Chapter 3: The Saintess’s Deeds and a Crisis

It had been half a year since Clarel took in Reina, the heroine of the game. At first, living together required plenty of adjustments, but they gradually got used to it. They started dividing chores: heavy lifting, taking out the trash, and tending the garden were Clarel’s tasks, while cooking, laundry, and cleaning fell to Reina.

“Clarel-sama, sorry to keep you waiting! Lunch is ready!”

Wearing a frilly pink apron, Reina beamed with a radiant smile as she carried plates of food to the dining table.

“It looks delicious. Did you learn a new recipe?”

“Yes, it just popped into my head… Maybe the Goddess sent me a revelation!”

Reina said this with a pure, untainted smile, her face glowing.

Lunch was omurice. The Rainbow-Colored Sparkles From Beyond was set in a medieval European-inspired world, where rice and South American tomatoes shouldn’t exist. However, Reina unconsciously summoned holy spirits to bring ingredients from around the world, including things that shouldn’t exist in this country.

Whether it was natural culinary talent or truly a divine revelation, Reina mastered these unfamiliar ingredients, steadily expanding her cooking repertoire.

“Please try it! I’m confident in this one!”

“Alright, let’s dig in.”

Clarel cut the omurice in half with a spoon. The fluffy yellow egg split, revealing a creamy interior. The savory aroma of chicken rice wafted up, tickling his nose.

“Delicious…!”

Taking a bite, it was, as expected, outrageously good, just as its appearance and aroma promised. This omurice was so exquisite that it could pass as a last supper.

Plus… eating Reina’s cooking always makes me feel strangely energized. It wipes away the previous day’s fatigue, and I sleep soundly at night… Is this part of her saintess powers?

In the game, eating Reina’s cooking granted buffs that boosted stats. Whether it was the saintess’s blessing or not, Reina’s dishes seemed imbued with a mysterious power.

“It’s amazing, Reina… Truly delicious…!”

“I’m so glad… By the way, Clarel-sama, do you have any plans today?”

“Nothing special. As usual, I’ll handle holy tasks at the temple in the afternoon.”

“In that case, can I help out too?”

“Of course, that’d be a big help.”

Recently, Reina had started assisting with temple duties. She had already awakened to holy magic, capable of using healing and support spells.

After lunch, Clarel adjusted his attire, wiped the ketchup from his mouth, and headed to the chapel. Reina, having removed her apron, followed close behind.

“Alright, I’ll let everyone in.”

As soon as the temple opened, townsfolk who had lined up without notice streamed into the chapel.

“Oh, Priest Clarel, pardon the intrusion.”

“Hello, Welly-san.”

“Hmm, hmm… So, where’s Reina-chan?”

A jovial old man with a grandfatherly air appeared, giving Clarel a cursory greeting before searching for Reina.

“Hello, Grandpa Welly.”

“Ooh, Reina-chan! Looking as lovely as ever today!”

The old man approached Reina with a warm smile.

“Reina-chan, good day!”

“I’m back again, Reina-chan.”

“Here, some vegetables from our garden. Share them with the priest, alright?”

The townsfolk entering the chapel flocked to Reina one after another. This had become a daily sight ever since she started helping with holy tasks.

“Alright, I’ll start the treatments. Grandpa Welly, it’s your lower back, right?”

“Hmm, hmm, sorry to trouble you every day.”

“It’s no trouble… Heal!”

Reina held her hand over the seated old man, casting holy magic.

“Oh, my back feels light again! You’re so young, yet so skilled, Reina-chan!”

“No, no, I still have a long way to go.”

“Hey, old man, if you’re done, move along! There’s a line waiting!”

A crowd had formed around Reina, eagerly awaiting their turn for treatment. Most were elderly, but some young men were there too, their faces slack with obvious infatuation. Some even came for treatment over minor scratches, like a tiny cut on a finger.

“Man, Reina-chan’s holy magic feels so good. It’s like my body and heart are lighter!”

The men, clearly driven by ulterior motives, tried to get closer to Reina. As one tried to grab her hand, Reina stepped back, looking troubled.

“Ahaha…… Thank you.”

“Oi, you’re making Reina-chan uncomfortable!”

“Leave your donation and get out!”

“Ow!”

The young men with blatant intentions were swatted by the elderly and chased out of the temple. Clarel didn’t even need to intervene.

“Here’s a donation and some vegetables from our field. Enjoy them.”

“Went fishing yesterday and got a big haul, so here’s some for you. They’re great salted and grilled.”

“Thank you, everyone. I’m deeply grateful for your devout faith.”

“Hehehehe…”

When Reina flashed a bright smile, everyone’s faces melted into goofy grins.

“Good grief… It’s gotten lively around here.”

Standing a bit away from the crowd, Clarel muttered to himself.

