This Wasn’t an Erotic Game?

Chapter 47 - Why Can't I, Amael, Be Happy?!

『 Translator – Divinity 』

After Iomene's situation was settled, I left the Imperial Palace and went straight to Erpa. This was the first time I was visiting her since the incident with the Evil God's fragment. I had been busy dealing with investigations and reporters.

"Witch Erpa and..."

"I'll guide you!"

Ever since I caused that scene at the Imperial Palace, making the Evil God's fragment explode in front of everyone, the way people treated me had completely changed. I was able to reach Erpa's research room in the blink of an eye.

"Erpa? It's Amael."

I knocked carefully, and after a brief moment of rustling sounds, the door opened slightly.

"W-Welcome."

Erpa greeted me, her hair slightly disheveled as if she had been tidying up in a hurry. I smiled at her.

"I apologize for visiting so late. I've been caught up in all sorts of things..."

To be honest, if it weren't for the limousine the Emperor had given me, I wouldn't have been able to come here today. The crowd would have made it impossible to take even a single step.

Erpa opened the door wide and gestured for me to come in. I entered her research room.

Come to think of it, this was the first time I had been inside Erpa's research room.

"Wh-What brings you..."

"I should have asked this sooner, but are you injured?"

Erpa nodded at my question. Her four hands were fidgeting, unsure where to go. She seemed quite flustered.

"I'm glad. That you're not hurt. I heard you could be seriously injured if you were hit by the curse. You need to stay healthy."

"O-Of course! I wouldn't do anything that would get me injured. I'm fine. You were the amazing one, Saint. Returning from the source of the curse without a scratch..."

"Haha, it was nothing."

"Yes..."

The conversation came to a halt. Erpa was fiddling with her hair, and I was too overwhelmed with gloomy emotions to speak.

She's beautiful.

Some might say she's a bit strange with four arms, but I'm totally fine with it.

If it were up to me, I would make her mine right now.

But I have to hold back my feelings for her sake.

I want Erpa to be happy.

I don't want her to stay with me, a man destined for ruin, and fall with me.

I suppressed my emotions as much as possible.

I had already secured the secret funds.

Now all that remained was to deal with the Miracle of Tracking and find a way to use Time Stop more efficiently.

The reason I came to the Magic Tower was to learn about using Time Stop more effectively.

"Actually, Erpa, I have a favor to ask."

"Yes! Anything!"

Her eyes lit up with anticipation.

I'm sorry.

I'm not in a position to accept your feelings.

"I want to meet an expert on time magic. Is there a mage like that in the Mars branch of the Magic Tower?"

A hint of disappointment flickered across Erpa's face.

"Tower Master Oergen is an expert on time magic. He became the Tower Master after writing a thesis on that field. He won't refuse if you wish to meet him, Saint."

"Thank you, Erpa. Then I'll go and see the Tower Master."

"Wait! Saint!"

Erpa grabbed my hand.

"Did... Did something happen with Princess Iomene?"

It seemed like she had been holding onto that worry.

I shook my head.

Iomene does like me. But considering her current mental state, it's more like seeing me as someone she can trust rather than having romantic feelings.

Besides, even if she did have feelings for me, I don't want to pursue a romantic relationship with her.

Erpa alone is already causing me enough pain.

I have no intention of getting involved with another woman.

"It was nothing. I was just there to take care of the mentally unstable princess. Nothing more, nothing less."

Erpa looked relieved.

"I see. I'm sorry... for asking something strange."

Erpa smiled brightly, blushing.

To think I have to leave such a woman behind soon...

"Erpa, please live your life to the fullest, whether I'm here or not. You need to be healthy and happy."

"Of course!"

I nodded.

Erpa approached me, held my face, and kissed me lightly.

I felt even sadder.

"See you again, Saint!"

I smiled back at her, trying to suppress my sadness as much as possible.

─ 𓆩♱𓆪 ─

"Saint, it's been a while since I saw you at the Heresy Inquisition. Haha!"

Tower Master Oergen looked the same as when I last saw him at the Pantheon's Heresy Court.

A chubby figure with a long, white beard.

A typical mage-like character.

I didn't even need to seek him out.

He was already waiting for me as soon as I left Erpa's research room.

"I didn't expect you to want to see me, Saint! Are you perhaps seeking magical advice related to the princess's treatment?"

"No. I wanted to meet you to ask about time magic."

The Tower Master burst into laughter at my words.

"Hahaha! Time magic! It is my specialty. But I never expected you to ask me about time magic, Saint."

A saint and time magic.

They certainly seemed like unrelated topics.

But I'm a saint, right?

"I need it for something."

With this one sentence, I could gloss over anything.

As expected, the Tower Master nodded with a smile.

"Then I shall enlighten you! What is it about time magic that you wish to know?"

Finally!

I carefully asked my question.

"Is it true that using time magic consumes a tremendous amount of mental energy?"

