“By any chance, where did you get this object?”

“Well…”

Thinking there was no need to mention Bertel specifically, I mumbled my words.

“Somehow, by chance…”

Hearing my response, Artia let out a small sigh and explained.

“This is a holy relic. It has the power to seal magic.”

“Then could it be that my friend’s mana isn’t returning because this is broken?”

“That could be the case.”

What should I do? Does this mean Spinel’s mana won’t return as it is?

“If it’s alright with you, could I take this object? I’ll look into whether there’s a way to fix it. Even if not, I might be able to find a way to restore your friend’s magic.”

“Really?”

Artia nodded with a smile at my words.

I’m glad I brought it after all.

“Then, please do.”

“Yes.”

Artia’s attitude towards me was much more friendly than before. Could I think we’ve become a bit closer?

“Um, Saintess.”

“Yes?”

“Is there anything difficult for you while staying in the Empire? Like someone bothering you…”

“Why so suddenly…”

Artia tilted her head and asked, surprised by my sudden question.

“If you ever have any troubles or need help, please tell me anytime. I’ll help you.”

I held both of Artia’s hands tightly as I spoke. Of course, I would help even if she didn’t ask, but the opponent was Klaus.

So her will was also important if she wanted to escape from his grasp.

“Thank you for your words, Lady. But I’m doing well these days.”

She answered while pulling her hands away from mine, seemingly uncomfortable with my touch.

“Ah, what I mean is…”

“Then I’ll be going now. Take care on your way back.”

Feeling that my intention wasn’t conveyed well, I tried to quickly grab Artia, but she hurried away saying she had a schedule and was sorry.

In the end, the method to recover Spinel’s magic was still a mystery, and the words I intended for Artia to hear ended up being just lip service like ‘let’s meet again.’

Should I have said more clearly that I would help her escape from Klaus?

But there were too many ears listening around.

“Now, it’s time for you to leave, Miss.”

The priest who had let me in urged me, sweating profusely.

“Can’t I wait until she comes out again?”

“You promised me. That you’d meet briefly and return.”

“But I haven’t said everything I wanted to say yet.”

“Please, I beg you. If they find out an outsider is inside, I’ll be scolded by the Pope.”

The priest who had let me in pleaded with a voice that seemed on the verge of tears.

Well, I didn’t know when Artia would come out again, and Spinel and Lucas were waiting outside, so I couldn’t stay long anyway.

Seeing the priest’s tearful face, I decided to call it a day and went outside.

Outside the temple was still crowded with people. They were all gathered to see Artia.

It was a good thing I came out through the side door to avoid their gaze.

If I had walked down the stairs at the main entrance, I would have received the attention of the entire crowd.

“No entry allowed. Please maintain order. You can’t come in any further.”

The priests at the bottom of the stairs shouted, blocking people’s entry. It looked like fans rushing to see a celebrity and security guards stopping them.

Though the reality was a bit different.

“What’s the big deal about the Saintess that they’re blocking us like this?”

“Exactly. I heard she’s just a prisoner from a vassal state, what’s the harm in showing her face?”

“We came all this way for nothing.”

While some people came out of simple curiosity, others expressed unnecessary anger about how a prisoner from a vassal state could set foot in the Empire’s temple, and some even hurled colorful insults saying it served them right for raising the toll.

It was unfortunate that Artia had to endure such criticism when she wasn’t the one who started the war.

As I was eavesdropping on their conversations, slightly apart from the crowd, suddenly a scream was heard and people started parting like the Red Sea.

At the end of it, there was an unfamiliar man running with a dagger in his hand.

Somehow, it seemed like he was running in my direction.

“Enemy of our Leader! Die!”

Yes, he was definitely coming for me.

Judging by his words about the enemy of the leader, he seemed to be a remaining member of the Bertel Church.

They really showed a terrible vitality like cockroaches, never tiring.

I knew this would happen, so I came fully prepared today.

I confidently displayed the artifact on my wrist and started to chant a spell.

“Fire…!”

“Ugh…”

“…Huh?”

However, before I could finish the spell, the man rushing towards me collapsed.

And behind him stood someone I never wanted to encounter.

“It’s been a while, Lady Rischefeld.”

