Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: North (4)
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"I confess my sins before the Goddess."
I'd been worried she might refuse, but fortunately, Carmen seemed ready to go through with the confession properly.
Unlike before, she began speaking in a solemn, serious tone.
"Hoo..."
As if she'd made a major decision, Carmen let out a long breath.
Right after, she confessed her sins to the Goddess below.
"Goddess, I hate men. This goes for the knights of our territory, the servants in our manor, and even my father."
'Polar too?'
From her behavior so far, I'd guessed she had some misogyny toward men in general, but it was shocking that it extended to her own parent, Polar.
"My father, Polar Icicle, is the strongest warrior in the North. He stands alone on the battlefield, severing demon heads, striking fear into enemies and boosting morale for allies—a true symbol of peace."
"But that's all wrong."
In an instant, her voice turned ice-cold.
"People's expectations of my father are too great. From the territory's residents and knights to those from other lands, even the imperial family. All those expectations are far too heavy for one man to bear, so before he knew it, Father started overexerting himself just to meet them."
I shared that sentiment.
Polar was undeniably a powerful force, but not the 'strongest'.
No matter if he could cut down hundreds of demons, he couldn't handle thousands. He could save the person right in front of him, but not someone beyond his sight.
Yet as she said, people expected more from him, and the gruff but caring Polar pushed himself to meet those demands.
"The knights trust Father and half-heartedly sharpen their axes, while the residents prepare defenses but lose their tension like it's some festival."
That must be why she developed her hatred of men.
"And Father... I hate how he tries to live up to those ridiculous expectations."
"He just keeps pushing through silently, making those expectations grow even bigger, overexerting himself without a word."
Now I understood why she hated her father too.
"...Still, you didn't show any outward dislike toward him, Lady Carmen."
"Of course. I hate him, but that doesn't erase my love for my father."
I see.
That explained why her gaze toward her father felt so warm—it wasn't pretense. She harbored both hatred and love.
"Anyway, I hate all men, including my father. They act tough while leaving everything to Dad, boasting despite only being a bit strong."
"And yet, because of this one Holy Knight right in front of me, I confess my sins."
"... ."
She seemed to have built up some resentment toward me while talking.
Like she was asking, 'Feel better now?'
"...The Goddess has forgiven your sins."
"...I see."
The mood turned awkward once it ended.
I'd learned her true feelings as intended, but now I wasn't sure what to do next.
And at that moment.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
Carmen called out to me in a sulky voice.
"Just me?"
"Pardon?"
"Am I the only one?"
Her complaint was about being the only one confessing.
She demanded I confess too.
"...Well, this is usually for clergy—"
"The Goddess will forgive your sins, so confess before her the sins you've never shared with anyone."
"... ."
She memorized it perfectly after one listen—thorough as ever.
Still, it did feel unfair for me to hear hers alone, and I had something to confess anyway.
"...Just to be clear, nothing said here can ever be repeated to anyone. Understood?"
"I know. Doesn't the Goddess send divine punishment for blabbing about confessions? I know that much, so get on with it."
True. In a world where the Goddess wields direct power, no one would dare gossip about confessions.
After a deep breath, I confessed my sins to the Goddess before her.
"...Truth is, I have feelings for a woman."
"Pfft!"
"Lady Carmen?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry. Confessions are just way funnier than I thought. Couldn't help it. Go on."
"...I fell for the purest woman, despite knowing my place. From the moment I first saw her, it was love at first sight. When we met again, I hid it, but my heart pounded like it would burst."
"Ooh, oooh..."
"But she's beyond my reach, so I'll bury these feelings forever without her knowing. Please forgive my sin."
Done.
After confessing fully, I stood and pulled back the blanket.
'Confessions really do lighten the heart.'
Like shedding a burden from my soul.
Nothing beats religion when you're lost.
"What the hell, why give up?!"
I ignored Carmen yelling from behind as I finished up and headed out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After the confession with Carmen.
"... ."
"Um... Lady Carmen...?"
