The True Saintess (2)

After the MacHart subjugation battle ended, another meeting was convened.

Though the attendees were slightly different from when the MacHart subjugation force was first assembled.

Naturally, myself, Ethan, and Celista who were present at MacHart’s punishment were included.

Additionally, Seraphine, who had newly learned that I was the Saintess, joined the meeting. Of course, I hadn’t formally explained that I was the Saintess yet, but it was obvious she already knew from how she was acting.

‘After all, this meeting was essentially arranged by Seraphine to confirm whether I’m the Saintess or not.’

Naturally, she probably had many other things she wanted to ask me, but the most important matter was undoubtedly confirming my status as the Saintess. Beyond that, the meeting was also meant to discuss the circumstances of the MacHart incident-when it had been planned, how many people were involved, and so on.

I also had many questions for Seraphine, so I had no choice but to attend. I wanted to hear what had happened in the banquet hall while I was gone, too.

As for additional attendees, of course, where Seraphine went, Luke naturally followed. I was slightly concerned about revealing my identity as the Saintess in front of someone involved in an imperial assassination plot, but Luke was probably trustworthy enough. If any overly sensitive topics came up, Seraphine would likely send him out.

Fortunately, the annex was eerily empty, as if the earlier commotion had never happened, making it easy to find a quiet room for the meeting. It wasn’t like any noble children would still be lingering in the annex after such an incident anyway.

Just as we settled into the meeting room and were about to begin, two more people arrived.

“Ah, everyone’s here. I looked all over the backyard but couldn’t find you.”

“I expected you would arrive soon, Hero Gyeotmwa Josyegigot.”

“…Just so Lilith doesn’t misunderstand, I wasn’t slacking off before coming here.”

“Yes, Miss Agnes.”

…Well, to be precise, it was three people.

“Miss Agnes, I truly have no excuse for my actions earlier. But I was genuinely thinking of your future-“

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear it. If anything had happened to Lilith because of you, I would’ve-“

“Miss Agnes, calm down. I’m perfectly fine, see?”

“…Yeah.”

Gyeotmwa Josyegigot and Agnes, who seemed to have just returned from some important business (presumably), along with a certain prince who was clinging to Agnes like a lost puppy.

Even though I hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, I could roughly piece together what had happened. Since MacHart had mentioned earlier that he arranged for Antonio to meet Agnes, it was likely that Antonio had interfered with Agnes’ attempt to join us on time, making her extremely displeased.

“Antonio, you’re not directly involved in this matter, but I suppose it’s best if you take a seat for now.”

“…Yes, Sister Sera.”

*Screech-*

“Don’t sit next to me. I don’t want to see your face, so sit far away. And don’t sit across from me either. I don’t want to see your face.”

“But, Miss Agnes-“

“Antonio, stop being stubborn and come sit next to me. I think I’ll have a few things to say to you today too.”

“…Yes, Sister Sera.”

Under Agnes’ disgusted glare and Seraphine’s summons, Antonio reluctantly took a seat two chairs away from where he had originally intended to sit.

The round table had eight seats, so there was no shortage of space, but Luke was already acting like a maid, serving tea and snacks as if it were the most natural thing in the world. With one seat left empty, the remaining seven people-excluding her-began the debriefing on today’s events.

“Alright, where should we begin?”

“……”

“For the sake of organizing our thoughts, perhaps we should start with the facts everyone already knows.”

Thanks to Seraphine taking the lead, we were able to quickly summarize what had happened just a few hours prior.

That I had been under “real” mortal threat from MacHart’s dark magic and had asked Ethan for help.

That, naturally, Ethan and I alone couldn’t handle the situation, so we sought assistance from trustworthy individuals-Gyeotmwa Josyegigot, Celista, and Agnes.

That I hadn’t distrusted Seraphine, but the matter involved the imperial family, making it too sensitive to share directly.

That MacHart had informed Antonio of Agnes’ attendance at this exchange meeting, and Antonio’s interference had nearly derailed our plans.

That, while the Hero and Agnes were delayed, Ethan had barely managed to rescue me and defeat MacHart.

That Celista’s Mirror of Truth (actually mine) had been used to expose MacHart’s dark magic, leading to his summary execution.

