Chapter 9: Envy

Saintess Sera’s journey did not stop at the Imperial Capital’s square.

In the face of the unprecedented event of the Demon Lord’s resurrection, she was busy traveling throughout the empire, spreading a message of hope and gathering talented individuals.

She personally visited not only the Imperial Palace, barracks, and major city strongholds but also adventurer and mercenary guilds, requesting cooperation for the Demon Lord’s subjugation.

This was an essential step to calm the chaotic public sentiment and prepare for the coming war.

In particular, selecting members for the Hero’s party, which would be formed around the hero chosen by the Goddess’s revelation, and recruiting a powerful subjugation force to support them, was the most urgent task.

And in that journey, the Magic Tower, the heart of the empire where the greatest intellect and magical power gathered, could not be omitted.

Especially the academy, which nurtured future archmages, was a place worth visiting.

Following the urgent summons from the Magic Tower Master and the Academy Dean, mages affiliated with the Magic Tower and academy students gathered in the Magic Tower’s central garden at the appointed time.

The news of Saintess Sera’s personal visit spread like wildfire, and the garden was packed not only with Magic Tower personnel but also with ordinary citizens who had heard the rumors, leaving no room to stand.

Logan was also among the crowd.

Since hearing the news of the Demon Lord’s resurrection, Irene seemed to be reliving the terrible memory of being attacked by monsters in the past.

Although she tried to act composed on the outside, she showed subtle signs of instability.

Unable to leave her alone, Logan had minimized his requests for the past few days and stayed by Irene’s side.

Irene, too, wanted Logan to be with her.

---

When the appointed time finally arrived, Saintess Sera appeared on the temporary platform set up in the center of the garden.

Her pink hair and eyes shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, her skin was flawlessly clear, and her smile was benevolent.

Her very presence seemed to purify the surrounding air, creating a sacred atmosphere.

“To the esteemed mages of the Magic Tower who strive day and night in magical research and training for the Goddess and the Empire, and to the students of the academy who will lead the future!”

“Despite the dark news of the Demon Lord’s resurrection, I express my sincere gratitude and respect to all of you who are doing your best in your respective positions!”

Sera’s clear yet powerful voice resonated throughout the garden.

“Oh… Saintess!”

“Wow! Lady Sera is truly beautiful!”

The crowd listened intently to Sera’s every word as if mesmerized, and they repeatedly exclaimed in admiration of her beauty and holiness.

However, Irene unknowingly furrowed her brow slightly.

Even to another woman, Sera was an overly perfect and dazzling existence.

She felt a kind of pressure, different from jealousy.

Therefore, she unknowingly glanced at Logan standing next to her.

A creeping anxiety arose that he, too, like other men, might be captivated by the Saintess’s beauty.

However, her worry was unfounded.

“Irene? Are you uncomfortable somewhere? You don’t look well.”

Logan was not looking at the Saintess on the platform but was solely focused on Irene’s condition, asking with concern.

His gaze was fixed on Irene, as always.

At his unchanging demeanor, Irene unknowingly smiled in relief and shook her head.

“Nn-nnh. No, Logan. It’s nothing. Ehehe…”

“……?”

Logan couldn’t understand why Irene’s mood had suddenly improved, but he nodded, relieved that her expression had brightened.

He continued to pay attention to Irene, occasionally listening to the Saintess’s speech on the platform.

Meanwhile, Sera, who was continuing her speech on the platform, was scanning the crowd thoroughly.

She hadn’t come here merely for a speech.

She had come to find the hero prophesied by the Goddess and to scout for talented individuals to form the Hero’s party.

Then, her gaze landed on one spot.

A particularly eye-catching pair, a man and a woman.

A beautiful brown-haired girl and a black-haired boy standing steadfastly by her side.

‘Ah, I found him.’

Sera felt her heart skip a beat.

Although the Goddess’s revelation was vague, her intuition whispered that the black-haired boy was likely the one she was looking for.

However, she soon found herself frowning slightly.

‘…He’s not looking at me?’

In such a large crowd, it was natural for young men, especially, to be mesmerized by her beauty and holiness, staring blankly.

Yet, that boy wasn’t even glancing at her on the platform; his gaze was fixed solely on the girl beside him.

Sera’s gaze naturally shifted to Irene.

What kind of extraordinary beauty could make someone dare to ignore her, the Saintess?

‘…Hmm. She’s pretty, I suppose…’

Sera assessed her coolly.

She was undoubtedly a beautiful girl, but not on a level to be compared with herself.

Not in face, figure, or even the aura she exuded.

Then why was that boy…

A sense of displeasure, along with an inexplicable wound to her pride, welled up.

Just then, the Academy Dean, who was beside her, noticed her gaze lingering on Irene and spoke in a whisper.

