Chapter 13. Crisis and Opportunity (3)

I thought it would cost money to make the request, but it seemed the association had decided not to charge me for requests I made.

While I had helped the association, it seemed they were more concerned about my position.

Indeed, it would be a bit strange to refuse the opportunity to create a weapon using materials stained with the blood of someone who might become a Saint… but it’s also a bit much to refuse for lack of money.

After that request, Ria seemed lost in thought and kept her mouth shut.

I also didn’t know what to say to Ria, so I kept my mouth shut as well.

The class was over anyway, and after that, we returned to the cathedral almost immediately.

After showering and preparing to lie down in bed, Ria finally opened her mouth, as if her thoughts had been somewhat organized.

“How did you come up with the idea of making a weapon with your blood?”

“Ah, well.”

There are various meanings to the term ‘holy relic.’ Objects that a deceased saint used during their lifetime, objects that the saint touched. Or the saint’s remains themselves.

In the past, some religions enshrined parts of a saint’s body in church buildings as holy relics after their death.

There are no holy relics in that sense now. There were ‘holy items’ that I made.

Although I am not yet a Saint but a Saint Candidate, an object imbued with an immense amount of ‘holy power’ possesses holy power in itself. In my case, I don’t even need something like a stone; I can even create holy power itself into a tangible substance that can be touched by hand.

However, the mass of holy power created in that way has a very short duration, and it takes a lot of effort to create, so I didn’t make it every time.

So, the idea I came up with was to use a part of my body.

…Although I had no intention of cutting off my flesh. In fact, I had thought that even if I cut off a finger, I could just fix it again with holy power, but it seemed painful and the visual would be too horrific, so I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Hair, fingernails, and toenails seemed even more unappealing.

As a result, I came up with the idea of smearing my blood, which can be drawn even with just a needle.

“There are holy relics, you know.”

I said cautiously.

“It seems my body is a bit different from ordinary people.”

However, that statement seemed to be quite shocking to Ria.

“Different from ordinary people?”

Ria asked again.

This time, I pondered again about what I should answer.

If I say that I have a body different from ordinary people, how will Ria accept it?

A being who uses holy power incomparable to other clergy, who does things others cannot do effortlessly, and who even receives prophecies from the being above, says, ‘I have a body different from others,’ most people would think it’s an unusual statement.

…Well, if you think about it, my body is not ordinary. I don’t know if the Saint in the original work was like this, or if this world was originally a world without Saints.

“Because I’ve already received too much holy power.”

However, since this was not something I could fully confirm, I explained it in that direction for now.

“Even a small pebble can become a holy item by receiving holy power, so what about a human body? It is said that some renowned clergy members heal from wounds much faster than others.”

I don’t think it’s strange at all if the blood circulating in my body has come to possess holy power in itself. Even if, at first, this body was exactly the same as any other person’s.

“So, you thought of making a weapon with your blood?”

No, that’s true, but…

“…Aren’t you thinking too far ahead? Do you really think I’m going to distribute this to other people?”

Of course, I have absolutely no intention of doing that.

“…”

But Ria seemed to be contemplating something.

“If you do something like that, you won’t be buried peacefully even after you die.”

“I know that. They’ll probably take my corpse, chop it into pieces, and scatter it everywhere. Or perhaps someone who thinks that way will appear while I’m alive.”

Even if it’s not cutting off arms or legs, I think it’s possible that someone might demand that I periodically donate blood.

In fact, even with just a little blood smeared on it, the stone acquired holy power. It was much more effective than me directly infusing holy power.

…If I think about it, drawing a little blood every few months doesn’t seem like a big problem. After all, it would be useful to have it?

“Hey.”

Ria firmly grabbed both of my shoulders as I was lost in thought.

Our faces came very close. Since we were both standing, Ria was in a position to look down at me slightly.

There was a slight shadow on her face, making her look a little scary.

“How can you say such things so nonchalantly?”

“…I’m just stating the facts. Look at the clothes I’m wearing, you know? Even if I’m not a Saint, people think of me as being in that position.”

“…”

Although her expression was a little scary- honestly, I’m not truly afraid.

Because I think I know a little about what Ria is thinking.

Ria is worried about me.

I have no intention of dying, but people can die at any time and in any way. Especially since I keep jumping into major problems in this world, in a way, I am also a person who always has the possibility of not dying peacefully.

