Chapter 293: Levantine Empire (2)
Chapter 293: Levantine Empire (2)
Even if it was merely a spectacle, the reaction of those who witnessed the miracle of Righteous Light was nothing short of dramatic.
People who had been using bribes to squeeze through the gates a little faster—though not enough to cause a scene—split to the left and right, clearing a path.
The guards, who were supposed to be defending the gates, threw them wide open. They even laid down their weapons, welcoming us with an air of profound reverence.
Perhaps it was because, even in a world where gods truly existed, there had been almost no instances of a god manifesting their power directly over the last three hundred years.
Or perhaps it was because the Levantine Empire was home to many who followed Righteous Light.
Whatever the reason, everyone’s reaction was incredibly intense.
And Helena’s reaction was equally intense.
“…This is so embarrassing!”
We were in a guardhouse rest area built near the city gates. Helena, seated in a makeshift seat of honor, stomped her feet in frustration.
“This is far too embarrassing, Brother!”
“Oh, come on. You say that, but you were handing out blessings to every single guard just a moment ago.”
“That was because I felt grateful and apologetic that they cleared the way for us so completely!”
It was true. Though we had passed through the gates in an instant by invoking the name of Righteous Light, we hadn't headed straight for the Imperial Palace. Instead, we were lingering here for a moment.
This, too, was a process of showing proper etiquette.
Even though we had arrived unannounced, we weren't invading the Levantine Empire; we were visiting as guests. Staying quietly by the gate after announcing our arrival and waiting for a reception was proof of that intent.
Since we had invoked the name of a god, we couldn't afford to act rashly, but the other side wouldn't be able to take us lightly either.
It should have been a perfect gesture, demonstrating both our justification and our power, but…
“What exactly are you so unhappy about, Helena?”
“You ask what I am unhappy about? Do you truly not know, Brother?!”
When I tilted my head in confusion, Helena stood up, looking fit to burst. A rapid-fire lament followed.
“If this was the plan, you could have told me in advance! Between you and Righteous Light, do you both simply enjoy leaving me out of the loop? I need time to prepare myself mentally!”
“I only just thought of it, so even Righteous Light probably didn't know—”
“Is that what’s important right now?!”
“…N-no. Please, continue.”
Helena let out a deep sigh, spread her arms wide, and began to waddle around.
She was mimicking the way I had held her up earlier.
“My posture! What about my posture?! I appreciated you holding me since I cannot fly! But did you have to hold me like that, as if some animal were showing off its cub? In front of all those people?!”
“Master always holds me that way, though?”
“Children should stay out of adult conversations.”
“Ch-child…”
Iris, who had tried to chime in, staggered back, utterly defeated. Elisha hurried over to hug and pat her, but that only made her look more like a baby.
Elisha seemed to realize this as well; she couldn't bring herself to deny Helena’s words and simply kept repeating that it was okay.
Well, Helena seemed to realize she’d been a bit harsh, as she continued in a slightly softened tone.
“…No matter the relationship between you and me, Brother, there are certain lines that must be respected. At least consult me before pulling a stunt like that. The same goes for Righteous Light. Regardless of anything else, it is my body being used. Just because I overlooked our bed-sharing last time doesn't mean you can do whatever you want with my body.”
As she added that last part, her lion ears and tail drooped.
Solari was clearly sulking, but Helena, having steeled her heart, didn't comfort her.
Though she couldn't help her eyes darting around anxiously in the empty air.
Watching Helena—who, for some reason, looked more nervous than the person she was angry at—I nodded.
“Mhm… So, what you’re saying is that if I’m going to do something big in the future, I should tell you in advance and consult you if possible?”
“Exactly. I am to be your wife, and I know how important this matter is, so of course I am willing to help. If only the method were a bit different!”
“Then how would you like me to do it?”
“…Pardon?”
“Since we’re on the subject, I’m asking how you would have preferred I handled a situation like that.”
Helena paused, staring into space as she pondered. Then, she cautiously reached out her hand.
“F-first, please hold my hand.”
“Like this?”
“Ye-es… well done. Even if Righteous Light took the form of a lion, being held up like a lion cub is just not right. From now on, let us make our appearances holding hands like this.”
As our hands met, Helena nodded, her face flushing red. She began to fidget with my hand, her ulterior motives quite transparent.
