50 - A Certain Shrine Maiden’s Complaint

The first words out of my mouth were…

“Huh?”

Apparently, I had been chosen as an honorable shrine maiden.

The question of “Why me?” was answered the moment I saw the recommender’s name on the paper handed to me.

“That damn woman…”

I muttered it right in front of the messenger, but who wouldn’t?

The flat-chested woman named Marianne who nominated me as shrine maiden was a lunatic who convinced herself I had stolen her lover.

To add, the so-called “lover” wasn’t my lover at all—our relationship was less than that of acquaintances.

Worse still, whenever that man saw me, his gaze always went straight to my chest. He was a lecher whose shameless stares made my skin crawl.

I made sure to glare back with open contempt so he would understand, yet somehow he got the insane idea to propose marriage on the assumption we were already in a serious relationship.

Of course, I refused—no, I screamed my rejection.

Even so, he continued to stalk me.

That’s when I realized—there truly are idiots in this world beyond redemption.

The result? That delusional woman branded me as “the evil seductress who ruins other people’s romances.”

So she arranged to have me made a shrine maiden—meaning, exiled or more likely killed.

This was the flawless deduction of the woman mocked as “all your nourishment goes to your chest.”

It wasn’t as if I had chosen to grow this way, yet I was treated cruelly for it.

“That’s why I hate elf women.”

I muttered, hugging my knees on my bed.

Though to be fair, it wouldn’t be any different if they were humans.

I suddenly recalled the saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side.”

I didn’t know who first said it, but it truly was a wise remark.

“Sigh… I don’t want to do this.”

Of course not.

Being a shrine maiden was simply being a sacrifice.

Why should I be chosen for something that was just a dressed-up human offering?

“All that woman’s fault.”

Born as the daughter of the high-ranking chieftain of Zesato, she abused her position at will.

How long did they plan to bask in glory from fighting the Empire?

And did they really think the elves had forgotten how their tribe ran away back then?

Zesato had gained power by stealing the credit of a destroyed tribe. No wonder scheming came naturally to them.

“Someday you’ll pay!”

I spat curses, but for now I had to think of my own safety.

About ten years ago, a new predator of elves suddenly appeared—we called it the “Forest’s Nightmare.”

More than a hundred elves were killed—or eaten—by that Nightmare. Again and again, hunting parties were formed, paying heavy sacrifices just to drive it deeper into the forest.

In total, perhaps a thousand elves had died.

Then, a year ago, the Sword Saint Schvard finally moved. Though gravely injured, he managed to deal a deep wound to the Nightmare.

Since then, none had seen it, and everyone believed it dead.

But now it had returned before the elves.

Schvard was frail now. His old wounds had not fully healed, and his body—pushed past its limits—no longer responded even to potions.

If the Nightmare reached the village, the casualties would be unimaginable.

Thus, they needed a “shrine maiden” sacrifice.

To be eaten far from the village—that was the shrine maiden’s true role.

This had been done before, and since it had shown some effectiveness, it couldn’t be abandoned.

Publicly, they claimed.

“By sealing her sight and heightening her other senses, she becomes the ultimate counter to the Nightmare’s stealth.”

But there was no reason it had to be me.

Could sealing my sight for just a few months really do that much?

So I thought—but the results were surprisingly effective.

I had even called the person who came up with it a madman. Sorry about that.

Before I knew it, I had been recognized as “having gained sufficient ability.”

I couldn’t help but groan…

“Oh no!”

The elders just chuckled bitterly.

If they understood, they should have volunteered instead.

The decision for me to march with the subjugation squad was made without my consent.

I secretly signaled “Go die” with my hands, but no one looked at me.

Fine, just watch—I’ll start stripping right here, see if you look then. (Not that I’d actually do it.)

Before I knew it, the time for departure—the execution—was upon me.

Could I still run away now?

No?

I tried flirting with the squad to get out of it, but it didn’t work.

Oh, they really believed they could defeat the Nightmare.

I see. They had picked expendable fools.

My only hope now was to entrust everything to them and pray for a miracle.

So I prayed.

This should save me… right? Please let it save me. I wanted to live.

Please, somebody save me.

The men who always ogled my chest should step up now, of all times!

But I wasn’t even given the chance to say that. The squad marched.

That damn woman really wanted me dead.

If my breasts could lure brave men to shield me, maybe I’d stand a chance, but she had even taken that away. Her murderous intent was too obvious.

So now, my only option was to sharpen every sense and try to detect the Nightmare.

“I can do this. I’m capable if I try…”

I told myself over and over.

