Taming the Evil Saintess

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Ophelia had overheard a conversation between Elliot and Yurede a few days ago.

It wasn’t intentional. In a fit of anger, she had rushed out and realized she dropped her hairpin. The cheap hairpin that Elliot had gifted her in the Great Desert. It held a special place in her heart as it had come in handy for picking the locked door to the meeting room.

As she went to retrieve the hairpin, she overheard Yurede saying something to Elliot.

Instinctively, she hid behind a tree.

Ophelia’s Stealth Technique was quite impressive. Yurede asked, oblivious to her presence.

“Indeed, Sir Elliot seems to care for the Saintess.”

“Well, in a manner of speaking.”

“Can I ask, what does the Saintess mean to Sir Elliot?”

“Something more precious than anything else.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

At that moment, Ophelia had no choice but to flee.

What kind of embarrassing things were they saying in broad daylight?

Holding her burning cheeks, Ophelia had a sleepless night. Even now, when she looked at the ring on her left hand’s pinky, it seemed clear that Elliot had feelings for her beyond mere camaraderie.

What unsettled Ophelia the most was that realization brought her a sense of fulfillment.

“So, I’m saying thank you.”

And now.

Leaning against the railing, Ophelia gazed intently at Elliot.

He was quite handsome. Though his face had a rugged expression, it was still bearable. Especially his gray eyes were striking.

His personality was rough, but he possessed good judgment. He could distinguish between public and private matters almost like a machine. Yet, he was unexpectedly considerate in trivial matters. It was refreshing to know he’d never be taken advantage of anywhere.

“Hey, aren’t you going to respond warmly when a woman expresses gratitude?”

“…I think you might be intoxicated.”

“Not at all.”

Of course, she was a little tipsy.

But it wasn’t impossible to convey her feelings.

Ophelia voiced the question that had been on her mind for the past few months.

“Why do you treat me so well?”

“What do you mean?”

Elliot tilted his head.

Ophelia chuckled softly as she brought the new cup to her lips.

It was bitter as expected.

Alcohol didn’t seem to suit her.

“I know. I’m not the kind of girl known for being sweet and gentle like other women. I’m closer to being a piece of trash.”

“What are you talking about? Facing facts.”

“Damn it.”

Though a curse escaped her lips naturally, Ophelia cleared her throat and corrected herself.

“Thanks to who, I know this so well? I’ve been beaten to a pulp.”

Phew.

As she let the air out of her puffed cheeks, Ophelia kicked Elliot’s shins.

To her surprise, Elliot showed no reaction to her playful behavior, as if he was used to it.

“Boring.”

“Well, it’s been quite some time.”

“Right. It’s been over three years.”

“That’s a long time.”

Elliot wore a gentle smile.

A smile he couldn’t have imagined three years ago. It caught her off guard.

…

Ophelia was certain.

This man in front of her had feelings for her. There was too much circumstantial evidence to deny it.

Moreover, right now, her heart was pounding like crazy.

Just like Elliot, Ophelia had also developed firm feelings for him over time.

Recognizing feelings of affection requires a bit of courage and a lot of pride. It was not something the usual Ophelia could manage.

But perhaps, with the help of alcohol.

Considering her tipsy state and the environment, it might just be possible.

“Hey.”

That was what she intended to say.

If she didn’t speak now, her personality would probably prevent her from saying anything ever again.

“Um, I…”

…

“I…”

She wanted to say she didn’t dislike him, meaning she liked him, just as he did.

But.

“Maybe I like…—”

Boom!

Just as she was about to finish, an unprecedented burst of fireworks filled the night sky.

As the fireworks faded, Elliot’s expression remained unchanged.

“What did you say?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Ophelia sighed and shook her head.

She had gathered considerable courage but had no energy left to speak again.

It seemed she didn’t hear herself either.

“Sigh. How boring. Fireworks too.”

“You were just staring at it with wide eyes a moment ago.”

“That was only for a couple of times.”

Ophelia, who was yawning, looked at Elliot.

Thinking back, she didn’t necessarily have to confess first. It might be fine to wait for Elliot to break the ice.

Both had massive pride, and it was indeed intriguing who would break this delicate stalemate first.

But there was something she needed to ascertain.

“Hey. Do you remember?”

“Which one are you referring to?”

“What you said in Golden Lion Castle.”

“What about it?”

“You said after we defeat the Demon King, we’d live together.”

In the guest chamber of Labre Castle, Elliot had proposed that after defeating the Demon King, they could build a cozy home in a sunny spot and live lavishly.

