Saint, You Should Quit Smoking

“This is the place.”
We arrived at the room where the sealing stone was located.
Boderod held the doorknob and explained to us.
“When you go inside, you’ll see a stone pillar embedded in the center of the floor. That’s the sealing stone.”
Rinet nodded slightly at his words.
As she strode towards the door, Boderod took a step back.
“Will you not enter, my lord?”
“No.”
He makes an embarrassed expression. He probably knows it’s not a good look.
“I’m not particularly keen on going near the sealing stone. This is shameful to say as a knight at my age, but honestly, it’s not good for mental health.”
“…The situation seems quite bad.”
Rinet murmured quietly.
It was a reasonable comment. As the one who would be reestablishing the seal on the sealing stone.
The fact that the evil energy from the sealing stone was already significantly affecting people meant that the seal had weakened to that extent.
A sigh escaped from Rinet’s lips.
“I’m going to have a hard time.”
Her white hand is raised, but. She doesn’t immediately open the door.
‘It must be daunting.’
No matter how much of a Saint she is, she’s just a woman who has barely reached adulthood.
It would be stranger if she moved forward without hesitation into such a dangerous task.
Nevertheless.
Rinet closed her mouth firmly. She appeared to have steeled her resolve.
‘As expected.’
She is not someone who would turn away from her duties as a Saint.
Seeing Rinet about to open the doorknob and enter.
“Saint. Wait.”
With her back in my sight. I spoke calmly.
My action seemed to concern Boderod considerably, as he addressed me.
“Your Highness. Are you thinking of observing?”
I answered with a nod.
“It wouldn’t be proper to let the Saint enter alone when we came together.”
“Hmm. That’s a valid point, but….”
Boderod trailed off.
“I’m concerned that harm might come to Your Highness’s noble body. The energy emanating is so malicious that even experienced knights hesitate to enter.”
“Don’t worry about it. Even if what you say is true, I cannot let the Saint go alone all the more.”
I didn’t add any further words, but. Both of them understood what I meant.
It means I cannot let Rinet enter such a dangerous place alone.
Rinet turned her head back.
On that white face, how should I say.
Gratitude. Joy. Apology. Worry. Various emotions mixed, making it look complicated.
“…Are you really okay with this? I don’t mind going in alone.”
“I won’t say it twice.”
“…Alright. Thank you.”
With that, the hand holding the doorknob rotated.
Leaving Boderod behind, Rinet and I went inside.
The moment we stepped inside.
Immediately.
“…!”
A malicious energy engulfed us both.
“This is….”
Rinet let out a small groan.
The inside of the room was dark. There were clearly several candles lit to brighten the view, but.
The murky energy that covered them devoured the light.
“It’s like fog.”
‘Indeed.’
I also agree with her words.
As Boderod said. There’s a stone rooted in the center.
From that stone, a power like fog was continuously leaking out.
Rinet gradually moved towards the sealing stone. While sweeping her arm through the fog, she continued.
“…Boderod said it made people depressed. I can see why.”
“Hmm.”
“With this level of malevolent energy, just being nearby would affect one’s mind.”
She concluded with those words, gazing at the stone pillar with a serious expression.
The anomaly occurred just before Rinet was about to place her hand on the sealing stone.
Kihahahaha…!
“!”
“This is….”
Both Rinet and I frowned simultaneously.
Laughter.
Yes. It was immediately recognizable as the sound of someone laughing.
‘Only.’
Like someone madly scratching a glass window with their nails.
The problem was that it was a tearing laughter that made one uncomfortable just by hearing it.
What kind of vermin has entered?
The voice stopped laughing and spewed words. Despite there being no physical entity, the voice was heard.
As if speaking right next to our ears.
‘No.’
As if speaking directly into our minds.
To think it would be a Saint. How amusing. Kihahaha…!
“Be silent, impure one.”
It was a tone I had never heard before.
Like when a church choir sings praises.
Rinet immediately placed her hand on the sealing stone. Soon, a white radiance whiter than her hand began to emanate.
