Chapter 24: The Secretary Didn't Like the Saint

During the Hero's party's adventures, Yuna would occasionally talk about her family. She said she lived in a small house with her mother and younger sibling in the Ishtar Duchy. She had expressed her desire to move to a bigger house after defeating the Demon King.

'It can't be...?'

Franz couldn't shake off an ominous feeling. An evil woman who would lead the world to ruin and a cult worshipping the Demon God. These two keywords seemed to fit together uncomfortably well.

However, that was mere speculation. He couldn't conclusively say that Yuna was involved with the cult.

No, the possibility that she wasn't involved was actually greater. After all, there was no reason for the Hero who defeated the Demon King to cooperate with the cult that served as its minions.

Well, in the end, he wouldn't know anything for certain until he saw it with his own eyes.

Franz took a sip of the tea Arian had served and said, "So, you want me to infiltrate the social gathering?"

"Yes, that's what I'd like you to do. I'll also ask Young Lady Frigia for help. Honestly, we'd like to handle this ourselves, but it would look strange for clergy members to attend such a social gathering, wouldn't it?"

Well, that was true. While it was called a social gathering, it was essentially just drinking and partying. Typically, devout clergy members wouldn't participate even if invited.

In fact, Franz had declined all social gatherings for this very reason until now. Since there was no need to make a good impression on others, it was more beneficial to use that time to sleep instead.

But well, if there was a reason like this, he had no choice but to go.

"Alright, I understand. I'll do as you say. Arian, are you okay with this too?"

"So, in short, I just need to attend the social gathering with you, Master of the Magic Tower?"

While that wasn't incorrect, the way she phrased it was quite peculiar. It sounded as if the original purpose didn't matter to her at all.

"Well, that's right, I suppose?"

"Then I'll go too."

Arian answered without a moment's hesitation. The chance to attend a social gathering alone with Franz was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was even more so considering he had declined all social gatherings until now.

At the same time, she was confused because she couldn't understand Yustia's true intentions. Despite acting as if she liked Franz, she had actually provided such a good opportunity for Arian. It made her wonder if Yustia wasn't actually a religious fox, but a genuinely good person.

"Thank you both. Now, about the expenses for this task..."

"Don't worry about the money. I'm sure that's why they sent you here in the first place."

Franz had known this from the beginning. If they had intended to pay the proper fees, there would have been no need for the Saint to come in person; they could have simply sent a request letter. Considering the importance of the matter, it was right to think this way.

"Was I that obvious... I'm truly sorry, but we needed a considerable amount of money for relief activities. As a result, the Goddess Church's finances have become quite tight. Since I was the one who advocated for this, I couldn't bring myself to ask for support."

"I see, I understand. You did a good thing."

"Yes... So, please consider helping this time as payment for my tooth."

"Ah... right, payment for your tooth..."

It seemed he had indeed stepped on a landmine. Still, since he was going to help anyway, if he could settle the tooth debt as well, wouldn't that be good? Franz's positive thinking circuit was working hard as always.

"Then I'll be taking my leave now."

As the Saint rose, Franz and Arian also stood up.

Franz said, "Arian, you stay here and take care of things. I'll escort Yustia back."

There was no need for both of them to be absent from their posts. Besides, he wanted to have a private conversation with Yustia.

Of course, Arian was displeased with this, but she had no reason to refuse.

"Yes... I understand."

So, even if she felt uneasy, she had no choice but to let them go.

"Saint, please take care on your way back."

"Yes, and may Young Lady Frigia stay in good health as well."

With these brief farewells, Franz left the Magic Tower Master's office with the Saint and her Holy Knights, leaving Arian behind. Soon after, they arrived at the first floor of the Magic Tower.

As they crossed the vast space, Franz quietly asked Yustia, "Are you doing better these days?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, before you were talking about the world's destruction and such."

Franz glanced around, worried that the Holy Knights might overhear.

Fortunately, they seemed to be out of earshot due to the distance.

