Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Saintess Awaits the Reunion
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I had a dream.
A dream of my beloved, that lovable Arsius, collapsing. The day I grasped my hatred for humanity, the betrayal of those I trusted, and the cruel reality—it darkens my sky and gnaws at me.
With a thud, that flawless light scatters into nothing.
Arsius's back, which had seemed utterly unbreakable, now faces the sky, and the blood flowing from those wounds soaks the ground.
His head is battered beyond recognition, his arms... his legs bear countless marks. Wounds too severe for a hero's healing to handle have overtaken his body.
"Arsius...?"
My words won't come properly—my hands, no, my whole body tremble so much they drown in blood. Arsius's body doesn't even twitch, as if my voice never reached him.
The spreading stain churns my mind. I've seen so much blood before, but never like this. As the end approaches for the one I love, I can only reach out a hand.
Tears suddenly blur my vision. This isn't the time for that, but my mind, which should stay cool-headed, shakes violently.
I have to save him. But can even divine power heal wounds that severe...?
Arsius's condition... Can I pour in holy power and heal him just like that?
No, it's impossible. His pulse feels already severed, and the blood now soaking my knees proves it. My experience healing countless others screams it out.
But using that now would jeopardize the path ahead...
...
I wipe away the tears and bite my lip hard. I swallow the metallic taste of blood coating my tongue and steady my vision.
I despise myself for calculating gains and losses even as Arsius dies. I curse myself for weighing his life against our journey ahead.
And I shove aside such worthless thoughts.
I have to save him. I'll worry about the rest later.
If I let this go on, he'll die. Any more delay, and I can't stop it.
So recite the prayer.
Save him.
On the day the hero died, a supremely holy light poured down from the heavens.
I had a dream.
A dream of the day my overflowing holy power was halved overnight.
A dream of the tears from that day when I could only watch my beloved die.
Those tears from that day still flow down my cheeks even now.
Today, once more, they wet the start of my day.
"Haa... Why can't I have just one good dream for once? I've prayed so much, yet I keep having nightmares—my faith wears away a little more each day."
I wipe the trail from my cheek and rise from the bed. I have a schedule to keep today, after all.
I shake off the lingering unease, head to the bathroom for a quick bath, and tidy my appearance.
Looking in the mirror, I soften my stiff expression. Kind eyes, bright smile, gentle gestures—I package myself and straighten my posture.
As I step out, the waiting knights bow in reverence.
- Lady Saintess, we will escort you.
"Yes~ Take good care of me today, too."
I follow them with light steps, hiding my troubled heart behind a smile.
Our destination is always that vast plaza filled with countless imperial citizens.
"Good day to you all. A fine morning, isn't it? I look forward only to these moments with you."
I wave to those greeting me and continue my speech.
Today, too, I assure them the world's darkness has receded, that only peace remains in Pretoria.
I ignore the dark underbelly rearing its head again the moment Arsius vanished and say it anyway.
I praise the now-gone Arsius, embellish our journey, and spread it to them.
That path we forged trampling the flesh and blood of so many—I wrap it as a beautiful hero's saga.
Maintaining my ever-compassionate smile, I proclaim it.
After finishing my schedule, I hole up in my room again, staring blankly at the ceiling.
What am I even doing? I've saved the world, found peace. I've rescued crying children, saved those tainted by demonic energy.
The world is filled once more with something warm.
So why am I so empty inside? Smiling at people, chatting with others—it doesn't fill the void, leaving me confused.
I try to joke slyly, act as usual, but my stiffening expression won't cooperate.
In the midst of it, I spot Karin diligently cleaning my room.
Right, maybe teasing Karin will help.
"Karin, I'm dying here."
She looks startled at my gloomy words. Approaching me mid-cleaning, she says,
"Lady Saintess...? What do you mean all of a sudden...?"
"When do you think people die, Karin?"
"Pardon...? Why bring that up...?"
I press on, ignoring her gaze like she's seen something bizarre.
"From demonic infection? A sword tearing through their body? The world crumbling?"
"All wrong... People die when they're forgotten. So seeing me wither like this, doesn't it mean Arsius is forgetting me...?"
"Lady Saintess..., you're being ridiculous..."
"Yeah, ridiculous... But still..."
Karin, who now treats me casually, holds nothing back. Normally, I'd laugh it off and chat naturally. I'd half-know it was a joke.
"Ah... This won't do."
