<Episode 32>
[Spirit energy?]
[I told you before, right? Spirits dwell in nature. For the energy to remain even in something processed by humans means it's a strong spirit.]
No wonder it felt strangely mystical.
Could I sense spirits too?
Just how far did my range extend? From stray ghosts to spirits—it seemed I was an incredibly vast vessel.
[Can I wear something containing spirit energy?]
[It's not dangerous. Rather than protection... it'll just improve your energy with its flowing vitality. Anyway, since it's processed, the energy will fade within a month.]
At Agatha's words, I quickly slipped it onto my wrist. In short, it was like a vitalizing tonic for my arm.
[This spirit energy suits you well too, Dorothy.]
From what she said about energy, it seemed similar to concepts like facing mountains or sleeping with your head to the northwest.
Sure enough, wearing the bracelet made my mind feel clearer.
"Thank you. It's very pretty. Maybe because of the mineral's color."
"The Beza Mountains are so pure and mystical that legends say you can see spirits from tales deep within, so the minerals from there carry that atmosphere too."
"But it's not expensive?"
"The raw minerals are easily found even at the edges of the range."
"I see."
"Since it's a place where spirit tales are heard, I thought it would suit the Saintess perfectly, so I ordered the finest ones. Glad it was completed quickly."
Cayden said proudly.
"You ordered the raw stones and had them processed... into this bracelet?"
"Yes! Of course. How could I give you off-the-shelf items?"
"That quickly... Wait! Then everything in those boxes is..."
"What I ordered. Actually, I meant to contact you yesterday morning, but they needed an extra day for those, so it got delayed."
"But you met Ridge two nights ago, late at night."
"Yes."
"How did you prepare... all this so quickly...?"
"A day doesn't just have daylight. With dawn too, it's possible if you put in the effort."
"Ah."
Not priceless, but thinking of the manpower moving through the night made my head spin.
I gripped the bracelet more preciously for no reason.
"I have little to offer the Saintess, so it's quite embarrassing."
Yet Cayden looked regretful.
He was doing this because I was his benefactor, but it made me slightly weary. Of course, I didn't show it.
'Rich people.'
"I want to give more, but what should I... Do you truly want for nothing?"
"No, nothing!"
If I said yes, his subordinates might drop dead from overwork.
I hurriedly shook my head.
What mattered was the reward I'd planned for.
"Young Lord. What do you plan to do now?"
"Pardon?"
I deliberately trailed off and glanced at Ridge. The child was engrossed in the chocolates on the table.
"You'll have a lot ahead of you."
Understanding my words, Cayden's face darkened.
"...Ridge."
"Yes? I haven't eaten much chocolate!"
Startled by Cayden's call, Ridge made excuses, her feet fidgeting. Cayden gave a wry smile and tidied her hair.
"You can eat as much chocolate as you want. Anything Ridge desires."
"R-Really?"
"Of course. The reason Daddy called Ridge is to ask you to visit Mommy."
"Ah, Mommy..."
"It's about time Mommy wakes up, but she's not well and can't get up alone. It would be good if Ridge watched over her."
"Yes! I'll do that!"
Ridge hopped off the sofa, thumping her chest reliably.
The more I saw, the more I thought she was born to care for others well.
After sending Ridge out with that adept excuse, Cayden let out a deep sigh.
"That was already giving me a headache. Even amid this joy."
"Rumors will spread, and Ridge will be in danger."
"Yes. With the prior announcement of her death, there'll even be controversy over parentage... My wife and I are certain she's our daughter. How could we doubt God's gift? But outsiders..."
Cayden trailed off.
He pressed his temples, then continued cautiously.
"So I'm pondering how to protect Ridge."
"I see."
"I've even considered hiding her entirely. From the ducal prestige to all the entanglements... We should have announced her missing from the start..."
He looked visibly tangled in thought.
"But for a child to grow up hidden because of adults' circumstances. Isn't that too cruel?"
"Yes, it is."
I empathized with Cayden's anguish in a sorrowful voice.
"Sigh. As always, silencing mouths seems best. Newspapers might hear somehow, so surveillance first—"
"Wait. Young Lord."
"Yes, Saintess. I got carried away."
"How about divining like before? Let God provide the answer..."
