Chapter 158

Chapter 15: Belief and Trust

Since I killed a demon, it wasn’t like a sudden crisis erupted right away.

At least at this point, knowing that ‘it could happen,’ the demon race would probably find it a bit tough to attack me recklessly.

After all, the farther away you are from death, the more you tend to fear it. It’s not like I’m fearless about death, but at least I know there’s a place to go after I die, right?

As for the demons, I’m not really sure if they have souls like mine. One thing’s for sure, they don’t see us as equals at all.

When I think about how they looked down on me while wielding the power of that being above, it’s all the more evident.

“……”

Come to think of it, I’ve already taken care of all those who might attack me in advance. Ria has become much stronger than in the original.

I’ve also been diligently working, and now, I’ve made sacred items placed all over Seoul for emergency use.

Not just in Seoul, but I’m also consistently making and distributing them daily near gates and in regional bases. If things go well, I might even manage to supply some overseas.

It’s just too big a world for me to protect all by myself.

Other countries have their heroes and capable hunters, but…

“Hmm.”

What if the demon race really invades to turn the whole world upside down? What could I possibly do about things happening on the other side of the planet? It’d take a whole day just to fly there.

It’s a little scary.

The being above sent me down. Someone who has some knowledge of this world.

Whether that being wrote the novel or if there’s a world that coincides with the one in the novel among countless parallel universes is unclear. What’s certain is that I assumed the role of Saintess Anna in this world.

This is just my guess, but maybe this world didn’t have that ‘Anna’ at all.

It might have been a world crumbling since there was no one to endure the overflowing magic and maintain a balance for a counterattack.

I had asked the being above for love advice, but I hadn’t dared to ask about that. I was likely just postponing it because I felt I’d hear an answer I wouldn’t want to.

“What’s wrong?”

As I got lost in thought, Ria asked.

On the way to the Hunter Association’s lecture room.

Was I weirdly quiet? Indeed, I might usually talk a bit more about this or that.

“Nothing.”

I answered that way for now, but my uneasy feelings weren’t easily fading away.

Slowly, the knowledge I had was reaching its limits. The truth is, there have already been quite a few changes. Particularly, the force that had been trying to kidnap me was still out of sight, and the beings that were clearly following the demon race hadn’t shown themselves openly yet.

What if they’ve hidden away deeper? I wonder if I’m missing something happening right under my nose.

…….

Should I just ask the next time I pray?

I feel like I’m getting closer to being a religious person, but… well, I’ve promised myself several times that I could change my stance a bit if it’s for saving people.

“……”

Ria seemed to realize I was troubled, but she didn’t pry too much.

That was appreciated.

*

“Hmm.”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

Once in the lecture room, after lightly greeting acquaintances and sitting down, Yuri suddenly stared at me with a tilted head.

Let’s be direct: Yuri is a beauty.

Rather than the tsundere type of childhood friend, she gives off a much more elegant vibe… though, I guess, there are various types of childhood friends.

Her hair tied back is definitely closer to my personal taste from my previous life compared to when we first met.

When you read a novel, don’t you usually get immersed in the male lead? There was a reason I pushed my childhood friend Han Yu-ri as the heroine.

But that’s not the case now.

“No, I just thought your sparkle seemed a bit less today. Your dress is white, though.”

Does wearing white have anything to do with sparkling? Maybe white reflects light better or something?

“Are you worried about something?”

Elegant as she is, she’s not completely quiet either. In fact, Yuri’s personality is quite straightforward, which is somewhat surprising given her impression.

Initially, she might keep a distance and use formal language, but once you get close, she becomes a reliable ally. An excellent magician, already a hunter scaling up higher than others at a young age.

“Worry…”

My mind was certainly cluttered. Thoughts about Ria, thoughts about the future, somewhat haphazardly scattered all over, making it hard to concentrate.

“Well, it’s unavoidable. You know, I’ve heard some things about you lately?”

