Chapter 35

Translator: Nox

<Episode 35>

What I'd asked the gods to do was find someone.

'Find someone harboring resentment toward the High Priestess for casually ignoring their invitation.'

Someone who best matched my conditions would surely be twisting with anger, thinking I'd ignored them.

[Wow. She's really thinking all sorts of harsh things toward Dorothy......]

[You found the perfect one.]

[She said there was no way she couldn't find them since they were cursing Dorothy inwardly so much.]

Then, that was perfect.

[She's the daughter of a viscount family.]

I glanced around at the people crowding me and subtly shifted my position as I walked.

By pulling back just a little like that, the viscount's daughter Agatha mentioned—

"......Hello. Saintess."

—was there.

"Hello. Nice to meet you."

I turned to face the viscount's daughter while greeting everyone, making it look natural as if turning for the last greeting.

"......I'm glad to hear that."

The lady facing me had a doll-like loveliness. From her translucent skin to her abundant, glossy crimson curls.

Of course, her inner thoughts were rougher than her doll-like appearance.

The lady replied somewhat stiffly.

"I'm so thrilled too. To meet you like this! Nice to meet you, Lady. I think we could be good friends!"

I said it dreamily in an exaggerated voice. The viscount's daughter's eyebrow twitched slightly.

Yes, yes. Ignoring the invitation and now acting so thrilled—it must feel inconsistent, twisting her guts, right?

'Let's twist a bit more. Okay?'

I smirked inwardly.

"Haha. The Saintess is so lively and kind."

The people watching me bounce around the viscount's daughter smiled warmly.

"Really? Oh, no."

I shyly bowed my head.

Naive, people-loving, kind Saintess.

A personality that could navigate most crises conveniently since everyone would make allowances.

'Though my true self is totally different.'

It suited the image-making villainesses in novels hid their true nature with.

Naive, kind Saintess.

That made it feel even stranger.

"It's just that I haven't had many chances to meet people......"

Strange was strange.

I trailed off mumblingly.

The point was blurring the end like I was embarrassed by my bouncing.

"Oh. I didn't mean to scold."

"Of course not! You did it because you liked it, Saintess."

"......Really?"

"Yes. To us, your very existence is a blessing and a joy."

"Exactly. Haha. To learn you're so lovable. I'm delighted."

"To think of me that way....... Thank you. I'm so happy too......!"

As expected, most attendees here were favorable toward me. As the Saintess under the Marchioness's protection.

Even if scrutinizing me head to toe inwardly, no one seemed inclined to rebuke me openly.

'As expected. This atmosphere won't break unless I provoke someone angry enough to err.'

"And...... the Saintess looks truly beautiful today."

"Yes. I was startled. You seem to shine."

I must be shining. Ephrosyne put in so much effort.

"It's the blessing from Ephrosyne."

"Pardon?"

Chances to promote Ephrosyne were rare, so this was perfect.

"Do you know the goddess of beauty, Ephrosyne?"

"Of course. As a child, I prayed to Ephrosyne to make me pretty."

"Though it doesn't seem to have much effect. Haha."

[I have no effect?! That's because you asked to turn your appearance into someone else's. Every person is beautiful! Their innate beauty from within is what matters—]

Ephrosyne raged in my head. I ignored her, focusing on the people before me.

"Hmm...... That prayer might work? Actually, I used to be quite ordinary."

"Pardon? You, Saintess?"

"Funny saying it myself, but until recently, I heard I was ugly a lot."

A made-up story, but whatever. Promotion involves a bit of white lies.

"But after the gods came to me and I prayed, people started complimenting my beauty."

"Did...... something change?"

"Who knows. I don't really know."

Playing dumb mysteriously. Some ladies' eyes sparkled.

Ephrosyne. Her power will grow.

I hummed inwardly and proceeded to the next step.

"Actually...... I thought a strange place would be scary, but everyone's so kind. I want to get closer."

I beamed around at them.

"As it's your first banquet, Saintess, you must have been worried. Let me help—"

"No, I'll help! I'm from the Berton Viscount—"

'Get closer.'

