episode_0118

117.

Erina herself had begun to think she was overly optimistic and carefree. Even though she was separately handling church business, she’d started to feel she had too little to do. Before the parishioners arrived, there was always more than enough work, but with everyone else doing almost all the chores, she felt excessively relaxed. In Barahm, such peaceful feelings wouldn’t have been a problem, but this is wartime. Moreover, demons are nearby, so she shouldn’t let her guard down, but she keeps feeling her resolve weakening.

Even when she tries to whip herself into shape, it’s only temporary; her innate nature is unavoidable.

Furthermore, even though it’s wartime, the feeling of fighting was incredibly faint. This was because, thanks to Erina’s preemptive hinting, it had degenerated into a sex contest. Sex, being something she does routinely, had become completely numb and dull.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t decided on the treatment of those who attacked first. There’s no reason to treat them harshly, and since they believe in the same goddess, there’s no need to proselytize.

“Kira-ssi, where are the Fried Church members?”

“I was just about to mention it. I’ve put them in the inner room, but they don’t look very good.”

Kira, who is changing back into her original shrine maiden’s robes, is a shrine maiden she met by chance on the road. It’s a sect that doesn’t follow the doctrines of the goddess’ faith but doesn’t deny her either. Nevertheless, they were almost pathologically hated by the Fried Church, the largest sect that believes in the goddess. Therefore, they were somewhat at odds, but they were able to unite under the banner of a common enemy, and now Kira serves Erina’s desires.

Leaving aside her aptitude as a female, her shrine maiden skills are proving quite helpful, making her all the more indispensable. I get the feeling she’s hiding something, but I don’t sense any major problems. That’s because I’ve diligently trained her well.

“Not good? In what sense should I understand that?”

“They’re just chanting prayers in the room. I thought there was no need to supervise them, but that seems to be what they’ve been doing lately.”

“…Hmm. Should we go and see them?”

“Let’s.”

This thought itself is impious, but the feeling of fresh stimulation makes my heart start to pound.

Following Kira’s guidance, we go there. As she said, five people who seem mentally unstable are huddled in different corners, trembling. Using Appraisal, I confirm their mental strength is almost depleted. There’s nothing inside the church that would drain mental strength, which is questionable.

“Hello? How was your sleep?”

“……Almighty Goddess, please….”

Looking around, there seems to be no one to respond. Their condition seems worse than I thought.

The only answer that comes to my conclusion is an attack.

“Kira-ssi, who has entered this room?”

“Well, I didn’t monitor it. But it might just be a nun who came to bring them food.”

It’s an unnecessary suspicion. There’s no way someone in the church would attack with malice. The idea of the Fried Church sending assassins is also a ridiculous fantasy; I’ll dismiss that.

“…Demons?”

“Inside the church? What a joke. If they released their magic power here, *swish*—instant annihilation, right?”, Kira mimes cutting her throat with the edge of her hand.

That’s true. Even if only the nuns could sense magic, all five of them are clergy, so they wouldn’t be easily subdued. I have no idea about any other forces.

‘No, no. The fact that the answer functioned means it isn’t unknown. Let’s think carefully.’

All the clues are definitely there.

“Well, it could be because they’re unfamiliar with the environment.”

“Environment… I’d rather consider the possibility of an enemy than something so simple.”

“An enemy… Hmm….”

Kira also doesn’t have any suspects. She had prepared for an invasion in her own way, so she couldn’t think of any external forces.

“I hesitate to say this, but what if demons secretly infiltrated, hiding their magic power?”

“…Is that even possible?”

Even if concealed, the moment they’d leak even a trace, it would have been noticed immediately.

“…Hanna, Hanna-ssi.”

“Hanna…? The black-haired girl, right? She seems fine.”

Erina shakes her head.

“I think Hanna-ssi is under the influence of the demons. Though I didn’t feel any magic, you see.”

“Then that’s a big deal! Where is that black-haired girl?”

“Hanna-ssi was sleeping. She was with me before and after she slept. Austi-ssi can testify. Though she’s not here right now.”

