“`
EP.157 The Lost Lamb (05)
”Is that really true? You know the clue about the Holy Sword…”
Repeating the same words multiple times wasn’t really my style, but given the circumstances, I asked again for confirmation.
”Yeah, that’s right. I know exactly where the Holy Sword you’re looking for is right now.”
A swift, instantaneous reply that wouldn’t allow for any magical nonsense. That unwavering voice overflowed with sturdy confidence.
In the midst of a lively dispute with the Hero, an unfamiliar figure suddenly interrupted us, introducing herself as “Davi,” an information dealer from this city.
With her neatly cropped hair and lightweight leather gloves emphasizing agility, her androgynous impression made it hard to guess her gender at first.
However, the suddenly heightened tension radiating from the Hero allowed me to realize that this person was indeed female.
Recently, the Hero had become increasingly sensitive, able to determine people’s genders just by smell, reacting with hostility whenever it turned out to be a woman.
Beneath her cheerful smile, the hostility lurking felt dark and ominous.
”You’re the newcomers, right? Then you probably don’t know what’s good to eat in this city. How about I order whatever I feel like? By the way, their ale here is especially fantastic. If you like drinks, you won’t regret it at all. Waitress! Three ales here!”
Without us saying anything yet, the woman flirtatiously finished placing our order.
She suggested we choose a nearby tavern as the setting for our conversation.
Of course, I initially refused, as it wouldn’t be appropriate to drink alcohol dressed in priest’s robes during the day.
But I reluctantly agreed after her not-so-convincing persuasive talk about how it wasn’t necessary to drink at the tavern.
No, you said you weren’t going to drink.
Before even verifying the authenticity of her information, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we had made a mistake.
”Excuse me! Let’s skip the preamble! Please explain the main point quickly and succinctly!”
The Hero, rarely showing irritation, firmly raised his voice.
While his gaze remained fixed, his body couldn’t sit still, looking like a puppy staring at a delicious treat just out of reach.
I could roughly guess why the Hero was reacting so impatiently.
It was likely due to the lewd agreement we had just hastily made and his eagerness to fulfill it immediately.
Candy kiss.
If I previously limited affectionate contact to just a kiss on the forehead as a wish, then it was utterly shameless to suggest anything more.
But seeing the Hero’s distressed expression momentarily clouded my judgment, and I unconsciously accepted the proposal.
With both hands pressing down on the table, the Hero extended his backside, fidgeting restlessly.
If he had a tail right now, I imagined it would be spinning like a propeller.
”Hero. Please sit down…”
”Oh! I’m sorry! Priest! I really…!”
Before my words finished, the Hero dramatically sat down.
While I felt a bit of pride that he listened to me, I also began to worry about his gradually diminishing dignity as a human.
Seeing the Hero immediately sit down when told, wait patiently when instructed, and quickly offer his hand, I couldn’t help but feel a rising guilt, as if I was doing something wrong.
”By the way, you look prettier and younger in person than I heard! You look much younger than what I was told. Ah! Do you have some secret to maintaining your looks?”
”What!? How did you know I’m the Hero!?”
”Hero. Just stay still for a moment…”
”Yes! I will remain still! Yes!”
Once again, my words barely left my mouth when the Hero clasped his lips tight.
After causing a scene in the town square, he still believed he wouldn’t be discovered with such a clear mind; it made my long-lost childhood innocence flicker like a mirage.
But now wasn’t the time to chase after such trivial sentiments.
The recognition-inhibiting necklace wasn’t omnipotent either.
There are people who can’t find a single mistake in a picture while another can discern everything at a glance.
Thus, it wasn’t surprising that she had figured out our identities from witnessing our dispute.
However, the unusual proposal she had presented left me gaping in shock.
”Did you say your name was Davi? I’m sorry, but as the Hero mentioned earlier, we don’t really have the luxury to drink and eat during the day. So, if you don’t mind, can we just get straight to the point?”
