Chapter 184: The Saint and Maria-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 184: The Saint and Maria-1
Solacusia, Inquisitor Headquarters.
Late at night, Maria walked down a corridor where faint moonlight filtered through the windows. Her destination was the office of Lumen, the leader of the Inquisitors.
Knock, knock.
"It’s Maria."
"Come in, Sister Maria."
Maria’s pale hand had barely left the door when a voice answered from within. Upon entering, she saw Lumen, who had deep shadows of fatigue under her eyes, looking up at her. She had been reading reports by the light of the moon spilling through the window and a single lamp on her desk.
"It starts tomorrow, doesn't it?" Lumen asked Maria, who stood in silence after entering the room.
"Yes, it begins tomorrow."
"Here is the official schedule."
Lumen handed her a sheet of paper clipped to a wooden board. Maria scanned the contents briefly.
"The schedule is..."
"It’s nothing much. Just make sure the times for worship and meals are strictly observed," Lumen said, tapping the documents against the desk to align them.
"Yes. I will attend to the Saint without fail."
Maria looked at Lumen with a look of grim determination. Lumen stared blankly at Maria’s intensely serious face for a moment before letting out a short chuckle.
"I have never once doubted your faith, Sister Maria. If anything, your tendency to be so serious about everything is what worries me."
A rare look of relaxation settled on Lumen’s tired face.
"My thoughts differ slightly from the Pope’s," Lumen said, leaning back in her chair and pressing her fingers against her eyes.
"In what way...?" Maria trailed off, as she always found Lumen difficult to approach.
"Did you hear the news? The Saint went to Solacusia today and told a training instructor to swing a sword at him."
"Ah, no. This is the first I’ve heard of it. But... the instructor didn't actually swing a sword, did he?"
"He did. I heard it was a clean vertical strike."
"How could anyone do something so insane...!"
No matter if it was the Saint’s own command, pointing a blade at him was unthinkable to Maria.
"So, what happened?"
"He is unharmed. In fact, he didn't even sustain a scratch."
Well, of course, Maria thought. If he had been injured, the entire Church Headquarters would have been turned upside down. Feeling a bit embarrassed for her overreaction, Maria lowered her gaze to the floor.
"There is something more important here than the fact that Brother Andrea swung the sword," Lumen said, staring intently at Maria.
From that subtle gaze, Maria realized Lumen had a specific point to make.
"The Saint told Brother Andrea to trust him and swing."
"His actions are certainly... unconventional," Maria remarked, recalling the Saint she had seen on the execution platform compared to the one now.
"We have had many holy people, but a 'Saint' is a first since the founding of the Solarium Church. There is no standard to compare whether he is unconventional or not."
Tap, tap. Lumen drummed her fingernails against the desk.
"Anyway, the point is this: I believe the Saint will be a great help to your stagnant faith, Sister Maria."
I heard you’ve been troubled lately, Lumen added.
"What should I do...?"
As Maria hesitated, Lumen gave a thin smile.
"Just do as the Saint asks."
"Yes, I understand."
"Good. You may leave now. You’ll need plenty of sleep if you’re to attend to him."
"Understood. Then, I shall..."
Maria turned and gripped the doorknob.
"Ah, Sister Maria?" Lumen’s voice caught her by the shoulder.
"Yes?"
"If the Saint happens to visit Solacusia... send someone to let me know in advance. We can't exactly welcome him without any preparation."
"Yes, I will."
After Maria closed the door and left, Lumen stared at the door for a long time. She eventually put her glasses back on and turned her attention back to the unfinished paperwork on her desk.
"Sigh..."
A long sigh escaped Lumen’s lips.
"I wonder what the Saint is thinking."
Why, of all people, did he choose Maria...?
Lumen found it difficult to fathom In-ho’s intentions.
*
The next morning.
Maria was waiting endlessly in front of In-ho’s room.
Clang, clang, clang.
Every time the distant bells tolled, Maria’s hand would reach for the door handle only to drop back down.
"Worship is starting soon."
The morning service, presided over by the Bishop, was scheduled to begin within the hour. Even if In-ho woke up right now, it would be a tight squeeze to make it. Unable to bring herself to enter the room, Maria paced back and forth, her anxiety mounting.
She pressed her ear to the door to check the situation inside and heard the Saint’s steady breathing. He was likely still asleep.
"Ugh..."
The Saint missing worship because he was oversleeping? It was crystal clear who would be held responsible if that happened. After hesitating for another five minutes, Maria put on a determined face and knocked.
"Saint, it is Maria."
She had already knocked more than a dozen times. After one final check, she took a small breath.
"Saint, I apologize, but I am coming in."
Creeeeak.
As Maria cautiously opened the door and stepped inside, she saw the Saint lying in bed. The sight of him breathing peacefully, tucked neatly under the covers, looked remarkably pious. Feeling an indescribable sense of awe, Maria crept toward his side.
"......"
Maria leaned over and called out to him in a soft voice.
"Saint."
Despite her call, there was no sign of him waking.
Gulp.
Maria swallowed hard and placed her hand gently on his shoulder. Then, she gave him a very light shake.
"Saint, it is time to wake up. Actually... you’re a little late."
"......"
The Saint only furrowed his brows and did not respond.
"Saint? Saint... Kyaah!"
Just as Maria was about to shake him a few more times, the Saint suddenly reached out and pulled her arm. She collapsed onto the bed instantly.
"S-Saint?"
He hugged her tightly, as if she were a giant teddy bear. Maria froze in that position, her face turning beet-red.
Thump, thump.
Her heart began to race.
"S-Saint... you can't do this..."
Her face wasn't just red; it felt like it was about to cook.
"Mmm..."
As Maria’s breath tickled In-ho’s face, his eyelids fluttered. Then, his eyes slowly opened.
"Hm?"
His squinted eyes gradually widened. Their gazes met.
"......"
"......"
The Saint seemed to be working his brain hard to process the situation. Maria was trying to find the right words to explain herself.
"Um..."
But the moment Maria opened her mouth to explain the situation—
"Agh!!!! Rapist!!!"
The Saint screamed.