The Goddess's Reassurance
Once again, it was that time when noon had passed through the afternoon and was gradually drawing toward evening.
"Ugh, ah..."
I stretched languidly, loosening my shoulders and back. Since I spent most of my working hours sitting in a chair, this kind of stretching was essential.
"Feels like I just worked all day today..."
In truth, days like this when no one visited the infirmary had become my everyday routine. My role was to help the apprentice saintesses live here without any issues. Ah, but now there was one more duty I had to fulfill while avoiding prying eyes. At first, it had felt overwhelming and bewildering... but I seemed to be managing it reasonably well. Still, that didn't mean I could just settle into the current situation complacently.
After a quick stretch, I returned to my desk, sat down in the chair, and sank into thought for a moment.
"It started with Ms. Lucia."
I was glad that she had been the first one I broached the subject with. She didn't try to hide her pent-up desires, and she seemed genuinely interested in me. On top of that, she'd even said she wanted to hear about my desires next time...
"Truly benevolent, as expected."
Next came Ms. Aria. Her curiosity, sparked by a novel written by a former saintess here, had gradually turned into desire. It wasn't just a simple urge to verify if the book's contents were real. Rather than wanting to know, it felt more like she was leaning toward wanting to experience it herself.
And then Claudia, whom I'd met just yesterday.
"One thing's for sure—Ms. Claudia has the... deepest desires. At least so far."
From showing up without her bra on, to using the excuse of punishment to beg for penetration. That moment when she thrust her hips forward herself, even with Teresa right outside the door—it was thrilling. And her insatiable pleas for more punishment...
"Now, the only one left is Ms. Serena..."
Whew. I let out a long sigh without realizing it.
Of course, I thought the circumstances that led me to become intimate with the others so far had been lucky breaks. But Ms. Serena? Where and how should I even begin?
Among the four apprentice saintesses, Ms. Serena was the shortest but the brightest. If Ms. Lucia felt like a light illuminating the darkness, Ms. Serena was like warm sunlight. For someone like that... desire? It was honestly hard to imagine.
There weren't even any real clues, so no matter how much I pondered, nothing came to mind.
"This is tough, really tough."
Overthinking wasn't good for my health, so I decided to call it quits there. It was about time to wrap up work anyway... It had been a while; maybe I should pray before heading back.
The prayer room I frequented was empty as always today. Filled only with silently flickering candles—maybe that's why the atmosphere felt so sacred and serene.
"Goddess..."
Couldn't you appear before me just one more time? I have so many questions, and I'm a little worried if I'm really doing this right.
I knelt on the floor, clasped my hands, and closed my eyes. I might not have faith as deep as the apprentice saintesses, but praying always brought me a sense of peace. It felt like being gently enveloped in warm light. Yes, just like right now...
...This sensation—it wasn't unfamiliar.
"Theo."
A few days ago, I'd mistaken it for someone else calling me, but this time I knew for sure. This was the Goddess's voice.
"Thou art performing far more splendidly than I expected—so much so that my concerns seem unfounded."
"G-Goddess. Am I... really doing well?"
It was a worry I'd hidden deep inside, unable to confide in anyone. Was I corrupting these women destined to become saintesses with impure lust? Was I crossing a line, or interpreting your will too freely on my own? I had been a bit scared.
"Worry clouds thy vision, Theo. Recall the children who have pressed their flesh to thine. The joy they discovered in being loved, and how they sought to please thee in return."
Ms. Lucia, who had honestly said she wanted to accept me all the way to her deepest place. Ms. Aria, who forgot her torment as her mouth and throat filled with me. Ms. Claudia, who shyly masked her honest desires with excuses of punishment, yearning for me.
"Those children are not blindly succumbing to desire. They are learning love."
As the Goddess said, perhaps I'd let needless worries distract me from the apprentice saintesses right beside me.
"But... am I truly worthy of taking on such a role? Especially something so physical..."
"Theo, dost thou believe those children are so foolish as to lose all reason, blinded by carnal lust?"
"N-No! Of course not."
They weren't the type. I'd watched over them for years, after all.
A soft laugh emanated from the statue, followed by the Goddess's words.
"I shall offer thee one piece of counsel amid thy wandering. The reason those children yielded their bodies to thee falls into one of two categories: They already felt love—or at least affection—for thee beforehand, or thou wert the object of their budding desire."
I was starting to understand what the Goddess was trying to tell me. In other words, keep doing what you're doing—just don't get caught.
But there was one last thing I wanted to know.
"Um... Goddess. There's still one apprentice saintess I haven't even broached the subject with."
"I know. Art thou concerned about her?"
"It's not so much concern... I just don't feel like she needs my help. She doesn't seem to fit either of the two reasons you mentioned..."
The words "Serena" and "desire" didn't quite match up. At least not in my head. She treated me friendly enough, but was it really affection? It felt a bit ambiguous.
"There is no need to rush, Theo. As thou givest love to the children who come to need thee, the time will come. Thus, help them achieve and feel what they desire in even more certain ways than before. Cherish and care for those children who have begun to understand love through experience beyond mere learning."
Gradually, the warm light enveloping me began to fade. Had the Goddess's words become a perfect answer for me? Honestly, I wasn't sure. But... I felt a little more at ease. At the very least, I clearly understood that I should continue tending to the apprentice saintesses as I had been.
I now knew what I needed to do, and that I was heading in the right direction.
"Yes... Goddess. I'll do my absolute best."
Last time, it had felt like I'd been saddled with the task out of nowhere, but not this time. The reason the Goddess hadn't given me special help must be because I didn't need it anymore. In other words, she was telling me to move forward with confidence in my work, without hesitation.
Anyway, it seemed I needed to act even more proactively from now on. Especially... in the naughty matters.
Before the statue, now returned to its usual state, I slowly rose, feeling a sense of familiarity.
"Still, there's that one uncertain part lingering."
I brushed the dust off my pants and thought about Ms. Serena.
...Hmm, no clue at all. Not the slightest inkling.
"Ms. Serena just doesn't seem interested in that sort of thing at all."
I muttered to myself, bowed to the statue, and turned to leave—only to nearly collide with the petite apprentice saintess standing right behind me.
"Did you call me, Mr. Theo?"
"U-Uh-heok! Y-You startled me, Ms. Serena...!"
I was so shocked that I stumbled back, blurting out something stupid.
"I thought I heard someone praying, so I came to check. What were you praying for?"
"Uh... h-ha ha... That's a secret. I'm just glad you look healthy today as well, Ms. Serena."
At least she hadn't seen me talking to the Goddess. That was a relief. As I sighed inwardly in relief, Ms. Serena spoke up in her bright voice.
"Hmm... Lately, everyone seems to have so many secrets. Especially Claudia! She always dodges whenever I ask! So, Mr. Theo, any ideas?"
"Well... I don't have anything specific. Why not ask the others?"
I replied as naturally as possible, with the most natural response I could muster.
"Aria's no interest in this stuff at all! No matter what I ask, she just goes, 'Oh? I wouldn't know,' and whoosh—off she goes!"
Ms. Serena mimicked Ms. Aria's stoic expression and measured tone. I shouldn't laugh, but a chuckle slipped out anyway.
Yeah, no need to worry unnecessarily. For now, focus on what I can do right away.