Chapter 424 The Saint and the Holy One
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Amelia.”
”K-Kento—! Oh, um, this isn’t what it looks like—I mean—!” Amelia stammered.
As I stepped down from the high altar of the Great Cathedral and called her name, Sister Amelia’s face turned a brilliant shade of scarlet, her hands fluttering in a panicked blur. I wanted nothing more than to reach out and pull her into my arms, but I had a role to play first.
Feeling the weight of every eye in the room, I walked toward her with slow, steady steps. I stopped directly in front of her and voiced the thought that had consumed me since the moment she walked through those doors.
”I’m so glad you’re finally home,” I said quietly.
”…! Yes. I… I kept my promise,” Amelia replied.
Our voices both trembled, echoing the shared relief of our reunion. It was the pact we had made the day she departed for the West. “You have to come back to me,” I had told her then. And she had done it; she had awakened from her “Holy Sleep”¹ and returned to my side.
In that case, I had to hold up my end of the bargain. I had to “do anything for her,” just as she had hoped. Even if I hadn’t explicitly promised that—and even if those words had been a mere formality at the time—it was time to make good on the debt.
”The ring… are you still wearing it?” I asked.
”Of course. I’d never lose this, no matter what happens,” Amelia said.
She reached into her collar and pulled the ring from her neckline. As a sister of the church, she couldn’t exactly wear it on her finger, so she had kept it on a chain, tucked close to her heart.
I stepped into her space and reached around the back of her neck to undo the clasp. She gave a sharp, startled shiver, but I didn’t hesitate as I slid the ring off the chain. It was warm—radiating the lingering heat of her skin.
”This is the second time I’ve asked, but… will you accept it?” I asked, dropping to one knee.
”Wait—ah!?” Amelia gasped.
I took her left hand in mine. Looking up, I saw a face flushed with a mix of shame and heat, but her eyes remained fixed on mine, burning with raw hope.
I cupped her hand reverently. I expected her skin to be cold from nerves, but she was burning up. I gave her hand a gentle caress and pressed a kiss to the base of her ring finger.
”Whenever you look at this, I want you to know that I love you,” I said.
”…! Yes…! Oh, yes!” Amelia cried out.
I slid the ring home and kissed it once more. A chorus of frantic squeals erupted from the pews, followed by rowdy shouts of “He actually did it!” and “Look at him go!” while the sharp trill of finger-whistles cut through the air.
I tried to keep my composure as I stood back up, but even for me, a public proposal in a literal Cathedral was a massive hit to my sanity. Fortunately, Satsuki and Kushe were giving us supportive looks, but I could practically feel the Queen’s gaze boring a hole through my skull.
Then there was Prince Roland—his face was 80% “I am taking notes on this masterclass” and 20% genuine concern for his sister. Laika’s father, the Duke, looked like he was mentally cheering. And the Holy One² herself, Loire-Rose…
”…I see. If such love can truly manifest a ‘miracle,’ then I have no choice but to acknowledge it,” Loire-Rose said.
The corner of her mouth was twitching. She was desperately trying to maintain a stoic facade, but she was clearly fighting the urge to laugh. It was a bit insulting, but in that moment, I felt invincible. I slid my arm around Amelia’s waist and bowed toward the Holy One.
Suddenly, the particles of light that had been acting as divine mood lighting surged with brilliance. They spiraled up toward the vaulted ceiling before drifting back down in a shimmering veil to bathe us in a golden glow.
”In the name of the Holy One, Loire-Rose, I offer this prayer to our Great God! May the love between this man and this woman be eternal! May they find the strength to overcome any hardship! And may their path be filled with all the light this world can provide!” she proclaimed.
As she spoke, the shimmering dust coalesced into brilliant orbs. Loire-Rose herself began to glow, and Amelia and I were swept up in the radiance. The light flooded the Cathedral, washing over the spectators and spilling out into the streets.
I had no clue what the actual “stats” of this blessing were, but it felt incredibly holy. The crowd was losing their minds. This was the peak of the ceremony. And of course, that’s when the hecklers started.
”KISS! KISS!”
”LAY ONE ON HER!”
Deep, gravelly voices started the chant. I didn’t think this world even had a “seal it with a kiss” tradition, but apparently, the urge to see a man put his money where his mouth is is universal.
I hesitated for a split second, then figured, to hell with it. I was already committed. I pulled Amelia close—she was looking up at me with a panicked “What do we do?” expression—and I gave her a deep, breathless, soul-searching kiss.
”…Mm—!?” Amelia let out a muffled gasp.
She clearly didn’t expect me to use tongue, because her hands pushed weakly against my chest for a second before she gave in. I ignored everything else, pulling her body flush against mine and savoring the taste of her for the first time in far too long.
”Ohhh…”
”Damn, he’s really going for it…”
The mood in the room shifted from “celebratory” to “wait, are they allowed to do that in church?” but I didn’t give a damn. Eventually, Amelia’s legs turned to jelly. As she started to slump, I caught her and held her tight.
Her face was “melted” in a way that was absolutely not for public consumption, so I pulled her head into my chest to hide her. No other man was going to see her like that.
A heavy silence fell over the Great Cathedral. The light began to recede like an ebbing tide.
”I mean, I said I’d bless you, but did you have to go that far?” Loire-Rose hissed in a whisper.
”I couldn’t help myself,” I whispered back.
Before we could say more, Archbishop Trantestar—who I’d completely forgotten was even there—bellowed to get the ceremony back on track.