We crossed the river—the “deadline.” My heartbeat roared in my ears. Then, I distinctly heard movement.

I turned instinctively—but no one was there.

Had I already run into the Nightmare? No… the sound came from the ground, so it wasn’t.

Ah, I must have picked up the movements of some animal.

Still, if I could detect wild animals, maybe I really did stand a chance.

“Good. Then I’ll become a legend.”

But then, I realized—the sound wasn’t just movement. Something was making a deliberate rhythm.

I reported this, and one squad member sighed.

“Shrine Maiden Arsil, please take this seriously.”

Why was I getting scolded?

The rhythmic noise continued, keeping its distance, as if following us.

I told them maybe it was watching us, and I got scolded again.

Could they not listen?

Suddenly, the sound sped up, pounding loudly.

I pointed it out and was shouted at.

What had I done wrong?

Feigning meekness, I went quiet, and only then did the sound finally fade away.

Perhaps it was sabotage by that damn woman.

‘Well, that’s what makes her a damned woman,’ I thought bitterly.

But I couldn’t dwell on that—I had to focus on detecting the Nightmare.

As we marched, unease crept in.

It was too quiet.

No animals, no insects—like everything had fled.

I opened my mouth to report—when I heard something above.

I screamed instinctively:

“The Nightmare!”

A squad member was snatched into the air. His torso vanished.

The wet crunching of flesh reached my ears.

No screams.

The others attacked furiously, but even without seeing, I knew it wasn’t flinching.

Magic was useless, but they still used it. Few could keep their composure.

I just stood in shock as comrades were killed in the dark.

Another fell.

Only then did I come to my senses.

“Anything! Anyone! Please help me! I’ll do anything if you save me!”

But my cry was drowned out by battle and shouting.

There was nothing I could do, only pray harder.

If that wasn’t enough, I’d marry whoever saved me.

I wasn’t the prettiest elf, but I had confidence in my chest.

In fact, you’d hardly find an elf with bigger ones. Save me before they’re gone!

I was already impressive clothed—unclothed, I was even more so!

I was actually quite domestic, you know! I could cook! Sorry for boasting, but it’s true!

The screams and the wet crunching of flesh kept reaching my sensitive ears.

The chewing sounds were the worst.

Really, I just wanted to eat and sleep all day, without hunting, work, or chores.

Peaceful living would be enough.

Alright! I decided!

Save me, and you’re my destined partner!

I swear it to the gods—just save me!

But my prayer failed. The Nightmare’s tentacle wrapped my ankle and lifted me.

“Nooo!”

The moment I screamed—something slammed into the Nightmare.

Being shaken around midair was terrifying.

I didn’t know what happened, but surely the squad had a secret plan.

Still, if they had such a plan, why hadn’t they told me?

Whatever the case—I was glad. I hadn’t wet myself.

That damn woman had told me, “Don’t drink water beforehand, in case you wet yourself.” Thanks to that, I was safe. I’d remember this!

Now hurry, squad members—save me!

I was the shrine maiden! Without me, you couldn’t fight!

Wait—why did I feel like I was being swung around so hard… oh, I was released! Someone would catch me, right?

Go ahead, grope me if you must—just catch me!

Seriously, catch me!

I spread my arms and hit something solid.

I clung to something thick as a log.

‘I’m saved!’ I rejoiced inside—but the Nightmare still lived.

Safety was far away.

But the one I clung to was fighting for me.

Yes, he was my destined partner.

As an advance payment, I pressed my chest against him… but wait… This body was too big.

No, too hard. Ah, it must be armor.

That meant my advance payment was wasted.

(Damn. That ruins the motivation effect. But still—this size… what’s going on?)

As I clung desperately, something lifted me.

I resisted at first, but it was surprisingly gentle, and I let it set me on the ground.

Thank you—truly, thank you.

If you defeated the Nightmare, I would whisper “I love you” while pressing myself against you.

I fled toward the squad.

The giant who saved me was holding the Nightmare down.

What kind of monstrous strength was that?

(Ah, so it was a giant magic armor! That explained it. And the wealth to own such a thing—yes, I decided. You are my husband now!)

His breathing was ragged, but that hardly mattered. He was still a wonderful, powerful man.

As I fantasized, I took enough distance, then turned to see my future husband—

But the blindfold was in the way.

“To hell with this shrine maiden business!”

I ripped it off—

Only to see, not the Nightmare, but another monster.

It wasn’t even looking at me.

It was devouring the Nightmare.

I collapsed backward.

Please, let’s pretend everything I just said never happened.