episode_0064

“The saint has returned?”

Estelle’s pupils, sitting in her office, were unusually dilated.

In a forest full of monsters, if a person went missing, it basically meant they were dead.

This was especially so because no trace of life could be found for more than three months, let alone a day.

“Yes. It is said that he has just appeared in Pierre City.”

“What the hell is going on···”

Estelle recalled the day she had met Rahbe. The way he had reacted made it almost certain that the saint was dead.

If they had known that he was alive, there would have been no need to oppose the intervention of the royal army.

‘It seems the old snake made a mistake.’

When she pieced together the information she had, it was highly likely that she had tried to purge Angela but failed. Otherwise, the current situation would not have been clearly explained.

‘Maybe this is actually a good opportunity.’

Estelle’s goal was to send Rahve to the gallows.

He was a villain who was difficult for even royalty to mess with, and would do anything for his own power.

Considering his meticulousness in not leaving behind any evidence, his power was bound to grow further in the future.

In that situation, the fact that the saint was alive meant that he had left behind his first fatal weakness.

Maybe this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“What should I do? Estelle”

“What was Rahbe’s reaction?

“I don’t know his exact reaction, but his close associates seem to be agitated.”

“I guess it was the guy who made the mistake. How long does it take from here to Pierre?”

“It’s not that far, but if you walk, it will take about two weeks.”

Estelle closed her eyes and thought quickly. For Rahbe, the fact that the saint was alive now was a serious matter.

It was hard to believe that he would take any action in the short period of two weeks, but considering the seriousness of the situation, I couldn’t let my guard down. Above all, it was a precious opportunity that was like a gift from heaven.

“If you ride a horse, it will be much shorter than that.”

“Yes. Then I will summon the knights and cavalry right away.”

“No. It would be much faster if I went alone to meet the saint. If I rested at least a little, I would get there in no time.”

“But there is an escort problem···”

Estelle immediately got up from her seat and drew the sword at her waist.

“You don’t think I’ll get attacked by a bunch of roaming bandits, do you?”

Estelle’s black, frosty aura was radiating.

Her current position was not achieved simply through the power of her family.

Even among the knights trained in battle, only a few could defeat her.

Not only was her operational ability in handling troops outstanding, but her own combat ability was also on the high side.

The subordinate looked at Estelle as if he couldn’t handle it, but there was trust in his eyes.

“ ···I made a mistake. But before that, I have one more thing to report.”

“There can be nothing more surprising than the appearance of a saint.”

“That··· That··· I don’t think that’s the case.”

“Hmm···?”

The subordinate’s reaction aroused Estelle’s curiosity. When she looked at him with a puzzled expression, he opened his mouth as if he was embarrassed.

“The saint appeared with an orc.”

*****

The Heddon Church is turned upside down when the saint who was said to have gone missing suddenly returns.

Not only did Angela show up in town unharmed, but she was accompanied by a large figure.

The large figure was Croton, clad in heavy armor and cloth to hide his identity a little.

The two arrived at the branch of the Church of Hedon in the city of Pierre, northeast of the Kingdom of Zeof, and met with a priest inside.

“I am glad that the saint returned safely.”

“I was so worried when I heard that you disappeared in the forest···”

“I’m sorry for causing you any trouble. But I think it was Hedon’s will that I was able to come here safely.”

The building they were in was quite modest for a place owned by the powerful Hedon Order. Not only that, but there were only a few clergymen living there, despite the vast space.

The Pierre branch of the Hedon Order was a city on the outskirts, so it was relatively frugal.

But that is why it was the place least affected by Pope Rahbe’s influence.

“But··· this person···?”

For a moment, the two priests’ eyes turned to Croton.

A large body for a human. Wearing cheap heavy armor and rough clothing made of cloth.

It was a sight that would make anyone look at it with curiosity.

And the saint’s answer was enough to shock both of them,

“I’m the orc who helped you.”

“Oh··· Orc?”

“Then this big guy··· no··· a monster···”

The two priests, speechless, looked at Croton and then at each other.

Both of them were middle-aged, so they had seen orcs in their lives, but never seen one so docile as this one.

It was surprising that the saint, who was thought to be dead, had returned, but they were speechless for a while at the fact that she had appeared with an orc.

“That··· That··· Isn’t that dangerous?”

“That’s right. I heard that orcs were originally used in the arena.”

“I understand your concerns. But you don’t have to worry because it’s safe. We can communicate.”

Angela smiled and put her hand on Croton’s arm, as if trying to reassure them.

“Yes···?! Ma··· You’re saying that makes sense?”

“Sure··· I’ve heard that there’s an adventurer who tames monsters···”

“If it weren’t for this orc, I would have died in the forest. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you right now. Take it off and show me.”

As Angela spoke and tapped, Croton threw off the heavy armor and cloth he was wearing, revealing his characteristic green skin and appearance of an orc.

“I··· Really···”

“You’ve seen it for yourself, so now you believe it.”

“If the saint says so···”

The two priests were embarrassed, but had no choice but to accept the situation.

Angela was a saint who was incomparably popular with them, and her position within the church was much higher. Furthermore, they were more supportive of Angela than of Rahbe.

“You’ve tamed a monster… The saintess is truly amazing…”

“That’s right. It’s like a story from a legend.“

“No, it’s just that Hedon-nim helped me.”

“What are your plans for the future? Are you going straight to the capital?”

At his words, Angela glanced at Croton.

‘Going up to the capital where the religious order’s headquarters is would be like going into a tiger’s mouth.’

Croton shook his head quietly without saying anything.

But even after seeing him like that, the priests could not have guessed that Angela and Croton were communicating.

To them, orcs were no different from beasts, and even if they could communicate with them, they thought they would only listen to puppies.

“I plan to stay here for the time being.”

“Then I will show you the room you will stay in while you are here. But the orc···”

“You don’t have to worry about that, I’ll let you sleep on the floor of the room I’m staying in.”

“Okay, then follow me.”

The three of them had to walk quite a bit before they could reach the empty room.

Although it looked simple with little decoration on the walls or floors, the building was quite large as it was built in a city in the name of the Hedon Church.

In fact, they could have given Croton a separate room, but out of unconscious anxiety about orcs, they did not deliberately object to her staying in the same room as the saint.

“If there’s anything you need, please let me know anytime.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

As soon as the priest left the room, a strange atmosphere suddenly filled the room.

When the sound of footsteps in the hallway disappeared, Croton and Angela were facing each other.

“Hmm··· So I can sleep on the floor?”

The first voice Croton spoke after arriving in the city was playful.

That made Angela look up at him with an apologetic expression.

“That’s… If I don’t say that, I’ll probably fall out with you, Lord Orc···”

“If you don’t want to fall, then I guess I’ll have to keep my body close to you.”

Croton strode towards Angela. The room he was guided to was smaller than the one he had been staying in in the dungeon, and he was able to stop right in front of her in just a few steps.

“Yes···♥”

The shadow of the croton looking down obscured Angela’s face.

But even in that, her eyes sparkled bewitchingly.