𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐎𝐮𝐭
“So, you got Allan-kun really drunk, what happened next?!”
“Well, let’s just say the beastly Allan was very manly.”
“Kya!”
ㅤ
At the headquarters of Holy God Church, in the private room given to Saint Rin.
Two of the former Hero’s Party women were engaged in a girls’ talk under the guise of a tea party.
ㅤ
The topic of discussion, or rather, the topic being disclosed, is about their second child with Allan, who is currently sleeping on Stella’s lap.
It’s about the circumstances leading to the birth of their daughter, 『Fran』.
It’s definitely not a story they would want a child to hear, so they’re speaking in hushed tones after covering sleeping Fran’s ears.
ㅤ
By the way, their other child, a son named 『Asura』, is touring the knight corps with his grandfather, who came along to the royal capital.
Originally, Allan was supposed to go too, but since he had to consult with Blade who had a serious expression on his face, there was no choice.
Thanks to a doting grandfather.
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“Hmmm. . . . . .That being said, that’s true.
When you ask, some really vivid stories come out, and when I see you with such an adorable daughter on your lap, Stella-san, you really feel like a mom.”
“Don’t talk about vivid stories!”
ㅤ
Ignoring Stella, who turned red, Rin gently stroked Fran’s head with a loving expression.
Fran’s sleeping face relaxed as if it were comfortable.
In the beloved spring sunlight, it’s the same expression as when napping in the spring breeze.
Well, when snuggled up with her beloved big brother Asura, it relaxes even more.
Fran is a big brother’s girl.
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“. . . . . .You’ve changed a bit, too, Rin.”
“Have I?”
“Yeah, you seem a bit more mature.”
ㅤ
Rin, now 20 and five years since their journeying days, has grown a bit taller in her late blooming stage, and her appearance has lost its childishness and gained a more mature look.
She may still be the same during girls’ talk, but seeing her with this serene expression while stroking a child, she seems very fitting for the title of 『Saint』.
She might even steal Asura’s first love.
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. . . . . .Well, Asura himself is quite a sister-complex, so his first love might be forbidden.
He’s a quiet kid, but the amount of love he holds for his sister resembles that which their father once had for a childhood friend.
The reason he’s visiting the knight corps today is to gain the strength to protect his sister if needed.
Being only three years old and having such feelings shows the thickness of his father’s blood.
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Anyway,
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“Even so, I wonder why you’re lacking any signs of romance.”
“Stop mentioning that!”
ㅤ
Stella, fully aware of Blade’s circumstances, attempts to jab at Rin, who seems completely unaware she has been jabbed at and just puffs up her cheeks.
However, the fact she is puffing up her cheeks suggests that she is bothered by the lack of romance in her life.
ㅤ
“I mean, I’ve been watching you and Allan-kun being all lovey-dovey, so naturally, I wanted to experience love too!
But for some reason! Yes, for some reason!
When I first started working at the Holy God Church headquarters, I was popular because of my role as a member of the Hero’s Party that defeated the Demon King. . . . . .But at some point, all the men around me disappeared!”
“Well, that is. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Everyone probably stepped back to avoid getting kicked by the horse because they sensed Blade’s proactive approach.
In other words, there wasn’t a man with enough determination to marry Rin even if it meant pushing Blade aside.
ㅤ
“Even in the few places where we can meet people, for some reason, the ones I think are nice avoid me!
When I look at Stella-san, I don’t want to settle for someone just because they’re okay!
If you want to laugh at me for being too picky and not attractive, go ahead!”
ㅤ
For some reason, Rin began to get angry over irrelevant matters.
Asura and Fran were born one after the other, making parenting busy, so for a while, they could only correspond through letters. It seems Rin developed some odd frustrations in the time they haven’t met.
ㅤ
She never thought she would say she’s not attractive.
She should look in the mirror before saying that.
She’s as attractive as Stella, who’s gathered the attention of all the male apprentices, caused unfortunate incidents where those apprentices were severely disciplined by the master and assistant master for inappropriate thoughts, and even received scornful looks from the female apprentices.
