There wasn’t much for Usher to do within the order.
No, aside from anything related to the heathen’s outbreak, there was basically nothing.
From the start, being a saint was a position closely tied to honor, with the only real task being to receive divine revelations.
That was about all he had to do.
“Don’t you feel exhausted, sweating like that?”
“Ah, it’s tough, but my head feels clear! Would you like to work out with me, Rubena?”
“No, thanks.”
Training for health and emergency situations. And socializing with the other saints.
While training with a sword to clear her mind, Rubena came over.
She told her not to worry and continue her training, and Rubena watched for a long time with curious eyes before asking such a question.
Usher responded with a refreshing smile, and Rubena gave a look of disinterest.
However, it didn’t last long. Soon after, Rubena asked in a tone full of concern.
“Is it because of the curse? I’ve heard that exercising can relieve sexual desires.”
“…It’s not like that.”
“Is it not? I thought you’d be hot and panting all day.”
Usher’s expression became a bit sour.
What did she think of the curse to speak so lightly about it?
Now that he knew Rubena wasn’t a bad person, he still wished he’d avoid such thoughtless remarks.
But, well, if it was Rubena, that was just how she was.
Wiping his sweat with a damp towel, Usher sat across from Rubena.
After that, he asked a question.
“By the way, what brings you here today?”
Rubena wasn’t the type to come by without reason.
Though sometimes she’d start a conversation out of boredom, she always had a purpose when coming over.
Usher was certain today was no different, and he was right.
Once the groundwork was laid, Rubena hesitated for a moment before leaning forward and muttering.
“Uh, I wanted to ask something.”
“If it’s something you want to ask…”
The response didn’t come immediately.
Rubena hesitated, and Usher waited quietly.
How long had it been? The next words were like this.
“These days, the bald guy isn’t listening to me.”
“He’s being disrespectful! He keeps challenging me!”
Usher tilted his head.
Once Rubena started, the words flowed out quickly, like a machine gun.
“I don’t like everything! I told him I’d let him eat at the same table, but he went and ate in the barracks first! I said I’d buy him some clothes, and he refused saying he had to wear armor! I told him to walk closer since we never know when the heathens will show up, but he always walks two or three steps away from me!”
The more Usher listened, the more his expression changed.
Whether she realized it or not, Rubena continued to rant, her face flushed with excitement.
Her eyes were glistening, and it was clear she felt upset.
It was obvious.
‘This…’
Wasn’t it?
“I just want him to do what I tell him! Why can’t he listen to me, questioning everything!”
Thud, Rubena slammed her fist on the coffee table and immediately cried out, “Ouch!” while rubbing her hand.
Usher couldn’t bring himself to say anything to comfort her.
A sigh escaped his lips.
He knew Rubena’s mind was pure, but did she really not understand her own feelings?
How was he supposed to explain this?
His thoughts deepened.
‘No, maybe it was right to interfere in the first place?’
It looked like this was about a love consultation.
Though Usher questioned why it was happening here, he didn’t want to say anything unnecessary and risk getting himself into trouble.
At least he had said something.
“Hmm, you’re upset because you want to do something good for him, but it’s not going the way you want…?”
It was as soon as she asked that.
“Ah, no! Why should I be nice to that bald guy?!”
What was he supposed to do with this?
A woman’s heart was so hard to understand.
Now, he had no idea how to respond, so he smiled awkwardly while Rubena grumbled and mumbled, turning her head sharply to speak again.
“So, I wanted to ask you, how did you become close with your guards?”
Even as she confessed wanting to get closer, it was impressive how she didn’t realize it.
Anyway, Usher would have to answer that question seriously.
He reflected on the past. How did she become close with him?
As he thought, a particular memory surfaced.
-Wow, the chili.
He shuddered slightly.
It was then that Usher realized his relationship with Bersia hadn’t exactly started beautifully.
Why did it feel so bitter? He wondered how things had ended up like this.
