After my rebirth, Miss Saint turned evil

"Even if the Saint uses me, it doesn't matter. It's even better to say that this is the best. At worst, I can use them too. It's just a mutual use. So... Frodo, what do you think?"

——Frodo, what do you think?

Frodo's mind was in a mess when Murphy asked this.

What did you say? Are you asking me to make a decision?

No, I can't do that.

Until now, it has always been Ames who has protected me. Even if I want to stray from the path, Ames will guide me.

But, ah, yes, Aimee isn't here now.

But, Murphy, you are not the only one who appears before me now.

"When we were exploring the relics of the Heraldry Cult, I felt that you had no religious taboos. But in the underground temple, you looked very depressed."

"So, then, it exists, right? Those memories of being looked down upon by everyone, those humiliating experiences where anyone could insult them... Of course, you can refuse them."

"Anyway, that's up to you. If you want, just run out of here and into Crossmaria's guards."

——I won’t stop you.

Murphy said this in a serious tone that was different from her usual frivolous tone.

Frodo's black pupils were shaking, her throat was dry due to nervousness, and her shoulders were shaking up and down.

No matter what, I make the decision myself, and no matter what decision I make, nothing will stop me. Did he just say that?

...Ah, so that's it, Murphy, you respect my will.

"--But if you would, please take my hand."

So Murphy stretched out her rough hand.

The scars on his hands are proof that his life and spirit have been worn out, and his soul has been wasted to survive until now.

Thinking of this, Frodo looked at the rough hand in front of her, and all her movements stopped.

Ah, that’s it.

Already, I completely understand.

It doesn't matter, because I don't care.

It doesn't matter if I become the enemy of the world or am despised by the world.

Only, one thing.

Yes, if only one wish could be granted.

If possible, then I hope -

In a moment's pause, Frodo stretched out her slender hand and held the rough hand.

The empty fog that filled his mind disappeared instantly, and his thoughts became clear and bright.

Ah, so refreshing.

What a refreshing mood this is.

"It's my pleasure, Miss Employer... No, that's not right. Welcome, my accomplice - Frodo."

Yes, nothing matters.

——As long as you, Murphy, as long as you can always stand by my side.

Chapter 30 The Golden Crossroads

Crossmaria, the training ground within the academy.

As usual, there are some wooden dolls and small magical auxiliary tools placed here.

Of course, it is still unpopular as always.

This is understandable. After all, those who enter this college either have a corresponding family background or are very wealthy.

Most of them are not pursuing magic and swordsmanship, but the gilded image of being an academy graduate and building connections with the upper class.

Therefore, no one would deliberately learn swordsmanship and magic here.

The only people who frequently come to this place are the girl who longs for magical talent and another person.

A double-edged sword that reflects sunlight and emits a white light.

Aimee Castina wiped off the stains and gently closed her eyes.

--bass!

It was a breathtaking flash.

The white light cut through the sunlight, and the static space was instantly cut off.

Even the surrounding wind scattered in all directions out of fear of the sword path, and then after running wildly all the way, it returned to its original airflow.

Aimees frowned slightly, clenched her teeth slightly, and then gave up slightly.

It seems that today will not be a smooth day.

To others, it was indeed a flash of talent, with nothing to fault.

But in her opinion, there was some flaw that could not be concealed.

No matter how cleverly you try to hide it, she will easily see through it.

Especially Ames, she is not someone who can turn a blind eye to it.

There seemed to be a slight clouding in the sword technique, but there was nothing wrong with the body.

Then, the reason must be mental.

The figure that was affecting her spirit might be him... Ames thought so.

Since a while ago, questions and thoughts about that contradiction have been circling in my mind.

Ames sheathed her sword, her hair, shining with golden light, swaying slightly.

"Why are you so cocky, little Aimee?"

Just as the thoughts in her mind were going round and round, a figure suddenly appeared behind Ames.

Those words sounded like a playful joke.

"...Uncle, long time no see. It's really rare for you to come to the academy."

Aimees turned around as if nothing had happened.

In response, the figure twisted his neck, and the expression on his face seemed to say: How cold.

"I'm here to see you, girl. Otherwise, this place is full of idiots who can't see the future. Anyone can come."

Ames couldn't help but smile wryly in response to these undoubtedly excessive words.

Buckingham Castina, Aimee's uncle.

