Chapter 7
Just as the clock passed noon.
Clael, having safely concluded negotiations with Auster, returned to the shrine.
"I'm back... Ah!?"
As he opened the shrine's door, Clael immediately recoiled.
"I-It's glowing...?"
Yes... The interior of the shrine was glowing with light.
The altar, the walls, the floor... everything emitted a faint, shimmering light and was enveloped in a sacred aura.
He had visited the Grand Shrine several times while training as a priest in the royal capital, but it had never been this majestic or mysterious.
"Ah, Priest. Welcome back."
Reina appeared from the back of the shrine.
She ran over like a puppy greeting its owner.
"I-I'm back. Reina... um, you cleaned the shrine, right?"
"Yes, I did."
"Um... how?"
"How... I just cleaned it normally with a broom and cloth...?"
"I-I see..."
How could something like this happen just from normal cleaning?
Clearly, the Saint's power had been activated.
"Um... was it weird? Did I do something wrong...?"
Reina's eyes wavered anxiously as she looked at Clael, whose face had twitched.
Clael hurriedly forced a smile and beamed at Reina.
"No... I was just surprised because it was so incredibly clean. You did a great job. Thank you."
"Yes...!"
Reina's expression lit up brightly.
Looking down at Reina, who smiled like a bud in bloom, Clael pondered in his mind.
(T-This is strange... Reina just awakened as the Saint, and she didn't have this kind of power in her childhood. She was only supposed to be able to use the Saint's miracles like this after entering the academy...?)
Clael was troubled, unaware that Reina had unconsciously activated a miracle through the power of love and happiness from being treated kindly by him.
The Saint's power, which activates through deepening relationships with romanceable characters... who would think it could be triggered in just one day by meeting a background character like him?
This doesn't mean Clael is special. Nor does it mean he's superior to the romanceable characters.
Reina's enrollment at the academy occurs after she is taken in by the shrine and subjected to years of abusive training.
After losing her mother and being abused by her father and stepmother... she thought she escaped her tragic circumstances when taken in by the Grand Shrine, but even there, her heart and body were whipped into harsh training.
In the game's scenario, she fell into despair and became distrustful of people, so it took time for her to open her heart to the romanceable characters.
Because the original Reina—before losing her innocence—was saved, the Saint's power is beginning to awaken earlier than in the original story.
"I also made lunch. Let's eat together?"
"Oh, you made lunch too?"
Clael tilted his head.
Now that he thought about it... he had forgotten they needed to restock groceries.
There probably weren't many ingredients left. What did she make?
"I'll plate it right away, okay? Please wait."
"Huh... it smells good...?"
The moment he entered the kitchen, a delicious aroma that stirred his appetite wafted through the air.
Reina hurried over to the pot and began serving the stew onto plates.
"Here you go."
A plate was placed on the table.
A rich aroma rose from the white stew... but wait a second.
"W-Wait! The ingredients? Where did you get the ingredients from!?"
The stew Reina made was filled with large chunks of vegetables and meat.
There shouldn't have been anything like that left in the pantry.
Don't tell me... she went shopping dressed only in an oversized men's shirt... Clael's face turned pale.
"Um... the ingredients were on the table, so I used them...?"
"Huh... on the table?"
"Yes... um, was I not supposed to use them?"
"............!?"
Reina's expression clouded with worry again... but behind her, something like a glowing fairy was flying.
'Don't bully Reina—'
'Don't make the Saint cry.'
'Hurry and comfort her—'
(H-Holy Spirits...?)
Clael knew about the Holy Spirits.
They were familiar-like beings Reina could summon from the middle of the story onward.
The Holy Spirits protected Reina in battle and supported her in various ways during the romance parts as well.
(Could it be... the Holy Spirits brought the ingredients...?)
That was the only explanation he could think of.
Strangely, it seemed Reina herself couldn't see the Holy Spirits.
Perhaps due to her lack of experience as a Saint, or maybe the Holy Spirits were choosing to remain unseen by their own will.
He was curious where they had stolen them from, but as long as the ingredients were already cooked, there was no point in worrying. Even if they were stolen, if the source was unknown, there was no way to return them.
"R-Right... that's true. I bought them for lunch. Thank you for cooking."
Clael sat at the table and took a bite of the stew with his spoon. A sweet, rich flavor spread through his mouth.
"Yes, it's very delicious. Thank you so much, Reina."
"Yes...!"
Reina looked on the verge of tears, deeply moved.
She was probably unaware again... but a mysterious light shone from her back, like a halo.
(W-We need to get her to control the Saint's power soon...)
Otherwise, the Grand Shrine will quickly notice the Saint's presence.
Reina will be taken away and subjected to harsh training under a cruel priest.
(How should I tell her... For now...)
"Come on, Reina. Let's eat together. Sit down, sit down."
"Okay!"
For now, he decided to enjoy Reina's home-cooked meal.
Clael and Reina sat facing each other and ate the stew, filled with the Saint's blessing.