🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 51
“Alright, Lady Meliz!”
Up until then, Licht hadn’t said a word. His cheeks were still flushed, perhaps because his fever hadn’t gone down yet, leaving a color that didn’t quite suit his face.
Quick-witted Lelia dismissed the attendants back to their posts, and Marine smoothly cleared the tea table, arranging things so that Lady Meliz and Licht could sit together.
“Lady Edel, we’ll wait outside. Please call if you need us.”
At last, the three of us had a quiet setting to talk. Licht, who had been stiff the whole time, walked awkwardly to the tea table and sat down.
“Phew, the palace is always the same no matter how many times I come.”
Lady Meliz downed the tea in front of her in one gulp. Though her complexion seemed a little better, her mood was clearly sour. No doubt it was because I had refused to go with her earlier…
‘I’ll just give her a whole bunch of magic stones instead, Lady Meliz.’
I felt a little guilty, but convinced myself she’d like them as a gift anyway.
“At least, it looks like you’ve settled in well, Edel.”
“Really? Everyone at the Crown Prince’s Palace takes such good care of me. And they serve delicious meals every day!”
I raised the corners of my lips and smiled brightly. I had the feeling that if Lady Meliz even sensed I wasn’t doing well, she’d teleport me out of here right away.
“That doesn’t mean I’m at ease.”
“Duke.”
Lady Meliz seemed to have come fully prepared this time, not letting her guard down. A heavy atmosphere began creeping back in, and Licht’s gaze sharpened. Meliz met that stare unflinchingly, then turned her body toward me.
“Even if not for this, I was planning to take you to the Merdemia Temple.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The temple?”
The temple? My curious gaze made Lady Meliz brush aside my bangs as she explained.
“You said you wanted to learn more about your trait, didn’t you? I searched everywhere, but there were no proper records. So in the end, I reached out to the temple.”
“As expected, it must be related to holy power.”
Licht muttered as if he’d anticipated this.
“So far, that seems most likely. I didn’t want to go into detail with them, but as you know, the High Priest isn’t a fool. He immediately insisted on meeting Edel. After all, the trait of light is said to be a gift from Merdemia himself.”
“Hm.”
Caught between the two of them, I couldn’t follow the conversation and could only dart my eyes around.
“……Has there been anyone manifesting holy power recently?”
“No. The last record was 150 years ago.”
What? Why do they both look more and more serious? From what I gathered, my trait was connected to holy power, and the temple might be able to identify it. Watching them grow grim, I finally voiced the question that had been nagging me.
“If they find out exactly what my trait is, would anything… change?”
I already knew I had strong resistance to the Apostle’s power. But as Zen always emphasized, my mana capacity was practically negligible. I doubted an analysis would change much.
“Ah, could it maybe increase my mana capacity?”
If so, things would be way easier—both for running a business and protecting myself.
“……Hmm.”
Apparently not. Judging by the hesitation in both Meliz and Licht’s faces, I’d been too hopeful. After a moment, Licht slowly brushed back his immaculate forehead and said,
“Rather, perhaps they’re expecting another possibility.”
“Most likely.”
Lady Meliz nodded curtly. These people keep leaving me out of the conversation!
“Another possibility?”
“Edel, the possibility that you’re a Saint.”
I froze, unable to respond right away. One thought ran through my mind.
Ah, Sephina still hasn’t appeared yet.
“A Saint…”
So far, I’d changed a few details from the original story, but the major events themselves hadn’t shifted. The terror plot using Count Bastille had happened, and the magic stone mine had been discovered.
Sephina’s appearance might be delayed, but she’ll show up eventually. The big picture of the original story is still intact.
The problem was, I couldn’t tell these two that. Seeing my silence, Lady Meliz added an explanation.
“Don’t worry. That’s just the temple’s wishful thinking, Edel. The trait of light may resemble holy power, but they’re different. You won’t have to enter the temple.”
“Oh, that’s not what I’m worried about.”
With no better answer, I could only give a strained smile.
“There’s no way I’m a Saint! Even if I’m weak, I’m still a mage, aren’t I?”
