A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 204

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Camilla’s tone had shifted without her noticing.
She no longer felt obligated to speak respectfully to someone who was no longer a proper priesthood member.
Daniel’s eyes widened slightly at her question.
“How did you know that?”
“Are you an idiot?”
“Pardon?”
“The only person who would know that Jainer is injured and missing right now is the culprit.”
“Ah, I see.”
Daniel’s response was indifferent, as though being caught didn’t matter to him. Rather, his lips curved into a thick smile, as if the conversation had become easier.
“One of the reasons I brought the young lady here was because of Jainer. I need to finish things, but I can’t seem to find any trace of him.”
“You can’t find him?”
At those words, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. If he was still searching for Jainer, that meant he was still alive, didn’t it?
“So you kidnapped me right in front of the Khan Branch just to lure Jainer out of hiding through your subordinates?”
Daniel’s eyes widened again. Had he already grasped the entire situation?
“I wouldn’t call it kidnapping exactly, but yes, that’s essentially it. Yet you followed me despite understanding all of this?”
“Unfortunately, the Khan Branch didn’t know anything either.”
You intended to use me as bait to draw out Jainer, but you’ve miscalculated.
At the absurdity of it all, I let out a hollow laugh.
‘What was I thinking.’
We don’t share blood, nor have we known each other for long.
We were strangers.
Did he really think I would come to such a dangerous place just to save my adoptive father’s daughter?
‘Even Daive, whom I lived with for so long, I simply abandoned.’
Could the Khan’s leader truly not have known that Daive’s nanny was abusing the child?
Impossible. He knew but turned a blind eye.
‘Well, I understand to some extent.’
Since everything returns to the starting point with each regression, everything must have felt futile to him. No matter how hard he struggles, the same things will happen again.
Of course, ordinary people wouldn’t be able to ignore their sibling’s suffering…
‘But that man abandoned the realm of ordinary people long ago, and he calculates profit and loss with ruthless precision.’
I couldn’t imagine such a person coming all this way to rescue me.
Listen here, mister. You chose the wrong bait.
“Well, we’ll see how things unfold.”
Daniel shrugged indifferently, as though he hadn’t held great expectations—whether Jainer came or not made little difference to him.
“Don’t worry too much. It’s true I used you as bait, but I have no intention of harming you.”
“….”
“I simply wanted to have a proper conversation.”
I stared at him silently, as if to say: go ahead and tell me what you wanted to discuss.
“The world doesn’t exist for the Chief Deity alone.”
“Are you talking about the Eba Cult?”
“…!”
Rather than dragging things out with unnecessary words, I decided to cut straight to the heart of the matter. Daniel’s expression hardened for the first time.
“…So you did know after all.”
Daniel clicked his tongue lightly and asked with certainty.
“Did Jainer tell you?”
Heard from Jainer?
About the Eba Cult? What was he talking about?
‘What?’
Jainer already knew about this?
I barely managed to suppress the absurd laughter that threatened to burst from me.
‘Since when?’
I’d thought something was off about him.
‘He kept dodging the question whenever I asked if he’d found anything!’
This bastard! Are you becoming like Dorman too?
Why wouldn’t you tell me, you unprincipled fool! I’m the one who hired you! If you found something, you should have reported it to me!
‘This time I won’t pay him a single coin… wait a minute!’
As I was mentally cursing Jainer, I suddenly froze.
‘Could it be… because of me?’
Did he discover Daniel’s true identity while carrying out my request? And then learn about the Eba Cult as well?
‘Is that why he ended up being hunted and put in danger?’
I quickly hid my hardening expression.
‘I should have been more careful.’
This was clearly my mistake.
I’d only asked him to quietly investigate the person distributing the sacred artifacts, but it seemed I’d underestimated the abilities of Khan’s owner.
“So what?”
I asked indifferently, hiding my complicated thoughts.
“Are you here to promote the Eba Cult?”
“I simply wish to clear up misunderstandings. And to share some good words as well. People harbor many misconceptions about the Eba Cult.”
“Misconceptions?”
“Contrary to what the world believes, we have never forcibly brought anyone into our faith against their will.”
He clicked his tongue as if lamenting.
“We accepted them only because they wished it, because they desperately desired to be with us. People yearn for eternal life so much, after all.”
“What about those whose bodies were stolen?”
“Pardon?”
“Those whose flesh was taken by your hands—was that not forced?”
“…You truly know a great deal.”
This time, Daniel could not hide his shock.
The fact that the Eba Cult stole people’s bodies was something very few knew, whether in the past or present.
Most believed only that they sustained themselves by draining the life force of those offered as sacrifices.
‘Of course, that’s also true.’
There were two methods by which those belonging to the Eba Cult maintained their existence.
As people commonly know, one method involves draining the life force from others. The other is seizing a young, vibrant body in their stead.
“But weren’t they forced into it?” she asked.
“In any great undertaking, small sacrifices are always necessary.”
“Ha.”
