Chapter 44

“Grrr! Grrrrr!”

Strange voice.

Where is it coming from?

There’s no sign of anyone around.

I need to bark.

It could be dangerous.

Young demon, still in pain.

I have to protect you.

“Grrrrr! Grrrrrr!”

My leader, my only leader.

Anything that might endanger the young demon can’t be left behind.

But I’m weak.

So I have to bark.

“Grrrrr! Grrrrrrr!”

Ow.

My throat hurts.

It’s because I’ve been barking too much lately.

But I can’t stop here.

I can’t hesitate.

I have to drive away that mysterious voice as soon as possible….

[Huff-.]

Whooaaa-!

Huh?

It’s bright all around.

My throat doesn’t hurt anymore.

My chest feels warm.

So cozy.

*****

[Mr. Joker, can you hear me?]

It’s the Saintess.

The moment I heard it, I instinctively knew. That voice I had grown tired of hearing endlessly in Tartarus, but never once thought of being sick of.

That modest voice.

“So, who might this be?”

I deliberately said those words. It was a kind of test.

Because it was the exact first line we exchanged when the Saintess and I first met, guided by Tartarus’ warden Kelt.

If the owner of the voice coming from this rosary really is the Saintess, they should easily understand what I mean…

[First meeting. Pleased to meet you.]

“…! Hahaha! Isn’t that the great Sun Saintess!”

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

It’s the Saintess I know. The Saintess Maria from 500 years in the future is talking to me now.

Every hair on my body stood up like they were dancing. A wave of chills ran through my whole body, electrifying my senses, especially my hearing.

[Is that not Mr. Joker, the Demon King’s second-in-command?]

“Hahahahaha! Saintess! How did this happen?! I couldn’t imagine it!”

[Hehe, it’s been such a long time. I didn’t know how much I missed the sound of Mr. Joker’s voice.]

This is Saintess Maria, the anomaly, goal, and Lord of this second round.

Unable to hide my joy, I burst into loud laughter. I thought I’d have to wait 500 years to meet her, but who would’ve thought I’d reunite with her in this way?

Of course, we haven’t faced each other directly yet.

Even so, just the ability to communicate through this rosary is, without a doubt, nothing short of a miracle.

“Grrrrr! Strange voice! Grrrr!”

Aru barks upon hearing the Saintess speak. While I was fiddling with the rosary, he was busy munching on some meat nearby, but now he pretends to guard.

“Grrrrr! Cough, cough! Grrrrrr!”

Amidst the fierce barking, there are sounds of harsh coughing. Aru, your voice condition worries me; it seems to be quite bad.

Well, he has been barking too much recently. Should I take him to an animal hospital?

[Mr. Joker, what is that sound?]

The Saintess’ voice flows out from the rosary, reaching my ears. I chuckled as I replied.

“Wolf King Lua. No, Aru.”

[Is this chirping sound the Wolf King’s?]

“Yeah, I lured him with the love you taught me. Did I do well?”

As your apostle, I lured him with the love you taught me.

Will you praise me?

[…Lured… you say?]

The gentle tone of the Saintess suddenly turned chilly. Uh? Why is she reacting like this? I merely faithfully practiced what the Saintess taught me?

“Uh, is there a problem?”

[…Nothing at all. However… his vocal condition doesn’t seem too good, does it?]

“Saintess can tell too? This guy has been barking nonstop. What if he gets nodules on his vocal cords?”

[Would it be alright if I offer a little help?]

“Help? Go ahead. You’re not the type to harm anyone.”

[Then please point the rosary towards the Wolf King.]

I obediently followed the Saintess’ instructions. Based on my experience, I’ve never lost anything by listening to the Saintess.

Though it’s only been a week since I started following her, the title of “the wisest human on the continent” isn’t something to scoff at.

[Hill-.]

As the Saintess calmly recites a spell, pure divine power blooms from the rosary like a flower. The divine power briefly scans the surroundings before finding the hacking Aru and moving towards him.

It looks similar to when the Saintess healed my neck in Tartarus. She must be about to use her healing powers.

The white light swirls into the wolf girl’s mouth. At first, Aru seemed confused, but as peace settled over her mind and body, she naturally relaxed.

“Uuuu…”

And then, the Saintess speaks.

[Blessed and merciful Lord, we pray to thee.]

Ah…

[Please grant your mercy to this pitiful and unfortunate lamb. Let your servant fill the world with clear songs, bestowing your great power upon me.]

