I Became a Fake Priest the Saintess Is Obsessed With

19 – Bizarre Incident

“Wait a moment! Doesn’t this title also sound strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it weird that Mr. Miguel turns out to be the Viscount’s daughter, and she ran away because Father seemed strange?”

I tried to pick a quarrel over a trivial matter.

It might be a believable story if you believe it, but so far, Miguel’s attitude towards me has been far from what the Viscount’s daughter would exhibit.

Isn’t it ridiculous to claim that the Viscount’s daughter, Yeong-ae, who allegedly hits people for imaginary offenses and can’t trust anyone’s words?

“Ha! Seriously! You know the Aikid family is falling apart, right? Most of the crimes committed by the family were done by the head of the family alone!”

“No, that’s why I can’t believe that you’re Yeong-ae.”

“What, so I can’t be Yeong-ae?!”

“Just based on your attitude so far, it doesn’t seem right!”

“Ugh…! Look at this! The Akid family is known for their red hair! Totally crimson!”

Mabel, eager to showcase her hair color, pressed her hair against my face.

“You don’t have to show it this close; I can see it’s red!”

“I thought you were blind or something!”

“In a world with so many redheads, I can’t believe in your identity based on such a physical trait!”

“The eyes were right! This crimson hair is exclusive to the Akid family in this world!”

Indeed, her hair was the same fiery red as Bennett Akid’s, whom I had met before.

Whether the hair color descended through generations, I wasn’t sure, but her overall impression, much like Bennett’s sharp eyes, was undeniably similar.

If you were to ask a passerby while they stood side by side on the street, most likely they’d say they looked like a father and daughter.

‘Wait, this hair color is definitely…’

While closely observing the hair color, I remembered someone else with the same shade besides the Akid lady.

The man doing something suspicious in the sewer had dropped a lock of hair, and it matched this color exactly.

“Anyway, I’ve been stopping my father’s mischief and hiding here with the kids for a few months.”

“Must have been tough.”

“It was. Getting used to hunger and constantly avoiding adults trying to catch us was always scary. But you know what’s even tougher?”

“What’s tougher?”

“My younger brother that I left behind. I kept worrying about what might happen to Piel during the few months I ran away from home.”

She pulled out Piel’s necklace with a worried expression.

“This is something I gave as a gift to my younger sibling. It was chosen together with our mother to commemorate their fifth birthday.”

From her gaze fixed on the necklace, her concern for her sibling was evident.

“It’ll be alright. I tried to reassure myself as much as possible, but I became anxious when you suddenly mentioned the fusion experiment.”

Mabel’s slender shoulders trembled.

Hidden beneath her always strong and elder sister-like appearance, she was always plagued by fear of her deranged father and worry for her younger sibling.

“Don’t worry, Mabel. Mr. Peel will be fine.”

Feeling sorry for her situation, I tried to comfort Mabel.

“Really? Honestly, I don’t think so… That mad aristocrat, thinking he can use his own child as an experiment just to save our mother.”

“That can’t be true. He wouldn’t meddle with his own family for the sake of a peaceful household.”

“Sure, in the beginning, he probably created the fusion experiment with that goal in mind… But after years of using dark magic, Father went insane. Now, he’ll do anything to save our mother…”

The Mabel of the past was undoubtedly a mischievous child who had never worn such a sad expression.

But various incidents shattered her.

And that’s probably why she can only make such a painful expression.

“In that case, we should go stop him.”

“What?”

“I can’t bear to see someone in agony. I’ll step up and try to persuade Viscount Aikid to stop.”

“I appreciate your concern, but… even if you visit the estate, you won’t be able to see Father. He has been locked up in the room for years, conducting experiments.”

“I happen to have a way to see him.”

Conveniently, I have an invitation from Viscount Aikid in my pocket.

I’m not sure what his intentions are for hosting a party and giving me the invitation, but this is undoubtedly the opportunity to convince him.

“Even if you meet your father, do you think he will listen to you?”

“I have confidence in persuading anyone. I can convince them with just a few words.”

Even the goddess of mind-reading has tried to persuade, but can’t convince a single nobleman.

“Damn, can’t you understand a word…! It’s dangerous! They might have done some trick or released a fusion creature in the house!”