“The extra donations are helpful, but when it’s this blatant, it’s a bit of a hassle.”

“Oh my, is our dear priest jealous that his cute little lady is being stolen away?”

“Oh… Oratorio-san, you’re here?”

The teasing voice came from the flamboyant owner of the clothing shop they frequented. Clarel had visited Oratorio’s shop several times since then. Not only his casual clothes, but also the nun’s habit Reina wore were, made there.

“No need to look so envious. That girl’s loyal, you know. She’ll come right back to you, so no worries.”

“I’m not jealous, Oratorio-san.”

Clarel gave a wry smile and shrugged.

“The temple is a house of prayer, open to all who seek solace,” Clarel said, his tone carrying a faint edge of exasperation. “Still, it’s troublesome when so many come just for Reina.”

“Reina-chan’s quite the star, isn’t she?” Oratorio replied with a grin. “Thanks to her, my shop’s thriving too.”

Oratorio was yet another person reaping the benefits of Reina’s presence. As the town’s beautiful nun drew attention, so did the clothes she wore. At first, Oratorio’s eccentric personality kept customers at bay, but now they embraced him as a local character.

“Still… is Reina-chan alright using so much magic like that?”

“We limit the number of treatments per day to avoid overexertion,” Clarel assured. “Though, it’s probably unnecessary.”

Reina was a prodigy. In holy magic, she’d likely surpass Clarel soon. She mastered healing spells like Heal and Cure after seeing them once. Support spells like Strength Up and Guard Up, which enhanced physical abilities, took her a bit longer, but mastery was only a matter of time.

It took me five years to hone most of my holy magic, and she’s nearly caught up in just six months… Honestly, it’s humbling.

In the game, after being taken in by the Grand Temple, Reina faced relentless bullying from her instructor. The stated reason was her commoner background and lack of refinement, but perhaps the instructor’s inferiority complex over Reina’s talent played a part too.

“I don’t think Reina-chan’s the only reason the temple’s thriving, though.”

Oratorio’s suggestive tone snapped Clarel out of his thoughts.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s also thanks to the young, handsome priest’s virtue. Haven’t you noticed?”

Oratorio winked mischievously, sending a chill down Clarel’s spine.

“The previous priest served for years before retiring, and when a young priest arrived from the capital, the townsfolk were uneasy. But over these six months, they’ve come to know you and trust you, don’t you think?”

When Clarel first arrived, many residents didn’t trust him. Rural towns, with their insular ways, were often wary of outsiders. With the respected former priest’s retirement and the appointment of a young priest to his place, some people distanced themselves from the temple. But things changed after Reina was taken in. Seeing Clarel’s kindness toward the girl, even the most skeptical began to warm to him.

“By the way… I heard a rumor. Is it true?”

“Rumor? What are you talking about?”

“You know, that! About Reina-chan’s parents…”

“Oh… That.”

Clarel hadn’t expected the news to spread so quickly. In a small town, gossip traveled fast.

“It’s true… But I turned them down, of course.”

Some time ago, Reina’s toxic parent, Gueiss Auster, had come claiming he wanted to take her back. His excuse? He’d realized the importance of family and wished to atone for mistreating his daughter. Utter nonsense.

It’s obviously a lie… He must’ve heard how much attention Reina’s getting.

The beautiful nun taken in by the temple was now the talk of the town. Her silver hair, jade-green eyes, and porcelain-smooth skin were stunning, her features like a divine work of art. At just ten years old, her beauty was already breathtaking—imagine what she’d be like when she came of age. Gueiss had sold her parental rights for gold, but now realized she was worth far more than the pittance he’d accepted. He’d piled double the amount Clarel had paid onto the table, even faking tears to beg for her return.

“I have no intention of handing Reina over… Not ever.”

“Good call. The Auster Company has some nasty rumors floating around.”

“…You knew?”

“Just rumors. But yeah, it’s better not to let Reina go back to that parent. Protect her well.”

The flamboyant shopkeeper winked, and Clarel forced a priestly smile, suppressing a grimace, before nodding.

“That’s the plan… I just hope the constables catch those crooks soon.”

He’d asked Roywood to investigate the Auster Company, but no evidence of crimes had surfaced yet.

Get it together, man, Clarel grumbled inwardly at his friend.

Night fell, and the daytime holy tasks came to an end. After enjoying the dinner Reina prepared, it was time for study.

“Shall we get started?”

“Yes! Please, let’s do this!”

Reina, seated at the desk, answered with sparkling eyes. They were in the living quarters at the back of the temple, in Reina’s room. The former storage space now held a desk, bed, and basic furniture.

That said… the bed’s barely been used…

Despite clearing out the storage to give her a room, Reina still slept in Clarel’s bed. He’d gently suggested she sleep alone, but she stubbornly refused. When she teared up, saying, “I’m scared Clarel-sama might disappear while I’m asleep,” how could I say no?

