episode_0035

[ ?????The Holy Maiden (*Isabella) has shown interest in you. ]

[ ?????The Holy Maiden (*Isabella) has opened her heart to you. ]

[ ?????The Holy Maiden (*Isabella)’s favorability soars almost to the level of affection. ]

[ ?????The Holy Maiden (*Isabella) prays for you. ]

…What did I miss during those five minutes when I was gone?

As my mind roughly came to a halt, Yuria spoke with a serious expression.

“…The bell rang.”

“I should head over there.”

“Th-then what about me…?”

“I’ll finish dealing with the demons here. I’ll send a signal if I need your help later.”

“…Okay.”

Yuria seemed to lose strength at the sound of his words, but…

“There’s someone else we need to rescue soon, just like I rescued you. Right?”

“………That’s correct.”

At his words urging her on, Yuria’s heart raced once more as she nodded.

…

He somehow managed to convince Yuria and dashed towards where the doppelgänger was.

Considering the surge in the Holy Maiden’s favorability, it was likely that she was still alive, and the demons had clearly retreated.

Their presence could be felt from afar.

Perhaps the remaining demons sought refuge in the ruined building, hoping to find shelter, but even a single low-ranking demon would be difficult to handle right now.

On top of that, the Holy Maiden would be further weakened by the dragon’s curse, so he had to hurry.

However, after detonating dozens of magic bombs and rushing there, what he saw was…

“…Wha…?”

My battered doppelgänger naturally emerged and returned to my embrace.

And a knight, looking at me with a dazed expression.

No, more importantly…

Isabella, fighting desperately, covered in blood, hardly living up to the name ‘Holy Maiden’.

Moreover, severely injured.

One high-ranking demon was already dead, and one of the remaining two was on the brink of death.

“…”

Wait, isn’t that a high-level demon?

Not a monster, but a demon summoned through a formal ritual sacrifice.

And yet, I took it down barehanded?

…Is she really the Holy Maiden?

I think the original Korean text is from a webnovel. Here’s the translation into English:

Seems like I’m limited to just using my fists… Damn, it’s not like I’m made of glass. Why do I possess such insane combat power? Moreover, in the original work, there wasn’t even a single description of the saint engaging in close combat. She was always just providing support from behind. The only reason one would fight so desperately is when they want to achieve something truly earnest or when they’ve received an unforgettable “favor.” And I became the owner of that favor.

“…..”

But something’s off. It feels really strange to have relied solely on a meat shield. However, it seemed the saint had reached her limit; just before delivering her final blow, one of her legs gave way, throwing off her stance. She collapsed right in front of the enemy, unconscious.

At that moment, my body reacted. Isabella must not die here.

“…Danger!”

The instinct to save the saint overtook me, causing my body to move faster than thought itself.

-Thud!

The demon’s fist struck nothing but air. Ian, who managed to somehow catch the saint in a princess carry, let out a relieved sigh.

“Phew… I’m glad you’re alive.”

However, beneath him, Isabella’s gaze met his as she looked up at him.

“…”

“G-glad you’re… alive… Haha… Ha… Hahaha… I… I’ve decided. You, as a person… I can’t understand you from start to finish. But still… Yes, I like you.”

A beautiful smile adorned the saint’s face. Despite being covered in wounds and barely able to move a finger, her smile exuded a sense of relief and happiness that seemed to reach Ian’s eyes.

…She’s smiling?

That ruthless saint…?

Likes that too?

Why?

Me?

I’m practically the cause of her broken fingers…?

Ian couldn’t comprehend the situation at all.

Nevertheless, he was further shocked by the saint’s action of pulling him into a tight embrace.

“…It’s really, truly fortunate that you’re alive.”

[ ?????!!!!!The favorability rating of the saint (Isabella) has skyrocketed!!! ]

[ It has risen from ‘interest’ to surpass ‘curiosity’ and ‘belief,’ reaching the ‘affection’ stage! ]

[ Astounding progress! I salute your speed! ]

…No, achieving love isn’t that easy.