That’s right…

[…Even though there may be a distant dimensional barrier between us, grant me the holy power of your omnipotence to allow for precious healing.]

Whoosh-!

Aru’s face relaxes in comfort. The white light gradually fades. After everything ends, Aru gingerly touches his throat and lets out an “Ah-” in surprise at how clear his voice has become.

I wasn’t surprised.

Instead, I quietly spoke toward the rosary.

“You’re really the Saintess I know.”

[Haa, haa…]

Aru plays with his now-healed throat, looking amazed. Thankfully, the wariness toward the Saintess emanating from the rosary seems significantly diminished.

It’s understandable. The Saintess is the friend of all beings. Just being near her fills one’s heart with contentment—she’s the embodiment of love.

But there’s nothing I can do about my wounded pride. It took me days to lower my guard around her, yet Aru immediately calmed down. Such spineless behavior from a wolf.

What can I do? This is the fate of a villain—I must endure it.

With a sigh, the Saintess breathes heavily. To her, I softly moved my lips.

“Well then, let’s talk a bit.”

[Mmm….]

“I had a lot of questions anyway. Like, how did I return? How did the Saintess’ rosary end up here? What does the Saintess know? And…”

The most important thing.

“Where exactly are you right now? I’m so curious.”

Under the barrage of rapid-fire questions, the Saintess paused for a moment before answering.

[I will answer one by one slowly. However….]

“However?”

[I also have many questions for Mr. Joker. For instance, where are you now? What have you experienced until now? Have you met the Demon King? And…]

“And?”

[…And what relationship do you have with the Wolf King? I require a prompt explanation. Since you asked first, I will answer accordingly. Please take your time thinking about your responses.]

What’s with all the emphasis on Aru?

We’re just connected by love, a leader and subordinate.

Anyway, the serious voice of the Saintess continues.

[Regarding your return, do you perhaps know about Chronos, the God of Time?]

“Yeah, I somehow got to know a bit.”

[Chronos, who governs time, cannot rewind it at will, even he needs preparation. It takes 111 days, they say.]

“That I already know. That’s why I suspect the Demon King is behind my return. But I don’t know the motive.”

[Hmm… The Demon King probably isn’t acting alone.]

“The Demon King and another conspirator? That sounds intriguing.”

[…There is someone suspicious, but I cannot reveal it yet.]

With an infinitely serious tone, the Saintess spoke. Her freedom must have increased, but if she were here, I’d pinch her cute cheeks to lighten the mood.

By the way… Haven’t we had this conversation before?

“When I asked the Saintess about the Demon King’s intentions back then.”

[Yes.]

“You didn’t answer then either, saying it wasn’t certain. I think you knew I’d be returned even back then.”

[Yes, but at that time, I lacked confidence.]

“But it ended up being true, didn’t it? Saintess, just tell me. I trust you.”

[If I’m wrong, won’t it cause trouble for you?]

At the Saintess’ cautious tone, I blinked. What, are you worried about causing me even the slightest harm?

Anyway, she’s truly a conscientious woman. That’s why I’m captivated by her.

“What if you’re wrong? Just lay down the premise that ‘this could happen~’ and that’s enough.”

[However…]

“It’s fine, I won’t blame you. If you’re wrong, I’ll consider it a lesson learned. Hurry up and tell me.”

[…Then, I shall explain.]

The Saintess’ deep breath comes through the rosary.

She must have needed to take a deep breath. It sounds slightly labored.

[…I apologize, but I shouldn’t be making such rash comments.]

“?? Come on, Saintess. I said it’s okay if you’re wrong.”

[If not for you, but for ‘that person,’ there might be harm. Please understand.]

The Saintess is a person of firm conviction. Even if I push her hard, she won’t give answers she’s not ready to share.

Anyway…

“Back when we talked about how I came to return.”

[Yes.]

“That’s when you remembered, right? How could I forget such a moment? The most vivid memory ever. Sharing the experience of having our necks cut with the woman I love—do you think that’s common?”

[…When I heard Mr. Joker say the Demon King didn’t attend the execution, I became certain. Also, the 111-day imprisonment period had ended, so it was time to send Mr. Joker back.]

“Hoo…”

Perhaps speaking at length made her breathless, the Saintess paused to catch her breath before continuing.

