[The Saintess’s Settlement]
The attack on the saintess and the occupation of the cathedral by monsters.
It resulted in numerous deaths among the ranks of the knights and members of Terrence’s faction that were found afterward.
Including the puppets Joseph hid in the city, the number of victims reached almost 200.
The damage that Joseph Asanaga caused to the Elf Territory and to the believers working in the cathedral was enormous.
Even so, each party did the best it could on the recovery efforts without pulling others’ legs or pushing the responsibility against each other. I was honestly impressed.
Then again, it may just have been postponed due to the scale of the damage, but whatever.
In the middle of that, the ‘Saintess’ Cordelia-san fully demonstrated her competence.
First, she released a declaration: “With my authority as the ‘Saintess’, I personally hired Sakurai-sama, Iris-sama, and Ethel to complete a certain dangerous task after the attack in the great library.”
From a third party’s perspective, the situation at that time would appear as if Terrence’s faction attacked the ‘Saintess’ out of the blue.
Betrayed by supposed allies, it wouldn’t be weird for her to hire trustworthy bodyguards from outside, such as her daughter Ethel and me, the disciple of the ‘Sword Saint’.
Cordelia-san, having suspicions about the attack done by Terrence’s faction, requested us to investigate the incident. We identified that the mastermind behind it was in truth Joseph Asanaga and subsequently took him down—so the cover story she’s made up goes.
“The knights may complain, but you can just say relied on adventurers because you couldn’t be sure who was the enemy or ally among the knights then.”
“And that person’s puppets were in fact mixed among the knights. With that, they can’t say my judgment was incorrect.” So, the conversation between Ethel and her mother went.
The ‘evidence’ that led us to identify Joseph as the mastermind was created by someone before I knew it, too.
The evidence made rounds from Cordelia-san to Ayako, from Ayako to me and Ethel, and then from me and Ethel back to Cordelia-san.
They said it was a necessary process, but I don’t really get it. Well, as long as it saves me from troubles, whatever, I guess.
And about Ayako.
“——”
“You have admitted your sins, and I accept your apology.”
“So, what will happen to her now, Mom?”
“I don’t intend to hide her sins. I will entrust the judiciary to judge her. However, I will also report that she was forced by Joseph and was under his control and that she devoted herself to taking Joseph down after she broke free from his control. Although the attack was initiated by her, they should lighten her punishment on the account of her circumstances.”
“Will the bereaved family of Terrence’s faction be satisfied with that? She killed them with her own hands, and that is a fact, right?”
“……”
“I assume most won’t and she will likely face unkind treatment. Ayako-san, expect that you will be receiving judicial judgment, prison sentence, and restrictions on your social life even after you are released.”
“Well, that’s to be expected.”
“You will live the rest of your life after that to make amends. Accept that truth, prepare yourself—and live on.”
“……nh”
The first thing Ayako did after being dragged by the hand by Ethel to Cordelia-san was apologize to her. It was also decided that her custody would be entrusted to the hands of the judiciary.
I personally know about her situation in the original game and she contributed to the fight against Joseph, so I sympathize with her to some extent, but setting that aside, the fact that she helped Joseph to kill and turn into puppets the people who worked at Terrence’s mansion can’t be changed.
Since Ayako herself wished to go through with it, the judiciary will likely add that ‘she has turned herself in’ in their note.
All I can do is write down everything Ayako has gone through in her life based on my knowledge of the original game and submit it to Cordelia-san.
That, combined with Joseph’s deeds that she will likely include in her report, will probably reduce Ayako’s punishment in court to some extent.
Regardless if that’s a good or a bad thing… I said to her, “You’ve finally earned your long-desired freedom, live a good life.”
Ayako nodded at those words, making me think she’d do just fine somehow.
“Oh, and also, how about you give Sakurai-sama another slap as punishment for stealing your lips without permission?”
“!”
“Huh? No, hang on a sec, why the hell should I get slapped?! Iris, Ethel! What are you guys doing!? Release me! Don’t fuck with me, I didn’t do anything wrong! It’s just a kiss, why are you guys making so much fuss about it?! She already slapped me, too?! To begin with, Ayako is a puppet, isn’t she?! Can’t you guys first think of how I felt being forced to kiss a puppe—gobe?!”
