Table of Contents

Color Gallery

Title Page

Copyrights and Credits

Table of Contents Page

Map

Prologue

Chapter 1: Royal Meeting Number Two

Chapter 2: The Honeymoon

Chapter 3: The Break-In at the Ruins

Chapter 4: The Money Worshipper’s Reasoning

Chapter 5: More than Money and Devotion

Epilogue

Bonus Story: The First Prince’s Fiancée

Bonus Story: The Crown Prince and the Merchant

Afterword

Newsletter

Color Gallery

Map

Prologue

Prologue

I WAS DULL. I wasn’t friendly. I took life too seriously and was no fun to be around. Those were the things I’d heard all my life.

But in spite of all my obvious faults, I had the good fortune of marrying the person I loved. I was about to start a whole new life.

“What do you think? Quite an impressive estate, don’t you think?”

“Yes. It’s lovely.”

A large mansion had been built on a plot in the nation’s capital. The home that had been previously provided for me was more than large enough for my needs, but this one made it look tiny by comparison.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I like it because you chose it, Sir Osvalt. There’s no way that I wouldn’t like it.”

I was going to share this home with my husband, Osvalt, the second-eldest prince of Parnacorta.

I was also taking on a new name, Philia Parnacorta. When Sir Osvalt obtained a new title, my name would change once again. Sharing a last name with him was one major change I’d need to adjust to.

Marriage was an unfamiliar world to me, so I should have been anxious, but I couldn’t have felt more at ease.

“Now then,” I said, “shall I take my things inside?”

“Stop right there, Philia. You’re not allowed to lift a finger.” Just as I was about to carry my moving boxes through the door, my maid Lena put a stop to my plans. “As personal servant to the second prince’s wife, that’s my responsibility!” She nimbly hoisted several boxes.

Sir Osvalt laughed. “I see Lena thwarted your efforts as well. Leonardo lambasted me for the same reason.”

“He did?”

“Yes. He said that as a member of the royal family, I should refrain from taking jobs from my retainers. It seems like it’d be wise to leave these tasks to them.”

Sir Osvalt looked so cheerful as he spoke. It still didn’t feel real. I was going to share my day-to-day life—which Lena and the crew were a part of—with the man I loved. Maybe it was my joy that made the present situation feel like a dream.

Thanks to their incredible speed, it didn’t take long for Lena and the others to carry all of our belongings inside.

Sir Osvalt surveyed the progress and suggested we pause. “How does a break sound?”

“Okay! I’ll go make some tea.” Lena headed off to brew some tea.

Our new mansion had a spacious dining room, with plenty of room to accommodate a host of guests.

Leonardo brought in a pile of gifts we’d received from abroad. “Your Highness. Lady Philia. Gifts have arrived from foreign royals and influential nobles who were unable to attend your wedding.”

We had already received an abundance of gifts at the wedding ceremony. I never expected to get so many more.

“Oh? That’s thoughtful. Arrange for thank-you letters to be sent out once the chaos of moving has blown over.”

“Understood. Leave it to me!” Leonardo replied deferentially.

Sir Osvalt stroked his chin as he glanced over the items that had arrived.

“Hey, this one’s from the royal family of Alectron.”

“What a gaudy pot.”

Lena’s unfiltered remark was defensible. Our gift from the royals of Alectron could be described politely as avant-garde. But its pattern looked familiar…

“Isn’t this a Goddess Pot? The Alectron royal family considers them lucky talismans.”

“Well observed, Lady Philia. Now that you mention it, it looks like it has the wings of the goddess painted on it.” Leonardo gazed at the pot as he confirmed my suspicions.

“The people of Alectron believe that the Goddess of Creation brought the first humans into existence on their nation’s soil. That’s why they’re known for their creative excellence, particularly in the arts.”

“Yes. It’s said that certain auspicious works of art are inspired by the goddess herself.”

Lena looked uncomfortable. “Wait, does that mean I shouldn’t have called it a gaudy pot? Oops, I think I just insulted a goddess!”

The depiction of the goddess was rather abstract, and I couldn’t blame Lena for finding it garish.

“Don’t be upset,” I told her. “Just watch what you say beyond this mansion’s walls. You might offend someone.”

“Okay! I’ll be really careful!”

“Next, we have this gift from the royal family of Gyptia… Are these a pair of matching glasses? They’re a bit heavy…”

Sir Osvalt turned to me, holding the two transparent glasses. They certainly didn’t look heavy.

“Could I borrow them for a moment? Oh! These are magic tools.”

“Magic tools? These glasses?”

“Yes. There’s a mechanism made from magic ore embedded in the base of each glass.” I took the instruction manual out of the box the glasses had come in. “This must be the instruction manual.”

I see…

Their purpose soon became clear. “It seems these glasses cool whatever liquid you pour into them at a rapid rate.”

“Oh. Impressive stuff.”

“Gyptia is home to a specialized research institute dedicated to magic and magical tools, so it makes sense that they’d give you such a gift,” said Leonardo. “Lena and I visited it when we were looking for Luke, and it was buzzing with research activity.”

Gyptia was also the homeland of my father, Kamil. When it came to the study of magic, it was the most advanced country on the continent, and it was supposedly once home to a legendary sorcerer.

“It’s nice how these gifts reflect the unique culture of each country.”

“It really is. Next, we have… Um, what’s this supposed to be?”

“What beautiful fabric. You don’t see cloth like that very often around here.”

The fabric Sir Osvalt was holding had an ivory hue, adorned with flowing floral patterns embroidered in golden thread. The texture was unlike anything one could find in Parnacorta or Girtonia.

Himari, who had maintained her silence until now, spoke up. “Lady Philia, this fabric is used to make clothing in the kingdom of Murasame—and it is of superior quality, I assure you.”

“Himari? Wait, is this from your homeland?”

Himari was a refugee from Murasame, a nation on the other side of a strait far to the northeast. Its culture differed greatly from that of the mainland.

One thing, however, struck me as odd. “This gift is supposedly from the royal family of Ashbrugge. Why would they send us something from Murasame?”

“Good question. Diplomatic relations with Murasame have ceased, so there’s no way a gift from the country would arrive out of the blue.”

“Really?” Himari cocked her head to one side, apparently puzzled by our words. “Be that as it may, there is no mistaking Murasame craftsmanship.”

I had to agree. This bolt of fabric was just as exquisite as any specimen in Murasame.

“Heh heh heh. Shall I let you in on a little secret? Leave this mystery to me—fashion is my domain!” Lena took a step forward, eager to clear up our doubts. Her expression radiated confidence.

“Is there something we don’t know, Lena?”

Lena knew a lot about clothing, but I didn’t expect her knowledge to stretch beyond our country’s borders.

“Fabric made with a new-fangled technique is the hot trend right now in Ashbrugge. The shops in Parnacorta have just gotten a few items made from this material, so I immediately recognized it!”

“Is that correct, Lena?”

“Yep! A wealthy merchant called Harry Freyer makes clothes from this stuff. He started out by designing fashion for Ashbrugge’s nobility. It created a huge craze not just among high society, but with ordinary townspeople, too.”

Ashbrugge was often dubbed the “land of merchants.” Many moons ago, after the country was destroyed by a great calamity, merchants moved in and laid the foundations for the trading hub it would become. The country’s laws and systems were designed to favor traders, and merchants continued to flock to the nation from afar, dreaming of making their fortunes. It was probably common for new and foreign goods to become popular there.

“I see. But Lena, why does this new fabric look so similar to traditional cloth from Murasame?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t heard anybody else point out the resemblance. It’s probably just a coincidence, don’t you think?”

“No,” said Himari flatly. “This is no mere coincidence.”

Lena was more than familiar with the latest fashion trends, but it seemed she knew nothing about Murasame fabrics. Judging from Himari’s indignant tone, however, the person who had made this fabric must have known about Murasame culture.

After listening to Himari and Lena’s exchange, Sir Osvalt crossed his arms and shared his thoughts. “Maybe this Harry fellow took an interest in Murasame fabrics and set out to recreate them. I hear that Ashbrugge’s merchants can be pretty shrewd.”

“That may be true,” I said. “Still, Murasame isn’t even on this continent. I’m surprised that an imitation of one of the country’s cultural artifacts, made in Ashbrugge, would catch on. Are Murasame fabrics really that exceptional?”

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask about Himari’s homeland. She’d never revealed much about it.

“Indeed they are,” Himari answered. “The finest fabrics feel heavenly to the touch, and they’re cool and breathable. Murasame is more humid than this country, so people prefer light clothing.”

“Come to think of it, I hear it’s quite warm in Ashbrugge, too.”

“That must be why they adopted our style of dress so readily. Even so, how did fabric of this quality end up in Ashbrugge?”

A wistful, faraway look crept into Himari’s eyes. She really seemed to believe that the fabric sent to us by the royal family of Ashbrugge was on par with the most luxurious fabrics from Murasame, its place of origin.

“It’s quite mysterious. Murasame tries to minimize contact with other countries as much as possible.”

Himari nodded. “Yes, it is puzzling indeed. However, the Murasame clan was overthrown in a rebellion orchestrated by an offshoot of their family. My family, the Fuuma clan, used to serve them…but how things have changed since their demise, I cannot say.”

It all came back to me then. Himari’s family was torn apart by a power struggle, causing her to seek refuge in Parnacorta. I could vividly remember the look in her eyes as she recalled the day she lost all of her siblings.

“Himari, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories…”

The harrowing life she lived in Murasame was surely something she’d rather forget—and yet I’d let my curiosity get the better of me.

“Fear not, Lady Philia. As your retainer, I am honored that you take an interest in my past.”

Himari spoke with a calm smile, gently squeezing my hand. Her icy touch contrasted sharply with her warm display of consideration, causing a wave of emotion to surge inside me.

“You must have cherished your family above all else, Himari. That’s why you took such good care of Mia when she was in danger, isn’t it?”

When Mia’s life was threatened, Himari had been there to protect her for me. From what I’d heard, she respected Mia’s decisions, no matter how questionable. I was sure that her compassionate nature stemmed from her love for her own family.

“Perhaps. I do see myself in the way you care for Mia. That’s a fact I could not deny.”

“Himari…”

“All the same, Lady Philia, it is only natural for a Murasame ninja to do everything in their power for their master. I protected Lady Mia because you asked it of me.”

Her eyes gleamed like two orbs of obsidian. There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in her resolute gaze. Having someone like Himari by my side was a blessing in itself.

“Thank you so much for sharing that. I’m so glad that I was able to learn a little more about you.”

“Lady Philia… You are too kind. I am of no great import—”

“No. Learning about the people one treasures is an important part of life. I’d love to know even more about you.”

Himari’s face flushed red and she looked down at her feet. “D-don’t be absurd…”

I was only telling her how I felt. What was the problem?

“Look!” Lena clapped her hands together and laughed. “Himari’s all embarrassed! That’s not something you see every day!”

“Lena! I am most definitely not embarrassed!”

That only made Lena laugh harder. “Not very convincing, Himari.”

“What did you just say?”

It wasn’t often that Himari flew off the handle, but this was an exception.

Sir Osvalt laughed as well. “Himari’s undergone a transformation of her own,” he remarked. “Like you, she used to struggle to show her emotions.”

“Really? That’s surprising to hear. I’ve always seen her as a passionate person.”

“Well, yes, but she definitely seems more upbeat now that she’s working for you. If that’s how you see her, it must be your influence.”

“Sir Osvalt…”

I’d never considered that I could have such an influence on someone. That being said, I was acutely aware of how I had changed since I’d met Sir Osvalt.

“People are peculiar, aren’t they, Sir Osvalt? Other people make an impact on us, just as we make an impact on them. If we’d crossed paths with different folk, we could have ended up as entirely different people. It’s so strange to think about.”

Only recently had I come to realize how much the people in my life had changed me. Exploring the past wasn’t just a way to learn more about them. It could help us uncover what was truly important.

“That’s right,” said Sir Osvalt. “Naturally, your own personality plays a major role, but you can’t deny the influence of the people around you.”

“Yes. Learning about Kamil helped me discover a new side of myself. I realized that understanding one’s roots can lead to new discoveries.”

“Interesting…”

“Maybe that applies to countries as well as individuals.”

I felt as though I had gained a wealth of knowledge from reading and study. But there were still plenty of things I had yet to learn, and many emotions I had yet to experience. Yes, I was the Saint of Parnacorta, but I’d barely been in the country for a year. There was much I didn’t know about the nation itself.

When Lena heard what I said, she abruptly clapped her hands together. “Oh! I get it now! That’s why you chose to stay in Parnacorta for your honeymoon!”

Always quick on the uptake, she had immediately grasped why we’d chosen not to go abroad.

“You’ve hit the nail on the head,” I told her. “Despite being this country’s saint, there is still so much I don’t know about it. I want to learn more about Sir Osvalt, too, so I asked if we could spend time somewhere that would bring me closer to both.”

We initially talked about traveling to a tourist destination in another country, but I wanted us to take our time exploring the kingdom of Parnacorta instead. Fortunately, Sir Osvalt respected my wishes.

“Heh… Hearing you say that in front of me makes me blush.”

“But it’s the truth.”

“I’ll take your word for it. I want to learn more about you as well, Philia. Now that we’re finally married, I want to learn everything there is to know.”

“Th-this really does feel embarrassing, doesn’t it?”

“Right? Ha ha…I got you back, didn’t I?”

“You’re so mean, Sir Osvalt.”

Sir Osvalt grinned mischievously.

This was just one of countless cheerful days we would spend together. That thought made tomorrow—and all the days that would come after it—seem so much brighter.

“Philia… Let’s make this a great honeymoon!”

“Yes! I’m excited already!” I nodded.

When Sir Osvalt and I first met, it never even crossed my mind that we would one day be married.

Sir Osvalt, even if it embarrasses you to hear it, I can’t wait to learn more about you.

No one makes me feel as safe as you. You’re always on my mind, even when I don’t realize it.

Teatime in our new mansion. As the aroma of Lena’s black tea drifted through the air, I found myself captivated by my husband’s easygoing smile once again.

Chapter 1: Royal Meeting Number Two

Chapter 1:
Royal Meeting Number Two

“WHAT DO YOU THINK? It took some time to get used to the new kitchen.”

When I headed into the dining room in the morning, Leonardo already had a breakfast laid out on the table. It included bread, bacon and eggs, salad, and more.

“You never fail to impress, Leonardo. All of these dishes look very tasty.”

“Oh, it’s such a pleasure to get to enjoy Leonardo’s cooking again. It’s been so long!”

“Lady Philia and Prince Osvalt, your words mean the world to me,” Leonardo replied.

He smiled brightly and gave us a nod of appreciation. He seemed genuinely delighted by our praise. I was a terrible cook myself, so to my eyes, the dishes he created shone brighter than any magic ever could.

“Now then, shall we dig in?”

“Of course!”

On Osvalt’s cue, breakfast began. As always, it was just as delicious as it looked.

“Come to think of it, Lady Philia, don’t you have a meeting with the king today?”

Lena’s words made me tense up a little. She was right. Today was an important day.

“Yes. After breakfast, Sir Osvalt and I will go to greet him,” I said. “The truth is, I’m feeling quite nervous.”

I hadn’t visited His Majesty in his audience chamber since I asked him to help save my sister, Mia. The idea of meeting the king filled me with anxiety, just as it had back then.

“Why are you nervous? You saw him at the wedding.”

“Well, I suppose so. I had a lot on my mind then, though, so it didn’t particularly bother me.”

The king’s presence had made me anxious at the wedding, too, but I still managed to have a polite conversation with him. I was focused on ensuring that everything went to plan.

“The thing is, the audience chamber has a particularly intimidating atmosphere…”

Sir Osvalt put my mind at ease. “He would never be rude to you, Philia. There’s no need to worry.”

“Sir Osvalt… Thank you for reassuring me.”

He was right. With Sir Osvalt by my side, everything was sure to go smoothly.

“I’m so jealous, Philia,” said Lena, having just topped up my tea. “You get to meet the king.”

“Lena?” I tilted my head toward her, puzzled by her comment.

“I mean, I’ve never had the chance to meet him—not even once. It’s something everyone wants to experience at some point in their life. Right, Leonardo and Himari?”

Lena looked to the other two for affirmation, but they simply stared at her, confused. “What?”

“Huh? Why are you guys looking at me like that? Did I say something weird?”

“It’s just that I have already met His Majesty.”

“So have I. Sorry, Lena.”

“Huh? Wait, whaaat?! You’ve both met the king?” Lena’s eyes widened in surprise. She clearly hadn’t expected this.

“I made a name for myself during my time as a knight,” Leonardo explained. “It was at that time that His Majesty awarded me a medal.”

“Oh, yes,” said Sir Osvalt. “That was when I was still a boy. You were incredible back then, Leonardo. At the time, you were the finest knight around.”

“It’s a great honor to hear you say that, Your Highness.”

Leonardo was once a member of the Knights of Parnacorta, the most powerful fighting force on the continent. The agility he still possessed was enough to show me what an extraordinary talent he must have been in his prime.

“Hmm. I see why Leonardo would have met him,” said Lena. “But what about you, Himari?”

“Me? When I fled my country, His Highness arranged for me to have an interview with His Majesty. That was how I was assigned to Prince Osvalt’s personal guard.”

Like Lena and Leonardo, Himari had served as a guard for Sir Osvalt before being assigned the task of protecting and looking after me. Now that I took the time to think about it, it did seem unusual for a refugee to be asked to guard a member of the royal family. Sir Osvalt must have made some special arrangements.

“What?! But that means I’m the only one left out! This is so unfair, Prince Osvalt!” Lena’s eyes brimmed with tears as she confronted the prince. I tried to empathize, but was “left out” really the right way to put it?

With a strained smile, Sir Osvalt attempted to comfort Lena. “Sorry. That really is a shame. I’ll tell you what. One of these days, I’ll find a way for the two of you to meet. Bear with me for now.”

Lena looked so sorry for herself that he didn’t have the heart to brush her off.

“Woo-hoo! Do you really mean it? Yippee! Let’s go shopping for new clothes, Lady Philia!”

“What? Oh, right. Okay.”

“Come on,” said Sir Osvalt. “What does Philia need a new outfit for?”

“Lady Philia shouldn’t need an excuse to buy herself some clothes.” Lena puffed out her chest defiantly as Sir Osvalt sat there, dumbfounded.

Indeed, I’d never personally requested to purchase anything new to wear. Clothes didn’t interest me, but no doubt Lena was just trying to do something nice for me.

“Now that Sir Osvalt is living with us, things are even livelier than before,” I said.

“Hold on a minute. Are you telling me I’m here to liven up the atmosphere? Just like Lena?”

“No, no! That’s not what I was trying to say.”

Sir Osvalt laughed. “I know. I think you contribute to the good cheer, too, Philia. You’re part of this group.”

“D-do you really think so?”

I was part of a group. I’d never thought about it that way before. It was a little surprising, but I’d be very happy if my presence made someone else feel the same way I did.

“By the way, Lady Philia, are you planning to dress formally for your meeting with the king?”

“No. I’ll be presenting myself to His Majesty not only as Sir Osvalt’s wife, but also as his country’s saint, so it would be more appropriate to wear my saint attire. Lena, Himari, can I rely on your help?”

“Of course!”

“As you please!”

Once Lena and Himari had helped me get ready for my outing, Sir Osvalt and I left the mansion and made our way to the palace.

***

“We’re a little early,” Sir Osvalt muttered, scratching his head. “Our meeting isn’t for a while.”

We had just reached the castle gates.

“Better early than late,” I responded.

“Good point. How about we go for a walk to pass the time?”

“Prince Osvalt! Lady Philia!”

Just as I was about to agree to Sir Osvalt’s idea, I heard a loud, strong voice calling out to us. It was unmistakable.

“Philip. What are you doing here? You’re usually in training at this time of day.”

It was Philip Delon, the commander of the Knights of Parnacorta. He was the best spearman that the country had to offer, and he’d even imparted his skills to Sir Osvalt.

Philip stood up straight. “Yes, Your Highness! I’ve just come out of a meeting.”

“I see. Keep up the good work.”

I’d heard that the Knights of Parnacorta had been busy lately, allocating personnel to the recovery efforts. Philip, who was in charge, must have had more work to do than usual.

“That reminds me—I heard about you and Lady Philia’s honeymoon plans! You’re going to visit my family’s Delon-style dojo!”

“Yes. That was Philia’s wish,” explained Sir Osvalt.

“Now, that’s a surprise! It was your idea, Lady Philia?”

Sir Osvalt and I were planning to tour Parnacorta for our honeymoon. As part of the trip, we would visit a dojo near the border run by Philip’s grandfather.

“I’m sure my grandfather will be delighted, but still, who goes to a dojo on their honeymoon? It’s a rather eccentric choice! I don’t mean to offend—I’m simply intrigued!”

“Sir Osvalt went there often to train when he was young,” I explained.

“You trained there as a boy, Your Highness? I do remember you coming there with me to learn from my grandfather…”

“I’m interested in Sir Osvalt’s past. I was hoping that visiting the dojo would help me learn more about him.”

“I see! So, that’s the reason behind your visit! It’s wonderful that the two of you are so close!”

Sir Osvalt looked embarrassed. “Don’t tease me, Philip.”

Sir Osvalt was as warm as the sun, cheerful and steady. Before meeting me, he’d been on a journey of his own. Now that I was his wife, I wanted to know everything about him. Was that really so strange?

Philip chuckled heartily. “I’m not teasing you—far from it, in fact! I’m simply pleased to see how much Lady Philia loves you, and happy to hear that you’re visiting my grandfather’s dojo! I couldn’t wish for anything more!”

As Philip gazed happily at us, I noticed that he was welling up a little. I recalled Sir Osvalt telling me that he was easily moved.

“Come on now,” said Sir Osvalt. “You look like you’re about to cry. It’s really no big deal.”

“I-I apologize! I’m just overwhelmed! I’ll send a letter ahead to my grandfather. I hope you enjoy your honeymoon!” Philip bowed, momentarily reducing his imposing stature.

“We will,” said Sir Osvalt. “I look forward to seeing your grandfather after all this time.”

“I’m looking forward to it, too,” I added.

“That’s great to hear. On that note, I’d better excuse myself!”

After bowing his head one more time, Philip walked away.

“It’s almost time. Should we get going?”

“Of course!”

I nodded and followed Sir Osvalt into the castle. I kept my eyes fixed on his back as we made our way to the audience chamber in silence. The last time I’d followed him through these corridors, I’d been preoccupied with thoughts of Mia.

Sir Osvalt came to a halt outside the audience chamber. “Are you still nervous, Philia?”

I hadn’t noticed until then. Earlier that day, I was fraught with anxiety—and yet…

“No. Thanks to Lena and Philip, I’ve been able to calm myself. I’m just fine.”

“I see. I’m pleased to hear that… Well, let’s go in.”

With that, Sir Osvalt and I stepped into the audience chamber.

His Majesty King Eigelstein wasn’t the only person in the room. Prince Reichardt was also present. I had something I needed to share with His Highness, too, so he had kindly agreed to join us.

Sir Osvalt and I kneeled before His Majesty. “Your Majesty,” I said. “Thank you very much for taking the time to see me.”

“Yes. Thank you both for coming. You may raise your heads.” As always, His Majesty exuded an imposing air that made the atmosphere tense.

“Understood!”

“Okay…”

As commanded, I looked up. His Majesty’s expression was cheerier than I’d ever seen it be before. In fact, he looked very much like Sir Osvalt. His kindly mien left me somewhat taken aback.

“There’s no need for such formalities today,” His Majesty laughed. “Osvalt, Lady Philia—allow me to congratulate you on your marriage once again. You’ve found yourself a terrific match, my son.”

“Thank you. She’s far too good for me.”

His Majesty’s words were the highest praise I could ever receive. I’d managed to pull myself together, but his kindness was still rather overwhelming.

“Now, then. I hear you wanted to meet with me before leaving for your honeymoon.”

“That’s right. Philia will be taking a break from her saint duties while we are away. We are here to get your permission,” Sir Osvalt said, explaining the purpose of our visit.

As one would expect, I wouldn’t be on call during our honeymoon. Naturally, we needed to prepare for this.

“I am aware of that matter. I wish you a relaxing trip, Lady Philia. The contributions you’ve made to our country are too great to measure. In fact, you deserve an extended break upon your return.”

I bowed. “I-I understand. Your kind consideration is greatly appreciated.”

I never expected His Majesty to be so generous. I had no intention to take more time off after returning home, but I appreciated the offer.

“Incidentally, Osvalt—at the wedding, you said that you would be travelling abroad for your honeymoon. Did Philia agree to stay in Parnacorta out of consideration for you?”

“No, that’s not what happened. This was Philia’s wish. She wanted to expand her knowledge of our country.”

“How interesting. I would never have guessed that this was Philia’s idea.” His Majesty looked at me, stroking his chin. “Is this true, Lady Philia?”

“Yes. As a citizen of the kingdom of Parnacorta, I requested that we stay here so that I could learn more about this country.”

I had only been in Parnacorta for a little over a year, so I still knew very little about the kingdom. Despite this, I was now the wife of the second prince. I felt obligated to educate myself on account of my new role, but also genuinely desired to expand my knowledge. I wanted to learn more about the kingdom that Sir Osvalt loved so dearly.

I wanted to love the country that the man I loved adored. That was the thing that motivated me the most.

“Heh. Well, fine. I hope you enjoy yourself.” His Majesty nodded, smiling at me. “That is my sincere wish for you—not just as the king of this nation, but as your father-in-law.”

“Oh. Thank you very much.”

I’d never known my father. Despite all that I’d learned about Kamil, I still didn’t feel like I had a dad. This being the case, His Majesty’s kindness warmed my heart. His thoughtfulness knew no bounds.

“Well, that’s enough from me. Now then, Reichardt—didn’t you have something you wished to share?” His Majesty turned toward his other son.

I had something to ask Prince Reichardt, but it looked like he wanted to speak first.

“Yes.” Prince Reichardt stepped forward. Papers in hand, he fixed his gaze on us. “Like His Majesty, I wish to confirm your honeymoon plans—although I would like to go into a little more detail.”

As far as I knew, we’d already shared the details of our route with His Highness. What more was there to know?

“Osvalt, if these details are correct, your itinerary chiefly involves touring our country’s ruins. Is that right?”

“Yeah. Philia wanted to start by learning about our ancient history.”

There were plenty of ruins to visit in Parnacorta, as well as numerous historical structures. I’d asked to visit several archeological sites.

“Understood. Visiting the ruins will not be an issue. I just wanted to confirm. The same goes with the Delon dojo.”

“I-in that case, your issue must lie with…”

“Exactly. It seems you plan to enter the vicinity of the Volcanic Miasma Zone. I want you to explain your motives for travelling there. If possible, I’d like to hear it directly from Miss Philia.”

Prince Reichardt shifted his gaze from Sir Osvalt to me.

So that was what His Highness was so worried about.

“The Volcanic Miasma Zone is plagued by constant explosions that make it too dangerous to enter. The truth is, I’m hoping to find a way to put a stop to them.”

“What?! A way of stopping the explosions, you say?” Prince Reichardt seemed alarmed, but he quickly pulled himself together.

“That’s right. When I was there, I was struck by an explosion myself—which led me to discover what was causing them.”

“I can hardly believe it. If anyone could find a solution, Philia, it would be you, but even so…”

If I could stop the explosions, harvesting Moontear Flowers from the area would be simple. No one had yet developed a promising method of cultivating them, and I had very few specimens to study. Ever since I managed to harvest a few flowers from the Volcanic Miasma Zone, I’d been wondering if I could find a way to make the area safe to explore.

“I was surprised when Philia told me her plans, too,” said Sir Osvalt. “Naturally, we won’t set foot inside the area with active explosions, so we’ll be fine.”

“I understand your reasoning. Still, I can’t fathom why you’d send Lady Philia on such a mission on your honeymoon, even if you’ll have time to rest and recover on your return.”

“You’ve got it all wrong, brother. We’re going there to satisfy Philia’s intellectual curiosity. She’s not just doing it for the benefit of our country and other people, but as a hobby she enjoys.”

Sir Osvalt understood me better than I understood myself. When Lena had asked me what my hobbies were in the past, I’d struggled to come up with an answer. These days, though, I’d grown comfortable with referring to research and development as my hobbies. Sir Osvalt made me feel content with the person I was.

“I see. This all falls under the scope of Miss Philia’s interests. I’m not sure you can call research that benefits the whole nation—indeed, the whole continent—a ‘hobby’, but it certainly aligns with my impression of you, Miss Philia.”

Prince Reichardt seemed convinced. He took another look at his papers before turning to face us. “Your Majesty, I have nothing further to add.”

“Very well.” His Majesty gave Prince Reichardt a nod before addressing us. “Now then, Osvalt and Lady Philia. Do either of you have anything you wish to share?”

I felt hesitant to waste the king’s time, but… “Forgive me, but may I pose just one question?”

“There’s no need to be so formal, Lady Philia. Your words are worth their weight in gold.”

“I am honored to hear that from you, Your Majesty.”

Having obtained the king’s permission, I reached into my bag and took out a bracelet. I handed it to Prince Reichardt.

“Is this…a magic tool, Philia?”

“Yes. I made this bracelet to allow Lena and my other attendants to communicate with me, even when my duties as a saint separate us. It emits magical wavelengths to allow us to converse with one another, and—”

“Yes, I remember. You used a tool like this when you were kidnapped by Asmodeus and taken to Limbo, the realm between the Demon Realm and the surface.”

“Precisely. This is the same type of device.”

As Prince Reichardt said, a bracelet like this one had allowed me to contact Parnacorta when I was captured by Asmodeus.

Magic tools, like the glasses Sir Osvalt and I had received as wedding gifts, allowed people without magical abilities to produce similar effects to spells. This meant that Prince Reichardt could use them, too.

A rare material known as magic ore was necessary to create these tools, making them impossible to produce on a large scale. Every now and then, however, I constructed tools that I needed for my duties as a saint.

The problem with these bracelets was that they were highly inefficient. To get them to work, one had to use an ancient ritual to infuse them with a huge amount of magic. If I wanted to make them widely available, I would have to improve this process.

Prince Reichardt, believing that magic tools were essential for his country’s development, had agreed to increase the import of magical ores. However, a particular wealthy merchant maintained an iron grip on import routes across the continent, making it difficult to acquire a larger supply.

“If anything happens, please use this to get in touch.”

“Miss Philia, you truly do think of everything. Understood. I pledge not to use it unless faced with the direst of circumstances.”

“I appreciate your consideration, Prince Reichardt.”

I bowed to both Prince Reichardt and His Majesty before returning to Sir Osvalt’s side. Now that His Highness had that bracelet, we would be safe even if the worst were to happen.

Something seemed to jog His Majesty’s memory. “Hmm… Speaking of unexpected scenarios, Reichardt, the fourth daughter of the Mattilas family—Lady Grace, I believe—mentioned coming to Parnacorta to serve as Lady Philia’s stand-in.”

Come to think of it, Grace had said something about that to me.

“Yes, sir,” said Prince Reichardt. “Grace did make that suggestion. At the end of the day, however, she is the saint of Bolmern. Depending so much on a foreign saint wouldn’t be ideal, diplomatically speaking.”

“An excellent point… You may be right about that.” His Majesty appeared convinced.

I had to agree. While Grace might be eager to stand in for me, Prince Reichardt’s decision seemed like the wisest course of action.

“On that note, allow me to offer my well-wishes once more. Osvalt, Lady Philia—go and make some memories. That is all I ask of you.”

“We will. I promise to create the most wonderful memories with Philia. Thank you for your kind consideration.”

“If you break that promise, I will never forgive you.”

“Understood!” Sir Osvalt responded. We both bowed our heads before the king.

That concluded our royal meeting.

As we started to make our way out, Prince Reichardt called out.

“Osvalt. Could you pay a quick visit to my office?”

“What for, brother? Is there something you aren’t comfortable saying here?”

What was going on?

“It’s not that. It’s simply something that would be inappropriate for Miss Philia to hear before her honeymoon.”

“Hey. I’m going on the honeymoon, too, you know. Well, whatever. Are you happy to wait a moment, Philia?”

“Of course.”

Sir Osvalt and Prince Reichardt headed off together, while I lingered behind.

***

I had only been standing in the palace courtyard for a few moments when Sir Osvalt returned.

“Sorry for making you wait.”

“It’s no trouble. You took hardly any time at all. Should I avoid asking what that was about?”

“Yeah, that’s probably for the best.” Sir Osvalt appeared somewhat preoccupied. “Can it wait until another time?”

I should have seen this answer coming. Prince Reichardt wouldn’t have spoken to him in private without good reason.

“I understand.”

He laughed. “You’re very cooperative today.”

“I trust that you’ll share it with me when the time is right. You wouldn’t ask me to wait otherwise.”

Reading between the lines, I understood that it was too early for him to share what he’d learned. He’d come to me if he needed my help.

“Yes, I will. I promise.” Sir Osvalt nodded, making firm eye contact. His assertion reassured me, so I said nothing more.

