episode_0003

The atmosphere in the church was peaceful as usual.

However, ever since I accidentally discovered Bishop Javiel’s secret on the street.

I felt a strange tension even in this peaceful atmosphere.

Normally, Bishop Javiel had a very good reputation among people.

I heard that he had helped difficult people since his days as a novice priest, and even cared for patients on the battlefield.

He must have been working in this church for a very long time.

But could such a person really be trying to kill a saint?

If I hadn’t heard it through the narration, no one would believe it.

It was hard for me to believe it too.

Late at night, I sat in the church backyard shed, touching the purse that Saint Sistina had given me, while sitting on straw.

Since I didn’t have enough money to buy anything at the weapon shop, I had been holding onto this money without spending it.

There was no particular place to use it, but having it made me feel good, as it reminded me of Sistina’s warm smile.

I had come to this world longing for it, but living day by day was overwhelming as the situation was not good.

I had imagined myself wielding a sword magnificently, using powerful magic, and building fame and wealth, but it wasn’t easy.

In the midst of all this, Sistina was the only person in this world who had helped me and understood me without asking for anything in return.

Whether it was out of obligation as a saint or her true nature, I didn’t know.

But one thing was certain, if she wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have been able to get off the streets yet.

“Sistina….”

If the narration wasn’t lying, Sistina’s life was in danger as it was.

Thinking that the only person who had treated me well in this world might die, I couldn’t just sit still.

And I hadn’t even confirmed if she was really wearing underwear!

Well, I guess I’ll never be able to confirm that.

Coincidentally, tomorrow was the day Sistina would visit the church.

I decided to gather my courage and somehow let her know about this fact.

***

The day broke.

Since today was the day Saint Sistina was visiting, the church was bustling with the priests’ preparations from the morning.

Of course, Bishop Javiel was also present.

He was smiling kindly, chatting with the priests.

I glanced at Bishop Javiel’s condition as I cleaned the window, hoping that maybe new information would come through the narration.

I wanted to know who the ‘master’ Bishop Javiel served.

What was Bishop Javiel’s true identity, why he wanted to kill the hero and the saint.

But contrary to my expectations, the voice remained silent.

All I knew now was that Bishop Javiel was serving some ‘master.’

And that he was trying to kill Saint Sistina.

It was hard to believe that he, who had led the Freya Church for a long time and earned the respect of many people, would try to kill the saint.

The problem was that no one here would believe such words.

If I were to tell Sistina about this fact, she wouldn’t believe me.

Instead, she would probably treat me as a lunatic spreading strange rumors after saving me from being a beggar on the street.

In that case, I would naturally be driven out of the church, but now I wasn’t afraid of that.

At first, there was no choice but to come to this world in the worst beggar state.

But now, I was wearing decent clothes, and although it was a small amount, I had the money that Saint Sistina had given me.

Even if I wasn’t driven out of the church, I was planning to leave someday anyway.

I couldn’t live my whole life as a cleaner in the church.

So, I would do what I could for now, and if it didn’t work out, then so be it.

Bishop Javiel couldn’t bear the guilt of watching Sistina being murdered even though he knew his true intentions.

“The saint has arrived.”

One of the apprentice priests informed of the saint’s arrival.

Shortly after, Saint Sistina appeared in the church with quiet steps.

She still possessed a beauty that seemed to extend one’s lifespan just by looking at her.

There was still no sign of suspicion from Bishop Javiel.

At least it would be good to know when and how he planned to kill the saint.

When I saw Bishop Javiel on the street, he was talking to someone suspicious.

Could it be related to his plan this time?

I honestly couldn’t tell at the moment.

Not knowing when the plan would be executed, I wanted to talk to Sistina as soon as possible.

In the worst case scenario, if the plan was carried out today, Sistina could be killed without me being able to do anything.

I didn’t know how to make her believe me.

There was no one here who would easily believe that Bishop Javiel was plotting such a thing.

If there was no answer no matter how much I worried, I had no choice but to try and see.

First, I needed to create an opportunity to talk to Sistina alone.

It would be better to have a conversation where no one could see or hear.

Damn, come to think of it, that would be nearly impossible.

Sistina is a saint.

There was no ordinary way to create an opportunity to talk to her one-on-one.

Is there no way?

“Oh.”

At that moment, a crazy idea flashed through my mind.

—

“Saint, how are you today?”

“The goddess still hasn’t answered me. Is it because I’m lacking…?”

