Chapter 99

As the vacation approached, I was preparing to return home when Brother Lyutis came to visit.

"Returning to the academy after the vacation will be troublesome. I think it would be better to stay at the academy until graduation."

He then made a rather interesting proposal. To stay at the academy during the vacation—there would be nothing more to wish for if that were possible.

Fortunately, Brother Lyutis' reasoning was also within a reasonable range. Characters like me, Brother Lyutis, and Brother Lathier consume a considerable amount of resources even for simple travel. It would be even more severe if the travel distance crossed national borders.

Rather than wasting resources every vacation, it would be more economical to stay at the academy. Since I had already obtained the status of an academy student, there was no reason I couldn't strongly argue for it.

"Since I'm in the Empire, it wouldn't be bad to see the sights of the Empire."

"Of course, I knew you would like it."

Brother Lyutis nodded in satisfaction and left. That day, a temporary alliance of three people from a foreign country was formed.

A little later, I received a message from my master back home.

- ...Well, it might not be bad to broaden your horizons this time.

"Thank you for understanding, Your Excellency."

- There are many loyal compatriots in the Empire. Don't forget to maintain good relations with them.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Fortunately, my home country also approved. Since I and the two brothers had already decided to stay, it was inevitable that my home country would have to accept it. Issuing a forced return order would be like advertising internal problems.

And the Empire is a representative friendly country. Since I, the next Saint, staying in the Empire would provide an opportunity to meet high-ranking officials, it seems they decided to let it go.

- The Pope will be worried, so keep in touch often.

"Hehe, I understand."

My master also ended the call with a simple greeting. Now I had to think about how to spend the vacation with Sister Louise.

"You can stay at my house."

But there was no need to worry, as the entire confectionery club ended up going to the advisor brother's mansion in the capital.

Hmm, this was an unexpected situation.

Two additional members who were not part of the confectionery club were added to the group going to the capital, and living in the advisor brother's mansion instead of the academy was an unexpected situation.

Of course, compared to the worst-case scenario of returning home and not being able to meet Sister Louise during the vacation, this level of surprise was something to be welcomed with a smile. There was no real harm done.

However, on the day we arrived in the capital, the Crown Prince's welcome speech clearly showed his displeasure at our sudden visit. It was understandable.

'If we pay the price, it should be enough.'

Although we haven't officially informed the Empire yet, we plan to canonize a few Empire-born priests from our home country. Once the Crown Prince hears this news, he will likely put aside his displeasure and welcome us with a smile.

We didn't plan to stay in the Empire without any preparation. It's only natural to prepare gifts for the host as a guest. This applies to Brother Lyutis and Brother Lathier as well.

Thus, a smooth life in the capital began. Now I really had to think about what schedule to have with Sister Louise.

- The Twilight Sect has moved.

That was the plan.

"The Twilight Sect, you say?"

- Yes.

I remained silent for a moment, looking at my master's stern nod. The Twilight Sect, that accursed name.

Even now, when I close my eyes, I can see the atrocities of those wicked heretics. Fools who deny our Lord, Enen, and call out the names of non-existent gods. Cruel people who indiscriminately wield violence, hating the children of Enen.

And those hateful people who harmed my hometown, my family, my neighbors.

"The target is me, then."

- Yes, I've already informed the Empire. The Empire shudders at the mention of the Twilight Sect.

"Then—"

- Don't have any strange ideas.

As soon as I opened my mouth, my master firmly cut me off.

- If you get even slightly hurt, the sect will suffer a fatal blow. Stay put. There's no safer place than the capital.

"It's the sect's business."

- I'm not saying we'll do nothing. Of course, some of the forces protecting you will participate in the suppression of the Twilight Sect.

"..."

- Tanyan.

"I understand."

In the end, my master only withdrew his intense gaze after I agreed not to get involved in the suppression of the Twilight Sect. He even repeated his instructions several times before ending the call.

But how could I just sit still? The Twilight Sect. My enemy, the traitors who deny our Lord, the beasts that threaten peace.

Of course, if I get hurt or killed by the Twilight Sect, the consequences would be significant. I know that staying in the capital is the most efficient and safe option.

But is it right? Efficient and safe, but is it the right thing to do?

My master is a cardinal. To become a cardinal, one must not only have faith in the Lord but also political acumen. From a political perspective, it is right for me to stay put.

"The Saint advances towards the light, and that is why he is a Saint. Not for the existence of the sect or the future of the Holy Theocracy, but for the light alone."

