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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: A Saint's Request
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“Well… thank you for the compliment.”
“I imagine you hear that often. Am I wrong?”
“The Holy See tends to refrain from compliments on appearance. They do not aid one in devoting oneself to the Lord.”
The implication was, ‘Don’t you know that what you’re saying could be a great discourtesy to a clergyman?’ But I feigned ignorance and smiled even more brightly.
“Is that so? What a shame. If you were the son of a noble house, the marriage proposals would be endless.”
This, too, was naturally a rude remark. But as I stood there beaming as if I were utterly oblivious to such common sense, Zion also seemed confused.
‘Is she doing this on purpose, or is she just clueless… you’re confused, aren’t you?’
All the more reason to maintain a flawlessly innocent face.
“Ah! I apologize if my words were out of line.”
“…Not at all. You meant them as a compliment.”
He never did say it wasn’t out of line, though.
“You seem to be held in high regard, given your bright personality. I suppose that is why His Highness the Crown Prince selected you for this task.”
Aha. So you’re curious why someone like me, who appears to have no abilities, is working alongside Tristan?
His roundabout way of asking was irritating, but I answered as if it were nothing.
“Oh, that’s because of the Divine Grace I was born with.”
“…Divine Grace?”
“That’s what we call it within the Empire. The members of House Walker are each born with one exceptional ability, passed down through the generations.”
As I kindly explained, Zion nodded his head.
“I have heard of it. In that case, the Divine Grace you were born with is…?”
“The ability to track the remnants of dark magic.”
At my words, Zion’s eyes flashed before settling back down as if nothing had happened.
It was important to appear useful. It was a matter of who would gain the upper hand in the relationship.
‘In that context, the fact that I’m a living detector for His Highness the Crown Prince is meaningful in itself.’
My value had probably just been revised upward. From a noble lady whose only skill was smiling sweetly to a target he needed to win over to his side.
Sure enough, Zion offered a smile that seemed to melt away all defenses.
“I sense no divine power from you, yet you can detect dark magic…. It is truly a Divine Grace.”
Even for me, hearing such words pricked my conscience a little.
“It’s a meager talent compared to the Saint’s.”
“Not at all. In fact… I am rather clumsy when it comes to handling divine power with finesse.”
“What? You, Zion?”
“I still have much to learn. Tracking magical energy requires one to spread their divine power thin and wide, but I was born with so much that such adjustments are difficult.”
Zion spoke as if it were a failing of his, but it was also a statement that revealed his incredible power.
Others struggled to find any application for their minuscule amounts of divine power. But Zion had no need for such things.
‘To think there are even rumors that he’s the reincarnation of Noah, the first Saint…’
His immense divine power made even such nonsense sound plausible.
“As you know, my cooperation with His Highness the Crown Prince is a secret, so it is difficult to mobilize other clergymen.”
Which meant that I had appeared right when he needed someone to track the remnants of dark magic. Wow, what impeccable timing.
“So, what I mean to say is…”
Zion furrowed his brow as if troubled. I knew at once. This man was making a move.
“Would it be possible for you to spare some time this weekend?”
It was a full-frontal assault of charm. A holiness so overwhelming it felt like I’d be cursed by God if I refused.
“I beg of you.”
He even took my hands in his. He was clearly determined.
The gesture made my stomach churn even more, but I endured it.
‘Should I fall for it, or not…?’
I hesitated for a moment, but then decided there was no harm in building a good relationship with the Saint. Besides, it might be better to be with him before something happened.
“If there’s anything I can do to help, I’d be happy to.”
I replied with a sweet smile, and Zion returned it with a radiant one of his own, offering his thanks.
To others, it might look like we were going on a date over the weekend, but the reality was completely different.
We were each hiding our own dark intentions, trying to use the other for our own gain!
***
“Ah, Saint.”
I called out as I saw a figure approaching in the distance, wearing a white robe. I whispered in a small voice, and he, having spotted me, came over.
“I didn’t expect you to be here first. My apologies, the afternoon service ran a little late.”
Indeed. It seemed he had come straight from the service, as he was still wearing his clerical robes under the cloak.
“Not at all. More importantly, I didn’t expect you to suggest meeting in a place like this market. Is it really alright for you to be walking around without an escort?”
“I have the strength to protect you, so you need not worry.”
His tone was quite confident.
“Ah, since there are many eyes here, please feel free to call me by my name.”
He said this with a sweet smile. Look at him, trying to get on a first-name basis so naturally.
His shallow trick was obvious, but I decided to play along.
“…Should I? Please call me Emily as well.”
“Alright, Emily.”
Zion called my name without hesitation. Would a typical young lady have felt a flutter of excitement at such familiarity?
But I was too busy trying to calm my churning stomach, which was roiling from his immense divine power!
“Um, but I haven't yet heard the reason you called me here today. Might I ask?”
When I asked cautiously, Zion nodded, saying he would explain everything.
“You must have heard about the explosion that occurred in the outskirts of the capital a few days ago.”
What a remarkable coincidence. To pinpoint an incident I was connected to.
“I heard the results of the investigation are out.”
“I’ve heard. Something about an underground organization holding a secret auction.”
I replied, feigning nonchalance.
“That’s the official story.”
“The official story… you mean?”
“Some of the auction items were caught in the explosion, and most were left at the scene. All except for one thing.”
Ah, I had a feeling I knew what it was.
“The grimoire they stole from the Saintess’s tomb.”
Wow. He knows that much?
Then again, he was a figure from the Holy See, so he could have easily obtained information about the desecration of the Saintess’s tomb. But a question still remained.
‘What does that have to do with me being here today?’
I kept a sweet smile on my face as my mind raced.
Is he testing me? Or is this just a simple sharing of information?
“We also suspect the explosion was a diversion they created to steal the grimoire.”
“To do such a thing…”
I covered my mouth with both hands as if I’d heard something horrifying. My jaw dropped because he was so uncannily accurate.
“B-But, isn’t it possible it was caught in the explosion and burned?”
“According to witness testimony, the grimoire was protected by five layers of barriers. It couldn’t have vanished without a trace in a simple explosion.”
Zion shook his head firmly.
“The biggest problem is that we don’t know exactly what that grimoire is.”
It’s the Lemegeton.
Basically, a pamphlet distributed to humans by a demon.
“So we have no idea how they plan to use it.”
Well, the person who took it was indeed a warlock, so Zion’s concerns weren’t entirely wrong.
“That is why I asked for your help, Emily. You are the only one who can find a trace of this grimoire.”
Zion’s eyes were wide with innocence. If my stomach hadn’t been flipping from the divine power churning within him, I might have been a little mesmerized.
I pretended to think for a moment before nodding.
“Of course, I’ll help. It would be a great honor to assist you, Zion.”
I spouted insincere words with a sweet smile. Zion smiled back at me.
Just as I had seen through his mask, had he seen through my facade as well?
I was very curious, but we just laughed cheerfully as if we knew nothing.
“So today, I thought we could look around the capital’s vicinity to see if there are any remnants of dark magic. The barrier around the capital didn’t react, so it’s likely still within the city.”
Correct. It’s in my house.
“Aah~. I see! Alright. I can certainly do that.”
But there was something to be done before that.
“Then first, how about you take off those clerical robes?”
