Chapter 24: I’m not a handmaiden!

Belladriel’s big redemption event.

She had to save them herself.

I urged her on.

“Come on, save them.”
“…”

She remained silent, a reluctant expression on her face.

She’d become the Etherion cult leader because she hated betrayal.

And now she was supposed to be a saint again, helping others?

She didn’t seem eager.

I pressed her.

“Aren’t you going to do it? It’s the wager.”

It was her promise after losing the drinking contest.

Belladriel sighed.

“You… just you wait.”

She slowly approached the woman in the wheelchair.

“Shine Order!”
“It’s dangerous, Shine Order!”

The knights protested, but I stopped them.

“It’s alright. They won’t hurt her.”
“How do you know?! Are you a god?!”
“Etherion told me.”

My words silenced them.

Etherion.

A non-existent god, but a powerful symbol to them.

Rebecca glared at me and muttered, “If anything happens to the Shine Order, I’ll kill you.”
“If I’m right, Rebecca, you’ll become my servant.”

Rebecca scoffed.

“You’re crazy. Fine. We’ll see. If you’re right, I’ll be your servant.”
“Suit yourself.”

‘Watch closely and see what Belladriel does.’

I smirked, observing Belladriel.

She bowed her head before the woman in the wheelchair.

“Do you… wish for God’s grace?”

The Bubble Gang leader nodded.

“Yes. Can even a villain like me be healed?”

Margathia, the leader of the Bubble Gang.

A criminal mastermind, the darkest shadow of Aria Village.

A woman as venomous as a viper, feared by all.

Her appearance before Belladriel spoke of desperation.

“With faith, anything is possible.”

Margathia chuckled wryly at Belladriel’s words.

“Faith… can even a wicked villain like me have faith?”
“A wicked villain… perhaps someone like you can’t have faith.”

Belladriel’s words triggered a reaction from the gang members.

“This
, how dare she…”
“Boss! Should we take her out?”
“Stand down.”
“Boss!”

Margathia glared at her subordinates.

“Ugh…”
“S-Sorry…”

Despite her frail appearance, her gaze and demeanor were as sharp as a viper’s.

She calmed her men, then addressed Belladriel.

“My apologies. My men were disrespectful.”
“It’s alright. I don’t need respect.”
“Why not?”
“I serve a different god now. The reverence given to a saint is meaningless to me now.”
“A different god… so your powers are diminished?”

Margathia chuckled, and Belladriel nodded.

“Yes. Because I no longer serve my original god.”

Margathia sighed.

“Even gods are petty, jealous. But I don’t care as long as you can heal me. Whether you serve a good god or an evil one.”
“God is God. There is no good or evil. No matter what you’ve done, God awaits your return.”
“Even if I’ve mercilessly killed people?”

Belladriel replied to Margathia’s bitter question, “If you truly repent and do good deeds with faith, if you truly believe that God will heal you, then you must abandon your wicked ways.”

Belladriel’s words felt strange.

But she too would soon be redeemed, transforming from a cult leader into a saint.

“Faith…?”
“Yes, faith. Once you are healed, will you live a righteous life with that faith?”

Belladriel’s question.

Margathia looked at her intently.

According to the event, she would repent.

Knowing the outcome, I watched silently.

She wasn’t likely to commit any more evil acts.

“If I am healed, I will live according to that faith.”
“Then I shall pray.”

‘There it is…!’

‘The legendary prayer scene!’

“Belladriel Bestows Grace” Ver.

Her hand on Margathia’s head, praying, she looked like a benevolent goddess.

The true power of a saint was about to unfold.

“Look…”
“A light… emanating from the saint…?”
“I’ve never seen such a light from the Shine Order…”

Both the Bubble Gang and the knights watched in awe.

Such a prayer was a rare sight.

A golden light emanated from Belladriel as she prayed.

A powerful, divine energy, spreading outward, filling the air with a sweet floral scent.

“…I pray to God. Destroy all evil in the world, and guide us with your light!”

The golden light flared brightly as Belladriel finished her prayer.

