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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: A Saint's Day Off
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“Then, why don’t you take off your priest robes first?”
“…Pardon?”
A faint crack appeared in Zion’s smiling face. I calmly pointed to a clothing store beside us.
“People wandering around the market don’t usually wear white robes.”
“Ah…!”
Zion looked around, startled. He seemed to finally realize how different his attire was from everyone else’s, an embarrassed expression crossing his face.
“…My apologies. I’m not very familiar with things outside the Holy See.”
His demeanor was quite different from before. Huh?
His usual sly attitude had vanished, replaced by an anxious air as he glanced around…
If it wasn’t an act, he was actually quite cute.
“It’s alright. That can happen. For now, it would be best to change into some casual clothes over there.”
“What? But I…”
“Come on!”
Seeing him like that, I grew excited and pulled Zion by the arm. I regretted it a moment later, but Zion’s expression wasn’t bad.
No, it seemed he was too busy taking in all the novelty to even think about it.
Playing dress-up with Zion was quite fun. After having him try on various colors, my conclusion was,
“Your face is so striking that it outshines whatever you wear…”
There were no clothes that could hide that beauty.
It was enough to make one wonder if a person's face was allowed to look like that. It was only natural that the shop clerks kept stealing glances at Zion.
“Ah, I’ll take this one and this one. A dark-colored robe would be good.”
“Emily…”
“Hmm, it’s a shame we won’t be able to see your face with the robe on.”
But Zion’s face was too conspicuous, so there was no other choice. I handed over a House Walker calling card and left the shop.
“…! I-I’ll buy my own clothes.”
“I heard the Holy See’s basic tenet is poverty. Besides, you snuck out, so it would be difficult for you to use your stipend for maintaining your station, wouldn’t it?”
“That’s…”
“Just accept it. Have you perhaps not heard that House Walker is the wealthiest family in the empire?”
At my words, Zion opened and closed his mouth as if he had nothing to say. Does this Saint even know how much the clothes he’s wearing cost?
“Dressed like this, you really look like any other young noble.”
That wasn’t flattery, but the truth. Dressed in casual clothes instead of his priest robes, he looked much more like a young man his age.
Zion kept fidgeting with his clothes, hesitating.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve worn anything other than priest robes… It feels a bit awkward.”
“To become a priest, you have to serve God from a young age, right?”
“That’s how one can contain more divine power within their body.”
So they’re in the middle of early education for killing warlocks. The thought brought tears to my eyes again.
“Then is this your first time coming to a place like this?”
“…It’s embarrassing, but yes.”
In that case, I’ll have to distract him so thoroughly he won’t have time to think about the grimoire.
“Alright. Then just follow me.”
“What? Where are we going…!”
“This way!”
I pulled Zion along without a plan. He looked flustered at first, but as he began to explore every nook and cranny of the market with me, his expression soon turned to one of interest.
We stopped by the market, went to a place where local kids were playing with a ball, and when it was about time for dinner, we headed to a nearby street stall.
“Two skewers, please.”
“W-What kind of meat are these skewers made of?”
“They’re made with leftover cuts. The meat that’s left after cutting steaks is usually used like this.”
He gave them a suspicious look, but after seeing me eat without hesitation, he courageously took a large bite.
“…!”
“Not bad, right?”
It’s seasoned heavily to cover any gamey taste, but that intense flavor is part of its charm.
“…Salty, sweet, spicy… It’s a chaotic flavor. It feels like my tongue is being assaulted by taste.”
As a Saint, he probably ate well at the temple, but the food would never have been this intensely flavored.
“Alright, next up is this way!”
Next, I led Zion to an old, abandoned building.
It was once used as a temple for another religion, but it was naturally closed down when the state religion was officially established.
Standing in a room at the top of a soaring steeple, we could see the entire capital spread out beyond the window.
“Wow…”
Zion let out a small gasp of admiration.
A gentle breeze swept past us. The setting sun painted the sky before us in brilliant hues of red and orange.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
I smiled brightly, tucking a strand of hair that had blown into my face behind my ear. This was a place I cherished, and I was making a special exception for him.
So that he wouldn’t think about the grimoire.
“…It is beautiful.”
Zion was staring at me with a somewhat dazed expression.
