Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 52

Adeline met Genevieve’s eyes as she was about to leave after the mass.

Genevieve, surprised to see them, widened her violet eyes. Then she smiled brightly and approached Adeline.

“Lady Adeline! You should have told me you were coming…!”

“I wanted to surprise you. Oh, is it okay for me to come here?”

“Of course, it’s fine. Most of the people here are related to the church.”

Spotting Shane, Genevieve exchanged a nod and said,

“Have you eaten? The church provides good meals. Since it’s before lunch, you should stay and eat.”

“We’re busy.”

Shane answered instead of Adeline, but Genevieve kept looking at Adeline. Eventually, Adeline spoke up.

“No, I’m not busy. Genevieve, can you show me what you usually eat?”

“Oh, then let’s eat together in my room.”

“Is that okay, Shane?”

Shane said crookedly,

“You wanted to go to the central library. If you eat first, it’ll be evening before you know it.”

“Is today the only day I have?”

“And men aren’t allowed in the Saintess’s quarters.”

“Then go ahead and eat in the dining hall.”

“Nonsense. If we’re not eating together, let’s just go back home then.”

Genevieve chuckled. When Adeline looked at her, asking why she laughed, she said,

“You two seem to get along well.”

“We do not.”

“Oh, would you please come this way? Let’s talk outside.”

Genevieve naturally led Adeline and Shane outside. She gently pulled Adeline’s elbow, positioning her between the guard and Shane.

She seemed to be using her guard well and being cautious herself, which was very satisfying.

Adeline hoped Genevieve stayed safe. It was hard not to think that the attack timed with the resurrection article was her fault.

‘At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if there’s another attack during the weekend service.’

Expecting incidents was an old habit of hers.

Noticing things no one else predicted was also a product of that habit.

Just like right now.

“……!”

Adeline pushing Genevieve away and the large priest grabbing Adeline by the neck and slamming her towards the wall happened almost simultaneously.

But before her back even touched the wall, Shane drew his sword and severed the priest’s wrist.

“Argh! My, my hand!”

Thud, the chunk of flesh fell to the ground.

“Capture him! He tried to harm the Saintess!”

“Ugh…”

The priest, screaming with his entire hand cut off, writhed on the floor as the holy knights and church officials raised their voices and subdued him. Genevieve screamed something as she was dragged away by a paladin.

Adeline was so shocked her heart pounded wildly. Her legs gave out. She slumped against the wall.

The sound of a wrist being sliced clean off lingered in her ears as if it were stuck there.

She had closed her eyes tightly the moment her neck was grabbed, so she saw almost nothing. Nor did she want to. Adeline felt her neck where she had been grabbed and then looked up.

A shoe was next to the severed wrist on the ground.

It was Shane. He was silent for a moment.

“Does it hurt?”

His voice was cold.

“Of course, it hurts. Help me up. My legs won’t work.”

Shane, who had roughly swung his bloodied sword to shake off the blood, walked over to the collapsed Adeline.

He crouched down beside her and wiped the blood spatter from her cheek with his sleeve, saying,

“Didn’t your parents teach you not to do dangerous things, Adeline?”

“I…”

“Or do you just throw yourself into danger whenever you see it?”

“I was afraid Genevieve would get hurt.”

“So, she shouldn’t get hurt, but it’s okay if you do?”

“……”

“Seeing a bit of blood made your legs give out, and yet you still jumped in! What were you thinking!”

Shane gritted his teeth. He seemed to be struggling not to raise his voice.

“Damn it, if I hadn’t been here…”

Adeline thought Shane’s face looked unusually pale.

She was the one who had been grabbed by the neck. Shane had responded so quickly, almost as if he had known it would happen. If he hadn’t grabbed the paladin’s sword and cut off the wrist, Adeline’s neck and back would have been covered in bruises.

Yet, looking at his face, it seemed like he was the one who had been grabbed by the neck. Adeline spoke softly.

“…Sorry?”

“Is that an apology?”

“Saving someone shouldn’t merit an apology, but you’re angry.”

“I don’t accept that kind of apology.”

“Then thank you—for saving me.”

“……”

“Shane?”

Shane rested his forehead against the space between Adeline’s shoulder and neck.

His long breath slowly flowed out.

Adeline hesitated, then slowly raised her hand to gently stroke his smooth black hair.