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“Nooooo!!! Leonora…! Leonora…!”
Bianca began to panic as soon as she saw Leonora’s body sinking back into the lake. Gustav even had to hold her, otherwise, the little princess would’ve already jumped into the lake to save her friend.
“What are you doing!? You won’t be able to help her if you’re dead! So get a hold of yourself! I don’t need a dead weight!”
When she heard that, Bianca came back to her senses. She still wanted to jump into the lake to save Leonora… but Gustav was right. Bianca would probably end up dying if she did that, so instead, she joined her hands and started praying to the spirits.
(Spirits, please, protect Leonora…! I don’t want to lose her again…!)
Bianca was really worried about Leonora. So worried, in fact, that she didn’t even notice that her body was trembling because of her wet clothes. However, Gustav noticed her distressed face, so he placed a hand on her shoulder, and said–
“–It’s alright. She was just dragged to bottom of the lake. That pace is a divine realm, so she won’t die. That said though, I want to know what happened. Can you explain to me why the Lady of the Lake decided to baptize you two?”
Seeing that Gustav was also trying to find a way to save Leonora, Bianca sighed and calmed down a bit, before explaining what happened.
“During our free time, one of the students used a fire spell near the forest… then, for some reason, the spirits got angry. They were talking about using me to appease their lady’s mood, but Leonora intervened… she said she’d go in my place. I obviously tried to stop her, but I was too late. And before I noticed it, we were already deep inside the forest. After that, we searched for the Lady of the Lake, and we even managed to find her, however, when I begged for her forgiveness, she decided to baptize us.” – Said Bianca, in a regretful tone.
“Idiot! Why didn’t you two run away when you had the chance!?”
“I-I tried to persuade Leonora, okay!? But she wouldn’t budge! She said she had to speak with the Lady of the Lake, so how could I ever let her do that alone!? She’s like a little sister to me! I couldn’t just abandon her and go back on my own! Besides, I still had to apologize for what the other students did!”
Bianca had a point. If it were him, Gustav would certainly go with his sister. Besides, there’s no way Bianca could’ve stopped Leonora, after all, that little girl was the perfect depiction of selflessness.
Without a doubt, Leonora wanted to speak with Carnelian because that was the fastest way to solve the water problem–
(So she’s at it again, huh? Natalia was right, Leonora truly is an Altruistic Saintess.)
–However, the same dedication that she showed towards the people of the empire, wasn’t applied to herself… and that was her only flaw.
“She’s always like that. Even though she is scared of nearly everything, she doesn’t mind sacrificing herself to save others. I don’t even know how many time she saved me. But it’s my fault, this time… if I hadn’t begged the Lady of the Lake to forgive us, then none of this would’ve happened.”
Actually, it wasn’t Bianca’s fault. However, the only one who could refute her was, unfortunately, inside the lake right now.
“But that’s weird. We both know that Leonora is anything but greedy, so why would the Lady of the Lake drag her to the bottom of the lake?”
Although Gustav was clueless in regards to what happened, Bianca knew exactly why she was dragged to the bottom of the lake.
“Because Leonora misses her mother… that’s why she only wears black clothes! I’m sure she didn’t do anything wrong! She probably just wanted to see her again! But the Lady of the Lake saw that as her being greedy! Why else would she punish such a child for such a simple wish!?” – Said Bianca, in an angry tone, as she stared at the lake with tears in her eyes.
Convinced by the little princess’ explanation, Gustav closed his eyes and nodded with a painful expression on his face.
“Maybe you’re right… but if a great spirit drags someone to their divine realm, it can also mean that they like that person… which is probably the case. So our only option is to call the Lady of the Lake again and beg her to release Leonora.” – Said Gustav, as he turned to look at the lake as well.
He then switched to Elandic and started calling Carnelian’s name.
Every time Gustav did that, the surface of the lake would shake violently, which was a clear sign that the Lady of the Lake heard him… however, there was no response from the other side.
(Why isn’t she answering him…?) – Thought Bianca, as she listened to Gustav’s imposing voice.
