Chapter 146

“It was an allure.”

The sight of Ria showing her back, completely unclothed, was indeed that alluring.

Why did I want to see that sight over and over again?

I casually suggested going to the swimming pool together, bought her a swimsuit as a nun and Saint Candidate, and enjoyed the view while keeping her close by my side.

But why did she end up riding a motorcycle without wearing a life jacket at the end?

Did she really just forget? After being trained as a hero since childhood and having discussed safety countless times, could she truly be someone who forgets such things?

Perhaps—she was just planning to stick close behind me and enjoy the sensation of her back against mine.

The protector and the one being protected.

Anna’s golden hair clung to her back, and as she brushed it aside to the front, her white nape was revealed once again.

Anna had a stunning figure. It was enough for even a glimpse from behind to be delightful. Her waist was likely slimmer than Maria’s. Thus, the curve flowing downwards was beautifully continued.

…Why did Ria feel attracted while watching that sight? They were both women after all.

Ria didn’t dislike men. Surely, she was capable of liking them since childhood. She’d often felt flutters watching handsome men on TV, and maybe there was even a boy nearby that caught her interest to some extent.

But she wasn’t thinking about wanting to date yet. Ria was quite confident. She believed she could get a boyfriend whenever she wanted, as she was not lacking in ability, family background, or looks at all.

Maybe that’s why.

She was a being unattainable. A hero she yearned for.

Not a hero designated through tests set by the system but someone willing to sacrifice herself to save the world. She wielded divine power with such ease, and was ever so willing to lend a hand to everyone.

That existence was so radiant and noble, yet so close and tender towards Ria.

For the first time, Ria met someone who treated her as if it was no big deal.

After that, there were more people like that. Not just Anna, but all of Anna’s friends treated Ria normally, even knowing the rank difference and that Ria would likely become a hero someday.

But the beginning of it all was indeed Anna.

“…Anna.”

Ria took a step closer to Anna.

Anna paused for a moment while pushing her wet hair back, turning her head slightly toward Ria.

A pretty face briefly showed. Her upper body turned slightly. Even in front of Ria, Anna was shy.

Despite being a hero, whose status was beyond reach, Anna was always so human.

Can this be considered such feelings?

“Ria.”

Anna turned gracefully toward Ria with a smile.

Ria stopped in her tracks at that gesture.

“Ria, what are you doing? Come on in.”

Anna spoke.

Her voice was sweet. It was a tone Anna usually wouldn’t use, but if Ria had heard it, it would surely make her happy.

Why?

It felt like her heart was racing.

But—

Anna tilted her head.

“Ria?”

“……”

“Ria, you were out just until a moment ago. Thank you for always working hard for me. So, Ria, it’s perfectly fine for you to be by my side always.”

But—

“Or is there something else I could give you? Ria, do you want anything else from me?”

Perhaps, yes.

But.

“In that case, you may take it.”

Anna said.

“I’ve already told Ria that I’m fine with giving myself to you.”

“But that can’t be what you meant.”

“……Ria?”

With Ria’s words, Anna called out to her blankly.

At that moment, Ria was wearing armor.

Dark water splattered across the armor. She looked just like someone who had come back from slaying monsters moments ago. The same went for her sword.

Right, she must have been fighting against the monsters charging at Anna.

Anna was in a prayer. To protect everyone, she unleashed her Saint Power to create a sanctuary on the sand, and helped the knights set up the protective seal while bleeding from both hands.

Yet, her magic power remained strong.

Wings sprouted from Paina’s back. Paina soared into the sky. Soon, black rain fell. Even over the sanctuary.

Vision turned dark.

Just like back in the Dwarf Kingdom.

The monsters probably couldn’t enter the sanctuary. Though it was only a matter of time.

“……”

Ria looked at the sword in her hand.

A splendid white blade. And golden patterns.

But what caught Ria’s eye was not those things. It was a much rougher stone.

On the upper side of the sword handle, embedded into the center of the handguard as if it were the most beautiful jewel in the world, Ria saw that stone.

…It didn’t shine white, but with red traces visible.

It was a trace of blood.

Anna’s self-inflicted wound that couldn’t be hidden by the blood of a black monster.

The holy relic Anna had created.

“…Hah.”

Hearing Anna’s stubborn voice that it would be useful, Ria couldn’t help but laugh.

“…Yeah, that makes sense.”

She let out a deep sigh.

“Anna wouldn’t have said that.”

Yeah. If it were Anna, she surely would have.

Her face would have flushed, and she’d have been extremely flustered.

And she might have dived into the water trying to hide herself. She would likely have been angry at Ria for barging in while she was bathing. If it were this situation, surely Anna would have been washing alone to avoid an embarrassing situation.

Without understanding a human heart.

“I would say I’d give you anything, but that dimwit wouldn’t use those words in such a sexual way.”

Ria said, looking up at the fake with a fierce glare.

“She probably thinks she’s too ugly to even compare to herself.”

In reality, she was a beauty that made everyone passing by turn to look. Sure, she does say she’s pretty herself, but she’s never compared herself directly to Ria. Though she praises herself, she never belittles Ria. That’s what kind of person Anna was.

She certainly wouldn’t think of her body as a ‘reward’.

No, she would likely find the very thought of rewarding that way quite unpleasant.

Oh come on, who’s really the non-Saint here?

Feigning innocence while actually putting up such barriers, who isn’t being religious here? It’s completely ridiculous.

“Ria—”

“…Shut up.”

Ria snapped at the fake with a glare.

“Don’t call me that name.”

Ria growled as if she was about to chew up the fake.

“The only one who can call me that is Anna. Only Anna has permission.”

It was a nickname Anna had arbitrarily given.

But that was fine. It was an action only possible because it was Anna.

No matter how casually her friends treat her, none of them were like Anna. The ‘closest one’ among them was certainly Anna.

And the only one Ria liked enough to grant a nickname was Anna, too.

It’s necessary to sort out these feelings. Although Ria had no intention of giving up even the slightest bit, since these feelings were directed at Anna, she surely needed to set her sights a bit more clearly.

Really… Can it be said that these are such feelings? Am I not mistaking this feeling of affection, hitherto unfelt, with longing?

“Who do you think I am? Come on.”

Yeah.

Ria was Anna’s knight.

From the moment Anna first declared her to be ‘my knight,’ it had always been this way.

So.

“Then you must have tried to mess with my feelings.”

Ria finally got genuinely angry after a long time.

Now that she was angry, she thought she should also resolve the anger from last time against Anna.

The fake finally grasped the situation and stood up, but it was already too late for it.

As she swung the sword, a white light followed behind.

A sword that slashes ‘monsters.’

A sword that cuts through ‘evil.’

Even if that is a demon’s illusion, it’s the same.

Swish.

The sound of rain was heard.

The sword rain poured down to the extent that visibility was almost zero.

But even such rain could not completely stain Anna’s sanctuary. The monsters melted away as they touched the ground. The knights may have stopped, but still, no one could complain.

Ria looked up.

Boom.

Thunder rumbled, and the silhouette of something above came into view. Something with black wings.

From that something, a black thread was slowly descending.

It was just about to reach Anna.

Ria slashed at it. Without hesitation, just as she had slashed through Anna’s Saint Power.