Chapter 98
"Yes, yes, raise your arm for me. Oh my, you've got surprisingly muscular and delicious-looking upper arms."
"............"
Clael had come to the Grand Shrine in the royal capital... and as soon as his meeting with the cardinal ended, he was measured for the outfit he would wear at the Saint certification ceremony.
In a separate room deep within the Grand Shrine, a contracted personal tailor took his measurements all over.
"Now then, I'll make you a fabulous outfit, so just wait for me, okay? I'll finish it in a day."
"......Yes, thank you."
The bald-headed effeminate tailor said that and gave Clael a wink. Clael felt a chill run down his spine.
The tailor had a solid build, and his needlessly sweet tone reminded him of someone he knew.
"Excuse me... but do you happen to know someone named Oratorio?"
"Oh my? You know my little brother?"
"......I live in Eggbell, so he's helped me out with various things."
"Ah, is that so? That kid originally worked at our shop... but once he became fully capable, he went independent. I thought he'd open a shop somewhere in the royal capital, but he said he hated the crowded city, so he moved to the countryside."
"I see... well, life takes all kinds of turns."
Running into an acquaintance's acquaintance in such an unexpected place left him more exhausted.
The effeminate tailor measured every inch of his body thoroughly and stickily... and after about an hour, Clael was finally released.
Since he had nothing in particular to do today, he walked down the corridor toward the guest room he'd been assigned.
"Phew..."
The long journey from Eggbell to the royal capital, followed by a draining conversation with the cardinal.
And then, being thoroughly measured by the effeminate tailor who practically ogled his entire body.
He was physically and mentally exhausted. He just wanted to lie down in his room.
(I wonder if Reina's working at the shrine? I hope it's okay if I rest before her.)
"Oh... could that be Priest Clael Byrne over there?"
Clael had been walking down the corridor... when someone suddenly called out to him.
When he turned around, a young man about his age was standing there.
He had a cool, bespectacled face and wore a slightly mocking expression.
"I'm Clael Byrne... and you are?"
"Ah, pardon me for the late introduction. I'm Bellamy Walls. It may sound presumptuous, but I serve as a bishop here at the Grand Shrine."
He looked to be in his twenties, yet he had already risen to the rank of bishop—he must be a rising star.
For reference, the hierarchy of priests in this country goes like this... from the bottom: apprentice priest, priest, deacon, priest, bishop, archbishop. Cardinals are chosen from among the archbishops and serve as the de facto highest authority.
However, Saints like Reina hold a position higher than cardinals. Besides Saints, those officially recognized as Saints are treated as having a rank equivalent to archbishops.
"This should be our first meeting... how did you know who I was, Bishop Walls?"
"Of course. You're quite famous, you know... 'The man who lucked into finding a Saint and rose to the rank of Saint himself,' right?"
The bishop who introduced himself as Walls said with a strangely venomous tone.
His handsome face bore a sneer, and a strong malice flickered beneath the surface.
(This guy...)
"......That's quite a loaded way of putting it. Did I do something to offend you?"
"No, not particularly."
Walls shook his head and exaggeratedly looked up at the sky.
"It's just... some people aren't too happy that a rural priest with no notable achievements shot past other priests in rank just because he happened to discover a Saint... well, if you consider luck to be divine blessing, I suppose it makes sense."
"............"
Clael furrowed his brow.
He was aware that he had benefited greatly thanks to Reina.
It might be inevitable that others would envy him.
(Still... having someone throw such blatant malice at me is just exhausting.)
When Clael searched his memory, he recalled that there had been an archbishop with the surname 'Walls.'
He had once competed with Dilet Horst for the position of cardinal and was infamously known as an ambitious money-grubber.
(He's probably his son or grandson... a relative, no doubt.)
"Why don't you say something? Or... are you too shaken because I hit the mark? If someone the Saint adores like a father is in such a state, then there's no way he could be certified as a Saint..."
"Ah, Lord Clael. So this is where you were?"
Walls continued to spew sarcasm... but Reina appeared from behind him.
Having changed into a white dress-style priest robe, Reina spotted Clael and ran over to him with a happy expression.
"Are you done with your business with the cardinal?"
"Ah... yes. I was just about to rest in my room since I have nothing else to do today."
"Ah, the guest room, right? I'll show you the way."
Reina grabbed Clael's arm and began pulling him along.
"W-Wait, Saint Reina...!"
"Ah, the restroom is that way and the bath is over there. They're separated by gender, so be careful not to mix them up, okay?"
Walls shouted from behind them... but Reina ignored him and proceeded to guide Clael through the Grand Shrine.