Chapter 287

After returning from the ski trip, Clael went straight back to the town of Eggbell.

Of course, Reina was with him.

Clael thought she would return to the Grand Shrine, but Reina just followed him along.

"It's been since summer vacation that I last went back to Eggbell."

"That's right. It was only a few months, but it feels like it's been forever."

The two of them were inside a carriage bound for Eggbell.

Besides them, there were a few other passengers in the carriage, each spending their time as they pleased.

They had taken the train for the ski trip, but today's transportation was a shared carriage.

Since a rural town like Eggbell wouldn't have a railway, there was no helping it.

Clael wore casual clothes, but Reina had her face hidden under a hooded robe. It was to avoid causing a commotion if someone found out she was the Saint.

"I wonder if everyone's doing well?"

"They should be. Oratorio didn't mention anything unusual."

"Oh, the tailor. Do you still keep in touch with him, Clael?"

"About once a month. He says everyone in town is doing well."

As he said this, Clael turned his eyes to the outside through the skylight window.

Outside was a typical countryside landscape. There were fields, forests, and unpaved roads.

It was a nature-rich scenery that couldn't compare to the royal capital.

(Well, who knows how long it'll stay a rural town...)

Since Eggbell was the birthplace of the Saint Reina, many pilgrims visited the town.

Pilgrims were spending money day and night, and infrastructure like transportation and inns were being rapidly developed.

(It's terrifying... tourist spots are popping up everywhere. Every place Reina's been to has become a tourist attraction, and it's becoming a problem...)

Tourists were apparently visiting Reina's favorite tailor, café, park, bookstore, and so on, and sales had exploded—so said a letter from the tailor Oratorio.

The shrine was practically a holy site. A large number of priests and sisters were coming to offer prayers.

(Most likely, a railway will be built soon... There are surely plenty of people willing to invest, if it's for Reina.)

However... an increase in people also brings problems.

For example, a decline in public safety.

With so many pilgrims, there was also the possibility of robbers or kidnappers targeting them.

"Hey, you in the carriage, stop right there!"

"If you don't want to die, stop! Everyone, hand over your money!"

"Whoa... they actually showed up."

A rough voice shouted from outside the carriage, followed by the clopping sound of horse hooves striking the ground.

Just as he was thinking about it, robbers appeared. Attacking on horseback—they were like villains straight out of a Western.

Clael tried to peek outside through the window... but before he could, the voices outside suddenly changed.

"If you don't stop right now... guhya!"

"W-What the hell are you... a bear... guoooh!?"

"W-What the... why is there a plushie... GYAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

However... just a few seconds after the robbers' voices, they turned into screams.

The passengers didn't even have time to react, and the sound of galloping horses quickly faded away.

"...What was that all about?"

"Who knows?"

Reina tilted her head curiously in response to Clael's question.

The other passengers were also confused and murmuring, but then a voice came from the driver's seat.

"Uh, everyone. It seems robbers just tried to attack this carriage, but there's no need to worry. They've been repelled."

The driver spoke calmly, without any sign of surprise or panic, as if reciting a well-practiced line.

"This road leads to the hometown of the Saint... Eggbell. Anyone who tries something bad on this road is immediately noticed by the angels and eliminated. We'll arrive in Eggbell in about two hours, so please relax and enjoy the ride..."

"I see... divine protection from the angels, huh."

A muscular angel with a plushie head popped into Clael's mind.

If they were patrolling, then it would be perfectly safe.

Not just robbers—even monsters wouldn't be able to do as they pleased.

"It looks like this will be a pleasant trip."

"Yes! Anywhere is pleasant if I'm with you, Clael!"

"That's not exactly what I meant though..."

Clael gave a wry smile at Reina's words... but then, another loud voice rang out from outside.

"Saint! Lady Reina! Please wait!"

"Stop that carriage right now!"

A hoarse voice carried on the wind.

They were calling for the carriage to stop, but it didn't sound like robbers this time.

"Saint! Please return to the Grand Shrine. A large number of foreign dignitaries who wish to meet you have arrived, and we're having trouble dealing with them!"

"Even if it's winter break, your duties as the Saint—gyaah!"

"W-Wait, wait, we only wanted to—noooooooo!"

Once again, screams echoed, then faded away.

"...What was that?"

"I don't think it's anything to worry about. Probably the same kind of people as before."

"I think I heard them say something about a Saint... but the wind made it hard to hear."

"Who knows? I didn't hear anything myself."

Reina tilted her head.

He didn't really understand... but if Reina said so, then it probably wasn't worth worrying about.

"Honestly... it's the end of the year, can't people just spend it quietly at home?"

"They're really such a nuisance... Oh, I peeled some fruit—would you like some?"

"Thanks, I'll have some."

Clael took the apple-like fruit Reina had peeled and bit into it with a crisp crunch.

――――――――――

Thank you once again for reading this work throughout the year.

Thanks to your support, it won the grand prize in the Love Comedy division of the Kakuyomu Contest, and was read by many more readers.

A book release is planned for next year.

I can't share the details yet, but I'll let you know once they're decided.

I hope for your continued support next year as well.

Wishing you a Happy New Year.