"You're well-informed, aren't you? That's correct. The mana consumption itself is normal, but it requires a huge amount of mental energy. That's why we often use the technique of stopping time within a limited space. It's mostly used for experimental purposes rather than practical applications."

"I see. Then how do mages handle that immense mental strain? Are there any special training methods or techniques?"

Tower Master Oergen shook his head.

"Time is simply too difficult a concept for the human mind to grasp. So, instead of mental training, we often use artifacts or items to reduce mental exhaustion."

This sounds interesting.

"What kind of items are used?"

"We mainly use things like psychic amplifiers made with magic crystals."

"Are those portable?”

"It's impossible. Since they are experimental devices, functions related to portability have been completely removed, so they are quite massive."

Damn it.

So that means I can't use them?

What am I supposed to do...

Just as I was about to sigh,

"Of course, there are also psychic amplifiers that are small enough to be carried around."

Tower Master Oergen said something that caught my attention.

"What are those?"

"Unicorn horns are the most powerful psychic amplifiers in existence. With that, we can create a portable psychic amplifier."

Unicorn horns?

It certainly didn't sound like something you could find lying around on the street.

"Is there any way to get a horn?"

"Unicorns are incredibly difficult to hunt. They use their horns, which are powerful psychic amplifiers, to manipulate minds effortlessly, so even well-trained mages or hunters struggle to catch them. That's why there aren't many in circulation."

Ah...

So there's no way to get one?

"That's why even our Magic Tower doesn't have many, but do you really need the horn itself? We already have a portable psychic amplifier that's been created. I'll give it to you if you want."

My eyes widened at his words.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I heard you're providing free elixir and increased research funding to make things easier for the mages and witches. Besides, why would I hold back anything from the one who saved the Empire? It would be more useful in your hands than mine, now that I'm old."

Tower Master Oergen took out a rocket-shaped necklace from a drawer and showed it to me.

"I made this when I was younger for research purposes. I never actually used it and just kept it as a souvenir, so it will need some tuning and adjustments before it can be used. It will probably take about a week. After that, I'll hand it over to you."

Savior! He truly is the savior!

"Thank you, Tower Master."

"Don't mention it. If you'll permit me, could I visit the Magic Tower Temple sometime to research your healing activities? I'm quite interested in analyzing your miracles from a magical perspective."

I'm planning to disappear soon anyway.

I should let him do whatever he wants until then.

He even gave me such a precious gift.

"Of course. Please come by whenever you're free."

"Thank you."

With that, I left the Magic Tower.

When I returned to the Magic Tower Temple in the Emperor's limousine, I found it filled with Royal Guards, court mages, and priests and paladins of the White Church.

And in the center of them all stood the Imperial family.

"You're already here?"

As I rushed over in surprise, Iomene sprang from the Empress's arms like a jack-in-the-box and clung to me.

"Like!"

Yes, yes.

You cat-like creature.

I stroked Iomene's hair, and the Emperor watched the scene with a warm smile.

"Iomene was so eager to meet you, Saint, that we hurried here. We'll be in your care for the next two days."

"Of course. I'll do my best to assist the princess until the procedure."

The Empress approached me and carefully took my hand.

"Thank you so much, Saint. I can't express how grateful I am..."

"It's nothing, Your Majesty. Please, you can speak informally."

But that didn't happen.

The Empress, the Emperor, and Princess Almene all continued to express their deepest gratitude until they finally left.

And only then was I finally left alone with Iomene.

Iomene was clinging to me like a cat, purring.

"Like! Like!"

I stroked Iomene's head as she rubbed her face against me.

"Now together! Together sleep?"

"No, we can't sleep together."

"Not married?"

I smiled at her innocent, childlike question.

I took her to my room.

The paladins of the White Church and the Royal Guards, who had stayed behind to escort her, left the room and stood guard outside.

Once we were alone in the room, I offered her snacks and treats, but she didn't even look at them.

"Sleep together! Sleep together! Marry! Marry!"

I shook my head gloomily at her childish insistence.

Since Iomene's mental state was like that of a young child...

I couldn't help but be honest with her.

"You'll get hurt if you stay with me, Iomene.”

"Won't hurt. Healed."

"That might be true now. But later... you'll get hurt later, Iomene. So when the treatment is over, don't rely on me anymore and live your life to the fullest. With your own strength. Okay?"

"No! No! Like Saint! Like! Marry! Marry!"

Seeing her cling to me, I felt a surge of sadness.

"I'm sorry, Iomene. I'm sorry."

Why are there so many women who like me, but I can't be happy with them?

Why do I have to leave?

I want to be happy with Erpa.

I truly wanted to just live here as an ordinary saint.

But I can't.

I have to leave so that the people I love won't get hurt.

"I'm sorry, Iomene."

Unable to control my emotions, I started to cry. Iomene seemed surprised to see my tears.

"Don't cry. Don't cry."

She said, flustered, and hugged me back. Her innocent, childlike actions made me cry even more.

Today...

I resented and hated the Goddess more than ever.