Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Saint - 2
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It's confusing.
"Are you alright there?"
Because his eye had been gouged by the ghost's finger?
No, that wasn't it.
"His eyes are unfocused... I should've just waited in the hospital room after all."
Was it because of the pain in his eye?
No, that wasn't it either.
Was it because he was about to die now, or because of the angel floating beside him along with the Sage? Yeah, it had to be that.
At least it was fortunate that his eyes were in bad shape right now. He could pass off the weird look in his eyes as pain.
"...Sorry for yelling out of nowhere. Something got in my eye..."
It wasn't just "something got in"—it had been outright jabbed in—but he needed to make an excuse for now.
"Still... just to be safe, could I get a quick check-up? I'm worried since the injury from the holy sword hasn't been properly examined either..."
That said, he needed to confirm it properly. He had to figure out if that thing crushing his eye was an illusion created by the Sage or if it actually existed.
"Of course. Is there an empty room where I can escort you?"
"Yes, please."
"We should..."
"No... It's just a simple treatment right now, so let's just go the two of us."
At those words, a few faces stiffened. It was probably because the request right after their first meeting felt a bit odd and awkward.
"Leo, even so, that's..."
"Please... Just in case..."
Lumine nodded without hesitation. The saintess beside her muttered something, but it was too far to hear clearly.
"But Priest!"
Even as the holy knight shouted loudly, Lumine only showed a benevolent smile.
"It's fine. I've heard of Knight Leonardo's character and reputation."
With that smile, everyone's wariness seemed to ease, and they no longer tried to stop him. The angel on the side scowled a bit, but he deliberately ignored it.
Of course, she was still better than the Sage. Compared to that senile old ghost who had forgotten whose fault this mess was, a beautiful, angelic saintess who looked compassionate was obviously preferable.
...She had to be. If even the saintess was like that, there'd be no hope for this world.
The room they entered was the secluded hospital room in the corner of the mansion where Leo had been treated after passing out. It was the end room that neither other knights nor servants frequented much, so it was sparsely populated and quiet.
"...Um, Leonardo."
Lumine asked in a soft tone as she watched Leo close the door.
"Yes, Priest Lumine."
"Is there something you want to say?"
The Sage seemed a bit surprised by her perceptiveness and judgment, but Leonardo was used to it and didn't react.
"Did you already know?"
"...Yes, judging by your condition and manner of speech, it seemed that way."
Sometimes, insights gained through conversation raised judgment more than experience from battle.
"Then I'll be direct."
Leonardo pointed at the angel behind him. His gaze shifted squarely back to her.
"When did you start seeing her?"
Lumine's expression froze for a moment. But she quickly regained her composure and smiled again.
"...Her? Is there someone else here?"
In a way, it was impressive. If it were him, his voice might have trembled at least once, or he'd have broken out in cold sweat.
That meant she was skilled at hiding things.
Compared to her, the woman over there—saintess or angel, whatever—was wearing every emotion on her face.
"I understand the caution. I've been hiding it myself ever since I started seeing her at 13."
The calmer he stayed, the smoother the communication would be.
"...No way... You can see her too?"
"I can even match her exact movements."
At that, the saintess gave a suspicious look before breaking into a sly smile. Then she thrust her chest toward Leonardo's face.
Why had humanity been saved by lunatics like this?
It was truly lamentable.
"First, could you ask her to move that chest she's shoving in my face?"
Leo gave her an indirect rebuke without blinking. At his cool words, she flushed and looked flustered.
"...You really can see her..."
"...I have similar symptoms myself."
Of course. A beautiful angel like her would naturally look far better than a near-death, senile ghost.
Though there was still some leeway, his expectations had long been crushed by that so-called great Sage.
The guy who had stubbornly wandered around before despite being told to scram was now throwing a tantrum.
That would put the Sage in a tough spot too.
The Sage reluctantly rematerialized his spirit body, looking extremely unwilling. Strangely, Leo felt his strength drain and a pain in his chest.
"...Agh..."
"Are you okay?!"
The elderly ghost, already an expert in death, answered politely from beside Lumine.
"...Huh...? That voice..."
She didn't seem to hear it clearly. She sensed something off, but without the Sage's Stone as a catalyst, she apparently couldn't see him.
A flash filled the room, and the angel's voice echoed in his mind. It felt like telepathy.
"...An... angel...?"
Lumine flinched at the flash too, seemingly able to see the Sage now, looking flustered.
"...Ah... Yes... Sorry..."
Lumine, who always kept a serene face, looked utterly awkward. Clearly, 'that thing' wasn't normal either.
An ugly argument with no quarter given. It was truly fortunate that only clergy and mages were present.
"Calm down first. Let's each briefly explain the situation."
Leonardo barely mediated the fiery squabble and gently took control.
"First, on our side..."
What was this, a kid's game? A geezer picking a pointless pride fight.
"Ah, then I'll..."
It sounded reasonable, but it was like pouring oil on the fire.
...Wasn't that insulting himself too?
Unable to stand the ignorant insult, Leo conceded a move.
"...Since our Sage was at fault, we'll explain first."
"If you had any pride, shut up. You, who keeps dragging your dignity through the dirt every hour."
The Sage clutched his head in annoyance, while the saintess smirked in victory.
"Sorry, but since I've been corrupted by that evil spirit, probably not."
Ignoring the muttering evil spirit beside him, he explained the situation—including the regression, as circumstances demanded full disclosure.
"So to sum up... Leonardo came from the future, obtained the Sage's Stone, and returned to the past?"
It lacked details, but it was a fair summary.
"Hard to believe, but yes."
The saintess sincerely saddened, offering condolences for one soul.
That side was certainly worthy of sympathy too.
"Sniff... She even lunged at me demanding I admire her assets... Sob..."
Even now, he couldn't eat organ dishes because of the trauma.
"...Ah...! Yes!"
Snapping out of the historical figures' disgraceful mess, Lumine began her explanation.
The Sage listened quietly before nodding and sharing his thoughts.
He couldn't agree or deny.
The former saintess—now angel—rarely yelled, turning the situation to the Sage's advantage.
The saintess flinched, her wings flapping wildly.
Oddly detailed directions. The angel beside was indeed sweating profusely.
Hard to distinguish, so both ugly it is. Really.
It was the first time he'd seen Lumine look at a living being with such contempt. Lumine seemed to have caught on to the saintess's depravity to some extent.
That must be why Lumine was so detached.
A story he'd heard before. He fervently wished the angel hadn't been involved in how he befriended Lumine.
Thwack
The former saintess's fury-filled strike sent the ghost Sage's face flying.
"...An... Angel?"
He didn't want to know anymore; both could go to the afterlife.
Regaining form, the Sage hurled a mana bullet.
Even though it used his mana, Leo just watched the fight silently.
"...Um... Shouldn't we stop them?"
Lumine cautiously asked while watching the ancient luminaries brawl.
"If they'd listen to stopping. Right?"
Lumine glanced slightly before replying.
"...No."
"Then let's leave it."
It was fun anyway. If one of the angel or evil spirit ended up irreparably wrecked, wouldn't that be better?
Lumine nodded and watched the rare bout beside him. With such a precious spectacle as an appetizer, the only regret was the lack of drinks.