𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭

A few days later.

As I was preparing for the opening in the morning, Kami-sama, with a name tag on, headed for his patrol that he takes in turns to be in charge of.

ㅤ

“Don’t say unnecessary things.”

ㅤ

As I sent him off and started setting up the desk and preparing tea by myself, a man dressed in out-of-place upscale clothing showed up.

ㅤ

“You’re working hard from the morning, Charte-chan.”

“Good morning, Mr. Chamber of Commerce Chairman.”

“Good morning. Where is your husband?”

“He went on a patrol. I think he’ll be back soon. . . . . .should I call him?”

“No, that’s fine. . . . . .I just came to grumble a bit. Can I sit down?”

ㅤ

As I nodded and served tea, the Chairman of the Commerce lit up his cigarette, saying, “Sorry for bothering you during your busy time.”

As he spoke, exhaling faint purple smoke, I watched him, thinking he was unusual. It was because he was a rare smoker in this city who usually didn’t smoke in front of children.

ㅤ

“You’ve noticed, haven’t you, Charte-chan? The atmosphere in this city has gotten a little worse.”

“. . . . . .Yes, I’ve been thinking about it a little. Everyone seems. . . . . .strained.”

“That’s because the church’s way of doing things has changed.”

ㅤ

―The Church. The word gives me a start.

ㅤ

“Do you know, Charte-chan, that the activity of sending out saints for free has started again recently?”

“T, That started up again?!”

ㅤ

I, forgetting that I am only an eight-year-old, leaned forward.

The chairman grimaced and nodded.

What came out with the smoke was the worst―a change of direction from Lulumia Horsewood.

ㅤ

“I don’t know how much Charte-chan knows, so let me explain from the beginning――”

ㅤ

Assuming Charte is an ignorant child, he began to explain the issue in a simplified manner.

ㅤ

“The Free Saint Dispatch Activity is one of the service activities where if you pay for the venue, accommodation, and various expenses, saints will heal the common people for free. It sounds like a very good initiative when you put it that way. . . . . .unfortunately, it’s not.”

ㅤ

The ones who pay for the venue, accommodation, and various expenses are the people in power. They pile up donations to get the dispatch of saints, aiming not only at the Free Saint Dispatch Activity itself but also at the economic effect brought by the people involved in the church.

ㅤ

There are also requests for dispatch based on good intentions.

However, those who donate large amounts of money to summon saints are usually seeking benefits. In response to such people, the church also raises the amount of donations they hope for.

ㅤ

The treatments do not reach the people who are really in need, and the saints themselves are overworked and worn out, causing damage to their bodies. The Free Saint Dispatch Activity was a breeding ground for such political corruption.

ㅤ

“Even though it’s called free, whether it’s really free or not depends on the organizer. Whether everyone can receive treatment equally, too. And, unfortunately, it’s often the case that workers placed in a poor working environment are trapped in a loop of overwork by the treatment of a saint called by their employer.”

“So, they work until they break their bodies, and then they are treated when they are on the verge of death. . . . . .”

“Yes. They neither killed nor let live, nor let them escape.”

ㅤ

Lulumia restarted such a Free Saint Dispatch Activity. It must be a flattery for some people in power.

ㅤ

“It hasn’t started in this city yet, has it?”

“Yes. But it has already been implemented at the Northamon Coal Mine located at the border of the city. . . . . .that’s why its influence is also in this city.”

“That’s why the atmosphere of the city has changed. . . . . .”

“. . . . . .Because there have already been several accidents triggered by worker exhaustion.”

ㅤ

The chairman looked down at his tea with a resigned look. I remembered the days when I was the leading saints.

The Chairman has always believed that “improving the working environment is what makes the overall economic activity of the region better”. That’s why when I was the leading saints, I also worked with him to improve charitable activities.

ㅤ

“. . . . . .The respected pharmacist I know said the same thing. ‘Just healing the situation with medicine doesn’t solve anything.’ You have to improve your lifestyle, eat better, and try not to drink too much. . . . . .Neglecting these things and relying on drugs or saintly powers isn’t the way to go.”

“Oh. There’s an unusual pharmacist who says that, despite selling more medicine being better for business.”

“Yes.”

ㅤ

What I remembered were my father’s words and actions.

“Being a saint must be hard, right?”

“Yeah. I happened to hear about the treatment schedule at a recent meeting, and it seems quite packed. It’s like the saints are being pushed too far.”

“. . . . . .”

ㅤ

The flow of people around the stalls changes. It seems the patrol has ended.

The Chamber of Commerce Chairman finishes his tea and stands up.

ㅤ

“Thank you for the tea.”

“No. . . . . .All I could do was serve tea.”

“What are you talking about? You’re still a kid.”

ㅤ

Upon receiving the words of gratitude, what I felt was guilt. If only I could continue being the leading saint, this wouldn’t be an issue.

ㅤ

“. . . . . .Um, Mr. Chamber of Commerce Chairman.”

“Hm?”

“About Charlene-sama. . . Are you still angry?”

“. . . . . .”

“By stirring up the relationships that the church and the important people from various places have been building. . . . . .and suddenly going back to another world halfway. . . Ahaha, yes. I don’t even need to ask.”

ㅤ

At my words, the Chamber of Commerce Chairman says “Hmm.” and strokes his chin.

ㅤ

“Well, honestly it is difficult.”

ㅤ

His words pierce me in the chest.

But the following words were surprisingly kind.

ㅤ

“But it’s not Charlene-sama’s fault. She only lent her wisdom and power to things that we, the people of Makeido, should have been doing.”

“Mr. Chamber of Commerce Chairman. . . . . .”

