#253
Even if a desert gets in my eyes, no way! (2)
My teacher smiled as if she saw right through me.
“Don’t worry. It won’t take long.”
‘Because it’s not as finicky as a divine object,’ she added quietly.
Come to think of it, that was true.
Divine objects generally had their own will and made their own judgments when choosing a master.
For example, the Hyegeom of Mars didn’t budge for many years until the Crown Prince appeared.
Toughie, the owner of Biryeom’s ark, still didn’t have an owner, and the Blessing of the Blue Sea, absorbed by Christel, was reborn as one with her.
On the other hand, the Cardinal’s Holy Staff was an item made by humans, not a god.
I guess it would be difficult to have that much independence.
“How can I become the owner?”
“It’s simple. Become stronger than me.”
“Ah…”
I let out a sigh of despair.
I didn’t expect the task to be easy, but she was my teacher, one of the most powerful priests among the existing Cardinals.
To become more powerful than her was a daunting task.
I only had overflowing ether [a magical energy], and my divine power was still at a novice level.
Now it seemed like it would take 50 years, not 30.
In other words, she was saying she would never send me to the neutral zone.
“Your Highness has great talent. Don’t be afraid in advance.”
She said softly. I gripped the staff tightly and looked at the Cardinal.
“Thank you so much, Your Highness. But… I sincerely believe that I need to go to the neutral zone. I think Princess Elissa would have headed there. She said she wanted to meet me first.”
“Your Highness.”
“Don’t you know? The Princess is not one to take such a great risk. There’s no reason for her to create a volatile situation herself. She’s prudent…”
The last words naturally faded away. I had only seen Elissa once so far.
I knew she was a good older sister and had the qualities of a wise ruler, but that was it.
I had no idea how she would react in extreme situations, who was around her, or whose advice she would take.
The Count of Rosethal, a close aide to the King who delivered the letter, also didn’t have much information known to the public.
What I knew was the Rieste Empire, not the Venetian.
As my thoughts reached that point, I felt the justification weakening even more.
Understanding Emperor Frederick’s position well, it was hard to keep insisting.
My face naturally darkened.
“…”
“Oh dear, it’s okay.”
The Cardinal immediately stroked my hair. She continued as if whispering.
“In Sant’s case, nothing has been decided. It’s true that his guarantor is a family recognized even by the Empire, but with the current situation, it’s difficult to send him easily. I’ll call Bakari soon to ask for his opinion.”
“Bakari?”
“Yes. He’s one of Frederick’s advisors. I was wondering if he might have received a revelation.”
My mouth dropped open. Come to think of it, there was Modest Bakari.
A teenager who comes to Juliette’s Palace to eat bread every other day, or at least every three days.
The youngest leader of the ‘Fleur de Lis’ [a magical advisory group], the Emperor’s direct magical advisory group.
A twenty-year-old who is slowly opening his heart to us.
A seer who foresees .
I quickly asked a question.
“Then, if the leader says it’s okay? If there are no particular ominous signs about Sant,”
“I’ll have to send him. I can trust the Caravan of the Rambouillet family, though not alone.”
“Jackpot.”
My face immediately brightened.
My teacher frowned as if troubled, then scolded me, saying, ‘A member of the Imperial Family shouldn’t have such obvious expressions.’
But seeing her warmly holding my hands, it seemed she didn’t dislike it that much.
I felt better quickly as a glimmer of hope appeared.
I could trust Bakari unconditionally. Why?
*
“I don’t see anything special. Priest Sant Los is an ordinary person.”
To the supreme being who even foresees the original work, Sant’s appearance is not a problem at all.
Priest is harmless!
“Yes!”
I shook Demi’s front paws and cheered.
Of course, I only whispered happily so as not to make noise during the class observation.
The indoor training hall, which had undergone major and minor repairs every time the Holy Knights came, was now so sturdy that it was like a bunker.
The lesser panda was enjoying himself, making ‘squeak, squeak’ sounds on my lap without knowing the situation.
Seeing us so excited, Bakari looked strange. I quickly composed myself.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to use Bakari. I just asked because Sant had to go to the neutral zone, and I was worried about whether it would be okay.”
I didn’t lie at all.
