Because of the Hero Summoned from Another World, I Got Replaced and Made the Backup—And My Childhood Friend the Saintess… - Chapter 15: I’m Not Someone Who Deserves to Be Called a “Saintess”

Chapter 15: I’m Not Someone Who Deserves to Be Called a “Saintess”

He was always serious. Always hardworking.

He poured everything he had into fulfilling the role he’d been given.

That unwavering dedication… was one of the things I loved most about him.

It’s why I truly believed he could defeat the Demon King.

But just this once—

That very same dedication made me feel bitter.

A small part of me wished he’d ease up.

That maybe, just this once, he wouldn’t push himself so hard.

“…Training’s over for today.”

His voice wasn’t sharp.

His expression didn’t change.

And yet—

I could feel the sadness behind those words.

And it hurt.

It hurt so much.

He turned his back and quietly walked away from the training grounds.

I kept my eyes on him the whole time.

“Um… Thanks.”

A voice called out from behind me.

It was Kanda—

Still on the ground, completely drained after being knocked down by him.

“You’re welcome. Training’s over for today, so please return to your room and get some rest.”

I healed him with magic as I spoke.

Just enough to ease the fatigue and treat the small injuries—so he could at least walk back on his own.

It wasn’t difficult.

I’d done the same for him… more times than I could count.

“Yeah. I will.”

Once Kanda was able to stand on his own, he thanked me again and slowly walked away from the training grounds.

Maybe he was heading back to his room to rest, just like I told him.

Or maybe he’d wander the castle for a while.

I wasn’t sure.

But one thing was clear—

Training had ended much earlier than usual today.

After making sure Kanda had fully left the area, I turned and walked away as well.

The church connected to the royal castle.

The place where I’d been raised.

And within it was a small room that had been given to me.

It wasn’t very big.

A small window let in gentle sunlight.

There was a soft bed, and a desk and chair tucked neatly against the wall.

Maybe it was a bit plain for someone called a “Saintess,”

But for a girl from the countryside like me, it felt more luxurious than I ever could’ve imagined.

I sat there quietly, alone in the chair, lost in thought.

The light streaming through the window had turned a soft red—

A gentle sign that evening had fallen.

Back at the training grounds earlier…

It wasn’t about protecting Kanda.

That’s not why I stepped in.

I just didn’t want him getting too strong.

That’s why I interrupted the training.

If Kanda is the Hero, and he’s just the substitute…

Then fine.

I’ll make sure he stays the substitute.

So… sorry, Kanda.

But I’m going to need you to die somewhere along the way during the Demon King subjugation journey—fighting a powerful monster or something.

If that happens, his turn will finally come.

And once he becomes the Hero, I’ll give him everything I have.

I’ll support him with all my heart.

No—more than that. I want to support him.

That was always the plan from the start.

Things only went off the rails when that ridiculous otherworld summoning nonsense got in the way.

But if Kanda disappears, and he becomes the Hero…

Then everything will fall back into place. Just like it was meant to.

Of course, if Kanda were to die under strange or unnatural circumstances, people would start asking questions.

Honestly… if I really wanted to, it wouldn’t be that hard to slip something into his food.

But that’d be far too obvious.

I’d get caught.

And if that happened, I wouldn’t be able to stay by his side anymore.

Even if someone else did the dirty work, they’d trace it back to me in no time.

The royal castle isn’t the kind of place where someone can be killed without anyone noticing.

It’s just not that simple.

So, the best option?

Send Kanda off on his journey.

And let the monsters handle the rest.

I wouldn’t even need to lift a finger.

But for that plan to work…

I can’t let Kanda get too strong.

If he starts holding his own without relying on the Holy Sword,

Then the chances of him dying out there drop way too low.

The reason I said things that might’ve sounded like I was asking him to go easy on Kanda…

The reason I stepped in and interrupted their training—

It’s because I couldn’t let Kanda get too strong.

If he grew through training, it would ruin everything.

The man I love is serious, hardworking, and kind—

Someone truly worthy of being called a Hero.

He doesn’t resent Kanda.

Not even a little.

Even if he knew that Kanda’s death would mean getting his title back…

He’d never wish for it.

And that’s exactly why I love him.

But if he stays that way—

If he keeps being so noble and selfless—

He’ll never become the Hero.

It hurt, making him sad.

It really did.

But even so—

I still wanted him to have that title.

Of course, I know this isn’t some brilliant plan.

I know it’s awful—treating Kanda’s life like it means nothing.

Someone like me has no right to be called a “Saintess.”

But so what?

I was just a village girl from the countryside before all this.

They pulled me away from my home, slapped the title of Saintess on me, and threw me into a life of endless studying and training.

But deep down?

I’m still that same girl.

So what if I want the boy I grew up with—the one I trained alongside, the one who supported me when I was struggling—to reach his dream and shine?

Why shouldn’t I want that more than anything?

The people who stole his dream make me furious.

And the fact that I can’t give it back to him myself…

That makes me even angrier at me.

Sigh…

I couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

Seriously, this is all because of the people who decided to summon a Hero from another world.

If they hadn’t done that, none of this would be happening.

I wouldn’t be stuck in this mess, tangled up in all these feelings.

I knew there was no point in stressing about it…

But the moment I thought of him, I just couldn’t stop.

…Ugh. This isn’t helping.

I need some fresh air.

With that thought, I stood up, called out to the Sister waiting outside my door, and stepped out of the room.

I figured I’d head to our usual spot—

That quiet little corner of the castle filled with memories of him.

Somewhere I could clear my head, and sort out what to do next… with him still in my heart.

But the moment I got there—

I ran right into Kanda, who must’ve been out on a walk or something.

“Oh! Good evening, Arianna!”

He spotted me and came running over, all smiles.

Right here—

Right in front of the one place overflowing with memories of him—

I ended up face-to-face with the source of all my problems.

Sigh…

Just great.

Could this day get any worse?