Thiendavis – For The Perfect Salvation

Chapter 10: A Thoroughly Calculative Personality

“We have an appointment. You shouldn’t just leave.”

A heavy rebuke, whose tone was unclear whether it was a joke or serious, came from directly behind.

Evie swallowed dryly and looked at the count’s hand placed near her right cheek.

That hand was large enough to cover Evie’s entire face.

In addition, it was quite rugged in appearance.

The rugged knuckles and protruding veins were one thing, but the hand was filled with large and small scars that seemed to have been there for quite some time.

Naturally, she expected the count to have the delicate hands typical of other noble youths like those in Thiendavis, but his hand was rough enough to be mistaken for a mercenary’s.

Thanks to this, Evie suddenly became acutely aware of the fact that this man was Vis’s Grand Commander—a soldier who made a career in battle.

‘A grand commander shouldn’t behave like a thug!’

Thus, Evie refrained from protesting internally and attempted to calmly pull the doorknob.

Of course, it wouldn’t budge.

The weight of the door symbolized the count’s determination toward Evie Ariate, and understanding this, Evie eventually accepted the situation with humility.

“Right. I did have an appointment with the Count today. Ah, I intended to meet you after the purification ritual, but the conversation dragged on, and I completely forgot. I made the Count come over again.”

Evie berated herself cutely as she gently pulled away from the count’s arm.

Then she contemplated a while.

‘Should I thank him for the help?’

That is to say, thank him for saving me from being pathetically bullied.

In Evie’s experience, men with hero complexes generally craved such words.

And Evie thought that the count, who had plucked her out alone in front of Miel and Rio, was particularly self-absorbed.

Though some pleasantries were needed, Evie decided to keep her mouth shut after a brief consideration.

As saying thanks for the help would mean admitting the previous incident as bullying, leading Miel and Rio to be seen as villains against a small and precious commoner girl.

As a candidate for saintess, this kind of petty tattling was not permissible.

‘So let’s pretend the earlier incident didn’t happen…….’

This was Evie’s exact thought when—

“Does that kind of thing happen often?”

“If what you mean by ‘that kind of thing’ is Miel Sedro’s harassment, then yes, it happens often.”

However, the count asked unexpectedly, and Evie confessed everything honestly.

She then swallowed nervously.

For once, the usually expressionless count looked a bit surprised.

Flustered, Evie hurriedly added.

“But it’s not too severe. It’s also natural, given that everyone is on edge on days when the purification ritual takes place.”

Ah, so pathetic.

Evie evaluated her own statement as such.

Naming someone out like a naughty ten-year-old and then belatedly trying to cover for them.

It seemed like sloppy gossiping.

In fact, the count’s tilted head suggested he thought something similar.

“…… You came to get an answer today, didn’t you?”

Unable to bear the embarrassment, Evie changed the subject.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the count only nodded and did not touch on Miel or the earlier incident further.

In the end, here, Evie found herself confronting the count, taking a deep breath to quell her nerves.

The offer from the count to relinquish her candidacy for sainthood under his protection was, of course, something to refuse.

However, refusing without offending the count was crucial.

Despite the burdensome situation, Evie, recalling the recent purification ceremony, mustered courage.

If the count had seen the purification ceremony, surely he wouldn’t insist that sainthood didn’t suit her anymore.

Evie calmly and resolutely began to speak.

“I’ve made up my mind, Count. First of all, thank you so much for your generous proposal. For the past few days, it felt like I was dreaming about the fact that you would take care of me.”

Of course, that dream was more of a nightmare with you in it.

Evie stifled her desire to say this, explaining at length how thrilled she was by the count’s proposal.

Then she very politely added.

“However, accepting that proposal seems difficult, Count.”

The count wasn’t particularly surprised by Evie’s refusal—in fact, he appeared to have expected it.

Continuing formally, the count attempted to inquire for her reasons.

“The reason…….”

“I certainly want to become a saintess.”

“Why……”

“Because it’s my mission bestowed by Manyanya.”

