Chapter 12. Honor and Sacrifice (3)

Regardless of the somewhat complicated emotions, I had something to do.

It was something that only I could do.

“The research is proceeding smoothly.”

It was the words of the Dwarf Princess, no, Emelie.

Of course, Emelie hadn’t quit being a princess, but since she said she didn’t expect that privilege here, I was calling her that for now.

Should I say it’s the same as calling Gloria by her name?

“Especially this artifact… I have a lot to say, but we decided to keep it a secret from our country. It would be difficult in many ways if we, who owe our entire nation, started making various claims.”

That’s right.

The artifact in the research institute was originally brought from a disputed area between the Dwarf and Gnome nations. I don’t know who had such a bold idea, but anyway, that’s why it ended up here on Earth, in Korea.

It was supposed to be stolen, but I protected it.

Thanks to that, there was almost no mana inside. Now, mana was being slowly filled into it through the mages.

“The mana isn’t even half-full yet.”

…

It seemed that completely draining it so they wouldn’t think of stealing it again was effective in many ways.

“Still, during that time, I researched magic circles quite a bit-“

Emelie explained the results of her research on gate magic, but unfortunately, the only person who showed interest was Han Yu-ri, who came with Gloria.

Magic, in general, becomes closer to formulas the deeper you delve into it, making it incredibly complex. This is especially true for anything related to gates.

Gloria, Han Yu-ri, and the experts researching in the same institute nodded and expressed small admiration, but honestly, I couldn’t understand any of it.

Looking at Ria next to me, it was the same. When our eyes met, Ria chuckled and shook her head.

No, if you keep doing that, I’ll misunderstand.

…Although these are things I could never say to Ria herself.

I suppressed a sigh and looked around, then suddenly noticed Dabi, who was intently focused on one spot.

The emotions Dabi usually showed were almost always fear or tension, but when Gloria was by her side, she could maintain a relatively expressionless face. She did the same here, in this place that must have been very unfamiliar.

And the place her expressionless gaze was fixed upon was none other than that magic stone. The artifact of the Dwarves and Gnomes.

“…”

A gaze that was almost overflowing with enthusiasm, something rarely seen from her.

Is there something that sparks her interest?

However, that gaze didn’t last long. As if she realized I was looking at her, Dabi quickly averted her gaze and focused on the explanation.

Or perhaps she pretended to focus.

…

It makes me think of the guys who broke in here.

No, it’s not like Dabi would do that.

…Right?

*

“It’s a very useful magic, except that it requires a tremendous amount of mana. Of course, there are many cases where theory and practice differ, so hasty expectations are forbidden.”

Even as she said that, Gloria’s ears twitched strangely. Perhaps that was a gesture indicating anticipation, in an elven way. It was probably an instinctive movement.

“…When I return, surely…”

However, that feeling didn’t last long.

When she returned, Gloria would inevitably face her enemies. The forces that tried to kill Gloria.

Perhaps, Gloria’s allies might not remain. If the rebels were in power, it would be no different from going to commit suicide.

“Still, I have to go.”

Gloria nodded.

“I must get revenge.”

I was the one who provided Gloria with the stepping stone to return.

However, when I think about actually following her in, I feel anxious too.

If I were to go in there, Ria would surely be cutting down elves. I would also surely be shooting elves with a gun.

Unlike the monsters we’ve encountered so far, elves look no different from humans. No, they were beings with civilization that we had interacted with.

Even if they are those who attack us, aiming for our lives, I don’t know if my mind will remain intact after shooting them, or if Ria’s mind will remain intact.

…It might be better if the enemy attacked us only with mana. Then I could neutralize the attack.

As I was looking serious by myself, someone tapped my shoulder.

“Don’t worry too much.”

It was Ria.

“After all, protecting you is my job, right?”

“…”

At those words, my chest felt ticklish again.

I can’t tell Ria to stop when she’s saying it with good intentions.

I’m really a complicated person in many ways.

Lately, I keep realizing things. About faith, and about human relationships.

…Would it have been better if I had just not known about either of them?

