Chapter 17: Aftermath and Reflections

A Tense Resolution

“…Orphe, let go.”

“Explain first. What’s going on here?”

I’m saved.

Thought my face was done for.

Orphe’s never looked more reliable than today.

‘Well, he was kinda dependable when he saved me from those bandits.’

But back then, we were strangers.

Plus, when someone’s pulling a sword-from-the-gut magic trick in front of you, there’s no time to think.

“…Just bonding between saintesses of the God of Jealousy. It might look odd to a follower of the God of Dreams, Orphe, but this is how we do it in our temple.”

Crazy woman.

What temple bonds through fistfights?

Is this Fight Club?

I lifted my head to glare at Erdike’s nonsense, but I couldn’t see her face.

Her massive holy aura—er, chest—blocked the view.

Was it visible earlier because she was leaning toward me?

‘Wow… they’re huge.’

I was too frazzled to notice before, but they’re seriously impressive.

Even her nun’s habit can’t hide that regal bust.

How can someone so generous in figure be so harsh to me?

As I was drawn to the gravitational pull of her mass, Orphe sighed.

“Haa, El.”

“Yes, Orphe?”

“You think I’d believe that?”

From Orphe’s perspective, it’s absurd.

They spent a whole lifetime together in the first loop.

Erdike might think she can bluff since this is her first life, but it won’t work on the protagonist.

Thank you, regression!

“Orphe, are you saying I’m lying?”

“Yeah, looks that way.”

“Why… why are you being so cold? You were so kind when we were kids. Is it because we’ve been apart too long? Is it awkward?”

“No.”

I could feel Erdike’s voice trembling.

Her face was hidden, but her tone alone conveyed her emotions.

“Then why are you talking to me like that? Oh, is it because I’m on top of this girl? I’m not doing anything bad. We just had a little argument. You know, girls fight like this sometimes, right?”

“No, that’s not the issue.”

“Then what is it?!”

Erdike shouted.

Her voice now carried despair beyond panic.

Her breathing mixed with sobs.

But Orphe responded in that same cold tone.

“It just happened over time.”

“Sob… You think that makes sense?”

“Why not? It’s been over ten years since we last saw each other. Isn’t that enough time for someone to change?”

Damn, he’s good with words.

But isn’t he being too harsh while she’s crying?

“And seeing what you’re doing now, I’m not inclined to speak kindly.”

“What… did you say?”

“What you’re doing is utterly disgraceful.”

[The God of Jealousy says to pray if you need popcorn.]

Oh, come on.

You said powers are random.

Was it all rigged then?

Are you K-pachinko makers or what?

[The God of Jealousy says gods’ participation in calls is voluntary.]

So, not all eight gods are always in the gacha pool?

Why tell me this now?

No wonder the God of Affection or Entertainment rarely showed up.

If I play my cards right, I could pick the god I want?

[The God of Entertainment says you think we’d let that slide?]

Why not?

[The God of Affection says to watch your spelling.]

Whatever, Isidora does what she wants.

Try to tame me all you like.

I won’t blink.

While I bickered with the gods, the situation was heading toward catastrophe.

“Orphe… you’re misunderstanding. I heard this girl followed you into the temple…”

“I asked her to come.”

“What?”

“I brought the saintess with me. Enough, talking more is just tiring. Move.”

Orphe pulled Erdike’s wrist upward, still holding it.

Her body rose limply.

She stood there, powerless.

Orphe knelt beside me, offering his hand.

“Take it.”

“Thank you.”
‘Phew, thought I was done for.’

“My friend was rude. I apologize on her behalf.”

“No, she must’ve misunderstood something. I understand.”
‘Since when do you apologize?’

I glanced at Erdike, who was staring at us blankly.

Her face, once streaked with blood tears, was now wet with clear ones.

Orphe spoke to her as if issuing a decree.

“I hope this doesn’t happen again. That’s my last advice as a friend.”

“Friend…?”

“Yes, friend.”

With that, Orphe grabbed my arm and headed toward the park entrance.

I had no choice but to follow, dragged along.

I glanced back.

“Friend…? I’m… just a friend…?”

Erdike mumbled, dazed, not wiping her streaming tears.

Misunderstandings at the Park

The group waiting at the park entrance was shocked.

