The Saintess's Duty
“Give it a try.”
Aria left in a hurry. “I’m sorry, I have to go ahead. The rest of you can sell the slime essence at the Alchemists’ Guild and then have dinner at the most famous restaurant in the shopping district.”
The group sold their materials and headed to the restaurant. The kingdom-style establishment, “Rest by the Lake,” was bustling. It was the sort of place noble students visited casually and commoner students saved up for. Inside sat other students who had just returned from small-scale dungeons or had something to celebrate. A few first-year swordsmanship students spotted Lydia’s party and called out greetings.
“Your Highness the Princess!”
“Did you go to a dungeon too, Your Highness?”
“I heard you brought back forest slime essence?”
“What?! You already took down mid-tier monsters—?!”
Lydia turned her head and answered evenly. “Thank you. It was nothing special. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Call me Lydia while we’re at the Academy.”
She looked forward again. The atmosphere here is something else. Am I supposed to be the MC now?
The aftermath of Aria’s departure lingered.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Arty and Mave each sank into their own thoughts and fell silent—one tense about the hero examination, the other feeling the emptiness of a missing friend. Morgan pulled out a book and began reading, radiating an unmistakable “don’t talk to me” aura. She gave Lydia a small nod when their eyes met, then returned to her pages. The table grew cold.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Lydia remained silent as well. There was no need to force the mood. Instead, she mulled over the progress they had made recently.
“…”
Arjen Academy may run strict classes, but the free time between them is surprisingly generous. Those empty hours are incredibly useful. In the game, Arty would automatically head back to the dorm to sleep once class ended, but in reality an early dismissal meant they could dive into dungeons. The earnings were excellent. Just today they had made the equivalent of two months’ wages at one of this world’s major corporations. Over the past few weeks their side jobs had upgraded the party’s equipment several times over. Arty and Mave now carried shields and additional protective gear alongside their main weapons. Morgan had acquired elemental magic catalysts, and Aria had purchased several prayer artifacts for blessings. Their combat strength rose quickly, and the team’s gear had improved dramatically.
In game terms, we’ve gone from roughly level ten to level thirty. Beginner dungeons are a joke now. Mid-tier ones are still a stretch, but manageable.
Dungeon exploration made for a surprisingly convenient part-time job—convenient enough to quiet even Lydia’s meta questions. She no longer wondered why game teenagers risked their lives in dungeons; the money alone justified it.
Of course, that’s only possible because our party composition is exceptionally stable and Aria’s healing provides such a solid foundation.
Lydia touched the heavy pouch at her side. It jingled—Aria’s share of the earnings. The Saintess had left to meet the examiners for Arty’s hero recognition test.
“Haa…”
The hero examination. It had come faster than expected. In the original story the event was scheduled for next year.
It’s also the first branching point where the Aria route and the common route diverge.
And through this event they would learn—
Her thoughts broke off at the waiter’s cheerful voice.
“Your food is ready!”
“!”
The waiter approached with a tray stacked high with drinks and dishes, balanced like a precarious tower. Lydia addressed the group.
“Let’s eat.”
“!”
“!”
“!”
Everyone looked up and began their meal. Chew, chew…
“…”
Arty silently sliced into his steak, chewing without a word. Normally he would have talked throughout the meal, but Aria’s absence and the looming test seemed to have dulled his appetite.
“Lady Lydia, this is quite good.”
“Lydia, this drink is delicious.”
“Mm, thank you. Eat well.”
“…”
“…”
Mave and Morgan each offered their food to Lydia alone, saying it tasted good, but neither seemed inclined to converse further in the current atmosphere. Silence returned.
Lydia let out a quiet sigh. “Haa…”
Without Aria, everyone’s spirits have dropped. Morgan never cared much about the others to begin with, but still…
Morgan occupied a position somewhat like Lydia’s closest companion, so that was one thing, but the damp, deflated mood after Aria’s departure was unavoidable. The endlessly smiling silver-haired girl had been an unwitting pillar of strength—the power of “the pitiable woman who cheers everyone on.” It was something Lydia’s coordination alone could not replicate.
—Mave! You worked hard today too!
—Lydia, you’re truly wonderful.
—Sir Hero, you did amazingly as well.
Normally that energy multiplied their motivation several times over, but…
“Haa…”
“Sigh…”
“…”
When she was gone, the opposite effect was just as strong.
“…”
If only Aria would return starting tomorrow.
With that thought, the long-awaited dinner ended in awkward silence.
“Lydia, we’ll head back to the dorm now.”
“Take care on your way.”
“Two Sword Masters walking together—what danger could there be…”
“Even if sudden curiosity strikes, don’t go wandering into suspicious establishments or approaching drug dealers in the back alleys of the shopping district. Especially you, Arty—resist any urge to dress someone in revealing clothes.”
“What on earth are you worrying about now…?”
Arty and Mave trudged off toward the commoner dormitory, saying nothing even as they grew distant. Lydia walked alongside Morgan toward the royal dormitory. Beneath the evening sunset, the Academy grounds slowly sank into shadow. The path away from the shopping district’s lights felt strangely lonely, even with a friend at her side.
