episode_0054

So, after enjoying a feast in the palace, the saint and the adventurer left the castle and returned to their own hideout, where they lived happily ever after.

…How nice it would have been if it had ended that way. Glenn had a deep desire to lament, but considering the position and the situation, that was impossible. So he carefully let out a sigh of resignation and watched the situation before his eyes.

In a luxurious room, I was watching the cautious conversation of the most noble girls.

“It wasn’t that the prince was difficult from the beginning. Even though he was a bit burdensome to approach, he had a bright and unwavering personality, so I could rely on him a little. However, he asked me about my relationship with the warrior, and after I denied it, his attitude toward me changed little by little. He asked if I needed a knight or bodyguard, and if I could help develop the central region. After that, he often visited my mansion, sent me gifts, and made various demands. It was partly my fault. I should have clearly told him that I had no feelings for him… I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do that with my poor speaking skills.

“There was someone who stood before me and protected me while I was so worried. Yes, that’s right. My own personal escort, whom I can confidently talk about. It was the courageous Glen. He made all my tension and worries disappear…and…when he warmly held my hand, I felt courage rising from the depths of my heart. And, I wasn’t…a bit afraid. Strangely enough, I started to feel happy. ”

“Huh. So that’s why you had that embarrassing display of affection at the banquet hall a little while ago… Wow…”

“I didn’t do anything embarrassing. I was just holding hands under the table…”

“Don’t you know that in the world, holding hands under the table and not letting go is called passionate love? Our Millie…”

“Wow, wow…”

“Oh my, the saint…I can’t believe the saint is like that…”

I didn’t want to see this.

Frustration set in. The saintess was caught up in by her friends and ended up confessing her true feelings. Glenn, being in a position where he was in, could only watch from a distance while carrying out his duty as an escort.

And then the saint, who had confessed, realized it and began to feel regret. Her senses returned to reality, and she felt shame.

In a luxurious and fairly spacious room, at a small table, three beautiful girls were having tea and snacks while chatting.

Second Princess Luna d’Alcrea, Young Lady of Count Silvia of Orsanthe, and Young Lady of Baron Puer de Martial.

All three of them had a deep connection. Together, they were a group of warriors who defeated the Demon King.

In fact, the beginning was a series of apologies.

‘Lady Milicia. I am so happy to be able to see you after such a long time. And… I am truly sorry, Saintess. When you were suffering and struggling, we were so busy with our work that we could not visit you. I am truly sorry.’

‘Militia… I’m really sorry too! I was busy taking care of myself… You must have had a harder time than anyone else…’

‘I hope you are well, everyone. I will not accept that apology. I think the conflict between me and the Bronkhorst family was something I had to resolve, something I did not deserve to burden you with. I am so happy to finally see you again. Please, please change that attitude.’

‘Saint…’

‘Mr. Milishia…’

‘Well, I knew you’d say that…’

In this way, the two noble girls bowed their heads and apologized generously, creating a friendly atmosphere.

After that, somehow, they shared stories about their recent activities, and naturally, the topic shifted to the investiture ceremony that was held today. Since all the noble girls were attending the investiture ceremony, it was only natural. And then, the saint calmly and unconsciously confessed her feelings without a single lie. She was captivated by the princess’s excited expression and the two girls’ eyes filled with shame and envy.

And Glenn, while listening to the conversation of the four people under the pretext of escorting them, pretended not to hear them and sipped his tea. However, it was impossible to hide his reddened ears.

The only good thing is that it’s quite a distance away from the table where we’re enjoying our refreshments.

In the first place, he was not a person fit for a princess’s room. The only reason he existed here was because of the saint’s presence.

Didn’t the saint say, “Don’t leave my side.” As a knight guard, Glenn took those words literally and carried them out.

So, honestly, even in a situation that was more embarrassing and shameful than ever, he did not run away or leave the place. Because he gave more importance to the saint’s words than the shame he felt. Along with his career as an adventurer, it was an action that fully reflected his selfishness.

“Really. When I see my friend who I haven’t seen in a long time lose her confidence and look so embarrassed, I really want to pinch my cheek. In fact, I wonder if everything is just a strange dream that is the embodiment of my delusions. Sylvia, can you pinch my cheek?”

“Would you please start with me?”

“Hey. I don’t like that. How can you do that to Sylvia’s skin?”

“Is it okay to do this to the princess?”

“I have different resilience. It doesn’t leave scars!”

Glenn, who was far away, was astonished at the sight of the princess confidently expressing her own strengths. She really is a princess who is truly self-willed. Even though she is babbling so much that it is almost like nonsense, her speech still has a sense of majesty. It seemed that the remnants of her education in imperial studies were still alive.

It was just Glenn’s guess, but Sylvia, Puer, and Milicia, who were all chatting together, seemed to be used to the princess’s behavior, so it seemed like this wasn’t something that would happen for a day or two. They were once a group of warriors, after all.

