Chapter 51: Moral Turpitude

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Sugar had once had a dream.

It was about the day she received the mana infusion to become a first-stage mage. The dream the final scene of ‘Sugar’ and ‘Riley’ from that day.

She had the same dream again.

‘Even in this situation, you still hold onto hope. You must be out of your mind.’

‘Well, considering you’re still alive in that state, it’s no wonder you’re not in your right mind.’

Unlike back then, Riley’s lines were now crystal clear. As she reached for her wand, Sugar desperately stretched out her hand and managed to break through an invisible wall.

Sugar, who had intervened between the two, shouted, “Take this!” and started beating up the adult Riley.

Stop doing bad things. Stop ruining yourself.

Remembering her affection for her precious childhood friend, she poured her heart and mana into each punch—jab, jab, kick—thoroughly beating Riley up. Meanwhile, the faded white Sugar beside her seemed to smile faintly.

At that moment, she jolted awake.

“…”

A cozy bed with a fluffy blanket, it felt nice.

Sunlight streamed into the room, filling it with warmth. There wasn’t much furniture, but it was clean and well-maintained.

Sugar looked down seeing that she was wearing a white dress. It was stiff but clean and smelled nice, giving off a neat vibe.

On the bedside table, there was a pink hairband. After putting it on, Sugar was startled when she looked down at her feet. They were wrapped in bandages.

‘When did they do this?’

She gently slipped on indoor shoes and stepped onto the floor, heading straight for the window.

Outside, she saw white buildings. Though monotonous, the intricate carvings on each pillar were elegant.

Below, people in white robes occasionally passed by. Those in uniforms with flowing capes were likely holy knights, and those in robes were probably priests.

After confirming her surroundings, Sugar sighed. It was a sigh of both relief and worry.

The Holy City of Gabriel.

The resting place of the Saint’s remains, who descended upon this land two thousand years ago.

The home of his descendants.

The central command of the churches and holy knight orders scattered across the continent.

The safest, yet most stifling place.

That’s why she felt both relief and worry.

.

.

.

She heard that she had been asleep for almost a week.

After what happened and the amount of mana she had used, it made sense.

Her childhood friend had also woken up around the same time. Hearing that news was a relief, but—

“Please let me see my friend.”

“There’s a procedure for that.”

“What procedure? Just let me see him.”

“His testimony isn’t complete yet. Please tell us everything you remember from the day of the incident.”

“But… I don’t remember much. I need to talk to my friend first.”

“Please testify based on what you do remember.”

“Ugh…”

She knew this would happen.

She remembered that even the protagonist chosen by the ‘Saint’s Staff’ in the original story had to go through this. It would be even worse for someone like her. Always talking about procedures and whatnot, so frustrating.

Sugar sighed. Where should she start, and how much should she hide?

From Riley’s book to her own constitution, there were too many things to keep secret.

As she fretted, the hallway outside the testimony room grew noisy.

“What is this test result? It doesn’t make sense! How can she give a proper testimony like this?”

“Calm down, Sir Nova! The testimony isn’t—”

The door burst open. The person who entered was older than the holy knight she had seen before. Dressed in a white uniform with a gold-embroidered cape, she was an elderly female holy knight. Yet, paradoxically, her eyes were filled with passion and vitality.

“Child! In the name of the Saint, I ask you: Are you a heretic or not?”

She suddenly approached Sugar and asked with such intensity that it felt like she was spitting, but Sugar wasn’t one to be flustered.

With someone like this, yes, this was the right way to respond.

The bold girl stood up from her chair with the same intensity, opened her chest proudly, took a deep breath, and shouted back.

“In the name of the Saint! No, I am not!”

“Don’t take the Saint’s name in vain!”

But she—

“Still! I like your bold answer!”

The holy knight nodded and declared to the mechanical-like priestess in front of Sugar, the holy knights who had followed her and the other priests.

“I vouch for this child! She is not a heretic!”

“But Sir Nova, you can’t just decide that…! We need her testimony first…”

“What does that matter? Look at this tiny body! If she were a schemer, she’d obviously lie in their favor! We’re suspicious of that!”

