Chapter 161
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Matters of Caution and Silence
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The Saintess had once heard the Goddess's voice through a holy relic.
That experience was not mere listening with her ears; it resonated as if etching itself into her spirit.
Just like right now.
A thunderous voice crashed into her mind like lightning, shattering her concentration.
Child receiving the Goddess's favor. Unable to contain your curiosity, you're trying to cross the line...!
The stern female voice, disciplining her as if meting out punishment, was absolutely not the One she served.
'This isn't like the Church's holy relics...!'
Her premise had been wrong from the start. Beyond the relic, this had no connection whatsoever to the Church itself.
Yet it felt holy and sacred simply facing it.
It was not the familiar holy power possessed by the faithful.
The extraordinariness sensed in how it instantly grasped her and mentioned the Goddess in an even tone was not for a mere human to judge.
Heed my warning.
The Saintess hastily halted her delve with the Holy Eye and, drawing on her past communion with the Goddess, conveyed her heart.
"...I am listening attentively."
Child of devout faith. I always caution and forgive. To err is human, and to learn from mistakes elevates one beyond. I'll grant you a chance to realize that love and forgiveness dwell with Me, then return.
"From Your generous heart that imparts such teachings, I shall learn, and through devotion and patience, seek salvation..."
She could feel the unknown opponent's mood soften slightly at her yielding demeanor.
Don't strain your frail body needlessly. Begone. If you fret over the corruption choking humanity's throats, you shame and disgrace Me.
From her standpoint, she absolutely could not let things escalate.
Retreating now, when given this chance, was indeed the best course.
But recalling the purpose of her arrival and her position...
Since she had come this far, she must confirm at least one thing.
She knew that facing a transcendent being like this was unsafe in and of itself.
Yet as a Church member shouldering responsibility, she had to do it.
The moment she tried to voice her thoughts, her mind reeled and nausea surged from the tension, but the Saintess overcame it and forced the words out.
"...However, I must stand resolute before those who yearn for holiness, never betray their faith, and as one faithful Church member, never waver in devotion."
Chwarrrrrlk—!
Countless strands—easily thousands, even tens of thousands—of black iron chains poured down like a torrent, sealing off the surroundings completely.
In the pitch-dark void where not a speck of light pierced, a wrathful aged voice echoed.
No matter how green a lamb, surely you haven't forgotten my words already. Dare you defy my forgiveness and offered chance?
A crushing pressure bore down on her mind as if to pulverize her spirit.
The Saintess fully closed her Holy Eye, evading the transcendent presence, and protested desperately.
"Th-that's not my intent! I am but a lowly human groping for grace. Thus, as an insignificant servant heeding the Goddess's will... I beseech You to reveal the righteous path and guide me."
Enough evasion. You wish to know if I harbor wicked designs, don't you?
The opponent seemed to prefer bluntness without ornament and pressed her.
"Y-yes..."
Tsk... Since I mended your wounds, I'll indulge you. Once done, leave my domain at once.
Peeing!
From the space barricaded by black chains, a single red-glowing chain streaked like a comet, piercing the Saintess's gaze dead-on.
"Ah—!"
Shocked by the abrupt intrusion, she cried out, but she could no longer move or utter another sound.
She would be desperately holding onto her sanity amid the flood of injected emotions.
This once, let her rest comfortably inside a few days. If you know true grace, I trust you'll allow it.
The holy power that had burrowed deep scattered like glittering stardust, and the Holy Eye's gaze vanished entirely.
At last, the familiar silence settled over the now solitary space.
The fierce woman's voice that had thundered while pressing the Saintess faded away.
A girl's weary voice leaked out.
-Huu... D-did she go?
The girl peeked out from behind the tangled chains, raising her eyes—bound tightly like a blindfold with thin chains—to gaze into the void.
-Tired...
The greatest aid in repelling this intruder had been the woman she'd stayed with before meeting Roman.
Not a fully contracted master like now.
But after long years at her side, observing all manner of behaviors...
Her mimicry of fury had been flawless, terrifying the intruder.
-It'd be nice if she patted me soon for doing well...
"Haa...! Heok—!"
"Saintess...!! Are you alright?"
Mazella rushed forward with cold water and a towel toward the Saintess, who had suddenly gasped deeply mid-holy spell.