There was something weird going on. The Lady of the Lake should’ve already answered Gustav, but, contrary to when they * called her, nothing happened this time. Bianca even wondered if the holy knight was saying the right words. However, since she didn’t know much about Elandic, it was a bit hard for her to point out something.
( *Tl/n: Leo and Bianca.)
(Kuh…! If only I knew how to speak in Elandic, then I would be able to–no, wait, I don’t really need to know Elandic, right? I can just repeat what Gustav-sensei is saying!)
As she realized that she could be of help, Bianca decided to focus on the words that Gustav was saying.
[Please, Carnelian, the Great Spirit of the Lake, release that innocent girl!]
(Carnel, the Grat Sprit of the Lak * … no, that’s not it… that’s probably a name, so I have to pronounce it right…) ( *Tl/n: That’s in Elandic.)
[Please, I beg you, Carnelian, the Great Spirit of the Lake, show yourself to me and release that innocent girl!]
(I see… so it was, Carnelian… well, I don’t think I’ll be able to understand the rest, so I’ll have to make do with just that…) – Thought Bianca, as she clenched her fists; there was a powerful flame of determination dwelling in her eyes.
Bianca wasn’t fluent in Elandic, and she certainly didn’t have a lot of magic power, but she could, at least, help her best friend.
She was tired of only being helped all the time.
Now it was her turn to help someone.
“…*Whisper*…Listen carefully, you half fish Goddess, because I’ll only say it once… . ”
Bianca then closed her eyes and took a deep breath… when she opened them, she yelled–
[–Carnelian, return my best friend!!!]
There was a brief moment of silence right after she said that… but then–
*Booooom!!!*
–A giant water pillar suddenly emerged from the center of the lake.
“Kyaaaa…!”
Bianca involuntarily shielded her face with her arms because of the loud sound, however, as she turned back to look at the water pillar, she saw the figure of a familiar little girl being thrown out of the lake.
“Leonora…!”
There was a hint of surprise on the little girl’s face, when she realized that she had been thrown out of the lake, which soon turned into fright, after all, she was free falling towards the shore.
“Aaaaaaaaah…!”
“Watch out!” – Yelled Gustav, as he jumped to grab Leonora out of the air, before she could hit the ground.
The two of them managed to land safely on the shore. However, even though Leonora was shaking from head to toe because of her near death experience, her amethyst eyes kept wandering around restlessly, like she was searching for something. But when her gaze landed on Bianca, her whole face lit up.
“Neh-sama…!”
“Leonora–!”
Bianca was so happy to see her little sister again, that she didn’t even care that Gustav was holding her. She just sprinted up to the priest and hugged Leonora.
“–Thank god you’re safe……!”
It was a moving reunion. Even Gustav thought so. However, that moment of happiness didn’t last long. As soon as the holy knight released Leonora, a beautiful woman with pale hair emerged from the lake.
Without a doubt, that woman was Carnelian . She exuded an aura so majestic, and so overwhelming, that Gustav and Bianca couldn’t even look at her. They even kneeled to not incur her wrath.
However, that wasn’t the case for the little girl with amethyst eyes. She wasn’t fazed at all. She just stood there, as if waiting for something.
—You are a really lucky human, you know that?
Carnelian’s voice echoed throughout the clearing, but there was no response from the girl with amethyst eyes. She just stood there, staring straight into Carnelian’s eyes.
—I see…… but you know what I want in exchange, right? – Said Carnelian, as she glanced at Bianca with a smile.
When Leonora heard that, she nodded, then she turned around, and said–
“–Neh-sama, I need, your help! You have to, repeat exactly, what I say!” – Said Leonora, as she grabbed Bianca’s hand; her eyes were shining with determination.
“Huh…? I-I have to do what…?”
Bianca didn’t understand what was going on. To her, the Lady of the Lake was having a one way conversation with herself. But, for some reason, that turned into her little sister asking for her help, so she became even more confused.
“Please! Everything depends, on this! Without, her blessing, the magic crest, won’t work!”
Everything depends on this.
