Fake Saint of the Year

Translator: Tsukii

Editor: Prius

Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!

After Story: Fake Saint Goes to Japan (Final)

After a night’s rest, we were served our breakfast at the inn.

The menu was rice, miso soup, natto, hot spring egg, salad, and grilled fish.

Then there was also packaged seaweed1 on a small plate.

It was a common breakfast without any weird twists.

Although it wasn’t something that made one shout, “DELICIOUS” upon eating it, it allowed everyone to have a calm start in the morning.

Oh yeah, the Japanese breakfast was like this.

There was a faint scent of the hot spring from the hot spring eggs, but perhaps it only made people think so, since it was served at a hot spring inn, when it could have just been hot spring eggs that were commercially available.

After that, I took a quick morning bath to warm my body.

As usual, there weren’t any young women there, but it was fine since I had already given up on that.

“Hey, Shota! Don’t run on the stairs!” 

Right as I was thinking that as I walked down the corridor after taking a bath, I found a young person. 

Unfortunately, it was a brat.

The voice of a woman who was probably his mother was heard from the upper floor, and the boy who was about ten years old ran down the stairs.

Oh~ oh~ he sure was energetic. Once you become an adult, you can no longer play around without caring about what other people think, so you should do it all you want while you were still a child.

When I was a kid, I used to dive vigorously into the hot spring, but once I became an adult, I began to pay attention to people’s gazes, so I went in quietly…

Once I grew up, I refrained from doing weird stuff because I was worried about people’s gazes, even if nobody was actually watching. Quite a common mentality.

For example, there was a kid’s meal at the restaurant. I did think, “It’s such childish food” when I was a kid, but once I became an adult, I actually found it unexpectedly attractive on the menu.

The portion wasn’t too large, it had a variety of dishes, dessert was included, and it was cheap.

But I still couldn’t bring myself to order it. If I did, it would make the employee think “This person ordered a kid’s meal despite being an adult LOL” …that kind of thing.

Every time I saw a kid’s meal on the menu at a restaurant, I thought that if they renamed it as a small meal instead of a kid’s meal, then it could be served on a normal-sized plate instead, and adults could also order it without feeling ashamed; it was something I had always thought about.

When I looked up after thinking that, the boy’s legs got tangled on themselves and he tripped down the stairs.

Oi, oi, nobody asked you to trip over yourself.

At worst, he might end up dying if I left him alone, so I nimbly stepped forward and caught the falling boy.

Since I always defeated enemies using magic, I was portrayed as a rearguard class, but I was actually strong enough to defeat Leila in sword combat.

Yeah, my physical ability was also strong. There was no way I would be troubled by merely catching a falling kid.

…Well, I did use mana reinforcement, so if I fought Leila with just pure physical stats, I guess I would lose.

It was a shameful thought as a former man.

Anyway, I managed to catch the falling boy safely.

“Are you alright? It’s good to be energetic, but you have to be careful.” 

“Ah…ye, yes…”

The boy was dumbfounded while he looked at me and nodded. 

His face was red up to his ears, did he catch a cold? …no, just kidding. As expected, being a former man myself, I did understand.

He seemed to be about ten years old, but he was quite a precocious brat.

Was it already the proper age to know such desire?!

As I was walking down the corridor and entered the room, leaving the precocious brat there, Yamoto whispered with a pitying tone.

“Poor him… of all things that could’ve happened to him, he ended up diving directly into Elrise’s bosom while she was in a yukata… On top of that, it was right after she just finished her bath which maximized the destructive power… I hope that child’s inclination won’t break apart…” 

“You’re thinking too much.”

No, it wasn’t my fault, so I didn’t care about that. 

Rather, I saved him, so I don’t think I should be blamed because of that.

“That encounter just lasted a few seconds. He will forget about it soon.”2 

“It’s a very impactful few seconds for him though…”

Well, it should be okay… maybe… 

I did nothing wrong, so I wasn’t at fault.


“…”

“…”

Doznes of minutes had passed since we checked out of the inn. 

A heavy silence dominated the space inside the car as Yamoto drove.

While I was gazing at the scenery outside the window and thinking about how to start up the conversation, Yamoto quietly spoke.

“Elrise. Regarding that space-time rift… you better seal it as soon as possible.” 

The words that came out of Yamoto’s mouth were something I already expected. 

It was better to seal that rift. She had come to the same conclusion as I did.

Both my reincarnation in Fiori and Yamoto’s reincarnation in Earth had happened due to that rift.

