episode_0124

Why did the saint choose me as her legal counsel?

At first, I don’t think the saint had high expectations of me either.

I mean, how well could a 19-year-old who only studied law a little and worked as a deputy mayor know the law?

Maybe she didn’t choose me because I’m a woman, but because she thought we could communicate well.

Perhaps she thought there must be someone else more suitable for serious legal advice.

I thought she came to me because she thought we could communicate well.

And that turned out to be true.

“I just rented a room in Cologne. I said it was for a business trip.”

“You don’t have to do that. I have a consulate and a mansion…”

“No, I don’t like it. It feels weird to sleep in the house the mayor used to live in. I didn’t like that person, he seemed shady. Oh, oops. I was too harsh to your husband…”

“No, I didn’t like him either.”

“You said he abused you?”

“Yes. He hit me whenever he could. I was nothing more than a tool to him. I feel like I was just a punching bag to him.”

We quickly became close.

In no time, we developed a relationship where we shared our secrets with each other.

I think we felt a sense of camaraderie.

I saw myself in the saint.

It wasn’t the first time I thought we looked alike.

As the legal counsel continued.

As we met more frequently, the saint’s guard gradually came down.

Before I knew it, the saint, who had completely opened the floodgates, began to reveal the things she had been hiding.

“Eugene was… my bodyguard. When I came to Hameln in a hurry and couldn’t get a bodyguard, I opened a recruitment notice. The first person to show up was Eugene. He had a sword at his waist and his attire was neat, clearly from the middle or upper class, maybe even a noble. But when I saw his face, he was the laborer I had seen at the construction site before. I had insulted that laborer before and even silenced him. It was a fateful encounter. But after that-”

The story the saint revealed was quite surprising.

This was a story I hadn’t heard from Eugene.

I only knew vaguely that they were close in the past and that Eugene had left.

This was the first time I heard the details.

“I was too selfish. Maybe I took Eugene’s presence for granted. Eugene was always by my side, always smiling and taking care of me, even when I was irritable and difficult to deal with. I thought of him as a tool, not a person…”

“You’ll have a chance to make it right. I’ll find Eugene, or rather, Eugene-nim for you.”

“Will I? When I find him… when I see Eugene again… I’ll apologize first. I never used to apologize even when I was wrong because of my pride. What good is that pride… I’ve decided to be honest now. I’ll say what I feel. I won’t wait endlessly for Eugene to confess. I have to hold on to the person I love more. I have to ask him not to leave. I’ll do better. I’ve realized that love is not just about demanding, but also about giving back. I want to tell Eugene this… face to face.”

“…”

The reason for feeling a sense of camaraderie.

I think I finally understand now.

I used to be just like the saint in the past.

Wanting to maintain control in every relationship, having many desires but not being honest about them…

I was a college student back then.

The only difference is that I went through various events that broke my arrogant personality.

As for the saint, she grew through a heartbreak.

And another difference is that I could meet Eugene, but the saint couldn’t.

The saint and I are really just one step apart.

If things had been a little different.

If luck had been a little worse or better.

Then maybe we would have been in opposite positions by now.

Of course, I have no intention of sympathizing.

What’s harsh is harsh.

If the saint’s presence is hindering Eugene, I must stop the saint.

Although I feel guilty for deceiving and betraying the saint.

The promise with Eugene comes first.

Eugene, who saved me, always comes first.

I’m sorry, saint, but it was really unavoidable.

“Assistant Manager! I’ve come up with an amazing idea!

It was one day.

The day when the saint came smiling, and I couldn’t help but smile along.

But when the saint mentioned the ‘idea,’ I quickly lost my smile.

“It’s about illegal immigration. First, I’ll create a fake ID for Eugene. I’ll register a non-existent person as an existing person on paper. And then, we’ll stage an incident. For example, that a person named Eugene attempted to rape the saint and ran away. Then it would be difficult to conduct a public investigation, right? The wanted notice will also be carried out secretly, so it will be hard for Eugene to notice. It’s a serious matter where the saint’s virtue is almost tarnished, so immigration inspection will be conducted without prior notice. Then, when Eugene sets foot in the kingdom… Bang. He’ll be caught. How about it?”

