Chapter 90

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 31, 2025

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“It’s finally a day off from training!”

Since the church considered me a strong Saint Candidate and I was doing some hands-on training with Ria, they kind of let us roam outside a bit, but that didn’t mean we could do whatever we wanted.

When we weren’t doing anything, we naturally participated in the church’s activities. If there were events, we would join in, and on regular days, we tackled everyday chores like cleaning.

The church was unusually quiet during those times. People would swarm in during worship, but fundamentally, a convent isn’t a place buzzing with folks.

With a broom in hand, I could only hear the soft sound of sweeping across the floor.

This weekend, there were no classes at the Hunter Association. Ria and I were busy cleaning the back garden of the convent with our brooms.

But it wasn’t just Ria who was around me. Naturally, other nuns were also cleaning. Among them, there were even a couple of non-nuns mixed in.

Glaria was also spending time at the church. Though she wasn’t a nun, she wore a nun’s habit indoors and had a veil over her head. Maybe she learned it wrong or something, because she was just throwing her veil on top of her head like Ria.

Beside her was a Hani in proper nun attire, complete with a well-done veil. Her hair was tucked neatly inside a white hood, with the black fabric on the outside covering every strand.

Maybe there are similar rules in the Elf Kingdom too? Well, they have a religion similar to ours over there, worshipping the higher beings. Just like Gnomes and Dwarves do.

The place was filled, and everyone was moving their brooms, but there wasn’t much chatter going on.

If someone opened their mouth, I’m sure everyone around would hear it.

“Ah, by the way.”

That’s when I thought this was the right opportunity.

It was early July. The timing was just right. Thinking about the events in the main story, especially.

“Huh?”

Though others didn’t seem to react, Ria, who had been moving her arms mechanically with a dazed look, sprang to attention.

She was in that state of mind where she’d ignore everything unless there was something to distract her—it was kind of funny.

“Looks like the Princess of the Dwarf Kingdom is about to get kidnapped.”

The sound of brooms sweeping the floor came to an abrupt halt.

“…….”

All eyes turned toward me.

“……Uh, I mean……what?”

Ria seemed to be doubting her ears as she asked again.

“The Princess of the Dwarf Kingdom is getting kidnapped.”

At least that’s how it went in the novel.

Thanks to that, the relationship between Gnomes and Dwarves plummeted into the depths, nearly sparking another war.

In reality, there had been military clashes with plenty of casualties.

And amidst all that, the issue of the Magic Surge happened, leading the Gnomes to suddenly lose their livelihood and become refugees, entrusting the entire tribe to that nation.

The reason I referred to them as ‘Gnomes’ is that the number of survivors from the Dwarven side wasn’t properly estimated. Saying ‘not estimated’ is a gentle way to phrase it; in reality, the Dwarves in that region were wiped out.

Just like Gnomes dug into the mountains to escape the scorching sun, the Dwarves living in high altitudes dug into the mountains to escape the cold.

The incident in that region resulted in the entire Dwarf Kingdom being buried. Not with soil, but with a surging wave of magic, engulfing their civilization entirely.

The only survivors in this world were a handful of Dwarves present at the time. Even then, they were all male politicians, far from sufficient to continue their race. The Dwarf Kingdom was essentially doomed.

……Later, the Dwarven undead would invade through the Gate.

“Um, has she already been kidnapped or something? I haven’t heard any news on that.”

Ria said that with a serious face.

“That’s a relief. At least it means we can take precautions before the Princess gets kidnapped.”

Just as the contaminated lakes in Gnome territory washed over Gnome lands, the kidnapping of the Dwarf Princess would surely be the cause of that situation.

The Dwarven undead’s activities ceased in the depths, where the kidnapped princess was located.

Only after the Saintess broke the magic circle entangled with that princess—using her Saint Power, which ripped the undead to pieces—did the ones, who had been moving even while their bodies were in tatters, finally stop.

That……isn’t this tragic?

We need to stop it before it happens.

