Chapter 49
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Saintess Honors Her Longing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Someone once said that the Saintess is God's first apostle. A being too overwhelming to challenge with mere authority. She lived a life sustained by the reverence of others.
And someone else said that the Saintess is a merciful angel who embraces all. A warm human who wipes away all the blood from the battlefield and hides the tears. She lived entirely for others.
Others still say that the Saintess is a hypocritical person. Always hiding her true feelings, flashing fabricated smiles at everyone—a distrustful sort. She has lived concealing her expressions steadfastly.
However.
The Saintess was originally nothing more than a little girl.
A young girl who endured the torment of others while clinging to small wishes. Just a child who was a bit more blessed with divinity, receiving a little more of God's love.
A girl who tried to meet others' expectations and hid her tears behind forced smiles.
A pitiable woman who endured life solely on that one heart—the desire to love someone, just like everyone else.
No one knew that.
Only those who guarded her side understood and embraced her.
Now, with her surroundings empty and squeezing her tight, consumed by that void and emptiness...
She finally lifted her head.
Turpi Senex.
The emperor, shabby from the very start of our journey, now that the threats are gone, clings to his wretched form with nothing but greed.
He covets the power within his grasp and dares to step into places he shouldn't.
The older and more ragged he becomes, the more he clings to his own safety. The power he once tasted, the glory of his heyday when his influence swelled, the prestige he achieved.
Even after realizing it wasn't truly his—merely glory crafted by others—humans can't help but crave it.
The emperor was no different.
The peace we created alongside Arsius.
Yet this old crone strutted about as if it were her own accomplishment, trying to hoard the era of peace for herself and her kind. Was it because I and Sio had remained silent?
I sit upon the throne in the vast central hall of the imperial palace, gazing down at those below.
The people, heads bowed to the floor, trembling. From their midst, I address the emperor prostrating himself.
"When can the gate be opened?"
My settled heart speaks in calm tones once more. Polite as ever, my expressionless words leave the emperor merely trembling.
- It's... still impossible.
"Then why?"
Why. Why. It's urgent for me right now. My heart, which I thought had finally calmed, surges again, divinity leaking forth.
- Gasp...! We lack the mages and mana to open the gate...! The hero was able to cross immediately because there had been that much preparation time...
Words confessed amid the divinity flowing across the floor, his body rigid. I sigh at the fact that such high-dimensional magic is unavoidable.
"How many personnel and how much mana are short?"
- About 500 mid-level mages or higher... and we could manage within a month...
"I'll procure that many right away. I'll bring even more than needed, so shorten the time. One week."
- S-Saintess...! That's absolutely impossible so quickly...
"One week. I won't allow any more than that. No objections."
I rise from the exceedingly uncomfortable throne. My heart too urgent to heed those bowing to me, I set off.
My destination: the central mage tower where the wizards have gathered.
As I walk the palace corridors, I sense a presence approaching. A sharply honed aura, skillfully concealed—yet familiar to me.
"Sio-nim. Show yourself. You're not here to assassinate me."
"Aigoo, Saintess, you've stirred up quite the storm~ Why go splitting the palace all of a sudden? Sins belong only to people, after all."
I turn to regard the Sword Saint materializing behind me. The wrinkles that have multiplied since the journey began mark the passage of time. Now in his forties, even having transcended human limits, he can't escape the flow of years—it's bittersweet.
"Sio-nim, I'm going to see Arsius."
"Heard the gist. Yeah, I thought you'd held out long enough, but you're wheat after all. Should've followed the hero when he crossed over."
"You're right. Why did I choose to stay over something like this?"
"Ehey, Saintess. Your words are getting rough. This uncle misses the gentle Saintess~"
"Sio-nim, bullshit must be a talent too. I learned it all from you."
"...My bad."
"Good that you know. So why did you come?"
