Chapter 3: Why Are Saints Always Beautiful Girls?

A few days passed after that, and we finally arrived at the royal capital of this country after a journey that was neither particularly grueling nor anywhere close to elegant.

In this world, the main means of transportation are horse-drawn carriages, or alternatively, a luxury item known as a magic vehicle.

That said, as I’ve mentioned before, magic vehicles are expensive—really expensive. Even after factoring in the cost of feed and maintenance for a carriage, a magic vehicle still ends up being far more costly.

"Hey, is this the royal capital? Isn’t it amazing? From the outside, it’s totally obvious we’re just country bumpkins, right? No, seriously, this is incredible—I wanna run around everywhere right now. Hey, can I go? I bet there are tons of couples to see."

"Sorry, Village Chief, can I throw this embarrassing idiot away right now?"

"I understand how you feel painfully well, but endure it. No, really, I do understand how embarrassing this is."

Honestly, traveling by carriage was extremely tough for me, especially since it reminded me of my previous life.

My body had become sturdy enough that I wouldn’t hurt my back or anything, but what really made it hard was the lack of entertainment.

Back in the village, I could always watch my childhood friend couple, but during this journey, I couldn’t see them at all. Even enjoying the ever-changing scenery while being rocked by the carriage only lasted, at best, a single day.

Still, looking at the scene before me now, I couldn’t help but think it had all been worth it.

"But well, you can understand how Toma feels, right? I’ve seen it several times myself, but it still moves me every time."

"...Yeah, I mean, it is amazing. This wall—it surrounds the entire capital, right? I don’t really get why something like this even exists, though."

That’s right—the royal capital was surrounded by a massive wall. Hikari had initially wondered whether something like that was even necessary in a world without war, but after the Village Chief pointed out that just because there’s no war now doesn’t mean there won’t be in the future, she accepted it.

And in fact, by the endgame of the story, that wall becomes absolutely essential—so you really never know how things will turn out.

But none of that mattered right now. Because what lay before me looked exactly like something out of an anime or a game.

No—more than that. Compared to what had been depicted as fiction, the wall in front of me felt undeniably real. It even carried a sense of majesty. The people around us—who were probably seeing it for the first time just like me—were all standing there with their mouths hanging open in awe. Even in this world, it was clear that this was something extraordinary.

"I-I'm so happy... I could die right here..."

"Hey, please stop dropping to your knees and crying like you’re about to flood the place. People are staring—it’s seriously embarrassing."

Even if they said that, this was a reflex. It wasn’t something I could control.

Over the fifteen years it took me to reach adulthood in this life, my memories of Legenda Septima Rex had gradually faded away. My daily life was both enjoyable and difficult, and helping my mom kept me constantly busy.

Those days slowly overwrote even the memories etched into my soul. The point where everything started blending together was when I was ten.

Since then, memories kept slipping away, and even though I was aware of it, I had resigned myself to it. And now, just as I had come to terms with that—this scene from the game was right in front of me.

How could I not get excited? No—there was no way I wouldn’t.

"Hikari!! Hikari, look!! That!! Isn’t that the statue of the First Sword King?! Even the pedestal with the legendary holy sword stuck in it!!! And right next to it, a candied apple stand!!!!! Gahhh!! I can’t hold it in anymore!!!!!"

"Why are you charging the food stall with that lineup?! Stop it! And quit making that weird face while running at it! You’re freaking the vendor out!!!!"

Don’t stop me! Don’t hold me back!!! Right now, I can eat the exact same thing that Hikaru—the protagonist who pulled out the holy sword—ate!!! More importantly, this stall itself is a sacred place!!!!!

After all, this is where the protagonist has his first encounter with the main heroine—the Saint! As a fan of that story, how could I not be hyped in this situation? If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be a fan!!!!!

"Hohoho, I’ll leave Toma to you, Hikari. I’ve got a little errand to run..."

"Can you not try to dump him on me and run away?! Hey, Village Chief, look this way! Don’t pretend you can’t hear me! I know you can! I said look at me! Don’t you dare start running away, you damn old man!!!"

"Two candied apples, please!!! Two!!! And one for that cute girl over there—the kind of beauty you hardly ever see even in the royal capital!!!!!"

I could hear Hikari and the Village Chief yelling behind me, but none of it registered.

All I could perceive now was the scene before my eyes and the sounds of life in the capital. I had to enjoy this moment with all five senses—otherwise, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.

So yeah!! Even if a weird laugh spills out of my mouth!! It can’t be helped!!!!

"Then stop trying to snap my joints, dammit!!! My leg doesn’t bend that wayyyyy!!!!"

"Pain’s the fastest way to calm someone down. Same with training a dumb dog—you just need to make it understand it shouldn’t resist."

Calling a person a dog—what kind of childhood friend is that?! The fact that her cute face is completely expressionless just makes it even scarier and kills any will I have to resist!!!!

Noooo!!! If you lock my Achilles tendon like that, I won’t be able to walk!!!!!

Someone!!! Save me!!! If possible, let it be some guy from a couple who wants to look cool in front of his girlfriend by stopping Hikari as she calmly tests out every joint lock she knows on me!!!!!

"...U-um... if you go any further, that person’s leg is going to bend the wrong way...?"

As if my prayers had been answered, a voice came from above.