Since Cedric and Christel from the original story were not Holy Knights, Sant was not originally destined to be dispatched to the Empire either.
In other words, there was very little chance that he would suddenly become a ‘major figure’ and get caught up in a big incident.
I was very happy to have my theory confirmed by Teacher Bakari.
Since he can’t tell lies, he will tell the Emperor the same thing, and then Sant will be able to go to the neutral zone.
The teenager who was staring at me turned his head away.
The silver glasses sparkled under the magical lighting.
“It doesn’t matter. I just paid for the bread.”
“…”
See! He doesn’t even say ‘It’s my job to be used’ anymore.
With a souffle-like feeling, I cut a large piece of Buche de Noel [a log-shaped cake] and placed it on the prophet’s plate.
Originally, Ganael would help with this, but the boy was busy pushing the flower cart for the troublesome kids over there.
It was always this chaotic on days when the little ones came to observe.
Benjamin, who remained in Juliette, was decorating the place with gold and purple with the staff.
The log-shaped roll cake topped with blueberries and gold leaf had a strong chocolate scent instead of coffee buttercream.
It was said to be a special dish eaten on the continent during the Great Descent Festival.
The teenager carefully picked up a fork and waited for me.
I raised the corners of my mouth and gave a signal.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“…Thank you.”
The little one first drank Cafe Chris (Iced Americano) with an adult attitude, then poked the soft cake and put it neatly in his mouth.
He also carefully took the mushroom-shaped decoration made of sweet meringue.
He never dropped a single crumb on his always clean and neat navy robe.
He seemed very uncomfortable when he first came, but these days he eats enough and rests for about 30 minutes when the sun is good before leaving.
It was a heartwarming sight that filled my snack stomach just by looking at it.
Still, it wasn’t polite to keep watching, so I quietly turned my gaze.
A sparring match was in full swing in the center of the training hall.
-Whoosh!
-Crash!
Oh my! Christel, who had been knocked back by the impact, was thrown into a corner.
Her tied-up pink hair fell down and covered her eyes.
The torn cravat lay on the floor like a rag.
I took my legs out from under the table and prepared to jump out at any moment.
The Crown Prince was adjusting his posture, rotating his shoulders. Soon, the protagonist got up creakily.
“Ugh, I’ll just…”
Her groaning eyes flickered like will-o’-the-wisps.
I felt like something terrible would happen if I asked what ‘that’ was.
Sir Johann carefully watched their techniques with his arms crossed like a coach.
For the past two weeks, a fight using mercenary martial arts had been unfolding in the training hall.
The leader shrank his shoulders as if he was not used to this atmosphere. I smiled and whispered.
“Thank you for coming today. They look good together, don’t they?”
Then the cyan eyes widened.
Bakari glanced at the two men and women, then nodded almost imperceptibly.
As expected, someone who knows something. The Empire’s talent.
“They are the people who will be together in the future, so it is natural that they look harmonious and beautiful. Even though they are hostile to each other now, their destined bond is unavoidable.”
That’s what I’m talking about! I felt like I was going to cry with a bit of exaggeration.
I added three more fruit financiers [small almond cakes] to the teenager’s plate with a very happy heart.
I wanted to give him a hundred glasses of cider, but I couldn’t because the little one was on duty.
Demi was groaning uncomfortably.
“However, there is a condition.”
“The future is only possible if I stay away from them. I heard you properly last time.”
“…Yes.”
Bakari affirmed reluctantly. I was about to continue with a beaming face,
-Kwang!
A loud roar struck my ears. I jumped up from my seat.
Oh dear, they’re rolling around again from broad daylight!
“Ugh, Sir Christel! Please be patient!”
Sant stamped his feet and shouted, ‘Don’t kill him!’ On the other hand, Sir Johann didn’t move.
Thud! The Crown Prince, who was lying on the floor, grabbed the protagonist’s collar with an ice-cold face.
I quickly covered my mouth, which was about to scream.
The two were so close that their faces were out of focus.
Blue devilish flames sparked in Christel’s eyes. She immediately headbutted him.
-Thud!
The Crown Prince blocked the headbutt with his fist!
“Ouch.”
-Whack!
Then Christel, unable to contain her anger, grabbed the charcoal-black hair under his nose.
