CH 82

“Aren’t you overdoing it?”

“It’s not my favorite place, but I felt like I had to go. Yet there was no one I was looking for.”

The words just broke my heart.

Because I thought I might be the one he was looking for.

“There was no one I’m most wary of.”

At Cass’ words, I looked at him with trembling eyes.

Somehow, it was a strange atmosphere.

“…I didn’t know the Marquis came. I wish I could have met you.”

His last appearance, which seemed dangerous, was caught in my eyes, but I said calmly. I smiled as if nothing had happened.

“That’s too bad.”

At my words, he licked his lips with a stiff expression.

“It would be rude to ask who you were with last night.”

I didn’t do anything wrong, yet my heart raced for nothing.

I hesitated for a moment, then bid him a goodbye with an awkward expression.

“Then I’ll get going.”

A light breeze blew and gently rustled his hair.

Cass hurriedly caught me as I was leaving as if he had something to say, then he asked.

“Are you leaving tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“I plan to go back after sorting out the situation at the branch here a little more.”

I heard that he was staying a little longer to clear out the remaining monsters, but he also seemed to have quite a few things to organize.

“I see. Please be careful.”

At my words, he took a step closer to me.

“You’re the Saintess, be careful. Don’t put yourself in danger like last time.”

I let out a light laugh when I remembered the time I was alone with Cass while I was wearing the pendant.

“Yes. I’m going to be careful.”

However, Cass shook his head and replied.

“I’m not talking about that.”

I stared at Cass with puzzled eyes.

‘That’. Are you saying this isn’t the case with the warp system I’m obviously thinking of?

He was staring at me coldly with his mouth closed. I had a strange feeling because the cool eyes seemed to really penetrate me.

Even though I thought that Cass had no idea what happened with Diego in the mines, I had a strange feeling.

“…I’ll be going now.”

I paused for a while, then turned around and started walking. I felt his gaze on the back of my head for a long time.

I set off with the Paladins before dawn.

A person from Lloyd’s Merchant accompanied me, and I had received Cass’ permission to use the warp system.

It took a considerable amount of time for us to arrive at the warp system after overcoming hill roads and bumpy slope roads.

I was taking off my necklace to avoid making the same mistake as last time when I heard the sound of horses hooves running wildly.

When the dust cleared, dozens of people got off their horses. The faces of the lord and elder priests, as well as some priests and officials, were visible.

“Saintess!”

At the urgent cry, I frowned, wondering if the gate had exploded in the mine again.

“What is it?”

The lord rushed over and lowered his head.

“To think that you’re leaving without saying anything like this…”

“Ah.”

My tension was relieved for a moment, and I let out a small sigh.

“I was surprised. I thought the gate had exploded in the Demon Realm again.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to go quietly.”

“As expected…”

People looked at me in awe as if they were looking at the crystal of modesty.

The truth was that it really bothered me.

Soon Kyle will head to the Imperial Palace again, but if he joins, it will be difficult to use the warp gate and there are many things to worry about.

It was an inconvenient journey when I came here, so I wanted to go while enjoying my thoughts and relaxing.

“Then a small one…”

The lord held out something to me.

“Ah, it’s fine. I didn’t even come here hoping for a reward.”

The first word is, again, customarily a refusal.

“If we let our benefactor, the Saintess, go like this, I will be uncomfortable and unable to sleep. I hope you will accept this small gift.”

I put on a slightly troubled expression.

In fact, there was nothing special at the banquet, so I criticized the lord’s spending, but for him to chase after me for several hours like this and give me a present, I need to withdraw my evaluation.

“If the lord is really uncomfortable.”

I received the gift with an expression that I couldn’t help it. However, I happily accepted it in my heart.

It was a small package, but usually the smaller the package, the more valuable it is.

I unwrapped the package in front of him. Inside was a small jewel the size of a fingernail.

‘What is this?’

It wasn’t even a diamond, it was reddish.

“It’s the only lithium holy stone in the Empire that has been found in our mines only twice in its hundreds of years of history.”

“A holy stone?”

“Usually, ores with strange powers are called magic stones, but this ore has such holy power that it’s a treasure that has been handed down from generation to generation in our family.”

I held up the small jewel.

It did have a bizarre appearance.

“What power are you talking about?”

The lord looked around and spoke in a low voice.

“You can save someone whose heart is about to stop.”

Hearing that, I was surprised.