“Hey, you’re thinking too negatively. Try thinking positively.”

I approached Mabel, who was frowning, and raised the corner of her mouth with my finger.

“What are you doing…?”

“If you just smile and encourage yourself, it’ll be fine, even if something bad happens.”

“You fool…! I’m worried because you’re doing something unreasonable!”

“Then you should smile and cheer even more. Think positively that I won’t encounter any accidents there.”

I grabbed her trembling shoulders.

Then Mabel’s trembling gradually stopped.

“This world is kind to positive people. You shouldn’t think that everything will go wrong, but think that everything will work out.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s the nature of the world.”

I let go of her shoulder and slowly stood up.

How can I persuade the count? Can I really succeed?

Those worries came to my mind.

But I can do it.

I’ve been surviving by doing odd jobs in my past life, can’t I persuade a mere nobleman?

After making a small resolution, I was about to leave when I suddenly became curious about something.

“But why do the kids call Mabel ‘Miguel Oppa’?”

“…Well, since their names are two syllables, they asked me to change my name too, so I just picked something fitting.”

“That’s really a reason only kids would come up with.”

Mabel let out a sigh.

“Of all the things to say after coming up with something cool…”

“Wow, did I say something cool? I’m glad you think so.”

“Ugh, you’re trying to crawl into my heart now that it’s weakened.”

“Crawl in? I’ve always been at the top, looking down.”

“You’re so arrogantly confident…”

Fortunately, Mabel seemed to shake off her anxiety.

“Anyway, I believe you can do it, so take care of yourself.”

She scratched her cheek, looking a bit bashful, and cheered me on.

“Of course. I’ll see you in two weeks for the showdown.”

With that cheer, I left the alley, determined to succeed.

***

Having finished today’s tasks, I was on my way to the monastery to take care of the final matter.

The sun was still shining brightly, but there was nothing to do outside anyway, and since the remaining task had to be done at the monastery, I returned home earlier than usual.

Well, the remaining task was just treating the saint, though.

“I am Lieutenant Priest Ivan. I came today to treat the saint. May I enter?”

The Holy Knight guarding the door to the room where the saint resided was politely asked,

“I’ve confirmed your identity. You may enter, Father.”

He glanced at my face momentarily before stepping aside from the door.

“Thank you.”

I bowed slightly, clasping my hands together, and entered the room.

Just a while ago, if one wanted to meet the saint after her unauthorized departure, such cumbersome procedures were necessary.

It’s for her safety, but honestly, I find this a bit excessive.

The saint’s room was as ordinary as I had seen before.

A few necessary pieces of furniture and a large bed were placed in the somewhat empty room.

Well… now that I look again, there are a few flower vases by the window, unlike other rooms.

“Hello, Saint.”

I greeted the saint, taking a quick glance around the room before sitting down on a chair.

“I-Is that you, Father Ivan?”

The saint, facing me, hurriedly put something away in confusion.

“…? What were you doing?”

“N-Nothing…! By the way, what brings you here at this hour…?”

“I’ve come for a curse treatment.”

“O-Oh, I see. Would you mind stepping out for a moment then?”

As Amelie tried to urgently usher me out of the room, an unidentified substance in her arms suddenly dropped.

“Oh, that fell. Let me pick it up for you.”

I picked it up without thinking.

What the saint was hiding in her arms was a gray case that looked like cosmetics.

There was an engraved logo of the brand called “Witchcraft” on it, which happened to be a brand I knew well.

So… I guess this is the workshop of the witches who make anything you order…

It was a famous store where you could go and order anything to be made.

I wanted to try using it to make something like a potion, but I remember that it was expensive and I ended up leaving in tears.

“Ah-haaa!!!”

The saint let out a cute scream and snatched the cosmetics from my hand.

However, she must have misjudged her strength because the lid of the cosmetics opened, causing the contents to scatter.

It was black powder.

It emitted a sinister energy, a feeling of negativity… ash?

I definitely felt this energy somewhere before.

So, every time I tried to cure the saint, I strongly felt the negativity that I sensed from that powder.

“……”

“……”

As the black powder fluttered, my eyes met with the saint’s.

And for a moment, silence passed between us.