EP.152 Sometimes Things Like This Aren’t So Bad
“The Empire will not forget the Church’s grace.”
The Saintess’s party stands on the teleportation magic circle while being seen off by the Legion.
Kyle, who had naturally come along, was also standing beside them.
“Saintess.”
She barely acknowledges the Legion Commander’s greeting, parting her lips slightly.
“I heard you’re heading to the Church.”
“Yes. I need to report the details of what happened to His Holiness.”
“Would it be alright if I visit the Church as well?”
“The Church? Rather than going straight to the Academy?”
Absences are something Academy students should avoid.
Moreover, with final exams next week, it would be best to attend this week’s lectures.
When asked about this, Kyle shrugs his shoulders once and answers.
“Since I’m already absent anyway, and I’d like to talk with the Saintess a bit more.”
The Saintess rolls her eyes at the second reason.
It seems she quite liked that answer.
“Hmm. But shouldn’t we try to reduce absences even by one day?”
She asks again in a subtle tone, trying to hide her true feelings.
In reality, she’s anxiously wondering if Kyle might say, ‘Is that so? Since you’re so concerned, I should go to the Academy. I’ll visit the Church another time.’
“It’s fine. I’ll go to the Church together with you, Saintess.”
Of course, Kyle had no intention of saying such an insensitive thing.
Since the Saintess approached him first, if he didn’t plan to push her away, it was right to treat her well.
Above all, when someone’s clearly feeling down, what kind of person would ignore that?
“We’ll begin teleportation.”
The mages who were waiting in advance activate the formation.
Soon, a brilliant light begins to envelop Kyle and the Saintess’s party.
“Hooh. So this is the Empire’s famous teleportation magic circle.”
Old man Neil, who had been quiet until now, finally speaks up.
Perhaps he’s amazed because this is something unimaginable in Jonathan.
Looking at the magic circle in wonder, he continues.
“But at this rate, no one will think about walking or running on their own two legs, young master.”
“Can’t be helped, can it? People naturally seek convenience.”
“I understand, but… hmm. I hope this never appears in Jonathan.”
How could it? Even alcohol and tobacco can’t survive there.
The moment such magical convenience enters, it would be erased as something evil.
Claiming it attempts to eliminate good opportunities for aerobic, leg, and endurance training.
Saying things like why create such things when you can walk short distances and run long ones.
*
Ahhh…
As the light subsides, a different scenery comes into view instead of the legion’s camp.
The heart of the Empire, the Imperial Capital. The teleportation magic circle located on its outskirts.
“Welcome back, Saintess.”
The holy knights who were waiting in advance greet the Saintess in unison.
Along with them, the Empire’s officials also welcome those who have worked hard for the Empire.
“We express our gratitude for your efforts, Saintess. We received the report from the Western Legion. We heard that you healed all the critically wounded. The Empire will remember the grace of the Saintess and the Church.”
The Saintess waves her hand dismissively, saying it was nothing.
Even though she traveled far to save those who were dying, she could have shown a bit more pride.
The Saintess didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so.
Yes, that’s our Saintess indeed. She truly is the embodiment of light. Mmhmm.
As Kyle mentally applauds while thinking this, several figures approach him.
From their armor and the seal stamped on their breastplates.
All those approaching were none other than knights belonging to the Imperial Family.
“Lord Kyle.”
“Welcome back.”
He thought their faces seemed vaguely familiar, and indeed, he had seen them all before.
The people who stood beside Ulrika with tense expressions.
That is, those Imperial Knights who acted as guards, even though they were rank 10.
“Seeing you all here, I can guess what this is about.”
“Pardon?”
“Did the Fifth Princess order you to bring me to her immediately?”
The Imperial Knights nod awkwardly at Kyle’s question.
Kyle has just returned from the west.
It’s not like he’s surprised. He even fought monsters.
Whether that process was difficult or not, that’s not what’s important.
What matters is that he rolled up his sleeves to help the Empire.
To suddenly demand such a person’s presence is quite rude.
The knights surely know this. However, they’re following orders because it’s the Princess’s command.
“Hmm.”
Normally, he would have gone along reluctantly out of respect for Imperial authority.
After all, it’s not like he could avoid the Princess even if he tried.
It would have been better to meet her quickly to prevent her from showing up unexpectedly later.
But unfortunately today, he had no such intention.
“I apologize, everyone, but I have a prior engagement.”
“Oh? A prior engagement…?”
“I plan to visit the Church. Together with the Saintess.”
This was Kyle’s solution to the current situation, thought up in a brief moment.
The magic words that could block even a Princess’s orders: the Church, and the Saintess.
First of all, the Church is nearly perfect as an excuse, without question.
No one except the Emperor can force someone to unilaterally break an appointment with the Church.
It’s a natural choice for maintaining relations with what could be called a partner organization.
Even Ulrika, a direct Imperial family member and one of the Empire’s Top 10, cannot ignore the Church.
“You’re going to the Church?”
“Yes.”
“Together with the Saintess… you say?”
