🌹💘🌹
WE had arrived at Marquess Salvadore’s castle, where the Flame Corps’ flag with its unique insignia flew. Along with the other holy women, I was in a corner of the yard where Richard and the marquess’s knights practiced their military exercises.
“Heed the voice of my saintly power. Take Saaya’s pain away right this hour!”
I held my hands over the recipient—Xenu’s cat, Saaya—of my healing spell and before our very eyes, the scratches on her forelegs disappeared, leaving behind no scars. While I was at it, I stroked her fur and the luster returned to it in the wake of my palm.
“And that’s how you free chant.”
The priestesses raised their voices in admiration. Restored to her natural fluffiness, Saaya raised her chin and tail imperiously at the attention focused on her, turned around, and with a wiggle of her bottom, strutted away elegantly. She leaped into Xenu’s arms and purred in her throat, demanding he pamper her. Xenu smiled and inclined his head politely at us.
“Thank you very much, Madam Monica,” he said. “She’s very happy.”
“Meow.”
One of the holy women muttered intently, almost to herself, “Hmmm, so saintly powers can be activated even without the use of a set incantation.”
“That’s correct,” I replied. “A mage activates their magical ability by resonating their incantations into the world through their voiceprints, so there isn’t much freedom. But a saint’s supernatural power activates through acting on the saint herself. It requires a lot of concentration at first, but once you get used to the method, it will become much easier to use words of your own choosing. In short, free chanting.”
“I can’t wait to practice!”
“Becoming proficient with this method means we can activate our powers quickly and efficiently!”
They grew incredibly excited at my explanation. Most of the saints here were younger than my nineteen years. It was like seeing gaggles of girls bubbling with enthusiasm in a girls’ academy.
And the young knights over on the training ground watched us in interest. I waved at them.
“Everyone, you’re more than welcome to come here if you get injured!” I invited. “Thank you in advance for helping us with our training!”
“Yes, ma’am! We’ll do our best!”
When the gallant knights saluted, the priestesses blushed and glanced meaningfully at each other. The wholesome exchange between the young men and women made me feel like an older sister watching over her younger siblings. I couldn’t help grinning at the innocent atmosphere.
“Right then, ladies. Let’s practice with their help!” I said in a cheerful voice.
“Yes, ma’am!”
It didn’t take long for one of the knights to become injured. He loped over to us and holy woman Nia rolled up her sleeves, ready to make an attempt.
“Okay, here I go with my free chant! Please heal this warrior’s wound.”
“Whoa…!”
The knight let out a cry of amazement when her spell worked.
I had several reasons for wanting them to practice free chanting. One, there were things to learn outside of the Holy Woman Learning Academy. Two, the knowledge that they could be creative with their magic. And three, to build their confidence. The longer a chant was, the more accurately a priestess could activate her supernatural abilities, but this also required stamina to work. By skillfully utilizing free chanting while conserving energy, a saint could extend her time on the field, allowing each person to do more.
I was the Arousing Priestess. Helping them change their mindset and the way they worked would make their jobs tremendously easier, and it was a mission only I could accomplish.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw long black hair fluttering in the breeze. Xenu watched us with a smile on his face, Saaya still in his arms. Sometimes he talked to the holy women and other times they went to him to play with Saaya. Clearly, he got along with them and vice versa.
Our eyes met when I stared at him a little too long. Xenu grinned and tipped his head in acknowledgment.
“When in the world did you get so friendly with them?” I asked.
He chuckled, flashing his canines. “My company is in charge of looking after the girls during their stay. How can I know what they actually need if I don’t talk to them?”
The saints nodded with cheerful smiles as they listened to our conversation.
“Madam Monica, the lotion Xenu gave me makes my skin so plump and dewy.”
“I came here with only the clothes on my back, but he had extra outfits and daily necessities ready for me.”
“I’m very glad to hear you’re all happy,” Xenu said. “Don’t hesitate to let me know about anything else you might need.”
They had all accepted him easily. I hadn’t changed my mind about him being suspicious, but I was grateful for his consideration. He was still a shady character though.
“Thank you for helping them feel comfortable here,” I said.
“Glad to do it. It’ll make life a lot easier for me too once peace returns to Kophe.”
It wasn’t a terrible feeling per se, but…I just couldn’t quite describe the sense of discomfort I felt toward Xenu. Since he was a merchant, his collaboration with Richard made sense to me. That also explained his kindness toward the other priestesses. But I wondered if there was something more to him than simply business.
Hmmm. I smell trickery afoot.
I stared at him in silence.
“Is something wrong, Madam Monica?” he asked.
“Not…really…”
“Then do you think I’m untrustworthy?” Xenu grinned meaningfully before suddenly thrusting his face close to mine.
“Nh…?!”
He chuckled merrily when I stumbled back reflexively away from him.
At that moment, one of the girls exclaimed in excitement, “It’s Prince Richard!”
My gaze went to the training ground. There, I found him engaging in bouts with his and the marquess’s knights. Instead of his usual formal military attire, he wore simple war fatigues much like the rest of the members of both orders. He defeated his opponents one after another with a sword used in mock battles. The knights were determined to score a point against His Imperial Highness, but Richard handled them easily, practically dancing circles around them.
The saints and the knights not participating in the mock battle watched in amazement. He knocked his final opponent to the ground. When Richard reached down to help the knight up, everyone clapped enthusiastically like it was the most natural thing to do.
The exhausted knights staggered over to us for healing. After putting away his practice sword, Richard started jogging in our direction. His eyes on me, he waved with a smile. Then he suddenly stopped. Because a figure in a dress under an open parasol walked toward him from the edge of the training ground.
“Ah, that’s Marquess Salvadore’s daughter.”
I glimpsed a woman with long golden hair wearing a mint-colored dress underneath the white parasol being held by a maid. I could see her talking to Richard.
“I wonder if the marquess plans to wed his daughter to His Highness?”
“As far as position and breeding go, I’m not sure…”
“But she’s lovely, so if he takes a liking to her, I think it will go smoothly between them.”
The saints and knights gossiped to each other in whispering, curious tones. After Richard shook his head with a smile at the marquess’s daughter, he resumed his jog back to me.
“Miss Monica!”
As soon as he called out my name, I found my voice stuck in my throat. Everyone immediately bowed or curtsied to him upon his arrival. The center of attention, he stooped down in front of me and offered me his head.
“Won’t you wipe my sweat off?”
“Um… Uuumm…”
When I did as he asked, his flame-colored eyes slitted as he gazed at me.
“You were watching me, weren’t you, Miss Monica? I won because you did~♡!” he said with a playful wink.
“Oh…”
With all eyes on us, I had no idea how to react. Richard grinned, amused by my confusion. The noble’s daughter under the parasol stood motionless as she watched us. The saints and Marquess Salvadore’s knights looked on in keen interest too.
He…he’s doing this on purpose, isn’t he?! Why?!