Chapter 23: Belladriel is scared

A small gukbap restaurant in Aria Village.

Unfortunately, there were no establishments fit for a saint in this impoverished village.

No fine dining, no upscale restaurants.

Just this humble gukbap place.

But Belladriel liked gukbap, and it was time for a hangover cure.

“Ugh… my head…”
“Shine Order, are you unwell…?”
“No, I’m fine.”

Of course she had a headache. She drank a lot last night.

I smiled gently.

“This gukbap will help, Shine Order.”
“…Is that so? I want a hangover cure… I mean, I’m hungry.”
“R-Right! I’ll tell them to hurry.”
“No, it’s fine. It’ll be ready soon.”

Belladriel maintained her gentle smile and saintly demeanor.

I turned to a nervous Rebecca.

“Hahaha, waiting builds anticipation, don’t you think, Rebecca?”
“…”

‘What?’

‘Don’t talk to me.’

‘Creep.’

That was the look she gave me.

Her gaze was piercing.

I chuckled nervously and called out to her again.

“…Rebecca?”
“Don’t use my name, pervert.”

She crossed her arms and turned away, pouting.

The misunderstanding might have been cleared, but…

Thanks to that crazy saint, my image was tarnished.

We just slept, nothing more…

But no one seemed to believe it.

The rumor had spread among the knights.

Their gazes were sharp.

I felt like I’d be sliced to pieces if I made a wrong move…

‘This is so frustrating.’

‘I didn’t do anything…’

–Here’s your chicken gukbap, three bowls.

The server placed the wooden bowls on the table.

Belladriel’s eyes lit up.

She was clearly eager to eat.

Rebecca, however, frowned.

“Shine Order, please forgive my impudence.”

Rebecca bowed her head.

“Yes?”
“To think we would defile your palate with such… common food… I am deeply sorry.”

‘Hmm.’

‘Rebecca hasn’t seen Belladriel’s true form.’

‘She should see her mixing everything into her gukbap…’

“It’s alright. I enjoy this kind of food.”

Belladriel was surprisingly well-behaved in front of others.

She took a delicate sip of the broth.

When she was with me, she’d practically inhale the entire bowl…

Her image transformation was truly remarkable.

“This is delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it. Please, eat.”

Rebecca then turned to me.

“You too, eat.”
“Yes, of course.”
“I’m warning you… if you try anything funny with the Shine Order… then…”
“Of course not. Nothing happened, really.”

Rebecca sighed.

“We’ll see about that.”
“Rebecca?”
“Yes, Shine Order!”
“This is really delicious.”
“I-Is that so?!”
“Yes. Thank you for bringing me here.”

Belladriel’s compliment made Rebecca stand up.

“It’s my honor! Shine Order! I rushed to find the best place, and I’m so glad you like it! Once we’re done here, I’ll treat you to a proper meal back at our headquarters.”

Belladriel smiled.

“Yes, let’s do that. Sit down and eat.”
“Yes!”

Rebecca started eating, a pleased expression on her face.

Belladriel leaned in and whispered in my ear, “Not my cup of tea. I’m dying…”
“Just bear with it. It’s good for your hangover.”
“Sigh… when we get back to my city, I’ll take you to a much better gukbap place.”

Rebecca flinched at Belladriel’s sigh.

“Shine Order?”
“Oh…”

Belladriel quickly composed herself and pretended to enjoy the food.

“Eat up, it’s good.”
“Yes!”

‘At least it cures your hangover.’

‘Bottoms up… I mean, bottoms bowl.’

Belladriel’s Malice Gauge was decreasing as planned.

Her good deeds had lowered it to below 50%.

And since she couldn’t commit any evil acts here, it was a win-win.

I didn’t have to lift a finger.

As the service concluded, the knights began dismantling the tent.

“Finally… I’m so stiff.”
“Good work today, Belladriel.”

I smiled as she stretched.

Belladriel narrowed her eyes and sighed.

“You’re really working me hard.”
“You should have won the wager.”
“Tch. I’ll definitely win today.”

‘Win?’

‘I doubt that.’

I shrugged.

“Try your best.”
“Hee… you’re so cheeky.”
“Since I won yesterday, it’s time for my wish, right?”
“…Fine, fine. What do you want?”
“Hmm, let me see…”

I stroked my chin, pretending to think.

