The Hero, the Saintess, and the Knight. The Hunter Watching.

We boarded a carriage that had become even more luxurious thanks to the send-off from the Empire, and set out on our journey to the next destination: the Magic Tower City.

We hit the road.

And inside the carriage, I am isolated.

Claire, with whom I never had any closeness to begin with, and who I don't want to get close to either.

Noel... well... he's putting on a performance as a hero whose woman is being stolen, so he's acting a bit distant with me.

Seraphina, the Saintess, started keeping her distance after seeing me in bed with Violeta.

It's not like she hates me, but she clearly finds me difficult to deal with.

While I was lying in a corner of the carriage, isolated like that, the carriage stopped.

"What is it?"

"....Bandits?"

After passing the Empire's border fortress, bandits had been drawn to the sight of the luxurious carriage.

Claire got up and went out first, and Seraphina followed.

Left alone for a moment, Noel and I.

I asked Noel out of curiosity.

"Hey. What about getting them stolen by those guys?"

"I hate it."

In Noel's words, I felt, for the first time, the seriousness of a hero, and a very slight hint of disgust beneath it.

"Absolutely. There is absolutely no way that will happen."

"...Uh. Yeah..."

Honestly, I was a little scared.

Once Noel left the carriage too, the bandits looked at me, the weakest link, with caution. After being easily subdued by everyone else—excluding me, the weakest—they were tied up and dragged behind the carriage.

And after traveling for a while, we saw a checkpoint, handed the bandits over, and continued on our way.

As we traveled for a long time, Seraphina showed great interest in the next place we were about to arrive.

"Ah! Noel! Could we possibly stay for a while at the place we're arriving at next?"

"Yes? Ah, the next place is..."

"It's a temple that has been passed down from the past by the order that serves Eria-nim, and a monastery next to it!"

She was extremely excited.

She was so excited that she was waving her arms in front of Noel, and the heavy yet soft swaying of her chest, contrasting with her thin arms, was...

Whack!

"Ow... Hey, Claire..."

"Do not look at the Saintess with lewd eyes, you vulgar bastard."

Claire said, glaring at me intensely.

This crazy bitch started guarding me even more after I spent a night with Violeta.

Since I couldn't stop the Princess's call in the Empire, I could let that slide, but it seems she's determined not to let me even cast a glance at Seraphina outside.

Anyway, we got off the carriage, headed to the temple as Seraphina wished, and rested for a while before going to the Magic Tower City, receiving the utmost hospitality as the hero's party at the monastery there.

Of course, I was excluded.

It would be great if it weren't for that crazy bitch in my room...

"Do you have a complaint?"

"....Hey, let me ask you one thing."

I tried to tease her by asking a question while she was holding her ground in the room.

I was going to ask even if she refused, but unexpectedly, she accepted the question right away.

"Ask. I'll answer if it's not something useless."

"Really? You like Noel. So wouldn't it be good if I snatched Seraphina in the middle?"

At that question, Claire's face turned beet red, beyond just blushing.

Even though she tried to say something, she seemed at a loss for words, just opening and closing her mouth, pointing a finger, and trembling.

"You, you, what kind of outrageous nonsense are you...!"

"No... I mean, in the carriage and other places, honey was dripping from your eyes. And Seraphina was also like... cheering for you two to work out."

At those words, she came up to me and grabbed my collar.

Grind.

I heard the sound of her teeth clenching.

"....Do not dare to belittle my resolve. The bond between the two was ordained by the Goddess. I am just... on their journey..."

"No... I heard you laughed so beautifully while dancing with Noel..."

Slap!

Claire slapped my cheek for saying that.

I wasn't particularly angry. I was the one who touched a nerve, after all.

"You... you bastard are the worst. Raul. At least you shouldn't have brought up that story... No matter how vulgar and ignorant you are, I had at least a minimum of respect for you..."

Tap!

"What do you expect from a beast?"

