Follow me to the rooftop
After school, in the academy cafeteria.
Numerous students were watching three people sitting at a table, keeping their distance.
If you were to ask why, the answer was surprisingly simple.
“…”
Leje, sitting at the table, looked ‘extremely’ displeased.
While she usually showed a cool demeanor towards others, she was generally polite.
But, to describe her current expression in a single phrase…
‘Touch me and die.’
That's what her face was screaming.
Anyone who dared to approach her in that state would clearly be suicidal…
“May the warm grace of the Goddess be with you both.”
However, oblivious or not, Elleanor’s face was brimming with a smile.
Her mere presence seemed to illuminate the surroundings.
She was the very picture of a Saintess, but Redull’s eyes, as he looked at her, were filled with anxiety.
He was worried that Leje might actually lunge at Elleanor.
“So, why did you want to speak with me?”
“More importantly… who is the person next to you?”
“Leje El Lagrind. I’m sure you’ve heard the name.”
Leje answered in Redull’s stead.
Her voice was sharp, laced with thorns.
The emotion contained within was clear hostility.
“The famed Princess of the Lagrind Dukedom. May the Goddess bless your future.”
Despite Leje’s reaction, Elleanor greeted her with a bright smile.
“…”
As they say, it's hard to spit in a smiling face.
Leje reluctantly nodded at Elleanor’s smiling face.
“The reason I asked to see you, Rudellheit Weinstein, is to offer my thanks on behalf of the Cult… no, as a priest.”
“Thanks?”
What was this about?
Redull wore a puzzled expression.
Why would the Cult thank ‘him’?
As if anticipating his reaction, Elleanor offered a faint smile and began to explain.
“Have you heard about the Inquisition within the Cult?”
“Yes, I have.”
Jade had definitely mentioned something like that.
Recalling his conversation with Jade, Redull nodded.
“The catalyst for that Inquisition was… you, Redull Greyrat.”
“Me?”
What connection could there possibly be between the Inquisition and him?
“Thanks to your actions, the Cult of the Evil God, lurking in the shadows, has been exposed, and their presence throughout the Kingdom has come to light.”
“…”
“Many priests within our own Cult were revealed to be their accomplices. They, of course, became ashes in the pyre.”
“Ahahaha…”
Given that the Cult was a group of fanatics, at least when it came to faith, it was hard to expect the discovered members to meet a peaceful end.
As expected of a priest serving God…
Redull chuckled at her ability to recount such a horrifying tale without a change in her expression.
“Aside from that, I wanted to ask for your continued cooperation. If you ever need the Cult's assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.”
Elleanor’s reason for being here was to facilitate the Cult’s support of Redull’s activities.
So, her words were perfectly understandable.
“…”
That is, if Leje wasn’t staring at her with a murderous look.
“I look forward to working with you as well.”
Even so, he couldn’t ignore a priest of the Cult… especially not the Saintess.
Keeping an eye on Leje, Redull forced an awkward smile.
* * *
Even after Elleanor became a classmate, Rudell’s daily life didn’t change much.
Of course, that wasn't to say there were ‘no’ changes.
[Hey! Why do you keep following me!?]
[I was dispatched to assist Rudellheit. So, shouldn't I stay by your side?]
[Please, I’m begging you both, can’t you just get along…]
A nerve-wracking battle unfolded daily between Leje and Elleanor, and Rudell, caught in the middle, was utterly exasperated.
The jealous and scornful gazes of his male and female classmates were an added bonus.
Then, one quiet afternoon after class…
“Sigh…”
With Leje and Elleanor away for their own reasons, Redull breathed a sigh of relief, enjoying the rare silence and peace.
[A-Are you alright…?]
“You look quite tired.”
Silfier and Kurt asked, looking at him with concern.
“I’m so exhausted…”
Honestly, Redull felt trapped.
Elleanor was the Saintess, dispatched as a representative from the Gaia Church, no less.
Furthermore, she was a valuable asset, brought in by Jade through direct cooperation with the Cult.
If Redull distanced himself from her, it could cause political problems and even lead to a reprimand from Jade.
Leje seemed to be aware of this, but…
‘But what can I do about being annoyed?’
Leje was unreasonable.
He was worried about a potential reprimand from Jade, but Leje seemed indifferent, maintaining her hostile attitude towards Elleanor.
It was a truly frustrating situation for Redull.
He wished there was a way for the two to get along, even a little…
“Sigh…”
Feeling stifled, Redull let out a short sigh.
Just then, he spotted Leje approaching from afar.
“Leje.”
Redull waved to her, and upon noticing him, Leje walked over and sat beside him, fanning herself as if she were hot.
“Did something happen?”
“Nothing much, just had something to discuss with my sister.”
“I see…”
If she said so, it must not be a big deal.
Thinking that, Redull nodded.
“By the way, she doesn’t seem to be here yet? I thought she’d be glued to your side again.”
“Leje…”
When will you two ever get along?
Redull trailed off, lost in thought.
Just then…
“There you are!”
“Saintess Elleanor.”
“Tch…!!”
A familiar voice rang out, and at the same time, Leje clicked her tongue and frowned.
Redull turned his head and saw Elleanor approaching.
“Did your prayers go well?”
“Yes, they did.”
Elleanor replied to Redull’s question with a bright smile and a nod.
“Why don’t you offer a prayer to the Goddess, Rudellheit? The benevolent Goddess will surely bless your path.”
“I, I’m a bit busy these days…”
Redull chuckled awkwardly, indirectly declining her offer. It was then that…
“I can’t take it anymore!!”
“L-Leje!?”
Leje, who had been watching, slammed her hand on the table and stood up, causing Redull to blanch.
A duel with the Saintess dispatched from the Cult?
Even if she was the Princess of a Dukedom, this was something she couldn’t handle.
However…
“Why would I duel with you, Princess?”
Elleanor asked, looking genuinely confused.
Her sparkling eyes, like jewels, held a truly bewildered expression.
“You don’t know why?! It’s because you keep clinging to Redull!”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Silence descended upon the surroundings.
“Oh, um, I mean… what I meant was…”
Elleanor flinched, letting out a small gasp, her face flushing red as she averted her gaze.
Then, after staring blankly at Leje for a moment, Elleanor’s eyes widened as if she realized something, and she clapped her hands together.
“Aha! So, Princess Lagrind, you think I’m trying to seduce Young Master Weinstein?”
Then, she continued with a bright smile.
“Don’t worry! Priests are generally forbidden from marrying! Besides, I'm a devoted servant of the Goddess Gaia. I have no intention of harboring feelings for anyone other than her!”
“What…?”
A dumbfounded expression spread across Leje’s face.
But only for a moment…
“Ah… Ah… Aaaaaah…!!”
Her face flushed crimson, and Leje began to tremble, letting out a moan.
“Uh… Leje?”
“I’ll… just leave you two alone.”
[I-I just remembered something urgent…]
As Redull cautiously spoke to her, Kurt and Silfier rose from their seats.
“Uh… huh…?!”
Redull stammered, dumbfounded by their reaction.
“So, you don’t have to worry, Princess Lagrind! I’m a priest, after all.”
“Uwaaaaaaaaah—!!”
As Elleanor spoke with a bright smile, Leje let out a scream that bordered on a shriek.
And so, another day came to an end.
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Redull Greyrat? It seems someone mixed up names due to reading mushoku tensei lmao.
ReplyDeleteRedull greyrat ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
ReplyDeleteLmao what. The worst part is that he's clearly called 'Rudellheit' at least once during the chapter. Where did Redull come from, and where did Greyrat come from?
ReplyDelete