“Isn’t that too much?”
The Lady Virgin Saint’s bedroom was spacious and cozy. The mere fact that a room of this size existed in the orphanage was enough to create a sense of incongruity.
The furniture, while not extravagant, was neat. The table placed between me and the Lady Virgin Saint was the same.
A fragrant aroma of tea tickled my nose.
It might not be an expensive tea, but it certainly didn’t feel cheap. The way the Lady Virgin Saint treated me had a delicate touch to it.
Between luxury and rudeness.
She was a woman who adhered to the duties of a clergyperson while being devoted to hospitality. Even the fact that the orphanage she came from upheld such principles suggested it could be a rule she learned since childhood.
To avoid criticism from anyone, having a sense of balance was important.
In my view, the Lady Virgin Saint’s true strength lay in this aspect. Her political finesse, adeptly navigating between righteousness and practicality, bordered on instinct.
Of course, it was an exception when it came to her treatment of me.
Even now, the Lady Virgin Saint was openly displaying her emotions. Each time her cold gaze poked at me, I subtly shifted my own eyes to the side.
To say it was too much was a heart-wrenching observation.
I cleared my throat on purpose, pretending to be oblivious.
“What do you mean…?”
“Try doing it one more time. I’ll really get angry.”
She was already angry, though.
I wanted to argue that point, but the control of this situation was in the hands of the Lady Virgin Saint. In the end, I couldn’t withstand her chilling silence.
“Yes, I was wrong.”
“What did you do wrong?”
It was a question I had heard before.
I recalled a time when Reto had given me advice. It seemed like a serious piece of counsel at the time.
“Ian, women’s hearts are complicated… Even if you say you’re sorry, it doesn’t mean they’ll forgive you. Do you know what to do then?”
“I don’t care.”
“Just listen, you brat.”
I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the memories that resurfaced. Back then, I thought Reto was just being a nuisance, but as I went through life, I realized there were few things more important than that.
He had said to me, “Ask what you did wrong. She might be angry, but it’s embarrassing for her to say it with her own mouth… It’s silly to get mad over something so trivial.”
So what did he say to do in situations like this?
After a few seconds of desperately racking my brain, I was barely able to come up with an answer.
“I’m sorry for offending you…”
“That’s right!”
At that moment, the Lady Virgin Saint could no longer hold herself back and slammed her hands down on the table.
I froze, intending to list more specific charges. The Lady Virgin Saint, unable to control her anger, smacked the table repeatedly and said:
“Why is the party growing without my permission?! I can understand your little sister. But your childhood friend and that girl who openly flirts… I’ve heard that even when I’m not around, they’re embracing each other and causing chaos?”
With each rebuke, a deep groan escaped my lips.
To be honest, it was too much. I had treated the Lady Virgin Saint like a straw sack.
It seemed she was very angry about such treatment. The sight of her slapping the table, unable to contain her frustration, resembled a flailing baby bird and was kind of cute.
Of course, I wasn’t brave enough to mention that.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down my back.
“Are you stupid? Can’t you read the room?! Do you have no idea what it means when two women say they want to go back to their hometown together?!”
“I’m sorry, Lady Virgin Saint. But there are unavoidable circumstances…”
“I don’t want to hear it!”
With a huff, the Lady Virgin Saint turned her head away.
Her expression, with closed eyes and puffed cheeks, was so exaggerated yet endearing. It was a clear sign that she was sulking.
It must be a plea to be comforted.
I understood that intent, but having no experience in comforting women left me at a loss.
With Elsi-senpai, all I had to do was pet her; with Liya, a kiss on the cheek sufficed; and with Celin, playful antics could smooth things over.
What would make the Lady Virgin Saint happy?
Sexual harassment?
Though it was a highly inappropriate thought, I was surprised at how much it felt like a feasible strategy.
Even during all this, the Lady Virgin Saint continued to give me hints that she was “pouting.” Glancing at me intermittently, whenever our eyes met, a snort would escape.
“Humph!”
At times like this, she seemed to be quite childish.
In the end, I forced a wry smile and said, “Shall I grant you a wish instead?”
“…A wish?”
Fortunately, there was a reaction.
The Lady Virgin Saint seemed to fall deep in thought, swallowing as if weighing something. Yet, an expression of hesitation was still clearly present.
She wasn’t sure if this was enough to soothe her anger.
It was time to press more firmly.
“Yes, since I’ve been indebted to you, a wish is something I can certainly grant.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
The Lady Virgin Saint was transitioning while pretending not to be herself. It was a subtle signal that she was easing her anger.
I took that opportunity to continue.
“Since today was full of rudeness, let’s go somewhere nice next time.”
At that, the Lady Virgin Saint pondered with a curious “Hmm,” appearing thoughtful.
It truly was a mere act of contemplation, as I already knew what her answer would be.
On purpose, I wore a somewhat pitiable smile.
It didn’t take long for the response I desired to come.
“…Okay.”
Her tone was as if she was bestowing mercy, but I chose not to mind. Her efforts to hide her joyful feelings were clearly noticeable.
Evidence of this was the proud smile she exhibited. A soft hum could be heard in her voice.
“Then take me somewhere nice next time. Just the two of us, where no one can interrupt.”
It was an exceedingly simple wish.
Rather, one could say it was a story that most men would cherish as a lifelong dream. Spending quality time with the Lady Virgin Saint, just the two of us.
I had no reason to refuse.
Naturally, words of acquiescence slipped from my mouth.
“Would there be any issue?”
“Just the two of us.”
