Taming the Evil Saintess

Chapter 73




Thanks to the amicable agreement with the Redrick Tribe, we were able to use protective magic.

The idea of casting magic over the entire city territory was Emily’s. Originally, the range of protective magic was limited to the village level, but by using natural materials like totems as catalysts, we managed to forcefully enhance its effectiveness.

Thus, the protective magic itself stemmed from Ophelia’s divine power, but without Emily’s design, it would never have been possible to use it.

And so, the completed protective magic was equivalent to a grand spell similar to teleportation.

“Impressive.”

I marveled at the Melt Rune, faintly covered by a golden translucent veil.

Emily Barried. Truly a disciple of the Archmage.

“Hey, I’m the one who actually implemented it. This is technically holy magic.”

“I know.”

Ophelia and Emily.

In the original work, these two couldn’t even get along, yet their collaboration led to such an amazing outcome.

“Well, this is all my talent.”

“If it weren’t for the Star of Dawn Ring, it would have been difficult.”

Subtly mentioning that, Ophelia diverted her gaze.

“By the way, what prompted you to have such a commendable idea?”

Though the concept and design were Emily’s, it was Ophelia who first suggested the idea of using protective magic to safeguard the residents.

To someone like me who had watched her for a long time, I never imagined Ophelia would burn through her divine power to cast protective magic to save complete strangers like Elves.

“Well…”

Ophelia chuckled softly as she scratched her cheek.

“My personality’s a bit rough. You could say I’m a bit of a bitch.”

“I’m glad you’re aware.”

“Yeah, and you’re an ass.”

“I can’t say for sure about that.”

“Idiot.”

Ophelia shot me a glare for a moment before continuing.

“So I’m a bit selfish. I still hate those Ear Demons, but I hate Mined Creatures even more. Plus, if I help these Elf brats, it raises my status, right? So… yeah, it’s more of a deal than a genuine act of kindness.”

“Whoa…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Ophelia shot me a deadpan stare.

Though she put it differently, it was clear she didn’t want to see the Elves dying.

Could this be the kind of commendable thought process from this Ophelia?

I felt a strange sense of pride and placed my hand on her head.

“Don’t use me as an armrest, you jerk.”

Ophelia whined, but she didn’t push my arm away any further.

Emily watched the scene and giggled.

“Emily, you worked hard too.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s the least I could do; we’re saving people, after all.”

To Emily’s angelic statement, I nodded while glancing at the devil right beside me.

“What are you staring at?”

“….”

I sighed and muttered.

“…Why is your personality so different?”

In the original work, Emily had a temperament just as troublesome as Ophelia’s. However, the Emily I was facing now was nothing like that. Instead, she was closer to a righteous person, on par with a Sword Saint.

It’s easy to guess why Ophelia in this world shows a different side compared to the game.

Hadn’t we just seen the Punishment Room in the Cathedral of the Saint? It was likely that continuous brainwashing and training forced her to pretend to be the ideal saint, completely crushed in spirit.

What was shown in the game was nothing but a facade of Ophelia.

“Ophelia.”

“What?”

“I’m really glad we met.”

“Ugh.”

After saying that, Ophelia suddenly turned her head away.

Leaving that scene behind, I fell into thought.

The original Ophelia must have been broken in spirit due to the continuous abuse at the cathedral. Thus, paradoxically, it wouldn’t be surprising if Emily’s personality also twisted due to some triggering event in the original work.

I looked at the gray-haired girl in front of me.

Though she didn’t know it yet, a massive event that would change Emily’s personality could happen soon.

Not just Emily, but Owen and Titania could be similarly affected.

“This is troublesome.”

With Mined Creatures currently targeting us, new worries began to pile up.

It felt dizzying.

*

“Erwin has awakened.”

The next morning, Azar came and said that.

Erwin waking up meant it was time to decide on our course of action.

On our way to the bedroom where Erwin was, Azar spoke.

“Um, Knight Elliot.”

“What is it?”

“Not sure if you’re aware, but when I referred to you as a monster in the Labre Territory last time…”

Azar gazed out the window.

Coincidentally, Ophelia was sitting on a long bench in the square.

“If you coddle a child too much, they won’t develop a straight character.”

“Uh?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t particularly remember coddling Ophelia.”

My memories of the smack were vivid.

However, it seemed Azar had a slightly different perspective.

“Yes, of course, I know that you disciplined the Saintess firmly, but that was merely establishing a hierarchy between you and her. Because of that, the Saintess respects only the Hero and fears him.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I’m saying is, if she’s always in a position of superiority…”

Just then, I heard Ophelia’s voice from outside.

“Hey, Ear Demon!”

She was calling out to a Redrick Tribe soldier passing by.

“Me?”

“Is it me?”

“Excuse me… is it me?”

“Yeah, I’m talking to you.”

“What is it?”

“Can I pull your ears? I’m curious. Don’t worry, I won’t rip them off. Oh, but don’t get too close; you smell bad.”

“….”

I nodded at that scene.