“Why, what’s going on?”
Rubena’s eyes sparkled. Her gaze was unnervingly intense.
Usher tried to look away, but Rubena was focused, almost desperately shooting her gaze at him.
Usher broke out in a cold sweat.
He felt like he had to respond to that gaze, and the difficulty of how to answer it made him look up at the sky.
“Don’t make it so frustrating. Just say something.”
In reflex, he muttered an excuse.
“Uh, it’s just a joke…”
“Joke? What kind of joke?”
“…A dirty joke.”
In fact, it was undeniable that their psychological distance had gotten closer because of this.
Honestly speaking, now, if Bersia didn’t make such jokes, Usher would think, “Is she sick?”
The reaction to the words spoken over the winter was like this.
“…Do you usually act like that?”
It was so unfair and embarrassing.
Every time Bersia made lewd jokes, it seemed like Usher was the one becoming the perverted person.
It was astonishing how the blame for her actions could be shifted onto him like this.
The emotion that followed was contempt.
“You shouldn’t do that. What will happen if you actually get attacked? That’s a bit too much like a maid… Um, wait…?”
Rubena started speaking as if she was going to give a lecture, and then her face flushed with what was clearly an ominous thought. Her eyes became dreamy, and it was obvious she was a girl in love.
She was having an inner monologue by herself.
The atmosphere became strange.
Until they finished their tasks, neither of them said anything else.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
“You’re really funny, Sir.”
After a while, Bersia’s reaction to hearing the story.
She laughed while covering her mouth, looking utterly amused.
The mischievous gleam in her eyes was unmistakable.
She was probably going to say something strict again.
“Did you like the dirty joke?”
See, I knew it.
“No, that’s not it. Do you know how devastated I was? I thought we’d become closer, but when I realized it was because of dirty jokes, it was so utterly disappointing. And then I realized how much I had let my guard down! From now on, anything dirty is forbidden. Even if it’s a joke, I’ll correct it properly and make sure the Saintess’ language habits get corrected.”
“Sex.”
“Agh!”
“Penis, kiss, sleep….”
“Ugh, please!”
“Climax, implantation, pregnancy.”
Thud! He slammed the table, glaring, and Bersia tilted her head.
“Isn’t it a bit much to make me unable to speak? If you keep being indifferent, I might get worn out.”
“You won’t get tired, right? I know you, Saintess. You’ll say a few more words, excited, even after saying that all night!”
“That’s too much. Though, I can’t say you’re wrong.”
She probably had no intention of denying it.
Where on earth should he even start correcting this? His head was starting to throb from the confusion.
The sighs kept piling up with each passing day.
Was this what it felt like raising a stubborn son?
Though he didn’t want to think of the saints of the order like that, it was hard to shake the feeling.
Bersia, whether she knew Usher’s inner thoughts or was pretending not to, changed the subject.
“By the way, I’m surprised. It fell so quickly.”
“What do you mean?”
“Rubena. I knew she’d be interested, but I didn’t think it would happen this fast.”
At this point, Usher was taken aback.
Bersia said it casually, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“People like her always fall quickly. If you do a little good, she’ll think it’s the love of the century. I’ve saved her life a few times, after all. She’s quiet, but reliable, right? Sir Heisenberg.”
Immediately, Bersia grinned.
“It’d be fun to watch her squirm.”
“…Do you want that?”
“Well, what else can someone who only has a good body do other than physical attacks? Just sneak in close, rub up against her, and beg once for a night…”
“…Stop, stop!”
“If you give in once, it’s over. You’ll be calling her every night for her to serve you…”
“I’m really getting angry.”
“Tch.”
She clicked her tongue, cutting off her words.
Usher’s face was already red like a ripe peach.
Bersia slyly asked.
“We can’t lose, can we?”
“Why do we need to win?”
“It’s such a waste.”
Usher’s vision darkened.