Side Story 1–6
Seamus narrowed his eyes at the sudden question.
‘…What kind of strange question is that?’
Whenever he asked something, Leila often looked at him and said, “Are you okay?”
‘But that man isn’t normal either.’
Still, it was an interesting question, so Seamus frowned slightly.
“……They say mana is connected to the soul. If someone has strong mana, there’s a higher chance their bond with their soul is strong as well.”
“Hm.”
“But that’s only a theory.”
“I see.”
Carlyle rubbed his chin.
He had already lived one life twice.
If that was possible because of his powerful mana, then didn’t that mean it could happen again?
‘If it weren’t for the spirits of Sienamarin, I wouldn’t have recovered my memories.’
He looked at Seamus Finley.
Seamus looked like a cautious cat with its fur standing on end.
‘Then… would I meet this junior again next time?’
Seamus was powerful enough to become the master of the Mage Tower.
So maybe.
But then… who would be by Leila’s side?
“……Finley, you.”
“Yes?”
“If you met Leila again in another life, would you still like her the same way?”
“…?”
Seamus’s face became even more catlike and fierce.
Was this a provocation?
But even to Seamus, who didn’t fully understand human emotions yet, it didn’t sound like one.
If anything, it sounded like a question meant to confirm a fact.
“…It’s irrational not to follow the best possible answer.”
“……”
“This time, that answer chose senior. Next time, who knows.”
Then, looking at Carlyle, Seamus calculated.
If they fought with mana here, what would the result be?
‘Win rate… about forty percent.’
Carlyle Lupesk’s aura was abnormally strong, but if Seamus used his full power…
However, Carlyle simply nodded calmly.
“I see. That’s a good answer.”
“…?”
What was that supposed to mean? Seamus stared at his former senior, completely dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Carlyle turned his gaze toward the corridor windows.
Even at this late hour, many people were heading toward the temple.
Just like the scenery he had seen long ago, through the memories of Justinianus.
Am I enjoying taming Roxana?
No. Not at all.
It may look like I’m doing something amusing, but honestly, it’s not my taste.
‘It’s not like I want to spend my life stuck with an incompetent junior.’
What a waste of time.
And I could clearly see her nasty thoughts—getting angry at me and wanting to drag everyone down with her.
So I chose a different method.
‘You just have to poke their pride properly.’
Once I crushed that sky-high pride of hers, she started trying to do her work perfectly just to avoid facing me.
‘Though she still makes mistakes by the truckload.’
The biggest problem was that she showed zero self-reflection.
I knew it would be like that.
People like her usually spend their whole lives convincing themselves they’re winning.
‘Tsk. I even showed her how to survive, and she still can’t take it.’
But I didn’t need to exhaust myself anymore.
Because the people coming and going through the temple would spread the rumors for me.
“Wow, the Saintess is literally teaching her everything at her side. From start to finish!”
“And she’s not even grateful for the time given to her.”
“Did you see her attitude?”
“Well, that’s why she uses black magic and shamelessly asks for a reduced sentence…”
…Just like that.
At this rate, the imperial family wouldn’t be able to bother me anymore.
But right now, my soul was leaving my body for a different reason.
While wearing the most gorgeous Saintess outfit imaginable.
“Are you okay, Leila?”
“Edgaaar……”
I felt like dying when I saw Edgar, who was just as perfectly dressed as I was.
“How many more hours are left for today’s Prayer Audience?”
“Three more hours.”
“Haaaagh.”
I screamed silently.
I was sitting in a room covered by a magical veil.
Edgar checked my condition and smiled bitterly.
“I guess reviving this event is making things hard for you.”
“It’s been the most important event since ancient times……”
The Prayer Audience was…
‘An event where the Saintess listens to prayers offered to the gods—in exchange for donations.’
A very long time ago, even before I disappeared.
It was the most important ceremony of the temple.
The Saintess listens to people’s prayers from behind a veil that hides her face.
For reference, voice-altering magic is applied.
‘Because they absolutely must not recognize me.’
Physically, it’s easy.
Mentally? Completely draining.
“Edgar. I just received a prayer asking for help with adultery.”
“Oh dear. Just reject it.”
There are plenty of sincere prayers, but some people are basically walking embodiments of desire.
[Please let me win the lottery!]
[Please let me become a happy, jobless freeloader!]
Those were actually cute wishes. Even I would pray for those.
But there were also far too many prayers that showed the darkest depths of humanity.
Thinking about it… even when I lived 300 years ago—
‘I think this was what I hated the most.’
A life where you only listen to people demanding things from you.
I chuckled softly while looking at my High Priest.
“You look tired too, Edgar.”
“Listening to people whine about what they want isn’t exactly pleasant.”
Edgar smiled while looking out the window.
“Haha. Their greed is so strong it almost makes me dizzy.”
“Ah……”
Even for someone who can read minds, this must be exhausting.
Was that why his complexion looked a little pale?
‘But he doesn’t like it when I worry too much.’
I remembered getting sharply scolded the last time I showed concern.
So I decided to ask indirectly.
“Edgar.”
“Yes, Leila.”
“Do you have any prayer you want to make to me?”
“……”
“I can’t guarantee it’ll reach the gods, but I can listen.”
If he was tired because of work, I could at least help with that.
After all, it was work from a superior.
‘We’ll be working together from now on, anyway.’
Edgar stared straight at me.
The emotion in his eyes was hard to read.
‘Is that… bitterness?’
Just as that thought crossed my mind, he smiled as usual.
“I’m fine, Leila.”
“Really? Nothing at all?”
“Sometimes, it’s better to leave things unfulfilled.”
“…?”
“Well, well. Break time’s over. The next people are coming in, so get ready.”
“Yeees……”
Once Edgar left, the room fell silent again.
Fine. Just three more hours of intense work.
Then I’ll check the donations, discuss improvements for the next event with the staff, and—
‘Wait.’
Why am I working this hard?
I barely even see my fiancé these days!
‘…Damn it!’
Training Roxana woke up my inner office worker.
Now overtime and overwork felt completely normal.
Once this Prayer Audience is over…
Just wait.
I’m taking a long vacation again!
‘I mean it! I know it doesn’t sound convincing coming from me, but I’m serious!’
The moment I clenched my teeth—
The prayer room door opened, and footsteps approached.
Tap. Tap.
Afternoon work was starting.
Because of the magic veil, I couldn’t even guess who it was by their silhouette.
“Welcome, believer.”
—May the Saintess receive divine grace. May I speak now?
“Yes, please go ahead.”
Please, no adultery, gambling, fraud, or murder.
Just pray within common sense.
The tone was polite, so I’ll trust they’re reasonable.
—I actually came to pray for someone I love.
“Ah……”
—I’ve been thinking a lot before proposing.
“Please, tell me more.”
I straightened my posture slightly.
‘This suddenly got interesting.’
And it’s ethically safe, too.
“Everything said in here is confidential. Don’t worry.”
—Thank you. My fiancée is the love of my life, but more than that, she’s someone I deeply respect.
“Oh?”
—Even when forced to do things by others, she always does her best.
“Mhm.”
—But when I look back, I don’t think I’ve done my best for her.
The person hesitated, sounding shy.
This feels less like a prayer and more like listening to someone’s love story—but it’s fun. Please continue.
—So I will… I’ll do my best until the end of this life. But if I’m given another chance in the next one, I want to give my very best from the very beginning.
“……”
—I want to give her a love where the end and the beginning cannot be separated.
