As the person who has thwarted the worst incidents in the history of the unified government three times, she has… a responsible attitude… an apology from the government or the church that has not been made… a detailed briefing without excuses and suggestions for prevention, presenting a vision… despite her young age… always risking her life to fight…
“……”
Lost for words after reading the first article on the cover, I flipped through the newspaper page by page.
[What martial arts style is Saint Clara Anderson’s? — A practical martial arts discussion with Martial Artist James]
There were small edited photos of me, looking like they were shot from a helicopter. Most of them explained scenes where I was knocking down residents rushing at me or punching a witch in the face while mounted.
… No, I was just swinging with all my might as it appeared.
On the next page,
[Where did the design of the attractive saint’s robe begin? The amazing history of struggles hidden in a captivating outfit]
It mentioned how the design gradually changed to be more comfortable and open in response to the original outfit that aimed to cover a woman’s skin as much as possible.
… Isn’t it just that the initial designer was a teenage kid?
No, more than that, is this outfit really comfortable? Well, if being free means that less fabric touches your body, I can understand that. For someone with a tremendous mental fortitude to show everything to others and still feel proud, it might be considered comfortable. I feel like someone like that would maintain the same attitude even without clothes, though.
Anyhow, the newspaper was almost filled with stories about me. While it wasn’t completely filled, there were my photos on more than half of the pages, and wherever there weren’t photos, at least one story about me was written. Other information seemed almost unimportant as it was just written in small print in the corners.
… How should I put it? Rather than worrying about a witch’s invasion or future tasks, most of the content felt like it was dealing with celebrity gossip.
“This is said to be the most influential daily in the area!”
Is this it?
It feels more like a weekly magazine covering celebrity gossip.
“I heard that media outlets were competing over the best angles of Sister Clara’s photos.”
“… Where did you hear that?”
“On the internet.”
I rubbed my face with my hand.
“You can’t trust everything posted on the internet.”
“Eh, I know that. It’s just there are stories like that.”
… But when I saw the photos displayed on the main page of other newspapers that Aurora searched for and showed me, all taken at a 45-degree angle of me talking from a podium, I felt a creepy chill as it seemed really true. Ugh.
No matter how I look at it, it seems like my photo was just posted at random because my face is good for being chosen as the main photo. In fact, even in the front of the daily newspaper, there was that handsome angle shot of me next to my bending waist.
I searched for the morning news on my smartphone. Luckily, there was a local broadcast from the Beastman Region that was streaming live for free on a video platform showcasing the morning news—
[Then, let’s talk about the saintess next.]
[Yes, in fact, just until last week, we didn’t have much interest in human religions in our area. Although the church always attempted to preach in the Beastman Region, it had little effect. However, after this incident, the perception is changing.]
[In just one day.]
[That’s right. Let’s first check how the public opinion on the internet has changed.]
Then they started discussing the trending topics from the previous week’s search rankings and the main topics of the sites frequently used by people in the Beastman Region, noting a sudden explosive increase in searches related to the church, witches, and myself since yesterday.
“……”
I quietly closed the app.
Aurora’s expression showed she wasn’t sure whether to comfort or congratulate me. Her hand went up toward my shoulder, then lowered again.
“Anyway, judging only by the results, it’s clear that there’s been a very positive impact.”
Linea, who was sitting beside me and had been watching the video, nodded thoughtfully with her chin in her hand.
“Yeah, well…”
I knew it was better than being universally disliked. I had learned how annoying and fruitless such a situation could feel among the cadets last time.
But isn’t this just… a bit too much after just one day?
The Beastman Region was relatively smaller than other race regions. Naturally, the population was also much lower than that of human regions. But to discover so many broadcasting stations and websites within such a small region was eye-opening.
Ah, I knew they definitely had a larger population than elves, but… honestly, the urban areas didn’t pale in comparison even to human regions.
“It might be that being a small area amplified the issue. It’s a large incident that suddenly happened in a place where there weren’t many significant events, so it’s understandable that all sorts of media outlets would rush in.”
“… What will happen when we return to the 21st District?”
“… More importantly, shouldn’t we have a farewell event before leaving this region?”
That’s true.
Who would have thought I’d be worrying about a farewell instead of my return? Situations can get so tangled up to this degree.
Well, I did expect a farewell event. At the time I visited the regional government office, I didn’t think they’d do nothing when I left.
However, what I had in mind was a simple farewell event where I just meet a few necessary people, exchange bouquets, and be done with it, not grandiose affairs with every regional celebrity showing up.
And now, judging from what was being said in the news, it seemed all the local dignitaries would pop out. I was even worried that not only dignitaries from the Beastman Region but also those from the neighboring human areas might come crowding in. Especially anyone intending to preach at the church or those with political ambitions…
This time, I feel it might be quite hard to escape.
Looks like I’m done for.
*
It’s been a while since I felt like drinking on a day like this.
