In the dim alley, Boail was baraged by bullets, which he blocked with the scales on his arms. But he immediately closed the distance when they ran out of ammunition, knocking one into a wall. The other one cleaved his blade into his arm but got stuck.
“Argh!” Boail cried as he grabbed the arm of the criminal, slamming him onto the ground.
Now that they were unconscious, he chained them with mobility-restrictive cuffs. He turned toward Alum, who coughed lightly—a red liquid expelled with each.
Boail ran to him, asking, “Are you alright?” while searching for something inside the void box.
“I am… You?” Alum replied as he wiped his mouth.
“…So-so,” Boail shrugged, his arm bleeding mad.
I don’t see any injuries. Why does he cough blood? Is his body frail? But… I saw him kill that beastman effortlessly.
Boail activated a healing core and gave it to Alum, which he reluctantly took after he saw Boail’s arm heal. With a touch, warmth enveloped his body as his body began to heal. He recalled the sensation—it was similar to how Iristolth used magic on him before. Curiously, he observed the item.
“It is a healing core co-developed by the Saint—impressive, isn’t it?” Boail chuckled when he noticed Alum’s curious eyes.
Alum carefully observed the semi-metallic object as some strange text ran through the surface of it. “Amethely Ilis? She is also a researcher, right?” he inquired.
“…Precisely, I’m impressed you knew. Most do not even know she is a scholar. Did you take an interest in Lady Saint by chance?”
“No. She simply looks like a girl I like, is all…” Alum paused.
“…I see?”
“By the way, one of them got away,” Alum nudged his head lightly toward the pathway beside him.
“…There was one more?” Boail raised a brow.
“I’d say it’s a good thing—they will know what happened.”
“You…” Shocked, Boail sighed. “You deliberately let him go?”
“He’d be dead if it weren’t the case,” Alum replied as he bit down on a cookie. “Besides, we’ve got those two,” he added casually.
“…”
…
..
A while later, city guards appeared and took the criminals away. Boail and Alum headed back to the base through the Levethren. When they arrived, there was a Rigeld, who crossed his arms and did not look pleased.
“You’re late,” he reprimanded like an angry parent.
“Don’t you have too much free time as a head commander?” Alum inquired, almost as if he was sulking.
“…I don’t!” Rigeld exclaimed. “In fact, I’m so busy I barely have time to laze around!”
“Ahem…” Boail lightly coughed.
“Anyways, I’m done with work and have free time, and since you’re late for our appointment, I am here waiting by the gates! Hahahaha!”
“…” Boail averted his eyes slightly, as did Alum.
Noticing the change, Rigeld had a bad feeling.
“…”
“…”
The shy shimmer of orange over the ocean, waves gently hit the shores. A man with dark silver hair sighed, looking out his window. In Rigeld’s office were stacks of paperwork—reports kept coming in.
Nearby was a youth with jet-black hair and golden eyes eating snacks. Beside him was a beastman with red horns—Boail, writing a witness report.
“Alum Miller…” Rigeld voiced tiredly. “Are you a trouble magnet?!” he exasperated.
“…”
The youth who was being questioned averted his gaze and began pouring tea to Boail, who wrote Alum’s part since he couldn’t himself.
As it turned out, Boail is also a commander, and he was on guard duty because they were short-staffed after an expedition deep into the mountains to eliminate the disaster beast, Selges.
Initially, he wasn’t sent to look for Alum but one of his agents. The agent turned out to be a double agent. He was sent to learn about their dealings regarding illegal magitech and chemical compounds such as gunpowder but was unfortunately found out by the criminals first.
Still, In a way, Alum could understand why they regarded technology outside of magic as dangerous—it wasn’t something they could control like they did magic. Although… not that it was the first time a gun was pointed at him.
I wonder Which recipe they use for gunpowder, maybe something native to this world? Alum wondered.
After the report was finished, Alum left the room and was told to wait outside. Now that Rigeld and Boail, he put a small coin-like crystal into an illusion projection machine. It was a secret recorder that activated when the user was under extreme stress or death. In the projections was a scene a little before Boail’s agent was killed, then Alum stepped into the scene just as the report stated.
