Garesto Academy – Intermission – ??-??: The Holy Hand Approaches (2/7)

Garesto Academy – Intermission – ??-??: The Holy Hand Approaches (2/7)

My holiness, if it would not trouble you, please enlighten this one as to why the saint herself would arrive in such a remote place as this? Oreil said.

And then he kept his head down as though to prove he was unworthy to appear before her, but even then, he could not keep his slightly opened eyes from turning a vulgar direction.

There was a deep slit on the robe through which could be seen the saints legs.

A pair of beautiful legs with youthful white skin.

This was not merely a momentary loss of control on Oreils part, rather he took advantage of her not seeing to get as much of an eyeful as he could.

Such a gaze was not something one should be using on the saint, a unique position within the church.

Yet he dared to do so because he believed she had no way of knowing, yet an even colder voice descended on him.

What an unsightly display, Oreil. You were still once() an archbishop, so you should at least clean up your act.

For his actions did not escape the saint despite her closed eyes.

In that moment, the only thing that occupied his mind was whether or not he could escape from here.

The saint was alone, and she was just a woman too. If he could just get near her

But he didnt realize that the saint let out a sigh as though she could see right through him.

Your soul is as filthy as ever, I see. Black, dull, and dirty. Ive long believed that you didnt belong in the church.

W-What are you saying, your holiness? I have served the goddess and the church for many yearsNew novel chapters are published on

To sate your own desires and your worthless vanity, right?

What a troublesome thing indeed. Despite assessing() it as evil, you still cant deal with it even after breaking the law.

!

Though there was no mockery in that voice filled with dismay and grief, he could not understand that because he had been treated poorly since that day.

Y-You little b*tch, hyaa!?

Oreil jumped at her with all of his strength, only for a pair of swords to suddenly be crossed right in front of him, shocking to fall back right onto his tushy.

It was curious how long have theyve been here, but regardless, a boy and a girl with swords were watching the saint from her side.

They wore the same kind of simple clothes that made it easy to move.

On their chest could be seen the symbol of the church, a circle ran through by a vertical line, embroidered in gold, a style permitted only to the Rimoa Knights affiliated with the saint.

Fool! As if we could possibly allow the saint to move on her own!

You can give up now. The mercenaries you hired, and even the former general of Damores [1] you were supposed to meet up with have already been apprehended and confessed everything!

W-What!?

A blade had been thrust upon him, but it was not the weapon that struck fear into him but the contents of her words.

As it turns out, Oreils biggest ally had already fallen into the hands of the church.

Moreover, they had spilled everything, leaving him with no way out.

A-AHHH! Why! Why did this have to happen to me!?

Atop the desk was a wooden box. When Oreil had taken it from his chest, he was sure it had been closed, but now, the cover was open.

Inside was a small piece of cloth. A black thing reached out for it, and then it disappeared.

Something that couldnt be seen was there.

Who is it!!

When the boy realized that, he immediately stepped in and slashed down with his sword from the high stance, cleaving the desk into two.

It was curious if it was merely coincidence or if hed intended for it, but the impact of his attack sent the wooden box and its contents to the saint.

KU!?

To dodge his attack, that thing had to dodge out of the way, and in the process reveal itself.

It mustve tried to get away from them as much as possible too, for it leaped all the way to the bed in the opposite direction and assumed a stance that could allow it movement anytime.

Although it was partly because the room was dimly lit, making it hard to distinguish, it was also because of its outfit.

A completely black made-to-fit outfit that covered even the face.

Yet despite that, the form revealed only enough to tell that this unexpected visitor was a person, the age and the gender remained a complete mystery.

Masquerade? No, thats just a black outfit. He must be a spy or an assassin! Said the boy.

The target could be either the saint or Oreil, either way, he must be apprehended! Said the girl.

Stop. This person possesses a beautiful soul. Do not harm him.

Before anyone else could, the saint stepped forward to hold back her two guards that were already in stance.

Though the instructions not to touch this overly suspicious figure bewildered them, her guards did as they were told but remained vigilant of the mysterious figure.

Perhaps because the suspicious figure had noticed that they were ready to fight, the figure took advantage of this opening to confirm something he needed confirmed no matter what.

As a red glint shot out for the saint through the only gaps on his mask, he questioned the saint.

Are you sane, Saint Cynthia!? Despite knowing full well what these peoples plans are, you intend to use it!?

Such impolite remarks left the two guards seething, but the saint herself clapped her hands and happily smiled.

My So you really will try to stop me. Thank you. That is exactly the kind of praiseworthy behavior I expect from a soul of such brilliance.

When she said that, the two guards relaxed a little despite their bewilderment.

But the saint ignored that too as she asked with doubt.

But what exactly is so strange? There would certainly be a problem if the plan was to attack without question, but all we want is to meet() with Masquerade.

Tl Note:

[1] Made a mistake with the general in the character introduction. His name isnt Damores. Hes just a general of Damores. No errors in the story where he appears.

[2] From wikipedia: Bunrei or wakemitama () is a Shinto technical term that indicates both the process of dividing a Shinto kami to be re-enshrined somewhere else (such as a houses kamidana), and the spirit itself produced by the division.

I dont really get Shinto or how the divine machines in this story are supposed to work, so Ill just leave it like this for now until I find a better translation. Also, while wakemitama is normally only written with the two characters above, the wakemitama in the story is written as . The last character there means machine, so to account for it, I added the word unit.