🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 13
“Ouch…!”
The saint let out a faint, pained moan.
Felix didn’t hesitate for even a second and turned his head.
Watching that scene made Ioanna’s stomach churn, so she slammed the door shut with both hands.
Bang!
Felix shot a worried glance at the saint, then leaned close and whispered quickly,
“The painting will be removed from the gallery. Blanche needs time to settle her mind, so let’s wait a couple of months.”
“Don’t talk nonsense—take it down tomorrow. You stole it, and you expect the owner to wait? Is that how you handle things?”
Felix looked about to retort, but the saint collapsed into a crouch. Gritting his teeth, he went to support her.
Meanwhile, Ioanna, of course, gave the departure orders.
‘You banned outings and now you say wait two months?’
Anger rose to her throat. She forced herself to calm down, exhaling roughly as she recalled the thoughts from earlier.
If she didn’t, the fury would be unbearable.
‘Let’s reconsider… that note warning me about a master liar. Who left it?’
Yesterday… honestly, it was terrifying.
Even after returning to reality, she couldn’t sleep for a long while, reading and rereading the note she held in her hand. Holding onto it felt like it would make things okay.
‘Just thinking of that mischievous face sends shivers down my spine.’
She never wanted to meet that person again.
It was instinct as prey.
“Absolute being. Pure evil.”
Someone with unstoppable power.
What if she met them again?
She’d been struck by something like black lightning and thrown away, so maybe she’d be safe for now.
All kinds of thoughts swirled in her mind.
Ioanna spent the night wide awake and then fled her bedroom as if escaping.
She needed to go out just to breathe.
‘Still, someone protected me.’
The sixth celestial being who clicked “like” on her channel.
The one who let her use the <Helheim Hourglass>.
Could they all be the same person?
‘Highly likely, but I have no proof. Just a hunch.’
The numbers didn’t match, which was strange.
And it seemed unlikely there were two people in the world willing to help her.
‘…If they’re the same person, why?’
Why leave such a note?
She had many questions, but no answers. Asking the celestials directly felt awkward.
‘I was warned to be careful with one of them, so I can’t be reckless.’
She had enough discernment for that.
[Celestial ‘<Urgent> My husband shattered into 14 pieces, what do I do’ congratulates you for taking a swing at her husband.]
[Celestial ‘Top Revenge Service Industry’ frowns at her mistress.]
[Celestial ‘Cat-Head Enthusiast’ shakes their head at the shameless couple, claiming it can’t just be the wind.]
Watching the celestials’ reactions, Ioanna realized she had arrived at her destination and cleared her mind.
She erased from thought the saint acting, the dashing Felix Theresia.
Wearing a pre-prepared hat with a veil, Ioanna instructed the coachman to leave first.
“I’ll spend some time at the bookstore and maybe go to a cafe later. Come back in a few hours. We’ll meet where you dropped me off.”
“Yes, milady.”
After all, he wasn’t a coachman who cared about a wife unloved by her family head.
His lazy attitude annoyed her, but Ioanna deliberately handed him a few coins.
“Thanks for bringing me.”
“Oh, it’s nothing… I’ll gladly take it.”
The grinning coachman whipped the horses and left.
He’d probably go drink himself. That’s why she gave him the money.
After carefully checking that no one was following or watching, Ioanna headed to the back alley of the bookstore.
The front of the street was a commercial district. Turning back a little led to a row of newspaper offices.
‘Judging from the articles I’ve seen in the future, this was the most aggressive against religion.’
<Pen and Sword>.
Seeing the plainly named newspaper sign, Ioanna strode inside confidently.
“I’d like to meet the editor.”
“Uh… do you have an appointment…?”
A young staff member with long hair tied in a ponytail was dozing at the shabby desk.
Tapping the table, Ioanna woke him. Rubbing his eyes, he jumped up.
“Ah, hello, milady…!”
“Take me to the editor. I have the information I want.”
“But if you don’t have an appointment… I mean…”
“Tell him it’s about the Theresia family.”
It was rare for a noblewoman to visit a newspaper in person.
That alone meant it was likely an exclusive scoop. The staff hurried upstairs.
Even though the editor wasn’t in, someone above him was available, so it didn’t matter!
“Phew.”
Ioanna exhaled while waiting for the staff.
Of course, she had never done this before.
For ordinary people, it might be easy, but for someone who’d lived confined in her household all her life, it was a big challenge.
[Celestial ‘<Urgent> My husband shattered into 14 pieces, what do I do’ supports you.]
[Celestial ‘<Urgent> My husband shattered into 14 pieces, what do I do’ donated 100 Dia!]
[Celestial ‘Top Revenge Service Industry’ blesses your courage.]
[Celestial ‘Top Revenge Service Industry’ donated 100 Dia!]
[▶ Current support: 300 Dia]
Feeling the celestials’ encouragement calmed her.
It wasn’t just the money… though she had to admit, clean, anonymous money without tax issues worked better than any tranquilizer.
“Oh, come in. I’ll show you,” said the staff.
Following the flustered, flushed employee, Ioanna clenched her fists.
She was determined like a knight heading into battle.
‘I can do this. I can do this….’
A moment later, Ioanna stood before the editor’s office.
She glanced at the glossy nameplate and took a deep breath before opening the door.
“Welcome. I hear you have a tip about the Theresia family.”
Thud.
The door closed behind her, and a low voice resonated in her ear.
It was the deepest, darkest voice she’d ever heard, as if ash clung to every sound. Ioanna flinched.
It didn’t sound like a newspaper editor’s voice at all.
“Please, have a seat. I am Wilberg, the editor.”
The tone inviting her to sit was soft, yet somehow intimidating.
Strangely, it suited him perfectly.
It was as if he had always spoken like this, without a hint of discord.
Sitting quietly on the sofa, Ioanna studied the man through her veil.
‘He’s wearing a mask?’
She had her face covered too, so she had no right to comment. Still, it was curious. Why would the newspaper editor need to hide his face?
“Actually, it’s not exactly about the Theresia family… it’s about the Holy Knights. But it’s practically the same thing.”
“Interesting.”
The man slowly stood. Tall, broad-shouldered.
He looked like a seasoned swordsman, yet… there was something else hard to describe.
‘There’s no sound when he walks. He must have trained like this. Is he really a newspaper editor?’
She swallowed hard and stared at his silver mask.
Simple design covering the nose and eyes, but the exposed jawline and lips suggested the face behind it was quite handsome.
Probably younger than her.