“We’ll start with theology, right? Should we pick up from page thirty-nine of the scriptures?”

“No… Let’s review last time’s material first. Follow my lead and read the scriptures.”

Clarel opened the scriptures used as a textbook and prompted Reina to recite.

“‘In the beginning, there was darkness. God said, Let there be light, and light filled the dark world.’”

“‘The Goddess created the world in six days. On the seventh, she rested.’”

Reina followed Clarel, reciting in a slightly lisping voice. The scriptures borrowed heavily from the Bible of Clarel’s original world, including Genesis, the Tower of Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Noah’s Ark. The differences emerged later. There was no Jesus Christ; instead, a “Great Saintess” appeared.

“‘Seeing the ravaged world, the First Great Saintess declared: I shall bring healing to this world.’ …This part will be on the academy’s test, so memorize it well.”

“Yes, I’m fine. I can recite it without looking at the scriptures.”

“Good… You just learned to read, yet your memory is so sharp. It’s a big help.”

Clarel sighed. In this world, literacy wasn’t widespread. Only nobles and wealthy commoners could read, write, and do math. Reina couldn’t read at first, but she mastered it in six months. She’s even learned the four basic operations in just half a year. She’s got a sharp mind.

She’d never had a proper learning environment, but Reina was bright and a joy to teach.

“‘Since the First Great Saintess was sent by the Goddess, saintesses have periodically appeared in this world. They pour power into the land, dispel evil, and bring prosperity to the people.’”

“This country had a saintess too, right?”

“She passed away about twenty years ago. Since then, the seat of the saintess has been vacant.”

In the Seincle Kingdom, the previous saintess had died around twenty years ago, at the ripe age of ninety, or so it was said. Born into a ducal family, she married the king and became queen. This wasn’t unusual—royals often sought to weave the saintess’s bloodline and authority into their own, encouraging marriages with those of suitable age. But such unions were merely encouraged, never forced. Long ago, compelling a saintess into an unwanted marriage had triggered divine punishment, so even the royal family treaded carefully.

“It was before I was born, but… the previous saintess was dearly loved by the common folk. By the nobles too, of course.”

Given her noble bloodline, it’s no wonder Reina faces bullying at the academy with taunts like, “How could a commoner’s daughter be a saintess?”… It’s a harsh reality.

In the game, a rival duke’s daughter once confronted Reina, sneering, “I’m far more suited to be the saintess.” Though those rivals eventually got their comeuppance, the scars left on Reina’s heart from being mocked for her lowly birth never fully healed.

I’ll raise Reina to be a splendid saintess, one no one can mock… but her birth status is beyond my control. There’ll always be those who target her for being a commoner.

Clarel’s duty was clear: to make Reina strong enough to withstand the assaults of prideful nobles. Even if her origins were humble, he would teach her to live with strength, resilience, and pride, so she could hold her head high and press forward.

“‘Thus, the First Great Saintess, alongside the Founding King, created the Golden Kingdom.’”

“Good, that’s enough for theology. Shall we take a break?”

“Yes… Oh, Clarel-sama! Wait just a moment!”

Reina hurried out of the room, her footsteps pattering softly. Clarel thought she might be rushing to the bathroom, but she returned quickly, carrying a tray with teacups, a teapot, and a plate of cookies.

“I had some time this afternoon, so I tried baking cookies. I hope they’re to your liking.”

“Now you’re venturing into baking… You’re truly remarkable.”

Clarel let out a sigh, half in exasperation, half in admiration. Reina’s cooking skills improved daily, and now she was crafting sweets from scratch. Between holy tasks during the day, studying at night, and handling her share of chores, her diligence at just ten years old was astonishing.

“No, no, they’re still a bit misshapen. I’m a little embarrassed…”

“Not at all. I don’t think they’re misshapen in the slightest.”

Clarel picked up a round cookie, praising it sincerely. If he hadn’t been told, he’d have thought a professional baker made them.

“Alright, let’s try one.”

He took a bite, the cookie crunching lightly. The soft, fluffy dough melted in his mouth, the sweetness of sugar and the rich flavor of chocolate chips spreading across his palate.

“Delicious…!”

He’d been saying that a lot lately, he thought, as he praised Reina’s cookies.

Sugar’s one thing, but chocolate…!

In this country, sugar was a luxury, affordable but rare for commoners. Chocolate was even scarcer, almost unheard of in this region.

“I’m so glad you like them… It makes me happy.”

Reina smiled shyly, her expression striking Clarel like a gentle shock. A smile like an angel’s… It could make a crown prince abandon his fiancée or even revive a demon king to win her over…

“By the way, where did you get the chocolate?”

“Huh? It was in the kitchen cupboard. Didn’t you buy it, Clarel-sama?”

“…I see.”