Since long ago, malicious intent was flowing from Earth, causing various bugs in Fiori’s system.

It became the trigger for a cycle of tragedy that lasted a thousand years.

Looking at Japon, a nation which was clearly influenced by Japan, perhaps there was a reincarnator before me who arrived there.

It was only a coincidence it didn’t cause a great impact to history… or maybe it did, but ironically, none of it remained, due to the continuous rampage of the Witch and their demons.

But if another reincarnator appeared in the now peaceful world, it was hard to predict what might happen.

To prevent such a thing from happening, that rift ought to be sealed.

In other words… I could no longer come back to this side, and I would never meet Yamoto anymore.

It would be our second and true farewell. She and I would no longer meet again in our lifetimes… nay, perhaps we wouldn’t meet again even after death.

That was what it meant to seal the rift. Even if Yamoto died, her soul wouldn’t return to Fiori.

“I know that. But that means…” 

“It’s alright.”

Yamoto parked the car by the roadside and looked at me. 

Her expression was peaceful and determined at the same time.

As expected, she had already decided.

She chose to remain in this world. She already decided to not return to Fiori as Propheter, but to remain on Earth as Yamoto Tamaki.

The words that she said yesterday… “Perhaps this is the first and the last.” …

I already knew what words would have come after that, despite the fact that she had stopped there.

Yes, this was the first and the last time we would be together.

That was why, at the very least, both of us wished to spend our last day together speaking about our respective situations in our worlds.

“My role on that side is already over. 

And I am already satisfied with that. I got to witness the moment the tragedy ended, gained a new life… and reunited with you once again.

That’s why, it’s enough. Even if I can never return there, I am still happy.”

“Propheter…”

“Propheter is already dead. Right now, I’m just a human called Yamoto Tamaki.”

She said that with a straightforward smile; I couldn’t retort back against that. 

Additionally, Yamoto searched for something on her smartphone and then showed it to me.

On the screen, there were sighting reports about me for the last few days, clearly informing me about people’s efforts in trying to find me.

“Look at this. As expected, you are too conspicuous. 

From saving people’s lives to rescuing a girl from fire… There’s a saying here that, ‘You can’t put a lid on someone’s mouth.’ 

Although it isn’t that bad now, the fools who are trying to find you will become more active.

It is only a matter of time before somebody enters that apartment room, and there’ll be a commotion about that rift’s discovery.

That’s why you should close it before that happens.”

Yamoto said so as she opened the car door. 

The apartment where I had lived before was in front of me.

After I told her about the location of the rift, she brought me all this way.

We entered my room that nobody lived in anymore and stood in front of the rift.

“Propheter… no, Yamoto-san. This is farewell.” 

“You’re right…”

It would be over once I entered it. 

I would return to Fiori, and to prevent any more reincarnators, I would ask Alfrea to seal the rift.

I could no longer come here, and I could no longer meet Yamoto.

It wasn’t like it would be impossible to unseal it momentarily to pass through to the other side.

However if I did, it would only make Yamoto suffer, and it disregarded Yamoto’s determination to live on this side.

…She never said anything about returning to Fiori for a bit to meet with Alfrea one last time.

It wasn’t like she didn’t want to meet her.

It was something I could do for her, and she was surely aware I could do so without any problem at all.

Yet the reason she didn’t ask was not because she didn’t want to meet Alfrea.

If she met her, her determination would waver. She might end up abandoning her family and friends on this side to return to Fiori.

Therefore, Yamoto didn’t ask for that.

It would be too cruel to her if I visited this side many times after she had already resolved herself.

That was why I would no longer come to this side.

This would be the last time.

“Don’t worry, Elrise. I have never felt more alive than when I started living in this world. 

It is different from my 1000 years, just watching from the sidelines without doing anything and not dying. This time, I truly feel alive.

That’s why you don’t have to worry about me either.

Just live the way you want.”

Yamoto laughed brightly and extended her hand. 

I grabbed it and nodded.

“It is no longer a tale. It’ll be something you guys weave yourselves from now on. 

The never-ending tragedy (Kuon no Sanka) is over.

I don’t know what is waiting beyond the Happy END.

But… I’ll pray for your happiness.”

“Yes. You too, please be happy.”

We exchanged one final, light hug, and I walked toward the space-time rift without looking back. 

I deployed my barrier and jumped into the light.

At the same time, I bid farewell inside my heart.

To Yamoto Tamaki. To Japan. To Earth.

And to the regrets in this world.

—Goodbye, and thank you…

… 

This was totally out of character for me.