“Anyway,” he continued, “getting back to our meeting with His Majesty… You were quite relaxed. I should have known it’d be a breeze for you.”

“Not at all. Despite all my preparation, I was still nervous. I just tried my utmost not to let it show, since I’d already insisted I was fine.”

Sir Osvalt laughed so hard he clutched his stomach. “Really? It’s so funny to learn that.”

“P-please don’t laugh, Sir Osvalt. You’re embarrassing me.” For some reason, my cheeks were starting to burn.

I’d planned to assume a bolder attitude at the meeting, but His Majesty’s surprisingly open-hearted demeanor actually made me more anxious than I would otherwise have been.

Nonetheless, I appreciated His Majesty’s kindness.

“I didn’t expect him to care so much about our trip,” I remarked.

“My father—I mean, His Majesty—is like that.” Sir Osvalt’s eyes narrowed. “As a king, he’s always been strict with me and my brother, but when he takes on his fatherly role, there’s no one as loving as him.”

“Sir Osvalt…”

My husband must have inherited his kindness from His Majesty. I was certain of it.

“I’m glad you gave my brother that magic communicator. Now, we can embark on our honeymoon free of worries.”

“Yes, that’s true. Prince Reichardt seemed unsure whether to accept Grace’s offer, so I hope we’ve put his mind at rest.”

At the wedding, Grace had insisted that she should act as my substitute while I was away, and Prince Reichardt had considered her offer. We had only been able to visit places like Gyptia and Dalbert because Mammon’s teleportation gate made it possible to travel in the blink of an eye. Under normal circumstances, Parnacorta’s saint voyaging to a faraway land would be cause for concern.

A domestic tour was different, though. I could come straight home if necessary, so as long as we had a means of keeping in touch, everything ought to be fine.

“I got the sense that Lady Grace would impose herself on Parnacorta whether we liked it or not. She might even show up on the day of our departure.”

“Ha ha, don’t be absurd. Grace is Count Mattilas’s daughter. He would never allow it.”

“Heh… I was only kidding around. Anyway, are you ready to go home?”

Sir Osvalt escorted me into a horse-drawn carriage. Slowly, it carried us to our new abode.

“Lady Philia! Your new mansion is magnificent! Its beauty almost brought me to tears!”

There was silence. Sir Osvalt and I exchanged looks of astonishment. Grace gave us a bright, beaming smile.

To my disbelief, Sir Osvalt’s joke had manifested in reality.

“Sigh… I told you Sir Osvalt and Lady Philia would be taken aback, didn’t I, Grace? I do apologize. Madam Grace wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

The Mattilas family’s butler, Arnold, appeared from behind her. He politely lowered his head, his expression noticeably troubled.

“We’re a little surprised,” I said quickly, “but there’s no need to worry. Thank you for coming, Grace.”

“Sure, it’s okay,” Sir Osvalt added. “We’re happy to see you.”

“Lady Philia! Prince Osvalt!” Grace, having seemingly snapped back to reality, bowed again. “I’m sorry for turning up out of the blue. When I heard you two were heading off on your honeymoon, I simply couldn’t stay away!”

“I appreciate your concern. But did Count Mattilas give his permission for you to come here?”

“Of course!” Grace’s eyes sparkled. “In fact, he couldn’t have been more encouraging. He said that as your apprentice, it’s my duty to help you out in times of need!”

On reflection, that did align with the impression I’d formed of Grace’s father. Count Mattilas and his eldest daughter, Emily, both had a strong sense of duty.

“Madam Grace,” said Arnold, “you’re getting worked up.”

“Am I? I-I apologize profusely. Er, Philia… Am I a nuisance?”

“No, not at all. I’m pleased that you’re here, Grace.”

“R-really? That’s such a relief!” Grace’s downcast and dejected expression lightened up.

Grace felt like a little sister to me. More precisely, she had an endearing charm about her that reminded me of Mia.

“In that case, I’ll stand in for you while you are—”

Sir Osvalt interrupted. “It’s okay. You can sit this one out.”

“Prince Osvalt? Are you telling me that you don’t need someone to take over the saint’s role?”

He answered with a nod. “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Sir Osvalt was right. We couldn’t accept her offer.

“I’m sorry to have to turn you down after you travelled all the way here, but the kingdom of Parnacorta has a reputation to maintain. I’m glad that you’re so eager to help, but I can’t allow you to take on the duties of our saint.”

“I-I see. I understand. I’ll respect your decision, Prince Osvalt.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Don’t be silly.” Grace flashed Sir Osvalt a smile. “It was inconsiderate of me to stop by unannounced. You have nothing to apologize for.”

I was genuinely happy to see Grace. I would have loved to see her grow and improve her skills in Parnacorta.

Arnold, who’d been listening to our conversation, turned to Grace. “What next, Madam Grace? Shall we visit Lady Elizabeth’s grave before we return to Bolmern?”

It was sensible of Arnold to suggest she head home. After all, we were going away for our honeymoon.

“No, I don’t plan on doing that yet.” Grace snubbed Arnold’s suggestion with a somber gaze. “I can’t go home until I’ve seen that these two have returned safely.”

Her butler’s eyes widened. “What?”

“If anything were to happen during your happy honeymoon, I have to be the one to run to your aid. Not because I’m a saint, but because it’s what I want to do.”

Arnold scratched his head, looking disappointed. “That’s a very selfish notion to state so shamelessly.”

Sir Osvalt shrugged. “Fine. There’s no use in arguing. I’ll ask my brother to let you stay in the palace as a guest. I can’t imagine him objecting.”

“Prince Osvalt? Th-that’s much too kind. I’m sure I could find an inn to stay at.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I owe your family so much. It would be indefensible not to give the Mattilas saint the respect she deserves. All you’ll have to do is keep my brother company.”

Sir Osvalt gave Grace a cheerful smile. I knew Prince Reichardt would make Grace feel very welcome.

“V-very well. Thank you for tolerating my selfish behavior, Prince Osvalt.”

“Selfish? Your behavior doesn’t seem very selfish to me. I just hope you have a relaxing stay, right, Philia?”

“Exactly. I’m happy that you’re here, and I look forward to seeing the fruits of your training for the first time in so long.”

“Lady Philia! I… I…”

For reasons beyond my comprehension, Grace had begun to tear up.

Somehow, the atmosphere at the mansion had grown even brighter. I couldn’t help but smile. One year ago, I never could have pictured how vibrant my life would become.

***

Osvalt

AFTER ASKING PHILIA to wait for me, I joined my brother in his office. “What’s the matter? You had something else to say?”

Whatever it was, it was something he couldn’t say in front of His Majesty and Philia. What’s more, he said it was unsuitable for Philia to hear ahead of the honeymoon, which seemed ominous. What could it possibly be?

“I was unsure whether to tell you this,” my brother began. “I’m probably being paranoid.”

“What do you mean? You’re not making yourself clear.”

“I know. The truth is…a merchant recently showed up at the palace, trying to peddle his armory.”

“Armory? A merchant went out of his way to sell weapons to you? That’s rare.”

All the nations on the continent had ratified a peace treaty, so there hadn’t been a war for centuries. With the Pope in Dalbert at their center, the countries that formed Sedelgard remained relatively united. Their militaries were too busy dealing with the constant threat of monsters to start conflicts. Although saints dedicated their lives to protecting their people from supernatural threats, armies were dispatched to combat them, too.

It seemed strange for a merchant to visit my brother just to sell him weapons.

“Yes. I found it unusual, too. That’s precisely why I decided to hear him out.”

“So, what exactly was his sales pitch?”

“He claimed that nefarious forces from neighboring countries have their sights set on Lady Philia. Of course, he had no solid evidence, but I’d heard similar rumors elsewhere.”

“Wh-what did you just say?!” My brother’s words made me raise my voice without thinking. I couldn’t comprehend what he said. Why would our neighboring nations target Philia, again?

“Stay calm. As I said, it’s only a rumor.”

“How do you expect me to stay calm? It’s bad enough that such rumors exist at all! Philia is a hero who earned the title of archsaint from the pope! She hasn’t just saved our country, but the whole continent!”

“I know. Philia is, without a doubt, a hero.” My brother’s expression turned bitter. “That’s exactly what makes her a target.”

“Huh?”

Philia was a target because she was a hero? I didn’t get it. What was he talking about?

“Ever since Philia discovered the Moontear Flower, she has revealed too much of her abilities to other nations. They no longer see her as just another saint. Her contributions have made Parnacorta too powerful, and people have even begun to fear her.”

“You’re saying our neighbors are wary because they’re starting to see Philia as a threat?”

“Yes, according to rumor. But, as I’ll continue to remind you, none of this disgraceful talk originates from the royal families of other countries. It’s merely a handful of hot-blooded nobles who have started this scaremongering.”

People could be so shameless. Philia had saved them again and again, and yet they resented her power.

Apparently, heeding my brother’s advice to keep the details of the Moontear Flower incident as private as possible had been the right decision. The news that Philia had obtained Moontear Flowers was enough to get the rumor mill going. If people found out that she’d gotten them from the Volcanic Miasma Zone, there was no telling what chaos might ensue. It wasn’t seen as a place humans could survive. The fact that Philia made it out of there alive would strike fear into even more people.

“If it weren’t for the Great Purification Circle, all the kingdoms would be teetering on the brink of collapse,” I said. “I don’t understand how anyone could harbor such reprehensible thoughts against someone while enjoying the peace that person granted them.”

“That Great Purification Circle is part of the issue. Now that people are safe from monsters, there are threats of a new conflict—this time, between human beings.”

“How ridiculous!”

Had Philia’s efforts all been for nothing? As soon as peace was secured, people started looking for more trouble.

It made no sense. How stupid were these people?

“It seems ridiculous to me, too—but the rumors fueled by this panic were enough to inspire an arms dealer to come sniffing around. He thought he could scare me into buying his wares.”

“You didn’t buy anything, did you?”

“The merchant urged me to purchase a huge number of weapons—but our budget simply doesn’t stretch that far. He must have assumed that royalty is made of money.”

Budget restrictions? My brother’s reasoning seemed cold, but it made sense. Over the past year, a range of circumstances had caused the kingdom’s expenditures to rise. Even if we wanted to invest in weapons, we simply didn’t have the funds.

“You couldn’t afford them, huh?”

“I told him I didn’t have the funding, but he refused to back down. In the end, I ordered one armament for the purposes of defending the royal capital. He made a zealous sales pitch, insisting that it was custom-made. Eventually, he wore me down.” My brother sighed. “At the end of the day, we can’t drag Philia into human conflicts, can we?”

“Of course not.”

Philia was unquestionably powerful—but her power was for protecting the nation from monsters and demons, not for use in war. I would never let her get involved in that kind of dirty work.

“I’m sure you already know this, but before the peace treaty was enacted, crimes committed by foreigners were commonplace. Our nation’s central location was a factor.”

“Yes, of course. That’s why foreigners are still strictly punished for crimes.”

The law of Parnacorta dictated that if a foreigner was arrested for a crime, any of their immediate family members who happened to reside in the country would be held accountable, too.

We now lived in more peaceful times. My own wife came from a neighboring country. People were calling for the abolition of these laws, and yet…

“Yes. I have no intention of returning to a situation that necessitates such laws, but keep your wits about you.”

“I understand. Did you call me aside to ask me to watch out for Philia during our honeymoon?”

“That’s correct. Of course, Philia is far stronger than you, physically. She could easily subjugate attackers without even getting her hands dirty.”

“That’s true, but you don’t need to be so blunt about it. I am a little insecure, you know.”

Sad to say, I was just an ordinary, non-magical human. I didn’t possess the kind of miraculous power that Philia did. She’d always used her own strength to overcome whatever predicament stood in her way.

“I’m sure she relies on you, too—for emotional support.”

“Brother…”

“From time to time, I find myself envying your open-mindedness. You’re unique in your ability to treat Philia as a human being, as a woman, without an ounce of prejudice. Just be yourself, Osvalt, and support her in your own way.”

In the past, my brother devoted himself to political success to support Lady Elizabeth. While she wasn’t as powerful as Philia, she was still a gifted saint. All my brother could do was back her as the crown prince.

“Strength comes in a range of forms. Philia can do anything—but that in itself can be a weakness. You’re the only one who can compensate for her shortcomings, Osvalt. At least, that’s the way I see it.”

“Whoa, would you look at that. You’re actually complimenting me for a change.”

“I’m not complimenting you. I’m simply stating the facts. If you fail to protect Philia, it will go against our national interests.”

How typical of my brother, ending on a cutting remark. I should have known better than to assume he would try to cheer me up. In fact, he was the one who dragged me down in the first place. He was really clumsy with his words—but I appreciated him nonetheless.

“I get the picture,” I said. “You want me to be careful on our trip because Philia may have enemies.”

“Precisely. For now, just keep your wits about you. And don’t tell Philia. It’s her special trip—I want her to enjoy herself.”

“Sure, leave it to me. I won’t say a word. That’s a promise.”

I couldn’t believe Philia was under attack because of her talents and skills. It was utterly absurd.

She was the perfect saint. The greatest saint who had ever lived. She’d only gotten that far because she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others.

The two of us would live happy lives together. That was the pledge I made on our wedding day.

Philia, I’ll dedicate my life to protecting you.

Chapter 2: The Honeymoon

Chapter 2:
The Honeymoon

THREE DAYS AFTER GRACE TURNED UP, the day of our departure arrived.

Sir Osvalt and I weren’t the only ones going. Lena, Leonardo, and Himari were coming to help take care of us.

In front of us stood a large horse-drawn carriage adorned with lavish decorations.

“What a splendid carriage you’ve prepared for us,” I remarked.

“It’s a nice little wagon, isn’t it?” Sir Osvalt smiled. “This carriage is reserved for the royal family of Parnacorta. This is our honeymoon, so only the best will suffice.”

So this was what a royal carriage looked like. It was so extravagant, I was hesitant to step on board.

Lena had no such reservations. “Whoa! I’ve always wanted to take a ride in one of these!”

“Hold your horses, Lena. Our purpose here is strictly to serve His Highness Prince Osvalt and Lady Philia.”

“Don’t worry, Leonardo,” I said. “Lena’s excitement makes me feel much more at ease.”

“Ooh! You’re so kind, Lady Philia!”

Lena threw her arms around me, grinning. Her cheerfulness knew no bounds. I found it incredibly comforting.

“You really indulge her,” said Sir Osvalt. “Don’t let her get so carried away that she forgets to take her job seriously.”

“Ahh! That’s so mean, Your Highness!”

“His Highness speaks wisely,” said Himari. “You must always be primed for combat, Lena. If not, you might be unable to protect Lady Philia when danger arises.”

“Y-you’re lecturing me too, Himari?”

I didn’t stop Prince Osvalt and Himari from reprimanding Lena for her attitude, but privately I thought they could stand to relax a bit.

Hold on. Me, thinking people needed to relax? That was a first. I could hardly believe my own reaction.

The Mattilas family’s carriage was parked beside ours. Arnold, who must have finished preparing for Grace’s move to the royal palace, gave us a deep bow. “Thank you for allowing Madam Grace to stay at your estate for all this time. On behalf of Count Mattilas, I wish to extend my gratitude to His Highness Prince Osvalt and Lady Philia for their generosity.”

“Oh, there’s really no need to thank us. When we come back, we’ll show you the hospitality you deserve.”

“Your kindness is much appreciated. Farewell, Lady Philia—”

Grace jumped in. “Wait a minute, Arnold. You can’t wrap things up without my say-so. Aren’t you going to let me say goodbye?”

“I was simply trying to conclude our conversation in a polite manner, Madam Grace.”

“Silence! Robbing me of my chance to speak with Lady Philia is utterly inexcusable!” Grace puffed out her cheeks, enraged.

Arnold couldn’t have meant any harm, but he looked apologetic nonetheless.

Grace turned to me. “Lady Philia! The truth is, I was desperate to be your stand-in.”

“Grace…”

“But I realize acting in your stead was never going to turn me into you. That’s why I’m going to devote myself to my training even more, in the hope that someday you’ll be proud to call me your apprentice!”

When Mother Hilda told me she was proud to be my teacher, it felt as though all my years of training had paid off. I almost told Grace that I was proud enough already—but I bit my tongue. This wasn’t something to say lightly. Throwing around such high praise would be irresponsible.

Hilda, who was both my teacher and my mother, had expressed her love through her strictness. If that love had helped me to grow, it was too early to give Grace the compliment she yearned for.

“I believe in you, Grace. As long as you continue to push forward with your usual dedication, you are sure to become a wonderful saint.”

“Y-yes! I promise I will! I still have plenty of progress to make!”

That was the right response, wasn’t it, Mother?

The truth is, Grace, I still have a long way to go myself—but the fact that you and Mia look up to me makes me want to be a worthy role model.

“Lady Grace, tell my brother about Bolmern. I’m sure he’d love to hear about it.”

“Of course, Prince Osvalt. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

“Don’t sweat it. We know you meant well.”

It had been arranged for Grace to stay at the palace as Prince Reichardt’s guest, but she seemed a little nervous. “You have nothing to worry about, Grace,” I assured her. “Prince Reichardt is a kind person.”

“Oh, yes, Lady Philia. I had a brief chat with him at your wedding. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” After a short pause, Grace nodded and smiled at me. “On that note, you two, take care on your trip. I wish you both a delightful honeymoon!”

“See you later.”

“Yes. We’ll be back before long.”

After exchanging goodbyes with Grace, I climbed on board the carriage. We were finally setting off on our honeymoon.

As I felt the carriage, pulled by the kingdom’s finest horses, begin to gently sway, my heart swelled with excitement.

“No way,” said Lena, sounding impressed. “I had no idea Parnacorta was so full of old ruins.”

She was gazing at the map laid out in front of her. As she said, it was dotted with historic ruins, large and small, each with its own history.

Two horse-drawn carriages had been supplied for our journey, and it just so happened that Lena was riding with Prince Osvalt and me. She and Himari would take turns acting as our bodyguard at each destination we visited. Leonardo, meanwhile, had a communication bracelet so he could quickly contact the royal palace from the rear carriage if anything were to happen to ours.

“Apparently, Parnacorta was once home to many ancient civilizations,” I said. “This country has three times as many ruins as my home country, Girtonia.”

“It must be really special in that, then,” Lena remarked.

“Yes. Excavations have unearthed many valuable relics left behind by ancient people. I look forward to seeing some particularly rare artifacts on this trip.”

I’d always been fascinated by the relics of ancient civilizations. Some of them were more technologically advanced than the magic tools of today, so they were kept under lock and key. One couldn’t just walk in and take a look. A very special exception had been made for us.

“Even I’ve never seen these relics, so I’m excited, too,” said Sir Osvalt. “After hearing Philia talk about ancient times, I’ve developed an interest myself.”

“Are you sure? I felt guilty for dragging you along, Sir Osvalt.”

Sir Osvalt just laughed off my concerns. “You don’t have to worry about whether I’m interested. As long as you’re enjoying yourself, I’m happy.”

He always managed to quell my worries before I even had the chance to voice them. How did he stay so many steps ahead?

“But hold on,” said Lena. “Our last destination today is the Delon dojo where Philip grew up.”

“Yeah.” Sir Osvalt nodded at her. “It’s the halfway point between here and the ruins we’re visiting on day two. I haven’t been there for so long. It’s sure to bring back fond memories. I’m looking forward to seeing my instructor, too.”

I didn’t know much about spearmanship, but both Philip and Sir Osvalt were highly accomplished. The dojo that served as the foundation for their skills intrigued me almost as much as the ruins.

“What kind of place is it?”

“Oh? You’ll see this when we get there, but it’s tucked away in the mountains. The atmosphere is even murkier than at Lady Hilda’s mansion. As a kid, it used to give me the heebie-jeebies.”

“Ooh, really? Lady Philia won’t be the only first-time visitor, so that’s exciting. I bet it’ll be new to Leonardo and Himari, too.”

“Actually, they’ve both been there before.” Sir Osvalt’s response left Lena looking stunned. “Leonardo trained there during his time as a knight. As you know, both my father and I prefer the Delon style of spearmanship. It’s one of the leading schools in Parnacorta.”

Lena groaned in disappointment. “I get why Leonardo might have been there, but Himari’s not a knight!”

“When Himari first arrived in this country, Gene Delon, the Grand Master of the Delon school of spearmanship, took her under his wing. He saved her life.”

I hadn’t realized that both Leonardo and Himari had visited the Delon spearmanship dojo. I was especially surprised to hear that Gene Delon, Philip’s grandfather, had rescued Himari. I wanted to hear more about that story later.

“What?! Have I been left out again?”

Lena pouted, holding her head in her hands. Evidently, she was still stinging over not having met the king.

“Isn’t it a little much to say you’ve been ‘left out’? You just happen to be the only one who hasn’t done these things. That’s all there is to it.”

Lena looked as though she were about to cry. “But Prince Osvalt, that’s precisely what it means to be left out!”

“Come on, Lena.” Sir Osvalt looked troubled.

“Please calm down, Lena,” I said. “I haven’t been to the dojo either.”

“Oh yeah! That’s true! Lady Philia and I are in the same boat! In that case, everything’s just peachy!”

“Jeez, you never let up.” Lena’s sudden mood shift brought a wry smile to Sir Osvalt’s face. Her innocence never failed to brighten the atmosphere.

“Nevertheless, Sir Osvalt,” I said, “there’s been a change to our schedule, hasn’t there? You said there was a place we absolutely had to visit first.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I know I said I’d let you choose all our honeymoon destinations…”

On the day of our meeting with the king, Sir Osvalt hastily suggested that we add another destination to our honeymoon itinerary. I knew that Prince Reichardt had discussed something with him. Could that have had something to do with the sudden change?

“No, I’m pleased that you spoke up. This honeymoon is for both of us, after all. If this is what you want, I’m more than happy to join you.”

“Thanks. Don’t worry, it won’t take too much time.”

“Take all the time you need. It was the Altette Forest, wasn’t it? That’s just southwest of the capital.”

The Altette Forest was near the capital city, so it was free of monsters—and off the usual route I took while working. I’d never been there before, but I was slightly taken aback when Sir Osvalt suggested that we make a special effort to visit.

“Does it seem strange that I’d want to visit some boring forest?”

“What? No. I would never dismiss a place like that. It’s certainly unexpected, though.”

It was as though he’d seen right through me. My surprise caused my voice to crack. Had I always been this easy to read?

“Sorry. I could’ve worded that better. The truth is, I don’t have a reason for going there specifically.”

“You don’t?”

“I simply want to take a walk in a quiet forest and clear our heads, just the two of us. I want you all to myself for a while.”

Sir Osvalt always took a farsighted view of things. At times, I struggled to work out what he wanted. I’d absorbed so much knowledge from the books I’d read, but when it came to human emotions, I was completely out of my depth.

“Sir Osvalt, I’d be lying if I said I understood…but hearing that makes me happy. Deep down, I think I want the same thing.”

“Do you?”

“Yes—time spent strolling aimlessly by your side. I’m not sure why, but it feels like something I’m longing for.”

There was a reason for everything. That was a rule I lived by.

It was all right if something didn’t entirely make sense to me. If it warmed my heart, and it was what my heart longed for, I would follow those urges without hesitation.

Naturally, some situations required the use of logic, but Sir Osvalt had taught me that not everything needed a rational explanation.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m happy to hear it. You’re so kind, Philia.”

Before I knew it, I could feel his warm hand against mine.

Bouncing along in our carriage, we made our way toward the Altette Forest.

***

“Okay. We’ll wait right here.”

Once we arrived at the forest, Sir Osvalt and I set off on our stroll, unaccompanied.

The sun had only just come up, so the forest was dark. It was quiet enough for me to hear turtledoves chirping in the distance.

“It’s still pretty chilly. Are you okay, Philia?”

“Oh, I’m fine. I can cloak myself in a thin layer of magic to maintain a reliably comfortable temperature.”

My work required me to venture into a range of environments, so there were times when my saint’s attire simply wasn’t appropriate. On those occasions, I found it useful to blanket my body in a thermal layer of magic. This technique was far simpler than the Robe of Light, which required the absorption of mana from the atmosphere. All saints had it in their repertoire.

Sir Osvalt laughed. “I should have known. Now that you mention it, I remember that when you first arrived, Lena was surprised that you didn’t have a change of wardrobe for the seasons. I guess you don’t need it.”

“No, but Mia likes to have robes in different styles. I suppose fashion just doesn’t interest me.”

“That’s another thing that makes you unique.”

“When you put it that way, you make me blush…”

Our conversation was meandering, and our pace was slow. I began to understand why Sir Osvalt wanted to spend some time like this. Everything felt so comfortable. It was as if the two of us had the world to ourselves.

Maybe the most valuable moments in life were the most ordinary, uneventful ones.

“Is this a place you’ve visited often?” I asked.

“Yes. I used to ride my horse here a lot. Sometimes my brother and Lady Elizabeth would join me.”

“Lady Elizabeth, too?”

At this mention of my predecessor, I couldn’t help but press further. More than anything, however, I was intrigued by Sir Osvalt’s past.

“This was before Lady Elizabeth caught the devil’s seed. She never had the strongest constitution, though. My brother heard that forest walks might help build up her strength, so he invited her along. I was the one who introduced them to this place.”

“Sir Osvalt…”

Sir Osvalt looked proud as he spoke of his brother’s kindness. It was clear that Prince Reichardt had long been concerned about Elizabeth’s health.

“I told you before that I had no special reason for wanting to come here, but on second thought, maybe it was because of them.”

“You wanted to come here because of Prince Reichardt and Elizabeth?”

Sir Osvalt explained why he had been drawn to the forest. His tone indicated that this realization had only just dawned on him. It must have come to him while he was reminiscing about the past.

“When I saw my brother and Lady Elizabeth enjoying their stroll through this forest, something just felt…right. They seemed like a perfect match.”

I stayed quiet.

“So…I guess I wanted to recreate that with you. I imagined us walking side by side, as if it was the most natural thing in the world… Wait, that’s extremely embarrassing to say out loud. Forgive me.”

He must have grown shy as he was speaking, because he averted his gaze and awkwardly scratched his head.

Walking side by side—he wanted that to be second nature for us. As I listened to him describe this idyllic vision, I began to fall in love with it, too.

“What a lovely thought. I’d love for moments like this to become part of our lives.”

“Philia?”

I reached out and clasped his large hand. Blood flowed through our intertwined fingers. Its warmth made it feel like we were truly connected.

I wasn’t sure how other people would perceive us, but one thing was certain: I wanted the spot beside Sir Osvalt all to myself. I wanted him to be mine and mine alone.

“I think my selfishness might be getting the better of me.”

“Oh? This again?”

“It’s your fault, Sir Osvalt. Nowadays, I struggle to think of anything but life with you.”

As the sunlight filtered through the trees, I silently nestled closer to my husband.

Maybe I was being needy again, but I wanted to feel him near me forever, even when we were old and gray.

“Welcome back, Prince Osvalt and Lady Philia.”

We emerged from the forest and returned to our carriage to find Lena waiting for us.

“How was your walk in the woods?” she asked.

“It was so much fun. It’ll be a fond memory.”

“Hearing you say that makes me glad I suggested it,” Sir Osvalt chuckled.

“That’s the best answer I could’ve hoped for,” said Lena. “Now then, your carriage awaits.” With a reverential bow, she opened the carriage door.

We climbed back in and set out for our next destination, a place I’d dreamed of visiting since I first arrived in the country—the Sivaltz Ruins.

“Come to think of it, we’ll have a guide around the ruins, won’t we, Sir Osvalt? Do you know whom?”

“Yup. At the palace’s request, the Royal Academy has arranged for a promising young archeologist to act as our guide. His name is Rick Lucael.”

“Rick Lucael? Isn’t he the researcher who made waves with his groundbreaking archeology paper the year before last?”

“Oh, you’ve heard of him? But that was before you came to this country.”

Someone would be accompanying us as we toured the ruins on our honeymoon. That guide was called Rick Lucael, and I knew him by name. The second son of a noble family, he’d won wide acclaim with his archeology thesis at the Royal Academy, then studied abroad. I was sure he was a promising talent. Rick had also conducted archeological research to determine when the explosions in the Volcanic Miasma Region commenced, so his name was one I knew well.

“We’re meeting Rick at the Sivaltz Ruins. I hear he really knows his stuff, so I’m sure he’ll make an excellent tour guide.”

The Sivaltz Ruins were situated in a remote area along the border with Alectron. After several hours of being tossed around in our carriage, we finally reached the site.

***

“We made it. Watch your step, Philia.”

“Thank you, Sir Osvalt.”

I took Sir Osvalt’s hand and stepped out of the carriage. A vast, verdant landscape stretched out before my eyes.

I’d only visited this area for work, so it felt new and exciting to be able to explore it at leisure.

“Look! It’s Lady Philia and Prince Osvalt!”

“It’s such a thrill to get to see the archsaint!”

“Esteemed Saint! Your Highness! Congratulations on your marriage!”

I glanced around to discover that a group of locals had gathered nearby. They must have heard us arrive. They all welcomed us with smiles and waves.

“Oh, we’re so grateful that you’re here!”

“This makes me happy to be alive!”

“I never thought I’d have the honor of seeing Saint Philia and Prince Osvalt visit us out here in the middle of nowhere! How moving!”

Everyone’s reaction was different—some people looked toward the sky, while others clasped their hands in prayer. I was struck by how different their reactions were from those I received in the capital.

Much of a saint’s work was done in wild, unpopulated areas, such as the mountains around Parnacorta. It was rare for us to visit remote settlements like this one.

I stood frozen, unsure what to do. “Er, Sir Osvalt…”

Sir Osvalt leaned over and whispered to me. “They’re happy to see you, Philia. Give them some sort of response.”

“U-understood!”

I did as he said and waved my hand.

This was a new experience for me, but as a saint and the wife of a prince, I would have to adapt. Sir Osvalt, standing by my side, smiled and waved like a true professional.

“Whoaaa!”

“Lady Philia! You’re so beautiful!”

“Long live Prince Osvalt! Long live Lady Philia!”

Their cheers were louder than I expected. The atmosphere felt electric.

These people were acknowledging my work. That made me happy. I accepted their passion with grace.

“Coming through. Yes, yes, excuse me.”

A dark-haired young man in a white coat pushed his way through the crowd of villagers. His obsidian-black eyes were hooded by heavy lids, and his unsteady gait made it seem like he was about to fall.

“Uhm, I take it that you are Prince Osvalt and Lady Philia. I’m the one who’s going to be, uhm, acting as your tour guide. My name is Rick Lucael. Yes.”

Rick greeted us with an awkward bow. He seemed nervous.

“Great.” Sir Osvalt stepped forward. “I’ve heard so much about you, Sir Rick. It’s a pleasure to have you accompany us.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

I followed Sir Osvalt’s example and greeted Rick, too.

“What’s the matter, Sir Rick?” said Sir Osvalt. “Lift your head.”

“Oh, understood! M-my apologies. You see, I read in a research report that, historically speaking, people bow to royals for an average of approximately forty-seven seconds. And, uhm, you see, I’d only counted to forty in my head. Yes, I-I do apologize.”

“O-okay. Right. I see…”

For a moment, Sir Osvalt appeared stumped for a response. That was unusual for him.

“I’m quite excited to have the chance to walk around the site,” I said. “What kind of things will we get to see here at the Sivaltz Ruins?”

“Uhm, I hear you. Good question, Lady Philia. Well, you’ll find the answers in these documents here. You’re more than welcome to take a look at them.” Rick handed me a messy pile of papers.

“Oh, I see.”

I leafed through the papers. All the key points were well summarized. Having these documents to refer to as we made our way around would make things easier.

“Now then, follow me. I know it’s a bit of a hike, but, well, bear with me.”

Rick staggered toward the nearby Sivaltz Ruins, which were just a stone’s throw away.

What discoveries lay in store for us at our first archeological site?

“As you can see, these are the ruins. By decree of the royal palace, they’re, uhm, tightly controlled.”

I was surprised to find the ruins surrounded by a stone wall equal to the walls around the palace. “I didn’t realize the site was so well-protected,” I remarked. “That’s very secure. We had no safeguards like this in Girtonia.”

“Parnacorta is a leader in historical research and discovery, you see. And, of course, the king’s grandfather took a great interest in archeological research. Indeed.”

Only a select few were permitted to enter the site, so Leonardo and the others would be unable to join us. But I’d hoped they’d be able to look in, at least.

“Uhm, I’ve already gone ahead and borrowed the key, so yes. Let’s head inside.” Rick opened the heavy metal gate and ushered us into the site.

“I feel as though I’m intruding,” I said.

Seeing all this tight security made me falter, but Sir Osvalt encouragingly reassured me that everything was fine. “Don’t fret. No one would object to you walking around the ruins, Philia.”

I reminded myself that I was about to be blessed with a priceless experience. There was no point in turning back. I needed to savor every moment.

A moment later, I gasped. “As soon as we passed through the gate, the atmosphere utterly changed.”