“Save someone whose heart is about to stop, you say?”

“That’s right. This holy stone, which is called the blessing of the Great God, is so great that even those who set foot in the Salerium (the palace of the God of Death) can be saved. Moreover, the blessings of the Great God will be upon those who are revived by lithium.”

According to the lord’s words, it’s a greater item than most holy relics.

“Is it okay to give me such a precious thing?”

“If it wasn’t for the Saintess, the demons would have taken over the territory and even the lives of the families wouldn’t have been saved.”

I held the jewel in my hand and nodded.

“I see. If you think you’re going to have that kind of debt… Let me take it.”

It was an unexpected gain. Even if I poured out my holy power, it was quite difficult to save someone from the brink of death.

“Then please… Be careful. And no matter which one you choose…”

The lord’s voice became a little quieter.

“Please remember me.”

…What does that mean?

For some reason, Kyle’s face came to my mind, but I just decided not to think about it.

“Of course I have to remember you.”

I smiled and nodded while holding the jewel and headed for the warp gate. I could feel the lord groveling from behind.

“I see you’re in good spirits.”

Suddenly, I heard Dwayne’s voice. He still had one arm wrapped around like a cast.

“Of course I am. We’re going home.”

“Are you going to sell that thing at the auction house too?”

“I guess I should have just left you to rot in the Demon Realm.”

At my words, the Paladins around me laughed.

Dwayne put his other hand on his forehead.

“Your words and actions have become more rude.”

“That’s what happens when you fall in the midst of a war.”

After stepping on top of the gate, we were enveloped in a halo of light. The image of the lord and the crowd watching us faded.

It was time to go home.

***

The road to the capital was peaceful.

Occasionally, if there was a place with pretty flowers in full bloom, I would stop the carriage and spend time there. It was my own healing time to spend after finishing a difficult homework.

Paladins were more anxious to look good to me than before. Now that I, who had been the image of a sickly and incompetent saintess until now, had accomplished such a great feat, it was only natural that their evaluation of me would change.

An apprentice Paladin, the youngest member of the Holy Knights, abruptly held out a bouquet of flowers to me.

“I made a bouquet for the Saintess.”

“Oohh, Theo, this guy. Such a timid fellow.”

“Saintess, I’m more confident in my ability to make bouquets. My family runs a flower shop in my hometown.”

I smiled leisurely as I smelled the scent of the bouquet.

“Then please make me one too, Jade.”

Playing the queen wasn’t too bad either. Where my eyes go, their eyes go, and they react to my laughter.

Does it feel like I’m a goddess in awe?

[The God of Art, Mond, prefers Theo to Jade.]

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, clicks his tongue, saying that Mond has a consistent preference for blonde hair.]

[The God of Justice, Hetuse, prefers Dwayne’s loyalty.]

“Jade, Theo, thank you. The bouquets are so pretty.”

A warm breeze rustled the two bouquets in my hand.

“The Saintess is much more beautiful than bouquets of flowers.”

“That’s right, Saintess.”

Hearing their compliments made my ears tickle and my cheeks warm.

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, wags his tail.]

I asked while looking at the two apprentice Paladins who looked younger than the other knights.

“How old are you two?”

Then Jade cleared his throat and said.

“I’m a year older than Theo, the new guy.”

Theo then refuted Jade with excitement.

“Jade is only older, he’s still childish.”

Dwayne, who had been sitting there, interjected with a grin.

“Whether thirteen or fourteen, you’re both newbies. Isn’t that right, Saintess?”

“T-That’s right…”

I replied hesitantly as I was bewildered inside.

No, why are these guys’ faces so mature?

I’m also seventeen here.

“How old is Dwayne by any chance?”

I asked Dwayne, surprised by Theo and Jade’s ages.

Judging from his physique and face, and his position as the 2nd Holy Knights’ Commander, I wondered if he would have been around thirty-five.

“You’re talking about me?”

Dwayne scratched his head and said.

“All the members said that I look younger.”

Hmm, then about forty?

“I’m twenty one.”

“Puh… Cough… Cough…”

I held my breath in hurry and choked.

What a nonsense. Dwayne… He was a brother, not an uncle?

A chat window flashed incessantly in front of my eyes.

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, erases the word ‘young’ from the dictionary]

[The God of Justice, Hetuse, hates the lies of the Paladins.]

[The God of Art, Mond, looks at Dwayne sadly.]