His consciousness surfaced from a world of pitch black.
Leon forced his heavy eyelids open. His vision was a blur, and his limbs felt like lead. He tried to twitch his fingers and toes—
"Ugh!"
A jolt of agony flared through his left arm.
The pain served to sharpen his mind, and his awareness rapidly coalesced.
(That’s right. My left arm...)
During the battle with Albert, he had sacrificed his left arm to deflect a Lightning Bolt. Yet, as he lay there, Leon felt a distinct, faint sensation in his fingers.
"...Leon-sama, are you awake?"
Serafina peered down at him, her hands hovering over his body. Her expression was strained, likely worn down by exhaustion.
"Serafina... where am I?"
"We’re in the Academy Church. They’ve permitted us to use it for your recovery, Leon-sama."
Just as she said, the interior was a stone chapel. At the far end of the hall stood the Statue of Absolute God Zenos.
"I can feel God’s presence more tangibly here—"
The more strongly she felt that divine presence, the more potent Serafina's healing magic became. The fact that she had brought him here meant that restoring his lost arm had been a task of immense difficulty.
Leon lifted his left arm.
There it was—his hand, looking exactly as it had before the duel with Albert.
(It looks a bit pale, though...)
A sharp pain shot through the limb with even the slightest movement, but he could hardly complain.
"Thank you, Serafina."
"I only did what was expected of me as a Saint. Once the pain in your arm subsides, you should be able to move it freely. Please, rest for now."
"...I understand."
Having finished the treatment, Serafina lowered her hands.
A profound silence filled the chapel.
Serafina stared intently at Leon, her pale green eyes shimmering. Before he could say another word, tears overflowed and began soaking into Leon’s clothes.
"A-Ah! I'm so sorry!"
She hurriedly tried to wipe the damp fabric with her hands, but the tears wouldn't stop. Finally unable to endure it, Serafina buried her face in her palms.
"Ugh... uuuu..."
"What's wrong, Serafina?"
"...I... I couldn't lead you to victory. I’m the Saint who’s supposed to support the Hero... and yet... I... I..."
Overcome with emotion, Serafina collapsed forward, burying her face against Leon's chest. Her muffled sobs echoed softly through the silent chapel.
(No, Serafina...)
Serafina had been more than devoted. The blessings and barriers she provided had been Leon's lifeline. It was only because of her power that he had been able to land even a single blow against the overwhelming Albert.
Saint Seraphina’s power was extraordinary.
No, the failure lay in Leon’s own lack of strength.
Leon awkwardly moved his aching left hand to stroke her head.
"It's okay, Serafina. Don't worry about it. You did everything you could."
"...No... that’s not it. I have committed a sin..."
"A sin? What are you talking about?"
"It’s—it’s—"
She couldn't find the words. She simply continued to weep.
Was she frustrated by the loss? Was she grieving because she couldn't protect him?
Whatever the reason, the fault didn't lie with her. Watching her break down under the weight of her responsibility as a Saint made Leon’s heart ache.
(It’s all because I’m weak.)
If he had been stronger, she wouldn't be like this.
Serafina’s cries pierced his chest like needles. Riddled with guilt, Leon could do nothing but continue to stroke her hair as she sobbed.
(I can’t even save one girl. Am I truly the one chosen by God?)
As his heart grew cold, a profound sadness washed over him.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
Night fell.
After arranging for Leon to be moved, Serafina returned to the chapel alone.
She walked through the silent space, the night air cool and the moonlight casting long shadows. Her expression was melancholy as she approached the Statue of Absolute God Zenos—the absolute being she worshipped and believed in.
She knelt before the god, clasped her hands, and bowed her head.
"Oh, God... please forgive my sin..."
Serafina’s voice trembled.
"For the first time in my life, I have harbored doubt toward Your word."
She sounded as if she were speaking through physical pain.
"I received Your revelation and became a Saint. At that time, You told me: 'Soon the Demon King will revive. In the future, Hero Leon shall defeat that great evil. Support him well and help him well.' Those words were my joy—a certain guidepost for my life. Until today...!"
Serafina opened her tear-streaked eyes and looked up at the statue.
"God, please tell me! Is Leon-sama truly capable of defeating the Demon King?!"
To Serafina, the Hero’s strength was an absolute truth. The future where he defeated the Demon King was an immutable fact. These things were true because God had spoken them, and as a devout believer, she had never seen a reason to doubt.
But today’s results had shattered that certainty.
Even with her full divine protection, Hero Leon could not defeat Albert von Kronstadt.
The Hero was meant to be the representative of humanity—the one who would stand against the Demon King. In other words, he was supposed to be the strongest.
Yet, that "strongest" Hero had been utterly defeated by Albert.
For Serafina, this event shook the very foundations of the future God had promised.
"...I cannot forgive myself. I cannot forgive myself for doubting Your words. Your word is absolute; there can be no mistake. Therefore, Hero Leon must be the strongest. And yet—"
Serafina’s voice rose to a scream.
"Why did Leon lose?!"
The statue offered no answer. No revelation reached her heart.
The only sound in the silence was her own ragged breathing.
In place of the god who remained silent, a different image flickered in the back of her mind. It wasn't Hero Leon, but the young man with heterochromia who possessed such overwhelming power.
(The true Savior is—)
Serafina forcibly severed that thought.
God’s word was absolute. To think anything else was a betrayal.
"I still believe in Your word. Your word must be correct. Hero Leon must defeat the Demon King. Hero Leon must be the representative of humanity. Hero Leon must be the strongest—"
Serafina rose like a phantom.
"...Leon-sama simply needs to be the strongest."
If he were, everything would return to how it was. She wouldn't have to doubt God, and she wouldn't have to fear the future. She could lose herself once more in the sweet, blind comfort of her faith.
Her heart finally found a place to settle.
She covered her face, wiping away the last of her tears. When she lowered her hands, her expression had returned to its usual benevolent, gentle smile.
"Your word is always right. It must be right. To have doubted it... how foolish of me."
The statue remained silent.
However, a sense of peace filled Serafina. She gave a deep bow, turned on her heel, and walked out of the chapel.