Chapter 121. Deception (1)
One day, the previous Saintess of the Order passed away.
The process of selecting the next Saintess was straightforward. Among girls with the qualifications to become a Saintess, those who garnered the public’s support were chosen.
A girl with profound faith, beauty, and exceptional talent in healing magic. That’s why such a person was selected to represent the Order as its Saintess.
There was, however, an anomaly in this process.
This time, two Saintesses were chosen.
But there was sufficient support and justification for it.
> —I recommend Amelia and her younger sister for the next Saintess position.
> —They possess outstanding appearance, skill, and faith. Their public support is exceptionally high.
> —Twin Saintesses will be born!
The election for the next Saintess proceeded smoothly.
Everyone agreed the outcome was predetermined.
Two twin girls with devout faith. Strongly backed by the masses, they were considered geniuses in healing magic, rumored to be favored by the Goddess herself.
On the day the Order planned to welcome these unprecedentedly popular girls as new Saintesses, a grand event was held at the Holy Residence the night before the canonization ceremony.
The first day Amelia tried on the ceremonial attire with the nuns’ help, she was assigned a private room deep within the Holy Residence, reserved for the Saintess.
> —The ceremony to appoint you as Saintess will take place soon.
> —Please wait here until the canonization.
The nuns closed the door as they left. Wondering if this attire would garner the public’s attention and support, Amelia placed a hand gently on her chest.
‘I can finally achieve the dream I’ve aimed for.’
The resolve reaffirmed itself naturally.
She had a dream she had to fulfill.
Becoming Saintess was merely a significant milestone for her.
She had studied medical science and devoted herself to healing magic training because of a goal she wanted to achieve. A future she hoped to realize by becoming Saintess.
Glancing around the room in the Holy Residence, she noticed a large mirror adorned with intricate carvings. Unconsciously, Amelia looked up at her reflection.
The ceremonial robe was tailored to fit her perfectly. The back was deeply cut, and the skirt was slit high on both sides, up to her waist. The top was daringly designed, revealing the sides of her fair chest.
Though the unfamiliar attire felt slightly uncomfortable, wasn’t it quite beautiful?
Wondering if a diagonal angle showed her face best, she tilted her head slightly. A nun called out, signaling it was time.
> —Amelia!
“Amelia.”
Another clear, emotionless voice overlapped. Realizing this, Amelia snapped back to reality.
It was a fleeting memory from just a few years ago.
How long had it been since leaving the bunker in the mining city? She felt the car’s vibrations through the seat.
“Amelia.”
Opening her eyes, she turned to the limousine’s adjacent seat. A silver-haired maid glanced at her.
“Are you alright?”
The silver-haired girl in a maid outfit. Lien, was it? Thinking what a beautiful person she was, Amelia nodded slowly.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I just…”
She sensed Enoch turning his gaze toward her.
“You seem tired.”
“Well, it’s…”
Amelia clasped her wrist. Her fingers, gripping her magical gear, trembled slightly. She habitually clasped her hands as if in prayer to hide it.
Looking at Enoch, she saw he was watching her with understanding.
It was a rare kind of gaze since becoming Saintess. As she thought this, his next words widened her eyes.
“Why not rest a bit?”
“Pardon?”
“I know you’ve been treating the displaced without rest. I saw it myself. It’d be good to catch some sleep now.”
She looked at him, surprised.
“I’m the Saintess. I only did what’s expected.”
“You’re still human, Saintess or not.”
His brief words as he looked away made her let out a small laugh.
“I suppose so.”
“Did I say something funny?”
“No, it’s just… I don’t hear that often, so I was surprised. Usually, people look at me with admiration or dependence.”
The gazes of the people in the bunker flashed through her mind.
It had become normal, but wherever she went, the eyes on the Saintess were always of that kind.
She’d always understood her position, hadn’t she? It felt oddly novel.
“To speak so frankly to a Saintess like me… You don’t have prejudices about others, do you?”
“Well, having a follower family helps.”
He pointed to his side.
“Even a beast-kin genius is like this.”
Beside Enoch, Sirocco leaned her cheek on his shoulder, staring at me. She wagged her tail, glancing at him.
“Hmph, got a problem with that?”
“Nope.”
“Fine then.”
Their odd banter sparked stray thoughts.
A follower family, huh.
A whimsical thought, but a fun future crossed her mind. A word she’d never considered since becoming Saintess, but what if she became someone’s follower family?
> —So, you know, he was like…
During treatment, Sirocco had spoken eagerly about Enoch, smiling as if the pain didn’t matter.
Something pricked her heart.
Such a person wouldn’t exist for her, now or ever. It was just a fantasy.
It wasn’t feasible for her.
Amelia shook her head quietly.
“Regardless, I won’t cause trouble for you, Enoch, my escort. I’m fine.”
“No risk of mana exhaustion?”
“Thank you for your concern, but the title of Saintess isn’t just for show.”
She smiled lightly.
But the black-haired boy merely gazed at her with calm, blue-black eyes, showing no reaction.
