Ch.78Chapter 78. Send Them to the Papal States. The Pope Is Already My Faithful Servant

Linefold rose from his bed and walked to the terrace.

Though he had recovery abilities beyond human limits befitting a hero party member, even slight exertion would reopen his wounds and cause bleeding.

The searing pain, like being branded with hot iron, tormented him, but he was tired of just lying down.

As he barely managed to lean against the terrace railing, he caught sight of Ganal below the mansion, giving detailed instructions to the maids.

“Did our benefactor enjoy yesterday’s meal, miss?”

“Yes, my lady. Surprisingly, he finished everything without leaving anything behind.”

“It seems he likes the porridge with lily clams. Include it in breakfast or dinner once every three days, as he might tire of it if served daily.”

Her thoughtful consideration for him brought an involuntary smile to his face.

The more he saw her, the more he found the young lady to his liking.

However, Linefold deliberately chose not to express this interest outwardly.

After all, she already had a fiancé.

Though Gendry was a commoner, he was the son of the guard captain, had a good character, and they were devoted to each other—it wouldn’t be right to interfere.

He already had Rinasien, and excessive greed would only disrupt the balance.

“Morgan! You shouldn’t be up!”

The momentary peace was shattered by the Imperial Princess bursting through the door.

If it had been Ganal, she would have spoken softly with worried eyes and a demure gaze.

Then he would have pretended to yield and obediently returned to bed to reassure her.

“Morgan!”

Why was this woman who called herself the Imperial Princess so noisy?

Linefold deliberately kept looking outside until his expression softened, only then turning to smile at her.

Still, he didn’t move from the railing.

“Isn’t the weather splendid? On a day like this, I should be strolling along the shore with Your Highness. I was just looking outside, feeling regretful.”

The dazzling smile of the handsome blond youth made Rinasien’s heart tighten.

Her earlier irritation vanished, leaving only genuine concern.

“Rest well and recover quickly so we can walk together.”

Yes, that’s the right attitude.

This is how a woman should attend to her husband.

As Linefold’s mood improved and he was about to return to bed, the Imperial Princess’s next words made him frown.

“Word has come from the magician to the Imperial Palace. He says he’ll be returning to the island with the porter around this evening.”

“Why? If he secured the porter, he could have subdued him and returned discreetly. Why inform Airan Dekarun and make such a public return?”

The Imperial Princess had raised the same concern.

However, the news Ravin had delivered contained reasons that both Rinasien and Linefold had to accept.

“He says he encountered the Demon Warriors and barely escaped after battle. He judged it better to return before enemy reinforcements arrived.”

“Hmm.”

As the shield knight grunted, blood began to seep from his wound.

Rinasien wanted to make him lie down immediately, but knowing he was deep in thought about their future plans, she could only watch with anxious concern.

[The situation sounds plausible, but the lingering desire I sensed from the magician has disappeared.]

In reality, the demon god connected to him was whispering.

[I thought he’d be the easiest to control since he’s like a doll, but how did he escape first?]

Maliciously, the demon god concealed from Linefold that Tigria was a clone of the Second Magician.

Unaware of this fact, Linefold had considerable trust in the demon god Angria’s words.

‘We can lure that doll back using research as a pretext. More urgent is the Demon Warrior party. Are they not under your direct control?’

[That’s unfair. They’re not under me but the Demon King. They’re the Demon King’s subordinates with autonomy, so they act according to their own will.]

‘Come to think of it, I heard from the magician that the First Hero was corrupted into becoming the Demon King. Is that true?’

[I had no choice! My sister was too powerful, and I couldn’t even match her. What’s with that ridiculous system of Heroes anyway! A Demon King was essential to maintain balance on our side!]

Though Linefold disliked the corruption of the hero he most respected, he found it difficult to press further since it was done for balance.

After all, he himself had backstabbed the Fourth Hero for the sake of balance, so he was in no position to criticize.

[Look even now. Despite her madness, my sister is withstanding massive causality! It’s unfair, unfair, unfair!]

‘Please stop, my head is ringing.’

[And she instantly created special items for all the hero party members! I’m too busy making yours to have any leisure!]

Angria was genuinely indignant.

From birth, the Goddess possessed power several times greater than hers.

Unlike the Goddess who created this beautiful world and various races, Angria could only corrupt the races the Goddess had created to bring them under her control.

Driven by jealousy, envy, and inferiority, she persistently challenged until they came to compete for the position of world ruler.

She created demon races, demon beasts, and even a Demon King.

Yet it wasn’t enough, so she thwarted all subsequent generations of heroes through her schemes.

[Damn it, because of that irregular porter! To think one small bug would lead to this—I underestimated my sister’s cunning.]

‘So balance is maintained one way or another. Though I’m destined to be a guardian, there’s still much I don’t understand.’

[Don’t worry.]

Angria looked down at the special item she was still crafting and licked her lips.

[As you said, we need to properly educate those Demon Warrior bitches. Once this special item is complete, I’ll be able to absorb their bodies and power. Yes, you and I will control the power of resentment.]

‘Resentment?’

[Didn’t you know? That thing eating away at your body. It’s resentment. The Demon King’s unique power. It’s the materialization of resentment toward me who corrupted and my sister who failed to save.]