When she heard that, Bianca finally realized what Leonora was trying to do. She was probably–no, without a doubt, trying to help everyone… again. And as her big sister, it was Bianca’s job to help lessen her burden.
“Okay… I’ll help you. But you have to promise me that this isn’t going to put you in danger.” – Said Bianca, in a serious tone, as she gazed directly into her little sister’s amethyst eyes.
“This won’t, put me, in danger. Rather, it’ll help me, a lot.”
Leonora then approached Bianca and whispered something in her ear. Those words were, definitively, in Elandic. But, surprisingly enough, the little princess managed to memorize everything, even though she didn’t understand their meaning.
Now that she knew what she had to do, Bianca found her job rather simple. She just had to repeat some words. However, since she didn’t want to embarrass her little sister, she stood up and stared directly into Carnelian’s blue eyes with a confident look on her face, before shouting–
[–Be honored, Carnelian, because I will let you make a contract with me!]
No sane person would shout those cocky words to a god-like being, however, the same thing didn’t apply to Carnelian, after all, when she heard that–
—///////////////////////////////!!!!!!
–She blushed furiously.
[Be honored, Carnelian, because I will let you make a contract with me!]
When she heard that, Carnelian’s face turned red. She was blushing furiously because of Bianca’s cocky attitude. However, that wasn’t all. Not only she kneeled in front of Bianca, but she also started panting really hard, with a perverted smile plastered on her face.
—Yes! That will be my honor, mistress!
“…………Eh?”
Honestly, Bianca was quite shocked by Carnelian’s weird display of loyalty. It was one thing for a human to kneel in front of her, after all, she was a princess, but she never thought a Goddess would do the same.
Not to mention that said Goddess was looking at her with a perverted smile, which was rather unsettling.
But before Bianca could point that out, Carnelian stood up and raised her right hand.
—Now, it is time for me to fulfill my side of the deal. Here is my blessing, mistress. With this, now we have a relationship of mutual benefit.
What came after that, left the three of them lost for words.
The lake started to shine.
It was a beautiful sight. None of them had ever seen something like that. However, that wasn’t all. There were also countless water drops ascending towards the sky, enveloped in that same light. It was like they were watching the rain go back in time. ( Tl/n: I don’t know how to word this last sentence better. I’m accepting suggestions.)
“What the hell… is all this… . ” – Said Gustav, in an amazed tone, as he watched those bright dots cover the entire sky.
He could feel it.
Like a flower that was finally watered after a long time, the spirits around these parts were regaining their strength.
Without a doubt, the drought would be over soon.
However, while they were immersed in watching those shiny water drops ascend towards the sky–
—Bianca von Weizsäcker-sama… .
–Carnelian called Bianca’s name.
“Yes! I-I mean, what is it…!?”
The little princess panicked a bit when Carnelian called out to her, after all, the Great Spirit was back to her dignified demeanor–
—You do not have to thank me, mistress.
“Huh…? W-what do you mean by that…?”
–But, what Carnelian said after that, only confused Bianca.
—I am your main contracted spirit now, so you will always be able to count on me, mistress. That is why I said you do not have to thank me. I am just doing my job as your contracted spirit. You just have to call my name and I will be there to help you.
Carnelian then bowed one last time to her new master, before sinking back into the lake with a satisfied smile… which, honestly, left Bianca even more confused.
“Eh…? S-she’s my contracted spirit? And she’ll always be there to help me, but she doesn’t need my thanks? Huh…?”
However, while Bianca was asking herself what just happened, she was hugged by a wet little girl. ( Tl/n: Just realized what I wrote while editing, but I’m not changing this. XD)
“Thank you, Neh-sama! You’re, the best! You made, a contract, with Carnelian! Now we can, help everyone!”
“\\\Eh…? T-the best!? Really!?\\\”
“Yes! Neh-sama is, the best!”
It was rare for Leonora to show this much excitement, so even though Bianca still didn’t understand what was going on, she couldn’t help but smile in return. However, while the little princess was basking in the afterglow of her little sister’s praises, Gustav decided to ask one of the questions that was bugging him the most.