It was refreshing to hear such nonsense delivered with such earnestness.
“So? What is it you want to say to me?”
“Don’t you desire eternal life?”
“No.”
“Precisely. Eternal life… pardon?”
“I said I don’t want it.”
True to form for a pseudo-religious cult, their pitch was as stale as they come.
‘Do I desire eternal life?’
Why don’t you try spouting that nonsense in front of Jainer? He’d probably laugh and slit your throat on the spot.
“Continuing to live isn’t quite as appealing as you might think.”
Watching Daniel’s expression turn incredulous at her words—as if she were some ancient sage—Camilla let out a soft laugh.
“I’ve simply lived far longer than most.”
Until now, I’ve struggled desperately to avoid death, but that was only to preserve the life I was originally given.
I never had any intention of artificially extending my existence beyond that.
‘And certainly not by exploiting others’ lives?’
The very thought made my skin crawl.
“Are you not afraid of death?”
“If you can find someone more terrified of death than I am, bring them to me.”
Familiarity breeds fear, as they say.
“Would you like to die twenty-six times like I have? Even experiencing it secondhand, it was terrifying every single time. I never got used to it at all.”
“What do you…”
“So what is it? You want me to join the Eba Cult?”
“Yes? That is… precisely our request. Please become our Saint.”
“…A Saint?”
[Damn it! Have you ever seen someone so thick-skulled? Asking someone with power equivalent to a Saint of the Chief Deity to become a Saint of your heretical cult? These bastards really have thrown their conscience into the garbage!]
Whoa, whoa. Calm yourself.
Arena reacted before Camilla could.
Despite having witnessed her tremendous divine power firsthand, the proposal that Arena—the true Saint of the Chief Deity—become a Saint of the Eba Cult seemed to infuriate her.
“The position of Saint is not something our Church bestows lightly. It demonstrates how greatly we value you, Camilla.”
“And?”
“You will be granted wealth and power beyond your imagination. Moreover, everything you desire can be made possible.”
“Everything I desire.”
“Yes, that is what the position of Saint in the Eba Cult entails. Unlike the Temple, where they shamelessly exploit only a Saint’s power, we would never commit such shameless acts.”
[Well, I’ll admit that much. Though they certainly work you to death.]
Excuse me? If you’re going to concede that point right now…
Watching Arena nod in agreement with Daniel’s unspoken protest, Camilla let out a quiet sigh to herself.
“A saint of the Eba Cult, then….”
“You would gain tremendous power.”
“Hmm.”
“Wealth, authority—everything!”
Daniel’s voice rose higher as Camilla showed interest.
‘This is it!’
A dark smile bloomed across Daniel’s lips.
Even if he couldn’t dispose of Jainer, drawing her into the Church would surely earn him the Church Leader’s favor once more.
If she stood with them, they need never fear the Guardian’s Sword again!
With that immense sacred power at their command, the Eba Cult could spread its influence far wider and grow stronger still.
The Church Leader understood this all too well—surely that’s why he deliberated over Camilla’s fate.
‘This is an opportunity!’
One that would never come again!
‘He’ll forgive my disobedience.’
He’d been ordered to eliminate Jainer alone, but he lacked the confidence. In the end, he’d mobilized others.
Eba Cult members were positioned throughout this building. The moment Jainer appeared, a coordinated attack infused with sorcery would strike.
‘He values results over method.’
Even though he’d disobeyed the order to handle Jainer alone, if he secured Camilla’s allegiance and cleanly eliminated Jainer, surely all would be forgiven.
“If there’s anything you desire, speak freely. Would you like the Empire itself? We have the power to grant it.”
“I don’t need something so trivial.”
“Then what do you want?”
“What I want is….”
Camilla paused, then smiled beautifully.
“The Church Leader’s head.”
“…Pardon?”
“If you need the head of your Church Leader, what will you do?”
“….”
“Bring me the head, and I’ll consider it. Ah, am I asking too much?”
Camilla continued with a soft laugh.
“Since I can simply inhabit another body, this one is disposable anyway. Let’s do this instead—have the Church Leader himself bring his own head directly.”
“You….”
Watching Camilla’s mockery, Daniel’s expression gradually hardened.
Only now did he realize she’d never intended to listen to him from the start.
“How disappointing. I thought you were someone reasonable.”
“I’m disappointed too. You revealed your true nature far too clumsily.”
“…You’ll come to regret this.”
“Regret is something I’m always doing.”
At her indifferent response, Daniel’s gaze grew colder still.
“Execute the plan.”
In that instant, a quiet command escaped his lips, and suddenly countless figures emerged from the shadows.
“I didn’t want to force the matter, but it’s truly a shame.”
This was genuine regret. If I obtained only her body, I might not be able to properly wield the Guardian’s Sword or divine power.
I had wanted her in her complete state….
But what could I do? She was so adamantly opposed. Regrettable as it was, I would have to take her body at least.
“Still, your body will be presented to the Church’s highest authority and put to most precious use, so please do not feel too disappointed.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————