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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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The first Saintess, Sabrina.
She was a crucial figure, even in the game.
She had dedicated her life to establishing Kalon Academy and the city of Kalon.
Every subsequent Saintess was expected to uphold her legacy and become a guardian of the world.
In the game, there were storylines that defied this destiny, but the canonical path was to inherit her will.
However, unexpected variables had emerged.
The first was the premature appearance of the Halphas Cult.
I didn’t understand the reason, but they were actively trying to assassinate Karina. In the original story, they didn’t appear until much later. Their attacks on Karina during the first semester had significantly altered the timeline.
The second was the enigmatic “true ending.”
I didn’t have enough information to make a judgment, but I couldn’t even begin to guess the direction it was heading. There was no guarantee it would be a happy ending.
…I certainly hoped for a happy ending, but I lacked the necessary information.
The third variable…was me.
I was essentially doing the protagonist’s job. How the opposing factions perceived me was a crucial factor.
If they considered me a threat, Karina would be in greater danger. If they underestimated me, events might proceed as in the original story.
I preferred to remain inconspicuous, but I might need to reveal my abilities to protect Karina.
The missions I received seemed to be pushing me in that direction.
“Philia, Philia! Where are you?”
“Sabrina! I’m here!”
[Is that a play? Humans are strange. They enjoy imitating others.]
Says the sentient grimoire that can brainwash people.
I swallowed my retort and tapped Rue, who was grumbling from her spot on my belt.
[I’m monitoring the surroundings, so don’t worry, Contractor.]
Good. That was all I needed. I shifted my focus from Rue to Karina.
She was fidgeting, clearly nervous about her upcoming appearance on stage.
“Are you nervous?”
“Yes… It’s different from praying in front of a crowd…”
“Don’t worry too much. It’s only a few lines.”
“Still…”
I couldn’t pat her shoulder in front of everyone, so I offered words of comfort.
“You did well with the speeches. Don’t worry. They’ll understand if you make a small mistake.”
I wanted to stop her from going on stage, to grab her by the ankles and tie her to a chair, but I couldn’t. It was her duty as Saintess, and it would strengthen her position.
Even if I tried to stop her, she would insist on going.
The title of Saintess wasn’t something she could simply discard on a whim.
The most important NPC and heroine of “Survival Academy.”
A symbol of hope.
She wasn’t just any heroine.
It was strange that she and Lewis weren’t closer in this reality, but she was still following the general trajectory of the original story.
Given time, she would awaken as the true Saintess.
Her awakening was crucial for achieving the still-unclear true ending. Her powers would change significantly. I needed to train the others as well, preparing them for what lay ahead.
The final boss of the true ending could be powerful enough to defeat even the original game’s final boss.
That meant I would have to allow Karina to face danger, to a certain extent.
“This is a real mess…”
“Did you say something?”
“Nothing.”
“Philia, your musical talent is truly remarkable. Even monsters dance to your melodies…”
“You flatter me.”
I needed to be more careful about my muttering. I had improved significantly, but I still slipped up occasionally. But I couldn’t help it.
Life was full of frustrations.
How could I not curse under my breath?
“Philia, Leon, Marie, Carlos! Do you see that plain? What if we built a school there?”
“Sabrina, that’s a wonderful idea!”
“Indeed.”
“Are you suggesting we train the next generation to prepare for the future crises that await this world?”
“Yes.”
The plot of “Saint Sabrina” was simple.
A classic hero’s journey.
Sabrina, an ordinary girl, is chosen by Kalon, embarks on a journey, gathers companions, and overcomes various trials and tribulations.
She eventually becomes the revered Saintess, establishes Kalon Academy, entrusts it to her companions, travels the world helping people, and finally returns to the academy in her old age, where she peacefully passes away.
A simple, yet compelling story.
It was a well-known myth, a beloved fairy tale in this world.
“Sabrina, your plan is admirable, but I dream of establishing a new nation. A nation where everyone can live happily.”
“A noble dream.”
…Even though I knew it was just a play, that line resonated with me.
I couldn’t help but think of the current emperor’s descendants.
His incompetent offspring were destined to ruin the empire next year.
More accurately, they would destroy the nation by fighting amongst themselves for the throne.
The play was nearing its conclusion.
It was almost time for Karina to take the stage and recite Sabrina’s final words. I leaned against the wall and scanned the auditorium.
It was quiet.
Everyone was engrossed in the surprisingly good performance. But I couldn’t immerse myself in the story.
I was an outsider, transported from another world. A knight escort tasked with protecting the Saintess.
And…the only person in this place without faith.
[Just listening is frustrating. Contractor, can you let me out? I want to see what’s happening—]
“No.”
[Tch.]
You were the last line of defense. I couldn’t reveal your presence.
A known trap was a useless trap. But how much longer did I have to maintain this internal monologue? It made me feel self-conscious.
At least I could understand Rue regardless of volume. We were currently some distance apart.
[Then let me watch a play next time.]
“…Next time.”
[You promise? You won’t forget?]
“Just be quiet.”
She was surprisingly curious.
“Sabrina…”
“It’s been so long…”
Was it time already?
I watched as Karina, accompanied by Renny, approached the stage. Her profile was etched with nervousness.
As Karina stepped onto the stage, the quiet auditorium began to stir. Her presence commanded attention.
Karina sat on a small podium that had been placed on stage and cleared her throat.
“In honor of the first Saintess, Sabrina, I will now recite her final words. Even if I vanish from this world, my memory fades, and only my name remains… I, I pray that my voice will forever echo the great achievements of my life…”
…It felt surreal.
Hearing Sabrina’s final words, which I had only heard in the game, spoken in reality.
But I couldn’t dwell on the moment. As Karina continued her speech, I sensed a disturbance in the audience.
Several people stood up abruptly.
I examined their faces. A middle-aged man, a well-built young man, a plainly dressed woman.
A group with no discernible commonality. I counted about ten of them. They weren’t openly carrying weapons.
But assassins wouldn’t reveal their weapons prematurely.
I kept my eyes on them and quietly instructed Rue,
“Rue. Prepare to intercept.”
[Contractor, there are twelve.]
Two more were hidden.
Should I interrupt the speech?
Or launch a preemptive strike? But they looked like ordinary people. Attacking them without provocation would be problematic.
If I, the Saintess’s knight escort, attacked civilians without cause, it would create a PR nightmare. If they played the victim card, we would be in a difficult position.
Annoying bastards.
Well, I had anticipated this. I quietly retrieved the flute from my belt.
I had run countless simulations in my head.
There was a simple solution, albeit with some…unpleasant side effects. But I would deal with those later.
I placed Philia’s relic to my lips.
…What should I play?
I knew it could play any song, but I didn’t know any complex melodies. More accurately, I knew very few songs, and I lacked the skill to play them.
…Whatever.
Something simple. Keep it simple.
I placed my fingers over the holes of the flute and gently blew.
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