LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 64
〈 Chapter 64 〉 Hello, Hamtori
*
”Are you out of your mind!?”
Suddenly, Beltein’s loud voice shot towards Apis.
”You let Priest Regis enter an unregistered dungeon all alone! You know better than anyone that Priest doesn’t have the capability for that! It’s you, Apis!”
It was clear that her earnest plea contained unusual thoughts.
However, Apis, calmly adjusting her equipment with her back turned to that troubled voice, seemed to feel it wasn’t even worth responding to the scolding.
”It’s not too late! We have to find a way to rescue the Priest! Apis! As someone who has conquered the most dungeons in this system, as a member of the Hero Party, you must have some kind of secret plan!”
”····”
”Apis!!!”
It was hard to believe that she was shouting at someone she had just been terrified of moments ago.
The change in her attitude stemmed from emotions she didn’t even understand herself.
After all, a friend she had known for a long time was caught up in a disaster.
It was not something she could just let happen to someone under her jurisdiction.
He was an irreplaceable presence in stabilizing the Saintess’s mind.
While she could have easily found an excuse to justify herself…
Beltein’s self-awareness unconsciously forbade her from naming that emotion.
”Don’t you care about Priest Regis!?”
It even sounded like a pitiful accusation.
Then, for the first time, Apis, who had been silently staring at the black pillar, finally parted her heavy lips.
”He’ll come back.”
From her calm tone, as if gazing at a rippleless lake, no trace of the passionate impression she had been wearing remained.
”····What?”
”He may be a fool, but he’s not a moron. He doesn’t have the guts to do something so reckless without a bit of faith. He’s a weakling who cherishes himself like handling a newborn grandchild.”
”What does that… mean…?”
”So, if you wait, he’ll come back safe and sound soon. He will. ”
”How can you be so sure!?”
”If he doesn’t, he’ll die by my hands.”
”Ugh!”
It was absurd reasoning. Empty words. Nonsense.
That strange logic, lacking even basic coherence, was ungraspable for Beltein, who viewed everything with rational judgment.
Thus.
It was only expected that Beltein, unable to contain her anger, suddenly began to grind her teeth in irritation.
”I get it! That’s enough! I will no longer seek help from you, Apis! I’m so sorry for bothering you!”
Beltein, rarely raising her voice in anger, turned away from Apis with annoyance.
Despite her somewhat rude behavior, Apis’s gaze remained firmly fixed on the black pillar.
But then, at that moment.
”Huh?”
As she rushed towards the direction of the monastery to ask the other Guardian Priests in the Vatican for help…
Beltein’s steps, which had been somewhat frantic, suddenly halted as if confronted by a ferocious beast.
”Wha, what…?”
A tense breath that couldn’t even be called a word escaped her.
But, without a doubt, it was soaked in feelings of horror.
Beltein rubbed her eyes.
It could have been something she mistook. It had to be.
As her hand rushed to her eyes, hoping the mirage-like figure that suddenly appeared before her had vanished, she fervently wished.
However, once she wiped her hands away, her vision began to clear, and she was left with nothing but a shattering reality.
The vague hopes she had cherished did not materialize, while the harsh truth she wanted to deny clearly revealed itself in her retina.
Whispers.
The sounds of astonishment and horror from the passersby stirred Beltein’s already chaotic mind even more.
Without a doubt, it was her.
There was no escaping reality anymore.
That noble figure. That honorable grace. That holy demeanor.
Of all people, Beltein, connected by blood to her, couldn’t possibly mistake her.
”Wha, why…!”
In a presence that couldn’t hide its shock, Beltein threw a harsh question towards the figure in front of her.
Her voice overflowed with reproach.
Just the fact that she had stepped a single foot out of the meeting room was enough to make headlines in newspapers, a testament to her notorious reclusive nature.
There was no way she could have come here on her own.
Right behind her stood a very familiar man, sweating profusely.
Naturally, it was expected that Beltein would shoot resentful glances at the most likely suspect that had caused this disaster.