I just can't muster it today. My stifled heart shoves my brooding thoughts aside.
I've yielded so much until now—time to do what I want.
That thought gnaws at me. I rise from the bed and straighten my clothes.
"Pardon...? Lady Saintess, what are you—"
"I need to find a way to Arsius's homeland."
Like this, I'll really die. I can't find meaning to keep living.
"Lady Saintess..., even if it's possible, you can't go... You know there are people wailing that if even you vanish, threats will return to Pretoria..."
Karin can't hide her trembling eyes. Is that worry for me, or for her own safety?
"What power do I even have? I'm just a saintess in name now, with my holy power halved."
"And this world Arsius saved anyway. If they can't solve things themselves and just beg for salvation, let it rot."
"Lady Saintess...! Please..."
"I'm tired too. Nearly a year gone, and still nightmares every night. I flail awake every morning, hands shaking."
As I spill my heart, Karin's hands freeze. The hand she'd reached out stops, her eyes trembling more as she stares.
Ah, that's definitely pity. Why such a heartbroken look? Is my face that strange?
I stroke my face idly and continue.
"Ten years. Ten years I loved him. Just one person—that one person was my world. I endured that grueling journey for him alone. Covered in blood, watching acquaintances die, homes vanish—I never lost my smile because he was there. So after a year, it's not getting better— the longing just won't end."
So I have to go see him.
I utter those final words, kick open the door, and stride out. The rosary I haven't touched in ages emits a faint glow. The knights guarding the door stare in confusion.
- Lady Saintess...? What's wrong so suddenly?
I've never gone out at this hour, so they ready themselves like something's happened.
"Nothing's wrong. I just have somewhere to be—go rest."
- Then we'll escort you.
Ever-reverent.
"No need. I'll go alone—rest easy."
- But His Majesty the Emperor said the path you take...
Reverence somehow twisted.
"The emperor. Guess he's above me, huh."
After slaying the Demon God, no rank outstripped a hero party member's, as far as I knew.
- Ah..., but Lady Saintess, this is the imperial palace—please follow imperial law...
"That law was revised after the final battle. The Saintess and Sword Saint hold absolute authority. Their word is law."
My word is law.
"Step aside. Nicely, now."
I no longer hide my coldly hardened expression. My smiles have fulfilled my role enough.
Leaving the knights bowing late with pale faces, I walk on.
Destination: the emperor's audience chamber.
I brush past everyone blocking me, enter, and sit on the sofa. I've sent word I have business—they'll come soon.
And soon enough, the emperor arrives. I look up.
- Lady Saintess, what is it? Summoning someone this late is hardly polite.
I rise quietly at his rotten expression. Then I eye the arrogant guards behind him.
For the emperor's personal guard, I've never seen their likes. Nobles' sons who never even joined the battlefield. They don the guise of noble knights and tarnish true achievements.
That's why I miss those knights who fought with us.
The mercenaries who laughed and joked with us, the mages who guarded our backs—I miss them.
This isn't what their sacrifices built peace for.
Just passing through the palace stirs such longing for reality. I miss everyone we shared it with. The knights, mercenaries, mages, priests. The cute twins.
I miss Arsius.
No. If they'd at least kept decorum, if respect for our salvation lingered, I might not feel this way.
Might not regret saving them.
Awe gone in a mere year.
That's why these people, only skilled at fleecing the commoners' backs, should have been replaced. No need to save every human.
So I say coldly,
"Have you all lost your minds?"
「Bless」
The guards draw swords at my murmured blessing. They dare point blades at the Saintess who saved them.
So I can't hide my hollow laugh. Do they think me weak? Was the awe for "Saintess" that shallow?
Seven years on the battlefield. Not rear support— the front lines of the demonic realm. Seven years enduring where only blood sprayed and demonic energy flowed, in the Demon God's domain.
「Divine Ray」
No place survivable on heals and buffs alone.
Those defying me are evil, and their domain—the palace—is evil's territory.
I declare it all evil.
The single ray I unleash cleaves the audience chamber in two, the palace itself.
Those who bared swords at me vomit blood and collapse at the light's touch. Their blades melt into light, armor shatters and scatters.
Only the emperor, left outside the domain, stares in terror. Another who never set foot on the battlefield.
I meet the emperor's eyes coldly.
"Turpi Senex."
- Y-Yes..., Lady Saintess. Wh-What are your orders...?
I utter the trembling emperor's name.
"Open the gate."
And that's all I demand.