“Where have you been?”
“Uh, I just went outside to get some fresh air…”
I was caught.
While Stella had been sleeping, I had sneaked out, but as soon as I returned, she woke up and asked where I had gone.
If I knew I would get caught like this, I should have brought Stella with me.
“[I’m sorry, Stella… I didn’t want to wake you up from your sleep, so I went out quietly.]”
“Ah… Is that so?”
“[Should I just wake you up next time?]”
“Um…”
Stella momentarily glanced at Evan before answering that it was fine.
Why did she suddenly look at Evan before responding?
‘She can’t like Evan… right?’
If it were before, I might have indulged in happy thoughts about them liking each other. But I had realized that Evan actually liked me…
More importantly, I suddenly recalled that there wasn’t much reason for Stella to like Evan.
I thought that she didn’t really seem to like Evan anymore…
‘Hmm… or maybe not?’
If she didn’t, it was confusing to think that she wouldn’t be concerned about Evan. What if Stella was actually feeling jealous about me sneaking out with Evan?
‘That could definitely be confusing.’
I didn’t think Stella would feel that way, but if she were jealous about me sneaking out with Evan just the two of us, it would only become troublesome for me.
I prefer to avoid troublesome situations.
I looked over at Evan before glancing back at Stella.
“I went out with Dannes, so don’t worry, Stella.”
“Uh… o-okay.”
Stella replied with an expression that seemed a bit flustered.
That should suffice.
From what I said, it sounded like I was reassuring her not to worry about us going out alone, but if she looked deeper, she’d see that Dannes was with us, so nothing like what she might be worried about happened.
Stella would understand that.
Just from her flustered expression directed at me, that was clear, right?
Was that enough?
Even if it weren’t, Stella has a good head on her shoulders, so she would likely catch on to why I was saying what I did.
“…”
But for some reason, Stella was looking at Evan again.
She seemed to be sending him a strangely pitiable gaze; I had no idea why she was doing that.
But I guess it wasn’t something I needed to worry about.
*
“It’s been a while.”
“[It’s been a while, Grandpa.]”
Since we were meeting privately, I approached and gave him a big smile as I hugged him tightly.
Every time I’m hugged like this, I feel a strange sensation.
No matter how I look around or what I touch, he only seems like an ordinary grandpa, but in reality, he is the Guardian Dragon of Light.
Even I, who can detect divine power, find it hard to believe, let alone the people watching around us. Probably, the only ones who truly know his identity are Arhen, who has played games with me in a past life, and I.
But even I, knowing his identity, see the Pope as just an ordinary grandpa right now, not at all like the super special SSS-class guardian dragon beauty hiding her identity, and I feel confused.
I’m accustomed to seeing through the divine power she wields, so with a bright smile, I asked if he had finished what he needed to do.
“I should have come much sooner, but somehow, things took longer than expected. I’m sorry.”
“[It’s fine. I plan to take a long break anyway.]”
Since I’m already in the Holy Kingdom, I should relax for a while.
I was also thinking of wandering around the capital.
After all, it’s the capital of Valkran, and there likely aren’t many people in desperate need of help, but you never know…
Back when I was in the capital, I was too busy training my powers as a saint to properly explore the area.
“How is your body? I heard you were seriously injured while capturing a high-ranking member of the Demon King Army…”
He asked with a voice full of concern.
It feels quite new to receive such direct worry from Grandpa of all people.
Until now, I’ve only received concern from other knights in the Realm or friends at the Academy.
It feels different from the usual.
“[I’m fine. I’m used to it.]”
After saying that I was okay due to being accustomed to pain, I felt a twinge of regret…
But it shouldn’t be a big deal.
As Grandpa said, I did get hurt quite badly this time.
If I had been torn apart or had disappeared into nothingness, I could have said I was less injured.
For an ordinary person, it would be much worse, but for someone like me, who can heal easily, it’s only a minor injury.
As long as I remain a saint, getting hurt to that extent shouldn’t pose a major problem.
Aside from the mental issues, I can heal any injuries.
However, the opponent this time was none other than a high-ranking officer of the Demon King Army… If I had tried to stop Maleficent without the holy relic and just with my natural abilities, I likely would have suffered much more serious injuries.
I might have been bedridden until the end of vacation.
Of course, it’s just an assumption because I was able to obtain the holy relic before that and channel divine power to incapacitate her heart.
Anyway, it’s true that I did get hurt badly, but I answered that I was fine.
After all, if I managed to capture a high-ranking member of the Demon King Army over just my injuries, that’s a tremendous gain, isn’t it?
Of course, there are those who wouldn’t think that way, but at least I see it as a massive benefit.
It’s an unspeakable reason, though.
Who would say they enjoy suffering?
Even if I am someone who likes to be in pain, at least I don’t…
Well, receiving such looks might be enjoyable in its own way, but currently, I’m trying to maintain the image of a saint.
It flips my future plans upside down.
I don’t want things to turn out that way.
That’s all.
“… That’s not true, Aria.”
“[Huh?]”
“Just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean the wounds disappear.”
With a pitiful expression, Grandpa placed his hand on top of my head.
A soft and warm sensation passed through.
“You can rest if you’re struggling.”
“[G-Grandpa…?]”
“I often think about whether I should have taken you away as a saint when I first met you.”
Oh, I had no idea about that.
Of course, they must have seen the potential for me being a saint, which is why they took me.
There would be no reason to take me otherwise.
Of course, if I saw a child with disabilities on the street, I would have taken them in out of pity, so even without the potential to be a saint, they would have ensured I was placed among the nuns of the cathedral.
Well, since I could hear through my thoughts and distinguish my surroundings through divine detection, not being able to see wouldn’t have made things too difficult for me.
But…
“Were you blinded by the potential of my saintly qualities and dragged me into the abyss… I know it’s an irreverent thought to have toward a goddess, but she is kind, so I’m sure she’ll forgive you.”
“[Ah…]”
“I’m always so sorry for putting this heavy burden on you, Aria.”
Seeing him say that with a genuine look of self-loathing made me feel like I had somehow caused this.
‘Did I overdo it?’
Now that I think about it, as soon as I became a saint, I became blind to lust, no, to pleasures, and I was running around without caring about what happened to my body…
At that time, I wasn’t at all concerned about how odd that might have seemed.
However, despite my joyful feelings, it appears I made Asclina feel disillusioned by seeing my body getting damaged and in pain.
Not just anyone, but I was supposed to be a creation in whom the Creator had absolute trust, and I ended up making her think such irreverent thoughts.
‘Was I that terrible…?’
Suddenly feeling that way, I quietly nodded to myself, reflecting on my past actions.
‘That seems plausible.’
They say no visible saint has gone around saving everyone in history…
After all, who wouldn’t be fearful when their body is in that much pain?
I feel oddly apologetic to everyone…
Tsk.