What should I wish for?

Belladriel grinned.

“Are you thinking of something naughty?”
“What?”
“You’re a man, after all.”
“…”

‘What is she talking about?’

I chuckled, bewildered.

“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it obvious?! There’s a gorgeous white-haired girl with
right here. You must be thinking of something erotic. Or maybe dressing me up in a costume! Satisfy me! Something like that…”

‘Crazy.’

‘Lost in her delusions.’

‘Sigh…’

‘Even I have to admit, that’s vulgar.’

I sighed and said firmly, “No, I’m not.”

“And… you got me in trouble.”
“What now?”

I pointed at Rebecca.

“Can’t you see?”

Rebecca was watching us intently, hiding – poorly – near the tent entrance.

Belladriel chuckled awkwardly.

“She’s a bit overzealous.”
“You’re the overzealous one!”
“What?!”
“Who clings to someone like that while sleeping? And practically stripping naked!”

Belladriel covered herself with her arms.

“But… if I don’t do that, you won’t pay attention to me~”

She made a playful, teasing expression.

“Are you serious?”
“Must be nice to be popular. Rebecca seems interested in you too.”
“I’ll pass.”

She might be a beautiful girl, but she carried a sword.

A woman who looked ready to stab me at any moment…

No, thank you.

But…

She was a sword-wielding villainess.

…I kind of wanted to redeem her too.

Reforming a beautiful girl and making her happy.

What could be more fulfilling?

I smiled unconsciously.

“Ugh… what kind of perverted thoughts are you having?”
“Anyway, whatever you wish for, don’t make it difficult.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.”

I pointed towards the tent.

“Let’s go outside.”
“Alright.”

As we were about to leave, a commotion erupted.

–Catch them!
–They’re trying to enter the saint’s tent!

Rebecca yelled, “Who are they?!”

Belladriel and I stepped outside.

Men with swords were confronting the knights.

I recognized them instantly.

“…The Bubble Gang.”

The Bubble Gang.

A criminal organization operating in Aria Village.

“Kehehehe, don’t move!”
“Yeah, freeze!”
“…”

Rebecca drew her sword and yelled, “Protect the Shine Order!”
“Yes!”

The knights surrounded Belladriel.

I stood next to Rebecca.

“Hmm, quite a crowd.”
“Hey, weakling! Get out of here if you don’t want to get hurt!”
“They don’t seem interested in fighting.”
“What…? Are you stupid? They’re wielding swords! This is clearly a robbery…!”

Rebecca was right.

They looked like robbers.

But this was an event.

And the Bubble Gang was here for a reason.

I walked towards them.

“Etherion says that everyone is equal and deserves grace. You may be wielding swords, but you’re not sinners…”
“What’s this guy saying?”
“What’s this
?”
“Leader of the Bubble Gang, come out.”

I smiled and looked behind the crowd.

The gang members parted, revealing a sickly-looking woman in a wheelchair.

She smiled weakly.

“…Black Hound?”

She seemed to know me, her eyes narrowed.

“No. I’m an assistant priest of Etherion.”
“Crazy…”

She muttered an insult, then chuckled.

I looked down at her, expressionless.

“That’s not a very polite way to ask for a favor.”
“A favor? What makes you think I’m asking for one?”
“You’re here to be healed, aren’t you? We don’t tolerate disrespect towards the Shine Order.”

At my words, the men around her pointed their swords at me.

“This guy’s asking for it… He’s got a nasty mouth.”
“Should we kill him?”
“Kill me if you wish. But if you do, you’ll never be healed. Etherion is watching. Slaughter here will bring not grace, but a curse.”

I glared at them.

The woman in the wheelchair raised her hand, signaling them to stop.

They lowered their swords.

“Hold on.”

I turned around.

“Rebecca, everyone, lower your weapons.”
“What…? They’re criminals.”
“They’re not here to rob. They’re here to be saved by the Shine Order.”
“…What?”
“Shine Order.”

I looked at Belladriel, who was standing at the tent entrance.

She looked at me silently.

“Grant my wish. Will you save this villain?”

In other words, my wish was for her to heal the gang leader.

Belladriel approached me quietly.

She whispered, “You want me… to heal them?”
“Yes, Belladriel. It’s time to become a true saint. Like I said last night, you will become a saint.”