The Saintess Not in the Novel
While Ludia and I were struggling outside, Mari sat comfortably in the reception room of the administrative office, sipping her tea.
"So, you're saying there really are no records at all."
"That's right. Are you sure you didn't get it wrong? There's no missing data or errors in the files. We even checked with the central administration, and she's not on the heretic list either."
"That can't be."
"Kehhehe... well, one of you two is mistaken."
The teacup clinked down on the table. The old man in front of Mari stroked his chin beard and chuckled.
"If you need more info than this, you'll have to dig through other channels."
"Yes. I've already put in a request with the mercenary guild, so it should come through soon."
"What about the central knight order?"
"I already checked there. Nothing but useless information."
"Those guys... they're good at cracking monster skulls but hopeless with paperwork. Tch."
The old man tapped his head lightly, launching into a lecture. This is why paladins need to learn administration too. At least their brains should function at a basic level.
But when Mari stared at him silently, he cleared his throat. "Ahem. Of course, there are rare exceptions like you."
He glanced at her slyly and averted his eyes.
"Then I'll be going, Branch Chief."
There was no more information to gain. She stood up as if her business was done.
"Already? You just sat down."
The old man grumbled at Mari's mechanical response.
"Yes."
"You've been the same since you were little. Finish your business and bolt. You must get that from your brother..."
"Should I sit longer?"
"..."
Will she ever find a man like this? Her brother at least lucked out with a wife, but there's no guarantee for her. Why do all my daughters end up just like me?
A flood of thoughts swirled in the silent old man's head.
"I'm going now, Branch Chief?"
"Ten more minutes. Sit and chat a bit."
"Yes, then."
Thud. But he knew beating around the bush with Mari wouldn't even break even. The moment she sat back down, the chief fired questions like an interrogation.
"How's Lady Ludia?"
"She's doing well."
"That Amelia hasn't caused any trouble?"
"More or less. It's just at a cute level."
"Those Rubystone bastards... they need to show some mercy."
"The ones with the power always do, originally."
Unable to counter Mari's words, the chief clicked his tongue in regret and continued.
"Last time, they made a huge donation to the central church and complained there are too many saintess candidates."
"They'll start seriously weeding them out now."
"Yeah."
Discovering saintess candidates, training them through trials, and selecting one blessed by Goddess Anesa to stand against monsters—it was the church's sacred tradition.
But as time passed, money talked louder than anything. At some point, the wealthy noble house Rubystone began influencing the selection.
"Why didn't you just join the Rubystones?"
"..."
He didn't like it, but anyone could see the tide had turned. The chief disliked seeing Mari walk a tough path and tossed in his honest opinion slyly.
"Just say the word. Your uncle can pull some strings to get you reassigned."
"...Ten minutes are up, Uncle."
But Mari's response held no hesitation, her expression unchanged.
"Tch, fine. You and your brother both... sigh."
The chief shook his head, tutting. This is why my family doesn't work. Too stubborn.
"Then."
"Ah, wait!"
"...?"
As Mari turned to leave, the chief grabbed her with a loud call, something still nagging at him.
"Do you see any guys often?"
"Pardon?"
It was a pointless question to Mari, but important to him. His wife had asked him to check on the sly.
A normal person might tell her to ask herself, but knowing their family dynamic, he couldn't refuse the request as a fellow human.
"There is one."
Mari answered straightforwardly.
"Huh?"
She has one? She's not the type to lie... The chief's mouth fell open at the unexpected reply.
Then it hit him. "Wait. You don't mean that Huu you're looking for..."
"Yes."
"?!?"
"Then I'll be going."
"...Hah... unbelievable..."
Thud.
Why is Uncle interested in Huu? Oblivious to the intent, Mari left the speechless branch chief behind.
**
That night, I stared blankly at the dorm ceiling. The name that came to mind: Amelia de Rubystone.
"Grraa? (Ha, fuck... this is a romance fantasy world?)"
[Together with You Until the End] was the only romance fantasy novel I'd ever read. Because the character illustrations were insanely high quality.
Sensual, perfectly balanced figure. A face reminiscent of a goddess. Actions and speech that perfectly sniped male hearts.
The protagonist Amelia was so popular that she even inspired comics and games later.
"Huuu..."
Of course, I'd read it eagerly—and multiple times.