‘At times like this, I envy the warriors. They can form this kind of rapport. Tsk, I should have become famous back then, but what did I do…’

“But when did the two of you become like that? Right after ‘that manifestation’, I guess? That certainly seems like the perfect time for a romantic situation to occur. A meteor falls from the sky, you, the saint, win the duel, and…”

“Excuse me, wait a minute. Your Majesty? How did you get that fact in such detail…”

“Hehe, Millie? How would you know that? I have my precious parents who told me every single detail of the strange things that happened in the capital. You found out about it all in advance, through a letter? Of course you know the real purpose of this trip. Hehe.”

Glenn almost laughed involuntarily at the sight of him suddenly puffing up his nose and boasting about the depth of his knowledge. However, his experience as an adventurer for over ten years, especially his experience protecting nobles and supporting their work, came back to him and played a part in his self-control.

So, with only my hands shaking slightly, I was able to enjoy the princess’s individual skills that weren’t her own.

And then, I could see someone who had been rolling his eyes to the floor in guilt, starting to speak cautiously. Pouer de Martial, the one who had been the quietest today, aside from Glenn.

“Oh, Saintess. If you need our help on this trip…”

“No.”

“Ah, sir, saintess?”

Without even listening to the courageous suggestion of Puer, the saint shook her head. At that firm attitude, the princess, who had been confident until just a moment ago, held her breath, and Sylvia covered her mouth with her hand and made a surprised expression. Glenn had a vague sense of it, but did not say it out loud.

“This responsibility belongs to me and the Airgrants Church. Puer, I understand your feelings as my precious friend. However, didn’t you once complete your mission as a member of the ‘Warriors’ Party’? Not as a member of the ‘Saints’ Party’? I don’t think it’s right to place this responsibility on you. Above all, Puer…don’t you have a duty as a member of your family? A duty as the daughter of the Baron Martial? ”

“…”

At that gentle persuasion, Puer de Marcial bowed his head. Sylvia next to him listened silently, but her expression vaguely showed that she was also included in the target of the opinion. Sylvia de Orsanthe, as the daughter of the count’s family, she felt deeply what the family demanded of her. As a member of the group of warriors and a famous person who defeated the demon king, she shouldered the grave responsibility of leading the family’s revival more than anyone else.

Even if it is something you don’t want to happen.

“Ugh…I don’t like it…”

Tears flowed down. The tears coming from the delicate and small girl were enough to embarrass all three people in the room. Puer, who had lowered her head, lifted her tear-filled face.

With an expression on her face that seemed to be on the verge of collapse, she began to pour out her true feelings.

“I don’t like it…sob, sob…I want to go, sob, with the saint…sob…this kind of responsibility…I don’t want to take it on, sob…but…again, like back then, sob, with everyone…sob, I want to go on a trip…with the warrior, sob…without any hesitation, sob…I want to be by his side again…but this, noble, sob…responsibility…I can’t take it on, you know…it’s too, y, heavy…I really don’t want to…sob…”

“Puerto…”

At those words, the atmosphere slowly softened. Moisture settled into the room. Glenn tried hard to keep his expression straight, but it was difficult to hide his bitterness.

The duties of a nobleman. It was the many hardships that were forcibly imposed on those born into noble families. It was a head-splitting, painful march of suffering that required maintaining dignity in order to raise the honor of one’s family, not hesitating to strictly evaluate one’s own character, and maintaining relationships with other nobles while successfully overcoming their restraints.

It was a hardship that adventurers like Glenn and people with no connection to noble families like the saint could neither understand nor get used to.

‘I heard that Puer de Marcial is the shortest and most delicate of the warriors. I heard that he has talent for magic, but is timid and introverted. It’s true.’

As a little bit of empathy was formed, Glenn felt a little relieved.

“Saint, please understand Puer. Not long ago, I got connected with a nearby noble family and there was talk of an engagement, so I’m very emotional.”

Silvia explained to Puer like a mother, wiping Puer’s tearful face with a handkerchief. The saint nodded with a heavy expression and approached Puer cautiously.

And then, he embraced her. With a loving heart, like that of the Virgin Mary.

“Puerto, Puerto de Marcial…”

“Ugh…Saintess…”

Puer burrowed into Milicia’s embrace, like a baby bird burrowing into its mother’s bosom. A sobbing sound was heard, as if she was shedding tears. The princess and the young lady, her friends, watched the two embrace with complicated expressions.

“Puer, I know your feelings… well. Do you remember back when you were a member of the warrior group? You came to my tent cautiously and told me about your worries. You told me about the hardships your family had to face, and at the same time, you wanted to overcome them. Your courageous will.”

“Ugh, yes…that’s right…”

When I listened to the saint’s words, it seemed that she had confided her worries to me in the past as well.

