Chapter 22: Chapter 20: The Chimera Labs

Deep down in a dimly lit tunnel walked a man. With heavy steps and ragged breaths, he pushed forward. He had lost his right arm, was very anemic, and was about to lose consciousness any time soon. 

He hadn’t had anything to eat for a long while and wasn’t sure how long its been since he fled. And the secret tunnel he’s currently in was built by Chimera Labs. 

“Dammit! That brat! If it wasn’t for him!”

The frustrated man was none other than Ulos, barely alive. His patience was running thin, and his thoughts circulated memories of the fight. 

He had been badly injured by some unknown adventurer and was on the verge of death. He had underestimated his opponent because of the amateurish fighting style, which was his mistake. 

Had he known the other party had a ridiculously fast mana recovery and was a high-level burst spell caster, he would have approached the fight differently.

Although he knew his opponent drew in the surrounding mana, it wasn’t enough to recover to use those types of spells. 

He had thought it was a coincidence when the first electric ray was fired. But the second one confirms it. Not only did he have an unbelievably fast mana recovery, but he also had near-perfect accuracy and control. No mana was wasted at all. 

And those eyes. He had seen similar skills, and those who own skills like that aren’t to be messed with. Before long, he had arrived at the gates, and statues of deformed beasts blocked the entrance. 

“*Sigh, it’s me, Den Ledu, 12th seat of Hilos Cult.” 

With his tired voice, the chimeras let him pass. And upon entering, he was greeted by a corridor, which was well-lit. And as he walked into the hall, he saw a familiar face, and they were leaning on the wall while crossing their arms. 

“Oh? Den? You look quite beaten up. Did the Silver Moon give you a rough beating?”

“Shut up. I have no energy to deal with you right now. Besides, had it been that Princess, I'd probably be dead along with this base.” 

“Hmm~ that sounds rough. But is that how you speak to an old friend you haven’t met in a while?” 

Den really wasn’t feeling like talking to this woman right now. She is beautiful but has quite a twisted personality, even by his standards.  

“I thought you died, you know? The report stated that the 12th seat was probably dead, and here you are! Well, and alive!” 

“Tsk. Said the one that most likely reported me dead.” 

“Aw, come on! You were probably going to lose that seat either way. And that's why you were sent in disguise! It would be quite a disgrace for the Seats if people from outside thought we were weak!” 

“Not denying it, huh? Besides, I didn’t introduce myself as a Seat member, and I’m too tired to care anymore.” 

“Then do you want dinner? A bath? Or~ peeer~ haaaps~ me?” 

“... I’ll take you. Your head sounds about fine right now.” 

 “Oh~ my! So daring!” 

Den stayed quiet, pulled out his sacred spear, and pointed it toward her neck. His murderous intent leaked. And, reacting to the killing intent, some chimeras warped out of the walls.

“Ponting your sacred spear so close to my face in broad daylight! You’re truly naughty~!”  

“Tsk... let me through already. You just tire me out.” 

The woman wickedly smiled at Den, gesturing him to do whatever he pleased. 

“Just you know, Seat 12 is taken now.” 

“I don’t care,” Den replied in a dismissing manner. 

—::::—

After a tiresome and long journey, Den finally had time to rest. He had been given a room in one of the Lab’s facilities, and as a high-ranking member of the Hilos Cult, he was appointed with a high-level medic to heal him. 

“Greetings. My name is Irol, and I will be in charge of your recovery.” 

“Sure. Now get me a prosthetic arm, will you?” 

“If that is what you wish, Sir, but… why not try Chemel-tech?” 

Den was now skeptical. Did they want to use him as a test subject?

“... What? Did you guys perfect it?” 

“We’re not quite there yet, but if it's just the arm, I think the survival rate is 80% or more.” 

“And the rate of me going insane?” 

“Around 20%, Sir.” 

“How about side effects? Will I turn into a damned beast like those guarding outside?” 

“Sir, our guards are still sane, although they look like that… and for side effects, you may get consumed by the new arm and also turn rouge. However, we estimate that it will be around 5-10%, and as for you becoming a beast, well, not very likely. I’d personally say around 2%. What do you say?” 

Now, this sounded more promising. Although the risks were high, what would the reward be? Those guards were originally very ordinary but gained a lot of power through this procedure. How would it turn out for someone who was already strong then?

“It doesn’t sound that bad. How much do you estimate it will boost my combat capabilities?” 

“It's hard to say, Sir, but it would highly increase it.” 

“In that case, turn me into a goddamned monster.” 

Den couldn’t constrain his facial expression. With a wide grin and spiteful eyes, he longed for his revenge. 

—::::—

In the ever-quiet study, Luna read a book as usual to pass the time. She had calmed down considerably and was happy that Al came alive and well. 

No one expected cultists would appear, and eradicating them would be more challenging than expected. But now wasn’t the time to think about that. 

Although she was previously in charge of it, her uncle had passed the responsibility to someone else. And if she remembers correctly, it was Delan Luvech. He was reliable and once a fiance candidate of hers. But as it turns out, Delan found love and got engaged before being politically engaged to Luna. 

Well, she would have turned it down anyways. And if it wasn’t for the Saint, her uncle would’ve probably engaged her to Al. Although Luna wouldn’t have minded if it turned out like that.

