Chapter 10 – Episode 9 – The Twitching Tiger Ears (1)

Episode 9 – The Twitching Tiger Ears (1)

As we headed towards the center of Itzruku City, I witnessed the lives of the lower class, something that wasn’t properly depicted in the game. People in shabby clothes lived in slums that were no different from shantytowns.

It reminded me of a documentary I watched for a college assignment.
To prepare for the ’88 Olympics, they pushed countless evictees to the outskirts of Seoul to create a glamorous facade, but the inside was festering and rotten. The documentary calmly showed those miserable conditions.

But that’s all it is. The most I can offer is temporary pity. Even if I share what I have now and take care of them, they’ll return to this state once I leave. It’s unfortunate, but this is no different in reality or in the game. It’s just an unfortunate event that exists everywhere, regardless of the era.

Is this how it feels when you see Africans suffering from famine, disease, and war on TV? You feel sorry and sympathetic, but it’s just a shallow emotion that fades quickly. However, the sense of reality you get from seeing it directly with your own eyes is different than seeing it through media.

“Stop.”
“…Saintess?”

As I was trying to avert my gaze from them, Diana’s voice came from the carriage. With a hopeful heart, I approached and slightly opened the window, and there was Diana, already ready to get out.

“Saintess, it’s dangerous. The city hall isn’t far, so please wait a little longer.”
“I cannot. How can I move on when there are people here who need the help of the divine so desperately?”

Our eyes met.
Her eyes were resolute. It was a face filled with conviction, and I wondered if she was capable of making such an expression. Oh well. Our Saintess wants to do some good, and I can’t interfere.

“Sir Jacob, would it be alright if our schedule is delayed for a bit?”
“…Hmm. It doesn’t seem like our schedule will be delayed.”
“What? It’ll be delayed by at least half a day… Ah.”
“Do you understand now? This must be the will of the divine. It’s a blessing from God.”

I remembered how Diana was urging us to hurry. Thanks to that, we arrived earlier than expected. Could she have predicted this…? No way. Anyway, she’s a lucky one.
She was already opening the carriage door and gathering food in her arms, looking very eager.

“Goodness. The subordinates should be doing this. Saintess, please treat the sick people.”
“Yurian? Oh, um. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”

The dazed slum dwellers quickly swarmed around us.
While the Holy Knights protected us, we piled up all the emergency rations and started distributing them to the slum dwellers. Meanwhile, Diana, myself, and the other priests started treating the sick.

The weak, the pitiful, and the wretched aren’t necessarily good. Rather, they have to survive so desperately that there are more wicked people. As such, even with the Holy Knights guarding us, some tried to steal, cause a ruckus, and even take a priest hostage.
It’s not surprising. The idea that the poor are good is just a prejudice. If anything, the wealthy are more likely to be good people. If I were about to starve to death, what conscience would I have? If I were starving for three days, I’d be confident in hitting someone in the back of the head with a rock and stealing their food or money.

What’s surprising is that Diana doesn’t seem to react to such behavior. Carsilla, being a clever kid who grew up in this kind of environment, knows the ways of the slums and deals with them appropriately. Irian, on the other hand, just follows the Saintess around, paying no attention to what the slum dwellers are doing.

The Saintess is surprisingly strong-willed. After about half a day of free service, our group was completely wiped out.
We had used up all our emergency rations, and our once-white clothes were now black from dealing with the slum dwellers. Ugh, what a mess. On top of that, I was sweaty and sticky. This priest’s robe looks cool, but it’s layered, so it doesn’t breathe well.

“Let’s head to the city hall now. We’ve received word that the city hall is ready.”
“Thank you all for your hard work. I’m sorry for dragging you into this because of my stubbornness.”

When the Saintess bowed her head, everyone in the group laughed it off, saying it was okay. Wow, her face is really working hard.

The slum dwellers also bowed, prostrated, and cried as they enthusiastically cheered for our group as we left. The influence of the Order will definitely increase.

Well… even though I’m tired, it’s not a bad feeling.

* * *

We arrived at the city hall, received a welcome, and were treated to a banquet. Just a while ago, the slum dwellers were dying because they couldn’t get a single piece of bread, but here, they didn’t even look at the bread. But I don’t want to blame them. That’s just how the world is.

I’m not some idealist, and I’m not going to start a communist revolution here. Wealth inequality is something even God can’t solve, so who am I to complain?

I wanted to enjoy the banquet with delicious food, but I had to follow the Saintess as she dealt with the city’s dignitaries. Well… our Saintess was good at answering, but when sensitive topics came up, Sir Jacob or I would answer instead. So, she was enjoying the food in peace. I want to eat too.

Before I could even unpack my luggage in the room I was assigned, I went to attend to our Saintess.
As expected, she was sitting on the bed, waiting blankly. Ugh, she’s not a child.

“Was dinner good? Tonight.”
“Yeah… There was so much left over, they should have given it to the people outside. It’s a waste.”

Having grown up in the Great Temple, except for her childhood, the harsh reality must have been a shock to Diana. As I slowly took off her Saintess robe, I spoke to the Saintess, who had a gloomy look on her face.

“It can’t be helped. This is something even God can’t solve. You know that this world isn’t beautiful.”
“I know. But it still bothers me.”
“You did your best. That’s enough. Set a limit to what you can reach, and only worry about that. Otherwise, there’s no end to it.”

I gently stroked her hair and helped her change into her pajamas. She smelled so good after her shower that I buried my face in her neck and sniffed. Diana giggled and shuddered.