ㅤ
“. . . . . . Alright. For now, I won’t delve into the circumstances surrounding that issue.”
ㅤ
Stella held back from making any retorts to the nonsensical comments.
She thought it would be better to address the root cause of these twisted issues rather than continuing this irrelevant conversation.
ㅤ
“But if you say you don’t have anyone to meet, why not aim for Blade?
You’ve admired him for a long time, haven’t you?”
ㅤ
At the end of their girl talk, Stella finally hits the core issue.
For some inexplicable reason, Rin has not noticed Blade’s advances.
She didn’t notice, which is why she says she’s not attractive.
Hopefully, this question will reveal Lin’s awareness toward Blade, and the crux of the matter should become clear.
ㅤ
And so, Rin’s answer is. . . . . .
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“No, no, I’m not a match for Blade-sama.”
“Eh?”
ㅤ
It was entirely unexpected.
Looking at Rin, who spoke as though stating common sense, Stella wonders.
What on earth is she talking about?
ㅤ
“Not a match? What do you mean?”
“Well, Blade-sama is the heir to the prestigious Valkyrias family, right?
He’s apparently got lots of marriage proposals too. There’s no way someone like me, who’s from a rural orphanage, could be a match.”
“That’s. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Upon hearing that, Stella finally somewhat understood Lin’s line of thinking.
In essence, Rin is dragging her past perception into her self-assessment.
ㅤ
Rin, who comes from a rural orphanage, versus Blade, the heir to a prestigious family in the world’s greatest kingdom, Sirius Kingdom.
Indeed, just hearing that makes the difference in their social status clear.
ㅤ
Furthermore, the fact that Blade has continuously turned down marriage proposals could also be a problem.
Stella doesn’t know the specifics, but she can imagine that the people introduced to Blade, who holds titles like successor to the legendary Sword Saint Ruberto Valkyrias and captain of the elite knights, must be of very high social status.
Daughters of other prestigious families or even princesses wouldn’t be out of the question.
ㅤ
If Rin is comparing herself to these people, then it’s understandable that she can’t even imagine a future where she marries Blade. As a result, she hasn’t noticed Blade’s advances. . . . . . . . . . . .maybe.
While Stella felt that Rin was being overly obtuse, she couldn’t say she completely failed to understand Rin’s way of thinking.
ㅤ
Even at 10 years old, when Stella was brought from her hometown, she spent five years being called “Hero-sama” in the castle before setting off on a journey to defeat the Demon King at 15.
She never really felt like she had become a noble existence that could converse on equal terms with the royal and aristocratic families of Sirius Kingdom.
ㅤ
She couldn’t even imagine continuing to live at the core of the country after defeating the Demon King, unlike the past heroes who often married into the royal family.
Even considering her desire to return to her hometown with Allan.
ㅤ
As for Rin, she stayed in Sirius Kingdom for a rather peculiar reason—she didn’t want to go back to her hometown and resume her corporate slave life.
Her feeling of not quite fitting into the role of a “Saint” probably wasn’t much different from Stella’s.
ㅤ
(Someone correct her perception already!)
ㅤ
Stella fiercely thought this in her heart.
And also thought this:
If no one else would do it, then she would.
ㅤ
“You see, Rin,”
ㅤ
Stella told Lin with a serious face.
That it was a complete misunderstanding to think that she and Blade were not well-matched, considering Rin was actually one of the members of the Hero’s Party that defeated the Demon King and had more than enough skill.
Stella, who had been watching from the sidelines, could point this out.
ㅤ
Indeed, Rin’s response to hearing this was. . . . . .
ㅤ
“Hmm. . . . . .but I can’t imagine Blade-sama choosing me over other noble candidates.”
ㅤ
(Why would it end up like that!)
ㅤ
Is she dense!
Blade has been making advances for a while now!
ㅤ
Stella, while screaming inwardly, realized.
Surely, it’s not that the others didn’t try to correct Rin’s perception.
But they must have knelt before Rin’s overwhelming insensitivity.