“Aha! So the problem is the two orc-s who joined late and the nun.”

I nod cautiously. I don’t want to admit it, but as a possible cause based on the results of the analysis, this is the most plausible. I’ve undone all the abnormal statuses, and there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed it with Appraisal, but if this is the only possibility I can think of, I have no choice but to at least check. If it’s not this, we can think about it again later.

“Hee hee hee. Kuku.”

“Why are you suddenly laughing so suspiciously…?”

“Ah, sorry. I was just laughing, but you say it looks suspicious. That hurts a little. When I’m with you, I’m always busy, you know.”

“Is that so? I guess that’s true. It seems that whenever I think I have nothing to do, an incident breaks out.”

The fact that trivial conversations and jokes are exchanged is certainly because they don’t understand the seriousness of the situation. It wasn’t long before I realized that this is not the time for a relaxed stroll with a faint smile.

Ahh~ Uuuuhhh…♡

Aaaaaah…!! Aan……!

Uooh Oooooooooo……

Faint moans could be heard from beyond the wall. It’s nothing unusual, since, under the guise of the goddess’ teachings, they’re always having genuine sexual intercourse. Besides, they might be training their bodies to prepare for the holy war. Nevertheless, to Erina’s ears, it sounded like a discordant cacophony, filled with displeasure.

Erina stops, and Kira stops with her. She also faintly heard the moans, but she didn’t interpret them as much as Erina.

“Let’s go in the direction of that sound.”

“Huh? Your expression…it doesn’t seem like you want it because you’re horny. It’s a hunch, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. I hope it’s just a worry.”

The worry was accurate. However, it seems we’re too late.

Lying in the room, in a disheveled state, she lets out pained moans. There seems to be no physical harm, but whatever happened, the mental harm is visible. It’s not to the extent of saying it’s excessive for what was done, but I wouldn’t treat someone like this in such a way.

“Are you alright? Should I get you some water?”

“Heeiit…”

Kira shakes her head. She can’t fully understand Erina’s feelings, but she obviously understands how devastating it is. The playful smile disappears. She must have trusted the people, the parishioners, more than anyone, but to receive such a betrayal is surely the worst outcome. Though her expression isn’t visible, she’s clearly despondent or angry. Imagining an angry Erina is difficult, but this is certainly infuriating.

“…Cowardly.”

“Exactly. Are you going to take revenge?”

Erina’s voice is lower than usual. Her usually bright, gentle voice is so cold that it’s completely new to me. The naked nun held in both her arms is trembling.

“Revenge? No way. I’m a clergywoman. I won’t do such barbaric acts.”

Her words have become harsher. It’s a calm voice, yet it’s full of strength.

“Calm down first. You know the culprit…”

“I’m perfectly calm.”

Erina answers, turning her back. It’s not the expression I expected; it’s her usual peaceful expression. While the relaxed smile has disappeared, there’s no anger. It’s not a quiet rage, either. Or, maybe this is how she expresses anger.

“Kira-ssi.”

“Ah, yes?”

The softly called voice snaps her out of her thoughts.

“Do you have much free time today?”

“…Yeah. What else would I have to do? Of course, I’ll accompany you.”

“Let’s hurry. We’ve wasted time. Ah, take care of those people properly before we leave.”

Erina’s thoughts weren’t so different from Kira’s. She just didn’t have a concrete grasp of her anger. She had never truly expressed anger, whether in annoyance or complaint. It’s not that she lacked anger; it’s a question of whether she could unleash it full force. She didn’t even recognize it as such herself, so it’s understandable that Kira is confused.

Therefore, this isn’t something that could be called revenge. To put it bluntly, it’s judgment. The punishment those who attempt to defy the goddess should rightfully receive. Even a wise nun, even a Mother Superior, wouldn’t easily make this judgment, but the opponent is a demon. Their existence itself is hostile to the goddess. No, currently, as the goddess’s representative, I believe she has more than enough qualifications to deliver judgment.

She needs to move quickly before more victims appear.

Erina, with a firm resolution, sets off toward the infiltrating agent.