“Thank you for understanding the situation, Sister Namephiro.”
Paladin Irene smiled as she spoke.
Behind her stood Leah and Sophia, each holding a bundle of fresh ingredients.
From crisp green lettuce to apples, tomatoes, and plump grapes, their hands were filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.
“If it’s for a good cause, the Cathedral’s storeroom is always open.”
Sister Namephiro handed Irene a hefty package of meat wrapped in white paper as she spoke.
“If you need any other ingredients, just let us know.”
“I feel bad for making such a sudden request.”
“Food ingredients can’t be stored forever. Even delicious tomatoes will just attract flies over time. Please enjoy them.”
Sister Namephiro, whose eyes were hard to tell if they were open or closed, radiated a very warm aura.
“Well then…”
Irene swallowed hard and thought of Monica.
Last night, the Saintess had chatted with Anna about all the things she wanted to eat while everyone was sleeping.
“I’d like some flour and eggs.”
“Flour and eggs… I can give you some eggs, but what do you plan to use the flour for?”
Sister Namephiro began walking Irene to the storeroom.
“If you need pasta, I can give you some ready-made noodles.”
“I plan to bake bread with the sisters.”
“Then you’ll need sugar too, right?”
“C-Can I have sugar too?”
Irene had given up on sugar, thinking the Cathedral wouldn’t part with it so easily.
“Of course. The Cathedral’s storeroom is always open, right?”
Namephiro smiled and handed over the sugar and flour.
The amount was just perfect for the recipe Irene had in mind.
“Wow… I was thinking of buying sugar from Star Village.”
“Good thing we don’t have to spend our money!”
Irene smiled and thanked Sister Namephiro once more.
“If you keep thanking me like this, I’ll be embarrassed.”
“But you’ve really helped us a lot.”
“I just followed the Cathedral’s most basic teachings.”
With Namephiro’s gentle voice, the nuns walked out of the storeroom.
“Oh, Sister Namephiro? You lost something, right?”
Irene handed Namephiro the handkerchief Monica had prepared.
It was something Monica had brightly asked for when Irene mentioned going to the Cathedral.
“How troublesome.”
Namephiro smiled and took the handkerchief.
“We’ll be going now, Sister Namephiro.”
“Thank you so much.”
“I’ll help with the fieldwork like last time!”
Irene and the sisters waved goodbye, and Namephiro smiled as she saw them off.
“Hmm…”
One step, two steps.
Once Irene and the sisters were out of sight, Namephiro took out the handkerchief and examined it.
“How troublesome… I never told anyone I lost this handkerchief.”
She murmured in her gentle voice.
“… How did they know about the secret path only Monica and I know?”
That wasn’t the only question Sister Namephiro had.
“It seems the Magic Kingdom truly believes a descendant of the Demon God has appeared at the Academy… How troublesome. Very troublesome.”
Slowly opening her eyes, Namephiro silently gazed at the handkerchief.
“… … Murmur, was it? A troublesome child. A very troublesome child.”
With eyes overflowing with white light, Namephiro murmured one last time.
“The only ones who can escape the Saintess’s gaze are those who live in the shadow of the Demon God…”
Warm sunlight isn’t always helpful to people.
If that’s the case, may they warmly embrace the Saintess within that shadow.
All Namephiro could do for now was pray in her heart.
* * *
“Today, we’re planning to have fun swimming at Lake Hedone!”
Citrine proudly declared, even snorting a little.
“I’ve never done it before, so I’m really excited!”
“W-Wait… Are you talking about swimming in a swimsuit?”
Monica’s shocking statement left Citrine’s fingers trembling.
“Ah, haha… Well, when you swim, your clothes get wet, right? And the Saintess’s skin would be exposed. There was a teaching that it’s unclean and improper.”
Anna, who had come with Monica, rolled her eyes as she spoke.
“Murmur is asking if it’s okay now.”
“… Of course! Absolutely no problem!”
“H-How can you say it’s absolutely no problem overnight? That’s a bit strange.”
Anna awkwardly laughed and scratched the back of her head.
“Well… Haha, it’s ultimately Paladin Sister Irene’s duty and responsibility to guide, protect, and teach the Saintess in Capella.”
“So the Paladin changed her mind?”
“Yes, of course…! She said, ‘If you brag about it outside Capella, who knows what might happen, so let’s keep it a secret among ourselves.'”
It was a natural decision.
In the Holy Nation, there are plenty of people higher than Paladin Irene.
The Cardinal or the Inquisitor General would never let this situation slide.
