Episode 29
Basilia’s parents might be gone, but a significant challenge remained.
The Holy Kingdom’s delegation.
Master doesn’t want Basilia to return to the Holy Kingdom.
And Master’s will is my will.
My task is clear.
To prevent them from taking her.
Even if it means sparking a war and becoming enemies of the Empire, I will follow Master’s wishes.
“What’s the best course of action?”
As I ponder this in the student council room, an unwelcome face appears before me.
“What is it, Student Council President?”
“…Miss Aroa. I’m busy, so if you could excuse me…”
“I’m not exactly thrilled to be in your presence either.”
Aroa had changed.
After that incident, I initially thought she was putting on an act, but her transformation seemed genuine.
She voluntarily relinquished her authority over the female students, claiming it was no longer necessary, and even revealed the location of the spare key to the student council room.
And her persistent gaze, always fixated on me, had vanished.
Now, it was a neutral, almost indifferent look.
“Then please leave.”
I wasn’t pleased that her affections had shifted to Master, but I decided to tolerate her as long as she didn’t cross any lines.
It was what Master would have wanted.
And honestly, interacting with her had become a bit easier.
“You would chase me away even if I begged you to stay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She gathered some documents and left the room after a brief farewell. I watched her retreating figure for a moment.
She’s been diligently attending to her student council duties lately.
Everyone changes after meeting Master.
She’s truly extraordinary.
To think she could tame that wild Duchess.
“Oh.”
I was lost in thought again.
The Holy Kingdom’s visit was fast approaching, and I had a mountain of things to consider.
That woman is a constant distraction.
I hope she’s not causing any trouble for Master.
Anyway, the only way I can resolve Basilia’s situation for Master is…
“A show of force, I suppose.”
Their initial visit would be for negotiation, so they wouldn’t bring a large army.
It would be inefficient to mobilize troops for a diplomatic mission.
And if Basilia felt threatened and went into hiding, it would only complicate matters for them.
Well, knowing Basilia, she wouldn’t cower in fear, but still.
“I should sharpen my sword.”
I might have to kill someone.
And when that time comes, I need to act swiftly and decisively, so I can never neglect my sword’s maintenance.
Yes, even if it leads to war, as long as Master is safe, that’s all that matters.
I’m willing to sacrifice everything for you.
My queen, my sky, my world.
“Dustin, are you there?”
Having made my decision, I was about to head back to the dormitory when a familiar voice called out from behind the door.
“Miss Basilia?”
I open the door, and she enters with a smile, but something about her seems different, unfamiliar.
“What have you decided?”
She looks resolute, as if she’s made up her mind.
And my gut feeling tells me it’s not the decision Master would approve of.
These kinds of premonitions are always accurate.
“I’m going to become the Saint.”
“…Miss Basilia, you already are the Saint.”
I understood her meaning.
“You know what I mean. I’ve decided to go to the Holy Kingdom.”
As those words leave her lips, all I can do is sigh.
“Do you realize how difficult that path will be?”
If she had shown even a hint of playfulness, I would have shouted at her and tried to dissuade her.
But today, Basilia’s eyes reflect unwavering determination, devoid of any frivolous emotions.
“Of course I do. It won’t be easy.”
“Does Master… Does Master know about this?”
“No, I won’t tell her. So please keep it a secret.”
Since the negotiations with the Holy Kingdom would be handled solely by Basilia, no one would know the truth unless she revealed it.
“I can’t act against Master’s wishes. And if you were going to keep it a secret, it would have been easier to keep it from me as well.”
“I know. This is just my selfishness. I’m a little scared to bear this burden alone. I wanted someone to know, to share this with.”
But she came to me, not Master…
“She’s strong, but she’s also kind and gentle. I didn’t want to see her worry.”
“Do you think I wouldn’t be hurt?”
“Honestly, I thought you would be. And I like you.”
Her detached smile evokes a strange feeling within me.
“Anyway, please keep this a secret so that kind soul doesn’t worry.”
“…Alright. I don’t want Master to worry either. But are you truly okay with this?”
The vulnerability hidden beneath her usually strong facade was revealed.
“I’m scared. Terrified. For the first time, I even considered running away.”
“But it’s okay. This is my choice. I’ll become someone worthy of Master Yuri’s name.”
Again.
She’s echoing my own vow.
“So becoming the Saint is just the first step. And when I become someone truly great, I’ll confess to you again.”
“…But I’ll always love Master.”
“Wahaha! I know! And that’s okay because I like Master Yuri too!”
I suddenly find Basilia dazzling.
I hope she doesn’t get hurt.
That strange thought crosses my mind.
