Chapter 217: Clue
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 217: Clue
“I am truly sorry, Your Highness.”
Miel explained that although he had sent several letters, he had yet to receive a proper reply.
“It seems it is because I am merely a low-ranking priest.”
A look of worry clouded the priest’s face.
“Did something happen?”
‘...I can trust Miel.’
Miel was the most faithful priest who served me as the Saintess, all while remaining free from the influence of the High Temple.
After a moment’s hesitation, I gave him a rough outline of the series of dreams I’d been having lately. I was worried he might dismiss them as mere nonsense, but Miel took my story far more seriously than I expected.
“Could it be that the memories of the Saintess are passed down through generations?”
“I don’t think that’s it.”
I shook my head. In the dream, the person I saw definitely had Annette’s face. Furthermore, since Loik and Constine appeared, it couldn't have been a different era.
“Then it wouldn't be Your Highness’s previous life either.”
Miel fell into deep thought, his lips twitching. He scratched his forehead awkwardly.
“As a priest, this isn't exactly an appropriate thing to say...”
“Why? Just say it.”
He hesitated before lowering his voice.
“The Dragon’s Heart harbors an immortal flame that can turn back time.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means dragons have the power to reverse time. I read it once in the records about dragons written by Priest Venemus.”
In an instant, an indescribable chill ran down my spine.
‘The Dragon turned back time?’
“Perhaps the Dragon turned back time without anyone knowing.”
If that were true...
‘Does that mean I was the Saintess before time was reset? No, more than that, could it be that this isn't my first time inhabiting this world? And I’ve forgotten all those memories?’
Goosebumps broke out all over my body. As I wrapped my arms around myself, trembling, Miel looked at me with a worried expression.
Caught in a sudden whirlwind of confusion, I hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
“...In the dream, we were facing a war against the Dragon. Does that mean we lost?”
Miel thought for a moment before answering.
“Wouldn't it be the opposite? If the Dragon had won, there would have been no need for it to turn back time.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
That would mean the Dragon turned back time because it had lost the war, or because it looked like it was going to lose.
That cowardly reptile.
Besides, wasn't it incredibly unfair?
“Then that means no matter how hard we try, we can never beat the Dragon.”
Miel rested his chin on his hand, looking grave.
“Everything comes with a price. Even a dragon wouldn't be able to turn back time recklessly.”
There hadn't been any particular signs since the Dragon disappeared last time.
‘They said the Dragon must have taken quite a hit when the black mage died.’
“It didn't turn back time even when it failed to take my holy power back then.”
Indeed, it wouldn't make sense for even a dragon to do something so monumental indefinitely. Perhaps now, while the Dragon was hiding and recovering from its injuries, was the best opportunity to deal with it.
“As expected, I think I’ll only know the details once I read the books.”
Miel said that Priest Venemus was the only one in the Empire who had left behind records of dragons, and all of his works were kept in the library of the High Temple.
The conversation had come full circle. He also seemed quite dejected by the fact that he was of no help at all in borrowing the books.
Just as we were both feeling quite gloomy, there was a knock at the door.
“Is that Sir Norton?”
Miel stood up to speak, but it was Loik who entered the annex, bringing with him the scent of the wind. His hair was completely disheveled, as if he had run all the way here.
Seeing me looking composed, Loik let out a sigh of relief.
“Why are you here instead of resting in your room?”
I had left word of where I was going before coming out, fearing he might be startled.
“I heard you went to see the priest, so I thought you might be unwell.”
“It’s nothing like that, I just...”
Loik looked as though he couldn't bear the worry of what business I could possibly have with a priest at this hour. I could even feel Norton, standing behind him, surreptitiously pricking up his ears.
In the end, I told the two of them about the dreams as well. Of course, I left out the finer details and stuck to the plain facts.
Both of them looked just as shocked as Miel.
‘Well, I am saying that we might be living this time for the second time.’
As expected, the only clue was Venemus’s book. At first, it was because of my holy power, but now information was necessary even to ensure we wouldn't fall prey to the Dragon’s schemes again.
I was contemplating whether Loik should visit the High Temple himself, even if it drew the attention of the Imperial Family or the High Temple.
