“Even someone as level-headed as you would go straight home after getting off work for the first time in a while, right?” “If you have a family, that’s normal.
The only thing you think of when times are tough is your family.”
Clea answered with an indifferent expression.
“Right.
In that case, the act of leaving the town instead of going home today would look very suspicious.”
The Adjutant’s hand, which was stirring her coffee, paused at my meaningful words.
“Don’t tell me…” “That’s right.
The one who returns to his master’s arms as soon as he regains his senses.
That guy is The Holy See’s Spy.”
At the mention of The Holy See, Clea’s gaze sharpened again.
“Tonight, if anyone leaves the town, I will report it.” “Good.
I’m counting on you.”
I sipped my coffee while quietly gazing at the sunset-streaked sky.
A White Crow perched on a nearby tree also admired the magnificent view.
‘If there really is a spy among the guards, I’ll become their target too.’
It was obvious they would suspect my infamous family of trying to snatch the Saintess.
They will use their close contacts in the Superiors to pressure me.
I went back, contemplating how to deal with the Spy.
The White Crow, which had been watching me quietly, spread its wings and returned to its home.
Through a crack in the prison wall connected to the underground Solitary Confinement Cell.
***
That night.
The town was filled with the sounds of people welcoming fathers who had returned home after a long time.
The guards enjoyed warm dinners from their wives and a sweet night’s sleep.
However.
Not everyone went straight home.
“Whew…”
The Head Guard, who had been the first among the subordinates to express his gratitude.
He set out alone, a hood pulled down to hide his face.
As if accustomed to traveling at night, he crossed the mountain with skillful steps.
‘Damn it, of all things, for the Minster Family to join hands with the Saintess…!!’
He headed for the nearby Holy See, exhaling a white breath.
That the family infamous for Contract Killing and Loan Sharking had persuaded the Saintess.
‘He is winning over the prisoners, I have to report this to the Superiors somehow…!!’
However, he soon had no choice but to stop in his tracks.
Because he had been feeling the Presence of someone following him for a while.
“Who’s there!?”
The veteran, a former knight who had roamed the battlefields, drew his sword.
Having chosen Betrayal for wealth, he scanned his surroundings with a sharp gaze.
At that moment.
「I went out of my way to forgive you, and now you’re trying to commit another evil deed?」
A familiar voice began to echo from the entire forest.
The voice of the woman who had tormented him until now.
「I guess you aren’t worth keeping alive.」
“S-Saintess…?”
He thought he was far from her territory.
His lips trembled at the influence of the Great Calamity that reached even this distant forest.
“Are you planning to betray the Pope who has taken care of you all this time!?
Stop hiding and come out!!”
「You took care of me?」
After Ange’s meaningful words, an eerie wind rustled through the forest.
The guard’s eyes darted around crazily, following the sound.
However, he soon realized he didn’t need to search so desperately for his opponent.
“W-What is this…?”
Dozens of crows perched on the branches.
Numerous wolves and bears hiding behind the trees.
Because they all had the same red eyes as the Saintess and were staring down their Prey.
「What’s wrong?
These are the beasts you crammed into a cage with me.」
The Saintess in a red dress, sitting on the bed in her cell.
She was leisurely watching the guard reflected in the beasts’ eyes.
「Didn’t you leave me to be torn and slashed until I succeeded in my brainwashing?」
She made an eerie eye-smile and lightly gestured at the Void.
Following her gesture, the shadows of the beasts descended upon The Holy See’s Spy.
“Arrrgggh…!!”
Ange covered her ears at the loud scream.
Only after a few seconds had passed did she gently lower her hands.
「Now that the reincarnation of the Prophet has appeared, you are all worthless.」
The white-haired woman slowly picked up the apple lying on the bed.
She gently licked the luscious fruit the man had wiped clean with his breath.
「If I can just embrace that child as my own, creating a New World will be a piece of cake.」
The Saintess’s Mana, thought to be weak before she turned into a disaster.
Its red streams of light were spreading everywhere.
Not only the beasts that followed her, but even the continent-level Monsters she had long since brainwashed.
They all began to watch the roads leading to Berihill.
「Because only the Saintess can possess the Prophet.」
The rose-like woman grinned, revealing Red Lips she had never shown before.
Quite sinisterly for someone with the Title of Saintess.
She who, in her previous life, became a puppet of religion once The Holy See’s brainwashing was complete.
In this life, she had begun to possess a perfect free will.