The Saint Regressed

The ceremony, which Camille reluctantly endured after being led by Sera, became solemn.

Beneath the solemn temple, numerous priests, nuns, and Dragon’s Priestesses gathered.

“In the name of God, all things shall be accomplished…”

Although it was the Saint’s position to actively preside over the ceremony, Camille could not do so.

Now, all of her attention was solely focused on her Dragon.

‘I’m back.’

Camille once again stroked her cheek.

A smooth, soft cheek, like a child’s.

It had only been a few months since she became the Saint.

‘Does Helix also have his memories…?’

Yes, God must have helped.

Otherwise, such a miracle couldn’t have happened.

“Under the blessing of the great Dragon, may this land prosper even more…”

An utterly boring ceremony.

Camille tried hard to suppress a yawn.

‘This isn’t the time for this. I need to find information about Helix.’

In terms of timing, it wasn’t yet time for Helix to be born.

But if he met her, perhaps he could hatch.

“Saint-nim, Saint-nim.”

While she was lost in thought for a long time.

Sera, from beside her, gently poked Camille’s hand.

“Huh? What is it, Sera?”

“Saint-nim, please get up. It’s time for you to give your speech.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Getting up abruptly from her seat, Camille headed towards the center of the temple hall.

A confident smile hung on Camille’s lips.

‘Perfect timing.’

Just now was her chance to speak.

It was time to announce her recent enlightenment from the scriptures here.

Of course, Camille, at this moment, didn’t care at all about any enlightenment from the scriptures.

“Hello, everyone?”

“…”

The response to Camille was somehow cold.

In fact, until she awakened the Dragon, she hadn’t received proper treatment as a Saint.

The time when Camille practically became the Saint and took on the role of the Holy Dominion’s leader was after she married Helix.

“Everyone. Actually, last night, I had an amazing dream.”

“…”

“I met a cute baby Dragon. Its scales sparkled like black obsidian, and its eyes shone brilliantly with a golden light.”

At those words, the priests, especially the high-ranking Archbishops, could not hide their surprise.

What the Saint’s words meant now was only one thing.

“Saint-nim, are those words truly real?”

“Yes, it was a dream, but the memory is still vivid.”

“There haven’t been any reports of a Dragon egg being found nearby…”

“So, to the priests gathered here now, I want to make a suggestion.”

“…”

“I want to go on a journey. I’m certain I can meet the Dragon.”

After a brief silence…

One of the priests stood up and asked Camille.

“Saint-nim, are you truly certain?”

“Yes, I am certain. I want to meet that cute baby Dragon.”

Although not much conversation was exchanged, the priests’ opinions were somewhat gathered.

Even if she wasn’t widely recognized, a Saint was still a Saint.

If she came out so confidently, she must have surely received some kind of revelation.

“Understood, but if Saint-nim’s words are true, this matter is not Saint-nim’s personal problem. It is a matter that our entire Holy Dominion must address.”

“Of course, I also wanted to ask for help.”

Camille replied with a bright smile.

Of course, her true feelings were not so.

‘Ha, they suspect I’m trying to run away?’

Of course, she had no intention of running away.

To meet her Dragon and be reunited with him, she needed the help of this country.

A country full of people she disliked, but still, the Holy Dominion was useful to her.

‘Just focus on finding Helix. The rest can come after that.’

Of course, finding him wouldn’t end everything.

Rather, it should be seen as the beginning of new problems.

Camille’s fist repeatedly clenched and unclenched softly.

The sensation from that time was still vivid.

The terrible sensation of a dagger, polished from Dragon bone, piercing deep into her delicate skin.

That’s right, she killed the Dragon she loved with her own hands.

“Oh God-isiyeo, I’m grateful you returned it, but the timing is terrible…”

Camille smiled bitterly.

She was also afraid.

How on earth she would face Helix.

How she would appease him, who must be furious.

‘Still, he ultimately went along with my stubbornness.’

Even Helix, a Dragon, feared death.

But even so, he ultimately followed her will.

Camille decided to understand that it meant his love for her was that great.

Because if she didn’t do it this way, she wouldn’t have the courage to go find him.

‘I won’t be with you again in the next life.’

That one sentence Helix left behind briefly flashed through her mind.

Golden eyes, drowning in regret and accusing her.

That gaze still couldn’t be forgotten.

“It still hurts…”

Shaking her head, Camille shook off all sorts of distracting thoughts.

If thoughts lingered, only hesitation would grow.

It was better to forget it for now.

“No, Helix wouldn’t abandon me.”

If he were to abandon her, he would have done so long ago.

Camille repeatedly told herself that.

Helix is a Dragon.

A Dragon’s love is absolute and unchanging.

Something that never changes or wavers.