At the very least, thanks to ensuring the Gnome territory was purified beforehand, it should be much easier now.

“……”

Ria looked up, staring at the sky.

The weather at the beginning of July still looked dazzlingly clear. The rainy season hadn’t arrived yet.

“Yes.”

As Ria quietly gazed up at the blazing sun, she soon lowered her head to look at me.

“No……”

Ria mumbled.

Then, she raised her voice a bit.

“No, if you’re going to talk about prophecies, at least set the mood first. Don’t just drop it like casual chit-chat!”

Glaria and that Hani were staring at me with their mouths agape.

Breaking through the pouring sunshine, the light bestowed by the higher being wrapped around us.

As if to guarantee my words.

The nuns surrounding us hurriedly fled as if in panic.

Ria waved her hand in front of my face, dispelling that Saint Power.

……Hmm.

Did I bring it up a bit too suddenly?

No, but then how was I supposed to start this conversation?

**

There was a reason I purposely brought this up in a place where Glaria could hear.

It would be helpful to gain the heartfelt cooperation of someone who could use magic.

Yuri of course was a good girl and had great skills. But fundamentally, she prioritized Lee Si-yoon’s well-being above all.

Lee Si-yoon had ‘awakened’ after eating the chocolate infused with my power last time.

I wasn’t sure if he had that talent from the start or if his faith was just that pure and deep. If the condition for awakening was receiving my power, he should’ve already awakened by the time he was treated by me.

Well, I decided to figure that out later, but for now, I was a bit on edge thanks to Lee Si-yoon, who had suddenly become the center of attention.

‘He was someone who only liked me……!’ It seemed like he was under that kind of delusion.

Well, getting those two together was one of my goals, though.

But still, this time, I couldn’t let them stay behind. Both of them had done quite a bit during our last outing, so I could easily see them being included in the party.

I thought it best to place them in suitable locations. It would be nice to put them in areas primarily for protecting civilians. Just shower them with gems and chocolates brimming with Saint Power made by the Gnomes.

On the other hand, I hoped Glaria would come with us.

“The power to open a Gate?”

Ria made a strange face.

“Yes, maybe. Only a possibility, though.”

Is it even possible for a Gate to be opened by human power?

Oh, of course, it’s not something common. ‘Normally,’ it’s impossible. It was portrayed that way in my novel too.

A large-scale natural phenomenon that cannot be understood. A disaster that cannot be controlled by humans. Like a tornado forming in a plain.

However, the Dwarf Kingdom’s princess managed to do that.

It wasn’t her own power—but rather, fused with the Magic Surge, against her will.

In this nation, there isn’t a Gate directly leading to the Dwarf Kingdom. In the first place, when the Gnome refugees crossed over, the Gate to their territory was closed from this side already.

But the invasion of the Dwarf undead occurred through a Gate. Just like it did in the very early stages when the Gate incident happened.

In the original work, there was no description of the Dwarf princess creating such a thing. It merely depicted that the Dwarven undead were being controlled by the Magic Surge.

But thinking it over now, I suspect that Gate was—most likely created by the princess.

At the very least, the princess’s power would have been necessary.

“I think it’s worth investigating. What do you think?”

At my earnest question, Ria stared at me for a while before letting out a heavy sigh.

“Well, whether there’s a possibility or not, you were always thinking of saving the princess from the start, weren’t you? And the Dwarves too.”

“…….”

“Do I not know you? I mean, it’s not like we’ve known each other all our lives or anything, but you’re still the easiest person for me to read among those I’ve met.”

“That’s not a compliment, is it?”

When I asked with a frown, Ria stared at me once more.

“Why not?”

At my question, Ria let out a giggle.

Then she placed her hand on my head and said,

“No, it’s a compliment.”

“……What kind of compliment is that?”

“It’s a real compliment. At least it means you would never just watch someone in danger without helping.”

“…….”

What am I supposed to say to that?

When I looked at Ria with a blank expression, she grinned and ruffled my hair.

“Ah!?”