Chapter 8. The Saint and the Knight (1)

Chapter 8. The Saint and the Knight

Even though I was connected to the being in the high place, I didn’t realize everything.

This is because the conversation didn’t last as long as a conversation with a person.

Most of it was just things I instinctively realized while looking at that light.

For example, first of all, about this body.

This body, meaning me, is connected to that place above.

This is not a metaphorical expression, but ‘literally.’ A normal person is naturally born from people. One might not know their parents, but they cannot exist without parents. Even if that relationship was born through something like artificial insemination rather than sexual intercourse, it means there must be someone to inherit that gene.

Whether abandoned by parents, or parents died in an accident, no matter what, if you trace it, you should know who is above them, but I am not like that.

If I recall my oldest memory in this world, I suddenly appeared in this world.

I am literally a medium connecting to the being beyond. The being that people in this world worship as ‘God’ sent me to this world out of some necessity.

And, perhaps, it was my choice.

It’s not certain yet. It’s not as certain as the fact that I am connected to the beyond. It’s just that I can make such an assumption.

“…”

Hmm.

After organizing my thoughts while staring blankly at the ceiling, I slowly got up from my seat.

The room I was using was exactly the same as before. A room provided by the Gnome government.

…However, the attitude towards me here has changed a little.

The emotion felt most strongly would probably be ‘bewilderment.’

Why? For what reason did I solve the gnomes’ problem, even risking my life? On the surface, it was to solve a problem that wasn’t immediately dangerous?

It was certainly a great help to the gnomes. In the process of the monster turning back into sand and collapsing, a large sand island formed in the middle of the oasis, but the sand would probably slowly return to its original place over time, and even if you counted it, it wouldn’t be a big problem due to its area.

The gnomes, who had to draw most of their drinking water from deep underground, now had a water source to draw from outside. Also, in the current situation where the population was practically saturated, they were able to create conditions to go out and live again.

But then, what is the price for that?

I’m fine, but the church won’t stay still, and the government won’t stay still. In fact, the gnomes probably wouldn’t have expected me to go this far when they said it.

“It turned out to be like ripping someone off.”

No, rather, is it forced selling?

Although my goal was to prevent future situations, well, the higher-ups will take care of political issues.

“…”

Ria, who would normally argue when I say something like this, is not saying anything at all right now.

I turned my body sideways and looked at Ria while lying down.

Ria was lying down facing the wall, not me. Her shoulders were moving rhythmically, but it was hard to tell if it was because she was sleeping or for some other reason.

…I think I showed an unsightly side in front of Ria. Considering Ria’s personality, seeing me in that state must have been a huge shock to Ria.

I think we’ve become quite close. Probably close enough to call each other friends.

Depending on the person, the concept of ‘friend’ can be somewhat different. Some people consider ‘friend’ just ‘friend’ and don’t distinguish between being closer or not, while others differentiate based on how close they are within the concept of friend.

The former is not that common.

And, Ria, as far as I know, takes a long time to consider someone a ‘friend,’ but after that, she falls into the ‘former’ category.

“…Ria.”

I cautiously called out to Ria. Her back remained motionless.

“Yes?”

There was no answer this time either.

I, who had lost consciousness for a moment, had no memory of how the situation unfolded at that time.

Could the wounds on my body heal on their own? Could all the blood in my body drain out and heal before I died, allowing me to live?

Or could I have survived thanks to the chocolate Ria gave me?

“I’ll have to make chocolate again.”

Well, whether it was this or that, it’s certain that the holy power I had stored separately played a big role in my rapid recovery. Whether I could have survived or not is secondary, but it certainly would have healed faster.

At my words, Ria’s shoulder finally reacted. Considering she flinched just a little, Ria seems to be somewhat embarrassed by the situation.

Is she embarrassed to receive thanks for saving me?

“…Aha.”

To be precise, that’s probably not it.

Ria seemed terrified that I might die. That’s why she must have shoved the chocolate into my mouth somehow, and hugged me while crying.

That’s the key.

Ria was crying. At least, this is the first time I’ve seen Ria cry. Including everything in the novel.

Of course, she would be embarrassed.

“Ria, actually, at that time-“

“…Hey.”

However, I couldn’t tease her any further about it. The voice with which Ria called me was quite, how should I say it.

