Chapter 188: The Saint and Maria-5
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 188: The Saint and Maria-5
In-ho’s face was as pale as if he had seen a parade of moving corpses when he emerged from his meal with the Pope.
He didn't utter a single word during the twenty-minute walk back to his room.
Since he had been chatting about this and that throughout the entire trip, his sudden silence made Maria, who was walking beside him, grow anxious.
Following half a step behind him, she finally spoke up out of concern.
"Was there... perhaps a problem with the meal?"
When Maria asked, In-ho simply shook his head.
However, even that gesture seemed devoid of any strength.
"Then..."
The Saint must not be made to feel uncomfortable. Maria pressed him once more.
"I am truly fine."
Seeing the Saint force a smile while insisting he was alright, Maria couldn't bring herself to say anything more.
In the sunset-drenched corridor, the light from lanterns lit by apprentice priests mingled with the moonlight streaming in from outside. The bluish moonlight and the orange lamplight blended together, casting an eerie glow over the hallway.
They soon arrived in front of his room.
Whether it was by someone’s thoughtful consideration or a direct order, the Saint’s quarters were located in an exceptionally quiet area. The room, which they had left in a hurry that morning without proper tidying, welcomed them back.
While In-ho sat at the table, lost in thought, Maria quickly moved to straighten up the cluttered room.
"This is tomorrow's schedule."
Maria pulled a piece of paper from her habit and held it out to In-ho.
In-ho glanced briefly at the paper she offered, then gently pushed it back with his hand.
"I can't read. Sister Maria, please read it for me."
"Ah...! I am so sorry."
Reproaching herself for her thoughtlessness, Maria picked up the paper.
"After the morning service and lunch, you are scheduled to observe the Holy Knights' training at Solacusia."
"Didn't I see the training yesterday?"
"I recall that was the training for the apprentice knights. Tomorrow is the training for the Holy Knights themselves."
Maria answered In-ho’s question as she continued.
"And dinner... do I eat with the Pope every day?"
"No. Since nothing specific is written, I believe you can eat at the refectory."
"I see."
In-ho leaned back in his chair.
Perhaps because his expression had softened compared to before, Maria, who had been watching him closely, let out a small sigh of relief.
Silence fell between them.
Maria found it difficult to decide whether she should leave the room or stay, so she fidgeted with her hands, stealing glances at In-ho.
In-ho looked out the window of his room.
Even though the sun had set and night had fallen, there were many people walking around carrying lanterns.
"Is there some kind of event at night as well?" In-ho asked, watching the scene outside.
"It looks like they are headed to the library," Maria said, noting the direction the crowd was moving.
"The library?"
"Yes. After the day's work is done, people go there to study on their own until bedtime."
"So it's not mandatory."
"No. Most people finish their day by reading the Scripture in their own rooms. Those who go to the library are usually there to consult records other than the Scripture or to read books containing someone's interpretation of the holy texts."
"Everyone is quite diligent."
As In-ho muttered this, Maria nodded with a proud look on her face. She believed that this sight of people devoted to the Scripture would surely be pleasing to the Saint.
"Then, Sister Maria, how do you usually spend your time?"
"Lately, I have been transcribing the Scripture in my room."
"I see."
In-ho looked at Maria’s face for a moment, as if contemplating something.
Under his gaze, Maria wondered if she had done something wrong and asked cautiously, "Um... Saint? Is something the matter...?"
"Ah, it’s nothing much... actually, maybe it is. Would it be possible for you to stay in my room until bedtime for the time being?"
The Saint made this bold request without a single change in his expression.
Maria’s face slowly began to flush.
"Pardon? No, why would...?"
As Maria stammered and hesitated, In-ho watched her.
"...Ah."
Seeing Maria’s reaction, In-ho tilted his head in confusion for a moment before realizing his words had caused a misunderstanding. His mouth hung open slightly.
"I meant that I would like you to do the Scripture study you usually do in your room here in mine instead."
"M-may I ask why?" Maria asked, finding it difficult to fathom the Saint’s intentions.
At her question, the Saint pursed his lips and licked them slightly as they had gone dry.
"Because... I want to verify how well Sister Maria, who will be accompanying me, understands the Scripture."
Unlike In-ho, who was wearing a bright smile, Maria’s face turned ashen.
"Ah... ha..."
Maria responded soulfully—or rather, without a soul.
In-ho’s smile deepened as he spoke to her again.
"Please bring your Bible starting tomorrow."
"......"
"It’s getting late. Sister Maria, thank you for today. I’ll be in your care tomorrow as well."
In-ho stood up and personally opened the door, signaling that it was time for her to leave.
Maria slowly walked out of the room, and the two looked at each other across the threshold of the door.
"Well then, see you tomorrow."
"S-Saint."
Maria’s voice came from outside the half-closed door.
In-ho reopened the door and looked at her. He saw Maria’s stiff face, which was clearly fraught with tension.
"M-may I ask which part you will be v-verifying?"
She swallowed hard several times before asking. Like a student asking for the scope of a suddenly announced exam, Maria seemed to have not even a feather's weight of confidence.
"You don't need to be so nervous."
Wearing a benevolent smile that hid his true feelings of guilt, In-ho told her:
"The scope is the entire Bible."
Thud.
As soon as In-ho finished speaking, Maria’s legs gave out, and she collapsed right where she stood.
‘Man, I feel kind of bad about this.’
Using the excuse of 'testing' Maria to grasp the contents of the Scripture himself, In-ho gave a bitter smile as he watched her sink into visible despair.