“W-wait moment! I can mostly understand what’s going on, but did you really strike a deal with the Lady of the Lake!? While you were trapped down there!? And she just accepted it!?”
“Yes! I got, her permission, to use, that crest! Now we, can solve, the water problem!”
“Wait, but you said that that crest was just a prototype, right? Did you really finish it in just a single night?”
As Bianca kept listening into their conversation, she finally understood why her little sister was so hellbent on finding the Lady of the Lake. Apparently, Leonora was trying to solve Richard’s water problem with a magic crest that Albert invented.
Well, it was a bit hard for Bianca to believe that her brother had created a magic crest out of his own blood, but the fact that the lake was shining was proof enough that Leonora was telling the truth.
(So she wasn’t just trying to help me get the Lady of the Lake’s forgiveness, she was also trying to help everyone else…)
Once again, Bianca was forced to recognize how different the two of them were.
While she was trying to save just a couple of people, her little sister was doing a lot more for the people of the Empire.
Leonora wasn’t just a saint… she was a true saint.
A saint who didn’t mind sacrificing herself for the good of the people.
A saint who liked to spread her kindness everywhere she went.
That’s who Leonora was………… well, not really. In fact, Leonora, or rather, Leo, just did this because of the money. Nothing else. But, unfortunately, Bianca didn’t know that.
On the other hand though, Leo could barely hold in to his emotions.
(Fu… fufufu… fuhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!! Blessing and water get!!! Fuhahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!! Nothing’s gonna stop me!!!)
Leo wanted to scream and celebrate, but Leena’s spell stopped him from doing that, so he just hugged Bianca instead, after all, she was one of the main reasons why he was this happy to begin with.
Before Carnelian returned him to the surface, Leo made a deal with her. If Bianca asked for her blessing with a cocky attitude, then she would help him solve Richard’s problem. Well, at the time, Leo didn’t know if he’d be able to convince Bianca, but he was a man of his word, so he kept his side of the deal.
However, that wasn’t just Leo’s achievement.
Without Gustav, he’d never have guessed that the Lady of the Lake was in the Korwitz forest. Without Albert, he’d never be able to finish that complex crest. And without Bianca, he’d never get Carnelian’s blessing.
In part, that hug was also a way for Leo to say thank you to everyone who helped him complete his mission. He was truly happy right now. But then, Leo realized that he was actually hugging a princess, so he released her in a hurry and said a simple I’m sorry, before she decided to behead him for being rude.
However, right after he said that–
“Leonora von Harkenberg… . ”
–Gustav called out to him in a formal tone.
And, surprisingly enough, when Leo turned around, the holy knight was kneeling * . His attitude was the complete opposite of how he usually ported himself, so Leo was caught off guard. ( *Tl/n: Something like THIS, or THIS without the sword.)
“I want to apologize for how I treated you in the past. It was rude of me to act like that. I’m really sorry.” – Said Gustav, with a serious look on his face.
“Eh…? W-why are you apologizing, sensei?”
“Because I know I did something unforgivable to you. I said all of those mean things to you… and I even threw your present on the ground * … so if you don’t want to forgive me, I’ll understand… but, please, let me at least apologize.” ( *Tl/n: Ch-37.2)
After Gustav said that, Leo finally understood what was going on. Apparently, the holy knight was reflecting on his past actions. The only problem though, was that Leo wasn’t bothered by what he said in the slightest. He actually wanted to thank Gustav for returning the magic crest.
“I-it’s okay, sensei. I’m, not bothered, by that. So, please, raise your, head.”
“But what I did–!”
“–Then… do you really, think we would, be able to, solve Richard’s problem, before the, spirit festival, if you hadn’t, returned the, magic crest, to me, sensei?” – Said Leo, with a beaming smile.
Gustav was lost for words.
In a way, even though he still couldn’t forgive himself, Leonora was right. There’s no way they would’ve solved Richard’s water problem before the festival, if he hadn’t returned the magic crest to her.
Besides, Gustav also saved Leo before he could hit the ground, which added even more reasons for him to give a thank you gift to the holy knight. However, it’s not like Leo could just give him anything and be done with it. Gustav was a single man and the spirit festival was right around the corner, so Leo knew what he truly wanted as a present.
