The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

-The affection gauge restriction has been lifted.

-Yuria’s affection gauge has increased.

[Affection Gauge: 100↑]

(!) ‘Saint of Purity’ Yuria’s awakening has begun.

“Hmm?”

Just as I was basking in the nervous excitement of Yuria’s flirting, the oblivious Blue Window appeared with a notification. It could have waited just a little longer, and I almost considered blaspheming against it for its lack of timing, but I managed to stifle my impiety upon realizing the significant content displayed on the affection gauge. I let out a small sigh of relief.

‘Saint?’

Was it because she kissed me like a sleeping beauty? The notification that the affection gauge restriction had been lifted and Saint Yuria’s awakening had begun was nothing short of surprising.

My mind buzzed with confusion at the state window’s nonsense, and I bluntly expressed my skepticism. Then, turning my gaze back to Yuria, whose face was flushed red, I gently shook my head.

Yuria, face as red as a tomato, muttered to herself, as if she might explode from embarrassment at any moment.

“But that doesn’t mean it was meaningless either… Ahh, what am I even saying…?”

Yuria fanned her face and avoided my gaze, clearly flustered. I wanted to tease her, but there was a more pressing matter at hand, so I shifted my focus back to the trembling affection gauge.

[Yuria Lv. 41]

Job: Saint of Purity (Awakening in progress)

Affection: 100

Favorite conversation topics: First love. Ricardo. Family. I must become stronger. My personal promise. Future children. The person I love.

Disliked conversation topics: Ruin. Heretics. People who hurt Ricardo.

A lot seemed to have changed.

Starting with the lifting of the affection gauge restriction and Yuria’s unexpected awakening as a saint, there were many elements I hadn’t anticipated. As I stared at the golden ‘Affection’ and Yuria’s newly acquired ‘Job,’ a wave of irritation washed over me. ‘If you were going to say something this important, you should have done it earlier,’ I internally grumbled.

If there was something this crucial, couldn’t it have given me a hint in the form of a quest? Honestly, I was starting to lose fondness for the relaxed attitude of this status screen.

‘Still, I guess better now than never.’

Resigned, I let out a deep sigh as I read the cheeky words of the affection gauge. Up until now, I had assumed Yuria’s affection hadn’t increased because of my shortcomings. Now I knew there was a reason for it. And, since her awakening as a saint had seemed like a major issue, it was a relief that it was now being addressed.

With a satisfied look, I reached out and affectionately patted Yuria’s head.

“Thank you.”

*

In the peaceful lady’s hospital room.

“Gr-r-r…”

The lady, chewing on a dog treat, turned her attention to me as I returned, ready to bare her teeth.

Not chocolate, but a dog treat.

I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I was mistaken about what was in her mouth, but no, it really was a dog treat. I scoffed in disbelief and shook my head.

‘Where did she even get that?’

There were so many questions I wanted to ask the lady gnawing on the dog treat, but for now, I had to address the situation. Standing cautiously, I watched her warily petulant expression, her eyes sharp as she guarded her chew.

“Ssst.”

“…”

“Stay.”

“…”

She really did look like a dog.

She spat the treat out with a ‘ptoo’ and crossed her arms, her voice petulant as she spoke.

“Ricardo.”

“Yes.”

“You were with a woman, weren’t you?”

“Have you really become a dog?”

“Huh?”

Sure enough, the lady’s intuition was as sharp as a hound’s.

With a small chuckle, I walked slowly towards the lady, who was sitting on the bed. Dressed in a hospital patient’s gown, she looked surprisingly well-suited to it.

As expected from the most beautiful woman in this world, she could probably make any clothing look stunning. I picked up the dog treat that had fallen on the floor and asked with a smirk.

“Where did you get this?”

“The innkeeper gave it to me.”

“The innkeeper?”

“Yeah. Old Man Innkeeper.”

“Ah…”

She pointed to the door and told me about a conversation she had with James. “He came looking for Yuria, thinking she’d be here. When we told him she wasn’t around, he gave me this.”

“He gave you… that?”

“Yeah, he told me to give it to Ricardo.”

“To me?”

“Yep. You mentioned before that you were raising Gomtangi.”

“Ah… But why were you chewing on it?”

“He said it’s really expensive and humans can eat it too, so I tried it. You should take a bite. It’s made from beef jerky, so it’s delicious.”

“Uh…”

Even if that’s the case, isn’t it a bit much to actually eat it?

Pushing that trivial concern aside, I patted the head of the lady, who was now sulking, and smiled.

“Good job.”

“Yup.”

“And you didn’t have a fight, right?”

“Nope.”

She really was a sweet lady. No matter the reason, she had managed to entertain a bored old man. I reached into my pocket and handed her a piece of chocolate, speaking in a gentle voice.

“Stay.”

“I’m not a dog, you know.”

“…”

She’s clever.

