Chapter 238

"Ah, sorry!"

Clael hurriedly stood up and blocked the drunkard's path.

The drunkard in front of him was completely wasted—face beet red, legs unsteady, and for some reason, he had a necktie wrapped around his head like a stereotypical drunk salaryman.

(No... He's not even a salaryman. What the hell is with this guy...?)

"I apologize for the students making noise."

"Ah, students? Those brats are students?"

"Ugh..."

A wave of alcohol-laced breath wafted from the drunkard's mouth.

It stank. Really, really stank.

To make matters worse, his hoarse voice was absurdly loud, and the other passengers were now looking at them suspiciously.

"What kind of education did you brats get, huh? Didn't they teach you not to make noise on trains?"

"......We're terribly sorry."

"We're sorry."

Following Clael, the female students also apologized.

Sure, they had been a bit loud... but honestly, the drunkard was way noisier.

They didn't deserve to be yelled at, but still, trouble had no place on a fun trip.

So to keep things peaceful, they decided to apologize.

"Because of you brats, my fun drinking time got ruined, damn it! Are you really sorry!?"

"Of course. We're sorry for the trouble."

"Then why don't you come over here and pour me a drink or something!"

"Huh...?"

Clael frowned at the drunkard's outrageous demand.

"A drink! A drink, damn it! Pour me some booze and entertain me!"

"............"

Because they were noisy, now they had to pour him a drink?

It was a completely nonsensical demand. It made no sense at all.

(Wait a sec... Is this guy just trying to hit on the young girls?)

The drunkard wasn't looking at Clael, who stood in front of him, but at the four female students behind him.

So that's what this was.

The drunkard had barged in just to mess with the young girls.

(Sure, they were talking, but it wasn't loud enough to bother anyone... What a pervy power-harassing old geezer!)

Clael frowned and let out a quiet sigh.

Come to think of it... there had been someone like this at the toxic company he worked at in his previous life.

A power-harassing boss who constantly yelled at young female employees over trivial things.

He never got why that was fun... The guy never yelled at male employees, only treated the women harshly.

(Basically... he just wants attention from young girls. What a dirty old man.)

"......We are sorry for the noise. However, I cannot allow my students to do something like that. Please leave."

"Huh!? I'm the victim here, damn it! Don't get cocky with me! Get your ass over here!"

"Ah...!"

The drunkard shoved Clael aside and reached for the female students.

He tried to grab Reina's arm, who was sitting by the aisle... but Clael caught his hand.

"Huh, what the—"

"......Hey, I told you to knock it off."

"Eek...!?"

Clael growled in a low voice.

When he glared at the man up close... the drunkard let out a strained noise.

"You're too old to be hitting on young girls. Want me to crush this hand?"

"Ow...!?"

As Clael tightened his grip, the man screamed in pain.

Clael was generally gentle and avoided conflict, but during his student days, he had a reputation as a fighter.

Even though he was a priest, he was the type known as a 'combat healer'—someone who used support magic to enhance their body and fight.

"L-Let go of me!"

The drunkard shook off Clael's hand.

"I'll let you off for today! Just shut the hell up!"

"............"

The drunkard hurled the bottle he had been holding.

Clael blocked the bottle with his arm before it could hit his face, but the spilled alcohol splashed onto his head.

"Mr. Clael!"

"I'm fine, Reina."

Reina stood up in a panic and wiped Clael's face with a handkerchief.

"I'm sorry, this is all our fault...!"

"Mr. Byrne, I'm so sorry..."

Following Reina, Meily and the others bowed their heads to Clael.

"It's alright... That was clearly an unjust accusation. You girls have nothing to worry about."

"But still..."

"Just keep your voices down a little, just in case. That's all you need to do."

When Clael said that with a smile, the four girls nodded.

"Are you okay, Mr. Clael!?"

"Goodness, that was awful."

Yurii and the elderly couple also helped wipe Clael's clothes and the floor with handkerchiefs.

In the midst of that... Reina gently tugged on Clael's sleeve.

"Mr. Clael...?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for protecting me... I was really happy."

Reina said, gazing up at him.

Her expression was a mix of guilt and joy. Blushing, she covered her mouth with her hand.

"Also... I thought the wild side of you was really cool..."

"............"

She saw a side of him he didn't want her to see.

Clael felt embarrassed at how genuine he had been and silently averted his eyes.

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