🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 10
Still reeling from the earlier shock, Verdine had no idea how to react when wings suddenly sprouted on her back. She sank to the ground, gaping in confusion.
“Is that true? I knew you were exceptional, Verdine, but you truly are a remarkable talent.”
Holding Leno’s hand as she rose to her feet, Verdine’s emotions became impossibly tangled.
Of course, Seiri had meant a rather incompetent lower-tier divine being. But from Verdine’s perspective, she had just received the highest possible praise. Even if she tried to act nonchalant, her lips betrayed her, twitching upward into a smile.
That woman gave me an unpardonable insult and radiates an odd aura. If she can’t even purify, she’s disqualified as a Great Saint. Now’s the perfect time to call her out…
And yet, for some reason, all those thoughts were fading.
Her heart felt strangely soft, almost pliable.
Earlier, she had been shocked, but now, thinking back, there was something almost compelling about Seiri.
Unlike the surrounding people who fawned over her with dull flattery and predictable gifts, Seiri had a different kind of presence. Verdine had thought Raiden was the only one of that transcendent kind in the world.
And somehow… the shouting earlier, that fierce demeanor, had been a little—just a little—impressive. Maybe she was mistaken about the true Great Saint after all.
She had just saved a child. Well, she herself had performed the purification, but still…
Strangely, her chest felt light, and the image of Seiri yelling at her while also praising her kept flashing in her mind.
Why… am I feeling like this?
Why was her foolish heart racing like this? What on earth was happening?
What is this? I’ve never felt this before!
Feeling odd, Verdine stole a glance at Seiri. But the person who had truly captured everyone’s attention was entirely focused on the children.
“This can’t be happening to just this one child. There must be more.”
“Before this seed spreads further, we should check the nearby villages.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The original destination is nearby. This child clearly came from that village. Let’s go!”
Watching Seiri’s figure recede into the distance, Verdine snapped out of her daze as the others mounted their horses and hurried after her.
“W-wait! Hold on! I’m coming too!”
Thinking she’s impressive? That can’t be! This is definitely… because I was startled when she grabbed my collar for the first time.
Yet Verdine’s heartbeat, which had not stopped since earlier, was somehow growing even stronger.
The massive, sturdy gates of the fortress swung open. From a distance, it was easy to spot the pair of men riding fine steeds entering the castle, followed only by two attendants.
In the past, when the empire’s highest authority returned to the palace, a grand ceremonial welcome would unfold with great pomp.
But the current ruler had openly denounced such traditions as pointless and crude, erasing them completely. As a result, the palace remained serene.
“So, what is it you wanted to tell me?”
The man riding ahead paused and asked. Naturally, everyone following behind fell silent.
“Oh, you noticed, huh?”
“I’ve told you several times to say what you mean instead of dancing around it. You’re not the type to swallow your words anyway.”
“Haha, that’s true.”
Leno scratched his head awkwardly, offering a sheepish smile.
Though they followed the child to the village, they found no trace of demons related to the seed.
Seiri, however, insisted on staying in the village until she found a lead. Surprisingly, Verdine volunteered to remain alongside her.
Only Raiden and Leno returned to the palace, since the castle couldn’t be left unguarded. On the way back, Raiden noticed Leno deep in thought.
“You’re thinking about the Great Saint, right?”
“Yes… I’ve been debating whether I should even say it.”
“I like it. Makes me wonder if I should hold her.”
“Eh?”
“You weren’t pondering whether to believe in the Great Saint or not. You wanted to know why she had gotten into my head, didn’t you?”
“Seeing through me so thoroughly is… scary.”
“Ever since the Great Saint appeared, your expression has screamed curiosity. It’d be stranger if you didn’t know. So, does that answer suffice?”
“I’m afraid… it does not.”
“Hmm. I thought that would be enough.”
Clack-clack. Leno guided his horse alongside Raiden as they passed through the castle gates.
“You may not know me as well as Your Majesty, but I think I know you fairly well too. After all, we’ve been together over fifteen years.”
The emperor’s deep eyes momentarily scanned the past, as if tracing memories.
“No one in the empire knows me as you do. My brother, who knew my true self, fled during the war. My mother is gone. The previous king….”
He trailed off, realizing he had spoken too much. Leno tactfully intervened.
“The answer you just gave seems like you were evading my question. I assume Your Majesty has certain expectations of the Great Saint… Am I overthinking?”
“Are you saying I’ve waited for the Great Saint’s incarnation hoping for something?”
“Yes, exactly.”
A soft laugh slipped from Raiden’s lips, like a refreshing summer breeze, but his gaze remained cold and unreadable.
The emperor smiled often, charming many, but even Leno couldn’t read the hidden intent behind this smile.
It wasn’t a laugh born of joy, but one of necessity. Habitual, practiced, polished.
Knowing the reason behind it even slightly made Leno feel a pang in her heart rather than fear.
“Alright. If what you say is true, what do I want from the Great Saint? Do you really think I desire something?”
“…….”
“Leno, have I ever had expectations or desires in my life?”
“To my knowledge… no.”
“Correct. Neither in my memories nor will I ever. That should be sufficient answer.”
With that, Raiden gripped the reins again. The steed responded vigorously, ready to depart.
“Don’t worry too much. Though I destroyed all of Ferdinando’s statues, I won’t ruin your precious Saint like that.”
The blinding light behind him masked even his enigmatic smile.
“Oh, and yes, I do truly like her.”
As before, Leno could not guess the emperor’s true intentions.
“Ha… four days and she hasn’t appeared?”
Evening had just begun, and Seiri sat on a hill overlooking the village, wearing a weary expression.
Did she notice and run off? Should I search another area?
Four days ago, the village she arrived at had been in utter devastation.
Two children had been horribly mutilated, leaving the villagers terrified and helpless.
Though all the children with demon seeds had been purified, that was not the end. They had to find the culprit. Raiden and Leno, pressed for time, returned to the palace, while Seiri stayed behind.
Though Leno wanted her to leave as well, no one could stop Seiri’s determination to punish the demons that had harmed the children.
The swelling in the children’s abdomens is recent. He will surely return here.
She was certain of it… but four days had passed without a trace of the demon.
Even so, Seiri had no intention of giving up, though her weakened body made her exhausted from lack of sleep and food.
In her old form, two days of deep sleep would have been enough to recover for months, and she could sense demons even when they hid deep. But now, her body felt unbearably sluggish.
“Ha…”
Seiri sighed and checked her wrist. Veins that had been pale four days ago were now filled almost completely with dark red blood.
Why is it rising so quickly? Should I line up the villagers and bless them one by one?
As she pondered seriously, something fell beside her with a soft plop.
Turning, she saw a silver-haired woman partially hidden behind a tree, her face flushed as she looked toward Seiri.
“What is it?”
“I made this myself… oh, no, it’s not that. I got it on the way here.”
Verdine, hiding behind the tree, spoke curtly.
Why is she acting like this now?
After all the fuss about holding sticks and demanding retreat earlier, she had become strangely obedient since arriving in the village. She even cast the barrier without complaint, and her gaze now had a weird, unsettling quality.
Seiri, about to eat, picked up the dropped sandwich.
As she prepared to take a bite, Verdine’s eyes, watching from behind the tree, sparkled like gems in the sunlight.
