Cleanup and Resolution (1)
It didn't take long to recover the confiscated items. They were being held as evidence in a nearby storage room, so I headed straight there and retrieved them. Once my innocence was proven, the staff handed them over without hesitation. Fortunately, everything was intact, nothing missing.
I changed out of the temporary uniform into my academy clothes. As I exited the courtroom, everyone was sneaking glances at me. The rumors had already spread.
"That's the Saint?"
"Yeah, that's what they're saying. Oh, right—he's just a candidate for now."
"But who's that little kid next to him? Even Her Highness the Princess is there…."
The constant murmurs of "Saint" were bad enough.
Damn….
How burdensome and annoying it all was. I wanted to go back to before the trial. At least then, I wasn't drawing this much attention.
I turned my glare to the culprit behind this mess.
"So why are you following me?"
"Huh? Why? 'Cause Tianis is here, so I'm sightseeing. Oh! Won't you show me around? Everything looks so different now, I don't recognize a thing."
"…If you're done, get lost."
"Haha! Just like Chorok said—you're super prickly."
"……."
Norang just laughed at my reaction, not caring what I said. That was typical of gods. Extremely self-centered and selfish—they'd let anything slide if it suited them. My head was pounding from the headache.
I was already irritated from emitting holy power, and having this pest clinging to my side was grating on my nerves. If only it'd leave already.
But Norang showed no sign of going anywhere.
"…Hey, just one question."
"What, what? If I answer, you'll show me around?"
"Cut the crap and answer."
Anyway, aside from that, I had something to ask Norang. As the god of contracts and order, it was always busy. If not now, there wouldn't be time.
"You know Rana Heytald, right?"
"Huh? Oh! That kid Chorok likes? Of course I do. Probably no one among us doesn't know her. She was a saintess candidate before Estella."
I knew that already. Rana's blessing wasn't for nothing.
"But why her?"
I answered Norang's question immediately.
"Have you ever met Rana? Specifically, at the amusement park during the founding festival."
"Hmm~ Who knows?"
Norang's mischievous grin, teasing out my curiosity, made my face twist.
"Don't mess around. Answer me, or no tour."
"Haha! Deal?"
Finally satisfied, Norang answered.
"First off, I don't get why our Saint candidate is asking, but yeah, I visited the amusement park. Right when it opened."
"And Rana?"
Norang shook its head.
"Sadly, no. I'm interested in her too, but the amusement park was way more important!"
Fuck, then who was the god Rana and Ria met back then? No matter how I racked my brain, excluding Norang, no other god matched the description.
Just to be sure, I asked again.
"You're certain?"
"Of course! I swear on my name—I never met her!"
Swearing on its divine name. That confirmed it—Norang hadn't met Rana.
I hate riddles like this.
A sigh escaped inwardly. Asking had only made me more curious. I hated dealing with gods, but they forced my attention anyway. Gods were such a pain….
"Haa…."
"Why so serious? Something unsolved? Want help?"
"No…."
"Ah! I got a message!"
Norang cut me off.
"Yeah, yeah, why message me? Estella's looking for me? Again? Got it, coming right now~!"
Chattering into thin air, Norang turned to me.
"Our saintess is calling! Gotta go. Show me around later. Bye~ Our Saint candidate Kyle!"
Norang spat it all out like a machine gun and vanished. No wonder it looked like a kid—totally unpredictable.
"Th-that was an interesting one… Lady Norang."
"No need for honorifics with trash like that."
What respect for that bastard? I'd sooner use it on a stray dog.
Then the princess asked cautiously.
"But… are you really becoming the Saint?"
Ariel's question made me grimace.
"I don't know why even Your Highness is asking. I clearly said no."
"But from what I heard…."
"That's them ignoring my opinion and babbling. Thanks to that damn pest, do you know how awkward this is…."
Ah, driving me insane. If it was this bad from the start, how much worse would it get later? Unimaginable.
Suddenly, Ariel chuckled.
"…Why are you laughing?"
"Just… it's fascinating. The imperial family and Arden aren't on great terms with the gods, but not this hostile. And hardly anyone reacts so sensitively to 'Saint' talk. What happened with the gods?"
"…Nothing."