While she was very interested in other people’s love lives, when it came to her own. . . . . .
ㅤ
(Help me, Teacher Ernesta!)
ㅤ
Stella inwardly sought help from the master of romance.
Her own efforts were futile.
She felt even if she were to reveal Blade’s feelings, which would be a taboo for a supporter, Rin would still not notice.
It was innate denseness.
If this could be overturned. . . . . .
ㅤ
Just when Stella was about to despair, there was a knock on the door.
ㅤ
“Yes, what is it?”
“Lady Rin, Blade-sama has arrived. Please come to the entrance immediately.”
“Eh? Blade-sama?”
ㅤ
“What could it be?” Rin muttered, looking at Stella.
They were in the middle of a long-overdue girls’ meeting.
She must be worried about interrupting it.
ㅤ
“Don’t worry about me.”
“No, it would be helpful if Lady Stella could accompany us.”
“Eh?”
ㅤ
The one who said that wasn’t Rin, but the female priest acting as a messenger.
Having interacted with Stella since their training days and even being a member of the 『Stella’s Love Support Team』, she came next to Stella after excusing herself and began whispering the situation into her ear.
Hearing this, Stella’s eyes widened.
ㅤ
“Rin, let’s go. Come on, hurry.”
“Eh? Wait, Stella-san?”
ㅤ
Stella, having heard the situation, gently picked up Fran and rushed Rin to walk.
Stella, who was noticeably excited, and the messenger.
With the two of them in an odd tension, Rin found herself being led to the entrance.
ㅤ
“You’ve arrived.”
“Blade-sama. . . . . .?”
ㅤ
The person waiting there, as expected, was Blade.
But the atmosphere was different than usual.
Specifically, he was dressed in a rather formal suit and held a bouquet of flowers in his hand.
Additionally, standing by the entrance and muttering, “Is this for real. . . . . .”, Allan was also there, staring at Blade with a look of astonishment.
ㅤ
Blade begins to walk.
Unfazed by the curious gazes from the church officials, he strides boldly up to Rin, his body towering over two meters.
And then, Blade—kneels on one knee in front of Rin and offers her the bouquet.
ㅤ
“Huh?”
“Rin, I’ve been wrong until now. I thought I should earn your affection first, and then confess my feelings when the time was right. But that wasn’t the way to go.
I should have been upfront with my feelings like this much sooner.”
“Eh? Huh?”
ㅤ
Towards Rin, who’s blinking in confusion,
so that even the usually clueless Saint-sama would understand,
ㅤ
“━I love you, Rin.”
ㅤ
Blade articulates his feelings clearly.
Making sure there’s no room for misunderstanding, he conveys his love directly and without any pretense.
Despite always being called a loser, in the end, he takes the straightforward approach, just like a certain Hero of No Talent.
ㅤ
“When I was on the verge of losing myself due to the influence of vampire blood, your words pulled me back.
Even though I had been pathetic, you still called me your hero.”
ㅤ
Blade continues to speak.
He openly tells her the reasons why he fell for her.
ㅤ
“You’ve always been my support throughout our journey.
You never gave up on me like this.
That’s why I was able to muster the courage.”
ㅤ
“So,” Blade goes on,
ㅤ
“For the rest of my life, I want to wield my sword for you.
I want to be your sword.
So, please—marry me!”
ㅤ
Blade boldly finishes his marriage proposal.
The audience nearly bursts into cheers but manages to hold back, not wanting to ruin the moment.
Allan mutters in a low voice, “He really went and did it. . . . . .”, while Stella looks at the two with a face full of joy.
As for Rin, well. . . . . .
ㅤ
“Ah, um. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Her face turns bright red and she freezes.
Her heart pounds loudly, the intensity of her emotions squeezing her chest far more than when she used to gossip about love with Stella.
Even for a woman as dense as she is, being so straightforwardly proposed to left no room for misunderstanding or for her obtuseness to kick in.
ㅤ
The moment her bewildered mind finally comprehends that she’s been proposed to, memories with Blade flood her thoughts.