Wow. Sugar was stunned by the blatant exposure of her hidden thoughts, delivered so confidently.

“Don’t create sin! What matters is faith! The Saint gave us power through faith! So we must uphold that—”

“Please leave! If you keep this up, we’ll get in trouble for not stopping you!”

“Don’t fear punishment! It’s all for the greater—”

“Sir Nova!!”

It took five strong men to finally escort the small elderly woman out of the room.

In that short time, it felt like a storm had passed.

“…”

“…”

“Am I suspected of being a heretic?”

“There’s a possibility you were used without your consent. Heretics cannot set foot on this land. Please don’t worry and give your testimony based on your memories.”

“Ugh…”

Dealing with that grandmother earlier would’ve been better. Her ears might hurt, but at least her heart would feel lighter.

The gold embroidery on her cape. She must be a ‘Guardian.’ The leaders who protect and guide the Holy City. The Guardians of the Holy City.

‘Come to think of it, that man from before was also a Guardian.’

As she pondered, she continued to argue with the mechanical-like priest until another priest came and released her. ‘It’s the Guardians’ will,’ he said, but it didn’t matter. As long as she didn’t have to stay with that lifeless person, she was happy and internally cheered.

“Oh! Did you release my friend too?”

“Yes, we did.”

“Can I see him?”

“There’s a procedure for that.”

“…Please follow the procedure.”

“Please wait a moment.”

The priest who had released Sugar stepped away and began conversing with someone through a communication crystal.

Standing in the hallway, briefly looking out the window, he soon returned.

“Permission has been granted. We’ll take you to see him now.”

‘Though it’s frustrating that everything has to follow procedure, at least once it’s done, they act quickly. That’s somewhat comforting.’

She followed the priest down the hallway.

Paired with the serene white hallway the sunlight streaming in felt almost distant. Despite being winter, it was strangely warm, almost like a blessing.

Sugar looked around with curious eyes, then asked the priest a question.

“Who were the people who released me? May I know their names?”

“Sir Cedric and Sir Nova requested it.”

She recalled ‘Nova,’ the Guardian from earlier. The bold grandmother. Even if she couldn’t push her will alone, with two people her influence must have grown.

Or maybe she’s just ‘that’ kind of person, and no one takes her seriously.

Still, she should thank them when she sees them again.

‘But who is Sir Cedric? Was he that man from before?… I don’t think I’ve seen any of their faces.’

She thought back to the original story.

It was basically a magic school RPG game. The holy knights and Guardians of the Holy City didn’t appear much. Compared to the students of the magic school or the main antagonists, the Shadow Cult, their presence was minimal. They only showed up later to offer some help.

In the original timeline, they were dealing with internal issues. From a game design perspective, they were likely excluded for balance. After all, it’s a game centered around the ‘protagonist.’

The story had to revolve around them.

However, this world isn’t a game. It’s a real world where countless people interact. It’s not strange for unfamiliar characters like Louveci to appear or for the story to take a completely different turn.

‘The fact that I’m in the Holy City is already a completely different development.’

As she followed the priest, lost in thought, she suddenly found herself outside. Between the buildings there was a small courtyard. Pure white flowers bloomed here and there, creating a beautiful scene. Even though she was only wearing a dress, she didn’t feel cold.

Maybe the entire Holy City was enchanted.

Sugar’s mouth formed an ‘O’ as she looked around.

“Please wait here.”

“Thank you.”

She immediately began exploring the area. There were no treasure chests, but it was a pleasant space.

She looked at the flowers, tapped and touched the walls, and listened to the chirping birds. Thankfully, they weren’t those damn black birds. They were small and white.

After all the hardship she had endured, this peace felt incredibly sweet.

‘…I wonder how the orphanage kids are doing.’

The city she originally lived in was in the northern part of the continent while the Holy City was near the center. Despite everything, she had grown attached to that place, and a strange longing filled her. Especially for Praline and the other friends. Would she ever see them again?

“Well, if there’s a connection, we’ll meet again someday. Meeting and parting with various people—that’s just how life is.”

With thoughts like an old soul, she sat on a bench. As she waited for her friend, she heard the sound of footsteps shuffling closer.