The story of Amelia overcoming all trials with the hero to defeat the resurrected demon god. Simple and clichéd, but I felt proud watching her succeed.
"Grraaah... (Then what the hell is Ludia?)"
But the problem was, Ludia wasn't in that story.
Was it because it's been a while since I read it? I tried jotting down every character on paper and racking my brain, but her name never appeared.
"Grunt? (Did Amelia kill her off before becoming saintess?)"
There were five saintess candidates total. So maybe Ludia dropped out before the story even started?
Every eliminated candidate had a backstory, so no way I'd forget. If my memory was right, the story began with Amelia as the only saintess candidate at the branch, purging a sudden monster horde...
"Ah."
Right now, there were two saintess candidates at this branch.
The novel said one per branch. So Ludia...
- Thwack.
"Grk! (Ow, shit! You scared me!)"
A dull thud from the next room made me jump. It was definitely Ludia kicking the wall in her sleep.
Unlike her appearance, she had terrible sleeping habits. Even asleep, she'd sometimes tap the wall like that.
"Grrr... (So what is Ludia, then?)"
I had no idea why I was obsessing over her. Shouldn't I worry about myself, suddenly thrown into this novel?
- Oh, Lord Huu. Are you feeling unwell? You've been quiet since earlier...
- Hehehe... but you got money thanks to me, right? Gonna buy me something tasty?
- Ah... uh, no... sorry! I won't be cheeky again! I'll offer it up!
"..."
No. She's the one I can't ignore.
The more I recalled our conversation on the way back to the dorm, the more I had to admit it.
A saintess candidate who cowers needlessly and reads the room too well.
A woman who smiles and cries innocently, oblivious to her own beauty.
A clumsy girl whose occasional schemes miss by a hair.
I don't know how she became a saintess candidate, but whatever—her life got derailed because of me.
How could I just leave her be?
"Huuu... (Sigh... this is driving me crazy. What is she? A passing extra?)"
I'd once been a huge Amelia fan, but there was no reason to cling to the past while ignoring the 3D right in front of me.
And was that even the Amelia I knew? Her gentle demeanor felt somehow fake.
In the original, Amelia was cheerful and playful, lots of smiles.
Just like Ludia's usual self.
...Minus the losing her mind part.
"Gurgle. (Anyway, let's meet her. Meeting will reveal something.)"
Conveniently, Amelia had invited Ludia and me to her quarters tomorrow. Said she wanted to catch up since it's been a while.
"Grrr... (Damn, if only I could talk right now. Some item or... ah, wait.)"
At that frustrating moment of speechlessness, I recalled a useful tool from the novel.
"Gurgle. (It shows up early on too.)"
I'd have to convince Ludia to hit the auction house sometime. Get that, catch my breath, and finally talk!
Forgetting my worries, I swelled with hope.
**
Late into the night, Amelia's office was still lit.
"How did it go, Lady Amelia?"
"Captain Dalton's report was half right, half wrong."
Amelia stroked her right hand with a faint smile. The hand that had shaken with that Huu earlier today.
"Then that Huu has Holy Power..."
"Beyond even a Chief Paladin."
"Whaaat???"
Her maid couldn't hide her shock.
"Th-then this is bad, Lady Amelia! Why would someone like that be with Lady Ludia..."
"Well, it's only fair. The goddess is merciful to all."
Amelia's smile deepened as she caressed the back of her right hand.
"With Mari and now another with strong Holy Power, it'll be hard to handle things as the family requested..."
"Don't worry, Medel."
The anxious maid contrasted with Amelia's calm. Without taking her eyes off her hand, she spoke softly.
"We have our own trial coming up, don't we?"
"The recent massive zombie horde subjugation...?"
"Yes. That one."
Amelia's composure came from premeditated thoughts. Ever since realizing Huu was unexpected, she'd been pondering how to make him hers.
"Before trials... people change."
"...?"
"And that man Huu will change too."
"...Ah! As expected."
She had a plan. The maid finally relaxed upon hearing it.
"We'll see him again tomorrow. We'll talk then."
"Yes, Lady Amelia. I'll prepare."
The maid bowed and left. But Amelia's gaze remained fixed on one spot.
"I'm looking forward to it, Huu. What will you do for me? Hehehe..."
For some reason, she let out a short laugh.