That is Helix.

Camille repeatedly engraved the precious lesson she learned in her previous life into her mind.

What was wavering was merely her own weak heart.

“Only good thoughts, let’s only have good thoughts.”

Camille tried hard to recall memories of happier times.

Yes, if Helix hadn’t been born yet, she would face him again as a baby Dragon.

And in his newly hatched form.

“Ehehe, he was really tiny…”

Soaked in the amniotic fluid of the eggshell, his scales hadn’t even dried yet.

She wanted to face that adorable baby Dragon from back then again.

“Will I be able to find you again…?”

Honestly, she wasn’t certain.

But still on the back of her hand was the Dragon’s stigmata.

She wanted to believe that this, somehow, would lead her to where he was.

“Helix…”

She wouldn’t mind hearing words of resentment from him.

Even if he slapped her cheek or punched her in the stomach, she could silently accept it.

If she could meet him again.

If she could just face those beautiful golden eyes again…

For Camille, just that one thing was enough.

*****

Half a year had passed since Camille left the Holy Dominion and began her journey.

“Haa… haa…”

“Saint-nim, would you like to rest for a bit?”

“No, I’m still fine…”

The journey was extremely arduous.

The stigmata, as if mocking her, rarely showed her the right path.

Making her circle the same places and exhausting her was commonplace.

As if accusing her that she still had to suffer more…

It prevented her from reaching Helix’s location.

“Does this mean I still have to suffer more…?”

Camille gritted her teeth and resumed her heavy steps.

In the scorching heat, she crossed forests, then rivers, and passed through swamps…

Sometimes she walked across desolate plains.

Like a sinful monk embarking on a path of atonement…

Camille, without any complaints, silently continued her journey.

“Hoo…”

But her ordeal was not just the exhaustion of her body.

It was because the patience of the Holy Knights and priests following her was gradually reaching its limit.

‘Are they reaching their limit now?’

No matter how transcendent one’s patience was, if they repeatedly walked so meaninglessly, they would inevitably get tired.

It would be much faster to just leave them behind and go on the journey by herself.

“Will Saint-nim truly be able to find the Dragon?”

“Who knows, she might have lied to attract the Archbishops’ attention…”

Did they think she couldn’t hear them?

Unfortunately, Camille’s ears were by no means dull.

‘They said they were the best Holy Knights in the Holy Dominion, but is this all they are?’

Indeed, no matter how well-armed they were with their proud faith, wasn’t the Holy Dominion ultimately defeated by the Empire in her previous life?

Faith, after all, mostly just crumbles in the face of even greater trials.

“Saint-nim, would it be alright if we rested for a moment?”

“Yes, do that. I also have somewhere to go for a moment.”

“Take an escort with you.”

“I won’t go far. Just wait a moment.”

Camille tried hard to shake off the distrustful Holy Knights and resumed her steps.

‘It’s here.’

The stigmata on the back of her hand was getting hotter and hotter, emitting a strong signal.

The Dragon’s energy…

Helix was calling her.

‘I can find him. Definitely.’

Pushing through the bushes, Camille moved forward endlessly, following the guidance of the stigmata.

Her skin was cut by thorns and wounded, but she didn’t care.

Because now Camille’s heart, more than ever, was pounding fiercely with excitement and longing.

‘Please… please be there…!’

Finally, Camille emerged from the thicket.

She then stared ahead for a moment…

“Ah…”

Her pupils widened for a moment, then relaxed… and she let out a dry gasp.

Shattered eggshells.

And standing in front of them was a black-haired boy.

On his head, a pair of horns protruded.

“Helix…!!”

Camille called out the name of her beloved Dragon desperately.

It was him.

He was right before her eyes.

Camille’s vision blurred.

This feeling that couldn’t be expressed with just the word “happy.”

Her chest felt tight, her breathing quickened, and her shoulders heaved.

Unable to control herself, Camille found it hard to even breathe.

“Helix… it really is Helix…”

The Dragon looked at her, seemingly surprised for a moment, then parted his lips.

“Hello, Camille.”

Those golden eyes looking at her.

It was still an utterly gentle gaze, but…

“…!!”

Camille’s shoulders flinched for a moment, as if witnessing something terrifying.

Because she had just caught a glimpse of it.

Those golden eyes that only seemed gentle.

But within them, a flame of rage was flickering.

‘No, hold it in.’

Camille tried hard to suppress the tears that were about to burst out…

She pressed her pink lips tightly together.

She had somewhat expected it, but…

Now that she actually faced it, her vision went dark.

‘If I cry here, I’ll only provoke Helix’s anger more…’

She was prepared, but it felt so hopeless.

Her Dragon, who was extremely furious…

How on earth could she appease him?