Chapter 33: Isabel, tell me

[Belladriel Dresia has been redeemed!]

The final message.

With Cassandra defeated, this was the natural outcome.

He sent a letter to the Emperor, reporting the appointment of the new saint.

Belladriel Dresia, reinstated as Saint.

He wondered how the Emperor would react to such a concise message, but he readily accepted Belladriel’s reinstatement.

Thus, Belladriel was reborn as the saint and lord of Luminous Garden.

She continued her work as a true saint.

Shine City, the city she once ruled as a heretic, merged with Luminous Garden.

The union of a cult and a proper religious order wasn’t easy, but Belladriel’s presence made it possible.

The Etherion cult’s doctrines and rules weren’t that different from the established church, aside from the name they used for God.

This was natural, since Belladriel had established the cult…

The merger proceeded smoothly, and the city prospered.

The people of Shine City migrated to Luminous Garden, and Shine City was rebuilt as a training ground for saints and an Inquisition.

The first trial held by the new Inquisition involved, of course, Echeveria Beatrice.

“Case 3947, Echeveria Beatrice. Sentenced to indefinite exile.”

Bang, bang, bang!

The verdict was as expected.

Indefinite exile, followed by execution.

She had impersonated a saint and used forbidden magic to control people. The consequences were fitting.

However, through him, Echeveria pleaded with Belladriel for mercy.

That mercy was…

“Are you Ivanka Beatrice?”
“Y-Yes…”
“Are you truly willing to atone for your sister’s sins?”
“…My sister has committed many sins. I wish to seek God’s forgiveness.”

The girl lowered her head, trembling.

Ivanka Beatrice.

Echeveria’s younger sister, a kind and virtuous girl.

So inherently good that she couldn’t commit any wrongdoing.

She knew of her sister’s sins and wished to atone for them, even if it meant dedicating her life to the cause.

“Very well… go to the saint training grounds in Shine City.”
“Huh?”
“I will observe your behavior. If you prove yourself worthy, I will assign you duties in the temple to atone for your sins.”
“Th-Thank you…! Saint!”

In the past, there would have been no mercy…

But Belladriel had become a compassionate saint.

And her judgment was sound.

This girl would become a valuable asset to Belladriel in the future.

Shine City’s unwavering shield.

Knowing this, he gave Belladriel a thumbs-up.

She smiled faintly and looked at Ivanka.

“Dedicate yourself to your training and earn God’s grace.”
“Y-Yes! I understand!”
“You’re dismissed.”
“Yes!”
“Let’s continue. Rebecca, call the next person.”
“Yes, Saint.”

Thus, everything was settled.

Belladriel ruled the city as a true saint.

Night fell.

As usual, Belladriel summoned him to her room, seeking comfort.

He followed Rebecca down the hallway.

“Another successful day. As expected of the Saint. How can she heal the sick and manage everything so perfectly? She’s truly amazing.”
“Yes, she’s a remarkable saint.”
“Hmm…?”

Rebecca suddenly crossed her arms and looked at him suspiciously.

He smiled and met her gaze.

“What is it?”
“You seem… different today.”
“Different how?”
“You seem… more refined… suspicious…”
“I don’t see anything different.”

He feigned ignorance, but Rebecca was right.

He had a different mindset today.

His task was complete.

Belladriel was fully redeemed and capable of leading a virtuous life.

His role here was over.

He had to move on to his next assignment.

But he couldn’t reveal his intentions yet.

“Haha, is it because I look handsome?”
“No one said you were handsome…”

Rebecca scoffed.

Then she murmured, “Actually…”

He waited for her to continue.

“You are quite charming.”

She looked at him with a serious expression. He was puzzled.

“…What?”
“That’s why I…”
“What are you trying to say?”

Rebecca stared at him intently.

“…You have to take responsibility for me. You know what I mean, right?”
“What…?”
“You… you hurt me!”
“How?”

Rebecca crossed her arms and turned away.

“Because of the Saint… I had to…”
“I… I don’t understand…”

‘Why is she being so cryptic?’

“You’ll find out later!”

Rebecca blushed and looked away.

He didn’t understand her behavior at all.

They finally reached Belladriel’s room.

“Don’t knock. Just go in. That’s what the Saint said.”
“What?”
“Just go in.”
“…Okay.”

He opened the door and said, “Excuse me.”

And then he saw…

“Welcome, Isabel…”

Belladriel stood by the window, a gentle smile on her face.

She wore a see-through swimsuit dress.

“B-Belladriel…?”
“How… do I look?”
“Uh…”

She blushed and lowered her head slightly, looking unsure of herself.

He covered his mouth, unable to contain his grin.

‘The final CG…!’

“Belladriel in a Seductive See-Through Swimsuit Dress” Ver.

This was one of the hidden CGs, only seen in the redemption ending.

He gaped at the beautiful sight.

“Would you like a drink?”

She smiled and offered him a glass.

“A sweet green grape martini.”

A martini with a fruit skewer.

He chuckled and accepted the drink.

