Taming the Evil Saintess

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It took quite a long time to sort things out. Given that it was an unprecedented situation with a civil unrest in the Imperial Palace, the aftermath was bound to be lengthy.

Sure enough, there were various rumors circulating about the abrupt dethronement of the current Emperor Adelheit and the return of the former Emperor Bolazio Septimius III to power. However, if they publicly declared that Adelheit attempted to kill high-ranking officials of the Empire and even summon a demon, the royal family would stagger once again.

In the end, the public was only informed of a partial truth, stating that Hell Duke Derabilice infiltrated the palace to brainwash Adelheit and summon demons, which was thwarted by the hero party.

It would be unfair for Derabilice, who was dragged in and used, but in this continent, there was no lawyer who would listen to the concerns of a high-ranking officer of the Demon King’s Army.

“What will you do about the successor?”

“I suppose we should find a suitable candidate from the distant bloodline. Someone with some sense.”

Bolazio Septimius III showed little concern over the fact that the royal bloodline would change. After all, the next emperor would still have a bit of the current royal blood mixed in.

Perhaps having received a vaccination against Adelheit, Bolazio appeared more like a frail human than the cold emperor he once was.

“When I first met you, you seem quite different now.”

“I’ve aged, after all.”

A shadow of old age was cast over the face of Bolazio Septimius III when he said that. It seemed to be the undeniable truth that he didn’t have much time left.

*

Thus, the Imperial Palace gradually began to regain its original vitality over several weeks. However, some things simply couldn’t be restored in just a few weeks.

“…Huh.”

Administrator Evangelin rested her forehead in her palm as she surveyed the ruins.

“…The damage is severe. It will take years to repair.”

“Those devious demons! How dare they ruin the Imperial Palace!”

“I’m sorry, but wasn’t it the dragon brought by the Saintess that destroyed the palace, not the demons?”

Evangelin looked at Ophelia, who feigned innocence with a poker face, with an incredulous expression. The moment their gazes met, Ophelia subtly averted her eyes.

“Devious demons…”

That was all she could say.

Of course, Evangelin was not such a shameless person as to demand compensation for this. Instead, she expressed her gratitude alongside Bolazio Septimius III, promising considerable rewards. For Ophelia, who went crazy at the sight of gold and treasures, it was the best reward imaginable.

“Ahahaha! Elliot, look! This is real gold! I’m rich now!”

“If you get a divorce, do you split it in half?”

“….”

“Just kidding. Why are you looking at me like that?”

Seeing her look betrayed, I hastily added that.

Anyway, Ophelia was joyfully clutching a bag full of gold coins like a child. But I couldn’t be entirely happy seeing that.

“That aside, I wonder if Emily is okay.”

Just because the situation was smoothly resolved didn’t mean the fallen palace and the half-destroyed temple would magically return. Buildings might be one thing, but human lives are even more so.

“Hmm. I heard that the funeral for that uncle Eldarian is coming up soon.”

“Are you going to attend?”

“Do I have to? Honestly, I wasn’t particularly close to that uncle Eldarian.”

Ophelia, who had been checking if the gold coins were real by biting them, shrugged it off lightly.

I sighed and chided Ophelia.

“Ophelia, still, Emily is one of your few friends. Shouldn’t you at least show some sadness for someone like her father passing away?”

That was a reasonable point.

However, that didn’t seem to apply to Ophelia.

“But my dad died too, you know?”

“….”

“Also, I killed him.”

“Hey, hey, you crazy girl.”

Seeing Evangelin looking horrified beside me, I quickly covered Ophelia’s mouth.

I never expected her to cast the “Truth Bomb.” Since it was a fact, I had nothing to add.

However, Ophelia chuckled as if she truly thought that.

“Honestly, that Emily girl isn’t the type to get upset over this sort of thing.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, so don’t worry.”

Despite Ophelia’s confident declaration, it was hard for me to trust given who was saying it.

Thus, the funeral was solemnly conducted, and the Archmage Emily stepped forth to succeed Eldarian. Though she looked precarious with a staff that was slightly shorter than her height, her expression betrayed a firm determination.

Raising her staff embedded with shining magic stones high, Emily declared:

“Here today, I, Emily Barried, as the successor of my master, vow to overthrow the Demon King and open a new horizon for the continent’s magic!”

