I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#Episode 23

“Oh no, what should I do? What should I do?”

The priest seemed to recognize the status of the person he had bumped into and fidgeted restlessly, breaking out in cold sweat.

His size was wasted on him, so Gilbert, unable to watch any longer, called out to him.

“Brother Vincent, please calm down! Do you think Madam is some kind of monster?”

“I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry. I couldn’t see clearly and… I need to get new glasses quickly but I haven’t had the time…”

If they got any thicker, they could be used as dinner plates instead of glasses.

Anyway, the man apologized several times before finally calming down and introducing himself.

“I-I greet the Duchess of Lombard. I am Vincent, a priest belonging to the Lombard Diocese.”

Vincent was truly a name so common you could trip over it.

This was because he was the prophet who received the first revelation from Leto, the sun god. So if you grabbed any passing priest, at least one in five would be named ‘Vincent.’

Shaking off my thoughts, I nodded.

“Nice to meet you, Brother Vincent. Your accent is unusual – where is your hometown?”

“I’m from the Holy City Arzenbach. I just finished my priestly training in the holy city last year and was recently assigned to the Lombard Diocese.”

Arzenbach was papal territory where the Great Cathedral was located.

In other words, Vincent was quite familiar with the cathedral.

‘I might be able to get some hints about the Inquisitor who’s visiting…’

I showed him a much more friendly smile.

“Brother Vincent, though you’ve been assigned to Lombard, you’re a citizen of the holy city, so you don’t need to be so formal with me, a Lombard native. Feel free to call me by name.”

“What?! How could I dare be so rude…”

Vincent jumped in surprise, and only after I urged him several times did he cautiously speak up.

“E-Elisia? Is it really okay to call you that? I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

“In Lombard, I am the law.”

My goodness, I really like this statement.

I resolved to use it often in the future, and taking advantage of the now closer atmosphere, I subtly probed Vincent.

“Come to think of it, being from the holy city, you must know the people at the Great Cathedral well?”

“As a lower priest, I didn’t have many opportunities to meet the central figures, but I have seen them from afar a few times.”

“Actually, I’m very interested in the Great Cathedral. Especially in the Faith Doctrine Ministry that realizes God’s justice on this earth…”

“Ah, they are truly admirable people!”

Vincent’s eyes sparkled behind his thick glasses.

The way he clasped his hands in front of his chest and his suddenly confident voice made it seem like he knew quite a bit about them.

I added, pretending to have no ulterior motives and speaking as if making a general observation.

“There are some harsh rumors circulating about the Faith Doctrine Ministry, but my thoughts are a bit different. Aren’t they precious people who perform grace and mercy in God’s name?”

“It’s truly upsetting. If people could meet the Director directly, all those ridiculous rumors would disappear…”

“My goodness, is he that remarkable?”

Vincent answered my question without a moment’s hesitation.

“He’s merciful. He loves everything God has created. Very much so.”

Then he smiled more devoutly than anything else in the world.

I smiled along with him.

* * *

Lady Olden unconsciously bit her lip.

Standing alone in a corner of the walking path attached to the inner chamber, her expression was firmly hardened.

“Something’s definitely strange.”

Elisia had changed.

At some point, she was no longer the person Lady Olden knew.

Lady Olden had personally raised Elisia after she lost both parents in an accident.

She had succeeded in controlling everything around her and ultimately isolating her completely to have her in the palm of her hand.

Though she might act arrogantly and wickedly in front of others, she would obediently submit in front of Lady Olden.

Lady Olden had spent a long time carefully making it so.

‘But why?’

Thinking about it, it had been since arriving in Lombard.

That damned girl had started trying to escape her control at every turn.

‘Maybe she’s having a late rebellious phase…’

But anyway, she was still controlling everything around Elisia.

Every piece of food that entered that girl’s mouth, every piece of clothing draped over her shoulders, every person serving by her side – all went through her hands and permission.

So she could generously overlook one beast that came in by accident.

That’s what she thought at first.

“But now she wants to bring in a servant from outside the outer walls?”

Not only did she dare inform her without asking permission, but she also said she would keep them by her side after construction was finished and asked her to prepare suitable lodging within the castle.

After being lenient a few times, she finally crossed the line.

It seemed she had forgotten the ‘lessons’ of the past because it had been too long since she was seriously disciplined.

As she let out a hollow laugh, a sudden thought occurred to her.

‘Could it be that girl has been hiding her true nature all this time?’

Lady Olden immediately shook her head.

‘No, that’s impossible. It’s been 11 years. Is it really possible to hide one’s true nature and pretend to be stupid for a full 11 years since childhood?’

She knew better than anyone that the girl wasn’t that clever.

Nevertheless, Lady Olden suddenly felt uneasy.

It would be right to check even the smallest possibility. If she became complacent thinking everything was fine, the tower she had carefully built might collapse.

“Did you call for me, Lady?”

Just then, a familiar presence was heard from the opposite side of the walking path.

He was a servant working in the stables of Lombard Castle, someone from the same hometown as Lady Olden who had personal connections with her from long ago.

After looking around, Lady Olden whispered in a secretive voice.

“Starting tomorrow, I’d like you to investigate Madam’s every move.”

“Yes, just leave it to me.”

“It’s enough to just figure out who Madam meets and what the atmosphere is like, so be careful not to get caught. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

“Don’t worry, Lady. I’ll keep an appropriate distance and move so I can retreat if necessary.”

Whether this uneasy intuition was true or just groundless worry, she would find out by checking directly.

Lady Olden’s eyes gleamed fiercely.

* * *

I was inspecting the Inner Wall Church with Vincent.

“Wow, this is really amazing! It would compare favorably even with the churches in the holy city.”

“Hearing you say that puts me much more at ease.”

My expression was confident as I replied.

I had prepared so thoroughly that even a picky Inquisitor would be impressed.

Actually, I wasn’t even confident about my own existence – it would be strange to naturally accept coming back to life after dying. I was suspicious that I might be possessed by a demon – so when the Inquisitor unusually sent advance notice of his visit, it was natural for me to tremble with fear.

The more I felt this way, the more thoroughly I reviewed the doctrine.

I designed the church according to traditional standard forms, and paid special attention to making the materials elegant and high-quality without being unnecessarily luxurious.

I also completely renovated the treatment center, scriptorium, library, school, and other facilities attached to the cathedral with modern designs.

‘Since Brother Vincent, who’s from the holy city, is impressed, I think I’m ready now.’

During the inspection, Vincent pointed out without reservation any parts that violated doctrine or regulations.

Despite his extremely timid personality, he was particularly thorough and strict when it came to doctrine.

Thanks to him, construction proceeded much more smoothly.

I was just thinking that he must be an angel sent down by God who took pity on my suffering when…

“Oh…!”

“A-Are you alright?!”

I was so lost in thought while walking that I didn’t watch my step properly.

I was sure there was nothing there, but something caught my foot and as I was about to fall, Vincent quickly caught me and pulled me into his arms.

The dangerously stacked materials finally came into view.

My head spun as I imagined what would have happened if I had fallen onto those.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Thank you. You saved my life.”

My relief was short-lived as I suddenly flinched.

It was because I could feel Vincent’s large, firm chest beneath my palm that I had hastily placed when falling.

The sensation of his chest rising and falling with each breath was transmitted directly through my palm.

Having lived my entire life without knowing men, I found myself unconsciously staring at him in a daze before snapping back to reality and hurriedly trying to pull my hand away.

“Madam!!”

Administrative Chief Ramon came running toward us with soldiers in tow.

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