Chapter 108. Saintess Escort (5)
“It seems you haven't quite grasped the situation yet.”
I said calmly to Antenor before me.
“I am escorting the Saintess according to her will. Isn't suggesting I abandon that halfway an act lacking in respect for the Saintess?”
“That, that wasn't my intention.”
Perhaps it was because I spoke a righteous point, Antenor hesitated for a moment. It seemed he realized that the fault he had just been barking about was indeed unreasonable, even in his own thinking.
Seeing that reaction, I was certain.
Perhaps he hadn't expected me to react so strongly.
Even though I had successfully completed missions one after another recently, I was just a boy. I would be ignorant of escorting the Saintess, so they thought they could find fault and push me around. Was that their calculation?
Unfortunately, they had chosen the wrong opponent to employ such a reckless tactic.
‘Or perhaps it's simply a lack of competence.’
In the end, it didn't matter. Thanks to their foolish move of trying to pick a fight, they had only given me an excuse.
I added in a light tone.
“If this happens even one more time, I may have to formally report it to the Elsyde Main House later.”
“That is...”
“Answer.”
Antenor's complexion stiffened for a moment.
Elsyde's missions were treated as official duties. Naturally, he wouldn't be foolish enough not to consider the risk if I were to publicly challenge them on it.
My position as a Direct Lineage was also a powerful card.
“...Understood.”
As expected, Antenor replied reluctantly, twisting his narrow eyes. The arrogant demeanor he had directed at me had completely vanished.
With this, the hierarchical relationship seemed to be established.
Then, it was time to get what I needed.
I looked at him meaningfully and tossed out a question.
“I have a few things I'd like to ask for, for now.”
“Wh-What is it?”
Antenor's face twisted slightly.
There were still a few things I needed to get from The Order, but it would be more efficient to acquire the items I could get immediately.
Therefore, the first thing I would demand from him was one item.
“I need The Order's 「Emergency Mana Potion」.”
“Yes?”
“As far as I know. Escort officers are supposed to be issued portable ampoules when they go on operations or missions.”
Healing potions made by The Order's subsidiary pharmaceutical company.
In the original work, they were quite straightforward items.
─Stamina recovery items.
As is common in games of this kind. They were consumables that helped recover from a system limit that prevented users from playing for more than a certain amount of time to slow down content consumption.
Their effect was also very straightforward.
「A type of awakening medicine in pill form, specially refined by The Order's subsidiary pharmaceutical companies, which helps Mana recovery when consumed and clarifies the mind.」
I said casually.
“Perhaps it might be needed during this operation. I would like to receive some support in advance.”
“That is a special operational medicine provided only to personnel affiliated with The Order. Unless there is a formal cooperative relationship...”
“Didn't you say earlier that it was a cooperative relationship?”
Antenor blinked, as if speechless. And then, with a reluctant expression, he took out an uniquely packaged ampoule from inside his uniform.
“...Here it is.”
I took it.
And then I glanced at the ampoule.
Of course, no matter how effective it was, since it was a Mana recovery potion that worked for Mages. It might not apply to me, who used Unique Mana, unlike Mages...
‘I won't know unless I try.’
Without taking it myself, it might have an unexpected effect, and it might be needed for Sirocco, a Follower Family member, or others around me.
Furthermore, just confirming the existence of the few items obtainable only from The Order, and how their supply chain existed in reality, was a significant gain.
“Well, then I'll be leaving.”
Antenor turned to leave with a displeased expression. I calmly added to him.
“One more thing. I have something to ask of you regarding the escort mission.”
“...What is it?”
At my words, he glanced back at me.
Meeting his gaze, I calmly continued.
“I need information about the mine here in the town. I heard Magical Beasts came out from there.”
“...”
“Magical Beasts might pop out again. Then the Saintess's life would be in danger.”
“Are you asking us to investigate?”
I nodded.
“Knowing the type of Magical Beasts, the reason for the attack. Gathering as much information as possible would be a great help for the escort.”
The matter of Magical Beasts had been bothering me since before.
Magical Beasts had appeared suddenly in Rhodes, and Flare, affiliated with Vendetta, had also appeared. It was possible this was related.
“I ask for your help.”
“...For now, understood.”
Antenor, who had narrowed his eyes and glared at me for a moment, replied reluctantly and turned away. I watched him with expressionless eyes.
This was a way to utilize him to some extent.
The corrupt guard dog would be recycled as a hunting dog.
***
The Saintess's temporary residence, the hotel's 2nd-floor lounge.
Until night passed and the morning sun rose, The Order's relief efforts continued without pause.
Looking out the window, I could see the brightening streets of the city. Healers in white priestly habits were busily moving, tending to the injured.
Although I didn't see it myself, it seemed that for those with severe injuries, not only healing magic but also surgeries using medical supplies from The Order's subsidiary pharmaceutical company were being performed.
In many ways, it was efficient work.
Just then. I felt a presence behind me.
“Ah, Sir Enoch. You were here.”
It was Amelia. She approached and stood beside me. I turned to look at her, who had approached and was also looking out the window.
Amelia must have just finished directing the medical activities that lasted for several hours, putting up a sign for a temporary relief center in the hotel, and treating emergency patients.
“What about the treatment schedule?”
“It is almost finished. Thanks to you, Sir Enoch, and Sir Sirocco, a Follower Family member, and Miss Lien, who have continuously stayed by my side here.”
I glanced at her.
As she said. Amelia was staggering slightly, as if she was a little exhausted from standing.
“You seem very tired.”
“Everyone here is already working hard. I cannot rest by myself.”
