Saint Birth Festival (6)

"I missed you, Abel."

At those words, I found myself pausing involuntarily. The way she looked up at me with those guileless eyes drew a soft chuckle from my lips. It made sense—after all, it had been over a week since the trials, so her reaction was understandable.

Still, I hadn't expected her to be this blunt about it.

It seemed I'd left Adel alone for far too long, no matter how busy I'd been. The fact that she could say something so shamelessly embarrassing with such sincerity was proof enough.

"Yeah. I missed you too, Adel."

It might have sounded like empty words, but it wasn't a lie. Whenever exhaustion weighed on me, hers was the first face that came to mind.

"...Ah."

Only then did she seem to realize what she'd just said, her face flushing bright red. Watching her reaction, I couldn't help but smirk playfully and continue.

"What's wrong? There's nothing wrong with being a little more honest."

"Shut up."

Her face still burning, she fanned herself with her hand, deliberately avoiding my gaze. No matter how many times I teased her, she always reacted like this—and somehow, it never got old.

"Let's head inside first. It's still cold out."

"Right."

With that, we stepped into the room.

Like most places in the Holy Kingdom, the interior was overwhelmingly white. The only saving grace was the quietly flickering lamp, lending the space a faintly cozy atmosphere.

Adel slowly sat down on the bed. When I naturally took a seat beside her, she glanced at me with slightly flustered eyes.

Meeting her gaze with an unreadable expression, I silently waited for her to speak. Though she seemed somewhat uncomfortable, Adel eventually let out a sigh and broke the silence.

"You really have a talent for making things confusing, Abel."

"Hmm? I'm not sure what you mean."

A lie. I knew exactly what she was referring to.

It had just been a playful remark, nothing more. Unaware of my thoughts, Adel exhaled loudly enough to make her exasperation obvious.

"No, it's nothing."

The one who falls first is always the one at fault.

She muttered it under her breath, so quietly that an ordinary person would have missed it. But thanks to the heightened senses that came with being an Archmage, I caught every word.

Still, I couldn't bring myself to respond.

The thought crossed my mind—was I even capable of something like romance with her? The fear lingered, wondering how she, who still clung to the ethics of modern times, would perceive me.

Above all, because I, too, had once been from the modern era.

If, by some chance, she were to say something like that to me...

'You've gotten sentimental, Abel.'

It was something I never would have imagined in the distant past. Under the rule of the Duke, a man who always prioritized cold logic, such thoughts wouldn't have even crossed my mind.

For a fleeting moment, it occurred to me that perhaps Adel wasn't the only one who had changed after meeting me.

"Abel."

"What is it?"

"Was me becoming the Saintess also part of your plan?"

Her question made me freeze. Her snow-white hair had, at some point, darkened back to black. Ruby-red eyes lifted to meet mine.

There was something complicated in Adel's quiet gaze as she asked, a tangled emotion lurking beneath the surface.

"The artifact's effect wore off."

"...Ah, you're right."

Only then did she seem to notice her black hair, flustered as she fumbled. Watching her, I quietly channeled mana into the necklace she wore.

The moment an immense ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠amount of mana filled it, Adel's appearance reverted to that of "Id."

"No, don't try to change the subject."

"Hmph. What a shame."

I'd thought she might let it slide, but it seemed Adel had serious doubts about this matter. The fact that she wasn't easily sidetracked spoke volumes.

Her eyes held a stubbornness I hadn't seen before. Sighing, I finally answered.

"Yeah. It was somewhat included."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"...Because it was obvious you wouldn't believe me."

And that was the truth. At that point, if I'd told Adel she would become the Saintess, there was no way she would have accepted it. If she hadn't outright called it nonsense, I would have counted myself lucky.

At my words, she studied me for a moment before slowly speaking again.

"I would have believed you."

"Hm?"

Turning my head, I met her eyes. Her gaze was steady, unwavering as she stared back at me. There wasn't a trace of falsehood in her voice—not even the slightest tremor.

It seemed Adel genuinely meant it.

"Haha. That makes me happy."

Though I'd always dealt in lies, that response was sincere. The feeling of being trusted by someone else—it was something I'd long forgotten. Maybe this was why ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the original Abel had fallen for her.