***
The day of the Holy Kingdom’s delegation arrived.
Even Basilia, who had been so confident, seemed nervous, fidgeting with her uniform ribbon.
“Why can’t I come with you?! What are they planning to do?!”
Yuri grumbled beside Basilia, her expression laced with concern.
“Wahaha! Don’t worry, Master! I’m not exactly the type who gets pushed around!”
Basilia’s nervousness melted away as she saw Yuri worrying about her.
“Master, you’re such a good person, wahaha!”
She patted Yuri’s back heartily, releasing any remaining tension.
“Hey, hey, you hit like a truck. Stop it.”
“Wahahaha! Sorry! Anyway, I’ll be back soon, Master!”
“Yeah, come straight back and report everything.”
“Got it! Don’t worry!”
Having made up her mind, Basilia mentally rehearsed how to speak to the Holy Kingdom’s representatives without raising suspicion and entered the counseling room where they awaited.
“Oh, oh! The next Saint! It’s an honor to meet you…!”
The room was filled with individuals clad in dazzling white robes.
She could tell at a glance that they possessed considerable divine power.
“Uh, hmm. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“Please, have a seat.”
They pulled out a chair for her and helped her settle in.
The man who had offered her a seat, his eyes twinkling with a subtle glint, treated her with utmost respect.
“I am Gabriel, the High Priest, responsible for the laws of the Holy Kingdom.”
“I am Diana, in service to the High Priest.”
“I am Ellen, in service to the current Saint.”
The man who introduced himself as the High Priest seemed quite old, but the two women who followed appeared to be around Basilia’s age.
“We have come to the academy to escort the next Saint back to the Holy Kingdom.”
“Hmm. I’m aware. I’ve been briefed.”
“Excellent! Does your presence here mean… we can expect a positive response?”
Basilia frowned, disliking the old man’s ingratiating tone.
“Oh my, forgive my lack of proper introduction. This old man has done some research on the next Saint.”
“Research?”
“Well, you know, this and that. Haha.”
He clearly knew about the abuse she had endured, yet he avoided mentioning it directly.
“People have been rather unkind to you. But you are the Saint. You must embrace all your people. You shouldn’t neglect the Holy Kingdom over such trivial matters.”
The old man’s flattery had run its course.
He was clearly underestimating her because of her age.
“Just because I was born to be the Saint doesn’t mean I have to embrace everything.”
“What are you saying? You are the one who embraces God.”
The one who embraces God.
The one closest to God.
But that didn’t mean she was obligated to spend her life in servitude.
“Anyway, I’ll give you the answer you want. I will go to the Holy Kingdom and become the Saint.”
“Ooh! As expected of the next Saint! We anticipated this and have made all the necessary preparations to escort you back!”
“? Who said anything about going now?”
“Uh… excuse me…?”
Basilia, who had planned to go after graduating from the academy, frowned.
“I still have a long way to go before graduation. I’ll go after I graduate, so wait.”
“B-but you need to receive training as the Saint…”
“Take it or leave it. I won’t go otherwise.”
Her firm response prompted the priests to exchange glances.
The current Saint might be weakening, but she was still alive.
There was no need to use force to bring back the next Saint.
The academy was only three years.
The High Priest decided to accept the next Saint’s offer to return willingly in three years.
“Very well. As you wish. This old man was too hasty.”
The High Priest, reverting to his previous gentle tone, nodded.
“Then we shall return in three years to escort you. Until then, the Holy Kingdom will provide you with unwavering support.”
“No, that’s unnecessary.”
“Excuse me…?”
“I said no support. My decision to go to the Holy Kingdom is a secret between you and me.”
“Excuse me…?”
The High Priest was dumbfounded by the young Saint’s assertive declaration.
“If this secret leaks, I won’t become the Saint.”
“Ah, y-yes… Understood. We will keep it a secret.”
Only a select few high-ranking individuals within the Holy Kingdom knew about the next Saint’s whereabouts.
It would naturally remain a secret until she returned.
‘What an arrogant and ill-mannered girl. Just wait until you arrive in the Holy Kingdom. I’ll teach you some manners.’
The High Priest smiled kindly and agreed with Basilia, but inwardly, he was seething.
And he wasn’t the only one.
‘That sly old fox. Once I’m in the Holy Kingdom, he’ll be the first one I replace.’
Their gazes met, both harboring similar thoughts about each other.
“Haha, then we shall take our leave. We wish you a pleasant time, next Saint.”
“Wahaha! Alright! Safe travels!”
The psychological battle between the two, waged silently and without any outward signs, had come to an end.
The high priest chose a bad choice by mess with his future boss🤪