Seeing her half-folded ears perk up and her tail wagging gently, it seemed Solari was enjoying this as well.
The Goddess and the Saintess really were a matched set when it came to being easy to read.
I nodded inwardly, but Helena, remembering her original point, cleared her throat and continued.
“Ahem. Now, about the next thing.”
“The next thing?”
“Simply appearing while holding hands lacks impact. Of course, illuminating the surroundings with the Light of the Lord is a beautiful sight in itself, but…”
“It’ll be hard to keep using that. Humans are creatures of habit, after all.”
“Exactly. Those seeing it for the first time will feel awe, but those who see it multiple times will become indifferent. This is where I need your help, Brother.”
“Mine?”
“Yes. You can use your magic to add a bit of production value. F-first, how about standing close like this and secretly casting magic from behind my back?”
Helena subtly pressed her body against mine, pulling my hand to rest against her back and waist.
At this point, I think it’s safe to say her anger had completely evaporated.
Iris, seemingly still wounded, was rubbing her face against Elisha’s chest with a peaceful expression.
…She is wounded, right? She’s not just enjoying herself?
Anyway, as I spent a moment coordinating with Helena while she subtly attempted more skinship, I found myself observing her face a bit more closely than usual.
Her slightly flushed face. Her moist, pale pink lips. Her eyes, boasting the same color as her sun-bright blonde hair.
As I stared blankly, half-entranced, Helena felt my gaze and looked back at me.
Our eyes met, and though the distance hadn't changed, it felt as if we had grown closer.
Perhaps swept up in the strange atmosphere, Helena stood on her tiptoes with a slightly dazed expression.
Just before our lips could touch—
Knock, knock, knock.
“Hyaak!”
At the sound of the knock from outside, Helena jumped back.
Her startled face was thick with disappointment, and Solari, watching from within, seemed equally displeased, her lion ears and tail twitching violently.
However, anyone visiting at this timing had to be someone sent from the Imperial Palace. We couldn't keep them waiting.
Helena, instantly composing herself into her Saintess persona, answered the knock.
“Please, come in.”
Creeeeak.
The door opened the moment Helena spoke. The moment we saw the face of the messenger who had come for us, everyone’s expression went blank.
He had hair that was half-white, neatly combed back… a style that could be called tacky at worst and classic at best.
His attire was simple: a plain uniform and a single sword at his waist. However, his straight back, firmly set mouth, and disciplined movements clearly revealed that he was no ordinary man.
Though he was clearly human, this middle-aged man exuded a sharp aura, as if one were looking at a well-honed blade.
The only Sword Master on the current Eurelia Continent, and an absolute powerhouse known within the Levantine Empire as the Sword Duke.
Havel Calios. He had come to greet us personally.
I thought we wouldn't meet him until we reached the palace, but he came all the way here?
Of course, the position of Saintess is not one to be treated lightly.
Helena might be inexperienced now, but she would eventually possess martial power rivaling an Archmage or a Sword Master.
Even without that, she was the head of a religious order, and if necessary, she could summon a god into her body.
Politically and religiously, she was by no means inferior to a Sword Master.
However, this was the capital of the Levantine Empire, and we were somewhat rude guests who had visited without notice.
And yet, a Sword Master had come out to meet us personally?
Could Imperial Consort Fiona be plotting something…?
“I see. So you are the mage named Yandel. You have the face of a man with many thoughts.”
“Pardon? Ah… I was just surprised that Lord Havel would come in person.”
“Do people these days prepare to fight the moment they are surprised?”
“…….”
No, I just tensed up a little; he noticed that?
The Sword Master I had seen through the game was just an incredible melee class, but facing him in person, he wasn't someone who could be dismissed as merely 'strong.'
Between his keen observation just now and the pressure I felt initially, he gave off the distinct impression of a being who was human, yet had transcended humanity.
As I looked at Havel with a complicated heart, he gave a short chuckle.
“My apologies. You had such a good reaction for a mage that I teased you a bit. I have no other intentions, so do not worry.”
“…My heart would drop if you teased me twice.”
“My, my. I didn't think I'd reach the level of killing someone just by looking at them in this way.”
Uh, well. So that was a joke too, right?
Coming from a Sword Master, it didn't really sound like a joke.