Chapter 80: What a delightful face.

The situation was so incomprehensible that my mind was filled with confusion.

The news I’d heard was absurdly unbelievable.

The Empire had ended the war with the Kingdom of Kaladwen and claimed the glory of victory.

It was impossible.

Even at the fastest pace, it would take at least five years to bring an end to the war.

Behind the Kingdom of Kaladwen, notorious as the kingdom of dark magic and boasting formidable power, stood countless allies.

Even if one played the game on the shortest route, ending the war at this point would be nearly impossible.

Yet, the Empire declared the end of the war with pride, hanging the head of the King of Kaladwen on the fortress wall.

“How… How did this happen?”

A trembling voice slipped out without me even realizing it.

If it were simply news of the end of the war, I wouldn’t be this anxious.

But what had me on edge right now was entirely different news.

Lillian had fully awakened as a saint.

On the battlefield, she had healed hundreds of soldiers and even displayed such powerful holy power that she could reattach severed arms, making a decisive contribution to the Empire’s victory.

Upon her return to the Empire, Lillian was granted a baronial title along with land, and she was even bestowed with the title of ‘Savior.’

“This is strange!”

Early on, Lillian’s stats were absurdly low.

Aside from her high divine power and mental strength, she was nearly indistinguishable from an ordinary woman.

Although she was a character destined to awaken as a saint and exhibit powerful abilities, it was expected that she would remain devoted solely to prayer until then.

Yet she had made a greater contribution than Viviana, known as the battlefield specter?

This wasn’t just a deviation from the original story.

Creak-

“Savior, really…!”

A savior? It was a ridiculously childish title.

I’d never heard of or encountered such a title before. There was no such title as ‘Savior’ in the game.

It was as blunt as it was simple-minded.

But the power imbued in that title would be unfathomable.

This transcended the realm of mere status.

Whether noble or commoner, even royalty would have no choice but to show reverence to Lillian.

As if she were a true savior.

With this, Lillian would gain a standing on par with the Grand Temple on her own.

Many would see her as a messenger of the goddess.

The path she walked would be bathed in holy light, leaving only endless blessings and happiness.

Just like in the latter part of the game.

Creak-

‘She should’ve just stayed quietly praying…!’

If things went as I expected, a saint removed from the social scene would have nowhere to go but the temple.

A saint who should have been quietly dedicated to prayer was now on the battlefield—utterly absurd.

In the game, there was no option for Lillian to set foot on a battlefield.

With her gentle disposition, there was no reason for her to enter a place where lives were taken, nor any desire to fight others.

Yet she had gone to the battlefield, ultimately achieving merits and returning.

And she received the rank of baron, a position even higher than my mother’s.

If, by any chance, it were ever discovered that I was the source of the rumors about Lillian…

“No way.”

I forced a smile. But that smile trembled ever so weakly.

There was no way anyone would find out.

Not a single one of the numerous rumors surrounding Lillian had ever come directly from my mouth.

I merely guided the story to flow from behind. Even if Lillian tracks down the source of the rumors, she will never reach me.

The image I have imprinted on society is that of a pure character, incapable of scheming.

‘However, if there’s one thing that bothers me…’

Arien Caltry.

Once Lillian’s closest friend, she became the catalyst for Lillian’s expulsion from social circles.

By subtly egging her on, Lillian grew disillusioned with society and never appeared at another banquet again.

Of course, even back then, I did nothing wrong.

All I did was convey a ‘genuine’ concern that Lillian’s presence might bring Arian more suffering, as I genuinely wished for Arian’s well-being.

But if that woman, Arian, spreads unnecessary words, causing Lillian to doubt me, it would become a rather troublesome situation.

“…I was too complacent.”

I knew that one day, Lillian would awaken as a saint.

Yet, I let my guard down and didn’t exercise caution.

There’s still a long way to go before Lillian fully awakens, and I believed that even if she learned what I had done, she would forgive me.

Lillian was so foolishly kind that she would even try to forgive not only the numerous young ladies who had tormented her, but even the vile Mardian .

However, now that the original plot has gone so astray, no one can guarantee that her naïve mercy still remains.

It would be wise to prepare in advance for whatever I can.

I’ve kept my distance from Arian for a year now.

There’s hardly anything to gain from Arian, who has nothing but excellent swordsmanship and a chivalric spirit.

Still, it seems necessary to keep her within reach to prevent any unnecessary actions.

I threw on a coat and left the bedroom.

Lightly tapping the shoulder of a maid cleaning the corridor, I spoke.

