episode_0248

Edan exuded an aura that seemed like he could draw his sword and engage in a duel at any moment. Ever since the hero uttered nonsense, there was a vague expectation that things would turn out this way.

From the start, Edan’s attitude was lukewarm at best.

It was clear that when we had our conversation about turning Cerista into a saint, he had firmly agreed to it. So, it was surprising to hear him say something different now.

“I hope this guy doesn’t really have any intentions towards me….”

I fervently wished it wouldn’t be the case. If Edan, who was already pushing the boundaries with me, were to make a move as well, it would be a headache.

From the perspective of a former unicorn, I believed that a woman could only have one man in her life. Once she shared a bed with more than one man, she was no different from a defiled woman.

I could possibly be the release, even the destined defiled woman I mentioned. Nevertheless, I managed to change my fate with my own strength, escaping from the miserable fate of group rape, drug trafficking, and even being eaten by a dog.

In the process, I unintentionally did some things with Edan, but I still considered myself to be at a level where I could be recognized as a virgin by my own standards.

I hadn’t done anything strange with any other man besides Edan, and I hadn’t even crossed the final line with him.

But in this state, would I be attacked by Edan now? Just like the release who was saved by the original hero?

…I had to prevent that at all costs. If I were to truly become the ‘defiled woman’ in this world, I might end up taking my own life due to self-loathing.

“I haven’t finished speaking yet, Edan. So, don’t misunderstand and listen.”

“I don’t see where the misunderstanding lies in what you just blabbered. Wasn’t it clear to everyone that I was about to say I would put my release in your party, filled with those women who worship you?”

“Wait, I’ve never worshiped that guy. Don’t mix things up strangely.”

Agnes snapped back, denying Edan’s words, while Seraphine and Cerista remained silent, avoiding eye contact.

Having roughly grasped the heroine capture route of Edan that she didn’t want to know about, the hero’s rebuttal came back immediately.

“What I said was simply that we need to make sure who suits the role of a saint better. I never said the release had to be a saint, nor did I say she was necessary for the hero party.”

“…Explain properly. If there’s a reason I can’t accept, then we may have to have a conversation with swords instead of words.”

“The qualification of a saint is a power bestowed by the gods, not something that humans can freely transfer here and there. Do you think it’s possible for humans to move that power around as they please?

If you were to anger the goddess Aurelia by doing such a thing and she were to revoke the release’s saint qualification, what then? If both of you cease to be saints, how will you deal with the impending threat of the demon king?”

“…Just as the release didn’t become a saint as soon as she was born, someone with the qualification of a saint may appear somewhere in the world again. Perhaps the lady who always accompanies you might truly receive a new revelation and become a real saint.”

In this way, if Cerista becomes a saint, I’m fine with it. I also want to leave my partner, who I’ve been with for a long time, as a priest. But what if a girl with the qualifications of a saint appears in a remote rural village where there isn’t even a church? No, what if the very concept of being a saint disappears? What will we do then?”

“So, in your mind, Lady Aurelia was such a irresponsible being. Do you think that the goddess would distort the issue of the world’s salvation with simple whims?”

“…I come from a world where I am an atheist, so saying that doesn’t mean anything. And even if there is a meaning behind the actions of the gods, how can humans understand it?

What I’m saying is, if a saint is chosen by the gods, then if they are going to change that destiny, they must show evidence that Cerista must be a saint to the extent that even the gods can know.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

“Yes?”

The incomprehensible words coming out of Gyeommyeojosegi’s mouth made Edan, Agnes, and I all express our doubts at the same time.

And amidst that, there were two people who seemed to understand his words, probably Cerista and Seraphine, who were likely the most faithful among those present.

“Gyeommyeojosegi’s argument is not entirely wrong, Master Edan.”

“What do you mean, Princess Seraphine?”

“If Lady Aurelia had a reason to designate Lilith as a saint, it would be similar to the reason why Cerista is no longer a saint. At least at the time Lilith obtained the qualifications of a saint, she would have been closer to a saint than Cerista.

But it has been over 7 years since the day the prophecy of the saint’s qualifications came down. Will Lilith still have better qualifications as a saint now, or has Cerista, who has been steadily working hard for 7 years, gained more qualifications to be a saint? We won’t know unless we show it to the gods directly.”

“….”

“For now, it is most common tradition for a saint to be a partner of a hero, so Lilith needs to act as Gyeommyeojosegi’s partner at least once. And by comparing her appearance at that time to Cerista’s appearance as a partner so far, we can prove who is more suitable for a saint.

If we can at least prove that Cerista’s qualifications as a saint are not lacking, there will be no need to incur the wrath of Lady Aurelia.”

Edan, who had been trying to refute each point with anger in Gyeommyeojosegi’s words, listened to Seraphine’s words with a relatively calm demeanor.

Although the idea of temporarily acting as a hero’s partner did not sit well with him.

“To… be Lilith’s partner with that hero…”

“Once is enough, Master Edan. After all, Cerista has been active by the hero’s side without even having the qualifications of a saint until now.

Just because Lilith acts together once, Lady Aurelia will not disregard the value of the efforts Cerista has made by the hero’s side so far.”

“….”

“…Master Edan?”

Edan, who was deeply contemplating the difficult decision ahead, finally turned his gaze towards Cerista before making his final decision.

“Cerista, may I ask you one question before making a judgment? Is that okay?”

“Oh, yes, of course….”

“Setting aside matters of blasphemy or faith, has Serista ever thought about becoming a real saint to assist that hero?”

“I, I…”

“I hope you can answer honestly, Serista. That way, I can make a rational judgment as well.”

Serista, feeling a bit shaken by the thought that her words could have a significant impact on the outcome, was relieved when her response echoed her true desires.

“I, not even for a single moment…”

“…”

“Not even for a single moment, have I forgotten my desire to become a real saint…”

“Is that so.”

“I have always wished to have a bit more strength by the hero’s side. When the hero was injured, I thought that if I were a real saint, I could have prevented it. And when the hero was in danger, I believed that with the powers of a saint, I could have saved him. I think about it every single day.”

“…”

“I know it’s sacrilegious for someone who worships the gods, but this is my true sincerity, Edan.”

“Alright, I understand. Thanks to Serista’s courageous statement, I can now make a decision.”

Edan, nodding firmly as if he had made up his mind, extended three fingers towards the others in the meeting room.

“Allow Lilith to accompany you as your partner. However, there are three additional conditions I must add.”

“What conditions?”

“First, the partnership will only be allowed once. I have allowed the partnership for this one occasion, and I will not permit changing your mind after the task is completed. Since you have already had many partnerships with Serista, the same conditions apply to Lilith.”

“Fine. I think once is enough anyway.”

“Second, while the hero party activities as partners are allowed, no physical contact between you and Lilith is permitted. If you ignore my warning and try to hold Lilith’s hand, I will cut off your hand.”

“Even in any situation?”

“…Except in a situation where it is necessary to save Lilith’s life.”

“Okay. I was actually going to ask about that. What’s the last condition?”

“The last condition…”

Edan glanced briefly at the members of the party in the meeting room. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he added the final condition of assigning me as a temporary partner of the party.

“I will also participate in the hero party where you and Lilith are accompanying. I cannot trust a harem party with only you and women.”

“…”

“If you refuse this, I will assume that you have other intentions towards Lilith, and I will cut your throat right here.”

…Why is even a temporary partnership for passing on the qualifications of a saint so confusing?

One thing was certain, this partnership was not going to end so easily.