To Release the Sword

Aldo! Quick, quick! If you keep dawdling like this, we'll end up with less charitable work than the Winged Child and we'll lose!

And I can never let that happen!

You say that, but didn't you just defeat those monsters on the Zol Plains? Surely you can take a little break? If you run out of magic again...

It'll be fine! I won't speak of such leisurely things as resting. Because after all... I'm the true reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior!

Bleeep-blip...

What's wrong, Moke? Hungry?

Stop it! Stop ignoring me and listen! Aldo, that means you. And you, Moke!

S-Sorry... But don't push yourself too far. From my point of view, you're already trying terribly hard.

Heheheh! Thanks, Aldo! And I'll continue to keep on trying without ever pausing... And start climbing up the ranks in my church!

Then everyone will know that I am the reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior, and I am so much better than Melina!

I see... So your church has ranks?

It does indeed. At the moment I'm a cleric. It's a pretty eminent position!

Whoa that's amazing! Are you more important than Melina?

Ugh! M-Melina's an arch-cleric, one rank above me.

Oh... So that's why you take this so personally...

Personally?! How rude! I'm not taking it personally! Someday I'll catch up with her, then I'll overtake her, and then I'll far, far, far surpass her! It doesn't bother me at all! It really, truly does not bother me...

I see... So your church has ranks. If I remember rightly, you're an arch-cleric, aren't you?

It's Melina who's the arch-cleric, not me!

Oh... Right...

I'm a cleric! I'm one rank below Melina! But someday I'm going to catch up with her, then I'll overtake her, and then I'll far, far, far surpass her! So it doesn't bother me at all! It really, truly does not bother me at all...

S-Sorry. But just like Melina, you're commanding your own squad and putting your all into your charitable work... You might rise up to the same rank sooner than you think.

Eh?

Didn't Melina say she'd report to the church about how you helped defeat those monsters? She said you were helpful... I reckon your church will have heard all about it.

Y-You think...? I could be an arch-cleric...? The same rank as Melina? An arch-cleric...? Ohh...

Thillelille? What's wrong?

I... I need to be mentally prepared for this! Wait! I want you to wait! I'm feeling just a little tiny bit overwhelmed!

Hahahah! Have you gone shy, Thillelille? Your face is all red!

But... But... If that day truly does come imminently, what in the world will I do?

Imminently...? I'm not saying it'll be that soon... I can't really tell if you're being modest, or if this is something else...

But you can't say for sure that it won't be imminent! At this very moment, there could be a messenger from the church heading straight here with a notice of my promotion!

...... (I think I gave her too much praise...)

Blup? Blep... Blipple-blip!

Huh? What's wrong, Moke...

Sister Thillelille!

Huh? Oh, it's you...!

Perfect timing! I've been looking for you.

I have a letter for your troops from the church.

A letter from the church...?

That's an awfully grand envelope.

This is the envelope used for formal notices from the church.

Oh! Could it be...? Could this letter be what I think it is?!

A notice...of promotion...?!

What?! There's no way, the timing's too perfect...

But you can't say for sure that it isn't! If it really is... I won't be able to contain my happiness!

Ahem... Sister Thillelille. It is part of my duty to confirm that the letter has been opened. If you could open it here...

Okay, okay! I'll open it right now!

......

So, what does it say?

You're shaking?! Is this a good thing... Is it really a promotion?!

It's...

Pardon...?

It's a notice of demotion?!

Huh...? What?! A-A demotion...?! Wh-Why would they demote you...

...... "Sins in the east, of mistreating citizens through exploitation via the pretense of being a savior. Adjust rank accordingly."

What, ?

That's what... That's what this letter says. That I've sinned by lying about being a savior and I've been ripping people off... And a demotion as punishment...

How could they?! Apart from the whole savior thing... You haven't taken anything from anyone!

Aldo...

Even after hearing this, I can't quite understand the meaning of this letter...

There's no use saying anything to the messenger, Aldo.

