Chapter 210
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 210
“Saintess. My Saintess. My Animus…”
Slap!
A pale, slender hand struck the man’s cheek mercilessly. A beautiful yet cold voice echoed through the cave.
“Drag him away and add him to the sacrifices.”
“Saintess! Saintess! I was wrong! Aaaargh!”
No one spared a glance at the long trail of blood left behind. The Saintess was no exception.
“To think he dared to address me by that title, when I have said time and again that I am merely a lowly servant to that Being…”
“Saintess…”
The Saintess, whose red lips were exceptionally alluring, took one step after another toward the inner sanctum and pulled back the curtain.
There, she gazed at a mass of light pulsating inside an opaque glass cylinder. Ecstasy clouded the eyes of the Saintess and all the followers present.
With a cautious touch, the Saintess placed her palm against the surface of the glass.
A strange tremor surged through her entire body along with the sensation of a heart beating frantically.
A translucent square rose above the glass cylinder. It was a bizarre sight, like a piece of strange sorcery.
………………………………….
…………………………………….
………………N……………………a…….me…….
………………………A……ge………….
The countless dots and the short, barely formed text that appeared inside the square vanished in an instant.
“O Animus…”
“O Animus!”
The followers fell to their knees and worshipped in unison.
The look in their eyes as they stared at the mass of light was a mixture of ecstasy, awe, and the raw greed of a pack of starving wolves discovering a hunk of meat.
“Saintess. The High Priest has arrived.”
The Saintess hid the deep burn mark on her palm by donning a glove and walked away with a haughty stride.
* * *
‘To be honest, I am curious.’
Which of the male leads isn't being sincere with me?
‘Surely it’s not all of them, right?’
No, no.
For starters, Leon Frezier must be sincere.
As a matter of family affection exchanged for a chicken leg…
“Ahem…”
Anyway, I firmly believed Leon Frezier was sincere. That muscle-head’s personality didn't exactly suit having a devious hidden agenda.
As for Klaus…
‘Could that expression of his have been fake?’
Those watery blue eyes he showed me.
I didn't know. To be honest, I lacked the ability to discern the expression of a man in love.
So, I decided to trust just one thing.
‘The rewards! The quest rewards!’
[System] Success Reward Information
Just re-reading these quest rewards was enough to steady my wavering heart.
It was like a solo climber on Mount Everest drawing strength from the last piece of chocolate in their pocket…
‘But seriously, who thought of making a tip like this?’
[System] Penalty: You will become the ‘Han Ina’ from before she encountered 『Why Did That Lady Give the Handsome Man Milk Bread?』! (Time Remaining: 52 hours 32 minutes 21 seconds)
(☆Tip: Do your best! ^^ )
‘So incredibly annoying.’
It was pure mockery.
I definitely preferred my personality as Tulia. Even if I wasn't her, my personality after reading The Milk Bread was much better.
At least then, I knew how to express myself when I was being attacked.
I glanced at the special benefit reward, which printed out like the back page of a newspaper, and then looked away.
‘Damn this penalty.’
Actually, as I temporarily reverted to the young Han Ina who was full of nothing but desires, I realized I harbored one specific craving.
If Corico was no longer the female lead, I wanted Tulia to take that spot…
‘Because then the whole world would be incredibly favorable toward me. Everyone is kind to the female lead. The world itself is kind.’
I didn't know when I had started harboring such a desire.
“Lady Tulia. Could you lift your chin?”
At Adel’s request, I tilted my head up as far as it would go, and she meticulously fastened my buttons.
“There, all done. With this, you should be fine regardless of what kind of attack comes your way.”
“…Thank you, Adel.”
Even to my own ears, my voice sounded much smaller and more timid than usual.
I fidgeted with my fingers and added with difficulty, “For caring so much…”
Adel stared at me with a peculiar expression for a moment before smiling warmly.
“It’s only natural. But My Lady, where on earth are you going that you insisted on wearing armor under your dress?”
“It’s not that dangerous of a place…”
It was more like I had to face a potentially dangerous situation.
After all, I had to meet two of the male leads today.
But I couldn't tell Adel the truth…
I cast my eyes downward and continued.
“Really… it’s a fine place… and it’s truly not dangerous, so there’s no need to worry you, Adel…”
“…”
Adel let out a low sigh. I flinched instinctively.
However, the voice that followed wasn't one of sharp criticism.
“Even if you say you are going somewhere perfectly safe, I will always worry about you, My Lady.”
“…”
“It’s alright, My Lady.”
My eyes stung involuntarily. I quickly wiped them, fearing tears might fall.
“Please be careful. If anyone tries to attack you, just take their head off. I gave you the bracelet, didn't I?”
The bracelet Adel had fastened on me was a weapon that fired poison-tipped needles when a gem was pressed.
Such items were difficult to obtain, and Adel’s attitude—prioritizing my safety above all else without asking questions—warmed my heart.
