Chapter 31: No chicken soup!

Rain poured down.

The downpour was warm and gentle.

Those caught in the rain came to their senses, looking around in confusion.

“Why am I here…?”
“Where am I?”
“Why am I outside…?”
“Ugh… my head…”

The Rain of Grace.

All who were touched by the rain were blessed and saved.

Severe wounds, debilitating magic, and unknown illnesses were cleansed and purified.

And thanks to Isabel’s “Heartfelt Reminiscence” item, they saw visions.

Visions of Belladriel’s wrongful persecution.

Visions of Echeveria’s manipulation and brainwashing.

“The Saint…!”
“Find the Saint!”

The townspeople frantically searched.

“There she is… the Saint…!”

One person pointed, and everyone looked up.

Towards the beautiful woman standing atop the cathedral bell tower.

Belladriel’s voice echoed, filled with emotion.

“You are all saved…! God will watch over Luminous Garden once more! These are his words!”

Belladriel relayed God’s message.

A message that resonated with the divine will of Luminous Garden.

The townspeople looked up at the sky, tears in their eyes.

“Saint…!”
“Long live the Saint!”

–Long live the Saint…!

They knelt, clasping their hands in prayer.

Some reflected on their past regrets.

Others expressed gratitude for their healing.

Some began to sing praises to the saint and God who had freed them from their mental enslavement.

As the crowd rejoiced, the knights who had been under Echeveria’s control drew their swords and yelled,

“Seize the witch!”
“Arrest Echeveria!”

They rushed towards the cathedral.

The Etherion knights, seeing the Shine Order atop the bell tower, were also moved.

“As expected of the Shine Order…”
“No, she’s the Saint now… we should call her Saint.”

Saint.

Belladriel Dresia was no longer the Shine Order.

Through the miracles she performed in Aria Village and Luminous Garden,

She was reborn as a true saint.

–Long live the Saint!
–Long live the Saint!

Amidst the cheers and hopeful voices, the knights under Echeveria’s control also regained their senses.

“What have we…?”
“Uh…”

Seeing them lower their swords, Rebecca sighed in relief.

“That was close…”

She looked at Belladriel, a small smile on her face.

“Truly amazing… Saint.”
“No────!”
“?”

Echeveria screamed, clenching her fists.

“Belladriel!!!!! You ruined everything!!!”

Enraged, she drew a dagger from her thigh.

“I won’t forgive you!! Never!! Die, you, you obstacle in my path!!!!!”

Echeveria lunged at Belladriel, intent on killing her.

“Saint!!”

Rebecca started to run, but she was too late.

But then…

“I-Isabel!?”
“Haha, time for the prince to make his entrance!”

Isabel stepped in front of Belladriel.

He’d anticipated this and activated the item he’d spent all his points on.

“Rainbow Reflection!”

It reflected any attack from a villain filled with malice.

Clang!

A loud impact.

Echeveria gritted her teeth, trying to push through.

“B-Black Hound!!!”
“Reflected.”

Isabel smirked and pushed her back.

Echeveria stumbled and fell, dropping her dagger.

“Seize that witch! She’s a threat to the Saint!”
“…!”

The cathedral knights quickly apprehended Echeveria.

“Let me go! I’m a saint!!! I’m your superior!!!”

She struggled, but they no longer served her.

Belladriel rushed down from the bell tower and approached Isabel.

“…Isabel! A-Are you alright?!”
“Haha, of course! No problem.”
“You… reckless…!”

Belladriel hugged Isabel tightly.

“Belladriel…”
“Th-Thank you… now I understand.”
“Understand what?”
“You made it rain… to break the spell…”
“Hmm, is that so?”

Isabel feigned ignorance and chuckled.

“You’re a saint now.”
“…I am.”
“But you have to eliminate the true source of the problem.”
“The source…?”

Isabel looked at Echeveria and murmured, “True redemption begins with the removal of all obstacles.”
“Isabel…”

Everything began to change.

Luminous Garden regained its vibrancy.

The dark curtains, drapes, and clothes were burned.

Bright decorations appeared, and the townspeople’s spirits lifted.

The knights knelt in the cathedral.

Berlian bowed his head, begging for forgiveness.

“I dared to try to kill the Saint! Please, kill me, Saint!”
“…”

Belladriel looked down at him silently.

The other knights also confessed their wrongdoing.

“We’re sorry, Saint…!”
“We beg for your forgiveness!”

Rebecca looked at them and asked Belladriel, “What shall we do with them, Shine Or… I mean, Saint?”

Rebecca smiled faintly at Belladriel, who was standing by her throne.

“…I see.”

Belladriel smiled gently and stepped down from her throne.

“It’s alright. They didn’t know what they were doing. They were under Echeveria’s control. I forgive them.”
“Saint…”

At Rebecca’s address, the knights cheered.

–Saint!

“But I have a command for you.”
“Speak!”

Berlian looked up first.

The others followed his gaze.

