Chapter 139: Invitation to Gyo-guk Part 2

I stepped out of my brother’s office, tilting my head in confusion.

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.

‘Me? Training those guys?’

“I didn’t really do much, though.”

“No, Olivia. If a normal person went through that kind of hell, it’d be strange if they didn’t change.”

‘Just that much? But I haven’t changed at all.’

They’re the weird ones.

How weak do those idiots have to be for something like that to change them? Well, if it ended up helping them, I suppose it’s not a bad thing.

“Really? I just did what felt normal to me.”

“That’s because you’re the weird one, Olivia.”

“Weird? Me?”

“Why are you treating me like some kind of freak?”

It’s not a good habit to treat a perfectly normal person like an idiot.

I’ll have to fix Syria’s way of thinking one of these days.

***

“By the way, what kind of person is this William?”

“So I really have to go see that bastard, huh?”

Ugh, how annoying.

Seeing that guy is worse than death.

I stomped forward, my footsteps echoing loudly against the floor.

There was no helping it—it was just too annoying.

If it weren’t for Ashtar, I wouldn’t even have considered going.

“Is he really that bad?”

“Don’t even get me started. Just having one conversation with that trash sucks the life out of you. He’s the kind of person who just drains you.”

“Is he… weird-looking or something?”

“No. If anything, he’s the most handsome guy I’ve ever seen.”

Still, I decided to meet him at least once.

But as I approached his room, I heard voices from inside.

***

“Do you think the head of the Ashtar family will listen to our request?”

“Hmm, who knows? Either way, it won’t be a loss for us. But unless Ashtar is a complete fool, he’ll have to send the Saintess if he wants to maintain good relations with us.”

‘Oh?’

‘Mocking Ashtar, are we?’

As Olivia, I have to say something about this.

With a smirk, I clapped my hands together and pushed the door open.

Mockingly.

“Wow. You figured that out? How impressive.”

“Pfft.”

William actually spat out his drink.

Now this is a rare sight.

Alright, I’ve made up my mind.

Shaking up the Holy Kingdom a bit sounds like a great plan.

‘Strengthening diplomacy and getting back at William?’

Sounds perfect.

“Well, fine. You were looking for me, so I suppose I should at least humor you.”

I spoke as if I were doing them a great favor.

“S-Saintess?”

“Yes, just as you wished, the Saintess is here. But is there a problem?”

William looked me up and down, his gaze slowly sweeping over me.

His stare made me feel gross.

Hmm. Now that I think about it…

“So the rumors about Ashtar’s superior genetics were true.”

Ah.

I know exactly what this bastard’s thinking.

He’s fallen for me.

Now that I’m more perceptive in this body, I can tell.

He likes me.

It’s obvious—those lecherous little glances.

Honestly, I can’t blame men for staring at Olivia’s body.

It’s only natural.

It’s not like I can go around beating up every guy who looks at me.

“I know I’m pretty, so spare me the flattery. Anyway, I heard the Pope wanted to see me. I figured I should at least come once.”

“Hmm. You do know that I’m the Pope’s grandson, right?”

He cleared his throat, looking like the very definition of an insufferable prick.

So full of himself.

So proud.

I have no idea what he expects me to do with that information.

Sure, his face is perfectly fine, but his personality makes him unbearable.

“You think that was a compliment, but it was actually rude?”

“If you realize that much—”

Not at all.

I waved my hand dismissively.

There’s no reason for me to back down here.

My brothers will let me get away with anything.

I can feel it.

My instincts as Olivia are telling me so.

“I think you’re the one who’s mistaken.”

“…What?”

“You’re the Pope’s grandson. You’re not the Pope.”

“!!”

There it is.

This guy craves power.

Just one little remark, and his face turns red with frustration.

Pathetic little Holy Kingdom.

If it weren’t a religious state, the Empire would’ve crushed it long ago.

The only reason it still exists is because it’s the home of the Goddess’s Church.

“Besides, I’m an Ashtar. I already know everything I need to know. I can see right through the Holy Kingdom’s situation, so why should I even try to please you?”

This guy?

I can mock him as much as I want.

“Aren’t you a noble lady?”

“Nobles aren’t all the same. I have no reason to get along with Holy Kingdom envoys who approach Ashtar with such transparent ulterior motives.”

Judging by his face, that one really stung.

But honestly, it was the truth.

“I am Olivia. The young lady of the Empire’s most powerful family.”

“If you act like this, the Pope might not want to see you.”

“Oh, I doubt that. The Pope isn’t that kind of person.”

From what I know, that man is a lot like the Emperor.

Especially when it comes to how ruthless he is toward his own bloodline.

Honestly, if I were him, I wouldn’t have any warm feelings for a grandson plotting behind my back.

At least the Emperor’s children don’t scheme against him.

‘Would anyone want to smack an insane emperor who struts around naked just because it’s “his house”?

Besides, the parliament handles all political affairs, so they must already know the emperor’s power is useless.’

