The Fortune-Teller Saintess - Chapter 97

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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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“Huh?”

“Holy Lady? What’s wrong?”

I had turned to look toward the window, but at Yuriel’s puzzled question, I quickly turned my head back with an “oh no.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I thought I heard some sound from outside…”

“I see. Perhaps a bird flew by.”

Yuriel smiled gently and responded in a way that wouldn’t make me feel embarrassed.

I smiled awkwardly and then glanced toward the outside again.

‘Just now, I felt something… an incredibly uneasy feeling…’

Was it just my imagination?

I tilted my head and quietly peered into the teacup in my hands.

My face, wearing a strange expression due to my inability to control my facial expressions, was reflected clearly in the tea.

Fortunately, there were two other people in this room besides me who could serve as conversation partners for Yuriel.

“Your Highness, do you plan to visit the Temple again this year after your birthday banquet ends?”

“Of course, Cardinal Barion. I plan to offer prayers of gratitude to God who always guides me right, and make donations to the Temple to spread this happiness.”

“Your Highness, while your heart that thinks of the Empire’s citizens is always admirable, since this is the joyful day of your birth, I humbly suggest that you might spend some of that heart on yourself.”

“Thank you for thinking of me, Marquis. But this is also something I want to do for myself. So you’ll understand me, won’t you?”

“If Your Highness says so…”

Barion, Yuriel, Arjes.

I sipped my tea while listening to the conversation between the three. The content itself was heartwarming, but I couldn’t let my guard down.

Because two figures suspected of being the Seer were right before my eyes.

Without Robelina here, I felt as if I had charged alone into enemy territory.

‘How on earth did we end up gathering with this group of people?’

It started with a single remark that Yuriel made.

It was when I had finished my conversation with Jacad and returned with Robelina to Yuriel’s side.

‘Holy Lady, Cardinal Barion. If you two don’t mind, I’d like to arrange a separate place for conversation. Setting aside titles and positions, as believers who have faith in God, I have many things I’d like to discuss with you both.’

With that single remark from Yuriel, we left the banquet hall and gathered separately in a guest room.

Unfortunately, Robelina couldn’t come in. Because Yuriel had only designated Barion and me.

Moreover, since Yuriel only asked profound questions that even our Temple’s priests wouldn’t bring up, it was extremely difficult for me, who only held the title of Holy Lady, to answer.

“Holy Lady, what do you think is the task that God has given to humans?”

“Do you really think pursuing happiness is humanity’s ultimate goal? I believe that sharing happiness is the duty of those who have already achieved happiness. Perhaps God is also aiming for that…”

…It was like this, for example.

In a situation where I couldn’t let my guard down, with such questions pouring out, I felt like my mind would simply fly away.

‘Someone please save me…’

It was when I was trembling while holding my teacup and forcing a smile.

“Your Highness, they are looking for you at the banquet hall. What shall we do?”

At the attendant’s words from outside the door, Yuriel’s eyebrows drooped regretfully.

“It seems I’ve been away from my seat too long. It’s unfortunate, but I think I should return to the banquet hall now.”

“Let’s go together, Your Highness.”

Barion said with a gentle smile.

I had been carefully reading the mood as the gathering seemed to be ending, and I quietly spoke up before everyone stood up.

“Um, would it be alright if I rested here for a moment? The banquet hall is so noisy, I’d like to rest in a quiet place for a bit.”

To be precise, my mind had been shredded by Yuriel’s sacred question bombardment.

As for Arjes, well, Jacad and Robelina were at the banquet hall, so they would look after him.

Yuriel nodded at my words.

“I’ll tell the attendant. Please rest in the room, Holy Lady.”

“Thank you!”

For the first time since entering this room, I smiled brightly.

However, that smile froze at Arjes’s single remark.

“I’ll stay too.”

“What? Marquis… you too?”

“I also want to rest in a quiet place. If it’s alright with the Holy Lady, I’d like to stay here together and have some light conversation. Would that be okay?”

‘What is this man plotting?’