ㅤ
The first time they met, when he saved her hometown from a desperate attack by demons.
He was really cool.
ㅤ
Then, when they were both taken to the royal capital, she saw Blade’s less serious side and felt frustrated, but never disliked him.
ㅤ
In Elf Village, after getting defeated by Dragburn and then losing his brother in front of him, she thought his self-destructive behavior was painful to watch and felt she needed to support him.
ㅤ
During the battle with Asgard, she slapped him out of frustration for his recklessness, but that seemed to sober him up, and he performed impressively.
He was incredibly cool.
ㅤ
The final battle at Demon King’s Castle.
Defeating the Demon King to settle the past, and then heading straight into the battle with the Demon King.
Even after being told of his grandfather’s death, he remained unbroken, saying he would inherit his will, and mustered courage.
In the final stages of the battle, while Allan and Stella faced off against the Demon King together, Blade protected them with his battered body.
He looked incredibly cool from behind.
ㅤ
Five years spent working with Blade, who took on the role of the next Knight Commander, after the decisive battle ended.
Blade, who said he wanted to live a life that wouldn’t shame his deceased family, was impressively devoted to his duties, earning my sincere respect.
The times when he would take her out to play on days off were enjoyable.
Being with Blade was truly enjoyable.
ㅤ
These memories flashed through Rin’s mind in an instant, confirming once more that she never disliked Blade.
At that moment, Rin’s head overheated with a puffing sound.
ㅤ
“Um. . . . . .”
“Um?”
“Let me think about it!”
“Huh?!”
ㅤ
As a result, Rin’s brain sent an “unable to continue fighting” command to her body and she decided to postpone her answer and make a run for it.
Rin, leveraging the physical capabilities of a Holy Warrior even if it’s a magical one, fled as fast as she could.
Poor Blade was left frozen, holding out a bouquet.
ㅤ
“Oops. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Having seen everything, Stella wore a wry smile.
To make matters worse, Fran woke up from hearing Rin’s loud voice, eliciting another wry smile from Stella.
ㅤ
“So it’s come to this. . . . . . . Well, I respect Blade’s courage.”
ㅤ
Otou-san approached with a pitiful gaze towards the man who was utterly humiliated for not being able to hand over the bouquet.
However, the moment he laid eyes on his daughter, he instantly lost that gaze and tried to pat Fran’s head, but she slapped his hand away, leaving Otou-san with a sad face.
ㅤ
For some reason, Fran’s attitude towards Otou-san is unusually harsh.
Allan hopes it’s not a premature rebellious phase, and is internally apprehensive.
Stella, noticing this dynamic between father and daughter, switches the topic back to the love life of their old comrades.
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“But with this, Rin should be more aware of Blade too. Them getting together is only a matter of time.”
“Exactly. I can finally settle this long-standing grudge. . . . . .!”
ㅤ
With that, Allan wore a wicked grin.
He still holds a grudge against Rin for teasing him relentlessly about his love life during their journey.
He had been waiting for a chance to get back at her, so his joy must be extraordinary.
ㅤ
Moreover, Stella felt the same way.
Since before Allan, from their training days in the royal capital, Rin had been teasing her non-stop. Stella had planned to tease her right back once Rin found someone she liked.
Stella also wore an equally wicked grin.
ㅤ
“Hehe.”
“Teehee.”
ㅤ
A like-minded couple, both plotting their revenge, laugh together.
Blade remains frozen, while the audience goes back to their normal duties, still buzzing with excitement.
ㅤ
“Yawn. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Ignoring the grown-ups, the innocent child Fran fell asleep at her own pace, greedily enjoying her peaceful slumber.
ㅤ
ㅤ
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By the way, Rin, who had run away, was caught by Ernesta who had sensitively sensed the presence of love and returned. Before Allan and Stella could take any action, Rin was thoroughly teased.
ㅤ
However, at the same time as being teased, Rin received some advice, and it was decided to set a courtship period before getting married.
After a healthy year-long relationship, they happily crossed the finish line into matrimony.
━━𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝 ━━
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