Part 1: Saintess Candidate Arc

18. The Saintess's Reputation (2)

Translated by: S3

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Daniel’s office was, as usual, littered with books. But today marked their farewell to this office.

Since the library was completed just a moment ago, today was the day to clean up the office overflowing with books.

Lily enthusiastically rolled up her sleeves.

「Thank you, Lily. I didn't truly expect you to come and help.」

He said that, yet Daniel had been intending to clean up this enormous amount of books by himself.

He was a recluse, after all. He didn't want anyone who didn't understand the value of his precious books to touch them, but Lily thought at this rate, it would never get done.

「No, not only will the room be tidy, but the proposal I submitted a while ago to remove the hazardous materials was approved. It's all good news!」

Daniel was in high spirits throughout. Yesterday, he had received permission to remove the Impure Mist within the Protect Wall.

Moreover, the implementation date was set to be the soonest possible—it would be executed the day after tomorrow.

「Everyone said they wanted it gone quickly. Ah, exhilarating! So refreshing!」

(His voice sounds cheerful, but his eyes—aren't smiling.)

Daniel's expression was seemingly easy to read, but his true feelings were always elusive. Lily found this puzzling and often observed him.

Of course, if his true intentions were frightening, she would keep her distance and not observe him. But since the emotions Daniel directed toward Lily were benevolent, it was not a problem.

(Everyone has things and people they dislike. Besides, that's just a survival strategy. It’s rather wonderful, even.)

She even wished the people at the Western Fortress—many of whom couldn't quite control their emotions—would learn from him.

「If we clear the books today, we can prepare for the implementation the day after tomorrow.」

「Indeed. Since Lily will have to work hard, I prepared some delicious snacks!」

「Wow! What could it be?」

Chiffon cake, iced cookies, mille crepe. Lily had learned many names of sweets since coming to the royal capital.

They were cute, beautifully decorated, and, moreover, sweet and delicious.

Suddenly motivated, she quickly carried out the books. Even Daniel managed to resist opening an old treasure (a rare book) he found and diligently focused on cleaning for once.

When they were mostly done, they took a break with the baumkuchen he had prepared and some tea. Since the only topic Daniel and Lily shared was work, their conversation during the break revolved around magic arrays.

「For the purification, we’ll draw a purification magic array on the inside of the Protect Wall and let it sublimate toward the ceiling.」

「So that plan was adopted. Which design will you use?」

「I haven't quite decided yet. Lily's magic power alone is a bit insufficient to cover the entire royal capital. I thought about a simple design, but a highly effective design is also hard to give up, right? I requested that more Light Magic users be added.」

Daniel was enthusiastic. Since he had achieved unanimous consent, he was confident that if he asked for the budget, it would be approved.

「It would be fantastical to see a Sacred Figure glowing on the ceiling of the royal capital.」

「Yes, indeed. I hadn't thought of it that way, but it certainly sounds like it will create a breathtaking sight.」

The two thrilled at the thought, imagining how fantastical and beautiful it would be to see the golden, glowing Sacred Figure drawn across the canvas of a cloudless blue sky.

***

Dylan, upon visiting Arthur’s office, was wrapped in a heavy atmosphere. Noah watched the scene anxiously while brewing tea.

「Your Highness. I have a few things I need to ask. May I?」

「Yes, I will answer within what I can reveal.」

「I heard talk that there is a lack of fairness toward the Saintess Candidates. Specifically, that you are closely sharing lunch with one of them, which has led to rumors. Is this true?」

Arthur and Noah were both aware of the rumors Dylan was likely referring to. But the point about lacking fairness was irritating.

「It's true that I have heard the trivial rumors, and yes, I have been sharing lunch with Lily, one of the Saintess Candidates. But I fail to understand why that is judged as lacking fairness.」

「If you are receiving work reports from the Saintess Candidates, it should be done equally for all of them. Only singling out one person causes rumors.」

「That is an arbitrary claim. I am only setting up a meeting because there is business to discuss. There is no need to set aside time for someone with no business.」

「Lord Dylan」

The air grew heavier, and Noah couldn't help but interject. He knew Arthur was cutting corners because he found the explanation bothersome.

As expected, Dylan glared at him fiercely.

「Please don't glare so much. I believe Lord Dylan is mistaken, so allow me to speak briefly.」

「I am mistaken?」

「Yes. Firstly, regarding the Saintess Candidates' reports, we had originally instructed them to submit them in writing. However, Lady Olivia and Lady Poppy both came directly to His Highness every day to report. And because their reports contained detailed information, each person took up about two hours of His Highness’s time. This resulted in continuous overtime for about half a month. Since it was so excessive, we re-enforced the rule for written reports.」

「Is that... so? I was unaware of that.」

「It is. By the way, Lily submitted her reports in writing through me, so she had almost no contact with His Highness during that time. If we're talking about fairness, I believe fairness can only be claimed once we spend an equal amount of time compensating for that, wouldn't you agree?」

「...What? You sound rather emotional. I didn't know Noah was so lenient toward his relatives.」

「Hmph!」

Noah was eloquent, but Dylan was one or two steps ahead. Dylan skillfully diverted the conversation by striking at Noah's perceived favoritism toward his relative, Lily, just as he himself was defending his sister, Olivia.

