Chapter 436: Proof of Existence (24)
Chapter 436: Proof of Existence (24)
The Dark Cult dabbled in all manner of forbidden secret arts.
The reason they persisted in their anti-human experiments was likely related to this. After all, these were branches of knowledge that seekers of the magical truth had gone out of their way to seal.
It was only reasonable to assume there was a good reason for those seals.
Their clandestine research often involved human experimentation, frequently offering up minds and souls as sacrifices. I had already witnessed the horrific aftermath of such practices several times.
The magic discovered within Perry’s body was no different.
A dark sorcery that gradually siphoned away the mind and soul in exchange for something.
If one had the mind for it, the potential for abuse was limitless. Was the proof of that not standing right before our eyes?
The Saintess wore a somber expression, unable to find the words to speak. I had no choice but to sigh and make a suggestion.
“Let’s head out for now.”
Perry was a dangerous variable.
It was still unknown just how deeply he had been eroded. However, considering the faceless assailants who had attacked Ria, the outlook was far from hopeful.
Assuming the worst... yes.
The man lying on the bed might not even be ‘Perry’ anymore. He was likely nothing more than a living shell that once possessed a name.
I couldn't hold a conversation with such an unpredictable individual nearby.
The Saintess took a weak step forward. I had a general idea of where she was heading.
Likely her bedroom.
I clicked my tongue inwardly. I had intended to tease her for stubbornly denying my claims earlier, but the atmosphere was far worse than I had imagined.
I had at least some sense of the mood. In silence, I followed the Saintess as she walked like someone who had lost her soul.
This wordless march didn't take long to reach its end.
As soon as we arrived at the bedroom, the Saintess slumped into a chair. Naturally, I took the seat opposite her.
A faint, hollow laugh escaped her lips, as if she found the situation absurd.
“It’s a lie.”
Despite the words, the voice that followed was incredibly serious.
I stole a glance at her as she turned grave. It was difficult to speak, but I couldn't let her deny reality any longer.
I began to persuade her in a low voice.
“It is not a lie, Saintess. You saw it for yourself... The Shylock Merchant Guild is connected to the Dark Cult. And in all likelihood, this orphanage is too...”
“Not yet. It’s not certain yet.”
The Saintess couldn't hide her anxiety.
Her pale pink eyes were cast downward, and her clasped hands fidgeted, betraying her inner turmoil. For me, it was almost difficult to understand why she was reacting this way.
It was unlike her usual rational self.
Unable to meet my suspicious gaze, she mumbled a string of excuses.
“It’s not confirmed yet. The Shylock Merchant Guild is a massive association. Just because one merchant is involved with the Dark Cult doesn't mean we can suspect the entire guild. And the orphanage might have nothing to do with it, right? They might have intentionally avoided plotting anything just to build trust with the Holy Kingdom...”
“Saintess.”
It took only one word.
The cascading suspicions were cut short by my call. The Saintess lowered her head, her lips pressed firmly together.
“The Dark Cult has likely infiltrated various nations long ago. And a suspicious figure like the Masked Phantom just happened to appear here. Are you saying all of this is a mere coincidence?”
“We can’t rule out the possibility.”
In the end, a sigh escaped me.
Her denial went beyond stubbornness; it was desperate. It seemed I needed to have a deeper conversation with her.
“...Seriously?”
At my question, which even dropped formal honorifics, the Saintess showed her first sign of hesitation.
Her eyes darted back and forth.
Finally, biting her lip, she covered her face with both hands.
“Ian, it’s because you don’t know... Do you have any idea how big of a deal this is?”
“How could I not? It means the Dark Cult might have infiltrated every corner of the Holy Kingdom. Which is exactly why we need to uncover the truth even more...”
“No.”
It was a flat refusal.
The Saintess cut off my argument without a moment's hesitation.
“The Holy Kingdom is a nation built entirely on faith. And divine power is the proof that the Lord loves us.”
“That doesn't mean the Holy Kingdom is free of crime or corruption.”
“That’s true... but at least there’s a line!”
The Saintess let out a dry laugh and spread her arms, as if trying to show just how absurd she felt.
“The Dark Cult? This orphanage is a place the Holy Kingdom pays a great deal of attention to. Even Archbishop Aindel is personally involved! But if, by some chance, one of the highest-ranking officials in the Holy Kingdom is linked to the Dark Cult?”
“Then we should cut them out immediately.”
“It’s more than that.”
