Chapter 49

Released:

Suddenly surprising her with an unannounced visit might make her happy, but I knew my mom preferred being notified in advance and having any needed items brought along. So, I called her.

[Oh, my son. Isn’t it class time for you?]

Her voice came through the phone speaker after barely three rings.

“Oh, I somehow ended up having the day off and came to the Holy Empire. I was wondering if there’s anything you need.”

[Well, well, what’s brought you to the Holy Empire all of a sudden?]

“I’m here with Estelle, kind of by coincidence.”

[I suppose Iris is with you, too?]

“How did you know Iris was here as well?”

[The three of you are practically inseparable. How could I not guess?]

We chatted about trivial things and exchanged updates about how life had been recently.

“Anyway, I’ll stop by the house for dinner tonight, so don’t eat without me. I’ll bring something delicious.”

[Hold on, didn’t you say you’re in the Holy Empire? How are you planning to get here?]

“Oh, don’t worry. I have my ways. Just don’t eat yet. Let me know if there’s anything you need, okay?”

My mom, who didn’t know that Estelle and I could use teleportation magic, would probably find this a bit puzzling. Still, she would definitely wait for me without eating.

That’s just how my mom was.

“What did your mother say?”

After I ended the call, Estelle rushed over to ask.

“She said to be careful.”

She hadn’t said anything like that explicitly, but if I summed it up, that was probably the gist of it.

“As expected, your mother is so warm-hearted!”

“Did she mention if she needed anything?”

While Estelle and I talked, Iris who was standing nearby chimed in with a question.

“Well, I’m not sure. It seemed like she couldn’t even believe I was in the Holy Empire in the first place.”

It was likely that my parents had never been to the Holy Empire. They weren’t particularly familiar with the internet either, so they probably didn’t even know what was sold here.

“I’ll have to bring my parents here for a trip sometime. They’d probably enjoy seeing it for themselves.”

Taking them on a trip here would definitely bring them more joy than simply bringing back souvenirs or tasty food.

Since they’d never been abroad before, they’d surely love it.

“That’s such a great idea! How about inviting your parents to join us during the summer break?”

“I’m all for it. Of course, they have farming work, and they probably can’t spend too much time away, but if they have the time, I’d love for them to come along.”

Hearing both Estelle and Iris say such kind things filled me with gratitude.

Traveling with adults was definitely going to require more effort than going on trips with just us. Even so, hearing them suggest traveling together with my parents genuinely moved me. It felt like we’d truly become close friends.

“I’ll mention it to them when I get home later. I’m not sure if they’ll be able to make time, but I’ll ask to see if it’s possible. Anyway, isn’t there some important reason Estelle came to the Holy Empire today?”

Traveling around the Holy Empire was great, and heading home together later was exciting, but Estelle had clearly been summoned here for a reason. Whatever it was, it needed to be addressed before we could do anything else.

“Well, it’s nothing major. There are just a lot of citizens who’ve been wanting to see the Saintess, so I’m just here to make an appearance.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if it was really necessary to summon the Saintess, who was still a student, for something like that. But they probably had their reasons.

“Summoning someone just because people want to see her, and during the school term, no less. It seems a bit odd.”

Iris appeared to share my skepticism as she tilted her head thoughtfully before speaking.

“That’s right. Seriously, what a hassle. They just use people however they like.”

It seemed likely that the Holy Emperor had some reason to appeal to his citizens and thought using Estelle would be an easy way to accomplish that without much effort. For us first-years, taking a day or two off from the academy for on-site experiences was relatively easy to arrange.

“I’ll go play the figurehead for a bit. What will you two do in the meantime?”

While exploring and sightseeing around the Holy Empire sounded tempting, I kept feeling like Estelle wanted us to stay by her side.

“I’ll follow whatever Sir Theo decides to do.”

Iris smiled as she said she would do whatever I say.

“Well, if it won’t be a bother, why don’t we stick by Estelle?”

After a moment of consideration, I made the suggestion, and Estelle’s face lit up immediately.

“That sounds wonderful! Shall we get going?”

She seemed like her usual self again, unlike a moment ago when her expression clearly showed that she didn’t want to go. I felt relieved. She didn’t want to go alone after all.

It was a good decision on my part. I couldn’t imagine the disaster it might’ve been if we’d let her go alone.

[Achievement ‘Didn’t Want to Go Alone’ has been recorded.]

See? This proves it. If I’d said no, it would’ve been a disaster…!