As the sunset cast its glow on his face, Zion’s ethereal features were warmed by the light.
I pushed back Zion’s hood.
“You can take it off here. We’re the only ones around.”
His eyes widened as he stared at me.
“From here, your hair looks almost blonde.”
“Ah… I suppose so. Because of the light…”
“Your natural hair color is pretty, but blonde would suit you too. It makes you look more… human, I suppose.”
It was because the holy atmosphere that made you feel like you’d be arrested for blasphemy just by touching him had lifted.
“…”
At my words, Zion’s face grew pensive. Calling the person closest to God ‘human’. Honestly…
“…Emily, you must come here often.”
“My second oldest brother likes to come out for walks with me. My twin also comes this way sometimes when he’s looking for alchemy ingredients.”
This was my first time coming alone, though. Following the route Isaac used to take me on made it seem quite plausible.
“I see. I’ve heard that you are very close with your brothers.”
“Wow, has that rumor spread all the way to the Holy See? I’m in trouble.”
“Just that your sibling bond is very deep.”
“Actually, it was a real struggle to get out today. They kept pestering me about who I was meeting, so I just gave a vague answer and left.”
It was a total warzone this morning. But I knew they were just saying it because they were worried about me, so I wasn’t upset.
“Everyone worries a lot. They have a tendency to be a bit overprotective of me.”
Even as I said that, the corners of my mouth crept upward. A smile spread naturally across my face.
“…Emily.”
Zion whispered softly.
“You are loved.”
Zion was definitely smiling as he said it, but his eyes seemed to hold a pool of sadness.
“…You think so? It’s a bit embarrassing to hear that from someone who receives the love of God.”
“The Lord loves all of creation.”
He must have known that wasn’t what I meant. Zion gently brushed my words aside.
“I had a wonderful time today, thanks to you.”
Zion turned his head, taking in the view from the window.
“So much so that I completely forgot why I came out in the first place.”
Mission successful.
“Mmm. I looked around while we were out, but I didn’t feel any remnants of dark magic anywhere. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”
“Not at all. I’m grateful that you simply took the time to be with me.”
Zion wore a slightly relieved expression.
“Coming out like this once in a while to get some fresh air is a great help in clearing one’s mind.”
That’s right. You should think about things other than hunting warlocks sometimes.
“Emily.”
“Yes?”
“Be careful.”
His tone was quite serious.
“…I know. That the warlocks are targeting my family.”
“No. It’s not simply a matter of that. Of course, that is also important, but…”
Zion pressed his lips together for a moment before slowly continuing.
“Do you know why they are targeting the descendants of the 13 Prophets?”
“Isn’t it for revenge? For the Holy War 300 years ago.”
“That may be part of it. But there is a more important reason.”
It’s not because of revenge?
Zion looked me straight in the eyes and said.
“It is because their descendants are needed to maintain the barrier around Thanatos Island.”
“Us…?”
“Yes. The only barrier separating the continent from Thanatos Island uses the descendants of those prophets as its cornerstone.”
Seriously, ancestors. How could you?
Why would you arbitrarily use your descendants as the cornerstone for a barrier?
All I knew was that the 13 Prophets had offered a part of their own souls to create the barrier after the Holy War. I had no idea my soul was contributing to it as well!
“Do you understand? If you were to lose your life, Emily, the chances of the warlocks breaking through the barrier and escaping would increase.”
“I understand. That the lives of many people depend on me.”
This is getting bigger than I thought. And here I am, a warlock who couldn’t care less about their goals, kin or not.
“The Holy See and the various nations are doing their utmost to prevent any more victims, so there probably won’t be any major problems.”
This situation is turning out to be very strange.
‘The Holy See is protecting warlocks and zombies?’
No matter how I think about it, it’s absurd. Who am I supposed to consider an ally? *Sigh*, that’s quite a philosophical question.
“I hope this daily life of ours doesn’t crumble.”
Zion confessed in a calm tone.
He looked down at the people outside the window, his expression as if lost in deep sentiment.
This was my chance.
When a person is at their most vulnerable, I began to speak in a subtle tone.
“Come to think of it, I’m not sure about remnants of dark magic… but there is one suspicious place.”
