Hero's Heroines, Saintess (2)
"...Hmm."
I stood up from my seat, paced the room once, then sat back down.
"Ahem."
Unable to stay still again, I started biting my nails.
I'm the lord now. The lord responsible for this godforsaken dump of a territory and the people living in it. The psychological burden is huge, so it's only natural I'd be fidgeting like this... or so I could tell myself.
But honestly speaking.
"Ah, that divine power pouch..."
The image of those huge, incredibly perky tits floating in my mind made it impossible to focus on work.
-Pant! Even my little fire buddy was saying the same thing. Go see the saintess already! Go grope those buns!
I was tormented by that temptation.
-Kyuu!!!
Of course, this fireball was hopping around in front of me, clearly disapproving of my state.
"Yeah, gotta hold back."
-Kyuung.
Going to see the saintess on purpose would be a mistake. Better to minimize contact and just hole up in the mansion until she's done with her business.
"But I'm the lord, right?"
-Kyu?
"Don't I need to check with my own eyes how the territory folk are doing, what treatments they're getting, and the results?"
-Kyuuk!
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
-Kyuu....
In the end, my thoughts tipped toward temptation. But I kept some rationality and rationalized it. For the territory folk. As their lord. Just checking, that's all. I'm definitely not going to ogle the saintess's tits and hips.
"Ahem. Alright, let's head out."
Saying that, I left the mansion.
Now to find the saintess in the territory. It wouldn't be hard since the place isn't that big.
But it was even easier than I thought.
"Really, Saintess..."
"My kid's been feverish nonstop..."
"I've had this stomach pain for days now..."
A crowd had gathered around one building. From their chatter, it seemed everyone here had come for treatment from the saintess.
Didn't realize there were this many sick people.
I felt a mix of responsibility and helplessness as the lord.
"Excuse me, just passing through."
I said that much to weave through the crowd toward the saintess, but the reaction was fiercer than expected.
"Who the hell are you? Can't you see the line? If you wanna see the saintess, wait your tu— Uh, L-L-Lord...?"
"...Yeah, it's me."
"Sorry, I... I was just desperate."
"No worries."
I could understand their edginess, so I didn't mind. The rudeness toward me. Their reluctance even after recognizing me. Bowing only because I'm technically an earl. I ignored it all.
That's just how I am right now.
A lord with no skills, no achievements, no future in sight. Couldn't exactly charge them with insulting nobility. Didn't even have the manpower to enforce it anyway.
I endured the villagers' glares as I passed the line and reached the room where the saintess was.
-Creeeak!
The old wooden door let out a weird groan as it opened. Inside were the saintess and one villager.
"Looks like that scorpion stew was the culprit. Try cooking it a bit longer. Or switch to something else. Seems your body's rejecting the poison outright."
"Aigoo, thank you so much. Really... my stomach ache that's plagued me my whole life is gone...!"
"It's the grace of God. I'm just a humble thread connecting God and the continent."
"No, it's all thanks to you, Saintess. Living in a place like this wrecks the body..."
"Hm? Lord Yuran?"
"Just here to check in."
"Gasp!"
The patient who'd been grumbling about the territory yelped in surprise at the sight of me. Yeah, I badmouth the higher-ups when they're not around too. No reason the villagers would be different.
"Ah, give me a sec."
The saintess led the treated patient out, asked the lined-up crowd for a brief moment, and came back in. The people, bowing frantically to her, begged her not to bother, insisting she do as she pleased.
"So this is a saintess."
I couldn't help but admire how she'd earned such trust and love from the villagers in such a short time.
"It's a title far too grand for me."
"Too humble."
"Humility? This power isn't mine—it's borrowed from God."
"Anyway, how are the patients?"
When I asked about the villagers seeking treatment, her face darkened. Even with her eyes closed, worry was evident, and her thin, pink lips—bare of makeup—were pursed tight.
"To be honest... it's bad. Worse than the orphanages we run... much worse...."
"As expected. I figured...."
"And that scorpion... stew? What even is that?"
"Oh, that? Vegetable stew, meat stew—you know. Just swap the veggies and meat for scorpions. Easiest protein source around here."
"You eat scorpions? For real? Even you...?"