It was likely brought by the Holy Spirit.  Clarel wasn’t surprised anymore. Coming from Japan, where food was abundant, meals here always felt lacking… Reina and those holy spirits have truly saved me.

He’d taken Reina in to save a heroine in distress, but now, Clarel felt like he was the one being saved.

“By the way, Clarel-sama, you’re a noble, right? Why did you become a priest?”

Reina’s sudden question came as she sipped her tea.

“As a noble, couldn’t you have worked in the royal palace or something?”

“Well… I did consider that path.”

Clarel’s face soured as he recalled the past. When choosing his career, he’d thought about taking the civil service exam to become a palace official. Working in the capital would’ve been convenient, and promotions could bring significant power.

“It just wasn’t for me. Living as a priest, following the Goddess’s teachings, suits me better.”

The palace, with its fierce power struggles, didn’t match Clarel’s temperament. He had no interest in climbing ranks or chasing status. A modest living and a carefree life were far more appealing.

Becoming a priest is tough, but once you’re in, it’s stable for life… Starting my studies early was a smart move.

“Is that so… I think someone like you, Clarel-sama, deserves far more respect.”

“You’re overestimating me. I’m not that remarkable.”

Her admiration touched him, but Clarel didn’t see himself as anything special. Early after his reincarnation, he’d aimed to be exceptional, but reality was sobering. His physical and magical talents were merely decent. Compared to commoners with low mana or divine power, he was strong, but among nobles, he was only slightly above average.

If I’d realized this world was a game sooner, I might’ve done things differently… But it led to saving Reina, so I’ll call it a win.

“How about we study tea brewing next?”

Sipping the tea Reina made, Clarel suggested on a whim.

“Huh? I can already brew tea. Did it not taste good?”

Reina’s eyes wavered with worry, but Clarel shook his head.

“Not at all. It’s just that brewing tea for commoners and for nobles is different. It’s worth learning.”

Just as business etiquette includes tea preparation, serving nobles came with complex formalities. The type of tea leaves, the amount of hot water, the placement of cups and snacks, and the steeping time—noble etiquette was intricate, and failing to follow it could lead to being mocked as uncouth.

“You might have to attend tea parties with nobles someday. It’s good to be prepared.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever have such an opportunity… but if you say so, Clarel-sama, I’ll study hard!”

“Yes, let’s work on it together.”

Once Reina attends the capital’s academy, she’ll cross paths with high society, including capture targets. To avoid being scorned as a rural commoner, mastering table manners and etiquette was essential.

“Alright… Shall we resume studying?”

“Yes! Please, let’s do this!”

Inspired by Reina’s enthusiasm, Clarel smiled and opened the arithmetic textbook.

◇ ◇ ◇

While Clarel and Reina worked brightly toward the future, Gueiss Auster was consumed by dark, festering desires.

“Damn it! That insolent brat… How dare he reject my offer!”

In the Auster Company’s shop on the town’s main street, Gueiss, the company head, slammed his fist on the desk, a thick vein bulging on his forehead, betraying his rage.

“I offered a fortune unfit for a backwater priest—yet that arrogant punk… Is he that attached to that defective girl’s body!?”

Half a year ago, Gueiss had sold his biological daughter, Reina, to the temple, trading her parental rights for a large sum, severing all ties. Now, he was desperate to reclaim her. The reason was simple: Reina had become an extraordinary beauty. Her once-dull gray hair now shimmered like spun silver, and her eyes, once clouded with despair, sparkled like jade gemstones. Covered in grime and malnourished, her features had been unrecognizable… Even as her father, Gueiss hadn’t realized her potential.

I messed up… I messed up! To think she’d transform into that…!

His rage was so intense it felt like his veins might burst. Reina’s mother had been a lowly woman, her looks her only redeeming quality. That’s why he’d kept Reina—to sell her off for a decent price someday.

Even so, I never imagined she’d be this valuable. I thought the priest’s money was enough… What a miscalculation!

His merchant instincts, honed over years, screamed that Reina could fetch an unheard-of price now. Not just as a rich man’s second wife—she could be sold to royalty or high nobles for enough gold to buy a castle, either as a wife or adopted daughter. Compared to that, the sum from Clarel was pocket change.

Realizing his blunder, Gueiss had rushed to Clarel to reclaim her. But no matter how much money he offered or how humbly he pleaded, Clarel wouldn’t budge.

“I have to take her back… I will reclaim that defective girl…!”

“Master, what shall we do? Shall we pressure the temple and seize her?”

A subordinate standing by offered a suggestion as Gueiss ground his teeth.

“…No. He’s connected to the Burn Marquisate. Pressure could backfire.”

Clarel Burn was part of the Burn Marquisate, a prominent noble family in the capital. It wasn’t clear how much backing he had, but opposing him directly could stir trouble.