But… there was something strange about Alum himself. His eyes had a blue glow, and the way he coughed blood afterward was odd to them since no mana was involved. Rigeld knew Alum was cursed, but did he perhaps have some control over it? And does he have to pay a price? He could speculate all he wanted but it wouldn’t do him good.
“Well. He’s trustworthy,” Rigeld said as he leaned back with hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. “Slightly dangerous, but he’s Luna’s friend. So. I won’t question her judgment,” he sighed but was mildly amused.
“It is as you say, Sir. Should I keep an eye on him during the stay?”
“If you want. Still, I kinda wanna keep him, not only because he and Luna get along, but I believe he’ll be right at home here.”
“…”
“Oh, c’mon, don’t give me that look. Either way, they’ll have to decide whether they join the military or become ordinary civilians within a week—heck, some might perhaps even be recruited by the Kilenloths, haha!”
Watching his boss laugh light-heartedly, Boail couldn’t help but sigh. But it wouldn’t be out of the question for the church to recruit or, in the case of wealthy houses, adopt a wanderer into their family as the Howlshock’s did him.
…
..
“Master… I hope it is to your taste.”
In a dim, cozy place where people enjoyed drinks and pastries, a man with soft white hair and blue eyes casually glanced outside the window inside a hidden room. And the man talking to him was none other than Bettlon—the store owner.
The white-haired man turned his gaze from the outside to the plate in front of him. On it was a cake with a mild, sweet scent. It was decorated with golden fruits found deep within the jungles and colorful berries.
“Gulp…” Bettlon swallowed saliva in anticipation, waiting for his master’s approval.
“Oh, this is some good stuff.”
But suddenly, a sweet, angelic voice echoed in Bettlon’s ears. The source of the beautiful melody came from an ethereal lady with soft-white hair and golden eyes.
“Mmmh!” she savored the taste. “Hey, Alester. If you’re not eating yours, can I have it?” the lady asked.
“No, you cannot,” Alester answered bluntly, which caused Bettlon to sigh in relief.
“Insolent bitch!” Another beautiful girl with golden eyes slammed the table. “Do not call our Master by name! Say that again, and I’ll slit that throat of yours!” she exclaimed, clenching her teeth. “Master! Why is this bitch here?!” she growled in exasperation.
“Aetlise,” Alester calmly called the girl’s name. “Your hair got into the cake,” he stated.
“…”
Looking down, the girl noticed a dark purple strand of hair on her cake. Aetlise’s cheeks puffed when she realized the other girl was subtly laughing at her. About to erupt, Aetlise held back, her face glowing red.
“Bitch! If times weren’t so different now, I’d return you to stardust like I did the rest of your kin!” Aetlise
“Pfff…you did me a favor annihilating those fools.” The other girl lightly chuckled while trying to hold it in. “Oh, please, Little Scrap~ Feel free to try. I can… meh, somewhat easily tear that core of yours out of your chest,” Eterisa replied with a casual smile.
“…Grrr! It’s an A-Logic, you imbecile,” Aetlise snarled. “If only this barrier didn’t process magic slightly below me, and my spells wouldn’t be so slow—you’d be long gone, Crispy Wing!”
“Ehehe~ My, that’s cute, Little Scrap~ Though, this barrier does me nothing…” Eterisa coldly stared Aetlise down. “If you want, why don’t we fight where it doesn’t affect you?” she suggested, her intent filled with malice.
“YOU!” Aetlise fumed.
“Aetlise, eat your cake. Eterisa, don’t provoke her,” Alester said, his voice chilly as Absolute Frost.
“Yeah~ yeah, whateveeeer~ But Lise’s so cute like this,” she teased, grinning mockingly.
“…” Quietly, Aetlise ate her cake.
Amidst all the chaos, another table member sipped tea—R’Stelesso. Unlike the rowdy Aetlise, his kill intent was absurd yet controlled—all of which was obviously toward Eterisa.
Troubled, Bettlon smiled somewhat forcibly. But…
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“It’s good,” Alester said, finally taking a bite of the cake.
