Chapter 3
They say this world contains magic energy, from which monsters are born to threaten people's lives.
And to purify that magic energy, someone with a strong Holy attribute needs a Purification Skill. Those who possess that power are called Saints.
A few people in this world are born with the Purification Skill, but if no one is born with it for a long time, they summon a Saint from another world.
“...The previous Saint passed away six months ago, so we had no choice but to perform this summoning.”
“Unable to purify the magic energy, we have been fighting the ever-increasing monsters, but we can no longer keep up.”
The mages standing behind the prince added to his explanation.
“I-I don't know what to say to that...”
“I understand that this is a problem with our world and has nothing to do with you.
But would you please lend us your strength?”
“B-but... I... don't know anything about purification...”
Faced with the earnest pleas of the prince and the mages, Toko-san seemed utterly at a loss, having forgotten the force she'd shown earlier.
(What's going to happen to me now...?)
As the conversation shifted to the Saint's powers, I lowered my gaze to my tea.
Neither the prince nor the mages seemed like bad people.
Surely Toko-san, being the Saint, would be given every protection.
(But what about me, who has no powers? I can't go home, so what am I supposed to do?)
It felt as though a hole had opened up in my chest.
I was lonely at being suddenly cut off from the world where I'd been born and raised, but more than that, I was terrified of the unknown.
(Going by the usual template, maybe I'll get abandoned in a forest where monsters roam...)
The classic story would be that I'd use a rare Skill to find happiness.
But according to Appraisal, I had no Skills.
I even tried whispering, “Status, open,” but nothing happened.
(Or maybe I'd go down to a town and make a living on my own?
But I can barely take care of myself, I'm not strong, and I'm clumsy. I don't have the confidence to survive...)
Even when I tried to imagine my future by comparing it to the stories I loved so much, it looked so bleak that I could feel my complexion gradually growing paler.
When I started feeling a little sick and covered my mouth, Julius-san, who had said little beyond the bare minimum until then, spoke to me.
“You look awfully pale... Would you like to lie down in another room for a while?”
“I-I'm... fine...!”
Startled that anyone had been paying attention to a mob like me, I hurriedly stopped him as he started to signal to a maid.
“I'm absolutely fine! Please don't worry about me!!”
“You don't have to push yourself. It seems like we're almost done here, so you could take a break...”
“U-um, I'm not feeling unwell or anything. It's just... I got a little... worried... about what'll happen to me...”
I wanted to make a fist and say I was in perfect health, but my words drained the strength from my hand again, and it fell limply onto the table.
(...I'm worried... I'm so worried I don't know what to do... I'm scared, I'm so scared...!
I'm not the Saint. I have no Skills, knowledge, strength, beauty, or dexterity—nothing at all.
There's no way I can be happy like the heroine of a story...!!!)
I hurriedly lowered my head, not wanting anyone to see my eyes welling up.
I thought it was like my favorite novels and anime. But surely my reality would be much harsher.
I didn't want anyone to know I was scared, but despite my wishes, the fist on the table trembled slightly.
“...Don't worry.”
Along with a gentle voice, I heard a chair scrape as someone stood.
I felt someone right beside me, and then a large man's hand enveloped one of mine. The shock made my tears retreat.
“You have me...”
At that low, worried whisper...
“—And of course, that girl needs to be treated well, too!!”
Toko-san's voice overlapped his.
Startled, I looked up and saw that it was indeed Julius-san holding my hand, but that wasn't what I needed to focus on.
“Since you're the ones who summoned us in the first place, you need to treat her properly, whether she's a Saint or not!
If you mistreat her, I'll boycott the whole thing!!”
“Huh?”
Toko-san pointed at me, and everyone's gaze immediately shifted to me.
As I sat there bewildered, the prince looked my way and nodded.
“Of course. I've asked Julius to provide support for Riko-dono as well.”
“Yes. The Ashford family will do everything we can to make her welcome.”
“Huh!?”
Looking up at Julius-san at this unexpected decision, I noticed that his eyes were a warm yellow-orange...
(They look like honey...)
I couldn't help thinking something so completely out of place.