"Rit, you and I will move separately from now on."
"Yes? Professor, but..."
It's the final stage of the conference now.
Since my lecture was effectively the last event, the crowd will gradually dwindle.
If that happens, we won't be able to avoid the Holy Empire's pursuit.
The biggest problem for me right now is Rit.
If those guys find out she's a demon, both Rit and I are unquestionably headed for an inquisition.
As I said, that group of crazy fanatics will skip any process as long as they have a justification.
"Didn't I tell you? The Holy Empire is on our tail."
Why do you look like you're hearing this for the first time?
I suppressed the surging annoyance and opened my mouth.
"I cannot put you in danger. The only one they are watching is me. So it is better to move separately."
Rit is a demon.
What if such a demon and I are together?
Those fanatics will frame me as well.
But I can't sell Rit out either.
Since I know her future, I know well how valuable her potential is.
The best plan is a diversionary operation.
Rather than being caught together, we move separately so their attention turns to me, and I smuggle out the only evidence they could possibly have.
This is the core of this plan.
***
-I cannot put you in danger.
I cannot put you in danger...
Lucas's words kept echoing in her ears.
She couldn't hide her face turning red.
Let's get a grip.
Didn't he say people from the Holy Empire are targeting Lucas and herself outside right now?
But she couldn't help her mind drifting this way.
"Are you listening?"
"Yes, yes! Professor. But how did you..."
This question popped out truly instinctively.
Even after asking, she didn't understand herself.
To think she, who was more selfish about survival than anyone else, is worrying about someone else's survival.
"Am I a demon?"
"Ah...!"
If only she weren't here, Professor Lucas wouldn't suffer because of them in the first place.
That fact was hopeful yet somehow sad.
"Don't worry about me and leave quickly."
"Yes..."
Her shoulders slumped.
The fact that she was being a hindrance instead of help hurt.
"Rit."
"Yes..."
"I always say this, but you have done nothing wrong. So, straighten your shoulders."
"Professor..."
The blunt but heavy sincerity reached her.
From the beginning when he knew she was a demon, Lucas understood her and was on her side.
He told her she had done nothing wrong.
'I will become strong. I will become strong so I won't be a burden to you, Professor.'
Rit vowed to herself.
"Ah, and this."
"T, this is..."
A Magic Stone.
The core where demons' magic power is gathered.
And this is Baltan's Magic Stone—meaning, a High-rank demon's Magic Stone.
"Professor..."
"Hurry."
Rit carefully received the Magic Stone from Lucas's hand.
Wooong-
The Magic Stone, resonating with Rit's demonic energy, was absorbed into her in an instant.
***
'No, I meant for you to hold onto it...'
Baltan's Magic Stone disappeared in an instant.
Since the fact that a demon infiltrated Glasco hasn't been known yet, holding onto this Magic Stone would only be a headache, so I intended to send it away with Rit, but Rit absorbed it.
Just as I felt it was a waste—
[Rit's 'Rank' is upgraded.]
[Low-rank Demon -> Middle-rank Demon]
[Rit's favorability increases drastically. +100.]
I had forgotten.
Magic Stones act like experience stones for demons.
Baltan's Magic Stone granted tremendous experience, enough to instantly turn Rit, who lacked the requirements to become a Middle-rank demon, into a Middle-rank demon.
This is possible because Baltan is a High-rank demon.
'Then...'
I have one more Magic Stone.
And a High-rank one at that.
"If you go to my office, there is Levi's Magic Stone. Take that as well."
"...Yes!"
To me, it's nothing more than a souvenir that looks like a gem.
It's much better to grow Rit with it.
[Rit's favorability increases drastically. +200.]
I invested all the gained favorability into Mana.
I can see Rit becoming stronger with my own eyes.
However, perhaps because she hasn't adapted well yet, she can't control her demonic energy properly.
Ordinary people wouldn't notice, but the Holy Empire bastards would notice immediately if they approached.
"I will go out first. I won't check out separately, so leave when you are ready."
I gave her enough time to settle her power.
Now the problem is breaking through those Holy Empire bastards head-on.
***
"H, how long have I been passed out like this!"
"Well..."
"No, before that, where is Professor Lucas!"
"He should be at the hotel... I heard he is leaving today..."
Alan sprang up and pushed him aside.
"Hurry! We are going to the hotel where Professor Lucas is staying right now!"
He went out the door in a highly excited state.
***
"Professor Lucas, no, Lucas is coming out of the hotel!"
"Everyone stay tense. From now on, it's real combat."
Now, there isn't much time left for Lucas to remain at the conference.
It also means there isn't much opportunity left to secure his person.
So they decided to use the last resort.
Covering their identities and openly securing his person.
Anything that could remind one of the Holy Empire was removed from their bodies.
They were aiming for the right moment in pitch-black attire.
Actually, when the lecture ended was the optimal timing.
But his lecture was so shocking that they couldn't even think of catching Lucas as he left
Because the majority, who weren't even 'Academic Faction', were busy blankly gathering the knowledge he left behind.
'I won't make such a mistake this time!'
