EP.143 White Snow
I cried out that name countless times.
Until my cracked throat could barely produce a deflated gasp.
I clenched my fists countless times.
Into a hard wall, crushed and battered, until my fists were reduced to nothing but pain, feeling no sensation other than that.
It was because I sensed it instinctively.
If I simply left the Saintess alone now, an irreversible event would soon unfold.
Even beyond this transparent wall that didn’t let even a faint light or weak vibration through, I could keenly feel the lethal level of Divine Power emanating from her body.
Since I had previously experienced a fragment of that power throughout my entire being. I could dare to assert.
At this moment, the density of Holy Power surrounding the Saintess had long since exceeded what humanity could endure.
“Ugh·····.”
A sudden sharp pain shot up from my ragged knuckles. My gaze abruptly turned toward it.
My hand, stained red. The source of the faint light shining amidst the dark crimson blood was the small ring entangled on my ring finger.
That warm light, reminiscent of a winter hearth, was so gracious it brought to mind memories I had momentarily set aside in the corner of my consciousness.
Yes. Reflecting back now, it had always been like that.
The ring only glowed when my life was in peril.
When assassins aiming for the Hero’s life came crashing in, I could regain my consciousness thanks to this ring.
It was this ring that kept me safe and unharmed from the rascals who once again targeted me.
It was all because of the Saintess.
Without the Saintess, I wouldn’t have been able to protect the Hero from the curse’s blade wielded by the assassin.
Without the Saintess, I wouldn’t even have been able to stand here in good health.
No, perhaps it was the case that these were all I was fully aware of, and I might have been receiving countless secret aids from the Saintess up until now.
‘But how on earth did I survive taking that blade? Even all the clergy in this system wouldn’t be able to cure a curse stored at that level!’
I could tell the rascal’s tone was one of disbelief that I was alive.
The scene of high-ranking clergy members frozen in shock, as if they had just seen a corpse in the grave suddenly opening its eyes, flashed through my mind in an instant.
Even with the title of Guardian Priest, it seemed like I was the one who always received protection.
“Puhuh·····.”
All I could do was laugh.
Ever since feeling extreme disgust with my own little vessel during my younger days, I thought I would never feel this much self-loathing again.
My bloodied gaze fell helplessly to the ground.
Then I caught sight of the pitiful man’s fist who couldn’t grasp anything in his palm.
Trembling. That despicable palm shaking before my eyes looked like it was whining.
“Oppa···.”
Crash!
The fist, provoked by the Saintess’s tears, landed fiercely against the transparent wall right in front of me.
But the wall, boasting exceptional toughness, didn’t even show a tiny crack, let alone a slight vibration.
Despair weighed my body down, and strengthlessness cast a shadow over my vision.
But at this moment.
Right in her line of sight, I couldn’t make an ugly sound.
Currently, I hadn’t received approval for my resignation, so I was still the Saintess’s Guardian Priest.
And her older brother.
“O Holy One, I am your finger. Just a mere lamb·····.”
With my hand spread wide, I slowly pressed it against the transparent wall, beginning to chant another prayer with my raspy voice.
I didn’t know the mechanics, but it was already confirmed that the very fabric constituting this space, or this space itself, was vulnerable to my prayer.
Just a moment ago, my prayer had already ripped this place apart.
Thus, choosing prayer as my means to break this wall was undoubtedly an excellent choice.
But there was one critical issue with this plan.
That was the fact that I was just a half-wit priest who could only perform a miracle once a day.
Usually, the frequency of a prayer’s use is determined by how much a deity loves you.
While the talent of a chosen priest could be enhanced through repeated training, the original limit could never be surpassed.
Yes, generally speaking, that was the case.
“Cough!”
Along with a pain that felt as if my heart would explode, thick blood spurted from my mouth.
My vision momentarily blurred, but as I bit down on the pain lingering in my joints, I fought to regain my focus.
If there are no teeth, use the gums.
If there isn’t enough divine power, then burn through my life.
This reckless plan was executed with a ‘Whatever happens, happens’ mindset, but thankfully, the effect was remarkable.
Thud! Thud!
For the first time, cracks began to emerge on the wall that had refused to budge despite my desperate attempts.
Smirk.
Though my entire body screamed with the ripping pain of muscles and bones, my mouth, aware of the success, was lifting in a grin.
“Get out of the way·····.”
Even though I found it rather ridiculous to be having this conversation with a wall while my body had become a ragged mess.
At this moment, the only person who might mock me was the Saintess herself, so I didn’t care at all.
“U-uh, I’m sorry·····. I messed up! Ugh! I messed up···.”
Leaning against the wall with my endlessly swaying body, as I took a moment to catch my breath, the Saintess’s sorrowful weeping began to echo once more.
Honestly, there was no room for sympathy for the Saintess’s actions.
There was no denying that it was an evil act to use a child as a shield so the Saintess wouldn’t lose me to the Hero.
It was merely luck that I could prevent such a tragedy in advance.
If just a little, just a tiny bit of the situation had gone wrong, the Saintess might have strayed from the path of humanity.
However, because of that, I had to confront her again, and harshly prod into the sins she had committed.
Now that I think about it, just one slap wouldn’t be enough.
I should give her a hard flick on the forehead, a good smack on the backside, and hold her hands up until she admits it.
I can’t forget to make the involved party kneel and apologize.
By any means necessary, she must pay for her actions.
Let’s make her truly understand how heavy the weight of life is.
And once everything settles, let me tell her this.
Thank you. For saving my life so many times.
For allowing this worthless me, with no real power or ability, a chance to save someone else during this lifetime.
Let’s sincerely express gratitude to her.
“All the glory shall be yours·····.”
Thud! Thud! Crash─!
With those concluding words, the world flipped upside down.
The mysterious wall that had stood between her and me shattered into pieces, scattering in all directions.
Yet beyond those transparent shards that scattered like misty rain, the presence of the red-eyed being gazing at me remained so vivid.
“U··· Oppa···?”
It was beautiful.
They say women become three times prettier when it snows. It was just like that.
It wasn’t even proper snow, but more like a bizarre hailstorm, that was unusual weather.
But who cares.
What mattered was that the Saintess had stopped crying.
And that she looked far prettier smiling, even if faintly, than while she was weeping.
That was enough for me.
Just that alone made it feel as though all my struggles were somehow rewarded.
“U, ugh! Ugh!”
Right at that moment.
Just when she had finally stopped crying, the Saintess was ready to burst into tears again as she reached out her hand toward me, hesitantly holding back.
It seemed like she wanted to hug me like always, but was concerned that I was still angry.
While she was this cautious around me, why couldn’t she show such consideration towards anyone else?
After a moment of pondering over the bittersweet feelings sprouting in my mind, I slightly spread my arms and spoke kindly to her.
Saying “I’m back” might feel a bit embarrassing.
Just like we usually do, I playfully said.
“Saintess···. Oppa has delivered it···.”
“Ugh!”
From that moment on, the sight of the Saintess jumping into my embrace like a rabbit stirred feelings in me that words couldn’t quite describe.
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