Chapter 35 - And, then, Reality! (1/2)

A desperate chorus of citizens welcomed Akari who returned to the street they were previously in.

“Saintess!!”

“Saintess, where have you gone!?”

“Please help us!! The demons are—!!”

“Now is the time for you to use your power for us!!”

“Wa-wait! Calm down!! The demon is gone already!!”

The air changed course as soon as the townspeople confirmed that it was Akari and rushed to her, screaming as if they cannot control themselves.

“Ooooh!! Just as expected, Saintess! You vanquished the demon for us, didn’t you!?”

“How reassuring! If it’s with her power, then, we’re saved!!”

“If the Saintess is here, then, we don’t have to fear the demons!!”

“Ah, no, I didn’t really exterminate……”

Akari’s voice is drowned out by the crowd who began to cheer excitedly.

“Akari!!”

“Frackt! And Mars, too!!”

Akari, who was being carried away with the people’s momentum, heard a voice calling out to her.

Turning that way, she sees Frackt and Mars trying to get to her in a hurry.

“It’s Prince Frackt!! Prince Frackt has also come for us!!”

“God hasn’t forsaken us!!”

“Please help us!!”

“Please have mercy on our pathetic selves!!”

The people became more excited at the arrival of Frackt, the Prince.

“Oi, what the hell is up with you people!? Cut it out! Don’t touch me so easily!!”

“Saintess! Please help me!! I don’t have anything to eat!! Please have mercy!!”

“My Prince! Please! Please!! Please have mercy on us!!”

“Wait, hey!! It hurts!! Stop pulling me!!”

“Big sis!!”

“Mars!!”

Many hands reached out and rushed to cling to them.

Mars desperately reached toward Akari, however, the rushing crowd swallowed him up faster than Akari could grasp him, and Mars disappeared to the back of the crowd.

“Hey, knock it off, would you!? What mercy are you saying!? We are here for the sake of purifying the tainted lands…… we’re going on this journey for your sakes!! What else are you asking me to do!?”

Unconsciously, Akari screamed angrily at the people who only voiced their own demands.

“The crops aren’t growing! Please help me with that miraculous power of yours!!”

“My father is sick……Please, please help him.”

“Ever since Manrinia had become tainted, the goods from overseas cannot come in and I cannot sell my products! My money has also run out!! If it stays like this, then I will die of hunger!! Hey, do something about it!!”

“That’s impossible! I don’t have such power!!”

Unable to stand it anymore, Akari shouted and confused the crowd.

“What do you mean, Saintess?”

“What did you mean by that?”

“I mean, aren’t you the Saintess?

“I am, but that doesn’t mean……”

“If that’s the case, then, you are here to save us.”

“That’s why I said I’m saving you, aren’t I!? I am on a journey to purify the tainted lands!!”

“If it’s like that, then that’s no help at all!!”

“Eh?”

“Even if the land returns to normal, I still need to plant my crops from the start! If it’s like that, then until when will I have to wait? We cannot keep on starving!!”

“Some people cannot even buy their food today! We want money and food instead of the lands left behind because of the taint!!”

“For you to say such a thing…… I mean, if I don’t purify the lands, won’t the demons grow in number? Eventually, the whole country will be tainted because of the demons…… that’s why I……”

“We told you so. ”

Casting her eyes downward, Akari’s voice shook. It was at that time when a voice reached her ears — not quite loud, but cold and clear.

“Ah…?”

“Hey, lass. Isn’t it just as my master said?”

Carrying Mars, who had been swept by the crowd, under his arm, Kreutz advanced despite the crowd of people and stood in front of Akari.

“Human beings are ugly and selfish creatures. Believe and never doubt that you are the misfortune that has befallen us equally. It is always someone other than yourself that breaks it. It’s fun to watch someone grieve over their misfortune, but not think of doing anything about it.”

“……What are you trying to say?”

“Right now, the people of this country are depending on the Saintess title that you bear. These people are hoping for a miracle to happen in response to the misfortunes and unhappiness they are facing.”