“Saintess, the student I mentioned earlier is that child. Her name is Irene, and she possesses truly once-in-a-generation talent.”

“If you select her as a member of the Hero’s party, she will undoubtedly be a great asset. She is already formidable, but if she receives the Goddess’s blessing…”

At the Dean’s words, Sera recalled her forgotten duty and composed her expression.

She smiled at the crowd again and smoothly continued her speech.

After the speech ended and she descended from the platform, Sera politely requested the Magic Tower Master and the Dean.

She wished to speak with Irene privately for a moment.

Naturally, the two readily accepted her request.

Summoned by the Magic Tower Master and the Dean, Irene approached Sera with a nervous expression.

Logan, too, tried to follow her out of concern, but the Dean attempted to stop him.

“Who do you think you are! Where do you think you’re going, trying to come up here so recklessly!”

Then, Sera spoke with a gentle smile.

“It’s alright, Dean. It’s fine. The person beside her is also a shining individual guided by the Goddess, so it’s alright for them to be together.”

“Huh…? Ah, yes… Understood.”

The Dean was puzzled but couldn’t argue with the Saintess’s words.

On the other hand, the Magic Tower Master recognized Logan’s face and nodded.

“Ah, this young man is Heukyeong (TL: Black Shadow), who became a Gold-grade adventurer at the young age of seventeen and was recently a topic of discussion at the guild. Indeed, the Saintess’s insight is truly exceptional.”

At the Magic Tower Master’s words, the surrounding mages and students began to murmur.

“What? That boy is that Heukyeong?”

“No way… Gold-grade at such a young age…”

“That’s the childhood friend who’s always with Irene, right? Wow… truly amazing.”

And among them, there were whispers that grated on Irene’s nerves.

“Wow… How much must she have leeched off him for her childhood friend to reach Gold-grade at that age? Truly amazing, Irene.”

“Exactly. Doesn’t she feel sorry for him, making him suffer so much because of her? If it were me, I would have married him and supported him by now.”

“Right? But didn’t Irene say she doesn’t have a boyfriend? What is she really thinking… So shameless.”

Irene’s face flushed at the whispers and stares directed at them.

The last remark, in particular, sharply stung her.

She wanted to turn around and shout “No!” right away, but she couldn’t do that in front of the Saintess, the Magic Tower Master, and the Dean.

She looked at Logan with anxious eyes.

He must have heard these whispers too.

But Logan didn’t flinch.

Instead, he gently took Irene’s hand and gave her a faint, reassuring smile.

At his unchanging attitude, Irene regained her composure and held her head high towards Sera.

Sera’s eyes glinted coldly for a moment as she watched the two of them.

‘…..I really don’t like this.’

Sera maintained a gentle smile on the outside, but a deeper sense of displeasure was welling up inside her.

---

Right there, Sera officially declared Irene as the first member of the Hero’s party.

She then politely requested Logan to join the party as well.

“Logan. I have heard much of your outstanding skills and reputation. Would you please join the Hero’s party with Irene and participate in the great undertaking of saving the world?”

Logan hesitated for a moment.

He had no interest in becoming a hero or gaining honor.

But if Irene joined the Hero’s party, it was best for him to be with her to protect her.

“…Understood, Saintess. I will be with Irene.”

Sera smiled with satisfaction at Logan’s answer.

Members of the Hero’s party were not selected based solely on their current strength.

Of course, basic skill was essential, but what was considered more important was potential.

Young talents who possessed the possibility of explosive growth through the Goddess’s blessing, capable of surpassing existing powerhouses in a short period.

That was the core principle of the Church in forming the Hero’s party.

And judging that potential and making the final decision on members was the unique authority and responsibility of Saintess Sera, who could directly hear the Goddess’s voice.

Logan and Irene’s talent and growth rate perfectly matched the criteria of potential Sera was looking for, so it was a natural outcome for them to become members of the Hero’s party.

Later that evening, after finishing her duties and returning to the Church, Sera secretly met with the Grand Archbishop of the Order, Bertrand, in her office.

She put down her teacup irritably and began to speak.

“Grand Archbishop, let’s proceed with ‘that matter’ you mentioned before.”

Bertrand replied with a sinister smile, as if he had been waiting.

“Hahaha! A wise decision, Saintess. Why go through the trouble of finding and forcing someone without a proper background? If we simply proceed with the plan we’ve painstakingly prepared for so long, there will be no problems, and you will be at ease.”

“…Yes, well. He’s handsome enough, so he shouldn’t be bad for gaining public favor either.”

“Yes, yes! Indeed! We haven’t forgotten to meticulously groom him to match the Saintess’s high standards, so you will surely be satisfied!”

