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chapter 49
In the meantime, the car we were riding in had already passed through the square.
Perhaps due to the sudden appearance of Gate 9, the streets were unusually quiet despite the founding anniversary celebrations beginning.
As a result, the winner of the hunting festival hadn’t been decided yet, and the banquet where we could meet the patissier had been postponed.
I was gazing out the window when a question suddenly came to mind, so I tapped Dante lightly on the shoulder while he was driving.
“Mr. Dante, by the way, where did this car come from? You were driving it at the last ball too.”
“It’s mine.”
“It looks expensive.”
“It is.”
After driving for about twenty minutes in that expensive car, a building that looked like a private school came into view.
[Saint Calix Orphanage]
It seemed well-funded, likely because it received support from both the royal family and the church, and the facilities were large and clean.
According to Killian, many children had lost their parents during the long war, so the orphanage was currently understaffed.
“Welcome. God has guided you to us. I am Marc Fred, the director here.”
A middle-aged man introduced himself as Marc Fred. His gentle expression and black robe made him look like a pastor.
Behind him, a man and a woman who appeared to be teachers smiled warmly at us. They all seemed to belong to the church.
“Welcome, volunteers. I hope this visit will become a meaningful connection.”
They all had kind and warm impressions.
“By chance, the Saint and Paladin of January are here. I will introduce you so you can greet them.”
The director spoke in his usual gentle tone. I lowered my voice and asked Dante.
“Why are they called the Saint of January? Because their birthday is in January?”
“They are the first saint among the twelve holy ones. They go from January to December, ranked by divine power.”
While Dante explained kindly, the bespectacled male teacher looked at Killian.
“Sir Killian, would you follow me for a moment? Your swordsmanship is urgently needed.”
“Of course, then I shall go.”
Soon, Killian disappeared with Toto, following the male teacher.
Then, the director guided Dante and me further inside. I was shocked when I noticed a long-haired, bearded man standing in the lobby.
“What are you doing here? Volunteering? That doesn’t suit you.”
It was Kaiden Draksler, the notorious rogue with a northern duke’s aura.
Could he be affiliated with the church? No wonder Elyuard and Dante didn’t like him.
“Lady Fortuna, long time no see.”
Unlike before, he was wearing a black uniform instead of armor, but he hadn’t given up his wolf fur draped over his shoulder. That man must feel cold all year round. His curly hair, reaching his shoulders, was tied into a ball on top.
I asked suspiciously,
“Are you also one of the twelve saints… no, a holy man? I can’t believe it.”
“No. I belong to the Church’s Paladin Order.”
So even the notorious rogue had a proper profession.
As I nodded, he looked me over and continued.
“I’ve heard you tamed a powerful dragon and attacked the royal palace. You got community service for that, I hear. Quite fitting to have forty or so fiancés under your command. I admit your audacity. The fierce struggle for the legitimate position should be interesting as well.”
“…Attack? Is that really something that ends with community service? And the fiancés fighting over the legitimate position isn’t really that kind of story.”
How did I end up accused of an “attack”? And why exactly forty fiancés? How far does the empire’s exaggeration go?
At that moment, a strangely excited voice called out.
“Nice to meet you, Saint of January, Galatea De Luca. Sir Kaiden is my personal paladin.”
A model-like woman with silver hair and silver eyes approached us. She looked around 175 cm tall.
Despite her simple attire—hair neatly tied and wearing an apron—her presence was striking.
A winter cool-beauty… just looking at her made my facial muscles relax from the sheer beauty.
“Hello. I’m Mia Fortuna.”
Galatea, who had introduced herself, smiled gracefully. The silver earrings shimmering among her bangs sparkled brightly.
She had the visual of a female protagonist. Was there such a woman in the original story?
“Huh?”
Suddenly, I realized I couldn’t recall the protagonist’s appearance or name.
Why? I only remembered the main storyline and details about Dante. Having lived here for twenty years since reincarnation, it made sense that the finer details were fuzzy.
I tried recalling supporting characters, but could barely remember anything beyond vague impressions.
Perhaps, like when I first met Dante, seeing them in person might trigger my memory?
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even hear Galatea calling me.
“Lady Fortuna?”
“Oh, yes?”
“You were standing there absentmindedly, I wondered if you were unwell.”
“No, no. Thank you for your concern.”
“May I call you Mia? Please call me Rate.”
“Yes, I will.”
She took both my hands and smiled brightly.
“Rate is twenty years old. And Mia?”
Could she be the protagonist? But she spoke in the third person—typical villain-like phrasing.
“Mia is also twenty this year.”
I inadvertently spoke in the third person. Galatea’s eyes widened.
“Same age? Let’s be good friends.”
She seemed very sociable, and I was weak to beautiful people.
“Yes…”
It seemed I was irreversibly charmed by her… I was thrilled to have such a beautiful friend.
Galatea, still holding my hands, turned to look at Dante.
“Major Dyke, long time no see.”
“Yes.”
Dante replied monotonously, tying the apron he had received earlier.
Standing beside two similarly cool-beauty types made me feel more out of place, like I lived in a different world.
Galatea’s excited voice continued.
“You’re still so blunt, Major.”
“So what do you want me to do about it?”
Her icy tone startled me, and I looked at Dante.
Galatea merely covered her mouth and laughed.
“No matter how handsome a man is, blunt men aren’t attractive. Gentle men are in style.”
“I don’t need your advice.”
Still indifferent.
Galatea’s gaze softened.
“Rate was just worried Major might treat others the same way. You’re such a twisted person, just like a cunning demon lord.”
“Mind your own worries. Dante will handle himself.”
The third-person phrasing even spread to Dante.
Galatea raised her middle finger at Dante, then casually brushed her bangs back.
“Major, take care~”
A very intentional move.
It was a high-level skill I had used on troublesome customers at part-time jobs—ambiguous phrases while giving the middle finger under the counter.
Dante seemed to understand, and his otherwise expressionless frown softened slightly.
They clearly didn’t get along. A demon-ability user and a high-ranking priest, perhaps.
“I don’t know what happened between you two, but please resolve it amicably.”
Not wanting to get involved, I stepped back. The director also looked awkward.
The director stepped forward to lighten the mood.
“For short-term volunteers, we usually have them help with cleaning or facility management rather than directly caring for the children.”
I nodded in understanding, tying on an apron.
“So, it’s to prevent attachments to the kids?”
“Yes. Children grow attached quickly.”
I grabbed Dante’s strong arm, still tense from his tiff with Galatea.
“Let’s go do the cleaning you like. It should be fun, right?”
“I just got very stressed, so cleaning is even more necessary.”
Galatea looked puzzled seeing Dante being dragged along, but smiled warmly when she caught my eyes.
“Good work, Mia.”
Galatea waved and left, followed by Kaiden.
“…That saint is incredibly beautiful. Like a multicolored diamond. Sacred and noble, like the holy paintings in the chapel.”
I admired her departing figure, but Dante looked completely unimpressed.
“Not really.”
“You have high standards. To me, she’s a peerless beauty.”
“My lady is more beautiful.”
Suddenly?
