The next morning. Seria and I were boarding the carriage to return to the Akadeumi.
We could have stayed for another day or two, but we decided to head back early so as not to interfere with handling the issue of the broken magic stone.
I didn’t mind, but everyone in the Royal Palace seemed disappointed that Seria was leaving early. However, it couldn’t be helped.
It was the Empress who ordered us to return, and since Seria agreed, there was no arguing.
As for me… I had already done everything I needed to do, so I didn’t care when we returned.
Sure, one of the three secret matters of the Royal Palace was left, but let’s deal with that next time.
‘Well, it’s something I don’t really have to deal with.’
The dark knowledge accumulated by the ancestors of Rubetia.
Unlike the random occurrences of demon seeds or apocalyptic events, it could only happen through very specific routes.
And Seria was involved in that route… so there was nothing to be anxious about while being around her all day.
‘Feels like I set another flag… but nah, it can’t be that way.’
Anyways, so Seria and I took the road returning to the Akadeumi.
This carriage was a different type from the one before, but it offered an incredible riding experience, just like the last one, so no discomfort there.
Of course, outside the carriage was overflowing with noise.
“Execution… execution…”
“How do you plan to execute that person?”
“Damn… such skill at that age… Lady Seria…”
Strangely enough, unlike the last carriage, there was absolutely no soundproofing.
Honestly, even if the ride was uncomfortable, I would prefer good soundproofing.
It’s like, the image seems better, but it really feels more burdensome than being restrained.
Feeling awkward, I covered the windows with curtains again, just like last time…
“Looks like it’s covered.”
“Since His Majesty recognized her, we should too.”
“Yeah… that makes sense…”
It definitely got quieter, but the subdued atmosphere seeped in, making it even more nerve-wracking.
“We’re really not doing anything! Please don’t misunderstand us!”
It felt like it was stimulating unnecessary imagination, so I just pulled the curtains back and looked outside.
“Is our escort even meaningful?”
“Not really. It seems like the Princess has gotten stronger now.”
Listening to their conversation afterward, it seemed the news about defeating the demon spread to the knights’ order.
Thanks to that, it appeared Seria’s skills were somewhat known.
“Probably just following the form… the captain didn’t come today either.”
“Indeed.”
“Still, being close to the Princess is hard to tolerate.”
“What if you can’t stand it? Are you going to challenge them?”
“Well, not that…”
“We’re merely bystanders. Whoever is beside the Princess has no right to complain.”
“Huff, Princess… you must be happy.”
It’s seriously driving me crazy. I’ve earned recognition for my skills, yet I can’t get acknowledged for anything else, making me stuck in this awkward position.
Let’s be real, there’s no way I’d be acknowledged in that regard by these people.
Even the Emperor seemed to have reluctantly accepted me; it didn’t feel like he truly allowed it out of goodwill.
If I were to mess up somehow, they’d definitely find a way to pin something on me. Just thinking about it was annoying.
After this uncomfortable journey continued, we finally stopped the carriage a bit away from the bustling district.
It was to retrieve the clothes I had simply left behind previously.
So, I got off the carriage and headed toward the bustling district, but this time no one followed us.
‘This must be because it’s known that Seria is strong.’
If there’s enough danger to pose a risk to Seria, then it wouldn’t matter if they were there or not, so they probably didn’t need to follow closely.
In terms of maintaining appearances, they should have followed us regardless of how helpful they’d be, but…
“—Guard? No need for that. Just let them go. Don’t interfere for no reason.”
Having been told to let us go by their captain, I could only comply.
Seems like he’s one of the few remaining recognized Ludions.
“Damn. Sneaking along will…”
“Why not? You’ll get caught right away.”
“Why am I so weak?”
“Let’s do some special training when we get back.”
They’re of elite caliber, but in this severely inflated world, they inevitably become underlings.
Thanks to that, the two of us were able to enjoy a relaxed date(?).
“Since we’re here, shall we grab lunch before heading back?”
“Let’s do that.”
After briefly planning what to do after finding my clothes, we soon arrived in front of a shop.
As Seria and I opened the shop’s door, something felt off.
The bell was attached to the door, but it didn’t make any sound when we opened it.
“Hmm…? Oh! Welcome!”
Normally, when you open the door, the bell should jingle loudly, announcing someone’s arrival or departure.
But there wasn’t a sound at all.
The bell was clearly swaying and bumping against each other, yet strangely, there was no sound.
‘Ah, could it be because of that?’
In a flash, the ‘Mark of the Serpent’ on my body came to mind.
A power that deletes specific sound effects.
