News came that the Saintess was safely rescued by Ashillya.

Her condition while trapped in the cave was too miserable for words, but there was no threat to her life.

Her location was discovered through Siegfried, and the Imperial Knights personally rescued her.

When the knights entered the cave, the Saintess was still piously offering prayers to the Goddess. According to the knights, that was a sacred sight.

Anyway, she, who was trapped in the cave, recovered by the Empire and immediately headed to the Capital.

Since Ashillya’s side was detaining Siegfried, the Saintess directly mediated the political friction between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire.

Ashillya was waiting for the Saintess in the reception room of the Imperial Palace, smelling the aroma of expensive tea.

Click.

The door of the reception room opened, and the Saintess appeared. Black hair, black eyes, and even snow-white skin.

No matter how much the Imperial Knights had treated her severe injuries, her condition didn’t look very good because the wounds were originally quite severe.

“…Greetings to Her Highness the Crown Princess of the Empire.”

Nevertheless, when the Saintess with a graceful and noble appearance entered the room, Ashillya erased her expressionless face and showed a small smile.

“Welcome. I am the Crown Princess of the Empire.”

“I have received immense grace, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

Due to the political dispute between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, they failed to prepare clothes for the Saintess to change into, so they said they would prepare clothes separately, but the Saintess stubbornly refused that offer.

Even though she was imprisoned by the Hero the Goddess chose, her faith did not disappear, so she insisted on wearing the Saintess’ robes.

Although her clothes were shabby, they couldn’t hide her dignity. Ashillya nodded, accepting her graceful greeting, and offered her a seat.

“Not at all. I merely did what was necessary as a human being and child of the Goddess.”

In fact, Ashillya was not a very devout believer, but she spoke with a hint of lip service. At Ashillya’s words, the Saintess smiled as if pleased.

“Nevertheless, I can only express my gratitude.”

As she bowed her head again, the Saintess’s black hair swayed. Ashillya, who calmly accepted the excessive gratitude, took a sip of tea.

“Even though thou knew there would be political disputes with the Holy Kingdom, thou still helped me, is that right?”

The Saintess was someone who radiated light herself. Every time she smiled, it was dazzling to the point of thinking that her eyes were blinding.

“The next Hero has abandoned his duties as a Hero, so of course I must protect you.”

When Ashillya explained to the Saintess the actions of the next Hero who imprisoned her and tried to create a false one according to his own taste, her expression hardened for the first time.

“…I apologize for making thee recall painful memories.”

“Not at all.”

The Saintess took a sip of tea, following Ashillya, and exhaled softly.

“How much does thou know about the current situation?”

“I roughly heard the story from the brothers who guided me here.”

The Holy Kingdom demanded Siegfried’s extradition from the Empire. They claimed that his charges were unclear and that the Empire was arbitrarily detaining the Hero chosen by the Goddess.

The Empire was also responding with charges of insulting the Imperial Family, attempting to assassinate the Crown Princess, and imprisoning the Saintess, as well as blasphemy against the faith, but the Holy Kingdom had closed its ears.

The Saintess, who had heard all the facts, quietly nodded and answered Ashillya’s words.

“The Holy Kingdom does not believe the Empire’s claims at all. That’s why thy testimony is very much needed for us.”

“I am also well aware of that. What can I do to help you?”

No matter how benevolent the Saintess was, it was a clear fact that she owed her life to Ashillya… or, more precisely, to the Empire.

At the same time, the conflict between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom was not what the Saintess wanted either.

Ashillya, upon hearing the Saintess’s words, smiled with satisfaction and answered her question.

“The Empire also does not want a dispute with the Holy Kingdom. After all, everything is a tragedy caused by one ignorant Hero.”

“That’s right. At this point, even if the Empire and the Holy Kingdom fight, it will only be a meaningless conflict.”

It was the seed of conflict sown by Siegfried. There was no need for innocent people to shed blood because of that.