“Uh, this is illegal.”

“I know. But we’ve already tried all legal methods.”

“If the saint commits a crime-”

“I’ll take care of it. I didn’t come here to ask Assistant Manager to dirty his hands. Don’t worry, I’m not that cowardly. I just came to ask about the chances of success.”

“······.”

Chances of success?

100 percent.

Eugene will definitely fall for it.

When he runs out of money, he’ll have to come to Cologne to get a promissory note from me.

Since there’s no prior notice, the news of strict immigration inspections in the kingdom will only spread through word of mouth.

Even if Eugene hears that rumor, it would be hard for him to expect that it’s to find him.

Who in their right mind would falsely accuse themselves of almost being raped and trigger a nationwide emergency.

Not even Eugene would expect that.

“Saint. Please reconsider. I don’t know if I can say this, but I consider myself a friend of the saint. As a friend, and as a devout follower of the Saint Church who deeply respects you, I think this is something that shouldn’t be done.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve already made up my mind. It’s just how desperate I am. You’re not going to stop me, are you?”

The saint’s eyes were never as terrifying as they were that day.

They were eyes that demanded an answer from me.

“Yes······. Do as you please. Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll fully support you. I just want the saint to be happy.”

“Really? Thank you so much, Assistant Manager! Hehehe! There’s no one like Assistant Manager!”

No matter what I say, I’m not a pushover.

That’s how I judged it, and I decided to support the saint’s absurd idea.

But only on the surface.

Behind the scenes, I was planning to secretly obstruct it.

‘Please. Eugene. Notice. You have to notice······.’

As part of that, I abruptly cut off the letters I had been sending to Yujin.

It’s not a normal thing for the letters from someone who used to send them almost every day to suddenly stop.

If it’s Yujin, she’ll understand my message.

Of course, I could have directly sent a letter warning her to be careful since immigration inspections are taking place in Sungguo, but…

I decided to refrain from that.

It’s too risky of a method.

Although the Holy Maiden is close to me and trusts me, since she has already committed illegal acts, there’s no guarantee that my letters won’t be monitored.

I decided not to do anything risky.

And I used another method.

I wrote a letter to the Papal Office informing them of the Holy Maiden’s illegal activities.

Of course, the possibility of this having an effect is low.

First of all, it was sent anonymously, and there is no evidence.

Although the Holy Maiden is requesting an investigation based on clear evidence (even if it’s false) accusing me of attempted rape, I am denying it as baseless…

In the end, what I feared has happened.

Sungguo has started conducting surprise inspections on all incoming and outgoing individuals.

Even delivering the Montaju that looks just like Yujin to the inspection station…

“Don’t come, Yujin. Please. Don’t come…”

She must not come.

She absolutely must not come.

I prayed every day, knowing that she would never reach me.

“We’ll just turn back.”

“Oh, wait just a moment. Please wait a little longer.”

“No, I won’t enter? Isn’t this immigration inspection? Why are you holding people? Show me the legal basis for detaining me.”

“Hahaha. Someone who wants to meet you is waiting. Please, just have a drink and wait a bit.”

This is messed up.

Surrounded on all sides, with my shoulders pinned down, forced to sit on the couch, it’s not a request.

It’s not even semi-forced, it’s just forced.

Even if I try to leave because the atmosphere is suspicious, it’s no use.

Suddenly, soldiers pushed me and Mijung into the inner room.

In the end, I was completely surrounded without a chance to escape.

“That. It’s a wanted poster, right?”

Soldiers and officers outside the door glance at each other, looking at a piece of paper.

It’s unmistakable.

It must be a Montaju describing my face.

“I never thought they would put out a warrant like this.”

I knew that the authorities were looking for me.

I heard that thorough investigations and inspections were being carried out in Sungguo.

But I never knew they would issue a secret warrant during immigration inspections.

In this world, except for a few closed-off countries, strict immigration control is almost non-existent.

Especially in Sungguo, which is the center of culture and trade, if they were to conduct immigration inspections, the transportation network would be in chaos.

Nevertheless, the fact that they are carrying out immigration inspections means that Sungguo is in a state of emergency.

