Episode 28
“Hey, hey, did you hear? The Holy Kingdom sent a delegation request to the academy!”
“What?! Seriously?! That’s insane!”
“It’s because of her, right?”
“The student representative?”
Another storm was brewing in the ever-chaotic academy.
I don’t understand how rumors spread so quickly in this place, but this time, I’m somewhat grateful for the speed.
“They’re coming to see Lia, right?”
“Because she’s the Saint.”
Even Celia, who usually acts indifferent, looks a bit different today.
Despite their constant bickering, she seems to have developed some affection for Lia.
Or maybe she’s just being nice because Lia is my friend.
“I need to talk to Lia.”
Lia might seem carefree, but her training is impressive. Just observing her is enough to feel its intensity.
Unlike when she first acquired her status window, just being near her now brings a sense of clarity to my mind.
“Let’s go together.”
In this world, the Saint and the Holy Kingdom don’t possess the kind of omnipotent power often depicted in fantasy novels.
The Saint’s primary role is to bestow blessings, a kind of buff.
However, their blessings are far more potent than those of priests or ordinary individuals with divine power.
As a result, people often wait months for a chance to receive the Saint’s blessing.
And it’s not just waiting.
The cost is astronomical.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Holy Kingdom’s economy relies heavily on these blessings.
“Lia, did you hear the rumor?”
“Oh, Master Yuri! Celia! Welcome! What rumor?”
The cheerful and carefree Saint-to-be’s only flaw is her obliviousness.
She’s known for her social butterfly personality, flitting from one group to another, yet she hasn’t heard the rumor?
“The Holy Kingdom is sending a delegation.”
“To the academy?”
“Yes.”
“Ooh, are they coming to give a lecture or something?! Wahaha!”
A lecture, my foot.
“Are you kidding? They’re obviously coming to see you.”
“Me? Why?”
“Because you’re the next Saint.”
Since the information is still based on rumors, I lower my voice.
“After all that mistreatment and banishment, they suddenly need your power, huh?”
Apparently, the current Saint is weakening and nearing the end of her life.
That’s why they’re scrambling to assess the next Saint’s power and have even requested a visit to the academy.
Time is running out for them.
The Holy Kingdom relies on the Saint’s power.
Without the Saint, their empire would crumble.
“But I have no intention of returning to the Holy Kingdom.”
It’s a given.
After years of banishment and abuse, they suddenly want to crown her as their Saint because they need her power?
Ridiculous.
Who knows what they’ll do to Basilia if they get their hands on her?
Her monstrous strength and status window abilities might protect her, but they could resort to underhanded tactics, so we need to be cautious.
“Of course not. Who would send you back?”
And even without all that, I have absolutely no intention of sending Lia back to that wretched place.
Well, it’s not like I have the authority to stop them.
But we’ve been friends for a while, so maybe she’ll listen to me if I try to dissuade her?
Besides, think about it!
Lia likes Dustin!
If she goes back to the Holy Kingdom, she’ll have to part ways with her beloved Dustin!
How tragic! Sob, sob!
“Oh, Master Yuri… I think my heart just skipped a beat. You’re responsible for this.”
“Hey, friends shouldn’t do that to each other.”
Save those feelings for Dustin, you idiot.
Don’t be falling for me.
I already have Roa, my devoted wife…
No, that’s not right. Ahem!
“Is student Basilia present?”
As I’m indulging in my absurd thoughts, a bespectacled man enters the classroom and asks for Lia.
“Oh, isn’t that our homeroom teacher! She’s right here!”
It must be Class B’s homeroom teacher.
Well, I wouldn’t know since I don’t interact with him.
It’s strange how the homeroom teacher handles all the classes, like in elementary school.
Except for PE.
“Her parents have requested a meeting.”
Parents…?
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
First the Holy Kingdom, now her parents?
“My parents? That’s impossible.”
“They’re currently in the counseling room. You can head over there if you wish.”
“Alright! Thanks for letting me know, teacher!”
“I would appreciate it if you used honorifics.”
“Wahahaha! That’s impossible! It doesn’t roll off the tongue!”
“…I understand. Then I’ll be going.”
Hmm!
She doesn’t even use honorifics with her teacher!
You go, Lia!
“Then I’ll be back in a bit!”
“Wait a minute. Are you really going to see them?”
I heard they abused her relentlessly and readily sent her away when Dustin came to take her.
And now she wants to see them?
If it were me, I would have refused to meet them, even if they begged on their knees.
“I’m curious how they’ve been, and this is the first time they’ve ever sought me out. It’s intriguing.”