If Lucas is really related to demons, this continent is bound to face great danger.
She is the Saintess chosen by God.
She had to block the danger that would plunge the continent into chaos.
That was her destiny, and the reason Bert reigned as the Holy Empire.
"Everyone get ready."
At her instruction, the knights of the Holy Empire pulled up their masks.
Lucas's figure shimmered beyond the entrance glass window.
'Now!'
At her hand signal, the Holy Empire knights moved.
But then—
"Professor Lucas, wait a moment!"
An unexpected variable exploded.
***
"...."
It was a truly awkward three-way encounter.
On one side, Conference Head Alan whom I knocked out, and on the other, Holy Empire bastards in black clothes who seemed determined to openly ambush me.
"...What are these things?"
Alan said a word while glaring at the Holy Empire bastards.
"Hoh, thugs targeting Professor Lucas. Interesting. My body was aching with resentment anyway, shall I relieve some on you guys?"
But it seemed the Holy Empire didn't rush in with ordinary resolve either.
Even in a situation of complete failure, they rather raised their momentum.
And—
"N, no!"
Along with a jade-bead-like voice lamenting, a holy-looking light began to burst out from someone's body.
'Sacrifice?'
Self-sacrifice.
Normally, this would mean absolute recovery, but not in my novel.
Fitting for a fanatic group, it's a skill that creates an absolutely advantageous situation for allies in exchange for one's own sacrifice.
And the radiance exploding upon casting blinds the vision momentarily.
It's already too late to pull out.
[A new notification has arrived.]
[Undiho has donated 500G.]
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[Winery has registered a recommendation post.]
[Due to the recommendation post registration, a one-time effect, 'Complete Immunity' is activated!]
[whitena has registered a recommendation post.]
[Due to the recommendation post registration, the item, 'Dragon Fear' is given.]
=== Complete Immunity Grants complete immunity to all status ailments. (User limited) Dragon Fear Instills overwhelming fear in the target, causing incapacitation status ailment, and reduces stats by 20%. (Lasts for 1 minute)
['Complete Immunity' and 'Dragon Fear' products have been added to the Gold Shop.]
"M, my body won't move!"
"I, I can't see!"
Except for me and the Holy Empire bastards, everyone lost their vision.
Everyone was flailing as if caught by something.
In the middle of the city center, chaos was spreading.
"Why such a stupid act!"
"You must escape quickly. Hurry!"
"You didn't have to do that!"
"Saintess Karin, there is no time!"
The bastards are trying to pull out.
But I couldn't let them do that.
Because it is clear they will be a hindrance to me anytime even if they pull out.
"Stop."
I used Dragon Fear to bind the Holy Empire bastards' feet.
"Ugh, h, how!"
The bastards flailed in panic at the sudden situation.
My moving freely must also be a question.
The situation was reversed.
I approached them slowly and asked.
"State the reason why the Holy Empire attacked me, and a justifiable reason for making this place a mess."
"H, Holy Empire? Why on earth would they?"
The effect of Dragon Fear is 1 minute.
Once that effect ends, they will disappear just like that, and my danger won't go away.
So I revealed their identity.
As expected, people's questions follow.
Why on earth is the Holy Empire doing this at the conference, why are they targeting me.
This question will now become their strong shackle.
"Saintess, Karin. You answer."
But I didn't stop there and threw one more bomb.
"S, the Saintess is here?"
Naturally, the confusion aggravated.
They now need a justifiable excuse.
Why did they, who advocate 'World Justice', commit such an act?
And with the Saintess at the forefront.
Perhaps the effect of Sacrifice is wearing off, people were gradually regaining their senses and getting up.
They pressed in as if surrounding the Holy Empire bastards.
"...."
The person at the front pulled off the mask.
Long platinum blonde hair falling like a waterfall, but beautiful looks that overwhelmed the gaze even more.
The most beautiful woman in my worldview, Saintess Karin.
Smudged tears were highlighting her pure charm even more.
"It, it really is the Saintess!"
"No, but why did the Saintess attack Professor Lucas?"
At their revealed identities, people expressed strong suspicion.
Now, if they don't come up with a justifiable answer, it will cause diplomatic problems with the conference and the affiliated countries of these many knights.
My goal has been sufficiently achieved with this.
Since the Holy Empire's feet are tied now.
"We... tried to arrest Professor Lucas."
Karin spoke in a resigned tone.
Trying to arrest me.
My prediction was roughly correct.
If I had done nothing, I would have been helplessly caught.
"Professor Lucas is a person who established merits fighting against demons, why did the Holy Empire try to arrest him?"
"T, that cannot be revealed."
"Cannot be revealed? Why?"
"It is... Bert's top secret."
It wasn't a sufficient answer.
Public sentiment boiled.
Now the situation for me to escape from their grasp is all set.
If it becomes like this, it would rather be better to return comfortably with Rit...
Vrrr!
At that moment, the portable communication device in my pocket vibrated.
Checking it, it was Deyan.
-Professor, code decoding complete.
It is confirmed that Chancellor Heinz is currently in the Holy Empire Bert.