“I-indeed!” Rick nodded energetically. “Yes, you took the words straight out of my mouth. I should have known you’d pick up on that right away, Lady Philia. Yes, yes.”

The walled space even smelled different. It was as though time had stopped altogether. Only a small number of people were allowed inside, even to carry out excavation work. The place had a mystical aura that not even Loukmabatos possessed. It seemed plausible that this was due to the site’s long years of isolation.

“I-I believe Prince Osvalt already knows this, but Sivaltz Ruins have a deep connection to the kingdom of Alectron, you see.”

“They do? I had no idea.” I thought I’d done plenty of reading up on the ruins, so I couldn’t help but question this unexpected revelation. I sensed I was about to receive privileged information.

“Yes, even someone as widely read as you would be unaware. Uhh, did you know that the royal family of Alectron worship a Goddess of Creation, instead of the Cremoux church?”

“Oh, yes. They see their thriving arts scene as evidence of her influence.”

“Precisely. This isn’t officially confirmed, but the Sivaltz Ruins are believed to be the holy birthplace of the goddess herself. This claim originates from a very, very small number of texts, so most people of Alectron are unaware of the connection. Indeed.”

As we walked, Rick explained the relationship between the Goddess of Creation, whom the royal family of Alectron worshipped, and the ruins. I had never heard of these texts myself.

“Uhm, they believe this stone monument proves that the goddess was born here. Now that we’ve made long-awaited strides in the decryption of the archaic language, the theory is becoming highly credible. Indeed.”

Rick had led us to a particularly large monument. Although it was aged and hard to read, it did bear an inscription in the archaic language.

“Oh! This is a passage about the Goddess of Creation.”

“Huh? Uhh, have you deciphered it already?” Rick’s previously sleepy eyes widened. “Th-that’s incredible. Yes, indeed, Lady Philia, that’s quite right.”

Evidently, I was correct. That aside, I was struck by how thorough the preservation efforts were. I doubted that any other country took such care with its ancient ruins.

“No, I should have expected nothing less from you, Lady Philia. None of our researchers would be able to decipher an archaic text that quickly. Indeed.”

“Well, I’ve done a quite a bit of research into other religions.”

Thanks to all the books I’d read about gods in the library in Dalbert, most of them written in archaic language, I’d been able to decipher the text. Some parts were unintelligible, so I couldn’t read all of it, but…

“Yeah, you were holed up in the library for a long time,” said Sir Osvalt. “You were determined to prove that Archbishop Henry had altered the pope’s will.”

“Yes. If it weren’t for that experience, deciphering this text would have taken much longer.”

I recalled my time in Dalbert with Sir Osvalt. From my studies, I’d learned that the Alectron religion considered the Goddess of Creation the most powerful deity of all. I couldn’t imagine any entity being more powerful than Hades, whom I’d confronted during that sojourn. The thought of someone so mighty standing in this very spot filled me with awe.

“I have, well, finished deciphering the section that Lady Philia kindly pointed out. Indeed. It says here that this is where the Goddess of Creation resides. Yes, indeed.”

“I see,” said Sir Osvalt. “She was really here.”

Rick crossed his arms as he assented. “Yes. At least, that was the profoundly held belief of the ancients—and this inscription corroborates that, Prince Osvalt.”

Like a true researcher, he emphasized that this was still only a hypothesis.

“If the royal family of Alectron got wind of this research—”

“They would embrace this as a holy land even more fervently than they already do. Indeed, it’s already a center of great veneration.”

The royal family of Alectron had designated these ruins as a holy ground. If I recalled correctly, they believed themselves to be the first humans the Goddess of Creation had made. It was this belief that made her the center of their worship.

The Cremoux religion emerged after Heaven—the home of the gods—and the Demon Realm were torn apart. The goddess worship of Alectron was even older than that.

“Interesting.” Sir Osvalt sounded lost in thought. “If that’s true, then…”

“Is something bothering you, Sir Osvalt?” Intrigued, I asked what was troubling him.

“Huh? Well, sort of. The royal family of Alectron pays a clandestine visit to the Sivaltz Ruins once every four years, so I maintain certain diplomatic relations with them.”

“Oh, I see.”

“And they’re due another visit this summer.”

“Is that so?”

Even if it wasn’t an official visit, it would be customary for the royal family to ask Parnacorta’s royal family for permission. After all, the ruins were within their jurisdiction.

“Four years ago, my older brother was the one to deal with them. But this year, I’ve been asked to take on that task.”

“Prince Reichardt has passed the duty on to you?”

“He’s given me permission to act on his authority, in case something happens to him. He wants me to experience different responsibilities to make me more mindful of my role as a member of the royal family.”

I’d heard about this prior to our wedding. Sir Osvalt had been surprised that Prince Reichardt had given him such authority, but he accepted it out of consideration for his brother’s feelings toward their country.

“I’ll help you out, then. Let’s work together.”

“Philia… Your support would be invaluable. But could you let me do this on my own? My brother says he’s counting on me. I have to try to live up to his expectations.”

There was a powerful gleam in his amber eyes. The simultaneous gentleness and intensity of that light told me that his mind was set.

“I understand. Just don’t hesitate to speak up if you find yourself in trouble.”

“Sure. If I’m ever in a tricky spot, you’re the woman I’ll turn to. Thank you.”

Sir Osvalt responded with good grace, but something told me he’d do whatever it took to complete the task by himself. I was stubborn myself, so I could understand that. I knew how powerful human willpower could be when compromise wasn’t an option.

“Prince Osvalt. Lady Philia.” Rick reluctantly raised his hand. “Are you ready to move along, by any chance? Indeed, you’ll have to excuse my insolence—but if we fall behind schedule, we won’t be able to see everything the ruins have to offer.”

“Oh, good point. Take us to the next exhibit, Rick.”

“M-my pleasure. I apologize for hurrying you along.”

We followed the advice of our tour guide and continued to make our way around the ruins.

“You see, the Sivaltz Ruins are revered as the birthplace of the Goddess, but in recent years, they’ve also gained renown as an archeological site.”

“Is it true that divine objects have been unearthed here?”

“Shrewd as ever, Lady Philia. You certainly know your stuff. Indeed.”

Divine objects were thought to be left behind by the gods. The only one I’d personally seen was the Holy Servant’s Staff, during our visit to the Holy Land. It was powerful enough to control Hades himself.

Many divine objects harbored power that far exceeded human capabilities. Every country treated them as national treasures.

“These ruins have their own treasure vault. It’s kept under especially tight supervision, and stealing from it would incur an automatic death sentence.”

“Even fewer people are allowed in there, aren’t they? I hear that only some researchers are permitted to enter, and even then, they’re monitored.”

“Yes, yes. Surveillance is carried out by the most proficient and trusted cavaliers the Knights of Parnacorta have to offer.”

These were national treasures and priceless artifacts. It was only natural that they were kept under such close surveillance.

We were planning to look inside the treasure vault, but I wasn’t the only one who needed permission from the king to do so. Even Prince Osvalt required authorization. Not even princes could enter the vault without prior approval.

“Thank you for requesting His Majesty’s permission to visit the treasure vault, Sir Osvalt.”

“Hey, don’t worry about that,” Sir Osvalt answered with a cheerful smile. “It’s really nothing. Rick will take us there later.”

His smile was reassuring. His warmth could put anyone at ease.

“I’m no exception to the rules,” said Rick. “This will only be the third time I’ve had the privilege to enter the treasure vault. Indeed, it’s the first time I’ve gone inside for any reason besides research. Having said that, let’s begin by taking a look at the excavation sites.”

Rick guided us to the spots where the archeological digs had taken place. Even these areas had limited access, so excavation had taken years.

After all, preserving the site was the top priority. The pace of progress was secondary.

That was a testament to the king’s grandfather’s commitment to archeology. His Majesty had followed his forebear’s example.

Thanks to this continued passion for preservation, the stone paving and columns built by the ancients remained beautifully intact. The extraordinary space felt frozen in time.

“This is where the Sage’s Gold, which has been designated as a national treasure, was found. Indeed.”

“The Sage’s Gold was discovered here? How fascinating.”

The Sage’s Gold was one of the national treasures of Parnacorta. A mysterious vessel no larger than a cube of sugar, it produced a sample of pure gold each day. It was revered as a divine object, and how it continued to generate gold remained a mystery.

“May I take a closer look?”

“Oh, most certainly. You’re very welcome to look, Lady Philia. But do be careful where you step. Indeed.”

Unable to contain my curiosity, I ventured closer to the dig site.

When I peered down into the deep hole, so deep that I couldn’t see the bottom, I understood exactly what Rick meant. If I slipped and fell, I could severely injure myself.

“This is where the Sage’s Gold was dug up, huh?” said Sir Osvalt. “I remember the stir that caused. The lead researcher was the eldest son of an untitled noble, and he was named a baron for his discovery.”

“You must mean Baron Olfmeil,” I said.

“You’ve heard of him? I should have known.” Sir Osvalt added, “Rick was one of his students.”

Rick bowed his head, looking embarrassed. “I-indeed I was. H-how very kind of you to mention it. Yes.”

I’d known about Baron Olfmeil since my time in Girtonia, and had even read several of his books. Having the title of baron bestowed upon him reflected the greatness of his achievements—and it showed how important archeology was to Parnacorta.

“Still, Baron Olfmeil has retired now, and uhh, excavation has been halted for the past six months due to budget constraints—”

“Sorry?”

Rick appeared somewhat preoccupied, but my voice brought a look of panic to his face. “Oh, ignore me. It was nothing. Indeed.”

I was fairly sure I’d just heard him say that work had halted due to funding…

“S-sorry. I’ll, uh, refrain from making any more flippant comments. Indeed.”

“Your budget wasn’t cut so that I could be brought to this country, was it?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Rick shook his head, refuting my suspicions. “If it weren’t for you, not only these ruins, but our whole country would’ve been destroyed! The cuts had nothing to do with you! Indeed!”

“I see…”

Still, there must have been some connection. I’d heard that Parnacorta gave a national budget’s worth of wealth and resources to Girtonia in exchange for me. It didn’t take a genius to work out that this would lead to cuts in domestic research.

“Philia,” Sir Osvalt cut in, “it was our decision to purchase a saint. Above all, we needed you. And you’ve achieved far more than anyone expected. You have nothing to worry about.”

Parnacorta had been in a truly dire situation. After Elizabeth passed away, the Knights of Parnacorta struggled to protect the country on their own.

Despite his misgivings, Sir Osvalt ultimately accepted his family’s decision to purchase a saint from another country. The crisis must have been serious indeed.

“It’s all right, Sir Osvalt. I’m not trying to blame myself. There’s another matter that concerns me.”

“Oh? What’s troubling you?”

What I had noticed didn’t make sense, given what we’d just learned. If my suspicions were right, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to the matter.

“Sir Osvalt, look over there. Those are human footprints.”

“What?” Sir Osvalt inspected the area I’d pointed out, then responded with a nod. “Hmm. Now that you mention it, they do look like footprints.”

“It rained three days ago, so they must have been made in the past two days.”

Rick said that no archeological work had been carried out for six months. In that case, who had left the footprints? Entering the site without permission was strictly forbidden.

“It can’t be. Surely not. Uhm, indeed. Why are there footprints here?” Rick stared at the prints, looking incredulous.

“Do any researchers enter the site for purposes besides excavation, Rick?”

“Not at all. In fact, you’re the first people to visit the site since we stopped digging. Indeed.”

All signs pointed toward these footprints being left by intruders. In other words, the ruins had uninvited guests. What could have brought them here?

“Hey, Philia. What should we do? It doesn’t feel right to continue our tour.”

“I know. I agree, Sir Osvalt. For the time being, let us—”

“Oh no!” Rick’s sleepy eyes widened again. “What if they got into the treasure vault? Agh! The treasure vault is at risk!”

With that, he ran off in a fluster.

“Should we follow him, Philia?”

“Perhaps we should. The intruders might still be here, and they’re likely in a group. Rick could be in danger.”

“A group? Were there different kinds of footprints?”

“Yes.” I responded to Sir Osvalt’s question with a nod.

Given how tightly secured the ruins were, sneaking in alone would be all but impossible. It wouldn’t be easy for a gang, either, so there was a chance they were armed. If Rick crossed paths with them, he could be in dire trouble.

“Sorry for stopping,” said Sir Osvalt. “We need to hurry.”

“Yes. If we run, we should be able to catch up.”

We chased after Rick, who was fast disappearing into the distance.

The treasure vault was certainly full of valuables, but what if the intruders had another objective in mind?

“Do you have the key, Rick?”

Rick stopped to catch his breath. “Yes. His Majesty gave me permission to look after one of the two keys. The other is in the possession of the knight stationed in front of the treasure vault.”

Rick headed toward the knight with the key, and Sir Osvalt and I followed along behind him.

“What’s wrong, Philia? You’ve gone quiet.”

“Oh, sorry. I was just trying to figure out what the intruders’ goal might be.”

Oh, dear. I was so preoccupied with my own thoughts that my concentration was beginning to suffer.

Some items in the treasure vault were so valuable that selling one could allow a thief to live the rest of their life in luxury. Still, the likelihood that this was the goal seemed relatively low.

“You don’t think they’re here to break into the treasure vault?”

“I can’t rule it out entirely, so we’d better check just in case. There’s also a chance that their objective is to make Rick unlock the vault.”

“I see. It’d be hard for them to get their hands on a key, after all. You think the footprints could have been a diversion?”

“Yes. Either way, we need to keep our wits about us.”

I gathered my magic and looked up at the sky. The monster-repelling barriers that saints created could be used against other targets.

“Um, Prince Osvalt, Lady Philia, I have the key—” Rick stared. “Huh? Where did that wall of light come fr—”

“This barrier of light should be difficult to break through.”

I’d shielded the treasure vault with a dome of light, ensuring it would repel not only monsters but all intruders. We could now safely check inside the vault.

“Nice work,” said Sir Osvalt. “It sure helps that you’re always able to stay so calm.”

“It’s no trouble. I may have been overly cautious, but that’s just the way I am.”

“A-anyway, uhh, let’s take a look inside. Indeed.”

Rick, still flustered, hurriedly unlocked the door, and we stepped inside.

The vault was dingy. A faint musty scent lingered in the air.

What a relief. As I’d hoped, there didn’t seem to be anyone around.

“Uhh, let’s start by checking the Sage’s Gold.”

That was the natural place to begin. The Sage’s Gold was the most valuable item in the entire vault.

“What do you say, Philia? Do you think the treasure vault has been broken into?”

“Probably not. If they’d managed to break in without unlocking the door, there’d be traces. So far, I can’t see any.”

“There it is! Uhm, the Sage’s Gold is safe and sound! As for the other items, uhh, I’ll take a look! Yes.”

His voice brimming with joy, Rick announced that the national treasure was safe.

I was pleased to hear that, but it only left me with more questions.

“Does this mean the footprints were a diversion,” said Sir Osvalt, “and your quick thinking saved us from falling for a trap?”

“No. I played it safe because it was a possibility, but it’s unlikely that they were planning to sneak in after we unlocked the vault.”

“Oh?” Sir Osvalt seemed surprised. “It seemed plausible to me.”

I had erred on the side of caution by putting a barrier up, but making us unlock the vault? That struck me as a peculiar objective.

“If it was a diversion, wouldn’t they have left more noticeable tracks? Those footprints were difficult to make out.”

“Now that you mention it, you’re right. If they wanted us to know an intruder was here, they’d have made their footprints embarrassingly obvious.”

“Exactly. The trouble is, I still don’t know what their true objective is.”

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was overlooking something important.

“If they were aiming for the treasure vault, they would’ve avoided the excavation site altogether, wouldn’t they?” said Sir Osvalt. “Does that mean they snuck in to take something from the site itself?”

“Yes. That’s where my mind took me, too. Er, Rick?”

“Yes, Lady Philia. What can I do for you?”

If the vault hadn’t been touched, perhaps there were clues at the excavation site itself. At any rate, it was clear that people had broken in without permission.

“May we go back to the excavation site? I’d like to investigate.”

“Uh, of course. Good idea. That’s precisely what I was thinking. Once I’ve given this key back to the knight, we can make our way over.”

Rick seemed to have regained his composure, likely because the treasure vault was untouched. If a national treasure—or something almost as valuable—had been stolen, it would have been a significant loss to the country. It was understandable that he was relieved to find everything intact.

With that, we returned to the spot where we’d first seen the footprints.

“Do you see anything suspicious?”

“Well, the dig is already complete,” said Rick. “Anything special would have been locked away here or moved to the treasure vault in the royal palace immediately… So no, nothing stands out.”

“Hmm. Maybe the intruders weren’t after anything that was excavated, then.”

All I could see were a large hole and the remnants of an ancient structure—columns and paving stones. The years had clearly taken their toll on them, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary.

No one would set foot in this place without a reason, though. Whoever had left those footprints must have had a motive. But according to Rick, there was nothing amiss.

Still, the damage to the columns caught my eye. I inspected them in silence.

“Philia? What are you staring at that column for?”

“These marks look familiar.”

“Hm?” Sir Osvalt inspected the column, intrigued. “Are you talking about these hollow cracks?”

I wasn’t recalling something I had seen a long time ago. I had seen marks like these very recently.

They were radial marks, apparently created by a sudden release of energy. The indentations were irregular in size and spacing.

It was as though there’d been a magic explosion…

“Oh! I know! I saw them in the Volcanic Miasma Zone! The rocks there were covered in such marks!”

“The Volcanic Miasma Zone? Are you suggesting there have been similar explosions here? That’s the first I’ve heard…” Sir Osvalt, looking shocked, testified that he was unaware of any such thing happening at this location.

I hadn’t heard of such a thing, either. These explosions must have occurred over a very short period, and not as frequently as in the Volcanic Miasma Zone.

“Are there any records of explosions occurring here in ancient times?”

“Oh, uhh, you took me by surprise. Th-that’s, uhh, precisely my area of study, you see.”

“Oh? Were there really explosions here?”

“Um, well, yes. My research was interrupted due to budget issues, but it appears that local residents were periodically troubled by mysterious explosions. Yes, indeed.”

Rick confirmed my suspicions. In that case, it was reasonable to hypothesize that the explosions had stopped by some kind of intervention.

“If we can find evidence that the ancients stopped the explosions, perhaps we can learn how they managed to do it.”

“You think that’s how we can stop the explosions in the Volcanic Miasma Zone?”

“Exactly! One of my goals on this trip was to come up with a way of stopping the explosions there, so this news is truly fascinating.”

With a little more research, we might unearth something useful.

“Um, with all due respect, Lady Philia—what does that have to do with the intruders?”

“What kind of link could there be? It’s hard to say.”

“You see, I’m rather more focused on catching those intruders. Indeed. Attempting to trespass on our priceless ruins is, well, frankly unforgivable.”

Rick expressed his anger toward the intruders with a strong and emphatic tone.

His frustration was completely understandable, but the break-in didn’t seem to have left any physical damage. Catching the culprits could wait. First, I wanted to determine their motive.

“Well, standing around chatting isn’t going to get anything done,” said Sir Osvalt. “Let’s go back to the carriage.”

“You’re right. We should inform Prince Reichardt about this.”

“Yeah. My brother will chew us out if we take matters into our own hands.”

Sir Osvalt agreed with my suggestion, and we began walking toward the carriage.

As we returned to the carriage, however, I found myself wondering if the ancient explosions and this strange break-in were truly unrelated.

“Well then, uhm, I’ll contact some researchers in the area and ask them to investigate the situation.”

As we neared the carriage, Lena overheard our conversation. “Huh? Did something happen? Prince Osvalt? Lady Philia?”

It was probably best to explain.

No doubt thinking the same, Prince Osvalt told my staff what had happened. “The truth is, it looks like somebody broke into the ruins…”

While it was a relief that the treasure vault was secure, not knowing the intruders’ intentions made me uneasy.

“If nothing was stolen, it was probably just some archeology nerds.” That was the first thing Lena said after hearing the story.

I’d longed to see the ruins for a long time myself, so there was no denying the appeal of simply witnessing them with one’s own eyes.

Leonardo agreed with Lena’s theory. “Your Highness. Lady Philia. I believe there may be an element of truth to Lena’s conjecture. These ruins are not open to the public. It’s human nature to want a glimpse of the forbidden. Perhaps these intruders simply gave in to the temptation.”

The idea that the intruders acted impulsively was certainly plausible, especially since nothing was stolen.

“Th-that couldn’t happen!” Rick insisted. “The security here is extremely tight. A curious person couldn’t simply wander in on a whim. Indeed.”

“Well, I suppose not. You do have Knights of Parnacorta patrolling the area.”

“And aside from those footprints, they managed to cover their tracks, so there must have been some planning involved.”

Entry to the site was prohibited and extensive security measures were in place, especially given the presence of the treasure vault. Forcing one’s way into the ruins would require careful preparation. Although it was possible that the intruders had been innocent curiosity-seekers, it seemed extremely unlikely.

“Theft from the site is punishable by death, and just entering without permission carries a heavy sentence,” said Sir Osvalt. “Maybe one foolish person would sneak in alone, but would a whole group take such a gamble?”

Rick nodded. “His Highness is correct. Uhm, yes. Further still, it would be difficult for somebody to sneak in without anyone noticing them. Indeed.”

In other words, the intruders must have had extraordinary skills.

“I’m sure Himari could sneak in unnoticed,” said Lena.

“Hrm. With ninja techniques under your belt, infiltrating the ruins without anyone spotting you would be a piece of cake,” Prince Osvalt agreed. “Remaining undetected is a fundamental part of being a ninja.”

Himari was likely capable of sneaking into the ruins. She’d even served as my bodyguard for quite some time without my knowing.

“Does that mean the culprits are ninjas?” asked Lena.

“Come on, that’s jumping to conclusions. Himari is the only ninja in this country.”

“I know, I know. But we don’t know the intruders are from Parnacorta, do we? There are other ninjas where Himari comes from.”

“A team of ninjas traveled here from Murasame just to break into the ruins? I highly doubt that. Murasame has severed diplomatic relations with all other countries on the continent.”

Sir Osvalt was right. Why would ninjas travel all the way here from Murasame? Himari, who’d fled her country, was a rare exception. Besides, the kingdom of Murasame rarely meddled in the continent’s affairs.

“They wouldn’t necessarily have to be ninjas,” I said. “As long as they had the training, any exceptional individuals could use ninja skills to break into the ruins.”

I could use my magic to get in, and someone in top physical condition could probably scale a wall. It was reasonable to suspect that the intruders possessed abilities comparable to those of a ninja, rather than being ninjas themselves. In that case, we could search for people who met that description.

“Philia’s right. Our first step is to contact my brother via our magic tool. This is a baffling and unsettling case, even for me. We need the palace to dispatch an investigation committee.”

“Yes indeed. I’ll try to connect us.”

On Sir Osvalt’s instruction, I got out the bracelet-shaped magic tool I’d brought with me in case we needed to talk to Prince Reichardt. I tapped the stone embedded in the bracelet three times with my finger, then stroked it twice. The stone emitted a faint glow.

Prince Reichardt would notice that my magic tool had been activated and stroke the stone on his bracelet twice, causing the embedded gem to release a glow of its own. That was how the connection between our two bracelets was established.

“Miss Philia. Osvalt. What a surprise. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you on your first day. Is something the matter?”

Prince Reichardt’s voice came through loud and clear. We’d successfully gotten through to him.

“Sorry, brother. We were at the Sivaltz Ruins when Philia spotted some footprints inside—”

Sir Osvalt explained everything to Prince Reichardt. His Highness listened quietly, offering occasional grunts to show he was paying attention.

When Sir Osvalt finished his explanation, having emphasized that the treasure vault had remained untouched, the prince responded properly.

“All right. I think I get the gist of the situation. As you say, Osvalt, this is an extremely puzzling matter. Very well… I will assemble an investigation team and send it out right away.”

“Great. I’ll leave it to you.”

“I expect you realize this already, but as strange as this matter is, you shouldn’t let it disrupt your honeymoon. Allow me to deal with the rest. You two should continue your honeymoon,” Prince Reichardt said, considerate as always.

He wasn’t wrong. As he said, we were in no particular danger, so it would be wise to let him handle the case.

“That’s all right with you, isn’t it, Miss Philia? Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll be worried, but even so…”

“It’s fine. This is our special trip, so we’ll pick up where we left off. I appreciate your concern.”

“I see. I’m relieved to hear that. On that note, you’ll have to excuse me. I’m going to prepare to dispatch the investigation team.”

With those words, the call ended. I was confident His Highness would organize a proper investigation.

“Th-that magic tool is simply terrific.” Rick stared at my bracelet, looking astonished. “To think that you can have a conversation with Prince Reichardt all the way in the capital. Indeed. When it comes to creating magic tools, you must be in a league of your own, Lady Philia.”

My magic tool probably seemed unusual compared to those available in markets. Mass-produced tools were typically those that provided for everyday needs, such as lighting and insulation. My bracelet was quite delicate, so it wasn’t suited for mass production.

“Um, I take it that Prince Osvalt and Lady Philia will continue their travels as planned? Indeed.”

“Yes. Our next stop is the Delon dojo.”

Yes. Our final destination for the day was the Delon-style dojo, run by the grandfather of Philip, the commander of the Parnacorta Knights.

The sun was already setting, so we would stay there overnight.

“Yes. Understood. In that case, I will, um, head straight to the next site you will be visiting and prepare for the tour. Indeed.”

“Great. We’ll see you at the Amalgoa Ruins. Thanks for all your hard work today.”

“You’re much too kind, Your Highness. Yes. On that note, um, I’ll take my leave.”

Rick bowed politely, and we parted ways for the time being.

It had been an eventful day, but he’d made our visit both enjoyable and tremendously worthwhile. He was, without a doubt, an excellent archeologist. I was sure he would go on to make many wonderful discoveries.

“Well,” said Sir Osvalt, “I guess we should head to the dojo. We don’t want to be too late—we’ll offend my instructor.”

“Of course. Let’s get going.”

We set off for the Delon spearmanship dojo, the place where Sir Osvalt had trained from a young age.

I couldn’t wait to see what it was like.

***

Reichardt

“THAT’S ALL RIGHT WITH YOU, isn’t it, Miss Philia? Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll be worried, but even so…”

“It’s fine. This is our special trip, so we’ll pick up where we left off. I appreciate your concern.”

“I see. I’m relieved to hear that. On that note, you’ll have to excuse me. I’m going to prepare to dispatch the investigation team.”

I stroked the gem on the bracelet, bringing our correspondence to an end.

Once again, an unexpected complication had made itself known. The only silver lining was that the couple wasn’t in danger this time.

“Well, then,” I said to myself, “let’s begin preparations.”

Ever since Philia had come to our country as a saint, we’d become overly reliant on her, albeit inadvertently. Of course, her dedication was priceless to us, and we couldn’t have been more grateful for her professionalism.

“Truthfully, I’m relieved that Miss Philia is pursuing her own happiness.”

Osvalt must have worked his magic on her.

He was doing for Philia what I wished I could have done for Elizabeth. That was why I was so keen to see their honeymoon conclude without a hitch.

“Dispatch five experts in archeology and about twenty of our knights.”

“Understood! I will make arrangements immediately!”

The commander of the Knights of Parnacorta, Philip Delon, responded to my instructions in his usual high spirits. By now, the happy couple were probably on their way to his grandfather’s dojo.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to join them, Your Highness?”

“No, it’s fine. This case doesn’t warrant the presence of a commander.”

“Very well. I understand!”

“Not yet, at least. If this turns out to be too much for the investigation team to handle, I’ll put you into action.”

I seemed to have gotten into the habit of catastrophizing. Surely this case wouldn’t be that serious, no matter how I looked at it. Still, it was better safe than sorry.

Osvalt always used to say, “No outcome is a good outcome.” Though I didn’t always agree with his brazen attitude, I decided to follow his example in this case.

“Roger that! I’ll form an investigation team and send it over immediately!”

With this clear response, Philip gave me a neat bow and exited my office.

It was already pitch-black outside, but my workday wasn’t over yet.

“Prince Reichardt. Your visitor from Bolmern, Saint Grace, and her butler, Sir Arnold, are here to greet you.”

“Grace? Please send her in.”

Osvalt had told me that Miss Grace had come to Parnacorta to take on Miss Philia’s job. Though eccentric, she reminded me a little of Elizabeth.

The door opened, and Miss Grace and her butler, Arnold, stepped inside.

“Excuse me for dropping in on you, Prince Reichardt. Thank you very much for inviting me to the royal palace.”

Like a true daughter of the Mattilas family, Miss Grace greeted me with impeccable etiquette and all the proper manners.

“Think nothing of it. I appreciate you making the effort to come to our country. I must treat you with the courtesy you deserve.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m the one who turned up unannounced. I apologize for putting you in this awkward scenario. I’m humbled that you invited me here anyhow.”

“Aha ha. I’ve had a lot on my plate today, but I’m sure I can find some time for you tomorrow. How does tea sound?”

Now that she’d come all the way here, I couldn’t just send her packing. I’d assigned the task of forming an investigation committee to Philip, so I was sure I could find an opening in my schedule.

“I would love to. It’ll make for a wonderful story to tell my sisters when I get back.”

“Certainly. I look forward to it.”

After agreeing to the tea party, Grace left the office.

I was a lost cause. I’d promised myself to look toward the future, and yet here I was, reminded of Elizabeth yet again.

Chapter 3: The Break-In at the Ruins

Chapter 3:
The Break-In at the Ruins

I’D HEARD THAT GENE DELON—the grandfather of the commander of the knights, Philip Delon—was still teaching at the Delon spearmanship dojo. He hadn’t always run a dojo, though. When the current king’s grandfather was on the throne, he exercised his talents as one of the Knights of Parnacorta.

As we made our way to the dojo, Sir Osvalt told me more about Gene.

“Forty years ago, Gene was the knights’ commander. He was a great champion. Across the continent, his name became synonymous with spearmanship.”

“He must have been quite remarkable.”

“He was. In fact, he showed my father the ropes when he was younger. Even now, as master of the dojo, he still advises the Knights of Parnacorta. That in itself gives him a fair amount of influence.”

Gene Delon’s name was renowned beyond the country’s borders. Surely, he was an extraordinary person.

“You trained under him as well, didn’t you, Sir Osvalt?”

“Hmm? Ha ha, yeah, I did. To my young eyes, he was a strict mentor—though he’d look like a timid mouse in comparison to Lady Hilda. He had me run around with buckets of well water in my hands and swing my spear a thousand times… He certainly beat the softness out of this pampered prince.”

Sir Osvalt smiled wistfully.

I felt like I was starting to see where he got his inner strength. Despite his royal status, he was open-minded and thoughtful.

“Those sound like painful memories. Why does thinking about them bring a smile to your face?”

“Good question. I wonder why. Still, you look happy when you reflect on your training with Lady Hilda. Maybe we think the same way.”

“What?”

Did I really look happy when I spoke about the training Mother Hilda put me through? This observation left me scratching my head.

“Perhaps it’s because we treasure the strength and outlook those experiences gave us. You once said that Lady Hilda’s training was her way of showing her motherly love. That makes it precious to you, right?”

“Yes, you’re right. The strength my mother gave me is a real gift.”

Strength wasn’t everything, but without it, I wouldn’t have been alive today. Mother had given me something precious. It was only natural that my joy would show on my face.

Sir Osvalt’s argument was simple, but it made sense.

“Plus, I hated sitting at a desk as a kid. Moving around suited me far better.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Yeah. My father and Leonardo used to tell me off all the time.”

Sir Osvalt sounded nostalgic as he shared these childhood memories. It was amusing to imagine him as a hyperactive little boy.

“Don’t get me wrong, though, Philia. I wasn’t a slacker.”

“I know,” I said, laughing. “It sounds like Leonardo had his hands full with you, though.”

“I guess so. Leonardo’s always been there for me. I chose him for my personal guard because I know I can trust him—and I sent him to look after you for that same reason.”

Sir Osvalt and Leonardo had known each other for a long time. Leonardo was always calm and attentive. It was easy to see why Sir Osvalt had so much faith in him.

“Did you select Lena and Himari because you trusted them, too?”

“That was certainly part of the reason. But mostly it was because they were the two guards I had who were closest to your age.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

Lena, with her cheerful nature, and Himari, who stealthily kept an eye on me, were both indispensable. I hadn’t known that Sir Osvalt had put so much thought into my well-being before I even arrived in the country. I was happy to hear it.

“You ended up with a pretty oddball group, though. I bet that came as a shock.”

“Oh, no, not at all. I’m so grateful for how well they’ve treated me.”

“Leonardo told me that Himari gave you a shock when she first materialized.”

“Er…well, it’s more that I was annoyed at myself for not noticing her earlier.”

When I first came to Parnacorta, I was surprised that Lena and Leonardo insisted on accompanying me on my official duties. That was nothing compared to my amazement when I learned that Himari had been lurking in the shadows the entire time without even rousing my suspicions.

“A ninja must protect their master using stealth.” Himari recalled those early days with a sharp glint in her eyes. “It was never my intention to startle you, Lady Philia.”

