Empire Beckons and the Saintess's Desperate Bargain

"Why? Can't you do it yourself?"

In the end, of course I got hauled in anyway.

"Just checking, in case."

August asked me with a troubled look on his face.

"Are you doing this on purpose?"

"...No way. Why would I? I don't look like that kind of violent psycho, do I?"

"..."

Why isn't he denying it? Am I really coming off that violent? I'm not, right? Where in the world is there a soul as pure and kind as mine?

"This is the third time. The wall repairs aren't even finished yet..."

"...I got nothing to say to that. Sorry."

This is all that damn crown prince's fault. He told me to shoot, didn't he? I shot because he said to, so I'm innocent.

Anyway, that's how it went.

"And you knocked out royalty twice."

"Can't you cut me some slack? It wasn't entirely my fault either time."

"You think that matters to royalty?"

"Probably not."

Fucking classist society. This is exactly why I don't trust the higher-ups.

I'm screwed. Am I seriously getting the death penalty?

I might end up tied to a stake and burned alive like this. Ah, that'd be a problem. I've still got so much I want to try. I don't wanna die after scrambling to learn magic just to survive.

I can't die here.

What do I do?

Run away? I was even pondering bolting when...

"You're looking pretty worried."

"...Can't help it."

"That was half a joke, so don't take it to heart. The crown prince won't punish you anyway."

"Huh?"

"Looks like you've forgotten who your adoptive mom is."

"I know. She's a total psycho bitch."

One hell of a grand archmage, right?

"...?"

"Ah, sorry. My mouth said what my brain was thinking."

Shit. Slipped out.

August stared at me blankly in response.

"You... you're really something else. A mage like no other."

I'd heard that before. Especially from the crown prince.

"I've been wondering. What's so special about being a mage?"

They don't seem to do anything fancy. Everyone keeps calling me weird, so I was curious. I straight-up asked what made me so special.

August answered.

"Do you know what people call mages out in the world?"

"Dunno? Something like exalted genius or whatever?"

"...They do say 'cold heart and head.'"

"What? It's not even an acronym? Kinda annoying how it's longer."

Cold heart and head? Weird phrase.

"It comes from the side effects of mana."

"Side effects? What?"

What's that? I never heard about that. Mana has side effects? No way.

"L-like erectile dysfunction or baldness?"

That'd be bad. I'd rather not learn magic at all. I asked in a panic, and August sighed, shaking his head.

"No."

"Phew."

"The side effect of mana is emotional desiccation."

"...Huh? Emotions?"

Emotions dry up? What the hell does that mean?

"Calling a mana-wielding mage 'cold-hearted' means that as their circles and realm advance, their original emotions dull."

"So... all mages turn into total sociopaths?"

"Sociopath...?"

"You know, the types who can't empathize, don't get others' pain."

"Ah, yeah, you could put it that way."

"Damn, so all mages are fucking emotionless robots?"

Suddenly Iris's mage hatred made sense. Mana makes you a sociopath? No shit.

Is that why Mom's such a bitch?

I wondered why she was so messed up. Guess that's it? Oh fuck, mages are a dangerous job then?

If that's my future, I'm in trouble.

Me, a sweet, kind kid, turning into some rotten adult? No way I can accept that.

"In that context, you're fascinating. I've never seen a mage with emotions this vivid."

"Maybe 'cause my circles are still low?"

"No. Mage stock feels different from the start."

"Born sociopaths, huh."

Mages. Is this okay?

"Sociopath. Funny word. Yeah, mages are all sociopaths."

Hearing "sociopath" from Duke August felt weird. Should he even be telling me this?

"So, I hope you don't turn into one. You're different from other mages in every way, so maybe you won't."

"Got it. I'll grow up real hard not to be a sociopath."

"I hope so. Oh, but."

August looked curious as he asked.

"I heard you hit 2 Circles. True?"

"Yeah, true."

"...For real?"

"Yep, for real."

"How?"

