Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Summer Vacation (2)
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Suddenly, the Saintess Candidate Elise Aurora de Lua appeared.
In her wake, the quiet little town of Bellus erupted into complete chaos in an instant.
Residents and travelers alike poured into the streets, standing on tiptoes just for a glimpse of Elise's face.
I'd known since my days at the orphanage that the Church wielded immense influence, but I hadn't realized it ran this deep.
The roots the Church had planted in the kingdom were profoundly entrenched.
"Oh, Saintess Candidate! Bestow your blessing!"
"Bless our village...!"
It bordered on fanaticism.
Yet Elise, the center of all the envious gazes and attention, simply offered a benevolent smile and waved as if it were routine.
Only after the carriage had made a full loop through Bellus's streets did the Saint's Festival truly begin. The town's dignitaries were visibly flustered by the Saintess Candidate's abrupt arrival.
The traditional fishing village harvest rites were all canceled or postponed, replaced by an emergency welcome banquet in her honor.
Having played the saintly role at the front of the parade, Elise didn't return to the carriage. Instead, she began crossing the street packed with devotees.
The crowd parted before her like the miracle of Moses, and at the end of the path stood Sophia and me.
"Oh my."
Elise brushed off the devotees' cheers and walked straight toward me with a bright smile.
"Isn't this the priest? What a strange coincidence running into you here. Could this be another connection ordained by the Lord?"
"...Coincidence?"
It felt far too contrived to be mere chance.
Bellus was a backwater town without even a proper chapel. There was no reason for a Saintess Candidate to visit.
But Elise calmly turned to Sophia.
"What are you doing here?"
Sophia growled, and Elise smiled with her eyes.
"Oh, Sophia's here too. I heard there was an unfortunate incident during the dungeon exploration practical. Glad to see you're unharmed."
"None of your business."
"It is my business. I'm a student at the Academy too, you know. I have a right to know. Anyway..."
Elise's eyes narrowed.
"Looks like you're here on summer vacation with the priest. How lovely."
"...Stay away from my master."
"Oh dear, how scary. Priest, that stray dog's threatening people again. Maybe you should muzzle her?"
"..."
I wished they'd just stop.
The surrounding crowd's expressions were shifting from admiration to puzzled curiosity.
Truth be told, the townsfolk weren't the real issue right now.
The problem was...
'Why are they with Elise?'
The Papal Knights.
Archbishop Balua's personal guard.
In Act 3, if you asked for the most headache-inducing enemies after the boss Archangel, these Papal Knights always came up next.
Elite knights of the Church, their individual combat prowess was formidable, enhanced by powers granted from the Archangel—enough to rival mid-bosses. They were leagues beyond the Act 2 mob chimeras in difficulty.
And now those Papal Knights were glaring daggers from around Elise.
I forced down my cold sweat and managed an awkward smile.
"...Sister, what brings you here?"
"I missed the sea. Sometimes when the pressure gets to me, I crave that endless blue horizon. And with break here, I had to leave Ophelia Hall anyway. Isn't a vacation natural?"
"Hmm... I heard the Saint's Festival is underway in Erebos right now. Is it alright to skip it?"
"Of course not."
Elise stated flatly.
The smile on her lips was as oily as a fishmonger hawking herring.
"But... isn't this just the rebellion you taught me about, Priest? I'm enjoying it thoroughly."
She tilted her head innocently as she spoke—a far cry from her original self.
No, this was probably her true nature.
Post-Act 3, the Saintess Candidate Elise became more playful, smiling more often.
But she only revealed her true self after learning of Balua's horrific scheme and suffering a setback. Not at this point. This subtle but massive shift was twisting everything.
'Trouble.'
It seemed my advice that day had prompted Elise to bolt to Bellus.
That hasty judgment was derailing the original plot in ways that lingered.
What now? Elise should've vaguely sensed Balua's plan during the Saint's Festival, but she'd fled to this seaside village instead. And flanking her were those Papal Knights.
As I pondered, Elise clapped her hands and spoke.
"Priest, how long do you plan to stay in this seaside town?"
"What's it to you?"
"Sophia? I'm talking to the priest right now. Not you."
"Grrrrrr."
Watching Sophia devolve from words to growls, I sighed and answered.
"Probably four days."
The Saint's Festival would last three days starting today. Elise seemed intent on staying until it ended, now that she was here.
Her face lit up as if it were perfect timing.
"Staying at an inn, then?"
