Chapter 10 The Delusional Saint Candidate and the Villain’s Son
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The clock struck two in Narumina, that dreadful hour when monsters grow restless. I spotted a caravan rumbling down my road—no permit, no banner, just wagons stacked high with crates. A hundred at least. And judging from the faces, all bandits. Well then, tonight’s entertainment had arrived.
”Interesting,” I murmured, watching from the trees. “Guess I’ll fund my retirement with these generous guests.”
The bandits shouted as they rode. “Hurry up! We’ll make a killing at the Albion Empire auction. These brats will sell for fortunes!”
One muffled voice whimpered, “Mmmph! Mmmph—!”
Another bandit hesitated. “Boss, isn’t this Seyfried territory? Word is monsters roam at night here—”
”Mmmph! Someone, please! I’m a saint candidate—!”
”Shut it, you high-priced merchandise!” the leader barked. “We get through this road, we’re rich! We’ll sell the saints and knights we nabbed from the Lax Empire in one sweep!”
My eyes narrowed. “So these tied-up girls are saint candidates, huh? And that one… wait, is that a boy?”
”What’s that kid doing here?” one of them growled. “Hey, Dagarl! I told you to handle the brats—”
Before he could finish, a guttural roar shook the air.
”Gob gob gob gob gob gob—HOATAAA!”
Gōbu-kun, my ever-enthusiastic goblin, slammed his fist into the man’s jaw. The poor fool launched headfirst from the wagon, flailing into the night. “He’s definitely dead,” I said.
”Dagarl! What the hell did you do to my lover?!” another musclebound brute bellowed, tattoos twisting across his face as he glared at us.
From behind him came a sharp cry. “Mmmph! Puhah—! You there, in the hood! Free me at once! I am Lala Eushuria Melektorc, future saint of the Lax Empire!” Her voice rang with imperious pride even through the gag.
The thug snapped, “Shut it!”
I tilted my head. Fine silk habit, golden embroidery—definitely noble. “Fancy outfit. Shame about the ropes,” I mused. The girl’s pink hair shimmered in the moonlight, feline eyes narrowed in outrage. “Ah, I see. You’re that delusional saint candidate who fantasized about being punished by Alexia, aren’t you?”
”Mmmph?!”
The tattooed man leered at me. “Wait, under that hood… you’re a pretty boy, aren’t ya? Come to me yourself, huh—”
”Gob gob gob gob—HOATAA!”
”Hi-debuuu!!”
”Gōbu-kun, stop!” I yelled. “That guy had a bounty! We were supposed to hand him over alive to Raichi’s shady contacts!”
”Gob… gob gob,” he grunted apologetically.
”Yeah, yeah. Don’t overdo the jokes next time.” The man’s body vanished into the ditch.
From one of the wagons, the muffled protests continued. “Mmmph! Mmmph!”
I sighed. “Oh, you want the gag off? No way. You talk faster than a magic gatling. Can you speak sweetly like Alexia?”
”Mm-hm! Mmmph!”
”Yeah, didn’t think so.”
She wailed, “Nnnghh!” twisting in her ropes until even Gōbu tilted his head in pity.
This was Lala Eushuria Melektorc, the infamous delusional saint adored by degenerate fans across the continent. She was clever, cunning, and terrifyingly popular—there were even life-sized figures of her sold for a fortune. I’d bought one myself once. The craftsmanship below the waist had been disturbingly realistic.
Now, that same girl knelt before me in tears, gagged and bound. Life has a wicked sense of humor.
My horse snorted. “Easy there, Heal Horse.” I patted its neck, slowing the reins.
Lala muffled another complaint, and I laughed. “You really haven’t changed, have you? Still bossy even in ropes.”
I remembered that festival years ago—the one where she framed Alexia for breaking a ceremonial plate. I’d stepped in back then, not out of kindness, but revenge. The flashback always ends the same: I exposed her lie, but the grudge never left.
Alexia and Lala would meet again at Alys Magic Academy, where Alexia bloomed into a true sadist. But that’s another story.
