Don’t Be Holy! - Chapter 48

Rubel, unable to help himself, brushed aside Eir’s disheveled hair. She looked so foolish that he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

“The moment a priestess is chosen, the temple would know. And they undergo rigorous training for a long time. If you were truly a priestess, you wouldn’t have been able to live in hiding like this.”

“That’s because my grandmother cursed me and erased everyone’s memories of me…….”

“You’re getting more and more absurd. Do you really expect me to believe that?”

Frustrated and indignant, Eir unconsciously slapped the upper part of her chest. She was so agitated that she didn’t even realize she was still half-undressed.

“I’m telling you the truth!”

Every time she hit her chest, it jiggled, and Rubel found himself staring at it despite himself. Even so, he pressed her logically.

“So, you’re saying you’re a priestess who escaped the temple’s suspicions, fled with Hecate’s help, and erased the memories of everyone who knew you? And now, you can’t summon divine power as an excuse to cover it all up?”

“No… that’s not what I meant……!”

Eir lowered her gaze. Though everything coming from the man’s mouth was true, hearing it aloud made even her feel it was forced.

“Or are you a witch who once lived with Hecate, and now, by inheriting the magic she studied, you’ve temporarily gained divine power?”

“I-I don’t, there’s no proof that I’m a witch!”

“That’s why I’m going to check now.”

He reached out his hand toward her again. Sensing he was about to strip her once more, Eir hurriedly pulled up her fallen dress to cover her chest and bolted.

Rubel extended his hand to grab her, but Eir had already been prepared to run the moment she said, ‘There’s no proof that I’m a witch!’ She was a step ahead.

Eir escaped the bed, grabbing onto the half-open door and slipping out just in time. Rubel let out a sigh, more annoyed than surprised, and stood up.

“Do you think running away will change anything?”

He wanted to tell her that, no matter what, she was already in the palm of his hand. There was nowhere for her to escape to in this cramped house.

Even outside, his reinforcements had already arrived, completely surrounding the area with his men.

But just as Eir dashed into the living room, someone knocked on the door and called out.

“Commander, the grave investigation is complete.”

Hearing that someone else had arrived, Eir’s face lit up with joy, while Rubel’s expression twisted in irritation, despite it being the news he had been waiting for.

The strange feeling of being interrupted lingered uncomfortably in his mind.

“Please, come in!”

Eir shouted desperately, seizing the opportunity to escape. Rubel, believing there would be another chance later, grabbed a nearby blanket and draped it over Eir’s shoulders.

Startled by Rubel’s touch, Eir flinched and darted away, just as the door opened and one of Rubel’s subordinates entered.

The subordinate bowed briefly to Rubel before glancing around the room. Having heard a woman’s voice, he found it odd that no one was visible upon entering, which irked Rubel.

“What are you looking at?”

“Ah, has the benefactor awakened? I thought I heard a voice earlier.”

“And why does that matter?”

Lord Zeras draped the commander’s cape over Rubel’s shoulders as he spoke.

“Petro insisted on repaying the favor. He said he would personally treat her injuries if she’s hurt.”

“What favor? Just forget it.”

Rubel spoke curtly, grabbing for his sword. As he instinctively reached for his old, worn weapon, Lord Zeras silently handed him a newer sword, the kind used by holy knights, implying he no longer needed the outdated one.

Rubel paused for a moment, staring at the sword in his hand. It was the one the woman had given him. There was no reason to keep it anymore.

With a scowl, he set the old sword down loudly and picked up the one Zeras had offered. Meanwhile, Lord Jade couldn’t understand why Rubel was acting so strangely.

This was the same Lord Shinote who had remained composed even amidst the ruins when reinforcements had barely arrived. He had cradled the unconscious woman in his arms, calmly instructing the others to investigate the strange magic emanating from the grave.

When someone had asked who the woman was, Rubel had simply replied, ‘She seems to have saved me.’ before carrying her himself to his quarters.

Thus, to all those present, including Rubel’s close friend Priest Petro, Eir was officially recognized as the one who had saved Rubel Shinote. Unofficially, however, she became someone rumored to have a more complicated relationship with him.