I’m Playing as a Nun.

A peaceful evening.

The children and I are having a meal at the scheduled time as usual, in a small dining room prepared in one corner of the convent building.

“Levinia, can I swing my sword in the garden after eating?”

“Yes, but come back when it gets dark.”

“Okay! Got it!”

Despite it being right after the second devil attack, thanks to my quick response and excellent eloquence, a clearly different atmosphere is lingering compared to before.

Impressed by my demon-slaying skills, Aizen began training much more than usual.

Iris also began reading the magic book I bought her over and over again, saying she didn’t want to be a nuisance.

Recalling the previous period when the atmosphere was like a funeral for a while after the first attack,

I could clearly feel that this attack brought positive changes to all the children except me.

“Ellie, you’re spilling a lot on your mouth today.”

“…Yes.”

However, even in the midst of these winds of change, only one person appeared very gloomy and depressed, emitting a gloomy energy.

It was none other than Ellie.

“What’s wrong, Ellie? Are you feeling sick somewhere?”

I gently wiped the sauce smeared around her mouth with a handkerchief and asked carefully.

Then Ellie quietly shook her head.

“No… I’m fine…”

It was obvious to anyone that she was not fine.

It was clear that something was bothering her or she was worrying about something.

But no matter how many times I asked, she wouldn’t give me an answer, so as a bystander, I couldn’t help but feel my heart burning.

“Thanks for the meal─!!”

Meanwhile, Aizen, who finished his meal first, noisily put down his spoon and immediately ran out.

“Thanks for the meal.”

Following that, even Iris, who had been eating quietly, put down her spoon, politely stood up from her seat, bowed to me, and left the dining room.

Then, naturally, only Ellie and I were left in the dining room.

An inexplicable, strange tension gradually rose, and an awkward atmosphere instantly began to linger.

“…Ellie?”

“Yes…”

I don’t know what to say to Ellie.

If I at least knew the reason, I could think about it a little─

“Sometimes, rather than suffering alone, it may be better to confide your worries to someone and solve the problem together.”

“……”

“I don’t know what worries Ellie has right now, but please know I’m always by your side.”

With those words, I slowly got up from my seat and picked up the empty plates on the table one by one, moving as leisurely as possible.

Because Ellie might open her mouth with the courage she gained from my words just now.

“…Sister.”

“Yes.”

“Am I doing well right now…?”

I momentarily tilted my head slightly at Ellie’s question.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, that’s… Aizen and Iris are working hard on something… But I’m just praying all the time…”

Come to think of it, Ellie’s condition has been a bit withdrawn recently.

I had been paying attention to it for a while, but I didn’t know the reason, and it wasn’t that serious, so I just watched it for now.

I never thought she was worrying about such a thing.

I didn’t think of it.

“Do you feel like you’re the only one falling behind?”

“Aizen is getting more and more reliable… Iris is getting smarter and smarter…”

“They have definitely changed compared to when we first met.”

“Compared to that, I feel like I’m still the same… I can only pray…”

It’s quite a sudden and realistic worry, but it’s still a worry that I can fully understand.

As Ellie said, Aizen and Iris worked hard on their respective paths and showed results accordingly.

“Hmm…”

In fact, in the past few days, Iris has grown to the point where she can use basic magic on her own.

As a child with the nickname Messiah, it is an indirect way of showing that her talent is also excellent.

Considering these points, it may be natural for Ellie to feel impatient.

However, that’s only because each person’s talents are different.

Considering the job’s characteristics, Ellie is also slowly blooming, no less than Aizen and Iris.

“It’s been a few months since we started living together, right?”

“What? I think it’s been about 3 months…”

“Yes, that’s right. It feels like it’s been longer than that, but it’s only been 3 months.”

“Why are you suddenly asking that…?”

“I just feel strangely moved. It’s only been 3 months, but everyone has become so reliable as if they’ve become different people.”

