Part One, Section Four: “The End And the Beginning”
Chapter Forty-three
“You capable of creating a Golden Pillar while on the move?”
“As long as I pray, I can maintain it until just before it materialize. But is it safe for you to ride while carrying me?”
Prince Oswald carried me with one arm and spurred his horse, known as the nation’s swiftest. With this, I might be able to prepare to summon a Pillar of Light before reaching the border.
I had never imagined praying in someone’s arms before. Strangely, my heart starts racing… This is the first time for me.
Oh God—please. I don’t think I’ve been carrying out the duties of a saint properly. But just for this moment—please, show me mercy…
While feeling the warmth of Prince Oswald’s body and the reassuring touch of his arm, I somehow managed to focus my mind and continued to pray.
“Miss Philia, we’ve reached the fort… Do you still need to pray?”
The horse was surprisingly fast, and we arrived at the fort near the border in no time at all. I somehow managed to complete the prayers sufficient to manifest a Pillar of Light… Now, all that remained was to prepare to place the Pillar in the appropriate location in Girtonia.
“No, thanks to your help, the preparations are sufficient. I can protect myself. Your Highness, thank you for bringing me this far.”
From here on out, the number of demons would be much higher than what we faced in Parnacota, so I needed to hurry to the destination while using anti-evil spells to eliminate them… I would proceed alone from here. Let’s focus and move forward.
“Wait, wait, wait, are you gonna go alone? Ah, here it is, here it is. This spear fits me the best.”
Prince Oswald, holding a spear taller than himself, mounted his horse and urged me to ride behind him. It seemed like he brought the spear from the fort’s armory…
But, I can’t allow you, a prince, to face any more danger…
“What are you saying all of a sudden? Even if I go back, Brother gonna call me a moron and scold me anyway. Lady Saint, are you really going alone—?”
“…Eek!? Y-you’re quite forceful…”
Prince Oswald plunged his spear into the ground and once again lifted me, settling me behind him. He already lifted me before, but… each time, it was a bit embarrassing…
“It’s just my nature. Hold on tight. Don’t fall off!”
With those words, he spurred the horse to gallop again, holding the spear in one hand.
It was evident that the number of demons in the Kingdom of Girtonia had increased compared to when I left. The real issue was the extent of this increase…
We entered Girtonia’s territory…
And, at the same time, we both gasped in shock at the gruesome scene within the country.
“T-This is way more numerous than I predicted. The location to set a Pillar of Light is quite far from here, but—”
Right in front of us, a large number of demons writhed and rampaged, blocking our path. With this, we couldn’t proceed any further…
“Miss Philia…! Hold on tighter! And tell me which way to go! Uwaaaaah!”
When Prince Oswald swung his spear, a gust of wind blew, and the heads of more than ten demons were sent flying. I had heard that the prince was a master of a spear, but I didn’t know he was this skilled…
“Harrah! Don’t get in our way! Miss Philia, hurry—!”
“Head in that direction, and turn to the right at the end.”
While kicking away the demons one after another, Prince Oswald guided his horse forward. The demon blood splattered in our direction in great amounts, even staining Prince Oswald’s face, but the horse didn’t falter.
Despite it being a matter of a foreign nation for him…
When I saw Prince Oswald’s determined expression, it didn’t seem like he considered it something unrelated to him at all, and I couldn’t help but be curious about it.
“Why… why do you try so hard for another country’s sake…?”
I couldn’t help but ask the question. About the reason he could move forward with such determination…
“Haa… haa… I ain’t thinking of it as another country or anything like that. I can give it my all ’cause it’s your homeland, Miss Philia—”
“Huh…? T-that…”
Prince Oswald suddenly said it was for my sake. What could he mean by that? To be so dedicated to me…
“When it’s for someone dear to you, you can become relentlessly determined to push through no matter where—that’s what people are like. So, for your sake, I—”
The demons rushed towards us all at once, but Prince Oswald met them with his spear…
“—I can push forward relentlessly!”
And cut down them in a single stroke.
The horse continued to move steadily in a straight line toward our destination without any disruption.
S-Someone dear…? M-Me…?
I had never heard such words before. I could feel the blood rushing to my head, and my face growing hot.
“Miss Philia! Is that hill suitable?”
“Y-Yes. It’s fine as long as I can see the area…”
The "Pillar of Light" that could be manifested through the power of prayer…
I placed it in a spot where it was easy to receive magic power from Parnacota and Bolmern and then expanded the Grand Anti-Evil Magic Circle. The ground glowed with a golden light, and the magic circle covered not only the entire kingdom of Girtonia but the whole continent, rendering demons completely powerless.
“The expansion succeeded.”
“It’s unbelievable. Miss Philia… You silenced all those demons, every single one of them.”
“It’s thanks to your haste, Your Highness.”
“…No, I haven’t done much—Hey, someone is lying over there. She seems to resemble you in some way…”
“Huh!? M-Mia…!”
Before I knew it, I had jumped off the horse and started running. The number of demons exceeded my expectations by an alarming margin. It must have been because of that she pushed herself to the limit…
◆ ◆ ◆
“Huh? My body is warm again…”
“Mia, I’m glad you’re safe…”
“Big… Sis…”
I cast a healing spell, and my little sister woke up. With tears streaming down my face, I hugged her tightly—
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