Belladriel smiled faintly.

“Protect this city with your lives. That will be your punishment.”

In the past, she would have sentenced them to death.

But she was no longer a heretic or a villainess. She was a saint.

The knights were moved by her kind and gentle smile.

“S-Saint…!”
“Th-Thank you… sob!”
“…Long live the Saint!”
“No, thank God. Now, you’re dismissed.”

“Yes!” they replied, and filed out of the cathedral.

Rebecca approached Belladriel and whispered, “I have something to report.”
“Go ahead.”
“The Black Hound is meeting with Echeveria…”
“…”

Belladriel thought deeply, recalling Isabel’s words from last night:

“True redemption begins with the removal of all obstacles.”

She murmured, “Isabel…”
“What should we do about the Black Hound…?”

He’d gone to the underground facility to interrogate Echeveria.

She didn’t understand his intentions…

Belladriel sighed softly.

“Isabel must have his reasons. Leave him be.”
“Understood.”
“And Rebecca…”
“Yes, Saint?”
“I’m sorry… for everything.”

Belladriel’s sudden apology surprised Rebecca.

“…What?”
“It’s nothing. I’d like to be alone now. Could you leave?”
“Of course.”

Rebecca bowed and left.

Belladriel looked out the window and murmured, “Isabel… what are you planning…?”

“Hahaha! What do you think of this facility?”
“…”

Echeveria, the gloomy, shut-in witch with dark circles under her eyes,

remained silent, her lips tightly pressed together.

“Hmm, not talking because you haven’t had anything to eat? Should I get you some seolleongtang… I mean, chicken gukbap? Hahaha.”
“…”

She didn’t react to my teasing.

She must be feeling miserable and resentful.

Luminous Garden was back in Belladriel’s hands.

“I understand how you feel, but tell me… who taught you dark magic?”
“…”

‘She’s not going to talk.’

But what if I pushed her buttons?

“It’s no use staying silent. I’ll just find your hidden sister and ask her.”

Echeveria flinched and looked up at me.

The mention of her sister got a reaction, as expected.

“H-How do you know about her…?”
“There are ways. And…”

I chuckled and continued, “Your sister is in danger. The situation is quite urgent.”
“You failed to extinguish the light of Luminous Garden and seize control. Do you think your boss will let that slide?”

Echeveria scoffed.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I answer to no one but God.”

‘Sure.’

I chuckled.

“That’s not true. You have a boss, don’t you?”
“…How can you be so sure? You don’t know me.”
“I’m the Black Hound. I know who your boss is, even if you don’t tell me.”
“…”

Echeveria crossed her legs.

“Interesting. You know my boss’s name, but you’re still asking me about her… who is she, then?”

‘Her name?’

I grinned.

“You just admitted you have a boss, didn’t you?”
“…What?”
“You asked me who my boss is.”
“…You little… fine, I have a boss. So what? You think I’ll tell a noble’s dog like you?”
“Haha, of course not.”

I didn’t need her to answer. I already knew.

“Ka.san.dra. Right?”
“…!”

Her eyes widened, confirming my answer.

I sighed.

“She’ll attack Luminous Garden.”
“…? Why?”
“Because you failed, and Belladriel Dresia is a saint again.”
“…That’s ridiculous. Why would my boss attack this city just because I failed?”
“To eliminate the evidence. You posed as a saint because you learned dark magic from a witch.”

Learning dark magic was taboo in this continent.

Even the Emperor forbade it. Cassandra had to cover her tracks.

She would destroy this city to eliminate Echeveria.

“…How much do you know…?”

I murmured, “Everything about you?”
“…Are you a pervert?”
“Haha, I’m a gentleman. Anyway… it doesn’t matter if you don’t talk. I don’t particularly care about your sister. I’m telling you this because I like you. Your sister is going to die. By Cassandra’s hand.”
“…You expect me to believe that?”
“You don’t have to believe me. Pray to God. Find out for yourself.”

A look of worry flashed across Echeveria’s face.

She knew it was a possibility.

Cassandra.

A cruel witch, Echeveria’s teacher.

She taught Echeveria dark magic and used her to extinguish the light of Luminous Garden.

A woman who sought to become Empress through religious manipulation.

I knew her well, thanks to Lilith Tycoon.

I knew her true nature.

“What will you do? Will you protect your precious sister? If you cooperate with me, I’ll save her. She needs you, doesn’t she?”
“…”

Echeveria’s most precious person.

Her younger sister.

Her only obsession.

Using her sister as bait would definitely work.

“…What do you want?”

‘As expected.’

I grinned.

“Cassandra’s location. That’s all.”
“…Before I answer, I’ll ask again. You’ll save my sister, right? Even if something happens to me?”
“Of course. I’ll take responsibility.”

Echeveria nodded resolutely.

“Alright… I’ll tell you. She’s at…”

She whispered the location.

…Perfect.

All the conditions for redemption were met.

All that was left was to eliminate Cassandra.