Part 1: Saintess Candidate Arc

2. Recruitment of the Saintess (2)

Translated by: S3

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When the hours-long exam and measurements were over, the sky was completely shrouded in deep darkness. Noah led the visibly exhausted Lily, whose eyes were blinking sleepily, onto the Count family’s carriage and instructed the coachman to take her back to her parents.

「Cousin Noah, are you still working?」

Lily peeked her head out of the carriage’s small window and asked.

「Yes. I need to get the results today and decide on the schedule going forward.」

「I see. Don’t overwork yourself.」

Noah gave a wry smile at being worried about by Lily, who was utterly exhausted from the unfamiliar examination.

This cousin always put herself second, caring for and prioritizing others.

「You too, Lily. Be sure to get some good rest today.」

As the departing carriage rounded the corner and disappeared from view, Noah turned on his heel and headed back to the castle.

When he returned to the room where the examination had just taken place, besides Daniel, the Crown Prince whom Noah served—Arthur Aurum—was sitting relaxed in a chair.

「Your Highness, you came as well.」

「My remaining work is just to hear the results of your cousin’s exam.」

Arthur gave a curt reply without taking his eyes off the documents in his hand. His beautiful golden hair fell loose, and his blue eyes visible through the gap were narrowed. He must have been deeply concerned about some part of Lily’s examination results, as he remained motionless after his reply, staring intently at the results sheet.

(It’s unusual for this person to show interest in someone else’s abilities.)

Arthur possessed a beautiful appearance, a highly praised intellect, and was a mage who mastered the Four Elemental Magics—Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth—which set him overwhelmingly apart from others.

He was someone who could be called perfect in every way, yet he was often indifferent to the people around him.

The recent annulment of his engagement to the Second Princess of the Auro Empire was dismissed with a single word: 「Indeed.」 There were those who advised him to offer asylum or aid, but he simply signed the annulment papers immediately, gathered soldiers for the Eastern Fortress, and reinforced the defenses.

—The other party wished it. And this kingdom needs to prepare for danger. What more am I supposed to do?

As a statesman, it was a perfectly sound judgment. However, Arthur was also a seventeen-year-old youth, just like Noah. Shouldn't he feel some worry or conflict over his long-time fiancée? In fact, wouldn't the lack of it be unnatural? While his seemingly cold and detached attitude was respectable, Noah had gradually begun to feel dissatisfied.

—Shouldn't he at least share his true feelings or complain to me, his close aide?

Noah worked tirelessly every day to close the emotional distance with this solitary Crown Prince. As a result, while the distance remained the same, he had reached a point where he could pick up on Arthur’s reactions from his expressions and gestures.

(I have a hunch, but I can tell His Highness is concerned about Lily.)

The reason for this was utterly unclear, but Noah was deeply impressed by his own growth.

「Her abilities are perfectly fine, and her personality is gentle and seems serious, which is good. Thank you for introducing such a good girl, Noah-kun.」

Daniel, who was Arthur’s uncle, also had beautiful golden hair and blue eyes, but his expressive face—or rather, his perpetual smile—made them seem unrelated by blood. Moreover, if one looked closely, his eyes weren’t actually smiling, but it was hard to notice because they were squinted.

「I am honored to be of assistance, Daniel-sama.」

The man who appeared to be smiling but wasn't, kept gazing at the test results and scribbling notes.

「Her practical skills are somewhat inferior compared to the other candidates, but her reserve of magic power is amazing. She seems to have great potential for growth. If she studies properly, she’ll improve rapidly.」

Lily herself had hoped for rejection, but at this rate, it looked like she would safely land the position of Daniel’s assistant.

「Are both of her parents magic users?」

「No. Both of her parents are of noble birth, but neither was a magic user.」

「Hmm. It's a case of atavism. In such cases, the magic often fails to manifest in reality. That makes it even more mysterious.」

Daniel was extremely curious about Lily and bombarded Noah with questions, but although Noah had an acquaintance with her, he had only met her a handful of times. He immediately stumbled when the conversation became too detailed.

「I heard she suddenly became able to use it when she was seven years old, I believe. I don't know anything more specific than that. Her parents will be staying for a few days, so I will ask them.」

At that moment, the clock in the room chimed nine o’clock. It was officially overtime.