Carmen glared at me with eyes full of dissatisfaction.
Ariana called out to her in confusion at the bizarre scene, but surprisingly, Carmen focused solely on me, ignoring Ariana.
"Yeah, what."
She answered without taking her eyes off me.
Ariana looked puzzled but didn't complain.
"Did something happen with Is? You're acting so different from usual..."
"Yeah, a huge freaking deal. This idiot's being so frustrating."
"Frustrating...?"
At her words, Ariana shot me a look that said, 'What happened?' I just smiled back like it was nothing.
"It's nothing. We just had an honest talk."
"An honest talk?"
"Right, Lady Carmen?"
I glanced at her with a smile, and though she looked displeased, she reluctantly nodded.
"Honest talk... Ah! Was it a confession?"
"Haha, yes, Saintess."
"A confession! Then I shouldn't pry. But Is and Lady Carmen confessing... Wait, Is, confession...?"
"Hm? What's wrong, Saintess?"
I asked as Ariana's mood suddenly sank.
But she quickly brightened, flashing her usual sunny smile.
"Is, if you ever want to confess something, you can ask me anytime! Got it?"
"Uh? Ahaha... Th-thank you."
"Promise?"
"S-sure."
'Sorry, but you're the one person I can't confess this sin to.'
Sorry, Ariana, but I'd never confess to her about this.
How could I tell the person herself?
Unaware of my thoughts, Ariana approached me with her bright, puppy-like energy.
Three days passed like that—Ariana watching me expectantly, Carmen shooting me reproachful glares.
Polar must have felt bad about his daughter constantly glaring at me, so he offered to watch Ariana and told me to take some free time.
In truth, it felt like he wanted us to sort things out.
I did feel the need to resolve the situation.
None of us showed it—Ariana, Polar, me—but we were all uncomfortable.
So I slipped out alone beyond the barricade.
The knights were on watch atop it.
Leaning against the barricade and sitting down, Carmen soon approached and looked down at me.
Her face screamed she had a lot to say.
I sighed deeply and spoke.
"Alright. What's bothering you?"
"What's bothering me? You seriously asking that?!"
"Shh... Knights up top. Keep it quiet."
"This damn— Hoo... Fine. That'll make you talk."
She sat naturally beside me.
About half an arm's length away.
We sat side by side, but stared only at the snowy plain ahead.
"Hey."
She cut straight to it.
"If you like her, confess. Then date."
"Haha, I wish life were that simple, Lady Carmen."
"...You little shit?"
"Don't you like the Saintess too?"
"I do. She's not some dude, great rack, and gorgeous."
"I agree."
"Then confess!"
"Hahaha, Lady Carmen, people must live within their station. The Saintess has a fitting partner, and a slum-born Holy Knight like me can't step into that spot."
"...She probably doesn't care about your background—"
"She knows enough to know better. This world doesn't look kindly on mismatched status. If I were the Hero, maybe, but right now, I can't even dream of standing by the Saintess."
"Ugh, true, but you're so frustrating."
"I know. Must be annoying. But what can you do? That's fate."
"Hey, what if the Saintess gets married? You gonna wave goodbye and stay single forever?"
"No way. I plan to marry someday. Being alone brings back old memories, hurts. Probably find someone like me and build a normal family."
"...You're insane."
"Haha, don't wanna hear that from you."
She chewed me out for a while, but we talked a lot under the barricade, trading words.
You're an idiot.
I know.
You're a loser.
I know.
Are you gay?
Don't cross the line.
I hope the Saintess is happy.
Then live with her.
At least you seem worth saving.
What bullshit.
And so on. As we bantered endlessly, something odd caught our eyes.
"...Hey, my eyes aren't messing with me, right?"
"No, I'm seeing it too."
A small figure trudging through the snow.
Probably a child.
The problem was the massive shadow looming before it.
Two horns protruded near its head.
"Fuck, it's a demon!"
"The kid's in danger!"
As the demon moved to attack the child, we both sprang forward without hesitation.