Chapter 51: Holy Blood (5)

Thanks to the enormous profits from wine sales, the dwindling funds of the Church were replenished in the blink of an eye.

It was almost laughable how I’d been worrying about money just a few weeks ago; I now had the capacity to immediately launch new charitable projects.

Thus, the next target for the expansion of the Church was naturally set for the northern suburban area.

The southern suburbs were the territory of the Black Tiger Gang, with whom we had recently formed a cooperative relationship, and the west was completely on the far opposite side, leaving only the north, which was originally controlled by the Salvatore Family.

In fact, our influence had already been subtly seeping into that area.

We had been gradually laying the groundwork for proselytization while managing the businesses we had taken over from the hostage mafia boss.

Furthermore, the remnants of the mafia that originally controlled the area were in no position to check our advance.

Their leader had suddenly disappeared, throwing them into internal disarray.

They shed blood amongst themselves, squabbling over the remaining interests, and the chaotic stalemate only deepened.

In such a situation, as the Church, having opportunely secured funds, finally began to expand its influence through charitable works, the residents suffering amidst the mafia remnants’ civil war readily converted to the Church, choosing to be protected under the name of God.

When things reached that point, some, belatedly sensing a crisis, united to resist, but they couldn’t stop the Church’s expansion.

In truth, the Church’s combat strength was growing day by day.

Based in the completely secured eastern suburbs, we had been steadily recruiting former mercenaries and strengthening our internal capabilities.

The number of ‘Los Salvados’ alone had already neared one hundred.

Thanks to this, we now possessed the strength to push back even a perfectly united mafia organization, let alone mere remnants.

Faced with the Church, which had perfectly seized military power, funds, and even public sentiment, the remaining resistance forces were bound to collapse rapidly.

Thus, the northern suburban area was also smoothly being incorporated into the Church’s territory.

The item that played a decisive role in all these processes…

Was this very wine.

“……..”

I lightly swirled the glass in front of me.

Then, a delicate and rich fruit aroma wafted up, as if perfume had been sprayed.

Inhaling the scent, I stared intently at the liquid swaying inside the glass.

‘I certainly suspected the quality would be decent enough….’

But I never imagined it would receive such overwhelmingly high praise.

The rumors I’d heard were nothing but lavish compliments, to the point where I felt somewhat embarrassed myself.

‘Is this really such an amazing thing?’

Wondering, I brought the glass to my nose once more.

As I unconsciously tilted the wine glass slightly to get a better smell of the aroma, the red liquid was just about to touch my lips.

A quiet voice stopped me.

“Lady Eve.”

Turning my head, I saw ST, who had approached at some point, staring intently at me.

For some reason, my face flushed.

I felt like a child caught red-handed trying to pull a prank.

‘You… you were standing so quietly, I didn’t even know you were in here….’

Her gaze reminded me of something.

That incident last time, when I got completely drunk and blacked out after just one glass of alcohol.

I still couldn’t remember what kind of disgraceful behavior I had exhibited that day.

ST hadn’t said a single word about it either.

‘If it was nothing serious, she would have told me everything honestly by now. The fact that she’s hiding it means….’

I felt a fresh wave of embarrassment, my face burning, wondering what kind of dark history I had created.

I tried my best to act nonchalant and naturally placed the wine glass back on the table.

Then I subtly pushed it far away.

“………”

Her gaze still lingering, I fiddled with the approval documents on the table and tried to make some idle talk.

“Ah, um, ST. The weather’s quite nice today, isn’t it?”

She replied concisely, her expression unchanging.

“The current fine dust concentration in the eastern suburban area exceeds safety standards and is at an extremely dangerous level. We recommend wearing a dust mask and engaging in indoor activities, Lady Eve.”

“Ah, yes… really…..?”

No further conversation followed my awkward reply.

Silence.

In the still heavy silence, I just shuffled the papers on my desk.

‘Her… her gaze is heavy… It’s burdensome…..’

Then, suddenly, a suitable topic to break this awkwardness came to mind.

“Oh, right! ST. It’s been about four days now, isn’t it about time I took another look at you?”

Understanding my meaning, she quietly nodded her head.

It was about the first promise we had made.

The contract where I would heal her damaged internal implants in exchange for ST protecting me.

And that promise was still being diligently fulfilled.

I had been periodically pouring healing power into her cybernetic body.

To be honest, I had already poured enough immense power into her to revive a normal person a hundred times over.

Despite that, ST’s damaged cybernetics were still not fully repaired and continued to absorb my healing power.

It was beyond astonishing, almost bizarre.

“Hmm… Since it came to mind, would you like to do it briefly before you leave work today?”

When I asked, ST nodded her head once more without a word.

=========

She slowly removed her clothes, one by one.

After neatly folding the blazer she was wearing and draping it over a nearby chair, she reached for the buttons of her white blouse.

Her fingers, still with an expressionless face, slowly undid the buttons one by one.

The white skin glimpsed each time the shirt opened, combined with her indifferent demeanor, created a strangely sensual atmosphere.

