This Isn’t an E*otic Game?

After finishing things with Iomene, I left the Imperial Palace and went straight to find Erfa.

Ever since the Evil God’s Fragment incident, I’d been tied up with investigations and hounded by reporters, so this was the first time I was able to visit her.
“I’m here to see Witch Erfa and—”
“I’ll guide you immediately!!”

Ever since I had obliterated the Evil God’s Fragment in full view of the entire palace, everyone’s attitude toward me had completely changed.
Thanks to that, I reached Erfa’s laboratory in record time.
“Erfa? It’s Amayel.”

After knocking cautiously twice, I heard a clatter from inside. Then, after a brief pause, the door creaked open slightly.
“O-Oh, welcome.”
Her hair was slightly disheveled—probably because she had hurriedly tidied up the room. She looked a bit flustered, but I just smiled at her.

“Sorry for coming so late. A lot’s been going on…”
Honestly, if not for the limousine the Emperor had provided, I wouldn’t have made it here at all.
The sheer number of people crowding the streets made it impossible to take a single step.

At my words, Erfa opened the door fully and gestured for me to come in.
It occurred to me that this was the first time I’d stepped into Erfa’s lab.
“So, um… what brings you here?”

“I know it’s a little late to ask, but… you didn’t get hurt, did you?”
At my question, Erfa nodded.
Her four arms fidgeted restlessly, unsure where to place themselves.

She was embarrassed.
“I’m glad. I heard that curses can cause serious injuries. You need to stay healthy.”
“O-Of course! I wouldn’t do anything that could hurt me. I’m fine. If anything, you were the amazing one. You came back from the source of the curse completely unharmed…”
“Haha, it wasn’t anything impressive.”

“N-No… it was…”
The conversation stalled.
Erfa fiddled with her hair, and I felt too weighed down by emotions to speak.

She was beautiful.
Some people might say having four arms was unsettling, but I didn’t mind at all.
Honestly, I wanted to make things official right then and there.

But for her sake, I had to suppress my feelings.
I just wanted Erfa to be happy.
I didn’t want her to stay by the side of someone doomed to destruction and get caught in the collapse.

I forced my emotions down.
I had secured my emergency funds.
Now, all that remained was finding a way to counter the Miracle of Pursuit and enhancing my time-stop magic for better efficiency.

The reason I had come to the Magic Tower was precisely to find a way to improve the latter.
“Actually, Erfa, I came to ask you for a favor.”
“Yes! Anything!”

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
I felt guilty.
I wasn’t in a position to accept those emotions.

“I need to meet an expert in time magic. Is there anyone like that in the Mars Branch of the Magic Tower?”
A hint of disappointment flickered across Erfa’s face.
“Tower Master Joergen is an expert in time magic. He wrote several theses on the subject and earned his position that way. If you wish to meet him, he wouldn’t refuse.”

“Thank you, Erfa. Then, I’ll go see the Tower Master now.”
“Wait! Saint!”
She grabbed my hand.

“You… nothing happened between you and Princess Iomene, right?”
So she had been thinking about it.
I shook my head.

Iomene definitely liked me, but given her current mental age, I doubted it was anything romantic—more like a desperate attachment to someone she could trust.
And even if she did have feelings for me, I had no desire to pursue anything with her.
Even with Erfa, things already felt painful.

I had no interest in adding more complications.
“It’s nothing like that. I was just there to support her emotionally while she recovered. That’s all.”
Erfa’s expression softened with relief.

“I see. I’m sorry… I asked something weird.”
She blushed and gave me a bright smile.
Leaving someone like her behind in just a few days…

“Erfa. No matter whether I’m here or not, you have to live for yourself. Stay healthy. Stay happy.”
“Of course!”
I nodded.

Then, Erfa suddenly stepped forward, cupped my face in her hands, and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
The weight in my chest only grew heavier.
“See you later, Saint!”

I forced myself to smile back, swallowing the sorrow.
*****
“Saint, this is the first time we’ve met since the last inquisition at the Pantheon. Hahaha!”

Tower Master Joergen looked exactly the same as when I had last seen him at the inquisition.
A plump frame, long white beard—
He was the very picture of a stereotypical wizard.

I hadn’t even needed to go looking for him.
As soon as I stepped out of Erfa’s laboratory, he was already waiting for me.
“I never expected the Saint to seek me out! Were you hoping for magical advice regarding the princess’s treatment?”

“No. I came because I wanted to ask about time magic.”
At my response, the Tower Master burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Time magic, you say! That happens to be my specialty. But I must admit, I never expected you to have an interest in it.”

A saint and time magic—
Admittedly, they didn’t seem like related topics.
But I was a saint, wasn’t I?

“I have a use for it.”
A vague statement like that was usually enough to brush aside any further questioning.
Sure enough, the Tower Master simply chuckled and nodded.

“Well then, I’d be happy to explain! What exactly would you like to know about time magic?”
Finally!
I carefully asked my question.

“When using time magic, does it consume a great deal of mental energy?”
“You are quite well-informed! That’s correct. While the mana consumption is relatively normal, the mental strain is immense. That’s why most time magic techniques are designed to stop time within a limited area. It’s primarily used for experiments rather than practical combat.”
“I see. How do mages cope with the extreme mental strain when casting it? Are there any special training methods or techniques?”