“Haha, what are you saying… It’s just not the right time yet. The goddess will surely answer your sincerity someday.”

After the saint’s prayer time ended, as always, Bishop Javiel talked with Sistina.

Although he spoke with a kind smile and gentle tone, knowing his plan, I noticed a slight change in Bishop Javiel.

The anxious and restless look on his face disappeared.

Considering the facts I knew, there was no longer a need to find a hero.

Now, all that needed to be done was to kill and get rid of the saint Sistina.

While others couldn’t even imagine it, I could clearly see it.

Now it was time to create an opportunity to talk to the saint.

If she left like this, I would have to wait another week, and things could happen during that time.

“Ugh.”

I picked up cleaning tools and pretended to go outside to clean.

Since there were too many eyes and ears inside, I was hoping to seize the opportunity outside.

Of course, even with fewer people watching, I wouldn’t be able to have a long conversation with the saint.

As always, I would only have a short time to exchange greetings.

And with that time, I would never be able to explain or convince her of Bishop Javiel’s conspiracy.

But I had a plan.

It might sound crazy even to me, but I had a plan.

I waited outside pretending to clean, waiting for Sistina to come out.

And shortly after, she did.

I quickly moved closer to her, naturally approaching her line of sight.

When there was no one too close to her, it was time to speak.

Now.

“Oh, Saint. I was really grateful last time.”

I bowed slightly to Sistina, and she smiled warmly.

“Yunoa, you’ve been working hard since morning.”

“Oh no, it’s natural. But more importantly…”

I quickly checked if there was anyone close enough to hear around.

There was a gatekeeper ahead, and two priests were visible, but they were far away.

Right now, I could speak to no one else but Saint Sistina in complete secrecy.

“I have something important to tell you. I can see things that others can’t. Your life is in danger.”

“What? What do you mean all of a sudden…?”

“I can’t explain it here in detail, so please make a time for us to talk one-on-one.”

Without giving Saint Sistina a chance to react, I quickly poured out my words.

“Hey! What are you doing holding onto the Saint like that?”

Darn it, one of the priests was shouting at me and approaching us.

There’s no time. I have to find a way to talk to Sistina alone.

“Miss Yunoa?”

“Please trust me. I have evidence. Saint, you weren’t wearing underwear, were you?”

“….!”

Sistina’s face suddenly lit up.

Judging by her reaction, it seems like she really wasn’t wearing any.

“This brat isn’t doing what he’s told!”

The priest came up to me, angry, and finally grabbed me by the collar.

Well, that’s it. I’ve said everything I can.

“Excuse me, Saint. Did this guy say something strange?”

The priest asked Sistina while pulling me away.

Sistina was still staring at me with a slightly flushed face.

Then, after a moment, she slightly lowered her head and spoke.

“…No, it’s okay. It’s just been a long day. Well then.”

Phew, that was nerve-wracking.

And so, Saint Sistina left.

The priest was scolding me furiously, but his words didn’t even register in my ears.

I’ve done all I can.

Now all that’s left is to wait for Sistina’s response.

* * *

After finishing the evening cleaning and returning to the church storeroom, I collapsed on the straw.

“Ha…”

It was dizzying to think about it again.

But there was no other way to create a reason to talk to Sistina alone.

Her face turning red in an instant at my words is still vivid in my mind.

When I see her like that, she doesn’t look like a saint, just a cute girl.

Because she has the image of being sacred and pure, revealing the fact that she wasn’t wearing underwear must have been a huge shock.

It was a fact that no one else could have known. She must be well aware of that.

But I know that fact.

And I even warned her that her life was in danger.

By now, she must be overwhelmed with embarrassment and worry about my words.

If the plan doesn’t go awry, she will probably try to create an opportunity to talk to me alone soon.

As a lowly church floor cleaner, I can’t create enough time to talk to the saint.

But if the saint herself wants to create that opportunity, she can do it easily.

“But why did she really not wear underwear…?”

“Unable to let go of the thought of Saint Sistina’s underwear, Yunoa, in her vulgarity, was imagining the reason alone.”

What the heck, if you’re going to say that kind of thing, just tell me straight up.

Especially at a critical moment like that.

Oh well.

There’s no point in getting mad at the narration that doesn’t listen anyway.

Suddenly overcome by drowsiness, I lay down on my side and closed my eyes.

The straw on the floor pricked my body slightly.

In the end, after tossing and turning for dozens of minutes, I finally managed to fall asleep.

* * *