‘So Luciena did become a Demon King?!’

[No, the sword she carries is the demon sword once wielded by the Demon King. She must have obtained it here in the Zramun Archipelago.]

Linefold felt a sense of déjà vu.

Previously, they had followed the hero’s message about heading to the Zramun Archipelago, which led to the hero party’s reformation.

Did Luciena come here intending to obtain the demon sword from the beginning?

How did she know there was a demon sword here?

The hero Linefold knew wasn’t well-versed in history.

Even he, knowledgeable enough in historical studies to know the First Hero’s deeds, was unaware of this information that only the magician seemed to know—who else could have known?

At the end of his contemplation was the image of an insignificant porter wearing a mask.

‘Though his recent actions are remarkable, even the demon god called him a small bug.’

[Anyway, the reason neither holy power nor my magic recovery works is because your wound was inflicted by resentment, a third power. I’m using my power to the fullest, but try to focus on natural healing if possible.]

“Hmm…”

“Linefold!”

The shout snapped Linefold’s eyes wide open.

The Imperial Princess was fuming with anger.

“Contemplation is fine, but shouldn’t you pay more attention to your fiancée!”

Gone was her earlier docile demeanor, replaced by irritation once again.

Having his train of thought interrupted just as he was grasping an important clue, Linefold didn’t remain silent either.

“We’re in a state of emergency. The hero party is planning to move without me, and Your Highness insisted on coming here, leaving the imperial island unattended.”

“The Pope of the Holy Nation is already my ally. There’s no need for you, injured as you are, to go on a journey that’s merely for regrouping. I’ve already placed my people, so there’s no need to worry!”

“Your people? Who do you mean?”

Surprised that there was someone he didn’t know about, Linefold asked, and Rinasien proudly placed her hands on her hips.

“Why, is it so strange that I, the Imperial Princess and heir to the throne, have a spy or two?”

Crack. Linefold turned with a hardened face, but Rinasien glared back just as fiercely.

“And on the island is Airan Dekarun. The Emperor’s faithful servant who will soon become my servant as well.”

“She may hold Your Highness dear, but she hasn’t yet sworn allegiance to you.”

“That woman is like a commoner who’s content as long as her family is well taken care of.”

“Plans should be meticulously crafted.”

“In our current situation, I’ve planted someone in the hero party and have someone like an aunt holding the island. How much more meticulous do you want to be?!”

Regardless of how meticulous they needed to be, there was absolutely no reason for the two of them to be fighting here.

Despite his throbbing headache, Linefold didn’t feel like yielding to the Imperial Princess today.

Knock knock

“Benefactor, it’s Ganal Protek. I’ve brought breakfast.”

“Oh, please come in!”

“Wait… Linefold!”

The Imperial Princess was dumbfounded as he arbitrarily permitted Ganal to enter.

She glared at Ganal who entered pushing a cart with a modest demeanor.

“There’s no need for you to come personally for every meal.”

“It would be remiss of me as the host to send a mere servant to attend to our benefactor and Imperial Princess.”

Linefold nodded with satisfaction, unnecessarily large.

Realizing he wasn’t paying any attention to her mood, Rinasien glared even more intensely at Ganal, who sensed the gaze and hastily bowed before retreating outside.

“Oh, it’s the clam porridge I had last night. It’s really delicious. Would you like to join me?”

But Rinasien was already thoroughly upset.

“Hmph!!!”

Storming out, she immediately raised her voice in anger.

“Servants! Bring my breakfast to my room today!”

“Sigh…”

She was a difficult woman to handle.

No matter how he tried to accommodate her according to balance, she was never satisfied unless everything revolved around her.

If not for her exquisite beauty, he would have reconsidered their engagement long ago.

‘Come to think of it, she unilaterally declared our engagement.’

His headache intensified.

[Stress is the root of all illness. Try to relax a bit.]

‘Does this look like a situation where I can relax?’

[I told you not to worry.]

Ironically, it was Angria who had regained her composure.

[Once this special item is complete, you’ll have a stable link to not only the Demon Warriors’ power but also my power. Then we’ll be invincible!]

‘Is that true?!’

Surprised, the shield knight received a cheerful, cackling response from Angria.

[You’re asking a demon god if it’s true? You just have to believe me. You don’t have any other choice~.]

And then came a meaningful whisper.

[When the magician and porter return, give them just one day’s grace, then immediately depart for the Holy Nation. The Pope there is actually my faithful servant.]

‘You’ve extended your reach even to the Holy Nation?’

A series of surprises.

The handsome youth’s repeatedly widened eyes delighted Angria.

[Of course. To maintain balance, I have to have my hands in everything.]

Finally, Linefold was reassured.

His composure returned, along with his appetite.

Without assistance, he crossed the corridor to visit the Imperial Princess, and finding her crying alone, he embraced her and apologized.

“If you make me shed tears one more time, I’ll break off our engagement!”

“It was my fault. Please forgive me, my lady.”

“Fool… you fool…!”

Rinasien cried in Linefold’s arms for a long time.

It was almost lunchtime before the two could finally have their late breakfast.