The Saintess Audrey (1)
The letter arrived at the academy that morning, its elegant script carrying the unmistakable weight of authority.
It has been a long time, Principal Flora.
I am writing to inform you that I will be visiting the Hero Academy in person to investigate the statue believed to be a holy relic. His Imperial Majesty has requested ownership of the statue, which has placed us in a rather delicate situation. I intend to examine it myself and render judgment accordingly.
Let us also take this opportunity to catch up after so long.
The day after Tallen and Ian received my blessing and officially became demon hunters, I found myself lost in thought about the Fiend.
Who the hell is the Fiend anyway?
The final boss of Hero Academy was definitely supposed to be the Demon King.
But ever since the Fiend showed up, the difficulty shot through the roof.
So is the Fiend a possessor too? Someone who knows about this game?
No. That can't be right. Hero Academy is clearly a single-player game...
Unless... the Demon King is still alive? That pathetic loser?
I definitely killed him, didn't I?
No way he's still crawling around like a damn cockroach.
Argh... this is driving me insane.
But what if... what if the Demon King didn't actually die and somehow summoned the Fiend?
...Yeah. That actually makes the most sense.
If the Demon King has revived, then the Four Heavenly Kings would have come back too. The demon race would be going completely berserk.
That worthless Demon King... did you really come back?
I kept turning over every possible connection between the Fiend and the Demon King. The scenarios where they had nothing to do with each other, where the Fiend revived the Demon King, or the reverse. All of it.
I should tell Ian about this and have him look into it.
Haa... And that "saved world" thing. That definitely has something to do with Ian.
For now, I should work him to the bone and think about it later.
The demon hunter route takes place outside the academy anyway... which means it'll probably link up with the Holy Kingdom.
Whether the Holy Kingdom will actually cooperate is another question entirely...
While I was busy figuring out how to turn Ian into a proper monster, a lavish carriage arrived at the academy gates.
The academy guard shouted at the approaching vehicle.
"Halt! This is academy grounds! State your business!"
The carriage stopped. A document was presented to the guard.
"...The Holy Kingdom? Here to investigate a holy relic..."
The guard looked momentarily flustered before snapping back to attention.
"Ahem. Understood. I will open the gate! Open the gates!"
Rumble— Rumble—
The massive academy gates swung open. The carriage rolled smoothly through them and headed inside.
Clatter— Clatter—
Inside the carriage, a woman gazed at the academy with gentle eyes.
"It's been so long since I've been here~ I met the Hero right in this very place back then..."
"..."
"Hehe... Thinking about the old days makes me think of you, Raphael... We were so happy during our hero party days..."
"You were always secretly taking care of monsters for us, making sure we had comfortable places to sleep. You were practically the perfect supporter..."
"And with that cheerful personality of yours, you made the whole party so much fun..."
Drip—
"Hmm...? Haha. Just thinking about you is making me tear up, Raphael..."
The tears began to flow freely.
"Hic... Raphael... Why did you leave us like that...?"
"We were supposed to make friendship rings together, you, the Hero, and me... Why did you go first...?"
"You heartless angel... Hic..."
The woman wept quietly until the carriage finally reached the academy plaza.
After Mana Control class, it was break time.
"Hwaaaaaam... Man, I'm sleepy..."
"Hmm? Husband, it's only eleven o'clock!"
"That's right, Ian. How can you be tired already?"
While Ian, Eiron, and Sein were chatting away, the imperial princess entered the classroom and walked straight toward Ian.
"Ahem... Ian? Would you come with me for a moment?"
The sudden appearance of the princess and her request caused every student in the class to freeze. Even Ian himself.
"...Customer?"
"Don't say such insane things, Ian."
"I will no longer do business with you!"
"Ahem..."
"Just follow me for now."
Overwhelmed by the princess's commanding tone, Ian found himself following her without quite knowing why. She led him to a secluded corner of the academy.
"This place is definitely..."
"Yes. Familiar, isn't it?"
"The reason I called you here is simple."
"I heard Father has recovered his health and even regained his youth."
"They say it's all thanks to you. Thank you for healing my father."
"And he told me you two are friends?"
"Ah... well, that is..."
"Hmph. How dare you claim to be friends with me?"
"However, I shall specially allow you to be my friend! Consider it an honor!"
"...Thank you...?"
"Hmm? You look rather displeased?"
"Haha, not at all! Customer... I mean, Belinda. Nice to meet you!"
"Ahem... Likewise. Please take care of me."
"Well then... I'll be going!"
The princess fled the scene with her face burning bright red. Ian simply stood there, stunned.
Wow... What the hell just happened?
And the princess—no, Belinda—actually asked me to be her friend first.
That's kinda cute...
Wait! Ian, you crazy bastard. What the hell are you thinking?
I need to get back to class right now.
When Ian returned to the classroom, his ears were flushed crimson. The princess was already there waiting for him. His classmates were in an absolute uproar at the sight of the imperial princess sitting in Class C.