The Saintess’s declaration was heavy, as if she wouldn't allow even a single crack in her resolve. Her pale pink eyes were sunken with a gravity I had never seen before.
“Faith is a blind emotion. Because of that, it demands absolute purity. If one of the leaders of the Holy Kingdom is cooperating with the Dark Cult, the Church itself could be devastated by the fallout.”
“Wouldn't it just be a temporary internal conflict?”
“Yes, it would eventually be settled. But do you think the Dark Cult will just sit quietly and wait until then?”
“Hmm...” I swallowed a groan and looked away.
I understood what she meant. With a potential confrontation with the Dark Cult looming, there was no reason to trigger internal strife.
Of course, she wasn't saying we should just let the traitor be.
“Let’s approach this more cautiously.”
Moistening her parched lips, the Saintess began to try and persuade me.
“We can’t make this public right now. If we touch it recklessly, we’re the ones who might get hurt.”
“Then what?”
“We have to catch the tail of the mastermind.”
I crossed my arms and sank into thought. Fragments of ideas flashed through my mind.
“You have to disinfect the entire wound to keep the infection from spreading, right? It’s the same with traitors. If we move too soon, we might miss the real culprit. It’s better to watch the situation and gather evidence...”
“I can’t do that.”
At my short reply, the Saintess’s expression crumpled instantly. Her eyes were filled with utter disbelief.
But my resolve did not waver.
“Countless children have already disappeared through the Shylock Merchant Guild’s mediation. If we just sit back and watch, more children will be sacrificed.”
That was the reality. The Shylock Merchant Guild had already taken many children from the orphanage.
What had happened to them?
At the very least, they wouldn't have met a pleasant end. That was usually how things went with the Dark Cult.
That was when the Saintess’s gaze wavered for the first time.
She was already deeply concerned about the welfare of orphans. Having spent time here herself as a child, her heart must have been even more conflicted.
I decided to press that opening.
“I understand how you feel. But this isn't just about the children in the orphanage; my younger sister is involved in this case too. I can’t just sit idly by and wait.”
I understood the Holy Kingdom’s situation.
They wanted to avoid internal strife as much as possible and solve the problem after minimizing the ripple effects. But that was merely the logic of a politician.
Watching a predetermined tragedy unfold in silence simply didn't sit right with me.
The Saintess began to gnaw on her lip again. Various emotions flickered through her hesitant eyes.
Anxiety, nervousness, and compassion.
Her agony didn't last long. A long sigh escaped the woman’s alluring lips.
“...I can’t.”
Her tone was surprisingly firm. It meant she had no intention of changing her mind, just like me.
So, I had no choice but to ask back in a bewildered tone.
"Then what about the children?"
"Do you think my heart is at ease?"
The Saintess’s stance was adamant. It was hard to find any emotion in her eyes, which had now grown cold and deep.
They were the eyes of a politician.
"We don't have to ignore every sacrifice. We should save as many children as we can... but that's it."
Her slender fingers traced the sign of the cross over her chest.
It was a gesture I hadn't seen in a while. My brow furrowed in response.
"I cannot allow for even greater sacrifice and chaos. This is my judgment as the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom."
"And if you weren't the Saintess?"
My counter-question was a sudden strike.
The woman’s speech stopped instantly. There was a hint of bewilderment in the eyes that watched me intently.
The question that had suddenly occurred to me continued.
"What if you weren't the 'Saintess'? If your answer still wouldn't change, then..."
“If I weren't the Saintess?”
She repeated my question exactly.
But the weight behind it was so different that I couldn't bring myself to open my mouth.
“Then who am I, if not the ‘Saintess’?”
She was a woman who had even discarded her name to become the ‘Saintess.’
An answer came to mind immediately. ‘You are yourself.’ But how could I offer such hollow comfort when I couldn't even call her by her real name?
It would be a contradiction and a deception.
In the end, I could only manage one thing.
“...I’ll handle it on my own.”
With that, I left the Saintess’s bedroom as if running away. She did not see me out.
* * *
And the next day.
“Saintess, shall we go on a date?”
At my suggestion, the Saintess simply pressed a hand to her forehead.
“What are you trying to do?”
Even as she said that, she didn't forget to subtly take my hand.
Because Senior Elsie was standing next to me with a dissatisfied expression.
The Saintess particularly hated losing to Senior Elsie. When faced with such blatant competition, she couldn't help but be affected.
So, I had no choice but to apologize to Senior Elsie in my heart.
I’m sorry, Senior.
And thank you.
And so, for the first time, I went out alone with the Saintess.