“Hey, sensei, do you want, to see Chris?”
“W-what did you… just now…?”
When he heard that name, Gustav’s eyes shone with anticipation, which made Leo really happy, after all, that meant he was still looking for a woman to spend the festival with.
“You see, sensei… for a, while now, I wondered if, I could do, anything for you. But, I was, lucky enough, to meet, an ex-priestess, named Chris, during the, winter festival… which is why, I wanted, you two, to meet, each-other.”
After Leo said that, Gustav grabbed his shoulders and showered him with a barrage of questions. He asked if Chris was healthy, how she was doing, where she was living, and many other things, which caught Leo a bit off guard, after all, he wasn’t expecting to hear those unusual questions. But, well, it’s true that man as old as him would at least want a healthy partner who could still have children, so Leo told him that she was okay and that he could meet her if he visited Hanna’s Orphanage, in Richard.
“Oh my god…*Sob*…thank you! Thank you Leonora…*Sob*…really…*Sob*…thank you so much!” – Said Gustav, with tears in his eyes, as he happily hugged Leo.
However, what was suposed to be a beautiful thank you hug, turned out to be just painful to Leo, after all, Gustav was really strong.
Thankfully though, when he noticed that he was almost crushing his benefactor, Gustav quickly released Leonora, then he wiped his tears and kneeled in front of her again.
“Leonora von Harkenberg, in the name of Gustav Schneider, the Holy Knight, I pledge undying loyalty to you.”
It took Leo a moment to process what just happened… but when that finally sunk in–
“Huh…!? W-why!?”
–He couldn’t help but let out a confused scream, after all, a knight–no, a holy knight, had just offered him his undying loyalty, because he introduced him to a woman.
“Why? Well, I’m doing this because of what you did for the people of this country… and because of what you did for me. You are more than a saint, Leonora. Even when you’re treated unfairly by the people around you, you still extend your hand to them. That’s why I pledged undying loyalty to you.”
Leo couldn’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable when he heard that.
“Eh…? N-no, I… I didn’t, do that, much… I just… . ”
If it weren’t for Albert, there would be no crest. And if it weren’t for Bianca and Gustav, Leo would probably still be rotting inside the lake. He couldn’t understand why someone would want to pledge their undying loyalty to him, after all, he did nothing more than strike a deal with Carnelian and leave the magic crest at the bottom of the lake. Those three were the ones who deserved to be praised… not him.
“Please, raise your head, sensei. I’m not such, an amazing person. Your loyalty, will just, be wasted, on someone, like me… . ” – Said Leo, with an uncomfortable look on his face.
However, to Gustav, that just sounded like the little girl in front of him was having a bit of self-esteem problems. So, as to reassure her, he then placed his right hand above his heart * , which was the highest form of respect that a knight could show to someone, before saying–
“–I can assure you that my loyalty won’t be wasted. So, please, Leonora von Harkenberg, let me be your knight–no, you right hand!”
( *Tl/n: Like THIS.)
“N-no, really! I-I don’t, need a knight! N-neither a, right hand!”
Leo rejected Gustav again, but this time, it wasn’t because he was feeling uncomfortable. Having a right hand meant that Leo would have to share his profits with that person, but he obviously didn’t want that, so he strongly rejected Gustav the second time. However, the holy knight didn’t know that Leo’s line of thought was going that way.
(Well… can’t say I didn’t expect that. Leonora is a kind and benevolent person, so of course she wouldn’t want someone like me by her side…)
Contrary to Gustav, who earned his achievements through manslaughter, Leonora earned her achievements through self-sacrifice, which not only was the complete opposite of him, but it also made her title seem even more majestic.
“That’s right, isn’t it…… it’s only natural that you wouldn’t want someone dirty like me as your right hand… . ” – Said Gustav, with a smile, as he stared at his hands.
“Huh…? What, are you, talking about…?”