“Still, you two should try not to stand out too much and stay behind me. If people notice you, it could lead to unnecessary trouble.”

Estelle said that and walked towards the hall where people were presumed to be gathered.

From what I could tell, it was the central hall that was likely used for banquets. Estelle, however, entered through a different entrance at the back. It was a passage reserved for the imperial family.

“Should we stay here?”

Estelle stood behind the curtain and made sure her shadow wouldn’t be visible from the other side. When she noticed us, she turned and smiled.

Hmm, it seemed this was indeed the right place.

“Oh! The Saintess has graced us with her presence!”

“Saintess! We’ve been longing to meet you!”

“It’s such a relief to see you looking healthy!”

When Estelle stepped out from behind the curtain, the murmur in the hall grew louder, followed by the voices of what sounded like older men.

“Isn’t it strange how all I hear are men’s voices?”

Iris said that and began to sneak a peek into the hall without being noticed.

“It doesn’t seem like they’re here for any official grievance. What exactly did they call Estelle here for?”

Curious myself, I also glanced outside. Sure enough, there didn’t seem to be anyone who appeared in need of healing. Nor did it seem like there was anyone who might need Estelle’s other powers.

Instead, a group of men stood there gawking at Estelle as if they were spectating a rare attraction. Their stares felt so intrusive that it left an unpleasant sensation.

“So, is anyone going to tell me why this important meeting was called?”

Estelle asked with an annoyed tone.

“Hoho, oh, it’s nothing serious. We simply wanted to check on our dear Saintess and see if she’s well.”

“Indeed, indeed. And if you would allow us to feel your divine power, that would be even better,”

Feel her divine power?

There wasn’t anyone who seemed to be in need of a blessing, so what exactly were they asking for?

“If it’s blessings you want, wouldn’t it be better to receive them directly from His Holiness?”

Estelle seemed to have the same thoughts as me, as she continued to speak with a still unpleasant expression on her face.

“Hoho, well, we’ve already received plenty from His Holiness. This time, we’d like to receive blessings from you, Saintess.”

“There are so many ways to bestow blessings, after all.”

“Yes, yes! I’ve heard that blessings can be even more powerful through direct contact.”

What did I just hear?

Direct contact for a blessing?

“……”

Estelle’s face darkened and she frowned as if she was deep in thought.

“So are you saying you want me to, what, hold your hands or something?”

“Hoho, hands are fine. But really, any place would be acceptable.”

“And if you’d prefer, we could hold your hands ourselves. Hoho.”

…This was beyond outrageous.

What kind of lunatics were these?

This was practically sexual harassment, wasn’t it?

They brought Estelle here just to have her meet these kinds of people?

It felt like even the Holy Emperor had lost his mind.

“What exactly do you intend to grab?”

“Well, surely, we could grab just about anywhere, couldn’t we?”

“Ha, so I was called here just to meet people like this. I suppose I’ll have to pay the Holy Emperor a visit.”

“This has already been fully agreed upon. We intend to keep things within the bounds of propriety…”

Thud!

“Gah?!”

The ridiculous nonsense they were spewing was too much to bear. Without thinking, I picked up a nearby vase and hurled it at them.

“Estelle, if I were to deal with these people right here and now, would it escalate into an international conflict?”

I asked as I slowly stepped forward.

“No, I can make sure that doesn’t happen. To be honest, I was just thinking about how much I’d like to tear those men to pieces.”

“Good, that’s settled then.”

I was so furious I could hardly contain myself.

What were these older men even saying to a young woman who had just turned twenty? The Holy Emperor who allowed this to happen must have been out of his mind, too. That thought only fueled my rage further.

“What, what the hell are you?!”

“How did you even find this place—ugh?! Mmph?! Mmff!”

“Quiet. All of you, shut your mouths.”

Using magic, I restrained the bodies and mouths of those trying to escape or yelling in annoyance.

It was my first time using magic on so many people at once, but it seemed like a perfect chance to practice handling multiple opponents.

Yes, real-world experience like this was definitely necessary.

“You drag a twenty-year-old girl here, and not just any girl, but the saintess you yourselves call the pinnacle of purity. Just what were you planning to do? Who’s going to step forward and answer for this?”

As I suspended them in the air to prevent any escape, I stared at each one in turn.

Of course, none of them seemed inclined to meet my gaze, let alone speak.

“What’s this? Why are you avoiding my eyes when I’m speaking to you? Hmm? Does this mean you don’t want to answer? In that case, I’ll make you want to talk.”

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