Chapter 71: Snow Ball (4)
Iona seemed surprised, whether it was because of Carla’s puppy-like appearance or because of my undamaged mana core, but she nodded at my request.
“Right… It would be really reassuring to have a guard to fight alongside if needed.”
“Isn’t it?”
If it had been just Carla, Edmerek would have been taken down much more easily.
“But we can’t overdo it, right? For example, asking for recognition of Carla’s actions as points for Yandel.”
“Don’t worry. I’m confident I can score on my own.”
“Good attitude! Such requests usually get approved! Oh, will there be any changes left? Do you need anything else other than your request about Carla?”
“Huh? Carla alone is enough.”
“Ugh…”
For some reason, Carla gasped as if her heart had been gripped.
Seeing this, Iona laughed and nodded.
“Got it! Got it! Since you didn’t seem to want anything else, I’ll convert the rest into points!”
“Thank you.”
“Well, to be honest, I had high expectations for student Yandel.”
Looking at us, Iona smacked her lips contentedly. Surprisingly, she was just feeling pleased.
When vampires were in a good mood, they tended to smack their lips.
Of course, it looked pretty seductive to the observer.
Perhaps realizing this late, Iona gave an awkward smile and waved.
“Anyway, I’ll pass on the message! Sorry for bothering you this early! You’ve got a break for the next ten days, so rest up!”
“Oh, thank you, Professor. The blood donation was helpful.”
“See you next time! …And great job subduing Edmerek!”
Thud. Thud.
With a brief addition, Iona left the treatment room.
“…”
An odd silence permeated the treatment room.
It had felt a bit noisy when she was here, but now it was eerily silent.
Still feeling a bit dazed, I asked Carla.
“Should we have breakfast?”
I was famished after not eating anything while unconscious.
By the time Carla and I had finished our meal, apparently, the academy had heard of my recovery, and they had sent someone to hear my side of the story.
So, I told them everything, from the cultists hiding in the Gef underground to the dungeon, and about the unsettling obsession of the God of Tainted Unity, starting with Pietro, whom I unintentionally killed.
It felt more like they were verifying the facts than investigating, so the investigation ended quickly.
After that, I received confirmation from the responsible healing priest that I was alright, and I was discharged from the intensive care unit.
“It’s been a while since I was able to go back to the dormitory!”
“It’s only been three days. And before we go to the dormitory, we have a place to visit.”
“Huh? Where?”
“The girls’ dormitory.”
“…”
Why… Why was she looking at me like that?
“What are you thinking right now, Carla?”
“If Master gets caught by the guards, I wonder where I’ll have to sleep from now on.”
“I’m not sneaking in. I’m visiting officially. At least, I should let those who visited me know that I’m alright.”
“Oh, then you don’t need the secret passage I used to sneak out!”
“What? Tell me more about it.”
In such a casual atmosphere, Carla and I chatted and finally arrived at the 1st year Class A girls’ dormitory.
The structure was identical to the boys’ dormitory. It was probably the same in layout, though the security seemed stricter.
For reference, since there were so few students in Class A and the building was vast, all departments were housed within a single dormitory.
It saved me the hassle of going from one place to another.
I stopped by the small supervisors’ room at the entrance of the dormitory to ask if they could call Elisha and Helena.
“Hmm. Elisha said she would return to the Sylvan Magic Tower during this break, so she’s not here. Should I call for Helena?”
“It can’t be helped. I’d appreciate it if you could call Priestess Helena.”
“Yes, please wait a moment.”
The supervisor fiddled with one of the magical tools neatly arranged on her desk.
Well, there had been some dangerous incidents, so I needed to at least let the Magic Tower know I was safe. The timing was just a bit off.
While I waited in the small room designated for visitors, Helena came in not long after.
Her golden hair and eyes that resembled sunlight were accompanied by a soft, compassionate smile.
Gone was her warrior-like spirit from the dungeon, and Helena, looking every bit like a normal priestess, greeted me warmly.
“Brother Yandel! You’ve awakened!”
“Thanks to Priestess Helena. I heard that you continuously cast healing sacred spells on me until they transferred me to the academy.”
“Oh, thanks to the precious potion you shared, I was able to maintain my divine power. How could I not use it for Brother Yandel?”