Then Professor Tallen entered and announced,
"Ah, everyone? This is Belinda Stardust, who has transferred from S-Class to C-Class. Please take good care of her! That is all!"
"Now, let's begin class!"
""??????????????????""
The students immediately began whispering among themselves.
"Why is the princess...?"
"Is it because of Ian??"
"Did he threaten her or something?"
"Hey... Ian? What the hell is going on? Why is the princess here?"
"Sein's right. Why here of all places...?"
"I don't know either..."
The princess gradually moved closer to me and whispered,
"Ian. You didn't forget that we're secret friends now, did you?"
"Wh-wh-what...? What kind of nonsense are you—"
Upon hearing that, both Eiron and Sein immediately went into full panic mode.
"Husband!!! Explain yourself right now!!"
"That's right! Ian, how could you do this to me!"
"Wait, Eiron, you're a guy; you can't say stuff like that."
"And Belinda? What secret friends? We're just friends. Friends!"
Belinda looked at me with seductive, half-lidded eyes.
"After what happened in my bedroom, how could we possibly be ordinary friends?"
"What...? Ian!!!! I mean, husband. Do you want to die?? How dare you choose that bitch over me?"
"Waaaaah!! Sein, that's not what I—! Hey Belinda! Explain yourself right now!!"
Belinda whispered into Ian's ear.
"This is my revenge, Ian. Hehehe."
"Y-you... you crazy woman!!"
"Oh my, how rude to speak to a princess that way!"
"God damn it..."
"Ian... Is it because I'm a man that it doesn't work...?"
"No, seriously—what the hell is wrong with you two??"
""I'm way better than that bitch!""
Meanwhile, the princess was happily munching on snacks from a distance, clearly enjoying the chaos she had created.
That crazy woman... I should've taken more from her...!
I will definitely get my revenge, Belinda!!
While Eiron and Sein were busy interrogating Ian—
The Saintess, disguised as an ordinary student, was wandering around the plaza and quietly observing the students.
And I was watching her.
Why did she come here...?
It's been so long since I've seen her face. It feels good, but...
She looks a bit thinner. Still, she seems healthy. That's a relief.
Audrey...
"Hmm? Did someone call me?"
The Saintess Audrey looked around, then resumed observing the students.
Watching her, I prepared to manifest.
...It's just a reunion after a long time.
Haa... Raphael, calm down.
Just approach her like a friend...
Complete Manifestation is now available. Would you like to perform Complete Manifestation?
Whoa, I can already do a full manifestation.
Alright. Complete Manifestation!
Manifestation complete. You may remain manifested for one day.
With my appearance altered, I approached the Saintess Audrey.
"Hello? What are you doing here?"
"Hmm? Oh, hello. I was just watching the students."
"Aha. Don't do that—come play with me instead!"
"Pardon? But..."
"Come on, it'll be fine! I'll make sure you have lots of fun today!"
"Um... I'm okay—kyaa!!"
I scooped Audrey up in my arms and began moving. We toured the plaza, the training grounds, the market—everywhere. I took her around and played with her.
"Um... don't you have classes to attend...?"
"Ah."
"It's fine, it's fine~ Who cares about skipping a few classes~"
"If it's to play with such a cute girl, it's totally worth it!"
"Pfft... Puhahaha! Did you just call me a girl?"
"I'm actually much older than you think, you know?"
"What does that matter? If you have a kind heart, you're a girl!"
For a moment, Audrey thought of someone.
Raphael used to say the same thing...
That anyone with a kind heart is a girl...
"...Alright. Let's play then!"
Grin—
When Audrey smiled, I smiled back.
We watched street performances in the academy market and ate delicious food together.
"This is so good!"
"You should try some too!"
"...! Wow, you're right. This is amazing! Give me five more chicken skewers, please!"
"Is it okay to eat that much?"
"It's fine. I can eat everything!"
"Hehe... Every time I look at you, I think of my old friend."
"My friend ate just as much as you and was just as fun to be around."
"Really? Then you should meet that friend again!"
"...Unfortunately, we were separated. Forever..."
"Then I'll be your friend!"
"I'll be your friend so you won't be lonely anymore!"
"Puhuhu... You're really kind, aren't you?"
"Yeah. Let's be friends starting today. Now I can ask—what's your name?"
"..."
Should I tell her my real name?
...I can only manifest for a day, but with Audrey, I want to be honest.
"...My name is Raphael. I'm Raphael."
"...Raphael...?"
"Yep. I'm Raphael. What's your name?"
"...I'm Audrey... Nice to meet you... Hic..."
"Huh? Why are you crying all of a sudden? Stop crying, stop!"
Hearing my name, Audrey began to cry.
Aah... Raphael... Is it really you?
Is the friend standing before me truly you, Raphael...?
......
...It can't be. But hearing your name again makes me so happy.
"I'm sorry... The tears just came out of nowhere..."
"It's okay. Let's go do something else, Audrey!"
"Yes. Raphael!"