Saint Birth Festival (5)

The outside had already grown dark without me noticing. When we'd entered, the sun had still been high in the sky.

Even though we'd tried to wrap things up quickly, it seemed a fair amount of time had passed. Turning my head, I spotted Estelle quietly walking behind me.

Even with her eyes closed, her footsteps held no hesitation. No doubt thanks to that so-called Authority of the Imperial House or whatever it was.

Unlike the princess, it didn't seem like an ability suited for combat, strictly speaking.

Still, even accounting for that, it was a ridiculously overpowered Authority. Being able to decipher nearly any ancient text and even sense the energy of others with just her eyes...

If, by some chance, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠she ever turned against me, she'd be a troublesome opponent even for me.

"It's quite lively," she murmured.

At her words, I glanced around. Street vendors that hadn't been there during the day now lined the streets.

Though smaller in scale, the bustle was no less vibrant than the night markets of the Hardenberg Duchy. Just a few days ago, the place had felt like a house in mourning.

Was it thanks to the joyous news of a Saint's birth?

The people's faces were lit with smiles, as if they hadn't yet let go of hope.

"I see."

"Everyone looks happy."

"Certainly... it does seem that way."

She'd been repeating similar remarks ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for a while now. When I turned my head, I saw Estelle squinting her eyes at me.

She gave me a pointed look, as if trying to signal something, and I frowned in confusion.

Seemingly exasperated by my obliviousness, she thumped her chest lightly before finally speaking up.

"Aren't you going to check on Adel?"

"...Ah."

"You didn't forget, did you?"

"Of course not."

I deliberately avoided her narrowed gaze.

Now that she mentioned it, I really had. In the chaos after clearing the trial, I'd left her in someone else's care, but I should've met up with her again by now.

Of course, there was the matter of the plan, but... even on a day like this, leaving her alone left a slightly uneasy feeling. Even if ours was a contract marriage, we were still bound by it.

"Then what was that 'Ah' just now?"

"You must've misheard."

Playing dumb, I watched as Estelle let out a sigh deep enough to sink the earth.

"At this rate... Adel's love life is going to be an uphill battle."

"Hm? What was that?"

"Never mind. Just go already."

She shoved my back roughly with both hands, as if urging me to hurry. Though she hadn't used much strength, I was still slightly surprised that my body actually moved.

Her physical strength was slightly above that of an average adult male. I didn't recall any mention of this in the original work.

"Well, whatever. Got it."

"Our next meeting point is in two days—the teahouse near the Grand Plaza."

Nodding at Estelle's words, I took my leave. Channeling mana, I tried to estimate Adel's location.

Thanks to the contract we'd formed through the Token of Contract, I could track her position in real time.

I didn't use it often, though—it felt like an invasion of privacy. Back when she was constantly throwing herself into life-threatening situations, it had been a real headache.

I'd be worried, but then I'd feel guilty about tracking her without reason.

If she hadn't had her Regression ability, I probably would've kept a constant location tracker on her.

That's how severe her lack of self-preservation had been in the past.

Now, she'd improved a lot, and as a Spiritualist, she even had some combat ability, so I could worry a little less.

Her location is...

The parliament building?

I'd expected her to be bedridden for days, but it seemed she'd recovered surprisingly fast.

...Ah, right. She cleared the trial.

For a moment, I'd forgotten—she'd been unable to wield even Spirit Power before because she couldn't control her Holy Power.

But now that she'd become a Saint, it seemed she'd gained control over it.

At this point, there's no real need to worry.

Like a child set free by the riverside, there was no longer any need—or reason—to fret.

Even though she possessed the ability to regress, her spirit had been worn down to little more than a consumable.

I hoped, as much as possible, that she wouldn't lose her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠humanity or erode further because of Regression.

Perhaps that was why I sometimes caught myself wanting to overprotect her.

Still, now that things had turned out this way, I felt both relieved and a little hollow. It was like watching a rebellious teenager finally grow up—no longer needing to be coddled.

"Guess I'm getting old too."

Not that I had any right to say that with this face.

If I added the years from my past life, I'd probably be in my fifties or sixties by now. Mentally, at least, I felt like I'd aged quite a bit.

This life had been far too turbulent, making my memories before it feel somewhat hazy.

For some reason, old-man thoughts kept surfacing.

Adel's love life, huh...

Suddenly, Estelle's offhand remark came back to me. I knew Adel had feelings for me.