[However, I couldn’t let Mr. Joker go just like that. Not just because of duty, but because I genuinely wanted to reform Mr. Joker. But I didn’t know how long Mr. Joker would be returning for. If it were a very long time, I thought the vow Mr. Joker made at the guillotine might fade over time.]

“So now I get it. Five hundred years.”

[Thus, I gathered as much divine power as I could at that moment and infused it into the rosary I had given Mr. Joker. It was a sort of… channel created. More accurately, I synchronized the rosary with myself.]

“Huh? Synchronization?”

[It was possible because it was an object I had possessed my whole life. It was done hastily, so full-time synchronization isn’t possible. Only about twenty minutes a day, and currently, it only allows for conversation. But if Mr. Joker uses more magic, eventually, what I see or feel might also be transmitted through the rosary.]

“Wow, you prepared all that in that short moment? Saintess, you’re talented.”

[A humble skill.]

Then, if sensory synchronization happens… Hmm, all of the Saintess’ senses will come through this rosary. I should try tickling her when that day comes. Since the cross resembles a person, touching where the horizontal and vertical intersect should work.

I wonder how the pristine Saintess will react? Truly intriguing.

“So, you set up a plan in case I went astray, using this rosary?”

[Yes.]

“Seems like it was unnecessary? I was doing fine on my own. Saving the poor Wolf King and all. Now I believe in the Lord too.”

[Oh, is that really true?]

A small exclamation followed by a voice filled with immense joy.

“Of course, why would I lie to the Saintess?”

Immediately, as if remembering something, she becomes skeptical.

[Yet… Didn’t Mr. Joker also make cheeky jokes to the Demon God while believing in Him?]

“Kikik, obviously! Nothing beats breaking taboos!”

[…That’s why I want to meet you. It seems difficult to reform Mr. Joker alone. Worried that your heart might change over five hundred years, I arranged to at least deliver my voice this way.]

“Ahhaha, well done. Well done. As expected, the Saintess is wise. Remembering even offhand remarks.”

I laughed loudly. Yeah, you can’t think of me as just any ordinary apostle!

“I’m curious about the meaning of that last statement. About inviting me to Eden Academy.”

[That intention hasn’t changed. I wish for Mr. Joker to come to Eden Academy and meet me.]

“So, why?”

[Mr. Joker mentioned wanting to learn about love, didn’t you? I want to help with that noble desire, but currently, I can only communicate through divination spells. In fact, if Mr. Joker hadn’t deciphered the code I laid, I might have been ignored.]

“Kikik, it was nice to see Morse code after so long.”

[Th… th…]

“Hm?”

The Saintess uncharacteristically trails off. Shaking her voice shyly, almost like a teenage girl.

[Isn’t secret romances during school something everyone dreams of in their youth?]

“Puhahahah!”

Upon hearing the Saintess’ bashful confession, I burst into uncontrollable laughter. The Saintess herself seemed embarrassed, choosing her words carefully.

“True, true! Everyone has those youthful dreams! But I never thought our venerable spinster Saintess would entertain such thoughts!”

[In my past life, I had no interest in such romantic pursuits. Until I met Mr. Joker.]

“Saintess, you’re blind. What’s the point of confessing to someone whose face you don’t know? What if you’re disappointed when you finally see my face in this life?”

[I fell for Mr. Joker, not Mr. Joker’s appearance. Especially since I’ve heard Mr. Joker is a master of transformation, what significance does appearance hold?]

“Kikik, not a single wrong word.”

An extremely Saintess-like response. Whether or not it’s appropriate for a priest who serves the deity to say such things is another matter.

“I have more questions, can I ask?”

[Of course.]

“Saintess, where are you right now?”

[…]

The most crucial question.

The Saintess is someone born 500 years in the future.

Meaning, existing in this era is impossible, even if she regressed with me.

[With the Lord.]

“No no, where are you? How am I supposed to know where the Lord lives?”

[Since I don’t know where I am, I cannot inform you.]

“Really? I thought the Lord lived in heaven, quite surprising.”

[Is that so?]

“Or maybe, should I travel across the entire continent? Perhaps you’re somewhere among those places?”

[It would be futile. Currently, I exist only as a spirit without a physical form, so it’s impossible for me to be in the mortal realm.]

“Hmm? But something feels strange.”

I noticed it from the moment I first heard the Saintess’ voice.

No matter how much she tries to hide it, there’s an unmistakable weariness.

