CH 119

I put my hand on his chest and moved with a slow beat.

Ugh, that’s too close.

Today was somehow strange. Did Daisy put a spell on this outfit? Our atmosphere got weirder and my cheeks were hot like buns.

“When the investigation into Professor Draive is over, will you give me another chance to have a meal together with you?”

His voice was heard again.

I didn’t know how to answer, so I pretended not to hear.

“If you need anything like before, let me know. I’ll get it and wait for you.”

His words gave me a headache.

[The God of Art, Mond, grumbles that Cass’ expression of affection is too materialistic.]

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, cheers for Cass, saying that this is enough for a love dummy.]

“…Anything?”

“Yes. Anything.”

His voice came to my ears.

But why does the atmosphere of the dance become more sticky?

(what is sticky lol)

[The God of Benevolence, Oman, whispers something to Odyssey.]

[The God of Love, Odyssey, blesses people.]

Hearing the sound of, smack, smack, I glanced behind me and saw couples kissing, putting dance aside.

There were even couples who had just finished kissing and hurriedly went somewhere holding hands.

[The God of Benevolence, Oman, loves fertility.]

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, glances at you.]

It was getting dark and the plaza was lit up with holy ore.

The music grew deeper, and when I looked up, Cass was looking at me.

Suddenly, my gaze went to his neck, then went up to his lips.

When Cass stopped his feet, I had no choice but to stop following him, who was supporting me. My eyes were wide open.

His other hand, which was holding my shoulder, moved up near my cheek. It felt like he was brushing through my hair.

Eventually, Cass lowered his head slightly to me.

Close enough to get closer, when his lips came right in front of me, I gently pushed his chest.

“…”

Thump, thump, thump.

My heart was beating like crazy.

I turned my eyes to another place, yet I felt Cass’ gaze intensely.

What should I say?

My face was hot and I couldn’t think of anything. I could feel his hand drop on my back and neck.

“…”

For a few seconds, we stood still, facing each other.

“The real reason why I didn’t want the Saintess to go back.”

After a while, a low voice came out.

“I didn’t want to show him this… appearance of you today.”

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, growls.]

[The God of Benevolence, Oman, says he understands Cass because he deserves it.]

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, bites.]

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, was bitten on the shin.]

I looked up at him and said.

“Who… are you talking about?”

A gentle wind blew between us. The soothing music lingered around my ears, yet didn’t reach my ears. Only my nerves were focused on him.

After a while Cass pursed his lips.

“Earlier…”

“…”

“No. If I mention the name now, you’ll think of his face. I hate even that.”

I stared blankly at the words I couldn’t understand.

“I’ll take you there.”

***

“Daisy, you were here already.”

Returning to the temple, I found Daisy sitting in my room and talked to her.

“You disappeared with the Marquis, so I searched for you for a while. Then I wondered if our roads would cross, so I came back, but the Saintess also returned.”

At Daisy’s words, I let out a small sigh.

“What did the Marquis say?”

I shook my head at the curious Daisy.

“…No big deal. Just talking about something we were looking into.”

“Hmm, really?”

The quick-witted Daisy’s eyes lit up, but I didn’t respond further.

[The God of Benevolence, Oman, is licking his lips.]

[The God of Love, Odyssey, discusses the next step with Oman.]

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, boasts to the other Gods that he succeeded in purchasing stakes in Cass.]

[The God of Art, Mond, trembles as he grips his own stake in Reihausd.]

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, growls at Hessed.]

[A dog fight ensues.]

“By the way, His Highness the Crown Prince went to the temple earlier. I heard that he was a little upset because he was looking for the Saintess yet you weren’t there.”

Hearing that, I was surprised.

“His Highness the Crown Prince came here?”

Seeing that there had been no correspondence in advance, it seemed unlikely that it would be important. It’s not like he left anything to tell me.

At that moment, I remembered what Cass said.

[I didn’t want to show him this… appearance of you today.]

Could it be that he said this knowing Kyle would come to the temple?

I looked at myself in the full-length mirror.

‘He didn’t say a word about how pretty I was or how this suited me. He said he wanted to dance because he didn’t want to show me to Kyle?’

I was dumbfounded, so I just laughed out loud.

After petting Kyuu, who was playing in the hamster cage, I drank a glass of water. My throat, which had been burning all along, seemed to calm down.

“Saintess. Your face is red.”

At Daisy’s words, I hurriedly put my palms on my face.

The heat was rising.

“Maybe because it’s hot.”

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, shakes his head at your lie with his eyes darkened.]

“Daisy. I’m tired today, so I need to go to bed.”

When the atmosphere from earlier came back to me, it felt like my cheeks were getting hotter.

‘No. Let’s not think of it again.’

Tomorrow is the day I meet Professor Draive again.

‘I don’t know what might happen, but I have to adjust my condition well.’

With Daisy’s help, I took off my dress, washed it, dried my hair, and went to sleep.

“Good night. Kyuu.”

“Kyuuuu.”

***

About the next evening, I met Cass again. I rode the carriage he sent, but unlike the last time, I was continuously nervous.

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, blesses you.]

[The God of Justice, Hessed, blesses you.]

When I arrived in front of the Euclipse Academy, the tall Cass stood with the moonlight in the background.

I pretended to be calm and greeted him.

“You came first.”

“You’ve arrived. Saintess”

“I’m not late, am I?”

“Of course. It’s just about to start now.”

I followed Cass into the Euclipse Academy.

The hallway was dark and quiet, and the only sound was the ticking of the clock.

Creakㅡ

I walked behind him, stepped on the protruding floor and made a sound, then I covered my mouth.

Cass turned around and lowered his waist to look at me.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded my head at the kind and soft voice. I could feel him holding my hand.

“Hold me tight so you don’t fall.”

I couldn’t see the expression on his face as he walked ahead.

I followed him while holding his hand.

[The God of Art, Mond, is sad.]

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, howls.]

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, is rejoicing with his leg limp.]

What is this feeling, as if the tension that you had when you were young in your body is relieved just by holding someone’s hand? I don’t know.

After passing Professor Draive’s office, we headed to the incineration plant behind the main building.

As if it wasn’t too late as Cass said, I could see Professor Draive burning something.

There was a considerable pile of papers beside him.

I reached behind him and opened my mouth.

“I told you to prepare your mind, but what should we do if you burn all of this.”

At my words, Professor Draive was startled and turned behind.

His face went pale when he saw Cass and me.

I picked up a book from the stack of papers next to the professor.

[Intermediate Necromancer – Recalling the Dead of Salerium]

‘I didn’t think so, but this is it.’

I raised my eyebrows coldly.