The Saint is Truly Skilled
“The Saint is truly skilled.”
Eltis said it with layers of meaning. He smacked his lips as he spoke. It might be natural from a vampire's perspective, but don't do that while looking at a person.
“As I suspected?”
“Correct.”
Among the stories Eltis had told me yesterday, there were various bloodlines. My suspicions had been confirmed—one of them matched.
“Lily, could you fetch some refreshments from the kitchen?”
“Of course, my lord.”
Lily set Bastet down and left with a bright smile. It was a sensitive topic to discuss in front of her, so I'd given her a task on purpose. Lily really loved having something to do. If I'd assigned her maid duties instead of servant work, she probably would've been even happier. Of course, that would've driven all the male servants in the mansion insane.
“You see it, don't you?”
“Yes, with features that distinct.”
It had even activated just now as Lily smiled and walked out.
“Naturally, she's not pureblood. Hmm, the manifestation of her bloodline isn't that strong either. Half, perhaps?”
That's half-level? Then how powerful were the ancient purebloods? Drakan had never mentioned anything like that.
“She's a descendant of the succubi, what humans call the night demons or dream demons. That race went extinct fairly quickly for various reasons.”
“As I thought.”
Still, Lily seemed different from the succubi I knew in many ways. Was it because her bloodline manifestation was weak? Eltis picked up on my thoughts and continued explaining.
“Contrary to popular tales, succubi aren't inherently lascivious. The succubi themselves aren't—the humans just flock to them. The 'dream demon' part is nonsense too; succubi can't invade dreams. Humans simply fall so deeply under their charm that they dream of succubi even in their sleep.”
From that alone, humans sounded like the villains and succubi the innocent victims. Maybe that was true.
“For reference, vampires have a similar skill called Charm Eye. But we can control it ourselves, whereas succubi can't.”
“What caused the succubi to go extinct?”
“Well, the root cause is ordinary humans. They hunted and killed succubi for all sorts of reasons.”
It was obvious why humans captured succubi women—just look at Lily's case.
“But why kill them?”
“Adultery. The male succubi bear some blame there.”
In other words, plenty of them got themselves killed by jealous husbands after seducing married women. And if they didn't have a new husband like Lily's to protect them, they'd end up dead at the hands of the wife. Naturally, humans came to shun the succubi. What a tough race to live as.
“They went extinct so early, yet their blood still lingers?”
“They're not pureblood, that's all. It's a bloodline that breeds exceptionally well, regardless.”
True enough. Whether by choice or not, they'd leave behind far more offspring than necessary.
A knock came at the door then, and Lily entered with a tray of refreshments, setting it between Eltis and me. I noticed Eltis's eyes flash red for a moment, but I ignored it. It was a conditioned reflex. Despite watching him for so long, I'd never seen Eltis feed.
“Aren't you unaffected by it, Eltis?”
“Ah, it has almost no effect between ancient races. Humans are just particularly susceptible. If it worked on other ancient races, they'd rule the world by now.”
Eltis crunched into a cookie Lily had offered, clearly craving something to chew. I needed to send him on his way soon.
“You've been a great help, Eltis.”
“No trouble at all. Call on me anytime.”
After Eltis left, I gave more thought to Lily's situation. It was fine as long as nothing came up, but problems were inevitable.
“Lily, just one question.”
“Yes?”
“If someone catches your eye, would you ever consider remarrying?”
Lily gave a wry smile and shook her head. Even I figured any man would be sick of it by now—that's why I asked. But even if she felt that way, the men around her wouldn't leave her alone.
“If it were up to me, absolutely not.”
“Everything will go as you wish, Lily.”
For one thing, Bastet seemed quite taken with her. She'd abandoned her longtime perch by the window for Lily's lap as her new favorite spot.
Peaceful days continued for a while. The office had become men-only by default, which meant I had to go out to meet anyone—a minor inconvenience I could live with.
But as expected, trouble arose.
Since Argin laid eyes on Lily, he couldn't focus. He'd been getting beaten nearly to death by Howard and carried back more often. Dark circles under his eyes, noticeably thinner.
It was partly from sleepless nights and other reasons, but the root was that he'd fallen hard under Lily's charm.
“Is your mental fortitude this weak, Argin? Shaken by one pretty girl?”
“My apologies.”
Argin bowed his head without excuses. Of course, she wasn't just any pretty girl, but the fact that only Argin had fallen so badly meant his willpower was the issue.
“How about going on a training journey, Argin?”
Since leaving the orphanage, Argin had followed me everywhere. Training was grueling, but he'd never truly suffered. He lacked real-world experience. This was the result.