The Saintess’ voice that I used to hear every day in Tartarus was faded, as if worn down by hardship and the oppressive environment.

On the other hand, the voice I hear now…

“Why are you breathing so heavily?”

[…]

“Every time you speak, it sounds like you’re enduring pain. Is the ‘Lord’ torturing you? Just tell me, and I’ll beat them up. I’ll thoroughly thrash them.”

[I am fine.]

“I’m not fine. Your voice is strained. How can I stay calm?”

[There’s no issue. I can endure.]

“Again, gritting your teeth. Aren’t your lips sore? And what? Endure? What are you enduring?”

[…]

“Saintess, tell me something about your surroundings. There’s no need to wait five hundred years. I’ll just find you.”

[…]

“How do you reverse time? Books say you need to offer something to Chronos. Honestly, what did you offer? Something weird?”

[…]

“Tell me quickly, Saintess. If you don’t, I’ll wander around for five hundred years searching for you. If you want to see me waste five hundred years, keep quiet.”

I spoke with determination, akin to issuing an ultimatum.

I’m a little angry.

Because the Saintess is showing signs of suffering. Just like when the guards in Tartarus grabbed her wrist too tightly as she was leaving, and I lost my temper.

[Since someone else paid the price, it doesn’t concern you.]

“Probably the Demon King or the helper you mentioned earlier.”

[Not me. At the guillotine, to participate in Mr. Joker’s return, I had to pay my own price.]

“So, what was it?”

[Freedom for the next five hundred years.]

“…”

[Currently, I am nailed to a cross made of causality. My wrists are pierced by nails of causality. If Mr. Joker were to come and try to free me, I would vanish due to defying causality.]

Those few simple words spoken by the Saintess herself.

For me, they carry an unimaginable weight.

[Do you wish for that, Mr. Joker?]

“Damn it…”

[For the next five hundred years, I will assist Mr. Joker through this rosary. Afterwards, I will be reborn, and we will meet again at Eden Academy.]

“Haa… Doesn’t it hurt? Your wrists are pierced by nails and nailed to a cross.”

[It’s a path I chose. I must endure it.]

“Chew… So, being ‘with the Lord’ meant this? Nailed to a cross?”

[Not entirely. The Lord is always in my heart.]

Causality refers to the principle of reciprocity.

There is yin where there is yang, and something gained means something else is lost.

To make bread, flour and grain must be consumed. We pay with flour and grain to obtain bread.

What the Saintess did falls under the same category.

She paid with freedom to buy memories.

“Hah, hahaha. This is ridiculous.”

Because she doesn’t want to forget her memories of me. Just for that reason.

To help reform an enemy who was once her adversary, someone she barely spent a week with.

“Saintess, do you realize what you’ve done?”

[Please enlighten me.]

“Weren’t you twenty-eight in your previous life? You’ve sacrificed nearly twenty times the lifespan you’ve lived, just to talk to me for twenty minutes a day. Can you even imagine how painful that will be?”

[It’s fine. I can endure.]

“That’s the span of time until the child of your child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child’s child dies! As a demon, I have a long lifespan, so it doesn’t bother me, but you’re just a human! A fragile human who barely lives a hundred years! Do you realize how foolish what you’ve done is?”

Anger wells up, and I confront her.

There’s no way she can endure it.

Humans, such a frail species, someone who’s only lived twenty-eight years.

How can they endure such a long time, nailed to a cross for others…

[If I endure, it will be fine.]

“…”

[Still, I can talk to Mr. Joker for twenty minutes a day. To converse with someone I yearn for—it’s like honey to me. I hope Mr. Joker can be a little gentle. If I hear harsh words from Mr. Joker, the remaining 23 hours and 40 minutes will be unbearable.]

“…”

[It feels uncomfortable and sinful to force this on you due to my greed.]

I was arrogant.

I mistakenly believed I understood the Saintess completely after spending just seven weeks together.

I overlooked the fact that she held off against hundreds of thousands of the Demon King’s army for twenty days when all other races had surrendered to the Demon King.

I underestimated the woman who would tear her meal in half and offer it to me, a villain like me.

I forgot how sincere and devoted the Saintess was in reforming me.

Now, this gnawing ache is my retribution. The ache from my heart crumbling.

Even when Adela died for me, I never felt sympathy.

Only the Saintess makes me feel this strange emotion.

<I still don’t understand the Saintess.>

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