The Successor of the Saint Does Not Fight - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Curse of the Rain-Summoning Serpent Part 1

For a whole year, unending rain had plagued that village. The river surged beyond its banks, the mountainside collapsed, and every field was submerged in a mix of mud and sand.

Facing the loss of their means of living, villagers dispersed in search of employment, leaving behind only the elderly who opted to stay in their hometown.

In this village, on the brink of ruin, a young boy appeared one day.

Disregarding the warnings of the elderly, the boy ventured alone into the deep mountains and the pool below the waterfall.

Legend had it that an ancient demon, a serpent with the power to summon rain, resided in that pool.

While the villagers anxiously pondered the boy’s safety, to their surprise, the rain came to a sudden halt. Descending from the mountain, the boy was rumored to be covered in the serpent’s blood.

―――――――――――

“Congratulations, Meril-chan! Your resolution of the recent incident has been recognized, and a new job request has come in!”

During breakfast, my mother made this announcement, and at that moment, I tried to make a quick getaway.

Bursting through the door of the dining room, slipping past the surprised maids, I dashed into the outer garden.

“I get that you’re excited, but abruptly leaving the table is bad manners, you know?”

In the garden, my mother, who had predicted my move, was waiting.

Whether she had surpassed me with an unbelievable speed or perhaps teleported, a shiver ran down my spine as my escape path was blocked.

“Mama… regarding that job, I’m not feeling my best, so I’ll have to decline.”

“Oh, is that so? Well then, Mama will fix you up right away.”

Saying that, my mother placed her hand on my shoulder, and a gentle light emanated from her palm.

Being a Holy Saint, my mother could typically heal most injuries and illnesses instantly through touch and prayer for others.

Thanks to my mother’s abilities, I’ve grown up in robust health, untouched by illness.

However, I never anticipated a day when this gift would become a source of distress.

“There you go. You should be in perfect health now. Best of luck with your job!”

The morning drowsiness and fatigue evaporated entirely, and it was genuinely frustrating how my health had miraculously improved.

While I was pondering excuses to turn down the next assignment, the massive white wolf approached, gracefully crossing the garden fence.

“Hmm… Daughter, are you embarking on a new mission?”

“No, well, it’s not decided if I’m going yet…”

“Ah, still not keen on rough tasks, I see… Quite different from some other ferocious exorcists who, at the mention of ‘demon,’ would soar around, killing without a second thought.”

“That’s true. Meril-chan is genuinely kind. You should praise her more.”

Navigating a conversation that remained ambiguous about whether they were on good or bad terms, my mother and the white wolf exchanged words.

The current position of this white wolf is exceptionally complicated.

The church’s stance is always a straightforward “Demons must be defeated,” and as per doctrine, the act of keeping demons as subordinates or pets is strictly prohibited.

However, my mother is a saint with such immense authority and reputation that no one dares to oppose.

Hence, the current designation of him as an “unusual type of dog” is a somewhat coerced interpretation, and he is being intentionally overlooked by various authorities like the church and administration.

The high-ranking church official who came for an inspection muttered in a deadpan expression, “This is… a dog…”

“But you know, Meril-chan, even if you’re not in the mood to fight, could you at least give the request a read? I’m sure you’ll find it interesting.”

Saying that, my mother laid out a document in front of me.

Irrespective of the content, there’s no way I could summon any interest.

Jobs assigned by the church for demon exorcism invariably involve battling demons. The recent incident was just a rare exception.

No matter the content, I was ready to reject it outright. Or so I thought, but…

“For the primary responsibility of this mission, we recommend Meril Klein, accompanied by Uno Agius as a guide.”

Right at my eye level, such a sentence captured my attention.

“A guide?” I raised an eyebrow in question, and my mother promptly appeared beside the document.

“Well, you see, for this rather unusual job, another demon exorcist will be accompanying you.”

“Someone else besides me…?”

“Yes, exactly. It’s not often you get to meet other demon exorcists, so I believe it’s a fantastic opportunity to make friends.”

At that moment, I fully grasped my mother’s intentions.

(I get it now! Mama is concerned about me after all! Having another demon exorcist with me means… they must be my bodyguard!)

While a lion might throw its cub into the abyss, upon careful consideration, my mother is a compassionate saint.

She is not like those wild beasts called lions. She will undoubtedly take proper care to ensure no harm comes to me.

During the recent incident, she even responded to the telegram (albeit a bit late) and rushed to my aid. Besides…

I glanced briefly at the white wolf.

If the demon exorcist accompanying me happens to be understanding, they might assist in dealing with this creature in a more favorable manner.

Since bringing this creature into the garden, I’ve been constantly on edge, never sure when it might pose a threat to me. I can barely manage to sleep for seven hours a day.

No, instead of simply requesting the disposal of this white wolf, I might as well offer bribes and build stronger connections.

Considering that I’m targeted by numerous demons, having someone who can act as a shield would be more than welcome. Money is not an issue.

Eventually, with a touch of drama, I picked up the request document laid out by my mother.

“Well, I suppose I can’t help it. If Mama insists that much, I’ll take on this job, just for this time!”

Later on, I would deeply regret this hasty decision.