She opened her teary eyes wide.

"Anyway, so you're saying Noel and Seraphina should be together?"

"Use honorifics, you beast...!"

Even though her voice was trembling with anger, her face twisted, and she was filled with killing intent, I wasn't scared.

How should I put it? Like a sick dog growling without any strength.

It was just a cute sight to behold.

"Yeah. The Saintess and the Hero. But anyway, since I'm being dragged around in the hero's party against my will, I need some compensation."

"And you dare say that after taking the first night of the 2nd Princess, whom you couldn't even look at, as that compensation?"

"No... Violeta likes me. What can I do?"

At my brazen answer, Claire kept her mouth shut, arms crossed, glaring at me as if to see how far I would go.

"Honestly, if the Saintess and Noel were just being lovey-dovey, I wouldn't know... but you're there."

".......So what."

"Anyway, the Saintess was cheering for it too. Just take Noel."

Claire, who had uncrossed her arms and was rubbing her forehead with a grimace, spoke after a moment of silence.

"....What would satisfy you."

"What?"

"I'm asking what I have to do to get that dirty gaze and body away from the Saintess and the Hero."

Claire must know too. If she tries to kick me out, Noel will strongly oppose it, and Seraphina won't just watch either.

Even though they are different, they strangely trust me.

Seraphina kept her distance for a while, but... she would never think of kicking me out.

"Hmm... I haven't even told them. I'm an incubus half-breed."

At those words, Claire's eyes trembled even more.

"Noel didn't know either. When this shitty mark was engraved in the Sanctuary, the Goddess told only me."

"....Then that night... Roja too..."

Claire's voice dropped noticeably.

It was the voice of someone who had confirmed something they didn't want to confirm, rather than anger.

"Ah, you saw? No, I didn't really have any thoughts, but... Roja clung to me so much, you know...?"

At that, she shook even more.

She thought it was coercion, but it turns out she wanted it. Well, it's not that the enemy's influence wasn't there, but...

"....Are you not thinking of leaving on your own?"

It was a very low, gloomy voice.

"...From here? Why on earth would I?"

"Yeah... I suppose so...."

It was a voice that sounded like she had given up.

"Hoo... I really hate you. Raul."

It was a slightly softened voice. Honestly, she was criticizing my status.

I thought she would curse and insult me while condemning my mixed blood. It was more mature than I expected.

"...Yeah, perhaps this is also a trial given to me by Eria-nim as the party's knight."

If Eria heard that, she'd strike you down with divine punishment, you know?

I felt a little sorry for her. It was pathetic to see her so gloomy because of the person she likes, even though she doesn't need to feel guilty...

"Then let's talk anew. I will withdraw the surveillance. Instead, make just one promise with me."

"Let's hear it."

Grind...

She gripped my collar tight. I thought her own fingernails might dig into her palms and draw blood.

And she fell silent for a long time, as if thinking about something.

"If your desire is the problem, if you cannot control it, I will stop it."

"What do you mean."

"If it is directed at the Saintess, turn it to me."

"......."

Grind.

Her teeth gnashed again.

"So... absolutely... absolutely do not touch the Saintess... and the Hero as well....!"

".....Are you serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious. If you don't believe me, check it tonight..."

Why would she go that far?

No matter how I think about it, it's a motivation that makes no sense logically or emotionally.

"I'm not trying to insult you, I'm just curious. Why do you do this? They wouldn't know anyway."

"Because that is what a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠knight is. That's just how it is... A knight is someone who cannot just back down because they dislike something...!"

"....Was insulting me on the first day also knight-like?"

"....I apologize for that. I was just a bit frustrated... It's just... you were chosen simply because you were a friend from the village..."

Saying that, Claire avoided my eyes and spoke.

"I... I worked until I vomited blood...! To become the Hero's knight...! To be an honorable knight as the Saintess's sword and shield...!"

Unlike her usual haughty and cold self, tears kept flowing from her eyes.