Her ninja techniques, which had come up in conversation earlier that day, were truly incredible. Just a few moments ago, she’d taken Lena’s place in the carriage without my notice. She’d made herself effectively invisible. The way she melded into her surroundings, even more silent than a predator in the wilds preparing to pounce, was nothing short of remarkable.

“I can’t deny that I was startled, but I was pleased to find out that you’d been protecting me all that time. I’m truly fortunate, Himari.”

“Lady Philia, such words are the highest honor I could wish for. You have touched my heart.”

“No need to exaggerate, Himari.”

“I’m not. A master’s praise is a retainer’s most valuable treasure.”

Holding her hand to her chest, Himari bowed her head. Her degree of appreciation almost made me feel self-conscious.

Over time, I’d come to realize that when I arrived in Parnacorta, my old anxieties began to dissipate. I had Sir Osvalt and my dear attendants to thank for that.

“Oh! We’re about to arrive. It’s been so long,” said Sir Osvalt, prompting me to look out of the window.

We were in the depths of a forest. The sun had set, so it was too dark for me to see much, but it sounded like we’d arrived at our destination.

The carriage drew to a halt. We’d reached the Delon dojo of spearmanship.

“This must be the Delon spearmanship dojo.”

“This building…looks rather charming.”

We stood in front of the dojo. An old structure, it was built in an architectural style uncommon in either Parnacorta or Girtonia. Where did this style come from? I, for one, had no idea.

“A pleasure to see you again, Prince Osvalt.”

While I was gazing at the dojo, a small, elderly man emerged. His long white hair was tied at the back, and something about his black eyes reminded me of Philip. He looked quite old, but his back was straight and his demeanor firm.

Despite never having met him before, I knew exactly who he was.

“Instructor Gene. It really has been far too long. Thank you for allowing us to stay with you tonight.”

The old man bowed graciously and took Sir Osvalt’s hand. “Allow me to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your marriage, Your Highness. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give you my best wishes in person until today.”

“No worries. Philip gave me your letter. That was more than enough,” Sir Osvalt replied. “This is my wife, Philia. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to introduce her to you.”

“My name is Philia Parnacorta. It’s wonderful to meet you.”

Although Sir Osvalt had already introduced me as his wife, I still felt a bit awkward using his last name when introducing myself. Every time I did so, it reminded me that I was married now, and that made me tense up.

“Oh! I’ve heard so much about you, Archsaint Philia. You’re even more beautiful than they say you are.”

“What? Oh, I’m really not… Th-thank you, though.” Gene’s comment, delivered with a smile, momentarily left me at a loss for words. What was the right way to respond at times like these?

Sir Osvalt laughed. “You’ve made Philia blush. I know you’re only speaking the truth, but spare her the embarrassment.”

“S-Sir Osvalt!”

“My apologies, esteemed saint.” Gene offered another elegant bow. “This place is far from refined, so at times I forget to mind my manners. The words slipped out of my mouth.”

We were in one of the most remote areas of Parnacorta. If Gene set up shop in the capital, he would have had pupils lining up to learn his craft. Which begged the question—why here? There had to be an explanation.

“You must be exhausted after your long journey. It’s nothing special, but please, do follow me.”

With Gene leading the way, we stepped inside the dojo.

He offered us tea, which was served by one of his pupils. “Please take a sip. It’s a medicinal herbal tea, just the thing a tired body needs.”

It was slightly on the strong side, but the aroma reminded me of the tea Mother Hilda made. She was fanatical about health and made tea out of medicinal herbs.

“Thank you.”

“Yeah. Thanks,” said Sir Osvalt. “…Yes, that’s the one-of-a-kind bitter taste I remember.”

“You’ll have to forgive me. Everything here—food, shelter, and clothing—is dedicated to the military arts. That is the essence of the Delon style, so, guests or not, I refuse to serve any drinks that might harm your health in any way.”

Gene was meticulous about adhering to the strict rules he set for himself. In that way, too, he reminded me of my mother.

“Nevertheless, Your Highness, I’m surprised. I never expected you to come here on your honeymoon. What could possibly have brought you to my dojo?”

The conversation shifted to our honeymoon. Visiting a dojo on a honeymoon probably did seem like an odd choice. I was sorry that our plans raised so many questions.

“When I told Philia that I used to train here as a boy, she insisted that we visit. I was surprised, too.”

“My goodness. You came all the way here just to see this old place?”

“Yeah. I’d love it if you could tell her some stories from back in the day.”

With a kind look in his eyes, Sir Osvalt asked Gene to share some anecdotes from his time as a young prince.

I was desperate to learn more about him. That was why I’d asked to visit. I couldn’t wait to find out what stories Gene had in store for me.

“I’d be more than happy to,” said Gene. “You’ve found yourself a real gem, Prince Osvalt. How delightful.”

“I know. I’m honored to be able to call her my wife. That might sound sappy, but I can say it loud and proud.”

“Er, Sir Osvalt? I’d really rather you didn’t say it too loudly. You’re embarrassing me.”

“Oops, sorry.”

I looked at the ground, my cheeks burning, as Sir Osvalt let out a hearty chuckle.

It was lovely that he expressed his affection so openly, but I still wasn’t used to him declaring our love in front of other people. If only I could respond in a more endearing way…

“I’m sorry, Philia. I just want to brag about having a wife as wonderful as you.”

“Sir Osvalt…”

Ah, well. I’d just have to get used to it. Sir Osvalt wasn’t going to change, so it was up to me to adapt.

“Okay, enough of that!” Lena threw her arms in the air. “I’m dying to hear about what His Highness was like as a kid, too!”

Had she noticed how embarrassed I was and thrown me a lifeline?

Sir Osvalt looked at her, exasperated. “You just want to be entertained, don’t you?”

“Is that a crime? It’s not like I got to see the ruins. At least let me enjoy this!”

Lena certainly didn’t beat around the bush. I admired her free-spirited nature. If only I could be more like her.

“All right. If this young lady wants to hear my stories, I’d best get started. His Highness first visited my dojo when he was five years old. At that time, Sir Leonardo was still in active service, having made a name for himself as a knight.”

“I wouldn’t say I’d made much of a name for myself, but yes, I had been knighted by then.”

“After witnessing Sir Leonardo’s skills, His Highness begged to come to my dojo to train his own strength.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

I had no idea that Leonardo had inspired Sir Osvalt to learn spearmanship. It was clear from the way Leonardo carried himself that he had been a more than capable knight, but even so, this was surprising.

“Well, I didn’t mean to keep it a secret—but it is a little embarrassing to admit.”

“That’s the first I’ve heard of this, too,” said Leonardo. “It’s perfectly understandable that you weren’t aware of it, Lady Philia.”

So this was news to Leonardo, too. As lovely as it was, this anecdote appeared to embarrass Sir Osvalt. I felt like I was seeing a new side to my husband already.

“At first, I was hesitant. I’d been entrusted with one of the kingdom’s princes, after all. If anything were to happen to him, I would shoulder the responsibility. Our dojo is known for its tough training, but when it came to Prince Osvalt, we had no choice but to go easy on him.”

“You went easy on him?”

“Definitely—but it didn’t take long for him to see through our plan. One day, His Highness looked me square in the face and said, ‘I’ll never get strong at this rate.’ I remember it as if it were yesterday.”

It was just like Sir Osvalt to speak so frankly. When his instincts told him he was being mollycoddled, he confronted the situation head-on. It sounded like he’d always been a realistic, sensible person.

“I was stumped. I never expected a five-year-old boy to yell at me like that. But it sparked a new sense of responsibility in me—the responsibility to ensure he never lost that noble spirit.”

“What are you talking about? I regret how disrespectful I was back then. Plus, the treatment I received after that was pretty vicious. I wished I’d never said anything.”

Sir Osvalt smiled awkwardly. He’d mentioned how tough his training had been before. Gene must have been determined to whip him into shape.

“Lady Philia, are you sure these anecdotes are interesting enough for you?”

“Oh, absolutely! I’m enjoying this very much. I’d love to hear more stories about Sir Osvalt.”

“Uh, Philia? Do you really have to say that with such an earnest look on your face?”

My expression made Sir Osvalt self-consciously avert his gaze. He had a habit of doing that when he was embarrassed, as I’d realized recently. I still didn’t understand why he got flustered when I expressed joy in hearing about him.

“Argh, I’m starting to get jealous!” Lena cried. “I bet Leonardo and Himari have lots of fond memories from this place, too.”

“Not especially. This was simply where I trained as a knight—nothing more, nothing less. I don’t have anything particularly interesting to share.”

“Likewise. I do have some fond memories, as I stayed here before moving to the palace.”

Judging by the way Himari spoke, she must have spent a considerable amount of time here.

“Excuse me, but I heard that Gene helped you out when you fled your country, Himari. If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me what happened?”

The words slipped out of my mouth. Once more, curiosity had gotten the better of me.

Until recently, I thought it was inappropriate to pry into people’s personal matters—but now I couldn’t resist trying to learn more about my friends. I wanted to trace the journeys of those who’d become part of my life.

“What? Y-you wish for me to share my memories?” Himari looked taken aback. “I shall willingly comply, but did you not come here to learn about Prince Osvalt?”

She was right, but even so—

“I want to learn about you, too, Himari. Of course, I won’t force anything out of you…”

“No, you honor me.” A proud smile played across Himari’s face. “Personal attention from one’s master is an attendant’s highest honor.”

What a relief. I was glad I’d mustered the courage to ask.

“After being driven from Murasame, Some other refugees and I escaped on a boat by the skin of our teeth. We landed in Alectron, in the south of this continent, but the government deported us, fearing that granting us asylum would jeopardize its relations with Murasame.”

“And that’s how you ended up in Parnacorta?”

“Precisely.”

I’d heard that Alectron was one of the most conservative nations on the continent. Its people valued lineage above all else and were especially hostile toward outsiders. It was no surprise that Himari and her people found a cold welcome there.

“We managed to cross the border and flee to the remote mountain region, but there, I collapsed from exhaustion. That was when Sir Gene rescued me.”

Himari glanced toward Gene.

She easily could have died in the mountains. Before I developed the Great Purification Circle, such uninhabited areas lacked protective barriers, making them a haven for monsters.

“When I first spotted Himari, I could hardly believe my eyes.” Gene looked reflective. “How had this tiny young woman sailed the strait, crossed the border, and made it all the way to our country on her own?”

Himari was still quite young. When she was expelled from her homeland, she must have been no more than a child. The thought of her fleeing in fear for her life broke my heart.

“She had collapsed from her injuries and hunger. I couldn’t just leave her there, so I treated her wounds and gave her something to eat. That’s all. I did nothing special.” Gene spoke of the past with a faraway look in his eyes.

The humility in his words didn’t feel fake or forced. He was being completely honest about how he felt.

“You speak too kindly, Sir Gene. You gave me a safe place to stay when I fled my country and even spoke on my behalf to Prince Osvalt. Trust that I have not forgotten the debt I owe you.”

“Oh, yes, I suppose I did mention you to Osvalt. It just so happened that His Highness was visiting at the time, so you came up in conversation. If you’re going to show gratitude to anyone, it should be him. He was so keen to lend an ear.”

So that was how Himari had come to work for the royal family. Thanks to Gene, she was free of persecution. No wonder she felt indebted to him.

Sir Osvalt grew serious. “That was the first favor you ever asked of me, Gene. You bowed and asked if I could help. I couldn’t reject your plea. Frankly, I was surprised to see you act that way.”

Though Sir Osvalt said he was surprised, I knew he must have empathized with the situation and done everything he could to help.

“I have to admit, I did have a soft spot for Himari,” said Gene. “She was a refugee from Murasame, after all. Her situation was much like my grandfather’s.”

“Your grandfather came from the Murasame Kingdom?”

“Indeed he did. The name ‘Delon’ was bestowed upon our family when my father became an instructor for the Parnacortan royal family. It had previously been used by a baronial family which no longer had an heir.”

“How fascinating…”

On reflection, the architectural style of the dojo had struck me as foreign. Given the age of the building, it was likely that Gene’s grandfather had built it in the style of his homeland.

“My grandfather always used to say that the people of Murasame cherish their personal relationships. I must have inherited that from him, for I simply couldn’t cast Himari aside.”

“I lost four siblings when I was driven out of my homeland.” Himari bowed her head in gratitude. “I will never forget the kindness Sir Gene showed me by giving me a new home.”

Gene sighed. “Ah, but no home can ever replace the loss of your beloved family.”

“No. As great as that loss was, I have now found a master I can love and respect. For a Murasame ninja, this is an incomparable stroke of fortune.”

Himari looked at me and smiled. Her bright eyes had a calming effect on me.

“Himari…”

“Please continue to show me the kindness you have so far.”

From Sir Osvalt’s childhood anecdote to Himari’s saga, I had learned a lot. I was so glad I had come to the dojo. It felt as if our bonds had grown deeper than ever.

***

“I shall assist you in getting dressed today.”

“Thank you, Himari.”

Day had broken. We had a long journey ahead of us, so after enjoying an early breakfast, we were preparing to leave. The sites I wanted to visit were scattered far and wide, and the journey was sure to be a bit hectic.

“First, we will make our way to the vicinity of the Volcanic Miasma Zone, correct? Do you wish to wear your saint’s attire?”

“Yes. No one has found a way to cultivate Moontear Flowers outside that area, and we have far too few to utilize in our research. I want to see if there’s a way to stop the explosions.”

With more Moontear Flowers, we might be able to develop a cure not just for the devil’s seed, but for other diseases as well. The benefits would be enormous.

“Hence your need to approach the area.”

“Exactly. I have a theory, but I need more information,” I explained. “I want to observe the zone more closely.”

During my previous visit to the Volcanic Miasmic Zone, I’d been struck by an explosion, and Mia had been forced to rescue me. But it hadn’t been for nothing. I’d observed that the mana in the zone was unnaturally dense and unstable. To stop the explosions, I needed to stabilize the mana.

However, that was as far as I’d gotten in my field research.

“You believe you will be in no danger this time?”

“Of course not. I’m sorry for the concern I—”

Himari pressed her finger against her lips, cutting my apology short. “You have no reason to apologize to your attendant.”

If that was how she felt, I had to respect her wishes.

“It is not my place to object to any of your decisions, Lady Philia.” Himari looked forlorn. “Nonetheless, I would prefer not to lose anyone important to me for a while.”

“Himari…”

Before I realized it, many people had begun to value my presence. Now that I knew how much they cared, I owed it to them to be more careful. On the day I risked my life in search of the Moontear Flower, one thing became painfully clear to me: my life wasn’t mine and mine alone.

“Thank you. You don’t need to worry, Himari. I wouldn’t dream of betraying the kindness you’ve shown me. That’s a promise.”

“Lady Philia… Simply hearing those words takes a weight off my shoulders. I’m grateful that my worries were unfounded.”

After a short pause, Himari’s sadness dissipated, and her black eyes took on the commanding, authoritative sheen I found so compelling. I was certain she’d come to my rescue time and again.

When that happened, would I manage to prove myself more than I had before, and help lighten her burden?

“Preparations complete. Let us make our way to the carriage.”

“Good idea. We can’t leave Sir Osvalt waiting.”

Now fully dressed, I headed to the carriage with Himari by my side, eager to set out for our next destination.

The Volcanic Miasma Zone, designated as a no-go area, straddled Parnacorta’s border with Girtonia. Entering the zone required permission from both nations, but since we were only venturing to the edge, we hadn’t asked for clearance.

“I’ve never been to the Volcanic Miasma Zone before,” Lena mused, cocking her head as she examined the map. “When Lady Philia and the others went last time, they just popped over and came right back. Thinking about it now, that was kinda weird.”

She must have noticed how far the zone was from the capital. It was along the border of Girtonia, after all.

“Mammon opened a teleportation gate for us,” I explained. “With his help, we also reached Gyptia in the blink of an eye—and that’s even further.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right. Mammon is something else.”

Only demons could open teleportation gates, but they were incredibly convenient. According to Mammon, they could take one almost anywhere, save for certain places like Dalbert Cathedral, which was safeguarded by a barrier.

If I could teleport, it would make life so much easier. But demon magic was outrageous. To use it, one had to literally detonate magic power inside oneself. A human body simply wasn’t strong enough to endure that kind of force. Only demons, who could even survive decapitation, could handle magic like that.

“We’ve relied so much on Mammon’s teleportation gate, I almost forgot,” said Sir Osvalt, “but even traveling within our own country can take a long time.”

“Yep. We had to get ready early,” said Lena. “Working for Lady Philia, though, we’re used to that.”

We’d gotten ready and set off on our journey before the sun came up. As Lena said, it was around this time that I usually left the mansion to fulfill my saintly duties.

After surveying the area around the Volcanic Miasma Zone, we planned to visit the ruins where Rick awaited us. They were some distance away, so we would be on the road for a good part of the day.

“As convenient as it is to arrive at your destination in the blink of an eye, I do enjoy chatting during our journey.” After all was said and done, I appreciated the lively atmosphere in the carriage.

“As long as you’re having fun, that’s all that matters.”

“I truly am. After all, I get to be by your side.”

“Is that so? I’m very comfortable with you, too.”

Our hands touched.

It had become second nature for us to bask in each other’s presence, and I cherished that. I still didn’t fully understand what it meant to be married, but simply being with Sir Osvalt put me at ease.

“I’m glad we have a long journey ahead of us…”

“What was that? Did you say something?”

“Oh, no. It’s nothing.”

I shook my head nervously, embarrassed that I’d allowed my thoughts to slip out.

I didn’t know why I felt the way I did. Still, I was sure he could sense my body temperature rising—in the same way that I could sense his.

Perhaps sensing how flustered I was, Sir Osvalt pointed out the window. “Look, you can see the lake. The morning sun is so beautiful reflecting on the water.”

“Oh yes! You’re right. How spectacular.”

The lake was bathed in sunlight, making for a breathtaking view. And yet Sir Osvalt’s golden hair, glowing in the sunlight, was even more dazzling to me. As he smiled at the view outside, I found myself captivated by his profile.

I hope I can stay by your side forever, Sir Osvalt.

As I let his luminescence—which had given me everything I had—burn into my memory, selfish desires began to creep up on me again.

***

After the carriage came to a halt, Sir Osvalt offered me his hand, and a word of advice. “The Volcanic Miasma Zone is all the way over there. I guess we can’t get any closer. Watch where you step, all right?”

“Thank you. Yes, I will. The area where the explosions occur is half an hour away by foot, but if we don’t keep our guard up, we could be seriously injured.”

In the Volcanic Miasma Zone, one wrong move could lead to death. Last time, a brief lapse of judgment had gotten me seriously injured. I knew how dangerous the path ahead would be.

Even Mother Hilda still bore the scars of her visit to the area. On reflection, I regretted the risk I’d taken. It was unduly careless.

“I observe an atypical rate of explosions. I can hardly believe that Lady Philia and Lady Mia made it out alive.”

“You can see them, Himari?” said Lena. “I can only hear them. I can’t see a thing.”

“We ninjas undergo training to hone our senses. If we don’t detect potential dangers swiftly, we could lose our lives.”

I expected nothing less from Himari. We were some distance away, but her eyesight was impeccable.

The loud bangs, occasional quivers in the atmosphere, and abnormal mana were my only means of estimating the location and size of the explosions.

“What do you say? Can you pick up anything from here?”

“Yes. I’m more than close enough to carry out some observations. Could I stay here for a while?”

“Of course. Just tell me what you need. I can get it for you.”

“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry. A notebook and pen are all I need.”

I took out my pen and paper and began to form some hypotheses. How could I stabilize the unstable mana? If I created a device that could do so, how could I set it up inside the Volcanic Miasma Zone?

If I deployed a number of small devices, it would take a long time to install them—but a smaller number would probably have to be on the larger side. That would make transporting them even riskier…

“Prince Osvalt,” said Leonardo, “it appears there’s some sort of commotion over that way.”

“Hey, you’re right.”

I followed their gazes and spotted soldiers questioning some nearby townspeople. What had happened? The soldiers appeared to be showing them a piece of paper.

“Shall we investigate, Sir Osvalt?”

“Sounds like a good idea. Are you done with your work, Philia?”

“Yes. I’ve made a note of all the necessary information, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Okay. Let’s try to find out what’s going on.”

Sir Osvalt nodded at me, and we headed toward the soldiers.

As with the incident at the ruins yesterday, trouble seemed to await us at every turn.

“Hey, what’s all this fuss about?”

“Prince Osvalt! I-I’m so sorry you had to see this! It’s just—”

The soldiers turned to face us and quickly straightened up. Sir Osvalt cut them off.

“Drop the formalities. Just tell me what caused the commotion.”

“Yes, Your Highness. A few days ago, a group attempted to enter the Volcanic Miasma Zone without permission. They were caught in an explosion and emerged with severe injuries. We apprehended them—but then…”

I could hardly believe my ears. Some people were utterly ­irresponsible. Not that I was one to talk…

The fact that they’d entered without permission was concerning, too.

“What happened then?”

“Sorry. We planned to interrogate them after treating their wounds, but, well… All of a sudden, they vanished into thin air.”

“You mean they escaped?”

“I’m so sorry! We’re not trying to evade responsibility. We’ll accept any punishment, no matter how harsh!”

“That’s not for me to decide,” said Sir Osvalt. “Well, that explains why you were questioning people.”

The injuries from a magical explosion could range in severity, but they were unlikely to be minor enough to allow the intruders to get away. Someone must have helped them escape. That was the logical conclusion.

The soldiers had probably made the same deduction, so there was no need to bring it up. The primary question was—

“What do you make of this, Philia?” asked Sir Osvalt.

“I’m curious about the intruders’ objective. Everyone knows how dangerous it is there. If they ventured into the zone on purpose, their goal must have justified the risks.”

I had an inkling of their intentions. After all, I’d entered the zone for the same reason.

“Th-their goal? Oh, yes. One of the intruders said something about a Moontear Flower—but who knows what that means.”

Sir Osvalt and I exchanged glances and nods. “Philia…”

“Yes. It sounds as though my suspicions were correct.”

To prevent others from risking their lives as I had, only a select few were aware that I’d obtained the Moontear Flowers from the Volcanic Miasma Zone. All the public knew was that I’d harvested a number of the rare flowers. It was hardly surprising that the soldiers were baffled by the intruder’s comment. The troubling part was that someone knew the truth and had attempted to sneak in.

“Here’s the report from our investigation into the incident, Your Highness. As soon as we’ve finished questioning people from the area, we’ll submit it to the palace.”

“Hmm…” Sir Osvalt skimmed the report. “The day before yesterday, you picked up three injured thieves. Their injuries suggested that they’d entered the Volcanic Miasma Zone unlawfully. Last night, right before you were about to question them, all three of them disappeared. Since they weren’t fit to move, they probably had an accomplice.”

The report was more or less what I’d imagined. The question was, who had helped them?

I also wondered how they had learned that a valuable medicinal plant, the Moontear Flower, grew in these parts.

“I should inform my brother as soon as possible.”

“That’s true. Now that you have the investigation report, you should send it to him right away. And don’t forget that the Moontear Flower has a connection to the kingdom of Girtonia, too.”

Half of the Volcanic Miasma Zone was under Girtonia’s dominion. Depending on the situation, this could become an international incident.

“Yes. It would definitely be wise to have this delivered to the palace right away. It’s a long way from here, though…”

Himari spoke up. “I believe I can perform this duty. I shall deliver the report to Prince Reichardt promptly and reliably.”

I had no doubt that she could transport the papers to the capital more quickly than anyone else, and, most importantly, she was trustworthy.

“I think it would be best to trust this to Himari, Your Highness,” Leonardo agreed. “Lena and I can continue to guard you and Lady Philia in her absence.”

Lena nodded eagerly. “I know what Himari’s like. She’ll whizz right there and be back before we know it.”

With the two of them around, we’d be safe. Besides, Sir Osvalt and I knew how to defend ourselves.

“Does that sound all right to you, Philia?”

“Yes. Let’s leave this to Himari.”

Sir Osvalt signed the report and handed it to Himari. “Yeah, this could be serious. Himari, get this to my brother. Of course, I’ll use the bracelet to explain the situation and tell him that you’re on your way.”

Himari’s face barely shifted from its usual dignified expression, but I could tell how happy she was. “As you wish, Your Highness. I shall ensure this report reaches him quickly. Now then, I’ll be on my way—”

Without a sound, she vanished from my field of vision. It was as though she’d been swept away.

I couldn’t imagine we had any reason to worry about her. She’d be handing Prince Reichardt the report before we knew it.

Lena yelped. “She’s always so quick!”

“Lady Philia, are you sure you want to carry on? Usually, something like this would prompt you to put everything on hold.” As Lena watched Himari disappear into the distance, Leonardo gave me an inquiring look.

Pausing my trip to investigate these intruders…

I had to admit, that idea of stopping to investigate this case had run through my mind—but one thing stopped me.

“You want to find out if there’s a connection between these intruders and the break-in at the ruins, right?”

“Sir Osvalt?”

“Intruders have trespassed in two forbidden areas within just a few days. It doesn’t take an archsaint to guess that something’s up.”

He’d read my mind. I couldn’t dismiss the incidents as a simple coincidence.

“I do want to enjoy our honeymoon,” I said, “but you’re right. I believe the two cases to be linked.”

“I thought so,” said Sir Osvalt. “And our next stop is another archeological site.”

“Exactly. What if there’s another clue waiting for us there?”

If we continued our tour of Parnacorta’s ruins, I might find more information to explain what the intruders were after. Our next destination was the Amalgoa Ruins, Parnacorta’s largest historical site, located near the Volcanic Miasma Zone.

“Let’s get going, then. Whew—this doesn’t feel like a honeymoon trip at all anymore.”

“My sincere apologies. I fully intended to relax.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Philia. This is typical of us,” laughed Sir Osvalt. “Come on, let’s go.”

With a smile, he extended his hand to me. I clutched it and climbed into the carriage.

As the carriage began to sway, I thanked my lucky stars for his kindness. He always put my feelings first.

***

By the time we reached the Amalgoa Ruins, it was already midday. The sun was high in the sky.

“Oh, yes. I’ve been expecting you, Prince Osvalt and Lady Philia. Indeed.”

Rick greeted us with a respectful bow. Yesterday, he’d been rattled by the trespassing at the Sivaltz Ruins, but today he appeared to have completely regained his composure. He wasn’t as pale, either.

“Hello, Rick,” said Sir Osvalt. “These ruins haven’t been broken into, have they?”

“N-no, uh… I did have a look, but there were no signs of forced entry. Indeed.”

“Any reports of suspicious individuals?”

“Oh, yes. Um, good question, Your Highness. I’ve, um, interrogated the knights guarding the site, and they all claim they haven’t seen anyone suspicious. Indeed. Um, here’s the detailed report.” Rick handed over a sheaf of papers.

“Great. Thanks for checking. Now, then, shall we head inside?”

“Yes, let’s go in,” I agreed.

“Uh, yes. Follow me. Indeed.”

Rick guided us into the Amalgoa Ruins.

Like the Sivaltz Ruins, they were shielded by stone walls, with a heavy gate serving as the entrance.

“As you may already know, um, the Amalgoa Ruins are the largest in Parnacorta. Indeed. And, well, many relics here tell us that this was once home to an advanced civilization.”

These were believed to be the ruins of one of the largest ancient settlements on the continent.

The ancient population was very small in number. These people had possessed magical technology far superior to ours, but records indicated that this very magic had brought about their extinction.

I was of the belief that we needed to know more about them to ensure that our society didn’t follow the same fate.

“Oh, I’m so pleased to see you,” Rick added. “Indeed. After what just happened, I thought you might have to cut your honeymoon short.”

“Yeah. We considered it, but this is our honeymoon, after all.”

I nodded. “We’d hate to postpone this valuable experience.”

While part of me was curious about the recent incidents, I was still excited to see the ruins.

“That’s fantastic. Indeed. Um, I’ll try my best to convey the wonders of these ruins as best as I can.”

Rick sounded determined. I greatly appreciated his consideration. I hoped to be able to take my time examining all the sites on our itinerary.

“Where are we headed first, Rick? That excavation site over there has sparked my curiosity.”

“I knew you would say that, Lady Philia. You see, that excavation site is the place I’m most eager to show you. Indeed. But, well, first, allow me to guide you toward that well over there.” Rick pointed to a well in the opposite direction. “That’s, um, the best order in which to see things.”

So he’d already planned out our tour. When it came to understanding history, chronology was vital. His reasoning made perfect sense.

I, however, had other ideas.

“Sir Osvalt, I’m afraid I have to take a look over there.”

“Huh? Philia! What now?”

“Wh-what’s wrong? Lady Philia! Lady Philia!”

I ignored their calls as I rushed over to the excavation site. There stood a tower-like structure.

“Talk to me, Philia. What in the world are you doing?”

“You’ll have to forgive me. I sensed someone’s presence, so I wanted to hurry over before they could escape.”

“Wh-what did you say?”

My response made Sir Osvalt, who had followed me from behind, widen his eyes in shock.

I wasn’t joking. There were intruders in the ruins.

I took a deep breath, then shouted as loudly as I could in the direction of the tower. “I see there are five of you! Please come out! I am a saint! I know some of you are injured! Stop hiding so I can heal your injuries!”

There was no question about it. Although they were hiding as well as they could, there were unquestionably people there.

At last, someone moved. It was the person who’d been most carefully concealed.

“My, my, what a surprise. I never expected to meet a saint in these old ruins.” A brown-haired man with an eyepatch sauntered toward us. He wore a turban and carried a large pack on his back, which gave him the appearance of a traveling merchant. “Still, I do remember hearing that the saint of Parnacorta was on her honeymoon. In that case, you must be His Highness Prince Osvalt, the second prince of Parnacorta. It’s an honor to make your acquaintance.”

He bowed politely, but given the circumstances, the gesture felt more contrived than sincere.

“That’s right. I’m Osvalt, prince of Parnacorta. You’re not from this country, are you? What’s your business here?”

Sir Osvalt stepped protectively in front of me. Casting aside his usual gentle demeanor, he gave the traveler a menacing look.

Flustered, the merchant held up his hands to indicate capitulation.

“Please, put your weapon away. I have no intention of fighting you, Your Highness. I fully intend to atone for my crimes.”

He didn’t seem remotely malicious, nor did he appear to be lying—but something wasn’t right. I found all his actions subtly off-putting.

“As long as you surrender peacefully, I won’t have to resort to violence,” said Sir Osvalt. “But how did you get in here in the first place?”

“How did I get in? Well, it’s a long story. I promise I’ll tell you every detail later.”

A long story… Suddenly, I thought of something suspicious.

How did Rick know what had happened?

If this merchant had been the one to share the news with him, that explained how he’d gotten in…

“Rick helped you, didn’t he? Rick let you into the ruins. Am I wrong?”

“Oh…”

The answer was deceptively simple. Rick, the very person who’d been acting as our guide, was working hand in glove with the intruders. With his help, it would have been easy to slip past the knights guarding the site.

“Now, what makes you so certain that this Rick fellow and I know each other? I’d love to hear your thought process.” The merchant flashed me an inquiring smile.

How could he ask this question with such composure, knowing how guilty he looked? This man possessed phenomenal strength of will.

Just as we were observing him, he’d been sizing us up as well.

“Thinking back,” I said, “he acted strangely at the first ruins we visited. When we spotted suspicious footprints, instead of looking for more and trying to follow their trail, Rick ran straight for the vault, almost as though he was trying to divert our attention away from them.”

“Doesn’t that vault contain national treasures and other valuable items? Maybe he was desperate to make sure they were still there.”

“Of course. I thought the same, so I wasn’t particularly suspicious at the time.”

That was the first thing that made me raise an eyebrow—but I decided I was most likely overthinking things, so I chose not to mention it.

“I only grew truly suspicious after we arrived here. Rick told us he was worried that we’d have to cut our honeymoon short—but at what point?”

“At what point?”

“Yes. When we parted ways yesterday, after the break-in at the Sivaltz Ruins, we agreed to meet up again here. We made it clear that we would continue our travels.”

“Now that you mention it, I said we’d carry on with our trip when he asked me about it.”

“That made me wonder—did someone tell Rick that trespassers were arrested outside the Volcanic Miasma Zone this morning? If so, that might explain why he thought we might call off our trip.”

That was the moment my suspicion became clear—and now it was turning into conviction.

After hearing my theory, Sir Osvalt stroked his chin in understanding. “That makes sense…”

“After that, I told Rick I wanted to take a look at an area where I’d sensed a presence, but he attempted to steer us in the opposite direction.”

“So that’s why you got upset with him! In other words, Rick was stalling for time so these guys could escape.”

“I think so. Of course, I don’t have any proof…”

I had no definite evidence. However, much as he could deny it, the circumstances suggested that Rick had colluded with the intruders.

“So what’s the truth? I know you’re listening. Come out and explain yourself.”

“I-I’m so sorry! Everything you say is, well, correct, Lady Philia!”

Rick emerged from the shadows, trembling. He hung his head, tears pouring down his cheeks.

