Recollections of Noel Altena Hyland, Priestess of the Sun

　From the time I can remember, I was raised as a reincarnation of a saint.

　The role of supporting the Saviour, the hope of the world.
　In the past, my childhood friend, Gerald, who had the 'Lightning Hero' skill, was said to be the savior.
''I'll take down the Great Demon King!
　As a child, Gerald had said so, and practiced his sword every day.
　I was training as a priestess while watching it from the side.

　--but my strength is not enough.

　According to the legend of Saint Anna-sama, she healed thousands of wounds in an instant.
　Her voice turned a mere soldier into a mighty warrior.
　She's a far cry from Saint Anna, who has performed many miracles.

　Gerald, the lightning hero, was also sluggish.
　He was called the best swordsman on the continent, but he often drew with Olga, the Burning Hero of the Fire Nation.
　In his previous matches, he was rated as 50-50.
　Is the reincarnation of the legendary Savior-sama that much.......so it was rumored.
　Gerald was gradually becoming rougher and rougher.

　However, the demons became more and more active day by day.
　By the year 1010 of the Salvation Calendar, the Great Demon King will be restored.
　That was the oracle of the Goddess.
　People's anxiety gradually increased.

　It was at that time that the new 'oracle' was sent down.

　-- a brave man from another world and a goddess priestess would join forces to save the world.

　The priestesses of the six nations received the oracle at the same time.
　Hearing that each country was bloodily searching for otherworldly shifters and being protected in the Temple of the Water Country, Highland, using the difference in national power as a weapon, urged them to present the 'Brave Man of Light' to him.


I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. Noel, you will be his fiancée and support him. This is my order as king.
What?
　Suddenly, my father ordered me to do so.
　The betrothal between Gerald and I was cancelled, and the Brave Man of Light became my new fiancé.
　Furthermore, the succession to the throne was moved up from third place to first place, and it was decided that I would be the next king.
　All in order to bring the blood of the brave men of light into the Highland royal family.
　My will was nowhere to be found.
　But it was only natural for a member of the royal family to do so.
　I accepted it without saying a word.

(The brave man of light, Ryosuke Sakurai you have a beautiful face. He's my fiancée.......)

　From a distance, Kyousuke-sama was a good-looking young man with a gentle air.
　However, he seemed to be a little frightened by the Highland overlords who were curiously inspecting him.

''I'm sure you are surprised by the suddenness of this, brave Lord of Light. However, the Highlands will support you to the best of our ability.
　The Prime Minister is unusually humbled by the brave man of light.
　He can't afford to displease the brave man of light.
''It's all right. I will be asked to take on that role. However, as for my classmates...''
Yes, I'll take care of that.

　The condition of the Heroic Master of Light was the 'security guarantee' of the otherworldly friends he came with.
　He was dependent on his companions.
　He was trying to meet Highland's expectations somehow.

　Furthermore, several fiancées other than me were assigned to the Heroic Lady of Light.
　As a priestess, I cannot bear a child of the Heroic Lady of Light.
　However, there is a possibility that the Hero of Light will lose his life in the battle against the Great Demon King.
　These are the spare fiancées for that.

　However, because it would not be good externally if the Hero of Light and the Sun Priestess were estranged, the opportunity to meet once every seven days was forced upon them.
The "Hero of Light", Ryosuke-sama, was good-natured and a good conversationalist, and it was not difficult to meet him.
　However, at the time, I didn't like him, and I met him only out of obligation.

　I juggled the positions of Cardinal of the Goddess Church and Princess, the first in line of succession to the throne.
　Juggling those two was more intense work than I had imagined, and my visits with the Brave of Light gradually began to feel like a chore.
　He thought that it was probably the same for the Hero of Light.

　He had never even held a sword in his previous world, and the Knight's President, Lord Ewain, personally instructed him in swordplay.
　Every day, early in the morning, he honed his sword and magic skills.
　At night, he's learning the tactics of leading an army.
　It must be quite a load.
　It's time to stop these meaningless visits.
　I was going to consult with the Prime Minister.


