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Returning from the Creator God’s realm, Ciel was still on the chair at the temple. That’s not particularly weird; I mean, the date hasn’t changed, but I am surprised she waited for me here the whole time.

Still, I guess if she leaves the temple or a place that serves the same purpose, there is a possibility that I can’t return to her. In that case, I’ve done a bad thing to Ciel. I’ve made her spend a long time with nothing to do… Or so I mused to myself, but I immediately remembered what the Creator God said before I returned.

「Goddess Alsharohs is really wonderful, isn’t she!」
「… I see.」

A familiar-looking girl was talking to Ciel. Her attire was similar to the other sisters’, only somewhat more lavish-looking, and she seemed to be of Ciel’s age bracket. She’s shorter than our class average height―still taller than Ciel, though―with bright tawny hair and golden yellow eyes. She gives off the impression of a really cheerful girl.

The gap in her and Ciel’s enthusiasm is striking; while the girl is speaking with great excitement, Ciel isn’t even hiding her bothered expression. In a sense, her being able to talk to Ciel despite this is quite amazing, isn’t it?

『I’ve returned.』
『Welcome back.』

Saying so, Ciel chuckled in a voice audible only to me. If we were not in the temple―and if this girl wasn’t here for Ciel to hide her adorable expressions―Ciel might have greeted me with a beaming smile, and missing that chance has me feeling frustrated. That aside, I don’t know why she chuckled, so I’ll try asking her. The girl remains engrossed in her own monologue and doesn’t appear to notice any change.

『Did something funny happen?』
『I’ve never had to greet Ain like this, after all. So I’m feeling a bit happy.』
『Now that you mentioned it, that is true.』

We’ve previously exchanged welcome home greetings whenever we return to where we stay, but situations like this where we reunite after being separated don’t really happen very often. I think we experienced a similar situation two more times in the past? But we weren’t in any condition to calmly express ourselves back then, so this is the first time.

『By the way, can I ask what’s going on here? I can somewhat guess from what I can see, but―』
『It’s not that complicated; she just suddenly started a conversation, and I responded arbitrarily. So I honestly can’t remember much of the conversation. If I recall it correctly, I think she approached me because I was alone for so long?』

Ciel must have been sitting for a long time, so perhaps the girl thought that Ciel was deeply pious or that she was admiring the temple and must have had interest in it.
I don’t know if she approached Ciel by her own initiative or if she was instructed by someone else, but her starting a conversation without being prompted is quite troubling. It makes me hesitant about coming to the temple in the future.

『Do you know who this girl is?』
『She said she’s Sheleight from the same class. She seems to be one of the people around Juerd.』
『That explains why she looked familiar.』

Since we’ve been avoiding interaction with Juerd, I only have a vague recollection, but I sort of remember her being with him.

The reason Ciel noticed this is because the girl mentioned us previously declining the invitation to gather herbs together. She apparently heard it from Juerd, so she must be one of her followers.

Being affiliated with the church, she seems to value cooperation and helping one another, so she didn’t have a good impression of us due to the cold shoulder treatment. As such, she was surprised to see Ailneige coming to the temple, so she talked to Ciel out of curiosity.

After that, Ciel responded to her arbitrarily, so her personal assessment of us as of now is a mystery. Based on the current situation, however, she doesn’t seem to think badly of us. Since she seems to be quite pious, perhaps she’s reciting the teachings in an attempt to make us into better people. The reason she’s with Juerd could be because they share the same ideals, or because she found him to be pure and noble, I suppose.

『Since today is my day, would you mind if we switch places now?』
『… Understood.』

The reason Ciel was somewhat displeased was probably because she didn’t want to switch me into a bad situation like this. Otherwise, she would have gladly switched out.

Even after we switched, Sheleight continued talking, but I unconcernedly interrupted her chattering.

「I’ve been a bit curious about this for a while now, but are you different from the other sisters, Miss Sheleight?」
「—? Oh, yes! I am a saintess candidate.」
「Is becoming a Saintess something that one can work towards? If my memory serves me right, I believe that it is a Job…」
「While I would also love to have the Job, I’m referring to the occupational post of saintess.」

So it’s not the Job from this world’s Job system, but the actual work and occupation kind of job; perhaps something similar to a title, or as she said, an official position. After all, it’s not like Swordsman Job holders in this world can’t become farmers.

「To be granted the Job of Saintess, it’s said that one must help and be a guidance to many people. But only a very few people have become a Saintess that way. On the other hand, most of the Saintesses of history were granted the Job from the very beginning.」

Job changing, huh? Ignoring whether her methods are correct or not, I suppose that could be possible. Just as how children of royalty are born with the 「Royalty」 Job, there should be exceptions among Jobs. Due to that, being able to change one’s Job after already acquiring one shouldn’t be out of the question.

However, since people generally only take a Job assessment once when they reach the age of 10, it’s difficult to confirm. If changing Jobs is possible, it would probably require an experience of similar extremity as those that result in a significant increase in magic power.

「Then you must be working hard for other people’s sake.」
「Ehehe… It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but yes. However, it’s not just because I want to become a Saintess… That’s why, Miss Ailneige, you too—」
「Miss Sheleight, what sort of people do you help?」

Since the conversation was getting bothersome, or rather because she seemed to be trying to rope us into helping people, I changed the topic.
Seemingly surprised, Sheleight opened her eyes wide but then had a knowing expression as she answered.

「I personally believe that we must be impartial to all, including those with Misfortunate Jobs.」
「So there are people who think otherwise, then?」
「… *Umm*, yes. There are factions who think that way.」