"I tried harder than anyone else...! But you... you...!"

Her voice was trembling terribly.

"Just because you're a friend... This party could even collapse because of you!!!"

"....Can't deny that."

"If you understand, then that's enough... And... I'm sorry, but today... I'd like you to spare me... Please..."

Unable to endure any longer, she bowed her head and pleaded.

It felt disgusting.

I hurriedly told her to get out, and after her hands trembled for a moment, she opened the door and left my room.

When I couldn't hear her footsteps anymore.

Only then could I open my mouth.

"Noel, you son of a bitch..."

I hated the root of all evil so much.

◆

After closing the door and coming out, Claire couldn't move for a while.

Her hands were shaking.

No.

It wasn't just her hands.

Her shoulders, her breath, her heart, everything was shaking and trembling uncontrollably.

"Haa...."

She exhaled, but she didn't feel any better.

The hallway was quiet.

The monastery's night was different from the Imperial Palace.

There was no laughter of people, no performance of a band, no subtle whispers of nobles.

Instead, there was only the cold air seeping through the old stone walls and the scent of candles flickering faintly in the distant chapel.

It was a holy place.

A place the Saintess had wanted to see with eyes sparkling like a child's.

A temple serving Eria-nim.

A place where there should be prayer and silence.

In such a place, what kind of words had she just said?

If it is directed at the Saintess, turn it to me.

The moment that thought crossed her mind, Claire gritted her teeth.

Shame crawled up her neck.

Her cheeks were hot.

She was the one who slapped Raul.

Yet, she was the one who uttered even more insulting words.

As a knight.

As the Saintess's sword and shield.

As the one who protects the Hero's path.

She thought it would be a little better if she rationalized it like that.

But it wasn't.

"I am...."

Claire leaned her hand against the wall.

The touch of the cold stone wall reached her palm.

Only then did her breath return a little.

"What on earth have I done...."

She hated Raul.

She hated that man.

He was vulgar, rude, lewd, and poked at people's weakest spots without a second thought.

He seemed to have no guilt even after holding the Princess, and he spoke of Roja's affair as if he were just talking about a past hunting story.

Such a man.

Such a beast.

He looked at the Saintess.

In the carriage, when the Saintess was waving her arms and talking about the temple.

Claire saw where Raul's gaze was directed at that moment.

When she threw a punch to block that gaze, the Saintess looked at her and Raul in turn with a surprised face.

It was a face that knew nothing.

A face that was kind, soft, and wanted to believe.

She still doesn't know.

How dirty the world is.

How easily human desire stains noble names.

The name of Saintess, the blessing of Eria-nim, the white clothes.

The fact that such things might not be any shield in front of a certain beast.

"Saintess...."

Claire closed her eyes.

The face of Seraphina smiling came to mind.

The face that spoke kindly to her at Valtium Fortress.

The face that smiled brightly while talking about the next destination in the carriage.

And the face that cautiously kept its distance after seeing Princess Violeta and Raul.

All those faces overlapped with Roja's face.

That night.

The scene she saw through the crack in the door.

The sight of her most cherished maid collapsing with an incomprehensible expression.

She thought it was coercion.

She believed Raul must have threatened her with force.

It was easier to believe that.

But the truth was cruel and disgusting.

Roja wanted it.

Or, she came to want it.

Raul's blood, his scent, that unknown something.

It might have brought out what was inside her.

If so.

What if the target is the Saintess.

If Seraphina-nim smells Raul's scent, receives that gaze, and is touched by those hands.

Can she still pray with a pure white face like now?

No.

Claire felt like her stomach was turning just at that imagination.

I hate it.

That, at least, must not happen.

The Saintess must not be like that.

The Hero too.

The Hero must save the world.

Seraphina-nim must shine by his side.

The two are standing on the path connected by Eria-nim.

There is no room for someone like her on that path.

She cannot let a beast like Raul stain that path with mud.

