The security of the inner sanctum where the Saintess resides is tight, as befits such a place, but it’s mainly focused on keeping intruders out. The temple knights in white uniforms patrol the outer perimeters, watching for anyone trying to get in. As for people leaving, they aren’t really watched that closely.
After all, the direct knights of the Saintess live in dorms right next to the inner sanctum. If they were constantly being stopped for checks, it’d make patrolling impossible.
In the unlikely event I’m stopped, I have the insignia proving my status as a direct knight. Normally, I wear it on the collar of my navy uniform, but I’ve brought it just in case. If I show it and say I have some discreet business, they shouldn’t stop me from leaving.
On the other hand, I must be careful of the direct knights in navy uniforms. They know that I’m the Saintess, and if they realise I’m sneaking out, I’ll be caught. If they ask why I’m wearing ragged clothes and trying to leave, I wouldn’t be able to come up with a good excuse. No way would they allow me to go on a journey alone. And if they insisted that I take someone with me, it’d be a disaster.
I have no intention of dragging Viirant or anyone else into my selfish decisions. So, I have no choice but to sneak out without getting caught.
I move carefully, avoiding the knights while recalling the patrol routes I had researched beforehand. Sneaking around like this has taken far more time than I anticipated, but it seems no one has noticed I’m gone yet.
As I finally reach the gate, I glance back at the inner sanctum one last time, burning the image into my memory. The elegant palace stands out, glowing white in the darkness. Even though I’ve lived here for less than a year due to my travels, it’s filled with so many memories.
I close my eyes tightly for a moment, then turn my back on the inner sanctum and walk through the gate. Now that I’ve come this far, I should be safe. I mean, anyone who looks at me now would see nothing but a scruffy old man. I wouldn’t need to make any effort to blend in with the common folk—unlike Viirant, who’d stand out no matter what.
I can’t help but crack a small smile at the thought, then ruffle my hair in frustration. I’m the one who ended things, but here I am, getting all sentimental.
…Well, I suppose I’ll keep thinking about Viirant for the rest of my life. There’s no way I could ever forget him.
But that’s life. Farewells are part of it.
I’ll carry these precious memories with me, holding them close to my heart.
Smirking bitterly, I lift my head and start walking down the path in front of the temple. The smooth stone pavement feels cool underfoot, even through my shoes. I tread quietly, careful not to make any sound, and eventually reach an open area.
Even without the moonlight, I can make out the stone pillars surrounding the area and the tall, white tower standing at the center. This was where I took the Demon King’s arrow—a memory that now feels almost nostalgic.
As I round the tower, recalling the statue gazing at the sky, I stop dead in my tracks. A figure stands just ahead, hidden in the tower’s shadow. The person is tall and well-built, their silhouette towering above me.
The moon is hidden behind clouds, so I can’t see their face.
But I don’t need to. I already know who it is, and I stand there, blinking in shock.
The pounding of my heart fills my ears, loud and frantic.
“Why… are you here…?”
“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice the determination in your eyes?”
A gust of wind blows, scattering the clouds, and the moonlight reveals the figure—Viirant.
He’s dressed like a commoner, though a slightly better-dressed one, and beside him is a large horse, saddled for two riders. With one hand extended toward me, he stands there, waiting.
――Why is he dressed like that?
I’d been worried about getting caught. I thought if I were found, they’d drag me back and forbid me from leaving, or at the very least, demand that I take someone with me.
That’s why I snuck out, trying to avoid involving anyone else.
If they did catch me, I was ready to argue my case, and if that didn’t work, I was prepared to use force and leave, never to return.
Yet, here Viirant is, dressed for travel and waiting for me. His horse is fitted with a saddle for two, with supplies strapped to both sides. And at his waist is not the standard temple knight’s sword, but the holy sword I made for him.
…He normally avoids using it because it’s too powerful for combat between humans.
But here he is, completely prepared.
“I told you, didn’t I? My Saintess is you and only you.”
He furrows his brows, glaring as he whispers, but his eyes are filled with anxiety.
This man, taller than me by a full head, with a body anyone would admire, this noble knight among knights, stares at me with those worried eyes.
…I have so many questions.
How long has he known?
Why is he here, ready for a journey?
Why isn’t he dragging me back?
And is it really okay for him to follow me, even though it means giving up his knighthood?
Viirant has such a bright future ahead of him—can he really afford to throw that all away for me?
How can he choose me, knowing what he’s giving up?
But before I can ask any of those questions, they disappear from my mind.
The look in Viirant’s eyes and his simple words seem to answer everything.
His anxious, trembling gaze, as if clinging to me for reassurance.
The large hand he extends toward me, shaking in fear of our parting.
――He really is a troublesome guy.
In a country full of better men, why does he choose someone like me, a scruffy, difficult old man?
He would be better off staying a knight, yet he chooses to come with me.
Even though I let go to avoid dragging him into my selfishness, why does he come back, catching me once again?
“I give up…”
I really do.
Love, romance… these things are just too complicated for an old man like me.
After all that time spent thinking and planning, after all the preparations I made, a single word from Viirant shakes my resolve.
I know I should push him away, but I want to take his hand.
And now that I’ve realized how happy it makes me, I can’t bring myself to lie.
All that’s left is to wave the white flag and surrender.
“…Will you come with me?”
I take his outstretched hand and ask, and Viirant’s lips curl into a smile.
With a voice as soft as melted honey, he whispers, “Anywhere,” his face lighting up with a shy grin.
Then, he pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly, keeping me locked in his embrace.
The same strong arms, the same sturdy body.
As I feel the familiar warmth envelop me, my chest trembles with emotion, and I wrap my arms around his back.
In the stillness of the night, the sound of our heartbeats seems to echo, as if celebrating the beginning of our new journey.
The End.
