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Chapter 14
“Thank you again today, Saintess!”
“Because of you, Saintess, we don’t have to go hungry anymore!”
“Thank you for making sure my children won’t starve!”
On that side, gratitude flowed so warmly it could make one’s heart swell.
But in my tent, the air was bitterly cold.
The priests, wary that I might cause some scene, merely stood guard in silence, watching without lifting a finger. The others looked on with open derision—some taking bets on when I might finally explode, some sneering as though saying “did you think the temple would treat you like a lady of the nobility?”
And so, under that weight of disdain, I became someone who wanted to help, yet was not allowed to help.
“This isn’t right!”
Unable to hold back any longer, Wendy turned toward me, her voice filled with earnest desperation.
“My lady, why must you suffer such an unfair situation? They’re being terribly rude to someone who only came here to give aid!”
“That’s simply their way of protesting,” I replied calmly. “The gentle saintess who has always helped them is about to be replaced by some lofty duke’s daughter. They refuse to accept it.”
“No matter what, it’s still wrong!”
“The poor of the capital have just as fiery a temper as the nobility. I find it rather entertaining, actually.”
When I covered my mouth and laughed, Wendy’s face twisted as though she were looking at a lunatic.
“Why…?”
“Why what?”
“My lady would never normally let such things slide. Don’t tell me you’re planning to hold back and then strike all at once, are you?”
Her voice carried far, enough that the priests nearby flinched.
But Wendy ignored them and pressed on.
“Please—just say that’s what you’re going to do!”
Her desperate eyes searched mine. I finally opened my lips.
“Half right… and half wrong.”
The flicker of I knew it crossed her face.
‘Lately, she’s grown disturbingly bold… insolent, even. I let it slide, thinking to see how far she dares go, but she’s getting close to forgetting her place entirely.’
For a moment, I nearly snapped at her, but then decided to let it pass once more.
‘Since it’s come to this, I may as well see it through to the end.’
When I stayed silent, Wendy beat her chest in frustration.
“This isn’t like you at all! By staying quiet, you’re letting them laugh at you as if you were harmless!”
“So what?”
“M-my lady?”
I rose from my seat simply because my legs were stiff, but Wendy flinched back as if I might strike.
“What is it you want me to do?”
“N-no, it’s the opposite!”
Clenching her eyes shut, Wendy blurted out:
“I’m afraid you’ll bathe this place in blood the way you usually would when mocked!”
‘Ah. So that’s her real fear.’
For a moment, I’d thought this assassin was genuinely worried for me. I almost laughed.
“An amusing assumption.”
Had it been the last cycle, perhaps I would have done exactly that. With no answers in sight, I would’ve lashed out, driven purely by emotion.
“I thought you cared for me. How disappointing.”
I mimed wiping a tear from my eye. She trembled again but did not retract her words.
“If you do have a plan, please tell me. I’m truly afraid.”
Her honesty made me pause.
‘Well… it’s about time anyway.’
But just as I considered giving her a hint—
“I’m curious too.”
Of all people, Milla appeared.
“I want to know what you’re thinking, Lady Apferdita. Why are you wasting time like this?”
Her expression was solemn, her voice firm.
“For three weeks, we’ve been here to help the poor. Not because of qualifications or conditions for sainthood, but out of pure goodwill.”
I nodded as if inviting her to continue.
“And yet… what have you done? Perhaps no one approaches you, yes. But as a volunteer, isn’t it your duty to try regardless? To make an effort?”
“Oh, please, go on.”
“Have you even once tried to approach them first? Or thought of a way to resolve this situation?”
“Of course.”
“Ha!”
Milla clicked her tongue, eyes sharp.
“I am doing my part, in my own way.”
“If this is the result of your effort, then your effort clearly isn’t enough!”
Her mocking tone made me drop the polite smile I’d been wearing.
“And why do you assume my results should already be visible?”
The laughter vanished from my eyes. Milla faltered instantly, her confidence trembling.
“B-because half the service period is already over… and still, no one has accepted your help…”
Her words trailed off into uncertainty. She cast nervous glances my way, her voice shrinking.
“Look around! Resources are being wasted!”
The poor, eager to support their saintess, sided with her.
“That’s right! How dare you scold the saintess for worrying over us!”
“Typical of some pampered noble lady!”
“She won’t even talk to us—she doesn’t care!”
Their voices rose like fire. Milla, moments ago floundering, suddenly regained her confidence, bolstered by their anger.
“Exactly! After all we’ve seen, Lady Apferdita simply doesn’t belong in this service—”
But before she could finish, a commotion broke out at the sole entrance.
“What’s that?”
The heavy grind of wheels, the clang of metal, and the neighing of horses filled the air.
One after another, massive wagons rumbled into view, laden with cargo.
The poor instinctively pulled their children and elders behind them, wary.
When laborers jumped down from the wagons, Wendy’s eyes widened.
“No… don’t tell me you mean to demolish this place right now?”
“You’re correct. The slums must go.”
When I agreed, her face went pale with shock.
“How could you be so cruel? If this place is gone, they’ll have nowhere to go!”
“Such filth has no place in the capital.”
“You can’t see the world only through your own eyes! These people are doing their best just to survive!”
Milla screamed, losing all composure. I ignored her and greeted the noble who approached.
“Welcome, Lord Pers.”
“An honor, Lady Apferdita. This is the site you mentioned?”
“Yes. I want it completely razed. Can you manage it?”
“For you? Even the impossible must be made possible. After all, whose orders do I serve?”
His voice brimmed with pride.
Our calm exchange made Milla panic. She grabbed my arm.
“Stop this at once!”
“Lady Nepur, I am making an effort right now. Don’t interfere.”
“Then stop that effort! Don’t torment these poor people just because your pride is wounded!”
“My, did I ever say I meant to torment them?”
“W-what else could this be?”
“Listen carefully. The ones tormenting them… are themselves.”
The crowd stirred in outrage. Whatever fragile goodwill I had, sank even lower.
“There are many kinds here—those born poor, the sick, criminals in hiding. How long must this slum fester unchecked?”
“Don’t… don’t say that…”
“Let me ask differently. How long must they live like this?”
Her eyes widened, unable to answer.
“Why must the innocent suffer in poverty simply because of the accident of their birth? Why should they be denied even the chance to escape?”
Milla fell silent, lips pressed shut.
“Why must they always depend on the charity of the wealthy? Why only take what is given, never striving to earn what they desire themselves?”
“Because they can’t! Unlike you, they’re struggling just to eat! They don’t have that luxury—”
“Exactly. That’s why I’ll help them.”
“…What?”
