Chapter 84
It must be just my imagination. There’s no way the protagonist could be that insane. That can’t be.
Still, attacking while recovering even when hit is a common strategy. In the Seiros Saga, characters like paladins, who have both healing and attack skills, sometimes used this tactic.
But that’s because they’re game characters and don’t feel pain when hit. Prilien is a real human.
“But it will hurt if you get hit. Human bodies feel pain. And actually getting hit could put you in danger.”
Elysia answered seriously. Speaking of which, something important came to mind.
“Ah, when training, we should also assume extreme situations where healing can’t be used at all. Let’s train under the assumption that healing isn’t available first, then incorporate healing afterward.”
That way, she can build offensive strength without relying on skills and also learn how to use healing strategically.
“Sounds good!”
Prilien nodded enthusiastically, her face full of energy. Seeing that level of fervor and passion made Elysia’s earlier worries about traps or hidden motives feel meaningless.
“Or maybe she really has a reason to learn swordsmanship?”
If her goal is truly to become stronger…
After much thought, Elysia spoke.
“Also, when your muscles are fatigued from strength training, it’s better not to use healing recklessly. Muscles grow stronger during their natural recovery process, and if you force recovery, you might just return to your previous state, wasting the effort.”
Elysia had heard this from conversations between paladins in the Seiros Saga. The attendant priest next to her looked astonished.
“Lady Semperion, do you also know about the effects and applications of holy power? How do you know such specific details…? Those are only passed down orally among temple knights.”
The priest’s face showed both surprise and suspicion.
‘This is obvious if you play the game, but I can’t exactly say that.’
Elysia calmly made an excuse.
“I’ve experienced healing directly from the saintess, so I have an idea of what it feels like. If you know swordsmanship practice, it’s easy to combine it.”
“Easy…?”
There’s no way she could have that much sense of holy power. Even competent priests often undergo long training just to sense it.
The priest tilted his head, perplexed, but couldn’t refute her. Prilien nodded with a completely trusting expression.
“As expected of Lady Semperion! Then I’ll train without using healing. I want to see how strong I can get using only my own strength.”
Her last sentence even carried a sense of solemnity. Her gaze, now fierce, made the priest flinch.
“L-Lady Saintess, you don’t need to go that far. Your duty isn’t to master martial arts, but to use holy power in the name of the temple… focusing too much on this might just be a waste of time…”
“No, that’s not it.”
Prilien’s face twisted with some emotion—disappointment or determination, it was hard to tell. She spoke as if backing down was impossible.
“I won’t waste time. I’ll do everything I’m tasked with first, and when I have spare time, I’ll practice. Are you saying I can’t even do that?”
The priest fell silent, looking uncomfortable. Though he didn’t want to admit it, he couldn’t refute her. Watching this, Elysia thought inwardly:
‘The saintess is really busy.’
Using holy power in the name of the temple is her duty, and she’s criticized for wasting time on anything else. Yet even in that busy life, she wants to learn swordsmanship from Elysia.
‘She really is diligent.’
With so much enthusiasm, it was good she decided to teach her.
With a mix of emotions, Elysia finished the swordsmanship training. Before going home, she returned the practice sword she had been holding to the priest.
Weapons are not allowed inside the temple.
Even though she had received a sword from the crown prince, she couldn’t use it for training. The temple strictly prohibits bringing weapons inside. Previously, Elysia had sneaked in using invisibility, but this place had thorough security checks.
Thus, she had to use a training sword provided by the temple. It was an ordinary practice sword without any holy power.
‘They really are thorough.’
Maybe it’s to prevent anyone from harming the saintess. Or perhaps the temple has become more cautious after Elysia’s previous intrusion.
Elysia looked around. At first glance, it wasn’t obvious, but knights affiliated with the temple were hidden among the bushes, scattered around. They were probably waiting to intervene immediately if Prilien were hurt.
What would they do if they suddenly attacked Elysia under the pretext of protecting Prilien?
…Would pretending to make a mistake and killing her be easy?
‘Geez, that’s too far.’