“Then… are we giving up on the girl?”

“Fool! She’s a goose that lays golden eggs! We must take her back at all costs!”

Gueiss shouted, pounding the desk again.

“He might be planning to sell her for a high price himself. Or perhaps adopt her into the Burn Marquisate to marry her off to royalty…?”

Gueiss couldn’t fathom that Clarel had taken Reina in out of kindness. To him, humans were driven by greed and desire. He didn’t believe in compassion.

“Taking her back through proper means is impossible… No choice. We’ll have the sewer rats kidnap her.”

The “sewer rats” were his hired thugs for illegal jobs—attacking rivals, stealing, and kidnapping young women to sell. Beyond the drug trafficking Clarel had tipped off his friend about, they committed all manner of crimes.

“Is that wise? If it gets out, it’ll cause trouble…”

“It won’t get out! There are plenty of ways to handle it!”

Even if the sewer rats retrieved Reina, she couldn’t be kept at the company or his mansion. Too many townsfolk knew her face. But if they took her out of town and locked her in a hideout, no one would trace it to Gueiss. They could wait for things to cool down, then sell her off under a new name.

Maybe use a magic potion to erase her memories. Or cozy up to a noble higher than the Burn Marquisate…

It was ruthless, but Gueiss was a quick thinker. If he’d used his sharp mind for good, he could’ve been a respected figure in town.

“First, we need to get our hands on her! Contact the sewer rats!”

“Understood…”

“If our movements are noticed, the Burn Marquisate might interfere. Act swiftly!”

“Yes, sir…!”

The subordinate nodded respectfully and left the room.

Perfect. It wouldn’t take long for Reina to be back in his grasp.

“Heh… I don’t know what changed you so much, but don’t think you can escape your father’s hands.”

Gueiss sneered with a twisted grin. No matter how much her appearance had changed or that she’d learned holy magic, to him, she was just a tool for profit. If he wanted her back, she’d return.

“A tool has no freedom… Heh, hahaha, HAHAHAHAHA!”

Blindly confident, Gueiss laughed like a villainous mastermind.

◇ ◇ ◇

After dinner and baths, Clarel and Reina spent a peaceful evening in the living room, sipping milk, reading books, and relaxing. Just as they were about to head to bed, a loud knocking came from the temple’s front door.

“Clarel-sama? Someone’s here.”

“It’s so late… Who could it be at this hour?”

Leaving a slightly anxious Reina in the living room, Clarel walked to the front door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Tony, Priest-sama!”

“Tony-san?”

The knocker was a familiar townsman, a young stonemason named Tony. When Clarel opened the door, Tony’s panting face appeared.

“Haa, haa… Thank goodness, you’re still awake…!”

“What’s got you so panicked at this hour?”

“The boss collapsed! Not just him—his wife and kids too!”

“What… Mionz-san!?”

Clarel’s eyes widened in shock. Mionz was Tony’s master, a devout man who often came to the temple to pray with his family.

“I was finishing work at the workshop and went to say goodbye to the boss, but… I found them all collapsed in the dining room! Please, help!”

“Got it, I’ll come right away. Wait there!”

Clarel left Tony at the door and hurried back inside. Grabbing a coat from his wardrobe, he caught sight of Reina peeking from the doorway.

“Clarel-sama… What’s wrong?”

“Mionz-san’s fallen ill, it seems. I’m heading out, so rest for now, Reina! Make sure to cover up with a blanket and stay warm while you sleep!”

“Clarel-sama! If that’s the case, let me come too…!”

“No. It’s not a time for kids to be out.”

Reina’s face fell, but Clarel’s tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. Shaking off the urge to linger, he strode quickly to the front door.

“Once I leave, lock the door tightly. Don’t open it for anyone, no matter who.”

“Y-Yes… Please be careful…”

With no time to soften his words, Reina reluctantly saw him off.

“Let’s go…!”

“This way! Hurry!”

Tony led the way, holding a lantern. Eggbell was a quiet rural town, not a bustling city. A couple of taverns dotted the streets, but at this hour, they were empty. In the moonless night, they relied on the orange glow of the lantern to guide their steps.

After running for about ten minutes, they reached Mionz’s house, slightly off the town’s center.

“Over here, Priest-sama!”

Guided by Tony into the dining room, Clarel found three people collapsed: Mionz the stonemason, his wife, and their twelve-year-old son. All three were unconscious, foaming at the mouth, their faces deathly pale. Checking closely, Clarel confirmed they were still breathing, their pulses faint but present.

“Priest-sama, will the boss be okay!? What about his wife and Koby-kun!?”

“Quiet! Don’t panic!”

Clarel sharply rebuked Tony, who was shaking his shoulders in a frenzy. These symptoms… It’s clearly food poisoning. Did they eat toxic mushrooms?

