Chapter 27: Relics and Rivals

Reflections and Relics

Ten days had passed since the demon attack.

The memory of cutting myself under their threats felt like a dream.

‘No, it was a dream.’

When I was considering regression as a last resort, Saintess Isidora’s power made it all “undone.” What a shock.

I’d never met a Saintess of Dreams in past loops, but I knew her power was far from ordinary.

Even Saintess Erdike, the Saintess of Jealousy, could only taunt enemies or leave traceable marks.

That alone was useful in battle.

But Isidora’s power transcended common sense.

…Honestly, her previous powers seemed pathetic.

I’d wondered if she truly had divine favor.

But that day’s display proved the gods were watching her.

Recalling the demon fight, I headed to the private training ground.

The third spot to the right, second up from the entrance.

Digging there would reveal a murky olive-green bracelet.

A relic from the last war.

A bracelet imbued with the Blessing of Evil-Breaking.

Blessed by the God of Agriculture, practically a god of light, it’s quite powerful.

In a past loop, one of the prince’s lackeys found it while wrecking the training ground.

Its broad effect even targeted Monica’s necromancy, making it a pain when facing Prince Theodosius.

I’d subdued the student council and made them allies, only for them to be useless then.

Now that I think about it, Monica back then was a bit like she is now.

Whatever, it’s irrelevant.

Monica hasn’t joined the student council yet, and I’ve secured the bracelet.

If we end up fighting the academy like in the first loop, Monica’s help will be reliable this time.

“Lift the outer cornerstone slab of the training ground…”

Clang! Clang!

The sound of metal clashing echoed.

Aren’t all students confined to dorms because of the prince?

I came to snag the relic while the training ground was empty.

Who’s fighting here?

Curiosity got the better of me, and I cautiously approached the noise.

Peeking over the wall separating the training grounds, I was stunned.

“Hah, Saintess! Surrender already! You’re done!”

A shirtless, bronze-skinned, muscular man glistened with sweat under the sunlight, his bald head shining brightest.

His opponent, swinging a mace while drenched in sweat, was Saintess Isidora.

She wore the same short-skirted nun outfit from the field class, with black knee-high boots.

Unlike last time, black tights covered her legs completely.

She dodged the bronze man’s club swings nimbly, but she wouldn’t last long.

Her steps faltered.

“Eek!”

The man noticed and struck at the opening without hesitation.

“Yaaah! Die!”

Bang!

I blocked his club and punched his stomach.

“Urgh!”

“Kyaa!”

At first, I thought it was just sparring.

But with students locked in dorms, it made no sense for the saintess to train here.

More likely, she slipped out for some reason, and this creep attacked her.

Given the last attack outside the academy, demonic activity is escalating faster than in the first loop.

High-tier demons with phase-shifting already appearing means I can’t let my guard down.

Didn’t the saintess tell me?

No thinking about regression.

To honor that, I can’t allow variables.

Better to attack mistakenly than let her get hurt.

I turned to her.

“You okay?”

Misunderstandings and Muscles

What the hell, this guy?

I came to train in secret while no one was around.

And he jumps in, beating up an innocent person?

“Hahaha! That was a spicy punch!”

Not that it’d break the guy.

Bishop Dominic laughed heartily, strolling back toward us.

Orphe was still hostile, so I quickly intervened.

“Orphe, this is Bishop Dominic from the Temple of Love, also a priest of the Temple of Travel. He’s helping with my training.”
‘Even I can’t believe he’s a cleric sometimes, Orphe.’

“That’s… a bishop? He was yelling about killing you…”

Orphe stammered, clearly flustered.

First time I’ve seen him like this.

Never happened in the novel either.

“The bishop’s just a bit playful. Please understand.”
‘He’s all-in on jokes, so you deal with it.’

Oh, you didn’t meet him in the first loop?

Makes sense.

First time I saw him, I thought I was some sacrificial saintess.

The Cocoa Ball Bishop

The first night at the Pantheon.

Before my official sainthood, a giant Cocoa Ball awaited me.

“Haha, Saintess! First meeting! I’m Bishop Dominic, serving the God of Love! Sorry, but you need to come with us right now.”

When I asked where he was taking me, he laughed like it was obvious.

“Saintess, what else do people serving the God of Love do?”

A hookup?

Am I getting dragged into debauchery right after becoming a saintess?

No way! I’m a guy!

But my body, bound by restrictions, followed him into a room.

“Welcome, Saintess!”

A crowd of men awaited.

And a single sofa in front of them.

That’s it.

The setup from those foreign videos…!

I’m screwed.

About to get crushed.

A Bizarre Ritual

Then what? We held hands and shouted, “I love you~”?

It’s a ritual for welcoming a new follower of the God of Love.

I checked later, and it was legit…

Like an idol handshake event, they lined up, grabbed my hand, and yelled, “I love you.”

…Not a great memory.

Anyway, Bishop Cocoa Ball had an appearance that inevitably caused misunderstandings.

He might feel wronged, but what can you do about how you’re born?

Still, his upright conduct made him popular in the Pantheon.

His chocolate abs bore a fist mark like a stamp.

He laughed, unbothered, and extended a hand to Orphe.

“Wow, that punch stung! I’m Dominic, a humble monk serving the God of Love.”

“Orphe.”

“Ah! The bearer of the holy sword, guardian knight of dreams, the black-haired hero! Your fame precedes you, Orphe! Truly as skilled as rumored!”

Dominic shook Orphe’s hand vigorously, nearly throwing him off balance.

Grinning, Dominic said,

“But your physical training’s lacking. The holy sword, forged from stars, can cut anything, right? But if the wielder’s weak, it won’t shine.”

“…You don’t need muscles to wield a sword well.”

Orphe’s right.

In fighting shows, lean boxers often outshine bulky bodybuilders.

If strength came from muscle size, some American governor would be the strongest on Earth.

Wait, is that right?

[The God of Jealousy says stop daydreaming and focus.]

They’re just posturing like guys do.

High schools are full of guys flexing on the first day.

A minute or two won’t hurt, right?

Still, I glanced back at the God of Jealousy’s urging.

Sure enough, they were glaring at each other.

“You taught the saintess weapon skills? No wonder she’s so weak.”

“Haha, she left before learning half of half! Mastery requires offering everything to barely gain something.”

Dominic clenched his fist, showing off his knuckles.

What, is he Orochi Doppo?

Orphe seemed to like that line, though.

“Clerics are all smooth talkers. I don’t like your opinion, but that part’s an exception.”

“Only idle clerics master such lowly skills. Spend all day contemplating the gods and training, and you’ll get it too.”

Orphe grinned and drew his sword.

Dominic smiled, picking up his fallen club.

[The God of Entertainment senses something exciting coming.]

Exciting, my ass.

What about my training while they’re fighting?

“Come at me first.”

“Don’t mind if I do.”

A heated clash between men was about to begin…!