Prim knew perfectly well that the moment she accepted any weapon from the box, she would lose this first clash.
But she had no choice. If she refused, she would be nothing but dead weight in the battles ahead.
Fine. Endure it, Prim!
She was in no hurry. Sooner or later, Abel would belong to her anyway.
Before she left, Lyle had given her a “trump card.” As long as she had that, Abel could only end up hers.
For now, she would let the church’s little bitch show off.
“Then I won’t refuse. Thank you, Saintess.”
She smiled as she spoke.
The unusually calm reaction put Aiko on high alert. In her expectations, this hot-tempered princess should not have given in so easily.
What is she planning?
Instinct told Aiko the woman was scheming something shady.
She would have to watch her closely from now on and make sure she never succeeded.
Abel naturally noticed the shift in Prim’s expression too. Why is she reacting like this?
The self-proclaimed innocent princess did not realize her scheming was written all over her face.
She lacked her second brother’s cunning and the king’s far-sightedness.
She was simply a flower raised in a greenhouse.
Sephilia’s assessment of her had been spot on.
Abel suppressed the doubt in his heart, glanced at the two women, then at the carriage.
Through the gap in the curtain he could see Elfi poking half her head out, watching the two “uninvited guests” with wary eyes.
Sutis had puffed out her cheeks, her whole face screaming displeasure.
It was obvious they did not want these two women joining them.
But Abel also knew he could not shake them off.
The church needed an informant beside the “Savior Hero” to ensure he did not completely side with the kingdom.
The royal family needed an informant to make sure he did not fully align with the church—or at least to maintain ties with the royal house.
Whatever.
He had planned to find a chance to ditch them anyway.
Only he knew the route to Sky City.
Once they reached the right spot, he could simply make up an excuse and leave them behind.
Besides, if they ran into some small fry, these two women might prove somewhat useful.
As the human-rights SSR support character from the original game, Prim’s damage-boosting abilities were undeniable.
He had defeated the first boss so easily largely thanks to her contribution.
Although Aiko’s class icon was that of a holy caster, she would plant her holy staff in the ground at the slightest provocation and start throwing punches wreathed in holy light.
She was a combat priestess.
She did have support abilities, but they only worked on her best friend.
Her buffs had almost no synergy with anyone else’s skill mechanics.
That was why the original game had even spawned rumors of the two being a yuri couple.
Abel still remembered the scene in the original game where the pair met secretly in a small grove.
The system had even helpfully popped up an option:
Their relationship is really good. I’d better not disturb them.
There was no second, more assertive choice to step in.
And so the male protagonist earned the title of green-haired cuckold cameraman.
Recalling the original game’s plot, Abel nearly choked on his own breath again.
That was a blood-soaked memory!
He reminded himself once more: no matter what these women did, he must not feel even the slightest stir of emotion.
Otherwise he would end up without a grave to be buried in.
“In that case,” Abel examined the newly acquired weapon and said absent-mindedly, “let’s set off together. But let me be clear upfront—the road ahead will be tough and there may be danger. You two need to be mentally prepared.”
It would be even better if the two of them could not endure the hardships of travel and simply ran back, but that was unlikely.
“Of course.” Prim raised her chin.
“Young Master Abel, please allow us to let bygones be bygones and work together to save the entire world!”
“A little hardship is nothing! Aiko isn’t afraid! Besides, we have the knight with us!”
Aiko clenched her small fists, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Abel.
Abel nodded, said something to those inside the carriage, then stepped aside.
“We can squeeze. There should still be room for two more.”
Prim boarded first.
The instant she lifted the curtain, she met Elfi’s crimson eyes.
The maid’s gaze swept over the princess from head to toe like a blade.
Then she curved her lips into a sweet smile that held no warmth.
“Your Highness, please sit here. Watch your step—the carriage can be a little bumpy.”
Prim frowned slightly but still took the window seat as directed.
Aiko climbed in right after.
Her seat was directly opposite Abel; one glance upward and she could see his face.
Her heartbeat quickened again.
Oh dear, it would be so much better without those annoying women.
A journey with just Young Master Abel and me would be perfect.
That was what she thought, yet her face still wore a gentle, harmless smile.
Sutis leaned forward and stared straight at her with emerald eyes.
“You’re the new saintess Sister Sephilia mentioned?”
“…Y-Yes.” Aiko was startled by the little angel’s presence.
“Miss Sutis, hello. I believe we’ve met before.”
“I’m not happy.” Sutis pouted.
“Another person trying to steal my knight. I’m warning you two—no improper thoughts allowed. Not even thinking about it. He belongs to me.”
Aiko covered her mouth and chuckled softly, unsure what to say.
Prim frowned and snorted inwardly: Lolicon!
Elfi was used to it and paid no mind. Instead, she directed her hostile gaze at Prim and Aiko. Sutis posed no threat, but these two women were different.
They had clearly come with the intention of NTR-ing her!
The holy war has begun!
An eerie silence settled inside the carriage.
Abel boarded last and sat down beside Elfi once more.
He sighed. “Let’s go, Sebas.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
The curtain fell. The carriage rolled forward slowly.
The scenery outside the window began to move; the royal capital’s walls gradually receded into the distance.
Inside the carriage, the five of them each harbored their own thoughts.
Prim stared out the window, calculating how to change Abel’s impression of her during the journey.
If all else failed, she would use the “trump card” her second brother had given her.
Aiko kept stealing glances at Abel, hurriedly looking away whenever he noticed, mentally rehearsing how to ask about what happened back then.
Sutis clung to Abel like a koala, declaring ownership with every action while her emerald eyes vigilantly scanned the two “intruders.”
Elfi hugged Abel’s arm tightly, a sweet smile on her face, but deep in those crimson eyes flickered a warning only women could understand.
***
Yet the carriage had not traveled far before it stopped again.
Butler Sebas opened the curtain once more, looking hesitant to speak.
Abel grew impatient. “Mr. Sebas, what is it this time?”
“Well, Young Master…”
His expression was strange. He glanced around at the women inside the carriage, then sighed.
“There’s a woman dressed very… flamboyantly. She says she’s brought a child to see you. She claims she’s your mistress…”
“Huh?”