It was sacred power.
Why such haste? Let’s talk a bit more.
“Shut up. I have nothing to discuss with a demon.”
What a boring wench. Then, I’ll have to ask by directly touching your body.
“Ugh…!”
The murky energy flowing from the sealing stone converges in one large mass. Its appearance resembled the fangs of a snake.
Then the dagger floats in the air and. It plunges straight down vertically.
There was Rinet’s hand on its path.
Crack-!
The sound of sacred power and malevolent energy colliding is heard.
Rinet’s eyebrows were deeply furrowed. She was experiencing strain from simultaneously managing the sealing and the tug-of-war with the malevolent energy.
Girl. I see it. Your heart is so clear, it’s as if it’s before my eyes.
“…”
Rinet kept her lips tightly sealed and made no response. She seemed to dislike even mixing words with it any further.
However, the voice dug into her consciousness. Like a snake’s tongue.
It’s heavy, isn’t it?
“…!”
Oh. My. How heavy it must have been. I can see in your life, the many humans who placed responsibility on you.
“Don’t… speak as you please…!”
Isn’t a life where only responsibility is demanded heavy? But don’t worry.
The murky energy that had been floating around the room converged to form a shape.
A pupil.
The snake’s eye, created by the fog, was piercing through Rinet.
Leave it to me. I’ll alleviate all your burdens, and let you taste boundless liberation.
“…”
Rinet gritted her teeth. It was to concentrate her mind without being swayed by the temptations whispered by the voice.
I frowned as I observed the situation.
‘This is not ordinary.’
Just leaked malevolent energy because the seal of the sealing stone weakened?
If it has enough self-awareness to make even a Saint struggle to concentrate.
‘This is not a simple matter.’
It seems I need to investigate further.
While I was accelerating my thoughts.
Rinet declared through her gritted teeth.
“…Do you think I would fall for such temptation? Mere demon.”
….
“Even if I entrusted it to you, all that would remain is a future where both my body and mind are dominated. Am I wrong?”
Kihahaha…!
Tearing laughter echoed, and.
It doesn’t matter. Even if you, girl, reject my contract. Do you think all humans can do so? The plan has already begun.
“What do you mean?”
Well, this worked out. Now that I’ve confirmed the Saint is here, I should let that fellow know.
“…”
The voice spewed incomprehensible words.
Rinet didn’t respond further and infused more power. The sacred power emanating from her hand grew in size, and.
The murky energy from the sealing stone gradually began to disappear. The seal was returning to its proper state.
Kihaha…! It seems this sealing stone is no longer usable. How regrettable.
“Disappear quickly, you evil spirit.”
Fine. Let me leave one last word. What could hurt your heart?
The room was already brightly illuminated.
The seal of the sealing stone returned to its original state. Now, only the snake’s eye formed on the ceiling remained.
A vertically split pupil stares at Rinet, and.
It curves as if it had discovered an amusing truth.
Oh. Could it be. You, girl, have a man in your heart, don’t you?
“…!”
For a moment.
Perhaps fatigued from exerting power on the seal. Rinet, who had been leaning on the stone and catching her breath, jolted her body significantly.
To think a Saint would open her eyes to love. You’re a truly audacious wench. And even the partner….
“Shut up…!”
Rinet once again summoned a great amount of sacred power. Despite having already consumed much of her internal energy, she used even more sacred power.
That’s how much she wanted to erase that snake’s eye quickly.
The vertically split, elongated pupil. It moved sideways, and.
For the first time. It met my gaze.
The snake’s eye furrowed.
Considerable disgust and hostility were directed at me.
Welert. That damned bloodline. How interesting.
“Ugh…!”
The sacred power extending from Rinet’s hand struck the snake’s eye.
Crackle-! The murky energy was devoured by the sacred power, and. The snake’s eye gradually disappeared.
However, the voice resonated throughout the room until the very end.
As if trampling on Rinet’s heart.
