One person rode with me in the carriage, while the other two followed on horseback. When we stayed somewhere, I would share a room with the night watchman, while the other two stayed in a separate room. The person who took the night watch would ride in the carriage the next day.
Two weeks into our journey, we finally arrived at our first destination.
“This is… pretty bad,” I muttered.
The area we saw in the “White Room” was almost completely black, a dark gray that bordered on pitch black. No matter how many times we cleansed this place, it would return to its corrupted state after some time. Most of the places we had to personally visit were in similarly dire condition.
As we entered the town, the people wore grim, shadowed expressions, and many of the shops along the main street were closed. A quick glance down a side street revealed a painfully thin figure, huddled up and curled in on themselves—too gaunt to even determine if they were male or female.
Corruption is born from the negative emotions of people—anger, sorrow, hatred, and suffering. Small amounts naturally dissipate over time, cleansed by the wind. But when left unchecked, it festers and stagnates.
Just like how a single raindrop can become a river that flows to the sea, stagnant corruption grows thicker as it spreads, eventually birthing magical beasts or even a Demon King.
“What happened here?” I asked.
“…The local lord was corrupt,” Veerant explained. “The previous Saint sensed the unrest and had the lord removed after a national investigation, but a poor harvest hit soon after. Many people died.”
“I see…”
I don’t know much about politics, but I can imagine that it’s not easy to restore a land once it’s fallen into disrepair. The village where I lived didn’t always have bountiful harvests. There were years when we were on the brink of starvation, but we managed to survive because they reduced the taxes during the bad years. I remember hearing that if they’d taken the usual amount, people might have starved.
“For now, let’s head to the church,” Veerant suggested.
I nodded, turning my gaze back to the scene outside. A town weighed down by corruption. I wondered what I could do here.
✢ ✢ ✢
The priest who greeted us at the church was an old man who resembled a withered tree. His thin arms were covered in deep wrinkles, and his eyes, which seemed to have seen all the world’s sorrows, were strikingly clear.
“Welcome, Saint,” he said.
“…We’re here under the Saint’s orders, as her direct knights. We’ll be staying here for a while,” Veerant quickly stepped forward, shielding me when I froze in surprise.
Oh, right. I should’ve thought of that. For a moment, I panicked, thinking he’d seen through me as the Saint.
Leaving the conversation to Veerant, I quietly surveyed the area. We were currently in the main sanctuary, with the orphanage and infirmary located on either side of the church. According to what Veerant had skillfully gathered from the priest, the orphanage was functioning well enough to offer soup kitchens, but the infirmary was severely understaffed. The patients there were too poor to afford doctors, suffering from illness and injuries with no one to care for them.
So, treating the people in the infirmary should be our first task. Luckily, I’d made plenty of healing potions. For the more severe cases, I could use healing magic in secret, while Veerant, Dirk, and Kahim could handle the rest of the treatments. Meanwhile, I’d locate the area with the thickest corruption and head there to cleanse it.
Cleansing, cleansing, and more cleansing—that’s all my life is now. But it’s something only I can do, so I’ll give it my all.
“So, do you mind handling the infirmary?” I asked.
“Please, wait!” Veerant interjected.
I knew it! Overprotective as always, Veerant… But even Dirk and Kahim were giving me the same look—faces that said, We absolutely won’t let you go alone. They were determined to follow me, no matter what.
But there was a reason I couldn’t back down this time. The corruption needed to be cleansed as quickly as possible, and more importantly, the area where the corruption was strongest would be extremely dangerous. There was no way I could bring them with me.
Places where corruption is thick are filled with magical beasts. You could say these areas are responsible for birthing such creatures. But corruption doesn’t just warp animals. History shows that, although rare, humans have also been turned into monsters, losing all sense of reason. I don’t want to see anyone suffer such a fate.
And of course, there’s also the possibility that the Demon King himself could be lurking there. He’s likely gathering power in areas thick with corruption, but where exactly he’s hiding is anyone’s guess. It could be this location, or it could be the last one we visit. Either way, we have to be cautious.
“The places I’m going are thick with corruption. They’re dangerous—people have been turned into demons, and magical beasts swarm these areas. The Demon King himself could be there. I can’t bring you along.”
“All the more reason we can’t leave your side,” Veerant insisted. “We’re your shield.”
“Do you think I could use you as a shield?” I countered. “If the enemy took you hostage, do you think I’d be able to abandon you?”
“That’s…”
Veerant faltered, his face twisting with distress. Seeing that pained expression, I almost wanted to give in. But not this time.
If the Demon King were there and took one of them hostage, I wouldn’t be able to do anything but give in to his demands. I’m not strong enough to protect them while fighting off a powerful enemy. If even one of them turned into a demon, we’d all be wiped out.
And then, it would be the end of this kingdom.
“…Isn’t there some way?” Veerant asked quietly.
“…”
“There is, isn’t there?”
Damn it. How did he figure it out?
There is a way, technically. A Saint can grant their protection, which allows someone to gain the power to stand against the Demon King. There’s even a recorded case of a hero defeating the Demon King after being blessed by a Saint.
It’s treated like a fairy tale these days, but I know it’s true. And I also know the inconvenient truth behind it.
…But there’s no way to weasel out of this now.
Veerant was practically glaring at me, his stubbornness all too familiar by now. He wouldn’t give up if there was even the slightest chance of finding a solution. And if I told him the method, he’d probably accept it without hesitation. Once that happened, there would be no turning back.
“I don’t want to say.”
“Why?”
“…We’re wasting time. Dirk, Kahim, go check the infirmary. Use as much of the healing potions as you need.”
“Yes.”
“Sure thing.”
Dirk and Kahim bowed to me before heading off with the potions in hand. Unlike Veerant, they were more agreeable… or so I thought.
But then I saw Veerant and Dirk exchange a glance—“Leave this to me,” “Got it.” Damn. They’re all in on this together. Do I have no allies?
“If you won’t give us permission, we’ll just follow you anyway,” Veerant said firmly. “But if there’s a way to accompany you without being a burden, please, won’t you tell us?”
“…That face of yours should be illegal,” I muttered.
How many times has Veerant made that face?
The last time was when I woke up from being unconscious, and then after taking the Demon King’s arrow. I can’t remember all the times, but I know it’s happened more than once.
He rarely shows any expression other than his calm smile, but the moment something happens to me, he looks like this—distressed, pained. His perfectly composed face twists with agony.
It’s not like I want to make him look like this.
…I guess I have no choice but to be honest. Maybe if I tell him, he’ll surprisingly give up.
With a deep sigh, I scratched my hair roughly. If I go bald, it’ll be Veerant’s fault. That’s what I’m telling myself.
“It’s true that the most corrupted areas are swarming with magical beasts. The Demon King might be there, too. And if ordinary people approach these areas recklessly, they risk becoming demons. If you follow me, it’ll only increase the danger for all of us.”
“Then what should we do?”
“…A Saint’s blessing grants the power to resist corruption. But the method is…”
Ugh. I really don’t want to say this.
I know I have to, but I really, really don’t want to!
With a heavy thud, I collapsed onto the sofa, covering my face as if rubbing my eyes. Then, with a sigh of resignation, I finally confessed.
“To give someone a blessing… I have to… sleep with them.”
2 extra releases in thanks to Beks’s Ko-Fi treats~
