Chapter 189
The third-class train ride was enjoyable.
A wide-open space where no privacy was guaranteed, filled with people lounging around in comfort. Everyone behaved without minding others.
This place felt like the only cradle of freedom permitted by the Holy Federation. Simon met with many people, squeezing time from his rest. There were even Federation citizens who didn't believe in the Goddess, or who resisted Efnelle. Of course, they thoroughly pretended to be devout followers in front of inquisitors.
Meeting so many people, Simon felt his horizons naturally broaden.
On the other hand, Lete, who wasn't used to such an environment, spent most of her time up on the top bunk or burying her face in a pillow, trying to avoid unwanted gazes.
Still, by the second day, she seemed to have roughly adjusted. She started walking around in comfortable clothes, tossing off her outerwear, and grew close to a girl her age from the commoners, often spending time together.
Thus, the five-day train journey ended, and they arrived at the very same village station they had first reached upon entering the Federation.
They received many farewells. Even two inquisitors they'd grown close to on the train came personally to shake Simon's hand.
After getting off the train, the two went to meet the broker first. Arriving at the designated shabby tavern, they were sipping water when a man draped in a tattered robe appeared.
"The confession of the wolf."
The broker spoke.
"To the foolish lamb."
Simon answered. The very same broker who had brought them bowed his head.
"We meet again. Preparations for your return are complete."
"How's the situation at the border?"
To Simon's question, the broker replied eagerly, as if waiting for it.
"Rejoice! The Federation's biggest headache, the Blood Heaven Cult, was just purged. Security has greatly loosened. Things just keep falling into place, don't they?"
Simon and Lete exchanged glances and smiled. The three of them then began planning in detail.
"Then, we'll cross into the Dark Alliance early tomorrow morning."
"Yes, please take good care of us."
And with that—
The journey with Lete ended.
Truthfully, Lete had wanted to accompany him across the border and stay by Anna's side until she recovered her health, but Israfil had strictly warned her.
—No matter how immature you are, this is too dangerous and reckless. As a representative student of Efnelle, you must show better judgment!
As a Saint, not just an acquaintance, she issued a travel ban to Lete. In the end, Lete had to promise not to cross the border.
"Maybe I should just…"
"?"
On the way back to their lodging after meeting the broker, Lete spoke in a deliberately low voice.
"Maybe I should just ignore Lady Israfil and cross the border with you."
At her seemingly impulsive remark, Simon replied gently, trying to dissuade her.
"Don't worry too much. Mom will be fine. I completed the mission way ahead of the date Father mentioned. Once the surgery goes well, I'll definitely send a letter from across the border."
He had troubled Lete far too much. Not just once, but twice.
She too deserved time for herself. As Efnelle's top student, she must be incredibly busy, and making time now for Anna must have been a real burden.
Simon decided he couldn't trouble her any further.
"..."
"What is it?"
Lete pouted, clearly displeased, then turned her head away.
"Nothing."
Night fell.
This was their last night in the Holy Federation. The two of them donned their robes and stepped out into the night market.
They recalled how, on their first visit, the place had descended into chaos when inquisitors burst in.
But on this second visit, nothing like that happened. The night market was just as Simon had imagined, lively and vibrant.
'Alright, what should I buy?'
Thanks to Israfil's help, their trip ended quickly, and since bringing White Leaf hadn't cost too much, they still had plenty of funds.
The two wandered the market, snacking on treats and buying gifts for Anna.
Since she was living in the Dark Alliance, these items from here wouldn't be easy for her to get—clean, new scriptures, various prayer items, specialty goods, snacks, and more.
"Let's get this too. I'm sure Miss Anna will love it."
Lete's advice truly shined when picking out gifts for Anna.
"What's this? Dates?"
"Date palms. They're sweet and tasty. When I was little, Miss Anna used to have me sit on her lap and would remove the seeds for me."
"Isn't that just your favorite?"
"Shut up."
Simon packed up all the gifts for Anna and Richard and stored them in the subspace.
He wanted to get gifts for the people back in Keyzen too, but since Federation goods might cause trouble if discovered, he decided against it.
"Ah."
Just then, a clothing shop caught Simon's eye. It was the very shop where he had bought his new robe.
"Lete. Come with me for a second."
"Huh? Where are we going?"
Simon brought her inside.
"Oh my, you're back, Priest!"
The shop owner remembered Simon.
She greeted them warmly, and noticing that Lete was the target this time, she rubbed her hands together and spiced up her words like a true salesperson.
A few moments later, the fitting room curtain was pulled back.
"...Seriously."
Lete was wearing the same white robe that Simon had once worn. Embarrassed, she tucked her side hair behind her ear.
"You look absolutely stunning, miss!"
The shopkeeper screamed a business-boosting compliment. Simon smiled and added,
"It suits you well."
"W-Why are you doing this all of a sudden? It's embarrassing."
"You said you liked this robe when I wore it. I'll buy you one."
"No way, this is expensive...! A-And it'll be a couple look with you! If I have to walk around the market next to you in matching outfits, I'd rather hang myself and die!"