Only 3 months.

It’s far too short a time to feel any change.

Nevertheless, the fact that they are already showing results is something that is absolutely unimaginable compared to their peers.

I didn’t particularly force them or put pressure on them.

“But it’s still only been 3 months. I want to say that it’s too early to feel impatient.”

“What…? But Aizen and Iris are already…”

“There are differences in each person’s growth, but that can’t be an absolute standard. They may be fast now, but the day will surely come when both of them will have worries similar to Ellie’s.”

Ellie is not slow.

Rather, she can be said to be ordinary.

Although there may be no significant results right now, on the day when the three of them form a party and faithfully fulfill their role as the Messiah.

Ellie’s existence will shine more brightly than ever.

That’s what a healer and a priest are.

“In short, Ellie is doing well right now. So much so that I, who is watching, feel proud.”

“Re-Really…?”

“Yes. This is a secret I haven’t told anyone, but honestly, among the three, I have the highest expectations for you.”

“Why…?”

To Ellie, who was carefully asking in a trembling voice, still unable to hide her anxiety.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I smiled brightly and answered softly.

“Well, because I know you very well as a person. I’m really proud of you, who works hard even when I can’t see you.”

It’s not like I made up nonexistent words, nor did I seriously bring it up.

I just wanted Ellie’s energy to come back to life, so I lightly said the words that would give her the most strength, carefully choosing them in my head.

Hearing these words, Ellie’s eyes had already turned red, and she began to tear up.

“S-Sister…”

“Oh? Did I say it too seriously?”

“Thank you… Thank you for saying you’re proud of me…”

“Ahaha… It’s not that much─.”

“Thanks to you, I feel energized… I’m glad I talked to you, Sister…”

Well, anyway, it’s enough if Ellie’s energy has returned.

I was a bit worried while saying it because I haven’t listened to others’ stories and given advice so seriously like this very often.

But I’m really glad it turned out better than I thought.

“Is that all for your worries?”

“Yes! I feel much lighter.”

“That’s a relief. Then finish your meal now.”

“But Sister. We don’t have anything we want to eat, but there’s something I want to do.”

“What is it?”

“I want to go out and play with everyone.”

“Outside?”

“Yes. I want to pack food in a basket and have fun all day long.”

A naive remark full of Ellie’s innocence.

Was it because of Ellie’s appearance, smiling brightly, wiggling her body back and forth, and looking forward to it?

My closed lips don’t easily come apart.

If it was the body of an ordinary person, I would have accepted it immediately without thinking.

But sadly, I am a poor vampire who cannot go out during the day.

Usually, I don’t feel particularly pessimistic about being a vampire.

But whenever I encounter a situation like this, I not only feel discomfort but also see myself as infinitely small.

“Well… Ellie? As I said before, I don’t really like sunlight…”

“Let’s go at night, not during the day. Then you can come with us too, Sister.”

I thought she forgot that I don’t like sunlight when she said it, but it turns out Ellie had already thought about that part.

“It’s dangerous to wander around at night, but since you’re here, Sister…”

“Of course. Let’s go tomorrow right away.”

If we’re going at night, there’s no reason to refuse.

Moreover, I felt sorry for the children who always play only in the church garden, so I thought Ellie’s picnic plan was a good opportunity.

“I happen to know a good place.”

“Really?”

“You can look forward to it.”

“I’m excited! Then can I invite that unnie too?”

“…Who is that unnie?”

“Priscilla-unnie!”

“Ah, right.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the closed door of the dining room slowly opened, and someone carefully poked their head inside.

“Umm… Can I help with preparing the meal…?”

Speak of the devil, as they say.

It was none other than Priscilla.

Due to various incidents, Priscilla, who I thought would return immediately that day, became physically and mentally exhausted, so she ended up staying at this church for a while until she recovered to some extent.

But I had forgotten about that fact.

“Huh? Did everyone eat without me…?”