After seeing the surprised look on Leonora’s face, Gustav chuckled–
“It’s okay, you don’t have to pretend you don’t know that… everyone knows that my hands are dirty with the blood of my foes. Besides, I don’t care about that, after all, I plan to turn that image around. So, please, let me be your right hand when I become a Sage.”
–He wasn’t discouraged in the slightest. On the contrary, what Leonora said seemed to have pumped him up even more.
As a distinguished Holy Knight, Gustav would certainly become a Sage, so his plan was to use that position as Leonora’s political shield, to ensure that, one day, she’d become the Empress of this country.
On the other hand though, Leo couldn’t be more confused. He had already rejected Gustav two times, however, that only served to pump up the holy knight even more.
(Khh! Gustav-sensei is more insistent than I thought!)
Leo had run out of ideas. At this rate, he would have to share his money with Gustav. But then, as if by a stroke of good luck, he spotted Bianca, who stayed quiet until now, in the corner of his line of sight. Leo wasn’t a saint, and he didn’t need a right hand, so when he saw her, he had an idea… why not pass that burden to her?
“N-Neh-sama, is the, amazing one, not me! She’s the one, who contracted, the Lady, of the Lake, so I think, it’d be better, for you to, dedicate your, undying loyalty, to her, instead of me, sensei!”
In part, Leo was right. Bianca wasn’t just a normal girl, she was a princess and the new contractor of the Lady of the Lake, so pledging allegiance to her was, without a doubt, the best option. However, the little princess knew what Gustav was trying to do. So, this time, even if her little sister tried to shift the spotlight to her, Bianca would do her best to not give in.
“What are you talking about, Leonora? I barely even did anything. You’re the amazing one. Without you, I wouldn’t even know what to say in Elandic.”
“No, you’re wrong, Neh-sama. Without you, we wouldn’t be, able to get, Carnelian’s blessing. That was, something that, only you, could do, Neh-sama—”
Leo was resourceful and he knew how to bargain, but not even him could tickle Carnelian’s heart like Bianca did, so when he said that, his words were filled with conviction… and the little princess knew that—
“—And that’s why, I want to, thank you again. I’m very, grateful to you, Neh-sama. You’re indeed, a Child Loved, by the Spirits.” – Said Leo, in a serious tone, as he grabbed Bianca’s left hand and looked straight into her eyes.
—However, that didn’t stop Bianca from trying to refute what Leo said, again.
“B-but that doesn’t mean–!”
‘I can steal your another one of your achievements!’ – Is what Bianca wanted to say, but before she could finish her sentence, Gustav interrupted her.
“–No, wait, Leonora has a point, Ojou-chan. You’re the new contractor of the Lady of the Lake, which means you’re a Child Loved by the Spirits, so we can’t just say that she did everything.”
“B-but then… I… . ”
After having a moment to think, Bianca sighed in resignation. She knew that the two of them were right, so she just nodded in agreement, which relieved Leo. He was so relieved, in fact, that he even let out a relaxed smile. However, Leo chose the wrong moment to relax, after all, Bianca hadn’t given up yet.
As she saw that dazzling smile on her little sister’s face, Bianca looked down at her own bandaged hand with newfound determination, then she turned to look at Gustav, who was still kneeling on the ground, and said–
“–I understand that we can’t say she did everything, so this is what you’re going to write in your report to the higher ups, Gustav-sensei–”
With a dignified tone and a strong posture, the little princess–no, the First Princess of the Empire stood there in front of Gustav. She wasn’t the same little girl who had lost her composure in front of him yesterday. The air surrounding her had changed. Now she looked the part of a member of the Royal Family.
“–Bianca von Weizsäcker, the First Princess of the Empire, only managed to make a contract with the Lady of the Lake because her best friend, Leonora von Harkenberg, the Altruistic Saintess, guided her on the right path.”
As soon as she said that, the lake shone even brighter than before and the wind blew faster, which shook the trees around. It was like the entire forest was celebrating this happy day. And both the knight and the princess knew that they would never be able to forget that beautiful view–
(Wait, what!?)
–However, the girl with amethyst eyes, or rather, Leo, was so surprised by the sudden development, that he couldn’t even hide his gaping mouth.