Chapter 90 : Haphazard

As the alcohol wore off, memories of last night — or rather, the early hours of the morning — came flooding back. What the hell was I

thinking?

“S-Shit. Goddamn it.”

What on earth did I do at the academy? My already pale face must have turned bright red. I did something I’ve never done before in my life! I

couldn’t even lift my face.

‘What about Arwen?’

Is she here? No, not yet. That was at least one bit of hopeful news. It meant I had a little time to straighten things up. Not knowing when she

might barge in, the best I could do was hastily bundle up the blanket and shove it into a corner. My underwear, still damp, clung

uncomfortably between my legs.

“You’re up early today, aren’t you?”

“Ah, uh-huh…”

Arwen spoke through the door as I sat in the bathtub. A pang of guilt stabbed at my chest — not because of what happened last night, of

course.

She moved around tidying things up and muttered something smug about me finally acting like a proper human being.

Normally I’d go out and give her a hard pinch on the cheek, but today I was too focused on scrubbing myself clean, more thoroughly than

usual.

The sound of water splashing over the rose petals in the tub felt unusually busy today.

‘It… doesn’t smell, right?’

Sniff sniff. I already knew I smelled nice, having cleaned thoroughly, but people with guilty consciences tend to check obsessively.

Whew. I should probably ease off playing with my mana pouch for a while… Not that I’m sure I can control myself.

Addiction, by nature, means you can’t control it, right? Ugh, I really found myself a strange hobby. Calling it a “hobby” at all made me feel a

bit ashamed.

‘Still… as good as it was, it felt…’

Like something was missing — that 2% to complete the feeling. Even during the act, I kept thinking, “This isn’t quite it…”

My god, I’m shameless. The sudden wave of shame made me splash around and dunk my face under water. Even though the water was warm,

it felt cool against my cheeks.

If anyone found out, I’d die of embarrassment. They’d all point fingers at me. Thank god no one knows how depraved I really am. Phew.

“Oh, by the way, did you hear the Saintess is visiting the academy today?”

After my bath, Arwen brushed my hair and casually brought it up. Ignoring her nonsense about my hair growing too fast, I was taken aback

by the news.

The Saintess? She’s never visited the academy before. She lived nearby, sure, but she’d never actually set foot here.

“The Saintess?”

“Yep! I don’t know the details, but I heard she’s coming today. I need to get there early too. But still… how did a student like you find out

before me?”

That’s because I’m such a loner that no one bothers to tell me anything. Besides, I spent all of yesterday wrapped up in… other matters.

I replied while mentally indulging in a little self-administered “pleasure” that had been building since the bath.

“It’s probably not important enough to make an announcement. I mean, what’s the big deal about the Saintess?”

“Gasp! H-How could you say that!”

Arwen puffed up like a squirrel with cheeks full of acorns. When I let go, she shivered and rubbed her cheek in protest.

“Of course the Saintess is important! She’s one of only two on the continent — a representative of the Church!”

“…Oh, really?”

“Of course! I saw her once from afar, and she was so gentle and warm-hearted!”

Yeah? Then she must’ve seen the other one.

The one I know is a drunkard with an unnecessarily massive mana pouch.

No matter how I looked at it, that woman who sexually harassed me with a flushed, drunken face was anything but holy.

‘Hmph.’

Is it really nothing special? Maybe I’m only downplaying it because I know what kind of person she is. Objectively speaking, this is the

continent’s only academy being visited by a religious figurehead.

The last time she came here was during a major crisis — the threat of a demon invasion. This time can’t be just a casual visit, can it?

“Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll get going too.”

Maybe I should tag along today. We do know each other after all, so she probably won’t reject me.

Besides, I might pick up some key information related to the main storyline. Worst case, I just waste a day.

“Oh, and… don’t bother cleaning the bedroom today. I’ll handle it later. Especially the blanket. Don’t touch it!”

“Huh? Why? You usually won’t even lift a finger…”

“I said don’t touch it!”

Startled by my sudden outburst, Arwen tilted her head but agreed.

Sorry, I haven’t cleaned everything up yet. Even the underwear I’m wearing right now… Just leave, please.

In this world, the title of Saintess is bestowed directly by the twin gods, Coz and Lizzda.

It’s a super rare, SSS-rank job with both privileges and restrictions — one of which is that absurd outfit.

A divine uniform, really? If I were a believer, I wouldn’t be thrilled to find out my god favored such a pervy getup.

“What’s got you so lost in thought on our reunion?”

“Just… random stuff…”

The Saintess outfit had open sides and cleavage on full display — ridiculously provocative.

Were the rumors about the confessional true?

I was too overwhelmed to notice before, but that outfit is more suitable for a streetwalker than a Saintess.

Heila, unlike before, appeared without a single holy knight guarding her.

“Random thoughts, huh? Well, I don’t blame you. After all, I saw how much fun you had last night.”

“…Huh?”

What?! That sly smile — she looked more like a little devil than a Saintess.

“Did you forget? A Saintess of my level can sense all things related to love. I told you before — it chills the bones.”

“D-Don’t joke around. Last time you totally misread everything…”

“Ohh, so it was true this time? A little touching and rubbing, hmm?”

“…It wasn’t like that! What kind of person do you think I am?”

I should’ve just kept quiet.

Even if she’s a Saintess, how could she possibly know that kind of thing?

Last time — the day of the dream therapy — nothing happened at all!

So clearly, everything Heila just said is nonsense.

“Well, no matter what kind of life you’re living, I totally understand. That age is when things get… heated, right?”

“If you’re going to keep saying weird stuff, I’m leaving. Why are you even here?”

“Oops, was that supposed to be a secret?”

Still grinning slyly, she finally leaned in with a serious glint in her eye.

After glancing around, she whispered in my ear.

“Actually, there’s a heretic hiding inside the academy. The mana concealment was so good, even someone like me barely noticed.”

“…What?”

“So yeah, traces of demonic energy have been found. That’s not something you see every day, is it?”

So if I understood correctly, the Holy Kingdom sent a Saintess as a special agent to catch a heretic…

And that heretic… was me.

Heila came even closer, gently taking my hands in hers and whispering sweetly.

“So, I need someone to guide me around today. Trea, would you spare a day for me?”

“Of course. Just one day, right…”

“Really? Great! Let’s go right away. Honestly, I want to clock out as soon as possible.”

She wasn’t lying. Pulling my hesitant hand, Heila led me along.

It was what I’d wanted — to follow her.

But… if I turned myself in now, could we both clock out early?

Even though it’s still early in the story, I never thought the Saintess herself would come because of a few heretic reports.

Sorry, Heila. For my peace of mind, it looks like I’m pulling an all-nighter today.