“About me?”

“There are a few folks in this association who go to your neighborhood church. They say the place lights up every time you pray. You’re at the center of it all.”

“……”

That was, in fact, true.

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

“…And about your clothes, that’s kind of how it is, right? The church considers you a very important figure.”

I felt Ria’s gaze on me from beside.

She was alternating her stare between Yuri and me during our conversation. That gaze felt oddly sharp.

“I’m not a true saint yet.”

Before I could reply, Ria jumped in first.

“I’m far from being canonized. And this outfit is just a nun’s habit for now.”

“Right, that’s true.”

Yuri knows my position. My personality and the way I think to some extent.

Though a churchgoer, she’s not the type to push me to become a saint unconditionally.

“You’ve made connections with princesses from various worlds, and there are a lot of races indebted to you. Honestly, if the government of this country thinks ahead, they’re probably trying to recruit Anna to their side. It’d be handy for diplomacy, right?”

Glaria, who had been listening to the conversation, chimed in.

“No, I don’t have any intentions in that direction.”

Honestly, I just wanted to go somewhere quiet and relax. I’m not sure where that quiet place would be. Though I wouldn’t want to give up city life, I also didn’t want to live right in the city either.

And there was someone I hoped to have by my side in that house.

“By the way.”

Seeing Ria’s expression worsen as the conversation deepened, Yuri quickly changed the subject.

“Why hasn’t Siyoon shown up yet?”

“Did he do something weird? Maybe he’s still too embarrassed after being rude to the prince to come here.”

“No way!?”

Yuri shouted, her face bright red at Glaria’s words.

All the students waiting for the instructor turned their eyes toward us, making Yuri’s face flush even more.

Hmm.

She might have some tsundere traits too? Maybe after the saint who used to charge in without a clue has disappeared, Yuri inherited that atmosphere.

…Or maybe their relationship has become more lukewarm.

It’s common to put in less effort when the competition disappears. Even Glaria, who in the original was quite clingy to Siyoon, isn’t quite as proactive in this world.

She calls him ‘prince’ and has a dazed expression as if she’s smitten each time, but that’s about it.

“The way you’re reacting, it seems like something happened for sure. What did you do? Did you even visit his room?”

“N-No, not that…”

Yuri lowered her voice and slightly bowed her head as she spoke.

“It’s just that I merely asked him what kind of birthday gift he wants. I’ve done it every year.”

“Prince’s birthday… right, it’s early November, isn’t it? There’s less than two weeks left now.”

Glaria pondered for a moment before looking at Yuri.

“So, can you tell me what you think he might want?”

“Why would I tell you that?”

Yuri snapped back sharply.

“Ah, as I thought, you don’t share that kind of information even with the same business partner. How ruthless.”

“…You’re not my partner; you’re my competitor.”

Yuri let out a long sigh and rubbed her face.

While we chatted, the front door of the lecture room opened, and the instructor stepped in.

Siyoon still hadn’t arrived.

We exchanged brief glances. Even Ria, who usually showed no particular interest in Siyoon, blinked in surprise.

This wasn’t like him to be late to a gathering like this.

*

After class.

I wasn’t sexually interested in Siyoon, and though Ria outright said she wasn’t interested, he still managed to catch my attention a bit.

Siyoon is not a top-tier hunter yet. He’s been assessed as having ‘potential’ but is still a newbie, having been here for less than a year.

Yuri, as the heroine, naturally had to worry, and Glaria’s reaction was understandable. Davi, who followed Glaria, coincidentally joined along too.

But I couldn’t completely ignore him.

After all, Siyoon is the protagonist of this world. Even if it’s not a novel but a world similar to one, being the most important character doesn’t change.

“Hey, Siyoon?”

Yuri said as she grabbed the doorknob.

The door was open.

No, to be precise, the inside of that doorknob was broken.

“……”

We all immediately stiffened up.

No one here could fail to realize that something had happened inside.