Ch.251251. Excuse Me, Do You Know About Zombies?

“Is the meal to your liking?”

“It’s absolutely delicious?”

Sitting at the dining table, I flashed an artificial smile toward Saint Claudia.

“I’m truly glad it suits your taste. It was worth the effort to have it specially prepared.”

“Y-you didn’t have to go to such lengths…”

“Of course I did. Saint Claudia, you are a special person after all.”

At my compliment, Saint Claudia’s face turned red as she lightly dabbed her lips with a tissue.

“It’s much more delicious than the imperial cuisine.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I think Lake Territory suits me better than the imperial palace.”

Saint Claudia smiled broadly as she brushed her hair back.

There was something unsettling about it, but I quickly composed my expression and spoke.

“I’m glad we took the effort to prepare it properly.”

“Thank you. To think you would do all this for me…”

Saint Claudia let her words trail off, then placed the tissue on the table before continuing.

“I had no idea you thought so highly of me. I’ve been misunderstanding all this time.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“Yes, after I was assigned to treat the Emperor, I felt like you weren’t paying attention to me.”

“…Pardon?”

“Like I was used and then discarded, you know?”

…Was Saint Claudia this perceptive in the original story?

I had underestimated her, thinking she was just someone who drooled over handsome men all day long…

I should be more careful from now on.

Once again, I picked up my water glass with a calculated smile.

“I feel disappointed too.”

“What!?”

“I was merely watching from a distance so as not to interfere with your holy power while you were treating His Majesty the Emperor…”

At that, Saint Claudia hurriedly spread her palms.

“I-I said it was a misunderstanding. Now I completely understand Selden Alphonse.”

“Haha… is that so? Actually, I was delighted to hear that Saint Claudia had come to Lake Territory.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, I regretted not being able to properly greet you before you left. Naturally, I’m happy that Saint Claudia personally visited Lake Territory.”

Saint Claudia squirmed bashfully.

“I’m so glad I came. I was worried that Selden Alphonse might not like my visit…”

“How could that be? You’re a holy person who saved His Majesty the Emperor…”

“Holy person… that’s too much praise.”

“Come now, healing people with holy power is no small feat. It’s not an exaggeration at all.”

“…Still, having someone like you, Selden Alphonse, who appreciates it makes healing people even more rewarding.”

“Haha! I’ve been rude, making you talk so much during the meal. Let’s finish eating first.”

At that, Saint Claudia’s lips moved as if she found something lacking.

“Don’t you have that here?”

“That?”

“…Alcohol.”

“A-alcohol?”

I blinked in bewilderment, and Saint Claudia scratched her head.

“Isn’t alcohol the best when a man and woman have such sincere conversations?”

This woman…

I think she was quite the rascal in the original story too, hardly deserving of the title “Saint” except at the beginning. Is she already like this?

I definitely need to put the brakes on this situation.

“Alcohol is not an option.”

“…Why not?”

“Because it might damage the beautiful skin of a saint like yourself.”

I could feel my toes curling as I said those words.

Yet Saint Claudia seemed satisfied, fanning her reddened face rapidly with her hand.

“J-just a little wouldn’t harm my skin…”

“There’s a saying that one glass becomes two, and two becomes three. I’m sure you could exercise restraint, Saint Claudia, but I would find it difficult.”

“It seems Selden Alphonse really enjoys drinking too.”

“That’s not it. If I were to drink with you, Saint Claudia, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to control myself.”

Throughout my life, I’ve always narrowed my brows whenever someone made a cheesy remark.

I never thought I’d be the one doing it.

But what choice did I have?

When you have a goal, you must use whatever means necessary.

As expected, Saint Claudia lowered her head, her face looking like it might explode at any moment.

“H-how embarrassing.”

The atmosphere seemed to have ripened sufficiently.

Since we’d more or less finished the meal, I cleared my throat to get to the main point.

“Ahem! Still, there is something I regret.”

“Something you regret?”

“Yes, actually, I really wanted to see Saint Claudia healing someone with her holy power.”