Still... To say I've been exploiting people by pretending to be a savior! What utter nonsense! I've been helping people, but they say I've been mistreating them and working to exploit them?! It's absolutely impossible! If they're going to demote me, they should show some proof!

Oh, Thillelille!

Everyone!

Whaaaaah! They all look so good! I can't decide! Can I really take them?

Thank you! Since you insist, I'll take you up on your kind offers! The marshmallow you gave me the other day was so good! I can't wait to try it again!

I'm so happy...

Oops! Now isn't the time for happiness!

Sister Thillelille... I understand now.

Eh? You do? You solved the whole exploitation mix-up while I was getting those sweets?

That was the exploitation! You are a member of the church, yet you receive plentiful food from the citizens!

Wh-Wh-What... No...?! You've got it wrong! That's... That's not exploitation!

Right, Aldo?!

Huh? Oh, yeah...

The folks from Ratle are always giving Thillelille sweets...

Always...?! I see... So she habitually exploits the citizens...

You've got it wrong! I've reached the end of my patience! I'm going to raise my objections directly with the church!

Let's go to Acteul, Aldo! Then we'll take the boat!

Oh, sure...! Wait for me, Thillelille!

*huff huff* I've got to get this demotion withdrawn immediately! Or else, if I get demoted, I'll be so much lower than Melina...

Besides, there's no way being given sweets counts as exploitation in the first place! It must be a mistake!

Right, Aldo?!

Huh...? I seem to have left Aldo and Moke behind...

You boardin', miss?

Err...

Ah well! This is a race against time! Sorry Aldo and Moke, but I'll be going on ahead!

I've come for an explanation!

Into the meaning of this letter...!

I have! I received this letter out of the blue, and I am not prepared to accept it!

Of course I came! This is a false accusation of exploitation!

What's that supposed to mean?

Pardon...?

Starving?!

Wh-Why?! I never heard about a bad harvest or anything...

Misrepresenting themselves... As their savior...

Ah!

Huh?!

The reason is...

That's... That's enough! I understand it all now!

Thillelille must've gone there alone. I wonder if it all went okay...

Blipple-blep!

Oh...Thillelille! Did it go all right? Did you sort out the whole exploitation misunderstanding?

It wasn't a misunderstanding.

Pardon...?

Everything... Everything was because I've been too carefree! The people of Ratle have been cutting their own portions down to give their food to me...

Whaaaaah! They all look so good! I can't decide! Can I really take them?

Thank you! Since you insist, I'll take you up on your kind offers! The marshmallow you gave me the other day was so good! I can't wait to try it again!

They were all smiling so kindly, I didn't notice. That really, they were suffering... Far from it... I said things that urged them on...

Wait... So the exploitation they were referring to, was being given snacks? Surely that has to be some kind of mistake? The way I see it, they did that because they like you...

It's not the exploitation I should be condemned for.

What's that supposed to mean?

They all pinched every penny so that they could offer these things to me... To their Sword-wielding Savior. They prayed in earnest till they moaned... Repeating that they wanted wings... I never noticed their prayers when I visited Ratle. Everyone looked so happy...

Not noticing people praying in secret disqualifies you as a savior. What have I been living for this whole time?

Thillelille...

I don't deserve be called the reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior. My demotion... It was deserved.

So you're going to accept your punishment?

...... The truth is... The truth is... I can't allow myself to be demoted.

Because you won't be able to beat Melina?

......

There's someone I really want to help. If I get demoted, it just lengthens the path I must tread in order to help them.

Is helping this person the "ambition" you spoke of before?

Yes... But... I hurt the people of Ratle when I was meant to help them. I'm not qualified to save that person. I don't think the demotion makes up for the exploitation... But I will atone to the people of Ratle at a rank better suited to myself...

......

Bleep...

My next mission was written on the demotion letter. Once that's over, I'll stop being commanding officer... I'm to meet at Palsifal Palace and rendezvous with the troops. You can go back now, Aldo.

