Chapter 24
Arian didn't like the saintess.
Back when the hero party was out adventuring, Yuna would occasionally talk about her family. She'd said they lived in a small house in the Istar Duchy with her mother and little sister. And after slaying the Demon King, she wanted to move to a big house.
It can't be, right...? Franz couldn't shake the ominous feeling. Villainesses destined to lead the world to ruin, and heretics who worshipped the demon god—these two keywords just seemed to fit together too well.
But that was just speculation. He couldn't conclude that Yuna was involved with the heretics. If anything, it was more likely she wasn't. There was no reason for the hero who'd defeated the Demon King to collaborate with its minions.
Well, ultimately, he wouldn't know until he saw it with his own eyes. Franz took a sip of the tea Arian had brought and said,
"So, you want me to infiltrate the heretic party?"
"Yes, that's what I'm hoping for. I'll ask Lady Frigia too. Honestly, we'd love to handle it ourselves, but it looks bad for priests to attend a heretic revel, doesn't it?"
Fair enough. A heretic party was called that, but it basically boiled down to drinking and carousing. Proper priests usually declined invitations even when they got them. In fact, that was why Franz had turned down every single one so far. No need to show off for others—he was better off sleeping during that time.
Still, if there was a good reason like this, he had no choice but to go.
"Alright, got it. I'll do as you say. Arian, you cool with that?"
"In short, I just need to attend the heretic party with the Tower Master, right?"
It wasn't wrong, but the way she phrased it was odd. It almost sounded like the original purpose didn't matter.
"Well, yeah, pretty much?"
"Then I'll go too."
Arian answered without a moment's hesitation. Attending a heretic party alone with Franz was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Especially since he'd rejected every previous one.
But at the same time, it left Franz confused about Justia's true feelings. She acted like she liked him, yet here she was handing him this golden chance on a platter. Was she actually a good person and not some religious fox after all?
"Thank you both. But about the fee for this request..."
"Money's not an issue. You sent her here expecting that anyway, right?"
Franz had seen it coming. If they planned to pay properly, they could've just sent a letter—no need for the saintess to come in person. Considering the case's importance made it even more obvious.
"You caught me... I'm truly sorry, but our relief efforts require a lot of funds. It's left the Church of the Goddess in dire straits financially. And since I was the one pushing for it, I couldn't bring myself to ask for aid."
"I get it. It was a good deed."
"Yes... So think of this as payment for my tooth."
"Uh... yeah, tooth payment..."
He'd definitely stepped on a landmine. But since he planned to help anyway, clearing the tooth debt was a bonus, right? Franz's positive spin cycle was working overtime today.
"Well, I'll be going then."
As the saintess rose, Franz and Arian did the same. Franz said,
"Arian, stick around and handle the reports. I'll escort Justia out."
No need to empty the room with both of them gone. Plus, he wanted to talk to her alone. Arian clearly wasn't thrilled, but
"Yes... Understood."
She had no reason to refuse. Even if it made her uneasy, she had to let him go.
"Take care, Saintess."
"Yes, please stay well, Lady Frigia."
With a brief exchange, Franz left Arian behind and exited the Tower Master's office with the saintess and her holy knights. Soon, they reached the first floor of the Magic Tower.
Crossing the vast space, Franz quietly asked Justia,
"How've you been lately?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know, that thing before about the world ending or whatever."
Franz glanced warily at the holy knights, worried they might overhear. Luckily, they were far enough back that it seemed safe. Justia let out a soft hum before whispering back,
"Well... I guess you could say I've found a reason to remain the saintess. I don't fully understand it, but I'm okay for now."
"Good to hear."
Franz sighed in relief. He'd worried she was just pretending to be fine while agonizing inside, but it seemed not.
They reached the Magic Tower's entrance, and Justia turned to face him.
"Honestly, it's all thanks to you. You were the first to give me such harsh words."
"Hey, cut it out. Harsh words or not, I was just mad at you. And sorry for overdoing it."
"It's fine. It might've just been anger for you, but it was a huge lesson for me. This is my way of repaying you."
Justia held out a small glass vial filled with tea leaves. She'd bought them at a tea shop before coming to the tower.
"Who buys a gift and runs into the recipient? You have no idea how startled I was..."
"Nah, I don't deserve a gift..."
All Franz had done was yell at her—a lot—and knock out her tooth. He felt too ashamed to accept anything.
"My arm's getting tired—take it already. Or are you rejecting my goodwill?"
"That's not it."
In the end, Franz took the vial from Justia. He didn't love it, but refusing outright would've been rude.
"Then I'll leave this mission in your hands. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Got it. I'll be waiting."
With that, Justia gave a light bow and departed. The holy knights nodded to Franz and followed her. He watched them go for a moment before turning back leisurely.
Back in the Tower Master's office, Arian stood with a stack of documents, eyes narrowed.
"Tower Master, what's that in your hand?"
"This? Justia gave it to me as thanks for helping with that village relief."
To be precise, it was a bit different, but he couldn't say he'd gotten it after yelling at the saintess. That would put her in an awkward spot. Happy about getting chewed out and losing a tooth? It'd make her sound like a masochist.
Arian let out a hollow chuckle.
"...I figured as much."
"Really? I had no clue."
"That's because the Tower Master lacks... never mind. On second thought, it's better if you don't know."
She almost said he had no tact, didn't she? Nah, probably not. She'd been sweet all day. Yeah, must be his imagination.
By the way.
That's climbed quite a bit...?
A translucent display hovered before Franz's eyes. Just from that brief chat today, it'd jumped a whopping 10 percent. He wondered if this cost-performance ratio was even allowed.
His gaze slowly shifted upward. Hero Yuna remained stuck at 0 percent. She'd probably rise after this incident.
Hopefully it's nothing major.
The main force behind the Demon King's defeat and leader of the hero party—Yuna hadn't earned her title for nothing. To put it bluntly, she was insanely strong. If it came to blows, the landscape would twist so badly they'd need a new map.
So he could only pray she hadn't turned villainess yet. Luckily, he'd never faced one before they fully snapped. This time would be the same, right?
Anyway.
What do I even wear to a heretic party...?
Franz had zero interest in dressing up. But heretic parties drew all sorts of nobles, who loved showing off by nature. To avoid disdain, he'd need to dress appropriately.
No helping it—he'd need assistance.
"Arian, wanna help me pick out something to wear for the party?"
Thud. Arian's eyes went wide as she dropped the stack of documents.
Istar Duchy. In a quiet village within it, a woman sat in a small house. It was Yuna, key player in the Demon King's defeat and hero chosen by the gods.
But Yuna's condition was far from good—not even as a joke. She lay there like a total shut-in, unwilling to do anything. Food came right back up, and sleeplessness shadowed her eyes.
Yuna stared blankly at the traces of her family still lingering in the house. Her mother and sister's.
"Istar Duke..."
It was all that vile man's fault.