“Even so……”

“For Thiendavis’s sake, I have to remain at Manyanya Tower.”

Each time, Evie intercepted the count’s questions with her coy yet determined replies.

Having experienced such a conversational style from Evie Ariate before, the count finally fell silent.

After a heavy pause, the count spoke softly.

“Do you have a habit of not listening to others until the end?”

“No, I don’t.”

To the count’s annoyed question, Evie replied humbly.

Then, behind her sudden smile, she perspired profusely.

She thought the count would show a little leniency post-purification, but his attitude remained oppressive.

Moreover, as she kept repeating verbal stumbles in the process, it seemed like the count would perceive Evie Ariate as one colossal fool.

And Evie’s prediction proved accurate.

‘What is she doing?’

Zion sighed internally, observing Evie Ariate flounder like a rabbit bitten by a wolf.

Though bringing her here suddenly could make her nervous, he understood that.

But the continual recklessness displayed by Evie Ariate could not be simply attributed to nerves.

The reputation Zion got of Evie Ariate in Thiendavis was twofold.

One was that she was a remarkable being blessed by Manyanya, the other was that she had a pure but noble nature that was anything but common.

However, Zion couldn’t find purity nor grace from Evie Ariate.

Her grace had already been shattered from the first meeting, eliminating the need to discuss it further.

Forced to regard it as purity, too many of her schemes were too obvious.

Of course, Zion acknowledged Evie Ariate’s ability to purify so much water.

Her singing with blue hair fluttering seemed like an incarnation of Manyanya.

Zion had momentarily forgotten to breathe watching that spectacle.

However, that was all Evie Ariate had.

With the purification done, she was subject to bullying in a storage room.

Worried, he asked if it happened often, and as if waiting for this, she tattled, only to feign understanding afterward.

She acted like a twenty-year-old executing a task more akin to what a ten-year-old might do.

‘This is so different from what I heard.’

Of course, Zion didn’t believe Thiendavis’s reputations completely mirrored Evie Ariate’s true nature.

Reputation could be a mere illusion, easily fabricated.

Thus, Zion had imagined Evie Ariate from what ‘that person’ who asked a favor of him had said, rather than superficial evaluations encountered here.

―Evie is strong. Alongside her strength, she’s clever, bold, perceptive, and quick-witted. She articulates well and extraordinarily diligent to boot……

―Hey, enough already.

Like one who devoted everything to her, that person praised Evie Ariate continually whenever he could snag a moment.

Thus, Zion, during his boyhood, had to cut short his fervent words with a disdainful rejection.

―And she’s a magnificent person who never gives up, truly.

That foolish man would always conclude like this, filled with longing, and a foolish gaze.

Zion would get goosebumps every time this occurred.

Postponing his meeting with Evie Ariate was largely due to that.

Eventually, unable to delay any longer, locating Evie was conducted with equal parts eagerness and anxiety, yet here stood the result.

‘What’s so impressive about her?’

Zion clicked his tongue recalling the past memories.

Concentrating once again on the reality opposed to his anticipation.

Evie Ariate, contrary to numerous commendations, seemed extremely shallow compared to her gifts.

Confirming that reassured Zion, he believed there was no need to drag things on, so he spoke.

“How about reconsidering?”

“I have already……”

“Rather than having me dissuade you, it’s generally better to relinquish it yourself.”

Evie doubted what she heard.

“What do you mean by…….”

“It will be tumultuous should I take action. I reckon reaching an agreement here is mutually advantageous.”

With a stiff expression, Evie blinked as she grinned.

Not an utterance of the count made sense to her.

The count was arrogantly making a pronouncement as usual.

The conclusion would end as he’d decided—all roads would lead to Evie abandoning the saintess position.

“Well, Count. My intention is…….”

“I respect it but cannot approve it.”

Why does this count spew nonsense so brazenly?

‘Then why provide time to ponder?’

Evie questioned herself, observing the count’s shameless demeanor for an answer.

He granted time to think, not the right to choose.