Therefore.

"I must stop him."

It was a strange conclusion.

It might be wrong. No, it must be wrong.

But that was the only answer left for Claire.

She cannot kick Raul out.

The Hero will not abandon him.

The Saintess, too, will eventually try to trust Raul.

Then she must do it.

She must watch.

She must stop him.

Before that man's dirty gaze turns to the Saintess.

Before that man's body disturbs the Hero's path.

Before that man's desire swallows someone.

She must stand in front of him.

As a sword and shield. As a knight.

And if necessary.

"....Worst."

Claire laughed softly.

It was closer to a collapsed breath than a laugh.

What is a knight?

Is it someone who wears armor and holds a sword?

Is it someone who sheds blood for honor?

Is it someone who devotes themselves to their lord's path?

If so, her determination was not wrong.

She had to believe it wasn't wrong.

Even if the method scrapes the very bottom of the chivalry she had learned.

Even if Raul laughs at her.

Even if someday she ends up in a more miserable state than now in front of that beast.

If she can only protect the Saintess.

If she can protect the Hero.

"It's okay."

Claire said to herself.

"It's okay, Claire Rosenhart."

It couldn't be okay.

But she felt like she would collapse if she didn't say it.

That was when.

Across the hallway, near the chapel, a small light flickered.

Claire straightened her body reflexively.

Someone was approaching.

Pink hair.

White veil.

The Saintess holding a candle. It was Seraphina.

"Claire-nim?"

At that soft voice, Claire held her breath for a moment.

Seraphina approached with a worried face.

"Are you okay? You don't look very well."

"Saintess...."

Claire opened her mouth, but no words came out.

What could she say?

What kind of promise she had just made.

What she had said she would take in place of her.

In front of this pure white Saintess, how could she say it?

Seraphina approached a step closer without knowing anything.

"Did you have another argument with Raul?"

"....A little."

"Raul's words are rough, but he probably isn't a bad person."

At those words, Claire's hands trembled.

She knew this person would say that.

Even without knowing what kind of man Raul is. No, even though she had come to know a little.

Still, she tries to believe in him to the end. That kindness was beautiful.

And terrible. To the point of being slightly resentful.

"Saintess."

"Yes?"

Claire slowly knelt on one knee. Seraphina reached out both hands in surprise.

"Cl, Claire-nim? Why are you doing this?"

"Please."

Claire bowed her head.

"Please, be careful."

"Yes?"

"Please... do not keep Raul too close."

Seraphina was silent for a moment.

The candle flickered.

Claire couldn't lift her head.

"Do you think Raul is that dangerous, Claire-nim?"

"Yes, he is."

"But...."

"Saintess."

Claire's voice trembled slightly.

"I am ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Saintess's sword."

Seraphina closed her mouth.

"I am the Saintess's shield."

Claire placed her hand on her chest.

"So I will stand in front."

That statement was an oath.

At the same time, it was a surrender.

What she was saying she would stand in front of.

What she had decided to take in place of her.

The Saintess does not know.

She must not know.

Seraphina looked at Claire for a moment, then carefully reached out and placed her hand on her head.

"Claire-nim always tries to shoulder too much alone."

It was warm.

It was so warm that Claire gritted her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠teeth.

"I am fine."

"Really?"

"Yes."

She lied with a smile. But that is what a knight is.

At least for the current Claire, there was nothing left but to believe that.

Seraphina smiled faintly.

"Then I will pray too. That Claire-nim won't be in too much pain."

Claire couldn't answer. She just bowed her head ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠deeper.

The Saintess's touch was on her head.

Under that warmth, Claire felt herself descending to a lower place little by little.

Even so, she could not back down.

To protect the Saintess.

To protect the Hero's path.

And perhaps.

To turn away from the fact that she had already stepped into a place of no return.

Claire closed her eyes.

"I will protect you, no matter what."

She swore.

She didn't even know who she was swearing to anymore.