Ch. 224

“I guess not killing him isn’t an option.”

“Nope. Why would it be? Do you think I spent sleepless nights training just to let people who act up walk away? There’s a saying that if a Mage summons a Spirit, they have to kill something…”

“That saying doesn’t exist. I’m not a Mage, but I’m sure of it.”

After they found out I was the Saintess, Enk and Gale noticeably toned down their bickering with me—but Chad stayed exactly the same. I’m glad he’s someone who doesn’t change.

“Right. But if I say it, it’ll become a famous quote, won’t it?”

“……I can’t argue with that! How frustrating!”

“Hehe, later you can brag to your grandchildren that you knew me.”

“Oh…… Can I include the part where you stole my bread?”

“Of course! If you manage to get married before that! Mwahaha!”

“Wow, you’re laughing like a real villain. You think it’s impossible, don’t you? Right!”

Who knows? Akia might discover his better qualities and grow fond of him.

Since I recently developed a hobby of peeking into people’s hearts, I knew better than anyone that Chad was feeling something warm and fluttery toward Akia—and Akia had noticed but pretended not to mind because she didn’t dislike it.

Chad was simple and had plenty of flaws, but he was also steady and brave.

As expected of the guy Ash chose as his first Guardian—he had his own dependable charm.

“Geenie? When do we have to leave? I need time to prepare.”

“Now. Thirty minutes left until the appointment.”

“……I’ll go change.”

“I’ll give you five minutes.”

I was the one who overslept, yet I was making Ash rush.

I sat in Ash’s seat and stole a bit more of Chad’s breakfast. I was hungry since I hadn’t eaten, but I couldn’t steal too much, since I needed room for lunch. Misery.

“Um…… Geenie? I’m here too.”

“Oh, Bright. How long have you been there?”

“I’ve been here for a while…… since you came down the stairs.”

I knew. It’s impossible not to notice those sparkly puppy-like purple eyes.

But right now, he was being punished with the silent treatment.

“Don’t acknowledge me until you get the tickets, okay? Chad? Ever seen a ghost? This is a ghost.”

“I got them!”

“What? Already?”

“Look! Now you’ll treat me like a person, right?”

He had insisted on sitting with us confidently—so he must have relied on something. I brushed crumbs off my hands and counted the tickets.

“One, two, three…… six tickets. Good.”

“Then……!”

“I’ll spare your life as promised.”

I’m too soft.

Forgiving a capital offense with just this. Affection is dangerous.

[Master. You look exactly like a loan shark collecting debts.]

[I have no idea what you’re talking about?]

[So Master’s true disposition is…… evil……?]

There was nothing to be confused about. I’m the Saintess of this era!

I decided to show Rai my elegant and noble character, since he seemed unaware of my high status—because we acted too much like a family.

“And I’ll even give you a compliment. Bright? It must have been hard to get the tickets. Good job.”

Behold, my mercy.

“……Are you sick? Geenie? Are you okay?”

“Do you want to die?”

“Phew, you scared me for a second. I thought you were still mad.”

Damn it. If I’m nice, they get scared. What kind of image do I have?

[A natural disaster—between a crazy Sword Master and a Dragon?]

“Shut up.”

“Okay! Thanks for treating me like usual, Geenie!”

He should have stayed quiet. But no—now that I’d cooled off, Bright looked happy and started chattering again.

“Luckily, it wasn’t hard to get the tickets. I used your parents’ name, and they gave them to me right away?”

“What did you just say?”

“But don’t worry! I didn’t sell your name.”

“……Hoo.”

I felt conflicted again. Do I really have to let him live? Now that I rethink it, there seem to be more reasons to kill him……

“Geenie!”

Ash’s voice brushed sharply against my ear. He had finished getting ready and came downstairs.

“Yeah?”

“What did I tell you……? About looking at people.”

“Don’t look at people like they’re prey.”

“Yes. Shall we go now?”

Ash was adorable when he was jealous. I postponed glaring at Bright and got up—taking another piece of bread.

—

“I looked it up—they said there’s a sightseeing carriage that circles the castle from the east gate. Let’s ride that. This way.”

As expected, bringing Ash had been the right choice.

For the first time, spending time with my parents wasn’t awkward.

Ash seemed experienced in dealing with adults and knew exactly what kinds of topics they liked.

Even if I didn’t speak and simply stood still behind them, he kept the conversation flowing smoothly.

“The reason that statue shines in five colors is said to be due to the blessing of five angels. They say if you toss a coin onto the palm, your wish comes true.”

“Oh my, how wonderful…….”

“I’ve never seen stone with such mysterious hues. What kind is it?”

“According to analysis, it’s ordinary marble. But if separated from the statue, it loses its glow. Isn’t it fascinating?”

[A stone is a stone…….]

I was bored, but my parents enjoyed it, so that was enough.