***

“What do you mean by that?”

“You, his grandson, should understand it best. Isn’t that right?”

You’re after the papacy—you should know better than anyone.

“Ha… Haha. Impressive.”

At my remark, he furrowed his brow slightly but responded calmly.

The Holy Kingdom is already losing its original identity.

Let’s say the brutal torture was just an extreme attempt to forcefully create a saint.

Let’s say it was an isolated issue.

But just looking at this guy alone makes it obvious.

The Holy Kingdom is no different from a monarchy in everything but name.

A nation that no one invades and that never invades others, simply because it is the headquarters of the Goddess Church.

So for the Holy Kingdom to claim that we “lack roots” is utterly ridiculous.

***

“Impressive, you say? Well then, should I go with the Holy Kingdom’s delegation?”

“Ah. Yes. It seems that way.”

“Then I should bring an escort.”

“…Are you planning to do it yourselves?”

“No way. Surely not.”

“Why should I trust you and follow along?”

“Our Holy Kingdom knights will serve as your escort.”

“Tch. And why should I trust that?”

I smirked and shook my head.

Because you lot are the last people I’d ever trust.

“Lady Saint! That is far too rude! Are you saying you can’t trust the Holy Kingdom’s knights?”

The knight beside William snapped furiously.

Well, of course.

What I just said was basically an attack on the Holy Kingdom.

And coming from the Duke Astar family’s lady, it’s not something they can simply ignore.

“Even during the last expedition, it was the Holy Kingdom knights who looked down on me for being the Empire’s Saint.”

“Ahem. That is… unfortunate.”

He averted his gaze slightly—how irritating.

‘Why do these knights always act like it’s either true or not, with no in-between?’

And William, after already disrespecting me once, was now scanning me up and down.

“So, to put it simply, I’ll just take the Mage Division as my escort instead.”

“If that is your decision… then so be it.”

William’s face twisted with displeasure, and he let out a deep sigh.

I need to put an end to William’s schemes.

Having properly rejected him, I left his room.

The Mage Division will accompany the delegation’s departure, so at least the journey to the Holy Kingdom should be safe.

***

“Um… Olivia, couldn’t you just handle this alone? If something happens, wouldn’t it be better to use it as an excuse to deal with them?”

Syria chimed in with a good point.

Yeah. That makes sense.

“But I’m an Astar. I can’t give William even the slightest opening.”

I had considered it too.

But pride is a thing.

And besides, the one I want to meet is the Pope, not William.

“What?”

“Honestly, you sounded a bit like a princess.”

“But I am pretty, aren’t I?”

To put it simply, I’m ridiculously beautiful.

“Ah. You’ve been like this since Lord Noah’s time.”

“‘Since Lord Noah’s time’? That’s harsh. I’m just stating the obvious.”

I’ve always been this way.

Back in the Land of Ruin, if I showed humility about my skills, people took it as an insult.

And now, with a face like this, the answer is clear, isn’t it?

So, this is just natural.

“Even back then, when people praised your magic, you just said, ‘Of course.’ And now, you’re confidently saying you’re beautiful. Your princess complex has only grown.”

“And is that a bad thing?”

We’ve had this conversation so many times.

I leaned in slightly.

“Since you did say you like me… let’s see how long you can hold out.”

As I stared at her, Syria looked like she was about to explode, then quickly stepped back.

Tch. Can’t even last a second.

“…Well, it’s true. You’re definitely beautiful. Ugh. I really do like you, but at the same time, I’m so jealous.”

“You’re also really beautiful. Don’t think of yourself as lesser than me.”

“This is why I can’t help but love you. Let’s share a bed tonight.”

“Pass.”

“But William’s gaze is really filthy. What if he tries to assault you?”

“Him? Assault me?”

“Not a chance.”

“His gaze is certainly disgusting, but he’s at least got some sense.”

“More likely, he’ll try to seduce or manipulate me.”

“And he’ll want my looks as a bonus.”

“In other words, he’ll try to win me over one way or another.”

“He won’t. He sees himself as noble. Besides, he’s trying to gain something through me.”

“Wait… Is that why you’ve been so wary of him?”

Yeah.

The biggest reason is that he’s just a pain, but he’s also trying to use me to gain something even more important.

“Right. That idiot might be aiming for the Pope’s seat by securing imperial support through me.”

“What is this, a monarchy?”

Syria scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief.

“It’s not a monarchy, but the Holy Kingdom is basically one now. Unfortunately, that’s the reality.”

“The Pope is the king. The high priests and clerics are like government officials. Even the knights, who were originally nobles’ children, are now recruited freely. Some are even treated like private soldiers.”

“…That’s true.”

“In the past, they relied on military support from the Kingdoms. But when the Demon King appeared, they used the absence of royal knights as an excuse to train their own.”

Long ago, the Holy Kingdom received military aid from the Kingdoms.

That was the origin of the Holy Knights.