Ch. 145

“So what’s your relationship with the people downstairs? You seem to be keeping your identity secret from them.”

“That’s right. I’m keeping it secret for now.”

“As expected of you, milady! You’re aware of the impact your presence would cause. So prudent—”

“Because it’s annoying.”

Just hearing people call me ‘Saintess’ gives me chills.

I picked up the stack of letters and tore open the one on top. It was from Iruze, scented with her favorite perfume. The first line I skimmed read:

“Bright-senior went to hunt a dragon to find you! We have to stop him before he ends up dragon poop!”

Well, that’s too bad. Pretending I hadn’t seen it, I slipped it back into the envelope just as Hansen gave me a pointed look.

“Read your friends’ letters later. The headmaster’s letter is more important. He insisted I make sure you don’t toss it aside out of laziness and that you finish it to the end.”

“…Do I look like the type who would do that?”

“Yes!”

“Correct answer!”

The headmaster really does know me too well.

I pulled out his letter, the thickest of the lot—four or five pages. His elegant handwriting packed tight across the paper showed just how much he had to say.

—

“Geenie Crowell, my pupil, loyal subject of the kingdom, hero of the continent.

Even now, I cannot believe you live. If it is true, it is the noblest miracle I know.

To think of you escaping a dragon’s grasp and struggling home—my heart grows heavy with both pity and concern.

Of course, your return is joyous. But I fear you don’t yet realize, in your indifference, how much has changed since then.

Your life will never be the same. Across the continent, your name is known. Your sacrifice, spoken of by the nobles who survived that day, has spread like wildfire. They praise you as a miracle made flesh, a legend, a being kissed by the goddess herself.

Though believed dead, your influence still shook the continent. And now, if word spreads that you live, the consequences will be even greater.

They will flock to you. At your whisper for aid, thousands of knights will draw their swords unto death. Nobles will bow, kings will no longer see you as a mere count’s daughter.

Your power is immeasurable—and that frightens me.

Much has changed. I would send a knightly order to guard you, but I know you’d find it cumbersome and drive them away. So I will refrain.

As one who treasures you, I beg you: hide your identity during your travels. If they learn Geenie Crowell lives, many will seek to use you. You may not be easily swayed, but I cannot help but worry.

Remember this: you influence the world more than you realize.

I’ll explain more when the mage arrives to open communication.

On the last pages, I’ve listed factions you must avoid. Read, memorize, and then destroy this letter.

Sincerely, one who believes in you,
Marquis Lyle Dert.”

—

Believes in me, huh? Then why is the list of “avoid at all costs” factions so damn long!

All familiar names, too—the most powerful noble families of every nation, with mercenary kings and high priests at the end.

In short: don’t cozy up to them. Pure political caution.

The headmaster, as a Dmitri marquis and staunch royalist, naturally painted every opposing faction as dangerous.

He knew me well, but not completely.

I had zero interest in politics. Too lazy for it.

‘Or maybe he knows that and just wants to make sure I don’t blunder into something big by spacing out…?’

Well, I didn’t want to end up as a shark caught in a whale fight, so I memorized the blacklist.

Then I shredded it and tossed the pieces into a metal basin, lighting them on fire.

As instructed, I watched in silence until the ashes crumbled.

It took time, but Hansen stood behind me in knightly silence, asking nothing. A knight’s duty mattered more than curiosity.

Still watching the last cinders fade, I asked:

“Sir Hansen.”

“Yes, milady.”

“How are things back there? It must be very different now.”

By “there,” I meant Dmitri itself, and Drike Academy. Everywhere I once belonged.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to live as you did before.”

“Mm, and this is why I hate fame.”

“They say glory follows the great. You don’t seek it, it seeks you.”

“I don’t get it. Did I really do anything that amazing…?”

I’d only fought to live. Yet now I was some symbol of sacrifice, a hero of the continent. To me, it was just loud, exhausting noise.

“My son, and my friend’s daughter, both admire you most. I doubt you’ll find a Dmitrian who doesn’t. You achieved something monumental! Be proud—no one can deny it.”

“Really?”