‘I’m probably the only person who would be happy to receive a poison needle bracelet.’
“I’ll have your favorite dinner ready for when you return. You said you wanted bread baked with olives marinated in oil and salt.”
My ears perked up instantly.
I felt a bit embarrassed the moment I snapped my head up. It was because Adel was smiling warmly, as if she had expected it.
‘Ahem. It’s only because I spent so much time walking on eggshells as Han Ina. It’s not my fault.’
Thanks to that, I now reacted incredibly well to food.
“Are the olives marinated already?”
“The chefs are very skilled, after all. Is there anything else you’d like? You have to tell me in advance so the chefs can show off their skills with excitement.”
“…Then, I want a chicken dish too.”
“Understood. I’ll have the sauce prepared spicy, and we’ll use only the drumsticks.”
The voice promising a delicious dinner was cozy. I found myself smiling and whispered a small request.
“…Would it be okay to make Leon’s portion incredibly spicy?”
Adel lightly covered her mouth and laughed.
“I’ll have them pour every single chili pepper stored in the kitchen pantry into his pot, My Lady.”
* * *
“Oh, Crown Prince Benjamin. I shall escort you to the back garden.”
“The back garden?”
“Yes. The Master instructed me to bring you there.”
“…Very well.”
The White Tulip Salon was a shop setting records by raking in enormous amounts of money based on its immense popularity.
Thanks to that, while building a large structure in the best commercial district, they had also shrewdly secured a back garden and grounds—not vast, but well-maintained—to the point where noblewomen considered a visit to the salon a form of recreation.
“The Young Lady has quite the business acumen.”
“Hah! Is that even a question? Our Master can do anything! And I’m not just saying that because she’s my Master, but honestly, isn't she just too perfect? Her beauty, her skill, and she’s even the one who brought those rare crops that no one else can replicate, causing a sensation throughout the Empire…”
One of Tulia’s aides at the White Tulip Salon was busy praising her until his throat was dry.
Benjamin let out a short laugh. It was because, amidst the long string of praises, there wasn't a single mention of Tulia’s ‘personality.’
In other words, he could tell that the aide’s loyalty was very sincere.
As Benjamin passed through the back garden, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in a small pond.
Yesterday, after receiving Tulia’s letter, he had stood before the mirror changing clothes until nearly dawn.
Consequently, he had barely slept, but thanks to the rare pearl powder applied to his skin, his face was as smooth as ever.
“Ah, there she is. Master!”
Benjamin adjusted his clothes one last time with lightning-fast movements.
* * *
‘Meeting in the back garden was the right choice. If I had called him to the study or the drawing room like usual…’
Benjamin might have stabbed me to death!
The study was full of sharp pen nibs, and tea sets were served in the drawing room! And isn't porcelain a magnificent weapon once smashed against a chair?
I gripped the long, flowing sleeves I had intentionally chosen today, which even covered my fingers.
“Lady Tulia.”
Benjamin, who had walked up to me, gave a light bow, and I responded in kind according to etiquette.
“Prince Benjamin. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“It is quite alright, My Lady.”
Benjamin added with a faint, barely perceptible smile, “I would have come even if you had sent the invitation ten minutes ago.”
“…”
His golden eyes seemed exceptionally warm today, like a burning sunset.
Perhaps it was because I felt guilty about the quest I was about to start.
“That is… far too kind of you. Truly… thank you.”
I felt my hands already growing cold as I slowly opened my mouth.
“However… Your Highness.”
“Yes, Lady Tulia.”
Benjamin, who had been curiously fiddling with a leaf with a golden rim, turned back to me.
I spoke without even taking a breath.
“I recently learned about the meaning of the ‘100 Billion Gold’ that has been passed down through the generations in the Sorsen Kingdom. It was thanks to my grandfather, who is very knowledgeable. I am so grateful for Your Highness’s intentions, but since I haven't even had my coming-of-age ceremony yet, and my father and grandfather aren't fond of the idea, I’m afraid it will be difficult to give you an answer for the time being.”
The reason I blurted out excuses like this was because I knew the Guide would surely inflict an indelible wound on Benjamin.
Furthermore, I couldn't flatly reject Benjamin’s proposal. I had to leave some room.
Why?
‘Because if I don't, the Main Quest will be ruined.’
The quest was such a bastard to me.
Modern yet glamorous. Dark yet brilliant. Sophisticated yet classic.
‘How is this any different from that!’
This was nothing short of a legal case of leading someone on!
“Lady Tulia.”
Benjamin smiled broadly.
“Shall we walk together for now?”
Tense, I swallowed hard.
“…I, I just indirectly rejected your proposal. I am truly sorry…”
“It is fine.”
“Pardon?”
Benjamin’s cheeks flushed slightly.
“I never expected a woman as perfect as you to accept me for something so trivial.”