Stop, let me do it more lightly.

It’s over! Time to go take a bath! 


After some time of watching the rift where Elrise disappeared, Yamoto eventually turned around, as if to shake off her regrets, and left the apartment.

That side of the world was surely alright.

Regardless of what happened in the future, they surely would overcome it with Elrise there.

She could believe that.

That was why that would be the last of such thoughts. Yamoto strongly thought she would grasp her happiness in this world.

To start with, she took out her smartphone and connected a call to an important person she had in this world.

“Hello… ah, Kaa-san? Did you see my email yesterday? 

…Aah, yes, yes. I stayed over with a friend.

Yeah, it’s over so I’m going back now, but is there anything you want me to buy in the meantime?

…Aah, okay. Well then, I’ll be back soon.”

She hung up and smiled naturally. 

Because of the fact that she lived for 1000 years, it sure seemed weird to call someone who had only lived for a few decades “mom.”

But the person here wasn’t Propheter, but Yamoto Tamaki, so she thought it would be alright to obtain happiness here with her family.

That’s right, I might as well go and bring my family on a trip.

Fortunately, I have more than enough money for that.

It wasn’t like she had no regrets or anxiety on the other side. 

But even with those, she could still walk toward her future.

She could have hope as she walked onward.

It was different from her time as a turtle, when she walked along a road she couldn’t see for a thousand years.

Right now, she certainly was able to live in this world.

“…But, that girl… she is a reincarnator, like I thought. Well, since the person herself has no intention to tell me about it, I guess I don’t have to feel obligated to ask.” 

While she was enjoying the feeling of the gentle breeze as it passed through her hair, Yamoto walked forward and disappeared into the crowd of people. 


A/N:

“Afterward”
– Elrise

She transferred her mana to Alfrea to ensure the rift was tightly sealed without hope of being released again and began to cultivate the plants, fruits, and the sweet potato she brought from the Earth. After that, it was safely popularized.

It slightly improved the food situation in Fiori.

She still lived lazily in her log house as usual.

– Leila
She still lived with Elrise as usual.

Her family back home was complaining to get her to hurry and marry someone, but she ignored it.

Was this Stocco really okay…?

– Alfrea

She lived sloppily as the Saint every day.

She lived as she wanted, while becoming known as the most un-Saint-like Saint throughout history.

She became slightly fat, due to being spoiled by Elrise, so then the Guard Knights forced her to run and somehow managed to get her to lose some weight.

– Guard Knights
They were having headaches due to Alfrea acting very un-Saint-like, but somehow they felt it was more rewarding compared to when they served Elrise.

– King Aiz
As his form of apology, he now acted with the citizens’ needs as his top priority and was known as a wise king.

He wanted to retire from the throne soon, but all of his sons were stupid, so he began to seriously consider adopting a successor instead.

He might die from overwork at this rate.

– Yamoto Tamaki
After that, she brought her family for a trip and did filial piety3.

She also considered writing a new work based on Alfrea’s tale.

– Muscle man who did the artificial respiration
Won a top prize in a bodybuilding competition.

– Unauthorized recording man
He still did not regret what he did and continued with his unauthorized recording, until he mistakenly recorded his face and got on a wanted list.

– Precocious brat at the inn
His inclination broke as expected.


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Thirdtime reader
Thirdtime reader
2 months ago

The feeling when reading manga version just kinda felt off. Novel is much better

Elfest
Elfest
6 months ago

yep, this is really the end now, im really glad to read this
Also thanks translator for tranlsating this masterpiece

Catman48
Catman48
11 months ago

This is the true end now. The world’s truly separated now. It is a beautiful novel. Just beautiful. Thank you author-san, thank you translator team for giving us this masterpiece. Thank you.

SadBoi
SadBoi
1 year ago

Man, I’m sad. Elrise and yamoto conversation seems like farewell between reader and main character. At least it slightly relief my depression after finish this novel, thanks for translations!

SoulsTogether
SoulsTogether
1 year ago

Yep…it’s here…the end…the true, true end.

I feel like my heart is being wrenched out of my chest. A pain, that is not pain, but just a greatly unconformable sensation. There are still a few side stories left, but…this is the end.

I already said everything I could about this story in my numerous previous comments, but I’ll say it again here. This story is a masterpiece. It is a story that speaks to me more than any other story I have ever read and likely will ever read. I first heard about it years ago, but only now decided to read it after seeing that the manga is being created. I’ll also have to read that now too.

