Taming the Evil Saintess

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“I’m all done.”

“Can I check it?”

“Of course.”

For the past few days, Ophelia had been diligently attending her lessons. Though the lessons mainly consisted of simple scribbling, this was quite unusual for her personality.

“Who wrote this phrase here?”

“Who was it…? That, um, what’s its name… tone.”

“It’s Melitone.”

“At least I got one letter right?”

Well, it’s something that she even tried to memorize.

That’s a commendable achievement.

Maybe Emily’s lesson had some effect after all.

Since the incident involving the Mana Chō, Ophelia had been behaving like a well-trained puppy, obediently following my words unlike her usual self.

No matter what, this change in Ophelia wasn’t too bad.

“Well, this is just barely passing. It’s about time for a break, anyway.”

“Yay!”

I folded away the scribbles Ophelia had written and put away the ink bottle on the table. Finally, I took the quill from her hand.

The moment our hands touched, Ophelia winced and trembled.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Uh, um… it’s nothing.”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

I wondered if she wasn’t just being quiet but genuinely felt unwell.

Ophelia’s health wasn’t exactly robust. I recalled the time she caught a cold and was all mopey during her time at Auriga.

If you’re sick, just say something. Just as I was about to touch her forehead, Ophelia flinched and pulled back.

“No! I’m fine!”

“Is that so?”

“Even if I’m fine! I’m perfectly okay!”

Well, if she says she’s fine, then it’s all good.

I shrugged my shoulders and put my things in the drawer. Looking outside, the sun was high in the sky.

“Hey, Elliot.”

“What is it?”

“Can you give me that?”

“That?”

“Mana Chō.”

“No way.”

“Tch.”

Ophelia clicked her tongue.

*

The outside scene was chaotic.

The bustling capital seemed even more hectic today than usual.

“They say there’s some kind of event happening.”

“Event?”

“Fireworks. You know, that small event they do every year at the Cathedral. Apparently, they do it on a grand scale in the Empire.”

Ophelia said this nonchalantly.

Now that I think about it, there probably were such events in the game too.

I recall something about the fireworks texture adorning the entire sky, which was quite a sight.

I felt intrigued.

“When’s the event happening?”

“From tomorrow to four days later.”

“Are you going to watch it?”

As I asked, Ophelia blinked her eyes in surprise.

“Going to watch it? You can go by yourself, why are you asking me?”

“I’m asking you to go together.”

“…”

Ophelia, hearing my words, swallowed hard.

“No, I-I’m not particularly interested.”

“You seem to know the event schedule pretty well to say you’re not interested.”

“Emily that girl just told me! I just happened to remember.”

Despite her words, Ophelia slowly shifted her gaze toward me.

“Besides, both our faces are recognized. If we visit such a crowded place, it would become pandemonium. Don’t you know that, you fool?”

“Hmm…”

I nodded.

Indeed, our titles of Hero and Saintess would limit us when strolling in crowded places.

So then…

“That’s fine. There’s a method.”

“No, I don’t want to go…”

“…I want to see it.”

A little consideration for a child who can’t be honest might be necessary.

Didn’t Yurede say something similar?

“With Ophelia.”

At those words, Ophelia couldn’t find a reply.

*

“Wait? You mean the viewing seats for the fireworks?”

“I want to get the most private seats possible.”

The Administrator, Evangelin, was more surprised by Elliot’s subsequent request than by the Hero’s sudden appearance.

It was quite astonishing that the long-quiet Hero Elliot sought out the Empire’s administration just to see the fireworks.

Moreover, Elliot had barged in, ignoring the reporting protocols. The lower-level staff was flustered and hovered around Elliot, but the imposing presence of the Hero made it hard for them to say anything.

“Ugh. Didn’t you hear the instructions up ahead? Even though you’re a Hero, I think it’d be better to adhere to the reporting structure. Our organization values hierarchy.”

“See this? This means ‘I’m passing through first.'”

Elliot proudly displayed the Hero’s Divine Mark on the back of his hand.

“Don’t use the Hero’s Divine Mark like a ticket.”

“It’s up to the person using it.”

“Haha, you’re still the same.”

Evangelin chuckled lightly while looking at Elliot.

Well, there’s no intention to send him away.

Having the Hero owe a favor is valuable to the administration as well.

The Sword Saint already garnered significant benefits from the previous incident. He also threw the Honorary Knight title of the Capital Knight Order at the Hero. Such an event is something the administration cannot overlook.

