After the War Ends (3)
Estella. The saintess of the Justia Holy Kingdom, called the daughter of the gods. And the protagonist of Akacheonma.
“……”
Her sudden appearance left me dazed. And for good reason—she wasn't supposed to show up in this episode at all. The Holy Kingdom had been swamped with the 'Black' incident. Besides, if they'd had the resources to spare a saintess, the support troops would've been twice as many.
Anyway, everyone else's reactions weren't much different. Unlike me, the mere reserve saint candidate, she was the real deal. Chaos erupted in front of the Student Council Hall in an instant.
“Greetings, Saintess.”
“We greet Estella, servant of Hayang.”
Greetings rang out from all directions. All from the Holy Kingdom folks. They gazed at her with eyes full of reverence. It was only natural. Given her fame and deeds as saintess, it would've been weirder not to.
“Uh, Saintess Estella! Why are you here…!”
“Weren't you too busy to come?”
Hatan and Elena, the Holy Kingdom representatives, came rushing over, panting, and flanked her protectively. Their reaction was even more intense than mine, if anything. But it made sense. She was a being beloved by the gods—as vital to them as their own deity.
“Elena, Hatan—long time no see!”
They bowed deeply at the saintess's greeting. Then Elena spoke up.
“More importantly, Saintess Estella. What brings you here? We heard you were swamped…”
“How could I stay away from something this huge? I had to come help as the saintess.”
The saintess's response came in a voice so sweet it tickled the ears. Paired with her otherworldly beauty that could entrance the mind, people just nodded along like it made perfect sense. But not Elena.
She lowered her voice. “Saintess. Be straight with us. If that were true, you'd have come with escorts.”
The saintess scratched her head sheepishly. “Can't fool Elena, huh. Truth is… I ran away!”
“……”
Ran away.
That bold declaration hung in stunned silence. Elena clutched her forehead like her head was throbbing.
“…Why would you do that?”
“Elena, it's like this…”
The saintess spilled out her pent-up frustrations in a rush. In short: too much work, too stuffy, had to get out.
“Haa…”
Elena's rough sigh escaped at those earnest eyes—a sigh that spoke for everyone listening.
“Does that even make sense right now…”
“I'll take the scolding from Elena later. We've got more important things, right?”
She brushed it off shamelessly, flashing that signature saintess smile of boundless mercy. Elena let out another sigh. Even if the saintess was in the wrong—even if she wanted to reprimand her harshly—as a devout believer of Justia, she couldn't help softening.
“Thanks, Elena.”
With Elena relenting, the saintess turned toward me, gratitude shining in her eyes. “Mind if I take over from here and wrap things up?”
“…Do whatever.”
She'd do it anyway, permission or not.
“Thank you, Saint Candidate.”
“……”
That damn saint candidate crap… cut it out already.
I stifled a frustrated sigh and observed her. Estella headed straight for the wolf. She climbed onto its massive paw to meet its gaze. Even halved in size by me, it was still huge.
“How's your body? Still hurting?”
-Grrr…
“Not at death's door, huh. You've got a way with words. Ah, I'm Estella. This era's saintess. Nice to meet you—you who once loved and protected humanity.”
“How'd you know? I told you—I'm the saintess. Hayang doesn't chat often, but sometimes mentioned a being who loved humans too much back in the day.”
-Grrr.
“Not useless chatter. It was a fun story. Makes me pretty happy to meet the star of it in person. So… care to share more of your tale?”
She stroked the boss's fur as she kept chatting. But it looked annoyed.
“You'll tell me all about it later? Promise?”
-Grr.
Only after that reply did the saintess hop down from the paw. She knelt before the wolf and clasped her hands together. Once prepared, she murmured softly.
“Alright… here we go.”
In the solemn air, holy power poured from Estella's hands. Pure energy at a glance—clean enough to purify anything.
Whoosh!!
The holy power swelled massively. Light brighter than the sun illuminated the world. Blinding even in broad morning daylight. An overwhelming surge that sent shivers through everyone. A saintess beloved by the gods wielded an insane amount.
Probably couldn't match half of it even if every believer here pooled theirs.
Overwhelming, alright.
Of all the saintesses I'd seen in the past, none matched her prowess. They say a saintess's holy power depends on certain… body parts, but yeah, just a joke.
Fwoosh!!
Holy power enveloped the wolf. The vast energy rippled outward. A warm glow washed over me. I hated holy power, but hers eased my pain just by existing, so I let it in.
Estella murmured quietly at the storm's heart.
“O God, please…”
The power ballooned further. A divine response to her prayer.
Right then.
“Grant salvation to the one who suffered so long…”
Holy Magic - Miracle of Salvation
The sacred spectacle left everyone staring in a daze. When the pure white light finally faded, they snapped out of it.
“All done.”
With those words, the holy storm subsided. Estella withdrew the lingering power. The boss came into view—shrunken to puppy size.
-Woof!
Even its bark was pure pup. All boss dignity, gone. I stared in blank defeat. I'd at least aimed for rideable size. But this…
“What kinda puppy did you turn it into?”
“Puppy? It kept its form. See?”
She scooped it up. Distinct features remained, but to me, it was 100% doggo. Of course, the demigod essence had fully left its body, letting it recover mana and soul to fix the imbalance. Normal wolf—er, puppy—now. Raise its rank like this, and it'd revert eventually.
