Today is the last day of the hero party’s vacation.
Finally, all the fatigue and injuries accumulated from the struggles in the Four Heavenly Kings Raiaride’s dimensional space have been completely recovered.
“Finally….”
Now, I can finally resume the schedule that had been delayed because of me.
I was so pleased with this fact that I gazed outside and let a small smile slip.
“O gracious Sun, thank you for shining your warm light upon me, allowing me to fully recover.”
As always, there was no response, yet I felt good and kept grinning.
Honestly, I felt really sorry for my companions.
Our hero party’s tasks have been piling up, yet one weakling got seriously injured, forcing us to take a break.
I couldn’t face my companions and felt ashamed towards those who have been eagerly waiting for us, making me embarrassed lately.
Furthermore…
With the confusion regarding Liam and my identity piled on top, my heartache was overwhelming.
Had my mind ever been this complicated before?
I had been feeling heavy due to the issues with my Sacred Power management, but this level of distress was new.
I felt as if I wanted to throw everything away and just run away. But now, it’s fine.
“Really, what a relief….”
The problems that had troubled me recently were all neatly resolved one by one.
The injuries are perfectly healed, and my ability to manage Sacred Power has drastically improved over the past few days.
And my identity as Clitia Eluke has become clear, and I have confirmed the true feelings of that reckless hero.
With no more headaches left, it was an ideal state.
In other words, my mind was refreshed, and the future looked clearer than ever.
How wonderful it would be if everything went this smoothly from now on.
“O Sun, please protect me till the end.”
I smiled brightly as I closed the window.
Then I took off my saint’s robe and underwear, leaving them on the bed, and stepped into the bathroom attached to the inn room.
Of course, the bathroom was nothing special. It’s just a medium-sized town, not the imperial capital.
All it had was a reasonably sized wooden bathtub and a low-grade water generation magic circuit inscribed basin.
Yet still…
I grinned and even hummed a tune, enjoying a relaxing bath.
My heart felt lighter and more refreshing than ever.
I could practically take flight soon, feeling that fresh.
So, there was no way the basic state of the bathroom could catch my eye.
“Ahhh….”
After spreading my Sacred Power outward to dry off, I put on my underwear and saint’s robe in order.
– Lady Clitia.
That’s when Haebaji, my clothing-type ego artifact, spoke up.
“What is it?”
After casually responding, I checked my appearance in the mirror.
A saint should always present dazzling beauty while going about in public, to stir the hearts of the people.
‘Nothing seems off.’
There was nothing particularly different from usual.
Shoulder-length pink bob and a perfectly poised smile.
Just putting on a simple red nun’s robe, yet my figure carried an oddly sensual allure.
As expected, it’s me.
The beauty of “Saint Clitia,” famous for her elegance and vivacity, shone brightly today as well.
– Lady Clitia.
After inspecting myself, Haebaji spoke up again.
“What is it?”
As I put on the shoes I had left in the corner, Haebaji finally expressed what it wanted to say.
– You seem happy. Is it because you’ve become involved with the hero?
“…Love?”
That word slightly irritates me, causing my hands to pause while tying my shoelaces.
I resumed my movements, frowning fiercely.
“Well, it’s not love yet. We’re just getting to know each other.”
– But doesn’t that mean you are now in a relationship? In that case, even if it’s weak, you are loving each other.
“No, it’s not like that.”
– Then, do you acknowledge that you are in a romantic relationship?
“…….”
Why is it being so persistent?
I almost got annoyed but, since it wasn’t wrong, I nodded reluctantly.
“I guess that’s true.”
– Congratulations.
“…On what?”
– This slightly raises the likelihood of severing the Demon King’s wickedness. It means a once-in-thousands-of-years opportunity.
Unlike its usual calm demeanor, Haebaji’s voice was somewhat excited.
– You must not let this opportunity slip by. The only way to defeat the Demon King is to awaken the hero, and to do so, remember that you must approach with fervent love.
That’s what it really wanted to say.
“So, it’s telling me to seductively entice him, huh?”
– Exactly! If possible, push your chest out or subtly remove your clothes. Then, he’ll definitely fall for it.
