Ch.340Chapter 340 – Putting the Cart Before the Horse (2)

The sound of a head being struck echoed throughout the barracks.

“Ouch!”

The captain immediately clutched his head, and the holy knights around him looked at Kara with surprised eyes.

Kara, meanwhile, looked down at the captain with an expression of disbelief.

“Does it hurt?”

“W-well, of course…”

“You lack fortitude. That’s why you’re spouting nonsense.”

Kara said with a sigh.

Even so, she extended her hand toward the captain.

“I’m dumbfounded. True, I did say something about wondering if at some point my means and ends had switched, and if I had abandoned my precious dreams in the name of serving a god.”

Golden holy power began healing the captain.

Soon, his pain started to subside.

“The way you all talk, it sounds like once you’ve lost something, you can never find it again.”

“Isn’t that true?”

“Of course not. Can’t you see me? Look at me, not at the ground or ceiling.”

Kara said, slightly pouting her lips.

The gesture was remarkably similar to when Chris sulked, but unfortunately, no one present could point that out.

“Look.”

“At what?”

“Look at me, who like you was abandoned by the gods.”

Kara said with a smile.

“In fact, I was someone who had even less than you. As the holy maiden of the order, I was bound even more tightly by its doctrines. There was even a time when I was told to discard all my emotions.”

Kara spoke, spreading both hands.

Yet she was still smiling.

“Even someone like me now has a dream of wanting to travel the world.”

Kara continued.

“What I’m saying is that even though I lived as Emiris’s perfect holy maiden, as if dead without ever having had a dream, I now have one.”

“……”

“You can do it too.”

Kara said with a smile.

“Just as it was possible for me, it’s possible for you too. You will someday find your precious things again. And you can also create new ones.”

By now, the people in the barracks had gathered around Kara and Chris.

Kara spoke to them as if delivering final words.

“It’s okay to fall down now. But please rise again. There are those who watch over you. And beside me is a god who wishes for you to stand up again. Rise once more and live to find what is precious to you. And.”

Kara said with a smile.

“In the end, live so that you can laugh at that celestial god and say, ‘Even without you, I was able to live a sufficiently happy and worthwhile life.'”

The people in the barracks quietly bowed their heads toward Kara and Chris.

Soon, the captain quietly asked.

“May I ask one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“What made the Holy Maiden so strong?”

Kara smiled as if she had been waiting for this question.

“It was because there were those who saved me.”

Kara smiled as she looked at Chris.

Everyone’s gaze turned to Chris.

“Among them is a god who, despite being condemned for blasphemy, ascended to godhood in human form, walks alongside humans, listens to their words, laughs and cries with them, and boldly stands against evil gods to protect them. You’ve seen her, haven’t you?”

“K-Kara.”

Chris twisted her body awkwardly, seemingly embarrassed.

Kara continued with a smile.

“That benevolent god also sharply reminded me that gods exist for humans, not humans for gods.”

Kara smiled.

“That’s how I was saved. And because I couldn’t waste the life that had been saved, I went to the battlefield… and now I’m here sharing my experience with you.”

“…I see.”

The captain said with a smile.

His expression was brighter than before.

“I feel like a weight has been lifted. Thank you for your kind words.”

“Don’t mention it. Thank the god who asked me to save you.”

“Kara!”

Chris spoke again, seemingly embarrassed.

Unable to bear the embarrassment, Chris turned her head away with a reddened face.

“Isn’t she cute?”

“Yes.”

The captain had always thought gods were solemn and dignified.

But this girl—no, this god—was admittedly cute.

“So you’re telling us to live human lives with our human bodies.”

It was completely different from a god who demanded that everything be sacrificed for perfection and self-worship.

The captain quietly said.

“I think I might have lived differently if I had served her instead of Lady Emiris.”

“If you had, Chris would sometimes scold you. Telling you to live for yourself, not for her.”

“Perhaps so,” the captain said with a smile.

Toward the captain, Kara glanced at Chris’s movements and passed something to him.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a gift from me. …I think you’ll need somewhere to share your stories occasionally, even if you live for yourself.”

“You’re right.”

Even living for oneself, one or two overwhelming problems would frequently arise.

The captain thought that having a place to confide in was certainly necessary.

“So this is…?”

“It’s like an invitation to that place.”

Kara said confidently.

Just as the captain was about to look at it, Kara thrust her staff forward and said.

“Look at it when I’m not around, especially when Chris isn’t around.”

“…Can’t I just look at it now?”

“I gave an unfamiliar speech for your sake. Surely you can grant me this much?”

Kara said, pushing the staff forward a bit more.

Finally, the captain nodded in agreement.

“Ah, excuse me, everyone?”

Chris was approaching the two who were engaged in a somewhat strange conversation.

Kara quickly returned her staff to its original position, and the captain discreetly hid the paper.

“A-hem. Since everyone seems to have regained their spirits, we should be going now. If we stay too long, the soldiers outside might worry.”

“Yes.”

“If you feel unwell or anything, please don’t hesitate to come to me.”

Chris smiled with her hands clasped together.

“Humble as I am, I can at least listen to your stories!”

“Understood.”

Soon Kara and Chris turned to leave.

The holy knights of the Emiris Order now cast gentle gazes toward Chris, who was slightly complaining to Kara about being embarrassed.

“…A god who stays beside humans and walks with them.”

The captain murmured with a smile.