"...Huh?"

How? Well...

"It just happened."

"..."

It just did.

"...Hahaha."

August laughed like he'd lost the words.

"'It just happened'... No emptier, cleaner explanation than that. And your attribute awakened, right?"

"Yeah. But the crown prince said it was one he'd never seen."

"Never-seen attribute?"

Whoosh. Better to show than tell, so I fired off Thorn Arrow again. A black arrow materialized.

"...That's."

"What attribute does it look like?"

"...A color I've never seen. Black attribute?"

Even August didn't know.

"You're using chantless magic, so it's hard to pin down. Can you even use attribute magic?"

"Attribute magic?"

"If you have a fire attribute, you can use corresponding spells."

"Ah, haven't learned that yet."

Progress is fucking fast, teach. I've only got two spells, and now attribute magic? Ruin doesn't know that shit.

"With your talent, you'll awaken multiple attributes for sure. Try to figure it out."

"Multiple?"

"Exceptional mages awaken not one, but two or three. Your master and adoptive mom, Elise, has three. You'll probably match her."

"...Whoa."

"Too bad there's no other mage around to check. You're the only ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠one in the ducal house."

Pity. No mages in a land perfect for testing stuff.

"That's why."

Then August said,

"How about a trip to the Empire?"

"...The Empire? The Empire?"

Sudden Empire talk? Wait, don't tell me.

"Am I seriously getting executed?"

"What?"

"Y'know, dragged to the Empire and guillotined."

I mimed slicing my throat. Come on, I've knocked out the crown prince twice. If they drag me there, I'm dead.

"Hahaha."

August burst out laughing.

"No way... The duke mentioned it too. You'll draw the Empire's attention soon enough."

"Why me, a total loser?"

"Loser... Well, your mom's issue aside. Chantless alone is a problem. The towers too. And most of all."

August eyed my waist. What? Interested in my dick? Hate that. I recoiled, but then—

"The World Tree Relic. You have to go to the Empire for that at least."

"...Ah."

He was looking at the wood, not my junk. Awkward.

"The duke said he'd handle your protection and ID verification. Best to go now."

"Go and come back? I can return to the North?"

"Of course you'd return."

"Huh?"

Ah, this is the "you're family now"感動 moment? I'm ready to tear up. I'm great at F-tier drama like this. Eyes watering up when—

"Elise left you in our care up North. You have to come back, or problems everywhere..."

"..."

Moment ruined. Way more realistic issue.

What the hell is my mom? Why does everyone react like this? Starting to feel like I got screwed on the mom gacha.

Back in my room. Luckily, no more talk about the wall I smashed or knocking out the crown prince. Colton vouched as witness, and August took responsibility for the wall.

"Phew."

Almost back to homeless orphan life. Dizzying chain of events.

The Empire, huh.

Suddenly heading to the Empire. My lil' vibrator being super valuable is one thing. Me being chantless mage is big too.

Attributes and all.

Zero magical knowledge. Books have clear limits.

To raise circles and mana anyway... gotta go once.

Mana sickness flare-up would suck. Time to get stronger.

Even without that.

Worth seeing at least once.

Rotfan world. Their stories unfold in the Empire's capital. Home of the Lehart royals.

"Hmm."

Colton would protect me. Can't touch Elise's son easily.

Should I go?

No reason not to. Month plus since regaining past life memories. Wanna see beyond this frozen shithole.

"Alright, let's go."

To the Empire.

Decision made when—

Knock knock.

"Who's there?"

Door opens. Aeria.

"Huh?"

What's up with her? Oh, maid. Here for chores? Then—

Thud.

"Uh...?"

Aeria suddenly knelt. What?

"What's this?"

What play is this? I asked puzzled, and—

"Please... help me. I'll do anything...!"

"Huh?"

Aeria cried out desperately, staring at me. Anything? Brain froze for a sec. Like one second? Snapped back.

Words are violent, but calm down. This is rotfan world.