He must have felt deeply guilty to come clean right away. Why had he committed such a shameful act? I couldn’t understand his motivations.

“Rick, even His Majesty praised your reputation as an archeologist. What happened?”

“I-I’m so sorry! Uh, I-I let my impulses get the better of me! This man told me he’d compensate me generously, and the lure of more funding for my research was too hard to resist! Indeed!”

So he’d fallen for a bribe. He’d told us that excavation work had been paused due to cuts in the nation’s budget, but I hadn’t realized how much it affected him.

Of course, that didn’t mean we could let him off the hook, but hearing his explanation did make me feel a pang of sympathy.

“I understand your situation, Rick,” I said. “Let’s start by treating the injured. Are you and your co-conspirators willing to share your testimonies outside of these ruins?”

As I suspected, Rick’s associates were the same people who had trespassed in the Volcanic Miasma Zone. From what I could sense, the injured parties weren’t doing well. As a saint, I couldn’t leave them to suffer.

“Of course we are,” said the merchant, reverently bowing his head once again. “Do allow me to apologize for my discourteous actions. You truly are a saint. You have a wonderful, merciful heart. For that, I wish to express my sincere gratitude.” He turned to the tower. “Come out! The saint has generously offered to heal your wounds!”

Hearing his call, four men came out from the tower.

Two of them had sustained serious injuries. As I’d suspected, they needed immediate care.

With that, we left the ruins together.

“Saint Heal!”

This healing spell removed any abnormalities from a person’s body, restoring them to full health. It couldn’t bring someone back to life, nor could it regenerate a lost limb, but it could treat most injuries and cases of exhaustion.

“I-I’m better! It’s like all that pain was never there at all!”

“It’s a miracle! Whoa! I can’t believe I recovered so quickly!”

The two seriously injured intruders, now healed, joyfully threw their arms in the air. Their wounds had vanished without a trace.

I was just relieved that I was able to intervene before it was too late.

From what they’d told me, they had indeed been injured on their jaunt into the Volcanic Miasma Zone.

“You definitely live up to your reputation as an archsaint.” The merchant clapped slowly, a grin plastered on his face. “Truly impressive. I know a few people who can use healing magic, but there’s no comparison. I might not know anything about magic, but I know quality when I see it.”

He knew quality when he saw it? That certainly sounded like business talk. Was this all about money for him?

What if the series of break-ins had something to do with his business?

“Now that everyone’s feeling better, I want to hear what you have to say.” Arms crossed, Sir Osvalt began interrogating the people I believed to be merchants. “First, tell us who you really are—and no lies. If you don’t want to muddy the waters even further, that is.”

He implied that deceit would incur greater punishment—but he was willing to treat them well as long as they spoke the truth. As usual, I was struck by the kindness behind his words.

The merchant closed his single eye and placed a hand on his breast. “That goes without saying. You were generous enough to help out my subordinates, and that touches my heart. I swear to speak the truth and nothing but the truth.”

I found this man mystifying. It didn’t sound like he was lying, but he was hard to fathom, as though he was hiding something deep in his heart.

“I’ll take your word for it,” said Sir Osvalt. “What’s your name, anyway? You seem to be the leader.”

“Certainly. I apologize for not introducing myself sooner.” The man spoke politely. “My name is Harry Freyer, and I am a merchant from the kingdom of Ashbrugge. These four are my underlings. I hired the pair who got injured upon my arrival in Parnacorta, so we’re not terribly well acquainted.”

Ashbrugge was known as a vibrant place for business, and it wasn’t uncommon for its merchants to travel overseas for trade—so long as they abided by the local laws. Beyond that, the name Harry Freyer sounded familiar. I remembered Lena mentioning it…

“Sir Osvalt, this is the merchant who popularized that fabric we received from the Ashbrugge royal family. I’m sure Lena said he was named Harry Freyer.”

“Oh yes, I remember. You have a good memory. This is the man she was talking about, huh?”

According to Lena, Harry was quite a successful businessman. What could have driven someone so accomplished to commit crimes in our country?

The web of mystery was getting more and more tangled.

Sir Osvalt turned to Harry Freyer. “‘Harry’, is it? Are you some sort of celebrity?”

“Oh no, don’t be ridiculous. I never would have imagined that Archsaint Philia would know my name. What an honor! For a businessman like myself, that is the ultimate honor.”

Harry bowed respectfully yet again. But just how much of it was genuine?

“On that note, Mr. Merchant, what brings you to our country? What were you hoping to accomplish by sneaking into the Volcanic Miasma Zone, an off-limits area?”

“My goodness, Prince Osvalt. Don’t you see why I spent so much money getting Rick on board and exposed myself to such risks?”

Harry observed our reactions with apparent amusement. He kept his cool, despite being cornered. This was no ordinary merchant.

There was only one thing he could be after.

“It’s the Moontear Flower, isn’t it? You’re trying to obtain the elusive plant.”

Harry’s eye narrowed, but his voice remained calm. “Correct. I knew you’d work it out, esteemed Saint. You’re as intelligent as you are beautiful.”

This was precisely why we’d kept the location of the Moontear Flowers a secret. I wasn’t sure how Harry had gotten his hands on that information, but he must have done something disreputable.

“The fabled plant known as the Moontear Flower is worth more than this whole bag of coins. I was hoping to bring some back and make a profit,” admitted Harry. “Goodness, it’s so humiliating to have to divulge my disgraceful behavior before such esteemed company.”

His composure seemed abnormal for someone whose plans had just fallen apart. I sensed he had something up his sleeve.

“You nearly got your underlings killed for a goal as stupid as that?”

Sir Osvalt’s anger finally wiped Harry’s smile off his face.

“Don’t get me wrong, Your Highness. I would never put another person’s life at risk for my own financial gain. What happened was an accident.”

“An accident?”

“I told my assistants to stay away—that they’d only get injured—but they simply ran amok.” Harry shook his head, looking sorry for himself. “Perhaps that’s the peril of hiring foreigners. I paid a high price for that mistake.”

One Moontear Flower alone could be worth a fortune. The allure of such riches drove the men Harry had hired to act recklessly. It was a plausible story.

“Is this guy telling the truth?” Sir Osvalt asked Harry’s accomplices. “He’s claiming you trespassed into the Volcanic Miasma Zone on your own accord. Is that the case?”

“Y-yes. We heard there was a fortune to be found there, and we couldn’t resist…”

“But Harry bailed us out after we got caught.”

“No need to thank me. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t spill the beans.”

The two accomplices who’d been seriously injured answered Sir Osvalt’s question, expressing how grateful they were for Harry’s help. It didn’t sound like they’d irresponsibly set out to fetch the Moontear Flower, fully aware that they could get hurt.

Still, Harry had admitted that it was that flower that brought Harry to Parnacorta. That could only mean one thing.

“Nevertheless, watching them recklessly charge in, only to be battered after less than a minute, made me realize something,” said Harry.

“And what was that?”

“That the rumors were true. The Moontear Flower was so challenging to retrieve that even the archsaint and her sister, another saint, barely managed it together. If even you, Saint Philia, deemed the task too difficult to handle alone, ordinary folk like us don’t stand a chance. I now understand my own limits.”

Harry wasn’t entirely correct.

As reckless as it was, I’d originally planned to go into the Volcanic Miasma Zone alone. My arrogance nearly cost me my life. If it weren’t for my sister’s quick thinking, I never would have survived. I didn’t regret my attempt to fetch a Moontear Flower to save my uncle, but there were a few things I needed to reflect on.

“I get that you came to this country for the Moontear Flower,” said Sir Osvalt. “But Harry, you also bribed Rick to let you into the ruins. What was your goal there? Something tells me you weren’t just planning to rob the place.”

Harry laughed. “You’re right about that. I’d never resort to something as lowly as theft to build my fortune.”

“But you did commit bribery and trespassing. We’ll get to that later. First, tell us why you ravaged the ruins.”

I already had a theory about that—but if my suspicions were correct, then Harry had come here with an even more daring scheme than I’d originally thought.

“My goodness. I’m upset that you think I ‘ravaged’ them.” Harry shrugged his shoulders, sounding exasperated. “If my goal was merely to wreak havoc, I wouldn’t have needed Rick’s help. If I really wanted to, I could have forced my way in myself.”

Harry had defiled the ruins by entering them without permission, so he didn’t have much of an argument there. Putting that aside, his claim that he could force his way into the ruins worried me. They were stringently guarded. How could that be?

“You sound pretty sure of yourself,” said Sir Osvalt. “Well, maybe. Your bearing does seem like someone with a lot of training, particularly in your legs. You walk with an efficiency a person can’t master overnight. One of my attendants has excellent footwork, and you move just like him.”

“Oh my, Your Highness. You have quite a keen eye,” said Harry. “You see, for a traveling merchant, the body is an essential tool of the trade. I’ve undergone a little training, yes.”

In Sir Osvalt’s estimation, Harry was a well-trained individual—so much so that he even reminded him of Leonardo, a master of footwork.

I’d seen my fair share of traveling merchants. Their work was physically demanding, so they tended to be tough. Still, I didn’t imagine any of them could get past the security around the ruins.

Harry was definitely no ordinary merchant. I wasn’t sure whether he was deliberately concealing his true nature or not, but he was certainly a puzzling individual.

“If looting wasn’t your goal, what did you enter the ruins for? It’s about time you explained yourself.”

“Hrm.” Harry paused. “As a merchant, I need to know about a country’s culture and history to create trends. When you know what’s transpired in the past, it’s easy to determine what’s needed in the present.”

“That’s a pretty vague answer,” said Sir Osvalt. “What are you really trying to say?”

How infuriatingly indirect. Was he speaking in a roundabout way for a reason, or was it simply a habit of his?

As vague as he was being, I knew what he meant.

“You were looking for old records that might have valuable information,” I suggested. “Studying history yields useful knowledge that lays the foundations for new discoveries.”

“I’d be wise not to underestimate you, Lady Philia. You hit the nail on the head.”

Sir Osvalt nodded. “Fine. So what were you hoping to learn from the ruins?”

Harry was almost certainly trying to confuse us, but Sir Osvalt persevered, refusing to lose his patience. His attitude wasn’t what one might expect from a prince, but I respected him for it.

“I learned of a fascinating historical tale,” said Harry. “The ancient people’s records suggest there was once a region marked by frequent explosions, just like the Volcanic Miasma Zone, but on a much smaller scale.”

“D-did I hear that right? Is that true?”

“Of course. I would never lie to you. Even more surprisingly, the ancients somehow put a stop to the blasts. I ventured into the ruins to discover what that method was.”

Sir Osvalt seemed genuinely astonished, and no wonder. The Volcanic Miasma Zone was impossible to enter because of the constant magical explosions, and now, this man was telling us we could get rid of them.

“So you were seeking a way to put a stop to the explosions, too,” I said.

“Goodness. Don’t tell me you were on the same page, Lady Philia.”

“I was. I hoped that the ruins would provide some sort of knowledge from the ancients that could supplement my research into the Volcanic Miasma Zone.”

Although I’d chosen to tour the ruins on our honeymoon to satisfy my own curiosity, that wasn’t my only goal. The ancients weren’t just adept at magic. Their expertise in crafting magic tools surpassed ours as well.

I was hoping to find clues—information that could help me figure out how to stop the explosions.

“My, my. You really do amaze me, Archsaint Philia. I’ve sized up all sorts of people in my time, but I’ve never encountered anyone quite like yourself. My usual means of evaluation don’t seem to apply.”

“…”

“Oh goodness, I should have thought that through. To weigh up a saint like that would be sacrilege. Please forgive me.” Harry held his hands up and flashed a smile.

I wasn’t particularly interested in how much he thought I was worth, but I was curious about his true intentions. Harry must have revealed his plans for a reason.

“Have you found any clues as to how to stop the explosions, then?”

“Ah, of course. I’m not the type of man who walks away empty-handed.”

“What?”

Both Sir Osvalt and I were taken aback. I hadn’t expected him to have solid information.

Actually, no—as surprising as it was, this was a possibility I had considered. There had to be an explanation for his relaxed demeanor. This was what he had up his sleeve.

“This here is a stone tablet,” said Harry, pulling something out of his backpack. “As you can see, it’s inscribed with what appears to be a blueprint in an archaic language. I brought Rick into the fold so he could decipher it for us, but it sounds like it’ll take a while to fully decode.” Harry shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

Intriguing. He bribed Rick because he needed an archeologist.

“Would you mind if I had a look?” I asked him.

“My goodness. Don’t tell me you know archaic languages, Lady Philia.”

“Well, yes. I had to learn them to research magic.”

“The surprises just keep coming today, don’t they? I’m in awe… If the one and only Lady Philia wants to take a look, it feels wrong to decline—and yet…”

I spotted a momentary glint in his lone eye. It sounded like he was hesitant to hand over the slab.

“My apologies. When all’s said and done, I’m still a merchant at heart. It took blood, sweat, and tears—as well as some intel I acquired from other ruins—to get my hands on this slab. Showing it to you for free would be against my principles.”

“What would I have to do to see it?”

“If this inscription turns out to be the key to stopping the explosions in the Volcanic Miasma Zone, I ask that you repay me by letting my colleagues walk free, even if I must stay.”

He wanted us to let his underlings go. That certainly wasn’t the demand I was expecting to hear.

“Don’t you want to be acquitted, too?” I asked.

“I doubt Prince Osvalt would agree to that. No hard feelings, I assure you.” Harry looked at his minions, who were standing behind him, as he pleaded for their exoneration. “These other gentlemen, however, are essentially victims of my selfish scheme. Oh, I simply can’t bear the thought of them being severely punished on my account.”

No matter how enticing Harry may have been, the trespassers still needed to take accountability for their actions. The law was the law. Under normal circumstances, it would be ridiculous to request that they be absolved of their guilt—but this was no normal situation.

“What do you think, Sir Osvalt?” I said. “I’m afraid that Harry will destroy that stone if we try to restrain him.”

“You’ve seen right through me. We may as well cut to the chase.”

Harry would stop at nothing to get his way. His cunning yet tenacious behavior made that obvious. Nevertheless, it was up to Sir Osvalt to decide whether to accept the terms of the exchange. I left the decision to him.

“Aside from Harry, the main culprit, everyone else was just working for cash?” said Sir Osvalt. “I get it. As long as they answer truthfully when questioned, I’ll make sure they don’t face charges. It was admirable of you not to beg for your own release.”

“Are you sure about that, Sir Osvalt?” I said.

“Yep. If this guy can help us put the explosions in the Volcanic Miasma Zone to rest, I can’t see my brother complaining.” Having pardoned Harry’s underlings, Sir Osvalt glowered at Rick. “But Rick, your case is different. I can’t let you get away with this.”

“O-of course. I understand completely. Uhh, indeed!”

It couldn’t be helped. Rick had betrayed the trust of the king himself. Regardless of his reasons, Sir Osvalt didn’t have the authority to forgive him.

“Are you happy with that, Harry? Show your stone tablet to Philia. I’ll keep my promise, if I can trust you to keep yours.”

“Certainly. You’re renowned for your fairness, Sir Osvalt. I don’t see you going back on your word.”

With a complacent smile, Harry handed me the stone tablet. It was covered in inscriptions in an archaic language. The diagram was a blueprint, just as he claimed.

I spent a while examining the text and the diagram.

“Harry is right. This is a blueprint for a magic tool that can stop the explosions.”

“What? Is that true, Philia? If we could use that tool—”

“Yes. We could stop the explosions in the Volcanic Miasma Zone. This blueprint uses specialized terminology and some parts have been written in code, so I can see why it was difficult to interpret.”

The blueprint for the magical tool was written in an archaic language. Deciphering it would be challenging even for archeologists. Beyond that, I doubted many archeologists knew enough about magic tools to understand the blueprint.

“I see, I see. I take it that decoding this tablet is impossible, even for some like you, Lady Phi—”

“No, not really. I’ve got the gist of it.”

“Huh?” Harry barked out a laugh. “Yet another surprise. Are you telling me you deciphered it that quickly?”

“Well, yes, aside from the most technical details. I think I grasp around ninety percent of it.”

Thanks to my knowledge of magic tools, the inscription wasn’t too difficult to read. I had a rough understanding of how to construct the tool and how it was supposed to work.

“What kind of tool is it?” asked Sir Osvalt.

“The principle is simple. Magic explosions are a common occurrence in the Volcanic Miasma Zone because the mana in the atmosphere is extremely unstable. This is a blueprint for a device that stabilizes the concentration of mana.”

“So it stops the explosions by neutralizing their cause.”

“My goodness. I knew you were gifted, Lady Philia, but not this gifted…”

While Sir Osvalt nodded to himself, Harry gave me a defiant smile. He wasn’t going to be pardoned—in fact, he was about to be arrested—yet something about his behavior seemed off. Why was he so relaxed?

“Still, even Rick—a dedicated archeologist—found it hard to decipher. You were pretty quick there.”

“The truth is, I’d been working on a tool along those lines myself. That made the tablet easier to decipher than I expected.”

Maybe it was a coincidence, or perhaps it was inevitable. Having experienced the explosions firsthand, I understood what was causing them. It made perfect sense that I might envision a solution similar to what the ancients had developed. The blueprint was largely consistent with the design I’d conceived myself, guided by hints from ancient writings.

“The ancients were proficient at dealing with mana, so the magic tools they created would have been more precise than ours.”

“That explains why some of the excavated relics are referred to as divine objects.”

“Exactly. Their expertise made me optimistic that they’d developed a mana stabilization device. Like Harry, I went to the ruins hoping to borrow some of their wisdom.”

“In other words, the stone tablet Harry found was exactly what you were looking for.”

“That’s right.”

Harry had found the tablet by breaking into the ruins. I was a bit reluctant to admit that he’d found the item I was searching for, but there was no changing the truth.

If I could decrypt the inscription even more precisely, I would be able to create the mana-stabilizing tool.

“And now,” said Sir Osvalt, “if we can build this magic tool, we can stabilize the mana and put a stop to the explosions?”

I nodded. “Yes. That’s precisely it, Sir Osvalt.”

In theory, his assessment was correct—and yet…

“There’s just one problem.”

“There is?”

“To create a magic tool, one needs magic ore. I used it in these bracelets, for example.” I took off my bracelet and showed it to Sir Osvalt. “A device powerful enough to stabilize the mana of the entire Volcanic Miasma Zone will require a substantial quantity of it.”

“A substantial quantity? How much, exactly?”

“At a conservative estimate, I believe we’d need more than double the amount of magic ore that exists in Parnacorta.”

Knowing how the magic tool worked was merely the first step. Procuring the necessary materials could be an even greater challenge.

“Even if we scraped together all the magic ore in the country, it still wouldn’t be enough?” Sir Osvalt scratched his head, looking troubled. “Sounds like we’re in a tough spot.”

His concern was understandable. I’d been so hung up on the problem of designing the tool, I’d ignored all other issues.

Still, panicking wouldn’t get us anywhere. If we had to spend years solving the problem, working on it little by little, it would be well worth the effort.

“My goodness. I see you’ve found yourselves in a bit of a predicament.” Harry, who’d been listening to our conversation, took a step forward. “If it’s magic ore you’re after, may I humbly suggest you entrust the matter to me?”

Harry was said to be one of Ashbrugge’s top merchants. Did he have a way to obtain large quantities of magic ore?

“Go ahead, Harry. If you have an idea, let’s hear it.”

“Of course. Allow me to make my sales pitch. As a matter of fact, I handle the procurement and export of magic ore not just for the kingdom of Ashbrugge, but for the entire continent.”

“Do you?”

“I do indeed. In other words, I’m in a position to secure as much magic ore as you require. Did I hear you say you needed twice the quantity of ore that Parnacorta has to offer? I could gather that amount for you in no time at all.”

I hadn’t guessed his business included dealing in magic ore. It seemed as though we’d been dancing to his tune all along.

“Good grief. I’ve never known anyone so cunning,” said Sir Osvalt. “Well, what’s your price? I bet your freedom is just the beginning.”

“You certainly don’t disappoint, Your Highness. Your wisdom astonishes me.”

Despite feeling taken aback by Harry’s cunning conduct, Sir Osvalt asked him what he was willing to charge—to which Harry responded with a nod of satisfaction.

It looked like Sir Osvalt had figured out Harry’s scheme, too.

“You knew you had a huge bargaining chip for yourself, so you made me promise to release your underlings first,” said Sir Osvalt. “For a moment there, I was impressed. I genuinely believed that you were more concerned about other people than saving your own skin. I feel so stupid now.”

“My goodness. My wish to secure my employees’ safety was rooted in genuine consideration, I assure you.”

“Don’t play me for a fool. You probably suspected that whatever this magic tool was, it’d require a ton of your ore. You only stood up for the other guys to make negotiations smoother for you later on.”

Sir Osvalt’s conjecture was likely correct. If Sir Osvalt hadn’t promised to set Harry’s underlings free when he did, it would have been harder for Harry to ask for anything other than his own release at this stage.

“Interesting analysis. I did think my freedom was practically guaranteed, as long as I provided you with the ore you needed.”

Harry certainly had a silver tongue. He didn’t need to lie. He was just tactical in which fragments of information he disclosed. He’d played Sir Osvalt and me like a pair of fiddles.

“What are your demands?”

“Hey, no need to look at me like that. I understand the position I’m in, and I have a reputation in Ashbrugge as an honest businessman.”

With a pleasant, lightheaded smile, Harry put up one finger.

What was that supposed to mean?

“One-tenth is good enough for me. I’m not going to be greedy.”

“Huh?” Sir Osvalt tilted his head in confusion.

One-tenth. I knew what that meant.

“Personally, I don’t mind a small profit margin. It’s more than worth it to secure the patronage of the Parnacorta royal family and the esteemed saint, and I recognize that I’ve been a nuisance. Ten percent of your net profits from the sale of the Moontear Flowers. Let’s shake on it!”

Ten percent of our net profits. I didn’t know much about business, so I wasn’t sure if Harry was asking for a lot or a little—but if his attitude was any indication, he’d made a significant compromise.

“Oh, and I’d like you to allow my company to set a market price and deal with sales. I’m sure there are competent merchants in Parnacorta, but this is one thing I’m unwilling to give up.”

“You want to set the price of the flowers?”

“You hear me loud and clear. I’ll prepare clear-cut financial statements and deliver precisely ninety percent of the net profit to Parnacorta and Girtonia, under whose jurisdiction the Volcanic Miasma Zone lies. Heh heh—you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours, eh?”

When Harry spoke about business, he had the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a child. He was already bragging about the huge profits we were sure to make if we left the sales to him. It was this confidence at buying and selling that had made him such a successful businessman.

“What do you say? I know you’ve been doing everything you can to help your country, Saint Philia. Surely you understand how much good this will do the nation?”

“I understand what you’re asking for, Harry. However, I wasn’t planning to profit from the Moontear Flower.”

“Excuse me? You weren’t?”

It might fill the state’s coffers if we sold the Moontear Flower, the mystical healing plant, to make money—but I wanted the plants to save as many people as possible. That was the reason I was focused on stopping the explosions, so Harry’s offer didn’t impress me much.

My reply must have put Harry off guard, because for the first time, he sounded a little flustered. “Hey, now, hold on a moment. Lady Philia, you need to think this through calmly. Aren’t Parnacorta and Girtonia strapped for cash?”

“What?”

I feared Harry was correct. Parnacorta had paid a high price to purchase me, then had suffered widespread damage from Asmodeus’ rampage. It was obvious that the treasury was depleted.

Unsure how to respond, I shot Sir Osvalt a look.

“I’m afraid I’m not in a position to respond to your proposal right away,” said the prince. “But broadly speaking, I’m not very enthusiastic about making money off the Moontear Flower.”

“My goodness. I didn’t expect this from Your Highness, too.”

“But I want to take care of this matter, and help would be greatly appreciated. Let’s see if we can meet in the middle.”

Since our marriage, Sir Osvalt had started to handle more of the official duties that used to go through Prince Reichardt, at his brother’s discretion. He sounded eager to shoulder this responsibility, too.

Effectively, he was letting Harry know that any and all negotiations involving the Moontear Flower must go through him.

“Well, well,” said Harry. “This won’t be straightforward, will it? Very well. Prince Osvalt, are you willing to take a meeting tomorrow morning?”

“Tomorrow? Let me see… Philia, I know we’re on our honeymoon, but would it be okay if I made time for this?”

“Of course. I’ll leave this to you, Sir Osvalt.”

I was relieved. I’d be happy with any decision Sir Osvalt reached.

“Okay. Tomorrow it is, then.”

“Er… If that’s settled, do you mind if I see more of the ruins?”

“Of course not. I’ll join you. Leonardo, Lena—keep an eye on Harry for us, will you?”

“Certainly.”

“Okey-dokey. You can count on us!”

Leonardo and Lena, who had been waiting in front of the carriage, directed their attention toward Harry. As slippery as he was, I knew he was in safe hands with those two. It wasn’t as though he had anything to gain from running away, at any rate.

“Rick, there’s something I want to ask you,” I said. “Could you come with me?”

“Uh, of course. Ask away. I’m terribly sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you.”

“His Majesty will decide your punishment,” said Sir Osvalt. “For now, go along with Philia.”

“Uh, yes, Your Highness. Of course.”

With that, Rick, Sir Osvalt, and I headed back into the ruins.

“Rick,” I began, “did Harry ask to see anything other than the tower?”

“Uh, well, yes. He said he wanted to see a rock called the Mottled Boulder. Yes.”

“The Mottled Boulder?”

“Um, well, yes. It’s a large rock mottled with a pattern of countless holes, um, hence the name. Indeed.”

If my suspicions about that “Mottled Boulder” were correct… At any rate, I wanted to have a look. “Could you take me to it?”

“Oh, um, of course. It’d be my pleasure.”

Rick led us to the boulder. If I hadn’t asked, we might have skipped it altogether.

“Oh, there it is. Indeed. Uhm, that’s the Mottled Boulder. Yes.”

Rick pointed to a large rock in the distance. It was so enormous, it could easily have been mistaken for a mountain. As he’d said, it was peppered with holes.

Sir Osvalt examined the holes, amazed. “Wh-what are these? I saw some indentations like that yesterday, but there are so many here…”

These countless dimples could only mean one thing.

“There must have been frequent explosions here, just like in the Volcanic Miasma Zone.”

“What? That’s what these are? But what I saw yesterday didn’t even come close to this, and that place was dangerous.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m just…shocked, I suppose.”

You could explain something to someone a hundred times, but nothing was as effective as a visual demonstration. This was a perfect example. It sounded like Sir Osvalt had finally grasped the danger of the Volcanic Miasma Zone.

“The inscription on that stone slab says the magic tool needs to be placed at the center of the area where mana is unstable. If we were to place one in these ruins, for example, it would go here.”

“Excuse me? Does that mean you plan to venture into that danger zone again when the magic tool is ready?”

I could understand why Sir Osvalt was concerned. If we wanted to stop the explosions, we essentially had three hurdles to overcome. First, we had to design a magic tool to stabilize the mana. Then, we had to obtain the materials to construct it. Finally, we needed to install the tool at the center of the Volcanic Miasma Zone.

“Don’t worry, Sir Osvalt. I’m sure there’s a way to do it without putting myself in danger. I’ll come up with something.”

“Will you? If you insist, I’ll have to trust you.”

I didn’t want to do anything reckless again. I planned to come up with a safe way of installing the device.

Right now, there was only one hurdle I was confident we could overcome: designing the tool.

The quickest way to procure the materials would be by cooperating with Harry, but he was far from straightforward. I doubted it would be simple.

Still, all hope was not lost. Even though the magic tool built by the ancients was long gone, the mana in our surroundings remained stable. If we managed to stabilize the mana in the Volcanic Miasma Zone, it would probably stay that way.

“Should we head back soon? I know Leonardo’s keeping an eye on that merchant guy, but we shouldn’t hang around for too long.”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

“We can spend the night at that nearby inn, as planned. Tomorrow we can regroup, as long as Himari comes back soon.”

We had a mountain of challenges to grapple with. Still, at least we had a plan. We knew the problems we needed to overcome, and that made a big difference.

And so we headed back to Leonardo and Lena.

***

Reichardt

“THANK YOU FOR the lovely black tea, Prince Reichardt.”

“It’s really no trouble. You’re our kingdom’s guest of honor. I’m sorry that this was the extent of the hospitality I could offer you.”

I invited Grace, the palace’s honored guest, onto the terrace of the royal palace, where I served her tea. The meeting had been arranged the day before, but it came with its fair share of surprises…

“And then Lady Philia told me my skills were so much more impressive than they were before! I felt like I was in heaven!”

At first glance, Grace reminded me of Elizabeth, but when I heard her speak, I realized that their personalities couldn’t have been more different. Grace was…passionate, and full of energy. I admired her untiring efforts to grow as a saint and felt inclined to support her.

“Oh, I’m sorry. All I’ve done is talk about myself.”

“Don’t be silly. I’ve enjoyed listening,” I said. “It sounds like Miss Philia means a lot to you.”

Oh dear. I’d let my thoughts run away with me yet again. How shameful. Still, I was surprised to discover how much Grace respected Miss Philia. That explained why she’d gone out of her way to stand in for her.

“Lady Philia is everything I strive to be. I became a saint because I wanted to be like her.”

“I see. I’d always feared that Count Mattilas had pressured his four daughters to pursue sainthood.”

“No, not at all. In fact, our father gave me the freedom to do whatever I liked, since all my older sisters had become saints.”

Of course, there was no such thing as too many saints, but three was certainly more than enough for one family. Despite that, Grace had become a saint herself through sheer determination and hard work, even when confronted with rigorous training.

“You’re weak, Elizabeth. No matter how talented you are in magic, you will never become a saint.”

“What does my health have to do with it, Prince Reichardt? I will become a saint. I want to protect my country.”

Once upon a time, Elizabeth, too, channeled her determination into tireless effort. Even when she risked her life, I couldn’t bring myself to stop her. When she was determined to achieve something, that was when she truly shone.

“Make sure you’re looking after your health,” I told Grace.

“That goes without saying. Thank you for your concern.”

She smiled and took a sip of her tea. I knew my worry was unnecessary, but I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t want the sparkle in her eyes to ever fade.

“Prince Reichardt, let me tell you how glad I am that the Moontear Flower helped you find a cure for the devil’s seed.”

“Oh? What makes you bring that up?”

This was an unexpected shift in topic. Had I said something inappropriate?

Grace looked slightly apologetic. “I assumed you were worried about my health because you were thinking about Elizabeth. That’s why I just—”

She was right. No matter how much time went by, Elizabeth was still on my mind.

I laughed ruefully. “You’ve hit the nail on the head. I do apologize. I know that you’re your own person.”

“You have nothing to worry about. Even my father and my uncle say I remind them of her. It’s understandable that you would feel the same way.”

“Grace…”

“I want to help cultivate the Moontear Flower, so… Hmm? I just heard a knock.”

Did I have another guest? No. Grace was the only visitor. That could only mean one thing.

“Himari would like to meet with you, Your Highness. She says she has an urgent report to share. Can you see her?”

Himari, who had been accompanying the happy couple on their honeymoon, was back in the capital already. Osvalt said he’d sent her away in a hurry, but I hadn’t expected her to arrive so soon. She was a true ninja.

“Could you wait here for a moment, Grace?”

“No problem. I hope Philia’s all right. If Himari’s at the palace, that’s not a good sign.”

“True. I’ll let her in.”

Himari was ushered inside. She told me that intruders had not only broken into ancient ruins, but trespassed in the Volcanic Miasma Zone as well. I looked over the report she handed me.

“Thank you for coming all this way, Himari. Is this everything you have to pass along?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Himari lowered her head politely. “Three miscreants entered the Volcanic Miasma Zone, which is strictly outlawed, then vanished. All the details are recorded here.”

Despite having run a considerable distance in just one evening, she didn’t seem tired. The physical prowess of this ninja from Murasame never failed to amaze me.

“Now then, what am I to make of this?”

The intruders who’d ravaged the ruins, and the intruders who’d broken into the Volcanic Miasma Zone. Would it be overly simplistic to suspect a link?

No. It was only natural. It couldn’t be a coincidence that two major break-ins had occurred within days of each other—and at sites that the newlyweds were visiting on their honeymoon, no less.

I was sure the same would occur to Miss Philia.

This all led back to her. She must have decided to tour the ruins on her honeymoon for a reason. Whoever the criminals were, they shared her goal. In which case…

“Ah, I’m getting a call on my bracelet. Excellent timing.”

I stroked the gem on my bracelet to start the call.

Would it be good news or bad? Or perhaps something else?

“Hello, brother. It’s me, Osvalt.”

“I expected as much. Himari just got here. Have there been any developments?”

“Yes. We caught the trespassers who snuck into the Volcanic Miasma Zone.”

“Oh? I see. I wasn’t expecting to hear such good news. Are they the same people who broke into the ruins?”

“Well, yes. You could say that. But that’s where the story takes a strange turn. The truth is—”

The story that Osvalt went on to tell was certainly peculiar. The mastermind behind the crimes was Harry Freyer, the famed merchant. As if ignorant of his precarious position, he’d dared to propose a deal.