“Sakurai-san, this is what’s called retribution.”
“This is to avoid leaving any complication in your relationship in the future. Just accept it, Tōru.”
For some reason, after sending me flying with a punch, Ayako opened her fist and took my hand, squeezing it tightly and shaking it over and over again.
What the hell’s wrong with her… as that thought surfaces in my mind, Ayako, looking satisfied for some reason, left with knights escorting her.
Iris and Ethel let out exasperated sighs as I was perplexed by the unreasonable and incomprehensible situation. The parting with Ayako only filled me with puzzlement.
—
After that, I learn about how Joseph encountered Iris and then had a direct confrontation with Cordelia-san after escaping from my blow;
I go around crushing the Planarian Slime’s clones scattered all over the cathedral grounds;
I get into trouble because I chased away the knights who entered the area (turf) that I voluntarily decided to be in charge of;
I find out the Planarian Slime’s main body I’ve tamed with ‘Monster Taming’ skill has returned to the great library without me noticing;
I get stopped by various people as I’m thinking of a way to smuggle out the slime and have no choice but to give up;
And I work diligently to restore Anubis-sama’s statue in the cathedral because he appeared in my dream and scolded me for cutting his statue down.
Finally, after those few laborious days, Iris, Ethel, and I are able to return to the adventurer academy.
The ‘Saintess’ Cordelia-san, leading several escorts, comes to see us off as we load our luggage on the carriage in front of the inn that we’ve been using as our base while in the Elf Territory.
Her escorts this time aren’t puppets. After taking a look at them, Iris comments, “They are full of motivation, they give off warm feelings!”
Warm feelings… meaning, they’re loyal to their duties.
As escorts, they keep themselves behind Cordelia-san so as not to stand out and try to keep out of Ethel’s and Cordelia-san’s sights as they exchange farewells.
Also, they must have cleared the surroundings in advance. Nothing can get in the way of the separation between the mother and daughter; nothing except me squatting while carrying Iris on my back, staining the atmosphere.
“Well, see you later, Mom. I’m going.”
“Yes. I will not stop you this time. Take care, Ethel.”
“But it’s not like she ever tried to stop her, to begin with, right? Her lowering the security in the cathedral was her way to send Ethel off, wasn’t it…?”
“Sakurai-san, please be quiet.”
“Hihiin.”
I’m just stating the facts, but Iris on my back and Freon next to me give me reproachful looks.
Yeah, even the horse. Did I say something so wrong it warranted me such looks?
Or rather, I want to hurry and get back already. I mean, to me, this is nothing more than a minor incident before the major incident happens.
Our original purpose in coming to the cathedral was to gather information to find a way to deal with the blockaded academy dungeon.
I’ve found the way thanks to Joseph’s information and to confirm it, I will have to blow up the academy’s changing room and go to passage number 8 below it.
Additionally, I’m duty-bound to give Nanashino— the culprit behind the blockade of the dungeon—a blood festival, slurp his experience points, raise my level, and regain my daily life.
Or rather, I’ve been away from the academy for about two weeks now?!
The dungeon must have been full of monsters waiting for me to farm their exps by now! We gotta go back, and quick?!
“Please wait for the family to say their goodbyes. Cordelia-san has taken care of you in many ways, too. Like when you got into trouble with the knights.”
“Hey, it’s unfair bringing that up. Che, I guess I’ll wait, then.”
“Why would you always go and spoil the achievements you earned yourself, anyway, Sakurai-san…?”
Dunno. Or rather, I don’t remember ever earning any achievements in the first place.
I was only keeping my promise to Amanai while doing some grinding on the side.
Well, sure, I saved Cordelia-san and released Ayako from Joseph, but… ah, did she mean keeping my promise is an achievement?
But is it really? It does make me feel I’ve grown as I person, though.
“The fact that you can’t understand is very much like you, Sakurai-san.”
“Hin, hihin.”