“Poison Cure!”

Clarel cast a detoxifying holy spell on the three, starting with the boy, who seemed the worst off. Their complexions visibly improved.

“Good. Next… Life Charge!”

Casting a spell to restore vitality, their breathing and pulses stabilized. They were out of danger.

“Phew… Alright. They’re fine now.”

“R-Really!? They’ll make it!?”

“Yes, there’s no need to worry anymore.”

In the past, Clarel might have struggled more, but the chapel, now a sacred sanctuary, had greatly enhanced his holy magic. I really owe Reina for this. Honestly, who’s saving who here…?

With a wry smile, Clarel stood and surveyed the dining room. Several wooden plates with half-eaten food sat on the table, confirming they had collapsed mid-meal.

“No mushrooms… No fish either.”

Frowning, Clarel examined the meal. Black bread, soup, steamed potatoes, pork sausages—no mushrooms or toxic fish like pufferfish. The soup contained common vegetables, but… Clarel dipped a finger in the leftover soup and licked it.

“Tch…!”

His tongue tingled sharply. He quickly cast a detox spell on himself.

“Priest-sama? Something wrong?”

Tony, tending to the three, asked curiously. Clarel’s expression grew grim as he pressed a hand to his mouth and shook his head.

“…It seems there’s poison in this soup. Go to the guard station and fetch the constables immediately.”

“What!? P-Poison!?”

“Hurry!”

“T-T-T… This is bad!”

Tony scrambled out in a panic to summon the constables. Left in the house, Clarel checked the three again. Their faces looked even better now. They’d be fine.

I can’t say for sure, but… this is likely “magic poison.” Either it wasn’t lethal, or they ingested a small amount…

Magic poison was a toxin produced by magical beasts. As a priest, Clarel was both cleric and physician in this world. His expertise in medicine and pharmacology allowed him to deduce the cause of the family’s near-death.

There’s no way this got into their food by accident. Someone intentionally mixed it in. Did they inject it into the vegetables with a needle, or maybe contaminate the well water…?

The question was… who did it, and why? Magic poison was expensive, whether harvested from beasts or bought from adventurers. Would someone use something like this to kill an ordinary craftsman’s family? What could the motive be…?

A jolt like lightning shot down Clarel’s spine.

“No way… Reina?”

It seemed far-fetched, his thoughts leaping wildly. The idea felt like a baseless accusation, but what if the poisoner’s goal wasn’t to kill the family but to lure Clarel out of the temple? Their real target could be Reina, left alone, vulnerable to some evil deed.

The thought, once it took hold, felt unshakably true. Clarel’s heart pounded, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

“Priest-sama, I brought the constables!”

As Clarel wrestled with his dark thoughts, Tony returned with the constables.

“They were patrolling nearby…”

“I’m leaving this to you…!”

“Huh? P-Priest-sama!?”

Leaving the stunned Tony and constables behind, Clarel bolted out of the house, sprinting desperately through the dark, unlit night.

“Reina…!”

It might be a baseless worry, perhaps an overprotective instinct, but Clarel couldn’t stop his legs from moving. Driven by an urgent need to reach Reina’s side, he ran.

“Hold it right there!”

“You ain’t passing through!”

Two burly men blocked his path, their torchlight revealing thuggish, villainous faces.

“Behave, and we won’t get rough. We were told not to harm you!”

“Hyahyah! Don’t wanna get hurt? Stay put!”

“I knew it…!”

Seeing the thugs, Clarel’s instincts were confirmed. I don’t know who hired them, but… their target is Reina!

“Get out of my way… Don’t you dare touch Reina!”

“Hah! Look at this brave guy!”

The thugs mocked Clarel’s shout.

“What’s a scrawny priest gonna do? Risking it all for some kid…”

“Strength Up!”

Clarel’s voice cut sharply as he slammed his fist into the face of the thug in front.

“Gah…!”

“I won’t forgive anyone who makes that girl suffer any more!”

As the thug flinched, Clarel drove a punch into his solar plexus, bending him into a “C” shape. Grabbing his head, Clarel mercilessly slammed a knee into his nose. With the strength-enhancing support spell, Clarel’s power surged, catching the thug off guard. The man collapsed, blood streaming from his crushed nose.

“You bastard! You’re gonna pay!”

The second thug swung his fist. Too late to dodge, Clarel cast another holy spell.

“Guard Up!”

“Guh…!”

The spell bolstered his defense, letting Clarel withstand the blow. The thug, grimacing in pain from his own punch, staggered back.

“W-What’s with this guy!? Just a priest, and he’s this strong…!”

“Like I care!”

Casting aside his usual polite tone, Clarel roared, “Don’t underestimate a priest! Want me to send scum like you straight to the hell you deserve!?”

“Gah… Guh… Gyaa!?”

