The Human Saint Is Bored, So I Was Summoned To Another World

The next thing I knew, there was a commotion right at the altar of the cathedral.

"…"

Like the Marquise, I also fell asleep in the middle of the sermon of the Grand Mother Superior. When I came to my senses, the paladin with me was still sleeping, but the entire cathedral was in uproar.

Seriously, is everyone in this place some sort of heavy sleepers?

Anyway, I carefully walked towards the balcony that overlooks the altar. As I've said before, the Saint's Cathedral is a colossal building, so it's not surprising that there would be a lot of these rooms to cater to the highly-esteemed visitors attending the church services. Looking around, I noticed the others who were also in their own dignitaries' box were staring down at the scene below.

Naturally, my eyes went there as well, trying to understand what's happening.

"…"

The old lady standing at the middle of the podium wearing religious garb must be the Grand Mother Templar Superior. On her flanks stood two members of the Paladin Corps. The crowd directly below are noisy; some are visibly angry while other just stood at their spot, looking stunned.

What's going on?

"I would like to give our apologies to everyone who came here." The Grand Mother Templar Superior bowed low in a display of sincere regret, "But it seems there is a problem with Her Holiness appearing before us. She told me that she has to keep herself isolated for now because of some pressing matters."

"What's happening?! Is Her Holiness okay?" someone from the crowd threw a question.

Another one shouted, "It's been three services that she missed! This isn't normal; tell us what's going on!"

"I wouldn't know for sure." the old lady calmly answered, "But please, the service would continue as usual; the Great Saint has sent us Her blessings! May we request everyone to stay and receive what Her Holiness has given us."

It took a good deal of time before the disappointed crowd was convinced to calm down. As it turned out, the commotion happened when it was time for the Saint to appear to the churchgoers and should personally give them their blessings. I don't know much, but from what I've heard and understood from their talk, the people of Chersea consider this a bad omen, though not necessarily unprecedented.

Hmm…what the heck's going on with Her Holiness?

That question came into my mind as I watch the people line up to receive their 'blessing'. Those who were in the dignitaries' boxes were also going down to join the crowd.

"…"

And yet, this stupid paladin is still snoring beside me. I guess, it's time to play the villain, huh?

"Hey, Lady Monfort!" I began to wake the Marquise Monfort, pulling away the blanket and shaking her, "Lady Monfort, it's time to receive the blessing! Hey!"

The aftermath of the Seasonal Mass service is a nightmare. The nobles and other dignitaries left the cathedral angry, sad, dismayed, or a combination of those. Many had sincerely hoped that they would catch a glimpse of the holy maiden, only to be disappointed when the old Grand Mother Templar Superior appeared in her stead.

I mean, if I also have the same intention, I would be displeased. No one wants to watch an old lady anyway…

"…"

A-ahem, anyway, as I've said, everyone was mad but they also can't help but to be concerned by the condition of Her Holiness. What made her decide to not appear in one of Chersea's important occasions? There can only be speculations.

As for the Marquise, she spent the entire time after waking up in assisting the nobles and dignitaries out of the cathedral. The crowd was getting restless the moment the blessings were given, and they have to call off the final benediction, as well as put the entire Seasonal Mass celebration on hold.

Man, this affair sure is a disaster.

I wonder what's going on in Her Holiness' mind right now. I'm sure that the incident would come to her knowledge soon, and it wouldn't be long before she decides to act.

Although, if the opportunity permits it, maybe I should also drop her a visit?

You see, it's been quite a while since Her Holiness and her Head Maid, Lily, had come to my room. Not that I'm wishing for it, but knowing the Saint, it could be that she got lazy for a while…or worst, she could have become bored with me…

"Hmm…that wouldn't be possible, Master."

Ugh, how could I forget? I also have this another problem here with me…

"Hey, that's awfully rude, Master Kuro!"

"I told you to stop reading my mind, Your Fluffy Holiness!" I replied to the person beside me, the holy beastwoman named Ruro of the Wolf, "And also, I thought we already talked about this? I'm not your master anymore, and also, you're a Saint and—according to general logic, you're an existence higher than me. Please act like one; don't call me 'master' in front of these people!"

I got a good reason for telling her off. Our scene could cause some serious misunderstanding with the townsfolk of Arles, who were still reeling from the 'Seasonal Mass' incident.

I mean, man, those sharp glares have something other than getting seriously pissed…

Truth be told, it has only been about one 'long sleep' that passed after that. With nothing else to do, I decided to go back looking for work. The mood is not good inside the Holy Palatial Gardens right now, since the Human Saint had never appeared to anyone besides a few of her personal servants. Celebrations about the change of the season was a muted one, and I could tell just by looking at the townsfolk at Arles that they're anxious about Her Holiness' condition.

