Recognized as the True Saint, A Lavish Family Outing
Just like that? With the Death Knight incident safely resolved, the exam automatically came to an end.
"This has to be divine power!"
"The power of God that heals all things!"
"You're the true saint!"
The priests, having witnessed me heal even the undead, were convinced I possessed divine power and acknowledged me as the saint. With a being who embodied God's power itself now present, the other candidates were rendered meaningless.
"No way... This can't be..."
Ayran, the other candidate, naturally looked utterly dumbfounded.
"C-Congratulations."
Hairel, who had been backing Ayran, offered congratulations through gritted teeth, but her face screamed total defeat.
"Now that it's confirmed, we'll take our leave. We'll report this to the temple, and you'll hear from us later."
They said their piece and left as if they couldn't stand the sight of me any longer. They were probably plotting some new scheme already, but I had no grounds to hold them back right now. I figured I'd head home and prepare for whatever came next.
There was a city near the Land of Death. Unusually for a place surrounded by undead, it was a famous port city and tourist spot. Ares had dragged us here, insisting it was a fun place to enjoy ourselves.
"What do you think? It's not quite on par with our territory, but it's still pretty prosperous."
"Yeah, it is."
I agreed with Ares's question. Strolling through the city made it obvious. You could tell right away it was a wealthy place—but that also meant it was packed with people, which was a problem.
"H-Hey, isn't that...?"
"Could it be Seres?"
The moment I appeared, the crowds recognized me and caused a huge commotion.
"Oh my god, the rumors were true—the empire's top beauty."
"I thought the stories were exaggerated..."
"If that's Seres, then the one next to him must be...?"
"Silver bob cut—Ares the Countess!"
Once they figured out who I was, they naturally recognized Ares too. With two celebrities showing up, even more people swarmed us, and Ares smiled.
"What a hassle. It's because you're so dazzling, Seres—they all recognize you."
Hassle, my ass. She was clearly proud that her son was drawing all the attention. Suddenly getting all sentimental, she naturally draped an arm over my shoulder and led me somewhere.
"Seres, this place is too noisy. Let's go somewhere else. How about we grab a meal first?"
The place Ares took me was an enormous, luxurious restaurant.
"Here?"
I said hesitantly. You could tell just by looking that it was the top spot in the city.
"Don't places like this usually require reservations? We can't just walk in and expect a table."
"Don't worry about that."
What? Did she reserve it ahead of time knowing we'd come here?
Ares casually led me inside.
"Where's the manager?"
"Gasp, Countess Ares!"
She called for the manager like summoning a subordinate, and he came rushing over in surprise.
"What brings you here so suddenly? I had no idea you'd visit without a reservation."
"I had urgent business with my son, so there was no time to book."
"Ah, your son—Seres?!"
The manager finally noticed me and shouted my name in shock, drawing every customer's gaze. With all eyes on me, he looked at me in awe.
"I'd heard rumors your health had improved, but I never dreamed you'd come here in person!"
"That's right. My son, the empire's greatest beauty, is here. You wouldn't turn us away for lack of a reservation, would you?"
"How could I dare? I'll prepare a table for three right away!"
The manager moved to set up a spot, but Ares stopped him.
"Hold on. Not three—two. She's not with us."
She pointed at Hames, who had been tagging along, leaving the manager puzzled.
"Then who is this lady?"
"I'm High Priestess Hames."
"High Priestess?!"
"I didn't reserve either, but I want to come in. Will money make it possible?"
"P-Please wait just a moment!"
Hames got in too, though at a separate table.
"Persistent, isn't she."
Ares grumbled as we were seated, glaring at Hames, who had taken a spot right nearby. Ares had tried to ditch her, but Hames was a high priestess—a power player on par with Ares. No helping it.
"...Seres, what do you want to eat?"
She shot Hames a glare for a moment, but when our companion stayed composed, Ares gave up and asked me.
"Order whatever you like."
"Hmm, how about some meat, then?"
"Meat?"
"My body's gotten better now, so I want to try some meat dishes."
Everyone had forbidden it even after I recovered because my condition was such a mess, but enough time had passed—it should be fine.
"Don't overdo it."