Clarel pummeled the thug’s stomach, and as he fell, stomped his face with his heel. Though the thug was no stranger to brawls, Clarel’s unexpected strength overwhelmed him, subduing him with ease.

Priests were often seen as frail healers, but some, known as “brawler healers,” used support spells to enhance their bodies and fight on the front lines. Clarel was exactly that. Back at the capital’s academy, he’d scrapped with friends and battled monsters in parties.

“…Guh… Ah…”

“Reina… Please be safe…!”

Leaving the defeated thugs in the dark street, Clarel sprinted full-speed toward the temple.

◇ ◇ ◇

Rewinding time slightly. In the temple, left behind, Reina stood alone, looking forlorn.

“Ugh… He’s gone…”

Staring at the closed door with teary eyes, she recalled Clarel’s instructions and locked it tightly.

“Clarel-sama…”

Though she now handled over half the housework and assisted with holy tasks, her trembling expression was frail, younger than her ten years, like a child abandoned by her parents—or perhaps a maiden parted from her lover. She reached toward the door as if clinging to it, but quickly lowered her hand. Clarel had entrusted her with staying behind. She had to be strong.

“Alright…!”

Voicing her resolve, Reina pattered to the back of the temple. Returning to her room, she came back holding a teddy bear and a blanket.

“It’s okay to wait, right? Don’t worry, I’m keeping warm…”

Though told to sleep, she couldn’t rest while Clarel was working. She sat in a chapel chair, hugging the bear and wrapping herself in the blanket.

“Clarel-sama… I hope he comes back soon…”

Clutching the stuffed animal, she rubbed sleepy eyes, waiting for Clarel’s return. The pendulum clock in the chapel ticked steadily.

“…Ngh.”

Determined to wait, Reina was still just a ten-year-old girl. Unable to fight sleep, her eyelids drooped, and she nodded off.

“Zzz… Zzz…”

Less than thirty minutes after Clarel left, Reina fell asleep, drifting into dreamland.

And… as Reina slumbered, outside the temple, several shadows stirred in the dark night.

“Alright… He’s gone.”

“Yeah, no problem. We’ve got lookouts posted. He won’t be back soon.”

Three burly men, dressed in black and wearing hoods that concealed their faces, emerged. No matter how generously you looked at them, they weren’t upright people—their appearance screamed outlaws who couldn’t walk in daylight. They were thugs hired by the Auster Company, regularly involved in harassing rival businesses and trafficking illegal drugs. Their purpose tonight, by Gueiss’s orders, was to kidnap the beautiful nun—Reina.

Human trafficking was familiar work for them. They’d poisoned someone connected to the temple to lure the priest out, planning to strike in his absence.

“Still… Did we really need to use poison? Couldn’t we have just taken out the priest?”

“I thought so too, but the boss said not to rough him up.”

One of the men in black responded to his companion’s grumbling.

“Apparently, this temple’s priest is tied to a big noble family in the capital. If we hurt him, that noble backing might come after us.”

“Nobles obsess over useless things like pride… They’re a hassle to deal with.”

“Yeah, makes sense.”

The Auster Company was outwardly a respectable business, but behind the scenes, they committed crimes to line their pockets. Still, they were just a local operation. Crossing a major noble from the capital was far beyond their reach.

“Alright… Let’s go in through the back.”

“It’s locked. I’ll pick it.”

One of the men inserted a metal pin into the keyhole, unlocking the door in under five minutes.

“We’re in.”

The three men in black slipped into the temple’s living quarters, their movements silent and cautious. Straining their ears, they searched room by room.

“Not in the bedroom…”

“This room’s empty too. She wasn’t in the bathroom either.”

They checked the dining kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, and even the toilet, but Reina was nowhere to be found. Certain Clarel hadn’t taken her with him; they wondered if she’d sensed their intrusion and hidden.

“Oi, over here… She’s in the chapel!”

“For real… Sleeping so carefree…”

Finally, they found Reina asleep in the chapel.

“Zzz… Zzz…”

“Tch… Making us waste time.”

“Still, better than her making a fuss. Let’s take her before she wakes.”

The men pulled out a large sack and a rope. Finding Reina had taken longer than expected, but from here, it was familiar work. They extended their wicked hands toward her, wrapped in a blanket, breathing peacefully.

“Kuma!”

A goofy voice rang out. In the next instant, the face of the man reaching for Reina was punched away.

“What…!”

“A-A stuffed animal!?”

The attacker was the teddy bear Reina had been hugging. Slipping from her arms, it struck the man’s face dead-center with its short paw. A fluffy, cotton-stuffed paw shouldn’t have hurt, yet the man rolled across the floor, his nose crushed and bleeding.

“What the hell is this thing!?”

“J-Just take it down… Gyaa!?”

“Kuma!”

