episode_0197

***

Saint Sannius Week, once an event, passed without any special events.

The excitement of the noisy stadium and the works reproducing the miracles of Saint Sanisos that were placed here and there in the church all disappeared as soon as Sanisos Week ended.

As a result, the silence and solemnity that had been absent for a while returned to the church after a long trip.

My daily life also returned to normal. Meals with nobles, which had been reduced at best, increased again.

The Pope repeatedly said he was sorry.

If I had done it according to my personality, I would have turned the table over, but I couldn’t do it because the old man, who was much older than me, was bending towards me in a low posture.

In fact, I felt a little tired of being a saint recently.

Everyday life, you have to pay attention to the gaze and actions of those around you wherever you go.

I can understand, at least a little, the difficulties faced by celebrities who I could not sympathize with.

“Ugh… Today is over.”

Maybe it’s because of the emotional labor, but after work, I feel extremely tired.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

The only time I can spend comfortably is when I am in my room.

Even though Maria is next to me, it is still more comfortable than a chapel or a restaurant.

Moreover, the distance I initially felt from Maria has gradually diminished, so being with her is no longer so uncomfortable.

This seems to be the same for Maria, and when she talks to me, unlike the first time when she was shaking like a private, she speaks normally and even makes jokes from time to time.

I think the results of the competition gave her great confidence.

I mechanically sat down on the chair, and Maria expertly made the coffee.

It wasn’t as tasty as the one Emma cooked, but I think my skills are improving as I do it more often.

“…Sister Maria, would you like to have a drink too?”

When I poured coffee and asked Maria, who was looking at me intently, she smiled and shook her head.

These days, Maria often looks at me quietly.

Just stare without doing anything.

“Ah, saint.”

Maria said, clapping her hands as if she had forgotten.

I take a sip of coffee and wait for her next words.

“I’ll move some laundry.”

“It looks like there is training for apprentice nuns today as well.”

“Yes, it happens often this time of year.”

“Please come back. I will finish my coffee.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

After slightly raising her glass and nodding, Maria leaves the room.

I hear Maria’s steps walking away as she packs the laundry.

The steps are half mixed with nervousness and half joy.

“‘I’ll be back soon.’…”

I don’t know if I’ll be there soon.

On days when she picks up my laundry, she usually leaves for at least 30 minutes.

Well, it’s nothing new and surprising.

Because I already have a feeling that the person who is obsessed with me in this dimension is Maria.

***

What I realized while walking through various dimensions is that eventually, one way or another, an event will occur, and through that event, someone will become obsessed with me.

Given the premise that I can’t avoid an obsessed woman, what should I do?

Should I run away? Should I fight back?

What I learned from Mr. Garam is that unconditional rejection is an action that releases the brakes on their nature.

So how should I act?

I decided to build a friendly relationship.

If you can’t stop your obsession, make sure that your obsession doesn’t pose a big threat.

The bond built between his title as a saint and his teaching her how to use a sword.

That will make her hostile to the world, but not me.

“……”

While thinking about this and that, a piece of paper on the table caught my eye.

A list written in letters I can’t read.

– I kept in mind what you said about wanting to do relief work.

– We have selected the candidate locations here, so you can tell us where you want to go.

I received it from the Pope this evening.

Where should I go? I think it would be better to go out and do some proper volunteer work.

Then I’ll have to go to the worst neighborhood.

“So, when is it coming?”

Looking at the coffee I had already drunk half of, I waited for Maria to return.

Just like that, Maria returned to the room 40 minutes after going to do the laundry.

While letting out a strangely excited breath.

***

“The smallest place is ‘Elten’ village.”

I handed the list to Maria, who came back with a blushing face, and after listening to my explanation, she chose the third candidate village, ‘Elten’ village.

“Is it far from here?”

“It usually takes about 4 to 5 days. Still, the villages here seem to be relatively safe to visit.”

It cannot be sent to places that are too far away or where security is poor.

This appears to be the Pope’s intention. Well, I have no intention of going far by force.

“Just because it is a small village doesn’t mean it needs help… Is there a place with a lot of poor people?”

Maria thought about it for a moment and chose the fourth candidate site.

“Then it seems to be ‘Madini’ village. I heard that there is a lot of floating population because it is located on the road to each village.”

The larger the population, the more gaps there will be.

In particular, if there are a lot of people passing through, there will be children who are abandoned there, and there will also be people who come to the village blindly, dreaming of a new life.

But I feel something uneasy.

“Yes, but… it’s strange.”

He furrows his brows and speaks to Maria.

“What do you mean?”

Maria tilts her head and looks at me.

“I don’t think this is my first time hearing about Madini Village.”

Where have I heard this before? I can’t seem to remember.

I definitely heard it today…

“Ah!”

I remembered.

I visited the apprentice priest class today to see Antonio.

It was to keep a previous promise.

But there was no sign of the boy in the classroom, and I asked the priest in charge about him.

– Antonio was unable to adapt and returned to his hometown.

I heard that there are many children who are unable to adapt to life in the church at a young age and return home.

I felt bitter because I felt like I had become an adult who couldn’t keep my promise.

– okay. Where is Antonio’s hometown?

I just asked in passing without much meaning.

– This is ‘Albinin’. It is located near the village of Madini.

“Albaynin next to Madini….”

“Saint?”

“Sister Maria. How far is Albaynin village from Madini?”

“I haven’t been there in person… but I think you can go there in half a day.”

Maria said, measuring the distance with her head.

“Okay. Then let’s go to Madini Village.”

“Yes. I will forward it to you.”

I see Maria’s face as she carries the list.