“Y-Your Majesty.”

I hurriedly bowed and greeted him. The people around also prostrated themselves before the Emperor.

“It’s alright, raise your head. I didn’t come to receive greetings.”

There was a hint of playfulness in his voice as he said that.

“That was quite dangerous. Do you have many enemies?”

“I’ve been told I have bad luck.”

“…Is that so? From what I see, you seem quite lucky.”

Well. If I were lucky, I wouldn’t have met you.

“Wasn’t it lucky that I happened to be passing by?”

“Y-Yes. Thank you very much for saving my life.”

Though it was help I never wanted. Especially not from Klaus.

“I originally came because I was curious about Artia, but…”

Klaus looked down at me with his blue eyes sparkling.

“It seems I’m worried about you, so I’ll escort you back to the Duke’s mansion.”

“I appreciate your words, but I have my companions over there and the carriage I came in…”

Klaus smiled and said to my excuses,

“If I just send you back like this and something happens, I won’t be able to face the Duke. So don’t refuse my kindness.”

Anyone watching would think he’s an extremely benevolent Emperor.

However, in contrast to that benevolent appearance, the sight of him wiping blood off his sword with a cloth felt quite dissonant.

I saw the man barely breathing, collapsed on the ground. Thinking that might be my future, I nodded.

“A-Alright then.”

***

Lucas and Spinel were to follow in the Duke’s carriage.

Which meant I was now trapped alone with the Emperor in a small carriage.

I deeply regretted not buying a teleportation spell when I went to buy artifacts earlier.

“I heard you went through a big ordeal recently, are you alright now?”

“Yes. Fortunately, the injuries weren’t severe, so treatment was quick. Thank you for your concern.”

“Well, if we’re talking about who’s concerned, it wasn’t me but the Duke who was worried. He even postponed important meetings and didn’t show up. It’s the first time I’ve seen my Duke act like that.”

Was he trying to appeal to me that he was in a bad mood because of this? How should I respond? Every word felt precarious, it’s like walking on thin ice.

“It seems the Duke cares for you a lot.”

“Hahaha.”

I nodded in agreement to his words.

“It would have been such a pity if you had died. The Duke would have been very heartbroken.”

“Y-Yes. Fortunately, God must have helped.”

“Yes, it seems God helped. I’m glad too that you returned alive.”

As he said this, Klaus’s eyes wrinkled. Why did I feel so uneasy every time he smiled? My heart was pounding.

As we continued such ordinary conversation, the carriage was gradually approaching the ducal mansion.

And I looked at the mansion with the detachment of someone facing death.

There was a tiger in front of me, and a lion inside the house. It was hard to say which was better.

Moreover, I had promised Ilion I’d come home right after eating cake. It would only take a moment for my lie to be exposed.

The carriage crossed the garden and arrived in front of the mansion, where Sebastian was waiting to greet us.

“Well then, take care going in.”

Klaus said as he helped me out of the carriage.

“…Aren’t you going to see the Duke?”

“I don’t want to interfere unnecessarily.”

Really? I’d be grateful if you did that.

I was worried about getting caught between the two of them, but it felt like I could breathe easier now.

“Then, see you next time.”

Saying that, Klaus left a brief kiss on the back of my hand before leaving.

“……”

Watching the carriage disappear in the distance, I shuddered. Ugh, it gives me goosebumps.

Rubbing the back of my hand vigorously against my dress, I turned my head.

“I didn’t expect His Majesty to escort you back, did you meet him when you went to town?”

“…Yes. Somehow.”

“Did anything happen?”

It seemed pointless to hide it since Lucas would find out later anyway. In that case, it was better to take the initiative and tell them myself.

“I was attacked by someone from the Bertel Church.”

“What?”

“His Majesty happened to save me.”

I quickly added, worried they might be concerned.

“Oh my. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Sebastian asked, examining me.

“I’m fine. More importantly, can I go in and rest first?”

Just that short time riding in the same carriage with Klaus had drained all my mental energy.

As I moved my tired feet to climb the stairs, Sebastian looked at me with a troubled expression.

“…What is it?”

“Well, the Duke said to bring you to his office when you arrive…”

“……”

There’s no way to just let it slide, is there?

Sigh…