Bureaucratic Blues and a Heroine's Déjà Vu
The administrative office handles all the church's internal paperwork, or so they said. So when they warned me there'd be long lines from morning on, I thought they were exaggerating. But nope, it was real.
"It might be best if we handle this separately. I'll go meet an acquaintance and sort out the long-term contract guarantee." Mari sighed softly at the crowd gathered in front of the office. We'd been delayed making the contracts back at the dorms because of this illiterate zombie idiot (true). In the end, she tapped her connections and headed off somewhere.
"Master Huu, we need to go line up over there by the blue flag."
This was baggage-level treatment. And the kind that only caused trouble. I was starting to feel a bit down about it. But if I couldn't even handle what Mari left me with, I'd feel even more wronged, so I moved to go—only for Ludia to grab my wrist and drag me along.
"Ughhh... (Huh? Nah, wouldn't it be the green flag over there where they take the money?)"
"Aish, come on, it's the blue flag."
"...."
Is it? Uh... why did I think it was green? And this place feels oddly familiar even though it's my first time here. The way they've got blue flags, green flags, red flags lined up in front of the buildings like that. Some strange sensation made my steps heavy.
"Hurry up and come this way. Let's finish before Mari gets back."
"Ugh. (Yeah.)"
Eh, what do I know anyway? Probably just on edge from biting down on the bandages to keep from zombie-noising. I let her lead me gently along.
Amelia's office was filled with ornate decorations and luxurious hardwood furnishings.
"Nothing at all?"
She was skimming documents at her desk when one eyebrow twitched. She spoke up.
"I checked sixty years of service records... and there wasn't even anyone similar to Huu."
"That can't be right. With Holy Power that strong, how could the church not know about him until now? Are the central paladin order's records accurate?"
"Yes... Lady Amelia."
"Hard to believe."
Propping her chin on one hand, Amelia stared intently at the man. Her cold, hardened expression felt like a massive block of ice crushing him.
"But it's true, Lady Amelia... I double- and triple-checked the same records, and even got testimonies from retirees... No leads at all."
"Hmm..."
Her lips twitched slightly—she was clearly holding back what she wanted to say. Dalton, the paladin captain, had given a shocking report, so she'd tried digging into this Huu's background. Someone with such potent Holy Power who wasn't a paladin? She was dying to know why such a figure was siding with Ludia. And why he was hiding his identity. She couldn't help suspecting he might be the key to dragging Ludia down.
But the results of her trusted subordinate's work were pathetic. She had no choice but to offer advice.
"According to Sir Dalton, a little training and he could aim for captain rank. In this continent's history, has there ever been someone with that level of Holy Power without church training?"
"No. Never."
"Then shouldn't we widen the search? I'd check retired mercenary guild records too, and the admin office lists for non-paladin church warriors or retirees."
"I'm sorry. I'll do it again."
The man could only nod. She held absolute power in this branch, second only to the branch manager. Even if it meant grubbing through filthy mercenary guild files and sifting admin office chaos, he had to do it. Sadly, that's social life. That's reality.
"...Hm. Wait a second."
"Yes?"
As the man turned to leave, shoulders slumped, Amelia's eyes widened at the next document. She shot to her feet.
"I'll handle the admin office myself."
"No need. It'd be too much trouble for you..."
A saintess candidate doing grunt work herself? That screamed "I'm not happy with my subordinate, so I'll do it." If word got out, what would the branch manager say? The man waved her off in a fluster.
But she was already straightening her clothes to head out.
"No, that might be better. Good work. You can go."
"Uh..."
The man panicked, wondering if the power elite now saw him as incompetent. But she was simply acting on the next report's contents.
- Morning: Escort paladin Mari, Ludia, and Huu head to the administrative office.
"...I'd better go see for myself."
That Huu guy. Amelia left the baffled man in the room and strode out.
"Sorry, Master Huu..."
"Ugh. (It's fine, whatever.)"
Ludia and I were midway in the long line at the green flag. How long had it been since we got here? Four hours? If I'd trusted Ludia and lined up at the blue flag, we'd probably be done and home by now.