Yustia hummed thoughtfully before answering in a low voice, "Well... Let's just say I've found a reason why I need to remain as the Saint. I'm not entirely sure, but I think I'm doing okay now."

"That's a relief, anyway."

Franz breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that she might be pretending to be fine on the outside while struggling internally, but fortunately, that didn't seem to be the case.

As they reached the entrance of the Magic Tower, Yustia turned to face Franz.

"Well, honestly, it's all thanks to you. You were the first person to speak so harshly to me."

"Come on, that's enough. Harsh words or not, I was just angry at you. And I'm sorry for getting excessively angry."

"It's alright. It might have been just anger for you, but it was a big lesson for me. This is my way of thanking you."

Yustia held out a small glass bottle filled with tea leaves. She had bought it at a tea shop before coming to the Magic Tower.

"Who would have thought the person I was buying a gift for would show up? I was so surprised..."

"No, I shouldn't accept a gift..."

All Franz had done was get angry at Yustia, get very angry, and slap her hard enough to knock out a tooth. He felt it was too shameless to accept a gift for that.

"My arm's getting tired, so hurry up and take it. Or are you saying you're going to ignore my goodwill?"

"That's not it."

In the end, Franz accepted the glass bottle from Yustia. He didn't feel comfortable about it, but it would have been impolite to refuse outright.

"Then, I'll be counting on you for this matter. Please act within reasonable limits."

"Alright, I'll be waiting for updates."

With those final words, Yustia bowed slightly and left. The Holy Knights also bowed to Franz and followed her.

Franz watched their retreating figures for a while before leisurely turning back.

When he finally returned to the Magic Tower Master's office, Arian was standing there with a stack of documents in her hands, her eyes half-closed.

"Master, what's that in your hand?"

"This? Yustia gave it to me as thanks for helping with village relief efforts before."

To be precise, it was a bit different, but Franz couldn't bring himself to say he received it after getting angry at the Saint. That would put Yustia in an awkward position too. Getting angry and then being happy about it and giving a gift? No matter how you looked at it, it seemed perverse.

Hearing Franz's words, Arian let out a dry laugh.

"...I thought as much."

"Really? I had no idea."

"That's because you're more... Never mind. On second thought, it's better that you don't know."

Did she just try to say I have terrible intuition? No, that can't be right. She's been good all day. Yes, it must be my imagination.

By the way,

'It's increased quite a bit...?'

A semi-transparent display appeared before Franz's eyes.

[Saint Yustia 20.00%]

It had increased by 10 percent just from their brief conversation today. He wondered if it was okay for it to be this cost-effective.

Franz's gaze slowly moved upward. Hero Yuna still remained at 0 percent. Surely it would increase after this incident.

'I hope it's not something too serious.'

The main figure in defeating the Demon King and the leader of the Hero's party. The title of Hero wasn't given to Yuna for nothing.

To put it bluntly, she was insanely strong. If they were to fight, the landscape would be so twisted that they'd need to redraw the maps.

So he could only hope that she hadn't become a villainess yet.

Fortunately, until now, he had always encountered them before they became villainesses. It would probably be the same this time too.

By the way,

'What should I wear to the social gathering....'

Franz had never been interested in dressing up in the first place.

However, social gatherings were places where all sorts of nobles gathered. Nobles were naturally inclined to dress up and show off, so to avoid being looked down upon, one had to dress appropriately.

So, well, he had no choice but to ask for help.

"Arian, can you help me choose what to wear to the social gathering?"

Thud-.

Arian's eyes widened in surprise as she dropped the stack of documents she was holding.

* * * * *

In the Ishtar Duchy, in a small house in a quiet village, there was a woman. She was Yuna, the Hero chosen by the gods and the main figure in defeating the Demon King.

However, Yuna's condition could not be described as good even as a joke. She was acting like a complete wreck, not trying to do anything. She would vomit whenever she tried to eat, and shadows had formed under her eyes from lack of sleep.

Yuna stood blankly, staring at the traces of her family that still remained intact in the house. Traces of her mother and younger sibling.

"Duke Ishtar..."

Everything was because of that vicious person.