“…….”
What the crazy artifact wants.
Asking a saint to do such lewd things?
“No way.”
I flatly rejected and stood up.
Not wanting to exchange more words, I lightly tapped my waist and said,
“From now on, I’m doing things my way, so don’t meddle.”
– Will you be solving everything on your own?
“Yeah. I’m already twenty years old. I’m an adult. I can handle romance issues alone.”
After all, this is my second time turning twenty.
If I combine it with Park Si-woo’s life… I could say I’ve lived quite a bit.
So I didn’t want to be meddled with one way or another.
– Understood.
Surprisingly, Haebaji accepted my words calmly, unlike its usual insistence.
However, it added a significant note.
– Then I absolutely will not meddle in Lady Clitia’s romantic affairs. Absolutely.
“…Are you sulking?”
– No, I’m not.
“Come on, you are sulking.”
– ……
It seems it’s pretty upset.
I felt a little guilty, but I still had no intention of taking Haebaji’s advice.
‘It won’t be needed for a while anyway.’
I had just started a cautious romance.
So, there was no way I’d urgently need advice.
…Or at least, that’s what I thought back then.
*
“Saint!”
Erin, who had been stretching outside the inn, jumped and came running to me.
After petting her head out of habit, we took each other’s hands and started walking.
“Where should we go first?”
“To the general store. I need to buy materials for magical research.”
“Sure, let’s go.”
We decided to leave the city around noon.
We would probably be deployed to face the high-ranking monsters and demons of the Imperial Army and Demon King’s Army starting this evening.
Before that, we aimed to complete all preparations and gather together.
We had two hours left.
With no need to rush, I planned to leisurely explore the city with Erin.
“Welcome!”
As we entered the general store led by Erin, the cheerful greeting of the staff and the spacious interior welcomed us.
Shelves lined with all sorts of goods created a grand view.
It was like the ‘one-stop-shop’ I had visited several times in my previous life.
Who would have thought a medium-sized town would have such a fantastic and stylish place?
“Wow!”
Erin, whose eyes sparkled, darted off to somewhere in a hurry. It was to a section with a sign that read “Magic Supplies.”
I followed her and cheerfully browsed the items.
Low-quality health potions, basic adventurer gear, trap disarm kits, beginner spirit communion nature sets.
There was really everything one could think of.
When I played the game, the general store sold all kinds of things too.
‘I wonder if they would lower the price if I successfully negotiate here?’
As thoughts of [Apollis Tales] came to mind, I strolled leisurely when suddenly a sign caught my attention.
[Couples’ Items]
…This corner naturally drew my interest.
I didn’t particularly want to wear couple accessories with Liam, but I decided to take a look.
To truly make that reckless hero become a true hero, love’s power is essential, after all.
Though he was only mildly infatuated with me for now, how I acted would certainly alter his mindset.
Whether he returns to being a reckless fool or grows into a noble hero would be entirely up to me.
So, I decided to subtly present him with a gift.
Perhaps it would ignite his passion to fight even harder.
In other words, this wasn’t shopping for Liam but purely an effort to defeat the Demon King’s army.
‘Right. That’s it.’
After clarifying my thoughts.
As I moved to the couples’ items section and examined the shelf, I couldn’t help but gasp.
My face instinctively flushed.
‘… They sell things like this in a place where kids are allowed?’
The shelf was filled with items difficult to utter and devices of ambiguous use.
Each was crafted with careful and exquisite workmanship.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed some items even inscribed with magic circuits. Their purpose? Naughty deeds.
Why on earth are such items sold in a general store?
It seemed that gifting any of these would not be a good choice.
“Saint, I’ve bought everything.”
Just then, Erin approached, carrying a basket full of materials for magical research.
“Wait a second….”
Kids shouldn’t see things like this!
Not to mention, I didn’t want to provoke any strange misunderstandings, so I hurriedly tried to cover my eyes, but it was too late.
The young sage was already sporting a strange smile.
“Saint-?”
“……”
“Heheh. It’s always fascinating to see the Saint embarrassed.”
Poking my side with her finger, Erin whispered softly.
