EP.129 The Revealed Truth (3)
I had a feeling something was off.
No matter how much the Saintess seemed to inexplicably follow me, this just didn’t add up.
In terms of background and talent, why was the Sister so keen on keeping someone utterly unqualified like me bound to the Monastery?
Initially, I thought there might be pressure from the Vatican, known for its strict principles.
But now, realizing that the higher-ups at the Vatican were rather displeased with a lowly priest like me holding such a role, I couldn’t help but feel suspicious of the Sister’s actions.
Such doubts crystallized based on materials I stumbled upon in the office.
“Uh, this is referring to me, right?”
“·····!”
As I pointed at a specific paragraph in the documents, the Sister’s complexion turned pale almost instantly.
A Holy Grail thrown into a river. A bridge to the other side. A lion draped in a cloak.
The document, riddled with nonsensical phrases, felt like a middle school student’s awkward attempt to cobble together impressive-sounding lines from the Bible.
Yet, amidst all that, there was one clear phrase.
A bold line beside my profile picture, marked with slashes.
Singularity.
While its exact meaning remained elusive, it was crystal clear this chaotic phrase was referring to me.
“Uh, how·····.”
Leaving the speechless Sister, who looked like she’d just had a secret exposed that she’d carry to her grave, I continued.
“I’m not particularly gifted at comprehension, but from the context of the writings here, it appears that your goal is to always keep a being said to absorb the so-called ‘Singularity’ by the Saintess’ side, thereby erasing all the holy power dwelling within her body. Am I correct in interpreting this?”
“Th-that’s·····.”
No answer was needed.
Her anxious expression had already answered my question before I even finished.
It was so absurd a hypothesis, that honestly, even at the last moment of saying it, I still wondered if this could possibly be right.
But now that the truth was so openly revealed, further torment was merely a waste of time.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about at all·····.”
Although the Sister was belatedly trying to backtrack, it was a futile struggle.
“Sister·····. Setting aside whether I’m indeed this Singularity or not, anything resembling a scheme that could potentially harm the Saintess’ being qualifies as the most grievous crime in this system. You, of all people, must know that·····.”
“Ugh·····.”
With my denunciation prompting a frown, the Sister suddenly wrapped her arms around herself and turned her head away.
As a result, her already noticeable ample bosom, now propped up by her arms, made its presence feel even more pronounced.
But having completely cast off any inappropriate desires in my mind, I no longer saw those visual elements as obstacles.
But seriously, they’re huge. Whoa.
“Don’t worry. I’ll carry this matter to my grave. I don’t know why you’ve come to hold such absurd beliefs, but right now·····. Right now, it’s not too late·····.”
“Wait! Just a moment! Regis Priest!”
I had no idea why Sister Beltein, who was among the sharpest people I’d ever met, had fallen into such ridiculous beliefs.
The idea that I was a being with special powers, capable of reaching areas that could touch the Saintess’ holy power was utterly preposterous.
There was no way she had fallen for the schemes of the cult trying to tarnish the Vatican’s reputation.
If not, perhaps she was the victim of brainwashing from the anti-Saint faction lurking within the system?
Regardless, it was clear she was not in a normal state.
From the moment the Sister, who pursued untarnished piety, entered my room in her nightwear.
It seems that geniuses sometimes perform foolish acts even a common criminal would laugh at.
Steve Jobs, engrossed in alternative treatments despite a doctor’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who pursued scientifically proving the existence of fairies.
Even Dawna, the most intellectually gifted person I knew, believed until last year that if you kept a flower blooming in spring until winter, your first love would come true.
So I decided it was reasonable to think that even the perfect Sister could make a ludicrous mistake at least once.
“I’ve already disposed of the documents left on the office desk. Don’t worry. Moreover, don’t even dream of harboring such absurd thoughts in the future. You understand? It’s a good thing I found them first. If they had found out, you would’ve been in serious trouble·····.”
“Eh? W-where did you say they were!? On the desk? That can’t be·····.”
Knock knock knock!
Right at that moment.
A fierce knocking resonated from beyond the tightly shut door.
“Regis Priest. Are you inside? We come from the Inquisition.”
My mind, distracted by the conversation with the Sister, snapped into a heightened state of alert at the mention of the Inquisition.
The Inquisition.
Just hearing the word made my body temperature plummet. Even within the Monastery, the status of such a group was terrifying.
“Regis! Mmmph!”
In a reflexive act to protect the Sister from those who mercilessly exterminate anyone defying the Vatican, I forcefully pulled her close and covered her mouth.
“Huff. Wh-what’s going on·····.”
“We’re currently on a mission from the Vatican to find heretics. Do you happen to know anything about the whereabouts of Sister Beltein?”
A cold shiver ran through me.
Given the needless high rank, it was rare I had to face these people directly.
Yet, that chilling air, which always felt like death lurking nearby, was something I could never get used to no matter how many times I encountered it.
“Please open the door now for a brief inspection.”
How did they know and find this place already? I had assuredly cleared any traces left behind.
And where had Bigtim, who was keeping watch outside, disappeared to?
The pile of questions had to take a back seat for now.
Right now, I had to prioritize protecting the hidden Sister.
“Umm, I’m a bit busy at the moment. Could you come back later?”
Instantly regretting my unimpressive excuse, I could hardly blame the Sister’s face for going pale as she finally grasped the situation.
“The command of the Vatican is the will of Heaven and the Lord. Thus, before us, the Inquisition acting on direct orders from the Vatican, there’s no priority greater than that. Now, please open the door and comply with the inspection.”
At that moment, the Sister in my arms slowly looked up at me.
Her azure eyes, radiant yet filled with fear, shimmered with resolute determination.
Nod nod.
Finally, with her eyes tightly shut, she vigorously shook her head up and down, as if to say, ‘I’m fine, give yourself up to them.’
In a situation where I couldn’t communicate properly because her mouth was covered, it was easy to understand what she was trying to convey.
Don’t say such absurd things.
“Regis Priest, if you do not comply, we will resort to force.”
I needed to think.
There had to be a way to shake them off.
What do I have that might serve as a distraction?
Even if it meant losing my head, I had to act like an ant, viciously biting the enemy.
If the Vatican’s command was enough to make them see their own lives as trifling.
In that brief instant, hundreds of alternatives scrambled through my mind, and one audacious plan surged forth, ready for execution before my reason even had the chance to weigh its success.
“Hah·····.”
“Mhm·····?”
Glancing apologetically at the Sister, who was looking up at me with a confused expression, I briefly directed my gaze downward.
And just a short flick downward filled my vision with the grand sight of two bountiful mounds.
Giving in to my desires, I roughly grasped one.
“─᧗ʃᖍ♡!!”
The Sister, shuddering like an electrocuted person, let out a sinful moan from behind my hand.
“What, what!?”
To the utterly bewildered Inquisition agents responding from beyond the door, I uttered what seemed most plausible.
“Please! I beg you. I’m currently in a relationship with the Hero!”
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