Chapter 2 - II -

 

So my job hunt was unsuccessful in the end…as usual.

 

The townsfolk in Arles were in a foul mood because of the recent events.  Of course, the primary reason for the town’s attraction had disappeared, thus the visitors were fewer than they expected.  And because of that, I got rejected by the shops I tried to apply to.  The only notable thing that happened was that Her Fluffy Holiness, Ruro of the Wolf, got real pissed off by my mental image of her on a pug’s body.  As a result, I had to treat her to the most expensive food I could afford.

 

I tried to reason out with her—saying it was only a joke, but Her Fluffy Holiness wouldn’t budge.

 

Come on, what’s wrong with pugs?  I mean, look at those adorable dogs with faces that seemed like it was flattened by a steamroller…they’re so ugly it’s cute—bueh!

 

My face suddenly got hit by a bunch of flying leaves.  I guess the Beastman Saint is fuming mad once again.

 

Damn, I should keep myself from imagining that whenever Her Fluffy Holiness is around…

 

Anyway, from what I understood early on, I thought Her Holiness had agreed before that I’m entitled to a seasonal ‘pension’ of 20 silver coins while staying here at the palatial gardens.  It’s kind of similar to a ‘salary’, but I think of it more like an ‘allowance’ from the Human Saint herself since she felt responsible for summoning me here in the first place.

 

Well, even though I feel bad about it, I guess I have no other choice, do I?  I mean, I didn’t want to end up penniless once again.  And I still had the goal of moving out, eventually.  So, any kind of help will do.

 

I’ll just pay it off someday to Her Holiness when I made it big in this world…

 

So, without further delay, I went to the head maid to ask about the arrangements on how would I receive my allotment.   Fortunately, I didn’t have to look long for her; she had been seeking for me.

 

“Oh, hello Kuro!” Lily greeted me with a smile.

 

“Hey, it’s been a while!” I waved my hand, “How’re things going, Head Maid?”

 

“Please call me Lily.” she was pouting for a moment, but then Lily continued, all business-like and monotonous in her voice, “Well, there’s no illness that’s affecting Her Holiness right now; she’s pretty much fine.  Although the seasonal mass this time is a failure, she has expressed her desire to hold it some other time.”

 

“I-I see…” I nodded, quite relieved at the head maid’s forced answer, “Well, at least, Her Holiness is progressing to move on despite all that had happened before.”

 

Lily turned nostalgic, “Yes…honestly, I don’t know nor can I imagine what would’ve happened if Maddie died back then.  I don’t want to lose important people to me anymore.”

 

I could only stare at the head maid in silence.

 

“Ah Mister Kuro, I just recalled, Her Holiness wants you to drop by her room.  She says she’d like to give you your allotment.”

 

“Oh, okay!” Man, that’s nice to hear.  At least, the Saint remembered about the allotment.  Not only do I have to suffer the embarrassment of bringing it up first, but it’s also a good sign that Her Holiness would always keep her promise. “Mind if I had you accompany me in there, Lily?”

 

“Ah, you don’t have to ask; my answer will always be ‘yes’ if it’s you, Kuro!”

 

“Haha!  Alright then, thanks, Lily!” And without further ado, we both marched towards the Saint’s quarters.

 

 

“Come in, it’s open!” was Her Holiness’ response when we knocked at her door.  It’s been long since I last heard that gentle and dignified voice of hers.  Seeing that there’s no further hindrance, Lily opened the door herself and let us both in.

 

“Ah, hello Kuro and Lily!” Her Holiness greeted us as she sat by a chair set beside the windows.  A white curtain was draped between her and the spot where we stood, and we could tell it was put there for her to hide from us.

 

“…”

 

I think it was strange, so I looked at the head maid, searching for answers.  Her Holiness wasn’t the type of person who would keep people away from seeing her, and this was the first time I saw her like that.

 

However, it was the Saint who replied to my questions in mind, “Oh, if you’re wondering why there’s a curtain between us, I’m keeping a distance from people for now.  I’m sick, you know.”

 

Oh, so that’s the reason behind the curtains, huh?

 

“…”

 

Wait, isn’t she the saint who’s given powers to heal the sick?  Don’t tell me Her Holiness can’t use those abilities on herself!

 

“Err…I’m just out of mana…y-yes!” Her Holiness frantically explained her side.

 

Hmm?  Out of mana?  That’s even more strange.  Her Holiness the Saint was resting for a while.  I mean, she’s refusing personal appearances and visits from her patrons, citing her need to rest.  And it had been long since she began doing that.  If she claimed to be out of mana even though she’s well-rested, then there must be something else that’s causing her mana drain…

 

“Guh…you’re sharp as always…” I heard Her Holiness mutter behind the veil.

 

And then, Lily spoke, “Your Holiness!  I brought Kuro here as you asked.”  By the tone of her voice, I could sense something from the head maid; it’s as if she wanted to reveal something.

 

“You didn’t have to bring him inside.” the Saint retorted, “And besides, you’re the one who suggested that I hand over Kuro’s money to him.”

 

Oi, what’s the meaning of your conversation, guys?

 

“Anyway, here!  Lily, please give this to Kuro!” Her Holiness extended an arm out of the curtain, with the pouch containing my money in her hand.

 

“I thought we already talked about it, Your Holiness?” I could feel Lily was getting annoyed, “You are the one who’ll give it to Kuro!”

 

“B-but, I’m sick!”

 

“You won’t fool this man, Maddie!” the Head Maid quickly countered, “Can’t you even see that he already knows you’re hiding something?”

 

The oppressive air around Lily had grown three-fold.  She won’t back down soon, even if it was the Saint herself who’d be her opponent.  Her Holiness fell silent.  

 

Lily turned to me.  It’s as if she wanted me to go past those curtains and see the condition of the Saint for myself.

 

“…”

 

Okay, if you so insist!

 

“Wait!  Kuro, please stay back—” Her Holiness desperately pleaded.

 

Come on, what’s with giving me money while hiding, Your Holiness?  You’ll just hand it over to me and be done with it!  As simple as that—

 

“!!!”  I opened the curtains and, lo-and-behold!  Her Holiness the Saint came into my full view…

 

Wait, who the hell are you?

 

“I told you I don’t want Kuro to see me like this, Lily!” Her Holiness—or I mean, the girl sitting behind the curtain bawled at us.

 

“…”

 

Lily remained unmoved, but she had a pitying, sarcastic expression written on her face.  I was confused.

 

This girl who is in tears before us is the Great Saint of Chersea?

 

She had grown fa—I mean, healthy!