Chapter 18: I Want to Go to the Farmhouse.

　Hirune was having breakfast with Jeanne and Holly in the cafeteria.

“There’s not much fruit.”

　Hirune brought a pear-like fruit pricked with a fork, to her face.

(Even though each person can get one, it’s only the size of a ping-pong ball. …… Is the food situation so severe?)

　It was still good enough to eat, Hirune thought as she popped it into her mouth.

　A light sweetness spreads in her mouth.

　

“I know. I wish I could eat more.”

　Holly, letting out a sigh, also took a mouthful of fruit.

“Holly. Shouldn’t a saint not let her appetite get the better of her?

　Holly looked up and her cheeks reddened as Hirune smiled at her.

“You’re right! That’s not what I’m saying. I meant that I would be happy if you had more food to eat. I didn’t mean it for my own sake.”

　Holly said, stroking her hair and looking into the air. It was a pretty narrow escape.

“I’d love to eat some Jewel Apples.”

　Jeanne looked at Hirune and Holly with a smile, as she remembered the jewel apples from the West Church of the Royal Capital.

(Jewel apples are delicious. It’s like a super juicy apple.)

　As Hirune recalled the sweetness, Holly said

“Yes, me too. I want some.”

　She immediately replied in agreement.

　Hirune also agreed with Jeanne.

(I want to eat a lot of good food and go to bed. …… Huh? I haven’t been able to relax at all since I came to the south.)

　Hirune wanted to eat a lot of good food and relax. She realized that this was the exact opposite of what it was at the moment.

(I’ll have to take some sort of action.)

　Nodding her head like an authoritative scientist, Hirune looked at Jeanne.

“Does jewel apple grow in the south?”

“It’s a tree that grows north of the Royal Capital. In the south, mini berries and raspberries are the most common.”

　Jeanne said as she collected the dishes they had finished eating with.

“Do you have any other Specialties?”

 “Specialties? …… Hmmm, …….”

　Jeanne’s hands collected Hirune’s and Holly’s dishes as she pondered.

“Jeanne’s hands get more artisanal by the day.”

　Holly giggled as she watched Jeanne’s handiwork.

　It was due to sleeping with Hirune every day and receiving her blessings, but no one had noticed yet.

“Fruits are difficult. You might want to ask the farmers.”

“All right. Let’s go there as soon as possible.”

(Delicious fruit! I want to eat delicious fruits!)

　Hirune nodded vigorously.

　 But in vain, Jeanne coughed and turned her gaze to Hirune. 　

“Hirune-sama. Today, we have morning prayers, rehearsal for the ceremony, scripture chanting in the Great Church after lunch, tea party with the nobles, and a meeting with the frontiersman.”

　Jeanne began to recite the schedule, and Hirune deliberately covered her mouth with her hands mid-sentence.

“ What should I do. I think I left something in my room.”

　The Great Saint got up and was about to leave the dining room.

　Jeanne, who was standing next to her, grabbed her by the shoulders.

“Hirune-sama? You haven’t forgotten anything, have you? You’re always empty-handed in the first place.”

(Jeanne’s smile is glittering. Is it natural holy magic? Kuh)

　Jeanne has a refreshing smile on her face and appeals to her not to escape.

“Ah, that’s right. …… I seem to have forgotten my Bible, yes, my Bible.”

“There are Bibles in every room, so you don’t need to bring them with you.”

“ ………… I’m sorry.”

　Without much of an excuse, Hirune sank into a chair.

　Holly, watching from the table across, sighed and shrugged.

“You’re really not ready to be a Great Saint, are you? It’s a good thing Hirune.  You’re the star of this southern region, remember?”

　Holly began to ramble on about what it meant to be a Great Saint, and Hirune began to feel sleepy within seconds.

“The Goddess Sophia took pity on us and had mercy, and it was not by human power that we were able to use holy magic.”

“Yes, yes.”

“The first king who sank a casket in the lake of Ishto became the first great saint…”

“Yes, yes.”

“The Great Saint, with sorrow in his heart, the devastated land…”

“Yes. …… Hey.”

“And so…”

“……guu”

　Hirune rested her head on Jeanne’s shoulder and went to sleep.

　Jeanne is looking at Holly with apologetic eyes, as she talks on pleasantly.

“You’re not listening to me at all! Don’t fall asleep when I’m talking to you!”

　She  went straight over the table and dug her finger into Hirune’s cheeks

“…… Mmm?”

“You’re so puffy. Your cheeks are like a baby’s.”

　Holly groped her fingers, astonished. 

　Jeanne nodded her head.

“Your cheeks are so soft, Hirune-sama.”

　She poked her cheeks, too.

“Hmm … Hmm? Huh?”

　Hirune raised her eyelashes and stared at Jeanne and Holly with her big blue eyes.

　Holly hurriedly pulled her hand away and sat back in her chair. 　

“I’m sorry. I think my consciousness was flying away.”( Hirune)

“I don’t understand, Hirune-sama.”

　Jeanne removed her hand from her cheek and adjusted Hirune’s Great Saints’ robe.

“Holly, I’m sorry. I get sleepy easily whenever I listen to you. Oh, that’s right. Can you tell me a story next time before I go to bed? I’m sure I’ll definitely get a good night’s sleep.”

　She rubbed her eyes sleepily, yawned and said.

“You’d be asleep in five seconds even without me talking ……”

　Holly crossed her arms, 

“I’ve got it. Now, let’s go talk to the farmers.”

　Hirune stood up as if it was obvious.

　Jeanne stopped her again with a fresh smile and stood in front of her.

“What’s the matter, Jeanne?”

“We have a lot of plans today. Let’s get on with it, shall we?”

“─ Let’s go to the farm, have a cup of tea and watch them work.”

　The Great Saint had no intention of helping even if she got there.

“It’s no good, you know? It’s a very important appointment and Wanda has told you not to skip it.”

“Objection. I request a paycheck!”

“What do you mean by ‘paycheck’?”

　Jeanne shook her head.

(There’s no pay system in this other world ……!?)

　And so, although Hirune wanted to go to the farm, she reluctantly went to the morning prayer.