That included the sound of opening the door.
I had never really been concerned about sound effects, so I hadn’t delved deeply into it before, but it seemed like its range was pretty broad.
“I guess I was too flustered to hear the door opening. I’m sorry.”
Thanks to that, I inadvertently put the staff in a difficult position.
This ability is such a nuisance! And it can’t be turned on and off, what the heck is this?
“What did you do?”
Seria, catching on to it too, asked that question.
As I pondered how to explain, I decided to go outside and talk about it.
After retrieving my clothes and making it outside, I casually explained, and Seria looked at me in disbelief.
“Wait, you gained an ability that silences the sounds coming from your body?”
“Yeah, like footsteps and stuff.”
“What would you even use that for?”
“Exactly.”
Seria knew as well. At a certain level, due to shock waves or the sounds made by impacts, hearing becomes nearly meaningless anyway.
For that reason, empowered individuals had developed abilities to sense their surroundings through perception or magical energy.
Having a power that erases sounds like that becomes meaningless.
So, I had effectively treated it like a non-existent ability…
“Never would’ve thought it could silence sounds like that.”
“Wait, do clapping sounds go silent too?”
“That’s me.”
Clap! The sound of clapping rang cheerfully.
Seeing that, Seria chuckled.
“What a strange ability. How did you end up with such a thing?”
“I didn’t want to learn stuff like this either.”
But luck doesn’t always go in my favor.
After finishing up our conversation, we were about to get lunch when the surrounding area suddenly became strangely chaotic.
I turned to look, wondering what was going on, and it seemed Seria had caught on to something, starting to giggle.
“Lilith! Looks like she’s busy working!”
“Oh, Lilith?”
“Yeah. The magical energy I feel is definitely from her.”
In this crowded place, being able to distinguish people by their magical energy… that’s definitely Seria for you.
If Lilith was working, we had to go see her at least once. Seria seemed to want that too.
We pushed our way through the crowd and found two figures standing on a simple stage.
One was an old man who looked like a priest, and the other was Lilith.
Dressed in a nun’s outfit, she was quietly keeping her mouth shut, embodying the ideal image of a saintess.
If only she didn’t open her mouth, she would truly look like a Saintess.
“…And that is why the Lord always provides paths for salvation. Never lose hope. Now, let us receive the blessings of the Saintess.”
Having listed out some motivations for life, the priest took a small step back.
Then, quietly standing still, Lilith stepped forward and began to gather holy energy.
The holy power spread widely, flowing over the crowd before swirling back to Lilith.
It was a very inefficient method of operation, but it seemed to be a showy display.
The gathered holy power formed a sphere and soared into the sky.
Then, it burst in the sky, beginning to drift like snowflakes.
“Ahh… beautiful…”
“Oh, my God…”
“Every time, it’s amazing. To think there could be such sacred power.”
As people marveled at the sight, one or two began to exclaim in awe.
From someone saying ‘every time,’ it seemed this wasn’t the first time they had witnessed such a performance.
Seems like she’s been putting in a lot of hard work without people realizing it.
Having watched this spectacle, Seria commented.
“…It is pretty, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“Is Ludion into pretty magic like this?”
“There’s no preference in magic.”
Magic is about efficiency.
Of course, it’s not bad to appreciate feelings, but that’s a conversation for specific situations.
I mean, when fighting a monster, where would you even use something pretty?
Hearing my thoughts, Seria smiled brightly.
“I think so too.”
It seems I got the answer I wanted.
Nonetheless, it was undeniable that the magic in front of us was beautiful, so we kept watching it…
“…Oh.”
“Ah! Lilith looked over this way.”
“…Huh? Eep…!”
“She seems embarrassed.”
Seria accidentally locked eyes with Lilith.
“Something seems off about the Saintess!”
“What’s going on all of a sudden?”
Thanks to this, Lilith’s expression stiffened, deviating greatly from her previously serene Saintess mode, to the point where everyone watching noticed something was wrong.
“Saintess! Are you alright?!”
“I-I… I’m fine! It’s nothing at all!”
“Your face is all red! You seem to be burning up… Call the medical team immediately…”
“I’m really okay!”
The priest beside her, who had been assisting, was flustered and floundering… she looks quite troubled.
Watching this, Seria couldn’t hold back her laughter and asked me,
“Should we go tease her?”
“You’re really evil.”
“So, are we not going?”
“We’ve got to go, of course.”
A friend is caught in her concept while working and is embarrassed; how could we not go?
We absolutely had to go tease her.
Seria and I wore wicked smiles as we headed toward the back of the stage where Lilith had retreated.
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