Suddenly, it was as if his whole world brightened—all he ever wanted was his master’s approval—it was all that mattered. After all, who not in all of eternity but his master?
“I’m glad to hear that, Master,” Bettlon smiled warmly. “I’ll get the other treats now. Is there something you want?”
Alester’s indifferent face softened. “I suppose I’m up for some caramels.”
Bettlon nodded. “They will be ready in a moment,” he said before clapping his hand. “Alright, do not disturb Master too much—I’ll throw you out otherwise!”
Despite Bettlon’s smile, the others shuddered—Eterisa became quiet as she didn’t want to miss out on the treats. Aetlise shared the sentiment, while R’Stelesso felt oddly pressured despite not being involved.
…
..
Waiting in the halls, Alum enjoyed himself another caramel—in fact, he’d gotten more of the same treat when he returned to the base with Boail. Each time he tasted their sweetness, he remembered the endearing girl he’d fallen for.
Although he had questions about whether the saint and the girl were one and the same, the answer wouldn’t deter him either way. He promised he’d bring a new color, but it was now more than that.
He knew what happiness was. He can feel it, too. He’d been spoiled as of late, happy that he had a caring guardian, glad that he had a friend like Noel, now Luna, but also happy that he got to know Miu despite being unsure how to interact with her.
While he was in his musings, filled with gratitude, he picked up light footsteps from the distance. As it turned out, it was Luna. Their eyes met, and she’d flash him a warm smile while he also returned one.
“Hey,” Luna greeted him casually as she waved. “I heard Uncle Rig dragged you here. Did he do something to you?” she studied him as she circled him.
“No. I might’ve caused him trouble, though,” Alum shrugged.
His reply caused Luna to chuckle softly. “I see. What happened?” she asked as she leaned on the wall.
Alum did the same right next to her as if it was the most natural thing to do. “Well, I saw someone getting murdered. He was a soldier here at the base, but he was a double agent,” he replied as he fed Luna a candy.
“Mmnh~ and then?”
“Things escalated. I ended up killing one of the criminals, and two are now in custody for questioning. The first one I let go—fortunately, the others deemed him incompetent. He might be dead by now,” Alum explained as he took another treat.
“Mm, I see. I’m glad you’re not hurt.” Luna leaned her head on his arm. “Did you at least rest?” she then asked.
“Somewhat,” Alum said, recalling his moment with the girl at the park. “What about you? Uncle Rig told me you went to rest.”
“Mm, I did, but… I couldn’t. I went looking for you. I waited in your room, but you didn’t return.”
“I went out to the city. My bad.”
“…Don’t apologize. I waited on my own.”
“Mm.”
“…”
“…”
“Uncle Rig?” Luna questioned, peering innocently deep into his eyes.
“He adopted me, apparently. I’m playing along, I suppose.”
“Mm? Should I call you Cousin Al then?”
“No…” Alum chuckled. “But just Al should be fine. We’re close?” he suggested questioningly.
“…Al? …Okay, Al,” Luna smiled brightly and nuzzled against him. “Oh, but… I don’t have a nickname…”
“Mm… a dilemma indeed,” Alum pondered as he stared at the floor. “Luna,” he called her by name, but… the way he called her was soft and warm, tickling her heart.
“Y-yes?” Luna replied, looking somewhat embarrassed. “What is it…?” she tilted her head, slightly confused about why he suddenly called her so sweetly.
“I thought that calling you that way would suffice in the absence of a nickname.”
“…You’re a genius,” Luna murmured.
“Hmph,” Alum smiled smugly and pridefully, albeit subdued.
“Pff, ehehe. You’re silly, maybe a little goofy too,” Luna softly laughed.
“Am I? Then… I might become a comedian one day…”
“Mm~ the irony.” Luna grabbed his sleeve and rested her forehead on his arm. “Y’know… I’m happy to have met you. Our short time of knowing one another has been special…” she looked up into his golden eyes. “I hope we’ll be best friends for a long time to come,” she voiced, her smile dazzled, and the warmth of her words brightened his even more.
