Volume 7, Chapter 43 – Setting Sail

“Fiene-sama. Everyone has boarded the ship safely.”

Chris-san returned to report after confirming that all of the Luma people had crossed safely.

“Chris-san, thank you. Now, all that’s left is the rescue of the people inside the town.”

“Yes. However, what on earth is going on over there?”

Chris-san looked on with a puzzled expression at the soldiers who were continuing to chant prayers while in a state of Bitan.

“Um, actually—”

When I gave her a brief explanation, Chris-san replied happily, “I thought as much.”

Perhaps flustered by how calmly we were acting, Kamil-san started shouting at the surrounding soldiers.

“G-gah! What are you doing?! Praying to a Fake Saint!”

Chris-san approached Kamil-san.

“Emir Kamil of the Yellow Planet Federation of Emirates, Izar. I am Holy Knight Christina of the Special Forces, Royal Guard of the White Moon Kingdom.”

Then, after a brief pause, she declared in a clear, ringing voice:

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“The White Moon Kingdom hereby lodges a resolute protest against the atrocities your country has committed against Saint Fiene Argentata, who is our nation’s special envoy and the Saint. Your actions have not only destroyed the trust between our two nations, but are also in direct violation of the World Saint Protection Accord. We hereby notify you that, should a sincere response not be forthcoming, we are prepared to take whatever measures are necessary!”

By “any and all means,” she likely meant that they would not hesitate to go to war.

“Wh-what? A-are you intending to threaten us?”

“Emir Kamil. You may interpret that however you wish, but you should recognize that depending on your attitude and that of your country, this could lead to an irreversible situation.”

“What?”

“The White Moon Kingdom has already dispatched envoys to the member nations of the World Saint Protection Accord to denounce your country’s actions.”

“W-what?! But this girl is a Fake Saint! If she was rejected by our country’s Holy Sword Lufiqar, then she is not the Saint!”

As Kamil-san continued to insist, Chris-san let out a sigh. She opened her mouth to counter him, but her tone had shifted to one of exasperation, almost as if she were lecturing a child.

“That is because your country’s understanding is incorrect. The Holy Sword chooses the Holy Knight, and that Holy Knight is guided by the Holy Sword to the Saint. This is clearly stated in the World Saint Protection Accord.”

“No! In our country—!”

“The Holy Sword Lufiqar, which had been sealed in the basement of the palace in Eibra using Dark Magic, was liberated through Fiene-sama’s power. And based on the regulations of the World Saint Protection Accord, it was seized by Fiene-sama in her capacity as the Saint.”

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“Eh?”

“Furthermore, the atrocious acts committed by the Eibra people against the Holy Knight Bartolo—who was chosen by the Holy Sword Lufiqar—and his fellow Luma have already reached Fiene-sama’s ears.”

“Wh-what? H-how could you…”

Kamil-san’s face turned pale instantly. It seemed he had finally understood the gravity of the situation.

“I-if that’s the case, then right here—!”

“This matter has already been reported back to our homeland by our couriers. It would be futile to think of disposing of us here.”

Chris-san shut down Kamil-san’s rebuttal flatly.

“U-guuuu… gah!”

As Kamil-san was groaning, Nahid-san, who had returned from the town of Izar, suddenly punched him from behind.

“Saint Fiene Argentata-sama, and to the Holy Knight and attendants, please forgive my rudeness. We of the Izar Garrison shall follow Saint-sama. Please, enter Izar.”

“Wh-what are you doing on your own—guhah!”

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As Kamil-san tried to protest further, Nahid-san punched him again.

◇ ◇ ◇

After that, we entered the town of Izar and boarded the King White Moon.

Additionally, all the Luma of Izar had already escaped by boarding separate White Moon Kingdom transport ships.

Apparently, the King White Moon we were on was a special ship, and by rule, no one other than royalty, the Saint, and authorized personnel were allowed to board.

Strictly speaking, since Sara-san’s identity had not yet been verified, she wasn’t supposed to be allowed aboard, but because I recognized her as royalty of another nation, she was granted special permission.

And the number of transport ships prepared to carry the Luma we rescued was… twenty.

Because several hundred more Luma were added from this town, it ended up with nearly 150 people crammed into a single ship.

It probably won’t be a comfortable journey, but even so, it means the White Moon Kingdom has allocated a considerable amount of military strength to help us, despite their own struggles in the war against the Black Rainbow Empire.

I’ll have to make sure to thank His Majesty properly later.

On the deck of the ship, I stood on the deck, gazing at the yellow land of the Yellow Planet as it slowly faded into the distance.

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“Fiene-sama. Is something the matter?”

“No. I just suddenly became anxious about whether what I did was right. The Luma who stayed behind in the town… they’ll probably end up suffering even more, won’t they? If so, maybe I should have brought everyone along, even by force…”

“Fiene-sama. If you had done that, you would not have been able to lead the Luma out of Dalha. It is precisely because they thought of that which they chose to stay. Carrying their feelings forward is our duty… and above all, the duty of the Luma who survived.”

“I suppose… that may be true.”

Even after hearing that, the heaviness in my chest didn’t fade.

Perhaps this is something I must carry with me forever.

“Fiene-sama, you saved nearly 3,000 oppressed people. Please, hold your head higher.”

When I looked up, I saw a seabird soaring overhead.

When I lowered my gaze, the pale winter sunlight shimmered across the waves like scattered jewels.

“I… suppose you’re right…”

As those words left my lips, the cold winter wind swept between us.