”Aww~ why so stiff? I heard that the clergy in the capital are quite open-minded. Sounds like rumors are just rumors? But considering you two were hugging each other from dawn… Hm, well, fine. Let’s get to the point as you asked.”
Propping her chin with one hand, she met my gaze sharply.
Without the Hero’s divine protection, we had no real alternatives in finding the Holy Sword, meaning our best option was to rummage through places known for its past appearances.
It had already been two weeks, and we hadn’t even caught a whiff of a clue, let alone a faint remnant, and just then, she appeared like a beacon of light in the darkness.
I still had suspicions that she was merely a scammer looking to take advantage of the Hero Party—but was there really someone dumb enough to con people bearing the world’s fate?
Ultimately, we reluctantly decided to hear her out, as we had nothing to lose.
”I’ll tell you the clues about the Holy Sword. But… I want to borrow your strength.”
”Indeed…”
A straightforward proposal that left me, honestly, a little relieved.
Having a clear goal in mind meant I could somewhat understand the identity and intentions of the cloaked dealer.
”Alright. I’ll accept your proposal. What do you want from us? Money? Or monster eradication? Whatever it is…”
”I want to borrow you.”
”Huh…?”
”I said I want to borrow you.”
Whoosh!
Immediately after those words, I reflexively embraced the Hero sitting next to me.
Just as expected.
With his feet propped up on the table and his hand on the sheath, the Hero already radiated enough murderous intent to bake a person alive.
”What… do you… mean…?”
”S-sorry! Just wait a moment! I’ll be right back! Please wait here, Davi!”
”Uh, w-wait…”
As the murderous intent poured out like a gushing faucet, freezing both body and mind, I quickly moved the Hero to a place where no one could see us.
I did consider pulling out the Bawngwi if they resisted too much, but surprisingly, the Hero came along willingly.
”Hero! What are you doing!? Again!”
”But, but!”
As I chastised the Hero more sternly than usual for almost causing a disaster, he looked up at me with a twisted expression, teary-eyed.
No matter how much he misinterpreted her tone, logically, only those with healing or injuries would say they want to borrow a priest.
Yet here he was, instantly drawing his sword at the slightest hint.
I had noticed the Hero’s growing obsession with me in recent days, but I never imagined it would manifest to this degree.
”I’ll deal with her! Hero, please wait back at the lodging…”
”Absolutely not! You want me to leave you alone with a villain who might target you and your purity? I can never allow that! Not even if it costs me my life!”
”Hero…”
The Hero, pulling my body close, buried his lips in my chest, repeatedly urging me loudly.
His hands tightly gripping my waist, the constant trembling showed the depth of anxiety he was holding onto.
”Hero…”
”You have no idea how tempting your body and fragrance are! At this very moment! If you knew how much self-control I’m exercising to keep my desires in check, you would surely be amazed!”
Who in the world would find my shabby physique appealing? Only the Saintess, the Hero, and Dawna, perhaps?
That biting remark lodged itself in my throat, but I swallowed it, sensing it would only lead to more trouble.
How did the once innocent Hero turn into this?
Could it be because of me?
Ignoring the growing regret and guilt, I spoke to the Hero again.
”Hero… Please listen to me… She’s just using a metaphor to say she wants my prayers…”
”Liar! That’s a lie! No woman can resist the temptation of Priest’s alluring body and sweet scent! Leaving you with that vile person is like throwing a ripe banana into a monkey enclosure! I can never allow it! No matter what you request, I cannot concede this!”
”Sigh…”
I was mistaken. It was no longer a situation where persuasion would work.
Now that the Saintess had quieted down, it was the Hero’s turn.
With another ridiculous ordeal trailing behind the first, my head throbbed with pain.
There was no choice.
Given the circumstances.
”Hero… Please lift your head for a moment…”
”It’s useless! I will never… Huh…? Hm…?”
At that moment, the Hero’s booming declamation suddenly fell silent.
The reason was simple.
I had sealed the Hero’s lips tightly with mine.
Ah, to hell with it. Let it be what it may.
“`
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