Chapter 33
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 33
Uninvited Guest (3)
Saintess Hariri.
The woman who received the most brilliant blessing among all previous Saintesses and is loved by everyone. Probably there is no one who doesn't know her.
Because she is the most famous figure on the continent. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say her popularity is more than even Heroes.
I also knew such her.
"E-Excuse me...?"
One of the main characters of the original work, and the only woman the protagonist, the Hero, loved.
And the mastermind and fake heroine who stabs such a Hero in the back in the final battle, she was standing right before my eyes now.
"..."
Instead of drawing my sword and cutting her neck, I pondered carefully. Will killing her here really prevent the Demon King's resurrection.
'Probably useless. Since she made no contribution to the Demon King's resurrection.'
Rather, she was one who played no tricks until going to the second half. Why is such her out of the original work's frame and here right now.
'Whatever it is, I should see it's because of me.'
In the first place, I heard she was dispatched to the Kingdom because I beat up the entire 1st Knight Order. I can understand coming here is in a similar context.
At that moment, someone next to her tapped my shoulder.
"You, can't you hear? The Saintess is calling you."
"Hmm?"
The Theocracy's Hero next to her... I think it was Fisle. She crumpled her face heavily and urged my answer instead of the Saintess.
There is a way to expose the truth or detain them right here, but that would exactly be the worst way for the North to become isolated. Besides, she is a woman posing no harm right now.
I tapped the scabbard worn at my waist. The symbol of the Northern Hero was engraved there.
"So why are you looking for me?"
"Yes?"
"You said it with your own mouth. Asking where the War Hero is."
At my words, the Saintess blinked her two eyes. She had an expression not expecting to encounter me here.
"Uh? Th-Then are you the War Hero!?"
"I am. Is that something to be so surprised about."
It wouldn't be her first time seeing a Hero in her life either.
She examined me up and down as if it was still hard to believe. Seeing my appearance fully stained with blood, she stepped back one pace.
"No. I-I wasn't surprised at all."
"Really? Then are you avoiding me because I smell."
Certainly, I couldn't wash for a few days being on the front lines.
At my words, she refuted with a reddened face.
"No way! There's no way I, a Saintess, would avoid you for such a reason."
"Right, got it. Got it, so tell me your business for coming to see me."
"That is because you o..."
Saying up to there, she suddenly mumbled her mouth. It seems she doesn't want to tell me. Instead, Fisle next to her intervened again.
"Why don't you do it moderately! Can't you see the Saintess is terrified!?"
"What?"
"Just what is that rude attitude towards the Saintess since earlier? It seems you haven't learned what etiquette is."
"As you can see."
What more do you expect for a bitch who consorts with demons. Be grateful I treat you as a human. Nevertheless, she glared at me as if fed up.
"Phew. Truly just like the rumors. I can't bear to watch as a fellow Hero."
"Ha. Why does everyone I meet talk about rumors without exception."
Sh-ring. As I drew my sword, the blood-stained blade flashed in the light.
"Then did you hear that too. How the end was for the guys who entered my battlefield."
"Are you right now... daring to threaten me and the Saintess?"
Pure white Aura dwelled in the twin swords Fisle was holding. Come to think of it, this guy was also a reliable reinforcement of the Hero's party.
I watched her feet. I have no intention of fighting the protagonist's side, but if she steps into my battlefield, the story changes.
Just as she was taking one more step towards me like that.
"S-Stop! Please stop. Fisle."
Hariri intervened between us and stopped her.
"Fisle. We came to the North as guests. Do not commit rudeness beyond this."
"I-I apologize. Saintess."
Only then did Fisle sheathe her swords with an expression realizing her mistake. She soon bowed her head to me too. Of course, her expression didn't look sorry at all though.
"...I was rude. Forgive my rudeness."
"I will."
I also sheathed my sword back.
Just in time, the subordinates who finished dealing with all the demons returned.
"Captain. No more appearances of enemies are seen nearby."
"Good, let's return."
Before leaving like that, I put my mouth to the Saintess's ear and warned so only she could hear.
"I will tell you beforehand, but I hope you don't cross the line."
"Yes?"
"The season in the North is fierce, so I advise you to return quickly."
If I said this much, she would have understood.
I left her standing blankly behind and went down carrying Yuria on my back.
After staying one day at the campsite, we returned straight to the territory.
And Carsian, the Head, came out from the castle himself and welcomed us.
"Warriors. You all worked hard."
He patted the subordinates and approached me.
"And our War Hero also did good work."
"Thank you."
"Has it only been about a week since you came. I don't know how long it's been since we crossed the front line that was pushed back every time."
"Because I came all the way here to do this. Above all, we could achieve victory thanks to the Head's strategy and the warriors' strength."
At my words, he smiled pleasingly.
"Fufu. The Kingdom must have a stomachache. To have lost a talent like you."
Saying that, he looked at Yuria being carried on my back.
"Right. Are you going to keep living there?"
"Is that okay?"
"...The family members are watching, so come down quickly."
Actually, inside the castle were family members and warriors. Plus even the invited Theocracy guests. Nevertheless, Yuria was confident.