I suggested carefully. Cayden's head snapped up.
"W-Would that be okay? Won't it tire you?"
He asked desperately, like grasping a lifeline.
"Not at all. Of course it's possible."
I placed the prepared items in my hand as if I'd been waiting.
What could be hard?
The reason I'd endured that embarrassment in this mansion, performing adeptly, was precisely this. Overwhelming and seducing people was part of it, but...
Just talking as the Saintess would highlight the 'Saintess' over 'God.'
So I needed a sacred, mysterious medium to show people. That was the performance.
Making them rely on the divination, thus yearning for 'God's words' through me!
This was exactly what I wanted.
"What exactly do you want to ask?"
"How to protect Ridge. I seek wisdom. From Lady Agatha."
Cayden even clasped his hands in prayer.
I held the rattle bell lightly, shaking it just enough to sound like wind. Then I pulled out the prepared pouch.
[Lady Agatha, please handle this well.]
Flag divination was great for ups and downs, and the rattle set the mood.
But for specific advice, other methods were better. Repetition could reveal flaws.
In Demong, I'd mimicked possession, foamed at the mouth, asked birthdates noisily...
To fool nobles, something more plausible was needed.
So I'd prepared this.
Whoosh!
"Saintess, what is this...?"
I scattered barley grains from the pouch into the air.
'Shamans have rice divination.'
No rice here, so barley instead.
Lingering in the Grand Temple kitchen for barley drew odd looks, but I got it easily.
When I tossed them, Agatha finely adjusted their positions to land on the floor.
She could levitate and move me, so this was child's play.
"This is... a sword, isn't it?"
The scattered barley formed a perfect sword shape anyone could see. Agatha had artistic talent.
[Lady Agatha, that's amazing!]
[Haha. Back in my day, I made maps for military ops, models too—]
That explained it. A true founding war heroine.
"It's a sword."
"A sword?"
"Yes. It seems to say attack something. Young Lord... Would you like to try throwing?"
"Me...?"
"Yes. Sometimes it's better if the person involved throws it themselves."
I deliberately led Cayden to experience it. It felt more trustworthy.
Cayden took the barley tensely from my hand and tossed it.
This time—
"A letter shape?"
"...Symbolic. It means newspaper."
"Pardon?"
Newspapers were hard to form. I inwardly thumbs-upped the quick-witted Agatha and continued.
"Lady Agatha seems to say use public opinion to attack."
"Attack...?"
I gripped the rattle again, shaking it loudly this time. Cayden looked startled.
"Hiding endlessly has no end, Young Lord."
"...!"
"This time, take the initiative boldly. Preemptive strike is how to protect Ridge."
"Preemptive strike...!"
"Buy the newspapers first. Put them under the ducal family to expose its true face."
"...Announce that my brothers kidnapped my daughter?"
"Yes. Focus people on that, and naturally fewer will probe parentage or truth."
"That... makes sense."
"People love gossiping about scandals. Give them a bigger one."
"But Saintess. The ducal prestige and face—"
"What's important is winning the fight, isn't it?"
I cut Cayden off firmly. He looked confused.
"Young Lord. Look far ahead. Your victory will benefit the ducal family too."
"My victory..."
"Yes. You'll become the hero who boldly cuts out the rot and reveals the shame."
"...!"
"The prestige of the 'future ducal family' you lead..."
I smiled at Cayden.
"Will rise."
"...!"
"God said so."
Then I returned to an innocent face.
"Newspapers... Any suitable ones?"
"Empire's Morning."
I calmly named my 'true target.' The paper with greatest influence in Manpelline.
One the four great ducal houses could acquire—that one!
Empire's Morning.
From what I'd learned, the president valued nothing but money. Weaknesses and secrets were useless.
And money...?
'Berardi has plenty.'
What a perfect combination.
"That place... I see. I thought so too—for the ducal scale, it's fitting."
Cayden nodded, his eyes gleaming.
And a week later.
「[Exclusive] Berardi Internal Rift Leads to Filial Impiety, 'Shock'」
「Berardi Second Son's 'Deceased' Daughter Returns? The Truth of That Day... Second Son Reveals Feelings」
「A Who Was Close to Berardi Second Son: 'Glad the Truth Came Out'......」
The Empire was abuzz.