“I will.”
Argin answered immediately. He'd realized the problem himself.
“Good. Prepare for travel.”
Argin vanished briefly and returned laden with gear. By then, Howard, Jayke, and Joseph—Argin's two masters—had gathered around me.
“Tsk tsk, look at that getup.”
Howard clicked his tongue. Argin looked like a walking billboard screaming novice traveler. Sure, he had the strength to send challengers to the afterlife, but fewer pointless fights were better.
I pulled a sub-space ring from my pocket and tossed it to him.
“Store everything in there.”
Argin stowed his massive load into the ring.
“That's a rare item, ain't it? Where do you keep getting 'em? Gimme one.”
Howard grumbled from behind, so I tossed him another. I had plenty. If lost, I'd make more. Jayke and Joseph eyed it eagerly, so I gave them two more.
“Thank you, my lord.”
“We'll use them well, Saint.”
Jayke had never been materialistic, but marriage seemed to have changed that. Time to raise his salary for family harmony. Joseph barely did escort duty anymore, holing up at the temple. It suited me fine, but technically it was dereliction of duty. As a saint brimming with love, I'd forgive it all.
After Howard and the masters gave Argin their parting words, it was my turn.
“Shall we?”
“Yes.”
I pondered where to send him. Pairing him with a suitable powerhouse would be ideal, but few matched his level. Argin ranked sixth among human powerhouses. The Great Forest or Dragon Mountains would be too dangerous—even for him.
Then it hit me: the perfect spot.
I took Argin to the Great Labyrinth, the hottest place on the Eastern Continent.
“This is the newly formed Great Labyrinth. You've heard of it?”
“Yes.”
Argin's eyes burned with excitement. Natural for a first solo journey.
“If possible, don't go all the way to the end.”
“What's there?”
“Someone who could take ten Howards.”
Argin's face paled. He knew Howard's strength better than anyone from daily spars—and he'd seen his true form.
“St-still, if I get the chance, I'd like to challenge once.”
Big talk, but no stuttering.
“Don't. Unlike Howard, that one won't hold back.”
Drakan might go easy since Argin was under me, but it was just a maybe.
“Take care and enjoy the journey. Do whatever you want.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Off you go.”
After Argin saluted knight-style, I returned to the territory.
Get stronger and come back, Argin.
That settled Argin, but problems didn't end. People inevitably crossed paths.
For Lily, I'd restricted male contact, but she couldn't avoid the maids in the mansion. She even approached them first, loving chats and helping with chores.
Despite tight control via the steward to quash rumors, they spread anyway. I'd half-expected it.
Tales swirled: the lord secretly cohabiting with a stunning beauty, a new lady of the manor, and more.
I could've stamped them out, but that would've meant no one in the mansion from the start. I wasn't afraid of rumors, but Lily was.
She heard from the maids and approached me first.
“I've heard rumors are causing you trouble because of me. I'm sorry, my lord.”
“It's fine. I accepted it from the beginning. As long as you're okay with it, don't worry.”
Even without romantic interest, having one of the continent's top beauties tending me in the office wasn't bad. Stroking Bastet on her lap with a smile, she looked like a painting sometimes.
“Send me somewhere without people instead.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, people scare me now.”
“Understood. But the work there won't differ much from maid duties.”
“I'm a poor farmer's daughter. Until fourteen, I dug soil and plowed fields by hand. Maid work is nothing.”
I took her and set off. I'd planned for contingencies like this.
“Everyone doing well?”
The destination was the New Continent. Dwarves were tinkering as usual.
“Welcome! Who's this?”
“This is Lily. Thought you could use help with housework, so I brought her.”
“Oh! Perfect!”
The dwarves eyed Lily curiously until I introduced her. All males, they excelled at crafting but not homemaking. They cheered at the prospect of help.
“This work for you?”
Lily hid her shock at the dwarves, then smiled softly at their cheers.
In the end, pairing Lily with the dwarves was a success. She fit right in, loving the chores and aid. The dwarves welcomed her warmly. As an ancient race, they resisted her charm. She even joined their evening drinking.
One side effect: the dwarves halted airship work to build her a mansion-sized house.
And Bastet started vanishing from my office—off to the New Continent as a clone to play with Lily. A few dwarves got swatted flying by kitten paws for underestimating her, but minor issues.
For an Ether Empire amid constant skirmishes across the continents, things stayed relatively quiet. Territorial wars had increased, but under national oversight.
Now, anomaly loomed for the empire.
Taking only Joseph—who'd been brazenly neglecting duties—I crossed to the capital and requested an audience with the emperor. Jayke was newlywed, so no business trips for him.