　--Then one day.


Oops..... (Today was the day to meet with the brave Lord of Light.

　I forgot about the visitation and got lost in my work.
　My secretary's stuff had written me a note on the schedule and I had missed it.
　The time is late at night.

(As expected, he's probably not there anymore...)
　I stopped at the appointed place to make sure I was there, thinking I'd go to apologize tomorrow.

'Huh?'
　Even though it was late at night there, there was a brave man of light who was waiting for me.
　He must be quite tired.
　He was dozing off.
''Ryosuke-sama!　You don't have to wait until this kind of time. You're going to be early again tomorrow, right?
Oh, Princess Noel. Are you done with your work?
　He smiled briskly, as if to say he didn't care.

　I was annoyed.

　There was no need to push myself so hard to attend such a pointless visit.
'Ryosuke-sama, you are the most important person in Highland. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself...
I'm not pushing myself.
　He said strongly.

''Well then, why?''
I wanted to ask you about the continuation of that story you told me last week about your work at the Goddess Church.
You want to talk about that?
　In my last visit, I lightly mentioned my personal 'Elimination of Race Discrimination' activities.

　It's a measure that has been met with a lot of opposition among the royalty and nobility.
　To be honest, I began to think that I couldn't do it alone and complained about it.
　The brave Lord of Light listened to that with a smile.
　I don't think it was a pleasant conversation........

''I was happy because I felt like Princess Noel had spoken to me for the first time with real feelings.
?
　I was shocked.

　I have the 'Hundreds of Beauties' skill.
　The effect of this is to make a good impression on any person.
　It's a good thing that I've been able to get along so smoothly with people I've never met before.
　But I have never had a deep relationship with anyone.
　
　However, this is the first time I've been pointed out that I haven't shown my true feelings...................other than the Great Sage-sama.

''I thought we were finally getting to know each other a little better. I figured I couldn't miss it today.
You are a strange man, Ryosuke-sama.
'But it's late today. We'll talk more slowly next time.
　We didn't end up talking much that day. But.

I'd like to talk to you more properly...

　I was interested in the brave Ryosuke-sama of light.
　Then I treated him honestly, without using my skills.
　I had a lot of complaints about the Sun Kingdom's uptightness, complaints about race discrimination, and the power struggles within the church, royalty and nobility all vying for power.
　Ryosuke-sama listened to my complaints with a smile on his face.
　I found myself becoming someone I could talk to naturally and honestly.
　I couldn't wait to see him every seven days.
　I had fallen in love with him.

　It was a tricky one when it came to that.
　The brave man of light had many fiancées.
　Some of them had given him children.
　Jealousy sets in.

(Calm down Noel. I'm "cool"....

　I used the skills I learned in my church training to calm my mind.
　I'm the first fiancé.
　And I know that Ryosuke-sama doesn't like his second and subsequent fiancées very much.

My fiancés have been asking me to take their house and get a higher title or something like that.
　Ryosuke-sama laughed bitterly, as if he was troubled.
　It's a shallow thing.
　After being given the honorary role of giving the child of a brave man of light.

　Gradually, I was able to hear Ryosuke-sama's concerns.
　We were in a position to talk to each other without hesitation.
　Until that day.

　--The defeat of the "Moon Priestess" at the former site of the Rafiroiogu

　In order to reduce the people's anxiety, the Prime Minister proposed to the King.
　The execution was carried out by a unit organized mainly by the Knights of the Sun.
　Among them, the one who played a particularly important role was Ryosuke-sama, the 'Brave Man of Light'.
　The skill he possessed, 'Disabling State Disorders', attracted attention.

　The Moon Priestess's mesmerizing magic cannot be resisted by any number of people (Nampito).
　It was believed that if she got serious, the land of the moon would be restored.　
　Before that, the plan was to nip the anxiety in the bud.

