Chapter 181: The Saint of Another World-3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181: The Saint of Another World-3
Rattle, rattle.
I didn't know a person’s trembling could actually be heard.
After selecting my attendant, I and the blonde nun were guided to a quiet room.
It was a room with a carpet, a desk and chair for reading, and a bed large enough for one person to sprawl out on. As a bonus, there was a small round table where we could sit across from each other and drink coffee.
I was told this was my room.
"Since these are the personnel the Saint personally selected, why not have a conversation with them?"
The kind-looking Pope had made the suggestion, and I had no reason to refuse. In fact, I needed to deceive the woman in front of me perfectly. I had to dispel any lingering suspicions she might have about me.
And so, under the pretext of an interview, I was having tea time with my attendant, Maria Roen.
Of course, my conversation partner was so incredibly tense that I couldn't call the atmosphere peaceful, even as a polite lie.
It made sense for her to be nervous, considering the person ranked second in the protocol hierarchy had suddenly appeared. Who’s number one? God, obviously.
Judging by the Pope’s attitude, there was no doubt that a 'Saint' was a very precious existence. You might ask if a Saint isn't naturally precious, but well, looking at recent web novels, that wasn't always the case.
In times like this, it’s best to break the ice. It’s what I always did when a new employee joined the company.
"Ahem, ahem."
As I cleared my throat, Maria, who had been staring fixedly at her cup, cautiously lifted her head. I put on a benevolent face and spoke to her.
"What are you so afraid of? Surely you haven't committed some unspeakable sin, have you?"
Witty, relaxed, and with a touch of local flavor.
Normally, the standard procedure would be for her to give an awkward laugh and for the stiff tension to melt away. But for some reason, Maria’s trembling only intensified.
Ah, I blew it.
Thud!
Maria practically collapsed, sliding right off her chair. She prostrated herself flat at my feet, bowing her head low.
"I am a sinner!"
The intensity of her voice and emotion was exactly like the bandits who had faced death before my Master. It was the fear that comes to those facing their end. I felt that same fear radiating from Maria.
I stood up from my chair and placed a hand on the shoulder of the woman who looked like she was trying to merge with the floor. I felt her flinch through my palm.
"Raise your head, Sister Maria."
It was time to drop the playfulness and show the image of a merciful Saint. At my words, now devoid of laughter, Maria cautiously raised her head.
"......"
In her emerald eyes, a mixture of indescribable emotions swirled.
"First, stand up. We can't talk in this position, can we?"
With a gentle smile, I helped her up. Slowly, without rushing, I pulled her up step by step.
Soon, she and I were facing each other. Seeing her up close, our eyes met at roughly the same level; it seemed our heights were quite similar. I suppose she was quite tall for a woman.
"Let's sit back down."
When I pointed to her chair, which had been pushed back forlornly, Maria turned red and quietly returned the chair to its original position.
We sat again. I picked up my cup and took a sip of coffee. To be honest, I’m not the type of person who knows how to enjoy the taste of coffee, but I could still feel the comfort provided by the nutty aroma.
I raised my cup slightly, offering her a drink. Hesitantly, Maria’s white hand gripped the cup provided for her.
"You seem far too tense. Let's take a moment to calm your heart."
And so, she and I took some time to let the frantic air in the room settle.
"Um..."
Just as I was wondering when to start talking, she thankfully opened her mouth first. Though her voice was still thick with hesitation, I felt much more at ease knowing she had initiated the conversation.
Rather than me blathering and accidentally revealing I wasn't a Saint, it was better for her to speak first and provide some trivial information.
"There is... one thing I am curious about."
"Yes, if it is something I know, I will answer."
I leaned forward slightly, gesturing that I was listening intently to her words. Maria’s emerald eyes flickered toward the cup on the table before meeting my face and then returning to their original spot.
"Why... did you choose me... if I may ask..."
I couldn't exactly say I wanted to show a commoner-friendly image and chose her because she was the only familiar face. Let's try to get past this by being a bit vague.
"Because I thought you were suitable."
I leaned back in my chair, maintaining a relaxed posture.
"Suitable... you say?"
She blinked as she spoke.
"Yes. Suitable... and you have the qualifications."
She’d be curious about what those qualifications were. I felt like her somewhat passive gaze changed slightly.
"Th-then! Those qualifications are...!"
Maria leaned toward the table. Her large chest pressed against the edge of the table.
