Part 2, Chapter 6
Part 2, Chapter 6
Translation: godsn
After the empire's proclamation ceremony concluded, Medeia had planned to thoroughly investigate Rachel's whereabouts. It was nearly the time when the Saintess had appeared in her past life, after all.
Yet not even Medeia had anticipated that the woman would willingly appear before her like this.
Why now? Why here?
Unanswerable questions swirled in her mind as reason and emotion clashed violently, creating a turbulent whirlwind within her.
The sweet temptation of her enemy's throat before her eyes—it was like the forbidden fruit luring Medeia.
'I must not be swept away by emotion.'
She knew all too well the fate of those foolish souls who had blinded themselves with momentary vengeance and fallen from grace.
Tap. Tap.
Her index finger rapped against the table's surface with enough force to gouge the wood.
The vase atop the table trembled slightly. Medeia reached toward the flowers within it.
Crush.
The delicate rose crumpled as if shattering within her grasp. Paying no heed to the fresh scratches on her palm, Medeia rose from her seat.
An unbearably thick scent of roses lingered where she had been sitting, sickeningly sweet.
Valdina Central Palace.
The Agema guards stationed outside the Emperor's bedchamber where Pelleus resided greeted Rachel.
"Miss Rachel, shouldn't you be resting in your quarters? What brings you here? You must still be recovering from your journey."
Their demeanor was notably friendly.
"The purification ceremony for His Majesty hasn't been completed yet."
"Miss Rachel, we informed you that audiences are only permitted when specifically requested by His Majesty. Arriving unannounced like this..."
As Menil made an uncomfortable expression, Rachel promptly produced a small wooden box as if she'd been waiting for this moment.
"Yes, I know. Here, these are for the knights. Sir Menil, please distribute them among everyone."
Inside the crude box lay several dazzling blue vials of medicine.
Menil, the Agema vice-captain, immediately recognized the vials' contents.
"This is... holy water."
"Yes, I ran out last time and couldn't give you any. So I made a bit more."
Rachel blushed as if embarrassed.
"It can't compare to the temple's holy water, but it's better than nothing."
"Can't compare? This is holy water personally blessed by the Saintess herself. You couldn't obtain this even if you offered gold."
Menil accepted the box without hesitation, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.
The thought of his comrades who hadn't fully recovered yet came to mind.
"But Miss Rachel, you must not be feeling well either. You should use this for yourself first."
"I'm fine. Just a little tired, that's all. Thanks to the knights protecting me."
"Still, you should prioritize your health. We're grateful you care even for us lumps of iron like this..."
"Please don't say that. If not for you, my hometown would have been overrun by ghouls and reduced to ruins. I'm just thankful I can help in this small way."
As Rachel shook her head, her soft golden hair swayed gently. Her serene eyes brimmed with peace and love.
Truly worthy of being the Goddess's chosen representative.
Menil marveled inwardly.
From the plains to Valdina, throughout their long journey suppressing the magic beast waves, Rachel's virtuous deeds had captivated the Agema.
She had even poured her holy power into the epicenter of the waves without regard for her own contamination, had she not?
Her courageous stance in the magic beasts' lair where even hardened warriors would flee in terror, coupled with her selfless offerings of precious holy power and holy water, had broken down Menil's staunch defenses.
"Sir Menil."
Then Rachel looked around furtively before speaking, confirming no one else was present.
"Please open the door so I may see His Majesty."
She spoke imploringly to Menil, who guarded the entrance to the office.
At that moment, a goat-horn shaped symbol flashed in Menil's pupils. It disappeared instantly, noticed by none.
With glazed eyes, Menil nodded.
"Yes, Saintess. Please enter. His Majesty should be inside."
Clank.
Rachel smiled. And stepped through the opened door.
Central Palace, the King's office.
Despite his extended stay on the plains, Pelleus had readjusted to palace life with remarkable speed, as if those days meant nothing.
He had barely left his office all day, buried under a mountain of state affairs that had piled up.
"Pelleus."