"Yes."
It was more of a rundown boarding house than a proper inn, but our budget left no choice.
Sophia's rugged nature meant she slept fine in the wild anyway.
"Perfect!"
Elise beamed at my response.
"The Bellus parish prepared a villa nearby for me. Inns must be uncomfortable—why don't you and... um... Sophia stay there too? Though I doubt there's a doghouse."
Sophia crouched as if ready to pounce at that last remark—it was inevitable.
I stopped her with a hand on her head.
"...Hmm."
I thought it over.
Glancing at the Papal Knights behind her, declining felt safer.
But in this situation, I had to get involved.
'Elise needs to uncover Balua's plan during this event.'
In the original plot, she noticed Balua's suspicious vibes at the Saint's Festival and prepared for the crisis.
"What brings the knights behind you?"
"Escort duty, they say. Truthfully... I don't need it. They forced them on me."
"..."
But now, Elise was here with the blackguards, oblivious.
Leave her be, and Act 3 crumbles.
Worst case, we get the Corrupted Saintess Elise bad end.
So...
"Yes. It would be rude to refuse your kindness, Sister. I'm fine with it."
"Great! I'll have the parish prepare extra rooms!"
I'd have to fill in for the original event myself.
*
Elise strolled the streets humming a tune.
Could there be a happier day? Defying Archbishop Balua's orders to end up walking with the priest in this village.
Sure, a stray dog was tagging along, oblivious to her place, but that was negligible.
'I should thank Helena properly.'
When Leo first mentioned vacationing with Sophia, Elise was furious.
But Helena saw opportunity.
- 'Milady, think about it. What luxury could that priest and knight faculty girl afford? Broke as they are, they'll hole up in some cheap dive and eat street food. That's it.'
- 'R-Really? I'm not great with market prices...'
- 'Exactly. And you can ease his lacks financially and socially. That's your greatest weapon.'
- 'Right! Operation Leviathan!'
Elise perked up.
Helena's face twitched at "Leviathan."
- 'Uh... anyway... yes.'
- 'So, beat her with money!'
- '...Yes.'
Fueled by her advisor Helena, Elise planned her trip to Bellus.
She packed her pouch with gold coins. This would prove her league above that knight faculty mad dog.
And now...
"Not much variety at these stalls. Can't compare to Erebos's lower town, huh?"
"Small town—can't be helped."
The priest responded calmly.
Elise hesitated, then spoke.
"Priest, need anything?"
"Pardon?"
"I'd like to get you a little gift this time. You've only given to me before."
"...Only given?"
Priest Leo tilted his head.
Elise flaunted her earring theatrically. Sophia's eyes widened.
Of course, it wasn't a gift—just lost property returned—but Elise ignored that detail.
She firmly believed it was a gift anyway.
"...I've nothing to show for it, Sister. You've given me plenty—like this handkerchief..."
Leo protested gently, but Elise was already eyeing an antique shop in a Bellus alley.
Expensive-looking wares at a glance.
She picked out the finest ceremonial dagger, studded with gems. It cost a fifth of her monthly allowance.
But picturing it with Priest Leo made the price irrelevant.
"Priest, take it. My sincerity."
"...No, it's too expensive..."
Leo panicked.
Watching him, Elise recalled Helena's other advice.
- 'Milady, push and pull is key here.'
- 'Push... and pull?'
- 'Like fishing for big game. Relationships aren't just pulling. From that novel yesterday.'
Push and pull.
Helena's wisdom.
Don't just give everything away.
But she wanted to gift him.
Elise cleared her throat, dagger in hand.
"Ahem... Priest."
"Yes?"
"Well... I'm an expensive woman, you see."
"...Huh?"
"Ahem. I'm the sole Saintess Candidate of our era, top of the theology department. Stunning looks, prestigious house—leagues above that stray. So... um... don't think it's your right that I'm gifting you..."
Elise trailed off.
What was she saying?
No smooth push-pull—just a slap in the face.
She realized she wasn't savvy at this.
She peeked at Priest Leo cautiously. He looked mildly concerned, as usual.
"...Priest."
"Yes?"
"Need anything else? Anything. I have money..."
"...No."
In the end, this was all Elise could do.
Pull like mad.
"...Grrr."
Sophia reacted instead, rummaging her pocket for crumpled bills and a few coins, stomping in fury.
'Look at that.'
Elise savored a strange triumph.
Yes. This was it.
She'd brag to Helena later.