Translator: Nox

My Husband Was Clearly a Paladin

Chapter 33

Despite having made her resolve, Irene had to spend a few more days confined to her room.

First and foremost, it took several more days for her body to recover completely.

She was able to manage getting up and walking, but whenever she walked for even a little too long, the strength would drain from her legs, and she would collapse.

It seemed to be the aftermath of performing purification beyond her limits all at once.

Another reason was the explosion of interest in her within the fortress.

While the fortress authorities managed to block the scholars from the outside, they couldn’t stop the visits from other purifiers staying within the stronghold.

In the end, Irene had no choice but to stay in her room under the pretext of poor health.

‘Not that it’s particularly stifling, though.’

Moreover, Reina and Cynthia visited her alternately, and sometimes together.

It was the same now.

“I heard the gathering was confirmed, and there are already this many people who said they definitely want to participate!”

Reina handed over a list, unable to hide her excitement.

The paper was filled with more names than Irene had expected.

When she counted them, there were about twenty people.

Among them were even rank 3 and rank 4 purifiers.

‘It seems Princess Cecilia has stirred up quite a lot of resentment.’

Thinking about it, it was only natural.

Princess Cecilia was currently twenty-five years old.

Since awakening as a purifier at the age of twenty, she had come to the fortress every year during the dungeon season.

As someone whose abilities were overwhelmingly powerful even among 1st-rank purifiers, she was a special existence to the people of the fortress, the other purifiers, and the knights alike.

Furthermore, since she had gathered people to form a group, she reigned over the fortress like a queen.

Even the Kingdom Alliance, which sought to never lose a single penny, bowed to Princess Cecilia’s demands to some extent.

Consequently, the Princess’s influence grew stronger by the day, and those who had initially voiced their opinions gradually fell silent.

As a natural progression, the Princess began to extort more and more valuables from her subordinates.

All of it was used to solidify her status.

‘Since there are people who have been steadily exploited for five years, I suppose this makes sense.’

As Irene looked over the names on the list, Reina spoke again.

“But now that we’ve formed the group, I’m not sure what we should do first.”

Irene felt the same way.

Her knowledge was mostly limited to dungeons and monsters—and how the Princess’s faction operated.

Therefore, Irene also didn’t know much about how to run a newly formed organization.

“I think I can offer some advice on that.”

Cynthia spoke up, tentatively raising her hand.

“Why don’t we try following the methods Princess Cecilia used?”

At those words, Irene snapped her fingers.

“Ah, come to think of it, Cynthia, you were here when the Princess first arrived at the fortress.”

“Yes. So I remember how she acted in the beginning.”

Cynthia brought over some paper and a pen and began to write, numbering her points.

“First, she sent expensive gifts to high-ranking individuals along with letters inviting them to the gathering. Some people just took the gifts and ignored her, but the Princess cut those people off immediately. She must have judged that they wouldn’t be helpful in the future.”

Cynthia continued her explanation.

“And then she held banquets two or three times. Through those, people got to know each other, and the knights built friendships. Actually, there wasn’t anything remarkable up to that point. That’s just a basic way to build connections even outside the fortress.”

Then, Cynthia pressed down on the pen to write in bold letters, as if emphasizing its importance.

[Dungeon Subjugation]

“This is the most important part. After forming a raid, the Princess went to a mid-level dungeon first and ruthlessly dealt with the monsters alongside her knight. Then, she gave all the rewards that came out to those who had entered with her.”

“Hmm.”

In short, she had clearly demonstrated the future one could have by siding with her in front of everyone.

It was only natural that people’s hearts would lean toward rewards held directly in their hands rather than mere verbal promises.

“Since we have Sir Michael in our group, the subjugation itself won’t be difficult, but… the distribution of rewards is the problem.”

Cynthia’s expression darkened, having already heard from Irene how rewards were split with Michael.

“Irene, do you think you could ask Sir Michael to give the dungeon rewards to the people instead of the Temple, just a few times?”

“For now, it might be possible for the dungeons I designate once a week, but I think high-level dungeons would be difficult.”

To give out rewards that would tempt everyone, it would have to be at least a high-level dungeon. Irene didn’t think Michael would agree to give away such significant rewards.

