The Priest Wants to Retire

EP.94 Caught You!

It comes to mind vividly.

Her face, her voice, and even her delicate nature.

I found it strange that I had forgotten all this until this very moment.

A handful of girls, called Saint Candidates, who were predicted to become Saints in the future.

Sister Beltein was once a leading candidate there, and the contemptuous gaze she shot at me when I was openly trying to catch her attention, hoping for some crumbs, is still fresh in my mind.

After that approach filled with selfishness ended in total failure, I had been disheartened for a while when I happened to spot her.

A little girl who clung to Sister Beltein’s leg like a baby koala.

Sister Beltein’s real younger sister. A failed Saint Candidate. Welna Angelas Ashes.

Born with a delicate disposition and lacking assertiveness, she was so timid that she couldn’t make even the smallest decision without relying on someone else.

She was such a cute little troublemaker that she would burst into tears if a butterfly merely landed on her head.

She insisted on crawling into my bed every night, fearing to sleep alone, making me worry she’d never escape from her sister’s skirt.

That was how Sister Beltein viewed her younger sister.

I hadn’t asked, nor was I that curious, but for some reason, whenever Sister Beltein talked about her sister, she became an unstoppable chatterbox, and by the time I came to my senses, I already knew way too much personal information about her.

I remember it was a mindset of “nothing to lose.”

Using the old saying, “a chicken instead of a pheasant,” I thought that if Sister Beltein couldn’t be won over, I might be able to inch closer to her through her kin.

Besides, even if the likelihood was slim, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to befriend someone who might one day become a Saint.

Not to brag, but I remember treating her pretty kindly.

Eating the food she hated instead.

Playing games with her.

Taking the blame for her mistakes.

Subtly standing by her when other Saint Candidates bullied her.

How long did that go on? Suddenly, she asked me.

Why I treated her so kindly despite being such a perfect big sister that everyone admired, while she was insignificant and overlooked.

In response to her pitiful question, filled with suspicion and caution, I replied:

“I have younger siblings about your age too. Haha, of course, they aren’t my real siblings, but I support an orphanage not too far from here monthly. That’s why when I see kids around your age, it’s like looking at my friends, so I just can’t ignore you. You have a loving big sister, right? It’s the same principle. It’s only natural for a big brother to take care of his little sister.”

Then I rushed to add that she should be sure to tell her sister what I had said.

It went without saying that my statement was a bold-faced lie.

The fact that I supported siblings from some orphanage was well-known to anyone who had spoken to me for more than a few seconds back then.

It was like a business card, showcasing how thoughtful and kind-hearted I am to everyone I meet.

“So, if you’re okay with it, feel free to rely on me like a real big brother anytime.”

Why had I forgotten?

The tears of gratitude she shed at my disgusting comfort.

The days we spent together. The myriad of emotions that passed between us. Her very existence.

Why did I…

◈◈◈

Today, outside was especially noisy.

No matter how many times I pulled the blanket over my head or stuffed my ears with the pillow, the uproar was so loud it could rival construction noise.

With mounting worries lately, my mind was already stretched thin. Now, my precious morning sleep was disturbed, making me frown involuntarily.

“Ugh…”

I sighed a groggy breath as my sleepy body stirred slightly.

Having rolled and tumbled countless times on the front lines of the dungeon, by now, I could take losing consciousness due to a minor issue in stride.

However, the fainting caused by the Saint’s baptismal ceremony and that overwhelming Divine Power was something I simply could not get used to.

If fainting was like someone pressing the power button on a perfectly functioning computer without warning, fainting from the Saint was like someone yanking out the power cord.

The former at least had some room for composure; the latter came with not just physical shock but considerable psychological aftermath.

And now, having a nightmare on top of that, the discomfort weighing down my mind was indescribable.

Speaking of which, what had I dreamed about?

I vaguely remembered it being a horrible nightmare, but I couldn’t grasp the specific details.

“Mm…”

I rubbed my aching head with one hand while my other hand searched the air.

The cup was always placed in the same spot.

Even with my eyes closed, I could easily find it by waving my hand around a few times.

“Ugh, huh…?”

Just after feeling a slight unease, a perplexed voice came from my parched lips.

No matter how much I stretched my hand out, I couldn’t find the water bottle placed just a breath away.

And that wasn’t the only oddity.

The musty smell of an old man filled the space, yet a delicate aroma wafted, slowly peeling away the grime of fatigue from my consciousness.

The sensation of the bed supporting my lower body felt far too comfortable and soft to be the cheap bed in my own room.

I could tell without needing to open my eyes.

This was not my room.

“What the hell…”

Swoosh.

Trying to rise in a hurry, I was stopped by a chilling shock that swept over my body.

“……!”

I couldn’t see any clothes.

Since I wore that confining priest robe all day, I usually kept it light when sleeping, but even so…

A priest like me couldn’t just carelessly sleep naked. This was unacceptable.

Was it someone’s prank? Or a mistake by the servants?

No matter the reason, I couldn’t wander around without even a shred of clothing, so I grabbed the blanket covering me to wrap around my lower body before getting out of bed.

“Saint! Hooray! Hero! Hooray!”

As I casually turned my gaze toward the annoying commotion, I caught a glimpse of the sunset’s crimson rays streaming through the tightly shut window.

What the…? Is the Blessing Ceremony already underway? So, I really did sleep the whole day since yesterday’s lunch?

Just then, a wave of anxiety crashed over me, and my body swayed a bit.

Tap tap.

Footsteps, soaked with water, echoed in the distance, crushing my heart instantly.

“Hehe♪”

A melodic, familiar hum suddenly interrupted my breath.

Looking around the spacious room, I recognized many of the items as eerily familiar.

A neatly maintained sword reflecting the owner’s upright nature. A neatly placed cloak and armor on the floor.

And atop them, women’s underwear decorated like strawberries atop a cake, with a cute sword embroidered on it.

A cold wave crawled down my back, and before I knew it, my body was sprinting toward the door.

Clank! Clank!

“!?”

Finally, when I saw the despairing situation before me, I covered my mouth in shock for a moment.

The door wouldn’t open. It wasn’t because it was locked. It was sealed shut by some means that prevented it from opening at all.

“Oh my…”

A long metal pipe was tied to the doorknob as if it were some kind of ribbon, and all I felt was a chill running down my spine—no other emotions stirred within me.

There was no way I could break such a strong bond with my insignificant strength.

At this point, there was only one way out.

Escape through the window. Sure, it looked quite high, but as long as I didn’t die, everything would be fine. I could heal any injuries with prayer.

For a moment, I wondered if I was viewing this situation too hopelessly and pessimistically, but…

My naked body. The strangely decorated space adorned with pink silk everywhere. Various unknown substances strewn around near a pool of melted candle wax.

It was impossible not to feel an ominous premonition.

“Alright! With this, all preparations are complete! Hah!”

Just then.

As I caught the hero’s booming voice hitting the back of my head, I hastily reached for the tightly bound window latch.

Thwack!

Suddenly, warm, soft skin pressed against my back, wrapping my body—no, my consciousness—tight.

“Priest! You’ve regained your senses! What a relief!”

“Ugh!”

I could offer no replies to that cheerful voice calling me.

I wanted to deny it, but I couldn’t escape the horrifying reality closing in on me.

It was undeniable.

The Hero was now…

naked.