“Murmur thinks you did well.”
“I fully agree.”
Monica also reached out and patted Anna’s shoulder.
Even on tiptoes, her hand barely reached that far.
… Mine wouldn’t reach at all, would it?
“Anyway! We’ve got permission from the adults, so Monica will be swimming with us today.”
Citrine regained her composure and spoke.
“The basics of swimming are, of course, a swimsuit! Since Murmur and Monica don’t have swimsuits, I’ll properly get them for you today.”
“That’s why we came to this clothing store instead of the lake!”
Monica’s eyes sparkled with interest as she looked around.
Unlike the summer clothing store from before, this one was surprisingly filled with nothing but swimsuits.
Since there was no event like this in the game, it’s a bit exciting.
“But Citrine, could you tell me why we need to wear swimsuits? I’d be happy to know.”
“… Huh?”
Citrine, about to reach for a swimsuit, stopped in her tracks.
“If clothes get wet when swimming, wouldn’t it be better to swim without anything on?”
“W-What kind of weird talk is that?! Are you saying you’d swim naked?”
“Is that not allowed?”
Citrine glared at Anna.
“It’s unfair! This has nothing to do with us!”
“But we’re naked when we bathe, right?”
“That’s to wash our bodies. Swimming naked is… …”
Citrine rubbed her forehead.
Unlike modern times where wearing a swimsuit is common sense, this fantasy world oddly smells of the Middle Ages.
While nobles might not, ‘commoners’ often swim naked in rivers during hot summers.
“Citrine?”
“… W-Well, it does happen! But Monica is the Saintess, and there’s no harm in covering up.”
“Murmur thinks so too. If you say you won’t wear a swimsuit, Sister Anna and the Paladin will be sad.”
Monica blinked her golden eyes.
“Saintess Monica… I also plan to wear a proper swimsuit. And showing your naked body is quite embarrassing.”
“But I’ve shown a lot, haven’t I?”
“Guh…!”
Anna let out a pained groan and knelt on the floor.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. God, please punish me…”
“It’s a joke. I just wanted to tease a little.”
Monica vigorously patted Anna’s head.
“Anyway, now that we have permission to get normal clothes, let’s pick something fun.”
Citrine spoke as she reached for a one-piece swimsuit.
“Monica? How about this sky-blue one-piece swimsuit?”
“I really like it.”
Monica immediately took the swimsuit off the hanger and held it against herself.
“You put a lot of thought into this, didn’t you, Sister Citrine? The skirt goes down to the knees, the sleeves are short, the neckline isn’t revealing… Oh, is this white cardigan included?”
“I put a lot of thought into recommending it!”
It must be like a mother picking out a swimsuit for her daughter.
Citrine and Anna brightly smiled as they picked out similar swimsuits, and Monica, accepting them, smiled brightly in return.
“Murmur, which swimsuit do you think suits me best?”
“Murmur thinks the sky-blue one-piece is the prettiest.”
“Of course, Murmur! A long skirt is no problem at all!”
Monica nodded and took Anna’s hand.
“Then I’ll go try it on.”
“You never know about a swimsuit until you try it on. Since we’re planning to swim, Sister Anna, please check if it’s comfortable!”
“I’d like to get Sister Anna’s swimsuit too! And it would’ve been nice if Sister Irene could join us today.”
“She’s busy with Count Orion’s Duchy for now. Instead, please pick out a pretty swimsuit for me.”
With that, Anna and Monica went into the changing room.
“Murmur will take this one.”
At this moment, I quickly reached for a very plain and non-embarrassing swimsuit.
“Ah! Murmur, I have something picked out for you.”
… Why do I suddenly feel uneasy?
“Ta-da! Since Murmur likes to move around, I specially prepared this swimsuit for you!”
“… N-No!”
What is this?
Why does this exist?
“If you’re worried about the horns, no need to hesitate? You can easily change with a simple spell!”
“Murmur doesn’t like it! I don’t think that swimsuit is for me!”
“Come on, don’t be shy? Only your arms and legs are exposed…”
I backed away from Citrine, who was pushing this ridiculous swimsuit at me.
“Please, just try it once for my sake!! It’s quite a rare swimsuit!”
“Where did you even get such a weird swimsuit?!”
What is this?
This wasn’t in the original!
“Murmur isn’t wearing that!!”
There’s no way I’m wearing a school swimsuit!
You even wrote ‘Murmur’ on it, which makes it even worse!
“Murmur! This is the wish of my lifetime…!”
Citrine half-cried and clung to me until I put on the school swimsuit.
