Episode 143

With a slurping sound, Divine Light Garam elegantly sipped her tea, matching her beautiful appearance.

Currently, she was dressed in casual clothes rather than her usual nun’s attire.

‘Indeed, women are such fascinating creatures…’

It was amazing how just a change in hairstyle and outfit could make such a difference in impression…

Anyway, tonight’s dinner was with Divine Light Garam.

She had been the one to suggest it.

‘Would you like to have a meal together, Junior Seha?’

I gladly accepted her offer, and that’s why I’m sitting here now.

Besides, I had some personal business with Divine Light Garam.
Well, it wasn’t anything big, just minor matters.

The first was to express my gratitude for transferring the <Adrenaline Booster> rune to the [Overlord Sword Technique] and to confirm there were no issues.

The second was to formally propose and secure the recruitment of Choi Mari, a member of the <Sisterhood>.

Lastly, it was to report on the <Sea Dragon Temple>.

‘I already received permission from Chairman Yu Neung-hae.’

No matter how much of a <Secret Mission> it was, it was already completed.

Since I trusted Divine Light Garam, I decided it was prudent to inform her in case any unforeseen circumstances arose.

“…<Sea Dragon>, to think the remnants of a fallen dragon were lurking beneath this <Academy>. I couldn’t have imagined it.”

“Indeed. It seems there’s some backstory I am unaware of. It was challenging enough to defeat it, so I couldn’t conduct such investigations.”

“Whew, as always, I feel… Junior, you’re too reckless. No matter how much you have a return artifact, facing such a gigantic being… It’s a miracle you came back alive. Please restrain yourself next time.”

Divine Light Garam sighed deeply, adding that with Sister Choi Mari now involved, I should carry a greater sense of responsibility.

This was really embarrassing.

“Haha… I’ll be careful.”
“Hehe, then, shall we eat now?”

With a gentle smile, Divine Light Garam placed a wrap with well-grilled meat and various vegetables on my plate.

The place we were dining at was not some fancy restaurant, but the <Sisterhood>’s internal cafeteria.

Honestly, I was a bit puzzled at first.

If it was a ‘student meal’, she must’ve been tired of it already, so I wondered if there was a need to choose this place.

‘There must be a reason for it.’

I glanced around.

A dining hall larger and more grand than the [Academy]’s main building.

Soft hymns flowed, and on the side, there was a buffet with all kinds of food.

The raw meat we had brought to the grill was undoubtedly from a premium cut, though I couldn’t identify which part exactly.

‘…It would’ve been nice to bring Meowi or Moon Bora along. They would’ve enjoyed this.’

No matter how I looked at it, it wasn’t a facility an ordinary [Circle] would have.

‘Indeed, the prestige of the <Order> is impressive,’ I thought, as I put the meat in my mouth.

Instantly, the luxurious taste spread.

I realized what it meant for something to melt in your mouth, as the rich taste of the fat made my eyes widen.

“…Wow.”
“Tasty, right?”
“Yes, it literally melts…”

Divine Light Garam smiled contentedly and placed new meat on the grill.

That aside…

“…It’s so spacious… and it’s just the two of us?”
“I asked the sisters to vacate for a while since we had a guest. Don’t worry about it.”
“Isn’t that… a bit too much trouble?”
“It’s fine. I’m the Mother Superior of this convent. Who would dare object?”

With a gentle smile, Divine Light Garam uttered rather intimidating words nonchalantly.

Perhaps because she was also a ‘GAL’ beauty.
Even her fierce smile looked like a painting.

We continued to chat while eating, though the conversation didn’t hold much depth.

This evening appointment was initially scheduled for the recruitment of ‘Choi Mari’ and to express hopes for future cooperation.

There wasn’t meant to be any special topic of conversation.

Maybe that was why…

Although it wasn’t intentional, at some point, the topic of conversation became centered on Choi Mari.

“…Junior Mari blamed herself a lot. She said she’s sorry for not being much help.”
“There’s no reason to feel like that; that’s not true at all.”

It was sincere.

Choi Mari had dealt a decisive blow to the [Sea Dragon], creating the snowball effect that led to our ultimate victory.

Without her, we likely would’ve had to brace for significant sacrifices.

“Thanks to her, we were able to win.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. I wanted to express my gratitude as well.”

Thanks to Junior Seha, Sister Choi Mari was able to accept her power.

“The <Grade> issue will naturally be resolved as well. This <Sea Dragon Temple> subjugation is being highly praised by the <Church>. It’ll probably be smooth sailing until graduation.”

“That’s really good news.”

After finishing my sentence, I subtly looked around and cautiously asked.