“Ugh!”
“It’s so bright!”

After a while, the light subsided.

Everyone shielded their eyes, but I kept my gaze fixed on Belladriel.

Margathia was standing.

“…”
“B-Boss!”
“The boss is standing!”
“Boss!”

The Bubble Gang members rushed to Margathia and knelt.

Belladriel smiled and whispered, “Your faith has been rewarded. May you live according to that faith, Margathia Armion.”
“How do you know my name…?”
“God told me. He told me your name, Margathia. He told me you would be cleansed of your wickedness and live a righteous life. May you live according to God’s will…”
“…”

Belladriel turned and walked towards me.

I smiled.

“Good work.”
“I’m a little dizzy. It’s been a while.”

Belladriel touched her forehead, swaying slightly.

I gently supported her, letting her lean against me.

“You did well.”
“Shine Order! Are you alright?!”

Rebecca rushed over.

Belladriel leaned against me and murmured, “You… you’re a bad man. Making me do the things I hate most.”
“…But you’re the best saint to me.”
“A saint… will anything change even if I save someone like her?”

The memories of betrayal.

Belladriel likely thought saving these criminals was pointless.

But her act of salvation was meaningful.

Knowing the outcome, I whispered, “You’ve cleansed the sins of the wickedest of sinners… they understand. Look.”

I pointed, and Belladriel followed my gaze.

Margathia was basking in the cheers of her gang, but her eyes were fixed on Belladriel.

She bowed her head slightly.

A gesture of gratitude from a villain.

“I won’t make any more wagers with you…”

Belladriel seemed pleased by Margathia’s gesture.

She smiled faintly and sighed.

“S-Shine Order!”
“Rebecca, good work. Let’s go.”
“B-But they…”

Rebecca glared at the Bubble Gang.

They parted, creating a path, and knelt before Belladriel, chanting, “Saint…”

Belladriel looked at them and said to Rebecca, “It’s alright now. Let’s go. This villain has been redeemed…”

[Belladriel Dresia has redeemed a wicked villain!]
[Malice Gauge has decreased by 30%!]

With this redemption event, her Malice Gauge was down to 20%.

Belladriel’s redemption was near.

Only 20% remained.

A few more events, and it would be 0%.

I hummed cheerfully as I walked down the hallway.

“Ahem!”

I heard someone clear their throat behind me.

I turned around.

“Rebecca?”
“Where are you going?”
“The Shine Order called for me. Why?”

“Oh, is that so?” she replied, fidgeting nervously.

“Is something wrong?”
“N-No, but… it’s just…”
“If you have nothing to say, I’ll be going.”
“W-Wait!”
“Yes?”
“It’s just…”

This wasn’t like the usually bold Rebecca.

I knew why she was acting so anxious.

It was because of tonight’s event.

She’d promised to become my servant if Belladriel returned safely.

She was worried about what I’d ask of her.

Knowing this, I decided to tease her.

“Rebecca, aren’t you tired today?”
“Tired…?”
“Yes. I could use a massage. How about you?”
“What are you talking about…?”

I smiled sweetly.

“I thought I’d ask my servant for a massage.”
“S-Servant?!”

Rebecca’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘Just wait, the fun is just beginning.’

“Where’s my servant… I heard somewhere that it’s customary for fellow believers to honor any wager made in the name of Etherion…”
“Why would I be your servant, you pervert?!”

Rebecca pointed at me and yelled, “I will never be your servant!”
“Oh? Are you refusing Etherion’s word?”
“N-No! Anyway! Don’t you dare try anything funny with me! Stay away!”

I tilted my head.

“You’re the one who came to me.”
“W-Well…”

Rebecca stammered, flustered.

I chuckled and shook my head.

“And you call yourself a believer of Etherion… so fickle…”
“I-I’m not fickle! I just… I’m not ready…”
“Whatever. You probably don’t even have faith. Calling me a pervert, spying on me…”
“Just you wait!”

Rebecca’s face turned red, and she ran away.

“She’s kind of cute.”

I chuckled and continued walking.