“Mm, I feel the same way,” Alum replied.
Unconsciously, Alum reached toward her head. Luna’s eyes widen in surprise, causing him to hesitate. But as Luna closed her eyes and leaned toward his hand, he proceeded gently. Her hair was silky, and he was careful not to mess it up.
“It feels nice…” Luna murmured, content with Alum’s work.
“It was too when you did it for me,” he replied.
“It was? I’m glad… I’ve never done anything like that before… not even to my younger brother… but, Al, you seem used to it?”
“…I’m used to dealing with kids, I suppose,” Alum answered reluctantly, but Luna wasn’t going to pry.
“You’re not calling me a kid, are you?” she teased.
“No. But even if you’re not one, isn’t it nice once either way? At least, once in a while.”
“Mmh… It is. Hey, Al, will you lend me a shoulder later?”
“Sure… Hm? Am I a pillow?”
“Mm, a comfortable one,” Luna replied with a soft giggle.
Time passed, and when Rigeld left the office with Boail, he was shocked to his core. He knew that Luna and Alum were getting along, even playfully adopting Alum as half a joke, but seeing them lean on one another while eating treats brought tears to his eyes.
“…” Boail meanwhile pretended nothing ever happened.
…
..
—Cling!
Inside one of the lush gardens of the monetary, blades clashed as paladins sparred with one another—BOOM! Magic erupts, covering the area with dust. As debris cleared, silver-gray hair shimmered in the orange sun—her amethyst eyes filled with grace as she cleared the rest of the dust cloud with a swing of her blade.
In the middle of training, five paladins directed their divine weapons toward a singular girl—a blademaster and their saint.
“Ugh…” one of the paladins groaned.
Her muscles throbbed and burned as her fingers locked, clasping the spear tightly. Similarly, another paladin readied his bow. The two mages behind them conjured spells while their vanguard tightly embraced his shield and readied his sword.
“You have all improved,” the silver-haired girl voiced elegantly.
“Haa…” one of the paladins heaved heavily. “It is all thanks to you, Saint Amethely,” he replied. The others nodded as they prepared to attack.
“If we win, Lady Saint, then… we wish to become your pupils!” the archer exclaimed.
Amethely smiled warmly at them. “That is our promise, and I will keep it,” she replied, her purple eyes determined.
Ah… this was way more difficult than we thought… the paladins shared a sentiment with their gaze. Oh, how naive… we felt that making her draw her divine blade would be easier than it actually is… they sighed inwardly.
It was officially the 60th time the paladins challenged her to spar after their joint training session. When Amethely first became a saint, they fought among one another to be her guard, but as it turned out, she was way too independent.
All the high-ranking paladins respect her independence, and they let her wander on her own without guards. But they all agreed that she should have someone on her side. While they rival her in raw strength, she is more flexible than them in other areas—before is a blademaster, she is a mage.
So, they came up with a plan, and that was for her to become a mentor, and when they became strong enough one day, she’d take them with her wherever she went—that was the promise she made with the Pope.
Of course… Amethely didn’t fall for it that easily, which resulted in this current situation. A situation where novice to more experienced paladins train with her, and after the training, they could take her trail to become her student. Out of a total of 93 paladins, only five would consistently take her trial.
Her condition was simple. Make her draw her divine blade—which was more plausible now than ever since she couldn’t use mana in her current state.
—IIIIIEEEPP
The archer’s arrow tore through the air, cleaving the winds with its lightning coating—FWOSH! In a last-ditch effort, speir and swords infused in flames and winds—TOCK! The mages fell to their knees, working together and excreting their last drop of mana to cage Amethely in a gravity zone.
This is bad… Amethely thought as she tried to compose herself—the first lightning arrow she aligned with her ordinary practice bade, changing its trajectory.
However, a small crack formed on the blade as it wasn’t going to be able to endure much more. In the same instance, the girl with the spear launched toward her like a firebolt —it was too late for her to dodge as she was incredibly burdened by the targeted gravity field.