“…Um, is Senior Mari getting along well with the nuns around these days?”
“…Oh dear, it seems you knew from the start.”

How could I not know?
Choi Mari being isolated was an official setting of ‘GAL.’

Although I wasn’t overly concerned since it was something that resolved itself over time, I hadn’t completely dismissed it either.

Divine Light Garam responded with an expression devoid of worry.

“It’s embarrassing to show my shortcomings, but yes… it has been resolved well.”

The powerful re-manifestation of divine law befitting the high [Divinity] value.

It was said that with Choi Mari regaining her strength, her peers no longer dared to bully her.

“Though it’s still a bit awkward… considering Sister Mari’s kind nature, they’ll reconcile and become close soon.”

However…

“However?”

“…One of the sisters—oh, never mind. I misspoke. Please forget it.”

Divine Light Garam smiled bitterly as she spoke.

I thought I understood.

’…Jing Daram.’

The character who served as Choi Mari’s personal story arc villain.

If her jealousy and malice had intensified, it wouldn’t be surprising.

Jing Daram was the type to harbor destructive envy, growing more hostile the more Choi Mari excelled.

‘Of course, she’s just a mid-level boss who ends up self-destructing…’

A boss was still a boss.

I would leave it be, judging that the time was not yet ripe.

‘…But just in case.’

It seemed necessary to watch closely.

“Hehe. So, are you going to spill it now?”
“…Uh, what?”

The sudden words.

Divine Light Garam’s sudden question caught me off guard.

Her signature move, ‘Shalalang~☆’ unfolded.

“Surely you didn’t think you could deceive the eyes of Divine Light Garam, the Mother Superior of <Sisterhood>, known as the 13th Mace of the Main God?”

She could see all the worries Junior Seha was grappling with.

After pondering for a moment, I decided to honestly confide about Ju Na-young.

Although Divine Light Garam had the flaw of being a <Malicious Marriage Fanatic>, she was fundamentally a character with profound insight.

I concluded that she would undoubtedly offer good advice.

As I continued explaining the situation, she looked at me with a mix of surprise and intrigue, her expression accompanied by a meaningful smile and a playful wink.

“Oh my… a stolen kiss… Junior Seha, you’ve done something bold.”
“…Well, I had no choice. Without doing that—”
“Shh. Excuses are petty. No matter what, you forcibly took a girl’s innocence. Isn’t that the truth? Am I wrong?”

She pressed her finger to her lips, silencing me. I couldn’t argue with her.

She was right.

No matter how I framed it, my actions were a mistake—a selfish decision.

“…You’re right. I have no excuses. Could you please offer some good advice to your foolish junior?”

“Well~ Let’s see.”

Divine Light Garam smiled gently and once again performed ‘Shalalang~☆’.

“As a servant of the Lord, it’s also my duty to save a lost lamb in anguish. Indeed, indeed… What forgiveness should be sought from the one who stole the pure heart of a beautiful girl…?”

She adopted a thoughtful expression, but that didn’t stop her from skillfully wrapping a piece of grilled meat and popping it into her mouth.

…It struck me that she was quite the closet foodie.

“…Hmm!”

Divine Light Garam, who was wiping the sauce from her lips with a napkin, snapped her fingers as if a good idea had come to her.

“How about an amusement park?”
“…An amusement park?”

Suddenly?

As I wore a puzzled expression, Divine Light Garam nodded as if it were obvious.

“I heard that Junior Ju Na-young doesn’t hate Junior Seha… she just feels embarrassed and shy; hence, she runs away at the sight of you. Is that right?”

“Uh, yes, probably?”

“Then the solution is simple. Just resolve the awkwardness and become friends.”

Divine Light Garam proudly puffed out her shoulders, saying, ‘Hehe~ You’re in luck~’

She rummaged through her pocket and handed over two blue tickets.

“…Oh, is this by any chance?”
“Yes, they are tickets to a recently built amusement park.”

I had seen posts written by cadets on the <Academy> bulletin board.

It was definitely a place with the latest rides.

“Where on earth did you get those tickets, senior?”

“Oh, some sisters who had illegally acquired them were more than happy to make a donation.”

“…Ah.”

I didn’t bother to ask further.

Anyway, an amusement park…

Come to think of it, it was a good idea.

“Maybe I could invite Meowi and Moon Bora to join—”
“No!”

Divine Light Garam interrupted me.

I was a bit surprised by her unexpected firmness.

She wagged her finger, shouting ‘NONONO!’

“Junior, you don’t seem to understand. The main focus here is Junior Ju Na-young, right?”