When Medeia arrived at the Central Palace, Pelleus was still engulfed in stacks of documents.
"Dea, you're here."
"How is your condition?"
Her brother's handsome face remained unchanged, save for a slight pallor.
"I'm fine."
"......"
"Dea, if I weren't well, I wouldn't be sitting here like this. It's truly not as serious as you're worrying it to be."
He soothed his younger sister with an affectionate touch.
"This brother will always be by your side. You sometimes grow anxious as if I might vanish from this world."
Medeia gave a bitter smile. Pelleus could be unexpectedly perceptive in the most unforeseen ways.
Just then.
"Ah, Your Highness the Princess is here as well."
Medeia stiffened as she spotted golden locks fluttering behind a pillar at the office entrance.
"What are you doing here?"
Medeia's emerald eyes turned toward Menil, who had entered the office alongside Rachel. The unprecedented pressure emanating from her pale face made Menil instinctively shrink back.
It took him a moment to realize the princess's question was directed not at Rachel, but at himself.
"Ah, well... Miss Rachel came to purify the remaining demonic energy in His Majesty... so I..."
"Forgive me, Your Highness. I insisted because I feared His Majesty might still be suffering from lingering pain due to the residual demonic energy in his body."
Rachel, caught off guard by Medeia's unexpected presence, was momentarily flustered but soon offered a faint smile.
As if oblivious to the princess's frosty demeanor, she extended a wooden box with her pale hands.
Inside were small vials containing a swirling blue liquid.
"It's holy water I prepared myself. I humbly ask that Your Highness the Princess accept my gift and pardon my impropriety."
"......"
"My power may be feeble, but I have full confidence in its purity. If the blessings of the goddess could grace Your Highness's noble form, even slightly, it would surely be of some help."
"......"
Rachel still held out the box. Because Medeia had not accepted the saintess's gift.
She stared at Rachel with an indifferent expression. The atmosphere grew awkward in an instant.
"D-did I commit another discourtesy toward Your Highness? If so, please blame this foolish one and grant me your generous forgiveness."
The saintess forced a smile, her face flushed with embarrassment. Moved by sympathy for the saintess who had been publicly rejected, Menil stepped forward.
"Your Highness, I can vouch for Miss Rachel's holy power. It was several times more effective than the temple's holy water, so if you would trust us and accept—"
"So, you let her pass without prior notice or verification? Since when has the Agema, sworn to protect the Emperor, become so lax?"
Menil flinched at Medeia's cold rebuke, instinctively realizing she wasn't wrong.
Why did I bring Rachel in? He couldn't quite recall the reason. It just felt like the right thing to do at the time.
Menil wore a crestfallen expression.
No matter how much the saintess had saved them, the Agema were meant to be the sharpest blade guarding the King.
Had there not been countless enemies who sought Pelleus's life, some with faces as friendly as the saintess's?
'We grew complacent. We should never lower our guard, no matter the situation.'
"My apologies, Your Highness. This was my failure."
He prostrated himself in acknowledgment of his mistake.
"If you deem punishment fitting, I shall accept it willingly."
"Menil is hereby relieved of his position. From now on, Dianzel will oversee the Central Palace's guard detail."
Pelleus rose from his seat, his voice cool as he spoke. Then he turned toward Rachel.
"Rachel, though you have yet to receive the sacrament of holy names, your affiliation with the Holy Nation is clear. Let there be no repeat of this incident."
His voice was icy, leaving no room for argument. Though Rachel was taken aback, Pelleus paid no heed and continued.
"Your assistance will not be forgotten. The promised patronage remains valid, so you may take your leave now."
"Your Majesty, at least allow me to purify— Let me tend to your wounds, please. As a messenger carrying forth the goddess's will, I—"
"Escort the Saintess out."
But the young King's tone was indifferent.
"But—"
"Dianzel, see her out."
Rachel stretched out a hand in agitation, but Pelleus was quicker, casting a stern glance at Dianzel.
With a nod, Dianzel seized her.
"Aah!"
Then, a short scream erupted.