Elysia shook her head. Even if the deputy disliked her, these people would at least maintain some boundaries. They wouldn’t just attack an unrelated young lady. Perhaps she had watched too many court intrigues or fantasy games.
As Elysia shook off these thoughts, the priest spoke.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
He approached quietly but spoke firmly. He added,
“Saintess, don’t you also need to go pray? Let’s end here.”
“…Yes.”
Prilien nodded reluctantly, as if resigned. She looked back at Elysia and bowed.
“I may have been a bit pushy today, but thank you so much for listening despite my rudeness, Lady Semperion.”
“L-Lady Saintess, if you bow so easily…!”
Ignoring the priest’s reaction, Prilien finished her greeting and spoke clearly to Elysia.
“Next time, I’ll protect my body well even without your help.”
“….”
Elysia nodded in acknowledgment.
“Do your best. But don’t overdo it.”
“Then, Lady Semperion, please come this way.”
As soon as the saintess and Elysia exchanged greetings, the priest’s group stuck close to Elysia, as if to watch her all the way back. With them so near, Elysia couldn’t check her surroundings. She wouldn’t dare visit the basement while meeting Prilien this way.
‘It’s okay. There will be another chance.’
She could check it alone at home. Elysia got on the carriage, leaving with plans for next time.
“Looks like you followed the order to come straight home.”
“…”
If she hadn’t, they would have chased her.
Elysia looked at the duke across from her and Howell, who seemed ready to say a lot.
‘What will they ask now?’
About the crown prince’s gift? Or why she volunteered to be the saintess’s swordsmanship instructor?
Or perhaps about the deputy’s suspicion of her.
‘Ah, right. Speaking of the gift…’
She had left the sword from the crown prince at the mansion because she couldn’t use it in the temple. She had intended to put it in her inventory later. Had it already been stored?
She shouldn’t just toss something so expensive. Elysia asked anxiously:
“Father, what about the gift His Highness gave me?”
“Are you really going to look for that first thing when you get home?”
The duke’s expression looked displeased. Elysia realized she’d made a mistake. He continued:
“It’s stored in your room. Check it later.”
“Eh?”
Why put it in her room? It’s a gift from the crown prince—was that okay?!
Ignoring Elysia’s shock, the duke pointed to a box on the table. She noticed a luxurious box with gold leaf details sitting there.
“This is hard to use with so many eyes watching anyway. How about this instead?”
“This…?”
When the duke turned the lock, the wooden box opened smoothly, revealing…
‘A sword?’
It was another sword. Next to it was protective gear with red accents. Smaller and thinner than usual, it could be worn under everyday clothes. Clearly sized to fit Elysia perfectly.
“Is… this for me?”
Elysia muttered in disbelief. The duke replied sharply:
“You go poking around everywhere. Without this, you could die from a single hit.”
‘I wouldn’t die…’
“You should have asked the servants to get protective gear earlier. Why have you gone around unprotected all this time?”
“Well…”
“Of course, you couldn’t have prepared for every encounter with beasts, so that part is understandable.”
“….”
He had a point. Elysia had never said outright that she was going to fight beasts, so no one thought to prepare. But Elysia had her reasons:
‘I’m fine without it.’
She had high stamina and could handle hits, so protective gear would be cumbersome. That’s why she hadn’t asked for it.
The duke continued without knowing her thoughts:
“I hear you dislike heavy and uncomfortable gear, but this should be light enough to wear.”
“Eh?”
Wait… he prepared it knowing she dislikes it? Why?
Elysia shook her head reluctantly.
“No, Father. I really won’t cause trouble anymore, so you don’t have to….”
“This one is light enough to wear under a dress. Lighter than paper.”
“Wha-what?”
Elysia picked up the protective gear, stunned. Lighter than paper? That kind of technology was rare even in the Seiros Saga. Where did this come from…?
Howell, nearby, added in an irritated voice:
“You’re so difficult. Refusing life-saving gear just because it’s cumbersome. In the end, you still get spoiled like this.”
The duke scolded Howell:
“Enough, Howell. Elysia has always been like this. She’s always extravagant.”
‘Stop complaining about me!’
She never even asked for it!