People around him describe him as someone who lives a life of "pranks in one hand and fine wine in the other."

He withdrew from the Castina family's succession battle early and lived an idle life.

Later, he was favored because of his wide connections and social skills, and began to engage in diplomatic work for the Castina family.

Sometimes I don't understand it, sometimes I feel elated. Compared with those who feel it is improper and disgusting, there are undoubtedly more people who like this unique style.

In fact, Aimees didn't hate Buckingham either.

Although he always looks humorous and funny, he is very caring and enthusiastic.

Therefore, it is understandable that he has so many admirers.

"Uncle, I have a foolish question. Can so-called humans, while concealing true malice in their hearts, perform truly good deeds?"

Therefore, Aimees confides more in her uncle than in her strict and inaccessible father.

Since this morning, no, to be more precise, since she escaped from that underground temple, a swirling snake has been lurking in Ames's mind.

Ames knew very well who the snake was, the frivolous adventurer, and it was hard to tell whether he was a villain or a righteous man - Murphy.

Buckingham seemed to have anticipated that Ames would confide in him, so he sat on the chair in the practice field early.

He held his chin in his hand and answered without thinking.

"Of course, because that's what people do. Conflicts always brew in our hearts, and after they're resolved, they brew again. Isn't that what we call human nature, Aimee?"

Ames bit her lip, feeling somewhat bewildered by these words spoken with such conviction.

Is that right? No, indeed, I even feel that he is the embodiment of this statement.

Thinking of this, Ames stroked her bitten lips and narrowed her eyes.

Imposing unreasonable conditions on Frodo can be said to be an act of self-protection.

However, after that, he sacrificed himself by throwing himself into the fire to protect Frodo.

This extremely contradictory behavior left Ames puzzled.

Vicious or kind, which side does he belong to?

If self-protection is the first principle, then there is no need to sacrifice oneself to help Frodo.

If self-sacrifice is the first principle, there is no reason to make unreasonable demands on Frodo.

Hard to understand.

Ames suddenly found that she could not understand Murphy at all.

"Aimees, it seems to me that you are the one who is difficult for me to understand."

"You are so devoid of humanity. When people are troubled, they will try to vent; when people make mistakes, they will make decisions that are completely opposite to their previous life."

"But look at you, all this talk of justice and goodwill all day long, all this nonsense, it's ridiculous."

—Ah, but feeling troubled is a good thing.

Buckingham said so, showing his canine teeth subtly and amusedly.

Worry... To be honest, I have never been so troubled by anything.

Most of the things you encounter, whether well-intentioned or malicious, will be separated like this, and then you can continue living.

That's good, just keep living like this.

As for any doubts about this lifestyle, I have never thought about it.

But, that person can never be separated.

"That's right. People only begin to grow after they have troubles. God created us precisely to make humans troubled."

"Come on, then, and pray for God's blessing! Thank God for letting us be born in this evil place! Let us suffer endlessly! Great, thank you!"

"...Uncle, if you keep doing this, even I won't be able to do anything if you're labeled a heretic."

The wording sounded like some pagan.

Although it looked like a joke, the voice and the color in his eyes seemed to be telling the truth.

This man - Buckingham, which words were jokes and which were his true intentions, perhaps even his wife didn't know.

However, perhaps it is precisely because of this that he possesses diplomatic talent.

"It was just a joke, of course. Well, Ames, although you just came back from there, your uncle and I have to go to the Kingdom of Leiden right now."

"Ah, as for the reason for coming here, it's that—if you're willing, I hope you can go with me."

After hearing this, Aimees couldn't help but narrow her eyes. This kind of speaking style with a strong uncle style always made her speech stagnate.

In response, Buckingham shrugged, ended her pretense of being a "little woman", and continued speaking.

"There's a lot of tension in this area lately. As the head of the family, there's nothing I can do about it, but as a brave warrior, you should stay away."

"Hmm...it's not really a heresy, but the Heraldic Cult rats who were supposed to have fled to the East are now showing their tracks. Isn't that strange?"

——By the way, have you heard of these things?

Finally, after saying this, Buckingham stared into Aimee's eyes.

That wasn't a doubt, but rather, in his opinion, it was more likely that Ames didn't know.

However, after hearing her uncle's explanation, the so-called "gunpowder smell" immediately emerged in Ames' mind.