After talking about dog treats for quite some time, I realized it was well past midnight and the early hours of the morning were approaching.

The clock struck 3 AM, and outside the window, a large moon illuminated the sky. The lady and I gazed at the northern night in silent bliss, a serene smile on both our faces.

The pleasant stillness enveloped the hospital room, and the lady cautiously opened her mouth.

“Ricardo.”

“Yes.”

“Did you make up with Yuria?”

“…”

As expected. So it was the lady who had spilled the beans.

I chuckled and pinched her cheek as she leaned against my shoulder.

“I told you not to say anything. In the end, you told her, didn’t you?”

“Oww… It’s going to tear.”

“It’s fine if it tears. A loose-lipped shepherd girl deserves to be scolded.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…! Ahhh! I’m sorry!”

“Really…”

I released her cheek with a smile. Rubbing her sore cheek, she grumbled quietly, “It feels all stretched out now.”

“Thanks to you, we had a good conversation.”

“…”

“We cleared up the misunderstanding and made up.”

Smiling, the lady nodded her head lightly.

“You were kind of a pushover, though.”

“That’s an insult.”

“I know.”

She muttered softly as she gazed at the bright moon, her voice low enough that I could barely hear her. Softly, she added, “You’re such a fool,” as she buried her face back into my shoulder.

The moon was bright.

So bright that even without a lantern, we could make it through the night. Tonight, especially, the moon was so beautiful, it seemed to draw out the unspoken stories from within.

As I stared at the craggy surface of the moon, I opened my mouth. This felt like one of those moments you just had to try teasing someone.

“Young Lady.”

“Hmm?”

“Did you know there’s a rabbit living on the moon?”

“A rabbit?”

Looking at me, bewildered, she tilted her head in curiosity. I pointed toward the moon with my finger.

“See there, from that smudge to that one. Those are its ears.”

“Oh…”

“And from here downwards, that’s its mortar.”

“Its… mortar?”

“Yes, because the rabbit on the moon is busy making rice cakes.”

“Rice cakes? Are they delicious?”

At her childlike question, wholly focused on food, I couldn’t help but break into laughter and shake my head. After all, I’d never tried them either.

“Who knows? I’ve never eaten them.”

“Hmm…”

“Do you want to try some?”

“Yup.”

The lady stared intently at the moon, her eyes sparkling as she imagined the taste of rice cakes made in the moon’s mortar. Seeing the innocent expression on her face made me laugh, and I decided to break it to her gently.

“That was a lie.”

“…Huh?”

“There’s no rabbit on the moon. And no one’s making rice cakes either.”

“Ughhh!”

As her shattered childhood dream settled in, the lady glared at me with eyes full of resentment, raising her fist. Too far for a ranged attack, she opted for close combat. Watching her, I let out a hearty laugh and smiled.

“Don’t tease me! I really thought you were serious!”

“Pfft!”

“Stop laughing!”

“I didn’t think you’d really believe it.”

“Ughhh!”

So fun.

Maybe now that I’ve brushed off a big worry, life feels lighter, and even my laughter comes more easily.

I gazed up at the moon and spoke cautiously to her. With our northern adventure nearing its end, there was one thing I hadn’t yet forgotten.

“Young Lady.”

“Yes?”

She halted her fist mid-strike at my quiet voice, staring at me. Her lips were slightly pouted in frustration, but her expression softened, and I almost laughed again. Holding back, I spoke with a gentle smile.

“There was something you really wanted to see in the North, wasn’t there?”

“Ah…”

She nodded, glancing up at the sky. She looked back up at the sky, briefly, her gaze following the stars before looking back down at my lowered head. In a resigned voice, she mumbled,

“Seems like we won’t get to see it.”

“And what was that?”

“There’s something… I wanted to see.”

“Then tell me what it is. I’ll make sure it happens.”

“Well…”

“Yes?”

“Well… You know that soft, green painting we talked about?”

“Ah…”

I smiled softly, recalling the picture she had wanted to see. Glancing up, I smiled as I looked at the sky.

“If it’s that, I think I can show it to you.”

With enough time… Wait, is it?

A gentle breeze began to blow.

And then.

The sky started to glow with soft green streaks, painting the night in wonder.

The aurora.

The very image the lady had longed to see was now spreading across the sky like brushstrokes on a canvas.

“Wow…”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

“Ricardo…!”

“I told you I could do anything…”

I was about to tell her that if we stayed in the North until we saw the aurora, everything would work out. At that very moment, with perfect timing, luck seemed on our side.

‘Huh?’

Suddenly, she flung herself into my arms, her small frame pressing against me.

“It’s amazing!”

“Uh…”

Smiling excitedly, her joy seemed boundless.

But as for me.

I could only stand still, stunned, gently touching my lips.

“It really is.”

“Heh-heh…!”

“It’s truly beautiful.”

I had just experienced my first kiss.

The first one since I became an adult.

End of Chapter.

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