No... I'm going, too. I'm worried about you, Thillelille. You've been holding back tears this whole time, haven't you?

I-I'm not gonna cry! *sniffle* It's all your fault!

But... Thank you.

It's nothing. Palsifal Palace, you said? Let's go, Thillelille.

Sister Thillelille, you've been demoted for exploitation and pretending to be a savior?! This is unbelievable! There must be some kind of mistake!

I've checked with the church myself. It is beyond all doubt that I have exploited Ratle village.

But... I see the people of Ratle face-to-face, every day, and they look extremely healthy to me. They don't seem to be suffering at all... And nor do they seem to have any blind faith in you as their savior...

Prai... What you just said...

Oh... I-I'm so sorry!

It's fine. Honestly, I always thought you were treating me like a child.

But you're wrong... Everyone was just pushing themselves to hide their pain. Those villagers are far more faithful than we ever imagined...

Once we finish this mission, I'll go from being a cleric to being a humble priest. And worse, I'll be of the lowest standing of all the priests. This is the last time I'll be your commanding officer.

I'm filled with shame as your superior officer to be parting ways like this.

I'm sorry.

Wait a minute. You've been with Thillelille this whole time, haven't you? How could you...

Forget it, Aldo. There's no point wanting to back out now. The time is right for me to go...

Thillelille...

I'm unpopular and I'm reaping what I sowed... And so, their response is...

Sister Thillelille... You're absolutely wrong!

Prai...?

Don't say you're not popular! I have learned so much from being by your side! You're dazzling, the way you always give your all, and I'm proud to call you my superior officer...

Hm!

Sister Thillelille?!

Sister Thillelille! What's happened all of a sudden?!

D-Don't come any closer, Prai! *sob* *sob* I'm so very, very ashamed... I don't want you to see me like this...

Sister Thillelille...

I-I don't have the right to cry... And... *sob* I can't let anyone see me like this. But you saying that made something burst inside of me!

Why would you be so kind to me, after I've caused you nothing but trouble...?

If this is out of pity...

Sister Thillelille. This isn't out of pity. And you haven't caused me any trouble. Perhaps you don't remember this anymore. But the day you became my superior officer, is one I still remember quite clearly.

God resides in the Sea Within!

Th-This scalding hot steam... Is p-penetrating my wrinkles... I c-can't take any more...

Ohhh... This is...the rumored...

Urgh...! Not again...

What's going on?! It seems to be getting hotter and hotter!

Hmm?

Oh... It's you!

Do you know me?

There surely isn't a member of our order who hasn't heard of Sister Thillelille, the famous child prodigy. What brings someone such as yourself to these parts...?

As of today, I've been appointed as commanding officer to your troops. So it's time for greetings! As your direct commanding officer, I intend to carry out charitable works with you!

Can this be?! For somebody such as Sister Thillelille to be positioned as my superior officer... It's so unexpected! I can't quite believe it...

Why is that?

I'm afraid I've only ever caused trouble to my superior officers... I've been told I make my superior officers ill at ease, and that I can't possibly continue.

I'm sorry. I spoke out of turn. It was mere idle chatter. If I hadn't been so unworthy in the first place, you wouldn't have had to be dispatched here...

...... Tell me, Prai. Why do you carry out these sauna sermons?

Hmm...? That... I'm embarrassed to say, but I simply preach from the heart. I want my words to reach people, and to hold out a helping hand. I want to do everything I can... That's why I ended up preaching in such a hot and humid place.

And so you're shunned by your superiors and made to stop?

The day I stop preaching shall be my last day on this earth...

I won't stop, no matter who shuns me!

Oops...! That was rude of me! I'm afraid I got myself too excited...

Heheheh! What a spirit! Prai, you should continue to hold out your helping hand to everyone, as you have done. I'll protect you, no matter what people say. So do as your heart tells you!

Sister Thillelille...

