Chapter 343: Favoritism
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 343: Favoritism
"If there is someone you like, you must tell me."
"Before you truly set foot upon this path of no return."
In the flickering candlelight, those clear eyes watched calmly, yet they shimmered with a brilliance that Liya could not quite comprehend.
It was like a lake beneath a misty drizzle—deep and elusive.
"...I told you, there’s no one."
Liya froze for a moment, then turned her head away, muttering, "Saintess, you’re overthinking things."
"Is that so?"
The Saintess released her hands and smiled.
"That’s good, then. I was just making sure. Don't be cross with me, little Liya~"
"I’m not cross!"
Liya puffed out her cheeks.
"Oh my, you look completely cross to me."
"I’m not!"
"Liya, you really are adorable."
Seeing Liya look as cute as an angry hamster made the smile at the corner of the Saintess’s lips soften even further.
She opened her arms and gave Liya a gentle hug.
"Get some rest now. Since you’ve already come this far, don't overthink it. Perhaps every outcome has already been written in the stars."
"Mm, thank you, Teacher."
Liya nuzzled slightly against the Saintess’s equally ample bosom. The warmth brought her a great deal of peace.
"I’ll see you in a bit."
"W-Wait a moment..."
"Is there something else?"
The Saintess, who was just about to leave, turned back. She asked with a gentle smile, showing not a hint of impatience.
"That... well, I have one more question."
"Go ahead."
"It’s... it’s just..."
Liya sat kneeling on the bed, her fingers restlessly kneading the poor bedsheets. Her toes, pressed beneath her shapely bottom, curled and relaxed cutely as her body shifted nervously.
After a fierce internal struggle, she turned her blushing face to the side and finally asked the question buried deep in her heart:
"What... what exactly does it mean to 'like' someone, Saintess?"
"..."
Silence fell abruptly.
Inside the room where shadows danced, the statue of the Goddess continued to gaze down upon the two of them with motherly compassion.
The Saintess was momentarily stunned. Looking at the girl who had summoned her courage through her shyness, an indescribable light flashed in her eyes again, though she knew not what prompted it.
But that light was quickly reined in, and she once again wore that gentle, sun-drenched smile.
"To ask such a question... could it be that you really..."
"N-No! That’s not it at all..."
Liya shook her head so fast it left afterimages.
"You’ve misunderstood, Teacher. I just want to be sure. Yes, sure. The books say that many emotions can be mistaken for 'liking' someone—like gratitude after being helped, or a racing heart during a crisis. These emotions aren't 'liking,' but they can still cloud one's judgment. And since the ceremony is about to begin, I don't want to be distracted. So... so..."
At this point, Liya seemed to finally realize how shameless her words sounded for a Saintess Candidate aspiring to serve the Goddess. Her face turned crimson, and she dove back under the covers, hiding herself tightly.
Aaaaah... what are you saying, Liya Angel?!
How could you lose your head and ask the Saintess a question like that? Even if she is kind, knowledgeable, and the perfect model of a Saintess... she is still a Saintess who is utterly pure in matters of the heart!
To ask her this, especially after what just happened... even if she doesn't say anything, she’ll definitely think I’m some kind of shameless girl...
"You really have grown up, Liya."
"Eh?"
An unexpected answer echoed in the quiet room.
Liya peeked half her face out from under the covers, but all she saw was that same perfectly beautiful face wearing a gentle smile. Even the curve of her lips hadn't changed a fraction.
"Grown up... what do you mean?"
"In this world, not even a third of people have the courage to ask that question and face their own hearts," the Saintess replied. "The remaining two-thirds are nothing but cowards, fools, and scumbags."
"Is... is that so?" Liya blinked innocently, not quite understanding what her teacher meant.
"As for your question—what counts as 'liking' someone... to be honest, I’m not entirely sure myself. I doubt anyone in this world can explain it concretely."
"Oh."
"But if I had to say... it’s probably a sort of thump."
"A thump?"
Liya scrunched up her cute face, finding it even harder to understand.
"Yes, a thump."
The Saintess pointed toward Liya’s chest, her eyes brimming with mirth. "If one day, someone makes you hear a very, very clear thump in here... then you probably like him."
*
"Lin."
After stepping out of the room, the Saintess suddenly called out softly.
"I am here."
Head Nun Lin, who had previously led Muen the way, emerged from the shadows.
"Have you seen that boy yet?"
"I have."
"What did you think?" the Saintess asked with a smile.
"Hmm..."
Lin pondered for a moment before answering, "A very strange person."
"Strange?"
"Yes. The man in the rumors, the man in the intelligence reports, and the man I saw in person—they felt like three completely different people. That sense of disconnect is very strange. ...However, there is one thing that is remarkably consistent."
"Oh?" The Saintess asked curiously. "What is it?"
"He is lecherous. He likes black stockings."
"..."
The Saintess instinctively looked down, catching a glimpse of Lin’s own shapely calves wrapped in black stockings peeking out from under her nun’s habit.
"And yet, you don't seem to dislike him."
"Correct. His lecherousness is only at the average level for a man, and he strictly maintains boundaries without any overstepping behavior. Combined with that face of his, it is indeed difficult to truly dislike him."
"Even you care about looks?"
"Everyone cares about looks."
Lin remained expressionless, as if speaking about something that had nothing to do with her. Whether this was the truth, however, only she knew.
The Saintess narrowed her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes slightly. "To earn such an evaluation from you... that Muen Campbell... Hehe. A youth in his prime, a girl with her heart first fluttering... no wonder."
"What are your arrangements, Your Highness?" Lin asked, changing the subject.
"To the confessional."
"Word just arrived that Miss Freya has arrived. Shall we go to receive her?"
"Freya..."
The face of her other disciple surfaced in the Saintess’s mind. She shook her head. "Forget it. I’m tired. You go receive her for me."
"You... also show favoritism?" Lin glanced toward the door of the room they had just left.
Though there were many justifications, the Saintess had personally gone to receive the girl named Liya, and she had done so in front of countless believers. That news had likely already spread throughout the entire Holy City.
"Of course."
The Saintess smiled. "I am human, so naturally I have my preferences, don't I? Besides, Liya is just so adorable."
"But this behavior of yours might not be a good thing for Miss Liya." Lin thought for a moment and asked in surprise, "Do you believe Miss Liya’s advantage in the ceremony has grown to such an extent?"
"No. Quite the opposite. Based on her current performance in all aspects, I believe Liya is the one with the least hope of succeeding."
"But that is exactly why..."
The Saintess suddenly sighed softly, looking out the window at the countless believers overseen by the Goddess.
"That is why I like her the most."