It was a very touchy matter for the Holy Kingdom to confront the Empire, and the Empire had nothing to gain from fighting with the Holy Kingdom.

“I hope thou can officially talk about the misdeeds of the Hero Siegfried.”

“…I understand.”

Ashillya slowly blinked at the Saintess’s appearance as she calmly answered Ashillya’s request.

It was because she didn’t expect the Saintess to immediately accept the request. No matter how much hardship she suffered because of the Hero, Siegfried was also chosen by the Goddess after all.

Publicly spreading the misdeeds of such a person was ultimately an act of cutting one’s own flesh.

“As I said, there is no need for a meaningless fight.”

“I’m glad. I was worried about what I would do if thou  refused my suggestion.”

All of Ashillya’s actions were based on the assumption that the Saintess would side with the Empire.

If the Saintess had refused Ashillya’s suggestion, it would have embroiled the two into a troublesome conflict. Of course, that didn’t mean she regretted her choice.

As Ashillya smiled faintly, the Saintess also smiled back at her.

Fortunately, the two women with the same intention properly discussed their plans. The Saintess wasn’t stupid either, so she could clearly understand Ashillya’s words.

“Is that enough?”

“The rest is for the Empire’s officials to handle.”

Ashillya, who seemed to have relaxed, leaned her body against the back of the chair and said leisurely while sipping tea. The Saintess, staring blankly at that sight, calmly opened her mouth.

“There is one thing I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“I heard from the brothers who rescued me. They said there was someone who took the lead in this matter.”

“…”

The moment she heard the Saintess’s words, Ashillya’s eyes sharpened.

Because one person naturally came to Ashillya’s mind. However, there were more than one or two people who took the lead in this matter, so she straightened her gaze.

The Saintess, seemingly not noticing Ashillya’s momentary sharp gaze, pondered her memory and told her.

“The one who confronted Siegfried… that Astria…”

“About that child—”

Ashillya’s voice coldly cut off the Saintess’s words.

The Saintess’s body trembled at the ominous force in her voice. Ashillya, on the other hand, was sitting upright, but her eyes shone sharply.

“What business does thou have with him?”

“I heard that person provided a lot of help. I wanted to express my gratitude.”

‘…I need to stay calm.’

Seeing the Saintess’s innocent eyes, Ashillya inwardly let out a deep sigh and calmed her mind.

Even she herself thought that she had a habit of becoming sensitive to stories related to Felix.

The Saintess, who should be pure and noble, had never met Felix, and even if they met briefly, there was no possibility of her falling for him.

With that thought, Ashillya calmed her mind, gently nodded, and answered the Saintess’s words.

“He is currently at the academy. If thou wish, I will pass on the message.”

At Ashillya’s words, the Saintess showed a bright smile. Before Ashillya could open her mouth, the Saintess spoke first.

“The academy… I will thank him in person.”

As she expressed her desire to go in person to give gratitude, Ashillya deeply exhaled.

“I understand. For now, let’s handle the matter in front of us first.”

There were two strikingly beautiful women by Felix’s side. Of course, he wasn’t interested in them, but from Ashillya’s perspective, they were quite irritating.

Of course, as she just thought, it wouldn’t easily happen that the Saintess would fall for him.

Therefore, Ashillya calmly composed herself and nodded. Although she felt strangely uneasy, she thought it must be just her imagination.

‘However.’

The knight who told the Saintess about Felix would probably not be easily forgiven.

***

Helena was finally discharged from the hospital.

Helena, who was told she was fine after the final examination before leaving the hospital, left with a smile on her face.

It was because she heard that Felix had come to meet her. Felix and Sylvia had visited her while hospitalized, but apart from that, she couldn’t hide her joy.

“Feli…x…?”

As soon as she saw Felix, Helena’s expression, waving her hand and brightly smiling, began to harden.

Because by his side, there was a woman she had never seen before in her life.

Moreover, she was extremely cute.

Translator’s Corner

Can’t lie, I can’t wait for Sylvia and Helena to meet for more of the members.

-Ruminas