I was walking down the Academy corridor when a familiar voice caught my attention.
Turning around, I saw him.
"Leonis."
He wore his usual soft, easy smile.
"For someone who dragged me all the way here, you’re certainly late to greet me," I noted.
"Haha, you're right. Sorry, I've been quite busy with a few things."
Yeah, right. Total lie. People who say that are almost always just trying to cover up the fact that they forgot!
"Anyway," Leonis said, waving his hand dismissively. "Do you have a moment?"
"Well, I don't have anything particular to do."
"Then it's settled." He gave a sunny grin. "Allow me to guide you."
"...Where to?"
There was a brief pause.
"To the place you've been curious about."
I don’t have any place like that.
"It's also one of the reasons you came to the Holy Theocracy."
"............"
I had nothing but a bad feeling about this.
"Rest assured," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "It's not a dangerous place." He narrowed his eyes just a fraction. "In fact, it is the safest place in the country."
...That actually made it sound even scarier.
"Let's go."
Leonis set off without waiting for an answer.
"What should we do?" Yuka asked in a low whisper.
"Well..." I let out a soft sigh. "If Leonis says so, it’s probably not a lie."
"Understood."
"I'm coming, too," Selena added, joining us as a matter of course.
Wait, did I always have two attendants? Regardless, we followed after Leonis.
◇◇◇
We were led into the deepest parts of the Academy. Further and further we went, until the presence of other people vanished entirely.
"...There aren't any students here."
"Naturally," Leonis replied, glancing back. "Only a select few are permitted to enter this area."
So it was a "members only" sort of deal.
Eventually, we arrived in front of a single, large door. It was white and remarkably plain, with very little ornamentation.
However...
"..."
Even I could tell. The air here was different.
"This is it."
Leonis gave a light knock.
Knock, knock.
"—Come in."
A familiar voice drifted from the other side. My thoughts momentarily ground to a halt. It couldn't be. No way.
Leonis pushed the door open. "Pardon the intrusion."
We stepped inside. In that instant, our gazes met.
The girl standing there wore white garments, slightly different from the ones she’d worn when we first met. She had silver hair and eyes as clear as glass.
"We meet again, Luka."
She spoke my name softly.
"...Nana?"
The name slipped out before I could think. Immediately, a boy who looked like her attendant began to shout.
"You cur! To address the Saint—"
"Please, stop."
Wait, what? Was I the villain here?
"—! My apologies..."
Despite his apology to her, the boy shot me a sharp, murderous glare.
The girl smiled, looking a bit troubled. "...Yes," she said quietly. "I am sorry. Nana is just a nickname. My real name is..."
A momentary pause.
"Nanalicia."
"..."
I see. Well then, Nanalicia, why on earth did you give me the nickname first?
"She is the 'Saint' of this Holy Theocracy," Leonis added from behind me.
"............Huh?"
Wait, what? My brain couldn't keep up. "Uh, excuse me?"
"We shared a meal together in the city, didn't we?"
"Eh?"
"What!?"
It seemed Leonis and the boy were just as surprised as I was. I certainly didn't remember having lunch with the literal symbol of a nation. Nana and Nanalicia were supposed to be two different people, right?
Nanalicia nodded slightly. "...It was... very enjoyable."
Wait, that was actually kind of cute. No, that's not the point!
"No, no, no!" I blurted out. "The Saint is, you know, the vessel of God's will and all that, right?"
"...That's correct," Leonis nodded casually. "That's her. I had no idea you two had already gone as far as having a meal together."
"I only just realized I ate with the Saint this very second, okay?!"
Seriously, this was insane. We were just eating bread and soup. Though, I suppose the menu didn't really matter.
Nanalicia lowered her gaze slightly. "...The reason I went outside," she said in a small voice, "was because I wanted to see you."
"..."
Oh, so that's how it was. Honestly, I still didn't really get it.
She raised her face just a little. "And I truly was able to meet you, Luka."
She spoke as if those words were a precious treasure.
"..."
What was this feeling? That strange sense of dissonance I felt back then was still there.
"Yuka, help me."
"Yes. If you are truly in trouble, I will save you. Absolutely."
Thank God. I really am blessed with the people in my life.
"With that said," Yuka continued, "could you please stop directing your hostility toward Lord Luka?"
She was looking straight at the boy attendant. Hostility? Seriously? What did I even do to him?
"My apologies. Allow me to apologize for him," Leonis said. "He’s a bit over-loyal. Or rather, he's hypersensitive when it comes to the Saint."
That’s got nothing to do with me! Stop looking at me like that, kid!
"Luka." Nanalicia took a step closer.
Uh, please stay over there.
"Um..." She hesitated for a moment before bowing her head deeply. "Thank you very much."
"..." I shrugged slightly. "I don't think it's anything you need to thank me for. I just bought you some food."
"...Yes, perhaps you're right." She smiled.
That smile was exactly the same as the one I had seen in the city.
Leonis watched the scene quietly. "So? How is it?"
"How is what? What was the point of this, anyway?"
"This."
"Huh?"
"This is the point."
"...Just meeting her?"
"Yes." He nodded.
Heh. What a strange country.
After that, the bizarre atmosphere continued—consisting of a constantly growling Chihuahua of a boy, a Saint who seemed best suited for bread and soup, a handsome nobleman, and a dependable maid.
◇◆◇
After Luka left the room, a heavy, indescribable air filled the silence.
"Saint! Who was that insolent man?!" burst out Leon Seraphina, the Hero Candidate.
"...Leon. If you speak of Luka that way again, there will be consequences."
"Ugh! B-but..."
"Sigh. Leonis, could you leave me alone for a moment?"
"Understood. Come on, Leon, let's go."
"...Understood..."
"Don't look so depressed. It’s always like this with her, isn't it?"
The two left the room, and silence returned. Nanalicia stood still for a long time, saying nothing.
Slowly, she pressed her hand against her chest.
Thump.
Her heartbeat was so forceful she could feel it vibrating through her entire body.
"...Luka," she whispered. "It was Luka."
She spoke the name as if confirming its existence, tracing the syllables with care.
"...Hehe."
A small smile escaped her lips. It wasn't the face of the "Saint" she showed to the world. It was the expression of a girl her age—or perhaps, something far softer and more intense.
"We met again."
The voice wasn't meant for anyone else's ears.
"Hehe. I did it. Finally, I'm with you..."
She thought back to the girl who had been standing by Luka’s side.
I know better than anyone how charming Luka is, so I won't say anything to her. It couldn’t be helped that he’d forgotten, but I’m still not quite sure how I feel about his wandering eyes. Still, I feel like I can forgive everything right now.
Because I was finally able to find you again.
"...Soon. I want us to be one very soon."