All-ages too. Only sweet, teasing-near-but-not-touch relations allowed. Unreal. I gotta be like that. Okay. Correct her, say don't say that. Brain plans, but—

"Then, can I touch your tits?"

Mouth went primal long ago. Hands know forgiveness beats permission. Out in a flash, like a millennium ago.

"Kyaaah!!"

"Oops!"

Hand shot out on instinct. Soft squish invaded instantly.

The Saintess's birth is a merciful blessing to the world.

Words from Holy Kingdom priests and their ideal utopia.

Thus, the Saintess—total embodiment of the goddess, her everything—her birth equals the world's blessing.

To make a white world. Scatter kindness, create a just one. All is goddess's will. Doubt not.

This ideology and values Aeria heard since childhood. Held until called 'Saintess' with hero's birth.

Except one moment.

-Run away.

Until then.

"Goddess..."

Kneeling Aeria clasped hands in prayer. Moonlight her companion, she pleaded desperately.

"Please grant me hope. Show this frail lamb the path..."

Light to the lost. She wished and wished, but.

"..."

Aeria bit her lip. No answer today either.

-Run away.

That voice.

That sight.

-I'll use miracles, so head to Hailron ducal house now.

-Holy power sealed. No one sees you as Saintess.

-That's your chance.

-Go to Lady Iris.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Wait for chance to reclaim holy power. Head to Empire, meet hero.

Aeria took it as goddess's will. What else?

Even the glimpsed form. Four pairs of wings. Supreme angel shape. Goddess forms vary, but holiest. Aeria saw goddess.

Even when one pair vanished after two miracles.

Proof: Escaped priests. Became 'Aeria' the maid at Hailron. Saintess talk? Interest in her vanished oddly.

All 'miracles'?

What does Goddess plan?

Approach Iris, do something. Failed.

Stuck to weird mage, not Iris.

Failed.

Aeria knew from first sight of Ruin. Off. Aura different. From mages she knew too. Ice-cold folks. This one... something.

Weird.

Yeah, weird. Too weird.

Especially.

His... eyes.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Stares at tits openly. Sneaking glances common, but blatant? First.

Hailron no mages years. Sudden arrival weird. And.

Chantless...?

Weird mage, no chant. Watching Ruin, weirder.

Then subjugation outing. Iris stranded, attacked, near-death.

Aeria never forgot Ruin's act.

Holy power...

Fake holy power mimicking mana. Injected into self, used real blessing. Insane amount for bare heal, but saved Iris. For real.

Used sealed blessing. And Ruin sniffed her as Saintess.

What the.

Who is he? Just Elise Sethris's adopted son? Too off. Eerie, alien.

Sharp instincts pinged danger. Don't approach.

But.

[Head to the mage.]

"Ah...!"

Praying as usual. Voice returned.

[To him.]

[Seek help. By any means.]

Why? Urgent voice cut off.

"Goddess... Goddess...!"

Desperate calls, no reply. But Aeria's eyes trembled.

Seek help. For what? Instinct knew.

Came to him, but.

He actually groped. Actually groped. Actually groped!!

Faced absurd, hugged self in terror. Never expected blatant tit grab.

"Ah, sorry."

Sharp-faced boy, black hair, light green eyes. Ruin awkwardly.

"Hand moved first. You said do whatever."

What? Blaming her now?

"...Huh...? N-no no no...! I didn't mean that kind of whatever...!"

"Then what?"

"Th-that's..."

Brain stalled. Never imagined this.

"Hm."

Ruin scratched cheek. Then,

"So, what do you need help with?"

"...Th-that."

Stared. Trembling eyes. Lips full of words.

Hm. Hot. Pretty girl like that? Super hot. Tits big too.

Ruin swallowed thought—

"Hot."

—and blurted.

Past life mouth? Ignores owner sometimes.

"Eek...!"

Aeria more terrified. What? Bullying kink? New world opening.

"Whatever."