My words were a signal to push further. I didn't stop there.

"To treat me so kindly...... Thank you. Stuck in the Grand Temple, chatting with you all is so enjoyable."

I deliberately leaked 'stuck in the Grand Temple.'

"Only at the Grand Temple? Goodness. Haven't toured the Capital City?"

Then this question would naturally follow.

"Pardon? Oh, no. I've been helping with Temple work......"

"Goodness. Do you have time? The Capital City has wonderful places."

Leading to outing invitations.

"For wonderful places, Webbing Lake. The scenery is great."

"Webbing Lake! An hour by carriage from my house! Let's go—"

"That's too far. Saintess. We have a small villa by Webbing Lake. Perfect for boating now—"

'Yes. Good. More, more!'

Just mentioning topics, they tossed exactly what I wanted. So convenient.

Invitations poured chaotically, and amid them.

[‘What is this? Ignoring our family's invitation. Image-building?’]

Naturally, the viscount's daughter's expression soured more.

[Lady Agatha, who's the most prominent family member here?]

[That one. The handsome, tallest one! Auburn hair! The only Count family here.]

I immediately eyed the tallest man. He was joining the inviters too.

'How to draw him in......'

Implant a fair image while naturally provoking the viscount's daughter without overdoing it.

After brief thought, I chose a classic method.

"Saintess! I'm Alex of the Gordon Count family!"

Alex was promoting his family perfectly. Good timing.

I glanced at the viscount's daughter.

She flinched but stared back intently. Prideful type, as expected.

We locked eyes for three seconds.

I smiled small, just for her. Requiring precise facial control to look like a sneer.

[‘That...... just now...... smirked......?’ She's furious.]

Guiding her angry glare, I shifted to Alex.

Naturally, her eyes followed mine.

[‘What? That look...... weird. Where's she looking?’]

While she thought that, I used my planned method.

"It'd be better if you spoke one by one— Ahh!"

Right.

Trip where no one is!

With Agatha's assist, I tumbled toward Alex.

Anyone observant might notice, but the heated atmosphere hid it. Agatha confirmed no one did via inner thoughts.

Except.

[‘She tripped on purpose just now.’]

The viscount's daughter thought exactly as I wanted.

[‘That glance earlier...... No way. Deliberately toward the Count family? Why look at me? Ignoring me now? Ignores viscount invitations but Counts are worthy?!’]

Just relaying thoughts, but Agatha's acting felt increasingly realistic. Was it imagination?

Her mimicry of the lady's sharp tone was startling.

'Agatha...... more of an actress than I thought.'

"Are you alright?!"

Brief thought. Alex, catching me precariously, asked urgently.

I staggered up.

"Ah, so, sorry. Not used to the dress......"

"No. Saintess! No injuries?"

"No, no! Thanks to you catching me. Truly grateful."

Wish I could blush. Regretting my acting(?), I retreated embarrassed.

"Good. Ah, Saintess! I'm Alex, third son of the Gordon Count family."

Alex introduced himself immediately upon confirming I was fine.

"Sir Alex! Nice to meet you."

"About Webbing Lake, our Count family would like to escort you."

"Oh. I'd feel sorry......"

"Nonsense! If we can show you fine scenery, we must go anywhere!"

"To say that much, I'm delighted."

I bounced more exaggeratedly. Regrets flowed via Agatha.

And simultaneously.

"Th-then, may I ask?"

Alex nodded vigorously at my tentative question.

"The glory of the Gordon Count family!"

Count family, Count family.

His family was his pride. Titles poured endlessly from his mouth.

"Our Count family can prepare a whole other level of boating. It'd help you too, Saintess—"

Satisfactory for provoking the viscount's daughter.

[‘What? That. Thrilled to be Saintess, daring ignore me?! Ranking by status? She was a commoner until recently!’]

Excellent pick.

As his boasting continued, regrets sighed around, scrambling to join the outing.

Amid it.

"......The Saintess responds to invitations more readily than I thought?"

Finally, the viscount's daughter's snide remark came.

Simultaneously, the commotion quieted like poured cold water.