------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
------------------
Chapter 145 - The Academy Visit of Lormane (11)
"Haha!"
I laughed out loud.
"What on earth are you saying? And why do you think you have the right to make that judgment?"
"It's nothing."
Lormane easily conceded.
"As you said, I have no right to interfere in your life, Dian. That's correct. Who am I, after all?"
A smile slipped from Lormane's lips.
"But still, I can at least offer a bit of advice, can't I? Sometimes an objective perspective from a third party can be helpful."
I just stared at her, dumbfounded, as she continued.
"Marry Vice-Headmaster Ismera, Dian. She’s the right match for you. It’s far better than getting involved with some random person; a competent colleague who’s already been vetted is much more suitable."
"Well, that is true."
"She may not be skilled at housework, but that’s why you have Olysia, isn’t it? It’s not an issue at all. And a capable woman like her shouldn’t be confined to the home."
She even knew about Olysia? How thorough.
"If Vice-Headmaster Ismera had been some insignificant woman, I wouldn’t have stood for it. But fortunately, she’s not. I’m quite pleased with her."
"I'm relieved to hear that. But honestly, I still don’t understand your true intentions."
Lormane just smiled, waiting for me to speak again.
"Is this the end?"
"Of course. What else could there be?"
"It doesn’t feel like it. What are your intentions?"
"My intentions? You’re being terribly unfair. I’ve already told you: I came here to see with my own eyes if Vice-Headmaster Ismera is a suitable match for you, Dian."
Lormane clasped her hands together in an exaggerated manner.
"Dian, I’ve always wanted you to be happy. Ten years ago, and even now, that hasn’t changed. Everything I’ve done up until now was solely for your happiness."
"Is that so? I’m not sure if it’s true, but even if it is, it’s rather creepy."
"Even if my methods were wrong, I hope one day you’ll understand that my feelings were sincere."
Lormane released her clasped hands, still smiling.
"Dian, it’s fine if you doubt me. You can think I’m a madwoman, or call me a snake who only speaks lies and excuses. It doesn’t matter how you see me. But."
Lormane reached out her hand.
"But it remains true that I only wish for your happiness, Dian."
She gripped my hand tightly.
"If someone can make you happy, it doesn’t matter if it’s not me. Just seeing you live a happy life is enough to make me happy."
"Uh. Thanks."
I said, pulling my hand away from hers.
"Then I can rest easy that you won’t suddenly pull out an axe or knife and start attacking Ismera, right?"
"Of course. That was never going to happen in the first place."
"And I can also stop worrying about Maya following me around and digging into my business?"
"That’s a different matter."
Lormane’s expression turned cold and serious.
"Maya will continue writing her patient logs. Dian, won’t you grant me at least this small indulgence? It won’t cause any trouble for you."
"But it was because of those logs that you came here."
"Do you consider my visit a nuisance, Dian?"
"Yes. The concern that you might lose control and cause trouble is a burden. And if there ever seems to be tension between Ismera and me, how can I be sure you’ll stay out of it?"
"I see… So, I’m a burden to you…."
Lormane’s face darkened as she nodded.
"Understood. I’ll tell Maya to focus solely on her duties as a infirmary priestess."
"Thank you."
"I should be going now. Since my presence seems to be a burden to you, Dian."
Lormane got up from her seat and headed toward the door.
"Let’s go, Dian. You should see me out."
"Lormane."
"Enough."
Lormane said firmly, her hand on the doorknob.
"That’s enough. I achieved what I came for, and you’re reassured. Let’s end this on good terms."
I watched her for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"Alright. Understood."
# # # # #
When I stepped outside with Lormane, a carriage was waiting in front of the main building entrance.
Kirrin and Ismera, who had left earlier, were standing with other priests, waiting for us.
"Thank you once again for your hospitality."
"It was an honor to receive the Chief Administrator."
Kirrin bowed and shook hands with Lormane.
"Vice-Headmaster Ismera."
Next, Lormane took Ismera’s hand and spoke.
"Be happy."
"Pardon…? Ah, yes… Thank you."
"Otherwise, things might get quite troublesome."
Lormane's expression hardened for a brief moment, and Ismera swallowed nervously.
"Professor Dian."
Lastly, Lormane shook hands with me, smiling.
"When will I see you again?"
"Hard to say. The position of Chief Administrator is a rather heavy one, isn’t it?"
"Then perhaps if I’m excommunicated and expelled from the Church, we’ll meet again."
The priests behind her gasped.
"It’s a joke."
Lormane laughed as she placed her foot on the carriage step.
"Ah, one last thing."
Just before boarding, Lormane turned back to me.
"Since we’re parting indefinitely, would you give me a hug as a parting gift? Of course, that’s a joke too."
