Chapter 24: A very unpleasant day. (3)

For a moment, I felt a chill. I reflexively took two steps back from Daphne, but Marianne was utterly unaffected. Daphne took a step forward and stared into Marianne's eyes.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Daphne Epifon."

At Daphne's greeting, Marianne tilted her head and returned the greeting. It's a wonder that her expression hasn't changed once. I'm afraid she could go crazy if I leave it like this, so I quickly explain. 'This is weird; why am I breaking out in a cold sweat?'

"The Holy Land sent her, and her name is Marianne. She's the newest member of our party, and of course, she'll be accompanying us on our expedition."

"The Holy Land... do you mean the Bishop sent her?"

I nodded. Daphne still hadn't taken her eyes off Marianne, and Marianne still hadn't said anything in return. Soon the chill that Daphne had been sending out dissipated, and she was back to her usual self. I watched the scene with mixed feelings.

(Consider yourself lucky.)

The Holy Sword said in a mocking voice. 'Do I really need to be told how badly I screwed up here?' I sighed.

"Originally, the expedition had five people. Since we've been reduced to three, the Holy Land sent her and vouched for her ability."

Daphne turned her attention back to me and nodded. Then her expression hardened slightly as she looked at the chest Marianne was carrying.... This reminds me there was still one most important fact I hadn't told her.

"By the way, you're carrying quite a bit of luggage for someone here to look around the office."

Daphne thought that I had brought Marianne to our headquarters simply to give her an introduction. Her violet eyes began to wobble uncomfortably.

"...By the way, Marianne will be living here."

I spoke shyly.

Daphne lifted her head and looked at me. Looking into those eyes, I couldn't believe the guilt I felt. 'I didn't make her live here because I wanted to.' Daphne slowly shook her head. It was a gesture of denial.

"She will live here, in Elroy's house?"

"Marianne will be living on another floor. It's nothing strange, just another resident in the same apartment."

'I'm sorry, Daphne. There wasn't much I could do about it.'

"You could have gotten her a place in the Church."

"They told me it would be hard for her to find a place to stay and that we should spend time together since there's not much time left before we go after the next Disaster. She's also a martial artist, so she'll be with me the most on the front lines.

When the head of the Church orders me, what can I do but comply? Daphne looked at me resentfully. 'Of course, you would hate me a bit.' If Daphne had animal ears, she would have been most alert and at the edge of her seat when she first saw Marianne, but now she was shriveled up like dead grass.

"I see."

Daphne said in a small voice as if resigned. Then she began to walk back to her house. Without realizing it, I put my hand on top of her head and gently patted the top of her head. She looked up, startled.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks for waiting for me."

Daphne looked at me with a narrowed brow, nodded, and headed out the door. Her expression seemed to relax, but her failure to answer me showed her frustration. I glanced back at Daphne as she opened the door.

"...Well, for now."

I turned back to Marianne. The afternoon sun was streaming through the lobby windows. Marianne's silver hair shimmered and glistened in the rich light.

"Let me show you around this headquarters and where you'll stay."

"Okay."

Marianne nodded. For a moment, I was glad she hadn't said anything. I didn't want to think about how Daphne would have reacted or how things might have turned out if she had said something about serving me.

I led Marianne up the stairs. The five-story building was too big. Marianne and a half dozen other people could live here, and it wouldn't feel crowded. During the interviews, a few dozen people were waiting inside the house.

"Here, on the third floor."

The third floor was almost empty. The rooms were set up like a guesthouse; the only amenity was a large bathtub. I secretly hoped she'd give me a look of admiration when I showed her the bath, but Marianne, as usual, just waved it off.

"You can go into any room you want. They're all empty."

I said, showing her each room in turn. Marianne stood in the middle of the hallway, holding her trunk with both hands, looking at me with a distant look like a well-made doll.

"I will go in whichever room you wish."

'...When he said she would never disobey orders, did he mean she only moved on command?' The image of Bishop Andrei with that nasty grin flashed through my mind. Marianne stood in place blankly until I motioned her to follow me.

"In that case, a room near the baths would be comfortable."

"Indeed."

"You know how when you come back from training, you're tired, and it is cumbersome to carry all your things to the baths, so you might as well just wash up quickly and lie down in your room."

Marianne nodded soullessly. 'Well, you look like you even sweat.' I crossed the hall and unlocked the door to the room right next to the bathhouse.

"I think you can stay here for the rest of the day. Just so you know, starting tomorrow, you'll be training with the others."

Marianne nodded as she set her trunk down. The room was literally furnished with only the bare necessities. A bed, bedding, a small desk with a chair, and a single built-in closet. The 5 pyeong (around 16.55 square meters) of space wasn't very large, but neither was it small. I motioned for her to sit down.

"You can make yourself comfortable. I'm not going to ask you to do anything today."

Only then did Marianne make her way to the bed and sit down, the comforter rising and falling as she did so.

"Oh, no. I should show you the office first."

Marianne rose again with a mechanical motion. The emotionless way she moved reminded me of a second lieutenant being summoned by a senior officer.

"...Now that I think about it, I don't think you need to come, and you'll see the office tomorrow."

