Irene took a deep breath. She had purposely avoided seeing him for the past few days. She needed to calm her mind and organize her thoughts before speaking to him.

However, she heard that he would be leaving as early as tomorrow. Mierkant had conveyed that there was no longer any time to delay.

"Is it alright to let him go like that?"

With that single sentence, Irene decided what she needed to do.

The moon was bright.

Just like the day she first met him.

"Senior?"

"Wait, just a moment."

Strangely, her heart was racing. Normally, whenever a man spoke to her, her heart remained as calm as ice, but something felt off.

Was it because he had helped her? Or was it because he was the first person to pull her out from her nightmares?

She had thought it was an issue no one could solve. Yet, he had extended his hand so casually.

As if it was the natural thing to do.

The city was quiet. This path was a secluded place only she knew, surrounded by nothing but a silent forest.

"Junior..."

Irene found her own voice unfamiliar.

She could see it trembling pointlessly.

"What do you plan to do when you get to the Cult Headquarters, junior?"

"Well, I'll just tell everything as it is."

He smiled as if he wasn't worried at all. Irene turned her head slightly.

For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to look at his face directly.

"I have evidence that he's a bad guy, so if I go there and present it clearly... everything should turn out well, right?"

"When you get to the Cult Headquarters, Bishop Brody, Beverick's father, will be there."

"Bishop Brody or not, if he's done wrong, he deserves to be reprimanded. Maybe this time we can deal with them both together."

Irene couldn't help but laugh involuntarily. His open-mindedness was occasionally difficult to keep up with.

‘A fascinating person. A mysterious child.

What would happen if a few more years passed like this? What kind of person would he become?

...What kind of man would he become?’

"Junior."

"Yes?"

"I'm curious about something. How old are you now?"

"...You're asking me this now?"

"Well, can't I? I don't even know the ages of the other kids or Priest Mierkant. It's the first time I'm asking someone's age, so I don't mean anything by it..."

"It's okay. Well, I'm not hurt by it."

The sound of grass crunching underfoot.

Irene cautiously looked back at him.

"...Are you sure?"

"Oh, absolutely. Would a grown man really get hurt over something like this? Maybe just a little sulky?"

"I'm, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean anything by it..."

Jahad laughed.

"I'm joking. You have a cute side, Senior."

"W-What did you say?"

"At first, you were so serious with me. I thought you were like a doll. Just being pretty isn't enough; you need a bit of human touch."

"Human... what?!"

"Yeah, you have to know how to get angry too."

Jahad playfully poked Irene's side.

"So, how about it? Are you a bit more relaxed now?"

"...Huh?"

Irene blinked.

‘Come to think of it, my voice isn't shaking anymore.

Could he have known everything and was being considerate?’

Irene glared at Jahad sharply.

"Still, I can't forgive that comment just now. I'm much older than you, you know."

"Who would know you're older?"

"I know. No matter how I look at it, Junior, you seem to be about fifteen."

"...Are you sure? What if I'm older than that?"

"I'm sure. If you were older, you'd be taller than me."

"I grew 0.5cm taller than yesterday! Just wait a year. I'm planning to look down on you from way above, Senior, so be prepared."

"Hehe."

Irene stopped walking and looked at Jahad, who was walking beside her.

"Can I look forward to it?"

"...Look forward?"

"Yes."

"Well, when it comes to height... surely, I won't stop growing here, right? If I don't grow, I'll have a word with the gods."

"That's irreverent."

"I'm kind of close to them."

‘Close, he says. If anyone else had said that, I would have frowned.’

But strangely, Irene couldn't get angry with him.

‘I become more lenient. When I'm in front of him, my expression softens naturally.

Words that need to be said. Words that can no longer be postponed.’

"...Thank you."

Irene reached out and gently patted his head.

"Thank you, Jahad. I'll never forget how you helped me and stood by me."

"Don't worry about it. I did it for my own peace of mind. Besides, I didn’t like that guy, remember? I've never seen such trash in my life."

"Still, thank you. If it weren't for you... I might have spent my whole life cursing that day."

The black hair that brushes against her fingertips is soft. Even the slightly sharp eyes looking up at her are endearing. Irene, gently stroked his head.

"I'll repay this kindness."

"I told you, it's not about kindness."

"Then what is it?"

"...Admiration?"

"Admiration?"

"You've taught me a lot, Senior. Honestly, I thought you wouldn't teach me anything at first. But even when I teased you subtly, you stayed true to your role."

Jahad took a step back, nodded, and looked up at Irene.

"I like people like that."

"Li-like?"

"I admire you."

"You didn't need to change it right away."

Irene quickly turned her head away.

Jahad suddenly asked as if something had come to mind.

"By the way, Senior."

"Yes?"

"What score do I have?"

"...Score?"

"You know, what you mentioned on the first day. I had a lot of demerits. But you haven't said anything about it lately... Have I graduated from being a pest yet?"

"What pest are you talking about?"

Irene lightly tapped Jahad on the head.

"In front of me..."