”Priest Nobel! What in the world are you doing?! You let her step outside without proper authorization! Not to mention, this is a dungeon! If this level of sacrilege happens! No matter how much of a Priest you are! You should know it wouldn’t be strange if your head rolls without a trial!”
”I-I’m sorry, Sister! B-but!”
Under Beltein’s fierce reprimand, Nobel flinched, attempting to mumble a meek retort.
His pitiful state reminded her of a limping cat, making him look quite sorry.
But even that wretched display was nothing more than fuel for Beltein’s anger.
”Why did you bring the Saintess here!”
If there were sharpness in words, then that sharpness could rival a guillotine.
The evidence was in the expression of Priest Nobel, who was directly absorbing Beltein’s scrutiny, which grew paler by the second like that of a convict awaiting execution.
”I-I’m sorry! Sister! I’m fully aware that my actions are irredeemably sacrilegious! But… the Saintess… the Saintess…!”
”I don’t want to hear your excuses! If you want a reduction in the punishment for your sacrilege! You must take the Saintess back to the meeting room right this moment!”
The reason why Beltein suddenly stopped in her flow of complaints was none other than…
Despite the usual calmness of her expression, it was painfully clear, just looking at her cheeks puffed up like a hamster stuffed with food, that the Saintess was in an extremely bad mood.
”Hmph!”
”S-Saintess?”
It was then.
Boldly striding towards the black pillar right in front of her.
Beltein gasped, trying desperately to stop the determined advance, but…
”Saintess!”
Sadly, the moment her outstretched arm almost touched the Saintess, the Saintess’s white hand met the black pillar.
◈◈◈
Yeah. At this point, I guess I have to admit it.
I’ve lived a life full of shame.
While I haven’t led such a remarkable life that I would mock my own humanity, neither have I lived an honored life to boast to the heavens.
I thought I could live a life that was at least uneventful enough to be no different from others.
But I had to correct that naïve judgment of mine.
”What’s next! What’s next!”
”W-well, there’s the white neck that occasionally shows when I tidy my hair…”
”What’s next! What’s next!”
”A-also? Ah! The well-toned legs that are so attractive because the muscles are perfectly proportioned! I-I think!”
”What’s next! What’s next!”
”Huh? That’s all? Uh, um, well! The abs? Even when it shows faintly sometimes… are really seductive!”
”Oh! Indeed!”
If there’s a hell, I think this is it.
Having led a life filled with sins, I never thought I could die comfortably.
But I’m actually here, experiencing hell in advance while I’m still alive.
Truly, life is full of surprises.
”H-Hero… shouldn’t this be enough?”
”Huh? Is that all you feel about me, Sister?”
”N-no! There’s more! Um! Can you give me 5 minutes to think? Hero?”
”Haha! Of course! I can wait as long as you need!”
Oh God. Please, save me.
No, rather, just kill me.
I’m painfully aware that I’m a sinner beyond redemption.
But still, to continually talk about how sexy my niece is…
Isn’t that a punishment too heavy for a mere mortal to bear?
Thus…
Amid the anguish and sorrow, a vague cry for help resonated, unsure if it was aimed at someone.
”Huh?”
”Huh!”
Splosh. Splish.
The collapse of the dungeon, which had been progressing gradually, suddenly accelerated.
As if someone had poured water into a slowly crumbling sandcastle.
It was clearly a sensation I had never felt before.
However, for some reason, I felt a strange familiarity with this alien sensation.
Was it déjà vu?
No, that wasn’t it.
I couldn’t be certain of its identity, but I could assert one thing.
I had certainly experienced this sensation before.
”S-Saintess…?”
Not intuition, but instinct.
To the extent that I was surprised by my own words, something conscious and intangible, an instinct embedded in my body, was ringing an alarm.
Just then.
As the crumbling dungeon began to dissipate like mist before a strong wind, the distorted space also started to gradually regain its original form.
”Ugh!”
The Saintess, puffing her cheeks like an angry hamster, suddenly appeared before us like a mirage in the desert.
*