episode_0087

It was a promise to wear comfortable clothes sometimes. Since the other party had so actively encouraged it, there was no reason to back out now that I was here. Taking the opportunity, I immediately put on different attire.

“It feels a bit… awkward.”

I was wearing light, short-sleeved pajamas. The thin fabric billowed softly. My arms were fully exposed through it. Since the short sleeves couldn’t fully cover my body, I was revealing my numerous scars just as they were. Cool air touched my skin, which had felt stuffy just moments before. As I stood stiffly, feeling awkward, a voice affirmed my attire.

“You look good.”

It was Irene. The girl standing beside me glanced at me for a moment, then nodded with a faint smile. Her expression seemed strangely delighted. I offered an awkward smile and asked a question.

“Does it look a little strange? It’s been so long since I’ve worn clothes like this.”

“It suits you well.”

“That’s a relief.”

I replied, even as I fiddled with the collar of my clothes. Having always insisted on tight, tailored suits, wearing such loose-fitting clothes felt incredibly alien. Perhaps, having finally put on comfortable attire, I paradoxically felt uncomfortable.

‘The others would be surprised if they saw this.’

My thoughts were of the members. Having spent time together, quite a few knew about my scars, but I had never shown myself in such casual attire. On the contrary, I had always maintained an impeccable demeanor. Because I had to reign as their spiritual pillar and sole savior. Even Neria, who had stayed by my side the longest, was no different.

‘It makes me think of old times.’

To be sentimental over just a single piece of clothing. It seemed I, too, was growing old. Shaking off these unnecessary thoughts, I posed a question to the fox watching me. It was a way to clear my head.

“Anyway, I didn’t know there were clothes like this in the closet. I was sure there were only several suits…”

“I put a few in there.”

“Hmm?”

“I got them when I went to the shopping district the other day. They’re not that expensive, so if you don’t like them, you can throw them away and buy new ones.”

“These are fine. Miss Irene picked them out herself, after all.”

“…I wasn’t trying to make a big deal out of it.”

“I’ll treasure them forever.”

“I told you not to.”

The fox snapped petulantly. But her body was honest. Her orange tail swayed happily. Her folded fox ears, as if they had regained their energy, stood perked up on top of her head. A soft laugh escaped me at her easily readable reaction.

“Pfft.”

“Why are you laughing suddenly?”

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re so bland.”

“I think I’m quite a witty person, actually.”

“…Do you know you’re really not funny?”

As we chatted lightly, the darkening outside scenery could be seen through the window.

“It’s getting late. Shall we go to sleep soon?”

“Mm. Let’s.”

We ended our brief conversation. It was a night for sleeping, preparing for a busy tomorrow. The two of us turned towards our respective rooms.

***

No. I thought so.

“Good night.”

A softly whispered voice. Beside me, I felt a lukewarm breath. Turning my head, I saw the fox lying neatly beside me under the blanket. She had taken up a part of the bed.

“…”

Was it going to be like this again today? After the school trip, Irene would often fall asleep in my room instead of her own. And always while lying in the same bed.

*Rustle.*

Following her restless movement, her lukewarm body heat burrowed into my arms. The girl had pressed herself close to me. Since both of us were in thin pajamas, the sensation felt through the fabric was all the more vivid. Her soft skin clung to me as if embracing my scars. Especially because of our chests pressed together, a heavy mass of flesh was pushing against my chest. The obvious form was squashed by the force of the embrace, and only the soft, pressing sensation was clearly conveyed. Between our warmth, our unspoken breaths mingled.

‘So close.’

Was it too late to think such a thing? I dismissed it with an indifferent laugh. Being held like this, I felt like a pillow. Putting aside my strange feelings, I quietly asked the fox, who was still awake. It was a question expressing my wonder.

“Miss Irene.”

“Hm?”

“Why are you sleeping here when you have a perfectly good bed?”

“Because it’s comfortable.”

“That’s clear.”

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“That’s not exactly it. But I thought it would be better for you to sleep in your own room. My room only has one bed, you see.”

“…”

Irene quietly closed her mouth. A brief silence followed. The blunt atmosphere slowly crumbled. Her ears, perched on her head, drooped weakly, and her slender fingers intertwined with mine as if binding me. The girl mumbled faintly, as if sinking into water.

“…Just, let me stay beside you.”

Her eyes looked up at me intently. Her clear pupils held only my reflection. Whenever she reacted with such a pitiful expression, pushing her away coldly felt like a cruel thing to do. In the end, I let it go this time too. I gently patted the girl’s back with a calm hand.

“Alright.”

“Thank you.”

“It wasn’t a problem at all. Don’t worry about it and get to sleep.”

“Mm… Okay.”

