After finishing things with Ione, I left the Imperial Palace and went straight to find Erfa.
Ever since the Evil God’s Fragnt incident, I’d been tied up with investigations and hounded by reporters, so this was the first ti I was able to visit her.
“I’m here to see Witch Erfa and—”
“I’ll guide you imdiately!!”
Ever since I had obliterated the Evil God’s Fragnt in full view of the entire palace, everyone’s attitude toward had completely changed.
Thanks to that, I reached Erfa’s laboratory in record ti.
“Erfa? It’s Amayel.”
After knocking cautiously twice, I heard a clatter from inside. Then, after a brief pause, the door creaked open slightly.
“O-Oh, welco.”
Her hair was slightly disheveled—probably because she had hurriedly tidied up the room. She looked a bit flustered, but I just smiled at her.
“Sorry for coming so late. A lot’s been going on…”
Honestly, if not for the limousine the Emperor had provided, I wouldn’t have made it here at all.
The sheer number of people crowding the streets made it impossible to take a single step.
At my words, Erfa opened the door fully and gestured for to co in.
It occurred to that this was the first ti I’d stepped into Erfa’s lab.
“So, um… what brings you here?”
“I know it’s a little late to ask, but… you didn’t get hurt, did you?”
At my question, Erfa nodded.
Her four arms fidgeted restlessly, unsure where to place themselves.
She was embarrassed.
“I’m glad. I heard that curses can cause serious injuries. You need to stay healthy.”
“O-Of course! I wouldn’t do anything that could hurt . I’m fine. If anything, you were the amazing one. You ca back from the source of the curse completely unhard…”
“Haha, it wasn’t anything impressive.”
“N-No… it was…”
The conversation stalled.
Erfa fiddled with her hair, and I felt too weighed down by emotions to speak.
She was beautiful.
So people might say having four arms was unsettling, but I didn’t mind at all.
Honestly, I wanted to make things official right then and there.
But for her sake, I had to suppress my feelings.
I just wanted Erfa to be happy.
I didn’t want her to stay by the side of soone dood to destruction and get caught in the collapse.
I forced my emotions down.
I had secured my ergency funds.
Now, all that remained was finding a way to counter the Miracle of Pursuit and enhancing my ti-stop magic for better efficiency.
The reason I had co to the Magic Tower was precisely to find a way to improve the latter.
“Actually, Erfa, I ca to ask you for a favor.”
“Yes! Anything!”
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
I felt guilty.
I wasn’t in a position to accept those emotions.
“I need to et an expert in ti magic. Is there anyone like that in the Mars Branch of the Magic Tower?”
A hint of disappointnt flickered across Erfa’s face.
“Tower Master Joergen is an expert in ti magic. He wrote several theses on the subject and earned his position that way. If you wish to et him, he wouldn’t refuse.”
“Thank you, Erfa. Then, I’ll go see the Tower Master now.”
“Wait! Saint!”
She grabbed my hand.
“You… nothing happened between you and Princess Ione, right?”
So she had been thinking about it.
I shook my head.
Ione definitely liked , but given her current ntal age, I doubted it was anything romantic—more like a desperate attachnt to soone she could trust.
And even if she did have feelings for , I had no desire to pursue anything with her.
Even with Erfa, things already felt painful.
I had no interest in adding more complications.
“It’s nothing like that. I was just there to support her emotionally while she recovered. That’s all.”
Erfa’s expression softened with relief.
“I see. I’m sorry… I asked sothing weird.”
She blushed and gave a bright smile.
Leaving soone like her behind in just a few days…
“Erfa. No matter whether I’m here or not, you have to live for yourself. Stay healthy. Stay happy.”
“Of course!”
I nodded.
Then, Erfa suddenly stepped forward, cupped my face in her hands, and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
The weight in my chest only grew heavier.
“See you later, Saint!”
I forced myself to smile back, swallowing the sorrow.
*****
“Saint, this is the first ti we’ve t since the last inquisition at the Pantheon. Hahaha!”
Tower Master Joergen looked exactly the sa as when I had last seen him at the inquisition.
A plump fra, long white beard—
He was the very picture of a stereotypical wizard.
I hadn’t even needed to go looking for him.
As soon as I stepped out of Erfa’s laboratory, he was already waiting for .
“I never expected the Saint to seek out! Were you hoping for magical advice regarding the princess’s treatnt?”
“No. I ca because I wanted to ask about ti magic.”
At my response, the Tower Master burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Ti magic, you say! That happens to be my specialty. But I must admit, I never expected you to have an interest in it.”
A saint and ti magic—
Admittedly, they didn’t seem like related topics.
But I was a saint, wasn’t I?
“I have a use for it.”
A vague statent like that was usually enough to brush aside any further questioning.
Sure enough, the Tower Master simply chuckled and nodded.
“Well then, I’d be happy to explain! What exactly would you like to know about ti magic?”
Finally!
I carefully asked my question.
“When using ti magic, does it consu a great deal of ntal energy?”
“You are quite well-inford! That’s correct. While the mana consumption is relatively normal, the ntal strain is imnse. That’s why most ti magic techniques are designed to stop ti within a limited area. It’s primarily used for experints rather than practical combat.”
