Translator: Nox

50 - Marquis Maron

Episode 50

It was late at night.

After the Outlaw of the Forest Sea was defeated, the Spirit Bird, having exhausted its Magical Energy, returned to the Spirit realm, and Asta decided to stay in Enif for a while.

Too many people were suddenly looking for her, and she couldn't bring herself to return to the capital.

Not only had Michelan sent her a marriage proposal, but she had also heard that he would be coming to see her in person soon. On top of that, the Order had come up with the embarrassing title of 'Saintess Asta,' making her want to hide in the dark Contaminated Zone.

"The temple is in chaos. It seems the escaped prisoners were important figures… They won't say who they are, but they're talking about sealing off the city."

"Seal off Enif?"

Asta asked in surprise. Cyril smiled reassuringly and shook his head.

"Unlike Grandis, the Order can't seal off Enif as they please. Isn't this the Kasnatura's granary? Your father, the King, wouldn't stand idly by."

"What's the plan for Cardinal Eugene Widemark's funeral? The Order must take responsibility for this. We clearly warned them it was dangerous, but they told us not to interfere with the work of God and rushed out to their deaths."

"It was a foolish decision."

"Even if we set aside the Cardinal, what about the soldiers and knights who died en masse under his orders? The Order must apologize for this…"

"They have all been declared martyrs."

"What?"

Asta retorted irritably, then immediately closed her mouth. She had noticed the annoyance in her own voice.

Cyril, once again understanding, gently stroked Asta's hair.

"I will go out and make sure that the Order's priests don't bother you. It must be hard, so please rest comfortably until you're fully recovered."

"Thank you, Cyril."

"It is my pleasure."

Cyril lowered his red eyes and gazed at Asta. He, too, had heard the news that Holt's parricidal king, Michelan, had proposed to Asta.

A hot fire blazed in his chest.

"Do you love Michelan?"

"Huh? Oh, no. I… I haven't had time to think about such things yet. As you know, I only recently found out who I am."

"That's a relief."

Cyril smiled beautifully, his eyes crinkling. It was a smile that made the noblewomen of Nieve restless.

"If you ever have the time to think about it, I hope you'll think of me first."

"Cyril…"

He kissed Asta's hair. It was a reverent and tender kiss, as if he was afraid to even touch her.

Asta stared blankly at Cyril, and only after he left the room did she slowly come to her senses.

Priest Rango searched Enif like a madman for the Fake Holy Knights who had escaped from the temple cemetery. Once again, his companions living in the shadows were a great help.

The Fake Holy Knights had lost their divine power and were not good at escaping, so fortunately, Rango quickly found them.

Rango took them to the inn that Asta had rented entirely. It was the only place in Enif where no one would question them.

And with Asta's help, he could easily smuggle them out of the city.

"Who are these people?"

"They are Holy Knights who escaped from the temple's underground prison. The Order tried to conduct some kind of experiment on them by forcibly injecting them with Magical Energy. Fortunately, they managed to escape when they saw an opportunity… Asta."

Rango said solemnly.

"I am convinced that they hold the key to revealing the Order's secrets."

"Ah…"

"We must send them safely and secretly to Selbon. Cardinal Eugene Widemark is there. Please, help me."

He should be asking the knights, but Rango bowed his head earnestly. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Priest."

Rango had insisted on following the right path, even though he had been excommunicated from the Order, which he had trusted and followed like his parents. Seeing the tears of the young priest, Asta bowed her head as well.

"I will help in any way I can, with anything."

With Asta's help, the two knights who escaped from Enif hid in a farmer's livestock cart to go to Selbon.

It was ironic.

When they threw the evil Sorceress Hayley into the Contaminated Zone, they had caged her and dragged her like an animal.

The knight, whose face was covered with a thick white beard and white hair, said to Asta.

"Princess, I have something to tell you."

"What is it, Knight?"

"Sorceress Hayley is alive."

“…Yes?”

Asta had come out to see them off. Unable to hide her bewilderment, she quickly asked again.

"Hayley is alive? How do you know that?"

"She saved us."

"Pardon?"

It was absurd. Asta couldn't believe it. But the knight's eyes, as he testified, were too clear.

"There's no way I could mistake that face. It's the face of the woman I personally dragged to the Contaminated Zone canyon and threw off the cliff. But that Hayley… saved us from being imprisoned and turned into monsters."

"Knight…"

"Princess Asta, Priest Rango."

The knight asked.

"Is Hayley really an evil Wizard?"

They couldn't answer.