19. Saintess
"Hmm... As expected of tea fit for royalty. The aroma is exquisite."
"...Is it?"
"Yes. Here, Ian, give it a sniff."
"No thanks. I'm not really into tea."
"Oh? What a shame."
I was currently holding a private audience with Ashera, the woman who had introduced herself as the Saintess and an old comrade of Dina's. Not in Aria's office, but in a small parlor nearby. Apparently, it was a room used for guests like other nobles in the kingdom... and it was well-soundproofed for discreet conversations. Perfect for a one-on-one talk.
The reason I was here alone with Ashera? She'd requested it from both Aria and me.
"I have something to discuss with Ian alone. If you wouldn't mind..."
"Ah, sure. There's a small parlor next to my office—feel free to use it."
"Thank you."
Aria's response had come with a deeply confused expression ever since Ashera mentioned being Dina's old fellow Saintess and comrade. I could guess why. On our way to the capital, Sierra and Bella had explained that past Saintesses predated even the founding of the Holy Nation—which made sense if she was Dina's ally. At least three thousand years ago, minimum.
According to Bella, royals and nobles learned history as a core education: first their nation's founding, then relations with neighbors. And Saintesses were always a key topic. They appeared whenever someone dared mock the main goddess or harm the Holy Nation. They spent most time holed up in the Great Cathedral, emerging only for blasphemy, threats, or oracles.
The prime example: the Empire's first emperor declared their dragon god superior to the main goddess post-founding. His head exploded. She crossed from the Holy Nation to the imperial capital, crushing knights without a scratch—on anyone else—smashed only his skull, and returned like nothing happened. After that, even the belligerent Empire never glanced her way.
So when Ashera claimed a girl who looked like a kid—Dina—was her comrade, and Dina confirmed it... Aria's head must've spun. (Sierra had stepped out to order tea, so she missed it.)
We, knowing Dina's true nature, just marveled: Ah, so that's why the Saintess seemed so strong—Dina's old buddy!
(Bella did mutter, "Whoa, shit. A three-thousand-year-old hag?" and shrank behind me under Ashera's glare, but anyway.)
That led to me chatting alone with Ashera in the parlor.
...Or not quite alone.
"Yeonja, this cake is delicious too—care to try?"
"I'm good. You eat it, Dina."
"Heehee, thank you."
Dina was perched on my lap, beaming as she devoured the cake that came with the tea. So much for "private."
Why was Dina here despite the "alone" request? Cheong-ah had flat-out refused, insisting even a Saintess couldn't be alone with me.
§ Right after Aria approved and we headed out, as I moved to follow Ashera, Cheong-ah blocked my path.
"Darling, this isn't a private meeting."
"What's that supposed to mean all of a sudden?"
"A total stranger? No way I'm letting you two alone. I object."
"Come on, what's the worry? She's Dina's old comrade."
"Still a stranger. Even if she was Dina's friend back then, people change. Who knows what she's like now? You got kidnapped not long ago because of that complacency. Alone? I don't trust her. Who knows what she'd do to you?"
Cheong-ah's tone was firm. Ashera's irritated voice filtered through her veil.
"Hey, that's offensive. I don't know the details, but kidnapping? Not my style—too petty."
"How do I believe that?"
"Tch. If you don't trust me, what now? Wanna settle it?"
Ashera scoffed mockingly. Confident in her power, she seemed to relish forcing her way—like many top fighters.
Cheong-ah, no pushover herself despite her usual poise, drew her sword with a sharp shing.
"Nice. Bring it."
"Hey, Cheong-ah!"
This was Princess Aria's office corridor! Rebellion charges incoming?
"Don't stop me, darling. I'll take the punishment later."
"Please, no...!"
I yelled in panic, but Cheong-ah's eyes burned with fury, and Ashera showed no sign of backing down.
"Ha, fun. You're from Yuldo, right? You lot have a saying: a pup knows no fear of tigers. Never heard my tales from Yuldo? You'll die."
"Oh, we have that proverb. But ever hear 'mock the wrong tree and get poked in the eye'? Arrogance like that bites back hard."
Auras clashed, rippling dangerously. Bella timely shielded us, or it'd have been bad.