“…….”

At that sight, I inadvertently averted my gaze.

It felt… a bit too embarrassing to keep watching directly, and my face seemed to flush.

However, ST paid no mind to my gaze and finished taking off her blouse.

Then, her bare skin, clad only in a functional camisole, was revealed.

Flawlessly clear and fair skin; at first glance, it looked like perfectly ordinary skin.

One wouldn’t know just by looking that state-of-the-art armor plates, capable of deflecting large-caliber bullets, existed beneath it.

Seeing the defenseless curves of her exposed shoulders and back, I felt shy and, unable to meet her eyes, stammered.

“Where… where were we supposed to work on today?”

“Continuing from last time, please take care of the right shoulder.”

ST’s voice was calm, as always.

Thanks to her, I managed to compose myself a little and placed my fingertips on the area she indicated.

Then, a familiar and gentle aura of light began to emanate.

The light, unlike usual, didn’t just flash briefly and disappear but continued to spread from my fingertips for some time.

After some time had passed, I let out a short, slightly ragged breath and finally withdrew the light.

“Hoo-, it’s done. How does it feel?”

ST lightly rotated her shoulder a few times, then nodded her head slightly, seemingly satisfied.

“I think we can move on to another area now. Thank you.”

Having finished speaking, she began to put her clothes back on.

This treatment session was over.

As you can see, recovering ST’s body consumed a lot of energy, so I would get tired quickly.

I had no choice but to conduct the treatments periodically, with a few days’ interval, which is why it was still an unfinished task.

Suddenly curious, I spoke first.

“ST, how much longer do you think it will take for your body to recover completely?”

“According to the current internal system diagnosis, 45 percent of the equipped implants are confirmed to be functional.”

“….!”

I was quite surprised by that answer.

If what she said was true, it meant she had been performing at that level with less than half her full capabilities.

Thinking back, it was indeed so.

Compared to when we first met, the current ST was much stronger.

‘Then… what level will she reach when she’s completely recovered?’

Following that thought, my heart suddenly grew heavy.

What kind of organization was her previous affiliation, to discard such a competent agent?

And for what reason had they cast her out?

There must be a complex and terrifying secret hidden there.

Feeling a bit dazed, I cautiously asked.

“Then, have any of your previous memories… returned a little?”

ST calmly shook her head.

“Nothing has come back to me yet.”

However, even before her answer, I sensed something strange from her slightly stiffened face.

It was the same expressionless face, but somehow, it seemed a bit more uncomfortable.

“Was my question perhaps rude? If so, I’m sorry.”

“No. It’s not like that, Lady Eve.”

But her voice, too, was strangely unlike her usual self.

Because of that, I genuinely started to worry.

“This is just…. It’s alright, you don’t need to worry.”

“……”

I stared at her intently for a moment, then suddenly grabbed ST’s hand.

I felt her flinch in surprise at my sudden action.

Without letting go of her hand, I looked her straight in the eyes and said firmly.

“We promised to be honest with each other, didn’t we?”

Something similar had happened before.

I had once reassured her when she showed anxiety that I might cast her aside and leave, telling her that wouldn’t happen.

Hadn’t I promised to tell her honestly if such a situation ever arose?

“So, ST, tell me too. Are you worried about something right now?”

We held each other’s gaze for a long time.

Eventually, her golden eyes slightly avoided my gaze.

“Perhaps I am not qualified to stay by your side.”

“What? What kind of nonsense is that?!”

I was momentarily flustered, but ST continued to speak.

“As I said, I don’t remember what happened in my past, or what I did. However, one thing is certain: this power I possess… was definitely not acquired without any purpose.”

And the fact that she was ultimately disposed of despite possessing such power hinted at the authority of the group that had used and discarded her as a mere tool.

There was also the possibility that her unknown past was entangled in dangers she couldn’t handle.

So…..

“It suddenly occurred to me that my very existence, having survived that ‘disposal’… might attract them and subsequently endanger you as well.”

“…..”

There could only be one reason why ST was confiding such worries so late.

Her feelings for me had become that deep and precious.

However, those feelings were mutual.

“You told me not to leave you alone, yet you’re the one saying such things?”

At my words, ST slowly raised her head.

“Did you say you might not be qualified to stay by my side?”

Looking straight into those wavering golden eyes, I spoke firmly.

“Friends don’t need such qualifications.”

“Friend… you say?”

“Yes. No matter what anyone says, no matter what kind of person you were in the past, ST is just the ST I know. The first person I met in this city, who always protected me steadfastly, my precious friend.”

I even helped complete strangers, risking danger.

How could I possibly cast aside such a precious friend just because it might be a little dangerous?

“So, whether it’s corporations or armies that come attacking us in the future….”

I squeezed her hand again, firmly.

“Can you promise me… that we will absolutely never give up on each other?”

At my earnest question, ST finally looked at me with unwavering eyes and answered.

“…. Yes. Willingly.”