Tease enough? Wiggled fingers, nodded.

Warm.

Soft. Unforgettable feel. Min E-cup. Never felt that size IRL.

"So, you need that holy power from before, right?"

"Eh...!"

Aeria's eyes: how'd he know? Obvious. Or not?

Not obvious?

Body's smart, so yeah.

"Sealed Saintess. Looks troubled. Comes to random me? Something I did caught eye... probably holy power. That mana tweak. You need it?"

"..."

Aeria's gut dropped. This guy.

Smarter than looks...

Way sharper. Thought dumb pervert kid.

"...Y-yes... I need that power."

"Why? What for?"

"Gotta keep dodging Holy Kingdom, hear Goddess... need holy power. But sealed..."

"Can't hear Goddess?"

"...Yes."

Goddess, huh. Ruin glanced behind her. That angel?

Sleeping.

Was awake before. Need holy power to talk?

Hmm.

With my power?

Plus.

Before that.

"One question."

"Yes? Uh, yes."

Ruin grabbed paper from table, scribbled with pen.

"What letters are these?"

"These are..."

Letters angel showed me. Memorized, don't know meaning. Brain's memory OP.

What'd it say? Aeria:

"Please help."

"Huh?"

"Ra. The letter 'Ra'."

"..."

See that. Ruin grinned. Angel asking me for help?

Knew I could see?

Or other reason? Dunno. But.

Angel and Saintess both want my help.

I got terms.

"Say I help. What you giving me?"

"Ah..."

"Said anything. How far?"

Serious. What can useless Saintess offer?

"That's... um."

Aeria brain-stormed. What to offer? Goddess-sent, but nothing.

Body? Feels like it. Problematic.

Doesn't want that, biggest issue:

"S-Saintesses... l-lose holy power if they lose virginity...!"

"...Huh?"

Confession wrinkled Ruin's face.

"Wait. What?"

"I-it's true."

"No, does our Saintess have bad eyesight too?"

"Huh?"

"I'm thirteen. What kinda creepy shit is that? Sexual harassment? When did I say I wanna defile Saintess body?"

"Uh... wha?"

Not? Aeria panicked. Thought obvious.

Then what was tit grope?

"Who you take me for, real perv?"

"..."

"Didn't want that. From start."

Ruin sounded sincere. Did I misjudge? Then—

"But."

"Yes?"

"...Swear on Goddess, for real?"

"...Huh?"

"That. Swear on Goddess."

"...?"

Swear on Goddess?

"Th-that's blasphemy...!"

"Won't believe otherwise. Lie, right? Say it's a lie."

Voice oddly earnest.

"N-no...! N-not lying!"

"Then swear on Goddess."

What situation? Swear on Goddess?

"Won't believe. Won't help."

"Ah, no..."

What about Goddess? Can't do that. But no help then. Goddess wants help.

"...Um..."

Long agonize, Aeria:

"Sw-swear on Goddess, it's true."

"..."

First blasphemy ever. Aeria gripped skirt. Something buzzed inside. Chilling, slightly good?

Wall cracked more.

"...Whoa."

Maybe why. She missed—

"...Tits huge but useless otherwise? What kinda Saintess?"

—Ruin's troubled mutter.

"...So, what can you do for me?"

Ruin despaired openly.

"..."

Aeria snapped back. Right, that.

Ponder. What to give? Nothing now. Not lying, truly useless.

Long think, Aeria:

"W-wanna touch tits?"

"...?"

"Gasp!"

Blurted unconsciously. Hands over mouth.

"Hm."

Ruin frowned. No good? Won't fly? Aeria sought alternative when—

"Approved."

"Huh?"

"OK. Deal for now."

"Huh?"

E-cup (est.) tits free reign. Rest later. Ruin resolved.

Worth effort.

Dick instincts first. Ruin accepted that.

Slightly sleazy night passed.

"...Ah..."

In lady's room, North's sword genius. Iris Hailron opened eyes.