Why Would a Holy Knight Be Afflicted with Such a Curse? - Chapter 74 - Experiment Interrupted

Before getting into the carriage, I repeatedly emphasized to the coachman.

“No one should notice that we passed through. It’s best if we’re not seen, at least until we reach the path up the mountain.”

It was an obviously suspicious instruction.

But the coachman only checked the destination, as if accustomed to it. It wasn’t the first or second time he had received similar orders from his master.

Of course, the coachman didn’t ask about the man who had boarded the carriage first either.

He only asked about the matters I had instructed.

“To avoid witnesses, we might have to take a slightly longer route… Is that acceptable, young lady?”

I reflexively looked back at the carriage. To recall what Celesto had said earlier.

‘Since he said there’s no curfew or anything… it should be fine if we arrive a little late, right?’

With that careless thought, I nodded.

After finishing my instructions to the coachman, I immediately boarded the carriage.

And then, faced with the sight before me, I clicked my tongue.

Inside the cozy carriage, Celesto was practically wedged into the sofa.

“Wow…”

Surely that chair wasn’t originally that cramped?

My carriage was already slightly smaller than the typical private carriage. Because I had invested as much as possible in mobility, for quick commuting to the lab and rapid retreat from excavation sites.

But a carriage is a carriage; I couldn’t completely abandon comfort.

So, instead of standard wooden chairs, I had put a lightweight but plush sofa into the carriage. I also allocated as much surface area as possible.

But that ergonomic design meant nothing to a Holy Knight of massive build.

“Sorry, I didn’t consider your size.”

I apologized readily.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Celesto had no answer. He just glanced at my face and then looked away.

‘Anyway…’

I clicked my tongue and squeezed my butt into the empty spot on the sofa. With over half the space already taken, it was practically like wedging myself into the gap between the carriage wall and Celesto.

“…Ahem.”

As I finally wedged myself into the seat, Celesto cleared his throat.

“What? Is something uncomfortable— Huup.”

Before I could even ask him out of courtesy if anything was uncomfortable, our bodies were jerked backward at tremendous speed.

The carriage had started moving.

“…”

Silence settled over the carriage.

Perhaps due to the awkward quiet, the air felt oddly heavy and humid.

I shifted my legs slightly to adjust my posture. At that, Celesto put force into the hands resting on his knees.

*Crunch.* The thick robe crumpled pitifully in his grip.

Was it my imagination? Celesto’s body temperature, transmitted through our touching thighs, felt particularly hot.

*Creak, creak.*

The carriage wheels made dull sounds as they rolled incessantly.

“…Come to think of it.”

Unable to bear the silence any longer, I spoke first.

“There really is no curfew? There usually is at monasteries.”

I desperately racked my brain and came up with a suitable topic.

Fortunately, my effort paid off. Celesto, who had been lost in thought, readily opened his mouth.

“…It’s not a curfew, it’s a return time after holy missions.”

“Ah.. right, that.”

Anyway, couldn’t he just let it slide?

Still, it was better to have some conversation than to continue the awkward silence, so I continued in a normal voice.

“Is that… similar to the reason the academy keeps the main building open 24 hours?”

“If it’s about keeping it open for people who work beyond regular hours, then probably.”

“Wow, they say opposites attract, but extremes resemble each other.”

It was meant as a joke, but Celesto didn’t react.

Meanwhile, the carriage jolted more violently, as if it had entered a narrow road. Celesto’s shoulder and mine, already touching in the cramped space, collided as if pressing against each other.

Then the carriage shook hard. It seemed a wheel had hit a rock.