Lucia Greyhounder looked at Yuria, who was sitting next to her, with a worried look.

Currently, it was their regular prayer time, so getting together at this time was pretty much a routine for them.

Since that was the case, neither of them should feel pressured or burdened by it.

“...”

But, recently…

Around this time, Yuria’s condition would turn for the worse.

Her whole body would tremble slightly, she’d keep her eyes tightly closed, and her hands, visibly drenched in cold sweat, tightly clasped.

Sometimes, she’d mumble something as if she was weeping.

She had been like this ever since Dowd woke up from his lost consciousness.

…This girl must have regretted that incident really badly.

Lucia suspected that her sister’s regret over harming the same person twice had seeped to her bones.

Or else, there should be no reason why she showed such a reaction, as if she was traumatized, when she was praying.

It looked as if she was confessing all her sins to God.

“Yuria.”

“Yes, Unnie.”

“Mr Dowd said it’s fine. It’s not your fault.”

After they defeated the Red Devil and suppressed Faenol when she went berserk, Dowd had met face-to-face with Yuria and addressed the matter clearly.

He told her that she did not need to feel guilty, since he really was okay.

Still, the fact that he had to go out of his way to do that meant that Yuria’s condition was especially serious in his eyes.

“...Yeah.”

However…

As one could tell from Yuria’s answer which came out weakly.

Even his words and guarantee failed to cheer her up.

…I think what she needs is a chance.

To get rid of the depression that was ailing her heart.

Lucia sighed before putting her hands together again.

She focused her mind before reciting a prayer reverently to the platform before her eyes.

…God, please.

If anyone were to ask her, if her faith in God had not waver, it would be hard for her to give them a positive answer.

Still, this prayer was for her sister. Whatever the state of her faith was, she still sincerely prayed for her sake.

Give Yuria strength to overcome this hardship…

But, before she could even finish her prayer, the chapel’s door burst open, as if answering her prayer.

“So you’re here!”

“...”

Even though the support from the Holy Land was cut off, Lucia was still holding the Saintess title.

So, there wouldn’t be many people who’d be rude and brave enough to interrupt her prayer like this.

“...Miss Iliya?”

But…

The person who was recently appointed as the ‘Hero’ was among those people.

Not only was she chosen by the Holy Sword, the Holy Land had also officially appointed this person, Iliya Krisanax, as the Hero. Just the authority granted by that title was enough to let her behave this rudely towards the Saintess.

“...What are you doing here? Don’t you have a lot of work to do?”

Of course, even if that was the case, it didn’t mean it was right for her to do that at this time.

Since she just got appointed, isn’t she supposed to undergo some kind of training that befits her status? Or isn’t there a mountain of administrative procedures to mediate interests between the countries that she needs to take care of? What is she doing here instead of doing all those things?

Iliya didn’t even pretend to hear Lucia’s question and walked straight towards Yuria.

“...Hero, right now is prayer’s time. If you need something from us, we—”

“You’ve been agonizing about how Teach got hurt because of you, haven’t you?”

“...”

Hearing those words, Lucia’s mouth fell open.

Dear God.

What’s with this person all of a sudden?

“...Yeah.”

Yuria struggled to avoid Iliya’s gaze.

She is right and all, but…

Is there a need to say it directly in front of the person in question like that?

Lucia almost vocalized that thought, but Iliya’s voice came out first.

“Then, why don’t you help me save him?”

“...Pardon?”

“You’ve made mistakes twice, but you just need to give him a big help once to make up for it! Big enough help to get rid of the guilt you feel!”

“...Pardon?”

Like a parrot, Yuria repeated the same word her sister said as Iliya walked towards her.

“Right now, Mr. Dowd is under a great threat!”

“...Pardon?”

“He was dragged to the Tristan Duchy! Because of that bet that wasn’t even funny!”

“...”

Wait…

Didn’t Yuria participate in that bet as well?

As Lucia thought so while narrowing her eyes, Iliya brought her bright face closer to Yuria’s, who looked even more taken aback than before.

“That’s why we need to save him! I never imagined that they made such a bet when I wasn’t around!”

“...”

“That’s also why I came to you, since you’re my most reliable friend!”

“F-Friend…?”

Yuria said, her voice trembling, though her face had brightened up slightly.

Seeing this, Lucia flinched. This was the look that her sister hadn’t shown in a few months.

…The mood is kind of strange, but…!

Should I just let them be?

Has my prayers been answered? Is this the chance that I prayed for…?

Lucia thought so while gulping dryly.

Iliya continued as if she was spitting fire from her mouth.

“Let’s raid the Tristan Duchy together!”

“...”

“We’ll storm that place and get Mr. Dowd back!”

Wait!

How did she come up with that?!

Lucia thought so and hurriedly said,

“W-Wait, I know that you’re not really going to raid them, but—”

“Saintess, I’m a Hero now.”

“...?”

Yes, she is.

But why is she saying that?

As Lucia blinked her eyes while thinking as such, Iliya continued, sticking out her chest proudly.

“That means I have the authority and power to go against the Student Council President!”

“...”

Lucia quickly frowned.

“Even though she’s the greatest major noble in the Empire, she’ll have no choice but to kneel in front of the Hero!”

“...”

Is this really the person who bears the hope of humankind…?

The future of the world is bleak.

“...Miss Iliya.”

She remembered it clearly.

In the past, whenever Eleanor would suddenly charge ahead like this, Iliya was the one who’d hold her back.

It seemed like what they said about if you were to stare at the abyss long, the abyss would stare back at you was true.

Lucia suddenly thought so as she looked at Iliya, feeling something familiar.

Right, there are words that I always ended up saying to that person whenever I feel this way.