　The plan was successfully completed.
　But when he returned, Kyousuke-sama's spirit had been refined.　

"Princess Noel, to me the inhabitants of the land of the moon (Raphiloig) were poor and could barely live through the day. What was the point of killing them for protecting the Moon Priestess...?
It's...
"The Moon Priestess abused me... She said you're looters. That you just want to live a quiet life...
....
　Reportedly, the humans who were protecting the Moon Priestess were under a charm spell, but they weren't doing anything particularly evil.
　However, with the exception of the 'Moon Priestess' herself, who could not be killed by the 'Retaliation' curse, all those who were around the Moon Priestess were eliminated.
　It was the Temple Knights who did that.
　It was the Pope who gave the order.

　Ryosuke-sama was not satisfied with the strategy.
　I think he distrusted the Land of the Sun in no small degree.

　From that day on, Ryosuke-sama began to go to see the Moon Priestess.
'Ryosuke-sama. You are meeting with the Moon Priestess...?
'Oh, I've only listened to the Highland side so far. I should have listened to people outside of Highland.
　Ryosuke-sama is right.
　But I'm worried.
　Even I would go to see that "Moon Maiden" that I was almost mesmerized by at first sight.
　Hasn't he been charmed?
　I was hazy.

　I had a plan, and incorporated Ryosuke-sama's unit into the formation of a squad to defeat the "Abominable Dragon" that was said to have appeared in the Water Kingdom's great labyrinth, Labyrinth of Lavulinthus.
　The fact that the request from the Water Country was coming was a crossover.
　I wanted to leave the country for a while with him.
　I wanted him to change my mood.
　On the way out, he had a dark look on his face.



　It wasn't until they reached the Great Maze that his expression changed.
'Saki!　I met Takatsuki-kun!
Well, Takatsuki-kun is a classmate of mine...?
　Ryosuke-sama and Saki Yokoyama, one of his fiancées, were talking to each other, looking cheerful for the first time in a long time.

'Ryosuke-sama, has something good happened to you?'
　Curious, I spoke to him.
'Princess Noel, I'm reunited with a friend from my childhood!　I was worried because I hadn't heard from you since you said you had stayed in the Water Temple for so long. Thank goodness....
　I've never seen such a happy Nirisuke-sama before.
　Curious, I looked up the adventurer's background.

''Takatsuki Makoto.......an adventurer of the Iron Rank?''
　He is a transporter from another world and an adventurer in the rural town of McAllen.
　His adventurer rank ranks rise somewhat quickly.
　Even so, it's a humble background for a warrior from another world.
　I relegated it to a corner of my memory without paying much attention to it.

　The next time I heard him speak was after the defeat of the abominable dragon.

''........You used king-class magic to drag out two of the Abominable Dragons?''
'Oh, that's Takatsuki!　I knew I should have asked him to help me from the beginning.
　Ryosuke-sama speaks excitedly.
　Reportedly, Takatsuki Makoto's occupation is 'Magician Apprentice'.
　There was no way he could use king-level magic.
　However, all the members of the Order who were with him saw it.

''Shall we meet once........''
　I have the 'Discerning Eye, Super Grade' skill.
　Although it's not as good as the legendary 'mind reading' skill, I'm confident in my ability to see through opponents.
　If you're a competent person, I want you to come to the Land of the Sun.
　And he seems to be a good friend of Ryosuke-sama.
　The more people he has to support him, the happier I am.

''I'm Makoto Takatsuki.
　At first glance, I thought he was - a very ordinary young man.
　He doesn't look like a great wizard or a strong warrior.
　He seems to be a good person, but he seems somewhat unreliable.
　Ordinary people everywhere.
'Insightfulness and superlative' skills, I concluded.

　But my gut feeling is.
(He's ... what is it, what's bothering me?)
　I don't know.
　But I couldn't ask him out strongly enough before Princess Sophia was there.
　He seems to have chosen to remain in the Water Country.
　If so, let's call him to the Land of the Sun to honor his achievements in assisting in the defeat of the abominable dragon and negotiate slowly.
　I had that in mind.



