Chapter 146: Phantoms Have No Shadows, Shadows Have No Phantoms 1
*
The Maiden of Light, a God-loved human.
God’s blessing in human form, appearing at intervals of several decades.
A country where a Maiden of Light appears is held in high regard for that reason alone.
After all, the occurrence of Monsters visibly decreases, which simply means productivity in agriculture, commerce, and industry rises.
Well, in Faltar’s case, even if the numbers decreased, the ones that still spawned were dangerous ones, so it didn’t really matter much.
Regardless, the Maiden of Light is one who sometimes appears in multiple countries, making people keenly aware of the existence of God.
This is evident from the fact that nations that forced a Maiden of Light to act against her will ended up in dire straits.
The Church’s doctrine is the very simple “Save the weak,” and while God doesn’t even ask for prayers, He demands many things without putting them into words.
God is extremely troublesome.
And the Maiden of Light is God’s eyes and ears.
Therefore, the Maiden of Light’s Peace of Mind becomes a matter of grave national importance for the country where she appears.
If a country were to fall due to the Maiden of Light’s heartbreak, it would be no laughing matter.
Perhaps even God considers this, as among the countries that fell after troubling the Maiden of Light’s heart, none are listed as having fallen due to her heartbreak.
However, the list is full of countries that perished after trying to enclose the Maiden of Light in a miniature garden-like world of happiness.
Whether one considers this fortunate or unfortunate likely depends on their position.
From my perspective, it boils down to one phrase: a troublesome woman.
Yes, from my perspective, she was just a troublesome woman, the Maiden of Light.
*
Her deep, dark indigo hair was tied up simply, perhaps in preparation for a long journey.
Just as Erica had described her as not having a personality fond of extravagance, her traveling clothes were plain, merely looking sturdy.
Although plain, the one who gifted them hadn’t simply avoided extravagance but had spared no expense, as evidenced by the subtle embroidery of the Faltar Royal Family crest.
Resting on the delicate shoulders wrapped in those plain clothes was an oval face.
Her well-balanced thin lips and downturned eyebrows stirred a person’s protective instincts.
Her overall presence was faint, and her skin, which looked like it would crack before it bent if pushed, was so white it was hard to believe she had been a mere commoner until just a few years ago.
Those seemingly timid blue eyes, which had misled numerous noble sons into thinking, “Maybe I have a chance too?”, were now moist with overflowing happiness.
It was a face I’d seen more than enough of at the academy.
After all, Erica was always just beyond her.
Erica’s best friend, the God-loved human.
The Maiden of Light, her name is Lou Memphis.
The woman who could stand calmly beside Erica.
She came running noisily, clattering along, opened the door, and said this:
“Eri-cchi, long time no see~!”
*
Still a dazzling woman, as always.
As soon as she opened the door, shouting the nickname “Eri-cchi”—something you’d never hear in noble society—the Maiden of Light, Lou Memphis, leaped into Erica’s chest.
I watched the scene with a grimace.
Simply put, she’s dazzling.
To me, the Maiden of Light really does seem to glow.
Is it because she’s happy to see Erica? Luu is emitting a blinding light from her whole body.
“It has been a while, Luu. Have you been well?”
Erica, easily catching Luu, offered a gentle smile.
I sensed Shara tilting her head behind me.
She probably couldn’t reconcile the Maiden of Light’s appearance with her words and actions in her mind.
That was the same misunderstanding many nobles at the academy made.
An appearance that seemed utterly timid, an aura that stirred protective instincts.
But inside, she was the kind of person who could stand calmly beside Erica.
I’m not just talking about her personality.
Luu, being the Maiden of Light, displayed tremendous talent from the moment she entered the academy.
This commoner girl, who likely hadn’t received any education beyond reading and writing before, instantly achieved results in academics, magic, and Swordsmanship that could only be described as astounding.
Erica helped her with that, but this doesn’t mean Erica was an excellent teacher.
A genius might become an object of admiration, but not a goal, let alone someone to imitate.
But conversely, for a genius, another genius can be someone to imitate or aim for.
The Maiden of Light, Lou Memphis, was a true genius. Enough to calmly keep up with Erica’s methods.
On top of that, her personality had no trace of arrogance and could be described as innocent and cheerful, which was just exasperating.
She stood calmly beside Erica based solely on what she was born with.
For me, my birth and upbringing were nothing but obstacles to standing beside her, and my only innate talent was being able to see Magicka, coupled with the handicap of being unable to use most magic.
Can you imagine how frustrated I was during our academy days?
The fact that she shone brightly every time she laughed, obstructing my view of Erica’s face, also raised my irritation level.
Yes, but however.
I thought as I slowly approached the embracing pair.
Even if it’s a farce, I am now Erica’s husband.
Birth, upbringing, innate talent—none of that matters.
Unfair Luck. As long as I have that, somehow things will work out.
Whether I can keep standing beside her… well, that’s another story.
“We were classmates, technically, but we never spoke at the academy.”
I spoke to Luu.
“I’m Shin Longdagger. Nice to meet you.”
I said, extending my right hand.
“I’m Erica’s husband.”
I was careful not to let my voice sound boastful.
No, honestly, I wanted to boast loudly.
I wanted to shout about how terrifying my own Unfair Luck was, allowing me to be beside Erica despite my poor birth, upbringing, and lack of significant talent.
But that would be childish, so I restrained myself.
It would probably bother Erica too.
“Ohh, so you’re the one.”
Luu, her face buried in Erica’s chest, murmured softly and looked up at me with her blue eyes.
I couldn’t tell if the emotion floating there was curiosity or the question, “Why you?”
I could tell there was no hostility or malice.
But that was all I could tell.
Also, stop rubbing your face against Erica’s chest like you’re showing off, you brat, or I’ll throw you out of the house.
Are they fluffy? Are they soft? I wouldn’t know, being an unpopular virgin!
Lou Memphis gently pulled away from Erica and grasped my outstretched right hand.
In the corner of my vision, my masters entered while being lectured by the prince and his guards, distracting me for just a moment.
I wouldn’t call it carelessness, but Luu seemed to seize that opening, leaning in close to whisper in my ear.
“You’re a virgin, aren’t you?”
Author’s Note
Thank you always for the comments, likes, etc.
Actually, last time, I accidentally posted two chapters together and panicked.
Well, reading it back later, there wasn’t really a good place to split it, so I think it worked out fine.
Basically, I split and post where I can find a good break, so the word count for each chapter will continue to vary.
Thank you for your understanding.