Chapter 194: Saint Saniso Week-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 194: Saint Saniso Week-1
From that day forward, I stopped going out to the training grounds to instruct her personally.
Maria, for her part, abandoned her method of mindlessly swinging her sword.
My daily routine changed slightly as well.
I reduced the number of meal appointments I had with the nobility, which were once a daily occurrence. This was the result of a personal request I made to the Pope.
Though the Pope didn't hide his disappointment, he still adjusted my schedule without a word of complaint.
With fewer meal appointments, my official schedule became more relaxed, allowing me to spend much of my working hours in my room.
Normally, I would have gone for a walk or something similar, but I had grown weary of the persistent, unceasing stares following me everywhere.
And so, I stayed in my room, reading the Scripture to prepare for future sermons.
At my suggestion, Maria also stayed in the room, quietly meditating to refine her sword path.
She had initially refused quite firmly, but when I coaxed her by saying that using her spare time this way would allow her more sleep, she quickly gave in.
"……."
I watched Maria as she sat in a chair, eyes closed in meditation.
I couldn't tell if she had simply closed her eyes or if she was truly visualizing her sword path in her mind’s eye, but given her diligent nature, I figured she’d see results one way or another.
My gaze kept drifting toward her.
Maria’s shoulders rose and fell.
And with them, her massive chest moved in rhythm.
Whoa... I saw it every day, but the visual impact was still intense.
Across all the dimensions I had traveled through to get here, that size was truly overwhelming.
Was Grandmaster Yeom-jin’s size slightly smaller than that?
While I was lost in those thoughts, Maria suddenly opened her eyes, and our gazes met.
Her mysterious green eyes stared back at me.
A very faint pink hue began to creep onto her cheeks.
Maria’s eyes shifted slightly away from mine.
Lately, I’d been getting the feeling that she was avoiding looking me directly in the face.
"S-Saint. What were you looking at?"
"The Divine Power Pockets..."
"Pardon?"
"A-Ah! I was looking at you, Sister Maria. Is your training going well?"
I hurriedly corrected myself. Keep it holy, In-ho. Don't talk like a degenerate.
"I am doing as you instructed, but... I am still not quite sure. I am not used to the idea of training through meditation without moving my body..."
Maria spoke in a voice lacking confidence.
I suppose it made sense. She had spent her entire life swinging a sword to train; changing her method overnight would naturally make her doubt if she was doing it right.
"Did you have any realizations today?"
When I asked gently, Maria thought it over for a moment before speaking.
"I think I have come to understand the meaning behind the weapon known as the greatsword."
Understanding the weapon one uses.
That was the very first thing anyone who wields a weapon must realize.
"Could you tell me about it?"
"I thought about the weight inherent to the greatsword itself. Since a greatsword is heavier than other weapons, I realized that even without a clean cut, simply swinging the blade accurately can deliver a massive impact to the opponent."
I nodded reflexively.
"Following your words, Saint... if I were to imbue my will into the sword, I believe I would fill it with the intent to crush my enemy as I swing."
Perhaps emboldened by my reaction, Maria continued in a voice more confident than before.
A weapon is not a mere tool. It is a means to manifest one's will.
That was a lesson my Master had taught me.
Yet Maria had realized this through a short period of meditation without anyone telling her.
In terms of martial arts, you could say she had achieved a 'minor enlightenment.'
"Then, is there a difference between cutting and crushing?"
I threw out a question to help her develop her thoughts further.
"I believe it is a difference in precision."
"I think you're close to the answer."
"Thank you."
When I praised her with a satisfied smile, Maria’s face flushed red.
— Dong, Dong
The sound of a bell echoed from afar. It was almost time for dinner.
"Shall we call it a day?"
I stood up from my chair, tidying the writing materials on my desk, and Maria followed suit.
"Ah, Sister Maria."
"Yes."
"If it's simply about crushing, wouldn't a mace be better? It would be easier to handle than a greatsword."
I tossed the question out casually.
"Ah..."
Maria’s eyes widened as if she had been caught off guard.
"Let me know your answer by tomorrow."
I tapped the desk with the organized papers as I spoke, and her shoulders slumped.
I felt like a teacher giving out homework.
"Um... Saint."
While I was wondering what was for dinner, Maria called out to me.
She fidgeted with her hands, glancing at me tentatively.
What was with her?
"There is still a little time before the meal. May I go move the laundry first?"
"I thought the novice nuns were supposed to take care of that."
When I questioned her, Maria answered while picking at her fingernails.
"Ye-Yes. That is true, but... there is a general training session for all the novice nuns today. It will be late by the time they finish, so if I move the laundry now, it will lighten their workload."
She explained desperately, using frantic gestures.
"Ah, I see. Do as you wish, Sister Maria."
I nodded, and Sister Maria dashed into the bathroom next to the room.
Soon, she emerged carrying a basket filled with my clothes.
"T-Then, I will be back after I move this. It won't take long."
"Alright. Take your time."
I closed the door as I watched her retreating figure, already quite a distance away.
*
Maria is late. At this rate, I’m... going to starve to death?
Maria, who said she’d be right back, was taking her time.
I didn't know if she had tripped on the way or if she was taking my "take your time" literally, but my stomach had been growling for a while now.
— Knock, Knock
Just as my stomach was about to cave in, a light knock came from the door.
"Yes, come in."
Thinking it was Maria, I answered casually, but a girl with a youthful face opened the door and entered.
"Hm?"
The girl, meeting my eyes, gulped and spoke to me with a face full of tension.
"H-Hello, S-Saint? Um, I came to... pick up the laundry... but it wasn't there."
The child's voice grew smaller and smaller, as if she had committed a great crime.
"Ah, Sister Maria took the laundry. There was a general training session for all the novice nuns today, right? Thank you for your hard work until evening."
I leaned down to match the girl's eye level and answered gently.
"Tra...ining? Um... A-Anyway, Sister Maria took it. Thank you."
The girl bowed deeply and left the room.
"Cute."
I muttered to myself as I watched the door she had exited through.
Come to think of it, Antonio, who had asked me a question during the Bible Interpretation class, was about that age.
I told him I’d meet him again to talk about the Book of Emilio, but I’d forgotten.
Now that I’ve got the contents of the Scripture down to some extent, I should go see him soon.
— Thud, thud, thud
I heard the sound of someone running down the hallway.
It sounded like Maria.
After counting to five, a panting Maria opened the door.
"I-I am sorry I am late."
I wanted to ask what took her so long, but I greeted her with the most benevolent face I could muster.
"It's alright. Dinner time isn't over yet, so let's go."
Maria took several ragged breaths. Her face was quite red; she must have sprinted back.
Well, since she isn't in charge of the laundry, she might have gotten lost.
"Haa... Haa..."
Though I couldn't help but find the sound of her breathing a bit distracting.