In such a situation, if I die- and if the church takes my body, and it gets chopped into small pieces and deified by being scattered around the world.

What would Ria, her friend, think watching that?

“Then, let’s do this, Ria.”

I said to Ria with a calm expression.

The reason Ria is making such an expression is because she is scared. Like a frightened dog barking louder, Ria also expresses her emotions in this way.

“If something happens to me, let’s have Ria take my body.”

At my words, Ria’s face became even more dazed.

“You know I don’t have any family in this world, right? If I die, I’ll probably become a person with no relatives.”

Actually, I think it might be a bit complicated. Since I belong to the church, the church might claim my body.

“But if you don’t want that to happen, let Ria take me.”

“…”

But even with my words, Ria didn’t look okay at all.

Instead, she was looking at me with an expression as if her soul had left her body.

“What is that?”

Ria mumbled blankly.

“…Ria?”

“What do you mean by that!?”

Ria’s grip on my shoulder tightened.

“Did you see something? Did you hear some prophecy about what will happen to you in the future-?”

“Huh? No, of course not.”

“Then, why are you saying such a thing…!”

“Because it’s the truth.”

Ria looked at me intently.

“I have no family. I am alone in this world, so if something happens to me in this situation, my body will literally fall into the hands of the church. Or will the government try to take it? Some research facility might covet it. And, to prevent that, someone must be like my family.”

And for me, it seemed like Ria could be that person.

No, is it too big a burden?

“…”

Ria’s expression turned strange. She still looked angry, worried, and absurd, but at the same time, her face was slowly blushing as if embarrassed.

“And, Ria.”

I gently placed my hand on Ria’s cheek and said.

“That’s just in the worst-case scenario. I’m confident that Ria will protect me. Surely, if I’m with Ria, such a thing won’t happen.”

This was sincere.

There are no absolutes in any matter. In a truly worst-case scenario, the possibility of me dying even with Ria by my side cannot be completely ruled out.

But even so, I felt like the possibility would be infinitely low if Ria were by my side.

It’s not a very logical thought. It’s just that I want to trust Ria that much.

“And, I want to be a source of strength for Ria’s battles. I will provide anything I can.”

“…Do you think I’ll be happy with something like that?”

Looking up at Ria, who spoke as if complaining, I narrowed my eyes.

“Does anyone think they’ll be happy if someone else dies for them? When fighting, you should use everything you can.”

“…Even so, there’s no reason for you to shed blood yourself.”

“Shedding blood while fighting is unavoidable. If there’s a huge difference in skill, it might not be the case, but we don’t fight in those kinds of battlefields, do we?”

“…”

As I calmly spoke one by one, Ria’s expression slowly returned to normal.

“Well, okay.”

I removed my hand from Ria’s face and said.

“Then, from now on, if there’s a need, I’ll get Ria’s permission. Since I’m in a position to be protected by Ria, it’s right to tell you if I need to get hurt. I’m sorry. I proceeded without saying anything this time.”

“Uh, yeah.”

At my words, Ria lowered her hand.

Then, looking a bit embarrassed, she took a few steps back, scratched her head, and said.

“But, is that okay?”

“Huh?”

“No, if you have to get permission from me for everything you do, then, well, it’s too…”

“Like it’s too restrictive?”

“No, I didn’t mean to go that far.”

I thought for a moment.

If someone else had told me to do that, I would have definitely been angry and annoyed. In this case, it was okay because I brought it up first.

But why?

If it weren’t Ria, I would never have said these things to anyone else.

“…”

After falling into thought, I suddenly recalled the moment Ria tightly grabbed my shoulder.

Our faces were close, and our bodies were close.

My face felt hot. I was strangely enjoying that situation too.

There’s no need to ask why. It’s because it was Ria.

“I don’t know.”

I quickly buried my face in the bed as if sulking.

“Uh, hey…”

Ria seemed a bit flustered and placed her hand lightly on my shoulder, muttering a few words of excuse.

I know it looks a bit creepy to just let her do that…

…No, even so, I couldn’t show my blushing face.

In the end, Ria, who was trying to coax me by shaking my shoulder, realized the situation was a bit strange and ended it by tickling my waist.

Well, since it ended with smiles in the end, I think this is good enough.