The train journey in third class was surprisingly enjoyable. In the wide-open space where privacy was nonexistent, people sprawled out comfortably, acting without a care in the world. It felt like the only cradle of freedom the Federation permitted.
Simon used the opportunity to speak with all sorts of people. He spoke with Federation citizens who did not believe in the Goddess or were resistant to Efnel—though they all feigned piety in front of the inquisitors. Interacting with so many different people, Simon felt his worldview expanding.
Lethe, unaccustomed to such an environment, spent the first day hiding in her bunk with her face buried in a pillow to avoid the constant stares. By the second day, however, she seemed to have adapted. She exchanged her outer coat for more comfortable clothes and even befriended a commoner girl her age, the two often seen together.
After five days, their journey came to an end. They arrived at the train station in the very town where their adventure had begun. Many of the passengers they had met saw them off with warm farewells. Even two of the inquisitors Simon had befriended came to shake his hand.
After disembarking, they headed straight for the broker. They found the shabby tavern from before and were sipping water when a man in a tattered robe approached their table.
"The wolf’s confession is..." the broker began.
"...to the foolish sheep," Simon finished.
The very same broker who had brought them into the Federation bowed his head. "It is good to see you again. Preparations for your return are complete."
"What is the situation at the border?" Simon asked.
The broker’s voice was bright, as if he had been waiting for the question. "You can rejoice. Security has been greatly relaxed following the recent subjugation of the Blood Heaven Cult, the Federation’s biggest headache. Things have worked out in your favor once again."
Simon and Lethe exchanged a small, knowing smile. The three of them then finalized the details.
"We will cross into the Dark Alliance early tomorrow morning," Simon confirmed.
"Very good. I will be counting on you."
And with that, the journey with Lethe was over.
Truthfully, Lethe had wanted to cross the border again and stay by Anna’s side until she had fully recovered, but Israphel had forbidden it.
"No matter how immature you are, this is too dangerous and reckless! As a student representing Efnel, have some sense!"
She had issued the travel ban not as an acquaintance, but as a Saintess. In the end, Lethe had to promise she would not cross the border.
"Maybe I should just..." Lethe began in a low voice as they walked back to their inn.
"Hm?"
"Maybe I should just ignore Israphel and cross over with you."
Her suggestion was so impulsive that Simon adopted a placating tone. "Do not worry so much. My mother will be fine. We completed the mission well ahead of the deadline my father set. Once the surgery is over, I promise I will send a letter across the border."
He had already been a great enough burden on her—not once, but twice. She had her own life, her own responsibilities. As the top student at Efnel, she must be incredibly busy. Taking this time off for Anna was already a huge sacrifice. He could not impose on her any further.
Lethe said nothing.
"What is wrong?"
Lethe pouted, clearly displeased, before turning her head away. "It is nothing."
The sky was growing dark. It was their last night in the Holy Federation. Donning their robes, they headed out to the night market. Simon recalled the chaos that had erupted when the Heretic Inquisitors stormed the market on their first day. But tonight, there was no sign of that. The market was just as he had imagined, bustling with energy and life.
’Alright, what should I buy?’
Thanks to Israphel, their trip had ended ahead of schedule, and since they had not needed to spend a fortune on the ‘White Leaf,’ they had plenty of money left. They wandered through the stalls together, sampling street food and buying gifts for Anna. Living in the Dark Alliance, she would not have access to these things.
They bought a clean new scripture, various prayer items, local delicacies, and snacks.
"Let us get this, too," Lethe said, holding up a small box. "Ms. Anna will definitely love it."
When it came to gifts for Anna, Lethe’s advice was invaluable.
"What is this? A jujube?" Simon asked, peering at the dried fruit.
"A date palm. It is sweet and delicious. When I was little, my teacher would always have me sit on her lap and feed them to me after taking out the seeds."
"Are you sure that is not just something ‘you’ like?"
"Shut up."
Simon bought a trove of gifts for Anna and Richard, storing them safely in his Subspace. He wanted to buy something for his friends back at Kizen, but he restrained himself. Items from the Holy Federation would be too easily recognized and could cause unnecessary trouble.
"Ah."
Just then, a clothing store caught his eye. It was the very same one where he had bought his new robe.
"Lethe, come with me for a moment."
"Huh? Where are we going?"
Simon led her inside.
"Oh my! It is you again, Priest!" the shopkeeper exclaimed, remembering him instantly. She greeted them warmly, and quickly deducing that Lethe was the customer this time, she rubbed her hands together and began her sales pitch.
A moment later, the dressing room curtain was pulled back.
"...Seriously," Lethe muttered, tugging at the hem of the pure white robe—the exact same one Simon had worn. She brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
"You look absolutely beautiful, ma’am!" the shopkeeper cried with practiced enthusiasm.
Simon smiled. "It suits you."
"N-No. Why are you suddenly doing this? It is too much."