Marianne sat back down. Her sculpted face remained the same, not frowning in the slightest. If anything, the lack of response made me feel guilty again. I feel like an asshole for making her do that.

(You look like you're having fun.)

...I ignored this sadistic Holy Sword's voice. 'If you were in my position, you'd make Marianne sit and stand up until she got tired, just for fun.'

(What the hell do you think I am?)

'I think of you as my trusted ally.'

I then looked at the clock on the wall. The hands were passing four. I must have been out longer than I thought because of that crown.

"You can rest here until it's time for dinner. I usually eat dinner at six, so you can come down to the dining room on the second floor around that time."

"Okay."

I glanced at Marianne, who nodded. Marianne's eyes flickered as she turned to face me, and I wondered what kind of story she had. A person that the protagonist killed. At least she'd escaped that death this time.

"... You're not a vegetarian, are you?"

I suddenly remembered Bishop Andrei munching on his chickpeas. 'Was vegetarianism part of the Puritan doctrine?' Marianne shook her head ever so slightly and then shrugged.

"No, no. I don't mind eating meat."

"I'll see you later."

With that, I left, closing the door behind me. It was awkward to realize that someone else would move in, in a building I'd been living in all these years. I shook my head subtly and went to the second floor.

***

Cooking.

Honestly, I was a very picky eater. I can cook meals I like, but they don't match the taste of most people. There were only a few dishes I could serve in front of others.

"...Maybe we should have gone out to eat a meal."

I frowned at the soup simmering in the pot. It's a delicious soup to my taste. Still, I wonder if it will satisfy Marianne's palate since I'm a picky eater. From how she looks, she probably has a strict diet. However, I think she'll just eat anything without saying much.

(Tell her to eat whatever she wants, she's a good listener anyway.)

Holy Sword said gruffly. I smirked and shook my head.

"Technically, she listens to my orders, not my words."

(I don't see why you should care so much. You should eat what you're given.)

"They say food is the most important thing in life. Did you know that people get more upset when you don't feed them than when you tell them to work overtime?"

With that, I scooped up my soup. 'Still, with the Holy Sword by my side, I don't feel lonely or bored even when I'm alone like this.'

(It's good to be grateful every now and then.)

I've never said thank you before. Don't be cowardly, don't read my mind, say it, sword.

"...Come to think of it, you told me it was simple to read my thoughts."

(Always will be.)

"But you also said that not all thoughts can be heard?"

(When people have a thought, they don't always think in "words." Sometimes they think of memories, sometimes they think of smells or sounds, and the only information I can take in is what you think of as "words")

Does that mean it doesn't know about me? But I'm sure the Holy Sword knows some of it, and it's probably not telling me on purpose. I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

(As I said, if your mind hardens and you reach a certain level, it will become harder to read, even for me. If you don't want your thoughts to be read, practice hard. Sooner or later, I will tell you an excellent way to train your mind.)

Holy Sword added.

The soup was boiling. I took a taste and let the soup simmer for a while longer. The flavor was as expected.

***

When I walked out with the food, the dishes were already set. Marianne had already prepared the water and stood at the table waiting for me.

"Can I help you with anything?"

"Sit down. I've already prepared everything."

Of course, Marianne didn't eat immediately. After waiting for Marianne to finish her short pre-meal prayer, I slowly scooped up the soup. Out of the corner of my eye, Marianne picked up her spoon and began to eat.

We didn't make conversation. The silence was creeping in, and Marianne didn't speak up in the first place, so the only interaction between us was the occasional glance to see if she thought the flavor was strange.

As I finished my meal and closed my eyes momentarily, I heard Marianne put her spoon down. Thankfully, she hadn't left any food behind, and her bowl was clean and empty.

"...How did it taste?"

At my cautious question, Marianne looked down at my plate and answered.

"It was good."

Then she graciously stood up and began to walk away, plate by plate. As she moved the dishes to the sink, Marianne suddenly looked at me and spoke.

"I'll make breakfast tomorrow."

...Does that mean it was terrible?

(Yes, it was indeed terrible.)

The Holy Sword drove a nail into my anxiety.

***

Marianne's breakfast was delicious. The food was made with unremarkable ingredients, but the details made a difference: the grilling, the exquisite mix of ingredients. She'll definitely be in charge of cooking for the party. Yesterday, I offered to cook for no reason.

"Coffee, please."

Marianne set a cup down in front of a woman. Daphne eyed the mug before her, and I could only hope they didn't fight. I sipped my own steaming, bitter coffee and squeezed my eyes shut.

"Elroy, I'm off to work. You should get ready soon...."

Georg frowned as he entered the room. In his hand was a luxurious envelope that I had seen before.

"What is it this time?"

"Marianne Prim, a new colleague. Sent from the Holy Land, as you can tell by her outfit."

"...A pleasure."

Marianne returned Georg's greeting with a simple nod. Georg turned back to me with a frown as if to say, whatever happens, happens.

"Anyway, we've set a date for the departure ceremony."

Georg slammed the envelope down on my desk.

"Now it's time to really go after the Fourth Disaster."