Turning around, she saw a familiar face.

Even though it had only been a week since she had been asleep, it felt like she had just seen him yesterday.

Still, she was so happy to see him. Her precious friend who had overcome that ordeal together with her—wait, his hair is blonde!!

Sugar shot up from her seat.

She knew it. Since ‘Riley’ was blonde, he must be too. She also knew that the dust had obscured the color before.

But seeing it in person was a different feeling altogether. Her eyes widened as she stared, and the prickly boy rolled his eyes around.

Then, he said just one word.

“What.”

“Ah, no… it’s nothing. Are you feeling okay?”

His left arm was wrapped in bandages, and there were dressings all over his body. Sugar was in a similar state, but her friend’s condition mattered more to her than her own.

When she asked, Riley stepped closer to her.

“…”

But he said nothing. He just quietly leaned his face closer.

“What, what’s wrong, Riley?”

Bending slightly to match Sugar’s height, he locked eyes with her.

Close enough to feel each other’s breath. His blue eyes, partially hidden by his bangs, shimmered under the sunlight. His highlights sparkled like gold dust.

He was already good-looking, but with this hair color, the synergy was incredible. Regardless of their friendship, objectively speaking, he looked amazing.

But why is he acting like this all of a sudden? He’s not usually like this.

As they faced each other, memories of that day a week ago resurfaced. The way he had acted under the holy knight’s cape.

The first time he had stroked her hair and touched her cheek…

“…”

For some reason, Sugar’s cheeks flushed red as she rolled her head slightly.

Then, something came to mind.

…Why don’t you like blondes?

‘Ah!’

That day when Riley got upset because of Sugar’s dislike for blondes.

That was it.

He must want to settle that grudge.

Realizing this, Sugar immediately loaded up her compliments. To forget the ticklish feeling in her chest, she prepared to shower him with praise, determined to drown him in a swamp of compliments.

But just as she was about to unleash her heartfelt praise—

“Ugh.”

Riley suddenly turned away. His ears were bright red.

What the heck!

“If you’re going to be embarrassed, why even start…”

“I’m not embarrassed…! What do you know…”

“Your ears are red. You got embarrassed looking at my face.”

“Y-you, you, you’re red too!”

“What? Me? No way…”

Sugar quickly touched her own cheeks and found them warm.

“Huh…?”

“See!”

“…”

Sugar looked up at Riley.

His flushed cheeks. His glistening eyes.

Ugh. Riley averted his gaze. Though he felt smug for having one-upped her, deep down, he was weak when it came to Sugar. There was no helping it.

And Sugar, who knew this well, opened her mouth with a sly tone.

“I’m not sure though.”

“What?”

“Why don’t you touch my cheek?”

“W-what, what?”

“If your hand feels cold, then I’ll admit it. That my cheeks are red. That I’m flushed.”

“What are you talking about! It’s obvious just by looking!”

“I don’t believe it. Huh? It’s simple. Just do it. If it’s true, it shouldn’t be hard.”

Sugar tilted her flushed face slightly forward, wearing a mischievous, teasing smile.

Ah, Riley, digging his own grave.

If you asked him why he didn’t hesitate last time, it was because he was caught up in the moment. But now, already embarrassed, he was in trouble.

Realizing that he was the one who made Sugar’s cheeks turn red like this made his chest feel strange. The way her glistening lips curved slightly was too pretty.

Trying to hide his pounding heartbeat while maintaining his pride, he placed his right hand on Sugar’s cheek.

At that moment, Sugar placed her hand over his.

“Hehe…”

“…!”

Soft. Warm.

Riley’s right hand, sandwiched between Sugar’s cheek and her palm.

“Hmm… your hand feels much hotter than my cheek.”

And when she looked at the owner of that hand, at the boy’s face, there was nothing more to say.

He was like a ripe apple. If Sugar was a pink peach, Riley was a red apple—or maybe a tomato.

As the two fruits bickered over whose face was redder, a certain someone passed by.

“Tsk tsk.”

Guardian Cedric clicked his tongue as he walked past. Watching the scene, he considered throwing them back into solitary confinement for public indecency.