The Priest Wants to Retire

EP.249 Epilogue. Beltein Has a Lot to Say. (4)

Gulp.

I unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.

No, in this case, should I say I swallowed my excitement?

Back in my reckless school days, I had a crush on a flower growing on a cliff.

She was the beautiful owner of a face that tested the faith of all the male priests in the monastery, including me, and once a top Saint Candidate.

Beltein Angelas Ashes.

The one who wouldn’t reveal her feelings to others, not even a faint smile, was now boldly displaying her daring figure and appealing to me with her affection.

Could even the dreams shown by a succubus feel more real than this?

Thump thump.

My heart was pitifully crying out without understanding my feelings, and it felt cruel.

“Ugh!”

Thud!

I hurriedly tried to pull back, but the heavy posterior that held my lower abdomen prevented my escape.

Wherever I turned, my careless reaction caused a disaster that brought the Sister’s upper body, which had been maintaining a precarious distance, even closer to me.

Squish.

The stunning pressure that had conquered my lower back mercilessly violated my chest this time.

I quickly grabbed her both shoulders to secure at least a minimum safety distance.

But if I missed this opportunity, the beast within me that had tasted this voluptuousness would cry out to devour the delicious prey right in front of me.

“Th-this isn’t allowed, Sister…”

A hard-won protest. However, no answer came back.

Still, the deep anxiety conveyed from her trembling shoulders made me rush to prepare my next words.

Huff…

Exhaling a heavy breath, I fell into thought for a moment.

To be honest, I hadn’t entirely given up the chance that all of this might be a mere delusion.

Considering the other party was none other than that Sister, it was somewhat understandable.

Although we had known each other for quite a long time, there had never been any sign of such feelings between us, as far as I knew.

Honestly, I had been thankful just to have her not dislike me, let alone have any crush on me.

But now, what was her current appearance?

Her shoulders flickering pathetically like a candle in the wind.

The expression so disheveled from overflowing emotions.

Her sorrowful eyes wandering around desperately looking for a place to rest.

From every angle, she was a woman confessing her feelings to her beloved.

“Why… is it not allowed…?”

Her quiet question shook my mind violently.

I couldn’t see her expression due to her drooped head, but her slumped shoulders carried much more meaning than her single word.

There was no way to back out now.

What was before me was neither a bad joke nor a hazy daydream.

This was a clear reality.

The Sister truly had feelings for me.

“Sister…”

With a steady breath to hide my agitation, I whispered as calmly as possible.

I had no idea when or why the Sister had developed such feelings for me.

But even if I knew the truth, my answer was already decided.

There were far too many burdens I had to carry right now.

It goes without saying that I had the Hero, who had officially married, to consider.

I also had a duty to take responsibility for the remaining life of the Saintess, who had lost everything because of me.

If necessary, I had declared I wouldn’t shy away from a polygamous marriage with the Saintess, which was an expression of that resolve.

Unlike back in the days when nothing seemed to matter, I was now the Pope’s representative.

Every little action required justification.

For me to have intimate time with the Saintess, who was a prominent figure in the system, marriage was unavoidable.

Moreover, even if it weren’t just for that reason, it was already unacceptable for a man who wasn’t a husband to have frequent physical contact with a woman in a state of unconsciousness.

Right now, my plan was facing difficulties due to the Hero’s severe opposition, but I was certain that with patience and slow persuasion, the Hero would eventually understand my intentions.

…Probably.

“As you know, Sister, I’m already blessed with the Hero and the Saintess in my life. Just monopolizing the love of two women cherished by everyone in this world is more than enough for me. If I wished for any more blessings, I would surely receive divine retribution.”

I spoke with a forced smile to ease the ice-cold atmosphere.

Still, no response came back, but from her noticeably softened breathing, I could vaguely tell that the Sister was listening to me.

“I truly… truly appreciate your feelings… I swear to God that much. This may not be something a married man should say, but I can confidently say I will never forget today’s memory for the rest of my life.”

It would be a lie to say I felt no regret over throwing away such a sudden blessing.

To me, Beltein was that charming of a woman.

If asked who the most lovable woman I’ve met in this life was, I would immediately name the Hero.

If asked who the most beautiful woman was, I would unhesitatingly say it was the Saintess.

But if I had to choose the most captivating woman, I would hesitate for a moment but eventually choose Sister Beltein.

I could very well regret this choice when I face my last moments in the far future.

But.

“But…”

After letting go of the Sister’s shoulders, I showed her the intertwined rings on my hands and softly spoke.

“Regrettably, I have no more hands left to grasp someone else’s life…”

As soon as my words came to an end, a heavy silence settled.

Though it was a rather roundabout expression, the wise Sister must have fully understood my intentions.

“…!”

A breath filled with despair echoed in my ears, and I could see her tightly clenched fists trembling.

I couldn’t provide her with comfort, nor could I muster a word.

No matter what I said now would surely hurt the Sister.

From my experience, giving awkward words of comfort to someone heartbroken was worse than saying nothing at all.

Moreover, since I was the one who rejected the Saintess’ affections, I had to be even more cautious with my words and actions.

Suddenly, a memory from when I was rejected by the Sister flashed in my mind.

Was it because I was now in completely opposite circumstances?

A complex feeling that could not be expressed in words brushed through my chest.

How long had it passed?

“U-ugh…”

I heard the sound of muffled sobs and hurriedly turned my gaze away.

Swipe.

Slowly rummaging through my pocket, I pulled out a handkerchief.

It seemed shameless to boldly reach out after having pushed her away so abruptly.

But I wasn’t that cruel to simply ignore a woman crying because of me.

Would wiping away her tears be acceptable?

As I contemplated this, just as I was about to bring the handkerchief to the Sister’s eyes…

Chwa-reul-leug! Clank!

“Uh…?”

A heavy sensation wrapping around my entire body made me gasp in surprise.

Looking down to assess the situation, I saw a familiar chain exuding noble power wrapping tightly around me.

There was no way I wouldn’t recognize the source of that power.

It was undoubtedly the Holy Power of the chosen one, weaved into the Authority of a Saint—the Chain of Parma.

And if my eyes weren’t deceiving me, this chain was emanating from the Sister, who had perched herself on my body.

“S-Sister…?”

I cautiously observed the Sister’s expression, much like a child checking for monsters under the bed.

No, to be precise, that’s what I intended to do.

If it hadn’t been for the enchanting movement of the Sister slowly trying to lay me flat on the floor, I might have been more focused.

Thud.

As my back hit the ground, completely overpowered, it was the first time my eyes met the Sister’s.

Her sky-blue eyes were filled with intense emotions.

The ends of her sky-blue hair draped over her like a curtain, had been bleached to a stark white as if diluted in a water jar.

What these signs indicated was clear.

The Sister was now stepping into a realm that humans should not reach.

Just as the Saintess had done once before.

“Sister! W-wait—!”

Clank!

As I hurriedly tried to speak, another chain unhesitatingly sealed my mouth.

In a dire situation where my whole body was restrained and even my mouth was shut.

“Ugh… Hic… Hic…”

“Mmm! Mmm! Mmm—!”

With the Sister tugging at my pants like a child, my whole body bristled with unease.

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