This BL Novel Is Ruined Now - Chapter 220

BLR has been completely translated on Patreon

Chapter 220

Translator: Yonnee

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Two weeks later—

“The Saintess has returned!”

“Saintess!!!”

The negotiations with the Tusa clan about ‘Resa’ had smoothly concluded, and the principality’s revolution had entered a stable phase.

And Reina, who had been at the forefront of all these events, was literally ‘returning in glory’ to the imperial capital.

“Even the dwarves respect Your Eminence!”

“Truly, our Saintess!!”

“You are our hope, Lady Reina!!”

But what’s going on?

Despite the fervent welcome that matched the appearance of the first emperor, the red carpet, the dazzling path lined with all sorts of magic, and the splendid carriage, the protagonist of this parade didn’t seem happy at all.

In fact, she appeared anxious.

“Why…”

Why wasn’t Ethan here?

Smiling awkwardly, Reina scanned the crowds around the square.

‘He’s not here… He’s really not here.’

There was no sign of Ethan anywhere. No welcoming figure had appeared.

‘What on earth is going on…’

After visiting the Aild Forest where Lehman was, Ethan had returned to the capital first.

And from that point, two weeks passed without much communication with Ethan.

‘We did call a few times…’

But could those really be called ‘calls’?

—Reina. Are you hurt anywhere?

“No, what about Ethan?”

—I’m fine too. You must let me know immediately if something happens.

“Of course. But Ethan—”

—I’m sorry, Reina. I’d love to talk more, but I have to go now.

“Ah… okay. We’ll talk next time.”

Talk next time, my butt.

After such calls ended like that, usually, there was almost no contact for 20 hours straight. And when contact was barely made, it was as if he was being chased. Each call averaged at just a few scant minutes.

“Is he overwhelmed with work coming back to it…”

It would make sense given the backlog of work accumulated over several months… But it’s unlike him to neglect contact because he’s busy.

“No matter how I think about it, this doesn’t seem like Ethan… There must be something going on.”

“Lady Reina? Are you okay?”

Reina’s muttering made the imperial knight beside her tilt his head to the side in confusion.

She hastily donned the benevolent face of the saintess.

“I was just a bit surprised to see all the devout followers of Utta seem to have gathered here.”

Although it was an attempt to deflect, it wasn’t entirely a lie.

‘It’s like a festival atmosphere, even more so than the Founding Festival.’

She knew to expect some commotion after such grand actions, but she never anticipated a welcome procession of this magnitude.

“Not only the Utta religion, Lady Reina.”

Following the attendant’s gaze to the right, she saw priests from the Shan religion and monks from the Megaro religion had also come.

“……”

It made sense for the Shan religion because of how rumors had spread about her use of divine power to make fire in the Dwarven Duchy… But what’s up with the followers of Megaro?

Such quiet questions were rising when the attendant continued the explanation.

“If the divine power capable of overcoming the Tears of the Blacksmith is present, regardless of the source of that power, it is only right for Lady Reina to be inaugurated as the first saintess of the Megaro faith.”

“First saintess?”

Caught off-guard by the unexpected information, she opened her mouth wide, forgetting her composure.

Megaro was the god of earth and wind, and was also regarded as a high deity like Bharan and Utta after being directly granted powers by Chadarr. Megaro was responsible for the cycles of the natural world.

Perhaps because of this, the followers of Megaro were always traveling the world, aiding all people, somewhat similar to pilgrims. They were a religion at the polar opposite of the Utta faith, which focused solely on principles and justice.

For them to acknowledge Reina… This was a huge thing.

“This, really… The title of saintess has become quite grand.”

“Are you afraid?”

Hardly. If she were the type to be scared by such matters, she wouldn’t have even dipped her toes into reform.

“No. I’m actually looking forward to it.”

“Then why do you look so unhappy?”

“……”

Why indeed.

It’s all because of Ethan.

‘Why hasn’t he shown his face even amidst all this commotion…’

As if he had some urgent business.

Of course, she didn’t harbor any fears that his feelings had changed.

It was just that Ethan, so devoted to Reina, being out of contact signified something serious and grave had happened, which was the source of her unease.

Unfortunately, Reina could no longer openly express her feelings now.

“Lady Reina. Are you sure you’re not feeling unwell?”

From the imperial knights steadfastly protecting Reina, to the citizens sprinkling flower petals to celebrate the saintess’s return, and the faithful who walked thousands of miles to get here…

Too many eyes were on her.

‘Right… Now’s not the time to focus on my personal issues but on the role I’ve taken on.’

“No, I’m fine. Just overwhelmed with emotions upon returning to the Empire.”

With that, Reina forced a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.