It was a very warning-like voice.

“…”

But Ria, who had opened her mouth as if to warn me about something, didn’t continue speaking right away and hesitated.

Wasn’t she about to say something like ‘If you say anything more, I won’t leave you alone’?

Ria was silent for a long time before finally opening her mouth.

“How much do you remember?”

Her voice bounced off the wall in the direction Ria was facing and then turned towards me.

“How much?”

“So, at that time.”

“Hmm.”

How much exactly do I remember? So…

I pushed Ria and knocked her down, and my abdomen was pierced in various places by the attack. Actually, if the angle had been slightly off, my heart would have been pierced exactly, so it’s not that far down. Thinking about it again, it’s chilling enough to make my spine crawl.

And- it began to collapse.

The sandbags I threw in, although called sand, were all properly consecrated holy artifacts.

Given the chaos, the bags must have burst, and naturally, those small holy artifacts would have spread and mixed everywhere in the lake, fulfilling their roles.

It probably flowed into the source of the oasis.

Moreover, a lot of magic must have been used to create the magic sphere. Since the core was completely purified, there was no ‘center of gravity’ except for the attack that came as a last resort.

Therefore- the rest all collapsed. The monster’s body where we were also slowly collapsed and sank, becoming a shallow sand island, and the lake water also slowly became clear water.

I lost consciousness and then woke up. There was chocolate in my mouth, and my body had healed.

“Up to here.”

“…Really?”

At my answer, Ria let out a breath as if slightly relieved. Although I couldn’t see her expression.

“Why?”

For some reason, at my question, Ria flinched her shoulders and froze.

…

Ah, it’s my fault.

From Ria’s perspective, it must have been a truly traumatic scene. Especially since Ria has experienced losing someone precious before.

I realized I was being thoughtless.

“…I’m sorry.”

I said cautiously towards Ria’s back.

“Sorry for what?”

Ria asked in a slightly angry voice.

“I… that.”

However, I don’t know what to apologize for. I did save Ria, but… if that’s wrong, it would mean I should have let Ria die.

It was the best I could do in that brief moment. Pulling her back or pushing her sideways would have given Ria an opening to be hit by that attack.

“…I’m sorry.”

In the end, I ended up apologizing again.

Ria suddenly sat up. At that sight, I flinched my shoulders again.

As Ria seemed to be trying to talk while sitting, I also tried to get up-

There was a sound of fabric fluttering, and red covered my eyes.

Ria’s hair.

“…”

I was stunned for a moment, then cautiously said to Ria.

“Hey, Ria, I know you’re angry, but this posture is a bit…”

Ria wasn’t on top of me, but she was looking straight down at me as I lay there.

Ria’s hair didn’t touch my face because it was short.

It was dark because it was night.

But thanks to the moonlight seeping in from outside the window, Ria’s expression was clearly visible.

Ria had an expression like she was about to cry.

“Hey.”

“…Yes, yes?”

“What do you think I am?”

“…You’re Ria.”

“No, not that.”

“…”

I think I know what Ria wants to say.

“…A knight. My knight.”

“And what do you think a knight does?”

“…Protects me.”

“Yes.”

Ria said, looking straight at me.

“That’s right. In a situation where you’re about to die, I die instead. That’s what I have to do.”

“…”

I couldn’t agree.

“I can’t accept that.”

“What?”

At my answer, the ends of Ria’s eyebrows shot up.

Although her expression looked like she was about to get angry, I thought I had to say one thing clearly.

“That a knight is for dying.”

I looked at Ria.

“Protecting me isn’t about dying, is it? If Ria dies, who will protect me next?”

No, more than that.

Haven’t we only known each other for a few months? What do you mean by saying you’ll die? There’s a limit to professionalism.

“…Then, the next knight-“

“You’re the only knight I have right now.”

“…”

At my words, Ria was speechless.

Even if I get called stubborn, I have to say one thing.

“The reason I accepted you as my knight is because I trust you. Did you see me trust other people as much as I trust you?”

“…No, I haven’t.”

“See?”

As I got up, Ria hastily moved away. What’s this, after looking like she was about to headbutt me, did she suddenly get scared?

“Let’s have a more serious conversation about this.”

I suggested.