“I see. How do mages cope with the extre ntal strain when casting it? Are there any special training thods or techniques?”
Tower Master Joergen shook his head.
“Ti itself is too complex for the human mind to fully grasp. Rather than training ntal endurance, most mages use artifacts or items to reduce the strain.”
Now that was interesting.
“What kind of items?”
“Psychic amplifiers, primarily crafted from mana crystals.”
“Are they portable?”
“Not at all. Experintal models are designed without portability in mind, so they tend to be enormous.”
Dammit.
So, they were useless to ?
Just as I was about to sigh in frustration—
“Of course, there are smaller, portable psychic amplifiers.”
Joergen’s words instantly caught my attention.
“What kind?”
“The horn of a unicorn is the most powerful psychic amplifier known to exist. With one, you could craft a portable psychic amplifier.”
A unicorn horn?
Yeah, that didn’t sound like sothing I’d just find lying around.
“Is there any way to acquire one?”
“Unicorns are extrely difficult to hunt. Their horns are such powerful amplifiers that they can manipulate minds effortlessly, making them nearly impossible for even well-trained mages or hunters to capture. That’s why they’re incredibly rare on the market.”
Damn…
So it wasn’t an option after all?
“However, while our Magic Tower doesn’t have a large stock of them, there’s no need for you to go through the trouble. We already have a fully crafted, portable psychic amplifier. If you want it, I can give it to you.”
My eyes widened.
“You’d really do that?”
“Of course. I heard that you’ve been providing free elixirs and increasing research funds to help mages and witches with their studies. And after all, how could we hold back on a reward for the man who saved the Empire? At my age, I’d have no use for it anymore, but you certainly would.”
Joergen opened a drawer and took out a locket-shaped pendant, showing it to .
“I created this when I was younger, intending to use it for research. It was never actually put to use and has just been sitting around as a keepsake. It’ll need so adjustnts and tuning before it’s functional, but that should take about a week. After that, it’ll be yours.”
Savior! This man is a savior!
“Thank you, Tower Master.”
“Think nothing of it. In fact, if you don’t mind, would you allow to visit the Tower Shrine from ti to ti to observe your healing miracles? I’d love to study your abilities from a magical perspective.”
I was going to disappear soon anyway.
At the very least, I had to grant him his wish until then.
After all, he had given sothing so precious.
“Of course. Co whenever you please.”
“My thanks.”
With that, I left the Magic Tower.
When I arrived back at the Tower Shrine in the Emperor’s limousine, I found the entire place swarming with Imperial Guards, court magicians, priests of the White Order, and holy knights.
At the center of it all stood the Imperial family.
“You’re already here?”
As I rushed over in surprise, Ione shot out of the Empress’s arms like a spring and leapt into mine.
“Like!!”
Yeah, yeah.
You little cat-like thing.
I gently patted Ione’s head, and the Emperor watched with a pleased expression.
“Ione was impatient to see the Saint again, so we hurried over. Please take care of her for the next two days.”
“Of course. I’ll stay by her side and assist her until the procedure begins.”
The Empress approached and carefully took my hand.
“Thank you so much, Saint. Truly, I can’t even begin to express how—”
“It’s nothing, Your Majesty. And you need not speak so formally.”
But that didn’t happen.
The Empress, the Emperor, and Princess Alne all continued to express their heartfelt gratitude before departing.
And only then, at last, was I left alone with Ione.
She clung to my side like a cat, purring in contentnt.
“Like!! Like!!”
I stroked her head as she nuzzled against .
“Now… together!! Sleep together?”
“No, we can’t sleep together.”
“Because not married?”
Her innocent, childlike question made chuckle.
I led her to her room.
The holy knights of the White Order and the Imperial Guards stationed outside naturally withdrew, standing guard outside the door.
Now that we were alone, I offered her so snacks, but she paid them no mind.
“Sleep together! Sleep together! Marriage! Marriage!!”
I sighed, shaking my head.
Her ntal age was still that of a child.
Before I knew it, I found myself speaking honestly.
“If you stay by my side, you’ll get hurt, Ione.”
“No hurt. Healed.”
“For now, yes. But later… later, you will get hurt. That’s why, after your treatnt is finished, you mustn’t depend on anymore. You have to live on your own. Strongly. Proudly. Understand?”
“No!! No!! Like Saint!! Like!! Marriage! Marriage!!”
She clung to , gripping tightly.
And at the sight of her, sadness welled up inside .
“I’m sorry, Ione. I’m sorry.”
Why were there so many won who liked , yet not a single one I could stay with?
Why did I have to leave?
I wanted to be happy with Erfa.
I truly wished I could just stay here, live as a Saint, and lead an ordinary life.
But I couldn’t.
I had to leave—for the sake of those who loved , so that they wouldn’t be the ones to suffer.
“I’m sorry, Ione.”
Before I realized it, my emotions overwheld , and I started to cry.
Ione looked startled at the sight of my tears.
“Don’t cry. Don’t cry.”
Panicking, she hugged tightly.
Her pure, childlike sincerity only made my tears flow harder.
Today, more than ever—
I resented and hated the goddess.
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