Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 41
The Serpent Archipelago was a cluster of islands located in the southeastern part of the continent.
Its geographical feature could be guessed from the namethe shape drawn on the map connecting the islands resembled a serpent.
In fact, serpents actually lived in that region, making it a truly fitting name.
If we had to point out one more distinctive trait, it would be that the islands' inhabitants were pirates.
It was a natural occurrence.
The geography made it hard to approach from the mainland, providing a convenient hideout for criminals.
And with criminals gathered together, the only thing they could do was conspire in crime, making the rise of pirates inevitable.
The neighboring port city of Wheaton saw countless goods moving along the seas.
The pirates plundered those trade goods to make a living.
This mission was an investigation into those very pirates.
Suspectedno, confirmedconnections to heretics.
Depending on the circumstances, they might need to wipe out both the heretics and pirates at once, potentially razing the entire archipelago.
It was that serious of a mission, which was why Judith was so worried.
"Ahh...!"
They had arrived in Wheaton.
Stepping down from the carriage, Versia let out an exclamation as she gazed out at the sea beyond.
Her wide-eyed gaze, flushed cheeks, and the way she stared at the ocean were brimming with fresh beauty. Her light sky-blue hair and eyes matched the blue sea perfectly, evoking a sense of clarity.
With the addition of her white sundress and straw hat, she looked every bit the tourist.
'Is this mission really okay like this?'
An alarm rang in Judith's mind.
She was known in the church for her sharp intellect, and she sensed danger in this atmosphere.
Above all, she was worried about Versia.
The girl who had once crippled her own escort out of carelessness was simply thrilled at the sight of the sea.
Of course, Judith didn't think that reaction was genuine.
Not like some idiot.
"Heh heh, Lady Versia is so pure-hearted."
Judith shot a glare at Melburn, her escort.
Short black hair, rugged features, tanned skin dotted with stubble, and a burly build.
The picture-perfect middle-aged man was beaming fondly at her.
Judith wondered in despair,
'Why is my escort the only one like this?'
His lack of awareness was beyond excessive.
Well, at least he wasn't bald.
Having naturally rationalized it, Judith replied.
"Does that look genuine to you?"
"Pardon? Come on, why would the Saintess put on an act?"
"She's doing it to seduce men. That bitch is fucking sly, I tell ya?"
Judith nodded toward Asher standing beside her.
"Her eyes only sparkle when he's around. Think back to the day she went for treatment not long ago."
"Ah, she did seem down that day."
"Down? She looked like she wanted to kill me."
"Did she?"
Melburn scratched the back of his head.
His obliviousness was off the charts.
If he weren't so sturdy, she'd have replaced him long ago.
Judith clicked her tongue and popped a cigar into her mouth.
"It's different from when she went on a mission with Lady Halia. You stay sharp here."
"Aw, I'm always sharp!"
"Don't just say itactually stay sharp."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"......"
He clearly hadn't gotten it at all.
Judith sighed, exhaling smoke as she checked on the group once more.
"Isn't it just so beautiful...?"
A flirty pair of man and woman cooing at each other.
"Grr, no matter how I look at 'em, they're full of youth, ain't they?"
One sturdy moron.
"......"
And herself.
...Ah.
Suddenly, Judith desperately wanted to go home.
* * *
The blue of the sea far surpassed the image Asher had imagined.
The endless emerald waves, the white sunlight shattering against them, and the sheer vastness.
This must be what they call the sublime of nature.
The moment he faced it, all the worries from the journey here seemed to vanish into the distance.
Unbidden, he recalled a man's words from some past moment.
-It's love. I shared love with that sea, Asher.
With a sea like this, one couldn't help but fall in love.
A smile spread across his face.
His heart pounded.
He thought coming here was the right choice.
But it couldn't last forever.
Asher took a step forward, inhaling the salty sea air.
Soon, they arrived at a high-end inn in Wheaton.
The city was famous not just for trade through its port but also as a renowned resort spot frequented by nobles from various countries.
Such inns dotted the main streets without causing any sense of incongruity.
'First day is for rest.'
That was the plan.
Above all, scurrying around everywhere right after arrival would look suspicious.
This might be the only chance during the trip to purely play tourist.
He planned to head out to the streets for food or hit the beach.
He wanted to feel the incoming waves while stepping on the sandy shore.
But Asher's beaming smile gradually faded.
It wasn't for any other reason.
"......"
Unpacking his luggage, Asher lifted up a flimsy scrap of fabric that could barely be called clothing.
