Episode 86: Townsperson A Protects the Villainess

"A Saint, you say?! You?"

"That’s right! The Holy Staff of Guidance has recognized me! That is why I am the Saint of Benevolence!"

No matter how you looked at it, she was the polar opposite of a Saint.

"Putting that aside, what happened to the Blessing? Without that, you shouldn't even be qualified for the title."

"Th-that’s... it is what it is! I’ve become a Saint!"

No, no. What kind of logic is that?

I decided to use Appraisal on the staff I had confiscated.

Name: Staff of Guidance Effect: When a person holds this staff with truly powerful conviction and those feelings are recognized, they are granted one Skill or Divine Protection that fulfills the true wish lurking in the depths of their heart. Can only be used once per person. Grade: Legendary Price: ???

A Skill or Divine Protection that granted a "true wish"?

Startled, I set the staff down on a side table and pulled out a Magic Stone. I immediately performed a personal Appraisal on Amy.

Name: Amy von Braises Age: 17 Divine Protection: [Healing], [Witch of Allurement] Skill: — Residence: Luluden Money on Hand: 9,728 Level: 16 Stamina: E Magic: C Achievements: —

[Healing]: Granted to those who wish to heal the wounds, illnesses, and hearts of others. Significantly increases aptitude for healing magic.

[Witch of Allurement]: Granted to a woman who desires to possess every member of the opposite sex she wants and believes, from the bottom of her heart, that she can have them. Greatly increases her feminine charm and drastically increases her aptitude for [Kotodama].

[Kotodama]: Allows the user to imbue their spoken words with magic, imprinting the content onto the target. Only effective when the target perceives the user positively (affection, trust, lust, etc.). The higher the degree of positive perception, the more powerful the effect.

"Huh? Wait a second... A Witch?!"

I shouted in sheer shock. A terrifying monster had just been born right in front of me. If we left this unchecked, it would be a disaster.

"Hey! Guards!"

"Leo!" the Crown Prince bellowed at the exact same moment.

Leonard let out a roar from the bottom of his lungs. A sickening crack and a wet rip echoed through the room. Having forced himself out of his restraints by sheer, brutal strength, Leonard grabbed a nearby chair and lunged at Ana, who had been distracted staring at the Staff of Guidance.

"Look out!"

"Ah—!"

I instinctively threw my body between them to shield the frozen Ana. I managed to protect her, but I took the full force of Leonard's blow. The impact sent both of us flying backward.

"Dammit..."

I’d managed to absorb most of the shock so Ana wouldn't get hurt, but a white-hot agony flared in my abdomen. I forced myself to stand through the pain, preparing to counterattack, but Leonard was relentless. He drove another merciless blow into my face.

Stars danced across my vision. My consciousness flickered, threatening to fade into black.

"Allen! Allen!"

Ana was on her knees beside me, looking at me with a face that seemed moments away from bursting into tears.

"Quickly! We’re getting out of here!" the Crown Prince shouted, standing up even as his hands remained bound.

"No! The staff! And we have to finish him—" Amy started.

"You're right. Ah—n-no, getting Amy to safety comes first." The Crown Prince seemed to waver under Amy's voice for a second, but ultimately chose flight.

"Amy is right. I will stay behind to deliver the finishing blow and retrieve the staff," Leonard declared with a firm nod. "Your Highness, please, take Amy and go."

"I... I understand. But you have to promise to come back alive, okay?"

Leonard gave a heavy nod, and Amy and the others bolted from the room.

Dammit. What the hell is going on? And what are the guards outside doing?

I struggled to my feet, shielding Ana behind my back while glaring at Leonard. Looking closer, I realized everything from his left wrist down was a mangled mess of crushed bone and flesh, dripping blood onto the floor.

I see. He’d sacrificed his own hand to tear himself free from the ropes. He only could have pulled off a feat like that thanks to the [Hero] buff from the Crown Prince. But in that state, if he didn't get treatment soon, he’d never be able to hold a sword again. Even though Amy was right there—the girl who supposedly had the [Healing] protection.

They really were cruel to the very end.

That said, I wasn't in great shape either. A shard of the chair that had shattered against me was buried in my side, and I knew I couldn't keep this up for long.

"Die! You despicable commoner!"

Leonard brandished a heavy candlestick like a club. Once again, he ignored me and swung for Ana.

"Don't screw with me! Who's the coward here?!"

I whipped out my sword, stepping into the gap to parry the candlestick. I thought I could handle him since he only had one working hand, even if he did have the [Knight] protection. I was wrong. With the [Hero] buff active, the man was a monster.

He knocked my sword aside with ease and drove the candlestick into my side with a sickening thud. I couldn't brace for it. The strike sent me reeling, slamming my back against the stone wall.

The impact knocked the wind out of me, but I clawed for consciousness, desperate to stand. The blow had landed right where the wood shard was lodged; the wound had torn wide open, and I could feel my blood gushing out in a hot torrent.

This... might actually be a fatal wound.

The moment the realization hit, the strength vanished from my legs and I collapsed.

No! Not yet! I have to... protect Ana! Get up! Move!

"Allen! ...Leonard! How dare you!"

"A mere commoner like him deserves—"

Leonard tried to sneer another insult, casually dismissing Ana’s rage, but he didn't realize she had already finished her incantation.

"Dance of the Ice Swords!"

In an instant, a blizzard of shimmering ice blades materialized in the air, swarming Leonard in a flash.

"What—? Gha..."

Leonard couldn't even move. He took the full brunt of the spell and collapsed silently to the floor.

"Allen! Allen! Pull yourself together!"

Ana’s frantic, worried face hovered over me.

Hey, now... don't look at me like that. I guess... this is my fault for being careless...

"Ugh... Ana... I’m sorry..."

"Forget that! Just stay with me!"

I tried to apologize for worrying her, but she just gripped my hand tightly. I was covered in blood, but she didn't seem to care.

"Ana... the blood... you’ll get dirty..."

"As if that matters! Don't you dare die! Not here! Allen!"

I know. I don't want to die either. But... at least you're safe.

My vision began to blur into a soft haze. I really thought we had reached the happy ending. I’d let my guard down again.

Ana’s voice felt like it was drifting away into the distance. All I could see was her crying.

If her face is the last thing I see... I suppose that isn't so bad.

But... I really wish... she was smiling instead.

Ana... I’m sorry...