Ares looked troubled as I insisted, but she handed me the menu anyway. I'd unintentionally ended up at a high-end restaurant, so I planned to order something pricey.
This is way too expensive!
I froze when I saw the prices. The base prices started at gold coins. Gold coins were literal gold, and that was the starting unit?!
Ares looked at me curiously as I stiffened at the absurd prices.
"What's wrong?"
"Th-The prices are too high."
"High? It's not that bad."
Ares glanced at the menu, genuinely baffled. To a successful countess like her, this was pocket change, I guess...
"Then, this steak."
I reluctantly ordered the cheapest thing. This restaurant let you watch the cooking process—a flashy fire show culminated in a thick steak being served.
Hehe, real meat after so long!
I'd been dying for meat, so I couldn't hide my grin. Slicing it up like an idiot and popping a piece in my mouth—
Yes! This is it!
The thick, tender meat melted softly on my tongue, bursting with juices. As expected from something expensive—it was way better than anything from my old world. I could've eaten two plates!
"...Urp."
But after a few bites, I couldn't eat anymore. My stomach felt full, like I'd gorged on greasy food, and my body rejected it.
What the hell? Just a few bites, and that's it?
It wasn't even that heavy. Actually, less greasy than a regular steak.
...Could Seres's body just not handle meat to begin with?
"Ugh."
"That's enough. Stop eating."
Ares stopped me as I tried to force it down.
"I told you not to push yourself."
"But we can't waste what we ordered."
"It's fine. How much could that little thing cost?"
Ares brushed it off and had the plate taken away—the gold-coin steak went straight to the trash.
"Soup like usual would be better for you. Manager, one Treasure of the Sea."
She ordered a soup called Treasure of the Sea. You could watch it being made too. The chef dumped in heaps of ingredients: lobster, crab, huge shrimp, abalone, oysters, and more pricey seafood. He boiled it forever, skimmed off all the solids, discarded them, and made the soup from just the broth.
I was dumbfounded by the ridiculous method, but Ares was unfazed.
"A soup made from fresh seafood—you can eat this without worry."
"What about the solids?"
"They're not for you to eat anyway."
Ares replied matter-of-factly, and the finished soup arrived. A sip confirmed it was delicious, but was it really worth that much? Feeling like I was consuming gold, I carefully spooned it up, determined not to waste a drop of this expensive stuff!
"Excuse me for interrupting."
As I ate every last drop meticulously, Hames suddenly dragged her chair over to our table. Ares, who had been watching me fondly, hardened her expression and spoke.
"If you think it's rude, then leave."
"I've come to discuss something important, so don't dismiss me outright."
"How insolent."
Ares furrowed her brow.
"Unwanted meddling and backtalk too. Do you know I'm at least ten years your senior?"
"Must be nice being older. Acting all guarded against someone ten years younger when you're the elder."
"What did you say?!"
As Ares started to rise, Hames gestured for her to calm down.
"There are other guests here—shouldn't you maintain some dignity, Honorable Countess Huferion? And the one I want to talk to is Seres, not you."
I set down my spoon at those words.
"You want to talk about the Death Knights, right?"
"Yes. After what they said at the end, I couldn't just let it go."
I nodded in agreement with Hames's grim expression. I felt the same.
Back then, when I healed the Death Knight, his subordinates and comrades stopped attacking us. But it wasn't out of gratitude.
'This has to be divine power!'
'No way we could mistake it, even after all this time...'
'But how?'
'Those guys are from the Huferion family.'
'Then... could it be atavism?'
'The true lineage reviving now, of all times!'
They huddled together muttering nonsense I couldn't make sense of. It didn't help that they weren't in the original story, spouting things I'd never heard there either.
"It bugged me too, but I couldn't exactly ask."
They'd mentioned Huferion while looking at me and said something huge, so I was curious—but they were Death Knights. Not ordinary ones, either; a monster squad of Sword Masters and Experts.
'Your subordinate's healed, so no reason to fight anymore, right? See ya!'
'W-Wait!'
I'd bolted while they were busy talking.
"...Couldn't go back and ask. It's tricky."
"But we can guess the situation from their mutterings."
Hames asked me gravely as I pondered.
"Seres, could the divine power you have be an ability your Huferion family once wielded long ago—one that vanished but has reawakened in your generation?"