“Yeah, I definitely get it.”

How can Ophelia say “Ear Demon” right in the middle of the Elf town?

Strong against weak, weak against strong. As soon as she realized the Redrick Tribe couldn’t harm her, Ophelia became like a fierce warrior.

I reckon it’s best to skip dinner tonight. That troublesome personality of hers needs to be kept in check continuously.

“Not just me, but also what happened a few days ago with the Redrick Tribe leader.”

“And why’s that?”

“You said you’d reach an amicable agreement, yet you ended up brawling.”

Indeed, I had given quite a scare to that Redrick Tribe leader, Beltrom or Ultron or whatever his name is.

Thus, I had to show my superiority.

Of course, it seemed like he had some face of his own and sent knights to try restraining me, and after I knocked out a few of his teeth, only then did he capitulate.

In other words, it was unavoidable.

“Those Ear Demons started it first though.”

“….”

Azar had a rather complicated expression.

“Still, as the lord of Labre, I feel compelled to add that the Saintess tends to learn from the Hero’s actions.”

“…What?”

I frowned at Azar’s statement.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Are you saying Ophelia’s personality has changed because of me?”

It has to make some sense.

“…Nature and behavior are different things.”

Azar said that and sighed.

“No, never mind. That was an indiscretion.”

*

“Are you out of your mind?”

That was the first thing Erwin said after hearing the story.

Erwin looked somewhat pale, likely because the magic still hadn’t completely left his system.

He had just regained consciousness, and it seemed it would take a few more days for him to be ready for battle.

“Are you saying you knocked out the leader of the Redrick Tribe? The Hero? What are you trying to accomplish?”

“They started it first!”

“Starting it can happen a time or two, but don’t you know that Elf grudges last centuries? You may be safe now, but what happens when you’re old and Beltrom comes looking for you with a knife?”

“…Hmm.”

“Of course, that’s just an example. The Fairy King has given his orders, so it’s unlikely, but you should be more considerate in your actions. You’re not like the Saintess, right?”

Should I really have to listen to this now?

I couldn’t even stand being treated like her.

I clicked my tongue and replied.

“Is it reasonable that the Elf with an impressive grudge didn’t even say thank you to the Hero, who saved his life?”

“…Not one word, huh?”

Erwin narrowed his eyes at me before eventually lowering his head.

“Yeah. Thanks. It’s thanks to you. At that time… I lost my senses and couldn’t make rational decisions. It won’t happen again.”

“Was that because of Mereba?”

“….”

Erwin’s face darkened.

Her feelings must be complicated right now too.

“I heard you were referred to as a bastard.”

“By whom?”

Just then, just as I was about to explain further, the door opened abruptly, and an Elf walked in.

“Knight Elliot! I’ve been looking for you!”

It was Wuzmund.

He was carrying a pile of documents, and when he made eye contact with Erwin, who had just woken up, he dropped all the papers.

“What? Wuzmund, why are you here?”

“Ah, ahahaha…. Well…”

As Wuzmund tried to sneak away, I explained.

“I asked him to come. He’s the one who told me about the relationship between you and Mereba.”

“Knight Elliot!”

Wuzmund looked at me with a face full of betrayal, but I didn’t pay it any mind.

Erwin grit his teeth and muttered.

“What a pointless thing…”

“Couldn’t you have just said it straight away? That could’ve saved us both some hassle.”

“….”

“I’ve heard everything. That you have a secret child, and that Mereba killed her siblings to save you.”

“You’ve heard it all. So what’s your sentiment?”

“That’s a question I should be asking you. Erwin, what do you want to do?”

Erwin remained silent.

He was just gazing out the window with moist eyes.

Well, he had just regained consciousness, so he’d need time to process his thoughts.

It’d probably be better to wait for him.

While I was thinking that, Wuzmund raised his hand hesitantly.

“So, Hero?”

“What is it?”

“The reason I came here was…”

I turned to Wuzmund, and he picked up a piece of paper from the pile on the floor.

“Mereba contacted one of the tribes. The tracking team didn’t seem to have confirmed anything, but I found some clues in a few documents recorded by the scribe of Elvendell.”

“Oh? Who is it, then?”

I eagerly pressed Wuzmund for the next part.

Wuzmund cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“It’s the Gemal Tribe.”

“What?”

At that statement, Erwin reacted.

She looked perplexed.

“What kind of tribe is Gemal?”

“…I’m sure Knight Elliot knows.”

“So who are they?”

“Umm….”

Wuzmund hesitated to answer, and instead, Erwin responded.

“…It’s the tribe that rules Nua Diel.”

Nua Diel.

The name certainly strikes a chord.

After all, I’d been there directly.

“…Could it be Titania?”

“Yes. That witch is the chief of that tribe.”

Erwin paused briefly, then added a comment.

“She’s also the one who gave birth to the woman who bore me and Mereba.”

“….”

“Brother, how un-Elf-like of you. To seek out your mother in times of crisis. Is this what blood ties are?”

That remark hit me like a hammer.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.