Ch.174Outside. Daily Life of the Gong Royal Family (2)

It had been nearly a year since ‘Saintess’ Gang Hannah accepted Erick Wellesley’s marriage proposal.

In this short time, Hannah had nearly exhausted her knowledge. She had created textbooks to share her mathematics and chemistry knowledge with local officials and scholars, answering their questions and resolving their doubts despite her limited abilities.

In truth, she had only shared high school-level knowledge. After all, she had dropped out of university because of her father.

Now she had nothing more to teach. She had merely provided opportunities to expand thinking and broaden knowledge; the rest was up to the people here.

Of course, Hannah hadn’t become unemployed.

Ammonia synthesis. That was still under her supervision. This was because she had honestly told Erick, “I lack the ability to produce the chemical fertilizer you want cost-effectively. I don’t know how long it will take. It will require enormous money and manpower.”

After hearing this, Erick had entrusted all related matters to Hannah.

He wasn’t just dumping work on her; he had his reasons.

“Hannah. If I assigned this to someone else, they would feel pressured to produce results quickly. They would probably mobilize many high-ranking magicians to achieve results in the shortest time possible.”

“But if you manage it directly, the staff will feel less burdened. It doesn’t matter if it takes 10 years or 20 years. Or even longer. The methods you’ve taught so far are already rapidly increasing the Empire’s productivity.”

“We’ll be together for life. There’s no need to rush.”

Yes, it was work that required a long time.

And it was something only possible with Erick. Only he had both the strong will and resources to pour money and manpower into a project with uncertain results.

‘Anyway, I’ll probably have more free time going forward.’

Compared to the two people sharing her bedroom, she couldn’t help feeling she was living a luxurious upper-class life without much to do.

Erick was obviously busy, and Ember was handling state affairs despite being heavily pregnant.

In contrast, Hannah had relatively more freedom.

Her extremely high position actually limited what she could do. Even now as the Royal Consort, Hannah was still the Saintess, and would remain so for life.

‘Should I just enjoy this life? That would be nice, but…’

She couldn’t help feeling she should be accomplishing something.

It wasn’t just that she had been influenced by Erick; Hannah’s own life had always been intense.

Throughout high school, she had balanced studies with part-time jobs, and the few months before being chosen by the Goddess and transferring here had been literal hell. Living a luxurious life didn’t suit her nature.

Yes. She needed to do something.

Hannah stood up with a determined expression.

***

Hannah headed to the Royal Consort’s office wearing her nun’s habit for the first time in a while. She needed to meet with her husband Erick to reach an agreement. Though she basically wanted to help him, she still needed his permission.

But it seemed she had picked a bad time.

“What is it, Hannah?”

Erick was preparing for a military expedition.

Mithril armor, a longsword, and a heavy hammer newly crafted to replace the “holy relic” enshrined in the church.

Though he could probably handle everything barehanded, he was making an effort to maintain dignity.

“Oh, if you’re busy…”

“I’m always busy. But I have time for you. What is it?”

“Well…”

“It’s okay. Tell me.”

Hannah hesitated briefly before sharing her plan. Erick’s casual speech gave her courage.

“Erick, I heard that after the Demon Lord is subjugated, the Saintess typically tours devastated regions. Regardless of whether the Hero returns or not.”

“And?”

“I heard from Father Nosa that there’s an area in the south with dysentery. Even if not a full tour, perhaps I could visit…”

As she was explaining the need for public activities, Erick quietly raised his hand.

“Hannah.”

“Yes?”

“I understand what you’re thinking, but there’s no need to push yourself. Everyone in the Empire should already be grateful to you for what you’ve done so far. You’ve done something far more meaningful than defeating the Demon Lord’s army.”

“……”

Hannah couldn’t help but smile wryly. Erick seemed to have already noticed her true feelings.

‘Well, it would be stranger if he didn’t.’

How many nights had they spent together?

Especially lately, with Ember’s pregnancy, they often spent passionate—or honestly, rather intense—time alone together. Embracing each other after making love and sharing intimate conversations had become routine.