"My whole body still tingles. Because someone used me as bait."
"Hasn't a whole day already passed. And the one who came up with the operation wasn't this father but..."
"Brother, shall we go to our room?"
Yuria didn't even pretend to listen and pointed at her room. Sorry, but I had no intention of going into the Grand Duchess's room.
As I put her down gently on the floor, she looked up at me with eyes mixed with complaints.
"My guidance ends here."
"Tsk. Being shy."
She got up dusting off her bottom. Still, aren't you treating me too comfortably. It's to the point I miss the time of our first meeting.
"Hahaha. This is really showing a sight unfit for guests."
At that moment, Carsian spoke to the consolation group and glanced my way. I noticed that gaze and grabbed Yuria's hand.
"Let's go up first."
"Fufu. Even though you said that earlier. As expected, you like being with me, right?"
Yuria, who was acting brazen, also soon narrowed her eyes and scanned the Saintess behind. Because no one in the Silvernon family was lowering their guard against them.
I also played along with her natural acting.
"Yeah. Let's go and play lightly or something."
"Hmm. Really?"
Slide. Yuria suddenly pressed her body against mine and linked arms. Fortunately, the Head didn't see because he was dealing with the guests.
"Then we are really playing in my room?"
"Was it not acting..."
She giggled small at my regret.
Eventually, I had to play with her in the room until discovered by the Head. "Phew. Playing with the owner is tiring work too." Walking down the hallway, I returned to my room using the moonlight as a lighthouse.
In the foggy mist, Hariri looked around. When she came to her senses, she was already standing here.
There was a burning smell around, and pillars were faintly seen through the fog.
Is it perhaps a chimney? She followed the smoke rising from afar.
Step. Step.
Wet footsteps were heard unusually loud. Why is it. Even though only fog was seen around, it wasn't unfamiliar somewhere. A familiar yet nostalgic feeling. Yet an unknown ominousness tightened her heart.
One step. Another step. As the fog thinned, she realized only then. The fact that what she was stepping on was the blood water of the villagers.
"Ah, aaah..."
She lifted her head. No smoke was rising from the collapsed chimney. Flames spread all around, and charred corpses here and there were suffering grabbing their necks.
"S-Save me! Please save me!!"
"Can't breathe. It's too hot and painful!"
"Why is no one helping us? Why!"
The hands of the villagers that always waved towards her were floundering pitifully. Familiar faces burned down one by one, and their wailing made her ears deaf.
Someone grabbed the ankle of Hariri who was watching that scene blankly.
"Sa, Saintess. Please call anyone. It hurts too much for me..."
Only then did she realize who the child at her feet was. The child who handed out candies every day since she came to this village. A boy who linked pinkies asking her to marry him someday.
Hariri hurriedly hugged the child, then ran away as far as possible. However, the distance with the demons chasing behind gradually narrowed. Her breath choked up to her chin and her legs trembled, but the more she did, the tighter she hugged the child.
"Kyaak!?"
Grabbed by the hair by demons, she fell backward with a scream. Soon they raised spears towards her, but she didn't let go of the child at least.
"Stop!"
At that time, familiar faces were seen from beyond. She felt like tears would come out from gladness. The Pope of the Theocracy and the Apostles were breaking through the demons and approaching this way.
They all looked at her first with flustered faces.
"Saintess, are you okay?"
"Why is the Saintess in such a place... just why are you here!"
"Th-That is not important! The child, the child is heavily injured."
"Child...?"
The Pope stared blankly at the child she was holding. Half the face was burnt and melted down, and he was barely breathing. The Pope's gaze soon became cold.
However, Hariri, who was out of her mind, didn't notice that subtle change.
"...Are there more survivors?"
"I-I don't know! The village is completely burnt down and people too by demons... Heuk, we must go rescue them right now even now!"
"So... that means there are no more."
Slaaash- At that moment, red bloodstains splattered on Hariri's face.
She slowly bowed her head with soulless eyes. The boy she was holding didn't breathe anymore.
Only the child's blood water was dripping down from the sword the Pope swung.
"...Wh, y?"
"Do not misunderstand. Saintess."
The Pope looked at her wiping the blood on his hand with a handkerchief. Without even giving a glance to the coldly cooled child, he said calmly.
"It is all for the Goddess."
Kuuung- And her vision turned pitch black and the world sank. She floundered in it and finally woke up from the dream.
"Haa, haa...!"
She swept her face with trembling hands. Not only her pajamas but even the blanket were completely wet with sweat. Waking up from the dream, the sunlight outside the window was detestable to her.
"...Ahat, ahahaha."
Only the laughter of a broken doll was heard in the room. That was a smile of the Saintess that not only believers but no one had ever seen.
After washing her body, she changed clothes and came out of the room. Just in time, the appearance of the War Hero playing with children was seen on the 1st floor.
'Hero...'
She smirked looking at Carmil. Let alone anger, she was about to feel disillusioned at that hypocritical appearance.
'Anyway, you guys won't be much different either.' Just as the Heroes she had seen so far were, surely that person would be the same too.
Her eyes looking down at him were sunken turbidly.