Foolish wench. Do you think your love will be reciprocated?
“…”
Dragon’s blood takes away human emotions. For that one to love you, never—
The voice’s words were cut off midway. It disappeared, unable to maintain its power any longer.
Silence fell upon the room. Neither I nor Rinet opened our mouths.
The candles, reclaiming their role, diligently illuminated the quiet darkness.
While I was momentarily gathering my breath, wondering what to say.
Wobble-
I saw Rinet’s body sway, and.
“Saint!”
She collapsed to the floor.

“…”
Rinet’s eyelids trembled, and.
I could see them opening slightly.
I was relieved to see that. A sigh naturally escaped.
“Are you alright?”
“…Ah….”
Seeing Rinet trying to raise her body, I gently pressed her shoulder.
“Don’t move. You need to rest now.”
“…How long was I asleep?”
“Not long. A few minutes at most.”
“I see….”
A breath laden with fatigue was expelled from her lips.
Rinet remained silent for a while. She lay there with a blank expression, and then.
“…Huh?”
As if she realized something surprising, she abruptly sat up.
“Didn’t I tell you not to get up?”
“That’s not it…!”
Her face flushed red.
She moved her body hurriedly, stumbled, and.
After managing to maintain her balance, she pointed her finger at me.
“Why, why-why are you giving me a lap pillow…!”
I responded calmly to her sharply speaking appearance.
“What else could I do? I couldn’t lay the Saint on the bare floor.”
“N-No. But…! There must have been a better way…!”
“We’ll do it differently next time.”
“…”
Rinet’s mouth opened and closed, and.
“Haah….”
She leaned against the wall and slumped down.
Her shoulder touched mine. We were so close, pressed against each other, that we could feel each other’s warmth.
Rinet’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly. She seemed to have something to say.
“…You heard everything, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
I didn’t pretend not to have heard.
Anyone could see I had no choice but to hear, and. There was no point in lying, as it would only hurt the other person.
Rinet’s mouth formed a bitter smile.
“There’s no need to heed the words of a mere demon…. But that one statement hurt.”
“Which one?”
“The one that said, ‘It’s heavy, isn’t it?'”
“…”
I didn’t make any response.
She continued speaking. Rinet’s ash-gray pupils, which I glanced at, were filled with deep sorrow.
“Though I denied it verbally, I realized it inside. That there’s a sense of burden somewhere in my heart.”
“…”
“I shouldn’t feel this way.”
Rinet raised her knees. She brought her legs together neatly, and buried her face in them.
“There must be people who envy my life. In fact, there should be many benefits that come with the identity of being a Saint.”
“…”
“But… Sometimes it’s so heavy I can’t bear it. I want to run away from my life.”
With those words, Rinet closed her mouth.
Seeing her silently burying her face in her knees.
I quietly chose my words.
Words spoken aloud cannot be taken back. Every single word should always be said with consideration for the other person.
I should consider what words would make Rinet’s heart more at ease.
No.
I shook my head. Out of personal desire.
I wanted to include more of my emotions.
‘What words do I want to tell her.’
Yes. This would be more appropriate.
“Saint.”
“…”
No response came back.
I didn’t mind and slowly conveyed my words.
“You said you were curious about my past stories.”
“…Why bring that up?”
“I thought I might share a bit.”
Rinet still didn’t raise her head, but. Since an answer came back, I was satisfied with that and continued.
“From the time the imperial family matures. No, from the moment they are born, do you know what they acquire?”
“…What is it?”
“‘Duty’.”
“…”
As I continued, my vision was not on what was before me, but on my past life.
All the scenes I recalled were always the same.
“Don’t act lightly. Don’t carelessly share your thoughts with others. Never forget the awareness that you stand above others.”
“…”
“To be honest, it was quite heavy.”
At those words.
Rinet raised her head.
Judging by her reddened eyes, she must have been crying.
“And in the future too, I will live heavily until the day I die. Because that is the fate of the imperial family.”
“…Aren’t you afraid?”