The bear uppercut another man’s jaw from below, the sharp blow shattering bone and sending him crashing near the ceiling.

“Damn it! No way…!”

The last man drew a knife from his pocket, but his reaction was too slow.

“Kumaaaaaa!”

“Bufuoooooo…!”

The bear’s short arms and legs raged like a tornado, spinning in the air as it pummeled and kicked the man’s face repeatedly.

“Guh… Ha…”

His face battered, teeth broken, the man let out a short groan before collapsing motionless.

“Kuma!”

Having defeated all three, the bear thrust its short arms skyward, letting out a triumphant cry. The battle lasted less than a minute. The chibi bear, with its incredible strength, had subdued the burly men in black.

“Zzz… Zzz… Clarel-sama, welcome back…”

“Kuma.”

Reina remained asleep, oblivious to the danger she’d been in. The bear toddled back to her, slipping back into her arms.

We took care of them, huh?

Piece of cake.

Good thing we protected Reina.

Inside the stuffed animal, “they” exchanged quiet words Reina couldn’t hear. It was just a stuffed animal, not a monster or holy beast summoned from another dimension. But Reina’s summoned holy spirits had taken residence inside, controlling the fluffy body from within. Infused with multiple spirits, the stuffed animal was practically a weapon, capable of wiping out ten or twenty thugs with ease.

Clarel had once said stuffed animals were guardians that protected children. It was a silly, offhand remark, but because Reina believed it, it became reality.

“Munya munya… Clarel-sama…”

Unconsciously working miracles, Reina mumbled happily in her sleep.

Clarel returned to the temple thirty minutes later. Out of breath, he froze in shock at the sight of Reina sleeping peacefully and the three men in black sprawled on the floor.

◇ ◇ ◇

The aftermath.

The constables’ investigation revealed that the stonemason family’s collapse was due to poison dumped into their well, contaminating the soup made with its water. The culprits were soon identified: the thugs who ambushed Clarel on the road and the men in black who attempted to kidnap Reina from the temple. The men in black had a long list of prior crimes, and their arrest unraveled the Auster Company’s web of misdeeds, resulting in over twenty arrests, including that of the company’s head.

Damn it… It’s all that girl’s fault…

Roped up by the constables, Gueiss Auster, the company head, groaned bitterly. If that girl hadn’t escaped from me, everything would’ve gone perfectly. I’m not to blame… That foolish girl is.

A fool remains a fool, unable to own their mistakes. The notorious toxic parent exited the story’s stage without a shred of remorse.

“Phew… We finally tracked down their hideout, and the constables were set to raid it tomorrow. My bad, though—my slow work put a kid in danger.”

Days later, Roywood Bellen, the constable captain, visited the temple to explain, bowing his head. He’d been investigating the Auster Company based on Clarel’s tip, meticulously gathering evidence to ensure a takedown. It wasn’t as if he’d done nothing, but the opponent was a powerful local figure. Some constables had taken bribes to overlook the company’s crimes, forcing Roywood to wait for ironclad proof.

“If we’d caught that Auster bastard sooner, the little sister wouldn’t have had to go through that scare.”

Roywood bit his lip, glancing at Reina some distance away.

“Please line up in a row. I’ll treat you one by one!”

In the chapel, a line formed before Reina, as usual. Townsfolk waited for healing or simply to bask in the angelic sister’s smile. Watching her, Clarel and Roywood spoke quietly in a corner of the temple.

“That little lady… She’s acting cheerful, but being nearly kidnapped and having her father arrested must be tough…”

“Well… Not exactly.”

Clarel shrugged at his friend’s dejected apology.

“When the kidnappers broke in, Reina was fast asleep. She didn’t even notice she was about to be taken.”

When Clarel returned, Reina was drooling in her sleep. He tied up the kidnappers, asked a neighbor to alert the constables, and carried Reina to her bedroom.

“I told her about her father’s arrest, but she didn’t react much. Just said, ‘Oh, I see,’ and that was it.”

“Huh… She’s surprisingly bold for such a cute face.”

Roywood gave a wry smile, scratching his head.

“My screw-up slowed things down. Apologize to the little lady for me. Also… About the company’s assets: after compensating victims, the remaining amount will go to her. I’ll ask the judge to ensure she gets as much as possible.”

With that, Roywood left the temple.

A portion of the Auster Company’s wealth—still a massive sum for an individual—was awarded to Reina.

“Oh, I don’t need it. Clarel-sama, use it however you like.”

When the dazzling fortune arrived days later, Reina handed it all to Clarel.

“I don’t want that man’s money. Use it freely, Clarel-sama.”

“Freely… huh.”

“Yes. Whatever you want.”

Faced with gold coins worth many times what he’d paid to take Reina in, Clarel agonized over what to do. In the end, the unprecedented sum was donated for the townsfolk’s benefit, used to repair an aging bridge.