His composed, expressionless gaze made it clear he maintained composure even in this situation. Words slipped out before she realized.
“You’re quite intriguing, Enoch.”
“Sounds like what you said earlier.”
“Well, with all these sudden events, you plan and act on the next step so effortlessly.”
Amelia looked out the window.
The city was chaotic, with many still panicking, unable to follow order controls. A stark contrast to the calm car.
At the center of this composure was the black-haired boy, actively responding to changes, planning, and moving toward the next goal.
“Watching you makes me curious.”
She spoke to his reflection in the window.
“Are all Elsyde members like this?”
“Well, I don’t know the other direct descendants well.”
“Oh, right, you were…”
Amelia’s eyes widened, covering her mouth. But Enoch was unfazed.
“Locked away as the family’s disgrace. Naturally, I don’t know much about my siblings.”
Thinking she’d misspoken, she felt relieved by his lack of offense, adding cautiously.
“Still, I’m sorry if I…”
“It’s fine. No need to apologize.”
His eyes remained serene. Despite their small age gap, he was strikingly composed, almost as if controlling himself through sheer will.
What kind of past did he have? Her clasped hands tightened. A strange thought struck her.
Maybe he’s like me.
Enoch tapped the armrest.
“Anyway, let’s go over things.”
I could only nod.
He pulled out a terminal, tapping to display the mining city’s map.
“The Saintess’s escorts are hiding, but they won’t stay hidden forever. Their goal is likely to disrupt the negotiations.”
“Are they aware of the city’s situation?”
He nodded. “Probably. We can’t be certain, but their likely plans boil down to two: accepting the negotiations as they proceed, or…”
“Doing something else.”
He smiled faintly.
Correct, it seemed.
“How are you so sure?”
“If they were the type to back off cleanly, they wouldn’t have endangered the entire city like this.”
He added, manipulating the screen.
“And they likely don’t know we’re aware of their actions.”
“Oh.”
“So, they’ll probably try something again.”
He pointed to a red-marked location on the map.
“Before they act further, we go here—where they’re likely hiding.”
The location was based on patrol data. Though speculative, his tone suggested confidence.
“But if they resist? Antenor is a skilled combat mage, with some imperial military service. If a fight breaks out…”
She realized her question was misguided. Enoch silently pointed to Sirocco.
His expression implied they couldn’t beat her combined. Sirocco raised an eyebrow, wagging her tail at him.
Amelia bowed her head.
“…I’ll pray they don’t make the wrong choice.”
“Hm, pray?”
Sirocco leaned in from the next seat, tilting her head.
“What’s praying?”
“Wishing fervently to the Goddess. She’ll watch over us.”
Sirocco tilted her head further, pointing at her.
“Your words smell like a big lie.”
“What?”
Amelia’s eyes widened, looking to Enoch in confusion.
“Do beast-kin sense such things?”
“Yup. With a nose like mine.”
Sirocco tapped her nose, tilting her head, adding.
“And you seem really good at lying.”
No malice or mockery, just her honest perception.
Understanding this, Amelia’s lips curved slightly.
“Is that so?”
The limo slowed and stopped. Before them loomed the city’s abandoned factory.
Opening the door, Enoch extended a hand.
Backlit by the high sun, the light dazzled my eyes.
“Let’s go.”
Amelia nodded, taking his hand carefully. Her emerald eyes glinted coldly.
***
A thin layer of snow covered the factory courtyard, revealing footprints. Sirocco eyed them.
“About six people.”
“Right. Matches the number of escorts.”
“Then it’s the place.”
Sirocco turned to me sharply.
“So, what do I do?”
“Protect the Saintess, no matter what.”
“Hmph, got it. Leave it to me. But why bring her here if it’s dangerous?”
I glanced aside.
I didn’t say it, but there was a reason for bringing her to hunt the escorts.
‘She’s the best bait to lure them out.’
And it was to ensure her safety. If the escorts acted unpredictably, they might target her.
It was obvious logic.
Despite the danger to their charge, they’d let the mob attack the city.
Unlike their past threats about being held accountable for failing to protect her, they clearly didn’t prioritize her safety.
Their blatant hypocrisy, with words and actions misaligned, was nauseating even to me.
Glancing at the Saintess, I saw her expression was stiffer than usual.
Then she spoke quietly.
“I’ll go in alone first.”
“What?”
Before I could react, she looked at me, speaking coldly.
“I understand this is where I can help. Let’s make it certain.”
I nodded silently. She clearly understood her role as bait here.
As expected, her judgment was sharp.
I nodded quietly.
“We’ll wait outside.”
“Yes. I trust you.”
Glancing sidelong, Amelia gripped her gear and stepped forward resolutely.
She advanced alone into the factory’s dark interior.
Entering, fine dust swirled silently, greeting her. Beyond the midday sunlight, the hum of ventilators echoed like the factory’s heartbeat.
Step.
Footsteps sounded within.
From the shadows ahead, multiple silhouettes emerged.
The deceivers were coming.