"I eat 'em too. I'm broke."
What kind of obvious question is that? Did she think I was hoarding fancy food in the mansion?
"...But you're from the capital...."
"Ah."
She really thought I was living it up on luxury grub alone. Fair enough—I did splurge a lot back in the capital.
"Back then, money just happened to come my way somehow. Not from territory taxes or anything."
"...So aside from scorpions, what do you eat?"
"Hm, let's see."
This is a desert. Money's secondary; the terrain's the real issue. Ingredients available here? Not many.
"Scorpions for starters. Cacti for hydration and veggie substitute—tastes like shit, though. Oh, and owls when we catch 'em?"
"Ahh, Lord have mercy...."
She started praying at my words, muttering about how this place truly needs God's grace.
The mumbling was brief. She stood and approached me.
"You should get a check-up too, Lord Yuran."
"A check-up?"
"Yes. I'll scan for any illnesses with divine power."
"Like with the patients?"
"Well... most patients come because they're sick, but even if you're not, there could be hidden issues."
"Like a health exam."
"Health... exam? First time hearing it, but it fits perfectly. Yes, a health exam."
The kind every Korean adult gets almost mandatorily after turning twenty. Here I was, getting one from a saintess in another world. Not with blood draws or urine tests, though—just divine power.
"No harm in it. What do I do?"
"No need to remove your outer clothes."
"It's daytime; just wearing thin stuff."
"Then spread your arms and stand still."
I followed her instructions, arms out like a cross, watching closely to see how she'd use her divine power.
Absolutely not to get a closer look at Cecily's tits.
This was purely to witness rare divine power up close and broaden my horizons.
Whoa, but those tits are seriously... You're the champ.
Top of the heroines, no contest. Thought so from the illustrations, and seeing them in person? Cecily dominated.
Too bad the nun outfit covered everything up tight.
"...Moving will take longer, so stay still, please."
"Got it."
Cecily seemed hesitant for some reason. Did she notice me staring at her chest? Nah, impossible. Eyes closed and all. No divine power yet.
As I ogled away, a blue divine power flowed from her hands.
It looked like mana at a glance, but distinctly different. And I'd seen this blue divine power before.
Back at the academy, fighting Arthur. He'd unleashed it once—just once. Unwittingly smacked me with it during our brawl.
In other words, my past self was the extra villain for the protagonist's awakening.
Kuh, fuck.
Humiliation surged at the memory of being that throwaway antagonist.
Why the hell did past me do that?
Forget it, move on. No more tangling with Arthur. Calm down.
To soothe the sudden shame, I eyed my calming agent. Staring activates it, not eating—though I'd kill to shove it in my mouth. But no. I was here as lord, meeting the saintess.
-Shwooo.
Cecily's divine power swept over my body once or twice, then vanished like smoke.
"Done?"
"Mm, yes. It's done, but...."
"What's up? Something wrong?"
"No, it's... you're too healthy."
"Oh."
Her words—no issues, perfectly healthy—lifted my mood for no reason. With all the work ahead, a health problem would've been a headache. Dodged that bullet.
"But why the face?"
"Well... being this healthy is the weird part...."
"Weird?"
"From what I've heard about the environment and food here... you should have something wrong."
"Huh... yeah, now that you mention it."
The saintess's firsthand assessment wouldn't be off. Yet here I was, an exception. Scarfing scorpion stew—bitter and zingy—and my gut never complained.
"Must've inherited good blood. Good's good."
"True... but problems could arise later."
"Maybe. But healthy now? That's what matters."
"......"
I had a mountain of tasks. Potential future health issues? Kick 'em down the road.
Once I rake in cash and fix the territory, not just me—everyone stays healthy.
"Alright, heading back to the mansion. When're you leaving?"
"Ah, me... probably the day after tomorrow."
"Busy lady. Got a place to stay?"
"Yes. A local believer's lending me a room."
"Cool. Thanks for your help."
"O, key...? No idea what that means, but... I'll stop by the mansion on my way out."
"Mm, sure. Got it."
I gave her a casual wave and headed out, back to the mansion. Needed to check something.
Cecily's divine power felt oddly similar to my chirping fireball.
Had to confirm it.