No one questioned her words.

She had more than enough qualifications.

Thus, Emily became the Archmage unanimously, and she locked herself in a room for quite some time. While I was genuinely worried about her, I also couldn’t just wait idly.

Things were quite busy. Under the illustrious title of the heroes who saved the Imperial Palace, we had to participate in various events.

Especially Albrecht was the busiest, as the commander of the capital’s Knight Order had a lot to handle. Having returned to the capital after nearly two years, he had much to prepare.

In addition to the work involving the palace, there were mountains of reports to be filed regarding the retaking of Eastern Port and the betrayal of Lieutenant Aaron, and on top of that, Adelheit had stirred up trouble. Thus, Albrecht had been running around so much, he looked like a raccoon with dark circles under his eyes.

“U-uh, Albrecht, are you really okay?”

“Well, it’s something that needs to be done.”

Though he said that, Albrecht looked about ready to collapse.

“I’ll help you.”

The fortunate thing was that Cecilia, who had some experience managing the Knight Order, rolled up her sleeves to assist Albrecht.

For several days now, Cecilia had been helping Albrecht, who was exhausted. It wasn’t a big deal, but Ophelia seemed to have a different impression of the scene. She poked my side with her elbow.

“Hey, Elliot.”

“What?”

Ophelia’s expression was one of intrigue.

It looked like she had found an exciting toy.

“Those two, can’t you tell?”

“Tell what?”

“Those two, Albrecht and Cecilia, clearly seem to have feelings for each other.”

“…What?”

I frowned at Ophelia’s words.

Sword Saint Albrecht Ridensstein and Ice Warrior Cecilia Ethelgarand.

Two of the three greatest warriors on the continent.

Whether they were dating or marrying was frankly none of my business, but…

“No way, that can’t be true. Albrecht has always been a stiff character and Cecilia is even more uptight than he is.”

“True, I know that. But you know the saying, ‘birds of a feather flock together,’ right? Just like you and me.”

“Sorry, Ophelia, but during my time at the Cathedral, I at least wasn’t treated the same way you were. And frankly, I wouldn’t want to be.”

“Stop making excuses and empathize. Unless you want to die.”

“…Maybe there are some similarities after all.”

Finally, Ophelia blinked her narrow eyes.

“See? Anyway, those two definitely have feelings for each other.”

“Any evidence?”

“Well, for one, it’s strange if they’ve been together all night and don’t develop any feelings.”

“Is that really your only evidence?”

“Of course not! A while ago, someone claimed they saw Cecilia giggling while looking at Albrecht’s handsome face.”

“…Who the hell spies on that?”

Knights have keen senses.

Especially Cecilia. It would be impossible for someone to sneakily observe her without considerable stealth skills.

In our party, the only one who could be the ‘thief’ would be Hound Owen and….

“Ophelia, you didn’t possibly spy on them….”

“It wasn’t me!”

Ophelia raised a fist in protest.

“Then who was it?”

“Who do you think? It must be the one in our party who is most interested in that sort of thing.”

At that word, one name popped into my mind.

“…No way.”

“Yep, that’s her.”

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. I turned around, and there stood Emily with a familiar at her shoulder.

I thought she was locked away in her room, but it turns out I was mistaken. She wasn’t sulking; she had been using her familiar to scout around for amusing tidbits.

And it seemed that Emily had discovered the subtle, youthful atmosphere swirling between Albrecht and Cecilia. It seems she dutifully shared that information with Ophelia as well.

While I was grateful that Emily maintained her original, untainted personality despite knowing the truth, I had overlooked just how bothersome her original personality could be.

After some time of grinning, Emily looked back and forth between Ophelia and me and said:

“Hehehe. Saintess, Elliot, you must be thinking the same thing, right?”

“…The same thing?”

I frowned, but Ophelia nodded vigorously.

“Of course!”

“…Wait, what are you planning?”

In response to my question, Ophelia grinned and pulled out the round glasses she had stolen from the receptionist at the guild. Acting like a self-proclaimed expert, Ophelia raised her hand and declared:

“What else? Of course, it’s to connect those two! Let’s set up an operations center!”

“…Do I have to join in on this too?”

“Why are you asking if it’s a given?”

It seemed like I had been drawn into the play of some troublesome kids.

My head was pounding.