“Could you prepare the carriage? I think I’ll be going out.”

As our financial situation gradually stabilized, our baron’s household began hiring staff again.

There weren’t many yet, but we had enough servants to keep the mansion well-maintained.

“Going out? Where are you headed, Miss?”

“…Do I need to tell you such details?”

The voice that slipped from my lips was coldly frozen.

Could you blame me?

With my frustration over the Lillian matter bubbling up, even a trivial commoner was testing my patience.

My mother may have an excellent business acumen, but it seems she paid less attention to the training of the household staff.

“I-I apologize, Miss…”

“It’s fine. Just hurry, will you?”

“Yes, yes!”

The clueless maid hurriedly dashed down the corridor. While the carriage was being prepared, I lightly sprayed a faintly fragrant perfume on myself.

“…It would be best to prepare a fitting gift too, wouldn’t it?”

Opening the wardrobe in the corner of the bedroom, I unlocked the hidden compartment below with a key.

Inside, jewels of brilliant hues were arranged in a dazzling display.

My precious treasures, collected from the young ladies so far.

Even selling just these would allow me to live a luxurious life for the rest of my days.

“I’ll choose something that doesn’t look too expensive… Yes, this one.”

I picked out a necklace that looked commonplace, something you might find in the marketplace, and carefully packed it in a box.

Honestly, I was somewhat tempted to simply take out the gem inside and present it, but I couldn’t do that.

[The carriage is ready, Miss.]

Following the maid’s announcement from outside, I stepped out immediately.

I gave a brief instruction to the coachman to head to the Caltry estate and climbed into the carriage.

Although I knew visiting without prior notice was impolite, I didn’t mind, as I was certain Arian would welcome me with open arms.

After boarding the carriage, I took a moment to catch my breath.

“I must go and clearly imprint it in Arien’s heart.”

That it was solely her will that led her to betray Lillian, and that I was in no way involved in it.

In fact, that statement was true.

I only worried about her, and Arien’s choice to abandon Lillian was entirely her own.

In the end, Arien gained a considerable amount from it.

Her family’s reputation was restored, and thanks to her connection with me, she could naturally step into the Versha and Sharione factions.

There, Arien must have been forming new connections by interacting with many young ladies.

Perhaps, Arien should be grateful to me.

I practically gave her wings, ensuring that the ignorant young lady who only wielded a sword wouldn’t be pushed out of high society.

Perhaps because I was deep in thought, by the time I snapped back to reality, the carriage had already arrived at the Marquess of Caltry’s residence.

Before stepping out, I took out a prepared mirror and practiced a natural expression.

Adding a hint of an alluring eye smile to a pure and bright smile, my face became even more charming.

Soon, a knight clad in silver armor opened the carriage door and extended his hand toward me.

Holding the knight’s hand, I carefully stepped down from the carriage and followed the butler’s guidance into the mansion.

Thanks to my frequent visits and gestures of goodwill, the servants of the Marquess of Caltry warmly welcomed me every time.

Finally, in front of Arien’s room, the butler gave a gentle smile and knocked carefully on the door.

“To have two esteemed guests in one day—this is quite a celebration.”

“…Pardon? Is there another guest besides me?”

“Hehe, Lady Blanc will be pleasantly surprised too.”

As soon as the butler finished speaking with a smile, the door slowly opened from within. Soon, Arien’s blue eyes came into view, directed at me.

“Tina, Tina?!”

“Lady Arien ! I’ve missed you so much!”

With a bright smile, I lightly threw myself into Arien’s arms.

She immediately reached out and embraced me, but there was a faint awkwardness in her gesture.

“T…Tina, now is a bit…”

And the reason for that awkwardness, I soon realized.

“Oh my, what a delightful coincidence.”

A soft, melodious voice filled the room, echoing like a whisper.

I slowly lifted my head from where it rested on Arien’s shoulder.

And as my gaze met hers, a chill settled over my heart.

“A truly delightful face.”

Her pink eyes, filled with a charming vitality, were staring directly at me, exuding an intense, freezing gaze that made my body stiffen.

“Wh-why are you here…?”

The woman, who had been sitting gracefully on the sofa, stood up elegantly.

As she approached, any trace of awkwardness was gone from her demeanor.

“Oh my, do I need a special reason to visit my friend?”

“Friend… you say?”

Don’t lie.

Arien undoubtedly abandoned you.

There’s no way you two could be friends.

“Then, Lady Blanc.”

The Savior, Saint Lillian Endoria.

“Do you perhaps have some business with my friend?”

She looked at me with a calm smile.