Chapter 70: Return (4)

“It’s wonderful here! Sister Saintess is an angel!”

The child, her cheeks full and rosy after weeks of regular meals, exclaimed, her arms spread wide. The other children in the church, accustomed to her outbursts, ignored her and continued playing.

“Really? Tell me more. What’s she like?”
“She’s beautiful, and kind!”
“But you only saw her for a moment, didn’t you?”

Avalli teased, and the girl puffed out her cheeks.

“She is! And she has a nice voice, and she smells good!”
“Alright, alright. I believe you. I’m sorry.”

Avalli was disguised in her usual, ordinary form, checking on the results of her “Saintess” activities during her journey to the Holy Kingdom.

So far, so good.

‘Saintesses and Saints are… revered.’

In a world with actual gods, miracles held significant weight. Even the greedy and selfish were humbled in their presence.

“You have… interesting hobbies.”

Evan said dryly, having watched the exchange from afar. She knew this brown-haired girl was the silver-haired Saintess everyone was talking about.

“Can you rephrase that in a way a 500-year-old person can understand?”

“You grinned like an idiot all day after Cedric told you about the Hero, Evan. It’s like that.”, “…I didn’t grin like an idiot.”
“I’m not judging. Everyone has their… guilty pleasures.”

Avalli chuckled and entered the church.

“Have you finished your business?”

The kind-faced priest asked with a warm smile.

‘His kindness isn’t just a facade.’

Avalli had probed his mind during her first visit as the Saintess. He was remarkably pure, a model of piety and selflessness. As long as he remained here, this church would be a safe haven for these children.

“Yes. The children seem to be doing well.”
“We’ve received numerous donations since your visit, Saintess. The children no longer go hungry. It’s all thanks to the Goddess’s grace… although I am but a humble servant, unworthy of such blessings… I am doing my best to be a good steward.”

His humility seemed genuine. Avalli wasn’t fond of religious people. But if they were all like this priest… perhaps she would reconsider her opinion.

“May the Goddess’s grace be upon this church.”
“And may Her grace guide you on your journey.”

Avalli said the familiar words and left the church. The midday city was bustling, filled with people going about their lives, a stark contrast to the empty streets she had seen while traveling with the knights.

“It’s a…nice city.”

Evan murmured, sharing a similar sentiment.

“Most cities are like this. There were a few… depressing places, but I… fixed them.”
“Fixed them?”
“Yep.”

Avalli’s casual tone and vague answer bothered Evan, but she reminded herself that some things were better left unknown.

‘…She’s not inherently malicious.’

That was Evan’s assessment after a few days with Avalli. She might not be perfectly good, but she wasn’t evil. If she were, Evan would have to be prepared to fight… but it didn’t seem necessary.

“That looks good. Want some?”

Of all the Transcendent Beings Evan had encountered, Avalli was… unique. She was surprisingly ‘human’ for someone so powerful, unlike the jaded, ancient Goddesses or Sylvain, who seemed fundamentally different.

‘…Is she… like me?’

Just as she thought this, Avalli nudged her.

“What? You don’t want any?”
“…No, I’ll have some.”
“Five of those skewers, please!”
“Five skewers, coming right up!”

They walked through the city, enjoying their freshly grilled chicken skewers. Avalli ate four of the five.

****

Their journey with Avalli was much faster than with the knights. That was to be expected. Avalli was the most powerful being in this world, and Evan, even in her current state, was on par with a Goddess.

They moved at speeds that blurred their forms, leaving only faint afterimages that most people dismissed as tricks of the light. Only a few skilled individuals caught glimpses of the two speeding girls, but they wisely chose to believe they had been mistaken.

Less than a week after leaving the Holy Kingdom, they arrived at the edge of Asha Village.

“…It’s…smaller than I expected.”
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“It’s not that…” Evan’s voice trembled slightly, but her expression was brighter than usual. Deep down, memories of her past, of happier times, stirred.

“Let’s go to my house.”
“Isn’t the entrance…over there?”

“My house is outside the village. I have a workshop.”
“A workshop? What do you need a workshop for?”

Avalli shrugged.

“It’s not for me. It’s for my teacher.”
“…Your teacher?”
“Yes, my teacher.”

Evan tensed.

‘…Avalli’s teacher?’

What kind of monster could possibly teach her? She couldn’t even imagine.

“Here we are.”
“…Okay.”
“Why do you look so nervous?”

Evan couldn’t sense any presence within the house, which she interpreted as an insurmountable difference in power.

‘Perhaps even more powerful than the Demon King…!’

The truth, as always, was far simpler.

“Teacher! I’m home!”

Avalli shouted, throwing open the door. There was a crash from inside, as if something had been knocked over, and then a small, red-haired girl appeared, looking flustered.

“Avalli!”

“Still short, I see, Teacher.”

“…Is that really the first thing you say to me?”

Lucy Ignis said, annoyed, despite the wide smile that she couldn’t suppress.

“How was the Holy Kingdom? Why did they send the knights? What did they want with you?”
“Let’s go inside. I want to introduce you to someone.”

Avalli gestured to Evan, who entered hesitantly and bowed her head politely.

“…It’s a pleasure to meet you, Avalli’s teacher. I am Evan.”
“Lucy Ignis. And… teacher? I suppose that’s technically correct…”

Lucy chuckled wryly at Evan’s formal greeting and led them inside.

“Are you here alone?” Evan asked.
“Camelia’s been…learning a trade. But she always visits in the evenings. Hans is away, helping clear land for new fields. He should be back tomorrow.”

Lucy said, setting out tea and Avalli’s favorite snacks.

“Other than that… well…”

Lucy recounted the village happenings during Avalli’s absence. Mostly mundane events, but Avalli listened patiently.

“…That’s about it.”

“Sounds… normal.”

“It is. This used to be a rather… dangerous village, but thanks to a certain someone, it’s become quite peaceful.”
“Peaceful is good.”

“I agree.”

Lucy smiled, sipped her tea, and then glanced at Evan.

“So, Avalli, aren’t you going to introduce your… guest?”
“Oh, I almost forgot.”

Avalli coughed and gestured to Evan.

“This is Evan. The Hero who fought the Demon King 500 years ago. He used to be a man, but the Demon King cursed him and turned him into a girl. My ‘magic’ can’t break it, so I thought maybe you, Teacher, would know how.”
“Hmm… a gender-bending curse… how… unusual…”

Lucy muttered, folding her arms, then froze, her mind finally processing the implications of Avalli’s casual introduction.

She took a shaky sip of tea, took a deep breath, and asked,

“Avalli, could you…repeat that? Demon King? Hero? I’m sorry, what?”
“Don’t worry about the Demon King. He’s gone. I defeated him. I have to go back to the Holy Kingdom to help Lumia, maybe you could come too, Teacher?”

“Lumia?”

“Goddess Lumia.”

Avalli replied nonchalantly.

‘Well, if Avalli says so…it must be true…’

And then, Lucy fainted.