Linne settled into her new home better than expected.
The dormitory of the Academy is rather spacious even for a four-person room. In fact, the space of a one or two-person room is excessively large for just one or two individuals to use.
However, despite the ample space, two double-tier beds are set up to use the area efficiently.
And the net bed that connects the upper tiers of those double-tier beds; that became Linne’s space.
Even though a ghost doesn’t need to sleep and could fit into Yuli, creating the need for space irrelevant, as Linne wanted her own space, the net bed was bought over the weekend especially for her.
As it’s a net bed, there’s just about enough room to lie down, but Linne loves this space and, despite being able to float in mid-air, she always either lies down or sits on the bed.
It may seem hard to balance, but she’s resolving that with her ghostly floating abilities.
*
“So, why are you here today?”
“I’ve been feeling unsettled lately in various ways, and I thought you might help me by just listening.”
The place I visited was the shrine located in the village where I first met her.
I don’t know why she isn’t at the shrine inside the Academy, but she always finds time to come here on weekends. Most people don’t know this fact, much like the old me who used to not be close with Mariel.
“Hmm. Listening is definitely part of a saint’s duties!”
Although, to be precise, it’s primarily the common nuns who hear confessions and various kinds of consultations, but it’s not impossible for a saint either.
“Well, it’s not really a grand consultation or anything…”
Thwick!
Just as I’m about to start the conversation properly, Mariel suddenly raises her palm toward me, stopping me abruptly.
Like stopping a misbehaving puppy.
“To consult, you have to pay a consultation fee! Since I know you already, I’ll make it a special rate of 10 silvers an hour!”
Of course, if you can buy the time of a saint for a few dozen silvers, it’s practically free but, as always, our saint is blatant about money.
“But other sisters don’t charge, right?”
“That’s their story. I’m the sole spokesperson for Goddess Serena, so you shouldn’t equate me with other nuns!”
Isn’t that basically insulting the other nuns, not to mention blasphemous?
Ah, Goddess Serena. Why have you chosen such a young lady as your saint? Your judgment is truly questionable.
Oh! Now that I think about it, Serena also chose me as a hero. Hmm. Indeed, it makes sense.
Considering she chose me instead of Selian, the goddess’s judgment is certainly…
I better stop these thoughts; if I keep questioning them, even silently, I might end up committing a sacrilege punishable by divine retribution.
That said,
“Shouldn’t it be strange for a hero to pay to receive advice from a saint?”
I try one last time, half out of curiosity.
“Dear, is there any story about past heroes not paying the saints for advice?”
“Isn’t it obvious there would be no such story?”
Of course, there shouldn’t be. What kind of saint would extort money from a hero?
But our saint has a mindset that is nothing if not extraordinarily different.
“It’s possible past heroes paid saints for their advice.”
“But if we consider that, it’s also possible they didn’t pay?”
The latter would surely be the default and correct answer.
“True, no one knows. So, it’s also not strange to charge a fee. And, as I said earlier, 10 silvers per hour is quite a bargain!”
“…Got it.”
Being the one seeking advice, I decided to surrender first, as that’s the weaker position anyway.
Plus, 10 silvers per hour is essentially the price of a drink and dessert at a café.
“So, what do you want to consult about?”
After essentially ripping me off for half my coins, Mariel pocketed the 10 silvers and asked.
“I already mentioned, it’s not really some grand consultation. I just came here hoping you’d listen to me vent.”
“Hmm… Now you’ve made me feel a little sorry for taking the 10 silvers. Of course, there’s no refund in the saint’s dictionary, though.”
What kind of dictionary even is that? I resisted the urge to ask and continued.
“We may soon have to leave on an adventure to defeat the Demon King.”
“Indeed, destiny of a hero. Are you worried about it?”
“To say I’m not worried would be a lie, but it’s not like I’m trembling excessively or anything.”
“Don’t be too tense. The hero’s path always has a saint, me, by your side.”
For some reason, this supposed touching statement translates in my head as “I’ll keep following you and emptying your wallet.”
I want to think it’s because I lack faith.
“Could we really defeat the Demon King?”
A hero is the only adversary capable of defeating the Demon King, but conversely, the hero could also fall to the Demon King.
Even the continent’s foremost Sword Master was unable to defeat the Demon King, and it’s impossible for me, who’s less skilled than them, to imagine killing the Demon King.
“What if I fail to defeat the Demon King? What if the continent ends up falling to him?”
Until recently, I was so afraid of losing my life that I hesitated about going after the Demon King with Selian.
Though now that I’ve become a hero, that hesitation feels irrelevant.
“To be honest, I can’t even picture myself defeating the Demon King. There are certainly people stronger than me.”
Can someone like me, who treasures their own life, really protect the continent?
“Um… As a hero, I understand your concerns, and as a saint, I’m not sure if it’s right to say this, but don’t worry too much.”
“Excuse me?”
“Serena Goddess probably thoughtfully chose you. Because, without a doubt, she believed you’re more suitable to be the hero, to defeat the Demon King, than anyone else.”
Rather than wondering why the goddess, who knows everything, chose someone like me.
Am I not the type who erects walls even against the concept of a hero who sacrifices for others?
I am an assassin who earns a living, albeit without experience, by killing others, not someone who has a sacrificial spirit.
“Of course, I’m not saying it’s fine to lose to the Demon King. The future is unknowable, so don’t overthink it.”
“But I can’t help but worry.”
“If worrying and pondering were to bring about progress, it would be a necessary practice, but are your worries leading you in that direction?”
“…No.”
“Humans do. Even when they know they shouldn’t obsess over something, it’s hard to stop. So…”
She paused her speech, stood from her seat and took my hand, leading me outside.
Following her docilely, I ended up at a café near the shrine.
With the café being rather empty, Mariel went to the counter and brought back two drinks, handing one to me.
“Here, drink. And the beverage is, of course, included in the consultation fee.”
Despite declaring it generously, it was the cheapest Americano in the café, but I accepted it quietly without a word.
“Where were we? Oh!”
Sitting across from me at an outdoor table, Mariel resumed our conversation.
“What if, instead of worrying, you spend that time having more fun? Like a date?”
“Da, date?!”
“Wow? Why is your face turning so red all of a sudden? Could it be that our hero is…”
“Anyone would be flustered by a sudden joke like that!”
Though it’s technically true since I’m actually a man, there’s no way I could ever admit that.
“Oh dear, it was just a joke! Don’t take it too seriously.”
Given her tone and her smirking, it’s fortunate she hasn’t noticed the truth and seemed to be honestly joking.
“In any case, training is good, but enjoying ourselves now is not bad either. Even if it doesn’t solve any fundamental issues, it can eliminate unnecessary worries. After all, they say a healthy mind resides in a healthy body, right?”
…Isn’t it the other way around? A healthy body resides in a healthy mind?
“And as I said earlier, the future is unknowable for anyone, including Goddess Serena.”
Even though the goddess herself can’t guarantee the future, why does my heart feel a little lighter?
“Alright, let’s finish the consultation here! Now it’s the dating time for the hero and the saint!”
Still bringing up this dating nonsense, are we?
Yet, despite the joking, her bright energy seems to be lightening my mood as well.
“If you ever need to consult again, let me know, anytime!”
Getting up and turning around to address me, Mariel truly appeared as a saint herself.
“Just don’t forget the consultation fee!”
Minus her last comment, anyway.