Miel, who had been agonizing over it alone, let out a sudden exclamation.
“The fake Saintess—no, the Saintess—I mean, Lady Constine is here, isn't she? Why don't we ask her for a favor?”
We were all silent for a moment.
“You should have said that before I humiliated the Saintess.”
Miel scratched his head, looking embarrassed at my words.
“The Saintess will be leaving Blenheim tomorrow morning,” Loik added, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration.
It seemed the effect of sending Duke Kyle earlier today had manifested immediately.
“Don't worry too much. Even now...” Loik said, looking at me. “I could threaten her...!”
“By being nice to her?”
I frowned at our simultaneous remarks.
“How exactly were you planning to threaten the Saintess?”
“First, I’ll lock her up so she can't leave Blenheim...”
“What about Duke Kyle? I heard he’s a Sword Master.”
“I am also a Sword Master.”
Loik furrowed his brows as if he felt wronged.
“So, you’re going to have a duel between Sword Masters?”
“I’m confident I can win.”
“Don't even dream about it.”
“How about going to see the Saintess early tomorrow morning?”
Norton suggested the most realistic plan. I wanted to deny it, but Constine was the only one we could even slightly rely on in this situation.
‘It’s incredibly embarrassing to ask for a favor now.’
More than that, would Constine, whose pride had been severely wounded, even listen?
Just then, there was another knock at the door. Miel let out an awkward laugh.
“This is the first time the annex has had so many visitors.”
The person who opened the door and entered was Leon.
“I-I have an urgent report.”
Leon, who had been gauging the atmosphere, spoke in a tense voice.
“The Saintess has gone missing.”
*
Late at night, we traveled in a carriage.
“I told you to just rest in your room.”
Loik gently stroked my cheek.
“We don't know when we’ll find the Saintess... you’ll be exhausted.”
“I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway because I’d be too worried until we find her.”
He made a grumpy face.
“The Saintess isn't a child, why are you worried about her?”
“I’m not worried about the Saintess, I’m worried about you, Loik. You wouldn't be able to come back until you found her either.”
At those words, Loik’s face instantly brightened.
Honestly, his reactions were so transparent. Who on earth said our Grand Duke was a man without emotions?
But his bright expression was short-lived as Loik lowered his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.
“Was the reason you couldn't sleep well all this time because of those dreams?” he asked in a calm voice. “Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
“That’s... until recently, I thought they were just dreams.”
“To be honest, I’m shocked.”
“Right? I mean...”
Although he had maintained a composed attitude earlier, he must have been greatly surprised by the story of the Dragon turning back time.
“I didn't expect you to tell that duster-like fellow before me, your husband.”
Pfft.
Laughter burst out of me when I was least expecting it.
“Did you just call Miel a duster? That’s mean!”
Though, I had to admit, his appearance in his gray pajamas with his ashen hair was a bit striking.
“I thought Miel might know something since he’s a priest,” I said, meeting Loik’s eyes. “And I didn't tell anyone the actual contents of the dream, you know?”
At that, Loik began to fiddle with my fingers, looking slightly curious.
“You know, do you know what our first meeting was like?”
I slowly told him about the events in the dream.
“...And you said you had something to tell me once the war was over. I think you were going to propose to me.”
“That bastard... did what?”
For some reason, Loik scowled.
“He’s a madman. How dare he propose to someone else’s wife?”
“What are you talking about?” I said, knitting my brows. “I’m telling you, that was you, Loik.”
“That guy isn't me.”
Loik grumbled, saying that if it were him, he wouldn't have acted with such leisure in front of Annette.
“If it were me, I would have proposed to Annette right then and there.”
I narrowed my eyes and said, “Now, who was it that didn't want to marry me at first and sent a proxy to the wedding?”
At those words, Loik’s mouth snapped shut like a clam.
Exactly. Who told you to be so hurtful when we got married?
“Annette, so I’ve been thinking, we should have our wedding again...!”
Just then, the carriage stopped. It seemed we had arrived at Pogen Temple.
I gave my stiffened husband a quick peck on the lips.
“Let’s just find the Saintess and go back quickly.”