Yet, even so, the Lady Virgin Saint seemed anxious and emphasized again.
“And it has to be a place where no one, absolutely no one, can interrupt. It can’t be a location where someone suddenly barges in with a knife, or where enemies take advantage of the darkness for a surprise attack.”
It was a strangely specific demand. I had to muster a chuckle at her examples.
“Who in their right mind would go to such a place?”
Of course, the Lady Virgin Saint’s reaction was one of discontent.
It didn’t take long for me to clear my throat and gaze away. The Lady Virgin Saint, who had been looking at me with dissatisfaction, soon swallowed her next words.
It seemed she had a sudden question come to mind.
Her perplexed gaze directed at me. Hesitation was short-lived, and the Lady Virgin Saint gently asked:
“Is something going on lately?”
As for something happening, there was plenty to discuss.
The mere mention of the “traitor” in the letter had me on edge. After all, didn’t it also mention “family”?
There were more than a couple of people who immediately came to mind.
Yet, I still couldn’t easily confide my inner thoughts to the Lady Virgin Saint. It wasn’t because I didn’t trust her, but rather because I remembered the scene of her caring for the children.
She looked so happy. Was there a need to shatter that happiness already?
As I hesitated, the Lady Virgin Saint’s demeanor grew more cautious.
“Even this morning, for instance. You weren’t normally such an impolite person…”
In the end, I sighed and shook my head.
It was information I would have to reveal sooner or later. It wouldn’t hurt to consult in advance.
The actual problem lay elsewhere.
“I think there’s a traitor among us.”
“…? Yes, we are all precious companions.”
“According to the letter, an incident is said to occur at the orphanage.”
“The orphanage is pretty well-facilitated. It didn’t use to be like this, but it must be due to the Holy Kingdom taking care of it, right?”
The conversation began to lose its flow. With no points of intersection, saying anything was futile.
It was a phenomenon I had experienced long ago.
The contents of the letter from the future were only for me to read. Once I attempted to disclose that information, it would turn into a completely separate story the moment it was conveyed to the other party.
After several attempts, I could only confirm that unchanged fact.
Faced with the Lady Virgin Saint’s suspicious expression, I could offer only one piece of information.
“I received a letter.”
This level of information remained unaltered. When I had previously discussed it with Reto, it had the same context.
As I observed the Lady Virgin Saint’s increasingly serious expression, I added a few more words.
“You know, the moment when a persona from the future manifests.”
“When you drink a lot, that happens, right?”
“…Not necessarily.”
The brief gap was something I couldn’t outright deny.
The crucial thing was that I had to lose consciousness for a persona from the future to appear, and that the primary means was drinking.
It was at that moment that the Lady Virgin Saint’s expression began to reveal dark omens.
Compared to when she was caring for the orphans, this was a horrific fracture.
“Then perhaps, is it here…?”
“I’m still not sure. I’m investigating.”
Unlike the contents of the letter, information I uncovered myself had no restrictions on sharing. Moreover, once these clues gathered to the stage of reasonable inference, I could mention the key points in the letter.
It wasn’t yet time to speak of “traitors.” However, on the other hand, it also meant I would have to eventually confide this to the Lady Virgin Saint.
For now, information collection was more important. I asked in a much more earnest tone.
“So, there’s something I’m curious about… Have you ever heard of ‘the company’?”
“The company?”
“I heard they frequently visit the orphanage. According to one child’s words, they often take children away.”
The Lady Virgin Saint seemed to ponder for a moment, narrowing her brow. But after just a brief moment, before I could hope for information, it flowed from her lips.
“There’s a cooperative company at the orphanage. They not only regularly deliver goods but also mediate adoptions for the children. It’s probably due to its remote location…”
“Is that company specialized in such tasks?”
“No, I’ve heard it’s not quite that way. However, companies of the Holy Kingdom do engage in at least one or two social contribution activities for appearance’s sake. As for their main business…”
Tap, tap. The delicate fingers drumming on the table made a charming sound.
“Monster industry.”
Yes, that’s how it should be.
The moment I heard the Lady Virgin Saint’s words, I felt like cheering.
And the next day, I boarded a carriage with Liya. I figured it would be easier to make contact since Liya also dealt with monster corpses.
Liya was excited about our journey, unaware of the circumstances.
“Hmph, looks like you’ve finally started noticing your little sister, huh?”
Though she pretended to be aloof on the surface.
Yet, she couldn’t hide her puffed-up chest. Her slightly flushed cheeks revealed her eagerness.
I gave a wry smile and apologized to Liya.
“I’m sorry for not paying much attention to you lately. But for the next few days, it’ll just be the two of us…”
It was then that an unexpected voice came from the driver’s seat.
“Is it comfortable inside?”
“Brother!”
Liya was startled by the sudden deep voice and trembled in surprise. The way her hunched shoulders and darting eyes quickly burrowed into my embrace expressed her feelings well.
I was also surprised, but her reaction was so dramatic that it calmed me down instead.
Anyway, when one gets startled, don’t they usually call for “Mom”? Uniquely, Liya was calling for me.
Either way, Liya was thoroughly shocked.
As an older brother, I had no choice but to lead. I promptly leaned out of the window.
From the front of the galloping carriage, a familiar shadow of a man appeared.
Brown hair and blue eyes.
All I could manage was to mutter in a daze.
“……Mr. Raymond?”
“Right on time; I had business over your way too… I’ll be in your care for a few days, nephew-in-law.”
Though I didn’t say it out loud, one sentiment rose to my throat.
Why are you here?
