## Chapter 588 – Is Spring Coming?
Why is Eliza suddenly like this…!
“Please, hurry.”
Eliza was smiling, but for some reason, I found this smile even more frightening than her usual deadpan expression. Right, Eliza was pissed because I was too late.
She couldn’t bring herself to get angry at me, so she was showing it like this.
“Okay.”
I answered slowly, rising from my seat.
“Alright.”
Calming my trembling heart, I prepared to unleash a Lion’s Roar.
“I’ll do as you wish.”
“…”
As soon as I stood up, I stretched, loosening my tense muscles. I inhaled slowly, then exhaled, observing Eliza’s expression.
Eliza simply smiled, showing no other reaction.
“Ready?”
“Saint.”
“Hmm?”
“When it comes to confirming our friendship, you don’t need my permission. Aren’t we Divine Friends?”
“Th-that’s right!”
Anyway, it’s only right to do what Eliza wants. I got into position to unleash a Lion’s Roar, took a deep breath, and shouted.
“DIVIIIIIIIIIIIIINE—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
My clear voice echoed through the skies of Isvant, where winter was nearing its end.
A clear voice in a clear sky.
It might attract some attention, but if it satisfies Eliza, nothing could be better.
“Hoo, Eliza?”
Eliza stared at me as I shouted, then began to laugh softly.
“Heh, heh heh…”
“What?”
“Heh heh heh… Yes. Friend, Saint.”
Then, after whispering “friend,” she reached out her arm. I also reached out my arm, complaining to Eliza.
“Eliza, what’s with you! Why aren’t you shouting loudly!”
She made me shout, but she only spoke softly.
“Do you want me to shout loudly?”
“Well… yeah, kinda?”
“Really, you leave me no choice!”
—Frienddddddd!!!!!!!!
Eliza also roared violently and looked back at me. She did it because I asked, but… what’s this? This strange feeling?
“…Are you satisfied?”
Was it because she had shouted? Her expression seemed a little more relaxed.
“Extremely satisfied.”
“I see, that’s a relief.”
Anyway, Eliza seemed to be in a better mood.
The strange, fierce energy was long gone. It felt like the usual Eliza had returned.
And Eliza, back to her normal self, asked me.
“Saint. Have you been resting well?”
“I’ve been resting great. How about you?”
“I also rested well, and my body feels full of energy. Of course, it’s an unfamiliar feeling, so it feels a bit strange.”
A strange feeling?
“Strange feeling?”
“Yes.”
Eliza stared at my face and replied.
“It’s a strange feeling.”
“How strange is it?”
“It’s my first time resting for so long. It’s only natural that it feels strange. It seems like I’m neglecting the demons and heretics rampaging outside the city.”
The members of the Order of the Luminous Cross rarely rest and fight against evil beings every day. Eliza unintentionally came to Isvant and rested for a long time.
If you only work every day and suddenly rest for a long time, it would feel strange.
“This unease, yes. That must be it.”
The virtuous Eliza was uneasy just from resting for a long time. Was that why she was a little on edge, showing that attitude?
Even though she’s a nun, Eliza is still human. She can’t be free from emotions, and it’s perfectly natural.
“Unease… well, Eliza, don’t worry too much. I went today, and the Saintess said there’s nothing in particular for me to do. That means there are no problems in this area, so rest assured.”
“…That’s a relief.”
“It is a relief. Eliza, you should relax sometimes.”
“Relax, you say?”
“Yeah.”
People need to have peace of mind.
“If the Saint says so, I’ll try to relax. But, is that the official document about this incident?”
Eliza said, shifting her gaze to the document I was holding.
I almost forgot about this.
“Yeah. Read it. It’s well-organized.”
I handed over the document.
“Understood.”
Eliza took the document and began to read it slowly. She nodded, looking quite satisfied.
“It’s very well-organized. The aftercare is perfect. As expected of the Bronze Celestial Society. Their abilities are considerable.”
“Heh heh heh, right?”
“I don’t think we need to worry about this case, but I’m still concerned about the remnants.”
The heretics won’t give up just because they lost one base. Crazy people never give up.
They might start human trafficking again in places we don’t know and create abominations.
“But that’s not something to worry about now. We can’t come up with countermeasures, and worrying about things we don’t know is just a waste of energy. Let’s relax until we have to do the next job.”
Eliza will have to return to Krasheim soon.
Once she returns, she’ll be working non-stop as usual.
She can rest now.
“You’ll have to go back soon, right? You can work diligently from then on.”
“Ah…”
Eliza made a regretful expression upon hearing those words.
“I have to go back soon… it’s a shame.”
“Me too. Maybe today is…”
“Yes. The Saint will soon become a Paladin and go to the capital. This might be the last time.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Even if I become a Paladin and go to the capital, we’ll be able to meet somehow.
“Even if I come to Isvant, I won’t be able to see the Saint.”
“But we can still contact each other. I should be able to with Paladin authority.”
“Heh heh, I’m glad to hear that.”
Still, it’s a shame.
“…Saint. Aren’t you hungry? Let’s go have a meal. I’ll treat you today.”
“Thanks a bunch!”
Anyway, I went to the restaurant with Eliza right away. We went in, ordered our meals, and talked about work and Paladins.