“Did you accept the hero’s heart? I actually wanted to ask all along, but I kept holding back. I was worried it might be rude to both of you.”
Seeing her chatter excitedly, it seemed she was genuinely curious.
I averted my eyes and whispered softly.
“…I accepted it.”
“Wow!”
Erin’s already sparkling eyes now shone as brightly as stars.
I had felt it last time too—Erin seemed to love these kinds of stories. Perhaps there was a romance novel hidden among the magic books she frequently read.
“Congratulations.”
“…You should congratulate Liam more.”
“No, I’m giving it to you, Saint.”
Erin placed the basket she had been holding on the ground and hugged my waist tightly.
Then, with a beaming smile, she pointed somewhere on the shelf.
“How about buying that as a gift for your ‘boyfriend’?”
The object Erin pointed to was a pair of rings.
In other words, couple rings.
They were neatly made, but it wasn’t something that particularly drew me in.
‘There’s no practicality in that.’
If I’m going to buy something, it should be something that aids in battle.
I’d rather walk around empty-handed than wear a ring with no function.
As I was having such thoughts, the young sage pointed somewhere else again.
I looked where she indicated and was jolted in shock.
“…You want me to wear that?”
This time, the item Erin pointed to was clothing.
However, it was designed entirely different from the simple saint’s robe I was wearing now.
A thin, fluttery spaghetti strap dress that would make one utter words like shameless.
I had no idea how it ended up in the “couples’ items” section.
“Erin….”
“Yes?”
“It’s only been a day since we started dating.”
“Love’s intensity isn’t proportional to the duration of the relationship.”
“…Where did you learn such a thing?”
“It’s from a line in a romance novel I often read.”
As expected, I figured that would be the case.
“Buy that for the hero.”
“Liam? That?”
“No, it means you wearing it as a gift for the hero!”
“…No, way.”
“Ahh—. Saint—.”
“Absolutely not.”
I firmly declined, grasped Erin’s hand tightly, and moved to the checkout in repeated refusal before stepping outside.
In the end, I decided to buy Liam a present next time. There was no pressing reason to give it today.
After all, rest periods will eventually come back.
It wouldn’t be too late to gift it then.
Even though Erin kept urging me to buy it, my mind wouldn’t change.
“Where to now?”
“What do you want to do, Saint?”
“Just some snacks?”
“Then let’s head to the shopping arcade!”
Thus, we wandered around the city, enjoying various snacks.
Since everyone recognized us, I struggled to maintain my dignity as a saint.
Why does this ‘noble demeanor’ make things so difficult for me?
Having to manage my expressions, demeanor, and emotions—this is not suited for an impatient person like me.
Anyway.
The merchants generously offered us food at reasonable prices, filling both our stomachs and hearts.
“Wasn’t it fun?”
“Yes.”
After eating and playing a lot, the assembly time arrived before I knew it.
We came to the designated area near the city’s plains.
I thought I arrived early, but there was already a fellow companion waiting.
Just a few days ago, he was someone who would never arrive on time.
The troublemaker I had to deal with after the accident during our rest period.
The reckless hero, Liam, waved at me.
“Clitia!”
With a bright and innocent smile, Liam greeted me, and near him were numerous bottles of alcohol piled up.
Why is there alcohol when we’re supposed to be heading off to battle?
“I brought this for you as a present. Last time, you asked for alcohol instead of flowers, right?”
“…Who buys that at a time like this?”
“And there’s more!”
Ignoring what I said, Liam took out something from his pouch.
It was a pair of rings.
However, they were extraordinarily beautiful compared to the ones I saw at the general store earlier.
They glimmered silver and had tiny, transparent gemstones tightly embedded in the surface.
They looked like pricey couples’ rings.
I had no interest in this sort of thing, but I could tell they were items crafted by a renown artisan.
“Will you accept this?”
“……”
This ring has no practicality whatsoever.
It’s just a pretty piece of jewelry.
But why…
For what reason…
He is naturally extending his hand out while smiling gently.
‘…If I don’t wear it, it would be a waste of money.’
That’s right.
A saint shouldn’t waste money, so I guess it can only be accepted reluctantly.
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