Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 193

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story Episode 10
The Pope had come seeking me out to resolve a problem with the sacred relic, but if he kept emphasizing his pure intentions like this, it would become awkward to ask for my help.
“Perhaps it’s because Your Holiness cares for me so deeply that you’ve traveled all the way to the Capital in person—the tea has such a wonderful fragrance.”
I spoke with the most docile expression I could muster, making it even more uncomfortable for him.
“Y-yes… ahem! But Saint Naila.”
“Yes, please speak.”
“There is news that the Incarnation of Saint Naila must know urgently.”
“News?”
Changing his phrasing from ‘request’ to ‘news’—this man certainly had a cunning side to him.
“Saint Naila left behind a great sacred relic a thousand years ago, in the early days of Asteia’s founding, to prevent a peculiar darkness.”
“Of course I know. I am the Incarnation of Saint Naila, after all. You’re referring to the rosary that the Cardinal brought during the Hyanghwa ceremony, correct?”
“Yes. However… that sacred relic has developed an abnormality.”
The white rosary symbolizing Goddess Naila’s sacrifice was so famous that not only the nobility but even the common people knew its appearance. Yet at a time when public sentiment toward the Temple had hit rock bottom, a problem had emerged with the sacred relic. An annual ceremony would be held at the Grand Temple soon, and the Pope couldn’t possibly display a defective sacred relic. He must be in quite a predicament.
But I pretended to know nothing and spoke according to the Pope’s intentions.
“My, something wrong with my own possession? As the Incarnation of Saint Naila, this is certainly not a matter I can simply overlook.”
I set down my teacup with a grave expression and gazed at the Pope seriously.
“Show me the condition of the object.”
“Yes! Yes, Saint Naila!”
The Pope’s face brightened as he answered quickly, and I extended my hand as if to say he should produce the item.
“W-well, the thing is…”
“What is it?”
“The color of the rosary beads suddenly began to change subtly, so we placed it in holy water imbued with powerful sanctity to prevent further discoloration. Therefore… if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you visit the Heleia Autonomous Region?”
* * *
The Capital was set abuzz by news of Deborah Simour’s sudden departure to Heleia. Of course, it was natural and reasonable for the Saint to accept the Pope’s invitation and visit the Grand Temple.
“There’s nothing strange about it, though…”
But since the Saint was Deborah Simour, it felt somehow odd. The Princess seemed far more suited to a glamorous party venue than the Papal Palace.
That wasn’t all.
“I heard the Simour Family assembled a formidable elite team to escort the Saint.”
“I understand, given that she’s the Saint, but wouldn’t Deborah Simour be the strongest anyway? Why?”
“They say the Saint’s divine power is merciless against evil demons but merciful toward people. Perhaps humans are more frightening than ghosts? What if someone with ill intentions tries to attack the Saint? We must be prepared for that.”
“Even so… isn’t assembling enough military force to annihilate a small nation a bit excessive?”
“Just how much are we talking about?”
“First, Duke Visconti and the entire White Knight Order, of which he serves as vice commander, have been dispatched as escorts…”
“And?”
“Duke Simour, the Magic Tower Master, and the Magic Tower elders, the Magic Tower Combat Unit led by Lord Rozard, Lord Beleck with offensive magical artifacts… who else was there? Ah! The Fifth Princess, and the Princess’s direct escort unit, the Spear Knight Order as well…”
“S-stop. I understand perfectly well.”
* * *
The Pope and priests who made contact with Deborah Simour’s entourage before the ancient teleportation gate leading from the Capital to the Grand Temple wore expressions of momentary bewilderment. The lower-ranking priests in particular were startled.
‘I-is she really the Saint?’
Though they had seen her portrait, the Saint’s actual presence was so cold, and they were doubly shocked by the brilliant lineup of escorts.
“That must be the Saint’s fiancé I’ve only heard rumors about… Duke Visconti.”
“And the Simour Family’s genius twins as well….”
“Isn’t that black-haired swordsman the Sword Orgo?”
Even priests who lived far from the Capital were familiar enough with these renowned figures that they would personally step forward to escort the Saint.
‘Are they preparing for war against the Temple itself?’
The Pope struggled to conceal his bewilderment.
“So many distinguished individuals following her! I find myself in awe of the Saint’s influence. Of course, the Temple also has many Holy Knights capable of protecting the Saint.”
The Pope was subtly suggesting that the escort was perhaps too large.
“This number is… already reduced to one-eighth of the original. We cannot reduce it further.”
However, since Deborah Simour spoke in a weary and ominous tone, the Pope refrained from pressing the matter further.
“Ahem. Shall we depart then?”
Shortly after, the ancient warp gate carrying the massive contingent activated, and Deborah Simour set foot in the Grand Temple for the first time in this lifetime.
