This is at the time when Tatsumi and Calcedonias engagement became official.

Are you Tatsumi Yamagata?

When he was walking in the churchs corridor, his name was called from behind, causing Tatsumi to stop and look behind him.

Verse, walking next to Tatsumi, also looked back at the same time.

There were at least a dozen, stern-looking priests standing behind him

The all unanimously looked at Tatsumi with a very serious expression. No, they were staring directly at him.

Yes, I am indeed Tatsumi?

The priest in the front was wearing the Sacred Symbol and priestly clothes, so one could tell that he was a senior priest.

The rank of the other priests behind him were disordered, but no one among them seemed to have a higher rank than him.

This was two ranks higher than Tatsumi and Verse. Besides, Tatsumi wasnt acquainted with him.

While Tatsumi was tilting his head as to question why he was called out, Verse, beside him, squeezed his arm.

Those guys are Miss Calcedonias most fervent followers. You better be careful of them.

Recently in the Savaiv Church, rumours that the Holy Maiden had finally been engaged have been circulating here and there.

Naturally, the rumors also fell into these followers of Calcedonia. Those who listened to the rumors probably came to Tatsumi, the Holy Maidens partner from the rumor.

There is something that I want to ask.

The strict-faced man came forward towards him.

Not only his face, but even his body was stern-looking, and Tatsumi felt the pressure on him increased considerably when the man came forward.

Is it true that youre engaged with the Holy Maiden no, with Lady Calcedonia?

So it has come, Tatsumi sighed as he was thinking that.

But, he couldnt refute that. It was based on the consent of both sides that he and Calcedonia got engaged and it was Calcedonias foster father, Giuseppe, the patriarch of Savaiv Church, who gave the approval.

Thats why Tatsumi, with confidence, answered clearly while facing the man in front.

Yes. Calcedonia and I were with Giuseppe no, we were officially engaged with the Patriarch as the witness.

When Tatsumi answered, all of Calcedonias followers behind the strict-faced man reacted.

Some crumbled down to their knees and had stunned expressions, while others punched the floor while shedding tears.

Then the rumours were true?

The strict-faced man acting as the leader muttered with a somewhat empty expression.

However, the man soon came back to looking as stern as ever, and once again challenged Tatsumi. To this, Tatsumi puffed up his chest.

He, a head larger than Tatsumi, looked down.

The two of them entered a staring contest of sorts. And then, after a short while, the man suddenly clasped Tatsumis shoulders heartily and said,

We, the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Club, give youno, we give our best friend Tatsumi Yamagata our full support!

Ummwhat did this guy say just now?

Unable to comprehend what exactly the priest was going on about, Tatsumi stood there, involuntarily looking like an idiot.

Presumably to clear things up to Tatsumi, Verse turned to face him. But, Verse only stared at Tatsumi, gaping all the while.

Only when the man in front of them, most likely the leader of the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Club, continued to say, As your esteemed self is the partner of the Holy Maiden, we will absolutely help you in any ways possible! did Tatsumi finally understand. Since there was a pattern to all this.

But, it couldnt be that these followers of Calcedonia were giving me full support?

Tatsumi didnt dare to think that.

To tell the truth, Tatsumi knew that people were saying strange things on how Calcedonia was engaged.

Some among these people obviously were spreading malicious rumors about him.

Until now, there were many n.o.bles and royals who have send marriage offers to Calcedonia. And now this girl didnt choose any of the high-ranking potential marriage partners to engage with but suddenly engaged with a foreign man without any warning. The strangeness of this event gave plenty of people plenty of things to think about.

Of course, when they decided to engage with each other, they were prepared for these kinds of things.

However.

This situation was, as one would think, way beyond expectation.

To Tatsumi, still not understanding if this was a good thing, the leader-like manfor now, lets call him the (probable) leadercontinued speaking.

We of the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Club have always been watching over herCalcedonia. So we understand. Recentlyever since you came, she has been looking happy and blissful.

The (probable) leaders stern face paradoxically looked gentle as he was speaking.

Seeing this, Tatsumi realized that these men were speaking out their true feelings.

For other people to understand his and Calseys feelings for each other would be on the verge of impossible. But, these people came close. They didnt know of the time the two spent together in their previous world, but that really couldnt be helped.

It seemed that the (probable) leader was the type of person with a mean outside and a kind inside.

And just when Tatsumi smiled and was just about to thank the (probable) leader.

Suddenly, Verse, filled with curiousity, asked, You guys areumm, the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Clubwas it?

Indeed. We are the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Club.

As the (probable) leader answered, the club members of the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Club puffed out their chest and nodded.

And, sirs of the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Club, may I ask on what group you sirs are specifically in?