I don’t regret my choice in reading this. There was not a single moment in this novel that I disliked… There is not a single character in this novel that I disliked… There is not a single thing in general in this novel that I disliked…

…oh god…I’m going to miss this. Still, it’s better the story ends now rather than overstay its welcome. I’ll get over this feeling soon enough.

Also, I’m serious when I say: whether I think of the word “good” from now on, I really am going to think about Erise. Even if her inside thoughts are questionable, I can’t see anyone as a better role model. I should probably do something more with my life too.

Thank you…thank you truly author-sama, translator-sama, and editor-sama.

I’m glad to see that Erise will live on for 100 more years and then be unioned with everyone in her afterlife…as well as actually feel the greatest amount of love from everyone around her. To have all that ahead of you…not many people can claim that. …I certainly can’t. Still, I don’t feel jealous; only happiness for my favorite fictional character ever.

Last edited 1 year ago by SoulsTogether
Who Knows?
Who Knows?
1 year ago

They finally said their goodbyes… *sigh* No matter how happy the ending is, it’s always sad to reach the end of a story…

It was nice that Tamaki realised Elrise was a reincarnator though… And also respected her choice for not revealing it…

Bunnyman13
Bunnyman13
1 year ago

Alright, i absolutely love this novel.

Thank you translator team. Really thank you.

tsukii
tsukii
1 year ago
Reply to  Bunnyman13

thank you for accompanying us all this time!

Man full of question
Man full of question
2 years ago

There is no one asking this, so I will ask. What about Fudou Niito’s family?

Are their relationship really that far apart?
I thought his lil sis and mother don’t hate him?

Maybe they really sad about his death and how he just give them money without explaining how he has a little left of time for him to live.

tsukii
tsukii
1 year ago

yeah, we never got to know the state of Fudou family after Niito’s passing…

meicha
meicha
1 year ago

well, i think they are sad knowing they just thought of him as a problem child but then suddenly send money from his bank account and insurance without any warning getting the message he died just by the insurance from heart disease.

Sugitama-san
Sugitama-san
2 years ago

What a poor little boy…..oh,and thanks for the chapter.sorry for my late comment

tsukii
tsukii
1 year ago
Reply to  Sugitama-san

yeah, poor little boy…

Kzalca
2 years ago

So satisfying.
Thank you translators!

tsukii
tsukii
1 year ago
Reply to  Kzalca

we’re glad you like it.

thanks for reading!

Takusaka
2 years ago

Really good ending, I love it.

tsukii
tsukii
1 year ago
Reply to  Takusaka

likewise.

Canelé
Canelé
2 years ago

Finally done with Elrise going to Japan! But man, the ending here is bittersweet than what i expect. There are so many regrets and i feel like it’s short of forum bombing chapter lol.

I guess it’s time to just wait for SS

And heck i didn’t think Turtle-chan would give Alfrea a sequel… BANZAI for our ponkotsu chubby Saint

tsukii
tsukii
1 year ago
Reply to  Canelé

Thus Elrise is sealed and they would never return… they spoke farewell at least, and moved on with their past lives.

Too bad, we never got to see the Alfrea sequel…

Oyashiro
Oyashiro
2 years ago

One the most pitiful people is now thr precocious body at the inn. He was definitely broken by Elrise and the power of her bombs and scent.

Of course, I feel glad that everyone is living towards a better future. I hope they all attain happiness

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Oyashiro

and so, the boy find girl of his age childish, grow with adult mind, eventually more popular because of that, but the person he sought, is never there…

Oyashiro
Oyashiro
2 years ago
Reply to  Oyashiro

Meant boobs instead of bombs

Bunnyman13
Bunnyman13
1 year ago
Reply to  Oyashiro

Bombs are the best words though.

tsukii
tsukii
1 year ago
Reply to  Bunnyman13

agreed. since bombs could mean combination of the charm after all…

tsukii
tsukii
1 year ago
Reply to  Oyashiro

use bosom instead for decency.

ChiffonPink
ChiffonPink
2 years ago

Would’ve loved that Elrise told Yamoto who she really was.
It was enough for her to notice that Elrise was a reicarnator though, so Im happy.
Still waiting for the manga and then anime adaptations someday… Right?
Also, thanks for translating this work, by far one of my favorite novels.