Amelia lightly shook her head.
I subtly looked at a patient who was leaving after being treated, then turned my gaze back to her.
“Are there still patients left?”
“We received word that the last patient would arrive soon. Once that person is treated, today's schedule will be finished.”
Amelia stumbled slightly and caught her breath, looking outside the lounge. Her chest rose and fell slightly under her clasped hands.
She was so delicate and beautiful that my gaze was involuntarily drawn to her. I watched her from behind and spoke calmly.
“Do you remember what I said during the day?”
“What are you referring to?”
“The internal affairs of The Order, I mean. By designating me as escort, you must have anticipated the possibility of me noticing these facts.”
“...You are sharp.”
In reality, it didn't require much brilliant deduction. That was likely the thing she was most concerned about.
I calmly added.
“I have no intention of spreading rumors about The Order's affairs.”
“I did not think you would. There would be no gain for Sir Enoch in doing so.”
At her words, which hit the core, I tilted my head slightly. I could tell immediately, even without many words. She was the type of person I could communicate with quite well.
Just then. A loud presence was felt from outside the hotel lounge. Several people were running towards here.
Amelia gave me a look, then immediately walked towards the lounge door.
“Pa-Patient!”
As expected. Several healers carried a patient on a stretcher and entered the lounge.
It was a young woman.
Perhaps because her injuries were severe, blood was dripping from beneath the stretcher. One of the healers quickly exclaimed.
“It seems she was hiding from Magical Beasts and was hit by fragments of a collapsed building. The bleeding is severe!”
“You've worked hard. I will treat her.”
In the Saintess's hand, as she walked towards them, was a long staff.
A ceremonial staff with a matte black body, a cross-shaped mark at the tip, and a thin circular rim around it, in a modern style.
It was a dedicated Unique Magic Gear, shaped after the symbols of The Order.
Soon, Amelia approached the patient, a woman, and calmly took her hand and said.
“Just bear with it for a moment. I will heal you right away.”
“Ugh...”
She placed her hand on the painful wound of the suffering patient and quietly closed her eyes.
Oooong─
Immediately, a transparent aura of light appeared on the tip of her slender hand. Then, the patient's face became a little more comfortable, as if the pain was subsiding.
Even though it was a quite serious injury without a doubt. The bleeding stopped immediately and the process of healing was visible to the naked eye.
Seeing that, I inwardly gasped slightly in admiration.
I knew Amelia's healing magic was outstanding, but to see it in person was like this. Honestly, it was astonishing.
“Please transport the patient.”
The time taken for treatment was just a few seconds.
The healing of the wound was completed in less than a minute. Amelia lightly saw off the healers who were helping the patient up and leaving.
Just then. Murmuring presences and several shouts were heard from outside the lounge window.
Glancing out the window, where I was standing, I saw dozens of people gathered. They were sending words of gratitude towards the inside of the lounge.
“Saintess! Thank you truly!”
“We were saved by the Goddess's grace!”
“My mother has regained consciousness! Thank you truly, may the Goddess watch over you!”
Towards Amelia, who appeared at the lounge window, they repeatedly bowed their heads, or even knelt on one knee to show their respect.
These were the people who had been treated by Amelia last night.
Judging by their fervent reactions, some of them seemed to be followers of The Order mixed in. Seeing the citizens all expressing their gratitude, Amelia gently shook her head.
“Please, everyone, stand up. There is no need to thank or show formality to me. All of this is thanks to the Goddess watching over you.”
Her voice was calm and warm like sunlight.
I looked at her with expressionless eyes.
“...”
Amelia's appearance as she faced the people was truly that of a naturally beautiful and benevolent Saintess herself.
However, I, who was watching from the side, let out a slight cold chuckle inwardly.
That's because. If you knew her 'real' personality, anyone would have to think this way.
It was a strange irony that I knew her so well without even meeting her properly before.
Just then, some of the escort officers below began to restrain the increasingly dense crowd, pushing them back.
Glancing to the side. Amelia was looking coldly at the escort officers pushing the people back.
“...Sir Enoch. To continue what I was saying earlier, I am merely a face put forth by The Order.”
“A face?”
“Yes. The Saintess is merely an empty symbol. I do not have the power to lead The Order. I am aware of the escort officers' corruption, but I do not have the authority to sanction it.”
I leaned back against the wall for a moment and looked at her.
Her eyes, which had been only benevolent before others, were now slightly sharp.
It felt as if a layer, a veil, had been lifted.
She placed her hand on the chest of her ceremonial habit.
“Even this revealing ceremonial habit I am wearing. Even the appearance that many praise. They are merely carefully calculated measures by The Order to attract people's attention and gain new members.”
She said that much, then glanced at me.
And then she lightly shook her head.
“If it was a burden, please forget it. Since Sir Enoch has become aware of these circumstances, I wanted to speak of it to you at least once.”
“...”
She lowered her head and added quietly.
“...However. What should I do?”
To my slight surprise, Amelia murmured coldly with an appearance of deep fatigue.
However, she clasped her Unique Magic Gear once, then returned to her usual calm demeanor. And then she raised her head towards me.
“I seem to have said unnecessary things. Thank you once again truly for your help this time. After the relief efforts are concluded, a consultation will be held. I ask for your escort until the end of the schedule...”
But just then.
BOOM!
A large explosion echoed from outside the window. And then someone rushed into the room, panting. It was one of the guards I had seen yesterday.
“It's, it's a disaster!”
Perhaps because he had run in a hurry, his face was bright red. The guard immediately shouted loudly towards me.
“You must evacuate right away!!”