“Oh, are you here for a drink?”
Even though I had already completed the preparations to leave, since the schedule for my official return hadn’t been properly announced yet, we stopped by Jane’s café to say our last goodbyes.
In a way, this café was where the whole incident started, and there was someone essential to that beginning here too.
Seeing me dragging my tired body into the café, Jane said with a tone that implied pity, “… You really look like you want a drink.”
I wanted to say this was all your fault— but if this incident hadn’t rolled out like it did, many bigger catastrophes would have undoubtedly happened, so instead, I silently looked around the café.
“……”
The café, which had usually been almost empty, was nearly full even though it was still morning.
No, more than that, the majority of seats were occupied by people all looking in my direction.
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ve kept your usual seat open on purpose.”
Well, it feels like she’d only seen me there a couple of times at most, but I went to the spot she indicated without saying a word. Linea and Aurora sat beside me, seemingly tense, as if guarding me.
“Normally, this special seat would cost extra, but since you’re a saintess, I’ll let it slide.”
“… Since when did this seat have an extra fee?”
“Since you became the hero of this region.”
Oh, so she was saying she’d be profiting off people coming into this café claiming ‘this is where I sat’?
“Do you know that charging extra for that is considered a crime against church law?”
I said as I gloomily stared at the Americano that was placed in front of me without being asked, and Jane opened her eyes wide.
“E-excuse me, really?”
“I’m not joking.”
Just to note, it was indeed real. Using a saint’s name for profit was forbidden by the church. Not only saints, but famous church figures couldn’t be used for advertising. Ads like “This café frequented by Cardinal So-and-So!” or “This restaurant often visited by the Pope!” would lead to punishment. Since this was a matter agreed upon by both the government and the church, it couldn’t be escaped even with government connections.
Otherwise, everywhere famous clergymen passed would turn into places exploiting followers according to the laws of capitalism. I had studied this a bit since becoming a saint, and even relics wouldn’t be considered valid unless certified by the church. Otherwise, things like a straw I used would likely be sold at auction. Just the thought of it gives me the creeps.
“… Then I guess you can’t charge extra.”
Jane looked disappointed as she talked, and I stared at her with disbelief. Wait, was she being serious?
“Well, it doesn’t matter. Even if I don’t say anything, the word has already spread far and wide. After all, this is the only café the saintess visited in the Beastman Region!”
“Shouldn’t we go around the Beastman Region for a café tour before leaving?”
To be honest, this was the only café around that’s still operating. If there had been any normal cafés nearby, she probably wouldn’t have survived. Given Jane’s personality, if she had made losses, she would have shut it down immediately.
“Maybe you could give me a break on that.”
Jane seemed to understand that this was true, casually avoiding denial. But her tone didn’t suggest she seriously expected it, indicating she thought this place would do well regardless.
That makes sense; given that such incidents occurred, it would be odd for it not to become a holy place.
No matter how many cafés sprang up around, later establishments would be different from this one I first visited in the Beastman Region. Of course, I don’t think that later openings would fail, but it meant they were in different competitive sectors.
It could become a tourist spot. Whether the church designates it as a genuine holy site or not doesn’t matter. What’s important is how the rumors spread.
Well… I didn’t care much about that. After all, I’m leaving soon. I might come back, but it’s not like I’d visit here for vacation.
“I just thought it would be nice to at least say goodbye before leaving.”
To be honest, I didn’t think I didn’t owe Jane anything. Thinking about how, unknowingly, I had played a role in becoming a bridge between the government and the church still bothered me.
But technically, it wasn’t really Jane’s fault.
She just happened to know a public official— one who was elected rather than appointed.
And if I hadn’t connected with the government, this situation wouldn’t have escalated, Lina wouldn’t have come here, and, of course, I wouldn’t have been able to catch the witch.
Of course, it wasn’t solely Jane’s merit. I had also contributed to this. If I hadn’t rescued the orphans, things would have never escalated like this. I had a say in this snowball effect too.
But I didn’t intend to express my gratitude.
“Well, take care and be healthy. I want to thank you again.”
The café remained quiet. Seeing the packed seats glancing at me and Jane filled with curiosity about our relationship was quite evident.
It’s just a customer and shop owner relationship, after all. Of course, the shop owner was notably easy-going.
……
But now, I feel a bit sick to my stomach.
I’ve lost a tremendous amount… No, rather than lost, I should say gained, but if you asked me whether all these gains felt good, I would definitely say no.
So, I should express my thoughts before leaving.
I sipped the coffee in front of me and said, “But how can you sell pre-packaged capsule coffee and still have it taste this bad?”
“… Huh?”
Jane’s vacant expression felt a bit satisfying.
*
If the last press conference lifted my image to the highest heavens, the government’s image, on the other hand, plummeted to the depths. The witch’s invasion, which was thought to be only once, turned out to be twice, and one of them was a near invasion. That was definitely not something people wanted to hear.