The holy power clustered like beams of light in her eyes shattered and dispersed, cold sweat beading from exhaustion.
Yet the Saintess did not cease her piercing stare at Roman.
Roman, seeing her lost in deep thought, spoke first with a wary expression.
"Saintess?"
"...That is."
The three women shifted to anxious faces upon seeing the hesitating Saintess struggle for words.
"Saintess! Is something wrong with Roman?"
"Oppa is fine, right? Please tell us!"
Eclair and Rike bore down on the Saintess, poised to lunge forward.
"O-Onii-san...!"
Only Chloe, unable to address the Saintess directly, trembled behind Roman, clutching his tattered collar.
Steadying her breath, wiping away the sweat, and tapping her forehead and eyes as if to check them, the Saintess shook her head.
"Hoo— No issues... But your condition suggests focusing on recovery here for a few days."
"..."
"The demon disposal report is already filed. We'll handle the details, so rest easy."
No matter that the giver was the Saintess, such excessive kindness only bred discomfort.
Not even the diagnosis sat well with Roman, who wore a sullen look.
Yet with his promise to Eclair, he offered no real resistance.
-Meals together then...
-I'll help too...!
-On the way back anyway...
The prevailing opinion behind him aligned with the Church stay for days per diagnosis; quelling it now was too late.
'I couldn't even keep my promise to Rike to avoid serious injury...'
"Then I'll stay until just before Lofty Academy classes and head back."
In response, the Saintess didn't protest but quirked a brow in query.
"Huh? Aren't you an adventurer...?"
"I am."
Mazella sidled up to the puzzled, head-tilting Saintess and whispered an explanation.
"Saintess. Actually, the Church dispatches personnel to the Academy—"
After the ear-whispered rundown, the Saintess let out an admiring sigh, her eyes glinting.
"Rolling up your sleeves for Academy cadets amid your busy schedule...! Such fine deeds."
"All for my own gain. No adventurer works free out of pure altruism."
Chuckling lightly at Roman's gruff reply, she tasked Mazella with escorting him to his quarters.
The moment they were alone, Mazella broached the nagging topic.
"If your ties to that Empire's Fifth Knight leak, the Empire's noble sons and knights go without saying, but many a holy knight and priest in the Church will suffer broken hearts too."
The Saintess could only smile awkwardly, at a loss for retort.
She knew well the high proportion of male holy knights who admired and idolized Eclair, women notwithstanding.
The Saintess could not presume to comment lightly or fathom pains from experiences alien to her.
"Unannounced relations aren't for us to speculate on. Especially not to gossip. Tread carefully."
"Of course."
Eclair Dreitna of the Empire's Five Knights visiting the Church, her companion verified as a surprise: a Platinum adventurer.
How he fought the demon and won mattered, but a knight and adventurer?
Opposite genders, it evoked trendy romance novels—utterly intriguing.
Opposites that somehow meshed perfectly.
The fearsome man whose mere sight chilled the legs softened before the Fifth Knight; unreal, yet...
Their sweet, intimate vibe.
Not to mention the women, with relations unclear...
The Saintess wished to handle it delicately.
"Single room's as inward as possible? Instruct staff: no meddling with visitors or outside food."
"Yes!"
"Ensure no rumors sprout from the Church to tarnish our repute—retrain on secrecy. Basic courtesy to a benefactor."
"As you command, Saintess."
Still jotting memos for the future, she kneaded her aching, fatigue-sore fingers.
Compounded by the Holy Eye's backlash draining her vigor, sleepiness crashed like a tidal wave.
"Tomorrow's plans? You look too worn to proceed as scheduled."
"Must report to the Imperial Palace. Rest unchanged."
Rubbing her eyes against the drowsiness, Mazella ventured casually.
"Sleep first, I'd say. Your collapse from overwork might land me in the penance chamber."
A smiling, self-mocking jest, yet the Saintess capped her inkwell, considering its grim possibility.
"Finish this, then straight to bed. Not time for company now—you first, Mazella. You always rise before me."
Having shooed her off successfully, the Saintess paused her pen mid-final line and called back the departing Mazella.
"Ah! Mazella!"
"Yes?"
"Before heading to the palace tomorrow morning, slot in a quick visit with the adventurer."
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