CH 160

“Worry not,” August replied, nodding slowly. He had intended on watching out for Jun even if Mayer hadn’t asked. She looked fine now, but… Even the most momentary carelessness would lead to accidents out of nowhere.

While August was lost in thought, Mayer went on to say something ridiculous in a matter-of-fact voice. “I did have a set of dragon equipment made for Jun this time, but I feel it is still not quite enough. She tends to care about her reputation… I hope to give her some better equipment when we set off for the performance report meeting. What do you think?”

The priest almost let his tongue fly then. If the captain knew Jun cared about her reputation, then shouldn’t he keep some distance from her instead of thinking about fitting her with equipment? He felt like he could understand why Jun had asked for his help. Mayer Knox was completely and utterly unaware of how the relationship between him and Jun appeared to others. August began cautiously, “Excuse me, Your Excellency. I have something to tell you.”

“Mm? What is it?”

“I am aware that Sister Jun has been of great help in your manifestation of holy power.”

“…Is that right? I heard that Jun was going to consult you on that matter. I see she told you about that?”

Mayer’s response sounded a little uncomfortable. He didn’t seem to welcome the subject much as if August had come to know a secret that only Jun and he had shared… Sensing that things were about to get complicated, August clicked his tongue. “Yes, as it so happened…”

“Right. Understandable. So? What is it you have to say?”

Mayer’s voice was sharp with wariness. His mere displeasure was enough to cause goosebumps across August’s skin. It was not easy to overcome the oppressive atmosphere the man exuded. Not even for the beloved son of the church, August, who was called a saint.

That was what it meant to be level 80. To be at the very apex of the pyramid. Closer to being a deity than a human being. And staying in the same room with someone like this? August could only conclude that Jun Karentia was numb to danger. People who couldn’t feel pain should always keep their surroundings clear. Pain was a kind of safety device and without it, you could get into bigger accidents. Perhaps Jun’s sensitivity toward safety in dungeons was a precautionary behavior resulting from her numbness to danger.

August took a steadying breath and continued speaking as calmly as possible. “But even if you favor Sister Jun, it will not appear appropriate to the others if you featherbed her the way you do in dungeons.”

“I believe I have done nothing to be ashamed of.” Well, of course he would think that. Mayer Knox alone would feel unabashed while everyone else was feeling awkward. Mayer continued matter-of-factly, “Is it such a problem to share the joy with an aide that has been working hard with me all this time?”

The problem lay in Mayer Knox himself, not the others. He had never shown happiness until now, let alone share joy, after all. August had countless things to refute, but he swallowed back every word. The important thing wasn’t to argue, but to open Mayer’s eyes to the reality he was trying not to see. “But you must also take Sister Jun’s reputation into consideration. Does she wish for Your Excellency to act in such a manner?”

“Well, that is…”

“And if she happens to make a lover, your behavior would not be right as well.”

“What?” Mayer had been assuming a somewhat disinterested attitude so far, but that changed in an instant. A murderous pressure that was incomparable to that from before assaulted August. “Lover? Did you just say that Jun has made a lover? Who? Is he in the Dark Knights?”