Chapter 437: Proof of Existence (25)

0% That day, Senior Elsie seemed noticeably unsettled.

It happened to be the day right after my argument with the Saintess. With a heavy heart, I could only trudge along aimlessly.

In truth, there was nothing logically flawed in what the Saintess had said.

To endure a small sacrifice to prevent greater loss–I had outright rejected that. But the perspective of a mere swordsman and that of a politician responsible for the destiny of an entire nation were bound to differ.

My insistence that I’d somehow find another way was nothing but blind optimism.

Politicians had to make decisions based on cold reason. They couldn’t afford to rely solely on stubborn determination, as I did. Although I understood that clearly, I still couldn’t shake off this gloomy feeling.

Even so, I’d thought the Saintess would understand.

At the very least, I had hoped that she’d sympathize with my desire to save the children. But the burden she carried far surpassed anything I could imagine. I still couldn’t forget the vacant expression she’d worn.

Perhaps because the secret surrounding this orphanage held consequences of great magnitude.

While I deeply sympathized with the Saintess’s position, my heart was clouded by a growing sense of helplessness. If I couldn’t rely on her support within the Holy Nation, then whose help could I possibly seek?

Should I borrow the authority of the Imperial family?

It was certainly an appealing option, but I quickly had to abandon such a blasphemous thought. To leverage the Imperial family’s name while uncovering the Holy Nation’s darkest secrets?

That would surely escalate into a diplomatic nightmare. No matter how much I’d previously borrowed their name, there were lines even I couldn’t cross.

Then what am I supposed to do now?

Lost in these grim thoughts, I happened upon Senior Elsie.

Trembling all alone in the middle of an empty clearing, the small girl caught my eye immediately. Tilting my head in puzzlement, I made my way toward her.

In her hand was a small booklet.

I couldn’t make out the title clearly, but a quick glance told me it was a book introducing peculiar cultures from various countries, with a notable focus on the Southern Confederacy–likely because it was a confederation of many countries and tribes.

Rumors even claimed some of those tribes still performed human sacrifices.

In many ways, the Southern Confederacy was indeed an odd place. At least, everyone I’d met from there had been unusual in one way or another.

Not to mention that thug Thean–even the top student in our grade’s Knight Division was no exception.

What kind of bizarre custom could Senior Elsie have come across to leave her trembling like that?

A faint call slipped from my lips.

“……Senior Elsie?”

“Hiiiiieeeeek?!”

Senior Elsie nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of my voice.

She shot me a wary glare and then began casting furtive glances in every direction.

At that point, I couldn’t help but grow even more curious about the contents of the book she was clutching so tightly.

I subtly pointed toward the book clutched in Senior Elsie’s arms.

“What’s wrong? What kind of book were you reading……?”

To make matters worse, Senior Elsie suddenly broke into a fresh wave of cold sweat.

“Ah! M-Master…T-This, um, this book is, well…”

Her shoulders slumped. After sneaking glances at my face for a while, Senior Elsie finally caved and confessed the contents of the book.

“It’s a book about extremely savage customs!”

“Savage customs?”

This time, her hesitation was brief. Perhaps deciding on a change of strategy, Senior Elsie suddenly stomped her foot in outrage.

“It says there’s a barbaric tribe that eats dogs! In the summer, no less–just to boost their stamina! How could anyone do something so awful? Dogs… dogs have been humanity’s loyal companions for ages…!”

Faced with her misty-eyed outburst, I gave a vague hum.

My eyes subtly scanned Senior Elsie’s body. Though she tried her best to appear furious, the way her body stiffened revealed her true state of mind clearly enough.

“Isn’t that a complete betrayal of loyalty?! How could they do something like that? Dogs are nothing but loving toward humans…”

‘Eating,’ huh?

She obviously meant it literally, but the fact that the person in front of me was Senior Elsie made matters complicated. My mind naturally wandered toward the metaphorical meaning of ‘eating.’

Between men and women, ‘eating’ usually only meant one thing.

Unintentionally, I recalled a memory from the past–the soft feel of Senior Elsie’s skin, and how, despite her petite frame, her body was developed in all the right places.

Maybe I was just tired from the day before, but this particular thought bypassed my brain entirely and ran straight down my spine.

“……Sounds pretty nice, actually.”

“Hiiiiieeeek?!”

At my offhand remark, tears welled up in Senior Elsie’s eyes.

Dropping the book to the ground, she hugged herself, shivering uncontrollably.

“Please spare me! Don’t push me over the edge like this… I swear I’ll behave from now on! I’ll listen to everything you say, Master! I won’t bully others, I’ll only speak kind words to everyone… and, and also……”

I hadn’t seen her this terrified in a long time. Although I had no idea why she was this frightened, one particular phrase from her desperate mutterings stood out to me sharply.

“You said you’ll listen to everything I say from now on?”

“Y-Yes… I’ll do whatever you say. So please don’t eat Elsie…”

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Senior Elsie clung to the hem of my pants. I smiled brightly down at her and said,

“Then let’s think of a way to convince the Saintess together.”

“Yes, yes… anything at all… huh?”

That was when her crying came to an abrupt stop.

She stared blankly up at me for a second, then quickly furrowed her brows and began to grumble.

“Why do I have to convince that bit–”

“Kind words.”

“…I mean, may I ask why I must persuade that esteemed lady, Master? Hehe.”

