OMS Chapter 39

Let me tell you just a little about what happened after that.

As we slowly made our way back to the royal capital in the carriage, we stopped by Rittner Village, where Lena lived. Kahim had practically abducted her, and her father was still in the village. While Lena had decided to come to the temple, there was no guarantee her father would agree to it.

I was worried that he might not want to send his 12-year-old daughter off to the temple. But to my surprise, Lena’s father readily agreed and quickly decided to accompany her to the temple.

I was impressed by his decisiveness, especially since he was younger than me. Apparently, the teachings of the church had a strong influence. Rittner Village had a small church with a priest. Unlike me, who barely knew anything about the Saintess, Lena’s father saw it as natural that a Saintess would go to the temple.

The devotion to the Saintess in this country is truly remarkable. I couldn’t help but be amazed by it, realizing once again how strange it was that I still hadn’t fully adjusted to my own role.

So, Lena came to the temple, but her public debut was postponed for a while. It had only been a little over a year since the current Saintess, Emillia, was introduced, and Lena was still very young. While circumstances forced her to take on the role of Saintess early because of me, I hoped she could live freely, at least until she was 15, or better yet, 20.

By that time, the effects of the purification would be more visible, and her debut would likely be an even more lively event than Emillia’s. I could already picture the people, eyes shining, gazing up at the young and beautiful Saintesses dressed in pure white ceremonial attire.

The excitement of the crowd seemed easy to imagine.

To my surprise, Emillia and Lena became fast friends. Emillia was naturally good at taking care of others, and Lena, being a friendly girl who even warmed up to a strange old man like me, quickly bonded with her. While those around them were nervous, wondering how their relationship would develop, the two got along so well it was almost anticlimactic.

Lena, who had always wanted an older sister, and Emillia, who had wanted a younger one, now spent their days together like real siblings. On sunny days, they’d enjoy tea together in the inner courtyard of the temple, creating a heartwarming sight.

With the two of them so close, I felt reassured that they would get along as two Saintesses even after I was gone.

✢

In the dead of night, when everyone was asleep, I quietly got up and began changing my clothes without making a sound. Instead of the usual navy knight’s uniform, I put on the ragged clothes I used to wear in the village. They weren’t tailored to my body, so they were a bit big on me. …Maybe I’ve lost some weight again.

My stomach was already small from the hard life I used to live, and after being bedridden for so long, I found myself eating even less.

I tied the waistband tightly so my pants wouldn’t slip and grabbed the bag I’d prepared. Inside were a few changes of clothes and a small amount of money I had saved from the village. I borrowed a bow and some arrows, which I felt a little guilty about.

Since I planned to keep my identity hidden during this journey, I couldn’t rely on the power of the Saintess. My training in other types of magic was still lacking. To protect myself during the trip, the bow and arrows were essential.

Once I was ready, I moved to the writing desk and took out four letters from the drawer. The letters were addressed to Emillia, Lena, the knights, and Viirant.

The contents were mostly the same: I was going on a journey, and I planned to return for Lena’s public debut. There were also some other practical details. Only Viirant’s letter had a personal message of farewell and thanks.

The purification of this country was mostly complete. The White Room had regained its whiteness, and it would likely be fine for several years without any additional purification. I had asked Lena to keep an eye on things, and if anything went wrong, she would be able to handle it.

I had also produced large quantities of healing potions and magical iron ore, both of which had been incredibly effective in fighting the magical beasts, by using a massive amount of holy power. I even prepared a ton of healing potions in large barrels. When I requested storage space for the barrels, people were surprised, but they accepted it as precautionary.

I was grateful that no one suspected anything, thanks to the preparations I’d made during the fight with the Demon King. It felt a bit dishonest, but at least now I could leave with a clear conscience.

――Viirant is going to be furious, isn’t he?

If I had told Viirant about this trip, he would have insisted on coming with me.

But this journey was completely different from the one we took before.

This time, I was heading outside the country.

I planned to purify regions suffering from magical beast attacks in other countries, going wherever I was needed. Some of these nations didn’t have good relations with ours, so it wasn’t the kind of trip I could take openly.

It wasn’t impossible for me to go, given that there was some level of cultural exchange between the nations. But for a knight, especially the hero of our country, visiting such places would be nearly impossible.

Viirant could have come as an ordinary person, abandoning his knightly rank and heroic fame. But I could never ask him to do that.

Viirant is a knight.

He comes from a distinguished family that has produced generations of knights who served directly under the Saintess. He once said he had no attachment to the title of First Knight, but giving up his status as a knight was another matter entirely.

Even after becoming the hero, Viirant remained a knight at heart. It was clear from how he carried himself that he took pride in being a knight.

I couldn’t ask someone like Viirant to choose between me and his knighthood.

So, I would go alone.

Without a horse, I wasn’t sure how far I’d get or how smoothly things would go. I might even collapse halfway.

But if I borrowed the Demon King’s words, this is my fate.

As long as I possess the unparalleled power of the Saintess, I want to use it to the fullest.

Not just to purify this country, but to help all people who live in fear of magical beasts, so they can live peacefully.

I don’t know how much I can accomplish, but I’ll do whatever I can, without hesitation.

“…Goodbye, Viirant.”

It felt both long and short at the same time.

Those days had been far more intense and precious than anything in my previous 42 years of life.

I still had the lingering thought that I wished these days could go on forever, but I knew it was time to move on.

Someone as handsome as Viirant, who draws attention just by walking through town, will surely meet many good people in the future.

He’ll find someone kind and sweet who can support him as a knight.

I can’t ask him to wait for me, someone who doesn’t even know when—or if—I’ll return.

I can’t ask him to follow me on a journey that has no clear end.

So, this is goodbye.

Tracing the name I’d written for Viirant with my fingertip, I picked up my bag and headed toward the window.

It was a dark, moonless night—perfect for slipping out of the temple unnoticed.