Then he checked the paper bundle Kara had given him, which he was still holding.

“…Well, Lady Kara, this seems a bit too much.”

The captain said with a smile.

The paper was labeled “Application for Membership.”

+

Though a bit anxious, it seemed the former holy knights of the Emiris Order had regained their spirits.

Somewhat pleased by this fact, Chris looked at Kara and said.

“Kara, thank you.”

“For what?”

“For granting my request.”

Chris said with a smile.

“…I don’t think I could have helped them regain their spirits like that on my own.”

“No, you could have done it too.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

“You’re wrong. You could have done it perfectly well. Though I suppose I was a bit better this time.”

Chris was a bit taken aback by Kara’s confidence.

But gratitude was still gratitude.

“I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t be shy. Isn’t it natural for me to help you?”

“Still, I’m grateful.”

Chris said with a smile.

“So if there’s a request I can fulfill for you, I will.”

“Hmm, so as a god, you’ll grant your follower’s wish? Can you do anything?”

Kara asked with a smile.

Chris realized her mistake and said.

“I-I can’t do anything too grand! Things like asking for money are really impossible!”

“I see. But you can do what’s within your capabilities?”

“…Yes.”

Chris said with a smile.

Kara smiled lightly at Chris.

Then her expression became serious.

“Then before I make my wish, there’s something I need to know. Ah, I trust this won’t count against my wish.”

“…Alright. What is it?”

Thinking she couldn’t dissuade her, Chris approached Kara.

Kara brought her face very close to Chris’s.

And with a very serious expression, she asked.

“How far have you progressed in your relationship with that man?”

“…What?”

Chris’s face reddened at the sudden question.

Immediately, Kara asked with great interest.

“You’ve kissed, of course? Have you gone further? In bed together…?”

“Um, well…”

Chris fidgeted with her fingers, not knowing what to do.

Looking at Kara’s expectant eyes,

Chris didn’t have the courage to tell the truth.

And Kara uncannily sensed Chris’s feelings.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t even kissed.”

“N-no, it’s just that we’ve been busy! And Kay has been unwell, so…!”

Chris quickly made excuses.

Part of her wondered why she needed to make excuses, but Kara’s demeanor was quite ominous, making her desperate.

And Kara muttered with a force that suggested she might strike someone with her staff at any moment.

“That bastard. Ignoring such a kind and cute woman, while other women are…”

“…Kara?”

How should I stop this?

Chris racked her brain as she observed Kara’s mood.

If left alone, she felt Kara might do something to Kay.

‘That would be troublesome.’

She couldn’t allow Kay to suffer unnecessary harm because of her.

Having made up her mind, Chris quietly said.

“…As you know, Kay’s body is in a truly dangerous state now.”

“Is that so?”

“He pushed himself too hard again this time. Though he might be less burdened than usual…”

Even if he seemed fine on the surface, a detailed examination would likely reveal many problems.

Chris’s face darkened as she worried about Kay.

“Chris.”

“Yes.”

“Cheer up. It’ll be alright.”

Kara said with an awkward smile.

“Because you’re worried about him.”

“…Yes.”

Chris smiled, grateful for Kara’s comfort.

Then Kara spoke with a serious face.

“More importantly, Chris, I’ve decided on my wish.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t worry. I have a plan. You just need to grant my wish.”

I think I promised something I shouldn’t have.

Chris slightly regretted her words.

Then Kara presented her plan with a confident face.

Chris’s face began to turn red.

“Um, that…!”

“If it works out, you can make rapid progress.”

Kara quietly said.

“And it’s perfect timing. Listen. They say men have an instinct to leave offspring when faced with a life-threatening crisis.”

“I don’t think that’s something a young woman should say.”

Moreover, it wasn’t something anyone should say.

Though Kara probably didn’t mean any harm, it was so inappropriate that Chris felt slightly dizzy.

‘She wasn’t like this before.’

Was this a reaction to being too repressed in the Emiris Order?

Chris felt a bit dizzy at Kara’s behavior.

She thought that if left unchecked, Kara might say even more terrifying things.

‘This won’t do.’

While she would grant the wish, Chris thought she should at least persuade Kara to exercise some restraint.

And facing such a Chris, Kara pointed a finger with a serious face and said.

“Focus.”

“……”

Despite her various thoughts, Chris was overwhelmed by Kara’s demeanor.

She stood stiffly, looking at Kara.

“I got excited and spoke too harshly. I’m sorry for startling you.”

‘At least she’s aware.’

Chris quietly thought, somewhat relieved.

“I’ll continue. You need to stimulate his instincts. Then things will surely work out.”

“Um, that’s a bit…”

“It’s okay. Have courage. You can do it.”

‘I need to somehow defuse this situation…’

Chris turned her head away from Kara’s serious words.

With a reddened face, she tried to somehow salvage the situation.

“Kara, really, joking like this… I definitely couldn’t make such jokes in front of men.”

“……”

“I-I won’t count this as your wish, so please think again and tell me, okay?”

Chris was trying to force the interpretation that Kara was joking.

She hoped that Kara would understand and stop pushing her.

That was the expectation behind her action.

And Kara looked at Chris and opened her mouth.

“Chris.”

“Yes.”

“I’m serious.”

Chris’s eyes wavered at Kara’s eyes full of sincerity.

“Don’t regret missing your chance later. Push forward.”

“……”

“Knock him down onto the bed.”

Kara was serious.