A deep wrinkle formed between the man’s eyebrows. Crazy, you can’t pull hair!
“Christel!”
The roots of the male lead’s hair are precious! I immediately put Demi down and sprinted with all my might.
‘Kiya!’ The divine beast cried happily and chased after my tail.
Sir Johann then moved to sort out the situation, and our heroine, who couldn’t stand it, quickly raised one knee.
Sant gasped in horror. A distant terror chilled my mind for a moment.
Where, where are you going to kick!
“Please save me!”
-Thump!
I shouted desperately and threw my whole body to grab her leg.
Huff, huff. For a while, only rough breaths, whose they were I didn’t know, filled the space between us.
Through my squinted eyes, I could see the Crown Prince’s gloved hand.
He did not miss the opportunity to ease the atmosphere and roughly grabbed Christel’s torso.
Her thin waist was almost hidden in his large palm. My cheeks flushed!
The guy lifted Christel as she was and met my eyes,
“…”
-Thud!
“Ugh!”
He ended the movement by roughly pushing her aside.
I, who was hugging Christel’s shin, rolled around with her.
Ouch, my back…
“Ouch, my back hurts.”
Christel, who had fallen like luggage, twisted her whole body.
As I looked at her worriedly, she reached out her hand with a face so tearful that my heart sank.
I quickly grabbed her elbow, thinking she needed ether. Somehow, the back of her head was hot.
Hmm, does she mean to say something?
“Christel… You were a bit much earlier.”
This is real. Bakari was also shocked at the table over there.
“But, Your Highness, the Crown Prince tore my clothes first. It hurts here. And here too.”
Christel pleaded in a very frail voice.
Honestly, her clothes weren’t that damaged, but seeing her puppy-like eyes, my heart softened.
I had no choice but to sit down next to her and open a healing circle.
From behind, Sir Johann asked, ‘Is Your Highness alright?’
I thanked the kind Holy Knight and replied that I was fine. The Crown Prince was still silent.
-Saaaaaa…
“There are bruises, but Christel’s ‘Blessing’ has excellent healing power, so I don’t need to fix it. Christel’s power gets stronger as she uses it. It would be good to train.”
“Yes, I will. What is that? The box you brought when you came in.”
The protagonist, who had quickly recovered, asked with sparkling eyes.
I couldn’t distinguish between the sky-blue ether particles and her eyes.
I chuckled and replied.
“His Highness Aurelius gave it to me. He gave me the Holy Staff he used when he was a Grand Duke as a gift.”
“Wow!”
“That’s amazing. I heard it’s something you only pass on to your children.”
Father Herit said in a rarely surprised tone.
I didn’t know there was such a custom, so I just laughed it off, shocked inside.
The Crown Prince, who was standing quietly next to him, still had a hot gaze.
Even though David brought a cold towel, the heat of battle didn’t seem to subside.
I decided to appease Christel.
“Anyway… Please avoid each other’s vitals when practicing. The Crown Prince must have descendants, and Christel too, uh. You never know what will happen in the future.”
Then the protagonist stared at me intently. I was startled, wondering if I had made a mistake.
The next sentence came out rather hastily.
“Of course, I respect if you don’t want children. But if you change your mind in the future… Um. Either way, it would be good if you were both healthy. The Crown Prince will also be looking for a marriage partner soon,”
“Huh?!”
Christel’s voice grew louder. I belatedly shut my mouth.
David, who met my eyes, had a reaction as if he had expected it.
I didn’t mean to have this conversation. I told him to keep it from leaking out.
I decided to chat with my friends, but definitely not like this!
“Christel, listen. What I mean is…”
“Ehehehe! Getting married! Ack!”
‘Then I can’t take time off anymore.’ The protagonist grabbed her stomach with a crumpled red bean bread-like expression and collapsed.
Demi jumped and hugged her, Sir Johann sighed with a laugh, and Sant in front of me and Ganael far away both had horrified faces.
The flow is a bit strange… I was flustered and hastily expanded the circle towards the Crown Prince.
This guy is eating the healing ether well in the meantime.
-Click!
“What’s going on? Lady Christel is crying.”
To make matters worse, Lady Elizabeth opened the door and came in just in time.
A smile was already forming on her lips. No, the development I imagined wasn’t like this…!