Chapter 134

“No matter how I look at it, it just screams Saintess outfit.”

But to be honest, there was something else that troubled my heart.

Truthfully, I never imagined that Ria and I would become this close when I first met her.

When Ria made me ramen late at night, I thought to myself, “Ah, she really is a kind heroine.” She claimed she would protect me, and although she was a little mischievous, she was fundamentally a good person, so I figured we’d become friends to a certain extent.

No, actually, thinking back, I thought we’d be “this much” close.

In web novels or light novels, it’s quite common for heroines to have physical contact with each other. They hug, link arms, or even interlock fingers… It looks pretty when beautiful female characters are depicted like that, and since it works well for illustrations, those without yuri elements can sometimes still feature those kinds of visuals.

So, I believe a certain degree of physical contact is natural in this world, which is quite similar to that of the novels. Petting each other’s heads or accidentally tangling up while sleeping.

When Ria cuddled up to me or I cuddled to her, it was probably close to a scenario where we were both half-asleep, so it could be seen as an accident. Nothing too significant happened beyond that.

In reality, Ria and I don’t really have any physical contact beyond holding each other’s wrists or linking arms normally. Well, we might have danced together, but while it made me feel something… for Ria, it was probably just a casual moment.

So, at this point, it’s technically my one-sided oddity.

For some reason, it feels like Ria… looks like a love interest to me. Or should I say, in this case, a same-sex love interest?

Either way, it’s a complicated matter of emotions.

For now, I’m still closer to feelings of friendship. We’re friends, but it’s the kind where I keep the possibility of being more in mind. It’s like knowing a girl who stands out among a group of guys. If she were to ask me out, I would raise both hands and shout “yes!” but I wouldn’t want to confess first.

Not because I emotionally don’t want to, but rather because I’m scared this relationship might break if I confess.

No, think about it.

A strong, pretty, and even kind girl says she wants to protect me. In reality, there might be various limits, but this world is a fantasy where people use swords to cut through cars.

Could my heart possibly not be drawn to her?

We’re risking our lives for each other, so it’s impossible not to feel anything—unless Ria sees me as just a friend, which I don’t.

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“What are you staring at?”

I blinked at Ria’s question.

We were in a classroom. A class at the Hunter Association.

Well, calling it a school was a bit ambiguous, but the things we learned were definitely helpful—especially for those looking to become Hunters.

In that classroom, Ria and I naturally sat in the back row. Side by side.

During breaks between classes,

It seems I was unknowingly staring at Ria.

“Huh?”

Ria tilted her head. Her bob cut was sleek, and her shiny, soft hair flowed down past her cheeks.

She casually raised her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, looking so pretty it seemed deliberate.

If I suddenly complimented her looks, what would she say?

…I have said I was pretty before, though.

I still think I’m pretty, but the issue lies in the fact that it doesn’t hold much meaning when it comes to another girl, no matter how beautiful she is. I’m not interested in girls, so what does it matter if the girl next to me is pretty?

“Is there something on your face?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I absentmindedly answered and turned my gaze away.

I stifled a sigh that threatened to escape.

Ria’s outfit was a black nun’s habit. It looked like I was the only one wearing a white outfit.

“……”

Ria seemed to sense something from my reaction.

“Here.”

Ria rummaged through her bag and handed something to me.

It was chocolate. Nothing fancy—just some chocolate wrapped in clear plastic, which wasn’t too expensive.

“No, it’s not that I’m hungry or anything!”

“Oh really? Then just don’t eat it.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t eat it.”

I quickly grabbed it before Ria could take it back.

Our fingertips brushed against each other.

Normally, I wouldn’t have cared, but since I had just been having other thoughts about Ria, it made me unnecessarily conscious.

The soft touch of her fingertip lingered for what felt like a while.

In reality, it couldn’t have lasted more than three seconds.

*

The Hunter Association building had all sorts of facilities.

Unlike smaller associations that often lack forges, there were plenty of classrooms like this one here. Many associations barely had enough members to count on one hand.

Such associations often relied on larger ones for weapon production or training. Massive associations made quite a bit of money from that.

Well, I’m not too concerned about how other associations operate.

“W-wait a minute!”

As I entered the forge, the person inside quickly thrust both hands forward and shouted.

“Are you really coming in here dressed like that?”

At that, I blinked for a second and looked down at myself.

The Saintess robe… no, this white nun’s habit didn’t have much design difference from other habits. It was just overall very white, with a bit of gold threading here and there for decoration.

However, looking at how pristine white it was, I could understand why they tried to stop me.

“It’s not like I’m going to ruin everything.”

“No, still… just wait a moment.”

I smiled and replied, but it seemed like they still weren’t quite reassured.

These days, it’s been like this whenever I went out.

But until now, there weren’t many people staring when I walked alongside Ria.

The nun’s robe was nearly black and didn’t stand out compared to the other nuns.

But this white nun’s habit and veil were just too eye-catching.

Even though it’s a modern forge and has the latest equipment, it certainly feels like I’d get a bit guilty if I spilled something on this outfit.

The person disappeared into another room and came back with a large apron to hand to me. It was a thick leather apron that could withstand even the sharpest of objects without injury. I didn’t know what kind of leather it was, but it was extremely heavy.

“Is it okay for me to go in now?”

“Of course! There probably won’t be anyone here who wouldn’t welcome you!”

I nodded with a smile and stepped inside.

Ria closely followed behind me. No one was going to attack me in here.

Well, while some of the materials on the shelves looked somewhat dangerous…

“What brings you here today? Do you have a request or something?”

“Yes, I have something I’d like to request.”

I said that while placing a small pouch I brought on the reception desk.

Inside the pouch were the relics I had created.

I kept insisting that I didn’t want to become a Saintess, and indeed, I wasn’t one yet—but there’s no helping what can’t be helped.

The more I used my Saint Power, the more my body slowly adapted to it. The wounds on my hands and even the blood flowing from those wounds might be a part of that phenomenon.

Though I deny becoming a figure of sainthood in the Church, to be honest, I’ve started to doubt whether I was somehow created as one from a religious concept.

And if that were the case, the danger Ria might face would certainly exceed what could merely be considered verbal threats.

“This is….”

When I opened the pouch and showed what was inside, the person looked surprised.

“Can we use this stone to make a sword that continuously emanates Saint Power?”

Ria looked at me with slightly wide eyes.

“Ah, yes, that might be possible with some research. But, what is this made of…?”

“……”

I hesitated a moment before opening up.

“I made it using my blood.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

Both looked at me with shock. Especially Ria’s gaze was somewhat intimidating.

Well, I did say I harmed myself, but I properly treated the injuries afterward.

…Although, I guess that’s not really the issue here.

I avoided Ria’s gaze as I twirled my eyes around and said,

“So… please, I really need this. I might need it someday.”

“Ah, yes.”

The person, slightly dazed, responded after a moment.

“I’ll do my utmost to make it happen.”

For now, that was settled.

….

Although it seemed like Ria’s gaze wasn’t satisfied with just that, well, whatever.