”AND SO IT IS! The Heroes, the Saint³ Amelia, and these two lovers have been blessed! Let it be known to all! The Holy One herself has recognized their love!”
The onlookers erupted in a roar. They began to pour out of the Cathedral, desperate to be the first to spread the news to the rest of the city. By sunset, every soul in town would know. Tonight, the taverns would be full of drunks telling the tale. And tomorrow, Amelia and I probably wouldn’t be able to show our faces without dying of embarrassment.
”Haa… I really stepped in it, didn’t I?” I muttered.
As the crowd cleared out, Loire-Rose let out a massive sigh. Cardinal Mork, her right hand, stepped up to comfort her.
”It’s not all bad, Your Grace. Thanks to that display, no one will be confusing Sister Amelia for a ‘Holy One’ anymore,” Mork said.
”The price was a bit steep, though. I think I just made some unnecessary enemies,” she replied.
”Most of them were already your enemies, Grace. On the bright side, we’ll likely gain supporters who find this ‘love’ angle refreshing,” Mork noted.
I felt a tiny—very tiny—shred of guilt, but I’d have to leave their PR disaster to them. I had my own fire to put out.
”…Was all that really necessary? Amelia looks like she’s about to faint,” Satsuki said, stepping forward.
”It just… happened. More importantly, welcome back, Satsuki,” I said.
”Yeah. I’m home,” Satsuki replied.
”Oh? Just Satsuki gets a warm welcome?” Kushe asked, smirk playing on her lips.
”Kushe, welcome back to you too. You really put me on the spot back there,” I said.
”Hehehe. You looked quite manly. It was lovely,” Kushe replied.
I wanted to lecture Kushe for dragging me into that mess, but honestly, seeing them safe was enough. However, there were things I needed to explain… like, two or three very big things.
”By the way, Kento… I have a nagging feeling…” Satsuki said, staring past me.
Following her gaze, I saw the Queen. She was talking to Prince Roland, but she was obsessively stroking the ring finger of her left hand, casting sharp, lingering glances my way every few seconds.
”…Just how many people did you add to the harem while we were gone?” Satsuki asked.
”N-Now, wait! It’s not what you think!” I stammered.
The ceremony was over, but for the sake of my continued survival at home, it looked like my real work was just beginning.
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Summary:
Kento publicly proposes to Amelia in the Great Cathedral during a victory ceremony, receiving a divine blessing from the Holy One, Loire-Rose. The event turns rowdy as the crowd demands a kiss, which Kento delivers with surprising intensity. The chapter ends with Satsuki and Kushe’s return and the Queen’s visible jealousy over the expanding harem.
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Trivia:
- Amelia was wearing the ring on a necklace because she is a nun.
- The ‘Holy Sleep’ was a condition Amelia was in before this reunion.
- Loire-Rose (The Holy One) and Amelia (The Saint) are being strategically distinguished to avoid political/religious confusion.
- The Queen is also wearing or touching a ring finger, implying her own status/feelings for Kento.
- Prince Roland is taking notes on Kento’s romantic ‘masterclass’
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Character Insight:
Kento shows significant growth in his willingness to commit publicly, even if driven by the atmosphere. Amelia’s devotion is highlighted by her keeping the ring close to her heart. The Queen’s silent reaction hints at upcoming domestic conflict.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the Cathedral setting to subvert expectations, moving from a serious religious ceremony to a rowdy, anime-style romantic comedy climax.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Amelia – A light blue-haired Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating and Kento’s shy harem member. A newly awakened “Saint” from Holy Sleep, modest and easily embarrassed with red ears and neck. Wears her habit and treasures Kento’s ring on a necklace.
• Kento – Lord Harvest—the unassuming owner of the Harvest magic tool shop (with a discreet adult goods side). An isekai’d Japanese salaryman resembling Kazuma Satou, with dark hair and basic magic for crafting. Recently triumphed over a Great Dragon; now juggles his harem, tinkering, and ties to Amelia and the Queen at Ddo-Buddy Manor.
• Satsuki – Miranda’s granddaughter—a talented court mage with long black hair, staff, and palace robes. Prickly tsundere companion of Kento who fought in the dragon subjugation. Now humiliated yet fulfilled as Harvest’s new worker, her research thrives under his guidance while she whispers romantic tips to Amelia.
• Kushe – Chief Mage of the Coalmine Kingdom—a blunt, mischievous court mage and Kento’s companion. Dark green hair worn haphazardly under a loose robe, she’s assertive, knee-complaining, and leaks secrets to push things forward.
• Loire-Rose – The current Saintess—supreme leader of the Great Cathedral with a divine look (white hair, pale skin, blue eyes) and holy powers like manifesting light and blessings. Her modern, playful irreverence clashes with church norms, though she struggles to keep her composed “mask” under pressure.
• Roland – he younger brother of Queen Cecile and the heir apparent to the Canaria throne. Clean, golden-blonde hair, same color as the Queen, innocent, beautiful face that could be mistaken for a girl but dressed in a boy’s formal wear.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Trantestar – The middle-aged man Archbishop of Canarias and the initiator of the current trial. He is an alleged ally of Kento but remains suspiciously neutral.
• Mork – A central figure in the ‘Inquisition.’ Acts panicked and constantly looks sideways, seemingly pressured by the masked Inquisitor. He represents the rigid, fear-based opposition to the protagonist’s products. A Cardinal and the right-hand man to the Holy Figure. He is a skilled user of Holy Arts.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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