''What?　Makoto Takatsuki-sama is the National Certified Hero of Roses?
　It was amazing.
　Not many days had passed since he returned from the Great Maze.
　He and Princess Sophia didn't seem to be on the same horse....
　What in the world had happened?


　Then Makoto Takatsuki, the hero of Roses, came to the Highlands
(He beat Gerald, the brave man of lightning...)
　There's a lot of talk about him in the castle.
　And.

''Eh........do you want to hear about the brave man, Makoto....... Noel-sama, he's a brave man from the Land of Water!
　Sophia-san's attitude had changed 180 degrees since the Great Labyrinth.
''Yeah, yeah. It's okay, Sophia-san. I won't pull him out to the Land of the Sun.''
Absolutely, Mr. Noel.
　Sophia, who has been called the princess of ice sculptures, is an odd one.
　Her eyes shine when she talks about him.
I don't need to use the 'insightful eyes, super grade' skill.
　Is this the damsel in love.......?

　But when I was at the academy, I said, 'I will give myself to this body for the sake of the water country. Sophia said, 'I will not marry for life.
　People do change.
　I hope her love will come to fruition.　
　I don't know if there is anything I can do, but I want to support her in the shadows.

　But still, he was so adored by Ryosuke-sama, the brave man of light, that he stole Sofia-san's heart.
　Takatsuki Makoto.............he still has something in him.

　The next time he appears, I'm shocked.

''Tu, the guardian knight of the Moon Priestess?　Makoto-sama, what are you thinking!　Even though Princess Sophia is with us.
　Suddenly, the people of the Water Country asked to meet with him in the middle of the night.
　And with a cursed priestess in tow.

　But the story they told me afterwards was even more astonishing.
　In fact, for more than ten years, the beastman tribe in the royal capital has been cursed by the 'Order of the Snake'.
　The curse will take effect tomorrow in the form of a 'rebellion'.

(Oh, no.... Before the Great Demon King can revive, the royal capital, Symphonia, will be destroyed...)
　When I was almost desperate.

'So here's an idea,'
　The heroic Makoto of Roses suggested a breakthrough without a hitch.
　That is to transmit the 'curse and cancellation' magic of the moon maiden through the medium of rain water.

''Therefore, Great Sage-sama. Could you please control the weather?''
"Roughest of the wise man's errand boys. It will cost you dearly.
The usual (blood) is fine.

　I asked the Great Sage to easily manipulate the weather, which seemed to be difficult to do.
　The crisis in the royal capital, Symphonia, was taken out of the way.

　Then, he prevented an attack by the Order of the Serpent and wiped out a group of demons from a thousand years ago.
　Now, there is no one in Highland Castle who does not know of his valor.
　According to Sophia-san, he doesn't seem to be very aware of it.......

　To top it all off, there is also an 'example(s) of(s) rumors(s)'.
　I really had to talk to him, I thought.


　Return to Makoto Takatsuki's point of view.


　The top floor of the Highland Castle.
　It seems that behind the large door guarded by the golden knight is the meeting room with Noel.

''Excuse me........''
　I stepped fearfully inside.
　Princess Noel was smiling in the backlight against the large window.
　It's a nice picture.

''Thank you for coming, brave Lord Makoto. I hear you're going back to the watery land. You should have taken your time and gone.''
'I don't feel comfortable with strangers visiting me every day,'
Oh, that's right. Ryosuke-san was sad when he found out that you were leaving.
Uh....
　Come to think of it, after all, I haven't talked to Sakurai-kun since the day of the commotion.
　You always seem to be so busy, so I've been too reserved to see you.

Let me tell you a few things about the future of Yuusama-sama.

Plans for next year's northern expedition
There must be regular meetings of key members, including the brave men and women of the six countries.
Cooperate with other nations when troublesome demons, such as abominations, appear.
Do not accept the cult of the snake in any country.