The teaching of the first Saint of the sect. Every Saint candidate reads this teaching before the Pope and walks the path of the Saint.

I am a Saint candidate. Whether it is efficient or not is not a consideration.

'It is right for me to take action.'

The target of the Twilight Sect is me. As long as I am in the capital, they will attempt to infiltrate. In the process, innocent compatriots may be harmed.

I need to lure them into the forest. They will likely attack willingly.

'I'm sorry, Master.'

But what can I do? It just so happens that they attacked while I was playing in the forest.

I can't see the future, and it was an unavoidable coincidence, so please forgive me.

***

I stared at Tanyan's face for a long time. I thought he was going to take a leisurely walk in the forest, but his expression was different from usual.

Tanyan is not the type to take the initiative. If Lyutis had asked about the location of the forest, he might have answered, but Tanyan wouldn't have taken the lead. If the advisor doesn't know the character of his subordinates, my first semester would have been wasted.

Tanyan, who was different from usual, and the report that the Twilight Sect was approaching.

"The Twilight Sect?"

I opened my mouth with a small sigh. Thinking about it, Tanyan couldn't have been unaware. The Holy Theocracy, which had informed the Empire about the Twilight Sect, wouldn't have failed to contact Tanyan, the main party involved.

"Oh, you knew?"

"Would the advisor not know if the subordinates were in danger?"

Tanyan gave an awkward smile. You made me suffer by insisting on staying in the Empire. If you had any sense of shame, you would feel guilty.

I wanted to punch him, but my anger subsided when I realized why he was going to the forest.

'He's trying to lure them.'

If Tanyan is in the capital, the target of the Twilight Sect is the capital. Naturally, a conflict would occur, and there could be civilian casualties as well as military ones.

To prevent this, he is going outside the capital. That way, there will be no civilian casualties.

Yes, I can understand his feelings. It seems he is a true Saint candidate.

"Don't do it."

Still, Tanyan should just stay put. Even if the target is in a safe place, it's worrying. But on the front lines? No matter what, that's a bit much.

We plan to intercept them before they reach the capital. Moreover, the Special Service, War Ministry, and Demon Hunter Corps are working together to eliminate them, so the casualties Tanyan is worried about won't happen.

"They won't reach the capital. Just think about how many people grind their teeth at the mention of the Twilight Sect."

I patted Tanyan's shoulder a few times to reassure him. His request just now was unreasonable, but I can understand a request that fits his role. Yes, this is a Saint. This is the image of a Saint I know.

If he had always shown this side, it would have been better. Not the terrifying sight of being blinded by love, with no sense, intelligence, or conscience.

'Actually, that might be more effective.'

Louise would probably fall for a Saint-like appearance.

However, Tanyan's determination, which seemed to have awakened to a Saint-like appearance (estimated), was not something that could be swayed by a few words.

"Of course, I'm not saying I will fight directly."

"You can fight?"

"Haha, the Saint also has combat abilities."

Tanyan, who had laughed lightly, became serious again.

"The reason the Twilight Sect is threatening is because of their secrecy."

"That's true."

The reason they can still wander the continent without a proper base is simple. They are too secretive and swift to be eradicated.

They suddenly appear, cause chaos in an instant, and then disappear calmly. It's maddening how the few believers of the gods they worship are given so much power. It's rare to get advance notice that they are heading towards the capital, as in this case.

"What if we could eliminate their secrecy?"

That's why Tanyan's words were quite tempting.

"Eliminate their secrecy?"

In fact, the plan to intercept the Twilight Sect was to set traps on the routes they were likely to take and have the Demon Hunter Corps bombard them with area-of-effect magic. A sure and fiery method, since they can't be seen, just blow up the entire area where they might be.

Of course, such a crude method has many problems. The Demon Hunter Corps would have to restore the terrain they destroyed, and such a spectacular bombardment would be visible from the capital, causing civilians to panic.

Still, what can you do? It's a crude but sure method. If even one of them slips through and reaches the capital, my neck is in danger. But if we eliminate their secrecy? Then they're just moving punching bags.

"Why does the Twilight Sect target the Saint?"

"I believe it's because of symbolism."

"It's because of the counter-effect."

Tanyan, who spoke confidently, looked around for a moment and continued in a low voice—

"...Is that possible?"

"It's not for nothing that they target me."

If he were a game character, his abilities would be so unbalanced that players would complain.

No, is he really the son of God? A hard counter to the Twilight Sect?