We arrived at the waiting area where Silk was waiting to greet the saint.
　After spending the night here, a number of tents were put up for them to head to the city of Sylvester tomorrow.
　The carriages were parked and they all lined up to receive the saint, and the captain of the guard opened the carriage door.
　The handmaidens descend first, followed by the saints.
　The saint is about the same age as Cain, a beautiful girl with straight pink hair that reaches her waist and wearing a pure white robe embroidered with gold. She is dignified and imposing in her role as a saint.
　Ragnaf is deeply moved to tears at the sight of the saint, partly because of his piety. Normally, Ragnaf, the highest-ranking person, would have to greet her, but he was in no condition to greet her from the looks of it.
　Cain gave up on Ragnaf and stepped forward to represent and greet him.

''My saint, I am Viscount Cain von Silford Drintle, who has come to receive you from the royal capital. We will be staying here for the night today, and tomorrow we will be heading to the city of Sylvester. After that, we will be escorting you to the royal capital, thank you very much.

　The saint stared at Cain with no expression on her face. Then she opens her mouth.

''I'm Hinata Lilla Marinford, the saint of this generation. I would like to thank you for your protection.

　The saint, who bowed deeply, was so imposing that it was hard to believe she was in her early teens.
　The saint and her party were led to the tent and surrounded by guards.
　They invited her to join them for dinner, but the captain of the guards refused to join them.

'We will prepare our own affairs. It is enough that you have prepared a tent for us.'

　The fact that they are the saint's guards seems too hostile. But being a citizen of another country and having the guards start preparing their own meals, they decided to back down.

'Silk, they say they'll take their own meals: ......

Well, I was hoping we could talk about it over dinner.

'We've only just met today, you know. We'll have plenty of time to get to King's Landing, and I'll tell Lord Ragnaf to have dinner with you when we get to the city.

　I wanted to be good friends with the saint since I could be with her, but she looks disappointed that I had to say no.

''But I can have dinner with Cain-kun, so it's okay.

　Cain couldn't help but be embarrassed by the unintentional smile on his face.


　The next day passed without incident and we prepared to head to the city of Sylvester. They had already finished putting away the tent in the carriage, leaving only the departure.
　Just like yesterday, Ragnaf and the Knights lead the way, with Cain and the others acting as the rear guard, flanked by the saints and guards.
　At Ragnaf's signal to depart, the carriage began to advance. The carriage proceeded while Cain exchanged chit-chat with Silk while exploring (search) for anyone following from behind.
　Since they left early in the morning, they arrived at the city of Sylvester before noon. Word was spreading in the city that a saint was passing through the city, and the streets were filled with people to see her. It is probably because of the proximity to the Marineford church country, and this city has many devoted Christians.
　The guards were controlling the traffic so as not to block the carriage's passage, and the saint continued to move forward without showing her face from the carriage.
In less than twenty minutes, the carriage reached the front of the guest house. Since the knight had contacted them ahead of time, all the squires were waiting in line in front of the guest house.
Cain and Silk also dismounted from the carriage and joined that line with Ragnaf in line.
The captain of the Marineford Faithful Guard opened the door and a saint descended, accompanied by her attendants.

'Please take your time in this guest house today. Lunch will be ready for you in a moment.

The saint nodded silently to Ragnaf's explanation and walked to the mansion.
After seeing off the saint who silently entered the guest house, Cain and Silk gathered in the guest room of the lord's mansion.

''Even so, Saintess-sama, you're not feeling well ......

'Yeah. I wonder what's going on. ......

Being a saint, the image in Cain's mind was that she was more of a smiling woman. The actual saint had little expression and few words.
She was indeed a dignified and beautiful girl, but that was all. Lime has told me to help her, but I was wondering how I should treat her in the future.

The maids came to call that lunch preparations were finished and headed down the hall. Three seats have been prepared in the upper section, and Ragnaf is already in his seat, opening one seat in the center, and Cain sits down to open the saint's seat. Silk is the duchess but not the head of the family, so she takes the lower seat.
After everyone is seated, the saint is ushered into the center seat, and Ragnaf, who is also the lord, greets you on behalf of the saint.

'Welcome to the Kingdom of Esfort. Please take your time for just one day. It is a treasure of this Ragnaf's lifetime to be able to welcome the saint in this way. So, here's to you.

""Cheers."

　The saint raised her glass without speaking.
　Ragnarok spoke to the saint as an honor to share a meal with her, but the saint's response was scant. She gave only simple answers such as "yes" and "yes.
　Cain watched her from the other side, and suddenly he and the saint looked at each other.
　Then the saint reached out from under the table and placed a piece of paper under Cain's knee.
　You will find that you will be able to get a better idea of what is inside.

　There was only one sentence written on the paper.

''I would like to speak to you in private.''

　Cain returned his gaze to the saint, and their gazes crossed again.
　When Cain nodded slightly without saying anything, the saintly woman smiled, though only slightly.
　That slight smile was a shock to Cain, as it was only a scant expression.
　After the casual meal was over, the saint returned to the guest house.
　Back in the guest room, Cain returned and checked the note that was handed to him again. When they said 'I want to talk to you,' there was no 'when' or 'where' written down, so I don't know what to do.

'We'll have to go at midnight. ...... That guard captain seems to be bothering me in the daytime.