I said flatly. Even if I explained, she'd never understand.
Still, Ariel smiled warmly.
"I see. You have your own troubles, Kyle. Still…."
She paused, then continued.
"Next time, tell me ahead. Do you know how hard I worked to clear the black mage charge? A heads-up would've made it easier."
A slightly sulky tone, but the feeling wasn't. It was playful, teasing.
For some reason, it made me smile inwardly.
Yeah, that's Ariel Tianis.
Talking casually like there was no status gap, teasing. A side of her I'd forgotten amid our bad blood. The novel showed it often, but our rivalry kept it hidden. Regrettable—I'd liked that side too.
"I'll think about it. If something like this happens again."
"Doubt it. No one seems eager to mess with a Saint candidate."
"…Stop teasing. I'm not a kid."
"Just stating facts. Oh, there's Rana."
I turned at Ariel's words.
"Kyle~!"
"Hyungnim! We're here!"
Rana was running from afar, Evan and Veil following. Cloi walked slowly, waving lazily at me.
"Time for the intruder to leave. Go on."
Ariel gave my back a light push. As she turned to go, she muttered softly.
"Oh, be nice to Rana. Without her, the trial would've been tougher."
"Got it."
"And… man up for once. Why dodge when it's not a joke."
"…You're no professor—why so nosy about my love life?"
"'Cause you're hopeless. Sigh, why'd Rana pick a guy like you…."
"Enough nonsense. Go."
Ariel nodded and walked off slowly. I called after her.
"Anyway… thanks for the help."
"No need. Just doing my duty as royalty. And I didn't do it alone."
She said that and kept walking. Glancing back, I saw Rana had closed in right up to her face.
"Kyle, you okay? Not hurt? What about food…."
"I'm fine. Let go first."
Rana, looking a bit pale, checked me over first thing. I wished she'd worry about herself sometimes. She neglected herself too much.
"Hey, Saint candidate! Long time n—ow!"
I smacked Evan's head as he spouted nonsense. After days apart, his obliviousness was unchanged.
"Hyungnim, are you alright?"
"Yeah. Heard from the princess—you asked for her help. It really did."
"No big deal. She was the only one we could ask…."
Veil blushed at the praise.
"Senpai~ What about me?"
"…You did nothing."
"Aw~ I cheered hard?"
"That's doing nothing."
"Eek! So mean!"
The nostalgic scene unfolded before me. The short, long trial was finally over.
Back to routine.
Everyday life again.
Time to return to academy normalcy.
Ariel halted mid-stride, standing stock-still. She slowly turned, gazing in a certain direction.
That direction: where Kyle Arden and his group were.
She'd walked far; his figure was barely visible. But her ability Sensory Transcendence effortlessly conveyed the scene.
She wasn't eavesdropping. Just blankly watching his distant form.
What was she thinking? Without voicing it, no one could know.
"……."
Ariel stood motionless for a long while, staring at far-off Kyle. When he moved with his group, she headed to the dorms.
"Haa…."
Letting out an inscrutable sigh.
The next morning.
"Ugh…!"
My stiff body prompted immediate stretching upon waking. First time in ages sleeping in the dorm bed, and it felt awful. Better than the holding cell, sure, but after luxury hotel beds in the free city, the difference was stark.
Time for a bed upgrade.
Clock read 6 a.m. Perfect for morning training and breakfast at the student cafeteria.
"Hm?"
A mail carrier approached from the academy center. Familiar face—I'd seen him a few times. With only me in the lowest dorm, he came straight over.
"Good morning. Long time no see."
"Ah, um… Saint candidate?"
Damn, how far had the rumors spread in a day?
"…Just like normal."
"Right, student Kyle. Letter for you."
A letter? Hadn't gotten one lately—quite a while.
Not again….
Someone hearing the news, seizing the chance. Pass. Another letter flood would be a nightmare.
Doing that again? Might as well burn it….
But couldn't toss without checking. I sent the carrier off and lounged on a nearby bench to inspect it.
Seeing the seal, I stared.
"Hm… From the family."
It was from the Arden estate. Directly from Father, Decal Arden.
No idea what for, but I broke the seal.
And the letter read:
Explain yourself.
Truly Father-like content.