“Yes, Saintess?”

“Are you crazy?”

“...”

It seemed as if someone who got along with Dowd for a long time was getting influenced by him.

Lucia was convinced as she held her head.

●

This was so fucking tiring.

I just arrived at the territory, but I already went through a parade, had to give a speech, got tossed into the air, and even watched a celebration performance by the military’s band.

“...”

I swear, they wouldn’t go this far even if the Empress were to visit them.

Yet, why are they going this far now…?

“You’ve worked hard, Sir. Please follow me.”

Bella said to me, who was exhausted.

“...Anything else I have to go through?”

“There’s just one thing left. You may rest in your accommodation after that is done.”

“...”

What else is there to do?

Well, at the very least this is the last one.

I sighed deeply inwardly while following Bella behind.

…Hm?

Suddenly, a window popped up before my eyes.

System Message

[ Conditions for Individual Quest ‘Snake Pit’ is created! ]

[ Number of important NPC gathered in Tristan Duchy Territory : 2 / ??? ]

[ Individual Quest will be revealed once the conditions are met! ]

“...”

Huh?

I looked at the window before my eyes while stroking my chin.

Nowadays, these quests would pop up before my eyes out of nowhere, so most of the time, I had to interpret what it meant by myself.

First of all, guessing from the ominous name of the quest, Snake Pit…

…This must be related to my trouble with women again.

I could tell this much with my eyes closed now.

Just from the name, I could already smell that the women around me were deeply related to this.

The problem here was…

[ Number of important NPC gathered in Tristan Duchy Territory : 2 / ??? ]

“...”

Why isn't the number listed properly?

It felt like this thing was shouting ‘Prepare to get even more fucked than you already are!’ into my ears.

…Hm.

Anyway, seeing what was presented…

I predicted that the severity of the Individual Quest would be determined by how many of them gathered here.

In short, if all of them were here, this place would probably turn into a snake pit, just like the quest’s name.

As for the probability of those women around me gathering here is…

It wasn’t that low.

Eleanor had declared that she’d invite me to her house and squander me like a beast. Chances that the other women would flip their eyes over at that fact and end up attacking us—which meant, all of them were potential dangers.

To put it simply…

I’m screwed.

[...You know, I’m not sure what made you say that, but your tone suggested that the situation isn’t that urgent?]

Well, it’s not like me being screwed is anything new at this point.

[...]

Hearing the reply that I gave out casually, Caliban shut his mouth, as if he had nothing else to say.

[Anyway, it doesn’t seem like you’re losing your humanity like before. You seem to be holding on to your reason well these days, so, good for you.]

Pardon?

[But, the fact that you are gradually becoming a clear-eyed madman worries me.]

‘...’

[I swear, you look like you’re half enjoying this whole thing to me.]

What is he on about?

While we were having such a meaningless conversation, I reached the end of the corridor.

“We’re here.”

Hearing that, I turned my gaze forward.

“...”

My expression instantly stiffened.

Because the door before my eyes was a very familiar door.

Wait.

Is it really okay for me to come here?

“Miss Bella, may I ask—”

Seeing her cold expression, I immediately changed my words,

“...Bella, I want to ask something.”

She replied with a smile.

“Go ahead, Sir Dowd.”

“...Is this the Lord’s room?”

“You are aware of it?”

“...”

Of course I was.

In Tristan Duchy, there was only one person who was referred to as the ‘Lord’, someone who wasn’t the ‘Duke’.

Leonid Reventador La Tristan.

The most senior Elder in the Tristan Duchy.

Actually, he was a member of another noble household, not the Tristan Duchal House. His household was merged with the Duchal House along with a promise of marriage.

“...”

There was one big enough of a marriage to warrant that.

Gideon’s marriage, the marriage of the couple who gave birth to Eleanor.

In other words…

This person was Gideon’s father-in-law.

And Eleanor’s grandfather.

But why is he here?

“He expressed his wish to meet you, Sir Dowd.”

“...”

Hearing that, I furrowed my words.

I had no idea what it was that he wanted.

Even after I tried to think of Leonid’s character setting, I couldn’t think of any reason he would ever take interest in me.

“Let’s go in.”

“...”

However, since Bella had started to urge me, I put my worries aside.

…It isn’t like I have a reason to avoid meeting him.

Also, I had no reason to reduce the favorability of people around Eleanor.

With that thought in mind, I entered the room.

The interior was like a vast library..

It gave off the feeling of a scholar’s office.

“...My Lord.”

I carefully said after entering the room. After I did so, the person sitting across the desk turned his chair around to face me.

…Whoa.

If growing old beautifully was personified, this person in front of me would be it.

With this guy’s look alone, he could be a movie star in my previous world.

“So you're Dowd Campbell?”

Even his voice was the voice of a movie star.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, My Lord.”

Hearing my words, Leonid nodded, there was no change in his expression.

…Huh, he feels so familiar for some reason…

How should I put this…?

He was very similar to Eleanor.

She probably inherited his traits.

It seemed like her tendency to dull their expression was a family thing.

“I'll ask you one thing.”

He continued.

“Are you the one Eleanor invited?”

“...?”

Why would he even ask that, though?

I tilted my head inwardly.

Well, she did invite me, so I gave my confirmation for now.

“Yes. I am always indebted to the Lady.”

“...I see.”

Hearing my answer, Leonid then went silent.

And that silence…

Went for a good while.

Then, he broke it with a calm voice.

“You two seem to have a pretty deep relationship.”

“...Fortunately, the Lady seems to see me favorably—”

“Then I'll kill you.”

“...”

Also it seemed like…

Eleanor’s trait to just charge ahead without any warning was also something that ran in the family.