"Vya, we need to visit the Church today to receive the Pope’s blessing. Time to get up." Jetri was still preoccupied with Vya’s gaze from last night.

He felt Vya had been acting increasingly strange lately.

But he couldn’t quite pinpoint what was off.

Still, Jetri was startled the moment Vya opened the door.

When had the ever-perfect knight Vya ever looked so haggard? She seemed like she hadn’t slept a wink all night.

"Morning."

Her voice was hoarse and rough.

"Morning…" Jetri hesitated, then simply said, "Let’s eat breakfast."

"Mm."

A silent breakfast.

The car ride was filled with suffocating silence too.

Jetri grew irritated again.

But who should he resent? There was no clear target.

Vya?

Violette?

Or himself?

The Church wasn’t located in the Delan Kingdom.

This blessing ceremony was far more formal than yesterday’s medal ceremony.

The Pope’s status was nominally second only to the gods.

Yet the gods had long since perished.

Kings from all neighboring nations attended this blessing.

Security was stronger than ever before.

A casual glance let Jetri sense several figures nearly as strong as himself—though he was the lowest-ranked member of the Radiant Star Squad anyway.

But Jetri was startled again when he saw his other two teammates.

They seemed to have slept poorly last night too.

Especially Lilith. Her wheat-toned skin usually hid dark circles well, yet to Jetri, hers looked worse than Victoria’s.

What happened last night?

Were they all werewolves? Staying up all night?

Jetri, who’d slept soundly, had no clue.

But this wasn’t the time for idle chatter.

The Pope praised their deeds, bestowed blessings, and the Holy Maiden prayed for each of them.

The choir’s sacred hymns echoed under the blue sky.

Knights and mages from every nation watched the four on the platform with solemn admiration.

Honestly, Jetri felt no effect from the blessing, but he couldn’t ask others now.

He watched Violette, who seemed even holier and warmer than last night.

He sighed inwardly.

He saw her lean close to Vya, whispering something in her ear.

I hope it has nothing to do with me.

Jetri prayed silently.

His prayer must have worked somewhat.

After all, Violette whispered to Vya: "That novel—I wrote it."

Jetri saw Vya’s emotions surge instantly.

Outwardly, she seemed unchanged, but standing nearby, he heard her armor clink faintly from slight tremors.

The Holy Maiden was no pushover.

Jetri silently mourned for Vya for two seconds.

His mind was blank now. After today, he’d give one last speech at Delan Hero Academy tomorrow and retire smoothly.

Violette’s smile was perfect and gentle, glowing sacredly in the warm morning sun.

She seemed to radiate light.

But Vya’s emotions were in turmoil. For the first time, she wanted to punch someone square in the face.

Violette didn’t just whisper to Vya. She did the same to Lilith, Victoria, and even Jetri.

She leaned close to each ear, murmuring softly.

Jetri didn’t know what she told others. Only that she whispered to him: "Once things settle down, we’ll continue last night’s unfinished conversation."

Those words haunted Jetri for the rest of the blessing.

He was still pondering them after the ceremony ended.

Violette had no free time now. With world leaders at the Church, she had to host them.

Jetri was probably the only one with nothing to do.

He could refuse all interactions, even leave early.

He had no fixed role—sometimes a sorrow, sometimes a blessing.

Like now.

Jetri watched his teammates mingling with their parents.

It felt familiar.

Like…

The celebration banquet when a kid gets into a top university?

He couldn’t quite describe it.

Anyway, he found it absurd.

Adults who’d fought demons for five years were now just princes and princesses.

Hmm, but elves really are stunning…

Jetri’s gaze drifted to Lilith. No one discriminated against her as a Half Elf because she was the daughter of the Forest Kingdom’s third princess and Delan’s Duke of Violets.

That explained her rare wheat-toned skin among forest elves.

Like the elegant, mature elf lady covering her mouth while laughing nearby.

Her skin glowed fair.

Only Vya might compare?

With nothing to do, he idly compared Vya to the elves.

Hmm… no comparison.

Vya seemed to notice his stare. She turned and gave Jetri a radiant smile.

Jetri sighed again. So beautiful.

But why did he think "radiant smile" for Vya?

Jetri fell into thought.

That smile was all the interaction Vya and Jetri shared.

The banquet ended as Jetri boredly watched.

Jetri followed the crowd out, waiting outside for Vya.

He checked his pocket watch.

Laughable. The blessing took all morning; the banquet lasted till midnight.

Seriously…

Jetri muttered to himself.

But he didn’t care. As he’d said, a soon-to-retire man had all the time in the world. Wasting a day or two meant nothing.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Vya walked briskly toward Jetri, smiling.

"It was a bit long, but no big deal," Jetri shrugged. "I’ve got time to spare. After I retire, feel free to visit anytime—though you’re probably busy."

"…" Vya’s sunny smile faded instantly. "Let’s not talk about leaving the squad, okay?"

"It’s inevitable—alright, alright, I’ll stop." Jetri’s casual tone shifted when he saw Vya’s nearly vanished smile.

"Sword Hero and Sage, leaving in such a hurry?" Violette’s voice called out.

"Oh, Your Holiness, good evening."

"Good evening."

"Good evening to you too, Sword Hero." Violette smiled at Vya.

Vya’s expression turned icy. "Your Holiness, good evening."

"We’re heading back now. No need to see us off," Vya said coldly.

"How can I not be a proper host? Chad, what do you think?" Violette gazed softly at Jetri.

"Violette!" Vya exploded. She charged forward like a knight on the offensive, stopping right before Violette.

"Hmm? What’s wrong?" Violette remained unmoved, smiling calmly.

"Aren’t you being too frivolous!" Vya realized she had no grounds to be angry.

"And how, exactly, is that your concern?" Violette replied quietly.

"I—I…" Vya faltered. She had no experience arguing. "As Holy Maiden, you should mind your image. You shouldn’t use such… terms for Jetri here."

Wait, Vya, didn’t you used to call me that too…

Jetri thought to himself.

"Oh?" Violette’s face showed clear mockery. "May I ask, Sword Hero, in what capacity are you saying this?"

"As Chad’s squad leader? But even that role, I hear, won’t last much longer."

Vya’s sun-bright eyes dimmed instantly. She didn’t—and couldn’t—argue back.

Violette’s words silenced Vya but visibly shook Lilith and Victoria, who’d just stepped out behind them.

Their suspicions about Jetri and Vya’s relationship now had stronger proof.