Side: Amy (9)

What... what is going on? What is even happening right now?

Our side had thirty thousand men and theirs only ten thousand, right? No, wait—was it five thousand over here?

Whatever! It doesn't even matter!

Why are things going so south in a battle that should have been a guaranteed win?

Ugh, I seriously shouldn't have come along. I only joined because I heard it would be an easy victory! In the beginning, we had a massive army and they clearly had almost nobody. It was supposed to be a total cakewalk. But then, before I knew it, explosions were ripping through our ranks... and only our ranks.

What is it? What's happening?

Oh! That weird thing flying in the sky! That’s the cause, isn’t it?

"Lord Karl! Isn't that thing dropping bombs on us?"

When I pointed it out, everyone looked up. Their faces were twisted with despair.

"H-how can it be at such a high altitude? Just how...?"

"It's out of reach, even for my bow."

"Magic won't reach it either. Besides, what is a 'bomb'? Are you referring to those explosions?"

"Damn it! You cowards! Come down here and fight!"

Honestly, Leo! What are you even saying? Why would they come down just because you called them cowards? You total muscle-brained idiot! This is exactly why that introvert manages to get the better of you.

Wait... Introvert? Is it possible... Is that guy using a knowledge cheat?

Of course! That’s it! He’s a reincarnated person too. He just won’t stop getting in my way!

"Amy, this is bad. We’re running!"

"Eh?"

By the time I registered Lord Karl’s warning, it was already too late. Enemy soldiers had already surrounded us. Before I knew it, I was tied up and hauled away.

Ugh! What’s going to happen to me? And after I finally became the Saint of Benevolence, too!

---

Or so I thought, but the words of a Saint of Benevolence are powerful things. I tried acting all sweet and helpless with the guard who brought our food a few times, and he fell for me in an instant. At first, we were shoved into some cramped, dingy room, but he moved us to a decent one right away.

Plus, when we all asked to speak with that introvert, the guard gave us the okay without any fuss. It’s annoying, but I figured I might as well make that guy fall for me too. A lot has happened, but he was totally flustered the first time he saw me. If I just turn on the charm and push him a little, he'll be easy pickings, right?

And so, we were all gathered in one room.

Yeah, I'm glad everyone is safe. I mean, we're prisoners right now, so I guess I have to put up with being tied up, but it still sucks. If I push my luck and ask for too much and get a "no," I'll be in trouble.

After waiting for a while, the introvert finally entered the room. Lord Karl immediately started laying into him.

"Hey! Commoner! Release us this instant! Opposing the Royal Family is an act of treason!"

"That's right. Do you really think it's okay to treat me, the Saint of Benevolence, this way?"

Oops, careful. I almost started talking like I usually do. I'm supposed to be making him fall for me.

"More importantly... could you please untie these ropes? Pretty please?"

I flashed him a beaming smile, just like I did back then. Heh, this should be a piece of cake.

"There is something I wish to confirm with Your Highness," the introvert said, completely ignoring me. "It was Your Highness who arranged to sell Lady Anastasia to the Empire and forged the order, correct?"

Huh? What is with this guy? He's just a pathetic introvert, and he has the nerve to ignore me? How irritating!

"Lady Amy, you knew about this as well, didn't you? No—were you the one who instigated it?"

He shifted the conversation to me, bringing up that woman's business. I was starting to get genuinely annoyed, so I decided to bully him a bit.

"Hmph. Well, obviously. That woman exists for the sole purpose of being broken and turned into a weapon for the Empire. If anything, I think I deserve praise for doing the right thing."

"Exactly!" Lord Karl added.

See? Everyone agrees with me! That’s right—I’m the one who's right!

The guy kept rambling on, so I decided to shut him up.

"Besides, that woman has already fallen into the Empire's hands. By now, she's probably been possessed by the Magic Sword, don't you think?"

That finally made him go silent. Serves you right!

"As I thought," Lord Karl agreed. "That woman harbored enough darkness in her heart to be possessed by the Magic Sword."

Fufun! How's that? You don't have a single ally here!

"Wait, are you serious?" the introvert asked. "Why are you believing a story about a Magic Sword so easily?"

"Because the Saint, Amy, said so! There's no way she's wrong!"

He tried to keep arguing, but Lord Karl kept backing me up. I was feeling pretty good listening to Lord Karl's praise when the door suddenly swung open and that woman walked in.

Wait, what?! How?!

"Wh—? Anastasia?"

"H-how are you here?!" I stammered.

"It has been a long time, Your Highness. And to the rest of you as well. It seems you still have more energy than you know what to do with, as usual."

While we were reeling from the shock, that woman threw a sarcastic remark our way and then practically leaned her whole body against that introvert.

Ugh, what is she doing?! She looks like a total prostitute! And now she's calling herself a princess? She's claiming a commoner is her fiancé, and that even though it's a political marriage, they actually love each other? How pathetic. Anyone can just make things up!

While I was lost in thought, the introvert suddenly snatched the Holy Staff of Guidance from my waist.

"Hey! Give it back! That's mine!"

"N-no way... this staff is...!"

"That's right! It's the staff meant for me, the Saint! It's not something a person like you, who hasn't been chosen by the staff, should even be touching! Give it back!"

"A Saint, you say?"

"Yes! I was recognized by this holy staff! That is why I am the Saint of Benevolence!"

Despite my declaration, the introvert just kept giving me this suspicious, judging look.

"In the first place, what happened to the Holy Blessing? Without that, you shouldn't even be qualified as a Saint."

"T-that's... it is what it is! I became the Saint!"

Oh, shut up! You're so annoying! This is all your fault for stealing my event!

He stared intensely at my staff for a moment, then pulled out some kind of stone. What is he even doing? While I was wondering about that, the Villainess grabbed my staff without permission and started touching it.

Hey! What do you think you're doing, touching my staff?! Can't a mere Villainess understand that she's not allowed to lay a finger on it? What if she gets her weird germs all over it!

Then, Lord Karl and the introvert both shouted at the same time. Honestly, though, calling me a "Witch"... that is beyond rude!

"Gwaaaaaaah!"

Suddenly, Leo tore through his ropes and lunged at that woman. Amazing! He's incredible!

The introvert shielded her on instinct, but he got sent flying. He was absolutely covered in blood.

"Allen! Allen!"

Ahaha! Hearing that woman's pathetic, agonizing screams feels so refreshing! Serves you right!

As for the introvert who protected her... hmph. Not bad, I guess. Not that it matters, since he's going to die anyway.

"Hurry! We're getting out of here!"

"No! My staff! And we have to finish him—"

"You're right. Ah—no, it's no good. We have to get Amy to safety first!"

For Lord Karl—who always does whatever I say—to be this insistent!

"Yes, exactly," Leo said. "I'll stay behind to deliver the finishing blow. Your Highness, please, take care of Amy."

Well, if Leo says so, I guess I can relax.

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

I whispered a small prayer as I spoke, and Leo gave me a deep nod.

Fufu. Since I, the Saint of Benevolence, offered a prayer like that, Leo is guaranteed to kill these people and come back safely. That's right! I'm the Heroine and the Saint of Benevolence, so my words are absolute! Everything will be fine!

Well then, goodbye, Villainess and Mr. Introvert. Do us all a favor and go straight to hell.

It's my win!