The way she acted around me—her Spirit form, how she turned beet red just from being near me. Even her usually expressionless face would brighten the moment she saw me.

If I couldn't pick up on something that obvious, I wouldn't even deserve to call myself a man.

But as I was now, I had no idea how to respond to those feelings. Part of it was definitely because I'd grown too old mentally.

'In my past life, I would've cursed guys like that to hell.'

Watching protagonists who either feigned ignorance or were genuinely too dense to notice always made my blood boil.

Now that I found myself in the same position, I thought I might finally understand their feelings a little.

'Well, enough of this self-pity.'

Feelings, romance—those were still distant stories. It wouldn't be too late to think about them after overthrowing the Emperor.

Until then, I'd focus all my energy on maintaining this relationship as it was.

Though my thoughts about Adel had changed considerably...

She remained the key to my plans, after all.

§

A cool breeze sent my hair fluttering. Silver strands—now somewhat familiar—danced through the air.

At this rate, if I lived just one more month, wouldn't black hair start feeling more unnatural?

Back when I first joined the subjugation expedition, I never imagined I'd become so entangled with the Holy Kingdom.

Choice. Freedom.

Coercion. The Buddhist Order.

That so-called goddess had said those words. There must have been some intention behind them, yet she gave me Holy Power without any restrictions. Of course, that led to the unfortunate incident of Silpi being sealed away...

'Wait, thinking about it, was that also intentional?'

There was no way I'd stay idle with my strength sealed. Maybe she gave me the Saintess's power expecting exactly that.

So I'd quickly overcome the trials and become a Saint.

'Choice is freedom...'

How prettily worded.

And here I thought a goddess might be trustworthy.

[That's just how gods are.]

Turning my head, I saw Silpi scowling irritably.

It felt slightly strange seeing Abel's face like that, but somehow it was also endearing.

[Ugh. My contractor's getting worse by the day.]

Had he read my thoughts? His expression flattened in dismay. I chuckled and replied,

"Maybe so."

[You're growing shameless...]

Silpi shot me a disbelieving glare. That tiny face made it...

[Fine, fine. I give up. Happy now?]

I nodded with another chuckle at his sulky tone.

Silpi sighed deeply, touching his still-stinging cheeks—flushed bright red from Yurp's constant pinching.

[So, when's that person you like so much coming?]

"How should I know?"

Thinking back, it had always been like this.

She always seemed busy, and our meetings were mostly coincidental or initiated by her—never anything else.

Even when I tried visiting first, she was often away, occupied with work.

Back then, I assumed it was just the demands of being a Duchess...

But now I knew it was all for overthrowing the Emperor.

'Abel... Why is she trying to overthrow the Emperor?'

The question surfaced suddenly.

I knew Abel was strong.

Her overwhelming power during the Hunting Festival, or facing the Oblivion Whale alone—no one could miss that.

With that strength and her position as a Duchess, she could've lived in luxury forever.

I couldn't fathom why she'd risk treason just to kill the Emperor.

Unlike me—a modern person with different ethics—Abel was nobility to the bone.

She could've lived contentedly in her position without issue.

[Just ask her.]

"...Would that be okay?"

[Why wouldn't it be?]

Silpi snorted in response.

His attitude irked me enough to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flick his forehead, but he dodged effortlessly like a fly.

[Too slow, Contractor.]

"How childish."

[Rich coming from you.]

Our usual banter warmed my chest oddly. Before overcoming the trials, I'd been too anxious to sleep properly for days.

Losing my strength was part of it, but...

[Finally realizing my worth?]

"Not really."

A sigh escaped as I watched him preen midair.

Really, if only he'd watch his mouth. Rude as he was, he wasn't a bad guy.

[..I'm leaving.]

Embarrassed by the unspoken praise, he vanished into the spirit realm, making me smile.

That's not what I—! The protest echoed mentally, but I ignored it.

As I soaked in the lively street atmosphere, a sudden gust swept through—far stronger than before.

My head lifted instinctively. Moonlight shimmered, revealing a familiar face.

Ashen hair, a distinctive scar, sharp eyes, and clear silver irises.

It had been a while.

"Long time no see, Adel."

Truly. I hadn't seen hide nor hair of him since the trials ended.

"I missed you, Abel."

Maybe it was the moonlight and swirling wind—the words slipped out unbidden.