Chapter 20
That night.
Sitting across the table from her, Clael brought up the topic.
"I refuse."
After listening to the full explanation, Reina declared with a beaming smile.
Clael began thinking of ways to persuade Reina, thinking, As expected... but Reina quickly shook her head.
"......Or so I'd like to say, but okay. I'll go to the royal capital."
"Huh......?"
She accepted it surprisingly easily.
Clael blinked, feeling both surprised and a little lonely.
However, Reina's expression looked dissatisfied, her lips adorably pouting.
"Don't get the wrong idea! I hate being apart from you, Sir Clael! But... I was thinking I couldn't stay like this forever either..."
"............?"
"Sir Clael. You're a noble, right?"
"Yes, that's right. Technically, I'm still part of the Byrne Marquis family."
Although Clael had renounced his right to inherit the family estate, he still belonged to the Byrne Marquis family in status and was permitted to use the family name.
It was only in name, and he held no actual power.
"......A noble and a commoner can't get married. In that case, I need to attain a higher status too."
"Did you say something?"
"No... I just thought I can't keep relying on you forever, Sir Clael. I'll attend the academy, become someone respectable, and come back to repay you!"
"......You don't need to repay me. If anything, I've received far too much."
Thanks to living with Reina every day, Clael's skill in Holy Arts had improved significantly.
His magic power had increased nearly tenfold, and he had gained strength comparable to the high priests in the Holy Nation.
The shrine where the two of them lived had also been thoroughly purified, and just by living there, one could live a life free from illness and calamity.
"Even if it was only five years, being able to welcome you, the Saint, into this shrine is my pride. From now on, please live thinking only about your own happiness."
"My own happiness... Is that really okay?"
Reina lowered her voice slightly and asked quietly.
"Yes, of course."
"It's okay to prioritize my happiness? More than your wishes, Sir Clael, I can put my happiness first? That's what you said, right?"
"Y-Yes... I don't mind..."
Why is it? A chill ran down his spine.
Even though the smile on Reina's face held not a trace of malice, why did it look so terrifying?
"Understood. I've got your word on that."
Reina clapped her hands together with a loud "Clap!"
"Just as you wished, Sir Clael... I will act with my happiness as my top priority. But... may I receive just one reward before I leave my hometown and depart for the royal capital?"
"A reward...?"
"Yes. If I fulfill my duties as the Saint and graduate from the academy safely... how about you grant me one wish, Sir Clael?"
"A wish...?"
After thinking for a moment, Clael nodded.
"Yes, I don't mind. As long as it's something I can do."
If Reina graduated from the academy and awakened as the Saint, she would be able to obtain anything without needing to ask Clael.
Even so, if there was something he could grant her, even just one thing, then as her surrogate parent, he should do it.
"Okay. I've got your word again."
"......You've been saying that—what do you mean by 'got your word'?"
"Don't worry about it... I absolutely won't let you back out of it."
"U-Uh......?"
Saint aura, fully unleashed.
As Reina declared this, radiating something like a divine halo from behind, Clael shivered uncontrollably.