The Priest of Complete Dispel ~ Every Time I Save a Cursed Beautiful Girl with My Status Abnormal Cure Skill, For Some Reason Her Dependence on Me Maxes Out ~ - Chapter 28.1: VS Glen (1)

Chapter 28.1: VS Glen (1)

The pleasant sound of bell-like insects echoed faintly, and having finished a day’s work, I sank into bed.

Beside me, Shu slept soundly, his breathing calm and steady.

—And so, I.

As I had done every night since the journey began, I quietly rose to perform my nightly routine.

That was when it happened.

“—Going out…?”

Suddenly, Shu sat up abruptly.

Still in his sleepwear, without a sword or anything else, he left the room.

“Eh… Shu-sama?”

I almost called out to him but hurriedly covered my mouth.

My heart stirred uneasily. Where could he be going at this late hour?

I immediately cloaked myself in recognition-inhibiting magic, silenced my footsteps, and followed him.

Eventually, we arrived at the church in the center of the village.

Shu-sama knocked on the door and, without hesitation, was drawn inside.

“…The church. The only ones inside should be those women…?”

Doubts deepened, and I quietly circled the building.

Then I found a small window on the side wall, at eye level, perfect for peeking through.

I cautiously approached, concealing my presence with the play of light, and peered inside.

—I saw it.

A hall illuminated by the orange glow of a lamp.

A blanket was spread in the center, and upon it were Shu-sama and the shadows of several women.

“W-What… is this…?”

The moment I focused my eyes, I gasped.

What began was their act of service.

The women shed their clothes, pressed their skin against his, and one after another, placed kisses upon Shu-sama’s body.

And Shu-sama, without resistance, simply accepted it all.

“N-No way…! I-I haven’t even seen him like that directly… That’s unfair…!”

Jealousy and turmoil spilled from the depths of my chest.

My cheeks burned, and my whole body felt feverish.

Yet I couldn’t tear my eyes away, and I continued to watch the scene through the window.

Shu-sama’s bare form.

The women touched his robust frame with heartfelt tenderness, their lips meeting his skin.

Their expressions were earnest, desperate, filled with a longing to be saved.

…Ah, that’s why.

I understood why they sought Shu-sama so fervently.

Even so—

“Couldn’t you have… reached out to me first…?”

A flame of jealousy blazed within my chest.

Suppressing my frustration and loneliness, I hugged my own body.

Before I realized it, my fingers were unconsciously tracing my skin, soothing the uncontrollable heat alone.

◇◇◇

—The next morning.

“…W-Welcome back, Shu-sama.”

When I returned to the inn’s room, Iris was already perfectly prepared, waiting for me.

She wore a cool smile, but her temple twitched faintly.

“I-Iris…?”

The moment I started to say something, she closed the distance swiftly.

Peering into my face, she began sniffing my body like a dog.

“H-Hey!? W-What are you—”

I instinctively recoiled.

But Iris, with an utterly serious expression, continued to scrutinize me, then murmured softly.

“You look a bit worn out… And—<Purification>.”

A light enveloped me, washing away the lingering scents and traces on my skin.

“…!”

She knows.

She completely knows…!

Iris stepped back and spoke quietly.

“Now you’re clean. …I’m going to get some fresh air. Please rest until it’s time, Shu-sama.”

With that, she closed the door and left.

“W-What was that just now…?”

I collapsed onto the bed, pressing my forehead.

My heart was pounding unusually fast.

◇◇◇

“—Alright, I’m heading out.”

In the clear morning air, we prepared two carriages and, along with Glen and the others, left the village of Poan behind.

At the village entrance, Lueda, Eida, and the remaining women lined up to see us off.

Perhaps because of last night, they seemed mentally soothed, their expressions bright.

Among them, a single petite girl stepped forward—Medina.

“U-Um!”

The moment she raised her voice, she flinched as if startled by herself, nervously clutching her hands to her chest. Still, she mustered her courage and continued.

“I-I… want you to take me with you!”

She stumbled on her last word, her face turning bright red as she looked down.

I glanced at Iris and Glen, then let out a small sigh.

Approaching her, I faced her directly.

“…Medina. The path we’re heading down is dangerous. We might end up putting you through something terrible again. That’s not our intention.”

It was my honest feeling.

Surely, staying protected in the village would be better for Medina’s happiness. That’s what I thought—

“I… I’m an assassin.”

Her sudden words made me let out a dumbfounded sound.

“Uh… what? Assassin, like a ninja or something?”

“N-Ninja… I don’t really know what that is, but… an assassin is a job, a dark killer.”

Shrugging her small shoulders, Medina confirmed it.

No matter how you looked at her, she didn’t seem suited for combat—an assassin.

“But… without a weapon, there’s not much I can do. My weapon was taken away at some point…”

“Hmm… Iris, you’ve already used <Appraisal> on her, right? Is it certain?”

“Yes. Her job is definitely Assassin. Her level is eight, quite low, but… she possesses a skill.”

“A skill? …Medina, you have a skill!?”

Surprised by the unexpected revelation, I watched as Medina nodded slightly.

“…Yes. It’s a skill called <Stealth>… I’ll show you.”

The next moment, her figure vanished completely.

“Huh!? W-What…!?”

I frantically looked around.

But a slightly hesitant voice came from right beside me.

“…Here.”

“Wha…!”

Before I realized it, Medina was standing in her original spot—no, she hadn’t moved at all.

It was as if she’d become invisible, her presence and aura completely erased.

“…As expected of a skill. It seems even harder to detect than my recognition-inhibiting magic <Mirage>.”

Iris commented calmly from the side.

“<Mirage>…?”

“Ah, I hadn’t explained it to you, Shu-sama. It’s a light magic that refracts light to obstruct recognition. However, it can’t erase footsteps or scents. In contrast, Medina-sama’s <Stealth>… it blocks appearance, sound, shadow, and scent, making it impossible to recognize her presence. Of course, she still physically exists, so attacks would still hit.”

“I see… Medina, that’s amazing!”