Chapter 33

(Saintess?)

I'm familiar with the term, but it's not one that leaves a good impression.

Even in such a tense situation, I couldn't help but exchange glances with Riene.

"You don't seem to know anything."

"......It's more convenient that way."

"Indeed."

As the men said such arbitrary things, they surrounded the two of us.

(What should I do...)

I don't know why, but I'm certain that if I get caught by these men, it won't end well.

Lane shielded Riene behind her and, without moving from her spot, scanned her surroundings.

The wide park pathway was dim due to the thick trees, and there were few people around. Even though it was a shortcut, I regretted taking this route, but it was too late now.

I have to make sure Riene escapes.

(Alex told me to rely on you.)

With that resolve, she looked at the men.

She targeted the shortest man and was about to charge when she suddenly felt her shoulder pulled from behind.

"Hold it. You were about to charge, right?"

"Huh?"

Turning around, she saw someone wearing a robe like the men, who said this with a slightly exasperated tone. Though she braced herself, thinking it might be another attacker, the voice sounded familiar.

"You're a reckless girl. Just wait a moment, I'll take care of it. Don't run or fight; it's dangerous."

With that, he quickly subdued the men with his bare hands.

It was an inhuman movement.

Lane and Riene stared at the robed man in shock.

"Hey, don't you remember me?"

When he took off his black robe, a face appeared that she had seen somewhere before.

His brown hair tied in a ponytail, and a face that still retained the features of a boy.

"Randy?"

Riene was the first to recognize him.

Hearing his name, Lane immediately remembered him.

The boy who grabbed her arm in the alleyway, which led to her meeting Alex.

"Why are you here?"

In response to Riene's question, he shrugged.

"I've been here all along. Alex asked me to be your bodyguard."

"Brother?"

"Alex?"

Their voices overlapped, and Randy nodded.

"Yes. But let's talk later. We should get back to the mansion quickly."

"......Right."

Their companions might still be around.

Riene and Lane decided to return to the mansion with Randy.

"How long have you been a bodyguard?"

While hurrying, Riene asked, and Randy replied that it was before Alex left the capital to slay the dragon.

"Alex said there was a bodyguard, but he asked me to be extra cautious. I always watched you from a distance when you went into town."

Feeling regretful for acting without the bodyguard, Lane thought it was fine.

But if Randy hadn't been there, it would have been dangerous.

"Sorry. Still, Randy, you're really strong."

To Riene's comment, Randy said it was obvious.

"I've only ever lost to Alex. I was supposed to join the party to slay the Demon King, but they said I was too young. And they brought that guy along. What kind of Sword Saint is he?"

It seemed that if Randy had been a bit older, he would have been part of the party to slay the Demon King instead of Ada.

Indeed, his strength was terrifying.

"Still, you looked so innocent, but you were about to do something terrifying, weren't you?"

When asked this, Lane smiled ambiguously.

"Because I thought I had to at least get Riene to safety..."

"It's reckless. Just because you're small doesn't mean you're weak. Like me."

Randy, who said this, was indeed overwhelmingly strong.

When they returned to the mansion with Randy's protection, he immediately said to Sally, who greeted them:

"Please contact the Crown Prince. The two of them were targeted. They need protection. Alex asked me to do this beforehand."

"Huh?"

Why would Sally do that?

Did Alex predict this would happen?

There were many questions, but Sally, who suddenly turned pale, nodded deeply and, without a moment to rest, a carriage arrived to take them to the castle.

Lane sighed as she looked at the enormous castle.

(I just swore I'd never come back here.)

Why did this happen?

Riene also seemed to not understand the situation, looking around anxiously and appearing worried.

However, neither Sally nor Randy, who were with them in the carriage, said anything.

It was probably something they couldn't discuss in public.

Lane was a bit worried, but if this was Alex's instruction, it would likely be for the best. She felt a sense of reassurance.

The maid led them not to the guest room they had been to before, but to a deeper part of the castle, where the royal family resided.

Lane, who didn't think a commoner like herself should be there, hesitated.

"The Crown Prince is waiting for you ahead."

Noticing her unease, the maid said this.

If Clarence was waiting ahead, it would probably be fine. Thinking this, Lane and Riene continued forward.

The room they were led to seemed to be Clarence's private chamber.

Noah was there, as expected, and greeted Lane and Riene.

Before they could be surprised by the large and spacious room, they were led to the reception area.

Both of them looked exhausted, and seeing this, Noah felt even more guilty for bringing more trouble.

"At the capital's park, these two were attacked by five men. They were likely from the neighboring country. Here's the evidence. One of the men had a contract ring."

Without paying attention to Clarence's exhausted state, Randy said this and handed him a ring he had apparently taken from one of the men.

"......Indeed, it's from the neighboring country. Why were you there?"

"Alex asked me. I don't fully understand, but he seemed to have predicted this to some extent. If the two were targeted by the neighboring country, he told me to have Sally contact the Crown Prince and ask for their protection."

"......I see. Alex knew Sally was my acquaintance?"

"Huh?"

Riene looked at Sally in surprise, but she bowed without saying anything.

Come to think of it, Clarence knew Lane was from Kikito Village from the beginning. He also knew other things he shouldn't have.

It might have been necessary to protect Riene, who was related to the hero Alex.

However, Riene, who didn't know anything, seemed a bit shocked. It was natural to feel that way if her information had been reported without her knowledge.

"I'm sorry. It was my instruction, and Sally followed it."

To Clarence's apology, Riene quietly lowered her head.

But she quickly looked up and said with a smile:

"If Brother knew, I'll talk to him."

Clarence looked at Riene with a dazzled expression and apologized again.

"More importantly, why did the people from the neighboring country target us?"

Lane, recalling the unbelievable words she had heard earlier, asked Clarence.

"They called us 'Saintess candidates.' There should only be one Saintess in the world. What does that mean?"

"......"

Clarence didn't answer immediately.

He lowered his head and clenched his hands as if enduring something.

The heavy silence continued.

From his demeanor, Lane knew it was definitely bad news.

Riene, who was next to her, grabbed her arm, and her hand was trembling.

After a deep sigh, Clarence slowly raised his head.

His face was pale, like that of a corpse, making her shiver.

She instinctively wanted to cover her ears, but since she was the one who asked, she steeled herself and looked up at Clarence.

He said quietly:

"Aki is dead. She was eaten by a dragon."

"......!"

The words were so shocking that she lost her voice.

Riene, who was holding Lane's arm, tightened her grip.

Even Randy seemed surprised, his eyes wide.

"The Saintess's power... It should be overwhelmingly strong against monsters. Why...?"

Lane, whose voice trembled, remembered Alex's words from a long time ago.

He had said to the capricious Saintess:

"Now that the Demon King is gone, her power is not immutable. If she continues to act with too much malice, she will lose her power as a Saintess."

"Could it be...?"

"Yes. Aki lost her power as a Saintess. And it happened at the worst possible time, when she was facing a dragon."

A scream echoed.

She didn't know if it was Riene's or her own.

All she could do was be stunned by the fact that the Saintess was gone from this world.