The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 104

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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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The Saint Is Quite the Liar! Episode 104
After that bewildering conversation, I left the Cassini Mansion. Sergio looked regretful about it.
“At least stay for dinner.”
“I ate lunch quite late, so I’m full.”
That wasn’t the real reason—I’d simply maxed out my Gauge for the day.
I smiled warmly, embraced Sergio once, and stepped back.
“Don’t worry too much about things. Please take good care of yourself. The Cassini Noblewoman will wake up soon.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“See you again.”
I exchanged farewells pleasantly enough and climbed into the carriage. The moment the door closed, my smile widened.
Sergio’s wall had cracked completely. Before my return, he was a man who would have done anything to protect his sister—and now look at him.
‘He must be hiding his past because he lived in a Demon Worshippers’ house.’
If I dug into that, Lumiel and the entire Demon Cult would unravel like a ball of string.
‘Of course, I’ll stay one step back this time as well.’
I had no intention of doing anything directly harmful to Lumiel. That way, no one could accuse me of slander.
‘If I’d exposed the Staircase Incident myself this time, there wouldn’t be this kind of resonance.’
The Gauge was progressing smoothly, my plan was on track, and I was in excellent spirits.
After arriving at the Grand Cathedral and stepping out of the carriage, my eyes met Cassandro’s. In that instant, I flinched, realizing he’d caught me in my good mood.
Lumiel nearly died and then lived—of course it makes me look pleased. I didn’t want him getting some psychotic idea like that about me.
“I’ll escort you to your quarters.”
“No, thank you. I need to see the Archbishop. There’s something I should tell him.”
Cassandro nodded. As I walked, I surreptitiously gauged his expression.
“You’re not getting the wrong idea, are you?”
Cassandro looked at me.
“What wrong idea?”
“You noticed. That I was in a good mood.”
I spoke without thinking, eyes fixed ahead.
“It’s not because of the Cassini Noblewoman’s suicide attempt.”
“Of course, that’s what I assumed.”
Cassandro answered with a slightly puzzled tone. The word at the beginning caught my ear.
“Of course? Then what did you think was making me happy?”
“The Cassini Duke’s attitude has changed. He’s become more affectionate toward you, hasn’t he?”
“…That’s not it either.”
I murmured softly, and Cassandro looked at me as if to ask what it was then. I stopped walking for a moment, met his gaze, and answered.
“That’s enough, as long as you’re not getting the wrong idea.”
Of course… even if he misunderstood, it wouldn’t matter. I’m leaving soon anyway. Justitia will disappear.
But for some reason, I didn’t want to look like a terrible person in front of this man. Perhaps because he was good and upright.
“Why would you think I’d misunderstand you in such a way?”
“Simply because it was a situation where it could appear that way.”
“The brilliance of a jewel cannot be hidden even in filth. No circumstance can conceal a person’s true nature.”
“My true nature?”
My lips twisted. He thought of me as Justitia, after all.
But even if the shell is hers, my essence is still me—not Justitia.
“How could you possibly know that?”
“The eyes are the windows of the soul.”
Cassandro gazed at me steadily, his eyes fixed on mine. Despite my momentary confusion at his penetrating stare, he persisted in meeting my eyes with relentless intensity.
“By looking at the eyes, one can discern whether a person is good or evil.”
His face drew closer. Like someone determined to examine my eyes.
“Your eyes are not evil. They’re far too clear and transparent for that.”
Suddenly I found myself looking closely at his eyes as well.
I gazed quietly at those ruby-red, lustrous eyes, and without thinking, I murmured.
“So are yours.”
This time it was Cassandro’s lips that twisted. I could tell because I’d worn that exact expression moments before.
He disagreed with what I’d just said.
“…You don’t think so?”
“I suspect they’re not as clear and transparent as the saint’s.”
“Are you saying I was insincere with you?”
I shot back, narrowing my brow, and Cassandro’s eyes flickered with startled confusion.
“I would never mean to be so disrespectful.”
