Ch.71Devil Cosplay (2)

When she opened her eyes, a familiar notification window greeted her.

[Memory of January, Imperial Year 993]

[Time Remaining: 5 minutes 00 seconds]

Olivia first examined her surroundings.

Makeshift shacks with walls hastily constructed from wooden planks lined the area in all directions.

The alley was so narrow that two adult men couldn’t pass through simultaneously.

‘This is…’

Olivia immediately realized where she was.

A slum near the Holy Kingdom.

“…Sister?”

Olivia gathered her wits and focused on what was before her. Numerous sick people were lined up in front of her, waiting their turn.

‘…Hmm.’

She remembered.

How she had worked on gaining Livga’s favor.

“I’ll come again tomorrow, so please don’t overexert yourself until then. Next, please!”

Livga was sitting right beside her. She was wrapped in a thick robe to conceal her identity, tirelessly treating the sick one after another.

Raising Livga’s favor wasn’t difficult.

All she had to do was help. That’s it.

‘It’s just disgustingly difficult.’

Having to treat hundreds of people in a day was beyond what most mages could even attempt.

‘That’s why I only met her in 993.’

Unless one specialized in this field, treating hundreds without getting exhausted required at least Grandmaster-level magic power.

Olivia glanced discreetly at Livga.

[Livga]

– Level: 93

– Favor: 50

– Occupation: Saintess

– Titles: The Devout, The Miracle Worker, The One Who Illuminates Darkness.

‘Favor at 50 means…’

It seemed like several months had passed since they first met.

‘So it’s similar to Kiel’s situation?’

Her favor was probably around 50 back then too, which would match up.

But still…

[Time Remaining: 3 minutes 40 seconds]

So much time had already passed without her doing anything.

‘At this rate, I’ll waste this opportunity just like last time.’

While observing her surroundings, Olivia muttered to herself.

‘Switch to spectator mode.’

In that moment.

She felt as if her body was floating.

[You are currently in spectator mode.]

– Remaining uses: 4.

‘Oh, so that’s how it works?’

Seeing from a third-person perspective and the timer not counting down during spectator mode—everything matched perfectly with her experience with Melina.

The only difference was that time flowed normally without any acceleration.

– Don’t get hurt next time. Next, please.

– Come this way too. Where does it hurt?

It felt strange.

‘So this is what I was doing in the annihilation timeline.’

‘Olivia’ was also wearing the same thick robe as Livga. Again, to conceal her identity.

– Sister.

That’s why Livga called her “sister.” To appear as ordinary siblings.

Of course, this was a secret known only to them.

“…Hmm.”

After observing the two for ten minutes, Olivia realized something.

‘This seems entirely possible.’

As expected, ‘Olivia’ was practically the embodiment of goodness.

‘There’s no way to make her a victim.’

While it might be possible to make Livga aware that she had two personas, it seemed impossible to portray this version as a tragic heroine.

Olivia’s deliberation was brief.

‘I’ll stick to the original plan.’

If she couldn’t become tragic, she would thoroughly become a villain and then pass it off.

Of course, she had no intention of becoming an ordinary villain.

Evil has its own methods.

‘First, I’ll sort out the titles.’

*****

On the outskirts of the Holy Kingdom.

Guardian Knight Frantz was pacing anxiously. He was worried about Livga, who hadn’t returned despite her “service” time being long over.

She hadn’t gone beyond the outer walls.

Livga had headed to the slum located in the northwest of the kingdom. No matter how devout the ruling class of the Holy Kingdom might be, the division between rich and poor was inevitable in a class-based society.

That’s why they established a system of voluntary service to aid the poor.

Even bishops regularly went out to serve, so it would be strange if Livga, as the Saintess, didn’t participate. However…

‘The problem is she goes too often.’

It was almost as if she lived in the slums, to exaggerate a bit.

It was a good deed, no denying that. But Frantz had reasons for his concern.

This “service” wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Treating the sick, caring for them, hearing confessions…

There were countless tasks to handle.

Moreover, Livga was doing all this while concealing her identity as the Saintess. That’s why she kept Frantz at a distance.

He understood. If she revealed her status as the Saintess, crowds would instantly gather, and she might not be able to help those who truly needed it.

‘But still…’

Just then, a familiar voice was heard from afar.

Frantz turned his head with a brightened expression. A girl wrapped in a thick robe was walking towards him. Though her face was shadowed, it was still recognizable.

“So I…”

Livga was conversing with a woman wearing a similar robe. It was someone Frantz knew.

Olivia.

The youngest “Grandmaster” from the Empire.