How outrageous. In my view, merchants who committed such treacherous acts were beneath respect, but Osvalt insisted that he take on the risk of negotiating with Harry.

“Good grief. You really do astound me,” I said. “What are you thinking? There’s no point in negotiating with a brazen criminal.”

“I know how you feel, but Philia and I have other ideas. We want to put a stop to the explosions in the Volcanic Miasma Zone, and to do that, we need Harry’s support.”

“I’m not rejecting the idea out of hand, but I do encourage you to rethink your approach.”

“I can only apologize. I’m dead set on this, brother. Anyway, I’ll give you an update tomorrow.”

With this decisive statement, Osvalt ended the call.

When all was said and done, it appeared that Osvalt still lacked self-awareness. I’d have to lecture him on his return.

“What a naïve man,” I sighed.

After dismissing Himari, I made plans to send Philip and a few other knights to assist Osvalt.

I wasn’t sure what kind of man this Harry was, but negotiating with a criminal defied all logic. Didn’t he understand why I’d reminded him to protect Miss Philia?

I would order Philip to capture Harry Freyer and bring him before me, no matter how much of a fight Osvalt put up.

Chapter 4: The Money Worshipper’s Reasoning

Chapter 4:
The Money Worshipper’s Reasoning

THE MORNING AFTER we apprehended Harry, as we were finishing breakfast at the inn, Himari appeared before us.

“You’re back early, Himari,” I remarked.

“Not at all. My plan was to arrive before breakfast. I fear I’m losing my edge.”

“It certainly doesn’t seem that way.”

“Sorry, Himari,” said Sir Osvalt. “We sent you off to alert my brother, but we’ve already caught the trespassers into the Volcanic Miasma Zone.”

“I am aware. I was present when the news was shared with Prince Reichardt.”

Himari must have been reporting to His Highness when Sir Osvalt called on his magic bracelet. At any rate, we were all back together—excluding Leonardo, who was off keeping an eye on Harry.

“I understand the culprit was a merchant from Ashbrugge.”

Lena giggled. “And not just any merchant, either! It’s none other than Harry Freyer, the great tycoon!”

“Great tycoon…? You mean the famous—”

Before Himari could finish, Harry entered the inn, hands tied. Leonardo followed, keeping a watchful eye on him.

“Your Highness,” said Leonardo, “Harry would like to partake in negotiations. Do you accept?”

It was time to let Osvalt take over. I could hardly imagine where their talk would lead.

“Sure. Come on in.”

“My goodness. Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, and please excuse me for interrupting. I appreciate you taking the time to speak to me.”

Harry strolled over to us, wearing a relaxed smile.

“Oh, Himari. This is the guy I was talking about,” said Lena.

“Did you just say ‘Himari’?” the merchant snapped back.

“Huh?”

As soon as Lena pointed at him, a look of astonishment spread across Harry’s face. Himari looked equally shocked.

They couldn’t possibly know each other, could they?

“I-it can’t be. I-is that you, Himari?”

“I-I know that voice. A-are you…Haruya?”

Himari and Harry stared at each other, their voices shaking. Clearly this was no ordinary meeting.

“Do you know Harry, Himari?”

“Harry? That’s not his name. This is Haruya Fuuma. He is the eldest son of the Fuuma family, and my older brother.”

“What? Your brother? Huh?!”

Taken completely by surprise, I found myself raising my voice. As far as I knew, all of Himari’s siblings had passed away.

“I-is that really you, Himari? You’ve been alive all along?”

“Yes… I can’t believe you’re safe as well…”

Haruya stared at Himari, as if unable to grasp reality. Slowly, he took her by the hand.

“I can’t believe it. I thought…I thought I’d lost everything.”

“So did I. I thought I lost you and the rest of the family so long ago…”

This was a serious state of affairs.

After living under the conviction that they had lost their entire family, the siblings had found one another alive. And yet something felt wrong. While Himari was in tears, overcome with emotion, Haruya’s reaction seemed different. He was surprised, no doubt, but the look he was giving his sister struck me as familiar. It was the same look he’d given Sir Osvalt and me when he was sizing us up.

No, I told myself. Enough of that cynical thinking. I refused to put a dampener on the pair’s reunion.

“Goodness me. I do apologize for losing my composure. I never imagined I’d be reunited with my long-lost sister in a place like this.”

Haruya turned toward us, flashing us a friendly smile.

If Harry was Himari’s older brother, he was most likely trained as a ninja, too. The well-trained physique Sir Osvalt had noted now made sense.

“Harry,” said Sir Osvalt. “Or should I call you Haruya? I never would’ve guessed you were Himari’s brother. I heard that all her siblings had passed away.”

“Call me whatever you please. Until a moment ago, I thought Himari was dead, too. Himari and I fled from Murasame in separate ships, and I was told that hers was a decoy.” Haruya responded to Sir Osvalt’s comment, beginning to explain the situation.

I’d only recently learned about Himari’s escape to Parnacorta, but it sounded as if Haruya had been through quite an ordeal himself.

“I heard that the ship my brothers boarded, which headed to Ashbrugge—Murasame’s closest neighbor—was capsized by a barrage of gunfire,” said Himari.

“Well, that much is true. I was rescued by a fishing boat from Ashbrugge that happened to be nearby. I was the sole survivor, though I lost one of my eyes in the ordeal.”

“Did you really? I had no difficulty recognizing you. Your appearance may have altered, but you are still my brother.”

Haruya made it sound trivial, but losing an eye must have been traumatic for Harry. His escape had been at least as difficult and perilous as Himari’s.

“After that, one of the fishermen introduced me to a merchant, who let me stay at his home in exchange for my labor. Things weren’t easy, but as it turned out, I was a natural businessman. These days, I handle a considerable volume of trade.”

As unperturbed as he sounded, he’d obviously survived a rather devastating experience. I began to realize that these experiences helped lend him his mysterious aura.

“As relieved as I am to see you, Haruya,” said Himari, “you broke into ruins in this country and entered an internationally forbidden zone. There is no excusing your dishonorable conduct.”

“I know,” Haruya replied. “I committed a crime and got caught. I let temptation get the better of me.”

Despite having been reunited with her long-lost brother just moments earlier, Himari remained perfectly calm. Actually, no—there was a slight tremble in her voice that probably stemmed from shock, not anger. Their longed-for reunion had taken a curious turn.

“Haruya, no apology will suffice to–”

“I realize that. So can you convince your master to agree to my offer? If you do, I’ll be cleared of any misconduct. Not only that, but I’ll be even wealthier than I am now!” Haruya ignored Himari’s concern, instead choosing to make a shameless request.

“Excuse me?” Himari stared, furrowing her brow in disbelief. I’d never seen her so uncomfortable. “Haruya,” she said at last, “you shouldn’t even joke about such things in His Highness’s presence.”

“Who’s joking? You make me laugh, Himari. I’m just speaking my truth. From what I can tell, you’re on good terms with both His Highness and the esteemed saint.”

“Haruya!” Himari cried out as she drew closer to her brother.

Her voice was laden with complex feelings—not quite anger, but not quite despair. I got the impression that I was witnessing yet another unfamiliar side to her character.

“You were expected to become the next head of the Fuuma ninja clan. You used to be the most loyal person I knew! The brother I knew would never have approached his sister with such an insolent demand!”

It sounded like the Haruya that Himari once knew was a far cry from the man he had become. To Himari, he must have looked like a stranger.

“Loyal?” A dauntless grin spread across Haruya’s face. “Still clinging to those old ideals, are you? Trouble is, loyalty doesn’t put food on the table. More to the point, it won’t protect what’s most dear to you. It didn’t save us from getting torn apart, did it?”

“B-but…”

“Money’s good, Himari. It keeps you safe, and it doesn’t betray you. Loyalty? Well, that’s just an illusion that makes life easier for those who seek to control us.”

At long last, I was starting to see what the enigmatic merchant was all about. He was a realist through and through. Behind his impassive exterior was a tragic past, one where the intangible ideals he’d once believed in were crushed before his eyes.

No human heart could emerge from betrayal and loss unscarred. Maybe that explained the drastic change that Haruya had undergone.

“Haruya!” Himari, her emotions bare, grabbed Haruya by the collar. “Have you forgotten your Fuuma clan honor?! If you fail to regain your senses, I shall be forced to—”

I leapt to my feet in a panic, desperate to restrain her. “Calm down, Himari! Violence is not the answer!”

“My Fuuma clan honor? I left that behind long ago.”

“What?” Himari, her eyes wide with shock, let go of Haruya and sank to the floor in despair.

Those must have been the last words she wanted to hear. Her expression was even more fragile than before.

“From what I can see, you’ve found yourself another stifling job, working at someone’s beck and call.”

“Exactly what is wrong with that?”

“You know what I’m talking about. I’m your own flesh and blood, and I’ve succeeded in making something of myself. Leave those demeaning service jobs behind you. Come help me with my business.”

Himari was speechless.

“I’ll give you a few shops to take care of. Don’t worry, you’ll learn the ropes in no time. You’re a smart kid, after all.”

Haruya gently offered Himari his hand, as if he were trying to win over a troublesome child. He seemed confused that Himari wasn’t jumping at the opportunity.

They were blood relatives who’d been ripped apart, with no home to return to. Haruya was probably concerned for his sister, in his own way, and yet…

“Haruya,” said Himari softly, “I was so happy to discover that you were still alive. It was the gladdest moment of my life. Please don’t upset me now.”

“H-Himari?”

Himari staggered back up, giving Haruya a sorrowful look. “Lady Philia, Prince Osvalt… Forgive me. My trip to the palace and back has left me slightly worn out. Am I permitted to take a rest?”

“Uh, sure. That’s fine, Himari. Take your time. You deserve a break.”

Having received Sir Osvalt’s permission, Himari wasted no time in vanishing.

It made sense for her to be tired, but we all knew that wasn’t why she left. Still, it was best to give her some time alone. We all knew that, too.

Was there anything I could do to help?

I continued to stare at the door of the inn, long after Himari had left the room.

“All right. Let’s get this meeting underway. What do you say, Haruya?”

“My goodness. Still all business, Prince Osvalt? I have to say, that embarrassing incident has me shaken. I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“Shaken? You certainly don’t look it.”

Once Himari had left and Lena had brewed some more tea, Sir Osvalt broached the topic of negotiations. While I was busy worrying about Himari, Sir Osvalt had remained cool and collected.

Haruya, meanwhile, hadn’t forgotten why he was there.

“I’m not as strong as you think,” he said, chuckling smoothly. “First off, allow me to apologize for using a fake name. That was rude of me. Thing is, I’m an exile, and since Ashbrugge is so close to Murasame, I was afraid to go by my real name.”

“You have your reasons. Your exchange with Himari made that clear,” said Sir Osvalt. “I don’t intend to bring that topic up again.”

It didn’t seem like a serious issue to me, either. For Haruya, the name “Harry Freyer” probably represented this new phase of his life. I agreed with Sir Osvalt’s decision to let it go.

“Your understanding is greatly appreciated. Prince Osvalt, Lady Philia—it appears that you’ve taken care of my younger sister, Himari. At some point, I want to repay that favor—and trust me, I pay well.”

Haruya bowed his head. He wanted to repay us with “something tangible.” How very typical of him—he was a merchant, after all.

“There’s no need for that, Haruya. I’m just glad you two could meet again. Himari told us that all of her relatives had passed away, so I was delighted to see her reunited with her brother.”

Sir Osvalt spoke reassuringly, a note of cheer in his voice. He was sharing his true feelings, and I felt the same way. I was so relieved that Himari wasn’t completely alone in the world. Anyone who knew her circumstances would have agreed.

“I don’t get it. I tried to make Himari quit her job with you, prioritized money over loyalty, and, frankly, behaved rather disrespectfully in your royal presence. What’s with this olive branch?”

“Is it really that strange? I understand you were trying to help your sister, and there’s nothing wrong with a merchant trying to make money. You weren’t rude, either. Your reasons for abandoning your old oaths make perfect sense.”

As much as it seemed to confuse Haruya, Sir Osvalt was an understanding person. If Himari had wanted to join her brother, I doubt he would have stopped her.

There was no one as compassionate and kind as him. As for me…

Himari, going to work for Haruya? My heart ached at the thought. Somehow, the mere idea of it made my chest tighten.

“I’m grateful for your accepting nature, Your Highness. If it’s not too much to ask, I’d like you to extend that open-mindedness toward accepting my offer.”

Sir Osvalt laughed. “You’re going overboard now. Philia and I are unwilling to compromise on our convictions. That’s why we need to negotiate, right?”

As generous as he was, Sir Osvalt’s benevolence had its limits. He took my feelings into account, too, and made it clear that our minds would not be easily swayed.

From the outset, I got the feeling that these negotiations wouldn’t be smooth sailing.

“Whew. Thing is, I’m in a bit of a bind here. I’m usually a pro negotiator, so I was confident I could steer the conversation at my own pace—even with royalty. However…”

Shrugging his shoulders, Haruya fixed his gaze on Sir Osvalt.

“I’ve never encountered somebody like you before, Prince Osvalt. To tell you the truth, you’re pretty hard to deal with.”

“Hard to deal with?”

“You heard me. The trouble is, you don’t want anything. If there was something you were dying to get your hands on, I could exploit it, but that doesn’t seem like an option here. Not only that, but you’ve got a will of iron. I’m at a loss.”

Haruya playfully held up his hands in defeat. He sounded agreeable, but something told me he wasn’t about to back down. I knew better than to underestimate Haruya, even if he showed weakness. Fortunately, so did Sir Osvalt.

“I think you’re the one without any weaknesses.”

“My, my. Alas, I have nothing else. I’m under arrest, for starters. You could sentence me to death, if you felt so inclined.”

“You don’t seem like a man who’d be swayed by threats, though.”

“Don’t I? You might be surprised. Maybe I’ll agree to anything to save my own skin.”

How much of this was true, and how much of it was more fast talk?

Under normal circumstances, merely breaking into the ruins would be considered a serious crime. From the beginning, Haruya had anticipated the possibility of being arrested, and planned to buy his freedom. It must have come as a shock when his scheme didn’t quite work out.

Was he tempting fate because he was confident that Sir Osvalt would show mercy, or did he have another motive?

“Sir Osvalt,” I ventured, “Haruya is—”

“Yes, I already know. I’ve been observing him for a while now. This man is going to be tricky to deal with.”

Haruya said nothing.

“When he said he was happy to see Himari again, it rang hollow. He spoke with far more conviction when he said that money never lets you down. It’s clear where his principles lie—with cold, hard cash.”

As Sir Osvalt implied, Haruya’s feelings about money were far from ordinary. He trusted it above all.

Haruya’s principles… As a saint, I was supposed to see greed as something to be condemned. It contradicted the values of our faith. Still, if it was enough to keep Haruya going, perhaps even materialism could be a noble conviction.

“But look at it this way,” Sir Osvalt continued. “It’s not that everything else he says is a lie, it’s just that his heart’s not in it. He doesn’t care as much about things he can’t buy and sell.”

Now and then, I couldn’t help but think how unusual Sir Osvalt was. It was like he could see straight into the depths of the human heart. I still couldn’t describe the feeling he stirred in me.

“Prince Osvalt,” said Haruya, “whenever I talk to you, I seem to get thrown off balance. It’s hard to believe we met only yesterday.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Royalty tends to be detached from the real world and oblivious to how common people think. You, however, are the opposite. You’re better than anyone at getting close to people. Are you really a prince?”

Haruya seemed astonished by how quickly Sir Osvalt could see through people.

“Ha ha ha. People tell me that all the time. My older brother is always nagging me to be more aware of my position.”

“It’s not that. I’m talking about a deeper part of your character.”

Sir Osvalt always maintained a cheerful act, but at the same time, he was keeping a close eye on those around him.

When I first met him, I was worried about my sister Mia back in my home country. I didn’t express my anxiety out loud, and I probably didn’t show it on my face, either. Despite this, Sir Osvalt came over and offered me advice, almost as if we’d discussed my worries before. If it wasn’t for his kind encouragement, I wouldn’t have decided to write to Mia.

“You’re remarkably sensitive to other people’s emotions, Your Highness. As we speak, you’re trying to get inside my head.”

“Get inside your head? That’s not exactly my intention. Still, I can’t negotiate with you if I don’t know you well enough, can I?”

“In that case, let’s draw a line under this. I don’t engage in deals that don’t benefit me. Besides—”

“Stop right there, Harry Freyer!”

“Huh?”

The door swung open and Philip stormed in, backed by a dozen knights. Armed with spears, they were all primed for combat.

“By order of His Highness Prince Reichardt, you, Harry Freyer, are under arrest!”

“Hey, Philip!” Sir Osvalt shouted. He seemed as surprised by this development as the rest of us. “Give us a minute. We’re in the middle of negotiations here!”

What a mess. Sir Osvalt could try to delay the inevitable, but there was no fighting Prince Reichardt’s orders.

“Forgive me for being so rude, Prince Osvalt!” Philip loudly announced Prince Reichardt’s decision, looking apologetic. “Regrettably, Prince Reichardt’s stance is simple. He cannot pardon the instigator who plundered the ruins, nor those who helped him break into the forbidden zone!”

This was hardly surprising. Prince Reichardt was known for his strict, uncompromising nature. He was never going to agree to pardon Haruya. Sir Osvalt understood his brother all too well, which was precisely why he had insisted on exercising his own judgement.

“Interesting,” said Haruya. “Unlike you, the first prince values the rule of law.”

“You there! Harry Freyer, right? Follow our orders and we won’t have to get rough. Raise your hands and don’t fight back.” With a stern look on his face, Philip closed in on the criminal. “Now, then, what am I going to do with you?”

At that moment, Himari’s voice echoed from outside the inn. “Sir Philip! Don’t get too close!”

“Huh?”

“Oh, Himari.”

“Please, Haruya. No more of this unreasonable behavior.”

A kunai prodded Haruya in the arm. He glanced around to find his sister standing behind him. She must have been lurking nearby all along, worried about what her brother might do next.

“Allow me to check your pockets.”

Himari rummaged through Haruya’s breast pocket. He must have had a weapon ready to use.

“As I suspected, a smoke bomb. Did you plan to obscure our vision and make your escape?”

“How long have you been back there? You’ve certainly refined your skills.”

“No, Haruya. You’re simply out of practice.”

“Talk about harsh. Himari’s caught me from behind, while the greatest saint of all time looms before me. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Knights of Parnacorta are here, too. I can tell Sir Osvalt and his attendants are forces to be reckoned with. Fleeing this place wouldn’t be worth the effort.”

Philip restrained Haruya, who’d lifted his hands in surrender. It sounded as though Prince Reichardt meant to try him as a criminal—but whatever the case, he seemed to have given up all too easily.

Haruya was a clever schemer. While the arrest might have come as a surprise to him, something just wasn’t adding up.

“Philip, this man is my older brother. I know the laws of Parnacorta. Restrain me as well.”

“What? Um, very well!”

“Huh?”

Why did Himari need to be restrained? I tried to recall the law of Parnacorta. Surely this wasn’t what I feared it was…

“Sir Osvalt. How does the law treat exiles like Himari?”

“Unfortunately, they get the same treatment as foreign citizens. As I’m sure you’re aware, when a foreigner in Parnacorta is charged with a crime, any members of their immediate family who happen to reside within Parnacorta’s borders are deemed guilty by association. This law was established at a time when foreign nationals were responsible for a lot of crimes.”

“S-so now that Himari has been reunited with Haruya…”

“She’ll be tried, too. I know what you’re thinking. If Harry Freyer hadn’t crossed paths with Himari, she’d be free. I dropped the ball, too. I should have known that my brother would ignore my wishes and send the law after Harry.”

I wasn’t familiar with all of Parnacorta’s laws, but since Girtonia had no such law as this one, it had stuck in my mind.

I couldn’t believe that Himari would be forced to shoulder the same punishment as Haruya. She was innocent. I couldn’t turn a blind eye to this injustice.

“Let’s ask for her to be acquitted.”

“Good idea. Maybe if I ask my brother personally…”

“Stop right there! Lady Philia. Prince Osvalt. My brother’s failure is my failure. I would have cut my stomach open in contrition, even if Parnacorta had no such law. I refuse to accept any mercy!”

I couldn’t comprehend why Himari was so eager to share the blame with her brother. No—as preposterous as it was, I had to consider what I would do if Mia committed a crime against Sir Osvalt or Prince Reichardt. Perhaps I would also plead to take accountability for my sibling’s actions.

“I don’t see why you should share the blame, Himari. Ask Lady Philia and His Highness for their help. You’re making a fool of yourself, embroiling yourself in my mess.”

“You are the foolish one, Haruya. You let your immediate desires get the better of you and forgot your humanity.”

“Perhaps I did. But if that’s true, why should you share your fate with a fool like me?”

Haruya couldn’t have wanted his younger sister to share the blame. Still playing it light, he tried to refuse her offer.

“I will assume the same fate as my family. I cannot bring myself to sever our bond. I will not forsake my older brother, no matter how foolish he is.”

The intent in Himari’s eyes was perfectly clear, with no trace of hesitation. Should I respect her wishes or not?

I didn’t know. For her, an innocent bystander, to shoulder the blame would be an intolerable injustice. But if I stopped her, wouldn’t I sever the one family tie she still had?

Why was I so uncertain?

“Prince Osvalt. Lady Philia.” Himari bowed her head. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I will take full responsibility for this disgraceful incident.”

And so, Philip took Himari away, along with her brother.

Why couldn’t I stop her?

Why was I just standing there, unable to move?

Why…?

“Are you all right, Philia?”

“H-how could I be? Himari… Himari… Why did this have to happen to Himari?”

Sir Osvalt had no answer for me.

He was trying to show that he cared, but overwhelmed by my own distress, I could only shout at him.

“I’m sorry. I know lashing out at you isn’t going to solve anything.”

“No. Your reaction is justified, Philia. I know why it was so hard for you to step in. You understood her feelings.”

“But Sir Osvalt…”

“Whatever the case, we can’t continue with our honeymoon now. Let’s head back to the capital. The charges won’t be finalized right away. We have some time to think of the optimal solution…that is, a plan we won’t regret.”

Sir Osvalt was surprisingly calm.

No, I was mistaken. On closer inspection, I noticed his clenched fist was trembling.

No one could keep perfectly cool in a situation like this.

That didn’t mean we could let our emotions get the better of us, though. As Sir Osvalt said, we needed to find a course of action we wouldn’t regret.

***

“You’re telling us he got away during the journey?”

Upon returning to the capital, we made our way to the palace, hoping to reach a compromise with Prince Reichardt. To our surprise, we were greeted with the news that Haruya had escaped.

“I’m so sorry!” Philip, the commander of the Parnacorta Knights, bowed his head deeply and refused to look back up. He must have been beating himself up over his failure. “We restrained him by the limbs and kept a guard over him, but it all went horribly wrong. I had no idea he could knock out all the guards while bound! No apology will ever suffice! I’m so ashamed!”

“Come on, lift your head,” said Sir Osvalt. “What happened to Himari?”

“Miss H-Himari stayed behind, under restraint! He encouraged her to flee with him, but when she refused, he fled on his own. She called out to the other knights for help, but he defeated them one by one…”

What a concerning series of events. Haruya was definitely a force to be reckoned with. Earlier, when he said that fleeing the inn “wouldn’t be worth the effort,” it wasn’t because he’d resigned himself to his fate. He’d just decided it would be easier to get away while he was in transit.

He must have realized that Himari, the knights, and I would be able to subdue him and place him under stricter surveillance.

“I guess he had the upper hand all along,” said Sir Osvalt.

“So it would appear,” I said. “But what about Himari?”

“W-well…” Philip looked uncomfortable. “Himari has been restrained once again, under Prince Reichardt’s orders, and locked behind bars!”

“I see.”

“Would you like to see her, Your Highness?”

“Of course. That’s what we’re here for.”

Sir Osvalt and I looked at each other and nodded. We couldn’t just abandon Himari, nor could we allow Haruya to get away.

Maybe Himari would view it as meddling, but she was as important to me as I was to her. I didn’t care if she didn’t want our assistance. I had to take a path I wouldn’t regret.

Sir Osvalt knocked on Prince Reichardt’s office door. “It’s me, Osvalt. Philia’s here as well. Can we come in?”

With the prince’s permission, we stepped inside.

As soon as he saw our faces, Prince Reichardt rose to his feet and gestured for us to sit on the sofa. “Welcome back. I get the impression you’re not here to share your vacation memories, though. Miss Philia, Osvalt—please take a seat.”

His Highness’s expression told me he’d already sensed our questions. Despite his serene nature, his eyes sharpened at times like these. Something told me this wouldn’t be an easy conversation.

“Prince Reichardt, please let Himari go,” I said.

“I’d be happy to.”

“Huh?”

To my amazement, Prince Reichardt readily agreed to set Himari free. I was dumbfounded.

“When your attendant is involved in a scandal, it reflects badly on you. Luckily, this Haruya Fuuma fellow operates under the alias Harry Freyer. As long as we buy the knights’ silence, we can limit prosecution to Harry alone.”

“Are you asking us to pretend that Himari’s reunion with her long-lost brother never happened?”

“Precisely. That way, she can be publicly acquitted. Your reputations will be untarnished, too.”

I was impressed. I should have known Prince Reichardt would have a plan.

His proposal was logically sound, not to mention unusually flexible. In the past, it would have been unthinkable for Prince Reichardt to suggest bribing the knights to keep quiet. He was a man who valued the rule of law.

Yet here he was, putting our interests first. He had found it within himself to find a compromise. However…

“Himari has spent years believing she had lost her entire family,” I said. “When she saw her older brother again, she looked genuinely overjoyed. I don’t think she could tolerate losing him for a second time.”

Himari was familiar with the pain of loss. I couldn’t fathom how much pain she’d been through, but I couldn’t let her experience it again.

“Perhaps you’re right, Miss Philia. I understand how she would feel.”

“S-so…”

“However, whether it’s as Harry or Haruya, he will be punished—and that’s final.” Though he showed some sympathy for Himari’s feelings, the prince shook his head. “Let me put it this way. Either Himari is punished alongside her brother, or she and her brother become strangers so she can evade reprimand. Those are the only options.”

“That’s awful!”

“Brother, don’t you think you’re being heartless?” Sir Osvalt rose to his feet. “You can’t expect Himari to choose to abandon her brother like she never knew him at all!”

He was right. It was cruel to force Himari to make that choice.

Besides, I couldn’t see Himari choosing to estrange herself from her brother. It was only a hunch, but I was quite certain. I’d seen how much family meant to her with my own eyes.

“Sit back down, Osvalt.”

“But brother…”

“I said sit down!”

“Huh? F-fine.”

Prince Reichardt let out a thunderous cry, giving Sir Osvalt no choice but to oblige orders.

In his moment of rage, His Highness seemed to grow larger. He really wascarrying the weight of his country on his shoulders.

“Osvalt, do you remember the advice I gave you before you left for your honeymoon?”

“When you told me to protect Philia from foreign threats?”

“Yes. I believe I told you that if we were unlucky, we could end up in a tense international situation.”

After our meeting with His Majesty, Sir Osvalt and Prince Reichardt had spoken in private. Presumably that was when Prince Reichardt issued this warning. I had no idea that people from other countries were after me.

“The reason I intervened, when I would usually have left an issue like this to you, is that Harry Freyer is a foreign citizen. What if he’s working for enemies of Parnacorta who are trying to get to Philia? It strikes me as naïve that you tried to negotiate with him.”

“D-don’t be like that. There are definitely some aspects of his character that aren’t worthy of our praise, but I don’t think he’s that bad.”

“That’s irrelevant. You simply weren’t thinking.”

I didn’t know why foreign actors might be targeting me, but at last I understood why Prince Reichardt had been so intent on arresting Haruya. While I sympathized with Himari’s feelings, I could see Prince Reichardt’s reasoning as well.

He was doing it all for me.

“At any rate,” High Highness continued, “this conversation is over. I’ll spare you and Miss Philia the torment of giving Himari that cruel choice. I’ll gladly take on that burden myself.”

“Wait a minute!” I couldn’t stop myself from shouting.

If I gave up, I’d regret it for the rest of my life. I couldn’t bear the thought of Himari enduring any more sadness, and I’d do anything to prevent it.

She’d risked her life to defend my precious sister Mia. She always looked out for me and treasured my presence. I would never forsake her in her time of need.

“We’ve had this conversation before, Miss Philia. There won’t be a second time. I still don’t think I was right to grant your permission to enter the Volcanic Miasma Zone. I hope you realize that was the last time I will compromise on my convictions.”

“I understand. This time, I’ll use logic to obtain your consent.”

“Logic, hmm?” Prince Reichardt’s eyes widened for a moment. Then he broke into a smile. “I see. You are said to be the greatest saint in history, Miss Philia. Your wisdom far surpasses mine. I’m eager to hear this logical argument of yours.”

Last time, I’d ignored everyone else’s opinions and stepped straight into the jaws of death. Personally speaking, I didn’t regret my actions, but as a saint, I was obliged to consider the good of my country. I had to admit I had been careless in that respect.

This time, I needed to get Prince Reichardt’s approval.

I fully respected that as a member of the royal family, he was committed to defending his country. I therefore had no choice but to reason with him.

“Prince Reichardt. May I ask that you leave this decision up to Sir Osvalt?”

“Is that the extent of your logical argument, Miss Philia? If so, it’s a no. I’ve concluded that my brother’s forgiving nature makes him unfit to handle this situation.”

True, that was my argument. I’d laid my cards on the table. However, Prince Reichardt’s response was what I expected.

“I agree we cannot overlook the upheaval Haruya caused. And it’s true that Sir Osvalt is a kind man. However, that doesn’t mean he’s not suited for the task.”

“Are you saying Osvalt can serve this country even better than I can, Miss Philia?”

“Yes! Put your trust in Sir Osvalt, and everything will be fine.”

“Philia…”

I had faith in Sir Osvalt. He could achieve what Prince Reichardt and I couldn’t.

From the day I arrived in Parnacorta, I’d been watching him up close. If anyone knew what he was capable of, it was me.

“I don’t think you’re the type to exaggerate your partner’s strengths out of love, Miss Philia. Your faith in him is genuine, so let me hear you out. Tell me why you feel this way. Tell me why you’re so sure of Osvalt’s capabilities.”

“I think you already know the answer, Prince Reichardt.”

“What do you mean?”

I’d only known Sir Osvalt for a little over a year. Prince Reichardt had been around him from the moment he was born.

“Sir Osvalt has a remarkable ability to get people to open up. Before you even realize it, you find yourself inclined to trust him. I won’t deny that he can be a little too kind at times, but I know he’ll get Haruya to open his heart to him.”

When I first met Sir Osvalt, I was surprised by how comfortable I felt around him. His smile was warm, and I felt at ease when he was nearby. Before I knew it, I was longing to stay by his side.

When I was with him, I wasn’t just a saint anymore. I felt like a real person.

He never made assumptions about people, no matter who they were. He saw them for themselves. Perhaps that was his greatest virtue.

“You’re right. Osvalt does possess a certain human charm. But even if he won Haruya over, what would that accomplish?”

“Haruya could do tremendous good for the kingdom of Parnacorta. If Sir Osvalt succeeds in working with him, they’re sure to further this country’s development.”

Haruya Fuuma was, from my unbiased point of view, a gifted individual. He had a dangerous way of centering his values around profit, but his talents were far too valuable to cast aside.

“You’re saying that Harry—or rather, Haruya Fuuma—is too useful to dispose of? And although I can’t handle him, Osvalt can? Is that the argument you’re making?”

“Yes, it is.”

I didn’t have to say much. Thanks to his shared affinity for reason, the prince grasped my argument almost immediately.

For a few moments, His Highness crossed his arms and mulled things over in silence.

“Haruya Fuuma has his sights set on the Moontear Flower, correct? Not only could he help us deal with other countries, he could be used as a bargaining chip himself. The prospect of obtaining more Moontear Flowers is indeed enticing, but using a foreign national—especially one who’s broken the law—is risky business. Taking all that into consideration, I’d settled on punishing him for his transgressions. Do you think I’d be going against the nation’s interests, Miss Philia?”

“I would say so. Please, Prince Reichardt, have faith in Sir Osvalt’s abilities. He’s your brother, after all. I assure you that it’s the best approach for your country.”

Even when Haruya was reunited with his long-lost sister, part of him saw her as a business prospect. But then, as he was talking to Sir Osvalt, I sensed that he was starting to open up.

“You’re asking me to trust in Osvalt? That sounds like an emotionally driven argument, rather than a logical one.”

“I’m only human—it’s hard for me to exclude all emotion from the thoughts I express. However, that doesn’t mean they’re unsubstantiated. I’ve observed all this in the time I’ve spent with Sir Osvalt. Prince Reichardt, if you truly want this country to prosper, give my husband a chance.”

“If I truly want this country to prosper, hm?”

That concluded my argument. If this wasn’t enough to earn Prince Reichardt’s approval, I was out of options.