She hesitated, feeling a bit embarrassed. But she wanted to say it, so Irene continued, even though her voice wavered slightly.

"There's only my beloved junior."

"...Ahaha."

Jahad turned his head slightly. His ears were a bit red.

"That's a bit embarrassing."

"Embarrassing?"

"Oh, come on. Of course, I get embarrassed too."

"Really? Is that true?"

Irene gazed at him intently.

‘Ah, Ra.

As we talked, I realized.

Please forgive my current defiance.’

"So how old are you, really?"

"I am fifteen. How about you, Senior?"

"I'm eighteen, so there’s a three-year difference between us."

‘I intended to live my life without knowing a man, but this feels unavoidable.

Please, have mercy.’

"That's quite suitable. Very much so."

"...What is?"

"There's just something about it. This deployment I'm going on, I think I'm going. I broke my promise with you, Junior."

"I knew the moment I threw that punch, I wouldn’t be able to go. But it’s fine. I’m a genius, so I can learn anywhere."

"...That’s true. Since you're a genius, Junior, you can surely learn a lot. And I will learn a lot so I can teach you as much as possible."

"Will our branch produce a Paladin?"

"I will definitely become one."

‘I've got one more goal now.

A Paladin is one of the priests at the Sun God Religion's Cult Headquarters.

If I earn money, I'm sure I can secure at least a house in the city where the Cult Headquarters is located.

There, just the two of us, reading the scriptures every night.’

"Once everything is over, I'll come for you."

“...Huh? Why?"

"Junior, you asked about the score earlier, didn't you?"

Irene took a few steps ahead, then turned to look at him. Her silver hair fluttered, and her blue eyes shone softly like starlight.

In an instant, time seemed to stop. Amidst a nightscape that seemed to embody beauty itself, she whispered.

"Perfect score. Congratulations."

...Was it a confession?

Surely not.

I boarded the carriage. With a somehow relieved-looking Mierkant and Irene seeing me off, I left the city of Benelda.

Come to think of it, I first arrived here by carriage too. Ha ha. What a coincidence.

Returning in triumph!

No, I guess that's not quite right since I don't have a hometown.

"Can you...loosen this a bit?"

"Shut up! Heretic!"

I punched Beverick, who was squirming next to me. The Inquisitors flinched but didn't intervene.

"He's a heretic...so he deserves it."

"At least we're not pulling out his fingernails."

"Isn't he our faithful brother?"

"There's a reason for beating him. Indeed."

It was worth the trouble. Even the thorough Radatok didn't add a word! He just opened his eyes briefly and then closed them again. Whenever I felt bored, I took it out on Beverick. Considering what I had endured, no amount of beating would ever be enough.

This is true stress relief! Absolutely!

The carriage moved steadily forward. The Cult of Ra Headquarters was located in one of the affluent cities, Ainkad.

It was quite a distance, so the coachman changed several times. Since there weren't any villages to stop by, we camped along the way.

Do you know how annoying it is to grill meat every night?

I slyly tried to put down the tongs. However, the Inquisitors openly gave me a look.

"I'd love to taste Brother's grilled meat."

"Ah, help yourself. I've grilled so much for you already."

"The others' grilling doesn't taste as good."

With tears in my eyes, I continued grilling the meat. These bastards. Just wait until this holy trial is over.

I'll never grill for them again!

On the sixth night after leaving Benelda, I was grilling meat once more. These cursed Inquisitors must really be under Dimona, their strength was impressive.

Every night, they tirelessly caught animals as if they were hunters, not priests.

With tears in my eyes, I grilled wild boar meat, skewering it on a stick and spinning it around like a barbecue.

The Inquisitors gathered, mouths watering. Then, some of them suddenly stood up.

"...There's someone here."

"Someone is nearby."

I peeked out from between the hulking figures. What I saw was a long caravan. Carriages marked with the symbol of the Sun God Religion.

"...A merchant guild under the cult?"

"But why do they look like beggars?"

The group pulling the half-destroyed carriage noticed us and rushed over. A man ran up hurriedly and prostrated himself before us.

"Oh my! Priests! I thought for sure we were going to die, but I never expected to meet you like this!"

"...Is something the matter?"

In response to Radatok's question, the man bowed repeatedly while answering.

"Those cursed bandits attacked the merchant guild! They stole all the offerings meant for the cult! If we return empty-handed, we are certain to be doomed! Please help us!"

"We'd like to help, but... we are currently on an urgent mission..."

"But, Priests! During our confrontation with the bandits, we saw that some of them bore the stigmata!"

"Chief of the Merchant Guild! That, that..."

"You said you witnessed it! I believe you!"

The man cried out desperately.

"It's the Snake Cult members! Those rotten snakes attacked us!"

"Snakes... could it be..."

Radatok's face hardened.

"The Order of 'Naga'. Is that what you mean?"

My face also turned serious. I spat out the pork I was eating.

Damn it!

Of all things, why does it have to involve those fanatics?!

Please support the series on NovelUpdates