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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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Lina was dreaming about a man. A man whose face she couldn’t see, for some reason. The man extended a hand towards her. Called the Master of Mana, he was a formidable opponent, even for Lina. He must have been an important figure in her past life, but the memories were hazy.
‘Who was this man? Surely… Surely… something happened between us…’
Beside him, she saw a mage in a black robe. This mage, she remembered clearly. But she couldn’t recall why the man and the female mage were together. It felt like an important memory. She remembered most of her past life vividly, but this man remained a blur. Yet, he occasionally appeared in her dreams, piquing her curiosity.
In the dream, Lina took the faceless man’s hand. They didn’t appear to be lovers. Rather, it seemed as if the man was extending mercy to Lina, like offering a reprieve to someone already defeated.
Suddenly, Lina’s eyes snapped open. Kerry’s face was before her.
“You must have been tired. I’ve never seen you sleep, Lina.”
“….”
Lately, she hadn’t been sleeping well. She’d been stressed while Kerry was away. Dealing with matters outside dungeon raids was more exhausting.
Lina and Kerry were waiting for a customer in their shop.
The customer was Beatrice, the First Princess of the Empire. Natasha and Victoria, notably, were not involved.
Lina generally avoided the imperial family, but she couldn’t refuse Kerry’s earnest request.
She’d asked Natasha to contact Billman, the Captain of the Imperial Guard, separately, conveying the Hero’s desire for a meeting. That was enough to lure the princess, who had once been infatuated with the Hero.
“Are you certain that with the Princess’s help, we can recruit the Saint into the party?”
“Absolutely.”
If successful, the Saint would be a dedicated healer, devoted to the party.
Lina hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“If you’re so confident, Kerry, then I’ll trust you. And…”
“?”
“I’d like to apologize. It was my stubbornness that asked you to recruit the Saint, knowing it would make things awkward between you two. Moreover, considering the negative impact she might have on the party… I’m truly sorry.”
“….”
It seemed Lina was also aware that the Saint’s presence would be disruptive. Yet, her insistence on recruiting her suggested the Saint’s power was essential.
“Don’t worry, Lina. I’ll handle the Saint. Besides, we’re only able to meet the Princess thanks to your popularity. A princess smitten with the Hero… It’s like something out of a novel.”
“I’m a woman… And my popularity is nothing compared to yours.”
As they bantered, their guest finally arrived.
They’d chosen a quiet café in a secluded area – a good decision, it seemed. A woman in a white cloak accompanied by knights in armor would have drawn unwanted attention.
After confirming Lina and Kerry’s identities, Billman led the cloaked woman closer.
The woman removed her cloak, revealing beautiful flowing blonde hair.
“Greetings, Heroes. I am Beatrice, First Princess of the Empire.”
The princess spoke formally, showing respect to the Hero. Kerry was honestly surprised by her appearance. He’d expected a frivolous princess chasing a male Hero, but she possessed a certain grace. Her neatly braided blonde hair, emerald green eyes, and light makeup contributed to a pristine beauty.
The Emperor’s treasured daughter, indeed. The title suited her.
Lina stood and knelt on one knee, like a knight. The gesture was rather impressive.
“I am Lina Knightly, the newly ordained Hero. It is an honor to meet you, Princess.”
“Gasp!”
The princess suddenly collapsed with a faint squeak. What was wrong with this woman?
“Are you alright, Princess?!”
Startled, Lina jumped to her feet. Seriously, what was going on?
“Billman… Billman… The Hero really is a woman. I didn’t want to believe it.”
“Yes, I apologize, Princess.”
What were they doing, putting on a skit? The princess must have watched too many historical dramas. Could someone really faint so dramatically? Her appearance certainly fit a princess, but her personality seemed rather ditzy. Billman looked like he had his hands full.
The seemingly revived princess sat down.
“Why did you summon me here, Hero?”
Lina, catching Kerry’s eye, explained. There had been an unpleasant encounter with the Saint, and they needed the princess’s help to resolve it.
“…So, all I need to do is arrange a meeting with the Saint?”
“Yes, that’s correct. We simply need you to be present at the meeting.”
“But I have a question, Hero.”
“Please, ask, Princess.”
The princess looked at Kerry with expectant eyes.
“Is the gentleman beside you, by any chance, the Hero’s companion?”
“Yes, he is.”
The princess jumped to her feet, overjoyed.
“I’m… I’m saved! Billman, you should have told me the Hero had a male companion!”
“Your Highness…? But… Kerry is…”
“Is your name Kerry? Ah, judging by his demeanor, he must hail from a distinguished family. Forgive me, but could you tell me your family name?”
“….”
Why was she so excited? Kerry was momentarily speechless.
Unfazed, the princess continued her monologue.
“Finally… Finally, I can break off my engagement with that pig of a prince! With a man as refined as Kerry as the Hero’s companion, His Majesty will surely annul my engagement!”
“….”
Now it was making sense. He didn’t know who the prince was, but it seemed she had been pursuing the Hero, hoping to marry him to avoid her unwanted engagement. What a naive princess. Though she did have a nice figure.
Then, Billman whispered something urgently to the princess. He was probably telling her that Kerry was a commoner.
“What… What…? Someone so refined can’t be a commoner! Billman, you’re lying to me again. How… How…”
“Princess, I’m sorry, but I am indeed a commoner.”
