Doors in the innermost part, as seen from Kent, were opened, and multiple people entered and stood on the dais. In the center stood a man wearing a richly decorated costume and mantle, with a crown on his head. Next to him was a woman in an elegant dress with a tiara on her head. On both sides were men in mantles, and next to one of the men, a woman in a dress stood side by side.
“Kent, you might be seeing them for the first time, but the ones in the center are the King and Queen. To the left are the First Prince Randolph and Princess Bine, and to the right is Lord Gordon. You know Lord Gordon from attending the same academy, don’t you?”
Otsupain, who was standing next to him, explained to Kent in a whisper. Just as Otsupain finished speaking, loud applause erupted in the venue. When the King, standing in the center, raised his hand, the applause subsided.
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work. This is a celebratory occasion, so please relax and listen. Our country is…”
Then the King began his speech. In summary, it explained the purpose of the party. In this country, there are few people who can use magic, and to improve this, they will start magic research and human resource development as a national project. It was stated that to use magic, the existence of fairies is important and necessary. Also, by believing in God, one can borrow the power of fairies, and even those who cannot use magic may sometimes receive benefits. All of this was explained, including the fact that a facility capable of managing these things has already been constructed. The newly built facility will also have a temple, which was barely operating, and the scale of social contribution activities will be expanded.
“Furthermore, the position of Saintess, which has been vacant for many years, will be revived to become the overall head of these facilities. This party is to celebrate the newly appointed Saintess.”
Kent happened to glance at Otsupain next to him, who was listening to the King’s speech with shining eyes. Kent thought that the woman who would be introduced next would likely be the one called the Saintess.
“Otsupain…”
“For now, Kent, you’re in the position of a partner, so you don’t need ‘Otsupain-san,’ right?”
“Then, Otsupain, have you ever met this Saintess person?”
“No, I haven’t. I’ve only heard about her. She will be my direct superior, so I am looking forward to meeting her and seeing what kind of person she is.”
Otsupain returned his gaze to the dais, eagerly awaiting the appearance of the Saintess.
“Now, allow me to introduce her. Catherine, who has become the Saintess this time.”
After the introduction, a girl wearing a white dress and holding a staff with a tip that glowed with seven colors stepped onto the dais.
“Is that Catherine?”
Kent exclaimed in surprise. Although he couldn’t make out her face from a distance, she wasn’t wearing her usual twin pigtails. While her brown hair was long with light waves, her build was similar to the Catherine Kent knew.
“Houhou, so that’s the Saintess who is my superior. How beautiful.”
Otsupain and his colleagues around him also cast expectant gazes towards their new superior.
“She possesses the ability to perceive fairies, which are invisible to the human eye, and can also communicate with fairies through her. She is also a user of wind magic, and her magical ability is second only to Queen Margaret in this country.”
” ” ” ” ” ” Ooooooh!! ” ” ” ” ”
Cheers erupted in the venue at the King’s words. Few commoners knew of the existence of magic, but it seemed to be known among upper and middle-class aristocrats. Given that her abilities were said to be second only to the Queen, who was said to be the top in the country, it was natural for cheers to rise.
“I am Catherine, and I have been appointed to the position of Saintess. Although I am still young, I intend to do my best to fulfill the duties entrusted to me. Everyone, please take care of me from now on.”
Catherine then gave a brief greeting in front of everyone. When the greeting ended, the venue was filled with applause.
“Now, although it is a short time, let us all celebrate and enjoy this occasion to celebrate the birth of the Saintess. That is all from me.”
The King concluded his speech, and the party to celebrate the birth of the Saintess began.
“It feels like we’re out of the loop around here.”
“Well. First, the upper aristocrats will greet the royalty and the guest of honor, the Saintess. Then, the middle aristocrats will greet the upper aristocrats. By the way, in this format, lower aristocrats are treated as if they don’t exist, so as long as they don’t approach us, you can freely eat and drink.”
Otsupain’s fellow knights were already freely taking food and drinks and starting to eat. They were also talking amongst themselves and having a good time.
“You can eat whatever is on the tables here. If you want drinks, just ask the person in charge next to you, and they’ll get them for you. Well then, shall we go?”
Invited by Otsupain, Kent decided to choose some food items.
“This is truly the kind of food served in the castle. Everything is delicious!”
“Indeed, it’s all so delicious, unlike anything I’ve ever eaten before.”
Otsupain was shoveling delicious-looking food into his mouth one after another. Kent was also swept up in his enthusiasm and was enjoying himself to some extent. Sometimes he was pestered by Otsupain’s colleagues, who asked about how he met Otsupain and other things, but he managed to answer them appropriately.
“It was Kent-san after all. Why are you here in the castle?”
“Hm? Ah, Josette-san.”
Before Kent knew it, Josette was standing in front of him. She was wearing an elegant dress and looked like a young lady from a good family to anyone who saw her.
“Actually, I’m here today as Otsupain’s partner.”
“Is that so? It seems like you’ve gotten caught up in trouble again. Um, were you Otsupain-san?”
“Yes, I am.”
Otsupain was surprised to be addressed by a woman he had never met. He answered Josette while looking slightly guarded.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Josette, the daughter of a Duke’s family. I look forward to your acquaintance.”
“Eh, from a Duke’s family? I-It’s a pleasure to meet you too. I am Otsupain, a knight.”
“Oh, you have a noble title? That’s rare for a woman.”
“Yes, due to family circumstances, I inherited the family headship.”
“Is that so?”
When Josette revealed she was the daughter of a Duke’s family, Otsupain became extremely tense.
“By the way… Otsupain-san?”
“Yes, what is it?”
Josette approached Otsupain and spoke in a low voice.
“May I ask why you brought my fiancé as your partner to the party?”
“F-fiancé? Kent? Josette-sama, could you please wait for a moment?”
Otsupain interrupted his conversation with Josette and turned to Kent.
“Could it be that what you said about going to the Duke’s family the other day was true?”
“I told you so.”
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t think you were telling the truth and I treated you rudely. I don’t know how to apologize…”
Otsupain bowed deeply to Kent.
“Josette-sama, sorry to keep you waiting.”
“It’s fine. The other day, Kent-san came home in the morning, and you were protecting him, weren’t you? Well, that’s fine. Why did you bring Kent-san as your partner today?”
“That is…”
Otsupain explained the circumstances under which he brought Kent here.
“Is that so? You happened to meet by chance, is that right? I understand. So, Kent-san?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Why did you go to that place again when we were here?”
“Th-That is…”
Otsupain confessed everything, including wandering around the red-light district, where he met Josette. Upon hearing this, Josette approached Kent with a stern look.
“If you’re feeling so pent up, you should have just told me… I could have easily relieved you.”
Josette said, looking a little embarrassed.
“Well, for today, I’ll let it slide to Otsupain-san. After all, you need to save face with your colleagues.”
“I-I am grateful.”
Saying this, Josette created some distance between herself and Kent, making it look to anyone observing that Kent was Otsupain’s partner.
“That said, I feel stifled if I go back there, so I’ll stay here a little longer, is that alright?”
“Y-Yes, there is absolutely no problem with that.”
With Otsupain’s permission, Josette seemed to have decided to stay put.
