Chapter 47

After Iomenes’ matter came to an end, I left the palace and immediately went to see Erpa.

It’s the first time I’ve managed to visit her since the incident with the Piece of the Evil God, what with all the investigations and the reporters chasing me around.

“Witch Erpa and…”

“Right this way, please!!”

Since I blew up the Piece of the Evil God right in front of everyone at the palace last time, the way everyone looks at me has definitely changed.

I arrived at the door of Erpa’s lab in no time at all.

“Erpa? It’s me, Amael.”

I knocked gently twice, and after a short sound of something crashing inside, the door slightly opened.

“Uh…please come in.”

Apparently, she had been hastily tidying up the room; her hair was somewhat messy as she greeted me. I greeted her with a gentle smile.

“I’m sorry for visiting so late. There have been so many things…”

Truthfully, if it weren’t for the limousine given to me by His Majesty the Emperor today, I wouldn’t have been able to make it here; the crowds would have made it impossible to take even a single step.

At my explanation, Erpa fully opened the door and gestured for me to come in. I stepped into her lab.

Now that I think about it, this might be my first time entering Erpa’s lab.

“Um…why are you here…”

“I’m asking quite late, but…were you hurt anywhere?”

At my question, Erpa shook her head.

Her four hands, seemingly lost without knowing where to go, wandered about.

She must be quite shy.

“It’s fortunate that you’re not hurt. I’ve heard that curses can cause serious harm. You must stay healthy.”

“Of course! I don’t do things that would harm me. I’m fine. Rather, Saint, you were truly amazing. You returned unharmed even from the source of the curse…”

“Haha. It wasn’t that great.”

“…”

The conversation trailed off.

Erpa was twirling her hair while I felt an unsettling sadness, unable to bring up any more words.

She’s beautiful.

Though some might say her four arms make her look a bit strange, I find her incredibly adorable.

If it were up to me, I’d want to immediately make things official with her.

But I have to suppress my feelings for her sake, not mine.

I truly wish for Erpa’s happiness.

I don’t want her to crumble alongside me, as someone destined for ruin like me.

I pushed down my emotions with all my might.

Unbeknownst to me, the funds are secured now.

The only things left are finding ways to deal with the Tracing Miracle and to enhance my Time Stop ability.

I came to the Mage Tower to learn how to use the Time Stop more efficiently.

“Actually, Erpa, I’m looking for a specialist in time magic. Do you happen to know if there’s any wizard specializing in such at the Mars Mage Tower branch?”

At my words, there was a flicker of slight disappointment on Erpa’s face.

“Master Jurgen of the Mage Tower is an expert in time magic. He rose to the position of Tower Master after publishing papers on the subject. If Saint wishes to meet him, Master Jurgen surely won’t refuse.”

“Thank you, Erpa. Then I’ll go and visit Master Jurgen.”

“Saint! Wait!”

Erpa grabbed my hand.

“Um… has anything happened with Princess Iomenes?”

So she was pondering that, huh.

I shook my head.

Princess Iomenes might have some feelings for me, but considering her current mental age, it’s less of a romantic liking and more of someone trustworthy.

Even if the princess has feelings for me, I do not want to cultivate a romantic relationship with her.

As heart-wrenching as it is with Erpa, I definitely don’t want to add more women into this mix.

“It’s nothing serious. I was just taking care of the princess who was emotionally unstable. That’s all.”

Erpa looked at me, seeming to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Oh, I see. Sorry for asking such an odd question.”

And there she was, smiling brightly despite blushing.

And yet I have to leave such a girl behind very soon.

“Erpa, whether I’m around or not, please live for yourself always. You must stay strong and happy.”

“Of course I will!”

I nodded.

Erpa approached me, took my face in her hands, and kissed me lightly.

It made me feel even sadder.

“See you soon, Saint!”

I forced a smile, suppressing the sorrow as much as possible.

***

“Saint, it’s been a while since we last met at the Heresy Tribunal, eh? Haha!”

Master Jurgen of the Mage Tower looked no different from the last time I met him at the Tribunal of the Divine: a stout figure with long, white beards. He looked exactly like a stereotypical wizard.

Though there was no real need for me to visit him, he was already waiting for me as soon as I left Erpa’s lab.

“I didn’t expect that Saint would be interested in seeing me! Perhaps you’re seeking magical counsel related to the princess’s treatment?”

“No, I would like to consult you regarding time magic.”

At this, Master Jurgen burst into laughter.

“Haha! Time magic indeed? Yes, it’s my specialty, but I certainly didn’t expect Saint of all people to ask about time magic.”

Certainly, there doesn’t seem to be any connection between the Saint and time magic.

But I am the Saint, after all.

“I need it for something.”

With that statement, almost anything can be shrugged off.

True to form, Master Jurgen smiled and nodded.

“Well then, I must inform you! What aspect of time magic would you like to know about?”

Finally!

I cautiously posed my first question.

“Doesn’t using time magic consume a tremendous amount of mental energy?”

“You’re quite knowledgeable, aren’t you? Yes, it’s true. The consumption of mana is standard, but time magic is notorious for its enormous mental strain. Therefore, many techniques involve stopping time within a limited space. It’s more often used for experiments rather than practical combat.”