And to think, I compared it to 'Christmas'…

Her Fluffy Holiness also came with me, saying that she likes to see the human town. Probably it's because she also felt the heavy atmosphere inside the palatial garden that she wanted out, but I didn't expect her to be way too clingy to me.

"Hey! You've been thinking too much of Maddie even though you got me around!"

"Uh, will you please stop reading my mind like how Her Holiness does, Your Fluffy Holiness?" I asked. "I'm just concerned about the Human Saint's condition; since her disappearance has been affecting these townsfolk lately."

"Hm? I'm telling you there's no need for such worries!" The Beastman Saint replied, "She's pretty much okay!"

"Huh? Did you manage to come and see her lately?"

"Nope. She commanded Princess Lily not to let anyone come near her." Her Fluffy Holiness explained, "And most of the time I was inside my room, or running around the gardens, so I don't really have the time to visit Maddie lately."

"What made you say that she's fine then?"

"Intuition?"

That's utter bullshit, Your Fluffy Holiness. You could be wrong.

"I could read minds, Master Kuro, let me remind you."

"S-sorry."

"Ah, anyway! Even though I'm a saint, I'm still a member of the Beastman race." she proudly declared, "And like pure animals, we only trust in our instincts! So, we rarely go wrong."

"That's…That's cheating, you know." I found no answer to that counter-statement of hers; she does have a point. Animals have a heightened sense of their environment, even back in my old world. It's a well-doc.u.mented case; there are several instances that before an earthquake, or other natural disaster, animals would start to come out from their usual hiding places and make it out to safety.

And to think that she can also sense Her Holiness' condition right now…

It's pretty convenient ability, in my opinion…and a cool one too.

"Oh, I didn't expect that you would see it like that, Master Kuro!" Her Fluffy Holiness looked amused, "Most humans take this ability of ours for granted. Long ago, we used to warn them about disasters and the like, but they rarely listen. And yet, here you are, admiring this natural trait of the Beastmen. You're one peculiar human."

"Well, maybe it's because I'm not of this world?"

"Haha! True, Master! Very true!"

"Ah…all that talk has made me hungry." I stretched my stiff and tired arms, "Well then, before we look around the town, want to grab something to eat?"

"ALRIGHT! Now that's what I want to hear from my master!" Ruro of the Wolf's eyes suddenly grew bright and her tail began to flail wildly."

I can't help but to find it cute. She looks like a lapdog.

"Master…I'm a wolf." Her Fluffy Holiness' face became sour, "To think a noble being like me would be compared to a lowly dog…you've hurt my feelings!"

"Ah, sorry! Sorry!" Even though I apologized, I still see Her Fluffy Holiness like a dog. Yep, I'm thinking of her face, stuck on the head of a pug.

Dang, I need to stop this before she reads—

"GAH! WHAT'S THAT UGLY DOG IN YOUR—YOU'RE REALLY A BAD MASTER!" Her Fluffy Holiness was screaming in embarrassment now.

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So, in the end, my job hunt was unsuccessful…as usual.

Many townsfolk in Arles are in a bad mood because of the recent events. Of course, the main reason for the town's attraction has disappeared, thus the visitors are fewer than they expected. And because of that, I got rejected by the shops I tried to apply with. The only notable thing that happened was that Her Fluffy Holiness, Ruro of the Wolf, got real pissed off by my mental image of her on a pug, and as a result, I had to treat her to the most expensive food I could afford.

I tried to reason out with her—saying it was only a joke, but Her Fluffy Holiness wouldn't budge.

Come on, what's wrong with pugs? I mean, look at those adorable dogs with faces that seemed like it was flattened by a steamroller…THEY'RE SO UGLY IT'S SO CUTE—BUEH!

My face suddenly got hit by bunch of flying leaves. I think the Beastman Saint is fuming mad once again.

Damn, I should keep myself from imagining that whenever Her Fluffy Holiness is around…

Anyway, from what I understood early on, I think Her Holiness had agreed before that I'm entitled to a seasonal 'pension' of 20 silver coins while I'm staying here at the palatial gardens. It's kind of similar to a 'salary', but I think it more like an 'allowance' from the Human Saint herself, since she feels responsible for summoning me here in the first place.

Well, even though I feel bad about it, I think I have no choice, do I? I mean, I don't want to end up penniless once again. And I still have the goal of moving out of here eventually. So, any kind of help will do.

I'll just pay it off someday to Her Holiness, when I make it big in this world…

So, without any further delay, I went to the head maid, Lily, to ask about the arrangements on how will I receive my allotment. Fortunately, I didn't have to look long for her; she herself had been seeking for me.