Rather, if the government had directly addressed that information and promised to prevent a recurrence, it might have helped bolster their image instead. The problem was that by me bringing it up, an image formed that the government was using me as a shield.
A hero who risked her life three times to fend off a witch stepping forward as the government’s bullet sponge became a severe blow to their image.
Indeed, there were now furious protests demanding to know why the government kept this information hidden from the public until now.
That’s right, I inadvertently landed a strike to the government’s gut! The impact was tremendous!
At least the church’s image wound up getting slightly damaged, as Andréea beheaded the Witch of Jealousy, and the fact that I was there during that incident, and everyone who protected me while capturing the witch was from the church, served as a protective shield showing the church was not withholding support for me.
… Well, technically, I am still one of the nuns under the church’s protection, so it’s only natural that the church has the upper hand.
The government had also not skimped on support. But, well, the visible aspect was that the government was just trailing behind the church.
Considering how the church had operated as if it were their subordinate force, this must be a bitter pill to swallow.
So why did they have me hold a press conference?
I didn’t expect I would end up saying all that. Normally, when you get to a podium, you forget what you wanted to say and just ramble on about useless things.
Should I feel triumphant watching the government stumble over its own feet trying to hitch a ride on my image, or should I pity them? It’s difficult to decide.
“Saintess?”
The very reason they argue over whether to hold a farewell might be the same… as I sat on my bed wallowing in despair, someone peeked in through the open door. It was the priest.
“Yes?”
When I responded, the priest smiled warmly and said, “There’s someone who is very eager to meet the saintess. Is it possible for you to spare some time?”
… If the priest said something like that, it must be someone of great importance.
And if it’s someone important, it’s only natural to meet them.
“Yes, I have time.”
In truth, I genuinely had time. If anything, I wanted to rush straight to the airport, but waiting for the farewell event had left me with time to kill.
“Thank you.”
The priest politely expressed gratitude and then glanced back, saying, “Alright, the saintess has given her permission. Please greet her directly.”
A moment later, the person who appeared outside the door was… a child.
The child I had rescued— or rather, captured.
The child standing nervously at the door wasn’t acting all stiff like the first time I saved them, and this time they were wearing a proper t-shirt and shorts instead of ragged clothes.
“……”
Seeing me staring at them in silence, the child, who twisted their body shyly to express their embarrassment, finally mustered up courage and looked straight at me before saying, “I’m sorry!”
Huh.
That was completely unexpected, and I was honestly a bit surprised.
“And… thank you.”
This time they bowed.
“Um… okay.”
However, unfortunately, I had no particular reply to give. I hadn’t done anything to earn their gratitude. A witch had appeared, and there was really no other way than to take her down.
“……”
“……”
And then an awkward silence fell within the room. Both Linea and Aurora wore expressions showing they didn’t know what to say, and, in truth, I was also at a loss for words.
“… Well.”
After much hesitation, the child finally seemed to gather courage and opened their mouth.
“Saintess, you’re really strong.”
Hmm.
It doesn’t seem like the child got any newfound manners installed.
“How are you so strong?”
Yet, looking into the child’s sparkling eyes, I didn’t want to say anything bad.
“Well…”
But it was likely because God made my body strong… Telling such a thing to an innocent child would break their dreams.
Moreover, I didn’t think I was particularly strong either. I probably just held a sizeable advantage in battle against witches . In terms of the child’s strength, I bet they might be far behind.
Ah, thinking about strength and endurance reminds me of something.
“I trained every day. At school, and even after school.”
In fact, it was more of a case of constantly being in fights, but I couldn’t just spill that out.
“If I work hard every day, can I be strong like the saintess?”
“… Um, probably?”
That’s something I don’t really know. The people in this world are, on average, stronger than those from the world I used to live in. There are still many significantly stronger people amongst them. So, it’s not my place to judge whether this little one has talent or not.
“Then I’ll work hard and become strong like the saintess!”
I looked at the child sparkling with excitement with a sense of heaviness in my heart. The child seemed to have no other thoughts regarding it.
“Um… good luck?”
“Yeah! I’ll do my best! I’ll definitely become a person like the saintess when I grow up!”
After speaking, the child suddenly dashed off.
“Thank you for talking with the child.”
The priest politely bowed again and chased after the child.
… Hmm, it feels like I gained a follower.
“That’s great! Surely, that child will grow up bright.”
Aurora gazed wistfully at the door the child had just exited.
That might be true, but…
… Thank you, I’m sorry, I guess.
To be frank, I think the child spoke those words believing I was strong. It’s not like they completely abandoned the idea of survival of the fittest.
But still, seeing a child, who might have ended their life in a gutter, become bright like that is undoubtedly a good thing. As a child, they might grow and develop their thoughts while hearing others’ views, gradually altering their mindset.
In that sense, maybe…
Though I don’t want to admit it, I might feel a sense of pride.
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