In a swift motion, she struck the spearhead—her blade broke, but it was enough for Amethely to sidestep, tripping the girl over ever so slightly as she grabbed her hand and swung her spear 180°—BOOM!
Flames burst as they connected with a sturdy shield—but the paladins planned this. During the explosion, Amethely became staggered as the spear girl held onto her tightly—emerging from the flames was a shield.
“…!?”
But from the opposite side was a paladin with a sword still in hand, infused with screeching winds as it slowly closed the distance to her—at that moment, Amethely almost materialized her blade, but a thought crossed her mind.
The red ribbon flashed in the blade’s reflection—oh… if I materialize my sword, I won’t be able to operate alone. I also won’t be able to go anywhere without supervision… noooo! If that happens, I won’t be able to seek him out, nor will I be alone with him… AND! They will find out how awkward I am! Her mind raced as she tried to find a way out of her dilemma.
It is going to hurt and won’t be pretty! She exclaimed inwardly
As the blade launched toward her, she released the grip on the girl’s spear and hit the flat side of the incoming blade upwards. The blade tore through the surface of her palm as she successfully directed the blade away from her—both the girl and the boy were caught off guard by her actions. Stunned, they lock eyes as Amethely swiftly escapes the girl’s embrace—PANG! Armor collided as the two clash into one another.
“Phew…” A soft sigh escaped Amethely’s lungs as she gracefully covered her hot, bloody hand.
But despite their exhaustion, the paladins ran up toward her. “Lady Saint!” they cried worriedly. “Why would you…” some of them began to shed tears. “Do you… not want us as disciples this much…?”
“…!”
At those words, Amethely’s grace shattered as her eyes widened. A pang of guilt hammered her chest. How should she reassure them? They clearly worked very hard, and… she acted out of selfishness… she knew it better than anyone else—hard work should be rewarded… she thought—
“I don’t love you because you’re perfect, Ame,” Keilyn’s words suddenly cleared her mind—it was okay for her not to be. With those reassuring words said by her best friend a long time ago, she was able to muster up her courage.
“That is not it at all,” Amethely voiced genuinely—her usual elegance replaced with worry as she clenched her chest—blood stained her saintly attire. “I am sorry…”
“…”
The paladins looked at one another—their saint had a pained expression, and they were the cause. They didn’t know how to reply… their tears stopped.
“I recognize the hard work that I do. However… u-um…” Amethely stammered bashfully, which confused them even more. “I am not as perfect as you assume I am… and… I-I… have fallen in love… I know it is selfish, but I am a young woman too… and…” Amethely tried to explain awkwardly, but…
“Pff…” suddenly, the young paladins chuckled.
“H-huh…?” Amethely blankly stared at them, bewildered.
“I see~,” one of the girls said, resting her hands behind her head. “I, our saint, is really cute, isn’t she?” she nudged her friend.
“Mm-hm!”
“Ahh!” the guys lamented, defeated with hands and knees on the ground. “She’s in love!? Poor all the millions of broken hearts!” they exaggerated playfully.
“…Huh?” Amethely was still confused.
“You lot,” the girls rolled their eyes. But they then warmly flashed their saint a caring smile. “Lady Saint, were you perhaps afraid you wouldn’t have time to see your crush?” the grinned teasingly.
“A-ah!” bashfully, Amethely averted her eyes and looked at the ground while playing with the silk ribbon in her hair.
“Ooh! I see!” the girls squealed in excitement as the guys let out an amazed, “Woah!” curious about the one who made her fall for him.
Before she knew it, she was healed and surrounded by many curious paladins and nuns. Her eyes spun, and her face beet red, overwhelmed by it all. Then, they all soon found out how clumsy their saint could be and how she reacted in an oddly normal of a girl her age.
Later that evening, the girls gathered to dress her up real pretty. If, by chance, her prince attended the banquet, she had to show him her best, right?
A/N
There was supposed to be an illustration last chapter, but well, it's not done, but here's an early preview! I'll put it in there as a placeholder, but it's not really done yet. It might take longer since it's supposed to be colored, too!
image [https://i.postimg.cc/59Btxx9C/Comic-1.png]