Chapter 7 - III -

 

I could tell that Her Holiness, Lily, and the Beastman Saint wanted to loiter around my cottage for a bit more time.  I thought that they may have been feeling comfortable here since this cottage had that ‘home-y’ feel to it.

 

“…”

 

Well, it’s not that I never enjoyed being in the company of beautiful ladies; but I guess it wasn’t good to be seen around a guy at this hour of the ‘day’.  I mean, they’re all marriageable women, and someone who might come across us could take the wrong idea.

 

And our silence can even reinforce such misunderstanding…

 

“Why don’t we return to the Holy Palatial Gardens, then?” I brought out another topic; maybe if the opportunity permitted it, I’d suggest that they leave for their rooms as soon as possible, “If your ‘break’ is this stressful, I doubt it could be called a ‘break’ at all.”

 

“Well, we should if we could.” Lily was the one who answered my question, “To be honest, I wanted to rush over to the dungeon when I heard the Duke had you arrested, but Maddie and Miss Ruro stopped me.  Anyway, we can’t return just yet.”

 

“Why?”

 

“It’s the Tri-Skill Tournament,” she replied.  

 

“Oh…”

 

“Seems like you know about it already, Mister Kuro?”

 

I almost said yes and explained to them where I got my knowledge, but then I remembered that Her Holiness’ siblings had asked me to keep silent about our conversation about it.  

 

“I read about it from some books in the palatial library…”

 

“Oh, alright.” Lily smiled, “I really can’t beat you with knowledge, Mister Kuro.  Anyway, you see, that tournament is an important tradition here in our kingdom, and canceling it for so sudden of a reason like Maddie went back to the Holy Palatial Gardens, would end up for her family’s political and financial destruction.”

 

“That’s quite heavy…”

 

“Yes.  You see, our honor is something that we prioritize above everything else.  If the Duke has to cancel the tournament, then the candidates’ honor would have to be satisfied to suffer the minimal repercussions of such an act.”

 

That…sucks.  Honor this, honor that…

 

Well, I read once that living in the Middle Ages wasn’t a life of convenience.  Peasants were tied to their lord’s land, born to till the soil up to the day they die.  Nobles, though they live way better than the common folk, were not that privileged—especially the women.  If they didn’t end up in some obscure monastery becoming a nun, most of them get married off by their families to make their house and domains stronger.

 

The knights too, though they were glorified as those guys in shining armor and carrying a sword and a lance, didn’t have it easy as well.  For one, they always had to comply with their lord’s demands, no matter stupid it may seem.  Plus, this chivalry and honor stuff…I mean, it’s not bad and all, but I also thought that too much adherence to it also brought a lot of problems during those times.

 

“Haa…”

 

I heard Her Holiness sigh in resignation.  I guess we also committed a big miscalculation thinking that her family could help her through her depression.  

 

Now I can’t help but think that going here only made it much worse.

 

“Maddie, I think you should rest now.” Lily tapped her friend’s shoulder.

 

“…”

 

Her Holiness was surprised by that; but for some weird reason, she never averted her gaze from me. That made me felt so awkward, I remained speechless.  But there’s something strange about Her Holiness’ stare.  Those eyes, I’ve seen them before…those looks were the same as those of my students, who had been overwhelmed by problems though they would try to hide it from me so that they won’t feel they disturbed someone else.

 

Yep, she’s desperately pleading with me for help.

 

But what could I do?  I’m just a powerless, ordinary human from Earth…

 

 

A few moments later, the Human Saint and Lily left for their quarters.  I could only watch her from the window of my small cottage as she walked away sadly.

 

If only I can do something for her situation right now…

 

Well, now that I thought of it, Her Holiness’ problems right now were because of the frequent meddling of her family members.  If only that Duke would understand that his daughter wanted to take control of her life and enjoy it for a while; and her siblings should also be told that their big sister needed to be left on her own since she could protect herself…

 

“Indeed, those are the reasons Maddie’s overcome with grief right now.  I’m surprised that you can think of such things, Master Kuro.”

 

Oh yeah, I once again forgot that Her Fluffy Holiness is still with me.

 

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell Maddie of that agreement you had with her siblings.”

 

“…”

 

“I keep my promises, provided it gives me the entertainment I crave for!”

 

I felt something much more sinister with her statement, but what do I care?  It’s not liked Her Fluffy Holiness hadn’t been helpful from before.  I guess I could trust her, “Ah, anyway, what are you doing here?  Aren’t you provided a room of your own back at the manor?”

 

“Well, I want to be always with my master.”

 

“You know, I appreciate your thoughts and that’s great; however, I was alone back in the dungeons though.”

 

“Would you like me, a Saint, to come and spend time there in the dungeon?”

 

“Of course, I didn’t think that it would inconvenience you.  My apologies, Your Fluffy Holiness.”  I was sarcastic when I said that, but I guess the Beastman Saint didn’t mind my intentions.

 

“Ah, so, Master, are you okay with how the things are going?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I mean, what’s happening right now?”

 

“The tournament and Her Holiness’ family?”

 

“Is there anything else?”

 

“What do you want me to do?”

 

“I don’t know you much.” Her Fluffy Holiness’ smile was mischievous, “But I know Maddie; she’s desperately asking for help…though she also knew that you didn’t have the capability.”

 

“Precisely.  I’m just an ordinary bloke from another world.  If I was only given powers by the gods of this world, at least I can do something…”

 

“Well, didn’t that black Saint tell you what your abilities are?”

 

“Words are nothing in this situation.” I reiterated as I went back to lie down at the bed, “Do you think those stupid nobles would listen to what I say when I haven’t even proved myself?”

 

For a moment, I didn’t get what Her Fluffy Holiness’ stares meant.  But she kept on looking at me as if she intended to pierce through my soul.  And then I realized…

 

“Wait…”

 

“I think you finally realized what you have to do”

 

“All I need is to prove myself, right?” I couldn’t keep my excitement that I almost shouted, “I forgot these nobles need some impression for them to be swayed into action!”

 

“Are you sure?” Her Fluffy Holiness had doubts in her voice, “I thought you realized how your head can be of great use in this situation…”

 

“That’s it!  It’s a long shot, but if I succeed here, we can bail out Her Holiness from her predicament!”

 

“Ohh…” the Beastman’s eyes suddenly became full of life, “I like uphill fights!  They’re chaotic and exciting!  Tell me what’s your plan!”

 

“I’ll win the Tri-Skill Tournament, and when it happens, I’ll take Her Holiness’ hands in marriage!”