Vol. 1 - Ch. 313 - The Saintess's Attendant (2)

"What? I did that myself? I thought big sister helped me...?"

Rina appeared oblivious to the fact.

Hmm, I also had never heard of anyone, who's incapable of using magic, suddenly able to use magic like Body Strengthening under the help, I mean, if it had been possible, I would long become the master of all elemental magic. 

"...It was more of a coincidence coming together, and I happened to be in the know-how of Holy Magic. Since we're at it, I also have a suggestion. Would it be possible to entrust Rina-san to the Leverance family? Rina-san absolutely has the slumbering talent for rare Holy Magic, I put my words on it. She will only ever be my attendant, and I assure you she will be raised well."

Jeu brought her proposal and glanced at Boss. For a brief moment, his eyes drew sharper as he peered into her eyes, and eventually, bowed to her.

"......Please take good care of her. Rejoice, Rina. You will be the attendant to the Princess of an esteemed noble family."

Boss turned to Rina, his lips curving into a smile, though the latter shook her hands hastily.

"Huh? N-no, I can't do it.  I am an orphan! ...I don't want to leave Apple either... A-and, I also need to be there to help you—"

Rina tried to object, only to be met with a gentle shake of Boss's head.

"...There always comes a day when a family member becomes independent of Apple. So many grew up and leave the nest, and I am proud of it. Do you still remember my words I always tell you? If you ever think of Apple as your own, then leave it and support however you can from there, just like Ren. I am not asking you to go and make it big, I just hope you become a respectable adult whom everyone is proud of. Nothing content me more than seeing the kids growing to be a splendid person and working their best in the outside world."

Though he try to persuad, Rina still gestured in denial.

"B-but I... I am from slum... and I do not think I can become someone splendid. An attendant of big sister is just... I can't do it. There must be many who grew up more better than me, who can use Holy Magic."

Jeu chuckled and gently took Rina's hand.

"Rina-san, I did not suggest bringing you with me because you've talent for Holy Magic. In this ordeal, I have seen your considerate nature, your bravery and wit. There's no elaborative reason but that I saw you as someone whom I can count on. And, if one day it appears that you have found your calling, no one will stop you. Until then, don't you want to polish your talent?"

...I could feel her sincerity in her words, but she also must have suggested it to protect her. 

What transpired in this incident would be known to everyone sooner or later. And Rina, as one of the centrepieces of the incident, were surely investigated by the others. There's no assurity no second Red or Tomora would try to do anything insane.  

However, the name of Leverance should be able to deter them. I had been thinking of the means too, to keep her out safe, so Jeu's proposal was just up my alley. 

Seeing as Rina was still fraught with confusion, an anxiety wrapping her, Jeu looked at her gently.

"You're thinking too hard. You will still live in the Royal Capital, in the Leverance Estate, so you will still have chances to meet people from «Apple Familia». ...So, do you not desire to become strong? Someone who would make others proud?"

Feeling flustered at the centre of Jeu's attention, Rina shot her glanced at me, still hesitating.

"...You do not have to decide now. But do think about it seriously, and decide only by yourself. It doesn't matter the age. One's life decision must be made by yourself. Once your heart knows the decision, you will not have any regret that way, whatever the ending you may arrive at."

It might be a bit too stern of a speech for a kid, but I only had these words to speak. 

If she led a life dictated by others, and then later came to regret it, no would be there to take responsibility... just like my past self. The sooner she learns, the better.

".....Well, Po is surely going to sulk, but he's an understandable kid. He will do his best, making sure he doesn't lose to you."

I shrugged at the end in theatric gesture, and that welcomed a chuckle from Rina.

◆◆◆

After the subjugation of King of Flies, the Knight Order led by Dew Owiel left no stone unturned in his investigation of the Holy Land - Lunazert. 

Including the investigation led after extracting information from Rosario's tavern owner, there were tens of names unearthed in their participation of illegal activities like slave trading, abducting, or confinement. In the conference held between Pope Canerieus VI and King Patrick, it was decided the criminals would face their punishment through the laws of Yuglia. 

There were also hundreds of names, while they're not involved in such heinous crimes, who'd been found to engage in grey zone like bribing and so on among other things. They met their punishment Pope Canerieus's decision.

At lighter offence, they're simply released after receiving a censure, but in more grave offence, they're eternally expelled out of the church. 

Furthermore, until they'd establish a robust inspection system, Pope Canerieus VI requested unprompted to Yuglia to keep the Holy Land in lockdown, and to hold a joint management until then.

The crowd of believers of Neo-Starlight teaching throughout the continent watched the change in direction of wind not with an opposition, but as a miracle to renew themselves. Their reactions were a mirror to how far the Holy Land had been rotting under its own wound, creating a chain of dissatisfaction among them.

In the annals of history.

—It was the myth reenacting itself. 

With the moment—when the Tower of Genesis's locked door finally parted within public gaze—etched in their heart, the believers described the incident as a divine providence. 

The Tower of Genesis and its opening and closing held an extraordinary symbol to the dwellers of Holy Land. 

When the Holy Land was engulfed in a moment of revelry at the subjugation of legendary monster Beelzebubble—it had been ranked 3rd in the list of calamity bringers—the majestic door opened to their eyes, and they witnessed Allen, the talk of everyone's town throughout continent, walked out with the Saintess Jeu, having saved her from from life-threatning incident.

The noteworthy details in that scene was the presence of a choker, glowing eerily in red, fastened to Jeu's neck, just as the myth had described. 

It was nigh impossible to put a clear lid on the mouths of the crowd. 

As a fact, the scene from that day was passed to the storytellers by the monks and priests of every possible nation who had been present there, and later it was even depicted in the religious paintings. 

However, there was one stark difference between the very first iteration of the painting and what had been depicted further down the timeline. 

In the first iteration, the paintings depicted the scene of Allen and Jeu appearing through the door, or their valiantness during the fight against King of Flies at the rooftop. 

But, in the later paintings, there was often the appearance of one more person. 

—The Saintess's attendant.

The innocent visage of the illustrious attendant who'd offered her lifetime to Saintess when the later put herself on the line to protect the orphan.

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