It wasn’t a bad proposal.

And it was a realistic suggestion.

“Were you serious about that?”

“Absolutely.”

“Even now?”

“Of course.”

“…Alright then.”

That was enough for her.

Ophelia smiled lightly and nodded.

“Well, is there a neighborhood you’re hoping for?”

Ophelia thought for a moment before answering briefly.

“I just hope there isn’t a cathedral nearby.”

“I agree wholeheartedly.”

That wasn’t exactly something you’d expect to hear from a Hero and a Saintess.

*

Ophelia had a few more drinks before gradually dozing off.

While they exchanged some words before that, they held no real significance.

“Hey. What did your other self in a different world look like?”

“He wasn’t as handsome as me now.”

“Lucky bastard.”

Usually, such trivial banter was all they had.

“Where would we build our house?”

…Ophelia did bring up something productive, but I decided to pass on that.

“We’ll talk about that later.”

“Why?”

“Talking about life after a battle is like a death flag.”

“A death… flag? What’s that?”

“It’s a kind of curse that became trendy in my world.”

“Dark magic, huh?”

“Something like that.”

That conversation was the last they had.

Ophelia’s words became increasingly incomprehensible.

It was only natural she’d get wasted after downing that high-proof alcohol on an empty stomach.

In the end, I carried the drunken Ophelia back to the residence.

I laid her on the bed, unbuttoning her shirt to help her breathe easier.

However, Ophelia’s holy garment was soaked from the several spills.

It would be odd to leave her like this.

Eventually, I changed her clothes.

Suppressing my desires as much as I could.

…

A few minutes later.

In the dark room, I sat on the edge of Ophelia’s bed, lost in thought.

The body of a possessor is quite remarkable. The body I have possessed as Elliot possesses superhuman senses. I can hear whispers from dozens of meters away.

Therefore.

“I like you….”

At the moment when the fireworks exploded, I clearly understood what Ophelia had said.

Yet, I pretended not to hear.

I had realized for a while that Ophelia’s feelings for me weren’t just simple friendship.

Though I often heard the remark about being oblivious, I never thought I would fail to notice such clear affections.

“If only you could keep your mouth shut, you’d be so pretty.”

In the end, I smiled and gently stroked Ophelia’s cheek.

By my standards, she still felt childlike.

However, I needed to reconsider the judgment about her as child-like.

Rather than a child, she seemed more like an adorable junior or little sister.

“Crazy.”

I stopped stroking her cheek and lightly tapped her nose. Ophelia mumbled a curse in her sleep and turned around.

Indeed, time is relentless.

That girl-like Ophelia already appeared as a woman to me.

…

Three years.

Familiarity breeds affection, they say.

It seemed that both I and Ophelia had developed feelings beyond what was necessary.

However, I couldn’t reciprocate Ophelia’s feelings just yet.

There was still a significant issue at hand.

The Hero’s Divine Mark inscribed on my left hand. The damned God had chosen me as a substitute for the original hero who perished.

Demon King, possessor, executive, mark.

In my head, a flurry of keywords left no room for the word Ophelia.

Later.

Yes. I’d leave it for later.

For now, this level of relationship was just right.

“Hah.”

Still, as I gazed at Ophelia’s peacefully sleeping face, I found myself smiling unknowingly.

How on earth had I come to think of this wicked woman as cute?

If the me from three years ago knew, he would surely faint.

*

“Hey, you….”

Ophelia woke up around noon the next day.

“You, you….”

Upon waking, Ophelia immediately realized her clothes were different from those she wore to watch the fireworks and screamed, calling for me.

Her expression contorted, but her trembling dark green eyes were quite something.

“Did you… change my clothes while I was asleep?”

“Indeed.”

“Did, did a maid do it?”

“Do you think I’d go after some poor maid? You hate it when other people touch you, right?”

“Then who did it?”

“Who else could it be?”

I casually replied, and Ophelia crumbled to her knees.

She wrapped her arms around herself and glared at me.

Tears glistened in her eyes.

“You… you… bastard! Trash! Idiot! Moron!”

“…”

“Take responsibility! You have to take responsibility, you bastard!”

I twisted my mouth at Ophelia’s shouts, lifting my middle finger in front of her.

Ah, but I didn’t forget one more thing to add.

“Rainbow reflection.”

Yes.

This level of relationship is just right for now.

Of course, Ophelia didn’t try to talk to me for a week afterward, but that’s a whole other story.