“I’m sure she believed that we could handle the rest and returned to the other world. But. . . . . .I guess if she saw the current situation, she might be upset?”

“No, I don’t think so! Because you, Mr. Chamber of Commerce Chairman, are working so hard. . . . . .I think she might feel sorry. . . . . .maybe. . .? Hehe, it’s just my guess. . . . . .”

“Actually, I was thinking about that too. Maybe going back to another world was against her will! But, I still appreciate Charlene-sama and want to cherish the time she was with us and continue it into the future. Ideally speaking.”

ㅤ

I am Charlene. I’m sorry for causing trouble.

ㅤ

I’m on the verge of speaking out. I want to confess and apologize. I want to take responsibility and do what I can now.

But. . . . . .I can’t involve the Chairman, who carries many burdens, in this complicated situation.

ㅤ

At least, I prayed for the Chairman.

ㅤ

“On behalf of Charlene-sama, I will pray a lot. . . . . .For you, Mr. Chamber of Commerce Chairman, and everyone to be happy and successful.”

“You really do resemble Charlene-sama. . . . . .If you were ten years older, I might have fallen in love.”

ㅤ

The Chairman raises an eyebrow and smiles, stroking my hair with his big, tobacco-smelling hand.

ㅤ

“Give my regards to your husband.”

ㅤ

With that, the chairman raised one hand in farewell and walked away.

As I watched his retreating figure for a while, suddenly, Kami-sama’s face appeared, hanging upside down from above.

ㅤ

“Gah?!”

“. . . . . .I  was standing behind you.”

“Welcome back, darling. Gosh, you scared me.”

ㅤ

With a sulky look, Kami-sama hugged me tightly from behind, and nuzzled the top of my head where the Chamber of Commerce Chairman had stroked.

In a low voice, Kami-sama murmured.

ㅤ

“I smell that man on you.”

“S, Sorry, he patted me. . . . . .That was careless of me.”

“It’s not just the fact you were touched, it’s also that you didn’t seem to mind, Charlene.”

“Well, I can’t shake off every hand that touches me, I’m just a kid. I’ll be more careful, okay? Cheer up.”

“. . . . . .Charlene is my wife. I will replace the smell.”

“Hey hey. . . . . .well, if that’s what it takes to satisfy you.”

ㅤ

Kisses were repeatedly dropped on the patted part of my head.

All I could do was let it happen.

ㅤ

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

ㅤ

We stayed at the usual inn for the night.

When I returned from purifying myself at the public spiritual spring, Kami-sama was sitting quietly by the window.

ㅤ

“Kami-sama, don’t you need to take a dip in the spiritual spring? You used to bathe at the cathedral every night.”

“It’s fine. Those are rituals decided by humans.”

“You would smell.”

“I don’t smell. . . . . .here, smell me.”

“Really~?”

ㅤ

I nestled into Kami-sama’s arm, breathing in the scent at his black-clothed chest. Despite working outside all day, there was no trace of dirtiness. His black hair was always silky as if freshly bathed, and there was no distinct human odor.

As Kami-sama ran his fingers through my hair, the wet strands fluffed up and dried. Handy.

ㅤ

“. . . . . .You really don’t smell, Kami-sama.”

ㅤ

As I sniffed around here and there in determination, I noticed Kami-sama looking at me quietly.

ㅤ

“What’s wrong?”

“I was relieved that you don’t smell like another man anymore.”

“. . . . . .Really, Kami-sama, you are so jealous.”

ㅤ

The sunset outside the window.

It was the time of day when the daytime traders were quickly tidying up and the night residents were getting ready for their peak time. People were bustling. But their lives were slowly crumbling, surely. A sense of loneliness stabbed my heart.

ㅤ

“. . . . . .I can’t do anything anymore, can I?”

ㅤ

I can live freely and be somewhat happy.

I have lost my father, and I have no home to return to.

I have no responsibilities as the leading saint.

So I should just be able to enjoy being Kami-sama’s wife.

ㅤ

――Why is it, this discomfort as if I’m shirking my responsibilities?

ㅤ

“By the way, Kami-sama, are you allowed to do as you please?”

“What do you mean?”

“That’s why. . . . . .You were at the cathedral because of your contract with the first saint, right? What happens to the country’s protection if you leave the cathedral?”

ㅤ

As I spoke, for some reason, I was feeling a bit irritated.

ㅤ

(Kami-sama. . . . . .he gets jealous of all my relationships, but he himself. . . . . .could he have someone else important to him?)

ㅤ

I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the unpleasant feelings. Now was not the time to stir up trouble by overthinking.

Kami-sama, in front of me, was looking uneasy, his gaze wandering.

ㅤ

“. . . . . .”

“. . . . . .Hey, Kami-sama?”

ㅤ

Huh? I thought. It was a rare reaction.

ㅤ

“. . . . . .Kami-sama, hey. Could it be. . . . . .is there. . . . . .a problem?”

ㅤ

Contrary to the silence in the room, the noise outside was getting worse. I was planning to ignore it since it was busy outside, but when the loud shouts reached the bottom of the inn, it was no longer possible.

ㅤ

“What’s happening?”

ㅤ

Peering out the window, I instinctively closed the curtain.

ㅤ

“. . . . . .It’s the Saint’s Guard Knights.”

ㅤ

Kami-sama’s eyes glowed gold. I feared they might be looking for me, but they simply passed by the inn.

The murmurs of the people could be heard.

ㅤ

“Poor thing. A priest who escaped from the mine’s infirmary is wandering around, they say.”

“I saw it. He was so ragged. . . . . .poor thing.”

ㅤ

“. . . . . .A runaway priest.”

ㅤ

I looked at Kami-sama. Kami-sama nodded firmly.

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