“Yes, yes. Then please proceed with it well.”

Sera replied perfunctorily and dismissed Bertrand.

Left alone, she gazed out the window and muttered softly.

“Indeed… Will that woman you cherish so much be the same as you? Well… I somehow don’t think so.”

She recalled the devoted gaze and gentle attitude the boy had shown the girl.

“Still… it’s a bit of a shame.”

Honestly, she was a little envious.

What would it be like if there was someone who looked at her with such eyes?

The thought of changing her plans for a moment and trying to win his heart crossed her mind, but she soon shook her head.

‘No. The cost-benefit analysis doesn’t add up.’

There was no need to lower herself and go to such trouble.

There were plenty of easier and more certain methods in the world, just like now.

Sera elegantly lifted the teacup on the table and smiled coldly.

“Please… I pray that your noble devotion and love are properly rewarded. And… may that woman you cherish so much not be foolish.”

---

The Hero’s party was ultimately composed of four core members.

And the subjugation force to support and assist them was also formed.

The Empire’s elite knightly order, the Church’s holy knights, the Magic Tower’s mages, and outstanding adventurers and mercenaries gathered from all over.

With Elves, Dwarves, and various other demi-human races also lending their strength, it was as if all the military power of the continent had converged.

A sense of anticipation spread throughout the continent that even the powerful Demon Lord Belzegor could be completely annihilated this time.

Today was the day of the departure ceremony announcing their formation.

The vast training ground of Arcadia, the capital, was thronged with soldiers of the subjugation force and citizens gathered to cheer them on.

Before the countless crowd filling the training ground, Saintess Sera once again ascended the platform.

“To all the heroes gathered here from afar and from your respective places, willingly risking your lives for the peace of humanity, I offer my deepest gratitude and blessings in the name of the Goddess!”

As Sera raised both arms high and shouted, thunderous cheers and applause filled the training ground.

She briefly looked around at the crowd and then raised her voice again.

“Now, I will introduce for the first time the Hero’s party that will stand at your forefront and lead the sacred journey against Demon Lord Belzegor!”

At the moment the crowd’s anticipation reached its peak, Sera first introduced herself and then called out the next member.

“Called the greatest genius in the history of the Magic Tower Academy, a mage who has already approached the realm of an archmage at a young age! It is Lady Irene!”

With Sera’s introduction, Irene ascended the platform.

The soldiers of the subjugation force and the citizens sent fervent cheers for her beautiful appearance and her reputation as the Magic Tower’s greatest genius.

Irene’s expression was slightly flushed from the gazes and cheers, but she soon smiled confidently and waved elegantly at the crowd.

“Next is an outstanding adventurer who rose to the rank of Gold-grade adventurer at the young age of seventeen, known by the alias Heukyeong! It is Logan!”

At Sera’s introduction, Logan ascended the platform with a somewhat burdened expression.

And unlike the enthusiastic cheers for Irene, the reaction towards Logan was somewhat subtle.

“That boy is that Heukyeong?”

“…He’s amazing, but still, a mere adventurer in the Hero’s party… Is this alright?”

“Shh! Are you doubting the decision of the Saintess and the Church? There must be a reason.”

Murmurs could be heard, but Logan tried to act composed.

Subjugating the Demon Lord or the honor of being a hero didn’t matter to him.

He was only here because Irene had become a member of the Hero’s party, to protect her from the closest possible distance.

He didn’t care what other people thought of him.

‘Yes, as long as I can safely protect Irene by her side… that’s all that matters.’

With that thought, Logan stood beside Irene and—

He couldn’t help but hold his breath for a moment.

Because Irene, standing right next to him, was making an expression he had never seen before.

A dazed expression, slightly parted lips, and eyes sparkling as if completely captivated by something.

Logan unknowingly turned his head in the direction Irene’s gaze was fixed.

There—

A man in dazzling golden armor was slowly walking towards the platform.

Golden hair shining like the sun and green eyes as fresh as a deep forest.

A handsome face like a sculpture and a tall stature.

With every step he took, it even felt as if the surrounding air was becoming sacred.

Sera introduced him in a slightly flushed voice.

“And finally, the Hero of this era chosen by the Goddess and the youngest Holy Knight Commander! It is Lian!”

With a thunderous roar, Hero Lian stood in the center of the platform.

However, neither Sera’s introduction nor the crowd’s cheers reached Logan’s ears.

All his attention was focused solely on Irene beside him.

Whether she knew Logan’s feelings or not, Irene, lost in a daze, couldn’t take her eyes off Lian and whispered to Logan in a trembling voice.

“Ah… Ah… Logan, what should I do…?”

It was clearly—

The face of a girl in love, something he had never seen from her before.

With an expression she had never shown him—

Irene was looking at another man.