“What are you doing? It tickles.”
“Hmm. Diana smell.”
“Diana smell? What kind of smell?”
“Diana’s smell is Diana’s smell.”
“Aish~ I mean, what kind of smell is it~”
“A good smell. Okay?”

She giggled and offered her neck, so I bit it. I grabbed her as she jumped around and threw her onto the bed.

“Beast! Yurian, you beast!”
“What are you talking about? Where’s a beast as handsome as me? I might just devour you.”
“You’re going to devour Diana? When?”

Why are her eyes so sparkly? Right now!… I wanted to shout and charge onto the bed, but I guess I have to back down today. Irian will be here soon. He’s always taking a long time in the shower, but he should be here soon.

“Be prepared. I don’t know when I’ll devour you.”
“Kyaa~ Diana’s scared~”

Ugh, that pretense.
She’s hiding her face with the blanket, only showing her eyes. It’s cute. I blew out the candle that was burning brightly and was about to leave when I suddenly asked, looking at Diana, who was staring at me.

“Earlier.”
“Earlier?”
“When we were helping the slum dwellers. It’s only for that time anyway. It’ll be the same when we leave, so why did you do it?”

I asked, looking into her jewel-like eyes that shone blue even in the dark.

“Even if it’s only for that time. That moment must have been precious to those people. Whether it’s short or long…”
“Really? Hmm… You’re so kind, Diana.”

Before I closed the door, I faintly heard her voice.

“Diana’s not kind.”

Not kind? She’s kind enough.
I stared at the closed door before turning around. Maybe it’s because I went out for the first time in a while, but I’m so tired that I think I’ll be able to sleep well.

As I was walking, I saw a glimpse of red hair reflecting in the light.

“Irian?”
“You’re still here? Where’s the Saintess?”
“Diana is already in bed.”

He took a hot shower, but his fair face was flushed red. Combined with his red hair and eyes, he looked like a walking red man. I absentmindedly stroked his fine, unkempt red hair that was swaying in front of my eyes.

“…I told you not to touch my hair.”
“Ah ha.”
“Ah ha? How many times have I… Haa. Never mind.”
“Why are you like this? You used to make a fuss when you were little. Are you already old?”

I kept stroking his soft hair, and he finally couldn’t stand it and roughly pushed my hand away. His red eyes were staring at me.

“I’d be happy if I could just punch that smug face of yours once.”
“To only have that kind of reaction after seeing this handsome face. Tsk tsk.”

I watched him disappear, leaving his usual diss, and entered my room. As expected, the bed sheets were wriggling, and a small head popped out.

“Carsilla. What about your room?”
“This is my room.”
“…Okay. Did you wash up?”
“Yeah.”

Her black eyes were clear. Isn’t she tired?
I turned off the lantern and candle that were emitting a faint light and lay down on the bed. Carsilla snuggled into my arms. I hugged her small body and patted her back, but her clear eyes showed no sign of closing.

“Why? Aren’t you going to sleep?”
“I’m going to sleep.”
“Then close your eyes.”
“Okay.”

…Are you kidding me?
I told her to close her eyes, but why is she staring straight at me? She can’t be going through puberty already. I thought I should just go to sleep first, so I gently patted Carsilla’s back and closed my eyes. I fell asleep instantly, and just as I was about to lose consciousness.

A child’s voice flowed in.

“Why me?”
“…Huh?”
“Why did you save me?”
“Save you? What?”
“There were so many people there. Why did you save me?”

I couldn’t understand what she was saying because I was half asleep. What is she talking about?

“When did I save you?”
“…You saved me from hell.”
“Hmm? Me? Was it because our Carsilla is cute~”
“Never mind. Just go to sleep.”

She’s not cute when she’s awake. I opened my eyes slightly, and she was already sound asleep.

They say that children are angels when they sleep, and sleeping Carsilla was really cute.
I really wanted a daughter like this. If I took a picture of our daughter sleeping and posted it on social media, it would be a sensation.

I brushed her messy bangs away, hugged her small body tightly, and closed my eyes.
I felt her small heartbeat in my chest.

* * *

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tyson.”

Morning.
As soon as I woke up, I busily moved to find the named NPC. The only useful guy here is Tyson in front of me.

Oh. Is this bald giant Tyson?
…Why does a muscular bald male character have tiger ears? The tiger ears sticking out on his bald head are annoying. They’re twitching, and they’re cute even in this situation.

“…I’m Priest Yurian. Your ears are… very impressive.”
“Kuhahaha! This body has inherited the bloodline of a tiger beastman! So, I heard you were looking for me. What’s the matter?”

He looked very strong as he stroked his shiny bald head and burst into a hearty laugh. …He looks strong, but…

“Excuse me, but how old are you…?”
“Hmm? I’m 34. Why do you ask?”
“Ahem. Never mind.”

Eliminated.
I don’t need a male in my heroine party. Unless it’s an old man who doesn’t get my juices flowing, I can’t have a guy who looks so full of energy.

If I think about him looking at my cute heroines with lecherous eyes, I should probably exclude men. Ah~ This is difficult.

“Ah. Come to think of it, you’re with the Saintess, right? Then you must be a pretty skilled priest?”
“Hmm? Is something the matter?”

It’s a delusion that my tone seems to have become blunt. It’s definitely not because I’m not interested in him since he’s a guy.

“Then, could you help me? My sister is sick. A skilled priest would be a great help.”
“Well… I guess so.”

And so, what I met after following the bald giant was…

‘A real tiger-eared beastman! And a woman!’