After all, she did have special feelings for him, of course, not in a romantic sense. Al already had Saint Amethely. And Luna prefers being his best friend alongside Noel anyways. 

As Luna flips to the next page, she hears a knock on the door and wonders who it could be. She usually didn’t get any visitors except Al; had it been Miu, she would have told her beforehand. 

She went to open the door and was surprised. There stood one of her students, an otherworlder. He is blond and has blue eyes. If she remembers correctly, his name was Kevin Eststad.

“Do you need something, Mr. Kevin?” 

Luna had asked him without making any facial expressions, which made Kevin more nervous as he fidgeted.

“I… I was asked to come here for advice….” He replied with a lowered head as he scratched his cheek. 

Does he have ulterior motives? Luna wonders. This isn’t the first time this happened, after all. But since he seemed sincere, she would at least hear him out. 

“What do you need advice for?” 

He seemed nervous, and she could see that he was embarrassed. Is he aiming for her? If that is the case, she wasn’t a bit happy at all. 

You are reading story The Saint Likes Me, But I’m Screwed… at novel35.com

“Professor! I-I want some love advice!” 

“... What? Who told you to come and ask me for love advice?” 

“Huh? Noel did.” Kevin replied, tilting his head. 

(... I take it all back. I will never get along with that guy! And love advice!?) 

“... I will tell you that I have no experience in love,” Luna stated in a cold voice. 

“Huh, but Noel told me you gave Alum some good advice… so I….” 

“No.” 

“I see… sorry for bothering you, professor.” 

Kevin felt disappointed and left with his head hanging. And Luna went out to the hall and saw Noel and Miu hiding. 

“Explanation. My study. Now.” 

““Ahh…””

—::::—

Luna sat with her legs crossed, sipped her tea, and looked at the two across the table. 

“So, what was all that about?” Luna asked Noel directly. 

“I’m sorry about that… he told me he had developed some feelings for you.” 

Noel looked at Miu, who was awkwardly averting her eyes from Luna. He could understand why because the Luna they saw now was pretty scary compared to the one they knew. 

“And you made him ask me for love advice?” 

“... Yes.” 

“Don’t you have better advice?” 

Luna was sure Noel had more experience than her and would’ve been able to give better advice. 

“... Well, you see, you have no interest in guys other than Al, right?” 

“I don’t like the way you put it…. But what does that have to do with anything?” 

“... if he found out he had no chance, he would probably give up without getting too hurt.”

“... No, well, I think he got pretty hurt getting shut down like that,” stated Miu.

Noel and Miu looked at each other and argued without opening their mouths. Luna couldn't help but smile, it wasn’t as warm as the ones she would show Al, but Noel and Miu found it adorable.

“You’re cute like that!” 

Noel tried complementing Luna to get out of trouble, but it was no use. Luna smiled again but had a wicking grin on her face this time. 

“Did you hear that, Chely?” 

Hearing Chely’s name Noel froze. 

“Huh?” 

He faced toward Chely, who had come out of a door that was behind some shelves. 

“C-Chely, what were you doing here?” 

Noel was nervous, and sweat started to run down his neck. Miu, who saw his sorry sight, giggled. 

“... I was revising some materials with Princess Luna's help until a while ago.” 

Although Chely had a smile on her face, Noel could tell that she was unhappy. 

“I see….” 

“Be sure to rest up well until tomorrow. You. Will. Need. It.” 

Chely looked coldly at Noel and walked out of the study. Snapping out of it and Noel chased after her. Miu chuckled and was now alone with Luna. The two smiled at each other, one calm and the other nervous. 

And after some time in silence. Luna spoke. 

“Miu, time to do some extra studying.” 

“Noooooo!” 

—::::—

Meanwhile, Alum and Ame were on their date. They had recently had lunch and were looking around Strana’s flower garden. 

He didn’t know much about flowers, but when they walked around, Ame would tell him the meaning of each flower and explain what makes them unique or how they got their names. 

Alum wasn’t really a flower guy, but since his girlfriend liked them, he did listen attentively and asked questions now and then. This made Ame very happy, and she would snuggle as close to him as possible. 

After spending some time like this, they came across a small shop that sold bouquets and flower crowns. Alum saw a purple flower crown and bought it for her. Ame wasn’t sure if Alum remembered the meaning of those flowers. Whether he did or not, she was happy. 

“Can you put it on for me?” Ame asked shyly. 

“Y… yeah.” 

He was getting shy as the flower's name was Reneos and meant, “Always by your side.” It was basically a proposal. 

The shop owner watched them warmly with her hand resting on her cheek. But it wasn’t just the shop owner. And there were passer-by couples too that watched them. 

After Alum gently put the crown on her head, she couldn’t control her expression. Her face was now soft and mushy, which made it look like she had melted. She then went and picked out one for him too. 

She had picked Juleos flowers. These yellow flowers meant “Happiness through cold storms.” Alum’s eyes widened as he looked at Ame. He wasn’t sure if she knew his past. But he was very happy that she had accepted his proposal. 

“Al, I want to put it on for you. Is that okay?” 

“Of course it is.” 

He went down on his knee and received the crown. And to his surprise, a kiss on the forehead too. 

Alum looked up to see the shy Ame looking at him and stood back up and held her hands. The crowd of couples cheered, making both of them shyly run away hand in hand. 

—::::— 

Unbeknownst to them, that place became a popular spot to propose.