For now, beneath the silver moon, I watched Lala struggle in her bindings and thought, “Maybe fate’s finally having fun again.”
They say Lala’s route always ends the same way—no pain, no blood, just a magic whip that tears fabric and dignity alike. It’s one of those bad endings players can’t look away from, because misery wrapped in beauty has its own charm.
Maybe that’s why, even now, looking at her bound and defiant, I felt an odd irritation bubbling up. “Maybe it’s your fault,” I muttered. “You’re the kind of proud little saint who makes even anger feel complicated.”
Curiosity won out. I reached forward and slipped the gag from her lips.
She gasped for air, then shouted, “You barbarian! Release me this instant—and return us all to the Empire!”
Her husky voice filled the air like a scolding monkey. Fitting, really.
”Can’t do that,” I said lightly. “You’ve all been missing for six months. Officially, you don’t exist anymore.”
Her eyes widened. “Six months? We were taken only days ago! The Empire would never abandon its elite saints!”
I shook my head. “Time runs differently in small worlds. You were probably trapped in a Grimoire dimension. You haven’t aged, but the world moved on without you.”
She stared at me, trembling. “So… we have no place left to return to… desuwa…”
A tear slipped down her cheek. I rubbed the back of my neck, uncomfortable. Then an idea struck. “Well, if you’ve nowhere to go, come live in my hideout. Rent’s free, and there’s plenty to learn from the local degenerates.”
She sniffled. “Your… hideout?”
”Mm-hm. You can even earn gold from odd jobs. Totally legal.” (It wasn’t, but who cares. This world runs on loopholes.)
”At least tell me your name, Savior,” she said softly.
”It’s Shin.”
”Shin-shama?” she echoed, dazed.
I blinked. “Did you just say ‘shama’…?”
Before I could ask more, Gōbu’s roar echoed over the hills. I looked up just in time to see his army arrive—hundreds of armored orcs, wolves, and dragons sweeping through the fog like a nightmare parade.
The surviving bandits screamed. “Orcs! Dragons! Silver wolves—they were extinct!”
It was chaos, glorious and terrifying. The monsters captured the raiders with efficient brutality. I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve outdone yourself, Gōbu-kun.”
”Gob gob gob—!” he beamed, gesturing proudly.
”You mean… all of them follow your orders now? And you conquered the northern Demon Lord’s castle? Busy week, huh?”
He puffed out his chest. “Gob gob gob!” (Roughly translated: all for you.)
I smiled. “Thanks, buddy. You’re the best.”
Lala watched our bizarre exchange in disbelief. “How… how is that even a conversation?” she murmured.
”Gob gob gob…” Gōbu mumbled shyly.
I laughed. “Don’t tease him. Anyway, I’ll take care of these girls. Drop by with supplies sometimes, okay?”
He saluted and marched off with his monster battalion, leaving silence and the faint glow of dawn.
Around us, the rescued children whimpered for their parents, their voices thin and lost. Most were from noble or priestly families. Such talent shouldn’t end in despair.
Lala walked beside me, still bound but calmer now. “I never thought the Empire would truly abandon us desuwa,” she whispered.
I looked at her—pale, tear-streaked, but determined. “Then find something new to believe in. The world’s bigger than crowns and churches.”
”New faith…? What could that be?”
I grinned. “Maybe… me?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Shin-sama…?”
”Kidding,” I said, flicking my wrist. The enchanted dagger sang through the air, slicing her ropes cleanly.
”Freedom suits you better,” I said. “Live for whatever you truly believe in now. I’ll help where I can.”
She rubbed her wrists, eyes shining with new confusion—and something like hope. “For what we truly believe in… Shin-sama…”
As the sun rose, I thought of every route I’d cleared in this twisted world. None had ever offered a happy ending, not even for her.
But maybe this time, I could write one myself.
Notes:
• Raichi – Shin’s magic tutor. A former elite instructor at Alys Magic Academy, expelled for “creative misconduct” (embezzlement, harassment, etc.). A reckless mentor whose unorthodox methods, combined with Shin’s knowledge, fast-tracked his magic mastery.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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