“I swear, if anyone insults you in my presence, I’ll cut out their tongue with this sword.”

Listening quietly, I suddenly turned to him with a bright smile.

“In any case, thank you so much for coming all this way for me, Sir Hansen.”

I leaned close, putting on my sweetest act.

“It’s my duty. Of course.”

“Still, you have no idea how reassuring it is. You know I trust you, don’t you?”

At that, Hansen froze like a deer in a snare. His brow twitched as he backpedaled, eyes wide with fear.

“Wh-why are you… like this…”

“Oh, what? I haven’t done anything.”

“It’s scary when you act so nice.”

“I just have a favor to ask.”

“No! Absolutely not.”

“Listen first! You don’t even know what it is yet!”

I tried to stay sweet but snapped despite myself. My nature always slipped through.

“Ahem. I’d like you to take someone back with you.”

“…Me?”

“Yes! Annie. A sweet little girl.”

Not just her—I had a royal sword to deliver, a letter for Master Yael, and more. At least five errands came to mind. The thought already put me in a good mood.

“You want me to escort her?”

“How many times must I repeat it? It’s not hard to take one girl along the way.”

“It is very hard! I’m returning via the royal warp chamber! If I smuggle someone, I’ll be executed!”

“Oh. Then can’t you just take her anyway?”

“…Are you trying to kill me? Do you know how strict the royal warp chamber is? Without clearance, you can’t even enter, let alone transport someone! You need identity papers, official approval, a valid reason—everything!”

Okay, okay.

I patted his shoulder casually. Security was strict, sure.

“Don’t worry. I’ll smooth it over.”

Hansen went pale, shaking his head frantically.

“No! I can’t! Without orders from above, it’s impossible!”

“Got it.”

His anxiety was his problem. I was confident.

Who was I, if not Geenie Crowell? No way some random jungle girl couldn’t get into the royal palace or academy if I willed it.

“Anyway, what’s with this girl? Weren’t you stuck with a dragon?”

“Oh, I picked her up on the way.”

Seriously.

Hansen’s face screamed disbelief.

Respect, he said. Respect! And he dares look at the continent’s hero like that? Sacrilegious!

—

That evening, Hansen rented a room at the same inn. I wasted no time introducing him to Annie.

“Annie, meet Sir Hansen. He’ll take you to Dmitri. He’s a royal knight, you know.”

“Milady, really, why say it like that?”

“You cried and clung to me, remember?”

“…That…”

He couldn’t deny it in front of all those witnesses. My narrow-eyed stare sealed his silence. Annie bowed politely.

“Hello? My name is Annie, my mother’s name is Anellia. We’re of the Silver Wolf tribe.”

“Yes, hello, Annie. It must’ve been hard traveling with milady.”

“No it wasn’t! Don’t misunderstand.”

Why does everyone assume that! And Annie, why are you nodding along!

“The Silver Wolves are famous for dual-blade combat, aren’t they? Are you sure this child has talent for spirit magic?”

“She does. The headmaster will be pleased. Talented students are rare.”

“You’re not just making excuses, are you? This won’t be another mess I get stuck cleaning up?”

“Excuse me? Do you know who I am?”

How dare you, sir!

“I know too well! Do you remember dumping those four boar piglets on Philo and me, saying ‘just for a week’? It’s been six years!”

“Oh, those…”

Back then, I’d killed a charging boar during training. Turned out she had four piglets.

What was I supposed to do? I handed them to Hansen and Philo when I stopped by the academy.

“You realize I had to move to a house with a yard for them? And boars live ten years?”

“They live that long? Well, why not eat them by now?”

“Milady!”

“What! They’re pigs! Their mother tried to kill me! I spared them, that’s enough repayment!”

“How could you say that! You even named them Papepopu yourself!”

“Then auction them as relics donated by the Saintess!”

“I’m too attached for that!”

Every time we met, Hansen and I argued about those pigs. He always ended up keeping them—if they came back to me, they’d end up dinner.

“So, Big sis… I go with him now? To the academy?”

As we bickered, Annie tugged on my sleeve, her eyes bright with hope.