　Cain smiles bitterly at the captain of the guard who tries to keep Cain and the others away from everything. As expected, he refused the request to be present at the meal as only nobles and saints were present. Even so, he's still waiting outside the hall. Perhaps she was listening to the conversation.
　I thought that maybe the saint was watching to see if she had anything to say.
　Dinner was also supposed to be with the saint, but the captain of the guards visited the lord's residence alone.

''The saint-sama seems tired and wants to rest. She has cancelled the dinner and will dine in her room.

　Ragnaf regrets that he cannot dine with the saint at his words, but arranges to have the meal brought to his room. The dinner was held alone with Ragnaf's family, Cain, Silk and the others.

'I'm afraid I can't join you when you leave for King's Landing tomorrow: ......

'Lord Ragnaf, I will stop in Sylvester again on my way back to King's Landing. I'll be able to join you again then.

　As if remembering Cain's words, Ragnaf smiles back.

'Sir Cain, I know you're right. The Lady Saint will be stopping in this city again on the way home, right?

　Cain nodded, smiling bitterly at the transformation so much. Beside him, Silk was chuckling.
　The gloomy atmosphere from earlier was gone and the meal proceeded harmoniously.

　Late night.

　When everyone was asleep, Cain got out of bed.
　He changed his clothes and prepared to transition. Thanks to the fact that he went around to all the rooms once to check on the guest house, he could transition without any problems.
　I wanted to visit the rooms normally, but I chose to transition because I was sure the captain of the guards wouldn't let me through the rooms.
　Since the God of Life, Lime, is even eyeing me, I thought that even if I could use transference magic, he would keep quiet about it.

''Transference.''

　The view changes in an instant to the room where the saint is staying.
　In front of me, the saint, who was thought to be asleep, was already sitting on a chair waiting for me.

''Silford-sama, you're still here, aren't you?

　Cain is surprised by the words, but quickly bows his head lightly.

'I apologize for the late hour of the evening. I thought it would be impossible for us to meet together only in this way, so I have rudely allowed myself to do this.

It's all right. I was expecting it to be late at night. Thank you for being here.

　Cain is surprised to see the saint with a smile, a change from the daytime.

'What's so funny?　Do you think I've changed?　I try not to talk to you in the daytime because that captain of the guard is there. Let's sit down and talk to him first.

　Cain sat down in the chair facing him as the saint urged him to do so.

Actually...

　The saint began to explain what had happened so far.
　That she already knew that she was being targeted for her life by the Papal Faction, and that the captain of the guard and some of the men were knights sent by the Papal Faction. That there is a calculation for the attempt on their lives within Esfort. If the saint dies within the Esphort, the Pope is supposed to issue a statement of condemnation to the kingdom.
　The reason why the saint can't speak as she pleases is because she suspects that she may know the information and doesn't want anyone to ask her for help with it.

'After all, ......'

　Cain was convinced that it was similar to what he had heard from Lime.

　Then the question arose.

'And yet, ...... why me?'

　There are some ragnafs in this city who are devoted Christians. There must have been a silk of the same s*x. Cain greeted them on behalf of the company, but it was strange to suddenly confide so many secrets.

'Lord Silford, may I call you ...... Lord Cain?　Master Cain is an apostle, isn't he?　I could tell at a glance. Because this is still called a saint. And he was an oracle at ....... "If you need anything, look to Cain Von Silford. I'm sure he'll be able to help." ...... I didn't think he'd be around the same age.

　With a giggle, the saint smiled. Her smile was as beautiful as Telestia's and Silk's.

　Cain smiles bitterly at the oracle of God.

''Did God say that ......?''

Yes, I would be allowed to conceive a child with Master Cain.

"Pfft.

　Cain was blown away by the shocking saint's words.
　He had heard that Lime had sent out an oracle, but he hadn't expected that she had even told him that he could 'conceive a child'.

'I wasn't sure when I received the trust either, but after meeting you in person - I didn't mind.

'Wait a minute. I don't want you to be so shocked all of a sudden. I don't know what the gods are saying either: ......

　At the saint's outrageous words, Cain stared at the ceiling, thinking of the gods he was sure were watching him.

''I know that the best thing to do right now is to protect the saintly woman first--''

Call me Hinata.

But .......

Even if it's just the two of us.

Yes ......

　Hinata had a big smile on her face at Cain's approval. Her smile was divine, and she was so beautiful that she could be considered a true saint.

　After that, the two continued their meeting. Cain then took one of the necklaces out of the item box and placed it on the table.
　The necklace is simple, but has a beautifully red, shiny magic stone on it.

''This is .......''

I am sure this necklace will protect you, Hinata. If you hold this magic stone and put your magic power into it, it will be able to reach me even from far away. At the same time, I am sure it will protect you.

　Hinata took the necklace and placed it in her palm, her eyes sparkling.

'Thank you, Cain-sama. I will wear it on my skin. And may I have ...... on it?

　Cain nodded and took the necklace from Hinata and went around to the back and attached the hardware.

'Thank you,'

　Hinata, with a happy look on her face, bowed to Cain again.

''If it were true, Apostle-sama would be more revered than me, but I feel sorry for asking you to help me. ......

'Don't tell anyone that you are an apostle ....... Only a few people in the kingdom know about it. It would be a big problem if they knew about it, so I'm going to have to go to .......

Yes, it's a secret between me and Master Cain.

　Cain nodded, perturbed by the different look from the daytime.

''Well, I'll be looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Yes, it's nice to meet you too.

　Hinata looked satisfied, and Cain decided to complain to God later.

　Thus ended their secret meeting.