The Saint Disappeared with Her Memories — Her Broken Engagement Decided the Kingdom’s Destiny - Chapter 14

After concluding our discussion with Anctuan, we returned to the forest lodge. As the carriage progressed along the forest path, we left the hustle and bustle of the royal capital behind and became enveloped in nature’s tranquility. Mixed with the sound of rolling wheels were the chirping of small birds and the rustling of trees.

Upon arriving at our base, since there were no urgent matters to attend to, we decided to spend the day as we pleased.

“I’m going to the Adventurer’s Guild to check on missions,” Nadine said while checking the sword at her waist. Was she planning to return to the city again? Perhaps she had specifically come back with me to serve as my escort.

“Shall I come with you?”

When I offered, she shook her head and smiled.

“I’ll be fine alone. Noella, you should rest properly.”

I’d heard that there were many rough characters among adventurers, but with Nadine’s abilities, she shouldn’t have any problems even if someone bothers her. After all, she was quite skilled even among the Kingdom’s Knights.

“I also have something I want to check. I’ll be going separately,” Jamel said, apparently having personal business as he soon left the base. What was he going to do? I didn’t get to ask for details, but he’s smart. If it seemed dangerous, he would have consulted me beforehand. So I didn’t think I needed to worry too much.

In the end, only Emily and I remained at the mountain lodge.

“Noella, shall we do some training?” Emily suggested with sparkling eyes.

“That sounds good. We have time, so let’s train,” I agreed.

Even though I’d left the temple and lost my position as Saintess and priestess, I hadn’t lost these abilities. But if I didn’t polish them, my skills would rust. It would be a waste to let the training I’d worked so hard for deteriorate through inaction.

We moved to the wide grassy area behind the lodge and began our usual magic training. The soft green carpet-like grass still held the morning dew. The scent of wet grass was pleasant, and the wind blowing from the forest gently caressed our skin.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and began concentrating my magical power. I gradually expanded the magic from my core, spreading it to my fingertips. A faint bluish-white light began to drift around me. While delicately controlling its flow, I constructed complex magic circles. This was a high-load magic spell I’d developed for training purposes.

“Phew.”

After completing the extended concentration training and releasing the controlled magical power, I sat down on the spot. Sweat trickled down my forehead, and my breathing was slightly ragged. I was quite fatigued. The exhaustion from prolonged concentration made my head feel slightly dizzy. It might have been a while since I’d concentrated this intensely.

“Amazing, Lady Noella!” Emily exclaimed excitedly as she ran over. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shone with admiration.

“Watching you, Lady Noella, I feel like you have more magical power than before! And your control is beautiful and smooth!”

“Really?” I asked, slightly surprised.

Emily, who had been observing from the side, reported the results to me. Now that she mentioned it, compared to usual, I had been in better form today. I might have gotten carried away and pushed myself a bit too hard.

Maybe it was because I slept soundly last night. When I was living as the Saintess, work was so busy that I had less time to rest. Without realizing it, fatigue might have been accumulating.

However, I also felt that handling numerous tasks had honed my abilities and helped me grow. Working from morning till night without rest, tackling difficult healing cases, performing complex blessing ceremonies; those difficult days probably weren’t wasted after all. Experience matters in everything, I suppose.

But perhaps the biggest factor was no longer being in the position of Saintess.

I had been carrying more psychological pressure than I realized. The environment where I bore the kingdom’s peace and people’s happiness on my shoulders alone, constantly expected to be perfect, with no room for failure. Now that was gone, the burden might have lifted from my shoulders. I felt more at ease and mentally stable. That was my genuine feeling.

At any rate, I understood that my abilities had improved compared to before. Ironically, being released from the shackles of being the Saintess might have unleashed my power instead.

“Well then, it’s Emily’s turn next. Show me your current abilities,” I said as I stood up and smiled. I rose from where I’d been sitting on the grass and brushed off the grass blades clinging to my clothes. Now it’s your turn.

“Yes! Please watch me!”

She enthusiastically began taking deep breaths. Extending both hands forward, she started concentrating.

This time, Emily was controlling her magical power. I carefully observed her and offered advice when necessary.

“Make the flow of magical power a bit more gradual. No need to rush, take your time carefully.”

“Yes!”

Sometimes I demonstrated examples too. Her serious expression reminded me of my former self. By training together, we were definitely growing.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the forest trees, creating beautiful patterns of light on the grass. Sweat glistened on Emily’s forehead as she continued concentrating without paying it any mind, speaking volumes about her high level of focus.

I genuinely felt it was really good that Emily had come with me. Alone, I probably couldn’t have done this training either. By being in the teaching position, I could learn many things myself. From now on, I wanted to continue growing together with her.

The wind swept through, making the grassland grass sway like waves. These calm yet rigorous training times were becoming part of our new daily routine.