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  ChiffonPink

as elrise said before, she didn’t want to be found out that she and fudiu niito are same person, so she not that stupid to blow her cover

it should be, if ln and stuff got popular, it will eventually adapted

IWuv2Read
IWuv2Read
2 years ago

Reading this while playing sad songs makes a lot of difference. Sigh

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  IWuv2Read

both of them let go their attachments to other side

Numina
Numina
2 years ago

Poor kid…

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Numina

elrise just never learn after her mistake(Vernell)

X07Zero
X07Zero
2 years ago

Thank for the chapters ^^

Ah…it really ends, hmmm, I understand how Propheter…Tamaki feels, I somehow feel it harder to let it go at this after-story end than the main story ^^;

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  X07Zero

it gave proper closure for earth side after all

Oyashiro
Oyashiro
2 years ago
Reply to  X07Zero

I kinda wish that she found a fiance or husband, but at the same time, I don’t……I just want her to find happiness with a future family of her own somehow

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Oyashiro

tamaki might be able to accept having human parent, but her mentality might blocking her to get any spouse…

177103
177103
2 years ago

I kind curious….what if elrise never seal space rift and living in both world….i mean thats kinda interesting,right?

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  177103

someday, another reincarnated people will go there from earth or vice versa. i guess elrise have enough decency to prevent future threat

Leiarhine
Leiarhine
2 years ago

This story is so satisfying from the beginning to the end, thank you so much for the author as well, it’s such a joy to know this story, and I’m so happy they all have their own happy ends

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Leiarhine

the unauthorized photographer not have good ending, so does leila’s family(maybe?)

bococorly
bococorly
2 years ago

Hopefully that kid doesn’t go too far and become another Supple Ment

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  bococorly

the future awaited the kid is either Supple or Vernell, both are suck since elrise no longer there

Trix
Trix
2 years ago

the extras are over…sad.
will await the side stories!

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Trix

i hope you can look forward to it.

derrick
derrick
2 years ago

What a ride. Thank you very much for picking this up and sticking until the end. The entire story was satisfying and I hope more people will pick this up.

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  derrick

it’s a honor for you to accompany our journey as well. but don’t leave too quickly as there still side story awaited for next weeks

jingsen
jingsen
2 years ago

ITS OVERRR AHHHHH WHYYYY!!???

Oh well, are there any other novels similar to this? GB, no romance, and also otome maybe? (this novel is otome-ish right?)

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  jingsen

the ride is eventually come to end folks, but there still side content to be enjoyed for later, so don’t leave the ship just yet.

is this considered otome? a woman with dude track mind? i didn’t read much novel, and none i aware of having this recipe of story

Circle
Circle
2 years ago
Reply to  jingsen

Muyoku no Seijo?

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Circle

ah, that greedy dude switched body with the saint thing, huh. unlike elrise, that one didn’t understand what happened nor invoke misunderstanding on purpose like elrise is

SoulsTogether
SoulsTogether
1 year ago
Reply to  Circle

Thank you. I needed a replacement. It won’t be the same, but it will ease the pain.

Gitami
Gitami
2 years ago
Reply to  jingsen

Light novel will have its own extra stories. So the possibility of someone wiling to translate will let us meet L again. Not the one who puts his feet on seats and drinks funnily whil solving crimes.

Currently I am reading two gender bender reincarnate isekai with op characters. One is a foolish mc in the wrong game world, and the other is a royal road type of adventure gender bender. The latter has a ten chapter hot blooded shounen prologue that can stand on its own as a story.

Neither have the same level of serious yet light hearted humour.

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Gitami

the delicate balance like fake saint is hard to achieve

Hanmus
Hanmus
2 years ago
Reply to  jingsen

Try Reading A Wild Last Boss, that one is also already ended and it was quite qood Gender Bend and no romance for MC

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Hanmus

hmm is it? maybe I’ll try later

ggfbank
ggfbank
2 years ago

Thank the long ride, I enjoyed it fully to the end.

Now let hope for LN adaptation and import to my country.

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  ggfbank

there still side story remained, total 8(actually 4, but since each chap to thick, each split in two) so don’t leave the ship just yet!

Jinn
Jinn
2 years ago

F brat, elrise broke him.

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Jinn

she didn’t learn her lesson despite breaking vernell already

Mikado
2 years ago

Hehe. Poor kid got Vernell’ed

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  Mikado

the boy now sought for elrise like woman, perhaps eventually came across kuon no sanka game, only to cry that it was only a fictional game

X07Zero
X07Zero
2 years ago
Reply to  tsukii

Or, he turns full supple(ment), and recreate space-time magic to travel across the world XD

tsukii
tsukii
2 years ago
Reply to  X07Zero

it’s going to be tough either way…