Perhaps he had anticipated what she would say before she even started. She didn’t feel embarrassed since she hadn’t intended to hide anything anyway.

“You’re right, Erick. Honestly, living elegantly while being served by others is also hard work. In Korea, and even after coming here, I was constantly working. Though it might sound like complaining from a position of privilege…”

“I don’t think that. I know what kind of person you are.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Hannah looked directly at Erick with a shy smile.

His features were handsome without any particular flaws. Yet somehow, he gave the impression that approaching him casually would be difficult, as if he might respond with irritation.

Even Hannah had been cautious around Erick before their marriage, and honestly, sometimes even after.

But now she felt no distance at all.

‘Well, far from distance…’

She could only think that if she hadn’t accepted this man’s proposal, she might have been in a very dark place by now.

The fact that she could leisurely talk about public activities was thanks to this man who had resolved all her other concerns.

The luxurious lifestyle beyond her station, that overwhelming pleasure that was almost too much to bear alone. And the subtle envy she felt whenever she saw the pregnant Ember.

Though it wasn’t at all what she had imagined since childhood, and honestly still seemed unusual, she wondered what this feeling could be if not love.

There was no doubt that Erick Wellesley was the most important person to her. Even now, he was trying to solve her concerns.

Erick then gently pulled Hannah’s arm and embraced her. The armor felt cold and hard, but his voice that followed was affectionate.

“Hannah. I’m against you going alone.”

“Hmm.”

“But I do have a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

“Accompany me on this expedition. It won’t take long. We can return in four days, five at most.”

Traveling on a wyvern would make it feel like a trip, it would be a change of scenery for her, and he wouldn’t be lonely—good for both of them.

Hannah’s eyes widened at Erick’s sudden proposal.

In truth, flying on a wyvern was far from a light journey, but Hannah was confident she could endure it.

She had once roamed the Demonic Land, practically living in pools of blood and flesh, and had even cracked the skulls of dying demons.

Above all, traveling across the continent with the Hero was the most fitting activity for the Saintess’s identity. She was already dressed appropriately for travel, so no additional preparations were needed.

‘I’ll think of it as a delayed honeymoon.’

Hannah brightened and gladly agreed to go.

She didn’t ask where they were going or what the objective was.

After all, her husband never lacked the power to handle difficulties. Having witnessed his battles against the Demon Lord’s army up close, Hannah could guarantee this. He only sometimes looked pitiful because he fought against problems that couldn’t be solved with force.

“Alright, Erick. I’ll go anywhere.”

“Good. We’re going to the Kingdom of Inel.”

“Not within the Empire?”

“No. Their royal family is having a conflict with a dragon and asked for help because they can’t resolve it themselves. There’s a dragon that just reached adulthood, and it’s chosen a nest right in the middle of a forest with large ebony tree populations. There are even two villages there.”

“A dragon?”

“No matter how powerful a dragon is, it’s not easy to give up valuable resources and forcibly relocate residents. So I agreed to mediate appropriately. It’s not free—I’m considering what rights to secure from the Kingdom of Inel.”

She had thought they were going to subjugate a monster, lesser dragon, or beast from the Demonic Land, but it was a dragon. Dragons were beings that made adventurers buzz with excitement even at rumors of specimens that communicated with humans.

Of course, the purpose of this expedition was “mediation” rather than subjugation, but that mediation might not necessarily proceed peacefully.

‘If things go wrong, he’ll use force.’

The absolute confidence that he could easily subdue a dragon on his own.

Hannah realized anew what kind of man she shared a bed with.

He was the Hero King, standing at the pinnacle of power, might, and wealth.

He could take or do anything if he wanted, yet sometimes he showed a tired expression, overwhelmed by helplessness.

Feeling something tingling inside her, Hannah tightly embraced Erick’s waist.

Seeing a dragon would be interesting, but she wanted to spend some intimate time together.

…

Hannah and Erick left the office about an hour later.

Both looked somewhat flushed, and Hannah’s clothes were subtly disheveled. However, their expressions were quite bright. As if they were really going on a picnic.

Shortly after, a wyvern carrying the Hero and the Saintess soared powerfully into the sky.