"Hubby, you okay?"
"Yeah, thanks."
"Tch, all 'cause I got no mana. Pathetic."
"It's not like I want to lack mana."
The powder keg was seconds from blowing when Dina intervened.
"Stop...! What are you two doing?!"
She wedged between them, leaped, and flicked both crowns equally.
"Kyak...?!"
"Kyaat...?!"
Feminine yelps in unison. Then Dina barked:
"What, Dina? Why hit my head?!"
"You're stressing Yeonja out!"
"Eh? Ah! S-sorry, darling."
Cheong-ah finally spotted my pale face by Bella and rushed over, bowing low, checking me frantically.
"Sorry, so sorry. Darling, are you hurt? Anywhere sore? I knew you have no mana! I'm an idiot—forgive me."
"Cheong-ah, what're you doing?"
Bella gawked, but Cheong-ah ignored her, fussing over me. I had to insist I was fine before she sighed in relief.
"I'm okay, Cheong-ah. Really. Bella blocked it perfectly."
"R-really? Thank goodness... haa."
She glanced gratefully at Bella.
"Thanks so much, Bella."
"Heh, I exist now?"
"Sorry, darling had me worried... What'd you say?"
"Whatever. Sneaky bitch."
"Sorry, really."
"Drop it."
"Then drinks later...?"
"...For real?"
"Cheong-ah. Drinks?!"
"Ah! Nothing, darling."
Ashera watched us sidelong, clicking her tongue. Dina, beside her, bristled.
"Tch..."
"Lewd wench!"
"Who're you calling lewd?! Just call me Saintess like old times!"
"Fine. But that tongue-click? Yeonja suffered because of you! Apologize instead of tsking!"
"Dina, I was the one provoked?"
"Ahem...!"
"Ugh, fine. Sorry—to Ian only. Okay?"
"Hmph, accepted."
Ashera approached under Dina's glare, arms crossed grudgingly.
"Uh, Ian? Sorry about that. I lose it sometimes—my bad."
"No, really, I'm fine."
"No, make me apologize properly. Or Dina'll nag me."
She pointed—Dina was now scolding Cheong-ah.
"You naughty spiteful girl!"
Cheong-ah, who adored Dina usually, looked hurt.
"Dina?"
"This body is most displeased!"
"Huh? Why suddenly? The red ginseng candy from the village?"
"Yeonja bought that—no! Not that!"
"Then what...?"
"Think! That lewd—er, Saintess is this body's old comrade and friend, right?"
Cheong-ah's face shifted oddly.
"Y-yeah...?"
Dina glared.
"Yet you rage and fight her? Sure, partly this body's fault—no words for it. I understand your spite. But Yeonja didn't care, and you explode?!"
"Sorry, Dina."
"Spiteful one, that's always your flaw..."
Dina lectured on. I realized: both Cheong-ah and the Saintess bowed to Dina. She was the real boss here.
"Hey, Cheong-ah. Dina."
"Y-yes, darling?"
"What is it, Yeonja?"
"I'll stick with Dina."
"Huh?"
"Eh? What mean you?"
"Wait."
They tilted heads. I turned to Ashera.
"Saintess, why the private talk?"
"Well... hmm."
"Something others can't hear, right?"
"Pretty much."
"See?"
"Yeah..."
She nodded. I explained: Cheong-ah'd calmed but would fight tooth-and-nail against us alone. Ashera wanted privacy, but recalled her hurt when Dina forgot her name—they were close. Dina was thrilled too.
"How about Dina? She's fine with it, right?"
Ashera pondered, arms crossed.
"Hmm..."
Finally:
"Fine. Dina only."
"Got it."
§ Thus, our "private" chat—with Dina.
"Dina, you still love sweets, huh."
"Heehee, they're tasty! Lewd—"
"Call me lewd again and I'll rip that tongue out, Dina."
"...Urk. Didn't you love them too? Not just this body."
"Well, yeah."
Dina backpedaled under Ashera's threat, whispering to me: "This body would crush her in a fight, Yeonja—no worries."
Like a kid hating to lose.
"Our Dina's amazing, huh?"
I fed her cake absentmindedly. Ashera spoke.
"Shall we start, then?"