「Her parents are scheduled to depart for the Eastern Fortress after staying in the royal capital for a few days, so I will take my leave now to confirm the details with them. Is her assignment as Daniel-sama's assistant acceptable?」

「Noah. Have this girl take on both my uncle’s work and the Saint Candidate duties.」

Arthur, who had been looking down at the test results until now, spoke up without waiting for Daniel’s reply.

「Oh, come on. Arthur, you’ve already secured two Saint Candidates; you should show some restraint.」

「To deal with the problems currently arising in the royal capital, we simply need more people. Please cooperate.」

「Oh, alright. When can she start working? Tomorrow?」

In the blink of an eye, Lily was included in the Saint Candidate roster. Furthermore, she was immediately asked to start tomorrow, which confused Noah. He needed at least a day to persuade and mollify Lily. He desperately racked his brain, trying to find a way to refuse.

「Tomorrow there will be a meeting and work assignments for the Saint Candidates. It will be a problem if she doesn't come.」

With Arthur’s supportive fire, Noah gave up on many things and decided to apologize repeatedly until Lily nodded.

「I understand. I will bring her tomorrow. However, since her parents’ stay in the royal capital is limited, please allow her to decline working after tomorrow’s explanation until her parents depart the royal capital.」

「That sounds right. Spending time with family before soldiers leave for duty and being there for their send-off are rights that should be granted to everyone. That’s fine with you, too, Arthur, isn’t it?」

「Yes. That is no problem.」

The recruitment test ended with a result that was nothing but problematic for Lily.

When Noah returned to the Count family’s mansion, Adam, Emma, and Lily, who had decided to stay the night after all, greeted him.

「Lily. You’re still awake. I thought you were quite tired from the exam, are you alright?」

「I’m fine! I slept for three whole hours after coming back, so I’m full of energy!」

It was common for the fortress, when in a state of emergency, to organize two- or three-shift rotations, with short breaks in between to continue rescue efforts.

Lily, who had that experience, had taken a nap and regulated her health to be ready to intercept the returning Noah.

「So, how were the exam results? I wasn’t able to perform the practical skills well, unlike on the battlefield, so I must have been rejected, right!」

When he handed the acceptance notice to a visibly cheerful Lily who was certain of her rejection, she was clearly crestfallen.

「And, I’m terribly sorry, but tomorrow there will be a meeting to explain things to the Saint Candidates, so I’d like you to report to the castle for just a little while.」

「What did you say?!」

「Yeah. I’m sorry. I only need you for a very short time. Please, Lily.」

Noah, who thought he had provoked her fury by stealing her family time, maintained an attitude of apologizing through and through.

He absolutely had to placate her and get her to the castle tomorrow.

「Cousin Noah, you liar!」

「I-I didn’t lie, did I? Though I am sorry for stealing the little time you have left with your family.」

「No! You said the Saint thing had nothing to do with it in the carriage on the way to the castle today, but just now you said ‘Saint Candidate’!」

「Ah!」

He had been careless. Lily had been extremely averse to the topic of the Saint Candidate who would also be the Crown Prince’s Fiancée.

Because Noah’s face showed he had been hit where it hurt, Lily understood that what she said was correct and her eyes widened.

「Lily. If it’s a decision made by the castle, you have no choice but to obey. Understand that speaking to Noah-kun won’t overturn it.」

Adam stopped Lily, who looked like she was about to shout. Faced with that undeniable logic, Lily bit her lip and looked down.

「I’m sorry, Lily. I’ll make it up to you however I can, within my means.」

「—Really? Anything?」

「Ugh. Refusing the Saint Candidate position is impossible, though…

「I wouldn’t ask for that. Just keep your promise to do whatever I ask.」

What exactly would she demand? A sliver of anxiety remained, but Noah was relieved that he had managed to secure her compliance with the immediate command.

The next day, Noah took Lily to the castle again.

Although they didn't speak in the carriage on the way, Lily looked out the window at the town. She didn't seem to be in a bad mood.

「Hey, Cousin Noah. I've thought about that favor I wanted to ask about yesterday—」

Noah braced himself for Lily's request, but was relieved when he heard what she wanted.

「Is that all? That’s an easy request.」

「Yay!」

Seeing her smile so brightly she nearly jumped, Noah smiled too.

He felt like he and Lily could get along well, one way or another.

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