“I see. So how do wizards cope with the tremendous mental strain when using time magic? Is there any special training or method?”

Master Jurgen shook his head.

“Time is inherently too complex for the human mind to grasp. Thus, instead of mental training, we rely heavily on artifacts or items that reduce mental fatigue.”

That sounds promising…

“What kind of items are used?”

“Primarily Psychic Amplifiers powered by mana crystals.”

“Are there any that are portable by individuals?”

“Impossible. They’re experimental devices with all portability features removed, so they are extremely large.”

Damn.

So it’s something I can’t use, huh?

What am I supposed to do about this…?

Just as I felt like sighing,

“Of course, there are pocket-sized Psychic Amplifiers that individuals can carry.”

Master Jurgen said something intriguing.

“What kinds of items are those?”

“The unicorn horn is the most powerful Psychic Amplifier known. With it, a portable Psychic Amplifier could be created.”

A unicorn horn??

Not exactly something you find lying around on the street.

“Is there any way to obtain such a horn?”

“Unicorns are incredibly dangerous creatures. They use their horn’s potent Psychic Amplifiers to manipulate the mind as easily as breathing, making them hard for even trained wizards or hunters to capture. Because of this, there’s very little supply in the market.”

Ah….

So there’s no way to obtain one?

“Therefore, even though we do not have many, do we really need a horn at all? There’s already a personal Psychic Amplifier available. If you’d like, I’d be happy to give it to you.”

At that statement, my eyes lit up.

“Really, is that all right?”

“Of course. I heard that you’ve been providing us wizards and witches with free elixirs and increased funding for more comfortable research. Moreover, it would be an honor to help someone who’s saved the empire. Surely, it would be more useful in Saint’s hands than in mine as an old man.”

Master Jurgen pulled out a rocket-shaped pendant from a drawer and showed it to me.

“I made this during my early research. It has been sitting in storage as a keepsake. It will require some adjustments and fine-tuning to be functional, which might take about a week. After that, I’ll hand it over.”

A savior! Truly, a savior!

“Thank you, Master Jurgen.”

“Don’t mention it. If you would allow me, could I occasionally visit the temple to study the Saint’s healing activities? I’d love to interpret your miracles from a magical standpoint.”

I’ll be disappearing soon anyway.

Before that, I should let him do as he pleases.

Besides, he has given such a valuable gift.

“Of course. Feel free to come whenever you like.”

“Thank you.”

With that, I left the Mage Tower.

I returned to the Mage Temple in the Emperor’s limousine, where the palace knights, court mages, and White Church clerics and knights were all gathered inside.

And at the center stood the members of the Imperial family.

“You’ve arrived already?”

As I approached, Iomenes sprang out of the Empress’s arms, bouncing toward me and hugging me tightly.

“Glad! So glad!”

Yes, yes.

My little cat-like girl.

I patted Iomenes’ head as His Majesty the Emperor watched us warmly.

“Iomenes is eager to meet Saint as soon as possible, so we have come early. For the next two days, please take good care of her.”

“Of course. I’ll assist the princess as much as possible until the treatment.”

The Empress approached me, carefully holding my hand.

“Thank you so much, Saint. More than words can express…”

“Don’t mention it, Your Majesty. You don’t need to lower yourself so.”

However, the Empress, the Emperor, and Princess Almenes showered me with endless gratitude until they finally left.

Only then were Erpa and I finally alone.

Iomenes clung to me like a cat and purred happily.

“Glad! So glad!”

I patted her head as she rubbed her face against my body.

“Together? Together we sleep?”

“No, we can’t sleep together.”

“Because we’re not married?”

Her childish question made me smile.

I took her to my room.

The White Church knights and palace guards, responsible for her protection, discreetly moved outside to stand guard.

When only the two of us were left, I offered her some snacks and pastries, but she ignored them entirely.

“Together sleep! Together sleep! Marry! Marry!”

Seeing her tantrum, I shook my head gloomily.

Given her child-like mental age, I guess something honest slipped out from me.

“Staying near me may hurt you, Iomenes.”

“It won’t hurt. I’ve healed.”

“For now, sure. But later…you’ll end up getting hurt. Iomenes, once the treatment is complete, you shouldn’t rely on me anymore. You must live an impressive and vibrant life on your own. Understand?”

“No! No! I like Saint! I like! Marry! Marry!”

She lunged at me, tightly embracing me. Watching her, profound sadness welled up inside me.

“I’m sorry, Iomenes. I’m so sorry.”

Why are all these women around me who I care so deeply for unable to find happiness with me?

Why must I leave?

I want to be happy with Erpa.

Truly, I wish to live an ordinary life here as a Saint.

But that’s impossible.

I must leave so that those who love me do not suffer instead.

“I’m sorry, Iomenes.”

Against my will, I felt my emotions surge and began crying.

Seeing my tears, Iomenes seemed startled.

“Don’t cry. Don’t cry.”

In confusion, she hugged me back.

Her childlike innocence made me cry even more.

Today, more than ever,

The Goddess feels especially cruel and hateful.