Only then did the fox close her open eyelids. I held the girl’s body for a while, until her faint breathing became steady. Our body temperatures mixed as if melting together. Leaning on each other, time headed towards dawn.

***

By now, it was dawn. Outside the window, only the darkness, imbued with soft moonlight and starlight, filled the scenery. It was a perfect night, without even a trace of sunset remaining.

*Softly breathing.*

The fox let out faint breaths. The snake briefly watched the sleeping girl, then withdrew his gaze and rose from where he lay. His quiet steps led him out of the bed.

“…”

The liar was awake alone. He lightly sat on the sofa. Having overused his power in the past few days, it seemed he was trying to recover his output whenever there was a small gap. The snake formed a blue window and moved his lips.

“I confess to myself. I have never once lied in my life.”

As always, a string of deceit repeated and chewed over. Soon after, a notification rang from the dormant status window.

*Ding!*

[A small amount of lies has been recovered.] [Current remaining output: 24.3%]

The boy continued accumulating. His voice, clear and unadorned, contained no emotion whatsoever. He merely recited the sentences with cold eyes.

“I ate stew for lunch today.”

*Ding!*

[A small amount of lies has been recovered.] [Current remaining output: 24.8%]

“I am currently outdoors.”

*Ding!*

[A small amount of lies has been recovered.] [Current remaining output: 25.2%]

“I hate games.”

*Ding!*

[A small amount of lies has been recovered.] [Current remaining output: 25.7%]

“I am not human.”

*Ding!*

[Lies have…]

The sequence of lies continued for a while. Thus, until morning arrived, the snake spent the night repeating countless falsehoods.

***

The next day, I visited Astro’s headquarters. It was to hear a report on the attack that had occurred a few days prior. As news came that the main witness had regained consciousness, I immediately moved to meet her. This time, I didn’t take a carriage. Instead, Lena came to pick me up herself.

“Let’s go.”

The black-haired woman extended her hand in front of a shimmering portal. Thanks to her, we arrived without delay. After hearing a rough overview of the situation from the Deputy Commander, I met the witness waiting in the hospital room. She was a woman with long, flowing white hair.

“Miss Medro.”

Medro Gardner. The Vicar General of the Church and the person in charge of overseeing the attacked Lisit branch. She was also an individual cooperating with us. I offered a light greeting, then sat facing her.

“I worried a lot… I’m glad to see you’ve recovered well.”

“It’s all thanks to the Commander-nim’s grace.”

I had been worried about her low vitality, but fortunately, she seemed to have recovered over the past few days. The woman politely expressed her gratitude. It was a graceful gesture typical of church people.

“I heard you once again displayed a miracle. Thanks to your devotion, countless of the flock were saved. For this, I offer my endless gratitude.”

“A miracle… it was merely a minor trick. Please don’t be bothered by it.”

“Since I have prolonged my fleeting life through such a precious connection, surely this too is the will of Heaven. Commander-nim must undoubtedly be a saint chosen by God.”

“My members are listening beside us. It’s embarrassing, so please stop there.”

“As you wish.”

Miracles, salvation, saints… pushing past the embarrassing compliments, I redirected the conversation back to its original purpose. I began to inquire about the circumstances at the time of the attack. Of course, as it was a sudden incident, I couldn’t obtain very detailed information. However, I was satisfied with merely grasping a faint silhouette.

“I don’t know if it will be of much help… but I saw a giant shadow in the darkness.”

“A giant shadow…?”

“It was a malevolent power. I felt my faith tested just by encountering it, as if countless sacrifices of blood had been made.”

“If even Miss Medro, the Vicar General, felt that way, then in reality, it must have been a disaster.”

“It was truly a trial.”

“Hmm.”

This was quite a good harvest. A giant shadow. Knowing the original story, I had a rough idea. Both the Conductor and this fellow seemed to be appearing a bit earlier than in the original, so it was fortunate that I was able to recognize them immediately. This allowed me to prepare more concretely for the impending crisis.

“I’ll conclude the investigation here. It was very helpful.”

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

“You can stay here for a while. It’s highly likely that the cultists are still watching.”

“Thank you for your grace. And the other surviving brothers and sisters…”

“I plan to protect them as well. In return, I’d appreciate it if the priests could assist us with some of our work.”

“We would gladly answer such a call.”

“Hehe.”

Through this incident, I had gained valuable assets. Lisit was originally a gathering of clergy dedicated to protecting a single region. As such, skilled and influential individuals gathered there. From the perspective of having to chase after Baob from now on, the addition of these veterans was very welcome news. I rose from my seat with satisfaction.

‘This should… conclude one task.’

It seemed like a good conclusion. I stepped out of the hospital room and headed to my next destination. It was none other than the playroom where the children were gathered.