Side: Rurua Rithea
As I revealed my true appearance, Elju-sama, Seraria-sama, and the Squire Oriel all widened their eyes in shock.
『Rurua-sama!? W-Why are you in a place like this!? What on earth happened in the Holy Nation of Rithea!?』
『Wait a second—Rurua was dismissed!? What is that supposed to mean!? What are those people in the upper ranks thinking!?』
『Rurua-sama... for someone like you to be relieved of duty... that's absurd...』
All three of them showed blatant surprise at the fact that I had been removed from my position as Saintess.
"Yes, I am no longer the Saintess. By the will of the high officials, I hold a nominal title within Rithea for now, but... you could say that this is the root cause of the current incident."
As I spoke, a hush fell over the room. Yet, within that silence, there was one man who broke it without a second thought. Who truly is he?
『Heh, I see. Now I get the picture. Well, putting that aside, I've got a question... Tell me, can Saints be mass-produced?』
The rude question froze the atmosphere.
Mass-producing Saints like livestock or food—how blasphemous...
『Y-Yuki-san!? Y-You can't!! You mustn't say such rude things to Rurua-sama!!』
『Yuki, that's not something I can overlook! Whether it's Elju-sama or Rurua-sama, Saints are symbols of hope—how can you speak of 'mass production'!?』
『Come on, they're already being mass-produced at this point. There's at least one more right now, isn't there?』
The man called Yuki shot back.
Well, he wasn't entirely wrong... Saints were supposed to be one of a kind... and yet, there were currently three.
『...Rurua, who is the one currently bearing the title of Saint? Is it from one of the Three Great Noble Houses?』
Seraria-sama is sharp as ever. While her tendency to get tunnel vision regarding Elju-sama is a slight flaw, she is by no means thoughtless.
"Yes, as Seraria-sama says. The current Saintess is the eldest daughter of the 'Literuason' family, one of the Three Great Noble Houses, 'Arshtelle-sama'."
『Tch, that haughty young lady. She probably doesn't realize it herself, but she's just a convenient puppet.』
"...No. She is not a bad person. She possesses the qualities of a Saint and has worked diligently to live up to that role."
『'Qualities,' eh? So you're saying she's still not worthy of being a Saintess?』
"..."
I could only respond with silence.
If Arshtelle-sama had matured just a little more, perhaps this could have been prevented... No, I must not shift the blame to others. As someone who knew the truth, it was I who had to persevere.
"Sorry, I know this little lady is the Saint of Rithea because I saw her back when I was an active adventurer, but what are these 'Three Great Noble Houses'?"
Mobu-san, who had been listening, voiced his question.
It's true that such details wouldn't be familiar to adventurers or those from other nations.
"Yes. The Three Great Noble Houses are distinguished families who contributed greatly during the founding of the Holy State of Rithea."
『People call Rithea a religious nation, but in reality, those three families steer its politics. Makes sense—Saints might have healing power and charisma, but not necessarily political skill.』 Seraria-sama added.
"I see..."
『It's about putting the right people in the right roles. The Saint unites the people with charisma and healing, and the Three Houses use that unity to govern. Of course, there are exceptions—Rurua here is considered exceptional even among past Saints. Honestly, she surpasses even Elju, who was directly blessed by Lilyshe-sama—both as a Saint and as a politician.』
『That's right! Rurua-sama is my role model! Do you get it now, Yuki-san?』
『Yeah, yeah—so they are mass-produced. You said 'past Saints', after all. Sounds like a succession system... Anyway, we're getting off track. Sorry, Rurua-san. I've got a general idea of the situation, but could you give us the conclusion?』
Quite right. We shall save the history of Rithea for another time. This incident is far from over.
"Yes... This entire incident was orchestrated by the Holy Nation of Rithea... in order to eliminate Elju-sama."
『M-Me!? Why do you mean!?』
『Elju, that's because you received the blessing of the Saintess title directly from Lilyshe-sama. That's the problem."
"As Seraria-sama has said. In truth, it is merely the jealousy of the Rithea high officials, but considering the potential unrest among the people, it is a highly undesirable situation for them..."
『I didn't suspect Rithea's involvement until I heard Rurua's story. But hearing it now, it makes sense. For the Holy Nation of Rithea, which worships Lilyshe-sama, the fact that Elju became a Saintess is a total loss of face.』
"Precisely. It would have been fine if another Saintess had been born within our own country, but when it's a foreign nation..."
『That's a major problem. The people are likely wondering which one is the "real" one—some might even be doubting the Holy State itself. The pitfalls of a religious nation, I suppose. They probably never expected Lilyshe-sama to actually descend.』
As Seraria-sama spoke, everyone fell silent for a moment, wearing contemplative expressions as they processed the information.
『I understand the circumstances that led you here and the main cause this time. But you've mostly been trying to keep up, haven't you?』
"Yes... By the time I learned of the situation and fled Rithea on my own to reach this capital, Elju-sama was already missing, and Seraria-sama had been abducted. I didn't know what to do. I never imagined they were planning to assassinate the entire royal family in cooperation with Roshure's own people"
『I see... well, I guess you could call it a blessing in disguise. You ran into Mobu and the others, and were able to warn and protect the King.』
"Yeah. I never would've guessed the little lady being harassed in the middle of town was the Saintess of Rithea."
Still... just who is this man called Yuki? Everyone here is extraordinary, yet he stands out even among them.
『So, how about you come out now? Or rather, if you aren't here, this country is as good as finished. King Roshure and... Princess Aria, was it? You've finished your evaluation by now, haven't you? Elju and Seraria are safe and sound on this end.』
"!?"
I was speechless.
Just who is this person!?
"...My apologies for the deception. I am Aria Ras Roshure. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for looking after Elju and Seraria."
"...And I am Roshure VI. Hmmm, should I say 'as expected'? I have heard that the plan for our protection was your proposal."
『Dear Sister! Dear Father! I, Elju, am safe!』
『Aria-neesama, thank goodness. But as for the crappy old man over there, I was kind of hoping he'd kicked the bucket. Letting your subordinates turn on you? That's the absolute worst!! Do you have any idea how much trouble we're going through?!』
『Hey now, no matter how you look at it, I'm the one who's done the most work here. Seraria, ever since you got here, you've done nothing but eat, sleep, and wake up.』
『I've been taking baths too!』
『That's not the point!! Seraria, are you doing this on purpose? The contrast between your sharp moments and this is just too much!!』
Arguing so casually in front of the king, even calling her by name without honorifics...
Does he have nerves of steel? O-Or could those two already be... N-No way right?
"Ara? It seems Seraria has found a fine gentleman. There aren't many people she can talk to like that, are there? Perhaps only Elju and myself... Usually, they're beaten to a pulp before it gets to that point."
"...I shall interrogate you regarding your relationship with Seraria later. For now, I have one question. Who are you? Even Rurua here does not know, and Mobu and his group refuse to say. If we are to discuss the future, it would be troublesome for me if you did not tell me that much."
『Wait—!? Neesama, I don't have that kind of relationship with him—』
『—Alright. Elju, Oriel, take care of her. As for my identity...』
He finally revealed his true identity to us... and that identity was—
『I am just your average, pitiful Dungeon Master who got caught up in this mess.』
It was a name from legend—beings said to possess power rivalling heroes or demon kings, capable of overwhelming entire nations. A living disaster.
"""Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"""
Three voices echoed through the inn. I suppose even a King screams like that.