As the other party looked to be his superior, Verse switched to using a formal speech, but for some reason, his eyes contained a hint of suspiciousness.

But, the (probable) leader didnt seem to notice it as he proudly gave his answer.

We are exactly what our name implies. Every day, we watch Lady Calcedonia the Holy Maidens shadow. Our history goes way back, even before Lady Calcedonia was called the Holy Maiden. From around the time when she was adopted by Lord Chrysophrase. We were entrusted to protect a child with an exceedingly high amount of talent in magic, and that child was Lady Calcedonia. Those days were pure and beautiful

The (probable) leader had reminiscing eyes as he was extolling about the former Calcedonia.

He looked to be in the late thirties or the early forties. If he was the type of person who looked older than his real age, it still wouldnt be in the twenties.

That old man was talking about the loli Calcedonia in such a pa.s.sionate way.

With that thought, the cla.s.s of the (possible) group leader and the members behind him went from priests to pedophiles in Tatsumis mind.

As a result of the esteemed patriarchs guidance, Lady Calcedonias innate magic talent bloomed and she became to be called the Holy Maiden. But, if you as us, something like Holy Maiden is just too little! She no, Lady Calcedonia is an emissary of Lord Savaiv from Heaven! What Holy Maiden. Shes obviously a Celestial Maiden!

He continued to preach about the greatness of Calcedonia while flouris.h.i.+ng his clenched hands.

But, he needed to remember.

That, right now, he was in a church corridor with Tatsumi and Verse.

Naturally, in this hall, there were other priests. The group members were standing right in the middle of the hallway, and everyone elseTatsumi and Verse includedwere giving strange looks to them.

The other members of the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Club were going along with the (possible) leaders preaching: they were saying things like Yep! Yep! and Thats right! in accordance to the main talkers words.

On the other hand, Tatsumi and Verse were completely dejected.

If you didnt know the context, itd look like the two of them were a part of this strange group.

Thought about that way, its completely understandable why they were feeling like that.

Even so, he continued, And so, we stare at Lady Calcedonias shadow, and we vowed to always protect her! From that day on, we have been fulfilling our duties staring at her! No, our duties in protecting her! One time, we did it even while performing official church duties! Another time, we did it even while we were preaching the words of Savaiv to the followers! Yet another time, we did it even while we were purifying unholy bodies in a bathroom! And yet another time, we did it even while we were sent into toilets in order to avoid being suddenly attacked by insolent fellows! There has never been a time when we havent watched over her!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait!

Worried about what the man was going to say next, Tatsumi unintentionaly yelled.

However, for the (possible) leader, something as insignificant as Tatsumis words could not stop him.

Recently, Lady Calcedonia has been looking livelier when with you. Weve been at your house s general vicinity and have been watching over her. Please dont worry! We havent stolen her underwear or anything. Just, her underwear needed a little protection!

Isnt that the very definition of a stalker!!!

If this happened in modern day j.a.pan, theres no doubt that the police would be involved.

But, in this world, the general idea of s.e.xual hara.s.sment or stalkers doesnt exist, unfortunately.

Nevertheless, it didnt seem like the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Club, or at the very least the (possible) group leader, had any true malicious intent.

Thats too much

Or rather, you didnt know that these people existed?

At the worn-out Verses question, Tatsumi silently shook his head.

Just like the priest said, the club was (usually) only in the general vicinity of Tatsumi and Calcedonias house. Besides, it was the time when the two of them were alone together, so they didnt really pay attention to the surroundings.

Tatsumi secretly decided to warn the females in the neighborhood when he got home today.

By the way, Tatsumi? What in the world is a stalker?

Guessing that it was a word from Tatsumis hometown, the (possible) group leader tilted his head in confusion.

It describes people like you

It was only a murmur that Tatsumi spoke. And yet, his mutterings reached ears of the (possible) group leader right in front of him.

Hmm, a word that describes distinguished shadow-watchers And, for some reason, its very powerful Good, I like it! From now on, we shall not be called the Forever Staring at the Holy Maidens Shadow Club but the Holy Maiden Stalker Club! What about it gentlemen!?

From behind the (possible) group leader, there was a resounding cry of Yes!

Thus.

A stalker group that advertised itself as a stalker group was born.

By the way, I just want to hear if this is true

After the excitement over the new name died down, the (possible) group leader closed in his huge frame onto Tatsumi once more.

I heard from somebody t-thatif somebody got close to you, theyd also get close to Calcedonia is that true?

It seems that this is the true reason why they approached Tatsumi.

In the future, the Holy Maiden Stalker Club was disbanded.

The reason was not known, but a group member had this to say about it: O-Only seeing such sweet scenes I couldnt take it anymore