Taming the Evil Saintess

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One year and another half had passed.

The seasons turned, and it became autumn. The temperature was cool, and leaves began to fall one by one. In the meantime, the power dynamics across the continent were buzzing with activity.

First off, the Empire declared the formation of a continental alliance. However, the chief of the Great Forest, the Tsar of the Ice Palace, and the Pope of the Cathedral each voiced their opposition. Unsurprisingly, these dissensions were politically motivated.

The coveted position of leader of the alliance was essentially a race to determine who would be the foremost hero in the fight against the Demon King’s Army. Naturally, everyone was desperate.

After numerous debates and conferences, a dramatic compromise was sealed just a few weeks ago.

The nation that finds the Hero would become the leader of the alliance.

For a small territory like the Cathedral, this was an understandably unfair situation, but with the other countries’ acquiescence, there was little choice.

Snap!

Clap!

Of course, it wasn’t just the political landscape that had changed over the past year.

Ophelia had remarkably improved her skills.

“Haha, how’s that? Are you feeling a little chill now?”

Ophelia had reached a level where she could barely manage to parry my sword.

In just a year and a half, she had gained enough skill to face off against a decent apprentice knight.

“Impressive, really. Achieving this level in less than two years, I can only call you a genius.”

“Of course. If I get serious, a mere peasant like you is toast.”

“Well, not yet, anyway.”

“It’ll happen soon, you little punk.”

Ophelia grinned, swinging her wooden sword around.

Despite my efforts to refine her over the last year and a half, her rough tongue remained unchanged.

Still, her tendency to vent her frustrations on the attendants had lessened, so that was something to be grateful for. Recently, seeing Belwin with a bloom of smiles on his face suggested that he too was pleased with Ophelia’s transformation.

“Let’s call it a day. You have Holy Magic lessons to attend in the afternoon, right?”

“…Ugh, I don’t want to.”

Ophelia stuck out her tongue with an exasperated look.

Since a year ago, besides the swordsmanship lessons I gave her, she had also been learning Holy Magic from the priests at the Holy See. That part of her growth was even more dramatic than her swordsmanship. The Divine Mark engraved on her shoulder enhances her Holy Magic. An S-level aptitude; it means she could potentially have powers beyond that.

In fact, since she began learning Holy Magic, the instances of her heading to the infirmary for healing spells had completely stopped.

In contrast, the seriously injured of the Cathedral had begun to line up to receive recovery spells from Ophelia.

She herself had protested loudly, claiming she wasn’t some free holy water for them.

“Well, I’m not being harsh. They only shower me with compliments. No matter how well I do or mess up, all I get is praise.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“What’s good about it? Would you be happy if a bug praised you?”

“Let’s stop comparing people to bugs, okay?”

“Fine, you bug.”

“Sigh.”

I let out a small sigh.

Ophelia chuckled.

Well, at least it seemed like Ophelia was doing much better than before. Her complexion was relatively bright, and though her manner was still rough, she no longer lashed out at others like in the past.

Though, she still treated me the same way, which was a problem.

“Anyway…”

I cleared my throat and spoke up.

Since Ophelia appeared to be settling into her current life well, I found it necessary to address my own matters.

“I’ll be suspending the swordsmanship lessons for the time being.”

“What?”

Ophelia frowned.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“You look a bit disappointed.”

“…When have I ever?”

“Right now.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? I wish you’d vanish from my sight right now.”

At Ophelia’s words, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Is that so? Then it’s good news.”

“What is?”

“I’m planning to leave the Cathedral soon.”

“…”

Ophelia didn’t respond.

She stood there with her mouth agape in shock.

Finally, she collected herself and spoke.

“…Why?”

“I’m thinking of going to find the Hero.”

Now, there was roughly a year and a half left until the main story kicked in.

However, the Hero had yet to appear.

Considering the storyline of the game, by now, the Hero’s Divine Mark should have shown itself on some country boy. Yet, no news of such an event had reached us.

It might be that the Hero’s Divine Mark had yet to manifest. Or perhaps it already had without the Empire being aware of it.

Whatever the case, the sooner the Hero appeared, the better. Hence, I was determined to go look for him myself.

“What? Why is it your responsibility to go find him?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Not exactly a problem, but…”

Ophelia stumbled over her words.

“You said you wouldn’t want to see a piece of trash like me, right? So isn’t it a good thing for you?”

“…”

Ophelia lowered her head without a word. Her face was filled with dissatisfaction.

“Well, it won’t take too long.”

“How long will it take?”

“About half a year, perhaps.”

