episode_0417

“Nevertheless, the situation is much better than before. Thanks to that, even in unexpected situations like this, I can break through head-on without needing to plan meticulously.”

If her mental health hadn’t improved rapidly, she would have had to threaten and silence the two men much more harshly than she did now.

“I didn’t like coming here for nothing…”

Since nothing had been done yet, all she could do was observe.

Moreover, as they were still new fanatics, even this level of threat would be enough to keep the men silent.

Unfortunately, soon the fanaticism towards Françoise would overshadow my threats, making it impossible to keep the secret for long.

“They must be trying to do what they think is right.”

And it was clear that was not the direction I desired.

“Boss.”

“Yes?”

When I had managed to persuade the two unwelcome guests and sent them away,

Négi unexpectedly asked a question.

“Those men who came from the sanctuary today.”

“Oh…those people. Why?”

“At first, I thought they were strange. But it was a misunderstanding. They had some acquaintance with you.”

“Not exactly acquaintances, more like acquaintances of acquaintances. It’s that kind of relationship.”

I hoped to just let it pass, but it seemed to become difficult.

Négi’s curiosity about those men led her to ask questions.

“What do they do? When they first saw me, they seemed surprised. Do you know why?”

Négi’s sharp questions kept coming.

“Does it seem like you’ve figured something out?”

If I continued like this, avoiding the issue entirely would become impossible…

“There’s a difference between probing without knowing anything and probing after sensing something.”

In my view, Négi was the latter.

“It seems like you’ve recognized something… I’m meeting them for the first time. And earlier, they mentioned the Holy Maiden. What is the Holy Maiden?”

Négi continued pouring out questions.

I needed to find a moment to answer, but she wasn’t giving me one.

It felt like she was organizing her thoughts by asking questions that naturally arose within her.

“I need to be careful with my words here…”

It was a moment where I had to be extremely cautious with what I said.

“Darn it, things have gotten messy because of those guys. How am I going to handle this?”

It seemed like Négi was convinced of something.

The reason those men were surprised to see her.

And the word “Holy Maiden” seemed to bother her unusually.

“Do I have to lie when the truth will come out anyway?”

I didn’t want to erode trust by deceiving them in a way that would undermine it once the two met again.

I wasn’t sure if deceiving her was in her best interest.

“Maybe I should just spill the beans.”

I had intended to gradually reveal Françoise’s existence.

I didn’t plan to lay it all out like this, but…

“If not now, then when?”

Now that the opportunity had presented itself, I wanted to seize it.

“I have an awakened healer who I know well. He has exceptional abilities and a kind heart, having helped many soldiers since his enlistment. The people who came today have received help from this awakened healer before. His healing prowess seemed so merciful and noble that they started calling him the Holy Maiden.”

At the mention of the awakened healer, Négi’s eyes widened.

“…Do you happen to know the name of this Holy Maiden?”

“It’s Françoise.”

“!!!”

Négi, who couldn’t hide her unease from earlier, now had her expression consumed by despair.

“Why have they come to see the boss? What does that child have to do with the boss…?”

“Well, it was last year. It was when I first met Fran, who was affiliated with the sect. She was a student at the academy, but her background was a bit unique, making her a memorable friend.”

“What does her background matter?”

Mr. Nae’s stern expression revealed various speculations running through his mind.

He must be worried that she faced discrimination due to being a nobleman’s illegitimate child.

Of course, such concerns did not tarnish Fran’s character.

Officially unrecognized as a saint, she was indeed the true saint sent by God for humanity.

And when I mentioned “background,” I wasn’t referring to her orphanage upbringing.

Fran had more serious issues to contend with.

“Fran is from a cult background.”

“What? A… cult?”

If they had forcibly separated them, they should have taken good care of the child, but unfortunately, the Empire did not do so.

The child ended up in a cult and even rose to become its leader.

“A cult, I may not know the details, but isn’t that a very bad place? It’s where they deceive people and extort money, right?”

“You seem well aware. That’s correct.”

Sinister rumors about the cult had spread even among commoners.

Rumors included creating false gods, deceiving believers, and extorting money, leading to ruin for many households.

“If she’s in such a place, you should have rescued her. It’s a dangerous place.”

“I wanted to do that too. But when it comes to the sect, she wouldn’t listen to anyone else. She believed steadfastly in the leader who took her in when she was young and struggling.”

Now, she had removed that leader and taken their place, following their footsteps faithfully.