“Hyungnim! Saintess! Thank you!”
Evan rushed over and snatched the pup into a tight hug. The once-demi-god boss of Monster Season flailed helplessly in his arms.
Anyway, the commotion's source was settled. I addressed the group.
Getting hard to hold out much longer. “Seems resolved for now. What do you all think?”
The folks opposite Evan fell silent. With the saintess stepping in, no room for argument.
“Then save any other debates for afternoon. I need rest.”
Highlighting my fatigue sealed it. Onlookers dispersed once confirmed no issues.
I leaned into Elraim beside me. “Infirmary. Gotta lie down. Dying here…”
“Haa…”
Sis let out a deep sigh and hoisted me onto her back. Rana latched on, scolding as we went.
“Body's wrecked and you push it! Why abuse yourself like that?!”
Not just me. She yelled at Evan trailing behind.
“Evan junior too! Knew Kyle was hurt and still begged for help!”
“Rana sunbae, that's not…”
“Evan junior!”
“S-Sorry…”
Evan tucked tail at her bark. Nice folks are scarier mad, goes the saying.
Wanted to rein Rana in, but Elraim's vibe was off too—stayed quiet. I'd just drag her in.
Being carried off on sis's back, Saintess Estella tried approaching. But Elena blocked her.
“Where to, Saintess?”
“Saint Candidate looks rough. Can't we talk later?”
“No.”
Elena stood firm, eventually dragging her off. Felt zero urge to help.
Serves you right for sneaking out.
“Kyle, once home, you're grounded till fully recovered.”
And this was my karma.
After the uproar, back to infirmary purgatory. This time under strict Rana-and-Elraim lockdown—couldn't lift a finger. Just bedrest and recovery.
Not exactly quiet. Priests came and went, treating me nonstop. Noisy for a solid three hours.
Now lunchtime, so they stepped out for food. Left me alone with Evan. Or rather, he'd been confined. For “begging help and worsening my injuries.”
“Hyungnim, uh… sorry…”
Evan apologized, shoulders slumped, face gloomy.
“No need for that.”
“My fault you got hurt more…”
“No big deal. Forget it.”
Still moping.
“That sorry?”
“Yeah… burdening someone hurt? Weird if not sorry…”
“Then guard the door. Ten minutes.”
“Huh? What for…”
“Don't ask.”
Evan jumped to it—guilt making him speedy. I pulled the hidden quest reward from my pocket: a black bead-like pill. The Black Return Pill.
Unlike the common White Return Pill, a precious Arden secret known only to the family head and a few others. As the color suggests, it pairs with the White—eaten after for full effect. Solo? Nada.
Popped it in. Tongue stung from the bitterness—painful levels. Gulped it down anyway.
Melted smoothly. Mind hazed instantly. Dantian heated up.
Circulated the Arden Mana Heart Method to guide the blaze. White and Black Return Pills trigger body-and-soul awakening reactions. This heat laid the groundwork.
Kept the method running nonstop. Senses sharpened, ki sense expanded. Body tingled with changes. The elixir mended my battered soul.
Normally, you'd enter the mindscape via elixir power for soul awakening. But mine was already complete—no room to advance. Wasteful maybe, but no regrets. Nitpicking would've wasted more time.
Plus, I wanted soul healing from this Black pill. Focused the energy there. Body upgrade secondary.
“Hoo…”
Exhaled, heat leaking out. Checked status.
Soul fully healed.
Worth the family secret—even mangled wounds fully knit, tougher now.
Body-wise…
Master threshold. Teetering right on the edge.
Bit of a shame.
Like 5cm short. But solid result. Started from squat at possession—near Master in a year? Insane speed.
Magicked away the awakening waste and stench.
“Evan.”
“Yes, hyungnim. Done… whoa, you look way different.”
“Skin's nicer, yeah.”
“Not just that… but better than before. Relieved.”
Evan finally perked up.
Then—knock knock.
“Who is it?”
-It's Estella… mind if I come in?
“Ah, Saintess!”
Evan flung the door open at her voice. Greeted the entering Estella.
“Hello, Saintess. I'm Evan Felix. Thanks for the help earlier.”
“No need. Just doing my duty. And no intros—you're famous via Elena.”
“Ah, Elena…”
Evan flushed.
“Anyway, Evan? That okay?”
“Yeah, call me whatever.”
“Cool, Evan. Here to check on the Saint Candidate—mind stepping out?”
“Uh… sure!”
Dense idiot. Didn't even check with me.
“Hyungnim, I'll wait outside.”
No time to signal stay. Alone with Saintess Estella.
She stared, head tilted.
“Weird! You were half-dead moments ago. What magic, Saint Candidate?”
“Not telling. And drop the saint/nim crap.”
“Nope! Etiquette between saint and saintess.”
“Tch.”
Tongue-clicked in frustration. Had to boot her before this dragged.
“I'll go casual—you handle honorifics. No treatment needed? Out.”
“Hmm… yeah, no need. But curious about something.”
Sighed inwardly. “What.”
“Y'know. The Saint Candidate—no, Kyle Arden…”
Saintess Estella fixed her sky-blue eyes on me and slowly opened her mouth.
“Why are you still alive?”
“……”