For Sale. Fallen Lady. Never Used.

Chapter 293: Levantin Empire (2)

Even though it was just for show, the reaction of the people who witnessed the miracle of the Righteous Radiance was dramatic.

Those who had tried to bribe their way in for a quicker entry cleared a path for us.

The guards who were supposed to watch the gate opened it wide, laying down their weapons and greeting us with reverence.

Although gods were known to exist in this world, instances of a god displaying power directly have been rare in the last 300 years.

Or maybe it was because so many in the Levantin Empire believed in the Righteous Radiance.

Everyone’s reaction was intense.

And Helena’s reaction was just as intense.

“...I’m so embarrassed!”

At the guard station near the castle gate, Helena, seated hastily in the place of honor, stomped her feet.

“It was so embarrassing, Brother!”

“Oh, come on. You say that, but you were blessing each guard one by one just a moment ago.”

“That’s because I felt grateful and sorry that they fully cleared the way for us!”

That’s right. While we used the name of the Righteous Radiance to swiftly pass through the castle gate, we didn’t head straight to the palace. We paused here for a bit.

This, too, was part of showing our respect.

Even though we arrived unannounced, we were here as guests, not as invaders.

By waiting in front of the gate for them to come greet us, we were signaling our intentions... that was the idea.

Since we invoked the God’s name, we couldn’t act rashly, and they couldn’t take us lightly.

It was a perfect gesture that demonstrated both our legitimacy and strength... yet...

“What are you so dissatisfied with, Helena?”

“Are you really asking what I’m dissatisfied with? Do you really not know, Brother?!”

As I tilted my head, Helena, exasperated, rose from her seat. Then, she began a rapid-fire lament.

“If you planned to do this, wouldn’t it have been okay to let me know in advance? Both the Righteous Radiance and you seem to have a habit of leaving me out! I need mental preparation, too!” �

“I just thought of it, so the Righteous Radiance didn’t know either...”

“Is that really the point right now?”

“...Ah, no. Please, continue.”

With a deep sigh, Helena spread her arms wide and began pacing around, as if reenacting the moment I had lifted her.

“And the pose! The pose was just! I understand that you lifted me because I can’t fly, but did you have to hold me up like some animal showing off its young... in front of all those people?!”

“Master always lifts me that way.”

“Stay out of adult conversations, little one.”

“L-little one...?!”

Iris, who had tried to chime in, stumbled in embarrassment. Elisha quickly hugged her and patted her comfortingly, though it only made her seem more childlike.

Perhaps Elisha felt the same way, as she couldn’t deny Helena’s words and simply kept repeating comforting words.

Helena, realizing the implications of her own words, seemed a bit flustered as her voice softened.

“...Even though Brother and I are close, there are some boundaries. At the very least, please consult me before doing such things. The Righteous Radiance as well... after I let it slide when she merged with Brother, it doesn’t mean that my body is just free to use.”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Eek!”

The sound of knocking from outside made Helena jump back.

Her startled face showed clear disappointment, and even Solari, watching from within, seemed displeased, as her lion ears and tail bristled in agitation.

However, if someone was knocking at this moment, it was probably someone sent from the Imperial Palace. We couldn’t keep them waiting.

Helena quickly composed herself, putting on her saintly expression, and responded to the knock.

“Please, come in.”

Creak.

The door opened the moment Helena spoke, and we all froze upon seeing the person who entered.

His white hair, half-turned gray, was neatly slicked back—a style that could be called old-fashioned, though others might consider it dignified.

He wore a simple uniform, with only a single sword hanging at his waist. But his upright posture, closed mouth, and precise movements made it clear he was no ordinary person.

He was a middle-aged man who, despite being human, exuded an aura as sharp as a well-honed blade.

The only Swordmaster currently on the Eurelia Continent, and in the Levantin Empire, he was known as the “Sword Duke.”

Havel Kalios. He had come to greet us.

I thought we’d only meet him at the palace, but he came all the way here?

Of course, the position of a saintess was not one to be taken lightly.

Although Helena was still developing her powers, she was destined to eventually possess strength comparable to that of an Archmage or Swordmaster.

Even aside from that, she held a role akin to the head of a religious order, and if needed, she could channel a god’s power into her body.

Politically and religiously, she held a position that wouldn’t lose out to a Swordmaster.

However, this was the capital of the Levantin Empire, and we were unannounced guests, which could be seen as rude.

Yet the Swordmaster himself came to greet us?

Could it be that Empress Fiona has already begun her schemes...

“So, you’re Yandel, the magician, I presume. You look like you have a lot on your mind.”

“Huh? Oh... I wasn’t expecting Lord Havel to come in person, so it caught me off guard.”

“Do people these days prepare to fight the moment they’re surprised?”

Wait, did he notice that I’d tensed up a bit?

In the game, the Swordmaster was just an impressive melee character, but facing him in reality, I could tell he was much more than just a powerful fighter.

From his sharp perception to the aura he exuded from the start, he felt like a being who had surpassed human limits.

As I looked at Havel with a mix of emotions, he chuckled and spoke.

“I apologize. I couldn’t resist teasing you a bit since you reacted so well for a magician. I had no other intention, so you needn’t worry.”

“...If you do that twice, my heart might give out.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize I’d reached the level where merely looking at someone could kill them.”

Uh, wait. So... that was a joke, right?

Coming from a Swordmaster, it didn’t feel much like one.