Chapter 188

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 31, 2025

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“Honestly, questioning my identity at this point in a different life seems pretty pointless.”

Well, I lean more towards liking guys. If I had a lot of money and was living independently, I’d probably just horde comic books and laze around.

The reason I’m at least trying to keep a semblance of decorum here in this convent is because I’m somewhat aligning with the nature of this place. It’s a tightrope I’m walking, and crossing that line gets the Sister Warden ticked off.

But I’ve noticed there are quite a few people crossing that line these days, though.

…Well, I can’t really complain since I brought them all here.

Anyway, what I want to talk about right now is something along those lines.

So, truth be told, I didn’t have to be all prim and proper while eating in front of Ria. Initially, I wolfed down my food without so much as a glance at her.

But now, why do I feel like I’m being watched?

There’s only one reason for that.

Despite everything, it’s probably because I like Ria.

When it comes to someone I like, I want to look good in front of them no matter what. But that doesn’t necessarily work out so well. I had a habit of treating Ria casually, and lately, I’ve been pulling little pranks and bugging her.

Ria doesn’t seem particularly bothered by it, but I can’t tell if that’s because she views me as a little kid or if her feelings run deeper than that.

If it’s the former, I’m a bit annoyed. I mean, I was born a few months earlier in this world, after all.

Even while I grumbled inwardly, I picked up my ramen with chopsticks and tried to slurp it as quietly as possible. Today, I wasn’t hogging it all to myself like last time; I just had a reasonable portion and ate what was in the bowl.

“…Ria, aren’t you eating?”

Even though I’d already eaten about half of what was in the bowl, Ria was just sitting there looking at me with a smile, which was oddly distracting.

When I asked her, that’s when Ria finally moved the bowl towards herself.

What gives? Not long ago, she used to tease me about how I ate. Now, it’s like that’s completely off the table.

…Actually, now that I think about it, that tendency of hers has been gradually fading. Especially during these late-night meals, this has to be related to the Saint Power I’ve been using. Maybe Ria is actually taking it pretty seriously.

“……”

I stared at her for a moment, then said, “Looks like you’re starting to acknowledge that I’m quite important now?”

I asked playfully, feeling a little uncomfortable with how quiet the atmosphere was.

“Well, I know you’ve been working hard,” Ria replied in a light tone.

“But that doesn’t mean I’m considering you that important.”

“Oh really?”

I blinked at Ria’s words.

It was Ria who had initially told me to become a Saint Candidate. I know what her intentions were—she probably feared I’d be treated like a fool if I stepped outside.

Even if I look like this, I was quite diligent in my social life before I reincarnated, so I find that assessment a bit strange. But anyway, people see me as an innocent nun who knows nothing about the world, not a working adult with years in employment.

And now I’m even a Saintess on top of that. When considering all the prejudices layered on that, it’s not entirely off the mark.

“I told you before, right? Just trust me.”

“……”

Hearing her say that, I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes a bit.

What on earth is she thinking?

“…And just so you know, what I’m about to do might not sit well with you.”

“Is it something dangerous?”

“Huh?”

“Is someone going to get hurt, or is Ria going to end up in some danger?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

“Then it doesn’t concern me.”

I said that and resumed moving my chopsticks.

“As long as Ria doesn’t get hurt, she’s probably got her own thoughts on things. Besides, I’m not keen on becoming a Saintess anyway.”

I was a person who valued rational and logical thinking while also knowing how to be humble. If something doesn’t suit me, I prefer to pass on it.

Right now, I didn’t have the option to refuse, but if Ria had something planned, then so be it.

I’m not sure how useful it’ll be, though.

So that day, I only had one bowl of ramen, unlike usual.

Ria also ate a little more than usual. She was probably just as hungry after using her Saint Power, like I was.

It was a bit infuriating that the only sounds of our stomachs growling were coming from mine.

Next time Ria’s stomach growls, I’ll—

—Hmm, no, I don’t think that’s quite right.

That would just be creepy.

*

A week later.

The news that we had defeated the bandits that day spread across the nation.

And coincidentally, so did the story that I mourned the dead.

Later, according to the Church’s investigation, it turned out that a grave near that small village had been dug up. It was the grave of an old man’s wife, who had apparently passed away over ten years ago.

So, it seems that old man just wanted to see his deceased wife again. There’s no way to know the truth now that everything’s done.

As for the person up the hill… well, they claimed they had no clue what happened. They hadn’t seen any human faces for a few years, so they’d either become deeply entrenched in their religion or holed themselves up in their room, wallowing in self-pity for whatever reason.

At this point, it’s not like we can ask them anymore.

Sigh, I guess someone up there is listening.

“……”

I don’t feel good about this.

Not being able to save people, and at the same time, offloading the tasks I can’t handle onto someone up there. Alongside being conscious of the fact that I’m unable to do anything.

Even in such a situation, the government was offering me a medal, and the Church was buzzing about placing me in the ranks of Blessed or Saint.

Sure, I could postpone the medal thing, but as a member of the Church, I’d have to respond however the higher-ups called for me. That’s the condition under which I’m being protected here.

If I were a Saint, it would be the opposite, and I’d be the one issuing commands. Ironically, I’m a nun right now. At least on the surface, I’m just a humble nun, so I had no choice but to comply.

And where I was going… was crowded.

“……”

There was a Cardinal in the distance.

I knew this was basically a ceremony to declare my assumption of the role of Saint.

Though it’s called canonization, there are various procedures involved. Just because the Cardinal calls me ‘Saint’ today doesn’t mean I really become one.

However, there was no compelling reason for me to fall short, especially since I had no particular disqualifications, and I had already contributed in so many ways.

Ria stood next to me. As my personal knight and a person who had been accompanying me wherever I went to build up credits.

If it was solely about guarding, that would have been impossible at this gathering.

Before we arrived here, Ria had tossed a light-hearted joke my way.

“Anyway, today we’re both wearing white outfits.”

Ria wasn’t becoming a Saint, but it seemed like she was matching the color of her attire as a knight to the Saintess’s.

Wearing a not-so-fancy outfit that closely resembled mine, Ria looked a bit out of place due to her red hair. If she was going to wear white, wearing formal pants would have suited her better.

I didn’t mean to say she looked bad, but…

“Even brides wear white dresses.”

“…If someone heard that, they’d think you were weird.”

I replied as if taken aback.

But it did lighten the mood a bit, making me feel a little steadier.

So I stood in this place—

Or so I thought as I was walking forward, when Ria suddenly grabbed my arm and spun me around.

Suddenly holding both my arms, I found myself face-to-face with Ria.

Her smile was brighter than ever.

Her cheeks were just slightly flushed.

I had a feeling I knew what she was thinking.

The people around us looked puzzled, and a few knights stood up from their seats.