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Even if you get bitten by a tiger, as long as you stay conscious, you’ll survive.

It means that no matter what crisis arrives, if you respond calmly, you will surely overcome the situation.

In short, it’s telling you to keep your wits about you and stay alive.

“Colonel, did something happen with Lucia?”

“……”

My mind went blank for a moment, but I quickly responded to Veronica’s sudden interrogation.

“Nothing happened.”

—

Episode 12 – The Strongest Magician Ever

—

The door closes.

A soft sound of a click. Once I confirmed that the door was completely shut, a faint sigh escaped me.

I recalled the recent conversation with Veronica, who was peeking from behind the door.

“Is it true? Really, nothing happened?”

“It is, I told you.”

“Colonel, I know you don’t believe in religion, but lying is a serious sin, you know?”

Veronica’s questions didn’t stop with just one or two. She relentlessly, or rather, worryingly pressed me for answers.

Was she suddenly bursting in with concern and unease, wanting to hear a definitive answer?

“Why would I not know that? But the way you’re saying it makes me feel a bit…”

“I’m not joking. I’m asking seriously.”

Veronica acted like a student who barely passed the entrance exam but hoped all her guesses were right, desperately calculating her score.

Her voice conveyed a slight urgency.

“I can roughly tell how badly injured you are without seeing the wounds on your body. I already know you’re not the type to mistreat women, and I can tell better than anyone that while Lucia might be a handful sometimes, she’s a good kid who respects boundaries. But I’m worried and asking.”

“So, are you asking me as a saint right now?”

“I’m asking as your sister. As your younger sister.”

In that moment of checking her protective prayer, she explained that she was assessing my condition after being wounded by a demon. Knowing the context, it wasn’t hard to guess the details that followed.

Veronica had a rough idea of what kind of injuries I sustained. Like Lucia, Veronica added that my condition wasn’t exactly good since it was injuries inflicted by a demon.

“Given the situation, she wouldn’t just sit idly by. She’s not the type to turn a blind eye to the sick. Plus, it’s a problem involving demons.”

Knowing Lucia’s personality, it was clear she wouldn’t leave a patient alone. She must have taken some action. She would try everything she could, and if necessary, send a letter to the cult.

In fact, Lucia had once transported the High Priest’s bed, which was treated as a relic and buried deep in the vault, all the way to southern Abas to care for my injuries sustained during the department store terror incident.

The problem lay precisely there.

“But, this is a bit strange. The reports from the diocese clearly stated that typical healing arts cannot treat demon-inflicted wounds. The Inquisition recognized that the situation was serious. Yet, there are signs that someone has been consistently trying to heal you.”

“…Yes, Lucia tried to heal me a few times. The effects were minimal, though.”

“I figured as much. Colonel, I really want to ask you one last time. I won’t report this to the National Affairs Council or file a complaint at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Just once, just one time, tell me the truth.”

“Go ahead and ask.”

“Nothing really happened… right?”

Veronica didn’t use expressions like “Is that true?” or “Is it correct?” Moreover, I could somewhat guess the reason she specifically asked “Is it right?” instead of “Is it correct?”

Putting it mildly, she suspected that Lucia and I were in some sort of relationship. Meaning, perhaps we ended up in a tangled situation that led to something intimate.

In that moment, a myriad of thoughts swirled in my head.

Things one shouldn’t do while on overseas missions, the absolute taboos of engaging intimately with local counterparts, and those staff who faced punishment for violating these rules, and there was Charnoy, who cluelessly interrogated me about rumors surrounding Lucia during her time as an inspector…

And I truly feel sorry for the parties involved.

I recalled the image of Lucia, who I had found sprawled beside me, half-naked under the guise of healing, and the awkward moment of accidentally touching her chest. To be honest, I was quite flustered by that last one. I had fainted and when I opened my eyes, it was pitch dark, and there lay Lucia, of all people. Rather lame as an excuse, but that’s how it was.

I planned to apologize as soon as I returned safe and sound, but now that the time was near to apologize, I had no clue how to express it. Moreover, Lucia, unbeknownst to me, had gone into seclusion.

Thoughts rushed through my mind, but the only thing I could say right now was just one thing.

“Of course. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about.”

“……”

The interrogation ended there. Despite giving an answer that should have alleviated her doubts, Veronica showed no particular reaction.

She didn’t force me to swear to God or stake the family’s honor on it. Veronica simply furrowed her brow for a moment, then responded in a calm tone.

“…Alright. Since you said that, I’ll trust you.”