The priests were shocked, and Lormane laughed again.
"I’ll be going now. I wish you all the best."
As Lormane got into the carriage, the other priests hurried to board the carriage behind it.
"Maya. Will you escort me back to the Church?"
Lormane asked, looking down at Maya from the carriage.
Maya glanced over at Kirrin.
"Go ahead. Go on!"
Kirrin urged Maya, pushing her forward.
"Goodbye, everyone."
With Lormane's farewell, the door closed, and the carriage set off.
"Ah, she’s finally gone…."
Only after the carriages passed through the academy gates did Kirrin breathe a heavy sigh, wiping sweat from her brow.
"For a priest, I thought she’d be warm and gentle, but she was absolutely terrifying. I could hardly breathe."
"Yes, indeed…."
Even Ismera, who had boldly spoken up against Lormane, seemed rattled, a sheen of sweat visible on her nose.
"Good work, everyone. Without you two, today would have been really tough."
Kirrin patted Ismera and me on the shoulders, smiling gratefully.
Instead of responding, I just watched the carriages disappear into the distance.
Lormane… What on earth are you thinking…?
# # # # #
Inside the carriage heading back to the Church.
Lormane, resting her chin on her hand, gazed out the window and spoke.
"Maya."
"Yes, Chief Administrator."
Maya, seated across from her, answered.
"From now on, there’s no need to write any more patient logs about Professor Dian."
"Is there a specific reason?"
"There is. Professor Dian dislikes it."
"Understood."
Maya replied without a hint of hesitation.
With that, Lormane fell silent.
Lormane’s reason for visiting the Academy was exactly as Dian had surmised.
It was because of the patient logs Maya had written.
According to Maya’s records, Dian had been mingling with various women at the Academy.
But Lormane hadn’t taken that at face value.
Maya was a novice priestess who had grown up in the Church since she was very young.
She knew little about romantic relationships.
So, she had a tendency to interpret any interaction between a man and a woman as a romantic entanglement.
Because of that, Lormane had disregarded the earlier entries and focused on the last one—about the pure-blooded elf, Ismera.
The rest were mere acquaintances. This elf was the real deal.
Lormane was curious.
Who was this elf? Was she truly worthy of Dian?
And how did Dian feel about her, even ten years later?
To resolve these two questions, Lormane had made the special trip to the Academy.
After meticulously observing Ismera, Lormane decided: this woman was truly exceptional.
It had been a brief encounter, but Lormane could tell.
And she also confirmed how Dian felt about her.
As expected, Dian was wary of her.
After all, there were the events from ten years ago, and they hadn’t seen each other since.
For Dian, those events must still feel like they happened just yesterday.
Could she ever change his mind now?
It was unlikely. Not when there was already someone like Ismera by his side.
And even if she did, what would it mean?
Lormane was now the Chief Administrator of the Church. Ten years ago, things might have been different, but now, she couldn’t just walk away from her duties.
Dian still didn’t like her, and she couldn’t take off her priestess robe. Meanwhile, there was a splendid woman named Ismera next to him.
Lormane decided that, given the circumstances, it would be best to fully support Dian and Ismera’s union.
Rather than clinging to a faint hope, it was better for Dian to find definite happiness.
Lormane had tried tirelessly to make Dian happy, only to fail repeatedly.
As a result, Dian came to despise her, but Lormane didn’t mind.
As long as someone could make Dian happy, it didn’t matter if it wasn’t her.
Just seeing Dian happy would be enough to make her happy.
Because to her, Dian was practically a god.
No, perhaps even more than a god.
Gods might make lofty promises to save the world someday, but Dian had already saved Lormane.
Lormane could never forget the day she first met Dian.
# # # # #
That day was unbearably cold.
Even those who believed winter should be cold would have their minds changed if they came here.
This was a small village called Gauni, situated on the northern slopes of the Empire.
Nestled in a valley, it was a place where cold air constantly settled and couldn’t escape.
The chill was so harsh that there was even a legend of a monster being driven out of the village, beaten with frozen laundry stiff as clubs.
In this village stood a shabby temple.
The door creaked open, and a young girl stepped out, walking with short, hurried steps.
Her hair was a reddish-brown.
A stark contrast to the snow-covered village and the blue priestess robes worn by the lowest of the low, the novice priestesses.
In her hands was a chamber pot, used by the head priest overnight.
Her daily routine as a novice priestess began with emptying it and cleaning it with snow.
After dumping its contents behind a snow-covered bush, the young priestess turned around, only to find a man standing right in front of her.
"Are you the novice priestess Lormane?"
A tall man with scruffy brown hair, wrapped in a fur cloak, was looking down at her.
Behind him stood a man with blond hair and blue eyes.
------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
------------------
