Chapter 62

A few minutes after the succubus fled.

Once the instructions to the knights were completed, the holy maiden called out to me.

"Lord Shiki, your performance this time was truly remarkable. Even though I knew about it in advance, to be able to use so much healing magic in succession... as someone who also uses healing magic, I am truly amazed."

She praised me with a smile. Indeed, there is a difference between knowing something and actually seeing it.

...Well, I bet she was more surprised when I was being controlled by the succubus. Her panic at that time was incredible. Even now, her smile seemed a bit strained.

However, now, I can't sense any stiffness in the holy maiden's smile. It seems that the shock of me almost being controlled by the succubus was digested while she was giving instructions to the knights.

"Just now, I confirmed that there were no casualties among the knights. To fight against so many monsters and have no losses... it can truly be called a miraculous victory."

"That's good to hear."

I had thought as much from above, but it's a relief to know that no knights died. Well, they were mostly low-level monsters. Healing magic was also being cast continuously, so it wasn't a battle where anyone would die unless they had extremely bad luck.

"This victory is all thanks to your efforts, Lord Shiki. Thank you very much."

"Master, you're amazing!"

The holy maiden and Yuel praised my achievements without reservation. But there's something about it. Yuel's praise is pure, but when the holy maiden praises me like this, it feels like there's something more to it. Moreover, the holy maiden, while saying "thank you," gripped both of my hands and smiled. If she had a normal-sized chest, I might have fallen for that smile alone. It's a smile so charming that it could make anyone fall. It's so perfect that it feels suspicious. And there's the matter with Sakura too.

"Well, it's because the knights worked hard."

I continued the conversation while maintaining an appropriate distance.

"...By the way, Lord Shiki, we haven't discussed your reward yet. For the knights and us from the church, protecting the town is our duty, but you participated out of kindness. A reward is certainly necessary. While it will be formalized later... what would you like as a reward, Lord Shiki?"

The holy maiden, while gripping my hands as if to envelop them, said this. Come to think of it, everyone except me is related to the lord, the knights, or the church. There are no civilians like adventurers. Luluka is different, but Luluka will probably receive a separate reward.

However, what do I want?

"...I can't think of anything right away."

It was sudden, so nothing comes to mind. Well, I do have some ideas, but I can't say I want to create a harem with all the beautiful women in the world, can I?

"If you don't have anything in mind, how about the position of Archbishop of the Medine Church? We just happen to have an opening. With your abilities, you would certainly be approved by the church. The base would be this Melharts church, which would be convenient for you."

"Archbishop!?"

Elise, who was nearby, exclaimed in surprise at the holy maiden's words. ...Elise's expression is concerning, but I still feel the lingering effects of the succubus's influence. If I look at Elise now, I might remember everything and cause an unexpected situation. The memory of being controlled by the succubus is still vivid. I tried to keep Elise out of my mind and digest the holy maiden's words.

"...Archbishop, huh."

I know it's a very important position in the church. But I don't understand much beyond that. Being suddenly offered a position doesn't make it feel real.

What should I do? Let me think about the benefits I can see now. First, my healing magic skills are already known, so it might be a good idea to have a position in an organization for my own protection. In exchange for using my healing magic appropriately, I would be protected from those who might target me. This kind of relationship will be necessary for me to live in the future.

The position of Archbishop is just filling a vacant spot, not replacing someone. And the people around the previous Archbishop were all arrested. It shouldn't cause any unnecessary trouble.

And... the higher the position, the more women will be attracted to me. This is the biggest benefit.

"...Or would you prefer women over a position, Lord Shiki?"

As I was thinking, the holy maiden made this proposal. Why did she come to that conclusion? Was it written on my face? ...No, maybe she thinks I'm a womanizer because I was controlled by the succubus. Which is true.

"If that's the case... may I be so bold as to offer myself? If you choose based on lineage, I believe I am the most suitable for you. ...Moreover, until the succubus's death is confirmed, it's better to have as many women around you as possible. I don't mind being with you and Lady Elise."

The holy maiden continued, still holding my hands and looking at me with her unchanged smile. What is she doing? I didn't expect her to offer herself. And she's even okay with a harem. It's not like she's saying, "I swooned at your performance in the succubus battle." Rather, it would be more natural for her to despise me for being manipulated. It feels very political.

"Wait, wait! I, I... I..."

Elise, in response to the holy maiden's words, tried to say something but couldn't.

From past experiences, I can guess that she might have reflexively tried to say, "Shiki and I aren't like that," but she seemed hesitant to say it. Is she not denying it? Is that what it means?

It's very concerning, but the feeling of being pulled from below, which has been there since before, is telling me to let this topic slide. Besides, I can't immediately respond to being asked to take someone in such a high position.

"Wait, wait. I'm at a loss if you suddenly say something like that! And you're a holy maiden, a person of high status. No matter what..."

I was about to say, "It doesn't match," but the holy maiden, as if reading my mind, said:

"There is no such thing as not matching, Lord Shiki."

The holy maiden then directed her gaze to the staff I was holding.

The staff? ...Right. I didn't have time to think about it during the battle with the succubus, but Yuel, Elise, and even the succubus were surprised when they saw this staff.

---A certain phrase suddenly replayed in my mind. It was what the succubus said while approaching me after seeing the staff.

"Summoned again, huh!!"

The succubus definitely said that. What did it mean? Could it be related to the holy maiden offering herself to me?

Moreover, when the holy maiden gave me the staff, Yuel and Elise looked at me with surprised expressions, as if they had realized something.

How did Yuel and Elise see me? I tried to look at myself objectively.

A man with a noble staff, standing against the army of succubi.

"Hey, this can't be..."

That's right. I remember. I've seen this figure before.

When I was teaching Yuel healing magic and trying to read the Bible. The third chapter, that scene.

This is... exactly the same as the illustration in the Bible.

In the illustration, the man facing the succubus held a noble staff. The one I'm holding now... it's definitely the same. That staff, exactly.

...And, because the illustration was in black and white, I didn't notice, but the man's hair in the illustration... was black. Completely black, like mine and the holy maiden's.

---I think I understand.

The meaning of the succubus's words, "Summoned again."

I was supposed to be dead in Japan. But when I woke up, I was in this world. I didn't know why. I didn't even know how to find out.

The reason why I'm in this world, which I didn't know until now. If this theory is correct, it explains everything.

"Rather, there is no one in this world who matches Lord Shiki. It's not just because of your healing magic skills. ...Have you read the Bible, Lord Shiki?"

The holy maiden, still smiling, spoke.

The Bible. The staff in the illustration. The word "summoned." And the black-haired man in the illustration facing the succubus. Even without asking, I can guess what's coming.

"When the world is threatened by an evil god, the God of Medine sends an apostle from another world... I believe that's a passage from the first chapter of the Bible."

Elise muttered to herself. ...Maybe I should have taken the Bible more seriously. The reason why I'm in this world. It was written in the book I had read multiple times.

"I have been searching for you ever since I came to this town. The seal stone was stolen from the church, and the world is once again threatened by an evil god. In this town, you performed a miracle that can only be described as the power of God."

The holy maiden tightened her grip on my hands. I could feel the heat in her voice and hands. Then, she knelt on the ground and looked up at me.

"Lord Shiki, blessed by the God of Medine, coming from a distant world, a symbol of divine power and our savior..."

Then, in a clear voice that left no room for misunderstanding, she said:

"Saint"

That's the end of Chapter 4.