Saintess Arc – Chapter 37

***I can’t wait for Mavuika and Citlali. Their gameplay is weird, but that is fun in it’s own way. Same like Chasca, I’m not really fond of her character design, but her game mechanics are interesting. And I’m making slow progress on the new map~. After looking at Sunday’s gameplay, should I really pull for him? I don’t have Jingyuan so what other else? Maybe for future remembrance character? Especially since my main target is Herta***

Chapter 37 New transaction

“Saintess-sama, how have you been?”
"Ah, ah...sorry, I was a little dazed."

She suddenly looks up when a young nun calls out to her.
One morning after that unexpected event, Iris visited a church in town.
That day's worship went off without a hitch, and as Iris was cleaning up, a young sister called out to her, perhaps thinking of Iris who had stopped and stared into space.

“Is there something wrong with your body…?”
"No, I'm fine. I'm sorry for worrying you."

I bowed my head to the sister who was concerned about me.
Iris ended up overhearing Geek and Claire's exchange last night, and she didn't get any sleep at all.
Iris regains her consciousness and returns to tidying up, but he can't help but remember what happened last night.

(What should I do?)
In the end, that was Iris's entire problem.
Iris learned that Claire was being held by Geek.
And she may have received medicine as compensation.
What I remember is the voice from last night.

"Ah..."

It sounded like regret...
Claire's voice sounded painful and regretful, as if to say that she could never lose to someone like this.
Remembering that voice made Iris feel like her chest was tightening.
She thought she had to do something.

(But what on earth I could do...)
However, it was also true that Iris had no idea what she could do.

"Haa..."

A heavy sigh was let out.


◆


I need to do something, but I can't think of anything I can do.
As I was growing more and more anxious, the days passed one by one, then two.
A few days have passed since that day.
The medicine was not brought by Claire herself, but by the Arzen family's maid instead.
The girls visit Iris, who is taking care of Louis in the hospital room, and leave her alone saying, “This will be for today.''
Even when Iris saw the medicine, she was unable to express pure gratitude.
This is due to Claire's sacrifice.
When I thought about it like that, the weight of medicine in my palm became heavier and heavier.

(What should I do? What should I do...)
Due to her daily lack of sleep due to her worries, she was also beginning to show signs of poor health.
As her vision wavers, she suddenly looks out the window and notices something.

『――――』
『……』

Claire and Geek were there walking towards the gate.
I wonder if they'll go out to town? Claire is walking in front of her, and Geek is following behind her.
Geek was talking to her about something, but Claire ignored him and moved on.

(...!)

When Iris saw the two of them and put her hand on the window sill, Geek reached out and grabbed Claire's butt.
Iris gasped at how bold it was for sexual harassment.
Of course, there was no way Claire would tolerate something like that, and her hand was quickly shaken off. ...It was supposed to be.
However, his hand did not actually shake off, and Claire stopped him and look down slightly.

It looked to Iris like Claire was receiving his harassment.
Her hands were tightly clasped, her face looked down.
From that reaction, it was easy to imagine that she was currently attacked by intense anger.

"...!"

Geek whispers something to her, and the two begin walking as if nothing happened.

"......"

Iris stares at the backs of the two as they head out into town.
A strong look of determination was beginning to appear in her eyes.


◆


A few days later, Geek had a visitor in his office.
When Geek gives permission, the door to the office opens heavily.

"Excuse me"

It was Iris who appeared.
Wearing her white robe, she carries her serene aura around her, and quietly advances her steps.

“Did something happen?”

Geek stopped his work and looked up.
As far as Geek could remember, it was the first time she had come alone like this.
What purpose did the Saintess of the Great Holy Church come?
Geek asked, catching a glimmer of interest in her eyes.

“I have a request for you today.”
"Request?"
"Yes"

When Geek urges her to continue with his gaze, Iris's hands gather strength.
She says, her amethyst eyes sparkling solemnly.

“Would you please stop holding Claire?”
"Hee..."

The first thing she said was that even Geek himself was surprised at how quickly she said it.
Because she was a Saintess, he thought she would avoid such topics.
His look of surprise momentarily turns into an amused smile, and Geek stands up from his office chair.

“Somehow, Saintess-sama learned that I was holding Kensei-sama.”
"Yes"

Geek circles around his office desk and walks in front of Iris.

"So, does that mean you’re asking for a deal?"
“Yes I knew that too.”
"I see. Then you know that you can't grant that request, right?"
“…But Claire doesn’t like it.”
"Hah!"

At Iris's point, Geek laughs at her.

“Even if you say that to me, a deal is a deal, and I’m just receiving fair compensation, right?”

That's what Geek says and laughs.

“…………”
“Besides, I think it’s your side that will be in trouble if we stop trading, right?”

While Iris was staring at him, Geek pulled out a small bottle that she recognized.
Geek plays with the pink liquid in his palm.
...Geek was right.
In the current situation where no medicine has been found, it would be Iris and the others who would be in trouble if they stopped the deal.
Even though she knew it, Iris' hands tightened in the face of this reality.

"...Is there any kind of leeway you can give?"
“No.”

Geek replies that there is no deal to attach to Iris' words that seem to be squeezed out.

"Anything is fine. If I can prepare it, I will."
"Nothing"
"If you use my holy magic, you can heal most injuries."
"unnecessary"
"If that's the case..."

Still, Iris continues to suggest as much as she can.
Geek's words interrupted her next words.

“Saintess-sama, you understand, right?”
"...What is it?"

This time, it was Iris' turn to remain silent.
Geek standing in front of Iris.
He walks towards Iris and hooks his fingers over her shoulders.

“What should you offer?”

Geek looks down at Iris, implicitly saying that this is not a legitimate consideration.
It wasn't as if Iris who had come this far had no idea what was being asked of her.
However, at the same time, since she was a "Saintess", this was something she should never forgive.
In that case, that option is impossible here as well.

"That is…………"

Iris tried to answer but lost her next words.
She had heard Claire's voice eavesdropping on her mind.
She sounded like she was desperately regretting it, and she sounded like she was regretting it forever...
The sound of Claire's voice that she heard through the wall that day was still vividly etched in Iris' mind.

"......stand."

Remembering that, Iris murmured a little.

"Hm?"
"……I understand"
"what?"

Iris' strong-willed eyes pierce through Geek's grinning eyes, perhaps because he is particular about her next words.

"I'll give you my body. I'll make the deal on Claire's behalf. There shouldn't be any complaints."
"Hee..."

Looking into those eyes, Geek let out a voice of admiration.

"Do you really understand what you’re saying? You're a saintess, aren't you?"
"...There's nothing good about it. But I can't abandon my friends any longer."

At Iris's assertion, Geek's smile deepened.
Geek approaches Iris and puts his hands on her butt.

"...!"

The rejection reaction was forcefully suppressed.
Geek says while stroking the butt of the woman who will be his bitch from now on.

"I think you understand, but once you step in, you can't go back, right?"
"...I understand, clearly...!"

Those words resonate quietly and strongly.

---A new deal has been made.

Within the same day, Claire was summoned and told that the deal had been canceled.

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