“Thank you for believing me, Veronica.”

“If you lied to me, I’ll kill you. For real.”

Yeah. Nothing happened at all… that thing was—

I’m not sure whose standards they are, but…

Is it just my imagination, or does it feel like I’ve told more lies in the past few months since coming here than in my entire five years as an Information Officer?

With a deep sigh, I crossed the cathedral’s hallway.

*

It has already been half a day since two saints, the Inquisition staff, and a foreign spy engaged in a fierce battle against monsters, necromancers, and demons in the underground sewer.

In fact, it’s been well over half a day. I had lunch with Veronica around 2 PM.

Stepping into the hallway, I noticed that the sun’s race was nearing its finish line. Watching the sun set gradually in the western sky, I estimated it was about time for the sunset.

“Let’s see…”

Consulting the sunrise/sunset timetable from the military government headquarters, there was roughly an hour and a half left until sundown.

Calculating the distance between my strides, Veronica’s room, and the dining hall, as well as the distance from the dining hall to where Lucia was, I figured that by the time Lucia finished her meal, the sunset would be just about perfect.

Veronica had asked me to return to her after serving dinner before the sun set.

To be precise…

“According to the decree announced by the Pope from the National Affairs Council in 1431, no matter one’s status, no one should be in the same room as a penitent priest after sunset.”

That came out of Veronica’s mouth, who usually dismisses bishops and cardinals as old fossils. Considering her personality that blatantly ignores current laws, it was rather absurd for her—who was filled with rebellious spirit—to enforce such ancient cult rules.

“No, then should I let penitent Lucia off? Did you forget? She’s under punishment right now.”

“But she’s still my sister. Not by blood, but still.”

“Who would say anything just because some decrees on rotting parchment are shoved in their face? Besides, I’m not the one being punished.”

Having put her little brother in a difficult spot, Veronica shoved me away, insisting I should hurry and bring dinner since Lucia must be hungry.

Treating a full-grown adult as if they couldn’t even serve themselves dinner; what does Veronica even think of Lucia?

I kept tilting my head in confusion and mulled over it.

“I really don’t get it…”

I was curious about how far Veronica’s antics would go, but unfortunately, I didn’t have time to ponder that now. I dashed to the dining hall to grab Lucia’s dinner.

“Sister, where’s the meal meant for Saint Lucia?”

“Oh, if it’s the food for Saint Lucia, it’s right here.”

The dinner handed to me by the nun was a meal fit for a training priest.

A white soup so bland it was hard to distinguish if it was gruel or broth, accompanied by a rough wooden spoon that sat lonely beside it.

That was it. There were no other sides or dishes to be found.

“Sister, is this really all there is?”

“Ah… well, you see, Brother, Saint Veronica instructed this morning that all of Saint Lucia’s meals should be uniform as just broth.”

“So she’ll have to eat just this gruel all day long?”

“Yes. We’d like to help more, but… it can’t be helped.”

The nun bowed her head repeatedly, showing her regret.

There was not a single item to eat besides the broth in Lucia’s meal, and there were no fruits either. Not even the bread which the cult’s priests would hand out to refugees to ensure at least one meal.

It seemed the dietary restrictions were a punishment Veronica had imposed on Lucia, who had chosen to undergo penance herself.

“I guess there’s no helping it. If Saint Veronica says so.”

“Honestly, it doesn’t sit right with me.”

“I understand.”

There was no need for her to apologize to me.

I waved my hand dismissively, assuring her it was okay, and the nun, still looking apologetic, excused herself to tend to other matters. Meanwhile, I quickly snuck into the kitchen to grab some food.

Given my past experience of sneaking sweet potatoes and kimchi from civilian homes during training, it wasn’t particularly hard. Probably just after training, a senior who had just become a captain rewarded us for our efforts.

As dinner time approached, everyone seemed busy. No one paid me much mind, so I rummaged through the fridge and cupboards, finding bread, canned goods, and a few fruits, which I confidently stuffed into my pockets as I left the kitchen.

Thus, I walked through the hallway with pockets bulging and rough utensils in hand.

And then—

*Knock! Knock!*

“Who is it?”

“It’s me. Please open the door.”

Click, the door swung open.

Slowly, like a chick hatching from an egg, Lucia peeled open the door.

She paused, holding the doorknob with a puzzled expression, and I smiled brightly at her from just outside.

“I heard you hadn’t had dinner, so I came to bring it.”

The expression Lucia made—having put herself into penance—was the first I had ever seen since getting to know her.

“Ah….”

 

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