It was a voice that sounded as though it had been blessed by the world itself—somehow sacred.

And yet, it was delicate, like the faint ringing of a small bell, as if it might disappear at any moment. At the same time, it carried a dignity that made you feel like you couldn’t miss a single word.

Thinking, there’s no way, I twisted my neck while still caught in the joint lock, forcing myself to look toward the source of the voice.

Was it really possible for something this convenient to happen? For a moment, I even wondered if this was a dream. I might have strained something in my neck from turning it so forcefully, but I didn’t care—I managed to bring the owner of that voice into my field of vision.

"Alicia... Septem..."

"Huh? Ah, um... have we met somewhere before...?"

I accidentally muttered her name. She looked at me with suspicion in response, but honestly, nothing else was registering in my mind right now.

After all, standing right in front of me was the main heroine among the main heroines of Legenda Septima Rex.

She’s one half of my absolute favorite pairing—HikaAri—and no matter which route you take in the game, her presence is so overwhelming that the player can never forget her. A true beauty.

In the story, she’s described as a girl who possesses unmatched beauty and grace—and seeing her in person, I could only agree that the description was completely justified.

Her long golden hair reached down to her waist, the ends softly curled. Each strand seemed full of life, flawless, without the slightest imperfection. It resembled fine golden embroidery thread, yet as it shimmered under the sunlight, anyone could tell it wasn’t artificial—it was natural. Yeah... I can tell these things.

Her nun-like attire, which revealed nothing and concealed her figure, only enhanced her air of mystery. There was no need for cheap erotic appeal. Simply by existing, she would captivate anyone who looked at her. Honestly, no one but the protagonist ever needs to see what’s underneath. Don’t even try—I’ll kill you.

Still... seeing her like this, her beauty and grace feel almost unreal. And yet, she speaks to people so kindly—it’s no wonder some guys might get the wrong idea.

As a fellow guy, I get it. If a girl this cute treated you gently, wanting to misunderstand things is basically instinct.

Yeah... though if anyone tried to make a move, I’d kill them. HikaAri is supreme, got it?

But seriously—

"The Saint is beautiful, sure, but why is Hikari just as beautiful and cute? I mean, yeah, it’s a different kind of charm, but still. I don’t think someone like you belongs in some rural backwater, you know?"

"The only thing I want to hear from that useless mouth of yours is screaming!!!"

"Agh!? W-wait, is this... a cobra twist?!"

My limbs were locked again as she shifted her stance, my waist being mercilessly twisted while my arms and legs were immobilized. Her pale, flawless skin—perfectly suited to her silver hair—was slightly flushed red. Honestly, I’m starting to seriously wonder why my childhood friend has such a ridiculous variety of joint locks.

"Ahh!! Not that!! A move that shows off your chest like that!?!"

"Hey, idiot. This beautiful lady is worried about you, you know. At least tell her she doesn’t need to be."

"Gagagagagaga—!? I-if you’re gonna say that, could you stop cranking my joints so she won’t have to worry!?!"

"W-wahhh!? A-are you okay!? Um, h-he looks pale from the pain! W-why are you smiling like that!?"

Ahh... just her kindness alone makes me forget the pain and smile...!

Okay, sorry, that’s a lie. It hurts like hell, so could you please stop?!

After about ten minutes of being subjected to various pro-wrestling techniques, she finally seemed satisfied and let me go.

Every part of my body hurt, but this was nothing unusual. It’d heal quickly, and I was already used to the pain anyway.

Meanwhile, the very culprit who had been locking my joints was now receiving tips from passersby and thanking them. Wait—did she just use me to make money...? Unforgivable!! At the very least, she owes me a candied apple!!!!

"U-um... would you like me to use healing magic? You were screaming so much just now..."

"I’m fine with this much. She’s been doing this to me forever, so I’m used to it."

It’s admirable that she can show kindness like this to a complete stranger—a guy she hasn’t even properly introduced herself to. But honestly, I wish she’d make that worried face for the protagonist instead. If possible, I want to see that scene myself. I could probably live for a week without food or water just from that alone.

"Oh, by the way, can I ask you something?"

"Huh? I don’t mind..."

Thank goodness. Ever since I recognized Alicia, there’s been something I desperately wanted to ask.

For me, it’s the most important thing—my top priority.

"So... do you have someone you like?"

"Whaaat!?"

"Like, someone with silver hair—manly, confident—cool to watch but also makes you worry a little? Anyone like that nearby?"

"W-why is that so specific!?"

"Please!!! This question literally determines the course of my life!!!!"

That’s right—her appearance matches exactly what I saw in the game and anime. Since the Holy Sword hasn’t been drawn yet, Hikaru probably hasn’t met her.

But if—if—they’ve already met, and I somehow miss the chance to witness it with my own eyes, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.

That’s why I need to confirm the most important thing in my life right now!!!!

"U-uuu... I-I don’t have anyone I like... I serve the Sword King, after all..."

"What devotion... is she really human? Isn’t she actually an angel? Ah, sorry—could I get your autograph over here?"

"Don’t start acting like a lunatic in front of the Saint, you idiot!!!!!"

My overexcited consciousness was abruptly plunged into darkness by an ultra-powerful flying kick from my childhood friend—the same one who had been collecting tips from passersby just moments ago.