*

Once again, I organized my ultimate goal.

That eye I encountered in the Dwarf Kingdom last time. It probably wasn’t actually there. It spoke only with its voice, perhaps because it thought it would be immediately defeated and killed if it appeared before me, or perhaps it wanted to imitate the being above.

Since creatures that live by mana are called monsters, let’s call that one a demon, in the sense that it is at a higher position than that.

My goal was to kill that demon, confirm that the active threat to this world had disappeared, and then, as a fellow nun, bless the marriage of Han Yu-ri and Lee Si-yoon.

This was the goal I had set.

Therefore, what I need to do now is to find the location of that demon.

Unfortunately, to do that, I had to go to a place filled with mana again.

Or, lure the opponent to come.

By the time I thought that far, I had actually intended to tell Ria some of it. It would have been enough to borrow the form of prophecy this time.

In fact, if I’m being precise, Ria might be in danger if she’s by my side. Considering Ria’s safety, I should keep her far away.

…When that demon or whatever attacked the Saint, many people around were injured. Ria and Han Yu-ri were among them.

In that situation, the moment the Saint, who had barely escaped death, and Lee Si-yoon’s love line was revealed, was also the moment I exploded.

I don’t want Ria to get hurt. This was also a slightly selfish wish.

Compared to others-Ria had become too close to me.

But at the same time, I didn’t want to be separated from her. For the same reason.

In the end, without definitively deciding either way, I intended to tell Ria a part of what I knew and receive the comfort of Ria’s choice. Even though I knew Ria would stay by my side.

Indeed, I’m not fit to be a Saint or anything like that.

However, unfortunately, just before I could convey those words to Ria, a bigger problem arose, unrelated to my will.

During the usual shower time. While Ria went in to wash first, I heard someone knock on the door.

“Sister Anna.”

The person beyond the door was the Nun Superior.

“There is someone who wishes to meet Sister Anna immediately.”

“Now?”

It wasn’t exactly the middle of the night, but wasn’t it still a bit late for a guest to visit?

“Yes, it’s a very important guest.”

And as soon as I heard those words, I somehow knew where the guest who had come was from.

“We have a guest from the Vatican.”

At those words, the worries I had been having just moments before completely vanished.

*

I had always thought that it would inevitably happen someday.

The position of Saint was not just for the church of this country, but for the entire world’s church.

Naturally, the Vatican would conduct the final review.

Just as there were several Saint candidates in our country, it was the same in other countries. So, I was a little relieved. Even though I was receiving evaluations that I was unparalleled, those many people were also individuals who needed verification.

However, the Vatican didn’t seem to think so.

The person sitting in the interview room was a woman. The clothes she wore were also a properly fitted nun’s habit.

Naturally, I didn’t have the confidence to wear my usual clothes in front of this person. Of course, I removed the chest belt and properly put on a veil on my head. …Although it was a bit noticeable that the clothes were altered.

However, that person didn’t look at me with such a serious gaze.

“Sister Anna. Have you been well?”

Very fluent Korean.

Her appearance was also that of an Asian, contrasting with mine.

“Ah, yes, yes, I’ve been… well, yes.”

Even though I was in front of a very important person, the words that came out of my mouth were like that. Even I thought my tone was incredibly embarrassing.

“I am Maria, working at the Vatican. Yes, it’s the same baptismal name as your escort knight. In my case, it’s also my name.”

Her gaze turned towards Ria behind me.

“I am truly sorry, but could we speak alone for a moment? It is a very important matter for the church.”

I looked back at Ria.

Ria’s face was stiff.

“Please, spare me a moment.”

“…Ria.”

When I said it with a stiff expression, Ria nodded.

As I turned to go back, feeling relieved-

“That won’t do.”

Ria’s words, like a bomb exploding from behind, made my body stiffen.

“Kyaa!?”

And then I tripped over my own feet and fell forward spectacularly-

Thump.

I was gently caught by Ria’s hand and stood up again.

“…”

Silence.

A silence that was difficult to describe in words lingered around us.

Hmm.

Good.

Should I die?