Following this, various nicknames continued to be associated with my name.

What on earth… I don’t know what else my doppelganger did besides being a meat shield.

“Miss, are you uninjured? Please evacuate to safety. I will handle things here.”

First, I move the maiden to safety.

Upon doing so, she pulled herself slightly closer and said,

“Ar-are you… really going to take all of this upon yourself after seeing me in such a state?”

…Take what upon myself?

“In this state, I cannot uphold my dignity as a maiden. I will fight alongside you.”

Normally, you’re not this assertive.

“Miss, look at your wounds. If left untreated, they may worsen. Quickly-”

I must protect the maiden. An unpredictable demon lies dormant within her right now.

It was clear that if this guy emerged in the story too soon, it would disrupt my plans.

So, I lightly tapped the maiden’s shoulder. After readjusting her gaze for a moment, she spoke again.

“…Is he sincere? Really, how can he be so honest without telling a single lie… Is this… his true purpose?”

A sudden blush,

she quickly averted her eyes from mine.

She probably saw through me.

Honestly, in this confusing situation, I don’t know what I’ve hidden. Perhaps, as someone with trauma, she dislikes delving into my mind like this…

“Let’s go together. It’s scarier to hear that you’re dead. Even if you die, I’ll kill and die first.”

“…”

Why, why suddenly so devoted?

What did I do.

…

Isabella was nothing short of a novice in hand-to-hand combat.

Simply wrapping her fists with an immense emotional fervor and swinging them around.

This was a barbaric fighting style that she had never seen in herself before.

If she were a mage who only cast buffs from behind. Now, she was like a lone brawler tearing through the front lines like a wild horse even within the party.

However, the situation continued to deteriorate.

At first, the demon, who had embedded the most powerful attack in his head through a surprise attack by the saint, was cut off at that moment.

That’s why holy power is terrifying.

Irreversible recovery.

It’s like a poison to demons.

It’s like matching the energy of a baptism with the power of magic.

For a magician, it should be connected through three steps: blessing, magical deployment, and summoning circle construction. Just being able to handle attributes like magic power is a blessing.

However, the reason why the saints do not use it in that way is because…

“Haak… Huk, Kkeung. Twhit.”

The saint’s whole body was drenched in sweat. The rising acrid smoke made it difficult for her to breathe.

The fuel efficiency is really bad.

Despite only a few exchanges of attacks, unlike when the saint’s sacred power soared like a pillar, it was now so weak that she could barely support her own body.

However, she did not retreat.

The surrounding huts were on fire.

“This time… I must protect everyone, his wish.”

The disheveled saint pushed her hair back once and raised her arm.

She calmly calmed her mind and maintained the distance between them, narrowing the gap.

Those who are carefully aiming from behind.

As expected, they rushed in from both the front and the back.

She must not panic. There have been times when she watched helplessly as the knights around her were rendered powerless against multiple enemies, and she had silently pondered over the process.

At times like this, she needed to act even more swiftly.

With a thud, the saint leaped, clutching her fist as she burst forth with sacred power.

However.

The speed of the high-ranking demon far exceeded expectations.

Grabbing the slender saint’s arm and anticipating only the impact, the fiend twisted her arm at an unnatural angle.

-Thunk!

“…Kuk,”

A dizzying groan burst forth from the intense pain.

As a saint, she was completely unaccustomed to such pain. Although her body trembled, her mind remained steadfast.

The saint forcibly maneuvered her broken arm and raised it urgently.

“…!”

The demon’s defense, raised in desperation, was no match as she lightly overcame it, driving her head forcefully into the ground.

-Kwaaaah!!!

A tremendous roar.

The demon was almost incapacitated.

However, the saint’s condition was grave.

Broken arm, a swollen ankle from a miscalculated leap, and various bruises here and there. Blood trickling down the forehead and obscuring the vision.

A sense of powerlessness never experienced before caused the woman’s legs to buckle several times. Like a flickering flame in the wind, even the vulnerable appearance caught the attention of the lurking demon.

“…!”

Dangerous.