“Of course. Our Edel is a mage, through and through.”
Meliz looked at me fondly and once again stroked my hair. In Edel’s memories, Meliz had always liked to run her fingers gently through my hair, almost like petting a puppy. Some things never change. My soft silver hair swayed lightly under her touch.
And then—I felt a stare. Licht was watching us closely, a strange expression on his face, as if he found the scene unusual.
‘Do we look too close for a Tower Master and her disciple?’
For me, though, both the Meliz in Edel’s memories and the one I met after transmigrating had always treated me this way, so I was used to it.
“Still, it would help us figure out why your trait suddenly manifested—and maybe even find a way for you to protect yourself. The High Priest didn’t rise to that position lightly. He’s trustworthy. He’s lived almost as long as I have.”
Well, considering I had no idea why I’d transmigrated in the first place, I figured I should gather whatever information I could. If I got lucky, it’d be a jackpot.
“Yes, I’d like to visit the temple too.”
“Tomorrow would be best, but with the palace in chaos after the Apostle’s attack, it’ll be safer to wait until things settle down.”
Meliz murmured without removing her hand from my hair. Licht nodded in agreement.
“That would be wise. I can’t accompany you right now.”
At Licht’s suggestion of joining the trip, Meliz cut him off firmly.
“There’s no need for Your Highness to accompany her. If I can’t go, I’ll send Zen.”
Whoa, was it really okay to talk to him like that? Sure enough, Licht’s brow twitched upward in irritation.
“……”
The tension rose again. Not good!
“Right, I’m busy these days too! I don’t really have time to visit the temple right now. It’d be better if we go when Your Highness is available, haha!”
So this is what they mean by when whales fight, the shrimp’s back gets broken. My back was breaking here… Snif. My overblown response made Lady Meliz tilt her head.
“Hm? Edel, what are you busy with?”
Oh, that was a fair point. The whole reason I came here was to avoid a potential black mage attack. Seizing the chance, I clasped my hands together, beamed, and looked at Lady Meliz.
“I’m going to start a business, Lady Meliz!”
“A business? Edel, are you short on allowance?”
Her sharp gaze turned instantly on Licht. Why did her bright green eyes suddenly blaze with such intensity…? Almost like she was blaming him.
But of course, I had no reason to be short on money. I never even handled it myself—everything from food to clothing was provided at the Crown Prince’s Palace. Lady Meliz gave me a suspicious look again.
“I want to make artifacts.”
“Artifacts?”
“Yes!”
“Edel, you know artifact crafting requires mana, don’t you?”
Now her expression grew pained. She knew well that I barely had any mana at all, so it must have sounded impossible to her.
But I smiled confidently and nodded.
“That’s why I’m going to ask Zen to make them for me!”
“Zen?”
“Yes, and Lelia and Marine are going to help too.”
Then I eagerly laid out my grand business plan. Lelia and Zen had the mana to craft artifacts, so I’d ask them for a few samples. Marine would handle market research and marketing.
‘I mean, come on—I know the basics of “how to sell stuff,” don’t I? People are people no matter where you go.’
That was my philosophy: societies run on similar principles everywhere. And judging by the potential, this business was sure to be a hit! Watching me babble with excitement, Lady Meliz chuckled.
“My, my. You haven’t even explored the capital yet, and already you’ve got such big ideas.”
Then, with a fond smile, she tousled my hair again. I grinned sheepishly, enjoying the touch.
“You’re right, though. I should check out the markets too.”
Since arriving at the Empire’s heart, I hadn’t really gone outside except when visiting Marine. Listening to Lady Meliz, I realized I should stroll through the capital, observe the atmosphere, and see which jewelry shops were popular.
“……If it’s the capital you want to see, I could guide you myself.”
Licht, who had been silent for a while, cleared his throat and spoke quietly. At once, Lady Meliz’s brown brows shot upward.
‘Looks like Licht’s really on Meliz’s bad side. Every little thing he says annoys her.’
I didn’t know him well since he’d been bedridden for two years, but it was obvious he hadn’t been the most obedient disciple in the past.