Perhaps Ji has abused the Holy Maiden’s power.

By deciding to capture me, she has decided to shake the entire country.

“This is a mess.”

The person they are calling for.

It must be Ji, the Holy Maiden.

If I just sit here quietly, it means that I can face Ji, who was crying and making a fuss about me during the first meeting.

So, what should I do now?

Hmmm! Hoo hoo!

At that moment, I feel the vibration of the scabbard.

Is the Magi Sword making a sound?

I didn’t know the vibration could be felt.

I lift the cover slightly and bring my finger to the scabbard.

“Choose me! Pick me up and wield me!”

“Shut up, damn it…”

“What did you just say?”

“It’s just talking to myself.”

I shut my mouth and cover the scabbard.

Although I chose to ignore it, what the Magi Sword said is still one of my options.

Overpowering all the guards and escaping is one of them.

Surrounded by countless soldiers and knights, one might think that escaping from here is impossible.

If I were to engage with the knights, it would definitely take some time.

Attacking the soldiers’ side would allow me to escape without killing anyone.

However, that would lead to a significant problem.

Unlike being wanted for crimes that cannot be made public, I would be publicly wanted, making it impossible for me to show my face even outside the Holy Empire.

It’s a dilemma.

“Is there no way but a direct breakthrough?”

If fleeing is the worst option, then I have no choice but to choose the lesser evil.

The problem lies in the quality of that lesser evil.

Nevertheless, there’s no other option.

I have to accept it as my fate.

The task at hand is simple.

I need to figure out how to face the quality and not end up with a game over.

Should I tell Jill to stop being so annoying since she’s starting to really get on my nerves?

That’s a good idea.

If you want to be imprisoned or even face the death penalty, then go ahead and treat Jill in a friendly manner.

Should I be friendly towards Jill?

That’s risky.

Jill is a heroine whose capture rate is not as high as Yulia’s, and her judgment is rather lenient.

If you make a few mistakes in your dialogue, your capture rate will quickly reach 100% and the ending will be game over.

What should I do?

As I pondered, my head started to ache.

In the corridor outside the door, the knights and soldiers all stood stiffly.

Ah, damn it.

He’s here.

“I apologize for the long wait. Have you been waiting long?”

“Who are you…?”

“Hello. I am Nicholas Dietertraum, the Archbishop of the Southern Diocese.”

An unexpected figure appeared.

Nicholas Dietertraum.

Where did he come from?

Does he have lines in the story?

I vaguely remember him as an extra with little significance.

The only notable thing about him is that he is said to be murdered by a knight in the middle of the story.

He is dressed in shabby everyday clothes instead of fancy robes.

Wearing large glasses, he has a mild demeanor and appears to be a middle-aged man.

However, his unkempt appearance, scruffy beard, and disheveled hair make him look far from the typical image of an archbishop.

“Your name is quite difficult.”

“Haha. Just call me Archbishop Nicholas, it’s fine.”

Nicholas extended his hand for a handshake.

Is it common for archbishops to shake hands?

We shook hands unexpectedly, but judging by the soldiers’ dilated pupils, it doesn’t seem like a common courtesy.

Nicholas shook hands with both me and Myungyi before sitting on the opposite sofa.

“Oh, you look quite pitiful. Don’t worry, I washed my hands.”

“Oh, okay.”

“I rushed here in a hurry… Listen, I may have kept you waiting too long. I apologize for wasting your time, so let’s get straight to the point.”

“Thank you for that.”

Without further ado, Nicholas gestured for the soldiers and knights to leave.

With a suspicious look, the soldiers who had been eyeing us left the room.

I soon sensed a strange magic surrounding the room.

It was definitely a barrier.

A barrier that prevents sound from escaping.

As soon as the barrier was fully activated, Nicholas’s smiling expression turned serious as he leaned towards us.

Joining his hands together, he whispered in a low voice.

“Do you know that the Saint is looking for you?”

“What?”

“The Saint has accused you of attempted rape. I believe this is a false accusation and have come to help you. If you are innocent, please cooperate.”

“Haha. Attempted rape, you say…”

This is not something ordinary.

It seems that our Saint has made up her mind to socially destroy me.