No Such Thing as a Chaste Man! Just Give It Ten Tries! - Chapter 53
“I figured His Holiness Ephelinus wanted to send Seo-ah back because he felt burdened by her presence, but… to think they despised her so much just because she came from another world. How can people like that lead a united alliance of the races?”
“The Council of Elders is recalling the dwarves who represent them in the Senate and plans to send people with proper sense.”
“Same with us. The representative sent on behalf of Mount Romi seems to have lost their way after being away for so long.”
“Well, it’s not just the New United Government. The old kingdoms gave up the moment the dragon appeared, and the ruling class has always been the same—selfish and shortsighted.”
Nemion’s mocking comment made Miriam, the daughter of Grand Duke Istel and part of that ruling class, glare at him.
“What really gave me chills was finding out the Holy Emperor himself had such disgusting thoughts,” Miriam said, ignoring Nemion’s antics.
Nemion shuddered dramatically as if to emphasize her point.
“I know, right?”
The three friends nodded in agreement, each sipping their tea thoughtfully.
The banquet at the Sun Palace had taken place ten days earlier.
That night, Seo-ah had returned to the Holy Kingdom in Ephelinus’s arms. Four days later, she called her expedition companions to the High Priest’s residence. Since they had been instrumental in helping Seo-ah stay, she had asked Ephelinus for permission and shared his story with them in full.
She explained what the atmosphere in the capital had been like while the expedition was away hunting monsters in the far west, how the New United Government and the Holy Emperor had been calculating over her fate, and why Ephelinus had made the decisions he did.
Upon learning that reverse summoning was no longer possible, her friends acted quickly.
Miriam Istel mobilized all the human resources at her disposal to steer public opinion in favor of Seo-ah and Ephelinus. Jenny and Rurina met with high-ranking elders and lords still in the capital to report the situation.
Meanwhile, Peter the priest and Nemion the mage spread the word throughout the Holy Kingdom and the Mage Tower that Seo-ah would not be leaving.
The Holy Kingdom was relieved to retain their Saintess, while the Mage Tower, full of grudges against the Senate, took great delight in the fiasco.
Though Ephelinus’s loss of ‘purity’ ensured the reverse summoning ritual could never be performed again, the actions of Seo-ah’s friends were a precaution to prevent the New United Government from making further moves on her fate in the future.
“The methods were a bit unconventional, but… it seems the High Priest truly does care for Seo-ah,” Jenny remarked.
“That’s what happens when you have a strange father,” Nemion muttered, clearly alluding to the Holy Emperor.
The group nodded once more, a unified show of agreement. Peter, who would have otherwise disapproved of insulting the Holy Emperor, was fortunately absent.
“Anyway, it all worked out. It’s a bit early, but how about a celebratory drink? I’ve got some Moneren.”
“Oh, that wine from back then?”
At Miriam’s gesture, the manager, waiting discreetly nearby, brought over a bottle of wine and four small glasses on a tray. He poured the wine with precision, filling each glass with a golden liquid that was thicker and more viscous than typical white wine.
It was the very wine Livo Arsene had tried to promote at the Sun Palace banquet.
“Smell this. Isn’t the aroma amazing?” Miriam encouraged.
“Wow… no wonder he was so desperate to market it,” Nemion said, impressed.
Jenny and Rurina sipped their glasses, savoring the fragrance.
Livo Arsene was a young investor with ambitions. His approach to Seo-ah had been solely for the purpose of promoting the wine from his vineyard. If the most influential person in Genève, Seo-ah, praised his wine, it would serve as a powerful advertisement.
Even asking Seo-ah to dance had been part of this plan. Displaying camaraderie with her at a highly visible event would lend credibility to her endorsement.
As for his touchy behavior, it was merely the habit of a frivolous libertine.
What annoyed Miriam was that Livo had fallen out of favor with his grandfather, Duke Remus, for his misconduct. Yet he had spoken as if he had the influence to advise the Senate, a deceit she found inexcusable.
Still, since the wine had no harmful additives and ultimately provoked Ephelinus’s jealousy, Miriam had purchased a case as a gesture of goodwill.
“To Seo-ah’s joyful decision to stay, cheers!” Miriam declared.
Following her lead, the four friends clinked glasses with the toast she had taught them, a traditional one from her homeland.
The resonant chime of crystal glasses echoed across the sunlit terrace, celebrating their friendship and Seo-ah’s future in Genève.
