Time-Limited Saintess, You've Been Caught by the Tyrant Once Again - Chapter 74
Chapter 37.2
“Do you want me to go back?”
“No! That’s not what I meant. I just thought it might be better for you to receive proper treatment as a saintess.”
Ellin shook her head at Melissa’s concern.
“There’s no such thing as proper treatment, Melissa.”
“Yes?”
“If I go back there, they’ll surely welcome me, but only to a certain extent.”
“….?”
“Going out like this, buying clothes in pretty colors, making friends—none of that is allowed there.”
Ellin looked up at the sky. A sudden breeze blew in, causing her long hair to flutter. The sight looked like a painting, and Melissa looked at her as if fascinated.
“Just because I’m not at the temple doesn’t mean I’m not a saintess. I want to live until the end of my days, which God has bestowed upon me.”
Her voice was soft and firm, like pure white snow falling quietly.
“Ah, then where to next…”
Bang!
All of a sudden, a tremendous noise rang out, and a massive cloud of dust billowed up.
˚ ·: * ✧ * :· ˚
“Kyaaaaak!”
Liliana, who had gone to the Pope’s office at his call, screamed upon seeing Erich.
There was a tea table placed between the Pope and Erich, as if they were about to have a discussion. A pure white teacup with a gilded rim overflowed with red tea.
“Y-Your Holiness, w-what is this?! Why is this person here?”
Although she asked with a trembling voice, the Pope didn’t respond.
Liliana, growing anxious, asked again.
“Your Holiness, please answer. Why is this priest, why High Priest Erich…”
“I’ve heard the whole story, Saintess.”
As the Pope spoke leisurely, Liliana was frustrated by his calm demeanor. She shouted as if in a fit of rage with a pallid face.
“Yes, you heard it! The person used violence against me! So why are you and High Priest Erich here drinking tea?”
Despite the fact that her tone was nervous, both the Pope and Erich continued to sip their tea elegantly. It felt as if she was the only one screaming like a madwoman. The serene leisureliness of the man in front of her unsettled Liliana elicited both a shiver down her spine and a surge of anger.
“It seems there’s some misunderstanding on your part, Saintess. High Priest Erich has informed me of the truth.”
“The truth? What truth?”
She stared at the Pope with a terrified expression.
Fortunately, the Pope maintained his usual gentle demeanor. His eyes creased with wrinkles, and the artificial smile at the corners of his mouth remained.
“Erich, speak.”
“I guess I’m a little angry because the Saintess doesn’t seem to be fulfilling your role. I didn’t intend to put any pressure on her.”
Couldn’t he see it now? Erich was ‘apologizing’ without even getting up from his seat. Was that really the attitude of someone apologizing?
“Your Holiness, he definitely grabbed me by the collar. And I had bruises…”
Of course, Erich hadn’t done such a thing. Still, what mattered was that he had grabbed her by the collar and behaved threateningly.
Even though he didn’t grab her by the collar to the point of bruising, Liliana still felt threatened. In addition, there was one more thing. Wasn’t she the ‘Saintess’? Wasn’t the authority of a saint significant? Then, why was High Priest Erich being released so easily like this and chatting with the Pope?
“Your Holiness.”
“Saintess, even if we assume High Priest Erich did grab you by the collar.”
“….”
“So, are you telling me to execute High Priest Erich?”
“Yes?”
Liliana’s eyes widened at that statement.
…What did she just hear?
“The High Priest attempted to assault the Saintess, so you’re suggesting we execute him. Is that how you want us to announce it to the priests and the believers?”
“Your Holiness.”
“You must show mercy to everyone.”
Liliana felt her breath catch in her throat.
Seeing the Pope narrow his eyes and looking at her, she suddenly realized. This man… The Pope wouldn’t listen to her words because it was a matter of the temple’s honor. Truth didn’t matter, and he didn’t care to know who was making up the lies.
It was because the conclusion was set… Erich hadn’t committed violence against her. That conclusion wasn’t the truth but what was ‘beneficial to the temple.’ So, even if, just if, the Pope knew that she wasn’t a real saint, it wouldn’t come to light. It was because the existence of a fake saint wouldn’t benefit the temple.
What a horrifying conclusion this was.
She felt relieved yet fearful. Then, how would the Pope react if she were to do something that harmed the temple?
“The Saintess only needs to worry about bestowing blessing upon the Princess who is said to have recovered from her illness.”
“…Yes.”
Erich rose from his seat when he saw that Liliana had calmed down.
“Then, I’ll offer my apologies to the Saintess and take my leave.”
Without waiting for the Pope’s response, he rose to his feet and strode past Liliana, who stood dumbfounded.
“Congratulations on extending your life.”
He placed his hand on her shoulder and whispered very softly.
Liliana turned pale at the sound of his voice and looked at Erich.
A priest immediately followed Erich as he left the room. Erich walked ahead with a cold expression, looking straight ahead.
“How did it go?”
“It was a success.”
“The one who committed sins should duly receive punishment from their family as promised, and then rest. There should be no association that the temple was implicated in this matter.”
“Understood.”
Erich furrowed his brow as his restlessness didn’t dissipate before he sighed.
“Did Sir Maynard go there?”
“Yes. Upon hearing about the private heresy in the commercial district, he headed there without hesitation.”
“He’s quite amusing, too. At first, he stuck close to the Saintess and wouldn’t leave her side.”
“…Yes?”
Erich smirked at the priest’s puzzled question. He soon looked up at the blue sky and frowned.
“I’m giving you a chance, Elena.”
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