“That person is a bad person!”

“Yes. That’s why Fran pushed out the former leader and took over.”

“What?”

“So it became more complicated. Removing a leader from the sect is quite an absurd thing to do.”

“Who becomes the leader? Is it that child?”

“Yes. After Fran became the leader, she eliminated all the bad deeds of the previous leader. Although the past actions don’t completely disappear.”

“….”

They might have imagined what their daughter would be like when she grew up.

But nowhere in those imaginations would there have been a daughter becoming the leader of a cult.

“What about the orphanage, growing up in a cult?”

“Well, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for me to delve into the details?”

“Ah…”

If they wanted to hear the story, Mr. Nae needed to be honest about his relationship with Fran.

She seemed to realize my intentions as her eyes flickered.

To ease Mr. Nae’s burden, I spoke up.

I wanted to let him know that I already knew quite a bit.

“In fact, Fran and Mr. Nae resemble each other a lot.”

“!!”

“It’s as if they share the same bloodline.”

“….”

“They thought the same way. They said I should tell Fran about Mr. Nae’s existence. They thought she would like it.”

“No, that can’t be. It won’t happen.”

Mr. Nae shook his head in denial.

He seemed to view the reunion with his daughter negatively.

“That child probably doesn’t want to see you. Why would she want to? You were just a bad mother…”

Finally, the truth burst forth from her lips.

She could now openly refer to herself as the stepmother, rather than just thinking it inwardly.

“You must have known all along, right, boss? That’s why you welcomed me as an employee.”

“I was convinced from the first moment I saw you. You two are so alike that it’s hard to deny you’re not mother and daughter.”

This part couldn’t be denied.

If she wasn’t the one, there would be no reason to hire her as an employee in the general store.

“I accepted this without even knowing the subject. It’s embarrassing. I should have refused, but how could I enjoy such luck in my situation?”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t mentioned what kind of relationship Fran and I have.”

Watching Negi digging into the ground, I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore.

Preparing myself for a cool slap, I said, “I am someone who promised a future with Fran.”

“??”

Negi blinked his head at the mention of promising a future.

It seemed like he didn’t understand.

“Can I call you my mother-in-law from now on?”

“!!!”

Since it was right to make her understand if she didn’t, I said something that could drive the point home.

And Negi reacted with a shocked expression, similar to when he heard that Fran grew up in a cult.

‘How hard is she going to hit me?’

Anticipating when the slap would come, I subtly bowed my waist.

Normally, getting hit by rain makes it hurt more.

Of course, I wasn’t worried about my awakened body but rather Negi’s palm.

Slap!

While pondering how much pain to feign to show respect, I heard the sound of a cool slap hitting my cheek.

“Negi!”

“Ah…”

Negi didn’t hit me; he slapped his own cheek.

Judging by the red mark on his hand, it wasn’t a light slap.

“You should hit me, why hit yourself!”

“I thought it was a dream…”

“It’s not a dream. It’s reality. And never do this again. I’d rather be hit by you than this.”

If Negi had hit my cheek instead, I might not have been as shocked.

Hitting his own cheek was unexpected.

I involuntarily sighed, wondering if I was disliked to that extent.

Being an older man with a significant age gap with Fran, it was natural for parents to dislike me, but it still stung.

“On what grounds would I dare to hit the boss? It’s all my fault for being ugly.”

“Do you think it was wrong for me to meet Fran?”

“Oh… I’m sorry. I misspoke…”

I knew I wouldn’t receive a warm welcome, but being rejected so outright left a bitter taste.

“I, I’m sorry, but I’ll leave now. I’m sorry.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m sorry! I don’t think I can say anything right now. I’m too confused…”

Shocked, Negi suddenly tried to leave the store.

Seeing him about to leave like this, probably packing his things to leave, I couldn’t just let him go.

“Don’t do that, close the shop and have a drink with me?”

Damn, why is alcohol coming up in this situation?

I must have looked flustered.

But there was no other excuse that came to mind besides alcohol.

“…I need time to think alone. Please understand.”

As expected, my words were the worst, and Negi’s response wasn’t positive either.

She wanted to be alone but ended up being rejected.

“I don’t think it’s good to leave you alone to think.”

What would she be thinking if left alone?

With low self-esteem, she might even be considering disappearing from here.

“Surely you’re not thinking of leaving like this?”

“!!”

Her eyes widened as if struck by my question.