“Is that how it works? Haha.”
Perhaps because we once risked our lives fighting together, our conversation flowed in a warm and friendly manner.
Then she went on to praise how well I handled situations, how my decisions at the time were impeccable, and how prepared I was with ample potions and scrolls.
Helena used various examples to lavish praise on me.
I humored her, but honestly, my face must have been burning by then.
This was… practically worship.
“Indeed, the Church of Righteous Radiance, who granted us relics…!”
“Haha…”
No, it was literally worship!
Somehow, the conversation revolved around how amazing I was and the greatness of the Church of Righteous Radiance that favored me.
Even recognizing Carla, she just thought there was some reason and didn’t say much.
The Church of Righteous Radiance, which would shiver at the mere mention of cultists, and particularly the fervent Helena, brushed past the fact that Carla lost her family due to accusations of being a cultist.
It made me wonder how much Helena regarded me.
After enduring her praises for some time, Helena suddenly blushed and lowered her head.
“I’m… I’m sorry, Brother Yandel. I got overly excited.”
“It’s alright. You meant no harm. Thank you for your sentiments, Priestess Helena.”
“Thank you… Oh, there’s something I should have mentioned. The main church wanted to formally sponsor you soon… Would that be alright?”
“Sponsor? Me?”
I had intended to bring up the topic, but it seemed the flow went this way.
However, my surprise seemed to be perceived negatively by Helena.
“D-don’t worry! Our church’s sponsorship might feel different from others! You don’t have to devoutly serve the light! Just as you had been doing, eliminating cultists and monsters would suffice!”
“Calm down. I was just surprised. I’m grateful for the Church of Righteous Radiance’s high regard. However, I am financially well-off, so can I possibly receive assistance in another area?”
“What kind of assistance?”
“Sharing dungeon information, or including me in cultist subjugation missions. Of course, I don’t intend to freeload. Just something appropriate for my level would be enough. If not, it can’t be helped.”
If left unchecked, the Church of Righteous Radiance might fall into a trap by the cultists.
At best, they would get annihilated; at worst, the entire church would fall into corruption. This was an event I had to prevent in any way possible.
By increasing my influence in the church’s subjugation efforts, I could interject when necessary.
This was actually the standard route.
However, Helena, who had been frozen in thought since earlier, looked a bit concerned.
“Miss Helena?”
“……”
“Priestess Helena?”
“Yes, yes… You were asking for an opportunity to refuse money and tear apart the wicked servants of an evil God, right?”
“Huh? It’s a bit of an extreme way to put it, but yes.”
“Oh, Lord…!”
Suddenly, with a deeply moved expression, Helena clasped her hands and looked up at the ceiling.
Then she turned her head sharply, giving me a burning gaze, and said,
“Brother Yandel. I know this isn’t polite, but can I be a bit rude for a moment?”
“I’m not sure what you are referring to, but… yes. Speak your mind.”
“Do you believe in the Righteous Radiance and want to go to heaven?”
“……”
Was she trying to convert me?
“Well, I want to remain in this world for now.”
“You don’t have to devote everything to the Lord like me.”
“Still, I am sorry.”
As I declined again, Helena nodded with a hint of regret.
“If that is your wish, Brother Yandel, then so be it. Just know that the Righteous Radiance always welcomes you.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
The faith route was efficient, but there were various restrictions according to doctrine.
Even if one was not a priest utilizing divine power, it was the same.
If you got baptized in any religious order, their God would watch over you.
And I meant it quite literally.
Whether they were a good or evil God, they were all sealed in harmony, so they naturally observed the world.
But weren’t there many points of contention for me?
Knowing about future events, and being from another world, Earth, I might become a target of subjugation, so, if nothing else, I absolutely shouldn’t be baptized.
But maybe I was too curt in refusing her. The atmosphere started to get a bit awkward.
Helena smiled brightly, changing the topic.
“Then, do you need anything else? You said you are okay without financial support, but it doesn’t sit well with us, the sponsors.”
“Hmm. Other than that…”
After a brief contemplation, I nodded.
“Could I perhaps get a few nun outfits?”
“…Excuse me?”
“About 3 sets should do.”
“……”
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