episode_0050

[3rd Quarter Saint and Saintess Candidate Evaluation Exam Announcement]

-Comprehensive performance ability is evaluated through external missions accompanied by one supervisor.

-Regions and supervisors are assigned randomly.

-To the Straits of Biscay, with Saint Candidate Kazan Casimir and First-Class Inquisitor Hector Blake.

-To the Commercial Republic with Saint Candidate Robert Hamelin and Third Apostle Irene Tenzel.

-To the Cavensia Ecliptic, together with Saint Candidate Elijah Rubenne and First-Class Inquisitor Veronica Aysel.

… … .

… … .

… … .

-To the Duchy of Rayham, with Saint Candidate Evan Lane and High Inquisitor Isabel Cedent.

-To the western swamps of the Empire, together with the saint candidate Lethe Heresia and the first apostle Israfil Hael.

“… … Hmm.”

A notice was posted on the bulletin board. It contained the contents of the third quarter exam, the first of only two assessment exams left.

It was a completely different type of test from the previous Shinsungseok test or the evaluation test up until last year.

Should we say that the method is unique? The cardinals have tested us in various ways so far, but they have never sent us down the mountain.

‘Kazan is the Strait of Biscay, Elijah and Dorothy are the Equator… … Is Lethe the swamp?’

It seemed as though the supervisor was fully aware of the mission details, so there wasn’t much information written in the notice.

At best, we can only see which region the other candidates, including me, will head to.

Among them, the summit of the Hispanic Mountains, the Strait of Biscay, and the western swamps, which are called the four forbidden lands of the continent, were also included.

Even the dispatch areas where both of them were assigned to people I cared about for different reasons.

“Write… … .”

Especially in a swamp? I couldn’t help but feel bad, because I still shudder when I think back to the nightmare I had there five years ago.

I blurted out, glancing at Lete, who was quietly reading the notice next to me.

“Is that okay?”

“What is it?”

“… … swamp.”

Although I tried to speak with a rather serious tone, Lethe’s expression remained indifferent.

He just rolled his eyes and gave me a sidelong glance before looking back up at the notice.

As for me, I couldn’t help but be concerned about that seemingly complacent attitude. The swamp was not an area to be underestimated, even without the demon duke who had been summoned at the time.

The monstrosity of the swamp, which drains your mind and body just by moving normally, is not something you can easily experience unless you experience it firsthand.

So he started talking in an even stronger tone.

“You may not know, but Lete. Still, listen carefully. This is advice that is deep and practical, and it won’t hurt to memorize it all… … . Hehe!?”

And then, unknowingly, I was attacked in the side by Lethe, who had stretched out her finger. The surprise attack that came with a strong ‘bang!’ was thrilling.

I lifted my trembling hands and touched the soy sauce. All the strength left my body.

“What are you… … . doing, doing… … .”

“… … Huh.”

What on earth could she possibly be feeling? I glared at her in unbearable absurdity, but Lete puffed out her cheeks as if she was upset.

“… … I guess you still don’t remember.”

“What? What did you say?”

“… … No? I didn’t say anything.”

What exactly are you trying to do? I frowned and straightened my back again, seriously considering whether or not I should hit you in return.

“Heresia Youngae, Mr. Evan.”

At that moment, a voice was heard from behind, and Lete and I blinked and turned in that direction.

Two beautiful women appeared, splitting the crowd in half very naturally.

One was Israfil, with his water-green hair flowing in waves, and the other was Isabel, a blonde with her bangs neatly tied to her personality.

Perhaps it was because it had been a long time since we last met? I looked at Isabel with a sad look as I turned away from Israfil, who was looking at me with a sidelong glance and showing a happy expression.

If you were going to show up so soon, why didn’t you just stay by my side when I was with Lete?

Of course, it was absolutely not a justification for criticizing her, so she only showed her disappointment with her gaze, but Isabel also seemed to be aware of it and smiled awkwardly.

“Ahem… … . Well, I guess you guys talked it over and made up, Evan? Wow, that’s great.”

“… … Yeah, what.”

Even though I was complimented like that now, I wasn’t entirely happy. When I nodded indifferently, Isabel flinched and rolled her eyes.

I knew that it wasn’t entirely reasonable for me to be acting this way toward her, but somehow I felt like I wanted to do it for a while.

Is this exactly how a son feels when he doesn’t speak to his mother properly for a few days because he feels betrayed by her?

I stared at Isabel in silence, and she stared at me, fidgeting as well.

And silence.

“… … .”

“… … .”

It was the intervention of a third party that ended the meaningful eye contact between Isabel and me.

Lete and Israfil, who were now looking at us with rather subtle eyes, and in a slightly wider range, even the various candidates and clergy nearby.

“Hmm… …! Ahem, ahem.”

Isabel, realizing that things were getting a bit awkward, let out a loud cough.

Clap! She clapped her hands loudly and deliberately, looking around at us with great earnestness.

