Surprise Visit and the Saintess's Ordeal
Suddenly showing up as a surprise might be fun, but I knew my mom preferred a heads-up call ahead of time so I could bring whatever she needed. So I dialed her up.
"Yeah, son. Isn't it class time?"
The call connected before the third ring, her voice flowing out through the phone's speaker.
"Ah, I'm off today by chance and ended up in the Holy Empire. Just checking if you need anything, Mom."
"Goodness, why'd you suddenly go to the Holy Empire?"
"Kinda tagging along with Estelle?"
"So Estelle and Iris are there too, huh?"
"Estelle yeah, but how'd you know about Iris?"
"You three are basically a set. How could I not know?"
We chatted about all the little things, how life was going lately.
"Anyway, I'll swing by home for dinner tonight, so don't eat. I'll bring something tasty."
"Oh yeah? You're in the Holy Empire? How're you getting here?"
"Ah, there's ways. I'll bring something tasty, Mom. Hanging up now. Text me if you need anything."
Mom had no idea about teleportation magic from me or Estelle, so she'd probably be confused, but she'd definitely wait without eating dinner. That's just how she was.
"What'd your mom say?"
As soon as I hung up, Estelle rushed over, asking.
"Ah, come carefully."
I'd never said that exactly, but it summed up the vibe.
"Your mom really is so warm!"
"Did she say she doesn't need anything?"
As I chatted with Estelle, Iris, who'd been standing by, chimed in.
"Eh, well, she seemed skeptical I was even in the Holy Empire."
Plus, my parents probably had never been here, and they weren't big on the internet, so they wouldn't know what was sold around here anyway.
"We should bring them on a trip here sometime. They'd love seeing it in person."
More than souvenirs or takeout food, traveling together would make them happiest. Folks who'd never even done overseas travel would be thrilled.
"That's a great idea! What if we do it during summer break with your parents?"
"I'm all for it. Of course, with their farm schedule, they couldn't stay long, but if they have time, I'd love to join."
Estelle and Iris saying that just made me grateful. Traveling with elders takes way more effort than just us kids, but them offering to go with my parents? That hit different. Like, we're really close friends now.
"I'll mention it when I get home later. Not sure if they can make time, but I'll float the idea. Anyway, doesn't Estelle have some important reason for coming here today?"
Holy Empire trip was nice, heading home together later sounded great. But Estelle coming here specifically at this time meant she was summoned for a reason—we'd need to handle that first.
"Eh, nothing big. Just showing my face since a lot of imperial citizens want to see the Saintess."
Did they really need to call a student mid-semester for that? They must have their reasons.
"Calling you during term just because they miss you? That's weird."
Iris seemed to share my doubts, furrowing her brow thoughtfully before speaking.
"Right? Jeez, what a guy. Treating people like tools whenever he feels like it."
Probably the Holy Emperor needed to look good to the citizens and figured using Estelle was the easy way. As freshmen, a day or two "field experience" from the academy was no big deal.
"I'll do a quick face-appear. What about you two?"
I kinda wanted to sightsee the Holy Empire, but Estelle seemed to want us around.
"I'll go with whatever Theo says."
Iris smiled, deferring to me.
"Hmm, then if we're not in the way, how about we stick by Estelle?"
After a moment's thought, I decided, and Estelle's face lit up.
"Awesome! Let's go!"
Unlike her reluctant look earlier, she was back to her usual self. Good mood all around. Guess she really didn't want to go alone. Smart choice on my part—sending her solo might've led to a bad end route or something...
'Hates Going Alone'
Whoa, yeah. See that? If I'd sent her alone, boom—instant disaster...!
"Still, you two stay out of sight in the back. Don't want to draw attention and cause trouble."
Estelle said that, then headed toward what looked like a hall full of people.
It was the central hall, probably for banquets normally, and she entered through a rear imperial-family-only door.
"This spot work?"
Standing behind the curtain where her shadow wouldn't show, she glanced back and smiled. Seemed right.
"Ooh, the Saintess has appeared!"
"Saintess! We've missed you!"
"Glad you look healthy!"
As Estelle stepped out, murmurs rose, followed by voices from some older guys.
"Weird, only men's voices. Not petitions or anything."
Iris peeked discreetly toward the hall.
"Yeah, no idea what they want with Estelle."
Curious, I glanced out too—no one needing healing, no one seeming to require her other powers. Just a bunch of guys ogling her like creeps. Their stares were seriously gross.
"So, what's the big important thing that made you pull this stunt? Anyone gonna tell me?"
Estelle asked irritably.
"Haha, what thing? Just wanted to check if our Saintess is healthy."
"Exactly. Though feeling that holy power up close would be even better."
Feel her holy power? No sick folks—want a blessing or what?
"If it's blessings, you'd get better ones straight from His Holiness."
Estelle, thinking along my lines, kept her displeased expression.
"Heh, we've had plenty from His Holiness. This time, we want it from the Saintess."
"There are all sorts of ways to bestow blessings, after all."
"Right, right. I hear direct contact gives a bigger blessing."
What the hell did I just hear? Direct contact for a blessing?
"......"
Estelle's frown deepened, lost in thought.
"So you want to hold hands or something?"
"Heh, hands are fine. Or anywhere else."
"You can grab us too, heh heh."
...No way I can stand for this. These psychos. Straight-up sexual harassment. They called Estelle here for this? The Holy Emperor's lost it.
"Grab what, exactly?"
"Anything we can grab, right?"
"Ha, making me meet trash like this. Guess I need to see His Holiness."
"It's all agreed upon. We'll keep it to nothing too disgraceful..."
Thwack!
"Guh?!"
I couldn't take their bullshit anymore and chucked a nearby vase without thinking.
"Estelle, if I deal with these guys here, would that spark an international incident?"
I stepped forward slowly, asking her.
"Nah, I can keep it from blowing up. I was thinking of ripping them apart myself anyway."
"Good enough."
Irritation boiled over. How could these old dudes spew that crap at a just-turned-20 girl? And the Holy Emperor okaying it? Both insane.
"Wh-what the— who're you...!"
"How'd you know to come he— guh! Mmph?!"
"Shut your mouths, all of you."
I used magic to bind their bodies and mouths—the escapees and the pissed-off ones alike. First time casting on multiples like this. Perfect practice for crowd control. Real combat experience is key, after all.
"Dragging a just-20-year-old girl here. And not just any girl—the Saintess you call the pinnacle of purity. What the hell were you planning? Who's gonna speak for you?"
I levitated them, helpless in the air, eyeing each one. They just averted their eyes, no intention of talking.
"Hey, I'm asking a question—why dodge my gaze? Don't wanna answer? Fine. I'll make you want to."