Ch.231231. A Wish in the Snowy Winter (5)

“While they might be careless in other areas, when it comes to money, the nobles never take their eyes off capital—the central point of absolute power—as they tightly control the principality.

If even the slightest change appears, they immediately deploy people to dig up information. If they see any possibility of money flowing from behind the scenes, they buy it up without hesitation.

Then, when the time comes, they’ve been evading taxes and liability by donating to the Academy.

In such a situation, what would happen if an ordinary person—an Academy student, no less—suddenly started buying up specific minerals?

Clearly, they would latch onto it and not let go.

Even if Charlotte did her best to silence people, how many wouldn’t be swayed by money? It’s obvious.

The investigation would start with why an Academy student has so much money, eventually leading to exposure. After that, they’d investigate the source of the funds and realize my involvement with Octagon.

From then on, not only would there be wariness about Badlight and Elcherium, but restrictions would be placed on my actions.

‘So that’s why I thought it was complicated.’

When Renias confidently said she could just buy it herself, I had to think dozens of times about what she was saying.

Among those dozens of options, one vaguely took shape in my mind, but as soon as she mentioned the purple Lantana, the troublesome issue was cleanly resolved.

I see. So that’s what it was.

“Do you feel relieved now?”

It’s incredibly reassuring to see her confidently stating that there’s nothing strange about a noble purchasing minerals for jewelry or accessories.

“Ah, you’re finally smiling. You’re relieved, right?”

A helpless laugh escaped me at the appearance of my problem-solver.

You always clear away my complicated feelings, Renias.

“Then… would it be okay to ask for your help?”

“I’ll do anything for you. As for the pretext, well, we can say that Princess Lantana, who was ignorant of worldly matters, suddenly became obsessed with these two gems!”

“Ha, thank you so much.”

“I-It’s nothing. Hehe…”

My mind was immediately put at ease. Not without reason, but because it felt like I had gained a truly reliable ally.

Unconsciously, I took Renias’s hand to express my gratitude and repeatedly thanked her.

But suddenly, Renias cleared her throat with a fake cough. As if she was about to say something important.

“Um, senior. I’m happy to help, but I can’t do it for free, you know?”

“Of course! This is already a big favor, so tell me anything you want.”

I immediately asked what she wanted.

Participating in the Real Winter Parade was already something Renias had requested.

But after she instantly solved my worry, it would be truly shameless to just let it go.

I’m not the kind of scoundrel who would deceive such a kind person. Absolutely not.

Therefore, I’ll grant anything. Just say it, Renias!

“Well… then…”

Renias’s condition was simpler than I expected. I asked if that was really all she wanted, but she confirmed that it was enough.

This makes me feel quite sorry.

“There’s nothing to worry about now. Let’s go have fun! Hurry!”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

This feels too easy; I really need to make sure she has the best time possible.

***

“…”

In a quiet room, a once devout believer who had shown reverence to the Holy Emperor was now holding her forehead as if in pain.

“Why did you do it?”

Erika felt sick about Defornice III’s unilateral actions.

She could still vividly remember how he had reached out to her when she was young, telling her she had talent for holy power.

-‘You have tremendous talent for holy power. Would you like to believe in the god who saved humanity and cultivate that power?’

But she couldn’t grasp the hand extended to her.

Holy power could only be wielded by believers, and she had no awareness of holiness whatsoever.

The most important factor was money. Certain that her gradually crumbling family could never afford to send her to the temple, she rejected his hand.

Then the Holy Emperor said:

-‘My, my. The world is truly wrong. The temple was never meant to be a place one enters by paying money.’

He explained that holy power manifests when devotion to god dwells within mana as a resource and magic as a form of power.

A pure heart that worships god is most important.

The temple is a place for faith, not money.

Adding this, the Holy Emperor extended his hand to Erika again with a benevolent smile.

Erika had no reason to reject the old man’s rough hand anymore. No reason not to grasp it.

What reason could there be not to learn holy power to save her family that was slowly crumbling due to the schemes of high nobles?

There was no reason not to follow the Holy Emperor who shared her thoughts about this crazy world.

Thus, Erika becoming a believer at the temple was an entirely natural progression.

However, obstacles in learning were inevitable. Even with talent, encountering various problems was expected.

Whenever that happened, the Holy Emperor would emerge from the deepest room of the temple and comfort Erika repeatedly.

-‘Holy power is the strength to punish corrupt beings. It’s natural for learning to be slow. After all, you’re borrowing part of god’s power, aren’t you?’

He told her she wasn’t slow.