“Well. It would be a lie to say I’m not afraid, but….”
A bitter smile formed on my lips.
Though it was quite embarrassing to say these words.
Nevertheless, I hoped to be a source of strength for Rinet.
“I just accepted it.”
“…You accepted it?”
“Yes.”
I lowered my head to directly meet Rinet’s gaze.
My face is reflected in her ash-gray pupils.
Her mouth seemed to form a curve.
“There are times when I want to complain. Times when I want to throw everything away. How comfortable that would be.”
“…”
“But, despite that, I just accept it and live. I don’t abandon my duty.”
“…Could I do that too?”
Rinet picked up the conversation. With her downcast eyes, she seemed to lack confidence.
“Isn’t that because Your Highness has a strong will? I smoke cigarettes, and I’m not at all—”
“Have you forsaken your duty because of that?”
“…”
“Have you abandoned your responsibilities and turned a blind eye because it was heavy, because you couldn’t bear it?”
“…No.”
Rinet answered quietly.
Hearing that answer, I nodded. I was satisfied as the desired response came out.
“But, just with that much….”
“That’s enough. Who doesn’t find duty difficult? Everyone wants to complain, but they just endure.”
“…”
“And there are many who can’t even maintain that and collapse. Hasn’t the Saint endured most of your life?”
“…Ah.”
“You can be proud of yourself.”
Finally, I said everything I wanted to.
Having poured out quite embarrassing words, I closed my mouth. It was too embarrassing to say more.
Rinet’s face was, as usual, flushed red. The bloodiness on her white face showed that she was currently feeling very embarrassed.
Her white fingers fidgeted. As if contemplating what to say.
Rinet darted her gaze here and there, and finally squeezed out a word.
“…Thank you.”
Yet she was still restless, unable to sit still. She seemed to be feeling something from this strange atmosphere.
Then.
Slide- Rinet moved her body, getting even closer to me.
“…?”
Confused by how she overlapped her body more than appropriate, I met her gaze.
Her ash-gray pupils were right beside me. Her breath hit my cheek.
“…Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
“I want to ask this. Can I? Please allow me.”
“…Go ahead.”
“The words that voice spat out at the end. You heard them, right?”
Cough!
A cough burst from my mouth. I hadn’t expected her to point it out so directly.
Even so, it’s a difficult topic to touch on directly, so I thought she would subtly pass over it.
Yet she comes at it like this.
Rinet’s eyes held a strange intensity. She seemed determined not to allow even a slight deviation in words.
“Tell me. Honestly, even though it wasn’t explicitly stated, it’s already been exposed.”
“…”
“So… be honest with me.”
Her eyes moistened.
The moment when a woman musters the most courage. Simultaneously, the moment filled with the most fear.
The time when she confirms whether the man she harbors feelings for loves her or not.
“What… do you think of me, Your Highness?”
“…”
I couldn’t bring myself to sigh, and although I tried to look away, I refrained, knowing it wouldn’t be proper.
I closed my eyes tightly.
I threw my consciousness into the depths of my heart. To ascertain exactly how I truly felt.
But even after rapid thought, no suitable answer emerged.
‘Well.’
Let’s be honest.
How Rinet feels about me is already settled. Her harboring feelings for me is no longer something to reconsider.
Then, how do I feel about Rinet?
“…”
Do I, Loran von Welert, truly harbor feelings for Rinet?
But there wasn’t sufficient time to deliberate. The longer I dragged it out, the more hurt Rinet’s heart would become.
Since I finally had to make a decision.
Just as my mouth was about to open.
“Your Highness!”
Bang- The door opened hastily.
Boderod jumped into the room with rough movements.
Because his expression was extremely perplexed and urgent.
Both Rinet and I immediately stood up.
“What’s the matter?”
An urgent look that wouldn’t even register the fact that the sealing stone issue had been resolved.
Boderod informed us of the reason as he looked at us.
“The Knight Hunter is attacking…!”
Today.
The story of the Smoking Saint. One page comes to an end.