「Dylan, stop picking on Noah. To begin with, we intended to divide the work equally, but when we checked, the reality was the opposite.」

「Olivia told me the rotation was stopped out of consideration for the two whose etiquette was lacking.」

「Which one of us is lenient toward relatives? Olivia refused to help with their work after the Queen's treatment concluded. Besides consideration, there must be some personal preference involved.」

Given Olivia's personality, that was likely accurate. Even Dylan didn't believe everything Olivia said, but this made his initial claim of lacking fairness sound like a mere excuse.

「Shouldn't you dedicate time to her as work, not over meals?」

「My morning is filled with the purification work, and my afternoon is entirely taken up by my uncle’s work. The only time to fit her in is during overtime or lunch.」

「I see. You chose lunch rather than forcing overtime, then.」

The logic held up. But 「(This is uninteresting,)」 Dylan thought, clicking his tongue inwardly.

Being outmaneuvered by a younger childhood friend, his sister Olivia being slighted, and Arthur likely developing special feelings for that girl—none of it was interesting.

「But it is curious. What exactly are you eliciting from her for an entire hour every day? If it's the kind of report that could be submitted in writing, there's no need for conversation, is there?」

「Well, it’s various things.」

His actual objective was something he couldn't even discuss with Dylan yet, and the rest was just casual chatter, so he couldn't explain. He unconsciously reached for the candy placed on his desk.

「Are you still eating that candy? Is it addictive?」

「There is no such thing. Lord Dylan, please do not make baseless accusations.」

Noah refuted the claim to protect Lily's honor.

「That candy, by the look of it, is handmade. Since Noah gave it to you last time, is it made by the Saintess Candidate Noah looks after?」

「It is, but. But, it is just candy. The ingredients have been analyzed.」

「How foolish. ...It's only a matter of time before a dishonorable rumor spreads that you are being seduced by candy and enjoying contentless conversation over lunch.」

「How dare you say such a thing! That is a completely unfounded claim!」

Dylan deliberately provoked him, and Noah, failing to recognize the intention, emotionally snapped back.

「That kind of action alone could be turned into a narrative that the Tinam family incited this. Do you understand? The very fact that you are delivering it means there's a possibility you could be suspected of being an accomplice.」

Noah didn't know what to say in response to such absurd logic. He groaned and fell silent.

「Dylan, enough. What is your goal?」

「Very well. I wish to acquire the honor of the Protect Wall purification work happening the day after tomorrow for the Gold Duchy family.」

「That is something my uncle is leading. Negotiate with him, not me.」

「Lord Daniel chases away visitors from his office and, despite being royalty, doesn't get involved in state affairs, so it’s quite difficult to meet him. If I were to try to push my request, direct negotiation would only be a mistake. I was being considerate by consulting with Your Highness.」

From the beginning, Dylan's objective was to use Arthur to usurp the work being led by Daniel.

「The execution is the day after tomorrow. I believe changing the executor with so little time will lower the success rate.」

「I do not believe Olivia, a superior Light Magic user, is inferior to someone of a lower rank.」

Since Lily's magic power measurement was done separately, she was not included in the official ranking. Considering various political constraints, she was currently positioned as the lowest among the three Saintess Candidates.

「Are you that confident?」

「Yes. We will achieve results that will not shame the Gold family name.」

When Olivia brought this matter up to him, she was certain of her ability. And Dylan assumed that the job, which was handled by Daniel—a royal who had a poor relationship with those around him and didn't do much important work—couldn't be too difficult.

「Understood. I will inform my uncle. If your business is concluded, return to your duties.」

「I apologize. I have overstayed my welcome. Glory to the Holy Aurum Kingdom.」

Once Dylan left, Noah couldn't hold back and questioned Arthur.

「What was that? Why did the conversation turn into that?!」

It made no sense. From Noah's perspective, Olivia and Poppy were the ones acting self-servingly, and Lily was simply carrying out her tasks diligently.

「It was just a baseless accusation, don't worry about it. Olivia is likely just annoyed that she hasn't been able to achieve the merits she wanted.」

「And such claims are allowed to pass?!」

「He prefers incorruptibility, but sometimes he insists on his own way to achieve his ideals. I also think Dylan's way of leading the conversation was unreasonable.」

「Then why did you agree to Lord Dylan's request?」

「The Gold family is skilled at manipulating rumors. They must be pulling the strings behind the Saintess-and-Crown-Princess rumor. It is not wise to antagonize them too much.」

Arthur shrugged, seeing Noah's contorted, unhappy face.

「There is no family that is entirely cooperative for the convenience of the royal family. The Gold family has served the royal family, both openly and secretly, for a long time, and even they will have requests. We cannot function by simply refusing them just because we've been slightly challenged. Depending on the content, it works out better to approve it if it's not an outrageous demand.」

Even after Arthur explained, Noah remained silent, seemingly unconvinced.

「Noah, hurry and grow strong enough to ward off Dylan. I have high expectations for you.」

After a moment, Noah finally replied, 「Yes.」

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