The saint, who thought he was alone, had companions. They were Imelen and Mihail, disguised as children in appropriate attire.

Feeling guilty, Dietrich remained awkwardly silent even after arriving at the reception room with them. Finally, Allen addressed him.

“I was surprised earlier. I never expected Baron Rotten would come to watch Noah’s match too. Is it because you’re his teacher?”

“Ha, haha. I was surprised too. Who would have thought someone like the Saint would be riding in such a plain carriage.”

“Flashy things draw attention. Both the children and I find it uncomfortable to attract stares… But are you suggesting your crude language was because of the plain carriage?”

Allen smiled sweetly.

Dietrich thought Saint Alensis was like spring sunshine—the kind that melts winter snow to create sticky mud, sunshine with quite the lingering sting.

“You seem to pursue freedom of expression, yet you chose to become Noah’s Imperial language teacher… Perhaps because of Lady Calliphe?”

“Well, that’s technically true.”

“…Oh, really? Why? Why because of Lady Calliphe?”

“Well, you see…”

As Allen’s smile grew increasingly intimidating, Dietrich screamed internally.

‘Where is that fish-poop kid?!’

To make matters worse, some pig-like creature beside the Saint was glaring at him.

“Eeeeek…”

‘That potato-pig. I noticed before that it’s not ordinary.’

On the treasure hunt day, he had witnessed how others, including the Saint, interacted with this animal.

‘Is it really the Holy Maiden?’

Why was it threateningly clicking its front teeth?

“No, Imelen.”

Allen stroked Imelen’s head.

“Despite appearances, he’s sort of Lady Calliphe’s retainer.”

“Grrrr.”

Dietrich’s ears perked up at this.

‘Imelen? That’s the missing Holy Maiden’s name. So she really is the Holy Maiden?’

Calliphe hadn’t explicitly revealed this secret, but she hadn’t hidden it either. The treasure hunt day was proof of that.

She probably didn’t mind if he knew. She trusted him to keep the secret.

‘Well, well, Calliphe. You’ve acknowledged me this much?’

Dietrich’s lips curled upward.

“Hah, really… I swear… Hah. Making people part of her group without permission. Well, well. Talented people sure know how to spot others.”

As he muttered to himself, with Mihail eyeing him suspiciously, the reception room door opened and Noah entered.

“Callip—”

“Fish poop!”

Dietrich jumped up and strode toward Noah.

“Hey, do you know how long I’ve been waiting? Why are you so late, huh?”

“…Why are you acting like this?”

“Never mind that. Here, drink this quickly first.”

Dietrich pulled out a foul-smelling tonic from the shopping bag.

“Do you know what this is? This is something people can’t get enough of! Just drink this before your match, and you’ll absolutely crush any opponent!”

“Let me check that.”

The tournament official who had been listening snatched the item.

“Items that affect a contestant’s condition, especially food and drinks, are prohibited. Where did you purchase this, and what exactly is it?”

“…It’s a good product I bought from… somewhere.”

“…Please come with us.”

Two more officials appeared and grabbed Dietrich by both arms.

“Huh? What’s this! Let go! I’m that kid’s teacher!”

When the officials looked at Noah questioningly, he quickly shook his head.

“I don’t know this man.”

“Fish poop, you…! Why am I just ‘this man’?! Saint! Help me!”

Allen smiled awkwardly.

“Ahaha… I’m sorry, but who are you…?”

“You filthy spring sunshine! A saint shouldn’t live like—”

Before Dietrich could commit blasphemy, Noah quickly closed the reception room door. His face was burning with embarrassment.

The previous commotion seemingly forgotten, Allen smiled cheerfully.

“I enjoyed watching your match, Noah. You really handle a sword well.”

“I watched too! We took classes together, but when did you get so strong?”

“Amazing!”

Mihail and Imelen spoke excitedly. The two children had enthusiastically waved handmade placards from the audience during Noah’s match.

Mihail grumbled.

“Secretly getting stronger on your own? That’s not fair. This makes me feel… what’s it called… relative deprivation?”

“Sorry, brother. But isn’t it ‘relative deprivation’?”

“…I was just testing you. Fine. I’ll forgive you if you spar with me often.”

When Mihail grinned, Noah relaxed and smiled broadly.

“By the way, that muscular maid sister couldn’t come. She said she’s busy with mansion work. But she sends her support. This card was made by her too.”

Mihail showed off the colorful placard.

“I see.”

Noah suddenly realized how many people were supporting him. The Saint, Mihail, the Holy Maiden, the Crown Princess, and even the maid sister. Even the bell pepper head.

‘They’re all cheering for me.’

There used to be no one around me.

When did everyone gather like this?

Noah felt a fullness rising from deep within his chest. He felt strength firmly entering his legs.

But the person whose support he wanted most wasn’t here.

“What about Lady Calliphe and the Duke? Aren’t they coming?”

“Ah, the Duke…”

Allen smiled awkwardly.

“He really wanted to come, but something urgent came up.”

“Urgent business? Did Lady Calliphe go with him?”

“No. But it’s truly, truly urgent.”

“…I understand.”

Noah nodded. His expression remained calm, but his shoulders, which had risen briefly with hope, subtly dropped.

Noticing this, Allen sympathetically patted Noah’s shoulder.

But since Duke Ortega had specifically asked not to tell Noah, Allen could only sigh silently.

‘Duke. Please return quickly.’

* * *

Meanwhile, in a rugged mountainous area away from the islands.

Someone was hunting magical beasts in this place where they frequently appeared.

Slash!

A hand extracting the core from a magical beast the moment it perished.

“This isn’t it either.”

It was Lynen.

Raul quickly caught the magical beast core that Lynen tossed and put it in a bag. They planned to deliver all of them to the Grand Temple later.

“My lord, couldn’t we just choose a suitable one and go?”

“No. I can’t be casual about something that concerns Calliphe and Noah’s safety.”

“But if we’re too late, it won’t matter anyway.”

Raul suddenly gritted his teeth.

“D*mn it, if only that quack pharmacist hadn’t fled last night, we could have saved time.”

The pharmacist who was supposed to make the neutralizing medicine had attempted to escape when he realized he couldn’t meet the deadline.

How did this lead to hunting magical beasts here…?

Lynen recalled the previous night.

* * *

“My lord. We’ve caught the pharmacist who tried to escape. What should we do?”

“Lock him up. He’s a criminal who distributed illegal drugs anyway.”

Lynen responded halfheartedly while busily scanning his notebook.

He hadn’t solely relied on the quack pharmacist from the beginning. He had prepared contingency plans for situations like this.

However, since both Calliphe and Noah’s safety were at stake, cross-verification was necessary.

Just then, his communication stone received a signal.

It was an emergency meeting Lynen had called, with only his closest retainers participating.

As soon as the communication connected, multiple voices poured in.

—My lord! What’s happening? Is it enemies? Have magical beasts appeared on the islands?

—The imperial family must have discovered Lumen’s missing heart. I’ll prepare troops for contingencies.

—Hmph, those Offensa people must be demanding excessive dowry without knowing their place! Isn’t that right, my lord?

“None of those.”

—Then what on earth…!?

All the retainers tensed. Had something even more serious than the previously mentioned issues occurred?

Amid everyone’s tension, Lynen quietly spoke.