"......."
It felt a bit... overstimulating, so I turned my gaze toward the ceiling. Even though I looked away, I could feel her piercing gaze fixed on me.
Qualifications? I didn't know. There was probably some doctrine written in the scriptures. But since I didn't know that doctrine, I had to wing it.
In times like this, the best method is...
"Don't you know that best yourself?"
Answering a question with a question.
At my words, her eyes widened. If I continued the conversation any further, my lack of knowledge would be exposed, so I had to end it here. I stood up, subtly prompting her to leave.
She seemed to catch my drift and stood up as well.
"Then I shall take my leave, Saint. Since the official schedule begins tomorrow, I will be waiting in front of your room at the appointed time."
"Understood. It may be awkward, but I hope we can get to know each other slowly. I look forward to working with you, Sister Maria."
"Working with me? No, I shall serve you without fail, Saint."
She gave me a deep bow and disappeared into the distance. I closed the door and pressed my ear to it, listening to the hallway. Fortunately, there didn't seem to be anyone monitoring me.
I dove onto the wide bed. Face-buried in the pillow, I let out the energy rising from my Dantian with all my might.
"Aaaaaaaah!!!!!"
Acting like a Saint is freaking hard!
*
Maria Roen, whose position had changed from Inquisitor to the Saint’s attendant, visited the Pope’s office upon his summons.
"I greet Your Holiness."
As she bowed her head in greeting, she saw the Pope as well as the representatives of each faction before her.
Gulp.
As tension constricted her body, she swallowed hard.
"Yes... Sister Maria. Was there anything unusual during your meeting with the Saint?"
The Pope, who had stuttered while remembering her name, asked with a benevolent smile.
"If you mean anything unusual..."
"Ah, I am asking what happened. In case anything occurred that might have been a nuisance to the Saint..."
"Actually..."
Maria honestly recounted what had happened during her meeting with the Saint. For her, the option of lying did not exist.
When her story ended, the Pope stroked his chin and let out a low hum.
"The Saint has shown his will."
"His will, you say?"
The deep voice of the Commander of the Holy Knights, who stood beside the Pope, rang out. The Pope scanned the faces of everyone gathered in the office.
"Sister Maria here is the very Inquisitor who carried out the Saint’s execution just yesterday."
At the Pope’s words, Maria’s body stiffened.
"The punishment for damaging the body of a Saint is not recorded anywhere in the scriptures. If one were to search for a similar doctrine, it would be the desecration of a Holy Relic."
Regardless of her reaction, the Pope continued.
"And the punishment for intentionally damaging a Holy Relic is..."
"Burning at the stake."
As the Pope trailed off, Lumen, the Chief Inquisitor who had been standing calmly, finished the sentence. At the mention of burning at the stake, Maria’s lips began to tremble uncontrollably.
"However... the Saint chose Sister Maria as the person to assist him. I believe this is a show of mercy, indicating he will not pursue your sins further."
Maria let out a sigh of relief at the Pope’s words.
"And when Sister Maria asked the Saint about 'qualifications,' you said the Saint looked at the ceiling."
The Pope’s finger pointed toward the ceiling.
"What is the ceiling?"
No one answered the Pope’s question.
"It is the sky. And beyond that sky resides God. In short, he was telling you to ask the heavens for those qualifications."
Everyone in the room marveled at the interpretation, which was even more exquisite than the dream itself. The Pope’s serious face turned toward Maria.
"Sister Maria, the Saint has forgiven your profanity and shown his intent for you to prove your faith to the heavens."
"My... faith?"
"That is correct. As an Inquisitor, your faith is surely firm, but in the eyes of the Absolute, it may appear infinitely weak."
Maria recalled how she had wavered while transcribing the scriptures.
"I do not need to explain the story of Rob from the scriptures for you to understand. He was the man who, because he had the least faith, was able to prove himself to God. Right now, the Saint is saying that because your faith is imperfect, you are actually the one qualified to prove it."
"Therefore, show the Saint your steadfast faith."
"...I understand."
Maria replied to the Pope’s words.
After the conversation ended, Maria left the Pope’s office and crossed the central garden. It was still difficult for her to grasp reality in a situation that had changed overnight.
"......"
Suddenly, the warm sunlight tickled her head. It felt as if an intense light was shining down upon her.
It was a moment when her faith felt full.