“Ah…”

“But since the patient was His Majesty the Emperor, I couldn’t just watch freely… I found that quite regrettable.”

Saint Claudia rolled up both her sleeves and smiled brightly again, as if it were nothing.

“Then shall I show you right now?”

“…Pardon?”

“You said you wanted to see me heal with holy power, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but… I’m not injured anywhere.”

At my words, Saint Claudia stroked her chin thoughtfully, then quickly raised her head.

“Where is Sir Balthasar?”

“…Pardon? Why are you suddenly looking for Sir Balthasar…”

“If you spar with him briefly, wouldn’t Sir Balthasar’s face and body quickly get injured?”

Saint Claudia smiled innocently.

I averted my gaze with a bewildered expression.

“Ah… I meant injuries that can’t be treated with regular healing magic.”

“Hmm… that would be difficult. Cases like the Emperor’s are quite rare.”

“There must be some way…”

Since the situation was unfolding almost exactly as I’d planned, I pretended to think hard before continuing.

“Ah! Come to think of it, there is someone whose body doesn’t heal even with treatment.”

“Really?”

“Have you heard of zombies?”

“I don’t know much about them…”

“They’re monsters from the Western Continent. If you’re bitten by a zombie, you also turn into one.”

At that, Saint Claudia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I-if bitten, a person turns into a monster?”

“Yes, but there’s someone who was bitten yet didn’t become a zombie.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Their recovery ability and movements are monstrous.”

Saint Claudia seemed to ponder this, then tilted her head.

“You mean their recovery is fast?”

“That’s right.”

“And their movements are fast too?”

“Correct.”

“…Isn’t that a good thing?”

I adjusted my posture as I looked at Saint Claudia.

“Those are zombie characteristics. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, but wouldn’t it be better to cure them rather than having them live with the anxiety of possibly turning into a zombie at any moment?”

“Well, I suppose that’s true.”

“I think this person would be perfect for Saint Claudia to treat with holy power. Would that be possible?”

Saint Claudia raised her head with a demure posture.

“If Selden Alphonse wants to see me heal someone with holy power, of course I should do it.”

Shouldn’t a real saint say, “Of course I should heal someone who’s suffering”?

How is she already approaching the crazy character from the original story?

“…Anyway, thank you. I’m really looking forward to seeing Saint Claudia’s healing up close.”

“Don’t expect too much. Holy power can’t cure everything, you know.”

I know.

I’m hoping against hope.

In the original story, when Rio Sergang was infected with the zombie virus, it was before Saint Claudia joined the team.

So whether she can heal Enna with holy power remains uncertain.

“I understand. Still, I can’t help but look forward to it.”

Saint Claudia, who had been nodding, suddenly seemed to remember something and made a questioning expression.

“Who is the person to be treated?”

“A woman named Enna.”

“…A woman?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Saint Claudia smiled brightly again and spoke.

“I don’t want to do it.”

“…Pardon?”

“I suddenly don’t feel like healing anymore.”

What nonsense is this now?

With a suspicion in mind, I calmly continued.

“There’s a colleague of mine named Denis. She’s his wife.”

“Oh, a colleague’s wife?”

“That’s right.”

“Then I’ll do it.”

“…Pardon?”

“I suddenly want to do it again.”

I thought Saint Claudia was still far from becoming the crazy character she was in the original story, but perhaps she was already halfway there mentally.

I felt I should cut ties with her as soon as she finished treating Enna.

“…Well, thank you anyway.”

*Screech!*

Saint Claudia rubbed her hands together as she stood up.

For some reason, she suddenly became excited and approached me while wiggling her hips.

“Selden Alphonse.”

I also hurriedly rose from my chair at Saint Claudia’s sudden behavior.

“W-what is it all of a sudden…?”

“I want to show you.”

“Show me what?”

Saint Claudia drew closer and closer.

Then, she leaned in to my ear and whispered in a seductive voice.

“I want to show you my healing abilities quickly.”

Sigh…

I wonder if continuing to be involved with Saint Claudia is really a good idea?