“Why are you speaking so formally? We can be casual when we’re alone…”
“…Is that… strange?”
“Well… it’s just…”

‘It’s strange…’

‘Because you’re speaking so softly.’

Belladriel frowned at his lukewarm response.

“…Rebecca said you’d like it…”
“Rebecca…?”

‘What did Rebecca tell her…?’

“I’m here…”

Rebecca’s voice echoed from behind.

He turned around and gasped.

“…R-Rebecca…?”
“What…? Why!”
“Your… outfit…”

A maid outfit.

Rebecca bit her lip and looked up at him.

“What…? Don’t you like it?”
“N-No, it’s not that… but why…?”
“You won the wager!”
“Oh…”

He hadn’t expected her to actually wear it.

“I… I told her to wear it…”

Belladriel approached Rebecca.

“What?”
“Isabel, I heard about the wager. Rebecca lost, so she has to fulfill her promise… right, Rebecca?”

Belladriel stood behind Rebecca and placed her hands on her shoulders.

She smiled, but Rebecca just bit her lip.

“…And Isabel, I thought this would… make you stay.”

Belladriel smiled at him.

“Stay? What do you mean…?”

Rebecca scoffed.

“According to our Order’s rules… if a woman wears a maid outfit or a dress like this for a man… it means she wants him to take responsibility. Didn’t you know? The Saint likes you, and I… I want you to stay, so I’m wearing this! Be grateful!”

‘These girls…’

‘But I like it…’

Two busty women in a maid outfit and a see-through swimsuit dress…

‘Amazing…’

But he was the Black Hound…

Two women weren’t enough.

His goal was to meet and redeem more beautiful women.

He couldn’t stay here.

He forced an awkward smile, hiding his true feelings.

“Haha… is that so?”
“Let’s have a drink and enjoy the evening.”

Belladriel poured another martini and handed it to Rebecca.

They raised their glasses, and Belladriel said, “To our beautiful future.”

…No more silly toasts.

This was a special occasion, drinking with beautiful women.

He clinked glasses with them.

Hours passed, and dawn approached.

Thanks to “Sober Condition,” he remained sober, while Rebecca, who’d indulged in martinis, was completely drunk.

“Ugh… so dizzy…”
“Haha, aren’t you a little too drunk, Rebecca?”
“I’m… fine…”

‘Clearly not.’

He smiled awkwardly and supported her.

“You should stop drinking…”
“Mmm…”

Rebecca suddenly hugged him.

“…Isabel…”
“Yes?”
“Do you… hate me…?”

She looked up at him, tears in her eyes.

He shook his head.

“No.”
“Then… you have to take responsibility for me… I-I’m not married yet… I showed you this embarrassing side of me…”
“Haha, is that so… I could just pretend I didn’t see anything…”
“Hey!”

Belladriel suddenly waved her arm.

“Who said you could pretend?! And Rebecca! Isabel is mine! Hands off!”

Belladriel, also drunk, blushed and sat down, hiccuping.

“Even if you’re the Saint… I won’t give Isabel to you!”
“How dare a subordinate like you…”

They glared at each other.

He tried to intervene.

“Everyone, calm down…!”

–Isabel!

Both women spoke at once.

He flinched and replied, “What?!”

“Answer me… I’m the Saint… I-I like you…”
“Hey, Isabel… I’m the legal wife…”
“…………”

‘Is this happiness or misfortune?’

Caught between two drunk women, confessing their feelings…

He didn’t know how to respond.

‘Hmm…’

Belladriel would make a great wife, but… her speech was a bit off-putting.

Rebecca was a sub-heroine, but her beauty rivaled that of the main heroine…

‘Who to choose…’

As he pondered, Belladriel suddenly stood up.

“B-Belladriel…?”
“Isabel…!”

She stumbled and hugged him.

“Heehee… Isabel… I think… I like you…”

She leaned in close, her breath warm against his face.

Despite the alcohol, she smelled good.

Her soft breasts pressed against him, tempting him to lose control…

But… he just had to get through this.

“I… prefer a woman who confesses when she’s sober…”

Belladriel’s smile faltered.

“Oh… is that so…”
“Hehehe… the Saint got rejected!”
“Rejected…? After I confess properly… tomorrow… I’ll lock you up and make you mine…”
“…”

‘That sounds terrifying.’

He chuckled and patted Belladriel’s head.

“We’ll see about that tomorrow…”
“I’ll confess too… Isabel, are you ignoring me…?”
“Rebecca… you too.”
“Hee… then I’ll wake up early and confess first! Hehehe…”
“Who said you could…?”

As the two women bickered, Rebecca passed out.

Belladriel’s eyes fluttered closed.

“I-Isabel… I’m happy… let’s stay together forever…”
“…”

She fell into a deep sleep.

‘This is my chance.’

He carefully carried both women to the bed and wrote a letter.

“This should do…”

He placed the letter on the table.

‘I have to escape Luminous Garden quickly…’

‘I might actually get locked up.’

He hurried out of the room.