“Well, instead of just standing there like this, should we start moving according to our supervisors? Everyone’s departure is tomorrow or the day after at the latest, so we should hear about today’s mission details.”

“… … Well, that’s true.”

Israfil also agreed with that part, although he still had a suspicious expression.

Soon, the dozen or so candidates surrounding them each set out to find their supervisor.

Soon, only the group remained in front of the bulletin board. That is, me, Isabel, Lete, and Israfil.

Lete silently twirled her ivory hair with her fingertips, while Israfil played with the back of Isabelle’s hand and made a fuss.

Finally, Isabel cried and begged earnestly.

“Please take Heresia’s daughter away, Israfil. And stop touching my hand.”

“Hmm… … . Should I do that… … ?”

“Should I do that? That’s not right… …! It’s your job, your job! Aren’t you going to hurry up? Just do it!”

Isabelle Cedent spreads out her palm as if to hit Israfil’s back.

Israfil reluctantly nodded under her pressure and soon looked at Lethe.

“… … um.”

“… … .”

The cause of the silence that fell once again was not me. The two women who immediately looked at each other and looked around nervously as soon as their eyes met.

Even though they used me as a filter and messenger, is it because they exchanged declarations of war every once in a while?

I could clearly see that both of their lips were dry and chapped, so I clicked my tongue and said.

“Where what… … . Should I act as a mediator so that you two can hold hands like children trying to make up? Would that be easier?”

“… … !”

Lete and Israfil then look at each other with a start. For a moment, they exchange complicated glances, and then as if they had made a promise, they quickly turn to me and answer.

“No, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Yeah, yeah. We’ll figure it out among ourselves.”

“If that’s the case.”

I shrugged, and Israfil let out a sigh of relief. It seemed like he didn’t want his brother to do that to him.

“Then, we’ll go and see.”

Soon, Israfil coughed awkwardly and slowly turned away.

It seemed as if he was going to take the time to explain the mission in the swamp, just as Isabel had said.

Lethe nodded silently and followed her.

“… … Right.”

After staring at his back for a while, I shook my head from side to side and muttered.

“Don’t you think both of you are still immature? Miss Isabel.”

I was sincere in my own way, but Isabel’s expression was somehow strange.

She glanced at me with a complicated look in her eyes.

“That’s not necessarily true, but you’re the one who started the fight, Mr. Evan. I don’t think you should say that with your own mouth… … .”

“… … .”

It was a factual assault. It was the moment when I was trying to turn my eyes away and rub my chest that was aching.

“… … Heresia Young-ae?”

I raised my head at the sound of Isabel’s voice, which was somewhat embarrassed. Lethe was already walking back the way she had come without Israfil.

She bit her lip, the tips of her ears turning bright red, and I blinked.

“What, did I forget something─. Ugh!?”

And then both cheeks were grabbed viciously. With a strong grip, Lethe held my head still, and covered my lips with hers without giving me a chance to escape.

A deep kiss between Lete and Isabel takes place right in front of Isabel, whose eyes were wide open.

“… … ! … … ?!”

Lete, who had been exploring my mouth as if she was going to pull out my tongue, soon pulled her head away saying, ‘Phhaha!’

Her face was bright red and her lips were glistening with saliva enough for two people.

“… … No, what is it?”

As I wiped the corner of my mouth in great embarrassment, she hesitated and then spat out carefully.

“I forgot to mention that.”

“So what… … .”

“Your declaration.”

Lete raised her index finger to block my question, which was being asked in amazement, and a blush appeared on both her cheeks.

“Your… … . shameless declaration that you will become a saint and take all three of them with pride. I thought I should have warned you in advance.”

“… … .”

“I know you know, but I’m going to be a saint. Unlike you, it’s already half-confirmed at this point. Do you know what I mean?”

When I become a saint, if you fail to become a saint, then your choice is gone.

Lete added as if whispering in my ear, and soon smiled bashfully.

“If that happens, you will have no choice but to beg for my mercy. Please, let me take a concubine besides me, and let me have a look just once.”

“… … .”

“… … So! Try your best. If you really become a saint, I will have no authority to intervene in that concubine affair.”

Lete Heresia declared, blinking her eyes brightly.

She waved her hand, raising the corners of her lips.

“Then I will really go too. I ran away without Israfil telling me to talk to the women before the mission, so I think I will get in trouble if I go back.”

Let’s do our best on the evaluation test together! As soon as she added that, Lete left the room in a panic.

I… … . Again, I touched my lips, which were now stained with dark paint, and smiled weakly.

“Ms. Isabel.”

“Why?”

When I asked her with a tone of annoyance, Isabel answered as calmly as possible.

She came up to me quietly and stood next to me, and I turned to her and spoke with difficulty.

“… … I think I’m in big trouble.”

“Oh, yes. It looks that way to me too.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

“Please help me.”

“… … This isn’t something I can help you with. Evan, you figure it out yourself.”

Still, Mother Isabel was a neglectful person.

I slumped my shoulders.