Athanas does have some romantic comedy heroine-like qualities - at least, based on this totally made-up setting.
It roughly goes like this:
Athanasia is this insanely talented holy knight who pretty much makes everyone else green with envy. Her only sanctuary from the relentless admiration and jealousy is an old, deserted library where none of her classmates ever step foot in.
“Why won’t you use it?” he finally managed, his face twisted with confusion. “Was this our last chance?”
Fabio’s labored breathing filled the room, each ragged gasp ripping through the silence like a jagged knife. The scent of blood hung thick in the air, its coppery tang assaulting Athanas’ senses and causing his stomach to churn.
Sacrifice?
Is he referring to Adelaide, the Grey Saintess?
What does Andrea remember about Heretic Slayer? How much? In what way? And which version?
...His memories must be distorted.
I gave the reliquary a gentle shake, but there was no rattling sound from inside. It had some heft to it, so it couldn’t be empty, but I was too chicken to open it and take a peek.
I thought his jaw would drop the moment he laid eyes on it.
To my disappointment, he didn’t seem all that impressed.
“Anyway, this means that if anything happens to me, the Saint will know immediately. Of course, I can also summon the Saint before things even get to that point. Isn’t it incredible?”
...Servant of the Distorted One?
The system window disappeared in the blink of an eye. At first, I thought it was just my imagination playing tricks on me.
Ugh, what typical cult-like nonsense...
After giving me that intense glare, I wondered what kind of “enlightening” crap he was about to spew. I was tempted to just brush him off, saying I didn’t need any of that nonsense, and be on my way. But then a question popped into my head.
Bishop Andrea stood before Casimir, not a single gray hair on his head and no sign of the convulsive coughing fits that plagued him in the game. In fact, without the burden of illness, he looked nearly two decades younger than his digital counterpart.
Casimir’s description of him stuck with me.
She said he was like a writhing mass of insects masquerading as a human.
“What does not having the Blessing of Order have to do with wanting to avoid Ledeia’s Apostle?”
Pretend to date?
With Athanas?
What a terrible thing to say!
“E-Even if we tried, no one will believe it! We need someone more believable, someone people would actually think you could fall for.”
How should I respond?
“Of course... I do. You’re the legendary hero, the Savior of Order itself.”
And the main character of a game I spent over 200 hours playing.
It’s impossible not to feel a special connection.