Simon chuckled and took off his robe.
Flap!
He then flipped it inside out to transform it into a coat style, put it on, and infused mana—not Darkness—into his fingertips.
The robe's color changed to a soft, bluish hue.
"There. That solves it, right?"
"..."
Before Lete could object further, Simon and the shopkeeper, like a well-oiled team, quickly completed the payment.
Lete, stepping down from the fitting room, didn't seem entirely displeased, she pushed her hair behind her ear and looked over herself.
"Let's go."
Simon approached, the hem of his blue coat fluttering.
"..."
Lete glanced at him, then suddenly lowered her head. She mumbled something softly and darted out the shop first.
Simon didn't catch what she said, but he guessed it was probably a quiet "thank you."
"She's a cute lady."
The shopkeeper chuckled. Simon, worried Lete might hear, quickly put a finger over his lips.
Just then, Lete's angry voice could be heard yelling for him to hurry up from beyond the door.
When they stepped outside, a chilly night breeze greeted them.
Simon and Lete wandered the night market wearing outfits that were technically the same, but not quite a couple look.
They still had plenty of money and did everything they wanted. They stood at a stall enjoying hot broth, played a dart game aiming for targets. The stall owner, overwhelmed by the two monstrous talents sweeping all the prizes, eventually kicked them out.
"It was a short break, but a lot happened."
The last place they visited was a famous wine shop in the Holy Federation. As Lete took a sip, Simon clinked glasses with her and said,
"Yeah, a lot happened."
* * *
That dawn, at the inn.
It was time to leave.
Simon, who had woken early and packed his things, finally put on his coat and stepped outside.
"Why're you so late."
Lete, wearing the white robe Simon had bought her, leaned against the wall of the room opposite his.
"You're up early. Didn't you drink a bit too much?"
"One Purification Spell, and alcohol's nothing."
Simon grinned playfully.
"Is it okay to use Holiness for something like that?"
"It's my choice. Let's go. I'll see you off."
When they stepped outside, the once lively city now felt so empty it was almost eerie. With the dawn wind brushing against them, the two walked through the deserted streets.
"You've arrived."
At the meeting point, the broker was already waiting with a bow. Beside him, a teleportation magic circle was being prepared.
Having experienced it once before, Simon clearly understood the process.
They would teleport to a warehouse near the border, then hide inside a crate on a freight wagon to pass through the Gate of Holiness.
After that, they'd activate the teleportation circle drawn beneath the crate, arriving in Hove, a neighboring fief of Leshill. That would be the end.
"I'll go ahead and wait for you."
As always, the broker stepped onto the magic circle first and vanished.
Now, only Simon and Lete remained in front of the magic circle.
The moment of farewell.
A brief, awkward silence lingered. It was Lete who spoke first.
"Take good care of Miss Anna."
"Yeah. And thank you, for everything."
"..."
She slowly pulled up the hood attached to her robe. Seeing her lips start to move, Simon asked,
"Is there something you want to say?"
Her white hair spilled out from beneath the robe and swayed gently.
"I'm your greatest enemy."
"Yeah."
"We only worked together for a short while because of our mutual concern for Miss Anna. But our fates have already split and twisted in completely different directions."
"I know."
"I'll become a Saint, and I'll give my all to the commands of the Goddess and Efnelle. My missions come first, and I won't hesitate to kill if necessary."
"Right."
"During those missions, I'll probably clash with Keyzen many times. People dear to you, your friends, they might die by my hand."
"I'm aware."
"That's why…"
From within her hood, her golden eyes gleamed.
"I'll give you one last chance. Fight me, necromancer."
Simon let out a long sigh.
"Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"
"Shut up and bring out that Prince guy too. Let's do this properly, you and me—"
"I refuse."
Simon shook his head.
"I won't hurt you."
Lete had saved Anna. His entire household owed her a great debt.
He had seen firsthand what kind of person she was. He had come to know that even among Saints, there were good people like Israfil.
"There's no need to be pessimistic about something that hasn't even happened yet. Let's each do our best in Keyzen and Efnelle. If the day comes when we must fight, then let's fight with everything we have. But let's not resent each other for it. We know who we are now, how we lived."
"..."
She stood still for a moment, then let out a laugh.
"You're so damn annoying, seriously."
"I'm going."
She slowly pulled back her hood again. Her bangs fell forward, and her golden eyes were visible once more.
"Take care, Simon."
Simon paused just as he was about to step onto the magic circle. Then, with a smile, he turned back.
"You only call me by name now, at the very end?"
"Ack! Ugh! Shut up and get lost already! Before I change my mind and just kill you!"
Simon chuckled as he stepped onto the magic circle.
Their gazes met once more in the air, and then a dazzling blue light enveloped Simon, transporting him to the next location.
"..."
Blue light particles floated in the air for a moment, then vanished.
"...I will never lose to you."
Lete stared into the empty space for a moment, then tightened her robe as if steeling herself, and walked away.