　That's what it was about.
　It's normal.
　Is it worth the trouble for the princess to say this directly?

"By the way, I have to go off on a tangent.
　Princess Noel's expression changed.
　From the serious face she had earlier to a slightly mischievous expression.

''What do you think of Sophia-san?''
What?
　What is it, all of a sudden?
'Thank you for making me brave.
　I responded without incident.
　But apparently the answer was not what Princess Noel had in mind.

"What do you think of Miss Sophia as a woman?
'Well...'
　What the hell.
　As I stammered on, Princess Noel sighed and smiled.

''Makoto-sama has become the guardian knight of the Moon Priestess, right?　Are you fascinated by it if you are?
''That's okay. I don't seem to have any mesmerizing magic working on me at all.
　Master Noah's approval.
I also found out the hidden effects of the 'RPG Player' skill.

''I honestly don't believe it, but.... But I'm relieved. Please continue to work together with Sophia-san in the future.
Yeah, I like water country.
　No two words there.
　Is this what you wanted to hear?

　Gesturing a little thoughtfully, Princess Noel opened her mouth.

''By the way ... do you know what your two names are in the Land of the Sun, True Lord?''
　Princess Noel makes a somewhat subtle face.
'....no.　
　Two names?　
　Do you have one of those things?
　After a short pause, Princess Noel opened her mouth.

'The Great Sage's mistress.'
What?
　What did you say?

"Great Sage's mistress... That's your two names.
Hey, what is it with you?
　Isn't that worse than being a goblin cleaner?
Because of our exchange at the victory party the other night.
　That one.
　But that's it?

Thanks to you, no one in the Land of the Sun will dare to oppose you.
...What?
　What do you mean?

''Let me explain. The Great Sage's position in the Land of the Sun.
...the third greatest man in the Highlands, if I recall correctly?
　That's what Fujiyan told me.

'It's ostensible. Look, in this country, 'Legendary Savior Abel-sama and his companions' are treated as the equivalent of God. The Highland King inherited the country that Master Abel founded. The Pope of the Church of the Goddess inherited the position of Saint Anna-sama. The Great Sage-sama ... is a descendant of the legendary wizard.
Actually, he's my guy.
　At those words, Princess Noel nodded.


....
''His Majesty the King my father and His Holiness the Pope are not high on the Great Sage's shoulders. Since the Grand Sage is not interested in worldly power, his only title is that of Grand Sage, but his authority is the highest.
'I see...'
　He was Lucy's magical mentor these days and so on, so he was pretty easy to talk to.
　I guess I shouldn't have been.

'You hadn't noticed. 'You're right, Sophia,'
Did Princess Sophia tell you anything about it?
'The brave Lord Makoto said he was indifferent to what he did.
I don't think so.

Yes, I have.
　Mr. Noah?
You should be ashamed of yourself.
　Yeah, I'm a cautious player.
(True, I'm cautious before the attack, but I'm messy after the attack.)
　Is that right?
　Indeed, I might not care too much after any event is attacked........

'Makoto-sama?'
　Princess Noel looked into my face.
　'It's a bit close.
'Thank you for the advice. I'll be careful.
Yes, please keep in touch with Miss Sophia.
Huh.
　I'm guessing Princess Sophia.
　Also, if you have time, I'd like you to meet Sakurai-kun.
　People love you, Sakurai-kun.

　I thanked him for his visit and left the room.

　...I guess Noah-sama hasn't been found out, huh?
　I'm glad to hear that.


　


True, what did they tell you in the meeting?
Takatsuki-kun, let's go to dinner.
It's late, my knight.
　Lucy and Sa-san were waiting for me at the entrance to Highland Castle.
　Mr. Furiae was wearing a hooded robe that didn't show his face.

''Sorry, I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Let's talk over dinner in Fujiyan's airship.
　A lot has happened, but the work we can do here is done.

　Let's go back to McAllen.