After discussing things with Eliza, I realized that her delusion seemed to grow deeper the more I tried to explain. So, I gave up trying to convince her. Fortunately, I managed to calm her down, at the very least. So now, she is finally ready to listen to what I have to say.
"Sister--"
"Eliza."
"Yes?"
"Please call me by name. It might be selfish of me but I would like it if the Saint… if Raon remembers my name."
"Oh, okay. Sister Eliza?"
"E-li-za."
"… Eliza."
"Fufu, good."
Our relationship had turned somewhat strange, but I decided not to think about it. Why? Because I feel like I will lose if I care! I don't even know what I'm fighting about, but it was a matter of pride at this point. Eliza smiled softly.
"So what did you want to talk about, Raon?"
"Right. I'll be direct. I am going to leave the orphanage today."
"What?! Alone? No, what will you do about your little sister?"
"Arte is not my real little-sister… I will probably go somewhere dangerous, so I can't take her with me."
"I see… that's too bad. And the reason you're telling me this is… to ask me to take care of Arte, I assume?"
"You're right."
She looked at me sadly.
"I understand. I was planning to do that anyway, but please know that I can't give Arte special treatment in front of the kids. I'm afraid the kids will get jealous or emotional otherwise."
"That's fine. You know them better than I do, so I'll trust your judgment."
"Thank you… Still, that girl will be sad."
"I know..."
"Aren't you going to tell her, at least?"
"That… I don't know. Honestly, I'm at a loss myself. It seems like we have grown attached to each other more than I had wished for… What do you think I should do, Eliza? I don't want her to feel sad if possible."
"Well… from how I see it, if you leave her, she will be sad whether you tell her or not."
"Right…"
"Do you really have to leave?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell me why?"
"That is… Let's just say because I have something important to do."
"More important than staying with the girl?"
"… Yes."
"What is it?"
"Uh… to save the world?"
I tried to refrain from saying it, but I failed. No matter how many times I said it, I still felt embarrassed. However, that really is why I had to leave, so I can't make up a lie, either.
"Oh…! Oh!!"
Sister Eliza's eyes lit up as if in awe.
"I see! As expected of the Saint! You are on a secret mission to do something grand after all…!"
"I'm not a Saint."
"Ah, right! It was a secret, right? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I promise!"
Eliza winked and made a cute gesture of zipping her lips with her hand. It was a gesture befitting her youthful appearance. However, unlike her bright look, Eliza's delusion was immeasurably deep, to the point that I can only see darkness whenever I argue with her in words!
'As expected. She's not someone I can deal with!'
She reacted differently from Bianca, but her sparkling eyes as she looked at me didn't feel right either. How should I put it? It was almost as if my adopted father silently pressured me to achieve something great with full smiles. Which he never did.
That was the moment I realized that Eliza's strongest power might not be her hidden identity or gift but that delusion of hers. I clenched my fists to hide my trembling from the unexpected mental-attribute attack. However, it was then that something strange suddenly happened.
"…!"
A bird flew into the room from the open window and landed on my shoulder. It was carrying a piece of paper on its feet and pushing it at me as if telling me to give it a read.
I think I know who the sender is. It must be the fat guy and the assassins I met in the forest last week. But why did they contact me so soon? Did they find the fake prophet already?
I expected to hear some good news, so I wanted to read the letter immediately. That's why I asked Eliza for forgiveness and excused myself to read the letter in the corner. However, I can feel my face getting stiffer as I continue to read the letter.
'Isn't this really bad?'
I thought momentarily and figured I couldn't leave this matter to my subordinates alone. If it was true, it could be directly related to the safety of this city. So, at the very least, I had to confirm the truth by hearing it from them.
I stood up from my seat and looked toward Eliza.
"Eliza. I'm sorry, but I have to leave now."
"Huh? So suddenly? Did something happen?"
"Yes. Something troublesome happened. I don't think I can say goodbye to Arte in the end. I'm sorry, but please give this to her and take care of her for me."
"Such a precious thing…! Ah, Saint! Wait--"
In the end, I simply entrusted Eliza with a present for Arte without meeting her again and left the orphanage.
'It was bad news after bad news… really, it never ends.'
I continued to think of counter-plans as I ran to meet my subordinates at full speed.