That she was growing faster than any believer he had ever seen.

When she finally became a proper holy mage and the temple’s star healer, he praised her generously, saying she would save the people of the principality.

That’s right.

In a way, her growth was due to one person.

The Holy Emperor. The old man who always encouraged her and cherished her like a daughter, whom she followed like a grandfather.

But now.

“Sacrificial offering ritual… that’s absurd.”

Why did he dabble in sorcery that sacrifices people as offerings to steal their power?

She couldn’t comprehend how he could pursue power through such inhumane acts.

Even though she wanted to look away, the newspaper had already prominently displayed the charges against the target of subjugation.

It stated that forbidden sorcery had been cast not just once or twice but hundreds of times, and that he had summoned a named monster, Pimpert of Distortion, to Calix, causing great chaos in the principality, listing him as a malicious criminal.

Now the question turned toward herself.

‘Then what have I… been doing all this time?’

Receiving baptism and learning holy power was all because she had him as a role model.

Erika felt as if everything she had done until now was meaningless. Enough to bring transparent dew to her eyes.

And another thing.

A painful reality struck Erika’s mind.

“And why is this guy being credited with the subjugation?”

Unlike Defornice III, there was another person. The mention of a black-haired, black-eyed boy prominently featured in the newspaper was also a reality she wanted to deny.

“No. Renias must have come to help. This guy…”

But she couldn’t just deny it. The fact that she was alive meant someone had helped the Tembris Party.

Since the Rakan tribe that provided assistance there followed Junon’s will rather than Renias’s, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

“What is this all about? Then what about that memory!”

The fact that she owed her life to the person who ruined the Tembris Party tormented Erika.

“This won’t do. I need some fresh air.”

-Click.

She had no choice but to kick open the door of her quarters to clear her head.

***

—Alright! Seven people have passed. Please fold the mat in half again!

I was definitely planning to follow the set course with Renias and have fun.

And that set course wasn’t supposed to be somewhere with such intense skinship.

Now I… have to hold Renias… like a princess.

“S-Senior. Will you be okay?”

“Well… I’m fine. I’m just worried you might be uncomfortable…”

“Th-There’s no way I’d be uncomfortable. Besides… I’m sorry. But it’s for the stickers, so you’ll bear with it… right?”

—Now, the area has shrunk again. Please hold your partner within 5 seconds!

“We’ll be disqualified at this rate. Renias. Quickly.”

“Y-Yes.”

Despite wearing a long sweater, her bare thighs and calves were quite soft.

To avoid misunderstandings, let me clarify that I didn’t touch her because I wanted to…! It’s just how this game works!

What else can you do when carrying someone princess-style!

…Though saying that probably won’t change the situation. I should just accept it.

Let me explain how we ended up like this: suddenly, an event staff member approached with an urgent look, asking if we could help because it was an emergency.

I thought of that noble I saw earlier and wondered if someone was picking a fight.

But that wasn’t it. I had been completely fooled.

“Heave-ho!!”

Female partners everywhere are cheering their partners on.

And right next to my ear:

“Senior, d-do your best…!”

“Huh? Oh, yeah…”

…

I’m not sure how to feel about this.

It’s a simple game where you have to hold your female partner without dropping her within the designated mat area, but it doesn’t feel… very simple.

“Wow, you’re holding up well. I knew I brought the right people.”

“…Sir. You said it was urgent, but what is this?”

“Hmm? Ahem. Ah~ They’re asking me to check on the proceedings over there. I’m busy, so I’ll go ahead. Well then!”

Excuse me. You’re just running away now, aren’t you!

After pretending to be so urgent and tricking people, you’re just glancing around and fleeing? What’s that about!

“S-Senior.”

“Ah… sorry. Did I shake you?”

“I’m fine. Besides, I’m okay too, so…”

“…Yeah.”

At first, I thought about giving up when I heard I had to carry a sober person, but since we couldn’t leave midway and there was a penalty of having our pamphlets confiscated, preventing participation in any event for 5 minutes, I had no choice.

Actually, I could have just participated halfheartedly and left… but would Renias like that?

Probably not.

Thinking she might be excited about getting stickers, I had to respond to this event as enthusiastically as possible.

—As expected, the power of couples is formidable! Final 10 seconds! Everyone, please count down together!

About halfway through the countdown, two couples were eliminated.

Well… I just need to endure. Let’s hold on!

From the sensation of supporting her waist to feeling Renias’s bare skin and breath, and her voice resonating in my ear… I can endure this level of trial.

…Probably.