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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Prisoner
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Seth always informed Victoria or Monica first whenever he needed to visit me.
So, this was the first time I'd seen him standing alone in front of my door like this.
“You're already awake? You must be tired after what happened last night. You should have slept in.”
“Waking up early is a habit. But more importantly, Captain, what are you doing here?”
If he were here to visit me, he would have been facing the door. But right now, Seth was standing with his back to it.
Just like Victoria, who usually guarded my room.
“...Don't tell me you've been standing guard all through the dawn?”
“Not the entire time. I had the sinner locked in the prison and redeployed the holy knights for surveillance.”
“So you've been here ever since then?”
“Didn't I say that no one would disturb your sleep tonight?”
That one phrase he'd left me with last night.
I thought it was just a farewell, but was it actually a promise to guard my sleep all night?
“...Did you sleep well?”
he asked hesitantly, cautiously.
Only then did I notice his complexion.
As a swordmaster, an all-nighter should have been nothing to him, yet his face was paler than mine had been last night after I'd coughed up blood.
The guilt and self-directed anger within him were all too clear.
“Yes, I slept very well. I didn't wake up once and slept soundly until morning.”
I nodded emphatically, hoping to put him at ease.
It wasn't a lie. After washing all the blood from my body and nightgown, I was so exhausted that I couldn't think of anything.
It wasn't the first time in my life I'd faced a death threat, so I slept soundly without any trauma or even a single dream.
“That's a relief.”
The man who had willingly given up his own sleep for my sake gave a faint smile.
But the guilt had not yet faded from his face.
He must have been thinking that what happened to me last night was all his fault. After all, despite the intruder, no one had known until I, the Saintess, had caught him.
I needed to tell him quickly that Jeremy was no ordinary person, or his self-esteem might take a hit.
“Let's go eat now. By the way, where is Sir Victoria?”
“She has stepped away for a moment on business with the 2nd Division. Until she returns, I will be your escort. ...Is that uncomfortable for you?”
Seth asked hesitantly as he followed me to the dining hall.
This is driving me crazy. To think he's being this cautious with me over something so small. This incident must have been a huge shock for him.
“Of course not. In fact, you're the most dependable. Ah, please keep that a secret from Sir Victoria. She might feel left out.”
At my joke, Seth finally managed a small smile.
I smiled back at his pleasant expression, but a sudden chill washed over me.
“Business with the 2nd Division? Is the reason Sir Victoria is away related to my security detail?”
I was so captivated by Seth's face that I almost let it slide!
When I asked urgently, he avoided my gaze, a smile still on his face instead of an answer.
No way, was he really planning to use his face to get past this issue? Since his personality wouldn't let him lie, was he resorting to his good looks?
“I haven't agreed to increasing my escort yet.”
“…”
“Captain, Captain? Please answer me!”
But Seth remained silent.
It was a powerful display of his will, showing he had no intention of considering my opinion on this matter.
“I'll go to the 2nd Division myself.”
When I declared I would solve this problem myself, Seth finally spoke.
“It will be useless even if you go. Sir Victoria was extremely indignant when she heard what happened last night.”
…This is insane. Seth alone was a handful, but now Victoria has joined him.
“Saintess. I understand that you feel uncomfortable, but your safety is the safety of this Grand Temple. Now that an attack has occurred, we can no longer leave things as they are.”
Seth stopped walking, his smile gone, and spoke with sincerity.
I know. I get it, but my situation is just too unique right now.
“For now, please trust us and leave it in our hands. If you still feel uncomfortable, please tell us then. We will make adjustments.”
But Seth was too resolute, and I was in no position to explain my circumstances.
In the end, I shed silent tears and conceded.
* * *
What is it? Why is today so strange?
I broke into a cold sweat inwardly as I moved my spoon.
The strangeness had begun the moment I arrived at the dining hall.
Usually, when I entered the dining hall, the people who had been laughing and chatting would stiffen and eat in silence.
Today was the same in that regard, but something was different.
“...?”
I felt sharp gazes on me while I ate and looked up, but no one was looking at me.
At first, I thought I was imagining it.
After all, everyone was always busy avoiding my gaze as if they'd been cursed to turn to stone if our eyes met.
So I lowered my head and continued eating, but I felt the gazes again.
Puzzled, I looked around again, but once more, no one was looking at me.
After this repeated several times, I finally asked Seth quietly.
“Captain, did I do something wrong?”
Do I have a sleepwalking habit I don't know about? Did I go and smack someone last night?
“No, not at all. Nothing of the sort happened.”
Thankfully, Seth, who had been guarding my door all night, shook his head.
Then what on earth is the problem…?
I slowly scanned the dining hall again.
I only saw people with their faces buried in their bowls, continuing to eat.
However, for some reason, the atmosphere was a bit strange.
If it was usually a tense silence accompanied by fear, today's silence felt like it held a slight murmur.
I asked Seth in an even quieter voice than before.
“Does everyone know about the intruder incident last night?”
“The rumor has spread. It wasn't something that could be kept hidden.”
Oh, gods. I felt dizzy.
So this was the reason.
Everyone found out an assassin infiltrated the Grand Temple to kill me, and that's why they're acting like this!
They must be shocked, wondering what horrible thing that damn Saintess did this time to make an assassin infiltrate this poor Grand Temple.
I worked so hard to improve my image, and now it's all going to be ruined!
This is all because of those bastards from the Great Sea God's temple. I won't let them get away with this.
I finished the rest of my food and shot to my feet.
This was no time to be eating leisurely.
“Where is that bastard from yesterday?”
“I will guide you.”
Seth, who had finished his meal long ago, rose to his feet and led the way.
As soon as I turned, I felt people's eyes on me again, but this time I couldn't bring myself to look back, afraid I might meet their accusing gazes.
I was truly trembling with indignation.
“As he is a felon, he's in the deepest underground prison... Are you sure you're alright with going there yourself?”
“Perfectly fine.”
What's so scary about a prison? Resolving this assassin incident is far more urgent right now.
The prison entrance was located near the parade ground—no, the training ground—where I had previously tried to destroy the box I'd made out of boredom with the Holy Relic of Light and the divine object.
The entrance was underground and hidden by bushes, so I hadn't noticed it at all before.
“It's because a visible prison in the Grand Temple could make people feel uneasy.”
Seth's explanation made sense.
Passing the entrance guarded by two holy knights, we entered the prison, and a surprisingly pleasant interior greeted us.
That's unexpected. I was imagining a damp, moss-covered prison like the ones in medieval movies.
Instead, it was immaculately clean, paved with a hard stone that resembled marble.
“This stone has the ability to block special powers like magic, sword aura, and other divine powers. Only the Sun God's divine power can be used here.”
Seth explained as I tapped on the marble-like wall.
It seemed they kept the prison clean to maintain the stone's abilities as much as possible.
“The sinner is being held in a deeper section. This way, please.”
Seth led me down a staircase. Thanks to his courteous gesture of holding one of my hands so I wouldn't fall, I was able to descend safely.
We had to go much deeper even after descending the stairs to reach the place where Jeremy was held.
And there, in front of the closed prison cell door, I came face to face with someone unexpected.
“Oh, High Priest?”
High Priest Airic.
He was standing in the dark prison hallway, his face an uncharacteristically cold, expressionless mask.