As we were talking about the Holy Knights who lose their minds when they see heretics, Eliza said.
“Hmm… indeed. Most members tend to lose their minds as soon as they witness the horrific scenes caused by evil beings. Perhaps it’s due to the extreme training and religious education they receive.”
In this world, religious people can’t stand injustice and often lose their minds.
If they don’t go that far, they can’t win in battles against evil beings.
“I also try to maintain my reason as much as possible, but there are more times when I can’t stand it. In that sense, it’s not strange that the Saint is becoming a Paladin. You’re the most rational when it comes to obtaining information.”
Eliza also knows the importance of interrogation very well. She can endure to some extent, but she loses her mind when she sees truly horrific scenes.
“But it seems like a somewhat unique position. Receiving orders from the Saintess and being dispatched to solve problems… it’s quite free, and the fact that you can go far away is definitely appealing. If I ever become a Paladin, I should request similar authority.”
“Heh heh heh, definitely request it. It feels like I’m a bit of an adventurer, so it’s nice.”
“I see.”
Anyway, I continued talking with Eliza while eating.
Eliza looked very calm while eating.
The strange attitude she had when we first met had completely disappeared. Honestly, I was a little scared, so I’m glad she’s back to normal.
“By the way, Saint.”
“Hmm?”
Suddenly, Eliza put down her utensils and asked me that.
“Have you been having any difficulties lately?”
“Difficulties?”
“Regarding your family. You said you have five wives, didn’t you?”
—Flustered.
What?
I tensed up for a moment, but Eliza’s eyes were calm.
“As I told you before, it’s not good to indulge too much in carnal pleasures. As a Divine Friend, I’m sincerely worried and advising you. Even if it’s natural, it becomes unnatural if it’s excessive.”
Eliza’s sermon was perfectly correct.
Looking into her eyes, there was nothing particularly strange.
It seems like she’s just being sincere. Her scary attitude must have been because she was worried I would fall into depravity.
“I’m worried that the Saint will ruin himself with carnal pleasures.”
“Yeah… I guess so? Yeah. Anyone would think that. Thanks for worrying, Eliza. But there’s really no problem.”
“…Is that so? It’s a relief if there’s no problem. But even so, I can’t shake off my worries.”
I’m grateful that she’s so worried about me. However, I can confidently say that there’s no problem. Aren’t we doing well now?
“Can you explain what happened? As far as I know, Claudia and Winia were your only wives.”
“That was a long time ago.”
It’s quite an old story.
“As a Divine Friend, I’m very curious. Of course, I know it’s a rude question. But I’m worried about the Saint as much as I feel that way.”
“No, it’s not a rude question. Of course, you can ask. Since you’re worried, I’ll tell you what happened.”
I briefly explained what had happened so that Eliza wouldn’t worry.
The main point was that I ended up with Karin, Risha, and Liztina. It would be blasphemous to tell Eliza about the sexual aspects, so I omitted all of that.
“Hmm… I see.”
Eliza nodded.
“It’s a story I can hardly imagine.”
“Me too. It’s a bit far from ordinary.”
In fact, even I find it hard to imagine. A penta-wife is unbelievable. Nobles have three wives and four concubines as a daily occurrence, but I’m not in that position.
“Saint. I have only one piece of advice for you.”
Eliza said with a straight face.
“It’s natural for humans to have desires, and it’s also natural to express them.”
“Is that so…?”
“But.”
Eliza paused and stared into my eyes.
“You should restrain yourself now. As I’ve said repeatedly, indulging in excessive desires is a shortcut to depravity. I know that the Saint… well, you’re very fond of women, but I’m still saying this.”
I’m not that fond of women. This is almost the result of unavoidable accidents and coincidences.
Fusion Confucianism is exactly that.
“No, it’s not like I’m super fond of them.”
Eliza tilted her head and said.
“You’re not?”
“W-well…”
In a way, it’s true.
As I was wondering how to answer, Eliza held both of my hands.
“Eliza?”
Warmth was transmitted from her hands.
“Saint. I’m not scolding or reprimanding you. I’m just giving you advice as a Divine Friend.”
Eliza said to me with the kind expression unique to religious people.
“The fact that you take my words as a scolding means that you think you’re too immersed in carnal pleasures, doesn’t it?”
“…”
Yeah.
That’s right.
“…I was thinking it was a bit excessive too.”
Five is a bit much.
Claudia always thinks that way, but I’m not thinking of adding more.
But I have no choice but to follow Claudia’s words… Claudia’s words are also the foundation of Fusion Confucianism.
“That’s exactly it.”
“Anything too excessive isn’t good…”
“That’s right. Overcome your desires. You can do it. You’re armed with stronger beliefs and steel-like faith than anyone else. You should be able to reject the temptations of women.”
If I reject them, I’ll get beaten to death.
“Heh heh heh, Eliza. You don’t have to worry, I know. Don’t you trust me?”
“It’s not that I don’t trust the Saint.”
“Yeah, you’re genuinely worried about me. Thanks.”
“Likewise, I’m just saying what’s obvious, so there’s nothing to be thanked for.”
Eliza let go of my hands.
“Then, Saint. How about doing some training to restrain your desires?”
What kind of training is that?