But really—since when was Ash such a good talker?

It felt like he was doing the filial duty I should’ve been doing. A prince who knows gratitude. I’m glad I saved him.

If they knew this was actually a prince’s guided tour, they’d never relax enough to enjoy it. Who would ever imagine Ash was a prince?

When they were thirsty, he bought drinks immediately. When they were hungry, he led us to a restaurant on his own. My parents seemed impressed by his attentiveness.

“He’s lowborn, but he’s very diligent.”

“Right? I quite like him.”

“But will it be alright? Prince Kenian seems to like you too.”

After seating us at the restaurant, Ash stepped out for a moment, saying he had something to buy. It seemed my parents had already realized why Ash was being so devoted.

“Our daughter is popular.”

“I know. There’s Ash, and Prince Rashamu Fedri. That makes three, doesn’t it? It seems Geenie takes after me.”

Looking again, maybe I inherited not only her beauty but also her self-love.

“Are you dating Ash?”

“Not really……? It’s not that easy.”

“What’s the problem? If you ever need advice, tell us. Maybe we can help?”

“Ask us anything. Sometimes an adult’s perspective helps.”

“Um, okay. If you two could choose… what kind of son-in-law would you want? Actually, I don’t really know. Maybe that’s why marriage seems so difficult……”

I didn’t even finish before—

“Geenie, if you’re happy, we don’t care! Status, wealth—we already have everything! As long as he’s solid and trustworthy!”

“Yes, yes! You just bring yourself!”

“Isn’t the most important thing that he loves you?”

“A person should be dependable! The rest doesn’t matter as long as you’re happy!”

They suddenly got fired up. The atmosphere burst into warmth, and I spit out the tea I was drinking. They said I didn’t need to get married—but clearly they wanted me to.

“I heard that a man who turns the other cheek when you slap him is a good man. So that’s my goal.”

“……Who told you that?”

“Annelia, an older sister I know.”

She came from a powerful matriarchal tribe. She personally teaches that men are prey.

“Anyway… I have one concern, but it’s not about what kind of man would be good. It’s about… that, uh, that.”

“What is it?”

“Do I have to choose just one?”

“…….”

“…….”

“Why aren’t you answering? You said I could ask anything.”

Silence. A long, long silence—up until Ash returned.

He carried both hands full of local specialties my parents had admired earlier. Thoughtful as always.

He smiled gently, sensing the awkward air.

“Did something happen?”

My parents looked at him, then at me—with deep love and deep pity.

“Hang in there…….”

“Hang in there!”

“……Thank you.”

Why did it feel like I, the actual family member, was the outsider here?

Even Ash accepted their encouragement like it was natural.

—

“Geenie, sweetheart. We have some unfortunate news.”

It was my mother who began speaking as our meal neared its end. In most families the husband led conversations, but in ours, my mother clearly took charge.

My father nodded along, agreeing with everything she said.

“It seems we have to return home today. We’re sorry.”

“We wanted to stay longer too.”

“Today? Didn’t you say tomorrow?”

“We did. But… we originally booked the Warp for this evening. We planned to postpone it because we met you. But they said it’s impossible. If we don’t leave today, we won’t be able to leave for three more days.”

It made sense. A historic duel that would shake the continent was happening the day after tomorrow. High-ranking nobles were flocking here.

Warping was draining work for Mages, and manpower was limited. Warp slots per day were fixed. Usually, they didn’t fill up, but events like this caused overwhelming demand.

Even the Crowell family’s influence wasn’t enough to secure another slot.

“The territory isn’t peaceful these days. There are many matters that need attention… and we also need to handle what you asked us to. So we must go today.”

“Oh my… what a pity?”

“Geenie, your mouth is smiling.”

Ash whispered in my ear.

I quickly adjusted my expression and stood up.

“It’s a shame you’re leaving, but I should at least see you off. Shall we go?”

But Ash tugged my hand and made me sit back down.

“It’s in the evening.”

Right—too early.

I sat still.

—

Four of us had entered the Mage Tower, but only two came out: me and Ash.

My steps felt heavy as I walked out after seeing them off.

“……Geenie, energy…….”

“Pffhaha! I almost suffocated!”

“Yes, I figured.”

“Now! Let’s go enjoy bloodshed! Ash! Where do we place bets? Money! They said betting opens today!”

The air of Helikke felt fresh now that my parents had gone. I strode down the street like some sealed evil spirit—released at last.

“Where is it! Where!”

“I don’t know. Chad would.”

According to the latest information, the current odds were 8 to 2.

Naturally, Count Trenpe held the 8.

He was the national hero of Heidrike. Overwhelmingly popular.

And he had already defeated Rovenin once. Rumors said Rovenin was injured recently by some unknown person.

Just imagining Rovenin suffering a humiliating defeat filled me with burning excitement.