Kerry’s confirmation was the final blow. The princess dramatically swayed, and Billman caught her. They were really putting on a show.
“Even as the Hero’s companion, His Majesty would never permit a marriage with a commoner. Sob… You’re so… perfect… Why are you a commoner?”
Sorry for being a commoner. This unreasonable world was truly baffling.
“But perhaps… there’s a chance. Could we, perhaps, beseech His Majesty for permission to marry?”
Since when did it become ‘our’ marriage?
Lina suddenly exclaimed,
“That’s not allowed!”
“What? Why is the Hero objecting? This is between Kerry and me… Oh! Are you two…?”
“Th-That’s not it…”
Lina’s face flushed crimson as she stammered out excuses. She launched into a lengthy explanation about Kerry being indispensable to the party. The Iron Wall Lina had been acting very suspicious lately.
The princess, her hopes of marriage dashed, began to weep. She must really hate her fiancé.
“…Has heaven truly forsaken me? Sob… sniff…”
Lina and Kerry waited patiently for the princess to compose herself. Only then could they address the matter at hand.
“Would it be alright to ask you about the Saint?”
Lina cautiously inquired. Kerry had assured her that if they could just arrange a meeting, he would bring the Saint to the party.
“….”
The princess appeared to contemplate before responding.
“Truthfully, I’m not particularly close to her. Even today, I’m only here at His Majesty’s behest. I’ve always had a strange feeling about her…”
She must have sensed the Saint’s facade. The Saint was probably putting on an act in front of the princess.
“However, if it is the Hero’s request, I shall grant it. Surely it is a righteous cause that will benefit the world? In the name of Elena, I shall assist you, Hero.”
The stage was perfectly set.
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Meanwhile, the Saint, unable to contain her rage, was tearing her room apart. Several days had passed, but her anger hadn’t subsided.
She hurled and smashed expensive artwork she had purchased to decorate her room, destroying the furniture as well. It was hard to find anything intact.
“Aaaaagh! The Hero! Kerry! Those bastards dared to ignore me! At my social gathering, no less!”
The maids trembled in the corner, witnessing the Saint’s mad rampage. They were bearing the brunt of her fury.
They desperately wanted to quit, but they knew the consequences that befell those who tried to escape the Saint’s service.
They huddled like trapped rabbits, trembling in fear.
“Ugh! I can’t let this go! Even if I chew those bastards to bits, it won’t be enough… Grrr.”
Then, a maid, maintaining as much composure as possible, approached the Saint.
“Saintess, Princess Beatrice is here to see you.”
“The Princess? Why has she come unannounced? Is she looking down on me, too?”
The enraged Saint was displeased even with the princess.
But she needed to calm down. It was best to maintain a good relationship with the princess.
“And, Saintess, the man from the social gathering, the one named… Kerry… is with her.”
“Ker…ry?”
The Saint suddenly threw a nearby vase.
“Eek!”
Crash!
The vase struck the maid squarely in the face. Sharp shards of glass cut her, leaving her face covered in blood. Even in this state, the maid pleaded for mercy. The Saint looked down at her, calmly thinking.
What was the relationship between the princess and Kerry? Why did they come together? How close were they?
Had he perhaps complained to the princess about the incident?
“….What are they up to?”
Then, another maid spoke.
“Kerry was carrying a gift box.”
“A gift box? A gift… a gift… Pfft. Fufufu! Now I understand. That man has come to grovel with a gift. Using the Hero’s companion title, and even bringing the princess along. Fufufu. The stupidity of commoners is truly laughable.”
As expected, a mere commoner couldn’t possibly ignore Elena’s representative. Even setting aside the Hero.
“Now, how shall I punish them?”
The Saint recalled Lina’s angry expression. It seemed to hold more than just camaraderie; there was a hint of personal feelings. Should she seduce Kerry and then discard him right in front of the Hero?
The thought of such sweet revenge lifted the Saint’s spirits.
“Very well. I’ll see them. In the meantime, clean up this mess.”
“Yes, Saintess.”
As the Saint passed the maids, she stopped and healed their injuries. She always did this when expecting important guests. While the commoner Kerry wasn’t a VIP, the princess certainly deserved such courtesy.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
The Saint walked down the hallway of her grand mansion, adorned with beautiful sculptures. She reached the guest room where the princess and Kerry were waiting and opened the door.
“Princess! To what do I owe this unexpected visit? I was under the impression you were returning to the Imperial Palace after your appointments today.”
The Saint spoke with a deceptively bright smile.
The princess bowed her head slightly and replied,
“My apologies, Saintess. That was the original plan, but I unexpectedly ran into Kerry. I hear there’s a matter you two wish to resolve.”
A matter to resolve? It seemed the princess was unaware of the details. Kerry must have smoothed things over to appease her.
“Was there such a matter between Kerry and me? I don’t recall… Instead of standing here, let’s enjoy some refreshments and talk. Kerry… It’s a pleasure. Come in.”
The Saint observed the box in Kerry’s hand. It wasn’t large, a luxurious-looking box he held with one hand. Jewelry, perhaps?
She wondered how much money a commoner could have, but as the Hero’s companion and an acquaintance of the princess, he might have prepared something decent.
‘Now that I look closely, this man… he seems to have quite the charm with women. A man capable of manipulating the Hero and the Princess to his will… He might be more useful than I thought.’
The Saint smiled at Kerry.
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