“Searching for private seats? I happen to know a perfect spot.”

Evangelin took out a ticket from one of the drawers.

“It was meant for the Empire’s distinguished guests. But due to someone’s actions, it became vacant.”

“Why are you looking at me?”

“Well, you did flip the Cathedral upside down, didn’t you?”

Only then did Elliot seem to realize and chuckled lightly.

This ticket should have gone to the top hierarchy of the Cathedral, including the Pope.

In other words…

“It’s an opportunity to watch the fireworks from the spire of the Empire Cathedral, the second-largest after the Cathedral! Not bad, right?”

“That sounds absolutely wonderful.”

*

The next day, I took Ophelia up to the Cathedral’s spire.

Of course, she whined about not wanting to go, but as soon as I asked, she followed me eagerly.

“Why is this so nice?”

“Isn’t it?”

I expected the spire to be just a small viewing platform, but it was anything but.

Unsurprisingly lavish for the capital of the Empire.

Servants had already set up food and drinks.

As I watched the sun dip below the western horizon, Ophelia was poking at a bottle of wine placed on the table.

“Ophelia, no alcohol.”

“What do you mean, what’s okay for you! I’m an adult! A little bit of alcohol is fine.”

“Um…”

With cigarettes and alcohol.

Just how far is this Saintess going to flaunt her hedonism?

Maybe she’ll even end up using drugs later.

But, well, a bit of alcohol is generally acceptable for kids in this world.

“Alright then. Just don’t overdo it.”

“Are you not drinking?”

“I’ll manage myself.”

As soon as Ophelia got the green light, her curious eyes zeroed in on the fanciest-looking golden bottle.

Without hesitation, she took a swig, and after a slight cough, it seemed she was feeling the effects.

Given that it obviously looked like whiskey, it was only natural with such high alcohol content.

“…You seem to struggle with alcohol.”

“No, that’s not true! I’m super good at it!”

“Sure you are.”

I chuckled and added ice to my drink.

I poured myself a drink at the same time.

“Well, it should be alright now.”

“Ugh, uhh.”

Perhaps because she was feeling the effects, she wrinkled her face and stuck out her tongue.

I took a sip of my drink.

Honestly, as someone who had only tasted cheap liquor, the flavor didn’t seem significantly different.

“It seems it’s about to start.”

Boom!

As soon as the sun set, a small firework was launched.

Following the trail of flames, many blossoms adorned the sky.

While the view was reminiscent of what I had seen in the game, experiencing it in person brought a different sensation altogether.

Honestly, it was breathtakingly beautiful.

“…”

Ophelia didn’t even notice when she dropped her wine glass, captivated by the fireworks blooming in the night sky.

Indeed, it was something she wanted to see.

I made a good choice bringing her.

Gazing back at the fireworks.

After a moment, the final firework exploded, followed by a brief lull.

Finally tearing my gaze from the sky, I looked at Ophelia.

“What are you doing?”

Unbeknownst to me, Ophelia had been staring at me intently.

When our eyes met, she blushed and quickly turned away.

“…”

“Um…”

Ophelia spoke up like she was spewing out the words.

“Thank you.”

“…”

I was taken aback.

It was likely the first time Ophelia had uttered such words of gratitude.

Yet, I kept a stoic face and replied casually.

“What are you thanking me for? This place doesn’t cost much.”

“That’s not it…”

Ophelia, who had been mumbling, took a large swig from her glass.

Wait, was that a full shot?

A bit flustered from the alcohol, Ophelia leaned against the railing and turned toward me.

Her eyes were half-lidded.

“Just saying I’m grateful for this, and everything leading up to it.”

“Leading up to what?”

“Taking me from the Cathedral, saving me from that bastard Pope, and showing me the fireworks.”

“….”

“I owe you a lot. I plan to repay you, so just wait.”

“‘Wait’ isn’t something you say in this context.”

“Whatever!”

Ophelia lightly tapped my head with her glass.

“More than anything, I’m precious, you know?”

“What does that even mean?”

“There’s just something about it, heh.”

Ophelia, who said such puzzling things, beamed at me.

A few damp strands of hair brushed my eyes, resting on her soft pink lips.

Perhaps due to her tipsiness, her disheveled smile bore a strangely alluring quality.

“…”

Have I lost my mind?

Yeah. I must’ve gone crazy.

Slap!

I slapped my cheeks with all my might.