After-school. Academy cafeteria.
Countless students were sitting at a distance, staring at three people at a table.
If you were to ask why they were doing this, the answer would be surprisingly simple.
“…”
It was because Leje, sitting at the table, looked ‘very’ uncomfortable.
While she usually showed a cold side when dealing with others, she was relatively kind.
But to put her expression into one phrase right now…
‘Touch me and die.’
was what her face was screaming.
Seeing her atmosphere, anyone approaching would definitely be a potential suicide candidate…
“May the warm blessing of the goddess be upon you both.”
However, regardless of that, Eleor was beaming with delight.
She seemed to light up the surroundings just by her existence.
Truly, a fitting appearance for a Saint, yet in Rudell’s eyes, there was a deep unease.
He worried that Leje might leap at Eleor.
Those thoughts were bubbling in his head.
“So, why do you wish to talk to me?”
“More importantly… who is that next to you?”
“Leje El Lagrind. You’ve heard of her name, I presume?”
In response to her question, Leje answered instead of Rudell.
Her voice was as prickly as a rose bush.
The emotions contained within that voice were clearly hostile.
“So, you are the famous Duchess of the Lagrind Dukedom. May the goddess bless your future.”
Despite her reaction, Eleor offered Leje a bright smile.
“…”
They often say you can’t spit on a smiling face.
Leje nodded with a sour expression as Eleor spoke with a smile.
“I asked to meet Rudellheit to express my gratitude on behalf of the Church… No, as a priest, to thank him.”
“Gratitude?”
What on earth did that mean?
With such thoughts, Rudell wore a puzzled expression.
Why would the Church be thanking him?
As if she had anticipated his reaction, Eleor began to explain with a light smile.
“Have you heard about the Inquisition happening within the churches?”
“Yes, I have.”
Certainly, Jade had mentioned something like that.
Remembering the conversation with Jade, Rudell nodded.
“The reason the Inquisition took place was precisely because of you, Rudellheit.”
“Me?”
What does his existence have anything to do with the Inquisition?
“Thanks to Rudellheit, the evil god’s church, which lurked in the shadows, was revealed, and it became known that they had been planted throughout the kingdom.”
“…”
“Our church found out that many of its priests were their minions. They, of course, became ashes on the pyre.”
“Hahaha…”
Considering that the church was basically a fanatic bunch when it came to faith, it was hard to expect the exposed members to have a peaceful end.
Should they even be called priests serving the god…
Rudell let out a low chuckle at her nonchalant declaration of such horrifying stories.
“Besides that, I wanted to say that I hope for our future cooperation. If you ever need help from the church, don’t hesitate to let me know.”
The reason she came here was to assist with Rudell’s activities on behalf of the church.
Thus, it was fully understandable for her to say that.
“…”
Of course, that was only if Leje wasn’t glaring daggers at her.
“I’ll also be counting on you.”
Even still, a priest of the church…
It’s not something one could just ignore, especially not the words of a saint.
Carefully observing Leje’s demeanor, Rudell forced a very awkward smile.
*
After Eleor became their classmate, Rudell’s daily life didn’t change much.
Well, it wasn’t completely non-existent.
[Hey! Why do you keep following me!?]
[I was dispatched to assist Rudellheit. So, isn’t it natural for me to stick by Rudellheit’s side?]
[Please, I’m begging you, can’t you both just get along…?]
Every day, a battle of nerves ensued between Leje and Eleor, and Rudell, caught in between, was utterly flabbergasted.
Not to mention, the jealous and scornful gazes from the male and female students in the same class were just the cherry on top.
Then one quiet afternoon, when classes ended…
“Sigh…”
With Leje and Eleor absent for their own reasons, Rudell let out a sigh of relief, enjoying the long-awaited peace and quiet.
[Um, are you alright…?]
“You look pretty worn out.”
As Rudell sighed, Silphier and Kurt asked him that.
“It’s just so tough…”
Honestly, Rudell felt trapped in a situation where he couldn’t turn this way or that.
After all, Eleor was a saint sent as a representative from the Gaia Church, no less.
Plus, Jade had directly requested the church’s cooperation to bring her here, making her a valuable asset.
Keeping her at arm’s length could lead to political issues, not to mention being reprimanded by Jade.
Leje didn’t seem unaware of that fact, either…
‘But what can I do? It’s annoying.’
She was impossible to reason with.
Rudell was worried that any bit of conflict would seriously anger Jade, yet Leje maintained her sharp attitude toward Eleor, as if none of that mattered.
To Rudell, it was decidedly awkward.
If only there was a way to get the two on somewhat better terms…
“Sigh…”
Feeling exasperated, Rudell let out a short sigh.
Just then, he spotted Leje’s figure approaching from a distance.
“Leje.”
Waving towards her, Leje seemed to fan herself dramatically as she sat down next to him.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing much, just something to discuss with my sister.”
“I see…”
If she said so, it probably wasn’t anything serious.
Nodding while thinking that, Rudell responded.
“By the way, she hasn’t shown up yet? I thought she’d be next to you.”
“Leje…”
When will these two ever become friends?
With that thought, Rudell trailed off in his sentence.
Then, all of a sudden…
“There you are!”
“Eleor!”
“Ugh…!!”
As the familiar voice echoed, Leje clicked her tongue and frowned.
Turning his head, Rudell saw Eleor approaching them.
“Did you finish your prayers on time?”
“Yes, I did.”
She nodded with a bright smile at Rudell’s question.
“Wouldn’t it be nice for you to pray to the goddess too, Rudellheit? The compassionate goddess will surely bestow blessings upon your path.”
“Uh, I’m just really busy these days…”
As he attempted to politely decline, an awkward laugh escaped Rudell’s lips.
“Can’t take it anymore!!”
“Le, Leje!?”
Observing the scene, Leje suddenly slammed her hands on the table and stood up.
“Duchess Lagrind!?”
“A duel! Follow me right now!”
“Leje!?”
Rudell was left speechless as Leje pulled a handkerchief from her pouch and threw it at Eleor.
A duel with the saint dispatched by the church?
Even if she was a duchess, it was something he couldn’t handle.
But…
“Why do I have to duel with the duchess?”
Eleor looked at her with a bewildered expression.
Her eyes sparkled as if she was looking at a gem, filled with genuine confusion.
“Are you asking that because you don’t understand?! It’s because you’ve been sticking to Rudell non-stop!”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Simultaneously, a silence fell upon the surroundings.
“Oh, no, what I mean is… what am I trying to say…”
Just then, the moment she stuttered and turned beet red while avoiding eye contact…
Eleor, who had been staring blankly at her words, suddenly seemed to realize something.
“Ah! So, you think I’m trying to seduce Rudellheit, right, Duchess Lagrind?!”
With a bright smile, she continued.
“Don’t worry! Priests are basically prohibited from marrying! Moreover, I’m a loyal servant of the goddess Gaia. I have no thoughts of harboring feelings for anyone else!”
“What…?”
At that moment, an incredulous expression appeared on Leje’s face.
But only for a moment…
“Ah… Aah… AAAGH…!!”
With her face turning beet red, Leje began to tremble and groan.
“Er… Um… Leje?”
“I should take my leave.”
[Uh, I have something urgent to attend to…]
Rudell cautiously tried to talk to her, and upon seeing that, Kurt and Silphier stood up.
“Uh… huh…?!”
Rudell’s disbelief spilled out at their reaction.
“Really, don’t worry too much, Duchess Lagrind! I’m a priestess, you know.”
“AAAAAAAAAAAH—!!”
Simultaneously, as Eleor cheerfully continued, Leje let out a scream nearing a wail.
And just like that, another day was passing by.