“That’s correct.”
There were two reasons for specifically mentioning ‘together with the Saintess’ after mentioning the Church.
One was to make it impossible to break the promise since the Princess and the Saintess were friends.
The other was to deliberately show this to the Saintess.
Indeed, even the Imperial Knights couldn’t think of pressing Kyle further.
Not only is it an unwritten rule not to carelessly break appointments with the Church.
Hadn’t they said that the Fifth Princess who ordered them and the Saintess were friends?
They seemed to have judged that the Princess wouldn’t interfere further with her friend’s appointment.
“If she hears my circumstances, the Princess won’t scold you all. Rather, she’ll understand it couldn’t be helped.”
“Hmm… that’s true. She wouldn’t have known about your appointment with the Church…”
“Once I finish my business with the Church, I’ll go see the Princess right away.”
“If you would do that, we would be most grateful. Then we’ll take our leave.”
The Imperial Knights withdrew without further words.
It was persuasion backed by irrefutable reasoning, but.
The fact that Kyle was the one doing the persuading also played an important role.
Whether he was gentle-natured or not tyrannical, he was still from Jonathan after all.
‘Well then.’
He turns around, leaving the departing Imperial Knights behind.
“Shall we go, Saintess?”
“Will this be alright?”
“You mean about the Princess?”
“Yes. Going to the Church is fine, but… to call it a prior engagement…”
“It is a prior engagement, isn’t it? Since we made arrangements to talk, what else would you call it?”
The Saintess blinks her eyes and says “I suppose that’s true” in a small voice.
Judging from her slight reaction, though she tried not to show it, she was clearly pleased.
He thought solving a Princess-related issue with the Princess herself would be the best approach.
It seems to be working even better than expected. Hasn’t her expression already softened a bit?
“Besides, if I go to meet the Princess, what happens next is too obvious.”
“She’ll beg you for a duel, won’t she?”
“Yes. She begs so much. Just between us, Saintess, it’s absolutely exhausting.”
“Shh! You shouldn’t say such things!”
At first glance, it might seem like she’s scolding him for being disrespectful.
But the Saintess’s expression wasn’t that of someone scolding at all.
The smile she couldn’t quite hide at the corners of her mouth was clear evidence of that.
“I’m fortunate to be going to the Church with you, Saintess. I can escape from the Princess’s clutches.”
“That’s why I’m telling you not to say such things carelessly, Brother Kyle.”
“I understand. But it really is too troublesome, that’s just the truth.”
Ah, by the way, this isn’t one of his tactics to cheer up the Saintess.
It’s just his honest feelings naturally flowing out.
*
Familiar faces. Yes, those are the Fifth Princess’s Imperial Knights.
…Wait. Their presence here can only mean one thing.
“Did the Fifth Princess order you to bring me to her immediately upon my arrival?”
The Imperial Knights nod in response to Brother Kyle’s question.
Seeing this makes me want to sigh. I forcefully hold it back.
Before getting on the teleportation magic circle, Brother Kyle had suggested going to the Church together.
I had wanted to make that suggestion first but couldn’t.
I’m so grateful that Brother Kyle took the initiative.
However… that was just a temporary schedule at best.
The fact that the Princess sent knights means she strongly desires to meet with Brother Kyle.
Thinking about it, I recall the words I heard earlier.
Brother Kyle’s father, Baron Jonathan, who spoke favorably of the Princess.
From his questions about the marriage talks, I clearly felt it.
That he was thinking positively about it. That he approved of the Princess.
It was his father, of all people, who said such things.
Then wouldn’t Brother Kyle have to be mindful of this?
Yes. From Brother Kyle’s position, he would have no choice.
So, even if he were to accept the Princess’s request to meet now…
“I apologize, everyone, but I have a prior engagement. I plan to visit the Church. Together with the Saintess.”
I thought I had heard wrong. But no.
With those words, Brother Kyle sent the knights away.
Considering they were sent by the Princess herself, this was unexpected.
I had thought he would surely go to meet the Princess.
I believed he would have no choice but to go, whether he liked it or not.
Watching him flatly refuse, I wonder why I feel like smiling.
I wonder if I’ve always been this bad of a person.
I was taught that one should never find happiness in another’s misfortune.
I shouldn’t be happy. I shouldn’t waver. Why am I like this?
Before I knew it, a question asking why he did that slipped out.
Then Brother Kyle smiled and answered.
“Besides, if I go to meet the Princess, what happens next is too obvious. She begs so much. Just between us, Saintess, it’s absolutely exhausting.”
I almost laughed at Brother Kyle’s response.
Ah, no. This isn’t right. This is disrespectful to the Princess.
I shouldn’t laugh. And I shouldn’t feel happy either. It’s wrong.
But… but why?
Brother Kyle’s words about refusing the Princess’s request to go to the Church with me instead.
Why do they keep floating around in a corner of my heart?
“I’m glad to be going with you again, Saintess.”
“…Me too.”
After my lips trembled several times, I finally managed to reply to Brother Kyle.