"Haa... I could've sworn it was the blue flag last time I heard..."
She avoided my gaze when I stared. Muttering under her breath just loud enough to hear... Sigh. Why was she so cowed?
"Ugh... (Quit with the puppy eyes. I didn't know either. Keep it up and people will think weird stuff.)"
"S-Sorry...!"
And here she was bowing her head again. Had to be over a hundred times by now. Mari said she was pretty high up in the church, but to me... was it even the same person? Plus, look at the reactions around us to her status. Like, "Oh, there's someone."
"Huu... Maybe I should've asked Lady Amelia after all."
"...?"
Ludia scraped the ground with her foot, mumbling.
"She's gonna be the real saintess, you know? Super nice person."
"Ugh? (She's a saintess candidate too?)"
"Daughter of some marquis, great personality too. She even listens to what I have to say..."
"Ughhh... (You're a candidate too. Why's she so lacking in confidence? Mari said you're pretty strong.)"
She gave a hollow laugh talking about Amelia. Could I even compare to her? I don't even aim that high. That self-mutter was the final blow.
"Ugh. (Hey.)"
"...Yes? Eh?"
I didn't like seeing her like that. I spun her toward me and squished her cheeks with both palms. Her lips puffed out, eyes going big and round.
"Uuuugh. (You're a hundred times better than Amelia. She's probably ugly anyway.)"
"Eek... M-Master Huu..."
"Ughhhh. (Out of all the women I've seen, you're the prettiest, so get some confidence. Got it? Femme fatale! You know?)"
I didn't know who Amelia was, but trash-talk first. Half my usual thoughts, half to buck her up in my frustration. Anyway, all that comes out is ugh-ugh sounds, so words flow easy.
"Guuh? (Got it?)"
"H-Huh... No idea what you're saying..."
...Shouldn't have bothered? I knew she wouldn't get it, but her reaction left me deflated. Why get all down suddenly anyway? Her blushing and squirming like this was way cuter.
...Uh... no, wait, no. I'm not some perv who gets off on bullying people. I'm perfectly reasonable and normal...
That was when it happened.
"Ah, Lady Amelia!!"
"?!"
"Lady Amelia's here!!"
The line behind us buzzed in an instant. The crowd parted like waves, and in the middle stood a woman.
Long golden hair like melted gold. Snow-white skin evoking vast plains, embedded with amethyst eyes. Her looks alone demanded attention no matter what she did. Or maybe more than that. Was this what they meant by a god's masterpiece? The whispers from behind about her beauty made sense now.
....She looks familiar from somewhere.
"Long time no see, Ludia."
"Lady Amelia...!"
Amelia walked through the parted crowd and unhesitatingly grabbed Ludia's hand. She beamed at her, looking genuinely delighted, like reuniting with a close friend.
"What's up? A saintess candidate like you shouldn't be stuck out here."
"N-No, it's nothing big..."
Ludia's face flushed red. She held the hand but couldn't meet eyes, twisting her body awkwardly.
"...."
Where'd that "let's talk about her" energy go? And same candidate status, but why's she acting like a puppy? Aren't they equals?
"Oh. And who's this? Don't think we've met."
After chatting a bit, they finally noticed me. As her purple eyes fixed on me, Ludia pointed my way and spoke.
"This is Master Huu... the one I hired. He can't speak."
"Ah, Master Huu. Nice to meet you. Mercenary, right?"
She smiled naturally, extending a hand.
"I'm Amelia de Rubystone. Just call me Amelia."
"Uh-eh? (Uh...?)"
Rubystone. Hearing that, I recalled wondering why her purple eyes matched a red gem surname. Memories buried in time started piecing together.
Anesa Church. Saintess selection. Amelia de Rubystone. Demon God's descent. Final Holy War.
"Uh-wooo... (Uh... wait. This...)"
That's when I realized why the buildings felt familiar. Why Amelia seemed so recognizable.
"Ugh? Something wrong?"
"....."
Amelia was the main heroine from a novel I'd read long ago.