Urging her body to move quickly, but it doesn’t respond. The ground feels like it’s pulling her body down with a strong force. Then, her gaze falls to the ground.

Ultimately, the despair of constantly disappointing someone enveloped her mind.

Until the end.

Without wearing a mask, she couldn’t even save the man who had approached her first.

Everything.

Losing everything.

She wanted to know a little more about that.

Not achieving anything here, not wanting to die. There have been few moments in life when it has been so desperate.

Different from yesterday, when death and liberation were hoped for indefinitely.

However, even if only for a few seconds, she wanted to receive that grace.

Yet, despite fervent prayers and wishes, the voice of God still did not return.

-“Do you think that will make God listen to your voice?”

In that fleeting moment, the devil’s first words echoed.

And in that instant when the devil’s fist clenched –

“Danger…! -”

A voice from somewhere appeared.

At first, when she heard that voice, she doubted her own ears.

He embraced her as if she were precious, asking eagerly.

The so-called princess-carry.

It was rude enough to be handed over for religious judgment. It was already reaching many places.

But it’s okay.

This man is fine.

Covered in blood, he ran to her without considering his own precarious situation.

“I’m glad you’re alive.”

But speaking in such a state, it’s someone else’s concern.

The deep affection and worry felt so strongly that laughter burst out unintentionally.

Such happiness is so rare, and longing brought a bittersweet sensation.

“Living, I’m glad you’re alive… Hmph, ha…. hahaha, I’ve… decided. You, as a human being, are truly… unpredictable from beginning to end. Still… yes, I like you.”

Carefully confessing his feelings, he gently cupped her cheek.

It’s warm.

Thump, thump, thump, like a racing heart.

He too was warm and bright.

The flames seemed to be the backdrop of a painting.

“…I am truly, truly grateful that you’re alive.”

But perhaps his voice was too soft.

Instead, he seemed more desperate.

That very aspect drew the saint in. A shock, akin to an arrow piercing her chest, surged through her.

“Saint, are there any other casualties? Please, quickly find a safe place to take shelter. I will handle things here.”

A person more concerned for others than their own life.

If fictional heroes or warriors truly existed, could it be him? No… he is a god.

A deity who rushed in response to his calling.

Only now did everything fall into place.

The scattered puzzle pieces.

A person who appeared like a hero from a novel.

Such a thing would be impossible if he weren’t a god.

Even if he wasn’t a god, he would be one to himself.

Unbeknownst to the saint, tears began to well up in her eyes.

Ah,

Indeed.

A god was present here.

Right in front of her eyes.

However, it felt like too great a sin to receive such grace.

Hence, she asked, “Are you really going to endure all of this right in front of me and carry the burden?”

…

To bestow so much and yet show no sign of it.

If he isn’t her lord, then who is he?

Someone who rushes when sincerely called upon.

The owner of the voice that only became audible when she earnestly wished.

“….This won’t do as a representative of the saint. I will fight alongside you.”

“Saint, look at your wounds now. If we don’t treat them immediately, they may leave worse aftereffects. Quickly-”

More and more.

He is certain.

There is no one else but him.

The person who will become her god.

“…Is this person for real? Seriously, how can they never tell a lie… and be so honest like this? No way… is this their true purpose from the start? How far has this been planned…? No, to doubt the divine is… blasphemy. Having received the grace of listening to his words and offering my life. … I absolutely cannot let him die. At least until the moment I close my eyes. If I can see his face, that’s… enough. I’m willing to give everything. I promise I will never forget the warmth of this hand I hold right now.”

“Let’s go together. It’s scarier to hear that you died. Even if I die, I’ll kill you first and then die.”

“What… are you talking about?”

“From today, I pledge to serve you.”

“…What?”

[??????Saint (*Isabella)’s favorability rating increases to ‘Faith’!!!]

[Blessing (Eternal Immortality) – Grade: A characteristic added!]

[With near-fanatical faith, the talent based on the saint’s sanctity raises the status by one level.]

Ian’s thoughts come to a halt.

Literally stopped.

…How much has this escalated?”