I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 675

Chapter 56: The Alice Effect

With the conclusion of the Saint selection, Alice’s name resounded throughout the East and West continents.

The priest’s momentary slip of the tongue turned into a widely circulated title.

Destined Saint, Angelic Incarnation.

Anyone who witnessed the holy scene of the blonde girl bathed in falling feathers and unfolding her mystical wings had to admit that this statement was not an ounce exaggerated.

The fact that Alice surpassed the four Saint candidates sent shockwaves across the East continent.

In this land where everyone worshipped the Holy Light, many believed they were blessed by the goddess, feeling far more noble than the folks on the West continent. They simply couldn’t accept that the person they’d regarded as a Saint since childhood was overshadowed by a mere maid from the West.

“This must be a fraud! It has to be a conspiracy! Lord Sang couldn’t possibly lose; he is the beloved of the goddess, the light guiding us forward!”

In a way, faith deepened, but beliefs grew shaky.

Many refused to believe the truth, igniting upheavals across various dioceses, desperately denying Alice’s candidacy as a Saint.

However, the Church’s higher-ups had other plans for Alice and certainly wouldn’t compromise with the general populace.

On the other hand, the scene on the West continent was utterly different.

“Did you see that? The Holy Light is upon us; the goddess sees us! We knights of the Lionheart Kingdom will not be outdone by those Church fools from the East!”

“Exactly! Our ‘Guardian Angel’ is leagues above those mere chant reciters!”

“Since she’s a Saint candidate and a knight of the kingdom, I boldly propose we call Lady Alice a Holy Knight!”

Unlike the East continent, local churches had long since aligned with regional powers and were more than happy to have a Saint candidate from the West continent.

Holy Knight—that was initially just a drunken ramble from a priest, but once echoed by numerous knights, it finally reached the ears of King Lionheart.

Roberts then waved his hand, officially bestowing the title of Holy Knight upon Alice.

Alice happened to be the future bride of their knight, allowing the kingdom to ride the wave of the Holy Knight title, promoting their prestige while boosting Alice’s popularity, all while snugging up to the local Church and giving those rude people from the East a good slap in the face.

A win-win situation—how delightful!

Apart from the official forces, Alice’s reputation among the common folk also soared.

“That’s right, that’s right, it’s her! I’ve gone on missions with Lady Alice before!”

Just one boast from the mighty axe-wielder Gray could earn him adoration from the entire guild, making him the local heartthrob.

As an Extraordinary Being, he could even catch a glimpse of the royal family during national celebrations if luck favored him.

But to fight alongside a future Saint? As those holy fanatics would say, that was a blessing nobody would achieve in eight lifetimes!

Similar situations unfolded at the Academy of Magic.

“I drank the tea poured by Lady Alice!”

“I ate the food cooked by Lady Alice!”

“I was fortunate enough to be kicked down by Alice during the practical test! Tell me, are you envious?!”

Classmates couldn’t help but bask in the glory of their peer who had shot up to the status of a Saint candidate. Even getting kicked meant bragging rights over a future Saint—an honor worthy of family chronicles for some minor nobles!

Alice’s supporters, who had faced ridicule from East continent exchange students, finally got to lift their heads high.

“Seriously? This is the best your East continent candidates have to offer?”

“Sorry, but our destined Saint can do as she pleases!”

“Is the East continent so special? Oh, let’s see who the Holy Light favors now!”

Arrogant East continent exchange students could no longer act tough, their faces red as they muttered “the trial isn’t over yet” and “losing a little doesn’t count as losing,” creating a cheerful atmosphere.

Meanwhile, in the Western and Southern regions where the Church’s influence was minimal, Alice still maintained a remarkable impact.

Now, there was no need for the two princes to manipulate things from the shadows anymore. With Alice winning the top spot in the Saint selection, the flow of support surged, and the industry chain began to hum with activity.

Although the results of the Saint trials were not yet confirmed, the titles of destined Saint and Angelic Incarnation were already ringing loudly.

Alice-themed maid dresses, swords, little cakes…

Even the most basic leather leg bands skyrocketed in price the moment they bore Alice’s name, becoming more fashionable than gold and jewels, sweeping both regions.

However, besides Alice’s triumph in the Saint pre-selection, another happening grabbed attention just as much.

On the day of the Saint selection, the mesmerizing image of the girl with glowing wings amidst a rain of feathers undoubtedly shook everyone’s soul.

But another incident struck them just as hard, if not harder, than the manifestation of the girl’s miracle.

Because right after the priest announced the end of the pre-selection, Alice, the destined girl, was pulled into a hug by a black-haired boy right in front of everyone.

If Alice was the current most watched focal point, then Roy swiftly followed, becoming the second most mentioned name right after her.

People’s curiosity about Roy even surpassed that of the other Saint candidates.

After all, she was the daughter of destiny, the goddess’s favored, the embodiment of an angel, the most likely candidate to secure the Saint’s position!

Mortal praises could barely describe her beauty; that dazzling blonde girl could symbolize purity and goodness in people’s hearts.

And just like that, such a sacred presence was hugged by someone of the opposite gender. How could they not be jealous and curious about his identity?!

Saints were not to be sullied.

Previously, be it the “Eye of Light” or the “Flower Boy,” no matter how wild they got behind closed doors, they wouldn’t dare act lewdly in public.

If a different Saint candidate were treated this way, countless fans would probably riot on the spot, tearing apart the one who sullied their candidate.

However, for Roy, things took a rather different subtle turn.

There were indeed numerous condemnations and accusations directed at Roy, but gradually, another kind of voice began to take its place.

And the instigators of this voice were none other than the various masters × maid support groups active across the lands!

“You all need to understand, Miss Alice has long been in love with our young master, meow! Their relationship is undoubtedly true love, sob sob sob!”

It hasn’t been easy, truly! Miss Alice has finally found her strength! Our support group is finally living the good life! After waiting for so long, we can finally stop listening to other factions flaunt their success!

In the cafeteria of the Academy of Magic, the white-haired cat girl ascended the high table, able to announce to the entire school the relationship between Roy and Alice, moved to tears.