Chapter 13. Crisis and Opportunity (14)

Temptation.

That was temptation.

Her appearance, with her back exposed to Ria without any clothes, could be described as such.

Why did I want to see that appearance so many times?

I suggested going to the swimming pool, bought her a swimsuit, she who is a nun and a Saint candidate. I enjoyed seeing her in it, and even kept her by my side.

Why didn’t she wear a life jacket when getting on the motorcycle at the end?

Did she really forget? Was she someone who could really forget that, having been educated so diligently as a hero since childhood and having discussed safety so many times?

Perhaps- wasn’t it simply because she enjoyed Anna, who would ride behind her, sticking close to Ria’s back?

The protector, and the one being protected.

Anna’s golden blonde hair stuck to her back, and as Anna brushed it forward, her white nape was visible again.

Anna’s figure is excellent. To the extent that her curves could be slightly seen from behind. Her waist is probably thinner than Ria’s. Therefore, the line extending downwards flowed beautifully.

……Why does Ria feel attracted to that appearance? She’s a woman, after all.

Ria wasn’t someone who disliked men. Clearly, she was someone who could like men from childhood. She sometimes felt fluttery watching muscular men on TV, and perhaps there was a man nearby whom she could be a little interested in.

She didn’t have the thought of wanting to date yet. Ria was quite confident. Confident that she could make a boyfriend whenever she needed one.

Because she didn’t lag behind in ability, family, or even appearance.

Perhaps, that’s why.

Someone unattainable. An admired hero.

Not a hero determined by exams set by the system, but someone who would willingly sacrifice herself to save the world.

Because she could easily wield God’s power, and willingly step forward for everyone.

Perhaps it was because she met someone who treated her so casually, for the first time.

After that, such people increased. Besides Anna, her friends who accompanied Anna all treated Ria normally. Even though there was a difference in rank, and they knew Ria would eventually become a hero.

But, the beginning of all those events was, after all, Anna.

“……Anna.”

Ria took a step closer to Anna.

Anna, who was brushing her hair with her wet body, paused for a moment and turned her head slightly towards Ria.

Her beautiful face was slightly visible. Her upper body also turned slightly. Anna was still holding a towel in front of her. Even in front of Ria, Anna was shy.

Even though she was a hero who could be said to be completely detached from others, Anna was always so human.

Could this be considered such an emotion?

“Ria.”

Anna smiled softly and turned her body towards Ria.

Ria stopped walking at that gesture.

“Ria, what are you doing? Hurry and come in.”

Anna said.

Her voice was sweet. It was a voice Anna wouldn’t normally make, but it would surely have made Ria happy if she heard it.

Why?

Her heart was pounding.

But-

Anna tilted her head.

“Ria?”

“…….”

“Ria, you were outside just a moment ago. Thank you for always working hard for me. So, it’s okay for Ria to always be by my side.”

But-

“Or, can I give you something more? Ria, is there anything else you want from me?”

Perhaps, there is.

But still.

“Then, it’s okay to take it.”

Anna said.

“Because I’ve already told you that you can have my body.”

“But, that couldn’t have meant that.”

“……Ria?”

At Ria’s words, Anna called out to Ria blankly.

Ria was wearing armor now.

Black stains had appeared on various parts of the armor. She looked as if she had just finished killing monsters. The same was true for her sword.

Yes, she was probably fighting. Fighting monsters that were rushing towards Anna.

Anna was praying. To protect everyone, she released her holy power to create a holy ground on the sand, and with blood flowing from both hands, she helped the knights form a formation.

However, the magic was still strong.

Wings sprouted from Faina’s back. Faina flew into the sky. Soon, black rain fell. Even onto the holy ground.

Her vision had turned black.

It was similar to the Dwarf Kingdom incident.

The monsters probably couldn’t enter the holy ground. But that was only a matter of time.

“…….”

Ria looked at the sword in her hand.