Ah, but we don't want them to get heatstroke, so you should think of some way to cool them down.

I-I'll do my very best!

Now that's sorted, it's time for me to introduce myself once more!

I am Thillelille, the reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior! It's a pleasure to meet you!

Back then, it was you who held out your hand towards me, Sister Thillelille.

Oh...*sniffle* Why would you still remember that?

How could I forget? After all, it is a beautiful memory as far as I'm concerned. Sister Thillelille, allow me to tell you what you told me back then. Just because you've been demoted, are you going to stop your charitable works? Are you going to give up on saving people as the Sword-wielding Savior?

Wha-! That was incredibly impertinent of you, Prai.

Haha... I've been influenced by a superior of mine.

The day I stop my charitable works as the Sword-wielding Savior shall be my last day on this earth...

No matter how far down the ranks I fall, I won't stop. *sniffle*

That's the spirit, Sister Thillelille. Due to your demotion, I now find myself at a higher rank than you... But I will protect you. So do as your heart tells you.

Prai... Thank you...

I will return to you all one day!

There won't be any complaints!

And there won't be any more tears! I'll go on ahead, Prai!

Sister Thillelille! No complaints! My eyes are too swollen from crying!

Will Thillelille be okay? Prai's chased after her, but...

Blup! Blip-blipple!

I'm back! Sorry for disappearing like that! Our next mission is to defeat a monster. Let's go to Keruri Highroad!

Thillelille...

I'm really, really all okay now, Aldo. Let's go to Keruri Highroad! According to the report, a huge monster's turned up there.

Okay, got it. But... Don't overdo it, Thillelille.

So the report said the monster appeared around here...?

That's right. My final mission as cleric and commanding officer... At the very least, I'll set matters right by defeating this huge monster.

Ngh! That most certainly is the huge monster!

I'm here! Show yourself!

......

Huh?

This...

Hnghhhhhh!

It's fine! The important thing isn't its size! It's not about rank... What's important is what one accomplishes! I may have been demoted, but that doesn't change what I'm capable of!

Farewell to the Thillelille who was too impatient to make a name for herself, never noticing people's true feelings. This monster is well-matched for that no-good Thillelille. I will defeat it and be reborn!

Aldo! Prai! Let's go!

Okay... We're with you all the way!

That was pretty unsatisfying until the end.

But I'm glad I was able to finish my final mission like that. This mission must have been just like any other to you all...

However... Our enemy may have been rather weak, and there may not have been anything glorious about it... But the thing is, it was the last fight I was able to do with you. And that makes it special to me.

Erm, Thillelille...

I may be demoted now, but...

Someday, I know I'll...

Huh? What? Where is everyone...?

Th-This isn't easy to say... But as soon as you started speaking, they all went off.

They disbanded way too soon!

Sister Thillelille!

Pardon...?

Y-You lot... I thought you all disbanded? What are you doing here...?

You're giving me...a bouquet...? That's so kind...I didn't expect this. But you were so cold when we spoke outside the palace...

You guys...

Urgh...! O-Of course! Of course you can!

You're cruel, you are. Making your commanding officer cry like this...

It's a strong bond we have! I can't stop these tears from pouring out!

*sniffle* I... I...!

*sob*

You're the best...

Waaaaaah!

You are! And so...

Waaaaaah! *sniffle* *sob*

Prai, I can't hear what Thillelille's saying...

Now I know I have people who will look out for me. I won't ever lose sight of what I need to do. I'll never falter.

Aldo...!

Yes?

Let's go to Acteul for my demotion proceedings! The priest will be coming to the harbor for it. So let's go together...

Oh... Erm, sure...

Wh-What was that...? D-Don't you... Don't you want to come with me...?

No, it's not that. There's just something on my mind. But... I'm really worried about you, so I'll go with you to the harbor.

I don't really get what you're saying, but thanks?

So we'll be off to Acteul now. Everyone...

I'm coming too!

Yes, yes! Go ahead! Do as you please!