Was I also drawing something from Aria’s encouragement?
Lydia spoke up. “…Morgan.”
“What?”
“Was the dungeon exploration enjoyable? You’ve been testing your magic these past few weeks. I was curious how it went.”
“Hmm… Well, it felt like eating something already neatly prepared, so I wasn’t particularly proud. Still, it was nice to actually use the dungeon surveying calculations. I learned them from books but never knew when I’d get to apply them.”
“I see.”
“…”
Morgan hesitated for a moment.
“…”
She had gone to the trouble of phrasing it indirectly, yet the stiff girl seemed satisfied with that answer.
Damn it, I still don’t completely trust you… If you keep doing this I’ll look like an idiot. You’re royalty—learn to read between the lines properly!
Finally Morgan sighed and admitted her true feelings. “…It wasn’t bad, going together.”
“Is that so? I’m glad you enjoyed the dungeon exploration.”
“It wasn’t the dungeon itself that was fun.”
“No? Then would you like me to carry you again next time?”
“Ugh…! You understood perfectly well…!”
“Heh.”
You’re awful when you’re like this.
“…”
But at other times…
“…”
Morgan dismissed the thought and turned her head sharply. “Hmph. Not yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“Not yet—!”
“?”
*
The chapel where the Sun God’s white statue and sacred murals stood was crowded. Normally filled with theology students, today every student in the Holy Department at Arjen Academy had gathered. Even Saintess Aria, who usually enjoyed personal autonomy, was present. They all wore white robes over their Academy uniforms—the formal attire reserved for the One God’s most important rites.
The white chapel bathed in sunset light. The crowd of white-robed believers. The scene itself radiated sanctity.
Aria clasped her hands tightly and steeled herself.
“…”
From now on, within our party, what I can do is fulfill my duty as the Theocracy’s Saintess. When the examiners arrive, I must actively argue for the Hero’s legitimacy and persuade them.
To the orphan girl abandoned in the rural forests of the Theocracy… in the end, all that remained was the excessive title of “Saintess.”
—The Saintess of this generation will be found in the twilight forest untouched by the Sun’s light!
—There she is! A silver-haired girl is here!
—This child… will become the Saintess of this generation.
Recalling that fact brought a bitter smile to Aria’s lips.
“…”
How could someone as wretched as me claim to be a divine proxy…
The heavy responsibility of awaiting the Sun God’s guidance should fall to someone competent, noble, and strong like Lydia—not a frail country girl who had once eaten dirt. At least, that was what Aria believed.
“…”
Still, she had to do it. No matter how difficult, only by doing so could she remain by their side.
“…I’m nervous.”
At that moment, Cardinal Albert rushed into the chapel.
“The Heresy Inquisitor and the Prayer Priest have just arrived at the chapel. Let us welcome our noble brethren with reverent hearts!”
“!”
“!”
“!”
The Academy students and Aria turned toward the main doors. The heavy, massive doors slowly opened.
Guuung—
Two figures walked forward beneath the crimson sunset. A middle-aged man in splendid white armor with a gentle expression, and an elderly man in a gray robe bearing the Sun God’s emblem at his neck. They entered the chapel with measured steps.
Cardinal Albert spoke with a bright face. “Welcome! Brothers of the Theocracy! Every believer in Arjen Academy’s Holy Department has gathered to bless your visit.”
The middle-aged man—Heresy Inquisitor Raoul—smiled warmly. He greeted Cardinal Albert and the students with courteous grace, his white armor gleaming with the motion.
“Oh my. To prepare such a grand welcome… I pray that radiant blessings and gratitude reach every child of the Sun God gathered here.”
“!”
“!”
“!”
The Theocracy’s foremost holy knight. The vanguard of the Holy Knights. The Heresy Inquisitor who eradicated evil. When a knight of such renown offered such polite greetings, the students’ eyes sparkled. They whispered praises of his character.
—He’s truly kind.
—He’s merciless toward evil, yet…
—To show such warmth to ordinary believers!
Aria, having grown up in the Theocracy, had often witnessed his gentle nature. Hope slowly bloomed in her heart.
If it’s the kind and upright Sir Raoul, he will surely acknowledge the Hero!
But that hope did not last.
“…What is the Saintess doing over there?”
“?!”
Aria whipped her head around at the aged voice. Prayer Priest Edrian frowned, his wrinkled face stern, and glared at her. Then he barked at Cardinal Albert.
“Albert! What is the meaning of this pointless ceremony?”
“It was only to welcome you, Brother…”
“Useless! No one but the radiant Sun God deserves such grandeur. Welcoming mere travelers who are but servants of the Sun requires nothing more luxurious than a stable’s eaves!”
“Th-that is…”
“And!”
Edrian pointed at Aria. “A Saintess who must spend her life refining herself as the Sun God’s incarnation, reciting prayers—why is she wasting time here on trivialities?”
“…”
“Have you truly forgotten the Saintess’s true duty?”
Aria’s eyes trembled.