Chapter 76
“Sigh……”
“Why are you sighing like that all the time?”
Luna asked Hertia, who had been letting out deep sighs nonstop these past few days. She'd sensed something was weighing on the saintess's mind ever since she returned from the village with the volunteer club members, but lately, the worries seemed endless, accompanied by constant sighs.
“Wasn't it right after I delivered that letter the other day? What on earth did it say to make you worry so much?”
“Well……”
After a moment's hesitation, Hertia finally confided in Luna about her situation.
“Actually, the church sent me a secret letter. They said they'd be attending this Martial Arts Festival on their side and wanted to at least exchange greetings.”
“The nerve of them……”
Of course, a massive purge had followed that incident, and now the remaining high-ranking members were those whose beliefs and purity had been thoroughly vetted. They weren't the ones at fault, but given what had happened, the saintess couldn't welcome new followers with a light heart. Knowing her lingering fear of men, they emphasized that most of the attending devotees would be women and promised only greetings along with updates on the restructured church—but it still felt uncomfortable.
“I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me…… but I can't keep avoiding them forever. For the sake of those who fought for me, I need to grow stronger too.”
“Well, if that's what you’ve decided, Saintess, I can't stop you……”
“Hehe…… Even if I return to my proper role as saintess, I won't just casually dismiss you, Miss Luna~”
“That wasn't what I was worried about……”
“By the way, are you participating in the Martial Arts Festival, Saintess?”
“Yes. Though it's not exactly participating—more like an opening ceremony? The principal asked me to bless the event's launch and decorate the stage briefly with holy power.”
“……Is that okay? For a saintess?”
“Why not? If it helps him in any way, that's good enough.”
In truth, Amor Academy's principal had been under immense stress, known or not. With political heavyweights enrolling en masse—not to mention an Aura Lord showing up— inquiries poured in constantly, and that Aura Lord always dragged incidents along with him, piling on the workload until it felt like death. Seeing his hairline recede day by day, Hertia couldn't help feeling sorry for him, so she couldn't refuse his wish to showcase overwhelming prowess at this festival. Hair loss was an incurable affliction across eras and worlds, untreatable even by holy power.
“Still, just in case, come with me. I'll let Mars know ahead of time.”
“M-Mars…… Yes, understood.”
Luna caught the tremor in the saintess's voice at Mars's name but reminded herself she was his main woman and forcibly straightened her narrowing glare.
That damn guy.
Of course, her heartfelt curse at Mars for recklessly charming women left and right came naturally.
Bellum Academy.
Younger than Amor Academy but no less renowned, it was another top institution. Perhaps because of that, the two academies harbored intense rivalry among continental schools.
For Bellum, forever branded as “eternal runner-up,” constant comparisons to Amor were agonizing.
Then came the news of Amor's Martial Arts Festival.
To Bellum, which had been sharpening its blades in wait, this was a golden opportunity.
“This time, we have to make those Amor bastards shed bloody tears!!”
Bellum's principal, Drake, roared at the faculty meeting. The professors, well aware of his frustrations, simply lifted their teacups from the trembling table and sipped calmly.
“We want that too, but…… is it possible? Their divine power users were no joke.”
“Right. The magic prodigy's princess who doubles as student council president, the saintess everyone admires. And……”
“The Lord……”
They'd initially dismissed rumors of the youngest Aura Lord as exaggeration. Lords didn't pop up like stray dogs. But persistent reports and testimonies from professors who'd visited Amor confirmed it, plunging Drake into deeper despair.
Ahh! Will Bellum never catch up to Amor?!
Seizing this chance, he had no intention of wasting it.
“They have a Lord, sure…… but fairness rules bar him from competing. It stings, but we couldn't allow imbalance anyway—better this way.”
Without the Lord, the other students were fair game. Thinking so, Drake sought his most trusted student.
“So…… where's Prazia right now?”
Helios Count's study.
Total steward Dreang, delivering documents for approval, faced the count beaming broadly—an unusual sight.
“Oh? This is unexpected. For you to smile so brightly, my lord.”
“Hm? Do I? I didn't think I was that stern.”
The count was actually quite sentimental. His stern, impassive face just intimidated people. The steward held his tongue on that.
“Anyway, good news? You're so pleased, it piques my curiosity.”
At that, the count's eyes sparkled mischievously.
“Word from the academy. The Martial Arts Festival shifted to Amor due to an accident—they asked if I could attend and grace the event.”
“Pardon? But you dislike large gatherings, my lord.”
Knowing his master's quirks well, the steward struggled to read that smile's intent.
“Kukuku. A plain invite? Nah. Polo's there, so a quick visit works, but they made a far more intriguing proposal.”
With a swish, the steward took the proffered document and scanned it calmly. Wordy, but the request was clear.
“A duel between Lords…… Is this real?”
• To ensure fairness and excitement at the Martial Arts Festival.
• Exhibition match between Aura Lords of attending dignitaries.
• Venue: Main arena, reinforced barriers.
• Non-lethal, display of prowess only.
“Kuhuh! The principal's got grudges too, huh? No real talents lately—he wants to show off on this stage. Obvious as day.”
Gazing out the window, the count's voice brimmed with playfulness, belying his words.
“Sigh…… I know better than to try stopping you. At least finish the paperwork first.”
“Fine, fine. Exciting, isn't it? Mars's face when he spars me with zero warning?”
“You mean…… no prior notice at all?”
“Exactly! He's slacking with all this Lord talk—when else to instill discipline?”
Off again……
The count's blood ran hot for any skilled swordsman. Mars respected him but held little affection for the relentless trainer; the count adored Mars all the more. That eagerness translated to brutal sessions, traumatizing Mars instead.
“Keep this from Mars—top secret. And make the arena barriers extra sturdy.”
“Just don't go wild and wreck the building. No more tax drains on repairs.”
“I'll…… keep that in mind.”
Recalling the steward's glares over past damages, the count averted his eyes and mumbled a promise.
Been a while since I checked my disciple's progress?
One week until the Martial Arts Festival. The count's hearty laughter echoed through the manor.