Chapter 3 Part 7

After giving this firm warning, I left the beast pen without waiting for his response.

Fergio wasn’t the type to listen to me right away anyway.

But having warned him once, he’ll probably at least consider my reaction before doing anything from now on.

“…I wonder if the tracking spell is still working well?”

While heading back to my room, the tracking spell I had planted on Tia suddenly crossed my mind.

Should I go check on it while monitoring her status? It would be even better if she’s with the Cardinal.

When I returned to my room and put on a black robe for going out, Lynn urgently grabbed my hand and earnestly requested that I return before sunset.

“My lady, you really must return early, okay? We need to fit accessories to match the dress. And we need to do your hair, and shoes too…”

“I said I get it, let go of my hand.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Lynn released my hand, I warped instantly to where Tia was, following the traces of the tracking spell.

But something seemed off about the surroundings of where I arrived.

“This isn’t the Grand Temple?”

I had arrived inside some shabby house.

The rough wooden planks covering the floor of the nearly collapsing house made unpleasant creaking sounds with every step.

Wasn’t Tia staying at the Grand Temple as a Saint candidate? What is this place? Did the spell go wrong?

CRASH-

“Ouch…”

Just then, from right behind a partition nearby, someone’s familiar voice was heard along with the sound of falling.

Having made myself invisible to avoid being seen, I slowly approached the direction of the sound.

“Ouch… This is the third time I’ve fallen here. Ah, I’ll be late at this rate.”

After briefly rubbing her bottom that had hit the floor from falling, Tia quickly stood up, grabbed her priest robes, and hurriedly walked somewhere.

Where Tia had disappeared, one wooden plank was twisted upward.

If you’ve fallen three times, fix it, you careless protagonist.

“…One person experiencing the same thing three times is enough.”

After completely removing the troublesome plank that had tripped Tia three times, I left the house following her trail.

I wondered where she was rushing to, and it turned out Tia’s destination was none other than a dress shop.

Why did she come here? If it’s for the party tomorrow, the temple should provide a dress for the Saint candidate….

“Welcome, customer!”

The woman who appeared to be the shop owner greeted Tia with a friendly, kind smile.

She had a rather striking face with a prominent hooked nose.

“Ah, um… I came to pick up the dress I reserved.”

“Yes, please have a seat and wait a moment.”

After asking her to wait briefly, the owner seated Tia on a sofa and disappeared somewhere.

But why is the shop so dark?

For a dress shop, there aren’t many clothes either…. Why did Tia come to a place like this?

While carefully examining the shop’s ominous atmosphere, I suddenly felt a sinister energy from one corner.

It was magic power intentionally released by someone, and it didn’t seem to have good intentions.

Hurriedly turning my gaze, I saw Tia had lost consciousness and collapsed on the sofa.

I thought something was suspicious, but to think they’d actually do something.

“She looks like a country girl, but she has money. Must have inherited quite a fortune.”

“Did you see how she readily paid a hundred gold coins? This one’s for sure.”

The owner who had disappeared finally showed herself after some time had passed.

Behind her were two men in black clothes, both holding sharp daggers.

I pressed my forehead and sighed at the troublesome situation.

I hadn’t exactly followed her to help…

But since Tia was the female protagonist and I needed her for my future plans, I couldn’t ignore this.

Finally, I dropped my invisibility, quickly moved behind them as they were about to touch Tia, and struck all three of them on the back of their heads at once.

Since I had infused magic power into the strikes, they wouldn’t be getting up properly for a while.

As the magic caster fell, Tia slowly opened her eyes.

“E-El…?”

Tia’s eyes grew round like a rabbit’s when she discovered me.

She seemed quite shocked by my sudden appearance.

“I understand you’re surprised, but would you come over here first?”

“Ah, yes.”

Finally noticing those sprawled on the floor, Tia approached me with a confused face.

Only after hearing a brief explanation of the situation from me did Tia’s expression darken as she realized the gravity of what had happened.

“How could such a thing… El, thank you so much. I don’t know how to repay this kindness…”

Kindness or whatever, this second encounter with Tia wasn’t particularly welcome.

I had only intended to check if the tracking spell was working well and return, how did it end up like this?

The sparkling gaze of admiration pouring from right beside me was overwhelmingly bright.

Well, since we’ve met, I might as well ask what I’m curious about.

“What were you doing here? The Saint candidate should be provided with a party dress.”

Actually, I could roughly guess Tia’s situation without needing an answer.

For the most grand party among the social gatherings held in the first half of the year happening in just two days, all the notable dress shops in the capital would have been sold out long ago.

Not knowing this, Tia must have looked around and ended up in this remote place while searching late for a dress shop.

“Ah, that… His Eminence the Cardinal said that those who aren’t Saints cannot stay at the temple. The same goes for the dress.”

…What?

Though what Tia said wasn’t wrong, wasn’t she staying at the temple until recently?

And that was proof that the Cardinal valued Tia highly.

But his attitude changed so suddenly?

Surely before, he would have been more than willing to help prepare for the party, as she was the only Saint candidate….

It’s almost as if Tia’s existence suddenly became useless overnight?

Though I don’t know the details, this might actually be good.

This is an opportunity for me to get close to Tia and ask about the temple and Cardinal before she develops a deeper relationship with the Cardinal.

I should have at least one lifeline to grasp when problems arise with the temple someday.

For that, Hertiana the Saint candidate would be a perfect connection.

After finishing this thought, I happened to look at the sky and noticed it had already grown dark.

It seems I won’t be able to fulfill Lynn’s wish for me to return early.

“Tia, I’ll repay you for listening to my troubles last time.”

I’m going to win over the female lead now.

“Pardon?”

“Follow me.”

Determined to help somehow, I grabbed Tia’s hand.

“W-where are we suddenly going?”

Tia’s innocent breath tickled my ear as she followed me with puzzled eyes.

Actually, I didn’t know how to win people over.

However, I had the ability and wealth to solve Tia’s problems.

And quite abundantly at that.