“I know right, Freon-san~.”
They’re looking at me as if I’m some hopeless person… as always! Which means I don’t have to pay it any mind.
Anyway, since I’ve been working so hard for the sake of the academy dungeon, it wouldn’t be out of line for me to ask for exclusive rights to the dungeon’s first to the fiftieth floor, right?
As for the other students, they can go to off-campus dungeons. Traveling back and forth may take time, but I think it’s suitable for those slackers who leave all the hard work to me.
“So I’d like to negotiate with the principal. What do you think, Iris?”
“You did the most work, yes, so you should be given priority. But since they pay tuition and attend the academy, all the students have the right to use the academy’s facilities.”
“This is what it feels like to be exploited, huh.”
“I’ve never heard that word before, but I think what you said is wrong.”
Says the person clinging to someone else’s back. Don’t you think you’re a little lacking in compassion for me?
Look at the mother and daughter hugging each other as if they’re reluctant to part in front of us. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could show each other a little more compassion like that?
Huh? She always shows it? Do I even care about Iris, you ask?
Well, don’t I keep watch over her every day? By the way, Ethel seems to be finished with her goodbye, so let’s go back!
“Iris-sama, Sakurai-sama. You have my deepest gratitude for helping us, mother and daughter, this time.”
“Well, we’re also indebted to you in lots of ways, so the feeling is mutual.”
“The only one indebted to her here is you, Tōru. You made Mom run around here and there when she still hadn’t fully recovered!”
“Stop it, Ethel. Even if that’s true, he’s still the benefactor who saved our relationship as well as our lives. Besides, this turmoil will be a good opportunity to review the current system.”
“Eh, Mom, you mean—”
“Yes. I’m not sure how much I can change in my generation, but we can’t continue with the system in which the ‘Saintess’ is the only pillar. The ‘Saintesses’ after me will also have children and be a mother, like me. It will be very sad if, at that time, they will not be able to have enough time for their family.”
I can’t believe those words came from Cordelia-san, a ‘Saintess’ who has been indoctrinated to the core to give priority to the organization over her personal feelings.
She’s expressionless as always, but those words contained Cordelia Tyner’s personal feelings.
“And Ethel. I’ll leave this ‘staff’ to you.”
“Isn’t this the one you always carry with you… the ‘Deadly Sins Holy Staff’?”
“I didn’t know there was such a condition with this staff, but it seems that a bit of my blood has splattered on it.”
The sky-blue staff as tall as Cordelia-san, with a slight purple discoloration at the end.
It is one of the symbols of the ‘Saintess’. It was returned through Ayako.
In the original game, it couldn’t be obtained unless it had completely transformed into the ‘Deadly Sins Holy Staff’. I don’t know if it has any other effects than those mentioned in the game.
However, at the very least, I know that the fact that she’s handing it over carries great meaning.
I’ve got no clue what it is, though… one thing I do know is that the mother is entrusting the daughter with some kind of feeling through the staff.
“…I’m just keeping this staff temporarily, so be sure to come get it, okay?”
“Absolutely. It’s important, so please don’t lose it until then, and don’t forget to maintain it. As for how to do it—”
“I know, I know. I’m a former saintess candidate, you know?”
“That’s true.”
And so the two look at each other again, conveying their feelings through their eyes.
Oh, come on, can you two get it over already?! I somehow manage to swallow those words, then I, accompanied by Iris, board the carriage pulled by Freon first.
Seeing that, Ethel hurriedly gets into the back of the carriage. Now it is time to say goodbye for real.
“Everyone, I wish you all the best in your health and future endeavors.”
“Thank you! You too, Cordelia-san! Stay healthy!”
“See you again, Mom!”
“Let’s set off!”
“Hihiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!!”
Everyone says their goodbyes and the carriage begin to move.
Ethel, Iris, and Cordelia continue to wave at each other.
I keep telling Freon to “Run!” so we can get back even a second faster.
But contrary to my order, Freon continues walking slowly in consideration of the girls on the carriage.
And so, the turmoil in the Elf Territory and the cathedral comes to an end.