And thus, the plan we settled on was called the ‘Make-the-Saintess-Jealous Operation.’

For the record, it wasn’t my idea. Even if I am trash, I wouldn’t think of something like this for a girl who actually confessed to me.

Of course, Senior Elsie didn’t seem all that enthusiastic about it either.

Still, the reason she agreed to take on such a role was because this incident wasn’t entirely unrelated to Sir Reynold.

Since her uncle was tangled up in this, she had no choice but to actively step in.

Regardless, I was grateful for her help.

After all, it was thanks to her that I was able to stroll through the downtown alone with the Saintess like this.

However, we couldn’t walk around with our faces exposed and ended up pulling our hoods down low. We were both too well-known, and the moment our identities were revealed, any chance at a private moment would slip away.

Perhaps, in a way, this was actually a stroke of luck.

My hand was loosely linked with the Saintess’s. It was supposedly just a precaution to avoid losing each other in the bustling crowds. Though, looking back now, it might’ve just been an excuse.

Throughout our walk, the Saintess didn’t say a word.

Could she be recalling our conversation from last night?

She wasn’t naive enough not to guess why I’d suddenly asked her out. She must have realized from the start that this was meant as a gesture of reconciliation and had likely seen through the intentions hidden beneath it, too.

I wanted to take this opportunity to persuade her.

And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I needed to say something–anything–but my thoughts were too tangled, and the words wouldn’t come together. Instead, it was the Saintess who finally broke the silence.

“…Were you surprised?”

At her soft teasing, a bitter smile crept onto my lips.

It was a painfully accurate jab. Honestly, my body was far stiffer than normal at the moment.

The reason for that traced back to when I’d first seen the Saintess earlier today, before we put on our hooded cloaks.

Just this morning, she’d looked worn out, barely holding my hand with any strength. She said she’d only be free in the afternoon, so I went to see her at the agreed time–only to be greeted by the goddess of beauty herself.

For a while, I’d forgotten.

Every place the Saintess and I had gone before had been soaked in blood or plagued with sickness. Dressing up or worrying about appearances had never been an option. But when it came to a private outing with a man she had feelings for, that was a different story.

Even a subtle touch of makeup could elevate a woman’s beauty beyond measure.

And today, I learned that lesson firsthand. Even the faintest smile beneath the shade of her hood was enough to keep me from meeting her eyes.

The Saintess seemed rather pleased by my reaction.

“Have you finally realized just who it is you’re walking beside?”

“Er, well…”

When I awkwardly dodged her question, a faint chuckle slipped between the Saintess’s lips.

She gave me an amused glance, giggling softly, before suddenly poking her finger into my side.

“Ugh! Hey, what are you– Ow, ow!”

Having trained in the Holy Nation’s secret technique, even her finger jabs carried surprising force. In the end, I had no choice but to let out small, pathetic yelps instead of groans.

Truth be told, I could’ve easily endured it, but I figured this reaction might put her in a better mood.

Fortunately, it seemed my guess was spot-on.

The Saintess soon bit down on a satisfied smile.

“So behave yourself. And stop letting your eyes wander.”

Then, raising herself slightly onto her tiptoes, she whispered another meaningful warning.

“…And don’t even think about ruining my good mood.”

‘Hah.’ I could only let out a wry chuckle.

It was just like the Saintess. Since we were on a date, she was indirectly telling me not to bring up anything that could spoil the atmosphere.

Of course, that didn’t mean I’d give up easily.

“So as long as I don’t ruin your mood, does that mean there’s still a chance?”

“Feel free to try your luck.”

With a small huff, the Saintess curtly dismissed my words.

Clearly, she had no intention of changing her stance. Though I kept a calm facade, my inner struggle only intensified.

Nothing I could think of seemed persuasive enough to sway the Saintess.

Well, maybe one method did come to mind.

Perhaps dragging her into somewhere private, cornering her with forceful words, and throwing in a little sexual harassment would do the trick.

It was an utterly trashy idea. But given the Saintess’s peculiar preferences, that might actually be the most effective way.

That’s when I sensed something odd.

With a puzzled expression, my eyes turned toward a quiet corner of the crowded street. The Saintess, who’d been pretending to act aloof, followed my gaze.

Then her brows knitted tightly together.

“…Huh?”

Standing there was a familiar face–Perry Quartz, the merchant who’d collapsed while bleeding just last night. Walking alongside him were several others, including Ria.

Their atmosphere seemed friendly enough, but one glance at their attire gave it away.

It was a gathering of merchants. The friendly air was likely just for show.

That’s when two questions rose in my mind.

“Has Perry already regained consciousness?”

“Yes, he woke up this morning… but I specifically told him to rest for a while longer.”

It was the expected response. Without another word, I nodded thoughtfully a couple of times.

But the real question troubling me was something else entirely.

My second question was–

“Should we tail them?”

The Saintess visibly hesitated. Her feelings were written plainly across her face.

Disappointment, reluctance, anxiety, and worry.

Finally, a long sigh slipped between her pretty lips.

“…If this turns out to be nothing, know that someone’s going to regret it.”

It was unclear who her warning was aimed at.

Was it me or Perry?

Either way, it didn’t matter.

Thus began the covert pursuit by two suspiciously hooded figures.

Needless to say, anyone watching would’ve found us shady as hell.