EP.123 The Name is Centaur!
It had already been an hour since the humiliating breakfast play, but the Hero still clung to me like a piece of gum, showing no signs of letting go.
With arms wrapped around me as if to eat my arm, he followed me around like a large dog that still thinks it’s a puppy.
The soft touch could still be felt through the thick priestly cloak. The sweet fragrance wafted over every time his golden hair brushed past my nose.
I tried to muster a protest against the relentless assault that kept reminding me of unpleasant memories I wanted to erase from my mind.
But every time our eyes met, the Hero’s bright smile, as if the world belonged to him, swallowed my harsh words back down.
“Uh… Hero… aren’t you getting tired…?”
“No way! I’m perfectly fine! In fact, I wish I could do this forever!”
Before I could finish my sentence, the Hero started rubbing his face against my shoulder.
My gaze instinctively wandered off to the distant mountains.
The Hero had been like this recently.
He would shout about cutting off his inappropriate desires, only to rush towards me, forgetting all that the moment the opportunity arose.
‘Though I’ve succumbed to my desires today! I will make sure to overcome it from tomorrow!’
From tomorrow.
Just the flow of that phrase was enough to give me a clear picture of how the Hero’s determination would conclude.
Moreover, the Hero had a justification for clinging onto me at this moment—no, it was that he should cling to me.
Ever since the assassination incident on the Hero, the party members had decided to always move in pairs of two.
So today, the party member I would be teamed up with for the day was none other than him.
It was absurd to keep a mere sandbag like me beside the Hero, who was the top assassination target, but the majority opinion clearly overruled my rational concerns.
Therefore, I had absolutely no means to push away the Hero, who was now rubbing his face against me with a determination to dig into my body.
Protecting a fish from a cat.
I steadfastly resolved not to overthink why that unfit proverb suddenly flashed through my mind.
Huff huff.
Occasionally, the Hero’s hot breath settling on my nape stirred my already troubled heart even more.
While the Hero probably acted unconsciously, the previously dry area around my collarbone was becoming damp as if sprayed with a mist, and it was honestly a struggle to pretend not to notice.
“Um, Hero, my arm is going numb; could you let go just a little…?”
“Oh! I-I’m sorry, Priest!”
The Hero hurriedly released my arm, eyes wide open, before I could even finish my gentle request.
If I had known he would let go so easily, I would’ve asked him to do so much sooner.
That slight feeling of regret transformed into deep remorse as soon as I sensed the strong grip around my waist.
“I think this is fine!”
“……”
My astonished gaze quietly moved towards the window.
Thanks to the diligent efforts of the always-busy servants, the glass, which could double as a mirror, sparkled brightly.
Through it, I could clearly see a priest standing in the slick corridor, with a woman firmly holding onto the waist of a man, leaning back.
It was a historical moment with the legendary creature of myth, the Centaur, manifesting in this world.
“How is it, Priest! If both attack and defense are perfect, then while minimizing the physical fatigue you feel, it also maximizes the area of contact between our bodies! I can protect you perfectly! This is called! Hero Fusion!”
What about my mental fatigue?
I wanted to retort, but upon hearing the Hero’s booming voice and realizing the gazes of onlookers converging on us, I had to quickly cover my face instead, pushing that complaint to a later time.
◈◈◈
At first, I tried numerous methods to detach the Hero, who had become one with my waist.
I tried sweet-talking him, begging him to let me go.
But no matter what, the Hero, determined to protect my safety, completely ignored my will and wouldn’t let go of me.
So I tried to suggest we at least change our position a bit.
But after witnessing the Hero throw himself at me like some green alien species, I quickly changed my tune, declaring this position to be the best.
It was quite relieving that familiar servants who happened to pass by in the corridor chose to ignore my predicament.
But they probably had no idea that their kindness would only magnify the confusion in my mind even more.
“Finally arrived…”
“Oh! Have we reached our destination? I can’t see ahead because of this position!”
Then just let go. Please.
Was it because of the Hero clinging tightly to my back?
After what felt like a distance several times longer than usual, a sigh escaped my dry lips.
The place I had inadvertently led the Hero to was the archives room, which contained the records of all clerics working in this system.
Until recently, I didn’t even know such a place existed, and my reason for visiting was simple.
I was here to find a successor to replace me, as I would soon be leaving this job.
Though I had resolved to completely quit my position after tomorrow’s Blessing Ceremony, I firmly vowed never to repeat the mistake of irresponsibly running away, leaving everything behind.
Even if I was going to leave, I intended to stay here until I found someone who could properly care for the Saintess in my absence and could get along with her.
This was something I had already discussed with my comrades beforehand.
I told them that once I found a true successor who could take over the protective roles for the Saintess that I never fully managed, I would return to the Hero Party.
Of course, I mentioned that I wanted to contribute more to support and supply rather than diving headfirst into dungeons like before.
My party members looked somewhat surprised by my proposal, but in no time, they respected and understood my decision.
As for the Hero?
“Sure! I’ll handle all the outdoor and indoor chores! Just sit back and stay next to me! No, just stay by our side!”
He even offered encouragement that felt like it carried some ulterior motive.
I had already submitted my resignation letter next to the unconscious Sister Beltein to express my firm resolve.
I couldn’t even begin to count how many times I had given resignation letters to Sister Beltein, but this time, the sincerity packed into this piece of paper was unlike any before.
Surely she would understand my desperate decision deeply this time.
“Hero, can I sit over there for a moment? Is that okay?”
“Yes! Of course!”
Thud.
A mountain of documents piled high with scrawled writing.
I settled myself in a chair at the desk, where those overwhelming papers could make anyone dizzy just by looking at them.
As a result, the Hero, who had been hugging my waist, plopped down on the floor, and her chin came to rest on my thigh in an awkward position.
But honestly, at this point, I didn’t feel any shame or embarrassment.
♪
With the Hero cozily nuzzling my thigh, seemingly blissful, and even humming a little song, my mouth slightly twitched, but I decided to ignore it.
I knew all too well that dealing with the Hero’s antics would never end.
Right, let’s just think of this as a Golden Retriever begging to play.
Debating whether it was right to consider a Hero, who played a part in maintaining peace in this world, as a mere dog was a discussion for another time.
After all, I was a notorious scoundrel who had treated even the Saintess like a stray cat and tried to tame her.
Chwa-reul-leug.
As I processed my mixed feelings of confusion and resignation, slowly skimming through the paperwork before me, I suddenly noticed something.
“Hmm?”
“Uh? What’s the matter, Priest?”
…What is this?
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