Simply because she believed in him—without conditions, without hesitation.

"Abel."

Her voice was soft as she called my name. In response, I gave a slight nod.

"I'm on your side too."

"I know."

That's precisely why I treat her with such special consideration. Holding grudges against an Infinite Regressor like her would be sheer stupidity. If anything, I planned to coax and utilize her—never to commit such foolish acts.

But Adel shook her head and continued.

"No. Abel, you don't truly know."

"What do you mean?"

"You always handle everything alone."

Her words left me speechless.

It was true. I had resolved most matters solely through my own power. The thought of entrusting things to others never sat well with me—a lingering distrust of people that had taken root since becoming Family Head in this life.

Longtime companions like Arin and Evan were exceptions. They were strong enough, and had always repaid my faith in them.

But Adel...

"I'm strong now."

A gust of wind rushed through the window. In the momentary pause brought by the sudden draft, a small silhouette popped into existence midair. A miniature version of myself floated about, deftly manipulating the wind currents.

The gathered winds coalesced, gradually forming a tiny shape—a small bird crafted entirely from swirling air currents.

With my mana-enhanced perception, I could instantly grasp just how difficult maintaining such a form would be.

"You've truly grown stronger."

The wind spirit, Silpi.

Back then, she could barely control a single Wind Blade. Now she could perform intricate manipulations like this with ease.

"I've become a Spirit Knight. A Saintess."

And yet, do you still find me unreliable?

Her question gave me pause. Adel wasn't wrong. The current her bore no resemblance to the helpless girl trembling before colossal monsters in the past.

She had become someone fully capable of protecting herself.

In fact, I'd scarcely witnessed her regress at all recently. She spoke truth—she was strong enough now.

"My apologies."

That was all I could say. This wasn't Adel's failing—it was mine. The deep-seated distrust of others, ingrained through years of noble life, wasn't so easily uprooted.

Even while recognizing this as mere rationalization, I had no other words to offer.

"...Abel."

Adel's voice trembled slightly as she called my name. Turning back, I saw her wearing an expression tinged with sorrow. Though her face suggested some misunderstanding, I felt no urge to correct it.

It wasn't that I distrusted Adel.

But I didn't trust her enough to openly share my plans.

Most crucially—because she remained connected to that Goddess.

At least until matters with the Holy Kingdom concluded, Adel must never learn my designs.

§

Clang!

Blades crossed with a shrill metallic cry. Even this glancing contact sent numbing vibrations through my entire body. Gritting my teeth, I pressed the assault. Wind howled as my rapier thrust forward in rapid succession.

Screeech.

The grating sound echoed. Despite pouring genuine intent into each strike, my opponent remained unshaken. I'd anticipated gaps in experience and training, but feeling this disparity with my entire being drove the point home.

Whoosh.

Golden energy gathered around his sword before lashing toward me.

'Silpi!'

[Got it!]

Wind surged, altering the attack's trajectory as I lunged inward. Though the slash dissipated instantly, he showed no panic, seamlessly continuing our duel.

Clang!

Even deflected, the impact resonating through my frame made my entire body shudder. A direct hit might have torn my arm clean off.

Gasping ragged breaths, I whipped the wind forward—focusing everything into a single piercing thrust. The man's eyes flashed with interest in that instant. Too late, I realized my mistake.

Thud!

With a sickening sound, my rapier went spinning through the air. Numbness crawled up my right arm ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠where the weapon had been. My master always said one should never lose grip of their weapon, yet here I stood—disarmed.

Had I held on, my arm might have followed the blade. Instinct made me release my grip.

"I yield."

Raising both hands, I exhaled heavily.

"Well fought."

The man—Ka-il—sheathed his sword with those words. After last night's events, I'd sought him out personally, wanting to become someone Abel could rely on more.

I'd expected additional conditions, but Ka-il accepted my request readily. When I asked if he wanted compensation, he waved it off with refusal.

"Your shortcomings remain evident."

"Haha... I figured ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as much."

"But your potential for growth is equally undeniable."

That was welcome news. If I grew stronger, perhaps Abel might come to depend on me too.

Though given Ka-il's strength, that "little more" would prove grueling...

Still better than doing nothing at all.