Chapter 8
The Retired Saintess Raises House Prices Episode 8
Episode 8
Occasionally, while performing purification prayers, citizens would express their gratitude by offering money or jewels.
I refused, saying I couldn't accept them, but other upper-rank saintesses and Holy Knights seemed to pocket them on the sly.
Even exorcisms come with tips.
What an astonishing worldview.
Anyway, going on purification prayers frequently allowed me to save up a fair amount of money.
Funds for my escape were ready.
I just needed to shake off the one Holy Knight who tailed me on every outing—whether for surveillance or protection, I couldn't tell.
However, today's purification site must have been something special, as even the Great Saintess personally warned me to be careful.
The problem was the Holy Knight joining me for today's purification: an utterly annoying guy.
Holy Knight Captain Mikhail Severino.
The man who'd been by my side during my first witch burning. The bastard who'd dragged me in, branding me a witch.
Since it was a past only I remembered, his face toward me was kindly.
“Pleased to meet you. Saintess Shuana. I'm Holy Knight Captain Mikhail Severino.”
“Yes, hello. Captain. I'm Saintess Shuana.”
Acting innocent, I tilted my head and asked,
“Is the Holy Knight Captain personally accompanying me for today's purification prayer?”
“Yes. My usual duty is tracking sinister energies and executing witches, but today the Great Saintess specially requested that I protect you, Saintess Shuana.”
“My goodness, for someone of your stature to make time for me—it's an honor. I must offer a prayer of thanks when I return.”
Sevelom…….
Oblivious to my inner thoughts, Severino explained in a businesslike tone.
“Saintess Shuana, the mansion we're heading to is so infested with evil spirits that they've banned civilians from even entering the alley. Previously, other saintesses entered for purification only to fall under the evil spirits' sway and meet tragic ends.”
“Ends……?”
Pretending scared, I clasped my hands over my mouth and trembled.
Severino replied with a stern face.
“There's only death for those bewitched by evil spirits. Once ensnared, they never return.”
“……Am I heading to my death right now, by any chance?”
“It means that if you sense any malevolent energy during the purification prayer, escape immediately.”
He smiled as if to reassure me, but having been burned at the stake after he branded me a witch, it didn't amuse me much.
Yeah, I know. You kill without hesitation. I know that all too well.
Still, pretending to muster courage, I said resolutely,
“With Holy Knight Captain Severino guarding my back, my heart feels secure.”
Severino said nothing more.
So I stopped talking too.
The place Severino guided me to was the mansion where I'd first slept after leaving the Temple.
A grand deep-green mansion standing tall amid empty lots stretching on both sides.
The garden grass still gleamed with luster, as if well-maintained.
An evil spirit here?
I hadn't heard so much as a ghost fart when I slept here.
Your precious Moandalla—or whatever—is the real ghost, you fools.
As always, instead of praying, I muttered curses inwardly and casually stood before the mansion.
“Captain Severino.”
“Yes.”
I spoke with grave resolve.
“I'll go in alone.”
“……I can't allow that.”
“No. No one else could take your place, Captain. And if something happens while we're both inside, how would we handle it? I want you, Captain Severino…… to block it for me.”
Like a brave, devout saintess resolved to death, I smiled gently.
Agreeing with me, Severino raised no further objections.
Oh yeah.
If Severino didn't enter the mansion with me, escaping would be much easier.
While he guarded the front, waiting to cut down the mad saintess, I could slip out the back door and bolt.
As I thought that, Severino whispered in a low voice,
“If you're possessed by the evil spirit, I'll have no choice but to execute you, so please come out before it's too late.”
Saying he has to kill me so sweetly.
I looked up at him.
“That won't happen. For the great and radiant Moandalla is with me.”
Thankfully, Severino waited outside the mansion fence.
It wasn't much different from the last time I'd entered alone.
The door opened and closed automatically, as if welcoming me.
The fireplace still burned, and the sofa looked as comfortable as ever.
Aaaaaabsolutely nothing happened.
How could it be this safe?
I headed straight upstairs to a room.
Opened the wardrobe, changed into suitable clothes for disguise, and cautiously opened the back door off the kitchen.
Everything had gone according to plan up to here.
Except for running into the man standing there as if waiting for me to emerge from the back door.
Raphael Winters.
My heart nearly stopped at the unexpected appearance.
Before I could even yelp 'Gasp!', a large hand in a black glove clamped over my mouth.
Why is this guy here?
With empty eyes devoid of anything, he slowly drew a sword from within his coat.
Raphael's bluish blade gradually approached my face.
Raphael scanned me from head to toe with his ruby-red eyes.
Smiling?
You think it's funny watching me struggle to survive, you crazy protagonist?
After several deaths, rage that had naturally grown in my heart erupted like wildfire.
How many times have I died because of your regressions, and you're smiling now?
Do you know how many burnings I've endured?
I trembled, clenching my fists tight.
Overcome with fury, my whole body wouldn't stop shaking.
Repeated regressions drive people mad.
Even putting on all sorts of shows, the repeating regressions drive people insane.
I ground my teeth and glared at him murderously.
A sword gleamed before my eyes, but after dying so many times, it didn't scare me much.
Raphael seemed to notice that too.
In a very small voice, he whispered mockingly,
“As expected, you don't fear death.”
You cover my mouth but spout your commentary freely. Why not give it five stars, favorite the crazy saintess, and be on your way?
“Scream and you die. Saintess.”
Raphael removed only the hand over my mouth, keeping the sword trained on me.
The moment my mouth was free, I demanded,
“What could a lowly saintess confined to the Temple possibly pique your curiosity about? Kill me, and the Holy Knight I came with will target you.”
“Killing a mad saintess who fled out the back door, unable to overcome the curse—what great sin is that?”
Ah.
Records I'd seen in the document archive flashed through my mind.
There were saintesses beaten to death for abandoning God, but plenty more simply found as corpses.
At least in this worldview, saintesses were fair game to kill.
Just claim afterward, 'She was controlled by an evil spirit.'
Damn untouchable lowborn saintesses.
Grinding my teeth, I glared at Raphael and asked,
“What are you curious about?”
“……So it wasn't my imagination from the Temple.”
Why does this bastard talk like this?
He won't say what he saw at the Temple, or why he's grabbing me.
To even start a conversation with a total stranger, you begin with 'Hello.'
My number one grudge target is the author of Sword's Edge, and number two is this rude asshole endlessly regressing without knowing why.