“What?! Hey! It can’t be half a year!”

“Why are you getting mad, Ophelia? I’m the one who’s going.”

“That’s true, but…”

Ophelia went stiff, throwing her wooden sword aside and abruptly turning her head away.

Seeing that, I realized what was going on inside her head.

“Could it be, Ophelia, that without me, there’s no one to chat with in the Cathedral, huh?”

“…No way.”

Though her words said otherwise, her expression seemed to hint at it.

“Who’s there?”

“There are plenty. Tons.”

“Specifically, who is there?”

“That old man Belwin and…”

“The Archbishop?”

“And then…”

“And then?”

“…”

Ophelia, having fallen silent, started squinting her eyes, and when she seemed to give up, she grit her teeth and stomped her foot heavily.

“Damn it! What does it matter?! Just get lost already!”

“Understood. I’m really leaving?”

“…”

“…”

Our gazes met.

For some reason, Ophelia had the same look in her eyes as a puppy at a shelter.

With her personality, she surely wouldn’t be the one to speak up first.

As for me, I wanted to prevent Ophelia from tagging along. It wouldn’t be a big deal if a Cathedral Knight traveled alone, but if a Saintess left the Cathedral, it would likely be perceived as a significant diplomatic move.

With the Pope’s approval and all, it would take at least a month to sort out.

Besides, if anything were to happen to Ophelia, I would bear all the responsibility.

Traveling with a time bomb like Ophelia would not be easy.

“…”

But I couldn’t bring myself to just abandon her with that abandoned kitten-like face.

Finally, after a deep sigh, I asked, “Just to check, would you like to come along?”

“Yes!”

Ophelia nodded vigorously, as if she’d been waiting for this moment.

Then, realizing what she just did, she shook her head rapidly and crossed her arms.

“I mean, I just want to keep an eye on that guy, the knight, to make sure he doesn’t cause any trouble. Yeah, that’s it.”

“Maybe you should first manage that twitching mouth of yours.”

“…”

*

Unluckily or luckily, just a week later, the Holy See’s approval came through much easier than expected.

It seemed my proposal of going to find the Hero had played a significant role in this.

The Cathedral was apparently quite irked by the condition laid down by the continental alliance that whoever finds the Hero bears claim to him. In fact, several priests and Cathedral Knights had already embarked on pilgrimages to search for the Hero’s Divine Mark.

Given that situation, having a Saintess join the search would be a boon. There were also rumors that Mark Holders could recognize each other.

Thanks to that, I was able to secure a decent amount of travel expenses.

‘For the love of all that is holy, please let Ophelia not cause any trouble.’

A few days later, Ophelia and I climbed aboard a wagon, accompanied by Belwin’s heartfelt advice as we left the Cathedral.

As we set out, the citizens of the Cathedral gathered in throngs to bless the Saintess’s pilgrimage.

Perhaps still riding the wave of that atmosphere, Ophelia had her nose high in the air.

“See? In the Cathedral, I’m the queen!”

Clink clink.

Waving a bag stuffed full of gold coins and jewels, Ophelia smirked. It seemed she found great satisfaction in escaping the dull routine of the Cathedral.

“Want to try calling me ‘big sister’? I could slip you a few coins. How much does a Cathedral Knight earn again? Do you honestly think you can make a living off that ants’ allowance? I’m willing to support you!”

“That’s embezzlement.”

“Nonsense. It’s all going to be mine soon anyway.”

Muttering that, Ophelia sprawled herself back on the cushy seat of the wagon.

Her belly was exposed, but she didn’t seem the slightest bit bashful about it.

“So, Elliot.”

“Yes?”

“Where are we headed?”

“We’re going to the Empire.”

The Empire shares a border with the Cathedral, and more importantly, the town where the Hero is supposed to appear lay in the southern part of the Empire.

If we take the wagon, it would probably take a month or two.

A grand expedition indeed.

“Just so you know, this isn’t the Cathedral anymore.”

“Do you think I’m an idiot? I can tell that much.”

“What I mean is, don’t act recklessly. If you get out of line here, I can’t protect you like I did in the Cathedral. No matter how much of a Saintess you are, you could be punished under the laws of the Empire. Of course, the Empire will have to be cautious, so they wouldn’t go that far.”

“So what, do you think I can’t use my common sense?”

“…”

“Why are you so quiet!”

When Ophelia shouted, the horses pulling the wagon hesitated.

Fortunately, the coachman was experienced. He quickly pulled on the reins to calm the horses.

“…Sigh.”

It seemed this trip was going to be exhausting already.