"You said you liked this outfit when I wore it. I am buying one for you."
"But it is so expensive...! A-And it is a matching outfit with you! I would sooner hang myself than walk around the market wearing this side-by-side with you!"
A warm smile played on Simon’s lips as he shrugged off his own robe. He turned it inside out, transforming it into a coat, and slipped it back on. Infusing mana—not Jet-Black—into his fingertips, he changed the fabric to a mellow blue.
"Is this better?"
Lethe was silent.
Before Lethe could protest further, Simon and the shopkeeper, like a well-practiced duo, quickly completed the transaction. As Lethe stepped down from the platform, she did not seem to dislike it, tucking her hair behind her ear as she examined her reflection from different angles.
"Let us go," Simon said, approaching her with the hem of his blue coat fluttering.
She was still silent.
She glanced at him, then quickly looked down at the floor. She muttered something under her breath before storming out of the shop ahead of him. He could not quite make out the words, but he suspected it was a thank you.
"The young lady is quite cute," the shopkeeper said with a laugh.
Simon quickly put a finger to his lips, but it was too late. From outside, Lethe’s voice rang out, demanding he hurry up.
A cool night breeze greeted them as they stepped outside. Wearing the same, yet not-quite-matching, outfits, they strolled through the night market. They still had plenty of money and did everything they wanted. They ate hot soup standing at a stall and played a game of archery. The two prodigies, their competitive spirits ignited, swept all the prizes, leading to the minor incident of the stall owner chasing them away.
"It was a short break, but a lot happened," Lethe said later.
Their last stop was a famous wine shop. As Lethe tilted her glass, Simon clinked his against hers.
"Yeah," he agreed. "A lot happened."
Dawn broke at the inn. It was time to go. Simon, who had woken early and packed, put on his coat and stepped outside.
"What took you so long?"
Lethe was leaning against the wall across the hall, already dressed in the white robe he had bought her.
"You are up early. Did you not have a bit too much to drink?"
"A single purification spell is all it takes to handle a little alcohol."
A playful smile touched Simon’s lips. "Is it okay to use Divinity for something like that?"
"That is my business. Let us go. I will see you off."
Outside, the once-vibrant city was eerily empty. They walked through the silent streets, the dawn breeze cool on their faces.
"You have arrived."
The broker was waiting for them at the meeting point, his head bowed. A teleportation circle was being prepared beside him.
Having gone through it once, Simon understood the process. They would teleport to a warehouse near the border, hide in a crate on a cargo wagon, and pass through the ‘Gate of Divinity.’ Then, they would activate another teleportation circle drawn on the bottom of the crate, which would take them to Hope, the territory neighboring Leshill.
"I will go first and wait," the broker said, stepping onto the circle and vanishing.
Now, only Simon and Lethe remained. The moment of farewell. An awkward silence hung between them.
Lethe was the first to break it. "Please take good care of my teacher."
"I will. And thank you, for everything."
She said nothing.
She slowly pulled up the hood of her robe. Seeing her lips part as if to say more, Simon asked, "Is there something you want to say?"
A lock of her white hair escaped the hood and swayed in the breeze.
"I am your greatest enemy."
"I know."
"We only worked together because of Anna. Our fates are already twisted and divided."
"I know."
"I will become a Saintess. I will follow the orders of the Goddess and Efnel with everything I have. My mission will always be my priority, and if necessary, I will not hesitate to kill."
"Right."
"I am aware."
"So." From the depths of her hood, her golden eyes gleamed. "I am giving you one last chance. Fight me, necromancer."
Simon let out a long sigh. "Why are you doing this all of a sudden?"
"Shut up and summon that Prince and the rest of them. Fight me properly—"
"I refuse." Simon shook his head. "I will not harm you."
Lethe had saved Anna. His entire family was indebted to her. He had seen the kind of person she was. And he now knew that among the Saintesses, there were good people like Israphel.
"There is no need to be pessimistic about things that have not happened. Let us just do our best, at Kizen and at Efnel. If the day comes when we must fight, then we will fight with all our might. And we will not resent each other for it. We know who we are now, do we not?"
She stared at him blankly for a moment, then let out a short, sharp laugh.
"You are so infuriating."
"I am going now."
She slowly lowered her hood again. Her bangs fell across her forehead, revealing her golden eyes.
"Farewell, Simon."
He paused, his foot hovering over the magic circle. He turned back with a small smile.
"You are only calling me by my name at the very end?"
"Ugh! So what?! Just get lost already! Before I change my mind and kill you!"
Simon chuckled and stepped onto the circle. Their gazes met one last time before a dazzling blue light enveloped him, whisking him away.
She was silent.
The blue particles of light hovered in the air for a moment, then faded.
"...I will never lose to you," Lethe whispered to the empty space. She stared for another moment, then, as if making a vow, she pulled her robe tighter and walked away.

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