It was a cover-up. Barely thata white swimsuit that was nothing more.
Did he have to wear this?
Was that really true?
He wondered if Versia had tricked him.
But that thought crumbled after arriving here.
On the way, he'd confirmed that people at the beach wandered around in swimsuits.
How could they strut so shamelessly in such indecent garb, no different from underwear?
Asher trembled, then steeled his resolve.
...Fine. Culture means following local customs, after all.
When in Wheaton, do as the Wheatoners do.
It wouldn't be hard.
Asher was already an expert at changing clothes with his eyes squeezed shut.
A swimsuit was the samesince it looked just like underwear, putting it on and taking it off should be easy!
...Or so he'd thought.
Squeeze!
It was a matter of material.
Unlike something that comfortably supported the body, the swimsuit clung tightly due to its stretchy fabric.
And the unusually smooth material brushing against his skin sent shivers through him.
Enduring all that, he finally got it on.
Snow-white fabric, snow-white skin.
And the pressure.
Asher's body quivered.
The feel of air touching his skin everywhere already ignited waves of shame.
Could he go out like this?
No, could he even walk?
Asher couldn't even look in the mirror.
It felt like peeking at Versia's body, her curves.
He fidgeted with his toes.
Looking down to see them, he snapped his head back up.
His breasts had gathered, revealing something other than his toes.
"Ahh...!"
That was the moment.
Knock knock
-Can I come in?
It was Versia.
Asher flinched in surprise.
His eyes shook wildly.
Was it right to show her this?
Wasn't it too provocative?
How would she tease him this time?
Could he endure it?
After wrestling with those thoughts...
...Open it. I have to open it! Asher!
Asher made the fateful decision to save the nation.
Yes, if he couldn't even show his body's original owner due to shame, he couldn't go outside.
And taking a boat to approach the islands was out of the question.
Of course! It wasn't just for a simple vacationit was for the mission.
Asher swallowed dryly.
Bearing the burning heat in his face, he shuffled step by step to the door.
Clack!
He gripped the doorknob.
His heart pounded at the thought of exposing bare skin to another.
He felt like a shameless exhibitionist.
Asher endured it, squeezing his eyes shut.
Whoosh!
He flung open the final barrier himself.
"Y-You're here!"
He lifted his head and forced his eyes wide.
His gaze met Versia's at the door.
That instant.
"......"
Versia's expression, which had been crookedly smiling until the door opened, stiffened awkwardly. Her body tensed up too.
Asher shrank back at the reaction.
Was it weird?
Was this not how it was worn?
His mind raced, and his arms naturally crossed to cover his bare skin.
His legs pressed together, his gaze sliding away from her to angle at the floor.
His entire body flushed hot.
"Wh-Why...?"
The moment he spoke.
Click. The door shut.
Versia grabbed a large cloth and draped it over Asher's body.
Asher looked up in confusion.
The stiff expression from before was gone; Versia grinned slyly as always.
"You actually believed it."
"Pardon?"
"That you had to walk around in that underwear scrap. I can't believe you fell for it."
"?"
Asher's face went blank.
It took one, two, three to process her words.
Then it clicked.
"...Ah?"
"Sorry, it was a joke. Swimsuits like this are only worn by nobles vacationing here who want to show off their bodies. Hmm, if anything, it's attire for seeking a mate."
At that moment, Asher's reason snapped.
Overwhelmed by betrayal and shame, he grabbed Versia's wrist and slammed her down.
Thud!
"...Ow."
"You're the person I hate most in the world, Saintess! That was too much!!!"
Spitting out the harshest words he could muster, Asher snatched his clothes and bolted to the side room, slamming the door shut.
* * *
Her back ached.
Versia lay sprawled on the floor, staring at the ceiling.
She covered her face with her hands and let out a long breath.
The scene she'd just witnessed wouldn't leave her mind.
The wet eyes looking up pitifully in shame, the huddled naked body, the flushed skin.
Those images were etched vividly into her brain, refusing to fade.
'Why?'
She was flustered.
She was used to spewing vulgarities and enjoying such reactions, but she'd never felt like this before.
Just seeing that sight sparked the thought.
This was a side of him no one else could see.
His expressions like that should be hers alone.
A base, overwhelming possessiveness surged through her, forcing her actions.
Thump, thump.
The unfamiliar pounding of her heart.
Something hot bubbled up her throat.
So alien a sensation that Versia pressed her chest.
She gripped her collar hard enough for veins to bulge on the back of her hand.
It wouldn't calm easily.