The next morning, I go to church.
Izekiel is in the cathedral, sermonizing the believers.
At a glance, she seems to be doing her job as a saintess, but I can’t trust a former general of the demon king. There is also the fact that she deposed Iris to install herself as the new saintess.
I watch from afar, and when she notices me, she puts on a warm smile.
As the sermon draws to a close, she approaches me.
“It’s been a while, Miss Sephilia. Half a year since we met face to face.”
“We saw each other yesterday…”
“Let me think… I don’t remember that. Are you sure you are not mistaken?”
“…”
“I think I know why you came here. There are too many people here, so let’s move somewhere quieter.”
She says, and guides me to a gazebo in the church’s garden.
There is a roof to ward off rain, and a round wooden table inside.
Izekiel sits first, and prompts me to sit as well.
Her actions are all refined, showing the elegance expected of a saintess.
I failed to notice this yesterday, but looking at her more closely, she has a ring on the fourth finger of her left hand.
“That ring…”
“Ah, this? The crown prince gave it to me. It uses an ameritera stone I love.”
Ameritera is an ore that shines purple, and is rarer and more expensive than amethyst.
Something this size had to have cost a hundred million. However, followers of Emeraude have a custom to see not carrying such jewels as a virtue. One of the reasons is the implication of possessing wealth.
Of course, this is not enforced, so many do carry jewels, but it is very rare for a saintess, the symbol of the Emeraude religion, to do so.
Izekiel gazes at it. Is she happy because that man gave it to her, or is there another reason?
“Saintess Izekiel.”
“Yes yes, what is it, Miss Sephilia?”
“I will ask bluntly. Why are you pretending to be a saintess?”
“Because it’s fun, of course. People worship me like a god. This environment does wonders for my self-esteem.”
She stops pretending after checking to see if anyone is around, and tells me her motivation.
It is very self-centered, without a shred of intention to improve Roland.
“Hum… You are a saintess, correct?”
“Yes, a virtuous saintess♪.”
“…”
“Regardless of what I feel on the inside, as long as I perform my duty as a saintess, there is no problem, is there? Or are you telling me to also take on the values of a saintess, and offer myself to the believers?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Her question leaves me in silence. I don’t like her values, but I did abandon Roland.
I wished for Iris to be happy as a girl, not a saintess.
I am not one to lecture her.
“Can I ask a question now?”
“To me?”
“Who was that uggo who saw through me yesterday?”
“…Saintess, your choice of words is not appropriate.”
“Oh dear, how careless of me. Seeing a demon was so unpleasant, that my real feelings leaked out. Ufufu.”
Izekiel lets out an elegant smile while covering her mouth.
“I don’t really understand either, but Ghise hired that demon.”
“The crown prince really has no sense when it comes to hiring. He has such a wonderfully beautiful demon like me… Hawawa, saintess like me.”
Izekiel does not look very happy. It seems she likes Ghise.
“Do you really not know her?”
“I told you yesterday, I have never seen that uggo. And to be honest, I really hate demons.”
“Why is that?”
“They mock me as a traitor. They ignore the fact that they failed to beat the heroes, and put the blame on me. And they were so obedient when they were serving me, it’s so annoying…!”
(Doesn’t that make sense, considering you ran from the heroes?)
I think, but that would make her mad, so I keep my mouth closed and listen to her grumble.
She does not have an amiable personality like the demon king, but also does not seem to be a monster that won’t listen.
At the very least, it does not seem like she has plans to use her position as saintess to destroy Roland. That does not mean I have warm feelings for her, but…
“By the way, who knows you are a demon?”
“Aside from that demon, right now, you.”
“Right now… So there were others.”
“Yes, three perceptive ones. Although my brainwashing magic means they are not an issue.”
That is quite the scary thing to say so casually.
My anger rises, as I turn to her with a question.
“…Does that include Ghise?”
“I did not brainwash him. He was like that from the start.”
So that is just him…
I’m a fool for hoping that was not the case.
“It looks like you were off the mark. How do you feel?”
“Terrible.”
“Hahahaha. Miss Sephilia, there is no problem, is there? He can be moody, but he is actually kind.”
(Kind people don’t hire assassins and attack…)
I watch her somewhat distorted reaction from the corner of my eye, as I let out a small sigh.
Then we continue talking for about an hour, and after I say goodbye, I leave the church.
There is a guard standing by the gate watching me, who bows upon seeing me.
“I apologize for the delay. Bring over the wagon for me to return to the castle.”
“Very well. Hum, just checking, will you be stopping along the way?”
“…I would like to see the knight’s training area.”
“Ah, as you wish. (Yes, Miss Sephilia is known as a master swordswoman…)”
As the wagon shakes, I look at the streets of Roland that I had not seen in half a year.
Roland is still here without issue, even without Miss Sephilia. It makes me feel a little emotional.
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