Tower Master Joergen shook his head.
“Time itself is too complex for the human mind to fully grasp. Rather than training mental endurance, most mages use artifacts or items to reduce the strain.”
Now that was interesting.

“What kind of items?”
“Psychic amplifiers, primarily crafted from mana crystals.”
“Are they portable?”

“Not at all. Experimental models are designed without portability in mind, so they tend to be enormous.”
Dammit.
So, they were useless to me?

Just as I was about to sigh in frustration—
“Of course, there are smaller, portable psychic amplifiers.”
Joergen’s words instantly caught my attention.

“What kind?”
“The horn of a unicorn is the most powerful psychic amplifier known to exist. With one, you could craft a portable psychic amplifier.”
A unicorn horn?

Yeah, that didn’t sound like something I’d just find lying around.
“Is there any way to acquire one?”
“Unicorns are extremely difficult to hunt. Their horns are such powerful amplifiers that they can manipulate minds effortlessly, making them nearly impossible for even well-trained mages or hunters to capture. That’s why they’re incredibly rare on the market.”

Damn…
So it wasn’t an option after all?
“However, while our Magic Tower doesn’t have a large stock of them, there’s no need for you to go through the trouble. We already have a fully crafted, portable psychic amplifier. If you want it, I can give it to you.”

My eyes widened.
“You’d really do that?”
“Of course. I heard that you’ve been providing free elixirs and increasing research funds to help mages and witches with their studies. And after all, how could we hold back on a reward for the man who saved the Empire? At my age, I’d have no use for it anymore, but you certainly would.”

Joergen opened a drawer and took out a locket-shaped pendant, showing it to me.
“I created this when I was younger, intending to use it for research. It was never actually put to use and has just been sitting around as a keepsake. It’ll need some adjustments and tuning before it’s functional, but that should take about a week. After that, it’ll be yours.”
Savior! This man is a savior!

“Thank you, Tower Master.”
“Think nothing of it. In fact, if you don’t mind, would you allow me to visit the Tower Shrine from time to time to observe your healing miracles? I’d love to study your abilities from a magical perspective.”
I was going to disappear soon anyway.

At the very least, I had to grant him his wish until then.
After all, he had given me something so precious.
“Of course. Come whenever you please.”

“My thanks.”
With that, I left the Magic Tower.
When I arrived back at the Tower Shrine in the Emperor’s limousine, I found the entire place swarming with Imperial Guards, court magicians, priests of the White Order, and holy knights.

At the center of it all stood the Imperial family.
“You’re already here?”
As I rushed over in surprise, Iomene shot out of the Empress’s arms like a spring and leapt into mine.

“Like!!”
Yeah, yeah.
You little cat-like thing.

I gently patted Iomene’s head, and the Emperor watched with a pleased expression.
“Iomene was impatient to see the Saint again, so we hurried over. Please take care of her for the next two days.”
“Of course. I’ll stay by her side and assist her until the procedure begins.”

The Empress approached me and carefully took my hand.
“Thank you so much, Saint. Truly, I can’t even begin to express how—”
“It’s nothing, Your Majesty. And you need not speak so formally.”

But that didn’t happen.
The Empress, the Emperor, and Princess Almene all continued to express their heartfelt gratitude before departing.
And only then, at last, was I left alone with Iomene.

She clung to my side like a cat, purring in contentment.
“Like!! Like!!”
I stroked her head as she nuzzled against me.

“Now… together!! Sleep together?”
“No, we can’t sleep together.”
“Because not married?”

Her innocent, childlike question made me chuckle.
I led her to her room.
The holy knights of the White Order and the Imperial Guards stationed outside naturally withdrew, standing guard outside the door.

Now that we were alone, I offered her some snacks, but she paid them no mind.
“Sleep together! Sleep together! Marriage! Marriage!!”
I sighed, shaking my head.

Her mental age was still that of a child.
Before I knew it, I found myself speaking honestly.
“If you stay by my side, you’ll get hurt, Iomene.”

“No hurt. Healed.”
“For now, yes. But later… later, you will get hurt. That’s why, after your treatment is finished, you mustn’t depend on me anymore. You have to live on your own. Strongly. Proudly. Understand?”
“No!! No!! Like Saint!! Like!! Marriage! Marriage!!”

She clung to me, gripping me tightly.
And at the sight of her, sadness welled up inside me.
“I’m sorry, Iomene. I’m sorry.”

Why were there so many women who liked me, yet not a single one I could stay with?
Why did I have to leave?
I wanted to be happy with Erfa.

I truly wished I could just stay here, live as a Saint, and lead an ordinary life.
But I couldn’t.
I had to leave—for the sake of those who loved me, so that they wouldn’t be the ones to suffer.

“I’m sorry, Iomene.”
Before I realized it, my emotions overwhelmed me, and I started to cry.
Iomene looked startled at the sight of my tears.

“Don’t cry. Don’t cry.”
Panicking, she hugged me tightly.
Her pure, childlike sincerity only made my tears flow harder.

Today, more than ever—
I resented and hated the goddess.