Recognizing this intent, Evie screamed internally.

‘Of course, it’s a trap! The plea was a lie, too!’

Evie’s eyes filled with mistrust.

Almost like reading her mind, the count spoke.

“The previous words were truthful. I can swear on my family’s name.”

Evie ceased her verbal abuse at the count upon hearing an oath of a high-ranking noble.

Looking at him with an increasingly puzzled face.

“I don’t understand. Are you saying you will personally prevent me from becoming a saintess?”

“That is correct.”

“Then afterward, you will take care of me as promised?”

“Yes.”

“What if I become a saintess despite the Count’s objection?”

“A meaningless hypothesis.”

In answer to Evie Ariate’s query, Zion responded dryly.

In response, Evie Ariate’s large eyes trembled pitiably.

‘It would probably be a shock to you.’

Zion murmured to himself, observing the silent Evie.

Though he planned not to yield, he felt a somewhat sad empathy.

Therefore, he inadvertently uttered needless words.

“Does it feel harsh?”

The remark was made with the intention of allowing her to express resentment, but an unexpected answer returned.

“No, rather, I like it.”

Evie Ariate suddenly responded briskly.

As a result, Zion frowned unconsciously.

“Why is that?”

“Since you will do as you please regardless, doesn’t that mean I am entitled to do the same? If I ultimately become the Saintess, that’s excellent as I’ve achieved my original goal, and if not, I still have the Count’s assistance to look forward to, so that’s excellent too.”

Zion felt as though he had been struck on the head by Evie’s audacious answer.

Meanwhile, Evie internally screamed again.

‘Evie isn’t this unscrupulous!’

Almost let slip by the curse, her mind’s calculations had all been spoken aloud.

Flustered at failing to retract those words, Evie was startled when the count, apparently dumbfounded, began speaking again.

“Using me as insurance?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Is that really your disposition?”

“I have a thoroughly calculative personality.”

“But why…….”

‘Stop it!’

As the count’s questions persisted, Evie, terrified of the curse hijacking her mouth, charged at him.

Desperation led her to attempt blocking his mouth.

And this honest endeavor beautifully escalated into an accident.

With the unevenness of the stone stairs and the count leaning against the wall, compounded with Evie Ariate’s urgency, she ended up tumbling over the count.

Caught off-guard, the count asked as he sat partially on the steps.

“What do you think you’re…….”

However, before the question could be completed, Evie, seated on his lap, covered his mouth with both hands.

Thus, the count ended up suddenly besieged, his mouth obstructed.

Evie, who perpetrated this daring deed, wearing a weeping face, stared at the count.

In that close proximity, the count silently regarded Evie.

While it felt like an unspoken suggestion to remove her hands, Evie hesitated to do so or refrain.

Attempting to hold out, the count extended a hand.

Anticipating her hands being removed, Evie braced herself to withdraw.

To her surprise, the count’s hand approached not her hand but Evie’s face.

The rugged fingertips of the count brushed against Evie’s cheek.

Evie flinched back, startled, but given her placement on his knee, escape felt deceptive.

Ultimately, the count’s large hand covered Evie’s face.

Evie’s gaze flitted anxiously at the unfamiliar touch.

Yet the count, unfazed, proceeded to pinch both her cheeks with his thumb and forefinger.

‘Ughhhh!’

Her face scrunching instantly, Evie was aghast, retreating and obscuring her cheeks with her hands, unsure of her own agitation.

Though wanting to protest, having put her hands on the count’s face first, she had no room to speak.

Thus, she leaned against the wall, silently swallowing down her breaths as the count dusted his rumpled attire after rising.

“I understand your intentions well. No need to worry unnecessarily.”

The count also donned the coat Evie returned to him.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he casually concluded.

“It seems neither of us wants an agreement, so post the saintess selection, notify me. Tell me how I should take care of you.”

Having left these words, the count swiftly exited the stairwell.

Only after some time did Evie recover from her shock, lamenting his brazen demeanor.

—