“Puer… I know you well. You may seem shy and hesitant, but you are more considerate and thoughtful than anyone else, and you work hard and act to help everyone. As a group of warriors, without you, we would not have been able to overcome countless crises. That is why I declare to you here and give you my blessing. Your future as a noble daughter, you will definitely have a bright future. So, leave this to me. I will definitely come back with news of victory for you, for the sake of the family, for yourself. And, just like now, I will give you a new blessing. My greatest blessing, wishing for the revival of the family and your happiness. ”

“Saint…sob…”

At those words, the sobbing sound subsided a little, as if it was true. Sylvia opened her mouth, as if relieved, in a voice that was less burdensome than before. With a slight smile. Carefully stroking Puer’s head.

“Come on, don’t cry. Puer. Is it okay to cry when the saint is encouraging you like this?”

“That’s right, that’s right. Haha. I also want to be pampered like this by the saintess. I’m so jealous. Our Puer?”

“Wow, Princess…”

“Hehehe. Just kidding, just kidding.”

The princess also comforted Puer with her characteristically cool tone of voice.

Me, really. When the saintess suggested, “Should I give you a blessing before you leave?”, I said, “I don’t want to disrupt the Militia plan, so hold off!” and then…

Glenn tried his best to keep his expression as straight as possible while muttering in his mind. However, it seemed like the princess had caught on to it.

“Ah, there you are, escort knight! You just looked over here with that ‘you’re nitpicking’ look on your face! You punk, I saw it all, so don’t act like you’re being rude? ”

What are you so sensitive about? It’s not like you’re ‘nitpicking’. Glenn stuck his tongue out at the princess’s comment, but calmly replied.

“Well, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Your Highness.”

“You’re talking nonsense. Oh, Militia. There’s another reason I called you. Can I borrow your knight’s hands and ears for a moment? ”

“Oh, yes? Hands and…ears?”

“Yeah. Hands to grab things, ears to listen to voices. ”

The saint nodded slowly, looking puzzled at the princess’s truly mysterious request. She had given permission because she was afraid that she would commit some cruel act.

Glenn was shocked by the princess’s absurd remarks, but he also thought that she was a truly mysterious person. No matter how firm the Militia was about the ‘escort knights’, it was strange that she had to ask for permission in such detail.

But, what could it be? While Glenn was pondering the question in his mind, the princess stood up and approached Glenn in an instant. For a moment, Glenn flinched at the princess’s sudden approach.

“What, what’s going on?”

“Over there, on top of the bookshelf in my room, do you see that?”

The princess took Glenn’s right arm with her left arm without hesitation and pointed to the bookshelf in the room with her remaining right arm. It was a bookshelf that was filled with quite a few books.

For a moment, Glenn felt a chill. Huh? What is this? This isn’t a chill, it’s more like a feeling of death.

I glanced around, but I didn’t see any signs of an assassin. Oh, wait. Why is this chill coming from the saintess…

“Can you see it, can’t you see it?”

“Oh, yes. I see it.”

“Answer quickly. Pick up the book on the far right of the top shelf.”

What the heck? Are you saying I should be used as a servant?

Glen nodded, stood up, and walked over to the bookshelf. Sure enough, the bookshelf was a bit too big. If it was a saint, it might be possible, but for the other three people who were smaller than him, it seemed like they would have to prepare a small ladder chair to reach the top book.

However, it was unnecessary for Glenn. He jumped up, picked up the book the princess had asked for, and landed on the floor like water flowing. Only then could Glenn see the title of the book.

‘The Jewel of the Sleeping Cave?’

It was a fairly famous fairy tale. Why did he ask me to bring this? Glenn was puzzled, but he didn’t show it and returned to the princess.

“Here it is.”

“Take it.”

“Oh, yes?”

“Take it. It’s a simple request. Can’t you do it?”

“That’s not true, but…”

“Then, take it. Keep it in your arms.”

Glenn’s tension from before faded as he faced the princess who still had a confident attitude and forced him to take a strange gift. I vaguely know the content of this fairy tale, but why is she suddenly asking me to take it?

First, as ordered, Glenn put the book in his bosom. The book was quite small enough to fit into this uniform. It was natural, since the book didn’t have much content to begin with. Then, the princess suddenly approached Glenn again.

Before Glenn could even startle, he heard her whispering voice.

“If you read that book and still have no hesitation in your heart…”

Glenn listened to the princess’s whispers in a stiff posture, and soon regained his composure as he gradually accepted the content. When the princess’s whispers ended, Glenn nodded without realizing it.

“I will definitely do that.”

“You speak well. Anyway, please do that.”

The princess added her feelings, muttering very quietly, ‘Is this guy really ready?’ even after she had said that.

Glenn heard that, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he just nodded and made his point firmly. He put strength into his left hand, which held the book in his bosom.

“Must.”