Althea: The Legendary Saintess [Shoujo]

--A few minutes before the arrival at the port of Riethonia --

“Laila, are you there?”

Althea, who had been quietly reinforcing the defensive magic barrier over and over, spoke softly while watching the retreating figure of the Phoenix.

“Yes. I am here by your side.”

Laila knelt behind her. Without turning around, Althea continued to maintain the barrier as she spoke.

“…I must apologize in advance. I might cause you more worry… but—”

“Lady Althea.”

Laila interrupted Althea’s words, continuing in a calm but firm tone.

“My mistress is you. If you’ve informed me of your plans, I will follow you without question. As long as you allow me to stay by your side, I will accompany you wherever you go.”

“…I see. Thank you.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you… for previously failing to understand your wishes and causing such trouble. I am grateful that you still keep me by your side and communicate with me properly.”

“Heh, indeed, that did happen.”

Althea, who had been under house arrest in the Duchy’s dormitory, had used the power of a special-grade magic book to escape alone. Though not much time had passed, it felt like a distant memory due to the many events that had occurred.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

As the ship docked and came to a stop, Laila asked.

When the ship had fully halted and Althea dispelled the magic barrier she had cast, she turned around while answering.

“I want to save that child… No, I must save them.”

As various teams prepared to disembark, Althea, having removed the barrier, hid with Laila near the stern of the ship.

“Lady Althea, how do you plan to disembark without being seen?”

Laila asked in a low voice.

“…I’ll have Ciel assist us. So, please wait a little longer.”

Althea responded, her gaze fixed ahead as she murmured something in a barely audible voice. She was likely speaking to the fairy. Though she understood the necessity, Laila felt a pang of frustration and tried to focus on the surroundings, avoiding the sight of Althea conversing with the fairy. She accidentally met the gaze of the Crown Prince’s attendant.

—This is bad—

She quickly averted her eyes.

After a brief moment, she checked again and saw that Curio was disembarking behind the Crown Prince.

Feeling a sigh of relief, Althea suddenly spoke to her.

“Laila? …Is something wrong?”

“Oh… no. It’s just that I thought I saw Lord Curio, but he disembarked normally, so I think it should be fine.”

“I see… Well, let’s disembark as well. Ciel, please.”

After a brief pause as if contemplating, Althea immediately gave instructions to the fairy. At once, a soft, pale green light surrounded Althea and Laila. Simultaneously, Althea cast a spell to blur their vision on the ship.

“…It seems everyone has disembarked. Let’s move too. Try not to make any noise, okay?”

Having finished the spell, Althea turned to Laila and gave her a warm smile.

They disembarked with the last team, taking care to stay silent and remain hidden. This was the first lesson drilled into them by Miles, the head of the orphanage.

Thanks to the combined effects of Ciel’s and Althea’s magic, it appeared they were invisible to the surrounding team members. As long as they made no noise and remained undetected, they would not be found.

Once they were safely on land, Althea began running towards the northeast direction where the Crown Prince and his party were heading.

Laila followed Althea and glanced back from a distance to see Lord Regalus anxiously scanning the area behind them.

“…Lady Althea, it seems Lord Regalus is searching for us…”

She spoke up to Althea as they ran.

They were now far from the team, so they shouldn’t be found.

“Hmm, it’s my brother, after all. But it’s alright. Even though he is a caring brother, he’s still a noble inheritor. He will perform his duties properly. I do feel sorry that he’ll have to consider how to handle me for acting on my own, though…”

Althea briefly fell silent, then continued.

“But I must save them. It’s related to the Sword of the Sun.”

“Then, why don’t we inform him and go together?”

Laila inquired.

“Dividing our forces isn’t a good idea. If we worsen the damage to the Starry Stars army to save the Phoenix, it will affect future trust, and we won’t make it in time to help the Starry Stars army. Besides… I need to be the one to understand the Phoenix’s words.”

“Understand the Phoenix’s words…? I heard a scream-like cry earlier, but is it different from that? …What exactly does Lady Althea hear?”

Laila pondered silently, and Althea continued.

“The Phoenix is said to be the divine beast that protects the god Saul, but originally, it was a friend of the Dawn Goddess. So, it was also friends with the Dusk Goddess.”

“Even if Lady Stella was also a friend, how do you understand their words?”

“That… I don’t quite understand either. It might be related to absorbing the magicbook, but… Anyway, the shrine we are heading to in the northeast of the Fulltale Kingdom is said to be related to the Maiden of Dawn. Meeting the Phoenix, who is a friend of the Dawn Goddess, in such a place must mean something significant.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Most importantly, it kept saying, ‘Run away,’ ‘Help,’ ‘Run away.’ I can’t just ignore it.”

“‘Run away’ and ‘Help’?”

“Yes. ‘Run away’ is for everyone, and ‘Help’ is probably for me. …I think it’s because I understand the words. …And here we are.”

With that, Althea stopped.

Before them was a cave partially buried in the grass with an entrance that seemed to open underground.

“…Laila, wait here with Ciel. If any demons who were forcing the Phoenix to comply show up, handle them. I’ll take care of the Phoenix.”

“But won’t we be acting separately?”

“After stopping the Phoenix’s movement, I’ll draw the demons here—”

“That’s too dangerous! If it’s a decoy, I should be the one!”

Laila firmly grasped Althea’s arm, pleading.

“Laila. You can’t stop the Phoenix’s movement, can you?”

“If that’s the case, then the two of us…”

Althea shook her head.

“Two of us would be found before we reach our destination. …It’s alright, Laila. I’m quite strong, you know?”

—I know. But still—

Laila swallowed her words, noticing a handsome young man with blue hair standing behind Althea.

“…Understood. But if you don’t come out after five minutes, I’ll come in, alright?!”

“Wow, zero leeway… but I understand. I’ll do my best, so Laila, please… and Ciel, do your best too.”

With that, Althea kissed both of them on the forehead and silently stepped into the cave.