No surprise—seeing their teammate dragged out by another male student.

My cheek swollen red, my eyes bloodshot.

Anyone would misunderstand.

Patricia, spotting me and Orphe first, went ballistic.

“You! Have you no fear of heaven? How dare you strike a saintess’s cheek like that…!”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“Don’t lie! You’re even gripping her wrist! To lay hands on my comrade, you lowborn cur!”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

She’s surprisingly protective of teammates?

Patricia’s pink ponytail whipped around frantically.

Come on, protagonist, just explain.

“No, Lady Arkis. I appreciate you standing up for me, but he really helped me. Sorry for causing a fuss.”
‘Stop with the forced drama.’

“Is that so? Then what’s with your cheek?”

“I was careless and scratched it while praying. I should’ve been more mindful.”
‘Some crazy chick slapped me, and I’m dying to get revenge, so don’t ask more.’

I figured the curse would filter that.

The God of Jealousy’s one of its enforcers, so it probably doesn’t want its saintess looking bad.

[The God of Jealousy says you’re one of only three saintesses, so get along.]

Get along, my ass.

If you wanted that, you shouldn’t have started a fight.

Patricia fidgeted after my words.

She’d misunderstood, after all.

Her golden eyes darted around before locking onto Orphe.

“S-Sor…”

An apology?

Despite her stubborn vibe, she knows when to back down…

“You idiot, you caused the misunderstanding!”

…She’s got a long way to go.

It took a while to clear things up with the flustered mentors and mentees.

A Missed Bathhouse Bonding

“…You’re not going today?”
‘Wait, what?’

“Yeah, I don’t think I need to wash.”

Back at the dorm, I faced Fifirel’s bombshell.

Why not wash?

“Are you hurt or something?”
‘Why not the bathhouse?’

“Huh? No, no. I didn’t sweat today, so why bother?”

I’ve had too much happen today. I’m exhausted.

I got through this hellish day dreaming of the bathhouse with you—why?!

“Still, isn’t it good to bathe daily?”
‘Come to the bathhouse with me, please? I’m begging.’

“Nah, elves are blessed by the God of Beauty, so we’re fine without bathing for a while. You’re a saintess of the God of Beauty too, right?”

She added that she only bathed yesterday because she was rolling around the training ground.

Seriously?

An elf who doesn’t bathe regularly? What kind of hybrid horror is this?

[The God of Beauty says your constant power means you don’t need to wash either.]

Is that why I’m upset about bathing?

Fifirel’s… huh?

Fine, whatever.

“Too bad, I wanted to bond at the bathhouse.”
‘Just go with me once, and I’ll have no regrets.’

“Hehe, really? I’ll let you know when I feel like bathing.”

Not in a few days, but when you feel like it?

God of Beauty, you think this setting makes sense?

I trudged to the shower stall, disappointed.

Shaaaa…

I let the warm water wash over me.

The soothing sensation was addictive.

What a long day.

Entrance ceremony, tour, getting slapped, being rescued…

I thought the main heroine was decent from the novel, but I didn’t know she was this crazy.

Now I get why the other heroines became mindless cheerleaders.

They were fighting for survival!

Get too close to Orphe, and that psychotic saintess might slap you.

If Orphe hadn’t saved me, I’d be known as the face-smashed saintess.

‘That was close…’

I glanced at my right wrist.

The red marks from Orphe’s grip had faded but were still visible.

His strength was intense—you could tell from his back how long he’s trained.

Thanks to him, I’m alive, so I’ll thank him tomorrow.

Even as a former troll, I’m not an ungrateful beast.

…Not that I’m into Orphe or anything.

Guys thank each other for favors, right?

It’s just basic human courtesy.

Yeah, that’s it!

I let the water wash away my jumbled thoughts.

Tomorrow’s the first day of classes.

In the novel, it was all history and etiquette, world-building fluff I skipped.

Now I have to sit through it all.

Ugh, I don’t want to go to class.

At this age, classes are such a hassle…

[The God of Dreams says classes can be fun if you listen.]

That’s ‘cause you’re an exposition nerd.

I jabbed at the god’s words and turned off the faucet.

…The next day, after my first class, I learned the true meaning of the God of Dreams’ “fun.”