A magnificent white blade. And golden patterns.

However, what caught Ria’s eye were not those things. It was a much rougher stone.

Above the sword hilt, in the center of the handguard, she saw that stone, as if it were the most beautiful jewel in the world.

……It didn’t shine white, but I can see a red trace.

That was a bloodstain.

Anna’s self-inflicted wound, which couldn’t be hidden by the black monster’s blood.

A holy relic created by Anna.

“……Ha.”

Ria laughed, as if hearing Anna’s stubborn voice saying it would be useful.

“……Yes, I suppose so.”

She let out a sigh.

“Because Anna wouldn’t have said that.”

Yes. Anna surely would have.

She would have blushed profusely and been incredibly flustered.

And she would have dived into the water, trying to hide her body somehow. She might have gotten angry at Ria, who suddenly entered while she was bathing. In such a situation, Anna would surely have been bathing alone to avoid the embarrassing situation.

Without knowing what people think.

“Even if she said she’d give anything, that idiot wouldn’t use those words in a sexual way.”

Ria looked up at the fake and said.

“She probably thinks her face is uglier than mine.”

In reality, she’s a beauty that passersby stare at. Well, she says she’s pretty herself, but she’s never directly compared herself to Ria. Even though she praises herself, she never belittles Ria. Anna was that kind of person.

Surely, she wouldn’t think of her body as just a ‘reward’.

No, she would be very displeased with giving rewards in that way in the first place.

Seriously, then who isn’t a Saint?

Acting so carelessly while being so guarded and pure, who isn’t religious? It’s truly absurd.

“Ria-“

“……Shut up.”

Ria glared at the fake and said.

“Don’t call me by that name.”

Ria growled as if she wanted to devour the fake.

“Among my friends, only Anna calls me that. And only Anna is allowed to.”

It was a nickname Anna had arbitrarily given.

But, that was okay. Rather, it was something only Anna could do.

No matter how casually her friends acted, it wasn’t to Anna’s extent. The ‘closest friend among them’ was, after all, Anna.

And, Anna was the only one Ria liked enough to allow a nickname.

There is a need to sort out my feelings. I have no intention of giving up, but since this feeling is directed towards Anna, I need to look at the purpose a little more clearly.

Is it really… can it be called such a feeling? Am I mistaking affection and admiration for something I’ve never felt before?

“Who do you think I am a knight for? Seriously.”

That’s right.

Ria was Anna’s knight.

From the moment Anna first declared, ‘my knight’, it had always been so.

Therefore.

“You tried to provoke my feelings.”

Ria was properly angry for the first time in a long time.

Since I’m going to be angry anyway, I’ll just get over the anger I had towards Anna last time, Ria thought.

The fake finally grasped the situation and started to get up, but its neck was already gone.

As she swung her sword, a white light followed.

A sword that cuts ‘monsters’.

A sword that cuts ‘demons’.

Even if it’s a demon’s illusion, it’s the same.

Whoosh.

I heard the sound of rain.

Black rain pouring down so hard that I could barely see ahead.

But even such rain couldn’t completely defile Anna’s holy ground. As the monsters touched the ground, they melted away. The knights stopped, but no one had been harmed yet.

Ria looked up.

Rumble.

Thunder struck, and the silhouette of the being above it was visible. Something with black wings.

From that something, slowly, black threads were descending.

They were almost reaching Anna.

Ria cut them down. Just as she cut down Anna’s holy power, ruthlessly.

“……Ah.”

A slight moan escaped Anna’s lips.

Her eyes slowly opened and looked at Ria.

The blood flowing from both hands was abundant.

“……So, I told you it was dangerous.”

Ria said to Anna.

Why are you smiling?

Ria thought, looking at Anna, who was smiling as if she truly believed it.

It felt bad.

It’s like you believe in me more than God.

“…….”

But the most unpleasant thing was, after all,

Ria herself, who felt joy receiving that trust.