Suppressing the urge to keep talking, I waited for him to speak.

“Osvalt,” His Highness said at last, “it seems that people overrate your abilities, as they do mine. I’m sorry to say this, but I can’t bring myself to place that much trust in you.”

“B-but brother, I’m—”

“However, I do trust Miss Philia—far more than I trust you, or even myself.”

Prince Reichardt held his brother with a stern gaze, but his voice was the gentlest it had been since we entered the room.

“Just this once, I’ll entrust everything to you,” he announced. “Osvalt, if your people skills truly have the power to do good for our country, show your older brother what you can do.”

“B-brother?! Y-you’re leaving it to me?”

“Surely you can’t be that slow on the uptake. You’ll embarrass Philia. She’s the one who convinced me. Never mind what is expected of you as a prince. What will you do if you don’t meet her expectations of a husband?”

Prince Reichardt broke into a smile, just as Sir Osvalt’s expression turned solemn. A weighty responsibility had been placed upon his shoulders. If he made the wrong decision, it would derail everything.

I believe in you, Sir Osvalt. I saw no other choice but to place my trust in you. If anyone can grapple with the darkness within Haruya’s heart, it’s you.

At last, Sir Osvalt nodded.“Leave this in my hands. Philia was confident enough to advocate for me. The least I can do is fulfil my responsibility.”

“I don’t doubt it. First things first: apprehend Harry—I mean, Haruya Fuuma. I’ll be watching how you handle things from this point on.”

Prince Reichardt gave his orders in a matter-of-fact tone. How Haruya was to be recaptured was, by the sound of it, up to Sir Osvalt.

“Understood. Haruya made a run for it, didn’t he?” An idea seemed to strike Sir Osvalt. “There’s only one way to track him down. Brother, I’m releasing Himari. Her expertise is needed.”

“Do as you please. For this matter and this matter alone, I’m granting you full authority. I won’t interfere any further.”

Freedom wouldn’t make Himari’s bitter feelings go away, but it would be a step forward.

***

Himari

HOW COULD HE end up this way?

The ninja I once knew as Haruya Fuuma was loyal and devoted.

If it wasn’t for the weight of our parents’ expectations and the example set by my brother, who was always honing his skills, I would never have become a master ninja. It was thanks to Haruya that I had the skills to protect my master.

“Money’s good, Himari. It keeps you safe, and it doesn’t betray you. Loyalty? Well, that’s just an illusion that makes life easier for those who seek to control us.”

As my brother uttered those words, he looked like a stranger.

What pained me most was that I didn’t sense a trace of deception in his voice. He truly had lost his sense of loyalty—the single most precious value he had taught me.

“Our uncle is just one of countless members of the Fuuma clan who have lost their lives on the battlefield. But look at his face—see how peaceful it is?”

Amid the turmoil that engulfed our nation, our uncle laid down his life to shield his master. When I was just a girl, Haruya showed me my uncle’s body with profound admiration.

“I hope I look that peaceful when I die. To perish for the sake of your lord… For someone who has lived a life of devotion, there is no greater joy.”

My brother’s fists trembled. Without shedding a tear, he showed me the depth of what it meant to be a Murasame ninja.

We didn’t refine our skills for our own gratification. We did so for those we’d lay down our lives to protect, and for the pride of the Fuuma clan.

Day after day, Haruya subjected himself to the most grueling training of all our siblings. His body bore countless cuts and bruises. I was certain that one day he would make a name for himself as the head of the Fuuma clan.

“Himari! I’ll board the big ship heading to Ashbrugge! Once things have blown over, flee south!”

“B-but Haruya, they’ll shower your boat in gunfire! I’m coming with you!”

“You fool! You’ll only slow me down! You’ll be killed when you must live! That little boat is perfect for a novice like you!”

When we were fleeing our country, my brother forced me onto a small boat, demanding that I travel in the opposite direction from Ashbrugge. He volunteered to act as a decoy, just to keep me alive.

All our other siblings had been killed, having failed to escape quickly enough. Just as we were about to depart by sea, he made a brave declaration.

“Himari, you have to survive, whatever the cost. Promise me you won’t die. Let me save at least one person I hold dear.”

I’d always believed those were his last words.

He saved my life. Sacrificing it for him in return could never be a mistake.

He might have changed beyond recognition, but he was still the only blood relative I had. No one could ever sever our bond.

I’d served admirable masters, right to the very end. How lucky I was.

With his unwavering logic and resolute spirit, Prince Osvalt of Parnacorta reminded me of the greatest warriors of Murasame. He was a lord deserving of respect. Lady Philia was so pure and noble that she altered the way I saw the world. She was the true embodiment of a saint. People like them were rarities, even in the annals of history.

Having served not one, but two such masters, I had nothing left to wish for. It was time to stand by the last of my kin and accept whatever fate awaited us.

“Prince Osvalt, Lady Philia…”

When I closed my eyes, I could see the two of them walking side by side in bliss.

I wished them both happiness for many years to come.

Chapter 5: More than Money and Devotion

Chapter 5:
More than Money and Devotion

“HIMARI, I’m setting you free.”

“No, Prince Osvalt! I-I’m a criminal, guilty of a disgraceful crime. I cannot come out.”

We went to the dungeon to free Himari, but as we feared, she was reluctant to leave. She had a strong sense of responsibility. I could understand why she couldn’t bring herself to accept her reprieve.

“My brother has left this matter to me. You’re not a criminal, and I’ll find some way to free Haruya, too.”

“Even so, the fact remains that my brother broke the law. I’ve disgraced both of you, and I deserve to be punished.”

“Don’t say that, Himari,” said Sir Osvalt. “We need your help to find Haruya. We have to catch him while there’s still time.”

“You’re both ninjas,” I added. “Maybe you’ll pick up on something that we won’t. What do you think, Himari?”

Like Himari, Haruya had mastered the art of the ninja. No one was better suited for the task than she.

“Prince Osvalt and Lady Philia, I’m too ashamed to look you in the eye. Not only did I fail to convince my brother to see reason, but I watched him flee, unable to stop him.” Himari kept her gaze fixed on the ground, even when we were speaking to her. She was distraught that she’d let Haruya flee, despite being right at the scene of the crime.

“You don’t need to blame yourself, Himari,” I reassured her. “You’d just gone all the way to the palace and back. You were exhausted.”

“But I—”

“You’re the only one we can turn to. If you have any clues, tell us.”

“Y-you two… I don’t deserve your kindness.”

I could understand why Himari was so apprehensive. She had a strong sense of accountability. Nevertheless, this wasn’t the time for anxiety. It wouldn’t do us any favors, let alone her.

“Himari, it hurts to see you like this. Your presence has brought me so much comfort. That’s why I’m asking for your help.”

“Lady Philia?”

“You protected a cherished member of my family, Himari. I don’t want to lose you. You’re important to me, too.”

My words didn’t come out exactly as I’d intended, but I meant what I said. There were so many people I cared about, and I didn’t want to see any of them in pain.

A fierce light grew in Himari’s eyes. “My brother escaped using a smoke bomb hidden in his teeth. The Fuuma clan invented them. They’re effective for blinding the enemy, but they have a very distinct scent. An untrained person could not track it…but I might be able to.”

“Himari!” Sir Osvalt and I cried.

The scent of the smoke bomb? Himari was right. The Knights of Parnacorta would never be able to follow that. Only a true ninja could do so.

“All right, Himari,” said Sir Osvalt. “You lead the way. Take us to the site of Haruya’s escape and see if you can detect the scent.”

“Very well, Your Highness. Leave it to me!”

Sir Osvalt told Himari what to do. It sounded like she would be leading the chase.

Himari had rescued my sister and me. Now that she had finally been reunited with her sibling, I couldn’t watch her life fall apart.

With that thought in mind, we left the royal palace in pursuit of Haruya.

***

“This way. The smell of the smoke has faded, but there’s no mistaking it.”

Himari pointed toward a mountain road on the outskirts of the capital.

Before I extended the Great Purification Barrier, the area had been a hotbed of monster activity, and it was still a place that few dared to visit.

We hastily made our way through the dark forest, with Himari at our lead. Sir Osvalt, Sir Philip, and several members of the Parnacorta Knights brought up the rear.

“This is incredible. I can’t smell anything at all.”

“We ninjas must be sensitive to any change in our environment, so we train all of our five senses. Our sense of smell is no exception.”

“I see…”

She made it sound simple, but honing her senses to such a degree must have required excruciating discipline. From what I’d heard, however, Haruya was an even better ninja than Himari. We couldn’t afford to underestimate him.

“There! A mountain hut!”

As we emerged from the path, a small, somewhat neglected-looking cabin came into view. It was perched on top of a low hill.

We all tensed up. Even Philip and his fellow knights looked wary.

“I believe my brother—I mean, Haruya—is in there,” mused Himari.

“He was even closer than I thought. I didn’t expect us to catch up with him so easily, even with you following his scent.”

“He probably didn’t think we’d have help from Himari,” said Philip.

Like Sir Osvalt, I hadn’t expected to find Haruya’s hideout so quickly. The best I’d been hoping for was a clue.

“Your work is admirable, Himari…but this feels a little too convenient.”

“You’re not suggesting he’s lured us here for a reason, are you, Philia?”

“Perhaps. If he anticipated that we’d follow his scent…I have a bad feeling about what’s to come.”

Haruya might have lured us here on purpose. That thought gave rise to one particular hypothesis.

“What if Haruya is skilled enough to overwhelm us all?”

“Now there’s a thought. He could be waiting in that cabin to ambush us.”

“Of course, he might have just let his guard down—but considering he’s a former ninja himself, it’s hard to believe he didn’t expect Himari might pursue him.”

Haruya had gone so far as to hide a smoke bomb in his mouth to aid his escape. That wasn’t the behavior of a careless individual. Besides, our previous encounters were enough to show me how skilled he was at manipulating people.

“I don’t fear traps or weapons!” Philip stepped forward, thumping his chest with conviction. “I’ll lead my knights inside and capture this Haruya myself. Just watch!”

The Knights of Parnacorta were reputed to be the strongest military force on the continent. As their commander and our nation’s most skilled spearman, Philip was never content to rest on his laurels.

“I understand where you’re coming from, Philip, but we’re…”

“Well, well. Look who we have here. I didn’t expect you to bring such a crowd with you.”

We were all dumbstruck.

As Philip and Sir Osvalt were speaking to one another, Haruya stepped out of the mountain hut. He was expecting us after all.

“I’m disappointed, Himari. I didn’t think you’d turn against your only blood relative.”

“Haruya…”

“My goodness. Do you know why I left a trail that only you could follow? I believed that, in the end, you’d be on my side.”

How much of what he was saying was true? It was impossible to be sure.

That said, it was a possibility I hadn’t considered at all. Himari could have pretended to be on our side, only to rush to her brother’s rescue. She was certainly capable of pulling off such a feat.

“I have no intention of betraying you, Haruya, but it’s natural for a ninja to serve their master. My actions shouldn’t come as a surprise.”

“Oh? Loyalty is commendable, but it isn’t going to keep you alive. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that.”

After everything they’d been through, the siblings knew that better than anyone. Their lives of devotion hadn’t spared them from losing the ones they loved—and nearly their own lives, too.

“But brother! Prince Osvalt and Lady Philia—”

“Enough, Himari. I wish you’d learned your lesson, but if you insist on turning against me, who am I to argue? I, for one, will take the path I believe in.”

“What?!”

Haruya pointed a finger at us. A window of the cabin suddenly burst open and a deluge of flaming arrows flew out.

It couldn’t be…

“Haruya!” cried Himari. “This won’t stop me!”

“Ugh. You’d better not underestimate the Knights of Parnacorta!”

Himari deflected the arrows with her kunai and shuriken, while Philip swept through the air with his spear, knocking every last arrow down.

When the air cleared, there was no sign of anyone else in the cabin. That could only mean one thing. “You have magic tools, don’t you?” I said.

“I knew you’d work it out, Lady Philia,” Haruya responded. “It only took you one glance to figure it out. I built this hideout in secret. Thanks to all the magic weaponry I’ve amassed from all over the continent, I’ve turned it into a fortress!”

It hadn’t crossed my mind that he’d attack us with magic. Since his younger sister was with us, I took it for granted that he wouldn’t do anything reckless. It seemed as though my outlook was naïve.

“Magic tools don’t faze me! I’ll smash them into smithereens with my Delon spear skills!” Philip wasn’t daunted by this revelation. He appeared eager to charge into Haruya’s mountain outpost.

True, one of my magic barriers would be enough to shield him from that level of firepower. But Haruya had described the hut as a fortress.

“Please be careful, Philip. I think Haruya is still hiding something.”

“No need to worry about me, Lady Philia! No matter what he has up his sleeve, I’ll—”

“You folks don’t make things simple, do you?” said Haruya, interrupting Philip’s speech. “It would’ve been so much easier if you’d have charged in right away. Saint Philia, Prince Osvalt—of all the couples I’ve had to deal with, you two have been the hardest to form a strategy against. I reallydidn’t want to use this, but you’ve left me no choice.”

With a snap of his fingers, Haruya summoned a gigantic cannon from inside the cabin. The barrel was the largest I’d ever seen. If it were a magic weapon, it’d be even more powerful than an ordinary cannon of the same size.

“I-I know what that is…”

It was the last thing I was expecting him to have up his sleeve.

“This is a custom-made Arcane Cannon. I had one of my contacts persuade Prince Reichardt to put in a special order. I hate to use it before it’s delivered to its rightful owner, but if you arrest me, I won’t get paid anyway.”

Most weaponized magic tools were designed to slay monsters, so they were unfit for warfare. They were powerful enough to destroy everything around them. I couldn’t believe that Prince Reichardt had agreed to purchase such a thing.

I knew he was worried about the prospect of conflict with other countries. Perhaps things were more serious than I thought.

“Everyone, step back! Leave this to the Knights of Parnacorta!”

“You’re better off staying put,” Haruya countered. “The Arcane Cannon has the power to wipe out a whole village. I’m taking you both hostage, Prince Osvalt and Lady Philia. The moment one of you moves a muscle, I’ll shoot!”

“Gah! H-how dastardly!”

If we moved, he would fire the cannon at us. Haruya made this threat to keep Philip in check. Interesting. He had considered the possibility that we’d follow Himari here…

“Are you insane, Haruya? Taking these people hostage means making an enemy of the whole of Parnacorta!”

“That’s precisely what makes them so valuable. The shackles of your loyalty are holding you back, Commander. I understand—I’ve been there myself.”

“Grr! You truly are wicked!”

Maybe Prince Osvalt and I had been too careless. I hoped my magic was sufficient to defend us, but I wasn’t certain. After all, I knew nothing about the power or workings of the so-called Arcane Cannon. Haruya was exploiting that uncertainty.

“Given the situation we’ve found ourselves in, I’ll abandon my dreams of raking in the cash. As long as you guarantee my safety and ensure I won’t take a loss, I’ll step back without a fight. Let’s call it even.”

“Even?”

From his perspective, this was a real compromise. Haruya had no more cards left to play.

That explained why he was resorting to such aggressive tactics. He was probably feeling cornered himself.

“Yes, even,” Haruya continued. “So what’s your decision?”

If I absorbed mana into my body, the glow would give me away. I could utilize my own magic powers to send out a chain of light, but Haruya seemed confident that he could make a swift escape. He and Himari were both quick on their feet. It was entirely plausible that he could fire the cannon before the chain even reached him.

I needed to find a way to fight back without letting Haruya know that I was casting magic.

“You’re a wise individual, Lady Philia. You must see that accepting my terms would be the shrewdest tactic.”

I bit my tongue.

“Now, if you could convince your husband—agh! Wh-what’s that? A gale?”

I tried to raise a gust of wind without moving my body or absorbing mana, but it wasn’t strong enough to blow Haruya away. The Arcane Cannon only shook slightly. It’d be hard to incapacitate it.

“I’d appreciate it if you stopped these little games of yours, Lady Philia,” said Haruya.

“Whatever do you mean?” I replied. “I’ve done exactly as you asked. I haven’t moved a muscle.”

“A lying saint? Now I’ve seen it all. Well, it is what it is. Any more funny business, accidental or not, and I won’t hesitate to fire.”

It sounded like it was time to abandon the idea of using magic. Haruya’s intimidating air told me he was determined to survive, no matter what it took. I’ve never met anyone so relentless. You could tell he was no stranger to ruthless disputes.

“Haruya!” Himari let out an anguished cry. “Cease this nonsense! The old you would have never resorted to such cowardly strategies! This doesn’t suit you.”

No doubt this was the only approach she had left: appealing to Haruya’s emotions, whatever fondness he still had for her.

Please, Himari! Get him to open up his stubborn heart!

“As I’ve said countless times before, loyalty won’t keep you safe. Have you pushed your resentment to the back of your mind, Himari? Have you forgotten the hatred you felt when we lost our mother, our father, and our siblings?”

“Of course not. But I vowed to remain a ninja until my dying day! If I let the principles of loyalty and justice fall by the wayside, I wouldn’t be myself any longer.”

“Loyalty and justice? Let me tell you a little something. I died that day. Once you’ve died, you become a different person. You’re freed from the curse of so-called ideals. If you want to live, it’s time to say goodbye to your old self!”

The look in his one eye was so intense, one would be forgiven for thinking it could shoot someone down.

You had to kill your old self to rewrite your values. If Himari wanted her brother back, she’d have to resort to drastic measures…

“Haruya!” exclaimed Himari, readying her kunai. “How far are you willing to go?”

“Hey! I thought I told you not to move!”

Haruya fired a flaming arrow at Himari.

There was no time to lose. We had to save her.

In a flash, Sir Osvalt grabbed the arrow with his bare hand and cast it aside.

“Damn… That burns…”

“P-Prince Osvalt?! Wh-what do you think you’re doing? I told you not to move!”

“Oh, my bad. My body has a mind of its own! But hey, cut me some slack, won’t you? I didn’t try any funny business. All I did was give myself a burn.”

He was so reckless.

Once, when I was deliberating whether to save Mia, Sir Osvalt told me that sometimes you have to follow your heart. In this case, however, he took following his instincts to another level.

“Wh-what were you thinking? Why would a master risk injuring himself to protect his vassal?”

“Haruya…”

For the first time, the cool and collected Haruya showed signs of agitation. He couldn’t believe what he’d just witnessed—Sir Osvalt using his own body to shield Himari.

“Why would you do that, Prince Osvalt? Why do you feel the need to protect my sister? You are her master, and she is your vassal. A master is supposed to use his vassal as a shield, not the other way around!”

“A shield? Hardly. When danger strikes, you can’t just stand around and watch. Like I said, my body has a mind of its own.”

He spoke as if he was stating the obvious.

He always kept his calm, and his kindness had no bounds. At times, I couldn’t help but feel mesmerized by him.

I was so proud of Sir Osvalt. As I gazed at his composed expression, I found myself swelling with pride.

“Himari wouldn’t let a meager flame arrow hit her,” said Haruya. “She was the fastest in our entire clan!”

Sir Osvalt laughed. “You might be right. Himari probably would’ve dodged it. Still, you threatened to fire your Arcane Cannon if anyone moved. What makes you think she’d take that risk and step out of the way?”

“Ugh… W-well…”

“And why would you launch an attack that you knew she could dodge? Haruya, I’m starting to sense that your plans don’t add up.”

Haruya fell silent.

Sir Osvalt was right. There was something bizarre about the way he was acting. The fact that he was threatening us with his Arcane Cannon—his trump card—should have been irrefutable evidence that he was desperate, and yet…

“Haruya. That cannon of yours… It’s not loaded, is it?”

“Huh? I didn’t expect you to try to raise the stakes, Lady Philia. I’m impressed. But sure, if that’s your game, order your knights to storm the hut. Let’s see what happens.”

Not only did Haruya appear unfazed by my accusation, he’d even managed to turn it back on me. He didn’t disappoint. Unfortunately for him, he’d failed to grasp my meaning. This time, he’d ended up in a situation he couldn’t talk his way out of.

“I’m not bluffing, Haruya. I’m simply stating a fact.”

“Oh really? I didn’t know you’d studied psychological warfare, too. I have to warn you, I—”

“I have proof—genuine proof that your cannon is empty.”

Haruya was dumbstruck.

I had no intention of taking another gamble that could lead to casualties. Even when I went into the Volcanic Miasma Zone, I only did it because Mia pledged to risk her life alongside me. Usually, I was a very cautious person.

“What about that wind earlier?”

“The wind?” Haruya repeated. “Oh. It did surprise me a little, but I’m not weak enough for it to sweep me away.”

“That’s true. It would have made things easier, but it wasn’t meant to. However, it did show me one thing.”

“It did?”

I’d been overly cautious. I was worried that Haruya might have another weapon as powerful as the Arcane Cannon, and concerned about how he would react when confronted. As I was contemplating tactics, Sir Osvalt had gotten burned.

In hindsight, I should have just pointed it out right away.

“Haruya, a cannon of that size should contain some pretty weighty cannonballs, shouldn’t it?”

There was no reply.

“If it had been loaded, there’s no way that amount of wind could have moved it. But I saw it shake a little.”

“So, that’s what the wind was for…”

It didn’t matter how sturdy Haruya was. If the wind wasn’t strong enough to move a person, but it made the cannon tremble, there was only one explanation: the cannon wasn’t as heavy as it was supposed to be.

Haruya had used an empty threat to hold us hostage.

It was terrifying to think that he had approached us with so much confidence, knowing he had nothing.

“Whew! I should have listened to my gut. I found it impossible to get a measure of you and your husband. That’s why I had to resort to desperate measures.”

“Haruya, you—”

“It’s alarming to think that a mere breeze, devoid of malice, was enough to topple me. What a crushing defeat. If it were my own greed that led to my demise, it’d be easier to come to terms with.” Looking almost impressed, Haruya raised both hands in defeat. “Still… I’m pleased I could spend my final days getting to know a couple like you two.”

This time, his surrender seemed genuine.

When he said it’d be easier to accept a demise caused by his own greed, I sensed a hint of sadness in his voice. His past had been tragic. He’d dedicated his life to serving others, only to be confronted by betrayal and death.

“Knights! Detain Haruya!” Philip ordered. “And watch out for hidden traps! Don’t let your guard down!”

At Philip’s command, the knights surged forward. A few minutes later, Haruya was in custody, showing no signs of resistance.

The look in his single eye was calm, reflecting only relief.

“Philip,” said Sir Osvalt, “bring Haruya to me. Oh, and go ahead and release his restraints.”

“Understood! Wait, what? Are you sure you want to set him free?”

“Yeah. He won’t escape again. I can tell.”

“Y-yes, Your Highness!”

Philip nodded, freed Haruya, and ushered him over. It seemed Sir Osvalt had something to discuss.

“You humiliated me back there,” Haruya said. “I never expected you to work out my bluff so easily.”

“I know.” Sir Osvalt turned to me, laughing, a joyful expression on his face. “My wife’s really something, isn’t she?”

“Sir Osvalt…”

Hearing my husband boast about me made me feel strangely nervous and shy.

“Yes, Lady Philia’s quite a saint. What impressed me more, however, was the way you shielded Himari.”

“Oh?”

“It still doesn’t make sense to me. Why would a master get injured for the sake of his vassal? I just don’t understand.”

If Haruya hadn’t been shaken by Sir Osvalt’s selflessness, he probably wouldn’t have backed down, not even after I figured out his plot. With the agility of a ninja and an arsenal of magic weapons, he could have at least attempted to flee.

“Can I ask you a question, Prince Osvalt?”

“Hmm? What is it? Go ahead.”

“How do you view your servants? I’ve never known anyone like you before. I’d like to hear your answer before I face my fate.”

I’d never asked Sir Osvalt a question like that before.

“Well, they’re people I trust to watch my back—and people I feel obliged to protect.”

“Th-they are?”

“…Is that odd? I mean, it’s just not in my nature to let someone else do all the protecting.”

When Haruya heard Sir Osvalt describe his urge to protect his vassals, his eyes widened in surprise. It was true. Sir Osvalt would never allow someone to sacrifice themselves to save him, no matter the situation. Some might call it naïve, but I loved his thoughtful nature.

I was beginning to understand why Sir Osvalt had called Haruya over to speak.

“You know what, Haruya? Meeting you feels like a stroke of fate. How do you feel about working for me?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? I could never be one of your underlings!”

Haruya was surprised, but for some reason, I’d seen this suggestion coming. It was a proposal that wouldn’t have occurred to a conventional thinker like myself, but of course Sir Osvalt would want to keep Haruya in his orbit.

“I don’t blame you for having doubts. My brother and His Majesty won’t forgive you so easily. I’m sure they’ll want you to make amends for your wrongdoings. However, my brother gave me full authority over this case. He’ll listen to me.”

“That’s not the issue. I’ve turned on you time and again, and you invite me to work for the royal family? Whatever price your country makes me pay, you can’t trust me.”

“It’s a trust issue, huh? Well, you’re not wrong. I have to agree with you there.”

Trust and faith were invisible to the eye. I was well aware of how priceless such imperceptible things could be, but it took inner strength to keep believing in something that couldn’t be seen or touched.

“So why—”

“You said that being betrayed changed your entire outlook. If you can trust someone, your outlook will change again, won’t it?”

“W-well…”

“If you want to change, I’ll have faith in you, no matter what.”

How could he look Haruya square in the face and reach out his hand to him? I was married to him, and not even I could understand it. From the moment we met, he’d been dazzlingly radiant.

Haruya looked dumbfounded. Perhaps he and I felt the same way.

“You really are too kind for your own good. Is this what I think it is? Do you think I’ll supply you with magic ore in exchange for your kindness? If that’s what you’re after, you don’t need to hire me as an attendant. Grant me a pardon on any terms you wish.”

If Prince Reichardt were in this position, he might have offered Haruya a pardon in exchange for a generous payment in magic ore. Sir Osvalt, however, would never exploit someone’s misdeeds for material gain.

“No thanks. I don’t plan to monopolize the Moontear Flowers or sell them at an exorbitant price. Philia feels the same way.”

“Sir Osvalt…”

“But after listening to your concerns, I’ve started to worry that giving them out for free may be a bad idea, too.”

A single Moontear Flower was worth a bag of gold. If we flooded the market with flowers without preparation, it could collapse the economy. In addition, with tensions between nations rising, we needed to be careful with our resources. As arrogant as it might sound, we had been too far removed from common human greed to consider the risks.

“I plan to confer with Girtonia and work out a deal,” Sir Osvalt continued. “And that’s where you come in. I want you to lend me your business acumen and negotiation skills.”

“M-my skills?”

“Look at the fight you put up. You were alone, in a foreign country, with no authority to speak of. Of course, your actions were nothing to applaud, but I have no doubts about your competence. Obviously, I’ll pay you appropriately for your work.”

Haruya had figured out that the ruins harbored clues to stopping the explosions in the Volcanic Miasma Zone and located a stone tablet inscribed with the blueprint he needed. That alone was enough to prove that he possessed exceptional insight. I’d only reached the same conclusion because I’d sensed the disordered mana for myself—and yet Haruya, a man with no magical power, had still beaten me to the punch.

Then there was the way he negotiated with Sir Osvalt, his clever escape, his physical abilities as a ninja, and the business acumen that helped him go from a refugee in Ashbrugge to a wealthy merchant in only a few years. I could understand why Sir Osvalt would entrust him with such an important job.

Haruya groaned. “I just don’t get it. The hardships Himari went through must have been at least as brutal as mine, and yet…her face hasn’t changed at all.”

“Haruya…” Himari murmured.

“Maybe you helped her keep her faith, Prince Osvalt.” Haruya nodded to himself.

He was probably right. Sir Osvalt gave off a light that could purge the darkness from human hearts. Spending time with him had brought the smile back to my face, too. I didn’t even notice it happening.

“I don’t know about that,” said Sir Osvalt. “I bet Himari prefers working for Philia.”

Sir Osvalt’s comment caught me off guard. “N-no, that can’t be. I’m constantly in her debt, and I’ve never managed to repay her as she deserves. You were far more—”

“Come on, you know that’s not true. I told you how much Himari’s brightened up since you arrived.”

I’d never really stopped to think about what I meant to Himari. All I knew was how much I owed to her.

Haruya laughed ruefully. “You two really do make a perfect couple. Interesting. I was convinced I knew how this world really worked, but maybe my perspective was too narrow.”

This time, his smile was open, as if he was no longer hiding his true thoughts. Perhaps he finally felt safe enough to open his heart.

“Now that I think about it, this offer is too good to pass up—and most importantly, it intrigues me.” Haruya gave Sir Osvalt’s outstretched hand a firm squeeze. “So yes, I’d love for you to take me under your wing for a while. I’m in your hands, Prince Osvalt.”

Haruya turned to Himari. “Sorry for disappointing you, Himari. I just couldn’t go back to living a life of servitude.”

Himari had continued to live the life of a ninja, much to her brother’s surprise. I suspected that her steadfastness had inspired Haruya to accept Sir Osvalt’s offer.

“I was shocked by the transformation you’d undergone,” said Himari. “Before I knew it, I’d let my emotions get the better of me.”

“Himari…”

“But in the moment, I failed to appreciate your struggles as Sir Osvalt has. It is I who should apologize.” With that, Himari began to cry.

“Don’t be silly. I don’t blame you for being disappointed. It’s nothing to shed a tear over. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”

Haruya pulled Himari into his arms. In that moment, it almost felt like all the effort we’d put into pursuing him was worthwhile.

I recalled Mia’s warm embrace after we had been reunited, and sensed my eyes beginning to sting.

“On that note, why don’t we head back to the palace?” suggested Sir Osvalt. “I’m sorry we had to cut our honeymoon short, Philia.”

“Don’t apologize. These memories will stay with me forever. Besides, it wouldn’t have felt like our honeymoon if everything had gone according to plan.”

“You’re right about that,” Sir Osvalt laughed. “Okay, let’s get going.”

He flashed me a cheerful smile. I grabbed his hand and we started to make our way back.

I didn’t mind that our honeymoon was a little unconventional. It was ours, and that was what mattered.

Those were my true and honest thoughts.

As long as I can walk by your side, it doesn’t matter where we go. The warmth I carry inside my heart will always be there.

“Lady Philia! Are those the blueprints for the magic tool you were talking about? I’ve never made a magic tool before, so it’d be marvelous to help you.”

It was the day after we returned to our mansion. By early afternoon, I’d finished the blueprints, and I was now showing them to Grace.

After studying the stone tablet, I finally grasped the mechanisms necessary for the mana-stabilizing device. It was the key to restoring order in the Volcanic Miasma Zone.

“Still, I didn’t expect the plans to be so extensive. You’ve given me ten pages, crammed full of diagrams… I’ll really have to apply myself!”

“Oh, no, that’s just the first part. The full plans are ten times as long.”

“Wh-what?! Ten times?! Y-you did all that in less than a day? You never fail to outdo yourself, Lady Philia!”

“You don’t have to compliment me,” I said, rebuffing Grace’s incredulous praise.

We needed to stabilize mana over a wide area, so the device would have to be quite large. I wasn’t surprised that the blueprints had turned out to be far more extensive than anything I’d produced before.

“Are you sure it’s all right for you to stay here?” I asked Grace.

“That shan’t be a problem. I sent a letter to my father, telling him I’d be training in Parnacorta for a while.”

“I see. In that case, I’ll accept your kind offer of assistance.”

Even if Grace lacked experience in making magic tools, she knew quite a lot about ancient rituals, and her grasp of mana was impossible to fault.

“Yes! Whatever you need, I’m at your service!”

“Oh, Grace. You really are something,” I said. “Well, let’s start with the basics of tool design.”

As widely read as Grace was, jumping straight to building a large-scale magic tool would be a challenge. I planned to start by having her create simpler equipment, to help her get used to the process.

“I understand. Are you sure about this, though? If coaching me takes up a lot of your time, won’t I be more of a hindrance than a help?”

“Don’t worry about that. We can’t begin construction until we get our hands on enough magic ore, anyway.”

If we wanted to build this magic tool, we needed twice the magic ore that could be found in all of Parnacorta. Until we got the necessary materials, the blueprints were useless. In the meantime, I could teach Grace the basics.

At that moment, Himari returned from the palace.

“Lady Philia, my brother has joined Prince Osvalt’s staff, under strict conditions.”

“I’m relieved to hear that he’s safe and well, Himari.”

“W-well… Yes. I can’t find the words to express my gratitude for His Highness’s and your magnanimity.”

Sir Osvalt must have succeeded at winning the king and Prince Reichardt over. I’d pondered over possible strategies on our way back from Haruya’s hideout, but he hadn’t once asked for my advice. He must have been determined to take full responsibility for his decision.

“I’m surprised that Prince Reichardt was willing to pardon him, let alone His Majesty. I was sure they’d take longer to convince. What were the conditions?”

“Haruya has promised to supply the necessary magic ore within the next month. Prince Reichardt weighed the benefits for the country and agreed to formally endorse Haruya as His Highness’s attendant, provided he kept that promise.”

To provide such a huge quantity of magic ore in only one month was an incredible pledge to make. What if he failed to fulfill his promise?

