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Chapter 52
‘Have you eaten something strange recently?’
Prillien’s innocent question made the chat explode in laughter.
Oh wow, she guessed it lol
Of course she’s eaten something strange…
Our Ellie eats poison every day, you know? Ha…
‘Yeah. I live on poison every day.’
It wasn’t a particularly shocking statement. But right now, there were too many listening ears, and she didn’t want to reveal that here. Elysia smoothly withdrew her hand and made up an excuse.
“I just… tend to pick up and eat whatever’s lying around.”
“I see… Is that so?”
“Of course. When I go to a ball, I even eat two of each dessert.”
“…What?”
“…That’s true,” the crown prince muttered quietly to himself.
His voice was so low that no one else could hear, but Elysia caught every word.
“Well, since you’ve confirmed I’m not hurt, let’s leave it at that. I’ll take good care of my own health.”
“B-but…”
Prillien looked at her with worried eyes—so gentle and kind, befitting the title of Saintess. Elysia smiled reassuringly, as if to say she needn’t worry.
“You must have been startled earlier. I hope you weren’t hurt yourself, Saintess.”
Healers were known for their weak constitution, and they were a position that needed constant protection to avoid death. If Elysia had been any later, things could have ended badly.
“Can you self-heal? Ah, do you not understand what I mean? If you can heal yourself, do that first.”
“Ah—y-yes, yes.”
Prillien widened her eyes like a startled rabbit and took a step back—giving the High Priest the opening to finally step in.
“…Lady Prillien, first, we sincerely thank you for showing us such a miracle. Since you’ve finished examining the patient, would you please come this way for a moment?”
Elysia fixed her gaze on the High Priest.
‘You’ve been so quiet until now…’
She had noticed. While the other priests gasped in awe and admiration, the High Priest had kept an almost expressionless face, observing the scene closely. His eyes had only widened slightly when Prillien examined her—and that was it.
‘Now he’s trying to take her away.’
According to the original story, Prillien usually followed the temple. It wasn’t a bad choice for someone with no home or connections—the temple provided food, shelter, honor as a Saintess, and even guidance on how to use holy power.
Just then, Leonard spoke up first.
“Are you planning to take her straight to the temple?”
“Yes. Since ancient times until now, the Saintess has always resided only in the temple.”
“But shouldn’t you at least ask for her opinion first?”
“…Hm?”
At Leonard’s words, the High Priest’s brows lifted. Elysia nodded.
‘This scene happened too.’
In the original, Prillien was given the choice of going to the palace, the magic tower, or the temple. In truth, only the temple was actually available—but her choice affected Leonard’s and Jerome’s favorability.
After thinking for a moment, the High Priest tilted his head and said slowly,
“That’s true… The Saintess might have somewhere she wishes to visit or stay before the temple. I imagine the palace would also be happy to host her.”
“Of course. His Majesty would be delighted by a visit from the Saintess.”
“And the magic tower as well, I suppose.”
The High Priest turned to Finn with a look that clearly said, Naturally, the palace and the tower would want her too, right? But Finn shook his head.
“No. We’ll pass.”
“…What?”
The unexpected reply made the High Priest’s expression falter. Even the priests behind him looked stunned, as if thinking, You dare refuse the Saintess? Finn only shrugged lightly.
“The tower is a research institution. I doubt our facilities are suitable for housing the Saintess comfortably. The palace or the temple would be better. Of course, if it’s just a visit, it would be an honor.”
It was a reasonable explanation with a polite smile, making it difficult to argue. The priests seemed appeased by the answer—except for the High Priest, that is.
Elysia found it odd too.
‘Then why, in the original, did he give her the choice to come to the temple?’
Was it because Jerome didn’t show up and Finn decided there was nowhere suitable for her to stay? Or was there another reason?
Normally, if they wanted to recruit the Saintess, they would try harder to appeal—but here, he was withdrawing from the start.
“In that case, we should ask the Saintess for her decision.”
The High Priest was right. Ultimately, it was Prillien’s choice.
“M-me?”
“Yes, Saintess. Will you come with us to the temple, or is there somewhere else you wish to go?”
“I…”
Prillien hesitated. Everyone leaned in, curious to hear her choice—everyone except Finn and Elysia.
Elysia, in fact, wasn’t particularly interested.
‘No matter what she picks, it’s the temple route anyway.’
In the original, no matter which option was chosen, she ended up saying, “Thank you for offering to let me stay at the palace, but… I am the Saintess, so the temple is where I belong.”
Finally, Prillien spoke.
“When I first opened my eyes, I was attacked by a monster. It was terrifying.”
“Oh, dear Prilinis… We are pained to hear you suffered such a thing the moment you arrived in this world. But if you go to the temple, there is a dedicated knight order solely for your protection, so you will be safe.”
“So… the temple will protect me?”
“Of course.”
One of the priests standing beside the High Priest answered fervently.
“And not just protect you—we will risk our lives to serve you, so that you may be where you belong and enjoy everything you are entitled to as Saintess.”
Quite the sales pitch, Elysia thought, nodding slightly.
‘Honestly, even I’d be curious to choose the temple.’
Safety, privilege—what exactly would she get to enjoy? Prillien’s eyes wavered at the tempting offer. Elysia was stifling a yawn when—
“But… from what I’ve seen…”
After a moment of deep thought, Prillien finally continued.
“…this lady seems the strongest.”
“…What?”
“…Excuse me?”
Without warning, Prillien grabbed Elysia’s arm tightly—like a cicada clinging to a tree. Elysia didn’t even think to shake her off, just stared blankly. The priests, the crown prince, and Howell all looked wide-eyed in disbelief. The High Priest seemed to lose all color in his face—or was she imagining it?
Regardless, Prillien kept talking.
“She took down both that rhino and the eagle in one go… and she’s also my savior…!”
She turned to the High Priest.
“Do any of the temple knights have that kind of strength?”
It was a pure, innocent question—straight from the heart of the Saintess.
“….”
The High Priest fell silent, apparently unable to think of a reply. When he didn’t answer, Prillien looked back at Elysia and drove in the nail.
“You said your name was Lady Semperion? Could I go with you instead?”
“…What?”
What the hell did she just say?
Had she heard that right?
She’s not going to the temple? The temple route is the original! She’s not even picking the palace or the tower?
As Elysia stood there in shock—
—flashy fireworks erupted before her eyes, accompanied by a notification.
Ding ding ding!!!
Congratulations! You have completed the quest!
Main Quest
〈The Arrival of Prillien〉
The Saintess of this world, Prillien, is about to appear!
But your character is the “villainess” Elysia!
Will you just sit back and let the protagonist make her grand entrance??
Interrupt the first meeting between the male leads and Prillien!
Interference Success (2/2)
Leonard Istaras (1/1)
Jerome Plumen (1/1)
Wait. This counts as a success?!
Lol
No way, this actually counts
You stole the Saintess from all the male leads!
That’s definitely interference lol
True, she had already disrupted things when Prillien was summoned, but she hadn’t expected it to be judged like this.
Even Jerome didn’t come because of his own business, and that still counts?
Was it because she saved Prillien instead of the male leads? Or because Prillien had chosen a completely unprecedented option—going with Elysia instead of raising anyone’s favorability?
Either way, success was success. The system clearly saw no problem.
Though startled at Prillien’s request, Elysia’s mood instantly brightened at the quest completion message.
“You’ve got a good eye. I am pretty strong.”
“I knew it…” Prillien murmured in awe, nodding.
