around anymore. Can't you switch back to your real self now?"
"...I don't have a 'real self' like..."
"Wow... listen to you trail off. Where'd you even practice that? Some bitch-training academy or what?"
Judith's gaze had shifted from shock to outright horror in an instant.
He couldn't agree with the "bitch" jab, but he got the reaction.
Even Asher thought Versia and he were far too different.
With their bodies swapping back and forth like this, suspicious stares were inevitable.
Enduring it brought a surge of injustice.
His own undeniable situation felt pathetic.
As he pouted and hung his head, Judith shuddered with an "Eww..." and rubbed her arms.
Lubena spoke up.
"Why don't you just leave her be? She's probably just in one of those moods."
"...You're taking her side?"
"Th-that's not it?!"
Lubena had grown oddly fond of Asher deep down, so this version of her felt more welcome.
She chimed in with that, but Judith's shock and disdain stirred a shame even she could barely stomach.
One person lost in confusion, two writhing in embarrassment.
The usual atmosphere of mutual disdain was the same, but the nuance had shifted just a little.
It was then.
As always, perpetual latecomer Halia strolled in fashionably tardy.
"Haha!!! Sorry I'm late!"
"If you're sorry, how about showing up early for once?"
"I've got my own stuff going on! Cut me some slack!"
"Like you're the only one busy."
Judith and Lubena griped in turn.
Halia boomed with laughter, brushing off their complaints, and took her seat.
Asher tensed up.
He had just shoved stray thoughts aside, figuring the meeting was about to start.
Focus.
On the artificial saintess, no less. He'd been horrified when he heard about it laterwasn't this a horrific disaster unfolding?
Halia spoke.
"Alright, no one wants to drag this out, so straight to business. Artificial saintess. That capture failure stings."
She smacked her lips, propped her chin on one hand, and twisted her twin-tailed blonde hair with the other.
She grinned playfully at Asher.
"Squished her flat before we learned a damn thing."
"......"
Asher's lips pursed tight.
His head drooped.
It stung that the screw-up and the scolding were falling on different people, but what could he do?
"...I'm sorry."
"Well, I'll be. You even apologize properly now. Guess it really does take a man to make you grow up? Anyway..."
Separate from Asher flinching as he belatedly caught his slip, Halia gently closed her eyes.
Right after, a faint anger tinged her smile.
"Got word from elsewhere. Another artificial witch popped up, and she took one of ours down."
She chewed out the shocking words.
"A 1st Class Knight."
"...!"
The atmosphere froze solid.