“If he breaks his promise, he will, as a matter of course, be punished. If it comes to that, then I…”

“I know you’ll stick by him. Still, I really wish you—”

“I do apologize. I’m not prepared to lose my brother again.”

“Himari…”

“Even so, you need not worry. I’m confident my brother will fulfill his promise. I could tell from the look in his eyes.”

Himari smiled, grabbed my hands, and gave me a nod. The look on her face told me just how much she trusted him. Something must have passed between them that only she, his sister, could pick up on.

“I’ll wait for him with full confidence,” I said.

“I appreciate that. He has already left. He should be collecting the magic ore as we speak, accompanied by the chaperons that Prince Reichardt provided for him.”

Of course Haruya wouldn’t want to waste any time. Collecting all that magic ore in a month was sure to be a painstaking task. I prayed to the gods for his success.

***

“Prince Reichardt was way too accommodating. I can hardly believe he gave me a whole month.”

“H-Haruya? You still have two weeks left. Don’t tell me you already…”

“I’m glad I tested my luck and asked for an extended window. I got the job done with plenty of time to spare. Anyway, thank you for waiting so patiently. Here’s the magic ore you ordered.”

An enormous shipment of magic ore had arrived at the mansion, and in only half the time Prince Reichardt had given Haruya.

“Reichardt, accommodating?” Sir Osvalt emerged from the mansion, grumbling. “Give me a break. Do you realize how hard I had to work to win him over?”

I’d heard how much effort Sir Osvalt had put in on Haruya’s behalf. It was easy enough to argue that putting him to work for the country’s benefit made more sense than punishing him for his crimes, but convincing Prince Reichardt to bend the rules was a different story. After estimating the benefits that Haruya’s skills and the magic tool I was hoping to create would bring, Sir Osvalt had presented his case.

“Of course, none of this would have been possible without your assistance, Prince Osvalt. Goodness, even I recognize that.”

“But you still asked for double the time you thought you’d need?”

“Precisely. Exploiting situations is what we merchants do best.”

At the core, Haruya didn’t seem to have changed at all. Taking advantage of Prince Reichardt? Talk about audacious…

With an attendant like him, Sir Osvalt would have his hands full.

“We can finally begin making the magic tool!” Grace exclaimed. “Time to put everything Lady Philia taught me to good use!”

“Yes, we’d better get started right away. I’m counting on you, Grace.”

“Feel free to do so!”

Grace puffed out her chest, burning with determination. In just two weeks, she’d mastered the basics of creating magic tools.

Lena and my other attendants had also offered to help, so we could probably complete the device even sooner than I had planned.

Just as I was about to get things ready, Sir Osvalt asked, “Philia, didn’t you say that you were worried, since there aren’t any records of magic tool construction?”

He was right. The magical device was going to be enormous. There were no historical precedents for what we were doing. At least, there were no surviving records. But that meant we had no way of anticipating what could go wrong. Once the tool was complete, we couldn’t just switch it on. First, we’d have to conduct some experiments to ensure it was safe.

It wasn’t as though I’d been twiddling my thumbs for the past two weeks, though. I’d been taking the necessary steps.

“Uhm, Lady Philia. I found another stone tablet that could contain new clues. Uhh, I’ve transcribed the archaic inscriptions onto paper for you. Indeed.”

“Thank you for going to the effort for me, Rick.”

Over the past two weeks, I’d tasked Rick with transcribing ancient inscriptions from ruins across the country. I was hoping that the ancients might have left behind accounts of using large-scale magic devices.

This was the fourth transcription he’d brought me. Up until now, his work hadn’t turned up the answers I’d been hoping for. Would the fourth time be a charm?

“Uhh, I’m sure records of magic tools being utilized exist, but I haven’t, uhm, managed to decipher the finer details of this inscription yet. My apologies.”

“Oh, you have nothing to apologize for. This is it, Rick!”

“I’m sorry?”

“This passage describes using a magic device even bigger than the one we’re planning to build. I’d better start decoding it.”

I started to decipher the inscription. Yes. This was definitely information we could use. One needed to exercise extreme caution when attempting something for the first time, and the inscription confirmed that.

“It sounds like when you use a large-scale magic tool, intense heat can build up inside, leading to a risk of malfunction. Thanks to you, Rick, we should be able to avoid that hazard.”

This information was priceless. If heat caused our device to malfunction in the Volcanic Miasma Zone, where explosions were already frequent, it would be extremely difficult to go in and fix it. There was no telling what kind of accidents might occur. That was an eventuality we needed to avoid at all costs.

“I, uhh, accepted a bribe from Haruya and acted dishonestly. A favor like this couldn’t possibly compensate for my wrongdoings. Indeed.”

Rick fully comprehended the severity of his crimes. The way he saw it, all he’d done was copy down some archaic writings from stone tablets, which wasn’t nearly enough to earn him a pardon.

“If you want to thank somebody, thank Sir Osvalt,” I said. “I haven’t done much to help you.”

Rick cast a glance at Sir Osvalt before turning back to me. “I already thanked His Highness last time we spoke. But, well, he just told me to thank you instead. Indeed.”

“He did?”

“You asked him to make the most of the situation and allow me to atone for my crimes through my knowledge and research. Um, at least, that’s what he told me. Indeed.”

It made my heart ache to know that Parnacorta had stopped excavating the ruins to purchase me. That wasn’t the only reason I’d advocated for Rick, however. If we needed insight into improving the safety of the magic tool, Rick was the best man for the job.

“Whatever the case, we now have everything we need to build this magic tool, don’t we? Something tells me this could change the course of history.”

“Grace,” I said, “that sounds like hyperbole to me.”

“No, the Saint of Bolmern is absolutely right. The finished device will be literally worth its weight in gold. In fact, that’s an understatement. Its value is beyond measure.”

“All you ever talk about is money, Haruya.”

“I’m afraid that’s just how I am, Sir Osvalt. You’re going to have to live with it.”

Haruya flashed Sir Osvalt a satisfied grin. Sir Osvalt stared back, grimacing.

Haruya and Rick had both made their fair share of mistakes, but in the end, their support had made my great ambitions attainable.

All that remained was to build the magic tool.

***

“Lady Philia, what’s this?” Lena pointed at a cylindrical object.

Grace laughed delicately. “Let me answer on Lady Philia’s behalf. This piece of equipment will keep the device cool.”

Ever since the magic ore arrived, we’d spent every second of every day working on the magic device. I felt a little guilty for relying on Grace’s assistance for so long, but she had been a great help. I had entrusted most of the construction of that cooling device to her.

“Whoa, really? Grace, you’re amazing.”

“I couldn’t have done it without Lady Philia’s guidance. I’m a complete and utter novice.”

“Enough of that, Grace. You have a natural gift for building magic tools. Your talent astounds me.”

“Oh, my! You’re far too kind, Lady Philia! That’s wonderful to hear, though!” Grace beamed at me, her smile brimming with joy.

Although she brushed off praise, Grace’s talent was undeniable. Not only did she absorb knowledge quickly, but with her inherent deftness, she could put my instructions into practice almost immediately. I was blown away.

“Why don’t we conduct a trial run of your cooling device?” I suggested.

“What?” said Grace. “Are you ready to turn it on?”

“Yes. As far as I can see, everything looks fine. I’d like to test it out before making the final adjustments.”

We could only test the mana-stabilizing magic tool when there was unstable mana in the air, so we had no choice but to wait until we deployed it. That was precisely why I needed to make sure the auxiliary systems were in perfect working order.

“All right, Lady Philia. I’ll turn it on now, okay?”

“Go ahead. Thank you.”

Nervously, Grace pressed the switch to start the device. With a dull drone, the cooling system started up. The air around us began to grow colder.

“It’s so ch-chilly. It’s like winter’s back again.”

It was early spring, and the weather was just starting to warm up, but the cooling device made it feel like midwinter. Lena was shivering, and you could see her breath.

“That’s enough, Grace. Please shut it off.”

“Understood.” Grace turned off the switch, and the air slowly warmed back up again.

I could see that device being useful in all sorts of situations.

“That seems to work well. All we have to do is install it in the mana stabilizer, and the device is complete.”

“It’s so big,” said Lena. “And perfectly round, too.”

Naturally, we hadn’t just been working on the cooling system. We’d finalized the mana stabilizer itself. As Lena said, the device was a gigantic sphere. After weighing all our options, we decided that this was the optimal shape.

“It’s magnificent. I’ve never seen a magic tool that large before,” remarked Grace.

“I know. If Haruya hadn’t provided the magic ore, we never could have built it.”

We’d used an enormous quantity of magic ore to build the device. Failure was not an option.

“All we need to do now is install it at the center of the Volcanic Miasma Zone.”

“So the last step is putting it in position,” said Lena. “Neat. Won’t that be super hard to do, though?”

Positioning our device at the midpoint of the Volcanic Miasma Zone, the site of incessant explosions, was certainly a daunting task—but we were hopeful that we could handle it.

“Lady Philia, your delivery has arrived.”

“Thank you, Himari. I appreciate the effort.”

“Think nothing of it. You surprised me, however. The Volcanic Miasma Zone was treacherous, even with Lady Mia by your side, but I never imagined this solution.”

Himari had come to deliver the item that would be key to transporting the device. It was the same magic tool that Haruya had once used to threaten us.

“On that occasion, we needed to find Moontear Flowers and bring them back. This time, all we need to do is put the device in position and switch it on. That’s what made me wonder whether there was a way to do that without traveling there ourselves.”

“Using my cannon to shoot the magic tool to the location of your choice—now that’s a stroke of genius. I certainly wouldn’t have thought of it.”

Haruya appeared with the massive cannon in tow—the same one that had been in front of Haruya’s mountain hideaway. Prince Reichardt had purchased it, and I understood that it could launch projectiles over a considerable distance.

This was why we’d made the device spherical. We wouldn’t have to venture to the center of the Volcanic Miasma Zone. Instead, we would fire the device out of the cannon. That way, we could transport it to where it needed to be without putting ourselves in danger. Building a timer into the device did take some extra work, but our plans had borne fruit.

“I get it now,” said Lena, looking reassured. “That will be so much safer.”

“I’d expect nothing less from our extraordinary archsaint. I was worried that His Highness would renege on his purchase, so I’m relieved to have secured a buyer for my cannon after all.” Haruya, standing beside her, snickered and gave me a cheerful smile.

The last step of the endeavor was making sure the device landed in the right place. The following morning, we put our plan into action. We set out for a low hill near the Volcanic Miasma Zone, where Sir Osvalt would oversee the operation.

***

“I’ve contacted Prince Fernand of Girtonia to request that he warn his citizens to vacate the area surrounding the Volcanic Miasma Zone, just in case.”

“Thank you for that, Sir Osvalt.”

By sunrise, I was standing beside Sir Osvalt on a hill overlooking the Volcanic Miasma Zone. If we needed a reminder of how perilous the area was, the constant roar of explosions was more than sufficient.

We would be using our magic tool for the first time. If that wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, nothing on this scale had ever been documented before, even by the ancients. If there was an accident, it could affect everything in the area, so Sir Osvalt made sure to keep Girtonia well-informed.

“It’s no big deal. Besides, it’s one of your magic tools, Philia. I doubt we have anything to worry about.”

“You never know. If nothing bad happens, all the better, but still…”

In the past, Sir Osvalt had explained the importance of taking every possible precaution. His desire to defend his country left a lasting impression on me.

On this occasion, I could only hope that nothing went wrong.

“You’re right,” Sir Osvalt laughed. “I’m not the only one who has confidence in you, though. Prince Fernand and Lady Mia said they felt at ease, knowing you were the one who made the device.”

“Mia, too? Oh, that silly girl.”

“Anyway, let’s pray that this operation succeeds.”

“Yes.”

As we watched the magic tool being loaded into the cannon, we exchanged nods. I could hear my heart pounding. Perhaps I was a little nervous.

“Sir Osvalt! Lady Philia! Preparations are complete! We can fire at your command!”

Philip was in charge of launching the magic tool. A pro at handling cannons, he’d put himself forward for the job.

“All right. We’re counting on you, Philip.”

“Understood! Leave it to me, Your Highness. I’ll put my heart and soul into ensuring this device hits the center!”

If we wanted to stabilize the mana as efficiently as possible, the tool would have to strike the center of the Volcanic Miasma Zone. The idea seemed to have ignited a fire in Philip when I explained it to him.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a little off. Just relax and fire.”

“Understood! Your wish is my command! I’ve already done several test launches using projectiles of the same mass and size, so I believe I’ve got the hang of it!”

Philip thrust out his chest with pride. His expression was the very picture of confidence. He gave me hope that my concern was unwarranted.

“Let’s leave the rest to Philip,” said Prince Osvalt. “He’s not the kind of man to crumble under pressure.”

“I know. It’s in your hands, Philip.”

“Understood! Prince Osvalt, Lady Philia, just sit back and watch. It’s time to launch! Ten, nine, eight…”

Philip commenced his countdown.

It had only been a few months since I risked my life to look for the Moontear Flower with Mia, hoping to save my uncle Luke.

“Three, two, one! Launch!”

I’d been dreaming of a way to stop the constant eruptions that prevented anyone from getting anywhere near the zone…

There was a pause.

“What do you think, Philia?” asked Sir Osvalt. “Did it go well?”

I raised my binoculars. “Yes, it landed in the ideal spot. We have Philip to thank for that.”

“Great. That means there’s only one thing left to do.”

“Yes. We just need to see whether the device activates safely and brings the explosions to a halt.”

To increase our chances of success, I’d used magic to control the local weather, minimizing the influence of wind and rain.

If my forecast was correct, the device would activate upon impact and its effects would spread gradually throughout the area. It should be possible to tell whether it was working with the naked eye.

“Oh!” Sir Osvalt pointed at the pillar of green light rising into the sky. “Isn’t that the light you said would go on once the device started?”

He was spot on. The device was emitting a glow of compressed magic power, the same power that would stabilize the mana that filled the Volcanic Miasma Zone.

“Hey, it’s gone quiet all of a sudden. Philia, is that…?”

“We did it, Sir Osvalt. It worked.”

The interminable explosions that had been resounding through the air had ceased. Silence settled over the land, carried by the early morning breeze.

“It did?” Sir Osvalt chuckled. “I never realized how quiet this area could be. There’s so little sound, the breeze seems deafening.”

“There’s hardly any life or greenery here, after all.”

For a while, we simply gazed at the silent, desolate landscape that stretched out before us. No longer a danger zone, it was safe to venture into. As Prince Reichardt had warned, however, it would require further monitoring in the future.

“Lady Philia. Prince Osvalt. I examined the Volcanic Miasma Zone and detected no explosions.”

“Thank you, Himari, for taking on such a dangerous mission.”

“It was nothing. As the fastest among us, it was my duty.”

Now that we had the all-clear from Himari, it was finally time to start exploring.

“My goodness.” Haruya appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, rolling up his sleeves and licking his lips in anticipation. “We’re going to end up with more Moontear Flowers than we could possibly carry. As a businessman, I couldn’t be more excited!”

He was nothing if not consistent. Even while working as Sir Osvalt’s retainer, his mercantile instincts still took precedence.

“Come on,” replied Sir Osvalt. “Nothing against making money, but I’m pretty sure we discussed this.”

“Of course! I made a fair proposal that every nation would be satisfied with, didn’t I? Yes, at that price, we should narrowly avoid any accusations of extortion.”

“A price doesn’t have to constitute extortion to be unfair, does it?” Sir Osvalt sighed. “Still, I have to admit your plan was impressive, Haruya. I can’t see anyone complaining.”

I hadn’t been able to argue with his proposal, either.

Haruya flashed a polished salesman’s smile. “The Moontear Flowers earmarked for research will be sold separately from those to be used for other purposes. Customers will have to go through a formal procedure and vetting process to obtain flowers for research, but they’ll be cheap. The rest will be available for purchase, but resale will be prohibited, and the accrued profits will be split evenly between Parnacorta and Girtonia.”

“It’s a smart idea. Researchers will have access to what they need, and in the future, we may even be able to cultivate enough flowers to exceed demand.”

We nodded, impressed by Haruya’s plan. One of our biggest worries had been that the frantic pursuit of profit would cause vital research to fall by the wayside, but Haruya had understood our concerns. For that, I was genuinely grateful.

“Don’t forget, part of the revenue will go toward covering the cost of the magic ore and my own personal earnings. I didn’t expect my cut to be this slim, but I’ll make do with what I have. Considering how much my acquittal is worth, it’s not a bad deal.”

“Right. Since today was a success, you’re officially a free man. I know we haven’t been working together for long, but if serving as my retainer isn’t for you, you’re welcome to quit.”

Sir Osvalt had negotiated with Prince Reichardt to ensure that, should the device work, Haruya would be absolved of his crimes. Sir Osvalt was too kind to force Haruya to continue working as an attendant and squander his abundant business talents.

“Well said,” Haruya laughed. “I’m grateful for your hard work, Your Highness. But now that me and my baby sister are back together, I’d love to join forces with her to build a larger business. That way, I’ll be able to look out for her.”

A business? With Himari? As soon as I heard that, I felt a tight, crushing pain in my chest. She was his only living family member. It was only natural for him to want to look after her.

“All you ever talk about is business, Haruya,” said Himari. “Is earning money really that entertaining?”

Haruya responded right away. “Of course! Someday I’ll teach you just how fun it can be.”

He’d carved out a new life for himself as a merchant, rising from the ashes of his painful past. The convictions he’d build from those experiences wouldn’t be easily changed.

“It’s strange, though,” Haruya continued. “I’m starting to enjoy making money for a greater cause—out of a sense of loyalty—instead of purely for selfish gain.”

“I don’t understand,” said Himari. “What do you mean by that comment?”

“Well, for example…” Haruya crossed his arms. “Serving under Prince Osvalt, negotiating with Girtonia, and coming up with a business plan that worked for everyone felt like worthwhile work. In fact, it made me question what I’ve been doing with my life. According to His Highness, I’m free now. But I think I’ll stick around for a while. I want to see for myself whether someone like Sir Osvalt is truly deserving of Fuuma loyalty.”

“Haruya…” murmured Himari.

“Of course, you’re welcome to kick me out if you like.”

Still grinning broadly, Haruya kneeled down.

Sir Osvalt looked startled for a moment, but a smile soon spread across his face. “You can stay as long as you like,” he laughed. “Honestly, I’d hate to lose an attendant as exceptional as you.”

“I’ll take you up on your offer, then. For the time being, my sister and I will remain at your service.”

Haruya grabbed the hand that Sir Osvalt offered him and rose to his feet. I didn’t know what kind of future he was envisaging through his one eye, but he looked full of hope.

Still, my priority lay elsewhere.

“Er, does that mean that you’ll be staying in Parnacorta?” I asked Haruya.

“Yeah, that’s the plan. Say, you’ve caught me by surprise. Are you happy that I’m sticking around, Lady Philia?”

“Oh, it’s not that. That is…I was afraid Himari would be upset if you went away. Oh! Don’t get me wrong. That’s not to say I don’t care—”

What in the world was I saying? I’d started to speak before I’d processed my thoughts, so I was babbling.

“Lady Philia,” said Himari, “this is the most joyful day of my life. But please know, I intend to continue serving you, even if my brother decides to move on.”

Having laid her feelings bare, she turned her reassuring gaze on me. When I looked at her, the ache in my chest vanished completely.

“H-Himari…”

“My goodness. Your infatuation with Lady Philia is almost troubling. Being your brother, I’ll have to claw some of my dignity back.”

In the past, I used to fear that my weakness was getting the better of me. But things had changed. The fact that I cherished people enough that losing them hurt me was something I was proud of. The sadness of saying goodbye, and the joy of meeting them—I treasured each and every one of those moments.

One day, I would be able to love Parnacorta not only as a saint, but as a person, just as Sir Osvalt hoped. I was sure of it.

Epilogue

Epilogue

AFTER SUCCESSFULLY USING the magic device to stabilizethe mana in the Volcanic Miasma Zone, we returned to our mansion that evening.

I was back on the sofa, soothing my fatigue with a cup of black tea that Lena had brewed.

“With everything that’s been going on, this doesn’t feel like the leisurely newlywed lifestyle we were expecting,” said Sir Osvalt.

“That’s fine. Sharing tea with you is relaxing enough for me. This mansion may be new, but it already feels like home.”

As I took a sip, savoring the tea’s fragrant aroma, I shared my honest feelings with my husband. Marriage hadn’t led to any great changes. Our day-to-day lives were as chaotic as ever. It was far from a peaceful, slow-paced life.

“Sir Osvalt, I’ve been meaning to ask… Why did you decide to add that extra stop to our honeymoon itinerary?”

After his private conversation with Prince Reichart, Sir Osvalt had suddenly suggested a walk in the woods. From what I gathered, the prince had warned him about strange behavior from foreign actors, but that didn’t seem to explain his change of plan.

“What? I already explained that. But if I had to give another reason… Talking to my brother made me desperate to spend some quiet time with you, Philia.”

Quiet time. Our honeymoon had turned into yet another adventure, but maybe that made the peaceful moments all the more precious.

“Perhaps happiness is simply being able to spend time with someone you love.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, well… I’m just happy that I was able to spend more time with you.”

“You’re a pro when it comes to making people blush, Philia,” said Sir Osvalt. “It sometimes feels like you’ve put an arrow through my heart. It’s hard to maintain my cool façade.”

Was that true? Sir Osvalt’s sudden, unexpected admission made my cheeks burn.

“You’re right. The more time we spend together, the more we discover. It sounds obvious, but it’s not until you experience it that you realize that the joy far outweighs anything you could have ever expected.”

“Have you discovered anything new, Sir Osvalt?”

In a way, that idea scared me. What if he uncovered unpleasant parts of me that he hadn’t noticed before we were married? I felt the need to brace myself.

“Me? Yes, of course. I notice new, endearing things about you every day.”

“What?” I exclaimed. “Well, I made a new discovery, too. I learned that you have a startling proclivity for teasing people.”

“Maybe I do, but that was just payback for earlier.”

I wasn’t totally sure what he was referring to, and I was still too embarrassed to look him directly in the face. I imagined he was wearing a triumphant grin, having seen my reaction.

I took two sips of tea in an effort to calm myself down.

“Anyway, the mysteries we investigated over our honeymoon and our concerns about the Volcanic Miasma Zone have all been resolved. Starting tomorrow, we should be able to relax.”

I laughed gently. “So much has happened, we’re already in danger of forgetting our honeymoon.”

“True enough.” Sir Osvalt smiled at me, nodding cheerfully. “I guess this tumultuous life is very typical of us, but a constant stream of chaos would be too much to handle. We need to take a breather occasionally.”

Maybe we did need a break every now and then. As soon as we came home, Lena and Leonardo had ordered us to rest. Now I understood why.

“It’s strange. It might not be very appropriate for a saint, but I don’t mind saying I want to take things easy sometimes. Am I becoming lazy?”

“Come on now. If you’re lazy, every citizen in this country is a slob.”

“D-do you really think so?”

I didn’t think I’d changed that much, but somewhere along the line, relaxing every once in a while had begun to feel normal.

“I don’t see the problem,” Sir Osvalt went on. “I’d love to see your lazy side, Philia. Why don’t we spend a few days at our quiet villa doing absolutely nothing?”

“What? D-doing nothing? That’s something I am still a little hesitant to commit to.”

“Oh, all right. Well, if a few days is too much…”

Sir Osvalt stood up, opened a window, and beckoned me over.

“Sir Osvalt…”

I stood by his side. We looked out at the garden, bathed in the soft glow of the starlit sky. It was spring, but the nights were still cool.

“Come on. I’ll warm you up.”

“Y-yes…”

He pulled me into his arms. I let myself sink into them.

Not long ago, this would have made me tense and stiff, but now I just felt comfortable in his embrace.

“The night breeze feels so nice, doesn’t it?” I said.

“Yeah, it really does. A few minutes spent relaxing like this is ideal for you, right?”

“Huh? Oh, that’s why—”

As the breeze, imbued with the aroma of cool spring air, brushed past my cheek, I returned Sir Osvalt’s gentle gaze.

Dear God, I know I pledged to devote everything I had to this country, but please indulge my selfish request.

For the next few minutes, I want this man to be the only thing on my mind.

His soft lips slowly touched mine.

Slightly embarrassed but overwhelmed by affection, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

In that moment, he showed me what eternal love felt like.

When I opened my eyes, his beautiful golden hair, illuminated by the moonlight, took my breath away. I’d seen it countless times before. Why was it making my heart race like that?

Our life together was only just beginning. I could only hope that someday, I would uncover the answer.

Bonus Story: The First Prince’s Fiancée

Bonus Story:
The First Prince’s Fiancée

“PRINCE REICHARDT PROPOSED TO YOU? Congratula­tions, Liz!”

Elizabeth Elcrantz was my cousin. The saint of the kingdom of Parnacorta, she was a marvelous individual.

On this day, my father and I had travelled from Bolmern to pay the Elcrantz family a visit. It was then that she told us the wonderful news.

“Thank you. Don’t tell my uncle and father this, but I was a little unsure.”

“Unsure? After receiving a proposal from His Highness, the crown prince?”

“Yes. In fact, I was,” said Elizabeth. “Mr. Reichardt is far too good for me. I was sure he would find someone more suitable.”

Reichardt Parnacorta was first in line for the throne of Parnacorta. According to Liz, he had a sharp mind and an austere, sensible nature. He adored his country and took his duties seriously, determined for his country to prosper.

If her words were anything to go by, he sounded like the ideal prince.

“I’m not exactly in optimal health, you know. I didn’t feel like the best person to be a prince’s wife.”

“Th-that’s not true!” I found myself jumping to my feet and raising my voice. “You’re a saint, Liz! You’re the perfect person to mingle with royalty!”

Liz wasn’t in the best of health—that much was true—but this just made it more impressive that she’d become a saint. She had put in an extraordinary amount of work.

Liz laughed gently. “You’re so sweet, Grace.”

“Liz…”

“Don’t worry. I said yes. After all, I completely adore the man. I tried to reason my way out of it, but I simply couldn’t lie to myself.”

At that moment, Liz looked even more striking and mature than usual. What a beautiful person she was. My father and uncle always said that we were the spitting image of one another, but she bore no resemblance to the reflection I saw in the mirror.

Maybe it was because she was in love. Or rather, because love flowed out of her…

“You’re a wonderful person, too, Liz.”

“What?”

“You’re beautiful, good-natured, and as the saint of Parnacorta, you do everything you possibly can for your country. I’m sure Prince Reichardt sees those qualities. It’s why he chose you as his partner.”

She was so self-conscious about her poor health. I wished I could steal even 10% of Emily’s useless confidence and give it to Liz, but all I could do was try my best to encourage her.

“Thank you for the reassurance. The truth is, I know that, too.”

“What?”

“He loves me. That’s one thing I’m willing to believe, no questions asked. As unsure as I feel, I would never dream of disappointing Mr. Reichardt.”

Oh. I never needed to worry in the first place.

I hope your future will be a happy one, Liz, I prayed as I watched her speak contentedly about Prince Reichardt.

***

“You’re just like Elizabeth said you were, Prince Reichardt.”

“Oh? Am I? What did she say about me?”

As I was chatting with Prince Reichardt, memories of my conversation with Liz came flooding back. I idolized her as much as I did Miss Philia.

“Oh, she was always boasting about what a splendid gentleman you were. Merely listening to it was enough to make me blush.”

His Highness laughed. “Talk about embarrassing. Still, I always believed she loved me, no questions asked.”

It was the same expression I remembered Liz using.

Loving someone that much, and receiving so much love in return… I couldn’t help but envy them.

Liz, without a question, you made the right decision by accepting this man’s proposal.

Bonus Story: The Crown Prince and the Merchant

Bonus Story:
The Crown Prince and the Merchant

“SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING, Prince Osvalt. I think I’ve secured all the magic ore that Lady Philia calculated she would need.”

Harry Freyer, otherwise known as Haruya Fuuma, was a scheming merchant from Ashbrugge. By making a ludicrous appeal to my brother, I’d convinced him to set the man free.

Of course, this came with conditions.

In exchange for his acquittal, Haruya had to procure the magic ore we needed to make the Volcanic Miasma Zone safe. Once we had enough, we’d be able to create a device that would put a stop to the blasts.

Haruya had promised to accomplish the task in an unreasonably short timeframe, so I’d been on tenterhooks. But as it turned out, I had no reason to worry.

“But it’s only been half the time you were promised. Are you sure you’re really ready?”

“My goodness, Your Highness. Do you earnestly believe that a man like me would lie about business? In my world, trust is everything. Only by earning trust can a merchant secure the big jobs.”

“That’s pretty rich, coming from the man who lured us into a booby-trapped hideout.”

“My goodness, you can be quite scathing.”

Haruya had come to Ashbrugge as a refugee and turned himself into a self-made tycoon. His business acumen was second to none.

Oh well. There was no harm in getting things done quickly. It’d put Himari’s mind at ease and assuage my brother’s concerns. I figured Philia should hear the news right away, too.

“All right, let me pass the message along to my brother. Hey, what’s wrong?”

Henry was leaning over, staring at my arm. “It’s just that bracelet. Quite a nifty magic tool you have there. Philia’s talents are wasted on sainthood. That invention alone could earn her a fortune.”

It was a remarkable invention; he was right about that. Philia’s magic tools put the best magic engineers to shame.

“I don’t think Philia has ever even considered using them to make money.”

“That’s exactly my problem! Agh, what a waste! A terrible waste! I’m begging you, Prince Osvalt. Convince Lady Philia to take an interest in making money!”

“Don’t get up in my face and make such a ridiculous demand! Philia’s a saint! Greed is the last thing that would drive her!”

I couldn’t believe he could say something so foolish with such a serious expression. I needed to make sure he didn’t fill Philia’s head with any strange ideas.

“Hmph. I know Lady Philia is a pure, genuine saint. It took me a while to size her up, but she’s the complete antithesis of greed. Maybe that selflessness is the key to her remarkable talent.”

“Are you getting at something?”

“Why don’t you buy Lady Philia a little present, Prince Osvalt?”

“Huh? Where did that suggestion come from all of a sudden?”

A gift for Philia? What did that have to do with anything?

Haruya probably had something up his sleeve, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Why would he suggest a gift?

“You’re not asking me to bribe her, are you?”

Haruya laughed, shaking his head. “A sweet love token from you could never be a bribe, Prince Osvalt. Besides, Lady Philia can’t be swayed that way.”

If he knew that much, why was he talking me into buying her a present?

“Still, maybe we could bring out Lady Philia’s greedy side, one step at a time. Once her desire for material goods is strong enough, she might get on board with my money-making plans!”

“I doubt there’s any chance of that, but fine, I’m happy to give her a gift. What do you think I should get?”

“How about some kind of fragrance? Some branches of my store sell perfume. When we started offering a wider variety of fragrances, our female customers were over the moon.”

Perfume, huh? Interesting. I’d given Philia jewelry before, but perfume had never even crossed my mind. I wasn’t sure whether she would like it, but it was worth a try.

“Let me give you a tip. When it comes to choosing a fragrance for a woman, focus on the impression the aroma gives you. Floral scents are gentle, and citrus scents leave a refreshing, cheerful impression.”

“You seem to know what you’re talking about.”

“You could say that. I commit everything there is to know about my products to memory. That’s the approach any decent merchant would take.”

“I see…”

In his way, Haruya was a man of principle. I could sense his burning passion.

Now to find a fragrance that suited Philia.

I still wasn’t sure what kind of aroma to pick, but I hoped she would like it.

Afterword

Afterword

DEAR READERS,

Thank you for purchasing Volume 5 of The Too-Perfect Saint.

I can hardly believe we’re on the fifth volume! Honestly speaking, I didn’t think we’d make it this far. When I heard that we’d be able to release a fifth volume, I was completely taken aback—and a little flustered at the same time.

Philia’s search for happiness came to a close in Volume 4, so this will effectively be the second act of the story. It’s hard to know how to proceed.

I decided that from Volume 5, the story should focus on Philia bringing happiness to the people around her. After coming to that conclusion, I went back and revisited all the scenarios, characters, and world-building elements that have featured in the story so far, to prepare to write further.

One key change is that this volume is packed full of plot points that link to future developments. I’d been holding back on revealing certain things about this world because I wasn’t sure if I’d get the chance to divulge them, so springing them on the readers has been a lot of fun.

In this volume, the spotlight was on Himari, but I plan to delve deeper into the other characters in the future.

Speaking of the characters, Masami has once again created some fantastic illustrations for this volume, which were a pleasure to see. Mago Ayakita’s manga adaptation of The Too-Perfect Saint always impresses me, too. Once again, I feel compelled to portray my characters as wonderfully as they do.

I couldn’t be more grateful for all the advice my editors have given me. As always, I want to express my thanks to everyone who gave me this opportunity.

To all my readers, I hope you’ll continue to join me on this journey.

On that note, I’ll bring this volume to a close. I really hope that we’ll meet again.

—FUYUTSUKI KOKI