Don’t Be Holy! - Chapter 100

Eir was surprised to hear Rubel chime in with his own thoughts in response to her words. When she turned to look at him, he was idly scanning the lush grass near the rocks before looking up.

“What? Do I seem like someone who doesn’t have things I like?”

Eir jumped over a protruding tree root as she spoke.

“Honestly, you do. Everyone says you’re obsessed with work.”

At first, he tilted his head as if he couldn’t agree, but then he nodded, admitting it might be true.

“Well, that’s fair. But I do enjoy my work.”

“That’s ridiculous. Killing grotesque monsters, purifying them, and now risking your life chasing witches—what’s enjoyable about that?”

“Do you know why I’m so devoted to my faith?”

Eir, crouching to examine the area near the tree roots, looked up.

Now that she thought about it, everyone knew Rubel Shinote was fanatically devoted to the divine, but no one knew why. At some point, people had just accepted that he was born that way—a man madly devoted to the gods.

Rubel, who had come to gather herbs, was looking more at the distant scenery than the ground. With the waves crashing and the clear sky stretching endlessly, dotted with white clouds, it was a scene that heralded the height of summer. It was understandable that he couldn’t look away.

Was it for a romantic reason? Like being saved by the divine once?

As Eir pondered this, he suddenly spoke.

“In our era, the power of the divine is visible and absolute. Following it is comfortable and good. And becoming its weapon, boldly meting out judgment, has been something I’ve loved since I was young. There’s nowhere else where you can wield such legitimate violence.”

Why… is he saying this while gazing so wistfully at the sea?

Wasn’t he just saying he enjoyed being the enforcer of absolute justice, smashing things to pieces?

Wasn’t it the desire of someone who loved violence but wanted to be righteous? Could he really say that so shamelessly?

Many questions arose.

But at the same time…… it suited him.

Eir shivered and moved slightly away from him.

“I was expecting a more romantic reason.”

“A romantic reason?”

“Well, like your family being saved by the divine or something.”

“Hmm. That’s their problem, not something that affects me, right?”

Eir’s mouth hung open in shock.

How could someone be so cold?

“B-But they’re family. That’s an obligation. You can’t separate individuals like that.”

“What are you talking about? Of course you can. Are you saying family is something you can’t abandon?”

“W-Well, I guess…….”

“Of course you can abandon them. Just because you’re tied by blood to an idiot doesn’t mean you have to put up with them.”

Wasn’t he clearly talking about someone specific?

At that moment, Eir couldn’t help but recall what Chrome had told her. The Emperor had expressed his desire for Rubel to inherit the title, and Rubel’s older brother, Magnus, had orchestrated all of this to kill Rubel.

Back then, she’d thought it was too harsh, even for family. But now, seeing that Rubel himself didn’t seem hurt by the whole situation, she realized he might not care at all.

For him, there was only the divine, himself, and judgment. He was the epitome of simplicity.

No wonder he’s unshakable.

People who care about nothing but themselves are the least afraid. Eir began to wonder if there was anything that could truly scare or hurt him.

“But can’t you at least show a little consideration? They’re family.”

“It’s a good thing you don’t hold even a speck of power.”

“Why are you dismissing me out of nowhere?”

“It’s a relief for the world.”

They bickered like this as they wandered the mountain. Eir, who had never hiked with anyone before, found herself laughing uncontrollably while walking with this strange man who loved violence more than anything. When they came across a stream, she even found flat stones to skip across the water.

Of course, Rubel quickly figured out how to do it and skipped stones over twenty times in a row, ruining the fun and forcing them to leave the spot.