Vol 3 Chapter 64 – This Is So Freaking Irritating

I’d felt it keenly back in the Guild, but now that we were outside, the city’s state of decay was even more apparent.

Even at a glance, you could see there were fewer people out and about, and those who were looked utterly dejected.

What’s more, some of the city’s buildings had collapsed here and there, making it look like a town in the middle of a war.

It wasn’t as bad as the city where the Hero’s Council was held—the one the demons attacked—but still, a dark atmosphere hung in the air.

Whoa… I really want to get out of here, fast…

I have to do something before Al and Antares get interested…!

Working for the sake of humans is out of the question. Can’t this just resolve itself smoothly?

“Oh my, a soup kitchen.”

As we were walking toward the inn, we saw a line formed in a small plaza.

A delicious smell was wafting from that direction, so it seemed Antares was right about it being a soup kitchen.

This was a relatively rare sight. You almost never see them in times of peace.

That’s because, as a rule, people are expected to fend for themselves; the state offers no protection.

Things like this are only run by exceptionally rare charitable organizations, or when it’s not a time of peace.

…Seeing this after the reaction from the Guild receptionist earlier just makes me feel even worse.

Don’t you dare stick your noses in this, you two idiots.

Or go ahead, I don’t care, but if you do, make sure you leave me behind.

“Hmph, a wonderful deed. However, it is not good to simply give them the fruit of the labor. They should be taught how to earn money and feed themselves.”

“Huh? There’s no way you could do that, Al.”

Teaching and guiding someone was the furthest thing from Al’s nature.

For him, it’s either kill or don’t kill. There’s nothing in between, right?

“He can too! After all, he is the one who raised and guided me. I am living proof!”

“Yeah, and that’s exactly why he can’t.”

Antares puffed out her chest, prouder than if she were talking about herself.

My face was a complete deadpan as I watched her.

Antares herself was the living proof that Al was completely incapable of raising anyone.

I have no idea what her personality was like or what kind of life she’d lived before, but Al was definitely the one who applied the finishing touches.

…If you let Al raise people, you’ll end up with a bunch of carbon copies of Antares.

No, that’s literally hell.

I’m not human, but I have no doubt that multiple mass murderers would be born.

Yikes.

“That said, I have no intention of criticizing their goodwill. It is a fact that this is a wonderful thing.”

“Yeah, sure. Not that I’d ever do it. I can’t imagine spending my own time and money for the sake of others.”

Altruism and charity.

Those are two things I will likely never be able to comprehend.

What is this ‘altruism’ anyway? Your own assets and time should be used only for yourself.

Well, I don’t really care if other people want to use their own resources on others.

But I won’t forgive anyone who tries to force that on me.

“Would you like some soup?”

“Hm?”

It was probably because we had been standing near the soup kitchen, staring intently in its direction.

One of the sisters running the incomprehensible charity event approached us and offered a bowl of soup.

Her face was expressionless, which felt cold, but her tone of voice and her aura were gentle.

That’s fine. That’s all well and good, but…

(Why does this one have such a lewd body too…)

Her feminine figure was so obvious it was visible even through her sister’s habit.

It was supposed to be a chaste outfit with extremely little skin exposed, yet precisely because almost nothing was visible, it was filled with an alluring charm.

A prominently swelling chest, and hips that looked perfect for childbearing.

And the black sister’s habit, which was supposed to be pure but instead created a sense of immorality, of a body promised to God.

…What is this perversion?

How can you be a sister and be so lewd? You’ve got to be kidding me.

Every single one of them…! Haven’t I been running into nothing but women like this since I started moving with Al?! Die!

“My apologies. I wasn’t watching with the intention of getting any. Please give it to someone else who needs it.”

Stop acting like a good person.

“Are you sure? We’ve prepared a lot, so there is plenty for you. Giving you some won’t cause anyone else to go without, so please, don’t hesitate. It would be more of a waste if we have to throw away the leftovers.”

“In that case, I shall have some!”

The sister continued to offer the warm-looking soup.

Antares accepted it with delight.

Sigh… How can she just accept a meal from a total stranger?

I’m not human, so I don’t need to eat, but if I were, I could never do it. It’s disgusting.

“It’s delicious!”

“Thank you. We worked hard to make it, starting early this morning. Seeing people look so happy really brings joy to us as well.”

Even though she said she was happy, her face remained perfectly expressionless.

However, the aura around her softened into something warm, so she probably wasn’t lying.

…A woman whose emotions don’t show on her face. How tiresome.

“How long have you been doing this?”

“We can’t manage it every day, but we do it regularly. These are difficult times, after all… Not that I’m in any position to say so.”

“…………?”

The sister’s words were strangely cryptic.

What is with people who talk like that, making others anxious without actually giving a straight answer?

This is so freaking irritating.

“Whatever the circumstances may be, the fact that you are extending a helping hand to people right now is a wonderful thing! You should be proud!”

“Hearing you say that makes me very happy. It makes me want to try even harder.”

“You look like a sister, so you belong to some religion? And they’re the ones running this soup kitchen. Must be a philanthropic faith.”

I couldn’t help but ask, since I’d recently found out that Al was a believer in that heretical cult, the Church of Shannon.

I’d never had any interest in religion before.

Well, that’s because I was a shut-in.

And the idea of a Holy Sword believing in a religion is kind of weird, isn’t it?

In response to my words, the sister didn’t look proud, but rather averted her gaze as if trying to hide a bit of embarrassment.

“…Well, I wonder. Of course, I have faith in God, but this soup kitchen is not an official activity led by my organization. This is just something I’m doing for my own self-satisfaction.”

“It is?”

If it wasn’t an official church activity, that meant this was truly the sisters’ own voluntary initiative.

…That’s insane. Does that mean they’re using their own money?

That was just too much. I would never, ever do that.

“Yes. And I haven’t introduced myself yet.”

The sister said, then gave a beautiful bow.

“I am Lusaria, a sister of the Church of Arias. It is a pleasure to meet you.”