Chapter 3

I stood at the entrance of the cathedral, where the real Ilias had just left, and Mary and Reisen remained behind. She stared at the door through which she had departed, dumbfounded.

"Lord Reisen... What did she mean by that look...?"

"I don't know either. She must have gone mad from the sudden turn of events. Otherwise, she wouldn't have acted like that. She lost her place, after all."

"That's true. It must be a show of strength. She might be crying somewhere, having lost this position to me."

"Ha, what would you do if that's the case?"

"I wouldn't do anything. This is how it should be. Both the royal family and the Norman family have agreed. Changing my name to Ilias is a bit disappointing, but..."

This entire incident was planned.

A false miracle-inducing bracelet, created by a court mage, was used.

It only simulates the power of a saint, the principle being magic.

Ilias's sense of unease was correct.

This is not the power of a saint.

It is the form of the evolution of magical technology, which does not exceed human knowledge.

The switch between Mary and Ilias was agreed upon by the royal family and the Norman family.

They had always thought this was the right way for a saint and the country.

It was unthinkable for a girl from the countryside, with no connection to the royal family, to become a saint.

Therefore, they felt no guilt.

"Well, it's about time. We need to work hard as the saint now."

"Yes. I will do my best. As usual."

Thus, the first false saint in the history of Spark Kingdom was born.

It would be a long time before the people realized this.

◇◇◇

After being exiled from the kingdom, I packed my belongings and left the capital.

I don't have much money, but I have some savings.

I've been working as a saint for so long that I never had the chance to spend it.

I worked hard in an environment that would be called a black company in my original world, and I want to commend myself for enduring it.

I rented a carriage.

"Where to?"

"Um, could you take me north? I want to go as far as the border."

"Understood. Wait... Are you...?"

"..."

The carriage driver was staring at me intently.

I tried to hide my face with a hood so that he wouldn't recognize me...

"Customer, you look like the saint."

"Oh, really? Thank you."

"I thought it was her. But, of course, it's impossible for the saint to leave the capital alone."

"Y-Yes, that's true. Hahaha..."

It seems I managed to avoid being recognized.

As the driver said, it's impossible for the saint to leave the country.

So, they won't believe it.

No one will think I am the real saint.

Would someone who has prayed to me before recognize me?

I was a bit curious, but there was no chance to test it.

I won't return to this country again.

"Goodbye, my homeland."

I bid farewell to the place where I spent half of my life as Ilias.

I have no clear plan for what to do next.

I considered returning to the village where I was born, but the elderly couple who raised me died five years ago.

If I return now, I will only cause them trouble.

Besides, I am exiled from the country.

"I want a peaceful place, even if it's not bustling."

I muttered this as I gazed out of the moving carriage.

To the north lies the country of Slorren.

It is the smallest country in this region, with only one capital city.

The total population is said to be less than the number of people living in the capital of Spark Kingdom.

I've heard it's a poor country, but I wonder what it's really like.

It's my first time leaving the kingdom, so I was a bit excited.

◇◇◇

"Sorry to keep you waiting. This is the border."

"Thank you."

It took about a week to reach the destination, including breaks.

The border between Spark Kingdom and Slorren Kingdom.

The surroundings are a forest.

There are no people around, and it's a bit desolate.

"What are you going to do here? Beyond this is Slorren, and there's nothing there, you know?"

"It's fine. I'm thinking of traveling a bit."

"I see. Then, be careful. I've heard there are bandits around here."

"Thank you. I will be careful. Thank you for your help."

I thanked the driver who had taken me and watched him return to the capital.

After he was out of sight, I turned around.

There is no clear line, but I can sense that once I cross this point, I can never return.

"Okay."

I took a step forward.

This is the precious first step of my new life.

Slorren Kingdom.

A small country with a surprisingly long history, older than Spark Kingdom.

I learned about the country's history through the Norman family's education.

It included information about the neighboring country of Slorren.

It was a great power a few decades ago, but after losing a war, it lost land and population, leaving only the current capital.

"This is the capital..."

Compared to the capital of Spark Kingdom, it is much smaller.

Perhaps due to the population, even the shopping district doesn't seem bustling.

It's not a completely desolate town, but it feels lonely.

Is this what the capital of a defeated country looks like?

I have no real experience with war, even in my previous life, so it's hard to grasp.

Now, I need to think about what to do next.

Even though I have gained freedom, this world is not so easy that I can live without working.

I need to find a job.

I also need a place to live.

I need to gather the necessities for life...

I might need to look for a country where I can settle down.

Find a place to live, find a job, work to earn money, and spend my free time on hobbies.

It's the same as my previous life.

Is this really what I want?

I seriously pondered.

I thought about the path of my future life.

"First, I'll look for an inn."

"Hey, don't run!"

As I walked through the town, I saw a woman being harassed by a rough-looking man.

The man had a weapon at his waist.

Could he be a bandit?

I don't want to think there are bandits in the capital, but maybe he's a rogue.

He was holding the woman's arm.

"Don't struggle. It's just a bit of fun, okay?"

"N-No! Let me go!"

"You don't have any money, right? I'll give you some pocket money if you play with me."

"…I don't need that."

"Come on, you're poor, so don't be picky. You probably don't eat well, right? If you come with me, you can eat as much as you want."

"I have a younger brother! He's waiting for me at home, so please let me go!"

It seemed they were arguing.

From what I could hear, the man was trying to take the woman away against her will.

She was clearly in distress.

However, no one tried to help her.

They were either pretending not to see or were afraid.

"Let go!"

"Ow, you bitch!"

"Kyaa!"

The woman's hand hit the man's face, and he pushed her to the ground.

She fell and scraped her elbow.

"It hurts..."

"That's what you get. Don't get cocky, you poor girl. I'm being kind to you. Just do as I say."

What kind of kindness is that?

His ulterior motives were obvious.

Feeling angry at the man's tyranny, I unconsciously changed direction...

"Wait a moment."

"Huh?"

I stood protectively in front of the fallen woman.

I was surprised at myself.

I was more angry than scared.

Perhaps it was because I had been a saint for so long.

It seems I can't leave someone in distress alone.