It was a lengthy epic, pieced together through cross-verification of everyone’s accounts. Along the way, we also confirmed exactly why Agnes was so disgusted with Antonio.

“Let me say this again-I have no excuse for what I did today. But I was genuinely thinking of Miss Agnes’ future-“

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear it. If anything had happened to Lilith because of you, I would’ve-“

“Miss Agnes, calm down. I’m perfectly fine, see?”

“…Yeah.”

Even now, Agnes was on the verge of committing the crimes of intimidation and insult against a member of the imperial family. If things had gone as badly as she feared-if I had been seriously harmed-she probably wouldn’t have been able to hold back her words even now.

As it was, she was visibly struggling to suppress her curses, despite the other party being royalty.

“That aside, Hero Gyeotmwa Josyegigot and Miss Agnes, where did you go instead of joining us? I’m certain my magic signal reached everyone at the same time.”

“There was still an accomplice of MacHart’s left. I had a feeling we couldn’t let them escape, so Agnes and I went after them separately.”

“…And it’s not like we didn’t join at all. We were watching until the Mirror of Truth was used. Then this Hero guy dragged me away, saying he had something he needed to do.”

“An accomplice of MacHart… Could it be the person I’m thinking of?”

“…It might be too dangerous to discuss openly, so I’d prefer to reduce the number of non-involved people present.”

Understanding Gyeotmwa Josyegigot’s implication, Seraphine glanced at Luke, who grasped the meaning with just that look. After pouring everyone a final cup of tea, she quietly stepped out of the room.

“I’ll be waiting outside the meeting room, ten meters away.”

Just a few years ago, she would have been anxious about being excluded from discussions, but after serving as Seraphine’s maid for so long, she had fully adopted a maid’s demeanor.

“I see. Miss Agnes, who exactly is this accomplice-“

“You should leave too, Antonio.”

“…Sister Sera?”

“This doesn’t concern you either, Antonio. Your role ended the moment you explained why you drew your sword against the Hero earlier. So either go wait outside with Luke or return to the imperial palace.”

“No, Sister Sera. Since this involves Miss Agnes, I naturally have the right to-“

“Seraphine told you to leave. Get out.”

“Would you mind stepping out, Prince Antonio?”

“…My apologies, but this is a somewhat confidential matter we’d prefer to discuss privately.”

“……”

“…Understood. I’ll wait outside, Miss Agnes.”

“Don’t wait. Just go.”

His lonely exit was reminiscent of Luke in the past. Of course, Antonio wasn’t a key figure in this incident, so it was a necessary measure.

And considering what was about to be discussed, the fewer eyes present, the better. The conversation-and the actions that would follow-were secrets too sensitive to share with Antonio.

With the sound of the meeting room door closing, only six people remained inside-the original MacHart subjugation team, plus Seraphine.

Seemingly satisfied that the group was now appropriate for the discussion, Seraphine was the first to speak again.

“Before we hear from Hero Gyeotmwa Josyegigot, I’d like to ask Miss Lilith one question first, if that’s alright.”

“…Yes, Princess Seraphine.”

“Actually, it’s less of a question and more of a confirmation. I think you already know what I’m going to ask.”

“……”

“Earlier, in the backyard, when I saw the power you invoked, I became certain. …You are the true Saintess of this generation, aren’t you?”

“……Huh?”

Only Agnes, sitting beside me, reacted with surprise, turning her head toward me as if hearing this for the first time. The others, already aware of the truth, maintained calm expressions and remained silent.

“Seraphine? What are you talking about? There’s only supposed to be one Saintess. And that Saintess is Celista-“

“That’s correct, Princess Seraphine.”

“I thought so. The one who used the Mirror of Truth behind Celista back then was you, wasn’t it?”

“Well, it’s not like we could’ve hidden it forever.”

“……”

“Please don’t tell anyone else, Princess Seraphine. We don’t want the fact that Lilith is the Saintess to become widely known.”

The Hero remained unfazed, as if he had expected this outcome. Celista’s eyes darted around nervously at the revelation that Seraphine had figured out my identity. And Ethan, even in this situation, was quick to ask Seraphine to keep my secret.

Seeing their reactions, Agnes could only draw one conclusion.

“…Was I the only one who didn’t know?”

…It wasn’t like I had intentionally kept it from Agnes, but… yeah.