Her expression is different from usual.
It’s a melancholic look.
“Can I come with you?”
“I’m going too.”
“If Master is going, then I’ll go as well.”
Damn it, Dustin! This guy is stalking me, I swear. He pops up everywhere.
He used to do the same thing at the mansion.
He’s more like an assassin than a knight.
“I’m so touched that you’re all coming with me! Let’s go together! Wahaha!”
They’re probably worried about Lia.
They’re all softies.
Well, except for Celia, maybe.
The counseling room is surprisingly clean and well-decorated, and Lia’s parents look surprisingly presentable.
It makes me even angrier.
“It’s been a while, Mother, Father.”
“Basilia! You’re doing well!”
“We’ve been so worried about you since you went to the academy.”
Wow, they’re spewing lies without batting an eyelid.
They clearly look like they’ve been living comfortably.
“I’m doing great, since no one’s beating me up or kicking me out of the village.”
I interrupt Lia before she can respond and retort sarcastically.
“Who… are you?”
“I’m Lia’s friend. Got a problem with that?”
I deliberately put on a cocky expression and slouch in my chair.
“Hmm, hmph! What a rude friend. Basilia, dismiss your friends. We have something private to discuss.”
Look at them, ordering her around like she’s their servant.
She might be the next Saint, but she’s still their daughter, isn’t she?
The way they talk to her makes me sick.
“No.”
“What?!”
“I said no, you baldy.”
Lia doesn’t resemble her parents at all.
They both have unpleasant faces, and her father is half-bald.
I know I shouldn’t judge people by their appearance, but it’s shocking that such a beautiful, Saint-like girl could be born from these bald eagle-looking people.
“Wahahaha! My father is a bit bald, that’s true!”
And look at Lia, laughing cheerfully without a care in the world.
Ugh, she’s so charming.
“Wh-what… you little…!”
“Hmm! Hmm! Honey, calm down.”
Their aggressive behavior, even in front of her friends, speaks volumes about the abuse Lia endured.
I don’t miss the moment Lia’s usually bright expression falters.
“Ahem… Ah, you know, Basilia. We did it because we loved you.”
“Hohoho, of course. We were harsh because we wanted you to succeed.”
They’re pathetically trying to imitate human speech.
No decent person would ever say such things.
I’m filled with rage.
I was curious to hear what they had to say, but there’s no point in listening any further.
“You abused her and claim you did it out of love? Then I can beat you up too because I love you so much, right?”
I don’t have a status window.
That means I’m not particularly strong.
But even a weak person can inflict pain.
How?
By using tools, of course.
I grab a nearby broom, ready to bash the baldy’s head in, when…
“Master.”
“Huh? What?! Don’t stop me!”
Dustin steps in front of me, blocking my path.
What the hell, Dustin?
Maybe I should beat him up first!
“I’ll handle this. There’s no need for you to get involved, Master.”
Huh?
Shing!
As he speaks, he draws his sword.
The same sword he threatened to commit suicide with.
“Master’s will is my will. I will take your lives for daring to anger Master.”
Whoa, whoa, I never said anything about killing them, Dustin!
“Eep! Wh-what?! What are you doing?!”
The baldy’s terrified expression and squeaky voice are almost comical.
“Hey, hey, wait a minute. Don’t kill them.”
They deserve to die for their crimes against Lia, but killing them here would only cause trouble for Dustin.
And besides…
“Death is too merciful. We can’t let them off that easily.”
“I apologize for failing to grasp Master’s grand intentions. I will obey.”
Dustin slowly lowers his sword from the baldy’s neck to his shoulder.
“But I don’t see a problem with taking an arm. They won’t miss a useless arm, will they?”
“Yeah, sure, whatever.”
I shrug nonchalantly, and the baldy couple’s faces turn pale.
“S-sob… Run…! Lia, how dare you…!”
“Hmm? I didn’t do anything. What did I do?”
Lia’s expression is devoid of any guilt.
Good!
“Ugh…!”
“Then I’ll gladly take this arm…”
“Eek! Spare me!”
The baldy, leaking a suspicious yellow liquid, flees the counseling room in a panic.
“Now that we’re done, shall we go, Lia?”
“Wahaha! Sure, let’s go!”
“Dustin, you did a great job today.”
I pat Dustin’s shoulder, proud of him for giving those abusive parents a taste of their own medicine.
“It was nothing, Master. I’ll continue to strive so that you never have to lift a finger again.”
Good… please do, until I get my status window.
You were a little scared there, weren’t you? Admit it.
Nice one 👍🏻