"Alright, where should I begin?"
After messing around for a while, we decided to ask Shiva-san about
the details of the present situation.
To Shiva-san sitting at the bedside with her legs crossed
bewitchingly, Arca said as if it was obvious, "From the reason why
you were on the saint side, of course. Let me make this clear, we
haven't fully trusted you yet."
"My, that makes me sad. Are you the same, Boy? Even though you
were so intense when you made love to me."
"Uhh, err, umm, that's…"
"""""..."""""
――Stare~.
"…If possible, I'd like you to tell us the reason…" I said, dropping my
shoulders.
Shiva-san giggled amusedly and said, "Alright, if my beloved darling
says so. I'll tell you anything you want."
"No, why are ya callin' Exa yer beloved darling? I bet ya don't even
know that much 'bout 'im." Ophir looked at her with half-closed eyes.
Shiva-san then shook her head, "My, I do know a lot about him, you
know?" and continued, "After all, I've been 'watching' him all this
time."
"Would you care to elaborate on that? I mean, from your look, you
seem to be unable to see."
Hearing Zana's question, Shiva-san said, "Oh, this?" and removed
the black cloth covering her eyes.
""""""!?""""""
What we saw behind it was a pair of eyes that was wriggling while
giving off a mysterious color.
Are they magic eyes of sorts?
As I was feeling like my everything was seen through, Shiva-san
said, "The one chosen as the 'Shield' is, as the word implies, a being
who protects the mankind… or more precisely, the world. Of course,
so does the holders of the rest of the rare skills, but the one who
possesses"Treasure Shield"has particularly stronger inclination to
carry out that duty, and they are given various roles and powers to
keep the world in harmony."
"You mean your eyes?"
"Yeah. They have the power of clairvoyance, though it isn't as
convenient as it sounds to be. It just lets me 'see' a few things that
will be crucial in the future. That's why I said I'd been watching you.
From your parting with the 'Sword' Saintess, your falling into the
crater at Magrid and getting"Phoenix"skill, to your fighting with the
young lady over there at the Martial God Festival—I saw all of it. So,
I can confidently say that I know you, Darling, better than anyone
else here."
"""""Gh…"""""
Momentarily intimidated by Shiva-san's challenging eyes, Magmell
cleared her throat and brought up a question, "…I see. In other
words, you got close to the saints due to the guidance of that power,
yes?"
"Yeah, that's right. I believed in the boy's strength and possibility
which I saw with these eyes. Hence, I infiltrated the saint side. Well,
the surveillance was really strict, so I couldn't much. And in the end, I
even let Goddess Phinis got free…" Shiva-san looked down and
made a self-deprecating smile.
Gently taking her hands, I shook my head, "No, please don't blame
yourself," and said, "we were able to meet Tirna thanks to you, and
with her help we got to get Sinus-sama's power, which allowed us to
come this far. Besides, you went so far as to risk your life to try to
stop Phinis-sama. I think you've done more than enough."
"You, think so…?"
"Yes. So please be proud of yourself. And I'd be really happy if you
were to lend us your power from now on. I… no, we need you."
"Boy…" Tears glistened Shiva-san's jewel-like eyes, and I smiled and
nodded to her.
Then,
"…As—"
"As? —Hey!?"
Grab! Shiva-san buried my head in her plump chest and squealed,
"As I thought, you're so cute~♪. Gosh, I feel like eating you~ ♪."
""""What!?""""
Of course, the girls raised their voices in protests.
"O-oi!? What are you doing in the middle of the confusion!?" Arca
yelled.
"I-indeed!? More importantly, could it be that you're really in love with
Exa-sama!?" Magmell asked, shocked.
"Isn't that obvious?" Shiva said, still hugging me, "Sure, I'm the
'Shield' Saintess, but I would have never keep watching someone I
don't like. I'd been watching the boy desperately doing his best
because I found him cute and I couldn't help but be curious about
him. Before I knew it, I've already been captivated by him."
"Oi oi, is this auntie okay…" Ophir looked like she was put off.
"She's totally a stalker. Even if she's not, she's the type that needs to
be put under surveillance." Zana commented.
"Anyways, you're sticking to Exa too closely. Separate, now." Tirna
said in commanding tone.
As the girls threw their complains at her, Shiva-san composedly
released me; then she respectfully kneeled in front of me, bowed,
and said, "Allow me to introduce myself again. I'm the 'Shield'
Saintess Shiva. Henceforth, I will be your strength. Please don't be
reserved to order me to do any of your biddings."
"Y-yes! Uhh, I look forward to it!"
Caught off guard by the sudden formality, I also bowed my head.