You all came with me in the end?

Don't worry about it. I accept my sins and will atone to the people of Ratle... And I will do my very best so that one day, I truly will be their savior.

Sister Thillelille...

But the priest who should be carrying out these procedures still isn't here...

Hey, Thillelille. I've got to go somewhere. I'll be right back, so if the priest turns up, don't let him start without me!

Huh?! Aldo?! Wh-What do you think you're doing?! Where are you running off to?!

Oh... Sister Thillelille seems back to normal!

Hold on a minute, Prai! What's that supposed to mean?!

N-Nothing!

Well, it's out of my hands now. I'll just have to wait for Aldo and the priest.

Urgh... They're late! Both Aldo and the priest, they're late! When are they gonna bother to turn up?!

You came as soon as I started making a fuss. That's a little embarrassing...

Erm... Could we wait a little first?

Erm... Well... I...

Erm... Fine! Sorry, Aldo, but I can't wait any longer!

Okay... So I mark this page... With my magic stamp...

Huh...?

Attendants?!

Huh?! Th-The demotion isn't for me?!

Wha, ?!

Wh-What are you talking about?! When I went to object at the church... No one mentioned Prai's name! And neither did anyone tell me I'd made a mistake!

There must be some kind of mistake! I was talking about me, how could you all have been talking about Prai...

Huh?!

I-It does... There's Prai's name, right at the bottom of the page...

I was so shocked at the sight of the word "demotion" that I never read that far down...

But why me?! It's absurd to say I have pretended to be a savior. And I've no recollection of any exploitation!

What is this... The people eat only vegetables and morsels of chicken. Once-large villagers have become pitifully thin... When in trouble, the villagers frequently muttered how they wished they had wings... What is all this?!

D-Do you know what's going on?

Thillelille!

Aldo?!

Did I make it in time?!

Where have you been...

Well, you see...

Wh-What... You're...

R-Results...? What results...?

The results of our muscle prayers, of course!

M-Muscle prayers?!

What's this all about, Prai? What are these people talking about?!

The truth is...

And so, the winged beings gathered around the Sword-wielding Savior!

Hmm...Anyone who doesn't concentrate during my sermons is a scoundrel! But there's nothing special to it. I believed in god and fought every day, and before I knew it, this was the result.

Huh? No, that's not what I said... I think you've missed the point...

Wait! Has your objective changed?

The wings referred to muscles?!

*gasp* That's why Prai's getting demoted?!

Urghhhhh!

B-But... That wasn't all. The report said the people of Ratle were surviving on the simplest of diets...

Huuuuuh?!

Those wishing for bodies of steel mustn't consume fattening sweets or grains that bloat your stomach. They must abstain from such foods for the sake of their muscles.

I considered prohibiting it for a while... But the doctrine had already spread, and seeing the people trying to improve their health, I was hesitant to stop it...

So you've been offering the food to the altar, not the savior?!

What is this... I'm suddenly feeling rather dizzy...?

I thought this whole exploitation thing was strange so I went to talk to the people of Ratle about it. Then I saw soldiers who admired Prai gathering in a secret room, carrying out their muscle prayer...

Muscle...Prayer... Thank you, Aldo... But there's still... Something I don't understand...

Haha, me too...

You must understand now, Father! That this isn't exploitation, or misrepresenting myself as a savior!

Then, about my demotion...

Whaaaaa?!

...... Really, what's going on...? It's like I'm in a dream where nothing makes sense...

Haha...

There may not have been any exploitation, but I did profess myself to be the savior at every given opportunity! Isn't that a sin...?

Thillelille... Are you saying you gave yourself that title?

Oh! No-No! That's not what I meant...!

What?!

Urghhhhh! This is so humiliating! Surely this deserves honor, not demotion?!

Demotion or not, this looks like a big deal...

You're right! Prai! I've got to go and save Prai!

Aldo! You're coming too!

Hey, wait for me, Thillelille!