“Still, why don’t you try asking? He did say he would join the gathering, after all.”

“That’s true, but… I haven’t seen Sir Michael for several days now.”

Irene counted back to when she had last seen Michael.

On the evening of the day she was re-evaluated as rank 8, he had visited her room again.

When Irene flinched and stepped back, remembering how he had pressured her for purification, he had bowed his head deeply.

「I apologize for requesting purification so forcefully.」

In truth, he had no reason to apologize. As long as they were a pair, purification was Irene’s duty. He had simply asserted his rights legitimately.

Nevertheless, seeing him apologize just because she had struggled made her feel sorry instead.

After that, standing a few steps away, he informed Irene that he would be out subjugating several dungeons for a while and suggested it would be best for her to stay in her room as much as possible in the meantime.

「There will be those who bother you because of the ring. Since you are likely not feeling well, it would be best for you to rest until I return.」

After adding a few more pieces of advice, he hurriedly left the room as if his business were finished.

‘He held onto me so tightly during the purification.’

Irene felt somewhat disappointed by how he had darted out the moment his business was done.

‘He will return to the fortress eventually.’

It wasn’t certain when he would return. Even in her past life, because he traveled around subjugating dungeons alone, he would only stop by the fortress once every few days.

‘It might even take more than a week.’

However, she couldn’t just sit still and wait for Michael.

If so, she had to start with what she could do now.

“Alright. Then let’s start by sending out invitations with gifts and holding a banquet.”

At Irene’s words, Reina and Cynthia looked at each other and smiled joyfully.

---

One week later.

Irene, who had hoped that even if it wasn’t a massive success, a decent number of people would gather, looked at the banquet hall with a bitter heart.

There hadn’t been any particular problems from the time they sent the invitations until they received the replies.

However, in the venue prepared using even Reina’s own money for this first banquet, only five pairs were standing.

“How did this happen? Everyone definitely said they were coming…!”

Reina muttered as she stared at the desolate banquet hall with a look of despair.

They had received RSVPs from twenty-three pairs.

But to think only five pairs actually showed up.

Just then, Cynthia came running in, panting. She caught her breath and said,

“I found out why. A few hours ago, the Princess’s side contacted everyone who received our invitation. And she hastily opened a banquet that even those who aren’t members of her group can attend.”

At those words, Irene couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I thought she would ignore us completely, but our influence must have been significant. To think she’d hold a banquet so urgently.”

“But at this rate…”

Reina looked around the banquet hall with a tearful face. Her pair, Felix, was talking to another pair, but he couldn’t hide his look of embarrassment.

“Is it a failure?”

Cynthia’s shoulders also slumped in discouragement.

As she said, if things continued like this, it was a failure.

Even the people who had come were glancing around the empty hall and the somber atmosphere, looking as if they might leave for the Princess’s side at any moment.

It was then.

“I heard you were holding a banquet, but perhaps I’ve arrived too late.”

“Sir Michael!”

At the voice coming from behind, Irene turned around with a glad heart.

There stood Michael, looking a bit more disheveled than usual, but still possessing the dignity of a Holy Knight.

The moment she saw him, Irene realized what she had to do.

Before she knew it, Irene grabbed his hand and led him to a secluded corner. Michael followed her quietly without pulling away.

Once they reached a place where they were out of others’ sight and their voices wouldn’t be heard, Irene spoke cautiously.

“Sir Michael, there is something I would like to ask of you.”

「Please, speak.」

“Could you subjugate a dungeon of my choice?”

「That is something I have already promised you, so there is no need to even ask.」

Irene shook her head.

“However, unlike what I mentioned before, the place I want is a mid-level dungeon. And I would like you to distribute the rewards from that place to those who enter with us.”

「…」

At Irene’s words, he fell silent for a moment.

After a short while, he spoke in a low voice.

「As you know, I am a knight of the Temple. It is only right that everything I obtain be sent to those who are hungry and suffering.」

As expected. Was it too much to ask him to give the rewards to others?

Just as Irene was about to think of another way, he continued.

「However, this time, I will do as you wish.」

“Sir! Truly, thank you…!”

「However.」

Michael interrupted Irene, which was unlike him, and continued.

「I would like you to grant me one thing that I desire as well.」