“So this magnificent structure is the Papal Palace at the center of the Grand Temple. Each sculpture seems to come alive before my eyes.”
Thierry gazed around the interior of the Temple, which was filled with grand murals and sculptures, marveling at everything. Having quit his daily gambling habit, his swordsmanship had improved dramatically, allowing him to barely make the cut as one of Deborah Simour’s escorts.
“Thierry, do you think we’re here for sightseeing?”
The Fifth Princess clicked her tongue disapprovingly at Thierry’s frivolous behavior.
“But I simply cannot feel any tension. Being among companions who could defeat even a Grand Demon summoned before us, I feel more at ease than lying in my own bed at home.”
“You’re not wrong, but please maintain some dignity befitting an Asteia nobleman.”
“No need to worry. The dignity and honor of Asteia nobility is already being upheld over there.”
Thierry proudly pointed to Isidore, who was walking ahead of them.
Every priest and servant passing through the Grand Temple cast startled glances in his direction. Those seeing Isidore’s appearance for the first time typically doubted their own eyes and reacted with such astonishment.
“He seems to be growing more handsome by the day. His physique has improved as well.”
“No wonder he’s Epsilon’s banner and this year’s finest.”
“Sigh, if only Isidore were slightly less attractive….”
“I’m sorry, but even if we assume Isidore were less attractive… you still wouldn’t qualify in many ways.”
“Despite appearing so carefree, I was actually nursing the wounds of heartbreak, yet you felt compelled to break my bones as well?”
“This is infuriating.”
“What is?”
“… Feeling a sense of kinship with you. How shameful.”
While Thierry and the Fifth Princess exchanged their bland banter, Isidore was carefully observing the priests.
The sacred artifacts had discolored, and the Princess’s holy power was recovering slowly. These were not good signs. If remnants of the Black Mages remained, there was a possibility they could be hiding here, disguised as priests like Miya Binoshu.
‘I’ve learned the lesson about darkness beneath the lamp well enough….’
“Princess, the Pope isn’t leading us to some strange place instead of the sacred artifacts, is he?”
At Isidore’s whisper, Deborah shook her head slightly.
“That’s not the case.”
Upon arriving here, memories of Naila’s childhood in the Temple came flooding back. At the end of this labyrinthine corridor lay the Sanctuary, where water infused with holy power would spring forth.
“We have arrived.”
The Pope, who had been leading the way for some time, stopped before an arched doorway made of pure white marble. Beyond it, in the center of a circular chamber, stood a massive sculpture depicting Naila, and beneath it flowed a small spring.
“Only authorized personnel may enter from this point onward.”
At the Pope’s words, Beleck Simour raised his eyebrows sharply.
“What’s the reason?”
“This is where holy water infused with highly pure sacred power springs forth, so we maintain barriers to prevent external contamination… Saint…?!”
That was when it happened.
Deborah Simour suddenly passed through the massive doors and began moving swiftly toward the center of the inner chamber where the sacred relics were kept.
“Deborah?!”
* * *
‘Again… my heart…’
Thump— thump—
From the moment I spotted the rosary submerged in the holy water, my heartbeat began to race violently, just as it had in Hyanghwa. My heart thundered so intensely that my eardrums ached, and countless fragmented images from the past flickered rapidly before my eyes. Amid this flood of memories, I suddenly felt a question arise within me.
How does that rosary evoke such an intense reaction?
‘Even in Hyanghwa, it was because of that object that I awakened all my power.’
Every time I encounter that white rosary, my heart races madly and I’m seized by a distant, overwhelming sensation. Was it simply because this object triggered memories from my past life?
‘What on earth is happening to me?’
I stared at the rosary submerged in the holy water as if posing the question directly to it.
‘And why has its color changed like this?’
Then, from the beads of the rosary, which had been stained a murky gray, a faint light began to emanate. As if responding to my question.
-Deborah.
Wait? Did I just hear my name?
‘That familiar voice…’
Captivated by the sorrowful tone of that voice, I reached out toward it…
“Gasp!”
The moment I grasped the smooth bead, a brilliant light burst forth from six of the beads, gradually beginning to trace the outline of something.
‘Could it be… a magic circle?’
“Damn it.”
Something felt wrong, but it was already too late.
As the space around me began to ripple like waves, I cursed under my breath. The distortion of space intensified, and soon the ground beneath my feet swirled like a whirlpool in the sea.
Standing precariously within the warping space, I instinctively turned around. Whenever I sensed danger, the first person I sought was him.
“Deborah?!”
Isidore’s voice calling out to me seemed to move in slow motion.
Panicked, he rushed toward me and quickly caught my flailing arms, but the space twisted mercilessly like oil floating on water. In an instant, I was hurled into a strange place.

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