“Yet you’ve already said it all.”
I pouted and grumbled.
“Look at the mirror more carefully. I think they’re lovely—like rubies. You’re always far too harsh with yourself.”
“……Eyes stained with blood, they call them.”
Cassandro murmured quietly.
“That’s why they say I carry blood wherever I go. Everyone considered it inauspicious. Where I’m from, such eyes are rare.”
“Everyone’s mistaken then. Eyes this beautiful aren’t common either.”
True, they held a blood-red tint at first glance, but they shone like glass marbles.
“My eye is sharper than theirs, so forget such talk. Surely you don’t distrust a saint?”
Cassandro’s expression shifted at my words.
Thinking I was lying again? I narrowed my eyes and leaned in close, as if backing him into a corner. He flinched, then shook his head.
“I believe you.”
Yes, you’d better.
‘Now that I think of it, this is the first time we’ve spoken of anything personal.’
Whenever such matters came up, he’d always change the subject, which I found curious.
Judging by the way he recoiled even at the mention of his eyes, his life couldn’t have been an easy one.
Was that why he became a Holy Knight?
‘At least I managed to dodge that awkward misunderstanding.’
I arrived at Formoso’s quarters in considerably better spirits. Fortunately he was there, so my trip hadn’t been wasted.
“Saint.”
Formoso closed the book he’d been reading, his face breaking into a smile.
Because of my conversation with Cassandro just before, my gaze caught on those silver eyes, bright as a polished sword blade.
At first glance, they were clear and pristine, without a speck of dust—yet somehow they struck me as murky.
Was this what Cassandro meant?
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Formoso asked, his expression caught between mild bewilderment and something that wasn’t quite displeasure.
Before I could invite some unwanted misunderstanding, I quickly shifted my gaze.
“I came to discuss something serious. May I sit?”
“Of course.”
Formoso brought out Ginger Tea. After taking a sip of the spicy-scented brew, which matched his own scent, I set the cup down and spoke.
“I visited the Cassini Mansion. The Noblewoman is still unconscious.”
“I see.”
“I think we should conclude the formal interrogation here.”
Formoso’s brow furrowed.
“That’s impossible, Saint.”
“I said ‘formal’ interrogation. The Cassini Duke has agreed to cooperate with the investigation. It seems now that suspicion is turning toward the Cassini Noblewoman herself.”
Formoso looked genuinely startled by this. After a moment’s thought, he nodded.
“True enough. The Cassini Noblewoman will only deny everything anyway. There’s no real benefit to continuing the interrogation.”
“We should also wrap up the Staircase Incident around this time. Though of course I understand His Majesty ordered a thorough investigation.”
When I mentioned the matter he’d kept hidden from me, his lips twitched once. I watched the movement quietly and smiled.
“I heard from His Majesty. So that’s why Your Grace interrogated so thoroughly. I was quite moved.”
“You flatter me. I merely did what was necessary.”
“Ah, I meant I was moved by His Majesty.”
I added sheepishly, and a crack appeared in Formoso’s smile. I smiled all the brighter, pretending not to notice.
“Of course, I’m always grateful for your integrity as well, Archbishop.”
Even to anyone’s ear, it sounded like empty courtesy. Formoso no longer smiled.
I rose and left him there.
“Then do have a pleasant evening.”
There could be no greater hell than a woman a man loves constantly mentioning her betrothed.
Since Justitia had acted the same way, I was unwittingly exacting revenge on Formoso all over again.
‘……Is that why she allowed Justitia’s death?’
Out of hatred for a woman who loved another man? Because she couldn’t have him, she’d have him killed?
‘Then she might betray me again this time too.’
But it didn’t matter. The only thing Formoso would be useful for now was when I put Lumiel on the scaffold as a Demon Worshipper.
‘That’s something even Formoso couldn’t stop, no matter his will.’
You just need to keep raising my Gauge the way you do now. When the time comes for me to leave, don’t confess those petty feelings like you did then.

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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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