Though it was a time of peace now, Frantz understood better than most the significance of the title “Grandmaster.” Beings who could control thousands of lives with a single spell.

The Pope knew this too, which is why he assigned Frantz, one of the Four Knights, to guard the Saintess.

For protection, and to monitor the Empire’s Grandmaster.

“You took a long time, Lady Livga.”

“…I’m sorry, Frantz.”

“It’s good to help the poor, but missing the afternoon mass defeats the purpose, don’t you think?”

As Frantz was about to say more to the bowing Livga, he hesitated.

– Before being a Saintess, she’s just a young girl.

Words he had heard from Olivia a few days ago.

‘…Hmm.’

After a moment’s hesitation, Frantz spoke.

“…Still, you did well.”

“…Pardon?”

“I mean, you finished earlier than last time.”

Frantz’s eyebrows twitched as he saw Livga’s eyes widen.

He glanced at Olivia.

Olivia had just as kind an impression as Livga.

Of course, if it was just superficial, Frantz wouldn’t have opened his heart.

It was a judgment based on what he had observed over the past few months.

This woman was a good mage.

What kind of mage would treat thousands of sick people “for free”? None that Frantz knew of.

Frantz turned around and cleared his throat.

“Anyway, follow me. We’ll be late for mass at this rate.”

Frantz led the way, with Livga and Olivia following.

‘…Is this distance okay?’

Gauging the distance from Frantz, Livga whispered in a small voice.

“…Lady Olivia.”

Olivia turned her head at those words.

A gentle smile.

Livga always felt good seeing that smile.

“What did you say to Frantz?”

Frantz was a taciturn person. While all holy knights were strict, Frantz was particularly reserved.

For such a Frantz to praise her meant there must have been some change of heart.

Olivia gently stroked Livga’s head. Livga smiled brightly at the warm touch.

“That’s right.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Because you deserve praise for doing well.”

“But… I didn’t start this work to receive praise.”

Olivia thought for a moment before speaking.

“But it feels good, doesn’t it?”

“…Yes.”

It was true.

Who wouldn’t like sincere praise?

Livga had always believed that good deeds should be done without others knowing, but after receiving praise, her thoughts changed.

‘It feels like a reward.’

While one shouldn’t expect returns for good deeds, she felt that Aither would forgive this much.

Livga liked Olivia.

She had never had an older sister, but if she did, she imagined it would feel like this.

There was something about being with her that brought peace to her heart.

‘And we’ve only known each other for a few months.’

That’s why the fact that they would soon part ways felt even more regrettable. Since Olivia wasn’t affiliated with the church, she couldn’t attend the evening mass.

They met every day, but the feeling of regret was unavoidable.

The group soon arrived at the cathedral.

‘…Even though I walked as slowly as possible.’

Livga secretly made a sad face.

The only time they could meet privately was during service in the slums.

As the Saintess, Livga had a tight schedule every day, and Olivia’s wasn’t much different.

Livga took a deep breath, trying to suppress her disappointment.

It was time to say goodbye.

“Um, Lady Olivia. Tomorrow, can we—”

“Just a moment, Saintess.”

Olivia interrupted.

“Sir Frantz. How many minutes until mass begins?”

“About three minutes.”

“Could you spare just one minute? I have something important to discuss.”

Frantz frowned.

“That’s not within my authority…”

“Frantz.”

“…Yes, Saintess.”

“Just one minute.”

“…”

Silence fell.

In the end, Livga was the victor.

“Just one minute.”

As Frantz closed the door behind him, Livga’s expression brightened.

“What did you want to talk about?”

Olivia stroked Livga’s head as she spoke.

“Livga.”

“Yes.”

“My little sister.”

“Wh-what…?”

Livga’s eyes widened.

While she had called Olivia “sister” before, the reverse had never happened.

And even that title was only used during their service time…

“Do you dislike it when I call you my little sister?”

Livga closed her mouth tightly and shook her head vigorously.

How could she dislike it?

No, she had secretly dreamed of it.

But…

“It’s just so sudden…”

“So you do dislike it.”

Ugh, a sound escaped involuntarily.

“I understand. If you dislike it, there’s nothing I can do.”

Olivia removed her hand from Livga’s head. Livga unconsciously let out a sigh.

“…”

In that brief moment, Livga had thousands of thoughts.

There was no problem with calling Olivia “sister.”

But if she did…

The door swung open.

“Saintess, we must go now.”

Frantz entered the room.

“But, we still…”

“No, thank you for your precious time.”

Olivia said with a gentle smile.

“Sain-tess.”