He seemed to have some purpose, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.

As the silence grew longer while I pondered, I had no choice but to nod.

“Of course. It would be nice not to be lonely.”

“Thank you.”

“Then Cardinal Barion and I will return to the banquet hall first. Please have a comfortable rest.”

Leaving those words, Yuriel left the room with Barion.

Left alone with Arjes, I pretended to drink tea while stealing glances at him.

Arjes’s gaze was still fixed on the door through which Yuriel had left.

“Isn’t His Highness truly devout? Listening to the conversation he had with you earlier, I was really impressed inside. He may look young on the outside, but inside he’s no less than a saint.”

‘Suddenly praising Yuriel?’

Thinking that Arjes might be the Seer made all his words seem suspicious.

But since it was true that Yuriel was devout, I nodded and responded to his words.

“That’s certainly true. His Highness’s character, knowledge, and faith are worthy of emulation even by our Temple’s priests.”

“Right? That’s why I hope His Highness becomes the Emperor.”

‘…This seems like a rather dangerous statement.’

Even though I was a Holy Lady far removed from politics, was it okay to blurt out such sensitive words?

Since I could neither agree nor deny it, I kept my mouth shut.

Then, as if he hadn’t expected an answer in the first place, Arjes continued speaking.

“If His Highness becomes Emperor, God’s influence in the Empire will grow even greater. The Mage Tower won’t be able to exert power, and eventually everyone will come to believe in God.”

“…”

“I would do anything if I could make His Highness Emperor. For instance.”

Arjes turned to look at me, his eyes gleaming sharply as he spoke.

“Pushing aside His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“…What’s your reason for saying such things to me?”

“Oh my. Don’t pretend not to know at this point, Holy Lady. You already know, don’t you?”

“You’re right. I do know. That you’re connected to the Seer.”

Arjes didn’t deny it and simply smiled.

I glared at him while clenching my hands placed on my knees.

“What I want to say is, why are you suddenly revealing your identity now? It doesn’t seem like desperation… don’t tell me you plan to kill me here?”

“That wouldn’t be bad either.”

The calmly flowing answer sent chills down my spine.

“But unfortunately, today is the day His Highness the Second Prince was born. I can’t stain a sacred day with the Holy Lady’s blood.”

“Then…”

“However.”

Arjes interrupted my words and smiled as if his mouth would tear.

“Wouldn’t that person also be pleased with heretical blood?”

“Heretical blood…?”

“The Mage Tower Master must have stormed into my manor by now to find evidence.”

Hearing those words, my body stiffened.

‘How does Arjes know about that?’

“Since the Mage Tower Master took my subordinate, it’s something you could figure out with a little thought.”

As if sensing my thoughts, Arjes spoke nonchalantly.

I glared at him with sharp eyes, but cold sweat was soaking my back.

The fact that Arjes knew about our plan meant that it might be a trap…

“Wouldn’t it be fine if you don’t go?”

At Arjes’s words, my eyes widened.

He leisurely added while drinking his tea.

“Since the Holy Lady is close with the Mage Tower Master, shouldn’t you at least witness his final moments?”

“…You bastard.”

“It seems you’ve only learned bad things from associating with the Mage Tower Master.”

Arjes frowned.

I let out a scoffing laugh, then abruptly stood up and looked down at him with a crooked smile.

“That’s right. Hanging around with Nein has made me exceptionally good at getting under people’s skin. So let me tell you this—the future you’re dreaming of will never come to pass.”

Arjes looked up at me smoothly.

I pulled out a Sacred Relic Tarot Card and thrust it right in front of him.

Whether by coincidence or not, the ’10 of Swords’ card appeared, depicting a man stabbed to death by ten swords.

“All of your plans are going to fail. No, I’m going to make them fail.”

“….”

“I guarantee it as a Holy Lady who sees the future.”

I left those words behind and walked out of the room. No further conversation was necessary.

‘Nein, please be safe.’

Feeling the anxiety I had been suppressing slowly creeping through my body, I hurried my steps.

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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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