I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 58: End of the Evening Gathering

I didn’t want to return to the hall, but I couldn’t stay in the garden forever, so I reluctantly went back and was once again bombarded with greetings. Is there no kind-hearted young lady who would accept the Saintess somewhere?

Most of the attendees tonight seemed more interested in seeing the Saintess than the noble daughters, so I couldn’t find anyone who seemed likely to become the Saintess’s friend. Ernest seemed to be the most interested in the Saintess, which was unavoidable.

When the muscles in her face seemed to reach their limit and the Saintess’s smile started to look unnatural, the end of the evening gathering was finally announced. While I, being Japanese, had the leisure of putting on a polite smile, my cheek muscles were screaming because I, Justin, hadn’t smiled much before this.

I wish the muscles in my face had been trained as well as my body. But well, my role is now over. As I escorted the Saintess up the stairs to the hall, Ernest, who hadn’t come out of the almost exclusively royal rest area, was waiting at the top of the stairs.

Seriously, are you going to bother me now? That’s what I thought, but Ernest’s gaze was directed at the Saintess. My position as a guard is still ongoing, right? Do I still have to deal with this?

“Saintess, may I have a moment to talk with you?”

This guy, with his firm expression like this, really does look like a prince. Unlike me, he doesn’t have the face of a villain, so he’s already got an advantage. If the Saintess says she wants to talk, can I leave first? …No, probably not.

Just when I thought that, a helping hand was offered.

“I apologize, Your Highness the Crown Prince. The Saintess seems a little tired from being in an unfamiliar environment, so I would like to excuse her for today.”

With a gentle smile, the temple’s chief firmly declined, seemingly not wanting Ernest to get closer to the Saintess. It’s a delicate situation, so I don’t think he’ll do anything strange, but it’s somewhat odd that he’s talking to the Saintess despite having Miss Diane as his fiancée.

“I see… If the Saintess is tired, then it can’t be helped.”

As he said this, he glanced at the Saintess, seemingly hoping for her approval. I signaled to the Saintess that it was the final blow.

“I’m sorry. The castle is a bit nerve-wracking… I’m only just starting to get used to the temple.”

As if to say that Ernest’s gaze was uncomfortable, the Saintess closed the front of my coat, which she had put on, to hide her body.

“I see… Well, it can’t be helped if the Saintess is tired. Rest well tonight.”

Sensing that she had been rejected, Ernest put on a sad expression and turned on his heel.

“What does the Crown Prince want to talk to me about…? I have a bad feeling about it, so I don’t want to get involved, but what should I do if he invites me again?”

“At that time, just make sure not to be alone with him. Ask the temple chief to accompany you or make it a condition to have at least two holy knights accompany you. It’s fine to say that you can’t meet with a man alone when you have a fiancé. If he insists on being alone, refuse it. As the Saintess, that should be allowed. Right? Chief of the Temple.”

Because of the Saintess’s unique position, even the royals shouldn’t have complete freedom.

“Yes, that’s right, as Commander of the Vandière Knights said. Haha, I had heard rumors, but you’ve certainly grown a lot from your mischievous ways in the past. Edwin used to have a hard time with you when you first joined the Third Knights, didn’t he?”

“Cough, cough! W-wait a minute. Why did the former commander’s name…”

Unexpectedly, an unexpected name popped out from an unexpected person.

“Oh, didn’t you know? Edwin de Mestral, who was the commander of the Third Knights with me, and I were classmates at the Royal Academy. For some reason, we got along well and still keep in touch. It’s normal for me to hold my position at the age of fifty-one, but I’ve been saying for years that I can’t continue as commander of the knights, so I’m grateful that the Vandière Knights’ commander has taken over. ”

With that, I understood why the temple chief was looking at me with such penetrating eyes. It was because he had heard various things from the former commander and knew a lot about me. Moreover, by releasing his friend, the former commander, from his position, it seems he holds a favorable impression of me.

However, I don’t remember this kind of episode in the light novel. Maybe there were settings created but not written about. If so, then the temple chief and the former commander Edwin in the novel might have been saddened by Justin’s fall into darkness.

It might sound strange, but thinking that way made me feel a little, just a little, like the Justin in the novel was being saved. I couldn’t help but feel that way even though I hadn’t realized there was someone watching over me.

“The gratitude is on this side.”

In many ways.

“Well then, shall we take our leave as well? At my age, attending evening gatherings becomes quite challenging. I’ve entrusted the Saintess’s escort to the exit.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

Perhaps because all the carriages of the ducal family had departed, there was already a temple carriage waiting at the exit.

“Captain Justin, thank you for the coat. …Good night.”

“Yes, good night. And Chief of the Temple, thank you for your hard work today.”

“Also, Commander of the Vandière Knights. Please take care of the Saintess in the future. Since you’re her friend… it seems.”

With a final, meaningful smile, the temple chief boarded the carriage. I couldn’t help but think that he was still someone not to be underestimated.

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Original Author’s Comment:

【Bad News】
Realizing an incredible contradiction.
I’m taking off my coat and putting it on the Saintess while Jest is clinging to my back!!
(´;ω;｀)
Please imagine that instead of a coat, I’m putting a cloak over Jest so he doesn’t get cold, and then I gently take it off like pulling off a tablecloth. lol