Hinata continued to speak as the bombshell was dropped, loosening the air that had become silent.

''However, I am a saint of the Marineford Church State. No matter how much of an oracle I am, I can't stay here like this. Let me return to the Church State once and hold off until we discuss this, including the Pope.

　The king and the country's heavyweights patted their chests at those words.

''...... That's right. First of all, it's enough to have you return to your teaching country--

'Of course, I have no intention of changing the outcome. I'm an oracle.

　Hinata put the words over the king's words as if to deny them.

'...... of course. If it's an oracle, that is. ......

　With a glance at Cain, the king nodded, reluctantly.
　As it is, the king stands in front and looks around at the nobles.

''We'll get to the matter of the saintly lord in the future. Today is the betrothal of Count Cain von Silford Drintle to my daughter Telestia, Mistress Silk von Santana and Knight Commander Tifana von Liebert. I can't leave the main actors behind. Let us have a final word from the Earl of Silford.

　At the king's words, Cain stands up from his seat and walks over to the king's side.
　Some of the gazes that gather on Cain are honestly congratulating him, while others have jealous looks on their faces.
　Anyone who listens to the saint's earlier bombshell would think so.
　The aristocrats who attended Cain standing on a higher level, their gazes focused on Cain as they gathered around the table.

''Thank you for gathering today for the announcement of your engagement. This is how I hold the rank of count, but as you can see I am a young man. I will continue to do my best by following the example of all of you who have made this Esfort Kingdom thrive up to now.

　When he bowed for the last time, there was a round of applause from the nobility in attendance.

'Then we will adjourn.

　The king's words were met with great applause again, and then the royal family exited the hall amidst them.
　After the royals left, the saints left, and then Cain, accompanied by Telestia, Silk and Tijuana, left the hall as well.
　Cain was ushered into the waiting room and sat down with a thud on the sofa.

'Hah ...... I'm tired ......'

　The three of them sit in front of an exhausted Cain.
　They are, of course, three people who are engaged to be married.

''Master Cain, what do you mean by that? ...... Even the saintly lady says she's going to be Cain's wife, and...''

　Telestia, her mouth agape, accuses Cain of leaning forward on the table.

'I don't know anything about such things, and I never thought I'd suddenly speak of an oracle on that occasion.

　Cain, with a troubled look on his face, replies, but Telestia's anger has not subsided.
　Next to her, Silk doesn't seem to be particularly bothered, and she and Tifana are chatting over a cup of tea.

'Please don't add any more to the list. How many more will we have before we really come of age: ......'

　Silk came into the conversation to follow up on the drooping Telestia.

''Teres, it can't be helped this time. Even a saint can't help it if you call it an oracle. Plus, the saint is the same age as you, so I think it's fun, right?

'I don't care how many wives I have, either. As long as I can have a mock fight with Cain (as long as we make love).

　At the loose silk and motionless Tifana's words, Telestia relaxes her shoulders and sighs.

'I understand. I will make sure that in the future, as my wife, I will be able to support you all together.

'Yes, yes, yes!　Good luck with that, Teres!

　Terestia's smile caught Silk's smile and made her smile too.
　Seeing her face, Cain finally relaxed his shoulders and was relieved to see her face.
　And so the engagement announcement came to a successful end.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

　The party is over, and the nobles who attended the party are going back to their homes.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.

It's not at all ...... the next time you're a saint. ...... Cain, do you want to give me any more heartache!

　Sebas gently offered a cup of tea to Garum, who looked exhausted as Cain caused one problem after another.

''Garum-sama, how about a cup of tea to calm down a bit?

　I pick up the cup held out in front of me, take a sip of tea and sigh with a huff.

''You've calmed down, but still, Cain-sama is even a saint ....... Hmph. This is a congratulations to the Silford family.

　Sebas looks satisfied with Garum's heartache as an afterthought. To Sebas, who has known Cain since he was little, Cain is so cute that it doesn't hurt to put him in his eyes. Moreover, he has his own nephew, Coran, as his butler.
　Such is the case when Cain is about to become the wife of His Royal Highness the Princess, the Duchess, and even a saint, Cain's wife.
　It would be the highest honor for a serving steward.
　The time passed as Garum complained to Sebas, who did not show such feelings.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　When a few days passed without incident after the engagement party passed, two dozen knights clad in white and silver armor were lined up in front of the royal castle.
　On the chest of the white and silver armor, a dove, the symbol of the Marineford cult, was carved on the chest of the armor.
　The replacement for the saint's SS chief, who was captured recently, had arrived in the kingdom from the Marineford Church State.
　The SS who arrived in the kingdom instead is being handled by Dime, the Deputy Commander of the Knights of the Kingsguard.
　But when they face each other, they both relax their cheeks and shake hands with a smile.

It's been a long time since we've seen you, Hagen-dono. How are you doing? I didn't expect Hagen-dono personally to go to pick up the saint.

'It's been a long time, Mister Dime. Good to see you again. This time it's the fault of our country. That's why I'm here.

　The two were old acquaintances, and had known each other for more than a decade since they had met in a joint mock battle with the Church State when they were both young.
　The two of them have enhanced each other's warrior spirit, and Hagen is currently the deputy captain of the Holy Knights of the Marineford Church State.
　To the Church State, the Holy Knights Corps is the highest rank of knights, and the vice-captain there is the number two.
　It's exactly the same as Dime being the vice-captain of the Kingsguard. That's why the two of them were extraordinarily close.

''I think we'll be allowed to rest for two days before we leave. First of all, can you allow me to meet with the captured SS chief? We need to question him as well, as our country needs to question him.

I know. He's in the holding cells for now. The rest of the SS have been given private rooms and are standing by. I'll arrange for them to meet you as soon as possible. Get some rest first.

　He lined up next to the dime and was led to the Konoe Guard's choke point. The Holy Knights in line followed him.
　Earlier in the day, the SS chief who plotted to assassinate the saint was interrogated by Hagen and gave up everything.
　The interrogation room was attended only by those from the Marineford Church State, so there was no way to know what kind of interrogation they were given. It was discovered that the SS chief as well as two others had plotted to assassinate the saint this time, and that person was also captured that day. And the holy knights who were interrogated were hushed up.

　And at night, two men in their thirties, tightly toned, are sitting at the counter of a shop, side by side, stirring up liquor.

They said, "Dime lord ...... sorry for the inconvenience this time. And ...... saintly lady is sorry for the princess's engagement unveiling.

　Hagen bows his head lightly to Dime as he fuels his drink in a mug made of wood.

''Hagen-dono, don't worry about it. The person to whom the Saintess announced the oracle, Lord Cain, is ....... I'm sure we'll see him tomorrow for an audience. We'll have a chance to talk separately. You can judge for yourself.

'Can you arrange it after tomorrow's audience: ...... I'd like to see it for myself.

'Yes, ...... just don't take on a mock battle, okay?　How we are - no, let's not. Well, it's been a while since we've met, let's have a nice drink.

　The two men joined their mugs and struck up a friendship as they struck up a nostalgic conversation.