The Saintess and the Ring of Friendship
Raphael and Audrey spent the day wandering joyfully together. They visited the aquarium to watch the fish, stopped by a clothing shop to buy new outfits, and simply enjoyed each other's company from morning until night.
Now the two of them were riding the Ferris wheel at the amusement park, chatting as the carriage swayed gently.
Raphael shook her head, her expression softening.
"...? Why not...? Oh. Is it because of classes? If that's the case, I understand."
With a sudden clunk, the Ferris wheel carriage door opened. The end of their meeting had arrived.
"Huh? Sure."
They stepped off the Ferris wheel and began walking slowly toward the academy plaza. A cool night breeze brushed past them. Neither spoke as they walked side by side through the quiet darkness.
When they finally reached the plaza, Raphael spoke first.
"Yes?"
Raphael held out a single ring.
When Audrey reached for it, Raphael stopped her.
In front of Audrey's wide eyes, Raphael activated a skill.
Attribute Grant — Regeneration
The ring began to glow with a beautiful emerald light.
"...!!"
"Y-you... you... you!!!"
Thud. Audrey collapsed to the ground the moment she saw the skill that belonged to her — the one she hadn't witnessed in twenty long years.
Raphael took Audrey's hand and continued gently.
Raphael revealed her true face — the one only Audrey would recognize — and smiled softly.
Audrey cried uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.
Raphael pulled the weeping saintess into her arms.
I can't. I'm already dead. It was a miracle that I could meet you and spend this day with you. If another chance like this comes again someday, let's play together once more!
Raphael's body began to glow, growing fainter by the second.
The Saintess Audrey desperately cast every holy spell and healing magic she knew, trying to stop Raphael from vanishing into the light. Raphael watched her with aching sorrow.
"...Audrey..."
"Audrey..."
Even with all her holy and recovery magic, Audrey couldn't hold onto the fading Raphael. Just before she disappeared completely, Raphael spoke one last time.
With a brilliant flash of light, Raphael vanished completely. Audrey fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
Then a sinister voice slithered into the air.
"Aah... how pitiful. Your Raphael has left you forever now."
"Saintess Audrey... you have sacrificed everything for your goddess, yet she gives you nothing in return."
Audrey flinched.
"...Who are you?"
She remained on high alert.
"I only want to help you, Audrey."
"Curious about me? I am Raphael."
A low chuckle echoed.
Black smoke coalesced in front of Audrey, taking the shape of Raphael.
"It's me, Audrey. You missed me, didn't you? So I came back using the power of the Fiend!"
"Audrey! You should believe in the Fiend too! Under the Fiend's protection, I'm so happy. There's no pain at all! You'll feel it soon — the greatness of the Fiend!"
The thing wearing Raphael's face spread black wings and laughed.
"Ahaha. Isn't this the Raphael you wanted?"
"Audrey. Worship me. Revere me."
"If you do, I'll grant your wish. How about it? I'm different from that goddess who can give you nothing."
"You'll definitely be satisfied. So accept me..."
Kiiiiiiing—!
Suddenly the statue in the plaza emitted a brilliant light, completely erasing the black smoke.
As it vanished, the dark presence spoke one final time.
"...Think about it carefully, Audrey..."
"We will meet again..."
The sinister voice that had tried to tempt Audrey faded away like mist.
Meanwhile, after parting with Audrey, Raphael was left alone with her thoughts.
Hic... I didn't want to leave either... I didn't want to...
Huuu... I want to stay with you all too...
Ding—
The Fiend #$% is currently contacting Saintess Audrey.
The Fiend #$% is attempting to tempt Saintess Audrey.
If Saintess Audrey is fully tempted, she will fall and become the Witch of Destruction, Audrey.
"That fucking bitch... how dare... how dare she!!!"
"I'm going to kill her right now!"
Full Manifestation!
You have already used Full Manifestation today. It cannot be used again.
"No... Audrey..."
"What can I even do...?"
"Get a grip, Raphael!"
"If this continues, Audrey will completely fall... No... I have to stop that at all costs..."
"...!"
"An angel's authority...! That's right. I'm an angel!"
"Show me the authorities!"
Authority of Purification, Authority of Annihilation of Evil, Miracle.
"That filthy aura... I'll erase it right now."
"Fiend... you dare touch someone precious to me...?"
"Using Authority of Annihilation of Evil."
300 Faith has been consumed.
"Damn it. That's a disgusting amount..."
"Then you'd better deliver results worth that price!!"
Authority of Annihilation of Evil has been used. All evil entities within a 10 km radius will be eradicated.
One remnant of the Fiend and one demon have been instantly annihilated.
"Good!"
"Wait... a demon?"
"There was a demon hiding in this academy?"
"Actually, that's even better... Haa..."
"Audrey... I'm glad I could protect you..."
Audrey stood motionless, staring blankly at the statue as if she were looking at Raphael herself.
"...Raphael...?"
"Is it you...?"
"Is this what it means to see you again...?"
"...No, right...? Sob... Raphael... it's so hard... I'm tired of living as a saintess now..."
Standing before the statue, Audrey poured out her grievances and sorrows.
"...Haa... But I have to keep going, don't I? For the sake of the people of the Holy Kingdom who believe in me!"
"By the way, this statue gives off even more holy power than a holy relic. It feels just like the Holy Sword."
"It must have an ego. The Holy Sword had one too, after all."
"Something like this should be retrieved by the Holy Kingdom... but it's difficult since His Majesty the Emperor is exercising ownership rights."
Staring at the ring Raphael had given her, Audrey fell deep into thought. After about ten minutes, she looked back at the statue and spoke.
"Statue? I know you're listening to me."
"You also emit a powerful holy energy like the Holy Sword, so you must have an ego."
"Therefore, I would like to ask you something. Do you prefer staying here, or would you rather go to the Holy Kingdom?"
......
......
"Hmm... You don't want to answer yet?"
"Well, I'll come back tomorrow and ask again. Goodbye for now."
With that, Audrey turned and left. Watching her go, Raphael could only sigh in anguish.
Raphael cherished Audrey deeply. She could never forgive the Fiend for daring to touch her. To kill the Demon King — and ultimately the Fiend itself — Raphael began to form a plan.
The first step was a meeting with the Emperor. She needed to meet Athalia, the Archmage of the Hero Party and current Emperor. With the Emperor's support, the difficulty of this game would become much easier.
Fiend... let's see how wild you can get. We'll find out who wins in the end.
Around the time Raphael was devising her plan to slay the Fiend, Saintess Audrey had just left the Hero Academy when she sensed a suspicious aura and began investigating.
"...There's a strange energy in this Hero Academy."
"It definitely wasn't here during the day..."
"It's far too similar to that creepy aura that tried to tempt me earlier."
"I need to report this to the Emperor."
"First, purification..."
"Your faithful servant prays. Please cleanse this place of its wicked energy. Grand Purification—"
Whooooooosh—!
In an instant, the entire area around the Hero Academy was purified.
And from the shadows, a horrifying presence watched the saintess.
"Hmm... what a shame. Such a waste."
"Audrey... you're mine. I won't give you to anyone."
"You need to become the Witch of Destruction and purify this world. Hehehe."
"I'll be waiting for the moment you fall and become a witch."