"Been watching since earlier. Since you're headed to the mage tower anyway, I'll tag along. You're plenty capable alone, but this uncle still worries~"
I let out a snicker at the Sword Saint's attitude, more sly and cheeky than before.
"Sounds good~ Feels nostalgic. Let's hurry and squeeze them dry~"
"Saintess, your words..."
What time has changed isn't just the wrinkles etched one by one—it hits home in every word he says.
"You've gotten really sly~ Back then, you'd have said something like 'fuck this' or 'all perish' right away."
"It's the age, kid."
The Sword Saint quickens his pace, and I follow behind, laughing once more.
Upon arriving at the mage tower, they eye our approach warily.
- Why have the Saintess and Sword Saint come to the mage tower...?
"Fulfill the contract. This will be the last demand, so no need to be so guarded."
- No, well... We weren't guarding that much. So, what do you need this time?
"A thousand mid-level mages or higher. High-level mages and the tower lord must participate."
- Saintess...? There's no way we can muster that many on such short notice...?
"It'll be done in a week, so conscript everyone from the black tower, white tower, and all other mage towers."
- No..., Saintess. That's not possible...?
"The contract."
- Just give us a month.
"Is this non-fulfillment?"
- No...! Saintess! This is too reckless...!
"A contract forged in the hero's name. Fail to uphold it, and I'll deem you all evil."
With those words, a massive light manifests in the air—a sword. Judgment upon evil.
The light fills the skies above the gathered mage towers, brilliantly illuminating the heavens.
- A-Argh, fine! We'll gather them now and send them over, so please wait!
"Yes. Send everyone to the palace as you gather them. You included, White Tower Lord."
- Do I look insane enough not to go...? We'll head to the palace as soon as we have the personnel...
Business concluded, I flick my hand, the one shedding light, clearing the sky. Dizziness from using divinity after so long, but I ignore it and turn away.
"Wow... You've gotten way too ruthless, Saintess. You used to be so patient and sweet..."
"No, Sio-nim. I'm almost 27 now. If I'm still like that, I'd just be a flower-headed fool."
"...Enough, let's not talk. Hurry back and rest. I'll be at the palace for a while too."
Sio shakes his head and quickens his steps. His feet drag as if he's truly exhausted—somewhat ridiculous.
The man who splits mountains is whining.
Preparations proceed as planned.
The thousand mages I brought sleep not even at the palace altar, endlessly working on the gate's circuits without respite. The emperor and nobles cower in a corner of the palace.
I simply watch the progressing circuits. Each line connecting sends a heartbeat echoing around me.
Because my reunion with Arsius draws nearer, bit by bit. My uncontainable mood spills outward.
It fills the utterly empty void in my chest. The mere fact that I can finally meet him has my heart soaring uncontrollably. I've spent six full days by the mages' side without leaving, unable to hide it.
But today, with duties to attend, I reluctantly turn my gaze away. With simple preparations, I head toward longing one last time.
To honor those I won't see after tomorrow, I walk on, finally arriving at the graveyard. There, I blankly gaze upon the countless graves spread before me.
The first knight who guarded my back lies here. To the knight spending long years beneath that cold earth, I offer a silent prayer.
The mercenary with whom I shared meals is buried here. I greet the mercenary who sacrificed himself to halt the surging beast horde.
Passing one by one, I soothe their souls. Does this still-frail voice, softly singing a small requiem, bring them comfort?
At the end of the long line of graves stand only three, solitary.
I stand before them.
Those with whom I spent the longest time. Their graves from the journey with Arsius.
I stand before them, simply bowing my head. Eyes closed, I offer calm prayers.
Fuer, Fuella.
I won't forget you. I'll bury our memories in my heart. We'll be together forever.
That's my courtesy to you. Our cherished promise.
After a long farewell to the two, I stand before the remaining grave.
I don't close my eyes as before. No bow, no prayer—just gaze upon the grave.
Risum Avaritia. You. I won't forget.
Forgetting would be a sin no different.