"Oh, hello Kuro!" Lily greeted me.

"Hey, it's been a while!" I replied, "How're things going, Head Maid?"

"Please call me Lily." she answered, pouting. But then Lily continued, all business-like and monotonous in her tone, "Well, there's no illness that's affecting Her Holiness right now; she's pretty much fine. Although the seasonal mass this time is a failure, she has expressed her d.e.s.i.r.e to hold it some other time."

"I-I see…" I nodded, quite relieved at the head maid's forced answer. "Well, at least, Her Holiness is progressing greatly despite all that had happened before."

Lily then turned nostalgic, "Yes…honestly, I don't know nor can I imagine what would've happen if Maddie died back then. I don't want to lose important people to me anymore."

I can only look at the head maid in silence.

"Ah Mister Kuro, I just happened to recall, Her Holiness wants you to drop by her room. She says she'd like to personally give you your allotment."

"Oh okay!" Man, that's really nice to hear. At least, the Saint remembered about the allotment. Not only do I have to suffer the embarrassment of bringing it up first, it's also a good indication that Her Holiness will always keep her promise. "Mind if I had you accompany me in there, Lily?"

"Ah, you don't have to ask; my answer will always be 'yes' if it's you, Kuro!"

"Haha! Alright then, thanks Lily!" And without further ado, we both marched towards the Saint's quarters.

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"Come in, it's open!" was Her Holiness' response to my knocking at her door. It's been long since I last heard that gentle and dignified voice of hers. Seeing that there's no further hindrance, Lily opened the door herself and let us both in.

"Ah, hello Kuro and Lily!" Her Holiness greeted us as she sat by a chair set beside the windows. A white curtain was dr.a.p.ed between her and the spot where we stood, and it was obvious that it was put there in order for her to hide herself from us.

"…"

I think it was strange, so I looked at the head maid searching for answers. Her Holiness isn't the type of person who would keep people away from her, and this is the first time I saw her like that.

However, it was the Saint who replied to my questions in mind, "Oh, if you're wondering why there's a curtain between us, I'm keeping distance from people for now. I'm sick, you know."

Oh, so that's the reason behind the curtains, huh?

"…"

Wait, isn't she the saint who was given powers to heal the sick? Don't tell me Her Holiness can't use those abilities on herself!

"Err…I'm just out of mana…y-yes!" Her Holiness frantically explained her side.

Hmm? Out of mana? That's even more strange. Her Holiness the Saint has been out for a while. I mean, she's been refusing personal appearances and visits from her patrons, citing her need to rest. And, it has been long since she began doing that. If she claims to be out of mana even though she's well-rested, then there must be something else that's causing her mana drain…

"Guh…you're sharp as always…" I heard Her Holiness mutter behind the veil.

And then Lily suddenly spoke, "Your Holiness! I brought Kuro here like you asked." By the tone of her voice, I could sense something from the head maid and it's as if she wants to reveal something.

"You didn't actually have to bring him though." the Saint retorted, "And besides, you're the one who suggested that I personally hand over Kuro's money to him."

Oi, what's the meaning of your conversation, guys?

"Anyway, here! Lily, please give this to Kuro!" Her Holiness extended her arm out of the curtain, with the pouch containing my money in her hand.

"I thought we already talked about it, Your Holiness?" I can feel Lily is getting annoyed, "You are the one who'll give it to Kuro!"

"B-but, I'm sick!"

"You won't fool this man, Maddie!" the Head Maid quickly countered, "Can't you even see that he already knows you're hiding something?"

The oppressive air around Lily has grown threefold. It seems that she won't back down anytime soon, even if it is the Saint herself who'll be her opponent.

"…" Her Holiness fell awfully silent.

Lily looked at me with a persuasive expression. It's as if she wanted me to go past those curtains and see the Saint for myself.

"…"

Okay, if you so insist!

"Wait! Kuro, please stay back—" Her Holiness desperately pleaded.

Come on, what's with giving me money while hiding, Your Holiness? You'll just hand it over to me and be done with it! As simple as that—

"!!!"

I opened the curtains and, lo and behold! Her Holiness the Saint came into my full view…

"…"

Wait, who the hell are you?

"I TOLD YOU I DON'T WANT KURO TO SEE ME LIKE THIS, LILY!" Her Holiness—or I mean, the girl sitting behind the curtain bawled loudly at us.

"…"

Lily remained unmoved, but she had a pitiable and sarcastic expressions written on her face.

I was confused.

This girl who was in tears before us is the Great Saint of Chersea?!

She has grown fa—I mean, healthy!