“Ah, yes…”

“It must be just the two of you! The thrill of that delicate, ambiguous atmosphere! Breaking the tension and holding hands together—that is the true essence of romance!”

She shuddered with excitement as if savoring something more delectable than the grilled meat on her plate.

A smile of great anticipation lingered around her eyes.

In contrast, my eyes narrowed.

This is…
It was quiet for a while…

‘…It’s activated again.’

Her [Malicious Marriage Fanatic] personality had activated.

Recently, it had been triggering more often, likely because she had been having too much fun.

But Divine Light Garam should’ve known better.

Back when there were others around, I tolerated it.

Now that it was just the two of us, there was nothing stopping me.

Snap!

“Wh-what?!”

I sat right next to her and grabbed her hands.

As expected, Divine Light Garam, bound by the rule of being weak to advances, shivered in surprise.

“J-Junior?!”
“I’ve received your feelings well, senior.”

I squeezed her hands and brought my face close to her ear.
As I closed the distance without hesitation.

Divine Light Garam began to tremble beyond bewilderment.

“Wh-wh-.what…?”

Her eyes spun, and her neck flushed red.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve found a good method.”

I replied in a whisper on purpose.

Was it because my breath touched her?

There were a few tears in Divine Light Garam’s eyes.

“Sniff, sniff… I’m glad… to be of help to you. Um, uh…”

“Is there a problem?”

“…I was wrong… Pl-please… just back off a little…”

“Let’s stay like this for just one minute.”

“…Sniff.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of the usually composed Divine Light Garam reduced to a flustered wreck.

Still…

‘It’s a better method than I thought.’

As expected of Divine Light Garam, her sharp intuition had offered an unexpected breakthrough.

I also took her advice to heart.

‘Just the two of us…’

It might seem unnecessary, but she was right—Ju Na-young deserved a proper apology and a meaningful effort to make amends.

Just as I was about to let go.

‘…Huh?’

A good idea flashed through my mind like lightning.

“Senior?”

“…Ung?”

“By any chance, are there a lot of rides in this amusement park that stay at high places, like Ferris wheels, Viking ships, roller coasters, or gyro drops?”

“Y-yes… Of course, since it’s an amusement park. I heard there’s also a Ferris wheel.”

“Is that so…?”

“Uh, um, please let go of my hand… Yes.”

It occurred to me that this could also help Ju Na-young overcome a specific issue.

Currently, Ju Na-young had already unlocked [Dragon Breath]—a power she would typically gain only through arduous trials in the [Main Storyline].

Since the effort and time required had been skipped, she now had more freedom.

‘There’s no need to touch other parts.’

Looking at the [Flame Forest] deployed in the <Sewer>.
The drawback of not fully utilizing the <Druid> class had been somewhat overcome.

Looking at the appearance of [Dragon Transformation] against the [Sea Dragon], it was clear that the intrinsic ability [Dragon’s Child] was steadily leveling up.

‘In fact, what’s left now is…’

The [Wings].

The ability of a [Dragon] to fly through the sky and instill fear in the creatures below.

If [Breath] symbolized the might and judgment of a [Dragon].

The [Wings] signified freedom and authority.

And what Ju Na-young needed most to acquire these [Wings] was…

‘Overcoming the fear of heights.’

As I smiled meaningfully at the thought, Divine Light Garam—held captive for ten minutes—eventually broke into tears with a final “Ung!”

Meanwhile, at the same time, in the same place.

There was a nun secretly watching this ‘Unngg’ situation.

If it were the usual Yu Seha, he would have noticed it by turning on [Unprecedented Sense].
But currently, he had deliberately turned OFF for training.

Thanks to this, neither noticed the presence of the nun.

“Meep, meep…!”

The nun munched on popcorn from who-knows-where, her wide eyes sparkling with amusement.

Beneath her orange hair, her gaze glimmered with the mischievous delight of someone thoroughly entertained.

Her identity was none other than Choi Mari.

“Meep!”

Choi Mari had always watched Divine Light Garam closely, imitating and admiring her.

Therefore, it was truly unfortunate for Yu Seha…

Choi Mari also had the <Malicious Marriage Fanatic> trait.

She just hadn’t had the opportunity to reveal it while acting as a proper senior(?)

“Meep!”

Choi Mari stealthily lifted her phone.
A scene that looked undoubtedly entertaining.

She couldn’t keep it to herself.

【Not a Furry】: Um, Junior Hana?

【Meowi】: Meow~ Senior Mari. What’s up?

【Not a Furry】: Ho, maybe…

Would you like to go to the amusement park with me this week?